Finished "The Tea Planter's Wife" and recommend it. Now into "River Road" by Carol Goodman - a great suspense novel!

The Daughter of Time by J. Tey. It is a mystery written in 1952 about King Richard and the death of his 2 nephews in the Tower of London. I like historical fiction and mysteries and this has both.

Just finished "A Man Called Ove". A bit slow at the beginning but it really picked up and in the end was a great read.

Now to decide what to read next................

For the first time, I plan to read the print version of an audiobook I'm listening to right now. It's so good that I want to linger over the text and not speed along in audio. It's a nonfiction about a British ship that was torpedoed by the Germans in WW II. The ship had several hundred passengers, but most important were the 90 children who were being sent to sanctuary in Canada. The families had consented to the children leaving with the understanding that Royal Navy ships would be on hand as guards. But no Royal Navy was present when the Germans disregarded the rule (or changed for their own benefit) that after a ship is a certain distance out to sea, they would be in a neutral zone. The attack happened in the middle of the night in high seas and sleet. This was a heart rending tragedy, but also many stories of bravery, especially among the children. For example, an eight year old boy constantly reassured a distressed woman while they were in a lifeboat that a ship would soon come to save them, he sees one coming. There was no ship coming and I have not yet gotten to the part where any rescue occurs. Excellent book! Goodreads - Miracles on the water

caseynfld, try his other book Britt-Marie Was Here. I enjoyed it even more than a Man Called Ove.

I found a James Harriot book at the library resale store and am reading it. Each chapter is about a separate episode in his vet practice, so it is perfect for reading in bed since putting it down after the chapter or half way through it does not give me memory problems when I pick it up again. Who is she? Is she the daughter or the murderer? Is this after the police came or before? Is the speaker his wife or lover?

sheilajoyce - Thought I'd read all of James Harriot's books (several times!), but don't know of the one of which you speak about a murderer. Please give the title. Thank you.

Just finished In Farleigh Field: A Novel of WWII by Rhys Bowen. I love the way she writes. I would characterize the book as a cozy mystery.

Next up are Escape Clause by John Sandford, The Woman on the Orient Express by Lindsay Jayne Ashford and a young adult book, The Trials of Apollo, Book One: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan.

The newest In Death series book by J.D. Robb releases tomorrow. I'm sure I'll read that very soon.

Dandy, I don't believe Sheila is referring to an actual Herriot story when a murderer is mentioned. Sheila's using her questions to demonstrate how when you read before falling asleep the next day you have to re-read a portion of the story to get back up to speed. In drowsiness you don't remember facts and story lines.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Herriot series as a girl even though I would wonder how all these events could happen to one man. Then I discovered the stories were fiction. Herriot wrote what the publisher suggested. I felt like I'd been lied to. I gave away all my Herriot books.

Currently reading "The Girls of Atomic City" by Denise Kiernan. The untold story of the women who helped win World War II.

Kessala

Kessala M: WHAT! As an animal lover I've enjoyed Herriot's stories immensely and intensely, so I am thoroughly disheartened to learn from you that they were not true stories !!! Now I must attempt to adjust my thoughts and continue to somehow enjoy his tales for what they are. Sad.

I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow which was wonderful. Very interesting story. I also read Fannie Flagg's The Whole Town's Talking in January and a couple of others during Christmas and right after (John Grisham and David Baldacci's newest and Janet Evanovich). I'm now reading The Girls of Atomic City, a story about the women who worked at Oak Ridge National Lab in TN when it was first getting started. Almost like the 'Hidden Figures' of its day.

I love the James Herriot stories too, and have them on my audiobook rotation. According to Wikipedia, "Contrary to popular belief, Wight's books are only partially
autobiographical, with many of the stories being only loosely based on
real events or people. Wight's son, Jim, states that a lot of the
stories, although set in the 1930s, 1940s or 1950s in the books, were
actually inspired by cases that Wight attended in the 1960s and 1970s." So only parts are true, but very entertaining nevertheless.

In the middle of a sleepless night I began reading "The Walnut Tree" by Charles Todd and was halfway through before I could make myself stop and douse the light. Even though it's a well-detailed war story, it is fascinating, and anyone who is a nurse will also enjoy this novel.

A couple weeks ago while looking through the library's used book room, I found John Grisham's Sycamore Row. I started reading it Monday and have found it so interesting that I have trouble putting it down. A great read!

I have a set of the James Herriot books that I would never part with. I read them with my daughter when she was a pre-teen. We enjoyed them so much that they are a sweet memory.

Regarding James Herriot books, I didn't know that about him. They were some of my favorite books and TV show.

If you like to read something different for a change, I recommend this: "Hope Reborn Of War." Check out Amazon. You will find a picture of the cover and a few words about the story. The author is Nancy Sorrels, a well known local writer, who tells the story of a place known as "The Post." From a rural quietness, a need was uncovered and became, in 1942, the Staunton General Hospital Virginia. This story is almost unbelievable, but no, it happened and at one time my family and I were living there "on the Post" like so many others, because of the times and being dedicated to progress. Reading the book, which has just now been published, brought home so many small yet unforgettable memories. There is also a Documentary DVD by Connie J. Doebele included.

sweet-betsy - Agree with you about never parting with my Herriot books, and I've decided to force my imagination to continue to enjoy each story as if it were real, and never tell anyone otherwise.

