In recent weeks, I’ve finished a couple of good books that I want to pass along to my reader friends.
The House of Unexpected Sisters, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, by Alexander McCall Smith. I always buy this series, and in hardback. That shows how much I know I will like it. These books are for savoring. Since being introduced to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books years ago by two writer friends, I have looked forward to each one in turn. Now they crowd my shelf of favorite books.
In this new story, we are once more with dear Precious Ramotswe, our lady detective, and all the old friends, who are dealing with various perplexities and conflicts of life. Precious somehow sorts it all out. The characters are so human and adorable.
Mr. Smith has a subtle and deft talent that draws in the reader. We don’t have a murder here, but we do have a number of mysteries. After some chapters, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was wondering where the mysteries were, when, bang! I was right in the midst of a number and had to keep reading to find out the answers. I found this installment of our detective ladies one of the better in the series for the past few years. If you enjoy high-quality writing, warm humor and insightful novels, you want to give this one a try.
The Twelfth Child, by Bette Lee Crosby.
This story spans the lifetime of Abigail Anne Lannigan, born of a loving mother and cruel father, and how she survived hardship and mistakes, and even thrived to pass on a legacy to a young woman friend. It really is several stories within one story, as we see what happens upon her death. There is no lagging in this book, as in so many sagas. Crosby keeps everything moving. The story takes place in Virginia, from the hill country to the coastal plain, and I hear in memory my own people. The characters reminded me of where I came from, the same tone of voice, and I can see them all. This was the first novel I have read by USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby, but it will not be the last.
Up next in my to-be-read stack is Sisters, by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and Pray, Write, Grow, by Ed Cyzewski.
I would appreciate recommendations of good books you all out there are reading. It would be great if you would share with me and with others who read this post in the comments below.
Blessings for enjoyable reading,
CurtissAnn
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
Love your book recommendations so much. I am also a librarian so you know I can be picky! Buying them all today—thanks.
My sister and I have belonged to a book club together for over 35 years. She chose the book we are to read for Feb. 11 meeting. Unfortunately, my beloved sister passed away unexpectedly at the beginning of December. Wanted to let you and everyone know what the book is: RABBIT CAKE by Annie Hartnett. Turns out it’s a book about 2 girls and their father who lose their mother/wife to a mysterious sleepwalking death. But it’s really about what they all do to grieve their loss (and yes, it helped me grieve the loss of my sister). The title comes from how the mother celebrates all their birthdays or any life events by baking a rabbit cake. Written from the youngest child’s point of view, this is a beautifully written book and —believe it or not—a funny book. I’m from the south and the landscape is true. Each of the characters will pull on your heart in many ways. I started out underlining great lines (like I did for all of your books, by the way) and had to finally stop because the entire book was becoming underlined. Would love to know what you or your readers think of it. Our book club hostess is baking a rabbit cake.
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Louise, my heart goes out to you on the loss of your sister. Sudden makes it even harder. She was obviously a good friend to you, too, with you both being in a book club for 35 years. Thank you for sharing this book. I’m going to get it and look forward to reading it. Yes, I can believe a book about grieving and death is funny; that’s how we Southerners are. And my mother would say, “The time to laugh is any time you can.” Thank you, again. You are in my prayers. We always miss our loved ones. I have not found we get over it so much as we get use to the pain, I think, and we go on.
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