Saturday, August 28, 2021
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Friday, July 2, 2021
#FridayReads Features the New Tracy Clark Mystery, Runner
Welllllllll, Tracy Clark's fourth Chicago P.I. Mystery called Runner, featuring our sister Cass Raines, is officially OUT. When I write OUT, I mean OUT! As in me walking out of work for the weekend so I can sit down somewhere (I honestly hope it rains so I can order out as well) and read it over the weekend. This is a series I look forward to for a new release each year, and so far we're in year four with a hopeful five down the slide.
Seriously, I want this series to be one of those long-running private-eye series where long into the future I can profess how I was a DAY ONE reader. Corny notions, but it's how I feel.
Evidently, Runner is going to be one of those winter-based chilly kinds of mysteries.
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
CHOP IT UP: While Justice Sleeps
Either way, I was excited to make it a focus venture this month, and I have to say I really enjoyed the book. I knew Abrams was going to implement an intelligent thriller. Like, I just knew it. And I wasn't disappointed–at all. She used her character, Avery Keene, to take us readers through legalese court and justice realms. Also, the often-infuriating chess game of politics (though the commentary wasn't as involved), biological weaponry, and personal avenues featured the main protagonist and her addict mother. Nevertheless, it is a busy, busy thriller. But unlike many thrillers I have attempted to read, Abrams' pace was outstanding! I'm a "I need more details" type of reader, so breakneck suspense isn't always fun for me. However, While Justice Speaks was suspenseful, it carried a balance of engaging details. Each event or uncovered clue brought information and motion. And, once again for emphasis, the book remained sharp and intelligent throughout.
The story was way bigger than I anticipated, and not a single moment in the story's unfolding felt convoluted or read too conspired. However, I would say from my overall experience, two things did kind of bug me.
One: while the thriller was brilliant, I was hoping Abrams would pull away from lots of thriller conventions and present us with something fresher. Certain areas of the story were predictable, only because they mirrored standard patterns seen in thriller books. This is especially evident with the characterization of some of the antagonistic characters.
Two: while I enjoyed Avery, for whatever reason, I had trouble settling on what type of character she was. She's young at twenty-six, but serving as a clerk, it was evident she was intelligent. But I felt like she allowed too many characters to speak down to her, and I explicitly grew angry every time a male character would grab her arm. Nevertheless, in some cases, her rebuttal to being treated like a child often turned into moments of reinforcing the notion. Essentially, I recognized she was in command, but I never quite felt it completely. A lot of times, it felt like it was more projection to me. I also felt like she need more personality, and given that she's biracial, I would have loved more commentary on her experiences. Without those last two elements, she was borderline serviceable and placid at times. But not to get it twisted; she was great when she was great, which is throughout most of the book.
Anyway, I just wanted to run those thoughts down. I hope another book is coming out featuring this same cast.
Friday, June 25, 2021
An ex-CEO "Sponsored" Me Some Christie Kicks
Sooooooo. As many readers here know, this blog acts as a reading journal of sorts. I document bits and pieces of life and this and that and books and bric à brac. Therefore, quite frequently, a story relating to a purchase pops up. Or, in this case, a Christie Kicks book haul "sponsored" by a retiring CEO. Here is what I was blessed with this week. The CEO of the company I work for has retired, right? He is the owner and all that jazz. So, he has gotten to where he wants to give his chair over to someone else. Cool, stuff? Now, the really cool stuff is that he has given his employees $100 times however many years they have worked for the company. In my case, I'm in my fifth year. You can do the math. So, what can a book lover do with a bonus check a week before payday (besides knock out some bills early) …?
Go invest in these leather-bound Barnes & Noble
Agatha Christie collection books–that is what.
Listen, I was playing no games today. I finally read
The Murder on the Orient Express; I am 25-pages from the end of And Then There
Were None. Needless to see, a particular hunger to study Christie's techniques have sat in. Besides, I have been doing super well in completing coursework toward finally
finishing my degree program. No, for real.
I have busted my tail these past two weeks just so I could have the
weekend free to read and not work on writing papers.
Heck, I deserved this treat. So, I took it. In the famous words of Pattie Labelle circa
the Be Yourself album of 1989: I can’t complain…
THANKS, Mr. ex-CEO, man. We will talk about the raise
with the new guy. But in the meantime, I like this kind of stuff.
BOOKS! It's what's for dinner. MYSTERY BOOKS! It’s the
delicious poison on the steak.
Bon Appetit, homie!
A Quick Rundown of my Christie Kicks Feelings
Day ONE
What’s going on with me attempting to read Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles? I’m 28 pages into the book and find myself uninterested. Two things are occurring to me:
So what shall I do next? Mmmmmm.
I think I’m going to give myself more pages.
Day
TWO
So, I managed to scoot up closer to the table and read up to fifty pages and found my interest in the book drastically improved. Between the first 28 pages until now, the actual death has occurred and what an exciting scene it provided. All the bells and whistles that tickle my mystery-loving fancy are on full display. I am now on board. I am now interested. The death scene and Poirot's character/personality finally taking stage broke from the initial stale taste the book was giving me. I am still not engaged with Christie's light writing style; as matter-of-fact, her style makes me hungry for some more of P. D. James's work. I kept glancing at one of my shelves, wondering would it be appropriate to plug in another Adam Dalgleish book after The Mysterious Affair at Styles. P. D. James is undoubtedly an evolution of Christie with both her literary style and emphasis on characters. I stress characters. James does character.
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Friday Book Purchases...
As I write this, I am ready to crash. I spent all of Saturday and the majority of today (Sunday) writing and beating down a course paper and journal. My plan was to make a lasagna today, but I was so tired of writing and rewriting this paper that I just ordered a pizza, all else be darned. I'm so tired that my joints hurt! And I was only using my brain (or what's left of it) and my fingers. It goes to show the mind-body connection is real. But the second I post this, I'm back to reading A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It's my first Sherlock Holmes reading ever. I can honestly say it is good, especially the second half.
Nevertheless, Fridays are my jam. Off days always usual are. However, if God blesses you to have Fridays off... well... don't waste it!
Got paid. Bookstores to curve my mental health in a positive direction.
And just because I like the atmosphere and hoarding books, I went to Barnes & Noble (what else is new, homie?).
Anyway, before the weekend is up, here is what I picked up Friday. A bit of old with a mystery classic/pioneer force in The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Previously, I had a children's book version of the book and have since decided I needed the whole enchilada experience.
Secondly, I grabbed a new release I've had on my watchlist since last year in Dead Dead Girls by NeKesha Afia. Who, by the way, is a black woman debuting her Harlem Renaissance-themed mystery here. This is perfect because I'm always in the bookstore looking at newly released early 20th century era mysteries, but the ones that are released never look interesting. The covers are always some woman looking over a horizon with a big ole wide-brim hat on and an evening gown making them ALL.LOOK.LIKE.THE.SAME.BOOK! Go look for yourself and tell me I'm lying!
Anyway, I was NOT going to walk out without NeKesha
Afia having my support. I buy the book. The store replaces the book. Keep the
cycle going, people. Now the real question is, when will I catch up with my
backlog with all that I have purchased recently.
Well, I'm off.
Tired. Drained.
And still have to go to work tonight.
But I just came to put you all up on some game–book hoarding wise. Six courses left before
graduation. The good news is that I'm ahead, so I have Monday all to myself to make tea and read (and leftover pizza so I don't have to worry about what to eat). Wish me well, and
take care yourself, chile.