Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Mystical Snow Scene and Nine Fabulous Books


 

I grew up in Wisconsin, land of gorgeous white snow in winter. The cold beauty of icicles hanging from our roof. A perfect murder weapon (ha ha), use it and then it melts so no evidence. Has that ever been done in real life or in a mystery novel? As children my sister and I made snow forts, snow angels, ice skated for free in local parks where rinks were created, and walked to school on the plowed streets. Snowflakes sparkling in the sun. Can you tell from mynostalgic ode to snow that I have now lived half my life in a part of California where it does not snow? In addition to its white glory, I do admit snow can be ugly slushy gray and conceal slippery ice. Anyhoo, above is a photo of a mystical snow covered bridge.

I did not want or need anything for Christmas so I treated myself and bought 9 books. I feel rich in books at the moment. I bought them online at Powells Books so I did not feed a mega monster store owned by a billionaire. Powell's Books has a huge selection, new and used, and they had every book I wanted.

I quickly read one of these books, The Bookseller by Mark Pryor. I am very happy this is the first book I read in 2022, it is brilliant with very high quality writing and plot. The main character is Head of Security for the American Embassy in Paris and he has crimes to solve. Good news that this is the first in a series. The bookseller is an elderly man who has a book stall along the Seine; I spent many happy moments browsing in those bookstalls, when I lived in Paris for two summers, so this book is a mad nostalgic read for me. Plus murder and mystery.

In case you can't read the titles in the photo, I bought two books by my favorite novelist, Anthony Trollope: Castle Richmond and Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite. This will bring my total of books I read by Trollope to 30. Love that man. His books were set in the 1860s, 1870s and 1880s, when he lived and wrote. I am reading Sir Harry Hotspur now, it is about Sir Harry and his 20 year old daughter, and who will she marry.

What books are you reading in the New Year?



30 comments:

DUTA said...

Snow is beautiful with touches of magic and mystery. Sadly, we very rarely have snow where I live.
Enjoy your new selection of books, Terra!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Holy moly, you're a huge Trollope fan! I must confess I started one of his books once (I believe it was Barchester Towers) but it defeated me.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Mysterious photo
Short story collections are on my list. I stop using the library when the covid surge numbers kept rising.

Betsy said...

I have long ago lost any good, mystyical or any happy feelings for snow. Probably because I have lived where it snows for my entire life. I honestly detest it and get a very anxious feeling in my chest when I hear it's supposed to snow, no matter how much it is. I just plain don't like it.
I'm glad you've got books to keep you happy this winter. There is nothing like ordering or buying a good book you can get lost in.
BLessings and hugs,
Betsy

Holly said...

I'm currently reading book 6 in Sheryl Woods "Sweet Magnolias" novels. Planning to read the whole series this year. Last year I read all of Robin Carr's "Virgin River" novels. Originally spurred by Netflix series based on these books, I needed to know what happened next. Happy New Year.

NanaDiana said...


What a great Christmas gift to yourself. I need to carve out some reading time for myself.
As a transplant TO Wisconsin, from Florida, and living in WI now-I would be happy to send semi loads of snow to you-I don't like it! lol.
Happy Wednesday- xo Diana

Jeanie said...

An excellent idea! And I have read several of the books in Mark Pryor's series, including The Bookseller. He's very good, isn't he? The others are, too!

Sandi said...

I grew up in Michigan and we had to watch out for thise crazy roof-cicles.

Ann said...

I watched an episode of CSI recently where the murder weapon was part of an ice sculpture so the murder weapon had melted by the time they were investigating.

happyone said...

Great murder weapons those icicles. :)
I just finished reading 1984 and just started The Pickwick Papers.

Marcia said...

Just started Marie Benedict's book about Churchill's wife Clementine. It's good so far. I had started three other books before this one but had to put them down. Just not to my liking. I will have to add The Bookseller to my list.

Mari said...

I'm from Michigan and know all about those icicles! I read a book some years ago where the murder weapon was an icicle, and it was not easy for them to solve. :)

Billie Jo said...

I LOVE Books! Thank you for the new place to find them! I am happiest when I have a book in my hand and several more on my nightstand. Have a cozy evening!

Granny Marigold said...

For a mystery that has icicles causing death you might want to read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Kind of based on a true story of the rape and murder of a young girl.
My first book read this year was a mystery by Charles Todd which I was disappointed in. I've enjoyed all their books until this one. I couldn't keep the characters straight and in my opinion the book was too drawn out.
I'm looking forward to our snow disappearing. It's pretty. I loved watching the big flakes fall. After having it around for 3 weeks I'm more than ready for it to go.

Wanda said...

Love your selection of books and how nice to get them from a smaller book store on line.
Your growing up in the snow and playing snow games, reminded me of growing up with alfalfa feels and my dad letter my friend and me play in a back section, patting down the alfalfa and make rooms like a play house.

Jo said...

