I liked Pooley’s book The Authenticity Project and enjoyed a recent book discussion of Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting, so I was eager to read this British novel with an ensemble cast.
Daphne is turning 70 and rarely leaves her apartment. A dog named Maggie Thatcher needs a new home, or homes. Ziggy is a teen dad to toddler Kylie. Lydia, struggling with hot flashes at 54, starts a part-time job at a London community center, leading a new social club for seniors. Art, a bit actor is bored, and brings his photographer friend William along. Ruby knits and knits. When the community center needs expensive repairs, the local council considers selling the building to developers. The senior club and the daycare, along with a group of pregnant women and people in recovery all band together to try and save the building. There is an unusual joint nativity play, some clever yarn bombing, and Maggie Thatcher is entered into a competition on a TV show. The seniors also trail Lydia’s husband, deal with Ziggy’s local bully, and find lost family members, as well as uncover Daphne’s very big secret. This is a funny, moving, and entertaining read with bighearted and realistic middle-aged and older characters.
I loved reading The Guncle, and looked forward to reading more about Gay Uncle Patrick and his niece Maisie and nephew Grant, but sequels aren’t always as satisfying. This one is a winner. The settings are different, and the story is set five years later. It’s a vivid, bittersweet, joyous, funny, and engaging read.
Patrick takes his niece and nephew to Europe for a vacation before their father Greg’s upcoming marriage to Livia, an Italian marchesa. Maisie and Grant are now 14 and 11, and not as adoring of Uncle Patrick. They meet him in London, where Patrick is finishing up filming a movie. The kids get to visit the movie set, which they enjoy. Then they visit Paris, Austria for scenes from The Sound of Music, and then Venice, before traveling to a fancy hotel overlooking Italy’s Lake Como for the wedding festivities. The children want Patrick to talk his brother out of getting married, while Patrick tries to show them different aspects of love. He is jealous of the children’s connection to Palmina, Livia’s sister.
Patrick is 49, acting again, and single after a five-year relationship. He tries to share his wisdom with the kids, and strives to always be witty, funny, and the center of attention. The European setting is amazing, and the kids are great characters. There are a few cringey moments among the bittersweet and funny ones, with a surprise ending. If you liked The Guncle, this is a fine follow-up.
In this Regency era rom-com, two earls and a viscount who have been friends since their days at school take a fortnight’s holiday together every summer. Archie, Simon, and Effie are on their way to a ruined castle in Cumbria in North West England, although it’s been a challenge to get them all together this year. A messenger on horseback finds their carriage and tells them that Sir Albert Morgan needs their help. The Morgans are neighbors of Archie, and Clementine and Olive were his childhood friends. Apparently, Olive is eloping to Scotland with Mr. Bull and Clementine, dressed in men’s clothing, has gone after them. Clementine had recently called off her engagement to Mr. Bull.
The humorous adventure is on, as Archie, Simon, and Effie track down Clementine, Olive, and Mr. Bull at an inn. The rescue does not go smoothly, and Clementine and Olive end up travelling with the three friends to their rented castle. Once there, the sisters keep different hours and take their meals separately from the men, especially as Clementine has become a vegetarian. Of course, Archie finds that he wants to spend more time with Clementine, and there are definite sparks, though Clementine doesn’t want to ever marry. This is a funny and charming romance with an unlikely plot and quirky characters. There is also a racing turtle named Hermes. A sequel is planned for next year: Manic Pixie Dream Earl.
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
This contemporary novel covers one year in the life of Chicago University researcher Isadora. The setting sounds like the University of Chicago. On her 30th birthday, Isadora stocks up on junk food, soda, and a magazine with an article titled “31 Ways to Be Happy Today!”. So far, her life hasn’t been happy. She loves her job, but that’s pretty much her life. Her apartment is very bland, and she mostly eats frozen dinners. Her mother may be a narcissist, and has never stood up for Isadora. Isadora sets out to prove that the article is wrong, and that the 31 steps will not lead to happiness.
