WWW Wednesdays: 19 August 2020

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for WWW Wednesdays! This meme was originally hosted by MizB over at A Daily Rhythm, and then revived by Sam Stevens of Taking on a World of Words. Just three questions, once a week:

1. What are you currently reading?

I've got several books started right now, which of course means that I'm having trouble actually finishing any of them. I'm hoping to finish this one this week:

The Suicide House, by Charlie Donlea

I've also just started reading an advance copy of this one:

Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth

(with illustrations by Sara Lautman)

Emily Danforth's historical novel is due out in October, and it's getting an awful lot of pre-publication buzz. Sounds like an interesting read, but it's a chunkster with just about 600 pages — so it's very unlikely I'll get it read before it comes out.

2. What did you recently finish reading?

I've been reading a lot of cozy mysteries and kiddie lit lately. They seem like good genres for this strange time — sort of comfort food for the mind/psyche/soul. In the last couple of weeks I've finished these:

Knot of This World, by Mary Marks
(Quilting Mystery #8)

A Death Long Overdue, by Eva Gates

(Lighthouse Library Mystery #7)

Beezus and Ramona, by Beverly Cleary

(Ramona Quimby #1)

The Happy Hollisters on a River Trip, by Jerry West

(Second in the Happy Hollisters series, first published in 1953)

3. What do you think you’ll read next?

Well, I'm probably going to be reading those first two for a while. But once I finish those (or possibly abandon them?), I'll most likely be looking for something nice and light, with a little humor. Maybe something like this:

Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage, by M.C. Beaton

(Number 5 in the series, first published 1996)

Or maybe something completely different!

So what about you? Have you been reading more than ever, in quarantine? Or about as much as usual? Or maybe you just can't settle down and read as much as you'd like. That's definitely been my problem for the last few months. I guess I'm still waiting for the new normal to feel ... well, normal.

Anyway, happy reading, everyone! And have a great Wednesday.

Book Beginnings: The Suicide House

The Suicide House

by Charlie Donlea

Kensington Books, July 2020

Opening Lines

Session 1 

Journal Entry: THE TRACKS 

I killed my brother with a penny. Simple, benign, and perfectly believable.

About the Book

One year ago, two students were killed inside the walls of Indiana's elite Westmont Preparatory High School, in a grisly slaughter. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house—to kill themselves.

Initial Thoughts

Killed with a penny. Well, OK.... I'm sort of eager to find out what that's all about. I received an ARC of this one, and (as usual) I'm a little late in getting started on it. It's part of a series, and (also as usual) I haven't read the book that came before this one. But this is just the second book in the series, so I shouldn't have too much trouble getting caught up on things.

I only just started this one, but I've read some of the reviews and they're mostly very positive. So I have high hopes.

Have a good weekend, everyone.
Stay safe. Stay calm. And happy reading!

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday.  As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.