Sunday, October 03, 2021

September Additions to My Digital Security Blanket

 


As I write this, it's a rare day, a day to savor here in the Sonoran Desert. It's gently raining. I can watch it falling outside the window, and I can hear it. It's making me want to hurry up and finish this so I can enjoy it more, so I will.

I've grouped my digital acquisitions by genre/subgenre, and if you click on the link in the book title, you'll be taken to Amazon where you can learn more about it. Let's see what I couldn't resist last month!
 

~~~ Thrillers ~~~

After the Crash by Michel Bussi. Set in France. After reading another of this French author's thrillers, I couldn't resist getting this one.

AUDIO: Billy Summers by Stephen King. Although I haven't read everything King has written, I do like his writing and couldn't resist sampling an audiobook.


~~~ Non-Fiction ~~~

The Social Life of Books: Reading Together in the Eighteenth-Century Home by Abigail Williams. What can I say I like books, and I like books about books!

The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. This is the type of book I could get lost in for hours.

Edith Wharton's Lenox by Cornelia Brooke Gilder. Set in Massachusetts. I am an Edith Wharton fan and couldn't resist this one about how she stirred up her neighbors in Lenox.
 
AUDIO: Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan by Shrabani Basu. Continuing my interest in the female heroes of World War II.


~~~ Police Procedural/Law Enforcement ~~~

Hidden Creed by Alex Kava. Set in Florida. This series, with its marvelous working dogs, has become one of my favorites, and so far I've resisted bingeing.

Thief of Souls by Brian Klingborg. Set in northern China. I couldn't resist the setting of this one. My review.

Still Life by Val McDermid. Set in Scotland. Another favorite series that I refuse to binge on, although-- with the size of my security blanket-- it probably wouldn't hurt to gobble up one or two...

The Cascade Killer by Rob Phillips. Set in Washington. I like the setting. The synopsis was intriguing, and the price was right (free).

Bryant & May: Oranges and Lemons by Christopher Fowler. Set in England. I have an interesting history with this series. I tried to read the first book in the series while on my first trip to the UK, and I just couldn't get into it. I didn't know if it was due to the thrill of the trip or the book itself. A couple of years ago, I read and fell in love with the fifth book, White Corridor, as well as Fowler's The Book of Forgotten Authors, and I've been stockpiling Bryant & May ever since.

The Boat Man by Dustin Stevens. Set in Ohio. This first book in a new-to-me K-9 series caught my eye, and-- once again-- the price was right (free).

Ghost Light by Stan Jones & Patricia Watts. Set in Alaska. The latest in the Nathan Active series that I love. How much do I love it? It's one of the series I'm actually current on, and it will be mentioned in a future Celebrating Mysteries post. I've already read it, and my review will be up in a week or so.

The Night Singer by Johanna Mo. Set in Sweden. This Scandinavian mystery had been sitting on my Amazon wishlist for awhile. Amazon must've been worried about me because I'd slowed down my Kindle downloads, so they gave me a deal on it. Thank you!


~~~ Short Stories ~~~

Buenos Aires Noir edited by Ernesto Mallo. Set in Argentina. After August's gorging on Akashic anthologies, this single purchase looks rather strange!


~~~ Amateur Sleuth ~~~

A Study in Stone by Michael Campling. Set in England. This first "Devonshire Mystery" had an intriguing blurb, and-- once again-- the price was right. I know. I know. Most of the time, I find out that these freebies were free for a reason, but at least I'm not out-of-pocket if I don't like what I've read. 

Mesa Verde Victim by Scott Graham. Set in Colorado. I enjoyed the first "National Park Mystery," and since I've been pondering a trip up north to visit Mesa Verde, I figured reading this one wouldn't hurt.


There you have it-- last month's additions to my digital security blanket. Have you read any of these? Which ones, and what did you think of them? Did my list add anything to your own wishlist? Do tell! You know that inquiring minds would love to know!



16 comments:

  1. You've got some interesting additions here, Cathy. I hope you'll enjoy them all. I was thinking about your comment about the Fowler series. It's funny how some books in a series will draw you in, and some... not. It is, as you say, also sometimes a matter of when you read a book. I've often wondered what would happen if I went back and re-read some books I didn't enjoy the first time...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've wondered about that, too, but not enough to do anything about it. I learned my lesson the hard way about re-reading books I've loved. Evidently for me, those cherished books came along at just the right time in my life... when I was completely ready for them. Re-reading them now, it's as though I've grown past them, and most of the time, I don't like what I read. I don't like having special memories ruined, so I've stopped reading those early favorites.

      Delete
  2. Thank you for these reviews, I love to read

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! I hope I can steer you in the direction of new favorite reads. :-)

      Delete
  3. :) I love the idea of your "digital security blanket." Twice a year, there are so many good books available, and then there is a drought. Having that security blanket can be a comforting feeling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly comforts me-- and I like the fact that it isn't taking up valuable shelf space. ;-)

      Delete
  4. Several of these look good! I will say that I have cut back (as in I haven't bought a book in a while - crazy, right?). I've been exploring my new library and I still have a valid card for the Austin library and use it for e-materials. It's working for me and I'm also saving money. Win, win! However.....several of these....ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay hasn't bought a book in a while? Pardon me. I need to go have a lie-down. I'm feeling faint...

      Delete
  5. As usual, you did yourself proud last month, Cathy.

    I haven't read any of the ones you added to your blanket, but I suspect that I'll be reading several of them soon enough...interesting and diverse titles, to be sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to admit that I'm a bit surprised that you hadn't read any of my additions, Sam, but we do seem to share some reading DNA, so i agree that that will probably change. :-)

      Delete
  6. I have already read - and enjoyed - Thief of Souls. Your list reminded me to check my library for Hidden Creed (which is available; woo-hoo!), and I'm adding The Boat Man to my to-read list also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have a weakness for canines, too, I see. <3

      Delete
  7. I love the dogs in the Creed books.

    And agan, a reminder to start reading the Akashic collections.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I need to do that myself instead of just collecting them.

      Delete
  8. Only book I read here is "Still Life." The Karen Pirie books are u my alley.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!