Okay, since I can’t do anything worthwhile, I spend most of my time either reading or watching The Real Housewives (a very uplifting show that inspires friendship and catfights).
I find that with my current pain, if a book isn’t really good, I can’t pay attention to it. It has to be strong enough writing to overcome and distract me from my broken self.
Unfortunately, there are few vampire books that fulfill that category, and I’ve already read them all.
But in the past few years, my sweet mama has developed a hankering for murder mysteries. She first fell in love with the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters (fantastic), and has found a few others.
Her current read is amazing. The writing is so good, it almost feels like literature (don’t quote me on that). It’s the recently renovated and totally updated Sherlock Holmes series, the “after the facts” series about Sherlock as an old man and his new partner, Mary Russell, a girl 40 years his junior.
Love. It.
I just finished the first book and am panting after the second (my mom has 29 pages left–it’s the second time she’s read the series and she can’t remember how it ends).
So if you’re looking for something that’s squeaky clean and totally transfixing (and doesn’t involve blood letting, biting, or anything supernatural), try the first book, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, by Laurie R. King.
You won’t be disapointed. (Unless you hate mysteries or reading in general. In that case, go for Real Housewives. I have the feeling they can’t read period.)
I told you that Amelia was Amazing.
I enjoy the Amelia Peabody books, although I have to admit Emerson really is almost too perfect a specimen for even my willing suspension of disbelief. Same goes for Ramses the uber spy. But I still read them, and I’ve sure learned a lot about ancient Egypt as a result!
I’m totally going to read this series you’ve recommended. You know I’m a mystery gal from way back. BTW, read any more David Sedaris lately?
Also, there are two mystery authors whose work really does read like literature, if you’re interested. The first is Martha Grimes, who is not only a great detective writer, but she’s also a poet. Her use of language is breathtaking. And her stories are awesome. The second is PD James, the uncontested heir to the Agatha Christie crown. She really is as good as it gets. She’ll be turning 90 soon, so I don’t know if we’ll get any more books from her. But read the ones she’s written. They’ll take your mind off those kidneys, guaranteed!
I was waffling on bringing the first Amelia Peabody book via CD on our road trip tomorrow. Now I’m decided. Thanks!
I just read a book on my flight to Utah and back called “The Goose Girl”. It was sweet and I loved it. I got it at my favorite book store in Ojai, California called Bart’s Books http://www.bartsbooksojai.com/
Neat place!!!
I have so many book I want to read and I have just added more…thanks to you! 🙂 I love it!
Gonna have to look into the Peabody books now. And if you’re done with vampires, I’ve got a few ghosts and werewolves that might intrigue you. hehehehehe
Oooh goody! I need more books to put on my list, always on the look out for clean AND awesome. 🙂
p.s. I love the Real Housewives. Obsessed a little even.
Her books get better and better, the first two or three are probably the tamest.
I’m so glad someone else in the world knows of and likes these books! I’ve read them all and love them!
have you read the house of night books? i was just passed those, they seem kind of harry potterish lol. I will have to check out amelia 🙂
I really love the Janet Evanovich series about Stephanie Plum. They make me laugh quite frequently. If you like old biddies, the southern sister’s mysteries by Anne George are pretty funny too.
I had heard about this book and was considering purchasing it. Seeing how you loved it, I know I will too.
{Loved Sookie Stackhouse too!}
Thanks for the recommendation–I was wanting a new clean mystery series.
The Mary Russell books are AMAZING. (If your mom is anything like me, she quickly remembered that the last few pages of Book 2 are one of her favorite parts of the entire series.) I don’t recommend all of Laurie King’s books, but I do like a stand-alone novel of hers called “Touchstone”. Riveting.
(Also, just because I would love to hear what you thought, one of my favorite books is “Crown Duel” by Sherwood Smith. Marvelous story, no editing needed!)