First, after practicing in a mirror, she smiles at Marty, an older man sitting on a nearby bench. They end up meeting regularly for lunch on the bench. Isadora, very reluctantly, agrees to her assignment to help psychologist Cal organize his research project. Cal is, of course, handsome. Then Isadora meets her neighbor Darby, whose husband Dante cooks amazing Italian food, and goes to Saturday morning yoga with her. Yoga is decidedly not fun, but she encounters some nice people, including the instructor. Darby and Dante have four kids; 3 little boys and 10-year-old Delilah. Delilah likes quiet and shows up at Isadora’s apartment with a lunch box and a book, and turns out to be a kindred spirit, although one who can also pick locks.
The plot is somewhat predictable but the story is as appealing as cherry pie, and includes a gentle romance. A very funny scene has Isadora burning her grudges in her fireplace. She learns to forgive herself, tell off her ex-boyfriend, and go on adventures with Cal. Isadora is realistically scared to open herself up to connection with her new friends, worried about being hurt again. The final scene is her birthday, one year later. An engaging read.
I have read Abbi’s five other novels, beginning with The Garden of Small Beginnings, and loved most of them. They tend to have an ensemble cast with quirky, big-hearted main characters. This novel has an outrageous plot, complete with twists and turns, and is occasionally laugh-out-loud funny.
Christa Barnet is the youngest daughter of Denise and the late Jasper Liddle. As a child, she sometimes appeared on television with one of her parents, usually holding a cute animal. Now she is a marine biologist on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, studying sea snails. Summoned back to Los Angeles along with her older sisters, Christa learns that her father has reappeared in Alaska, where his plane crashed when she was 2. Before rejoining his family, Jasper first appears on a popular talk show.
Christa hasn’t spent much time recently with her mom and sisters and doesn’t remember her dad. She does remember the trials of being a slightly famous teen, and is haunted by memories of a Hollywood party at which she was handed a drugged drink. Family friend Nate Donovan comes to the rescue, then and now. He is very handsome and doesn’t mind that Christa is prickly, short, and has many tattoos of marine life.
An over-the-top storyline with appealing main characters and cool settings in scenes set on the fictional island of Violetta, and on a merry-go-round, add to the book’s appeal. Also, there’s Marcel, the cute family dog, a bear cub named Dorothy, plus a gorgeous book cover. You don’t need an interest in snails or tide pools to enjoy this engaging novel, which is sure to be popular. I also enjoyed the illustrations by Julia Waxman. Readalikes include books by Emily Henry.
The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss
While this is not the long-anticipated doorstopper sequel to the Wise Man’s Fear, this illustrated fantasy novella is a very enjoyable read. Set all on a Midsummer’s Day, it features Bast, a fae who lives and works at Kvothe’s inn in a small village. It’s a secret that Bast is fae rather than human, and I won’t mention what type of fae. He is very handsome, and some of the villagers think he’s lazy. He provides advice and favors for the village children and tweens who visit him at the Lightning Tree…for a price. Perhaps the price is a secret, a bunch of flowers, the location of a beehive, a couple of sticky buns, or a favor. Bast can lie, but does follow some rules. Rike needs the most help; a plan to deal with his angry father. Viette wants to keep a kitten, someone wants to learn about the fae, and a boy wants revenge on a brother who stole his sweetheart. Another girl wants to avoid a well-deserved scolding. Bast also woos a pretty lady, with help from one of the kids. He is supposed to be running an errand for Kvothe, but keeps mislaying things. By turns serious and very funny, with many black and white illustrations by the talented Nate Taylor, I didn’t want this story to end. Reading this on one of the shortest days of the year, it was lovely to be immersed in a long, warm, and sunny day.
I listened to the first half of this Good Reads Choice Award teen fantasy on audio, narrated by Rebecca Norfolk and Alex Wingfield, both excellent narrators, and read the rest in print a few weeks later. This is the first book in the Letters of Enchantment duology. The second, Ruthless Vows, will be published December 26, and is likely to be just as popular.
