Jeff sent me three story collections. I picked up the Elinor Lipman one first because although I admire her novels, I had never read her stories. There are story collections where you can only read one at a time because they are so difficult, sad, or so thought provoking that one at a time is enough. Lipman's stories are so enjoyable you have trouble putting the book down, unusual for stories.
This collection is from 1987 but it seems completely contemporary and it's hard to put my finger on why. I think it's because many female writers still tell this sort of story. Stories about women struggling to find love, struggling with their families (especially their mothers) struggling to get the right balance of career, home, love, friends. Breezy stories for a rainy afternoon in Detroit. Light but not froth or trivial. Thanks, Jeff!
11 comments:
I haven't read her short stories either, Patti, Sometimes a collection like that is just right...
You're welcome. I thought you would like this one!
This is what I do when I discover a new writer or short story collection I want to read (or at least try). First, I'll check the library website. If they have an e-book edition available, I will download it to the Kindle. (If they have it but it's out, I'll put it on hold.) If there is a regular edition, I will request it be sent to my local library. If the library doesn't have it, I will check on Amazon and see what the Kindle edition costs versus what a used paperback or hardback copy costs (including shipping). (Depending on how expensive it is, I might check the listings on ABE.) If I buy a copy, I go by price, though my preference is a trade paperback edition. When I read it, I pass it on to someone who I think would like it, or put it in the basement "library" in the laundry room.
Currently reading a Bill Pronzini collection (I've probably read 20 or more of his collections), this one science fiction stories (mostly), HIGH CONCEPTS. Also finishing up (today) the latest Crippen & Landru collection, Edith Maxwell's A QUESTIONABLE DEATH and Other Historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries (the title says it all), set in 1880s Massachusetts. I've never read any of her novels in the Rose Carroll series (or any of her books, come to think of it), but I'm enjoying this and might read one of the novels too.
Jeff sent me some books, too! Peter Turnbull! Jeff is a very generous guy!
Since I retired, I've upped my use of the Western NY Libraries. The Buffalo Erie County Library web site allows users to suggest purchases (limit 2 books per week). I almost always hit the liimit! I only buy books now that the Libraries don't buy.
On the downsizing front, I took three boxes of books to a local used bookstore and the owner was stunned by the quality of my Civil War collection that was now his.
Finding Good Homes for my books is slow work, but I'm making progress.
I still don't know how to download ebooks from the library to my kindle. It is funny the things you know and don't know. Although I gave my library over a thousand books last year and the year before, I already have about two dozen to donate to the new library. All of them picked up at their sales. I am sure a constant recycling goes on with readers.
Our local Salvation Army store closed and the library won't take our books, but another Thrift Store opened and they took 8 bags of books from Jackie, so we have much more space now. We moved some of the DVDs into the den, which enabled us to space out the CDs and the rest of the DVDs in the living room. So for now we're OK.
Also, George has generously given books to many of us. I got two huge Race Williams collections by Carroll John Daly from him, among others.
I guess trial and error worked for me on downloading to the Kindle, but now that it is set up, it is simplicity itself. Check into the library account (I'm already signed into Amazon), find the book I want to download, hit Check Out, then click on Read Now on Kindle, then it goes to the Amazon page and I download it to the Default Device (my Kindle) or another device (for Jackie's books) and I'm done. Of course, I'm sure other library systems do it differently,
Thanks, Jeff. I printed out instructions (for the 10th time).
Patti, I also had trouble downloading eBooks from the library despite the fact the instructions seemed simple. Fortunately, my adult son, Scott, could fix things. I do it all the time now.
My branch staff is always sitting down with somebody and helping them do it. You might take your deal with you next time you are in and ask them to help.
Mine's up now, Patti: "Woodrow Wilson's Necktie" by Patricia Highsmith.
Thanks, Kevin. It may come to that soon.
Never heard of that Highsmith before.
I haven't read anything by Elinor Lipman but was thinking lately that I should try something by her.
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