You’re Reading What!? January 11, 2022

           One of the things you learn when you open a bookstore is that you really do HAVE to read. It is no longer just a fun activity but a necessity. Much as I (Val) would like to continue to expand my reading genres, I have to admit that I have spent a lot of time in the historical mystery series world and non-fiction world over the last week with a few more unusual fiction choices throw into the mix.

           The first book is Hero of the Empire by Candace Millard. Anchor published the book May 30, 2017. Ms. Millard is an excellent writer and makes historical events interesting. This book deals with the young Winston Churchill and the events that cemented his fame in the British Empire. Churchill was supremely confident to a fault that he was destined for great things. He was so convinced, that he acted recklessly and foolish at times. This book details his exploits in Africa during the Second Boer War. At twenty-four Churchill went to Africa to cover the war as a journalist. Just two weeks after arriving he was captured by the Boers. The book details his escape and his trek alone across hundreds of miles of enemy territory. Of importance are the lessons that Churchill took from the war as it would inform his approach to the world wars to come.

 

        

    I have also spent the last week re-acquainting myself with an historical mystery series that I started back in 2017. Then I read the second book in the series and then lost the thread. The series is written by Andrea Penrose and published by Kensington Books. The series is set in Regency England during the Napoleonic Wars and has two excellent protagonists. The Earl of Wrexford is a scientist and an eccentric member of the London ton (aristocratic classes). Charlotte Sloan is a widow who works for her living skewering the rich and powerful as a political cartoonist under the pen name of A.J. Quill. But there is more than meets the eye to these two. I re-read the series, the most recent book being Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens, published September 28, 2021. A sixth book will be released in September 2022. They are good reads and have interesting characters.

 

Now for two books that are upcoming and worth looking for when they are available.

           First is a book called Welcome to the Grief Club written by Janine Kwoh, published by Workman Publishing and coming out February 1, 2022. The book was written by the author in an attempt to explain her own grief journey after losing her partner in their twenties. Illustrated by the author, the book uses humor to help people feel like they have permission to grieve in the ways they need to and in the time that they need. An example includes “supremely unhelpful things that people say”, giving the grieving person a chance to understand that there is no one right or wrong way to grieve. It also validates all of the conflicting feelings that arise with the loss of a loved one. For those who are grieving, it is well worth a look.

         

    Finally, the last book is The Messy Lives of Book People written by Phaedra Patrick, published by Harlequin Trade Publishing and coming out June 28, 2022. Have you ever wanted to be someone or do something else than what you are doing?

Liv Green works as a cleaner but one of her jobs is for her personal hero, a reclusive author, Essie Starling, who has written a series that Liv loves. Liv and Essie develop a tentative friendship and then Essie suddenly dies. Essie’s last wish: for Liv to complete the final book in the series that Essie has written. The request leads to secrets upon secrets and a deeper connection that changes Liv’s life.

           

Well, that is the scoop from these fearless readers for this week. Let us know what you are reading!?