Hello, my friends. We are still working on getting the house fixed up but interest rates put a cramp on the house hunting. Here is the last update on the painting, etc.
Other than walking, cooking and puzzle time I've spent time reading.
📚 Reading / I finished the 555 page book American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld and have moved on to Claire Keegan's book of short stories titled Antarctica. Books I've read previously by Keegan (Foster and Small Things Like These) were more engaging but there are a few short stories in Antarctica I enjoyed. (Click on book title link for review)
Next up is Erica Bauermeister's latest No Two Persons scheduled for publication in May. I received an ARC from Netgalley. 📚
Watching / We finished London Kills and now have to wait for season 4 to be released. We tried Happy Valley and gave up after one episode. I like the main actress, Sara Lancashire, who also appeared in the movie Yesterday. The show is set and filmed in Calder Valley, West Yorkshire. We knew going into it that it's more about the personal lives than police investigations but thought we'd try it. The accents were very difficult for us to understand as well so....moved on to No Offense
Linking up with
Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon
Joy's Book Blog for British Isles Friday
I've been thinking about reading most if not all of Keegan's books. My list of audiobooks is so long that I think I'll read the print/kindle of her's. I'm not familiar with the other two books/authors so I'll check them out.
ReplyDeleteVicki, Foster is amazing and only about 95 pages. Makes you think about it after you're done.
DeleteI did not realize that Claire Keegan had a book of short stories. I plan to read Foster on Friday. Maybe I will look for Antarctica after that.
ReplyDeleteYour update on No Two Persons spurred me on to look for this one, too!
We are watching the fourth season of Unforgotten. I will be sad to get to the end of this series.
Deb, I just discovered the short stories! The first one is a bit chilling and the rest are welll written but I sure enjoyed her other books more. I think you'll love No Two Persons.
DeleteWe are waiting on the next season (five) in the Unforgotten series. Don't read anything about season four before you finish! Big surprise.
I'm not sure when No Two Persons is coming out, but my library has it as on-order in their catalog.
DeleteDeb, it's scheduled for publication May 2, 2023. I may buy a physical copy inspite of having the ARC on Kindle.
DeleteWe watched the first series of Happy Valley, or part of it. I quit. It was the darkest show I'd seen and I couldn't take it! And sadly, when the actor was in Grantchester, as an Anglican priest no less!, I had a hard time separating him from the Happy Valley character.
ReplyDeleteNan, we haven't seen Grantchester yet bbut it's in my list of shows to try. Our library has it. Happy Valley was dark and we stopped before anything else happened to the girl in the shed. Ugh. There are some things I don't need in my head.
DeleteWe just finished wathing Night Agent on Netflix. We have to get back to some of the British crime dramas eventually. Still in the early seasons of Midsommers Mysteries! lol Happy reading this weekend. My list is up on my blog.
ReplyDeleteLyn, I hadn't heard of Night Agent and will check it out. I've appreciated the suggestions people give me as we never get to see previews unless it's on a DVD.
DeleteSarah Lancashire was also in the TV series Julia!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Erica Bauermeister in a long time!
Marg, I had not heard of Julia - will check it out!
DeleteWe're studying Antarctica next week. I should see if my library has this book!
ReplyDeleteStacy, it's poorly named as it's not at all about Antarctica!
DeleteAntarctica sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about starting Happy Valley because of the actor from Grantchester but I don't think I can do it. It looks very grim.
Erin, Happy Valley was indeed dark. We stopped watching as I thought there was a rape scene coming up that I didn't want to see. Have not tried Grantchester yet,
DeleteSuch interesting books this week! I've already added the new Erica Bauermeister to my list and can't wait to read it... especially if it'll be on your favorites list! American Wife is one I've thought about reading for years. My mother enjoyed it quite a bit. I've seen mixed reviews of Antarctica and will probably reread small Things Like These first. I loved Foster. Have a good week, Tina!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, the short stories are just ok. The first one was chilling but Keegan's other books have been outstanding. We have painters starting this week so we will try and get Loki out of the house as much as possible. Porbably won't get to much reading this week, alas.
DeleteI found No Offence at the library today and started watching. I was so surprised to see
ReplyDeleteSiobhán McSweeney. Have you watched Derry Girls? It is so good!
Jackie, I think t's a very good seies. Up to par with 19-2 but with dark humor. We just finished the last season last night. Have not seen Derry Girls but will go look for it!
DeleteAdding the Erica Bauermeister book to my TBR. I've listened to other books by her and really loved them but it's been awhile. I miss British crime shows but my attention span is just not up to them right now so I've kind of given up. I can read without any issues but books pull me in more than tv somehow so I pay more attention when I'm reading. I watch quite a bit of tv but nothing super detailed.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I also liked Bauermeister's book The School of Essential Ingredients quite a bit. Some tv shows don't require lots of attenetion to detail but with the cop shows things move so fast!
DeleteWe stopped at a small bookstore today (on our first road trip of the year!) in Manzanita and I was hoping to get a copy of Bauermeister's new book, but they didn't have any in stock. Rats. I love all of her books with the exception of the Scent Keeper. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this new one so well!
ReplyDeleteLes, I haven't tried The Scent Keeper and I forgot to tell you her next book won't be out until May 2 of this year. I was given an advanced readers copy.
DeleteHappy Valley didn't work for me either. I'm glad that you're finding some other series that work better for you.
ReplyDeleteJoy, Happy Valley was anything BUT happy! I love the crime shows but this was too dark.
DeleteWe always put on the closed captions for British shows (and some American ones). Vox did a fun video a few weeks ago about that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYJtb2YXae8
ReplyDeleteJoy, we may need to do that for shows set in Yorkshire! We didn;t have as much trouble with No Offense set in Manchester.
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