For example, I am currently reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, a historical novel about the much-aligned Richard III of England. It's not new; it was originally published thirty years ago, but I bought it because the discovery of Richard's bones under a parking lot in England was announced earlier this year. I knew there was controversy about whether he was an evil king who killed his two nephews in the Tower, or actually a very good king, or somewhere in between. There even are Richard III societies in the US dedicated to clearing his name. The book is wonderful. Very readable and interesting. It also serves to remind me how amazing it is that the human race didn't manage to kill itself off long ago. But the book is very long so meanwhile...
I am also reading Do Not Disturb (a Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery) by Kate Kingsbury, a cozy mystery also set in England about a hundred years ago. It was free for the Kindle last week and, since I write cozies, I like to read as many as possible to keep up with the genre, and they're great escape reading. I just finished Antiques Disposal by Barbara Collins (pseudonym for Max Allan Collins and his wife Barbara) which recently was nominated for a Nero Award. It was delightful. But I also try to read as much as I can about writing, so...
I just started Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. In the introduction, she chronicles her journey to become a writer and lays out the purpose of the book: "As of today, here is almost every single thing I know about writing." Much of her advice can be found in other books and articles about writing, but some I have either forgotten or need reminding and some I have not seen before. And her style is wonderful and fun. However, I am in a book club at the local library and...
The read for this month is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, a foray into French literature. Since my only foreign language is Pig Latin, I have the English translation. It is in the stack by my chair and I am just about to start it. But I occasionally have questions about police procedures for the book I'm working on so...
I occasionally dip into Forensics for Dummies by Douglas P. Lyle. It is what it says and is very helpful.
AND last week I went through the bookcases in our study, weeding out books for the next library booksale, and found numerous books that I have always intended to read or have even started. As the saying goes, so many books; so little time. So I think I'll go out spray paint that old lawn chair. While that's drying, I'll weed a little, and when I need a break, do a little reading on the deck.