Tiny Little Meetup! And, What Are You Reading?

[checkers65477]

Months ago, in the Conspiracy Room chats, semperlego and I discovered that we live relatively close to one another. We've met several times since then at this lovely restaurant/bakery/coffee shop that has a beautiful outdoor seating area. in May, Semper was off to England and Scotland, and I was bound for Italy. We each had fantastic--and long awaited, many

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[checkers65477]

Here are some things I've been reading lately:

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. After Italy, I watched the movie and read the book. Funny how the two are NOTHING alike but each good in its own way. Ah, how I long for a villa in Tuscany! One that's already renovated, that is.

The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield. I forget if someone in one of the chats recommended this or not, but it was a super-cute, funny British book from the 30s.

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley. I forgot to tell Semper about this but it takes place in Scotland and tells of an archeological dig funded by an eccentric who is determined to discover what happened to the Ninth Roman Legion. Very romance-y but the history made it good.

Amongst Our Weapons by Ben Aaronovitch. Most recent in the Rivers of London series. I liked it but I kind of feel like the series needs to move along toward its epic fight-between-good magic-and-and evil magic conclusion.

[eachase]

Diary of a Princincial Lady sounds like fun!

[filkferengi]

If you're in a mood for Italy, read through some of Jo Walton's monthly reading lists over on tor.com. She goes to Italy every summer and hangs out with Ada Palmer [author of the Terra Ignota series and member of the Norse-themed filk band Sassafrass]. She also reads lots of novels set in Italy and writes amazing recommendations.
https://www.tor.com/author/jo-walton/

[checkers65477]

I will definitely take a look-I’d love to read more books that have an Italian setting.

[eachase]

Last month I re-read Cordelia Underwood, or the Marvelous Beginning of the Moosepath League by Van Reid. Charles Dickens + P.G. Wodehouse + Garrison Keillor + 1890s Maine = Van Reid.

Just today I finished The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny, so now I've read through the Chief Inspector Gamache series. At least until the next one is published.

After seeing Megan's posts about CrossingCon, I finally got my hands on some T. Kingfisher. My son and I both enjoyed A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking and I have some more of her titles on my nightstand.

I've read through #6 (Fatal Enquiry) in the Barker & Llewelyn series by Will Thomas, which I recommend.

When I read Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian, I thought it might be a good choice for some here. The main character comes from a line of stage magicians and has parents who build secret rooms into houses. Amateur sleuth mystery, but with some (lower case) thiefy vibes.

[checkers65477]

The Van Reid book sounds right up my alley! Really, all these recommendations sound ver good.

I’ve been working my way through the Louise Penny books for a few years, pacing myself because I’m going to be so sad when I’m all caught up.

[mander_lee]

I read a new release called The Darkening by Sunya Mara last month, which I really enjoyed. It's your usual flavour of YA fantasy, but I personally thought it was so well-done, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel next year

[eachase]

Thanks for the reminder about Khanani's Dauntless Path. I just put it on hold!

[mander_lee]

Yay, I hope you like it! I'm eager to hear your thoughts of it. So few people I know has read it.

[eachase]

It may be a bit. We have on order, but all the vendors are still slow with delivery. I'll try to remember to come back and comment.

Thorn wasn't my favorite, but I think it may just be that The Goose Girl doesn't do it for me? I found it awfuly slow. Which completely made sense given the characters, but still wasn't my favorite reading experience. I really liked The Theft of Sunlight, though!

[semperlego]

So, I just put a hold on Shadowy Horses--sounds perfect!
Also, I recently finished another recommendation from Checkers: Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier which was great.
I am also loving Will Thomas' Barker and Llewelyn series, just finished Some Danger Involved, and looking forward to #2. A nod to the Librarian for that rec!!
I also listened to Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, which I had been wanting to read for such a long time. I thought it was fantastic to listen to (b/c Steve West!) but such a great story that I ordered the physical copy and can't wait to enjoy it again.
I am also listening to The Lord of Stariel by AJ Lancaster, but had to put it on pause for Sword at Sunset, so the jury is still out on that one.
Thanks for all the great rec's, my TBR list is now back in double digits.

[mander_lee]

Have you tried Makiia Lucier's Tower of Winds duology? I liked Year of the Reaper, but I enjoyed those two a lot more. Isle of Blood and Stone especially. I just love the way she writes her world and her characters.

[checkers65477]

My daughter read these (after reading Year of the Reaper) and really liked them, too.

I love you people, but Oh MY my To Be Read List just gets longer and longer because of you all. :-)