I just finished reading the new Louise Penny book entitled A World of Curiosities . I whipped through it in a couple of days ( it’s on a limited borrowing time because it’s new and there is a wait list ).
I enjoyed it very much, set in Three Pines, rather than some country elsewhere. I honestly thought I had it figured out in chapter twelve, which made me feel both smug and a bit disappointed that Penny should give up a clue that early and that easily. However, I was wrong, thankfully.
I liked how Penny went back into the history between Armond Gamache and his right hand man, Jean- Guy Beauvoir.
The only thing that made me a bit hesitant to give this book top marks was how closely Penny comes to writing about the topics du jour. I hope and pray she doesn’t sacrifice her integrity by deliberately creating her works around pre decided hooks in order to score points. And that’s all I’ll say about that lest I ruffle some feathers.
On a different note entirely, our weather took a rather wintry turn last night with quite a lot of snow and some freezing rain. Other areas received more freezing rain than we did but buses were canceled regardless.
Those buns that I made were excellent and I froze the leftovers. I have no clue what to make tonight for supper. I have a bag of frozen shrimp that could be sautéed with some garlic. There’s always rice, maybe some of my green beans frozen from the summer? Sometimes I just hate having to come up with supper ideas. I think it’s because I don’t want to eat the same thing over and over. Husband wouldn’t mind but I would tire of it.
I went to a hospital ( not too far away this time) to receive my first infusion of Zometa ( zolendronic acid) which helps your bones lest all your calcium leaches out giving you Swiss cheese bones ( a side effect of anti- hormone therapy ). It’s also good for those with osteoporosis, which I do have. Of course this is not without its own side effects but I did my reading and asked around. I feel fine today, so that’s a good thing.
Let me know if any of you have also read the new Penny mystery. I would recommend it to any fans out there.
Do you have the Amazon Prime streaming service? It is showing season one of "Three Pines," a mystery mini-series of 8 episodes based on Louise Penny's books. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is played by Alfred Molina (a fave actor of mine). I haven't watched it yet, but I intend to start it very soon!
ReplyDeleteWe are quite the Luddites when it comes to steaming - Netflix only. Of course now that Netflix has sufficiently ticked off an entire country, I did look into getting Prime. That alone would be a good reason. Did you ever see the one time movie they made of her first book, Still Life? I felt it missed the mark, but maybe this series will be better!
DeleteI just watched the first 2 episodes and I thought they were good. On the other hand, I've never read any of her books, so I don't know how the series compares to the originals. I never saw the first movie, "Still Life." But the characters were ineresting, the plot was good, and it was nice to see so much Canadiana about the settings and people.
DeleteHmmm, that bone replacement sounds interesting. I was on a pill for 5 years, but pretty sure my bones are still pretty brittle. Sounds like a very interesting read. I need to look for it.
ReplyDeleteI watched Three Pines on Amazon and just loved it.
God bless.
Another Prime recommendation! The university is trying to tell me something!
DeleteI also watched Three Pines on Prime and enjoyed it. And I did read "Still Life", but didn't see the movie.
ReplyDeleteWell this is good to know.
DeleteJenn - the series on Prime is 1000 times better than the movie. I really liked it and highly recommend it. I also liked the new book. I had pre-ordered it on Amazon so I got it when it was first published. I read most books now on Kindle, but I ordered this as a hardcover because my 91 year old Mom also loves the series. Unfortunately, her memory is really failing and she's having a hard time reading - when she puts a book down and comes back to it she can't always remember the characters and what was going on. So I think this new book is beyond her. But, on a happy note, she's rereading the whole series now for the second time and enjoying it. She remembers all the characters from book to book and since she's read it before she's able to pick up more quickly between reading times. Have you ever read the Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne mystery series by Julia Spencer-Fleming? That's another great series and it takes place very near to where I live. We both loved them all so I think I'll suggest she reread them next.
ReplyDeleteI’m not familiar with Spencer- Fleming but I appreciate the suggestion! That’s nice about your mom enjoying the books for a second time.
DeleteI have this one on hold but the hold list is long so I've been waiting for awhile. I am glad to hear you enjoyed it! I recently finished The Whalebone Theater and I really liked it. It's not my usual mystery but I couldn't put it down!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look that one up!
DeleteI'm a big Penny fan but haven't got that far yet. I'm about to start The Hangman.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching the Prime series too.
DeleteO.K., obviously the last person on the face of the earth who doesn't have Prime and who isn't watching that series! Ha ha!
DeleteJenn I have read the latest Louise Penny book, A World of Curiosities which I also borrowed from the library. I was able to keep the book for 3 weeks, so I took the opportunity to reread taking a pause of a few days in between - I did not like this book. We don't have Prime so I haven't seen the Three Pines series, but in my F/B Louise Penny Fans group, there's a real spilt over the likes & dislikes for it. ... Mary-Lou =^..^=
ReplyDeleteA Face Book group for Penny fans! Who knew?
DeleteHaven't read Penny...I'll look her up!
ReplyDeleteI'm an Anne Perry lover.
Try to stay warm! Sounds cold...
hugs
Donna
To paraphrase you, O.K., I'm obviously the last person on the earth who hasn't read either the latest Louise Penny book, or doesn't have a streaming service. :p
ReplyDeleteI'm a cheapo when it comes to books, so won't buy them when they are new. And I just recently got a library card, but have yet to borrow a book (or anything else for that matter). Plus I have cable television, and hate the idea of paying more for more stuff I likely won't watch.
As for dinner ideas - I'm like you. It has to be my most tiresome chore. It's not like I don't enjoy cooking, it's simply coming up with something different. My brother shared a recipe with me recently for black bean burgers. I picked up the ingredients yesterday and they'll be on the menu this weekend.
Hope the snow and freezing rain have moved on.
I’m a library girl for sure! I have a bunch of new books on hold and when they come available I get an email to let me know. I don’t generally buy books because I read mysteries so once I know “ who done it” I won’t be reading again. Years ago, I would purchase reference books about gardening or other nonfiction books but now with the internet I don’t bother.
DeleteI love Louise Penny's books but I've yet to read this one. Definitely looking forward to it, though. She's never really disappointed me. SO, I'm glad it was a good one!
ReplyDeleteWe had a somewhat minor ice storm this week -- about 20 miles south of us they were slammed, so we felt very lucky. I think another is due next week. It's just cold. I haven't been able to get into cooking since swallowing became so hard (they think it is a reaction to the antibiotic I was on and I'm off it now, but the effects last a few days. At least, that's what we hope.) Your shrimp sounds good!
I have this one reserved at the library, but there are a zillion people ahead of me. Glad to know things are going well for you, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read her yet, but it sounds like I may have to give her a try. No streaming, cable, etc here, we get Netflix by mail. Old school! As for meals, with 2 freezers and a cellar full, you would think it would be easy, but I often feel so uninspired!
ReplyDeleteComing up with supper ideas is a real problem here. My husband finishes breakfast, and two hours later he is asking what we are having for supper, at which is clench my teeth and tell him that supper is at 6 pm, here eat an apple.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of her/her works until now; I learned something.
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything by Louise Penny! You make her work sound very interesting and I'm going to have to try one of her books.
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on mysteries, but my husband is. He really likes Helen Turston. I read one and it was pretty good.
ReplyDelete