What are you reading? What are others reading? Let us know by using #TADLTOREAD on Instagram and show us! Let's see what one local Northern Michigan author has on her #TADLTOREAD pile (she is always on this librarian's pile).
Peg Herring is a mystery and suspense author whose latest book, Sister Saint, Sister Sinner, follows the adventures of very different sisters: a politician’s wife, a slightly desperate divorcee, and a murderer. Peg also writes cozy (humorous) mysteries as Maggie Pill, notably The Sleuth Sisters series. Maggie started a new series in 2022 with Cats and Crimes.
From Peg Herring
Readers are the same. Readers are different.
We all love reading, choosing books to read, talking about books we’ve read.
We don’t all read the same way. Some read one book at a time. Others (like me) read three or four, sinking into whichever one is closest at hand. Some (like my sisters) keep their books, especially the beloved ones, forever, but I find myself thinking as I read, “Who do I know who would like this?” so I give books away as soon as I finish them.
Fiction. Nonfiction.
One genre. Many genres.
Reread. Look for something new.
I’m on a ton of social media sites for readers, mostly mystery because that’s what I write, but also historical fiction because I read a lot of that too. I enjoy reading what people recommend, pan, or caution others about, like “Don’t read Black Beauty if you get upset when animals suffer.”
I don’t assume I’ll love a title just because someone else did, but since four million new books are currently released each year, comments and reviews help to narrow down my choices. I also ask booksellers and librarians what they recommend, since they see what’s new or popular and hear from lots of readers.
Here’s my current TBR list. The first 3 I’m reading now. The rest are enticing treats for later.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: The author’s update of David Copperfield. She’s a brilliant writer, so though it’s been hard to watch the poor kid suffer thus far, I will continue.
State of Terror by Hilary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny: A lively terrorist tale that reveals in no uncertain terms what the authors think of incompetence and skullduggery at high levels of government.
Geiger by Gustaf Skordeman: The inciting incident is a grabber. I’m about halfway through and find it compelling to look back at old spies and Cold War shenanigans.
My Brother by Karin Smirnoff: Billed as “rural noir,” this is a translation from Swedish, which often makes me hesitate. But since I’m enjoying Geiger in translation, I thought, “Why not?”
Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan: I got a gasp of disbelief at the bookstore when I said I hadn’t read this one. Apparently everyone else already has…and loved it.
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley: Again, a bookseller’s recommendation. I do love a good Scottish tale.
Dream Girl by Laura Lippman: I will read anything this author writes, so I’m always thrilled to find a new Lippman book. After reading the back cover blurb, I’m excited to start it.
A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch: It seemed like a good idea to have a Victorian mystery to snuggle in with over the winter months to come.
A Blizzard of Polar Bears by Alice Henderson: A bookseller recommended this author, and the cover promises suspense in the Canadian Arctic along with the aforementioned bears. How could I resist?
I recently finished the newest books by two authors I regularly buy and read, Desert Star (Michael Connelly) and The Boys from Biloxi (John Grisham). As far as nonfiction, which I read less of, my son recommended Endurance by Alfred Lansing, the account of the ill-fated Shackleton trek into the Antarctic in 1914. I recommend all three, but for vastly different reasons. Connelly’s Bosch is the quintessential honest cop. Grisham turns a sharp, experienced eye on our legal system, and the book about Shackleton made me glad I have never—ever—had any desire to step foot on a glacier.
The Traverse Area District Library carries many Peg Herring and Maggie Pill titles, what we don't have we can get through other libraries or are in the process of purchasing.