It has been months since I talked about books. It doesn’t appear that I have read as much as usual, and I think I have forgotten to review a few that I did read in that time. One book took over a month to finish due to its length. Then, during the hurricane aftermath, I had nothing new to read as I had finished the books checked out of the library, and the plan was to take them back on that Saturday and pick up more. But, it was another 3 weeks before I could do that, so I re-read a couple of favorites. Here are the new things I’ve read since my last book post. Links to Amazon if you’d like to read more on the synopsis or look at Audible / Kindle to read.

Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal – Fresh out of veterinary school, Charlotte Walker takes a one-year commission to study the endangered gold coin tortoises only found on an island so remote that it is inaccessible six months out of the year. She believes she may have another connection to the island, an additional incentive to get away from her mother. The story is full of well drawn characters, with interesting flashbacks to fill in the history of events. There are a few surprises in the plot, and it doesn’t end in a predictable way, refreshing. Although it starts a bit slowly, it picks up pacing and by the end, I could not put it down. I found myself hoping that there will be a sequel, as although the ending is satisfying, it would be great to pick up the story again and see what more could be. Four Stars. I just found out that there will be a Book 2 coming next year.

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai – A charming novelette is more a series of short stories centering around the same restaurant and its owners who recreate dishes from a customer’s past. Each one discovers more about themselves than the dish. Most touching, the story where a man’s perception of his stepmother turns out to be grossly unfair, and his heart is healed in the process of finding the recipe for a special dish he remembered from childhood. The appreciation of food in the Japanese culture is something Americans don’t really have as a general rule. Imagine a culture, where you sit down to a meal with a dozen bites of different things, where even the dish it is served in becomes part of the experience and is appreciated slowly. Such is the writing in this book, to be savored slowly, even though you will want to gobble it up. I eagerly await my copy of book #2 in the series. – Four Stars

The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield – This overly long book of 655 pages is a fantasy overlay of history. Dealing with the lives of Marie Antoinette and her sister Charlotte, the story takes them from their childhood, to arranged marriages that make them both queens, one of France and the other of Italy. The magic part seemed to me to be too much, and too little at the same time. Spells are worked then forgotten, the embroidered book of the title that starts the girls down the path of spell casters is all too quickly made obsolete. The plot moves at a slow pace, with much conversation and little action, leading to the death we all know is coming. The ending actually was a disappointment. As each spell requires a sacrifice, it would have been far more interesting to me to have Marie Antoinette’s death be a part of a larger sacrifice, rather than the result of the revolution as history tells us. Other reviewers have mentioned that the book would have been more interesting as a work of straight historical fiction, without the magic component and I agree. In any case, it is a couple of hundred pages too long for the plot. Slogged through hoping for a surprise at the end that didn’t come. – Two Stars

Lock In by John Scalzi – In a future world, a global viral pandemic leaves its victims unable to move or speak, yet fully aware. They are called Haydens. A new technological program allows some to interface with other people, essentially borrowing their bodies for a period of time, or to use a robot. When a man is accused of murder, he claims he was being controlled by one of the Haydens. I don’t usually read murder mysteries anymore, but this one was certainly different with the science fiction aspect. It is reminiscent of Murderbot in some ways. I didn’t love it, but if you are a sci-fi fan, you might find it an interesting read. Three stars.

The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin – This is one of those rare books where I couldn’t wait to find out how the story ended, and yet didn’t want it to end because I was enjoying the read so much. A woman in her 40s comes to a life changing decision when she impulsively takes in a paraplegic young man in his 20s to help him get away from a bad home life. He is at a crossroads himself, coming to terms with his disability, not knowing where he needs to put his focus to move forward. Then another young man, also at a crossroads, answers her ad for help. The bees become a lifeline for all of them, creating a relationship of friendship and support as each is moving through changes and varying shades of grief. Well written, and a compelling read I couldn’t put down. I am hoping for a sequel, as I’d like to see where the characters go next. – Five Stars. Thanks to my blogger buddy, Diann at Little Penguin Quilts, for the recommendation.

A Patchwork Planet by Ann Tyler – A thoughtful and enjoyable read with the main story centering around a young man trying to find his way after a troubled adolescence, and a failed marriage. He holds a laborer’s job, working for a company that does odd jobs for older people who can’t get the Christmas tree down from the attic, move the furniture around, or drive themselves to the grocery store. It is a job with no future, and his parents continually remind him of the money they spent to get him out of trouble. Yet, he has a kind heart, and a growing sense of integrity that comes out as the book progresses. It has wonderful themes for a book club discussion. Five stars.

So what favorites did I re-read? These two books are part of my permanent collection.

The Devil in the Junior League by Linda Francis Lee. A woman in the upper crust of Junior League society is abandoned by her husband taking all the money with him. The only way she can afford a lawyer is to hire the flashy, new money lawyer who moved into her neighborhood with the payment plan of getting his tacky, stiletto wearing, gum chewing, wife into the Junior League. What follows is a Pygmalion story that is just hilarious. This is truly one of the funniest books I have ever read. It made me laugh out loud on an airplane, and also while I was reading and trying to be quiet in a hospital ICU! Something that can make you laugh when you are worried is a treasure indeed. The story piles more laughs on page after page, as the situation just becomes more convoluted, and thus more comical. It is a light read, a great beach read, or perfect for anytime you want to escape into a Southern farce. It was the perfect read after the hurricane.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – Heartwarming and uplifting story, a little different than the usual. A highly intelligent octopus named Marcellus sees what the humans do not, and tries his best to help a woman find out what happened to her son many years before. Marcellus does this with his prodigious memory, his keen observation skills, and his penchant for escaping his tank and collecting things. His smug attitude is hilarious. This is not a talking octopus story, yet he communicates quite well by leaving things from his collection of treasures for the humans to find. The ending is wonderful. Highly recommend! Five stars.

What are you reading now? Any recommendations?