Saturday, August 14, 2021

Book Reviews - 3 mini Book Reviews: Unsettled Ground; Claire Fuller - Not a Happy Family; Shari Lapena and All the Lonely People; Mike Gayle

Thank You Deb@ Reader Buzz


Whew this has been such a hot and humid weather week with some terrible thunderstorms and a brief loss of power (2 hours) one night while we slept. We stayed indoors with AC as much as possible and spent time with (3) books, watched one movie, Saving Private Ryan and playing gin rummy with my husband.  Speaking of "gin" we tried our gin soaked raisins this past week (10) each evening and so far (it's only been 3 nights so far) we don't see any change in his low back pain or my knee pain but, it says it can take (3) weeks so I'll keep you all posted.

My daughter stopped over with the girls one day and while my husband entertained the girls, playing cards (WAR) for money, we got to chat uninterrupted. He is so good amusing them and they had so much fun. They said they's like to come back to play cards with him again.  He told them "you are welcome here anytime and S the 9 year old said "great, not tomorrow though, we are busy." LOL.  Of course they went home with extra money from their card game winnings, how did that happen?

My (3) days of yoga this week had slightly fewer people than the first week which was nice. I also had an ultrasound this week with good results so that was a relief.  Looking forward to lower temps starting tomorrow - still summer-like though.  

How was your week?

READING

It seems like I've been reading about (3) books a week most weeks and I am happy to report that this week's books were much better than the ones I read the previous week.  I still need to get better control over the books I want to read or have committed to reading so, I bought myself a 17 month planner - fingers crossed, I use it and it helps. In my working life I was so organized - less so as a retiree.


Here's what I finished this week:

Unsettled Ground; Claire Fuller
Tin House Books - 2021
(library hardcover)

Unsettled Ground was a beautifully written story that, quite frankly, left me feeling more than a little "unsettled."

Jeanne and Julius are 51 year old twins who have never left their run down remote cottage in Inkbourne (UK). Their father died when they were only 12 years old (the tragic details are revealed eventually)and as the story opens their 70 year old mother Dot dies of a stroke.  Neither of the kids have had much schooling and Jeanne doesn't even know how to read. She and her mother for years have spent their time tending to a large garden while Julius picked up odd handyman jobs. Neither has held a proper job, they have no real friends nor much of a life to speak of. When their mother was alive the (3) of them were content making music together in the evenings by each playing a different musical instrument. They don't have a car, a television or even a bank account and although they believed the dilapidated cottage was theirs to live in rent free, after Dot's death they learn that is not the case.  With no money, no jobs,  a mother to bury, and now also facing eviction, the reader wonders why the family has  allowed this to happen and wonders why they have chosen to live in seclusion and never asked for help.  

As the reader I felt sad for these characters but, I think they were more comfortable with their life than I was reading about it.  Although most of society might view these individuals as a bit odd, the author makes them seem rather content with life on the whole.  There was a bit of a mystery element to the story which slowly gets revealed and although this story had a quiet feel, it packs an emotional punch. Very will written and highly recommended.

4.5/5 stars

Not a Happy Family; Shari Lapena
Penguin Audio - 9 hours 11 min.
Narrated by Ellen Archer (very good)
(library download)

When millionaires Fred and Sheila Merton are found brutally murdered after the family has gathered for Easter dinner at their Brecken Hills estate in New York, everyone in the family and extended family are soon suspects in the murder.

When the (3) adult Merton children and spouses and partners gather for Easter dinner, everyone is uptight and on edge. Fred Merton is not well liked or respected and has been known to routinely upset the applecart. On this occasion something happens and everyone leaves in a huff, including the maid who had once been a live-in nanny to the children.  By the next day the children: Catherine, Dan and Jenna as well as Irina, the maid, and Audrey, Fred's sister, are suspects in the murders.

This was a very good audio book that hooked me early on and never let up.  None of the characters had any redeeming qualities but I still found the story addictive.  My husband and I listened to this one together and we found ourselves changing our theories a few times as new info got revealed. Fast paced, character driven, with unexpected twists, we liked that extended family members were also introduced along the way for even more mystery.  The detective duo left a lot to be desired and it felt like this was their first case of this type.  The epilogue was a welcome bonus and made me smile.

4.5/5 stars

Grand Central Publishing - 2021
(finished copy sent to me by Publisher)

Hubert Bird is an 84 year old man who has lived alone after his wife Joyce passed away and his daughter Rose moved to Australia to teach at the University.  Rose calls him weekly to check in and Hubert has painted a rosy picture of his fun life as a retiree so that she doesn't worry about him.  The truth is his life is anything but rosy. He has basically shut himself off from others and the friends he used to have, so when Rose tells him she has taken a sabbatical and will be coming home for a visit, Hubert must change his ways and make friends fast or reveal the sad truth to his daughter.

Told in the present day and through flashbacks to when Hubert arrived in England as an immigrant from Jamaica in search of a better life.  Instead of finding opportunity as a young man in a new country, he faced racism and prejudice prevalent in his workplace and also as he fell in love with Joyce, a white woman who became his wife.  I liked the dual timelines and the overall flow of the story. Yes, loneliness is often reality for seniors like Hubert who live alone and don't have a support system close by.  I thought the subject was handled well and the story was more uplifting than depressing.  This is my first novel by Mike Gayle but, I will be curious to see what other books he has written.  

Rating - 4/5 stars

The Rest of August

I need to read a few more books for my (20) book Summer Reading Challenge - I think I've read 16/20. I'm already thinking and hoping that there will be another RIP Challenge for Fall. I've participated for about 12 years now and am already making a thriller, mystery list for September and October fall reading - not that I want to rush the seasons.

