It’s been two months since my last Reading Round-Up because I’ve been reading very slowly lately. But I have some great books to share this week and I think I’m back on track for another Round-Up on the last Tuesday in July.
***
The first book I read was Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker. This was a book of psychological suspense that I enjoyed but thought could have been shorter (it’s about 500 pages). Read my review here.
***
The Penitent Priest by J.R. Mathis is the first book in a new series, and I found it very enjoyable. Quick synopsis: a man who joined the priesthood in middle age is sent back to pastor the parish where his wife was murdered. If you like the Father Brown mysteries, you’ll like this book. Read my review here.
***
My book club read Let It All Burn by Denise Grover Swank in May. This was a paranormal book with a heavy dose of mythology, and I enjoyed it. I hadn’t expected to, since paranormal is usually not my thing, but I was wrong and happily so. Check out my review here.
***
Next up was Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman by Lee Strauss. Though this is the 8th book in the Ginger Gold Mysteries, it was my first and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who likes cozies set in the 1920s. This one is set aboard a train, making it appear to be a locked room mystery, but it branches out to other venues and we get to see a bit of England in the process. You can read my review here.
***
I read Emerald’s Secret by Iris Chacon in under two hours. It’s a short, delightful novel that is typical of Iris’ fun style, quirky characters, and fast-moving plots. In this book, four police officers go undercover to bust a gambling ring, and each of the four is assigned an undercover identity that is nothing like his or her real personality. A great book that I think you’ll enjoy. Read my full review here.
***
The Gallery of Ghosts by Victoria Benchley is the second book in her Marsden Murder Club series. The Marsden Murder Club is a group of people who come together to solve cold case murders. Each member of the club has a specific and unique talent which is the reason he or she has been invited to join. The main character, Charlotte, has an uncanny ability to read people—to discern their pasts and uncover their secrets. This book takes place along the Hudson River and flirts with a hint of mysticism when Charlotte can sense the ancient drumbeats of the original dwellers along the river. This was a great read and you can take a look at my review here.
***
The final book this month was Rail Head by Stephen Honig. This is a book of poems all about trains—commuting, traveling, collecting, etc. I don’t read much poetry, but this is the second book I’ve read by Stephen Honig and I find his poetry insightful and interesting. I love the author’s note at the end explaining why he wrote the book. I would recommend it to lovers of unique poetry.
What have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
Until next time,
Amy
I love this feature. So nice to see what you’ve been reading and what you think! Also, thank you for reading/reviewing my book. I really appreciate it. I’ve been reading the Wolf Hall series — all excellent but a bit heavy.
LikeLike
Thanks, Victoria. Your book was terrific. I haven’t read the Wolf Hall series, but it sounds so interesting. I think that’s something that would take me a very long time to finish.
LikeLike
How could you say that your reading has been slow?? These are amazing suggestions and reviews. I’ve just listed them for my library. We now have curbside pick up, so I can start getting library books now, instead of buying hardbacks or e-books. My guy and I love Father Brown (and don’t tell many people, because it’s such a quirky show) so I’m getting The Penitent Priest for him. 🙂 I just finished reading Little Fires Everywhere (on Audibles) I didn’t think I’d like it (some snarky characters) but in the end, I loved it. I also read a book suggested by my library called Meg & Jo – contemporary fiction placing the March sisters from Little Women in today’s world. It was light and romancy and fun.
LikeLike
Little Fires Everywhere is one I’ve been debating about (inside my own head). But if you liked it, that’s a good recommendation. I’ll put that on my list. The libraries here are just opening up on a limited basis today, I think. Curbside pick-up was available last week, but every book I tried to get out was “in-library only.” It figures. 🙂 Meg & Jo sounds cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I began Little Fires I thought – nah, not for me. I was wrong… ;-0 I’ve just ordered several of your books from my library (could take a while…) and bought the “Father Brown-like one” for my guy. I think he’ll love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope he likes it. I really enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Should arrive in a few days… I think I mentioned that we enjoy watching Father Brown (as quirky as it is). But Grantchester is our fave. We are up-to-speed with those episodes. Have you watched this PBS show?
LikeLike
I haven’t seen Grantchester, but it’s one I’ve been hoping to watch. I wonder if I can get back episodes from the library.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you can. Start in the beginning, for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the recommends to fatten our readers Amy. Wow, you are a machine! 🙂 xx
LikeLike
I’m always looking out for readers’ readers, Debby! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, I hear you 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for all of the excellent choices, Amy. The one that caught my full attention was Emerald’s Secret.
LikeLike
Thanks, Pete. I was talking to someone the other day and she said the same thing: Emerald’s Secret caught her eye and she’s going to read it. It’s such a fun book. Glad you stopped by!
LikeLike
Nice choices, Amy! I added several of these to my ever-growing list. I don’t know if I should thank you or sob, LOL.
LikeLike
Ha ha! I feel the same way every time I hear about a good book. There are so many out there. I’m glad I could help! 😉
LikeLike
You´ve read some good ones!! I have also been reading slowly. I just finished Toni Morrison´s Song of Solomon which was amazing. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3386614701
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the recommendation, Darlene. I loved your review and put the book on my “Want to Read” shelf. Toni Morrison was amazing.
LikeLike
Wow, Darlene. Song of Solomon was such an intense read for me. I ‘had’ to read it for a high school student I was tutoring. I don’t think I would have otherwise, but I’m so glad I did. Opened my eyes and the story stayed with me for a long time. Toni Morrison’s writing is beyond superb.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, she is in a class by herself. I’m so glad I read it. This has been a year for reading books I’ve been putting off for the right time. What time could be more right than now?
LikeLiked by 1 person
My aunt’s favorite saying is “If not now, when?” It seems appropriate in this case. 🙂
LikeLike
There are some books that just won’t let go, and Toni Morrison was a master at writing those. I just finished another one like that–I’ll bbe including it in my July round-up. *cue the suspenseful music*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be waiting with baited breath to see what your July book list will include. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person