Weekend Update: August 6, 2011

This week:
I didn’t do a weekend update last week because between the to do lists and work and the to do lists at home I hadn’t read much or done anything fun so I skipped the update. That means that this week you get two weeks worth of update that might combine to make a week’s worth of update worthy stuff.

I finished The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller. I liked this one a lot and if you are one of those people who like the Maisie Dobbs series but feel it’s a tad bit short on mystery, yet you love the time and place, then you should read this one. I also finished These Dark Things by Jan Merete Weiss. This is a police procedural but the setting of Naples and a main character who is one of the few female officers in the Carabinieri (the National Police of Italy). I’ve really been on a streak of good books and this continued that streak. I’ve now just barely started The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I’ve heard lots of good reviews so I’m hoping my expectations aren’t too high.

On audio I started listening to Trespass by Rose Tremain. I’d heard good things about both the book and the audio production but this one just didn’t grab and hold my attention at all. I gave it 2 and a half cds, but turned it off because in all honesty, at that point I really didn’t care what happened. I then turned to one of my reliable audio series and I’m now partway through The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith. I thoroughly enjoy Lisette Lecat’s reading of his Botswana series. Tomorrow The Hubster and I will be on the road so we’ll be listening to Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell. I made him read Hawaii by James Michener so he’d have some background before we listen to it.

Where and When did I read in July

This has been fun to keep track of the past few months so here’s where and when my reading took me in July.

Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book – England and Italy early 1900’s

Dick and Jane and Vampires – Imaginary suburbia circa 1950’s??

Buried – London – present day

84, Charing Cross Road – New York and London 1949

Bury Your Dead – Present day Quebec City

The Return of Captain John Emmet – 1920’s England


Other than books and reading:

Not a whole lot other than work and a bunch of stuff that I needed to get done at home.

We did take a day trip last weekend up to Seattle to go to a baseball game. We have the unfortunate affliction of being Seattle Mariners fans. We haven’t been up to Safeco Field for a game in a few years so it was time.

We lucked out and had perfect weather for the drive and game and they even managed to pull out a rare win. The team should probably pay us to go to games.

Added to my TBR List (To Be Read) this week:

In the Dark by Mark Billingham


I’ve been so focused on Tom Thorne series that I somehow missed this standalone.

Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer


I’ve been a fan of Archer’s ever since I first read “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” years ago. This beginning of a new series comes out at the end of the month.

Purchased this week:



This is one that a lot of people I know and trust have said is good, but it was one of those I’d have to set down face down every time because I really don’t like the cover. Harper Perennial had the ebook on sale this week so I bought that so I don’t have to see the cover.

As for my library stack, it’s currently non-existent. Right now I’m focusing on reading a bunch of books that I have in the house before I pile up the library books again.



Have a great weekend!