June has settled down into its anticipated rollout of consistent sunny days. Good weather, good books, means it’s hammock time, which is always a good, good way to laze away a summer day. The kickoff to summer was filled with a month of several noteworthy books ranging from PBs to YAs to classics and even a pet care book.
Here are my really good reads from June:
Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
The third outing for Susan Ryeland. She has left Crete, parted amicably with Andreas, and is back in London seeking work as an editor and having a rough time of it. No one wants to take a chance on the editor who inadvertently brought down both her publisher and publishing house.
She does manage a freelance opportunity with a young writer who will write a continuation of Atticus Pund—His Last Case. At the mention of Pund Susan immediately wants to say no, since association with seems to be dangerous for her.
She should have gone with her intuition.
Horowitz spins another metafiction tale of intrigue, combining two mystery stories that intersect with another. It’s fun, clever, witty, and the audio book with Lesley Manville reading Susan provides an enhanced insight into the story.
Can’t wait for the PBS presentation.
Confession: I listened to the audiobook and reread it as well. The perks of being so far ahead of my reading challenge is I can dawdle about with my reading schedule.
My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara
I ignored this book as a kid, not being into horse stories, but I am now determined to backtrack and discover classics I might have missed. O’Hara’s book is one of them and I am sure I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much then as I do now.
Mary O’Hara’s book is about a boy who is a bit of a daydreamer and has difficulty meeting up with the expectations of his pragmatic rancher father, that’s the foundation of the story; however, it also is about the greater aspects of family dynamics, the appreciation of nature, and how good people sometimes have it tough in life.
There is no veiled sugarcoating as the adults deal with financial problems, death, sickness, and the delicate balance between nature and man. It has deep philosophical aspects to consider, with some surprising harsh language and scenes of distressing animal violence not expected in a book shelved amidst juvie reads.
It’s thought the 1940s Roddy McDowell movie softened the realistic tone of O’Hara’s book, making it more “kid-friendly” when it might have better suited for adults, just as Carson McCuller’s The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is for older readers despite its protagonist being young.
O’Hara’s rich prose, strong characters, and unvarnished detail has established it as a beautiful book, one that has certainly earned its place as a classic.
Mystery on Skull Island by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
This was a surprisingly enjoyable mystery, considering it’s part of the American Girl series. The historical aspect of pirates, mixed in with Charles Town becoming established, along with the tensions of family drama, formed a worthwhile afternoon read for a summer day.
The Mouse: An Owner’s Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet by Stephanie Shulman
Having owned mice, I can attest they are wonderful, friendly, and very entertaining pets. Needing some background details on this winsome critters, I found this amazing little book at the library.
For anyone considering mice as a pet, as it goes beyond simple care instructions by including an engaging history about mice and includes a section on fancy mice and how show mice (that’s apparently a thing!)
Picture of Death by ECR Lorac
One of the last Inspector Macdonald books Lorac wrote and it rates high in characters, red herrings, and plot twist.Fallen Splendor would be the subtitle as the story revolves around the slow ruination of a fairytale estate and its crumbling upon the remaining family members. Macdonald and Reeves once again prove they are an exceptional CID team as they work out the means whether it was an accident or a calculated murder.
(BTW: the story is far superior to the cover)
Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering
The mystery, like the previous books, pays homage to mystery writers of that era in its plot. In this case it’s Doyle’s famous Hound of the Baskerville. Deering manages to put enough twist to the plot to save the story from becoming a pastiche.
This book can be read as a standalone, although the previous books provide a means of investing more into the characters. The plot moves along at a solid, steady pace with enough side trails to add further intrigue to a rousing conclusion.
The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer, illustrated by Barbara Taylor
This is indeed a big book, both in physical size and content bing a fun and fabulous combination of text and illustrations. The whimsical art will attract young readers and older readers will appreciate the various topics as they enjoy the interactive search and find feature.
Dear Librarian by Lydia Sigwarth, illustrated by Romina Galotta
A book that promotes how special libraries are is reason enough to recommend this story. What makes it particularly special is how it emphasizes how libraries can become a safe and comforting place, especially for children who need that kind of security. And it is librarians, like the one in the book, that create that kind of connection.
The standout feature of this book is how it is based on the author’s personal experience.
The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
Having grown up with Mt. Rainier always in view I set aside my initial apprehension about this YA. Upfront, I knew it was going to be a tough read due to Mark, the main character, being terminally ill. It was also tough because he made decisions that involved hurting people with his lies and deception as he struggled to attain his goal. And it’s always difficult to read a story involving a faithful dog because of the outside chance something is going to happen to the dog. Fortunately, the dog proved wonderful throughout the story.
Dan Gemeinhart, in his debut novel, provides reader with a solid story and it’s okay if a story grabs a reader enough to cry—which I did —twice.
Pam Webb 