Still trying to do some housekeeping when it comes to my book posts... though at this point some actual or more productive housecleaning or trip preparation would be much more productive... it is hard to believe that this time next week we'll be on our way to Beijing. But first (!), back to the book I was reading at the time of my last out-of-town getaway... to that almost equally international hot spot... San Diego!
Though I will be truthful and say while I brought along Alexander McCall Smith's In the Company of Cheerful Ladies on our 4th of July weekend getaway... it was never cracked open or the best of my knowledge taken out of the suitcase... though likely picked up and moved around. I will be predictable and once again state that while some folks use vacations as a reading opportunity, I rarely read... unless it involves a plane ride.
Ok, onto the book. This will be short and sweet as this is Book #6 in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series... so there isn't all that much new to add... and if you are interested, well you should go do the right thing and start with Book #1...
These books are pretty much review-proof... you either like 'em or you don't... but c'mon how could you not like a book called "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies"... okay, maybe in my most cynical and dark mood I wouldn't like it... but even if I was, I would likely tell myself to read one of these book to get me feeling better.
As I always seem to say about this series (and any McCall Smith book for that matter)... you don't read them for great literature... they are just quick, warm, and charming ("charming" seems to be the word everyone uses) books that certainly cleanse the mental palette after a particularly tough or "eh" read. While the focus of the early books did seem to be on the "detective" aspect (though certainly not enough to satisfy those who truly enjoy that genre), they've just turned more in character/slice of life studies of our lovable protagonist... the spunky Mma Ramotswe and her expanding circle of loved ones, friends, and co-workers.
Always look forward to reading these books... though having to watch myself as I am starting to catch up with the series and try to stay at least one book behind the paperback publication of the series... think, as of this writing, McCall Smith is up to #8.
2008 1-2-3-4-5 Reading Challenge: + 231 Pages (Total: 5,956 pages - Finished: 7/9/2008)
-605 pages behind pace for the year (-39 change in pace since last book).
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