                                         Hope Everyone Has a Great Week!

40 comments:

  1. You have been a busy reader! Have another great week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hope the raisins' magic powers kick in soon! I'm looking forward to the Lapena book. Have a good week and I hope you get more visits from your adorable grands!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Mary LOL I was surprised how fun the Lapena book was as her last one was disappointing for me.

      Delete
  3. I have added all 3 to my library wish list!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those sound like some good books. Good luck with the gin raisins, we hope it helps!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have seen All The Lonely People around for a while and finally put in on my TBR list.

    Here is my link :https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/08/sunday-salon-house-renovations-and.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and I noticed you had a very busy week with all you've been up to.

      Delete
  6. I love thunderstorms, but it is so annoying when the power goes out. Does that happen in places where the powerlines are underground, I wonder?

    Not tomorrow night though, we're busy. (!!!) Oh lord little kids do crack me up with the things they say.

    All 3 of those books sound really good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by today. I just checked out your blog and love your fun style in posting about your week.

      We do have underground power and cable lines and although it is very rare every few years we briefly lose power it seems (cable more often).

      Delete
  7. Wonderful readings this week and they are all books I hadn't heard of. Good luck with the gin-soaked raisins, I hope they help with the pain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Helen. Yes, it's nice when we get some satisfying reads in. Hope your week was good.

      Delete
  8. We have a little storm almost every afternoon here. That's the pattern in summer.

    Haha! Kids! Gotta love them.

    I'm really looking forward to getting back to yoga. Our Y reopens tomorrow.

    Lonely People sounds intriguing. So glad to see you had a great reading week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, I hope you can safely get indoors for yoga. Lonely People reminded me of Ove in some ways.

      Delete
  9. I second what Mary said about the raisins!

    I'm putting Unsettled Ground & Not a Happy Family on my list.
    Already have All the Lonely People.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh good, I hope you will enjoy these Vicki. Have a great week.

      Delete
  10. We woke up the other night hearing rain on the roof of the RV. I quickly got up and closed the roof vents, but it wasn't really necessary since we didn't get much in the way of measurable rain. We were in the Redwoods at the time and it is so dry there! Lots of smoke in the sky, too.

    It sounds like you had a good visit with your daughter and grandkids. We've seen a lot of family this summer and we're really savoring those moments after so many months apart.

    Unsettled Ground sounds like something I'd enjoy. I'm doing ok with my Summer Reading challenge, but not great. I've finished 7, given up on 5 and have 9 remaining. (I don't know how I wound up with 21 instead of 20!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy you got got getaway so much this summer and see family. That has been so missed by many over the last 1.5 years or more in some cases. Unsettle Ground was different but good.

      Delete
  11. Both All the Lonely People and Unsettled Ground look intriguing.

    I'm curious about the raisins - hope they help. It sounds like a pleasant way to get ride of pain 🙂.

    Have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen, we hope the raisins help as well. Not a bad way to get pain relief if it works. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  12. Unsettled Ground sounds rather fascinating if sad. Sounds like you've had a wonderful time with the grandkids, I've had my 21 year old grand-daughter here for the week, hard to believe she's actually '21'. Hope the coming week is a good one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cath, how nice you had a chance to spend time with your adult granddaughter. Many have missed seeing loved ones these last almost 2 years. Unsettled Ground was very good and different kind of story for sure. I hope you try it.

      Delete
  13. I had forgotten about the gin soaked raisins but I'm so curious to see if they do anything if you eat them for awhile. The uninterrupted chat sounds lovely and it sounds like the kids had a good time with your husband! War is such a great game. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine, that visit was a win win - everyone had fun and then we all got to have dessert together LOL

      Delete
  14. Ooh I like Shari Lapena's stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greg, Lapena's last book disappointed me but, this one was good.

      Delete
  15. It's been hot and humid here too. Mostly I've been inside. Not A Happy Family sounds so good. I have to get that one. I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugh that hot and humid weather was the pits. Fortunately this week will be 10+ degrees cooler, still humid with thunderstorms but what can we do about it ? nothing.

      Delete
  16. I'm at about the same place as you with my 20-Bok summer reading challenge, maybe 17 books. I am picking up a few from the library tomorrow and they are for kids so that should push me one step closer. Ha! My Sunday Salon post

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Anne, that always happens. I make a summer list, abandon some and come up slightly short. But, who really cares. Hope you enjoyed what you read. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I really like the sound of "All the Lonely People." Probably because I can identify a little with the main character and his problems adjusting to retirement and staying in touch with friends from his first life. That's not easy for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sam, I didn't have any problem adjusting to retirement but, for all my life I have been terrible about keeping in contact with former friends and work contacts once I changed jobs or moved. Wondering whether that is more typical of introverts who do not need a lot of people in their lives in general?

      Delete
    2. I had no problem adjusting to retirement, but my husband certainly did. I'm an introvert, and he is not, but also he gave up a lot of things he enjoyed and became more and more of a type A work personality as the years went by.

      Delete
  19. Glad to know Unsettled Ground was a hit! Swimming Lessons was a favorite the year I read it and I finally got to Bitter Orange last winter. Hope to read this one soon!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh I'll have to check out Swimming Lessons, for some reason that one isn't familiar to me.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have also read the Mike Gayle novel. I agree he handled the issue of loneliness well ... and thought it entertaining enough. I hope your hot weather cools down.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yesterday was gorgeous, less humidity and a high of 82, This is the summer I enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Adding the first two to my list :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.