Below are the first lines of the books (and one court document) I finished reading in August. Plus one book I did not finish.
Book 1
They’d driven all the way to Mr. Styles’s house before Anna realized that her father was nervous.
Book 2
More than a century ago the Robber Barons discovered Lac Massawippi. They came with purpose from Montreal, Boston, New York, and burrowing deep into the Canadian wilderness they built the great lodge.
Book 3
I reached out a hand from under the blankets, and rang the bell for Jeeves.
Book 4
Paris
December 1949
Julia Child had a mayonnaise problem.
Book 5
THE STATE OF GEORGIA
v.
Book 6
If she screamed, she sealed her fate. She had to keep her rage locked up inside her, her feelings as tightly buttoned as her blouse.
Did not finish
Samuel Adams delivered what may count as the most remarkable second act in American life.
The titles and authors revealed:
Book 1
Manhattan Beach, by Jennifer Egan. 448 pages. Published 2017.
I really liked the parts with the diving lessons. Overall, well written but quite a tense and violent book. Maybe I’ll like it more after we discuss it in book club next month.
Book 2
A Rule Against Murder, by Louise Penny (Book 4 of 18 in A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery). 313 pages. Published 2008.
Bad things happen in bad weather in a bad family at a great bed and breakfast in Quebec.
Book 3
The Code of the Woosters, by P.G. Wodehouse. 254 pages. Published 1938.
The fate of the silver cow creamer determines Bertie’s fate.
Book 4
Mastering the Art of French Murder, by Colleen Gleason. 304 pages. Published 2023.
Enjoyable cozy mystery that takes place in 1949 Paris. Includes Julia Child as a character. It’s astonishing that I kept reading this book after those first lines. I CANNOT STAND mayonnaise. I cannot abide it. This book begins and ends with mayonnaise.
The Boston Globe has written extensively about mayo. The survey says fully 25% of condiment consumers despise mayo.
Book 5
Indictment, Fulton Superior Court, by Fani T. Willis, District Attorney. 98 pages. Published Aug 14, 2023.
Okay, not really a book.
41 counts. 19 indictees (is that a word?).
Key phrases:
“the Grand Jurors aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the citizens of Georgia”
“an act of racketeering activity”
“overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy”
“unindicted co-conspirator”
“contrary to the laws of said State, the good order, peace, and dignity thereof.”
“knowingly, willfully, and unlawfully”
“caused to be tweeted”
“despite the fact that Donald John Trump lost the Nov 3, 2020, presidential election in those states.”
“unlawful breach of election equipment”
To me, the most shameful part of the indictees’ behavior is how they persecuted and falsely accused upstanding citizens who served as election officers.
Book 6
The Woman They Could Not Silence, by Kate Moore. 454 pages of text; total 560 pages. Published 2021.
The story of Elizabeth Packard, a capable and brave woman who fought strenuously for the rights of women and of mental illness patients in the 1850-1880s. The story is true, but the book is written like a novel. This book was recommended to me by two different people, and I now recommend it to you, although it will make you angry.
This link has spoilers!
Did not finish
The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams, by Stacy Schiff. 402 pages, of which text and photos are 328 pages. Published 2022.
Samuel Adams was a propagandist for the American Revolution. And, based on my reading to page 113 (about ⅓ of the text) , he was a jagoff, and so were the Massachusetts colonists. This biography earned high praise, and I judge it to be well written. Even though Adams was a principled person agitating for freedom from monarchy (although how principled can a propagandist be?), I don’t want to read about him right now.
How about you? What have you been reading?
2 comments:
I also read Mastering the Art of French Murder--not often we're twinning! Always enjoy some Wodehouse, but most intriguing is the Kate Moore book. I'll keep an eye out for it. I just finished Trevor Noah's memoir which was gut-busting at times and also taught me a LOT about South Africa. Homecoming by Kate Morton was a bit long, but terrific plot. Also been on an Elly Griffiths kick of late. An older book that I think you'd enjoy is Outside Boy by Jeanne Cummins.
I really liked Trevor Noah's memoir - lots to learn and think about. Sadly, I can't convince either of my two book clubs to read it for discussion.
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