Iris Winnow, a poor teen journalist, is vying for a columnist job along with well-educated and well-dressed Roman Kitt. Forest, Iris’s brother, has enlisted in a war between two recently awakened gods. Iris types letters to Fores on a typewriter she inherited for her grandmother, hoping her mother doesn’t find and pawn it. The typewriter turns out to be linked to another typewriter, now owned by Roman, who replies to the letters using his middle name.
After Iris suffers a loss and a setback, she signs up to be a war correspondent and takes the train to a distant town, staying along with a fellow war correspondent, with a kind boardinghouse owner. The town is on high alert for human or magical attacks. Iris hopes to find news of her brother. Iris is surprised (though not the reader) when Roman follows her, now also a war correspondent, and Iris learns of their grandmothers’ connection. At Iris’s request, Roman shares stories of the gods. Once rivals, Roman and Iris quickly fall in love. A dramatic cliffhanger ending sets up the sequel. The rivals to lovers romance is believable and the characters and dark, dangerous steampunk setting are memorable. Not a happy book, but a compelling read.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Black British teens Celine and Bradley were friends until a few years ago, when Bradley, an athlete, became very popular. Bradley has obsessive compulsive disorder, but it’s not presented stereotypically and most of his friends are unaware of his issues. Celine is refreshingly weird, is usually scowling, and has a popular conspiracy themed social media site. Their mothers are best friends, and are delighted when the teens both qualify for an unusual scholarship competition, which involves hiking, orienteering, and camping. Neither Celine or Bradley is outdoorsy, though they’re both capable hikers. Speaking of the title, Celine is highly suspicious, and thinks that Bradley is unfairly cute, especially his hair. They become friends again, with plenty of funny banter leading to a sweet romance. This was an entertaining and enjoyable read from an author best known for her adult rom-coms, the Brown sisters trilogy.
Let it Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! by Donna Andrews and The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Merry Days of Christmas by James Patterson and Tad Safran
These two authors are seldom reviewed together, one writing humorous cozy mysteries, and the other a bestselling thriller writer. But both have entertaining holiday novels that I enjoyed reading this fall. While I do not have winter holiday decorations up yet, I am enjoying holiday reads and planning my winter holiday baking.
In Let It Crow!… amateur sleuth Meg Langslow is a blacksmith who doesn’t get to spend as much time at her craft as she’d like, because she’s raising twin boys with her husband Michael, has another part-time job, and, of course sleuthing. But when her mentor Faulk is injured, Meg is needed to replace him in a weaponsmithing competition that’s being filmed on the grounds of a nearby estate. She’s the only woman competitor in the Blades of Glory tent. It’s holiday time, and her mother is helping decorate the estate house, or castle, in red, gold, silver, and black, and Michael and the boys can stay with her on site. There is plenty of holiday cheer including sledding, wonderful food, and an amazing assortment of gingerbread houses, but there seems to be a practical joker in the blacksmithing tent, as Meg has found the temperature on her forge turned up and down a couple of times. There is plenty of humor, especially when night owl Meg must be on camera bright and early. And yes, there are crows, who end up providing some clues when there’s a crime to be solved. I’m a fan of the Meg Langslow books, but often wished for more blacksmithing scenes, and enjoyed reading about Meg creating a knife and a sword for the first episode.
In the Twelve Days… Henry, Will and Ella Sullivan haven’t celebrated Christmas in five years, since Will and Ella’s mother Katie died. Henry is a history professor at Columbia, just going through the motions of teaching, and drinking a bit too much. Will, 14, has joined up with a group of older teens who shoplift and play pranks while Ella, 12, is a very quiet germaphobe whose only joy is painting landscapes and scenery for a school musical. Will and Ella combine to create a dating profile for Will, as they’d really like to celebrate Christmas again (including presents). Ms. Truelove responds, and begins sending them all the traditional twelve days of Christmas presents. Mayhem results in their Harlem townhouse with a neglected walled garden. Marian, a city animal protection worker, is often there to help with issues related to feeding and caring for the partridge, hens, calling birds, geese, and so on. Henry’s job at Columbia is in jeopardy and the house is a wreck, but the food from all the eggs and milk is incredible. A funny and poignant holiday read.
