Monday, July 7, 2014

Summer reading


Here's a peek at a few of the books I am reading this summer, just to give you some reading ideas. I love reading lists other bloggers share.
Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen. The third in her Royal Spyness Mystery series, set in England and Scotland in 1932. A bit of humor as Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the British throne and penniless, finds mysterious accidents and deaths happening in her circle.
Question of Belief by Donna Leon. Number 19 in this mystery series set in today's Venice. The police detective is a happily married family man, a nice difference from many other police series.
And Venice is a big part of these books.
At Home in France by Ann Barry. Her memoir of being an American single woman who buys a home in an out of the way area of France.
My Mom Was Nuts by Penny Marshall. A memoir with fascinating mentions of many well known tv stars and actors and directors, plus family tales. Penny was married to Rob Reiner when his show All In the Family was on tv, and her show Laverne and Shirley was also on tv.
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou. On the day this noted author died I bought this book which gives you a glimpse into her life. The second half of the book takes place in Cairo and in Liberia. Years ago I read her I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and this book was new to me; Maya wrote seven memoirs. I loved hearing her speak, her voice was melodic and hypnotic, especially as she read poems. I never met her but she and I worked in the Civil Rights movement at the same time, me in a modest way and she in a more leading role.
A lovely addition to my book shelves is the NIV God's Word For Gardeners Bible. I have long wanted an NIV Bible, and this one is the entire Bible PLUS 52 meditations and Scriptures gathered with the focus on gardening.
What are you reading this summer? Any movies or books you recommend?
Part Two, two days later. Help, I got more books yesterday! I bought Anne Lamott's Grace (Eventually) Thoughts on Faith, borrowed Jill McCorkle's Life After Life: A Novel from the library (it sounds humorous), and The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt (about Venice) and on impulse a Kindle book "Bury Me with My Pearls: Humor with a Spiritual Twist." Obviously I buy faster than I read! And now I am going out to exercise in a pool. Have a great day, every one. 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, Terra. These all sound wonderful. Thanks.
I am going to send blog friend Patsy a link to your post. She enjoys reading a lot, too.

Nellie said...

It is good to read about what you are reading. I'm particularly interested in the Maya Angelou book. Such a marvelous woman!

I'm reading books from the United Methodist Women Reading Program List this summer. Grace and Grit, Twist of Faith, Awake - those are just some of them.

Wanda said...

I began a new personal Journal for our lives in the Tree House. It's so nice to have my devotions, pray and journal on the balcony each morning.

I'm still reading a series of John Grisham "Legal Novels". Finished Sycamore Row, The Street Lawyer, and now I'm on "King of Torts"...I like courtroom dramas.

I will check out some of your books when I finish my Grisham books (10 of them I got at the Thrift store for 25 cents each.

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

A wonderful list, Terra! and the insights into your life in connxn with Maya Angelou is both special and worthy. Glad you shared.
Enjoy those new reads =)

Pom Pom said...

Hi Terra! The France book looks interesting to me. I'm reading a mystery right now. Have a great day!

Michaele said...

Oh gosh that list sounds delicious! I am reading about how to make wine : )

Joyful said...

Thank you for stopping by my latest reads, Terra.

I have read your post and think I would enjoy each of these books. I'll know where to come and look for more reading ideas when I need them in a pinch. I like reading some mystery and spy novels if they are well done. It looks like you've found some interesting ones. The book about the woman in France appeals also. Happy reading!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Oh how I love a good book and my friends who share with me what their reading. I am so glad I came by today and got some great ideas from you.
I appreciate you sharing these with us.
My son loaned my Doctor Sleep written by Stephen King. It was okay. I don't enjoy his latest writings like the earlier ones. Could be I have grown out of them.
Anyway so glad you came by for a visit it was nice to see you there. The bridge incident will be funny when I get over the cost of having to replace it. haha
Enjoy your reads
Love
Maggie

June said...

What a list Terra. I would be ashamed to tell how short my list is. I'm not much of a reader anymore. Maybe someday I will pick it up again.
I hope you are having the best summer my dear.
hugs from here...

Gail Dixon said...

Somehow I have developed ADD when it comes to reading books and I used to love it. Enjoyed the review!

Carla from The River said...

Thank you for sharing, I will check out some of your books. :-)

Eggs In My Pocket said...

These books sound great. I really need to take time to sit and read my favorite books!

Vagabonde said...

Thank you for coming to my blog a while back. My blog was on pause for two months and I am just starting to read blogs. I really enjoy Donna Leon books. I started to read them as I was planning a visit to Venice two years ago – she really makes you feel like you are there. Right now we are in full commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War around here. I went back to my books on it and on President Lincoln – I still have several to read. Apart from those I did pick up several books in French while in Paris last May - they are hard to find in Atlanta.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Thanks for the info Terra. It is always a great find to discover a new book and author. If you enjoy reading about animals at all, I just finished The Gentle Barn. Such an inspiring story about our furry friends..Happy Tuesday..Judy

Ivy and Elephants said...

Sounds like you'll be buried in the stacks for a while! There is nothing more pleasurable than a good book and a glass of iced tea on a warm summer's day! THanks for sharing your reading list.
Hugs,
Patti

Dee said...

I would love to see your library. Do you belong to a literary group where they get together and discuss books? I always thought that would be a interesting thing to do.....but I am a slow reader. I would love to find that NIV Gods Word For Gardner's Bible...it would be an excellent gift for my best friend. Thank you for sharing your list.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hello, Terra, so nice stopping by to visit and catch up on your recent posts. This is an inspiring list of books. I just joined a study group reading Hinds Feet on High Places.

Nancy said...

I have read a number of books by Rhys Bowen and enjoyed Lady Georginia. Try some of the books by Rosamunde Philcher, my favorite author. Nancy

Buttercup said...

Great reading ideas. I'm reading Kate Atkinson's "Life After Life," and really enjoying it.