I'm reading Deborah Cormbie's new one - Garden of Lamentations. I didn't order it, the library is slow getting it out and I figure I'm probably about 50th on the list. Today, I was looking at the Cloud Library (used to be 3M) from the library and there it was and available to borrow - so now I'm happily reading instead of the other stuff I should be doing.

I am reading Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard. It was on my wish list for my kindle from the library. I'm liking it. After reading all your comments on A Man Called Over I put it on hold at the library. Trouble is I'm #43 of 3 copies so it will be awhile.

Half way through, The Girl in Cabin 10. A Man Called Ove was slow for me. I skipped to the last few chapters to get it finished.

Just finished "We Are Water" by Wally Lamb - very good.

Thinking of starting "everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon. It's a young adult novel but I often enjoy those.

foggyj2 - Having the same experience with Ove after waiting through 29 readers at our library.

Foggy, I felt the same way about A Man Called Ove. Way more irritating than "hilarious". But then I've noticed if a book is described as laugh-out-loud funny I rarely find that to be true. I stopped Ove 1/3rd of the way through. If a pleasure book doesn't grab me quickly I don't waste another minute with it. There are too many books I'll never have time to read much less re-read or slog through it out of a sense of guilt.

Kessala

Just finished Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie. Very enjoyable -- I read it in two days. I always enjoy this series.

Next up -- A Gentleman in Moscow.

I feel the same, about wasting time reading something that is more of a chore, than enjoyable. I also read OVE... to about half way, then skipped to the last few chapters, just so I could know what his outcome was.

I'm enjoying the Woman in Cabin 10, so far. I'm not sure what's happening, which keeps me interested to find out!

Just finished Nabokov's "Lolita". Truly a disturbing book. It has been praised for it's beautiful prose, especially being as English was not his native tongue. Personally, I thought the writing was bad. Moments of greatness, but otherwise just bad. The book intrigued me enough to watch the 1997 version of the movie on you-tube, and that was very well acted by both Jeremy Irons and Dominique Swain. Next on the list is A Gentleman in Moscow.

I'm surprised at the negative feelings about A Man Called Ove....I really liked it, but did not like the author's My Grandmother Asked to tell You She's Sorry . The latter had a "teaser" about Britt-Marie, and I think will get that one. I am checking out my TBR stacks and found a couple of good ones, of course!

I finished The Girls of Atomic City today. Really enjoyed it, though it was a bit of a history lesson at times, which was fine with me. Can't decide what to read next. I've read a lot of historical fiction or history lately, so I may have to switch to something light for a change.

I very much liked A Man Called Ove, too. I read it after Britt-Marie was Here, which I really enjoyed, too. I decided to try My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She's Sorry and just started it; not far enough in to say yet. But I haven't heard of anyone who liked it. So I'm curious if I will.

I also finished The Girls of Atomic City recently. While I liked learning about the whole issue and thought she did a good job of painting a picture of the secrecy and scope of the project (I had no idea about how it all came to be before the bomb was dropped in Japan), I thought it was a hot mess of confusion to read. Maybe it was just me, but I couldn't keep the characters straight; she'd launch into a description regarding one of them and I'd think, "Which one is she?" Then in the next paragraph, she'd reveal that it was a new character, but the first paragraph was written as if we already knew of her. Made me a little crazy. And I guess I wanted it to be more just about the women, what they did, how they felt, etc. and not a science lesson about nuclear fission - but that's just because I have no interest in the science of it all, just the humanity.

I'm finding it interesting how many enjoyed "Ove". I started it and just couldn't get into it, gave it to DS who loved it big time (as did DD). I've just started The Princess Of Burundi by Eriksson - we have Swedish and Norwegian ties and DS found this "winner of the Swedish Crime Academy Award for Best Crime Novel" for me. It has gotten to a much better start for me cause nothing makes me smile more than a good murder :)

I also loved A man called Ove, but didn't get very far with Kafka on the shore by Haruki Murakami. It was just too abstract and strange for me. I'm about 3/4 into The way we live now by Anthony Trollope. Written in the 1800s, it concerns a wealthy but rough-around-the-edges and bullying man who moves to London. He attracts much admiration because of his wealth and two aristocratic opportunists who are heavy in titles but light in funds wish to marry his daughter. Although most of the upper crust are clamoring to be included in his lavish parties, they snub him and his family regarding personal relationships. Even someone from a "better" family who stays in his home is then considered unacceptable in polite society. He is running for election in the British Parliament and has donated money to two different religious denominations to increase his chances. Now word is slowly filtering in as to how he achieved his wealth - by fraud and outright deceit. It a very large book but a great read.

