What I Read: June 2015

As I wrote in Tuesday's post, I read, and liked, the novel Conflicting Webs, by Darlene Quinn last month:

I also read, and for the most part, liked, two other books last month.


Outside Valentine: A Novel, by Liza Ward

It took me quite a while to finish this book.  Not because it's bad or particularly long, but because it was sad.  It is, in part, about the killing spree of Charles Starkweather and his young girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate.  I knew that going in and therefore expected it to be at least somewhat sad.  But, the book also goes into lives of the surviving son of a couple murdered by the pair, and his wife, and that was very sad.

It was the wife that I found most sad.  Her childhood seemed to lead her to identify, at least somewhat, with Caril Ann Fugate.  Not that Fugate is the most sympathetic figure, but in some ways, she was because of her need to be loved and what it drove her to do.  I also found it very disturbing how the final couple was selected to die; Caril Ann just liked their house best.

Even though it's a fictionalized account of those murders, it's quite a good one and I found it as interesting as I found it sad.  If you don't mind a little gloom during your summer, I'd say add this one to the list.



Gentlemen & Players, by Joanne Harris

I loved this book.  I mean absolutely loved.

I don't mean to brag, but it's pretty rare for me to be surprised by a twist in a book or a movie.  I am usually able to figure it out before the reveal.  Even with The Girl on the Train, which I thought had a pretty great twist, I figured it out before it was actually revealed.  But, with Gentlemen & Players?  No clue.  Completely blindsided in the best possible way.

I don't want to give too much away, but this book involves plotting and intrigue and a very old, very well-respected private school in England.  Seriously, read it.

Harris is a very good writer (I also love Five Quarters of the Orange), and her talents are on full display with this book.  If you want an great mystery to read this summer, I highly recommend this book; it was my favorite of the three I read last month.


And it probably the book I'll create an outfit for come next Tuesday, which is when I've decided to hold this month's Literary Stylings Link Party.  Hope to see you all there!


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Book Review: Conflicting Webs

Conflicting Webs, by Darlene Quinn

I just finished reading Conflicting Webs, by Darlene Quinn, and I have to say, it was the perfect summer read.  It was light and easy enough for summer reading, but also interesting enough that I stayed up late more than once to read it.

Now, let me tell you, there is a LOT going on in this book.  And I do mean a lot, but Quinn is a good enough writer to guide the reader through all the "conflicting webs" and have it all still make sense.  And that's true whether you've read the other books in the Toddman-Taylor saga or not.

Really, my only issue with this book is that it sometimes felt less like a cohesive story and more like a snapshot of several months in the lives of several characters in the book.  The main characters are April Toddman and her fiancee, Kyle.  They are getting married, moving, starting new jobs, dealing with issues with the maid-of-honor and working on securing the future happiness of Kyle's daughter.  But, I can't help but feel that the story is less about them and more about all of the other strands of the web surrounding them.

Let me say however, that even though I was a little confused on the story line, it wasn't due to poor writing.  Quinn really does somehow manage to keep all of the balls in the air and bring everything to conclusion in a manner that makes sense.  I honestly don't know how she did it.  Every character she introduces plays a role; no one is superfluous and no one is shuffled off to the side when the reader isn't looking.  It's an impressive feat.

So, if you're looking for a summer read that's both light and interesting, I definitely recommend this book.


Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey