Friday, March 7, 2008

A little light reading

I have three books on my nightstand that I've been actively reading, but none of them is quite hitting the spot. They are all good books in their own right, but I've just not been satisfied by them. Maybe it's the cold weather, maybe it's worrying and trying to figure out why my child has her fourth ear infection in 2 months. Who knows. But, this tasty Decaf Tazo Chai tea is helping a bit, and so are the following comfort/fun reads.

Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear is the third book in the Maisie Dobbs series (Thanks Mel!). I'm not a frequent mystery reader but I really enjoy these books, particularly for the setting and the heroine. Maisie uses unique methods to solve her crimes and I found that this book helped me understand why and how she is able to do this. Maisie finds herself in danger in this episode which added to the pace of this novel. All in all, a solid addition to the Maisie Dobbs series which left me wanting more - fortunately I have the next two installments waiting. I do wonder how long Winspear will continue this series. Has anyone read anything in an interview?

The second book I've finished is a bit embarrassing to admit, but here it is: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella. I can never stop myself from putting myself on the library list for Kinsella's books. She's definitely doing something right. Her heroines are flawed but likable, she is able to create enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, and her books are full of humor. This latest release is the story of Lexi, a young woman who wakes up in the hospital one day to find she's lost the last three years of her life due to amnesia as a result of a car accident. What is so surprising for Lexi, is that she looks like a brand-new woman, has a gorgeous successful husband, and a high-powered position herself. All this is in stark contrast to what Lexi remembers from three years ago. Remember Me? follows Lexi as she navigates her new/old world and tries to figure out where she fits into it. I was a little bit surprised by the ending of this book. It felt somewhat abrupt and one thing I thought would happen, didn't. This was a quick and fun read. Books like this are a little bit like candy - good in small doses.

11 comments:

Nan said...

I can take Winspear and Kinsella in very large doses, loving them both. :<)

Iliana said...

Ah your poor kid. I hope the ear infection goes away and this time for good. Ugh.
I haven't heard anything about how long the Maisie Dobbs series will go on. I love it so I don't mind lots more books as long of course as they keep being good ones. I do hate it when a series I like becomes boring and just more of the same.

lazy cow said...

I'm a sucker for Kinsella's books too and raced through Remember me? in a morning. Mount Blanc! Hilarious :-)
Warning: just don't follow it up with another predictable chick-lit or similar. I then read Elizabeth Noble's Things I want my daughters to know and felt a little sick from overdosing on all that soppiness.

Becca said...

I agree that every once in awhile we need to totally change pace and read something way out of the ordinary ... I'll have to remember these authors. I'm a bit stuck in the early 1900's.

LK said...

I'm just starting the Winspear mysteries. I'm not a big mystery reader, although I'd like to write one. Go figure. So, I'm glad to hear you like her.

BooksPlease said...

I've only read one of the Maisie Dobbs books, which I enjoyed. I do like Sophie Kinsella's books as well, they're so readable. When it's difficult deciding what to read her books do hit the spot nicely.

Jill ONeill said...

Ear infections are very worrisome, I know; my sons had them as well. And I think that your selection of Winspear and Kinsella makes absolute sense if that's what you're dealing with in real life.

Tara said...

Nan, oh good! You'll love this new one then.

Iliana, thanks, me too! I agree with you regarding MD - as long as they're good, I'll keep reading.

Lazy cow, Yes, I read it too, it seemed to take only a couple of hours. Point well taken.

Becca, I think so to, though being stuck in that era is a good thing, I think!

LK, I hope you enjoy them- if you you have lots of fun reading ahead.

BooksPlease, I couldn't agree more with everything you've said.

Jill, I did too as a child, so my Mom went through the same. I think you are right, and that is why nothing else has quite been the right thing.

Danielle said...

I know what you mean when a book is good but just not really hitting the spot! Hopefully Maisie will do the trick. I've not heard anything about how long she is planning on writing about Maisie--hopefully she still has some good stories in her! This is my favorite mystery series. And comfort reads/or a nice fluffy book has its place, too!

Carrie K said...

And the third?

I saw Jacqueline Winspear in an Author/Interview thing live last Oct - she didn't seem to indicate she was giving up on Maisie Dobbs anytime soon. She was just fascinated by the era.

Sophie Kinsella books are so much fun!

Tara said...

Danielle, wow, your favorite mystery series! I hope she has lots of good ideas, because I will definitely keep reading.

Carrie, what fun to hear JW speak! And thanks for the great news. I look forward to many more Maisie tales.