I’m still reading Old Venus, a short story collection edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozos. The stories tend to be long, and I’ve enjoyed all but one so far, but there have been other demands on my time so reading hours have been limited. It will have to go back to the library before I finish it, then I’ll have to wait for it to come around again to read the rest. Meanwhile I have Fear of the Dark by Gar Anthony Haywood also partially read to work on.
Barbara finished Firewall by Henning Mankell, and is now reading a book of short story/novella works, Pyramid also by Mankell. That book is subtitled Wallender’s First Cases and fills in gaps and gives backstory for the other books. She’s enjoying these Mankell books a lot.
She also has several things due to become available at the library. Heaven knows when we’ll have a chance to read the books we got at LCC!
Have you read these books or authors?
What are you reading?
Tip the Wink 
Richard, I have not read these books. I’m almost through rereading THE CITADEL by A.J. Cronin, one of my favourite authors, and am debating whether to read THE CAVALIER’S CUP by Carter Dickson or PITY HIM AFTERWARDS by Donald E. Westlake next. I have never read either of these authors before.
I read that Haywood (as mentioned) and I’ve read one Mankell. I haven’t read OLD VENUS but I just got OLD MARS from the libtrary, so we’ll see.
I’m pretty much caught up with everything from the trip so should be able to get more reading done. I returned half a dozen books to the library that just did not engage me for one way or another. I won’t mention names. I did finish two books this week: CHUMP CHANGE, the latest Leo Waterman book by G. M. Ford (an ebook), which was a good, fast moving read; and Roz Chast’s CAN WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING MORE PLEASANT?, her memoir (with cartoons) of dealing with her parents’ aging and eventual death. You were right about this one: while certainly well done it is a definite downer. I’m glad I didn’t read it until we’d gone through it ourselves.
Short stories? I’m reading THE THINKING MACHINE by Jacques Futrelle (yes, still! It is nearly 50 stories long), plus TALES FROM THE NIGHTSIDE, the collected Nightside stories by Simon R. Green. I’ve read all but the latest of the novels in that series. The stories are more varied, each featuring a different protagonist so far. Also reading some old EQMM and AHMM mags I’d never read.
I finally did get a book that grabbed me, the third in Adrian KcKinty’s “Troubles Trilogy” (though a book four is imminent) about Sean Duffy in early 1980s Northern Ireland, IN THE MORNING I’LL BE GONE. Start with book one. Good stuff. I do have several other library books in transit as well as an Amazon book order and the latest Jeffrey Siger (which the library doesn’t have) from ABE. It was only $1.59.
I’m reading WOLF HALL and BRING UP THE BODIES in preparation for the PBS mini-series. I’ve read several Mankell mysteries and enjoyed them all. I’ll have to order that 4th book in McKinty’s TROUBLES series. I read the first three books and found them grim but compelling. Sorry about Gonzaga, Rick.
George, it was the Arizona (my alma mater) loss that hurt, and UCLA (my father’s alma mater) Gonzaga has no appeal except it’s Pacific Northwest.
Prashant, the two authors you’re choosing from for your next read aren’t ones I care much for, which puts me in the small minority, so I have no suggestion. If forced, I would pick the Dickson, I guess.
Jeff, I had no idea there were so many Thinking Machine stories. Current decade Ireland isn’t a setting that particularly appeals to me, especially if the plot revolves around Catholic-Protestant clash. I’m surprised your library system didn’t have the Siger, since they have had the rest of the series. You should ask them why.
I will definitely read Old Venus
Charles, and I’m going to get the first collection, OLD MARS from the library…already have a hold on it.
I just finished a Western by Peter Brandvolt and am working my way through a book I won during a panel about cozies at LCC. Before you shout me down I must add that the only reason I was there is that the moderator was a friend of Dave’s and an acquaintance of mine. In fact, it’s her book I’m reading. I’d tell you the title but I forgot and I’m too lazy to run downstairs and look it up.
You did better than I did in the prize dept. Bob. I’ve been known to read a cozy now and then, I just have to be in the right mood.