What Fiction are you reading this week, February 10, 2019?
I have The Flood, Ian Rankin's first novel from 1986. It's not a mystery like his Inspector Rebus books but it does have some rather mysterious things going on. And it exhibits his wonderful gift for writing. "The Flood is both a coming-of-age novel and an amazing portrait of a time and place. Dark, atmospheric and powerful, it is a remarkable debut from a remarkable author."
My copy is a reissue from 2012. Evidently the ones from the first printing are now worth a whole lot of money. You might want to check your bookshelves. This later copy has an Introduction written by Ian where he talks about his past and his writing. It's quite a nice addition.
In looking for the original publishing date I came across some fascinating information about Mr. Rankin. For instance, he's in a rock band called Best Picture. They have a couple of videos on YouTube. Also, there was a British TV show called Rebus that ran for four seasons. I will be looking to find that. Plus, I discovered an amazing tale about some mysterious paper sculptures that involves him. Too long to put here so I made a separate post about it.
Listening to Before the Fall by Noah Hawley. A private jet plunges into the ocean with eleven people on board and only two survive. Was it merely some dumb chance that so many influential people perished? Or was something far more sinister at work? Events soon threaten to spiral out of control in an escalating storm of media outrage and accusations. Quite suspenseful.
Thanks for the hearts. I think they must be from people here since you are the only ones who know I exist. I wish I could buy hearts back for all you good folks who post here but alas, I am not able to. So, instead, here. From me to you.
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character from previous stories dies off in this book. Not saying who.....
Even though this is a so-called "stand alone" story, the fates of the characters is not. Still a very entertaining read.
The second book in the All Soul’s Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. It’s total fantasy about witches, vampires and demons and their battles amongst each other. Witches fear vampires and vampires hate witches...demons are troublemakers for all concerned. I’m not usually drawn to fantasy but I feel the need to escape our current reality and these are fun reads.
Hiya hermetic! How is winter treating you? We are in a mess on blowing snow and very cold temps here in western MT.
Delighted to see you. We seem to finally be getting our winter here. It's been in the 40s for a good while but now 20s and it even snowed about an inch last night. I know you guys are getting your usual. Think of you often. 
I put Witches of NY on my want list. 
I am glad to see it written for YAs, since they will be the ones dealing with this reality. 
It's a little slow to start, but maybe that's because I'm on cold medicine.
Impressive. Such walls are typically found in imperial Chinese palaces and gardens.
always room for Mo(o)re.... 
Thanks. 
back when I was a teenager, reading a story about a plot to poison Washington. It was written like a diary by the perp. He had this nightshade plant's fruit he was going to add to some food. Turned out to be a tomato. I've always wondered if that was true. Probably not. 
From your avatar, just thought you might be.
Sorry to hear that. Hope you have plenty of what you need to get you through. Sounds like you have some serious reading to keep your mind occupied for a while, at least. Looking at my old stomping grounds that are just buried under snow right now makes me grateful I moved when I did to a place where snow is not so much of a nuisance. Stay safe and warm.
"Michael Ondaatje is not capable of writing anything other than a five-star novel." So begins a GoodReads review. A good many people agree, but there are plenty who don't.
The premise sounds interesting but I know I had some issues with The English Patient that make me pretty sure I won't give him any more of my time. Just personal preferences, I guess. 
being pleasantly surprised by a book?
This sounds wonderful and the reviews are just raving about it. I will for sure have to read this.
Been a long time since I last heard Forbert. I've always been a big fan of folk music and this recently published book sounds good.
"This insightful and humorous memoir is not simply the tale of a talented survivor, but also a glimpse into a musician's life and the challenges faced—as well as the lessons learned—in a changing industry during the last forty years."
But, we could have asked him! Yesterday!! He was in New York City on a book tour but I only just found this out because I also just found out he's on Twitter so I started following him. https://twitter.com/Beathhigh
Dang.
although not in a plague year, naturally.
Pillars of the Earth was fun to read, don't you think?
I've read the DT series before, but (and this is kinda weird), around a month ago I had a dream about Blaine the Mono. I have no clue why that crawled out of my subconscious after a decade. 
It was a weird ass dream, lol! I couldn't stop thinking about it. A few days ago I decided to reread the book, in hopes that would kill it off.
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting that story/world and am now trying to decide if I should go on to Wizard and Glass or go back to very beginning and do the whole series again.
I've seen your name around the boards and took it as another sign, the final straw that made me dig out the book. 
I don't recommend Blaine dreams. I was thinking about him so much I was starting to feel a little like Jake.
Should keep you wrapped up for a good while. See you in the spring. JK