Kerry, a freelance graphic artist, very reluctantly agrees to spend a month with her brother Murphy in New York City to sell the Christmas trees Murphy and their father Jock grow in the mountains of North Carolina. Jock is recovering from a heart attack, and her mother Birdie, thinks she needs to get out more since her job was eliminated in a corporate merger. A change of scene does sound good, and Kerry has fond memories of past Decembers in New York. But driving her dad’s old Ford truck to New York City while towing a vintage camper has her uneasy, and the camper’s plumbing doesn’t even work.
The Tollivers have been selling Frasier fir trees in Greenwich Village for over 35 years, and local business owners and residents help with setup, electricity, hot coffee, and bathroom breaks. And Murphy’s dog Queenie is a sweetie, though it turns out that Murphy snores, loudly. After the opposite of a meet-cute, Kerry is charmed by local Patrick and his young son Austin. Also welcoming are a mom of toddler twins, a restaurant hostess who gets Murphy to smile, and an older man who brings Queenie treats and gives Kerry advice on improving her sketches for an illustrated winter story she’s making with young Austin.
The hours are long, the weather gets colder, Kerry’s decorated wreaths keep her very busy, and showers and meals are as regular as she’d like. But the hospitality of the neighborhood is awesome, apart from rival Christmas tree sellers. Charming, funny, and heartwarming; a delightful holiday read even on a beautiful fall day.
One of my very favorite cozy mystery writers is Donna Andrews. Birder, She Wrote is #33 in the delightful Meg Langslow series. Meg is a blacksmith in Virginia with a large extended family. It’s not a spoiler to share that she marries actor and drama professor Michael and they have twin boys. Almost every year, Donna publishes a winter holiday mystery and another mystery. The audiobooks are narrated by Bernadette Dunne, and I can’t decide whether I enjoy reading the print books or listening to the audiobooks more. There is good character development, lots of humor, and a good mystery. Also, pets, mostly dogs and sometimes a whole litter of Pomeranian puppies. Living outside Caerphilly, the extended family also has a number of other animals, from sheep to occasional peacocks and more. All of the books have a bird in their titles, beginning with Murder with Peacocks. They always entertain and amuse me, and are even good to reread or to listen to again. Most of the audiobooks can be downloaded from Hoopla or Libby/Overdrive library collections. I think readers can jump into the series pretty much anywhere, especially any of the first five or six books.
I recently reread the third book, Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos, set near Yorktown, during a Revolutionary War enactment. Meg is selling her wrought iron wares, hiding a case of flamingos made for her mother’s friend, admiring Michael in his French officer’s uniform, and making peace after Michael’s mother hands out another fine as she seeks complete authenticity among the crafters and reenactors.
Book 17, Good Emus, Bad Emus has the Langslow family searching for Meg’s grandmother Cordelia, who gave her son up for adoption. Meg looks just like a young Cordelia, and they’ve found her cousin. A murder must be solved, and the whole clan are trying to rescue a group, or mob, of feral emus.
In Meg’s latest mystery, Birder, She Wrote, she is hoping for a lazy summer day, lounging in a hammock sipping a cold drink and watching hummingbirds sip nectar from feeders. This sounds like a perfect day to me as well. Alas, Meg soon has several tasks to add to her to-do list. Edgar, a wildlife photographer and beekeeper, is missing, Meg’s father wants help moving beehives, and Edgar’s new neighbors keep complaining about his beehives. Meg goes along on a search for a lost graveyard and finds a body, but it isn’t Edgar. And then there’s a persistent young reporter who wants to interview Meg’s grandmother for a magazine profile. More mysteries then in many of the earlier books, but as full of family, humor, and animals as the others. More, please!
Book Girl & Little Bear 