Improvisers

TITLE:  The Improvisers: A Murder and Magic Novel

AUTHOR: Nicole Glover

I've been trying to read more widely and diversely, so I'm including more fantasy. Since this book is also historical, a fiction category I enjoy, and the protagonist -- Velma Frye -- is a Black woman inspired by Bessie Coleman, a real-life aviator, this book ticked a few boxes for me.

Set in 1931, the book takes place years after two others that I haven't read, and while characters from those books appear, this works fine as a standalone. Velma is continuing her family's tradition of solving magic-related mysteries and murders while working for the Magnolia Muses,  magic rights organization. When people start acting oddly, even violently, Velma discovers the cause is magic-infused artifacts, sending her across the country in her plane to find and retrieve more of these dangerous objects. 

A murder complicates Velma's investigation, as does the continued presence of Dillon Harris, a very persistent reporter investigating a mystery organization that may be connected to Velma's case.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm of the book which is written in simple, straightforward prose. At times, it felt like I was reading a Nancy Drew book for adults, which isn't a bad thing. Regular readers of fantasy might see all the plot twists coming, but I was surprised by a few of them. I'm undecided about reading the earlier "Murder and Magic" books, but I would definitely read a sequel to this. Velma is a wonderful character and I came to care a lot about her, and her family and friends.

To Be Read

I've never made a TBR stack before. Sometimes I pick my next book before finishing my current one, but mostly I choose what I'm in the mood for from the 100 or so unread books I own. For the 1st time, I'm committing to read at least these books I've recently bought.

Seven stacked books, top to bottom: The Ganymedan, Daughter of Genoa, The Improvisors, I Am Pilgrim, Outlaw Planet, un-a-bridged, and Gilt Frame

I have two more print books on pre-order and a digital book available from Bookshop.org to add to this stack.

Nickel and Dimed

TITLE: Nickel and Dimed: (On (Not) Getting By in America

AUTHOR: Barbara Ehrenreich

I've been working my way through old books. I'd thought I'd read this years ago, but no. Despite reading it so many years after it was published (in 2001), it still feels current (minus the out-of-date statistics). 

The author spent the better part of a year working in low-income jobs and paying for her expenses with her earnings only. She waitressed in Florida, cleaned houses in Maine while working weekends at a nursing home, and was sales "associate" at a Wal-Mart in Minnesota. 

Ehrenreich has a way with words, making for an entertaining read while educating readers about the issues faced by the working poor, a situation that still stymies upward mobility and financial security of this economic class. Well worth reading.

Death at the Sign of the Rook

TITLE:  Death at the Sign of the Rook

AUTHOR: Kate Atkinson

It's been a tough year for me for reading, but hopefully, I'm now back on track.

Kate Atkinson is one of my favorite authors and her PI character, Jackson Brodie, is one of my favorite fictional creations. This latest installment in the series is a complete delight. The mystery -- possibly connected art thefts -- is almost beside the point, serving mainly to bring Jackson and the rest of the main characters together for a murder mystery weekend at a mansion/hotel during a blizzard. Jackson is merely one character in the quirky cast and the alternating points of view bring them all to life, so much so that some of them deserve their own novels. This is a compulsive, delightful read.

Girls of Tender Age

TITLE: Girls of Tender Age

AUTHOR: Mary-Ann Tirone Smith

My goal of reading older books I've accumulated over many years continues with this memoir/true crime book. Tirone Smith grew up in Connecticut during the 1950s, a time when people had no fear of leaving their doors unlocked. Her prose is very readable and full of humor, and her choice of using present tense gives her story a timeless feel.

Two things make this more than a simple memoir. First is the challenge of living with an autistic brother at a time when the condition was poorly understood. Second is the murder of her fifth grade classmate at the hands of a pedophile and the lasting effect that horror had on Tirone Smith's life. Together, these two things elevate a story of childhood innocence into something more memorable. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.