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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Good Reads X 3

Finding a good book to read is pure enjoyment for many folks, myself included. But, there can be too much of a good thing — all at once. That was my very happy dilemma when reserves placed on 3 library books ALL became available simultaneously. And, all were new books with a shorter checkout time which meant some fast reading on my part.

Walking on Water is the 5th (and final) book in the Walk series by Richard Paul Evans posted about earlier. The fictional series details life-changing events for Alan Christoffersen, who after losing his wife, ad business, and home within a month, decided to walk cross-country from Seattle to Key West. Previous books detailed his journey and lessons learned about love, forgiveness and hope. Here, he heads back west to face a crisis that could threaten his new-found well-being. But the love of a new friend and the wisdom of an old friend help him move ahead. 

It's best to read this series in sequence: The Walk (2010), Miles to Go (2011), The Road to Grace (2012), A Step of Faith (2013), Walking on Water (May 2014). 

Irish author Maeve Binchy, who died in 2012, was among my favorite authors. Her writing, however, didn't end with her death. Chestnut Street is one of several posthumous publications. When not immersed in novel writing, Ms. Binchy composed short stories about residents of this fictional street in Dublin and in these short stories, all the characters live or work on Chestnut Street. 

Assembled by her longtime editors and husband, Gordon Snell, the stories are vintage Binchy: tales of friends, neighbors, parents, children, husbands and wives. Binchy explores relationships presenting short vignettes of people's lives.  Before she died, she had completed over 30 sketches; all filled with her trademark humor and emotion. I was glad to have more of her work to enjoy.
Donna Leon's, By Its Cover, is the 23rd novel in a series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti. Although the setting is Venice, this story resembles an actual 2012 event in Naples with the theft of rare books from the Girolamini Library by its director. Typically with a Brunetti mystery, there are many subplots. This story includes theft, blackmail, violence, murder, and assorted characters, from an aristocratic library benefactor to a murdered ex-priest

I've just completed two books in the past week and have been savoring Ms. Binchy's stories before bedtime. It's nice to fall asleep in the company of "friends" as her characters quickly become to longtime readers like myself.

What good reads have you enjoyed recently?

14 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

You read faster than me. I have been working on a bird behavior book, "The Thing With Feathers". I enjoy a good detective novel, more in the winter.

Gail Dixon said...

I used to love reading, but can hardly sit still these days to get immersed in novels. One day I hope to revisit my love of reading.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

That Maeve Binchey book sounds good. I like serialized stories like Alexander McCall Smith's "Corduroy Mansions" about neighbors in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Zowie! Just requested Chestnut Street from the library. I'm #93 on the list! Oh well...will give Josephine and me time to finish what we have on out nightstand now. She's currently enthralled in a Puss 'n Boots tale. LOL!

barbara l. hale said...

Thanks for the suggestions. I may look into something by Donna Leon. Sounds like something I would enjoy.

Country Gal said...

I am still working on a book from last summer lol I have a habit of starting a book putting it down and going back to it ages later lol I guess I get busy with other things lol ! Like photography , gardening , going for walks to many things to do oh my !!!! Thanks for sharing they sound good ! Have a good week !

Montanagirl said...

Super good post! I was always an avid reader until my eyes started bothering me so much. After cataract surgery, it was better, but it still takes awhile for my eyes to re-adjust and focus if I read for very long at a time.

William Kendall said...

I've read some of Maeve Binchy's work, but haven't read that one.

Michelle said...

I've been reading a mystery lately and about to get started on a Wendell Berry book.

Elaine said...

Guaranteed if you put several holds on library books they will all come up at the same, or if two or in a series, the second will come up first. But always good to have several good books to read at one time.

diane b said...

I love hearing about books that others read. You read a lot more than Me. I only read at bedtime as I seem to be busy doing other stuff during the day. I enjoy Maeve Binchy books but best of all I enjoy biographies.

Anvilcloud said...

Aha! I vaguely recall reading a Commissario Guido Brunetti book. I probably got the link form you.

Ginnie said...

I am an avid reader but I think my choice of books is a little different than yours ... I liked my first Maeve Binchy book but, to me, all the rest seemed like a variation of that first one.
I just finished "The Signature of all Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert and really enjoyed it.

Leonora said...

I love it when bloggers post book recommendations. It's proven to be the best way for me to know what to check out from the library. Thanks for posting your suggestions!