Aaah any title (excuse the pun!) that says "books" catches my eye. I am almost finished with The Touch {Colleen McCulloch - and we know what made HER famous). Brilliant and quick paced. I spent my last working years on gold mines in Africa, so the theme throughout this book has me spellbound. The Thorn Birds is in my neighbor's desk drawer - waiting for me to read it. Having followed the series on TV in the 80's, it will be interesting to see how much I remember. I am a bibliophile and feel my richest when I buy used books - which is often. I need to check on another title I see in your photo: How to raise an elephant. I have all Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana based books except that one. I will be looking out for it. Have a great day. Jo

Marie Smith said...

I am currently reading American War by Omar .el Akkad. I have also started Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill. Each is challenging in a different way.

Liz Hinds said...

Snow does look magical but here it very quickly becomes ugly slush. And snow is rare for us.

About to start Shuggie Bain. Not sure but it might be a bit too heavy for bedtime.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I enjoyed your post...and yes, I think icicles have been used in murder mysteries...don't know which, but that does seem to ring a bell! And having lived in the north for a large portion of my life, I can testify to the wickedness of those sharp pointed powerful objects when they fall! Now we live in Florida and icicles are only something that people used to hang on Christmas trees, but I'm glad they don't do that anymore either! LOL. Your books sound wonderful. I haven't been doing as much reading lately. We have been watching lots of different mystery series on TV over the past year, and follow each series through to its ending, and then look for another. I've enjoyed doing this with my hubby because that is one thing we enjoy together on TV. Most of the rest of the time he is enjoying sports and I am on my computer visiting here, there, and everywhere. Thank you for sharing these books with us. I may have to check them out the next time I go to the library. I don't buy books if I can help it, and as long as our library continues to have a good selection.

dori said...

What a wonderful story about your life as a child in the snowy wintetimes! This is really poetry, I see it really in front of my eyes. Some smile about the roof-cicles :)

You found good friends in the book-shop!

Every summer I have ONE book-friend, because I read VERY slowly but with full heart. In 2021 I read Nils Holgerson from Selma Lagerlöff, a story about Sweden, really great. Selma got a big prize for this work.

I still don't have now a plan, which bookfriend will visit me in the coming summer. I choose carefully, because I have to spend my time only with ONE book:) My sisters read a lot, but I read just a little bit -

Henny Penny said...

That really is an amazing magical snow picture. it's beautiful! Oh I wish I enjoyed reading. If I ever get interested in a book, I'm okay but for the most part I can not sit still long enough to read. I start thinking of all that needs to be done.

Tabor said...

NOw I have a few more to add to my list. Thanks for supporting the small bookseller!

Sam said...

Your purchases seem to provide you with a wide variety of reading experiences to look forward to. I enjoyed reading about your white winter experience, but can only imagine experiencing something like that on a regular basis. If Houston murderers depended on icicles as weapons of choice, they wouldn't get anything done. :-)

Green Girl said...

Looks like a great haul!
I need to get my hands on The Bookseller now...

Sandy said...

I passed the age when I enjoyed snow or anything about winter. But, many do find it pretty. I want sunshine and warmth on this old body. Sounds like you did well with your book purchases. I rarely buy a book, instead I borrow from the library.
Sandy's Space

Catalyst said...

Right now I'm into "Gastro Obscura" (only for foodies). But I highly recommend a writer my wife first discovered and recommended to me and I pass it on: Susan Meissner. We've both read "The Nature of Fragile Things" and "The Shape of Mercy" and found them both astoundingly great. Try her.

Susan Kane said...

I am reading a series of WW2 interviews with soldiers who help rescue the victims of the Holocaust, by Matthew Rozell. This is a book where I read every word. A Train Near Magdeburg"" will make you cry.

Diana said...

The Bible. Number one book in my life at all times. And right now, the way the world is, more than ever. Other than that, I'm not reading... I'm writing. // Very "mystical" photo of the snow-covered bridge. Would be neat to see something like that in person. At my age now, I avoid snow lol. // Blessings to you, Terra! Hope you're doing well!

Jenny the Pirate said...

How wonderful, treating yourself to nine new books! I love used books and buy most of mine on Thriftbooks. I bought TG two books about George Mallory who died attempting to summit Everest, and he is loving those. As for me, I am reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, hoping it will help me dissolve the massive writers block that dominates my brain. As for murder by icicle, I once read a short story about a lady murdering her husband with a huge frozen turkey leg, which she then popped into the oven and roasted, then fed to the detectives who came to investigate the death. Haahaha she was a clever clogs. I am fascinated by Anthony Trollope being your favorite author! Kudos to you for reading 30 of his titles. I admit I've not read much by him but I loved the British miniseries The Way We Live Now! xoxo

Pradeep Nair said...

Thanks for telling me about "Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic". Let me see where I can find it.
Bougainvillea bush looks fabulous.