New favorite author August 16, 2007
Because of the wonderful Summer Mystery Reading Challenge I’ve found a new (to me) author to add to my list of favorites, Charlotte MacLeod. After finishing her delightful mystery, The Family Vault, I really should have moved on to another new mystery author. After all, I’ve only tried three new authors so far this summer, and I only have two weeks to complete the six I need for the challenge. But it was late, and I quite enjoyed the first book featuring Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn, so I did the easy thing and figured out which book was next in the series, The Withdrawing Room, and dug in. Great literature these aren’t, but they’re fun reads, quick, and the author has a good vocabulary and a nice turn of phrase.
Since I’m talking about books, I thought I’d answer a couple of Deb’s questions over at Booking Through Thursday.
Multiples
This is from last week.
Do you have multiple copies of any of your books? If so, why? Absent-mindedness? You love them that much? First Editions for the shelf, but paperbacks to read? If not, why not? Not enough space? Not enough money? Too sensible to do something so foolish?
Uh, yeah. There are a lot of duplicate books around here. Some we have on purpose, some by accident, some by inheritance. When we have money I buy books. Lots of books. I got into collecting first editions some years back, which led to adding advanced reading copies and uncorrected proofs, leather-bound books, special editions, that sort of thing. I have U.S. and British first editions of a number of books, ARCs, limited editions and regular first editions of others. And they all get read. Dave and I are both careful readers, and it’s usually difficult to tell by looking which books we’ve read, and which we haven’t.
Naturally, with so many books around the house we’ve been known to forget what we have, and bring home duplicates.
When we brought home the fifty boxes of books that had belonged to Dave’s mother, we naturally brought home quite a few duplicates. These I’ve been slowly weeding out over time, keeping the better copies, and selling or giving away the duplicates.
Monogamy
And this is from today.
One book at a time? Or more than one? If more, are they different types/genres? Or similar?
With rare exception, I read one book at a time. I’ve tried reading more than that at once, but if I’m interested in a story I tend to obsess about it, leaving anything else I’m reading in the lurch. I do currently have two books on the go, but one is about knitwear design, and frankly, I haven’t picked that one up in weeks. I need to get back to it, but I’m having too much fun with Charlotte MacLeod, and then there are all these marvelous David Eddings’ books sitting here calling quite loudly to be read, and then…
Brenda August 16
I like Charlotte McLeod, but I haven’t read her in what seems like ages! I should re-read some. I’m sure I don’t remember the stories.
–Deb August 16
I’ve been a fan of Charlotte MacLeod’s for years. (And she also published in Canada under the name Alisa Craig.) Her mysteries were such fun little romps, very “cozy,” but enjoyable. I just reread some of the Peter Shandy books a couple of weeks ago….
Robin August 16
Well, thanks for the clue (pardon the pun) at where to start my mystery reading. I’ve been hooked watching the old Muder, She Wrote series, I tevo them. I had thought about reading a mystery. I’ll go off to the library next time I’m in town.
Liz Clifford August 16
I love Charlotte MacLeod. The horrible truth is that my relatives strongly resemble those in the Sarah Kelling series. Sort of like old home week reading those books.
And, yes, I have duplicate books. I read so much that I tend to forget what I have and haven’t read. My husband found it hysterical when I bought Sue Grafton’s N is for Nudnick, or whatever it was. I was certain I hadn’t read it yet. Premature senility is terrible.
tanabata August 17
Oh wow! I just looked at the post with the pics of your bookshelves! I’m in awe! I’m mostly a one book at a time reader too. On occasion I’ll have another one or 2 on the go but they’ll be different genres. Even then I’ll probably focus mainly on one.
Very few duplicates in our house. There’s barely enough room as it is!
Susan B. August 17
Okay. I know that the kids are finally gone and now the two of you can delight in peanut & popcorn meals finally, but I’m obviously a lost member of your extended family - so really, is there room for hubby & my 2-year old to move in so that we can finally be properly reunited?
;>
I absolutely ADORE Charlotte MacLeod - the Kelling series are by far my favorite - the other ones (Peter Shandy) are okay - but the Kelling ones just blow me away. Cousin Brooks is just the sweetest thing to ever walk the earth - and Sarah’s ex-mother-in-law absolutely takes the cake for the most evil relative ever. I’d snuffle up Max myself in a heartbeat, he seems so wonderful & funny & adorably perfectly desirable.
sharon August 19
Hi, i read the Charlotte McLeod books years ago, they were fun, try Katherine Hall Page for another mystery author that writes books set in Massachusetts. They are fun too. The protaganist is a quilter, not a knitter but the stories are very good too.