Last summer, in a trip down memory lane, I found two new authors in one of the best bookstores - if not THE best - in North Central PA - Otto Bookstore in Williamsport, PA.
Two new paperbacks traveled to Canada with me on our "consolation" cruise after the kids moved to France. Elly Griffiths is the author of one of those books, and of at least three mystery series. Since August, I have read all 15 of her Ruth Galloway series - about an archaeologist in Britain, most of her Max Mefisto series, and the four books in her Harbinder Kaur series. But, wait, there is at least one more series that I have not tried! These titles are full of local detail and complicated characters and narrators that the readers' suspect may be unreliable. Hard to put down! Warning: I have lost sleep! Nuff said.
Claudia Gray is the other author. She is wildly prolific, writing fan fiction based on the X-Files, Star Wars, and I think another franchise. The series I stumbled across has only 5 books in it. It features Jonathan Darcy - whose parents are the romantic duo from Pride and Prejudice - and a young lady named Juliet Tilney. They meet at a house party held by Mr. and Mrs. Knightley (from Emma). When Mr. Wickham (BOOO! Hisss!) crashes the party and winds up dead, our two young detectives must skirt around social roadblocks in pursuit of justice. I have already ordered the latest book due out in a month or two. Jane Austen fanfic is the best!
Mom and I are reading Fannie Flagg and loving it. We read The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion this winter. Wow! Flagg can make you laugh and then, make you close the book so you can have a good cry. The underappreciated WASP program of WWII gets full coverage in this story when a middle aged woman suddenly discovers she is not who she thinks she is. Her search for answers leads her into history. SOOO GOOD!
We are reading Standing in the Rainbow now and it is perfect. Each chapter is made up of small stories about the characters in the town of Elmwood Springs. Missouri. Each story is complete in itself. Old folks like Mom and me do not have to worry about unanswered questions or trying to remember clues. And, of course, there is a lot of laughter and some good old-fashioned heartbreak - the kind that you know you will always feel but can bear.
Well, that's my update. Tomorrow, we board a plane for France and I am a little worried (since the US airports are a mess these days), and a whole lot excited. I can't wait to see my sweet son, his lovely wife and the grandest grandgirl in the western world!
Read on. I need new books!
