Just finished reading...

Friend of the Devil by Peter Robinson.

Peter is one of my favourite authors. He's such an amazing writer! Everytime I read one of his books I think it's his best one yet...and then I read the next one.

Friend of the Devil is told partly from Alan Banks' point of view and partly from Annie Cabot's point of view. Annie has been seconded to another division, yet somehow their cases manage to connect.

They are both damaged individuals, both fiercely independent, both very good detectives. A relationship between them didn't work, but both wonder about trying again.

Peter and I at Book 'Em Mysteries in Pasadena, June 2006

Yes, I'm discussing the characters rather than the plot. There is definitely a plot; in fact, there are two of them. But Peter's characters, even the minor ones, are very well drawn. His characterizations are just one of the reasons his writing is so enjoyable to read.

I couldn't believe this is the seventeenth Inspector Banks book. I hope he continues writing them for a long time.

Anxiety

It's been a rough few days in the Beebe household.
My father-in-law, who lives in Albuquerque, was scheduled to go into hospital on Monday for an angioplasty. There were some complications and the doctors were forced to do an emergency bypass.

There was some telephone tag before my husband finally reached me (I was on the way to work at the time he called and my cell phone battery was dead). I worked late shift at the library, and didn't get home until just after 8 p.m., and when I walked in the door he informed me that he and his brother would be heading to ABQ on the 6 a.m. flight.

None of us slept much that night. Even Nacht was anxious. Tod and I were both awake before his alarm went off at 3 a.m. My sister-in-law was driving them to the airport, and after I saw them off I tried to get some sleep. I may have dozed a little, but I was awake when Tod called to tell me they'd arrived in ABQ.
I didn't go to work, and waited anxiously for Tod to call with an update. When I finally heard that my FIL was awake and lucid, I was able to get some rest.

I slept well last night, from sheer exhaustion, I think.

Tod's dad is doing much better today, and Tod and his brother will be returning home tonight.

It's an unfortunate thing that people our age have to deal with: aging parents who may be in poor health. And it's even more difficult to deal with when they live some distance away, like Tod's dad and my parents.

Just finished reading...

Three girls and their brother by Theresa Rebeck.

Theresa Rebeck's first novel is amazing. In a good way.

The three sisters of the title are Amelia, Polly, and Daria Heller (respectively 14, 17 and 18 at the beginning of the story). The brother is Philip, a year older than Amelia. Their grandfather, Leo Heller, was a well-known literary critic.

What's significant about the sisters, though, is their beauty and their hair. All three have stunning red hair. Out of the blue, The New Yorker calls, saying they'd like to do a photo spread of the girls by a world-famous photographer. Although Amelia is reluctant, Daria has had her sights set on a modelling career, and convinces her to agree. In no time at all, the Heller's have become the new "It" girls.

The novel is broken into four parts, each narrated by one of the siblings. The first voice is Philip's. His tale begins with The New Yorker's invitation, and continues until Amelia is asked to leave her school because the paparazzi who follow her create too much of a disturbance. The narrative is then picked up by Amelia, who tells what happens for the next few months, followed by Polly and then Daria.

Rebeck inhabits each of the very different characters quite effectively, and their separate viewpoints are believable. Telling the story this way makes the wild ride credible, although after I finished the book and thought about it I realized just how outlandish some of the situations really are.

Great book! I have a feeling this will win some awards.

Just finished reading...

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Wow! Is there ever a lot going on in this book!
Sookie is trying to settle down at home after the tragedy in Rhodes (see All Together Dead) with her new housemate Amelia, whose home was destroyed by Katrina.

The book is a series of incidents, rather than having a major plot.

Sookie fills in at the last minute as a bridesmaid for her friend Halleigh, when the original one is rushed to hospital. She learns more about her heritage, and the origin of her gift. And, as usual, she is called upon to act as a mediator for various supernatural communities.

I loved this book. It felt like I was spending a few weeks beside Sookie as she just went about her day-to-day business. She is such a likeable character, so concerned about doing what is right and not hurting people that she gets pulled into situations that she would rather avoid (like looking out for her brother Jason).

I'm eagerly awaiting the the ninth volume of Sookie's adventures.

An early birthday present

Katy made this in her scene-painting class, and decided it was perfect for me. I'm thrilled! Tod hung it in our living room today.



The photo doesn't hint at its true size: it's 4' x 6'. Amazing, huh?

I'm it!

Angela tagged me on this meme.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Hmmm.... 10 years ago was June 1998. I was living in a small town in Northern Saskatchewan, and wishing I lived almost anywhere else.

Five things on my to-do list today:

1. Go to the nursery and get annuals for the front flower beds.
2. Pick up stuff for dinner.
3. Order blocking mats.
4. Restart the Lace Ribbon Scarf and not make any mistakes.
5. Exercise.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Pay off all my bills.
2. Pay off the house.
3. Invest.
4. Go on a round-the-world cruise with Tod.
5. Buy a house in a temperate climate for my parents.

Five jobs I have had:

1. Piano teacher.
2. Secretary/receptionist in a real estate office.
3. Receptionist in a doctor's office.
4. Page in a hospital library.
5. School librarian.

Five of my bad habits:

1. I hate to be left out.
2. Saying what people want to hear.
3. Starting projects that don't get finished.
4. Getting rid of things that I should keep.
5. "Pack-ratting" things that I shouldn't.

Five places I have lived:

1. Edmonton, Alberta
2. Prince Albert, Saskatchwan
3. Boston, Massachusetts
4. Long Beach, California
5. Los Alamitos, California


Five people I want to get to know better (yes, this means you are tagged!)

1. Steph W.
2. Susan G.
3. Sandra D.
4. Alie K.
5. Anyone who happens to read this and wants to do it. Please
let me know if you do, though, okay? I'd love to see your answers.

Five random things

1. Purple is my favourite colour.
2. I like to use British spellings.
3. I try to use American pronunciations, but I don't always remember. Zed.
4. White wine, not red.
5. I'm so happy that I married a man who loves sports.

I've been busy

I haven't posted for a while because I've been busy working on my sister's birthday present. It's already late, but I finally finished it on Tuesday, blocked it yesterday, and sent it off this morning.

The pattern is from the Lion Brand website. (You may have to register to see it.) It's quite easy, though it does require a little concentration.


(Apologies for the poor quality of the picture. I was standing on an ottoman so I could get the whole thing into the shot.)