I'm reading Colson Whitehead's "Underground Railroad" for a book club I belong to. I guess it was on Oprah's book club list. It's just okay.

I just finished "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon. A great, quick read, I highly recommend it.

Enjoyed "Ove". Greatly enjoyed and savored "A Gentleman in Moscow".

Recently read and highly recommend "Exposure", a 2016 novel by Helen Dunmore.

I liked the author so much that I'm now *thoroughly depressed* reading "The Lie". It is beautifully written, but unremittingly sad. It's about a young man who has endured not only the trenches of WWI, but the overall waste of his mind and soul because of his impoverished and lower class 'place' in the world.

We read 'Ove' last year and we both just loved it. Very well written.

After being 29th on the waiting list at our library am very disappointed in "Ove". Had trouble getting into it and don't even know if I'll skip to the end to see what justifies it.

I read All the Light we Cannot See just before Christmas and consider it one of my all-time favorites. This month I read Joanna Trollope's Best of Friends and Alice Hoffman's Fortunes's Daughter, both good, and am now into Henning Mankell's Treacherous Paradise. Oh, and then there are the books tossed aside that I just could not get into, of course.

Just finished Susanna Kearsley's "Named of the Dragon" which takes place in Wales. Each chapter begins with a short poem or quote by Keats, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and the like. Most enjoyable read; now looking for more by Kearsley. Has anyone read any of her works?

Yesterday during the blizzard I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Another young adult novel but it was good. I also started The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.

I loved the Light Between Oceans so much! Very different and thought provoking.

I just finished The Girls of Atomic City. The title gave me so much hope...but what a hot mess of writing that was. The story was intriguing and I learned a lot about the Manhattan Project, but the character development was so poor (even though they were real people, they were very one dimensional) and where was her editor??? One of my scientist friends said some of the science wasn't correct (and there was way too much scientific detail for the average reader, I think). She needed an editor for the writing and and editor for the science, apparently. In my book group, we thought it would have been a much better story if she'd have used all her facts about the women to develop some fictional characters, so she could have rounded out some missing details and made them more readable/interesting.

Since I need another book to read, I searched local bookstores for The woman on the Orient Express. Not one copy is available! No doubt this is because Agatha Christie is the featured playwright for our current drama festival. As part of the celebration, we went to a free screening of Murder on the Orient Express and although we could have watched it at home, it was fun discussing the movie with friends. I was surprised that the movie was better than I remembered it was when I saw it several years ago.

I finished "The Light Between Oceans". It was good but I liked the first half better than the second half. Then I read "A Dog's Purpose" which I liked. Just started "At the Water's Edge" by Sara Gruen.

Caseynfld, I read At The Waters Edge. I really enjoyed it!

Anyone read "The Good Girl" by Mary Kubica. I ended up putting it down halfway through.

Olychick - now that you have read about the Manhattan Project, the follow-up should be to visit Los Alamos. There is a great museum there, plan on several hours to visit.

casey - I also enjoyed "Everything Everything" because it is different. Now into "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton although I can't recall who recommended it.

Well, since my last post I have read the following:

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen (pretty good)
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley (not that great)
The Alchemist Paulo Coelho (meh)
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue (good)
Empire Falls by Richard Russo (good)
Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg (boring, didn’t finish)

And now I have 2 on the go,

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells (not grabbing my attention yet)
The Red House by Mark Haddon (just started)

I just finished The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. I adore her writing style; she has such a gift of language and imagery, along with stunning metaphor. Love, love, love her!

Even though she started writing it in the early 2000's and finished in 2009, I think, a lot of the story could have been inspired by today's political scene. The book takes place from the times of the Bolshevik Revolution through the McCarthy era, from Mexico to Asheville NC, with historical references to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Trotsky when he was in exile in Mexico. Fascinating historical fiction.I learned a great deal about those times and places, cultural and historical, which haven't ever really interested me too much.

I can't recommend it more highly if you love beautiful writing.

I started on a series of books by Linda Barrett. Its one of those "super Romance" But its so good and it continues through 7 books. All great beach books

The House on the Beach
Pilgrim Cove

Book One

No Ordinary Summer
Pilgrim Cove
Book Two

Reluctant Housemates
Pilgrim Cove
Book Three

The Daughter He Never Knew
Pilgrim Cove Book 4

the next set of books are

Her Long Walk Home
Sea View House
Book One

Her Picture-Perfect Family
Sea View House
Book Two

Her Second-Chance Hero
Sea View House
Book Three

I'm currently about half way through Inside the Third Reich by Albert Speer, architect and chief industrial and central planner. He was very tight with hitler. He also was one of the few tried at Nuremberg and not put to death. Instead he spent 20 years writing his memoirs while in prison. Understanding it was written by a man who was clearly a survivor, it does give some interesting insights into what was going on with hitler et al at that time. This is a guilt read. I was assigned parts of the book for a history class in high school and I never did it. It's always bothered me, all these years. So I figure it's high time to shed that burden!

Kindred by Octavia Butler. Very good, and Butler's personal story is good as well.