Whine & Cheese

The Lost Art of Gratitude

Since my better half is currently reading the next book that should be next (I don't like reading anything about a book while I am reading it, that's for sure!), I am going to skip it for now... but stay on the edge of your seats for a post about Gone Girl, which seems to be the break-out book of the summer.

Alas, this post is yet another Alexander McCall Smith book and they pretty much write themselves (and I pretty much cut-and-paste what I already posted on Goodreads)...

Ok, we're up to The Lost Art of Gratitude... Volume 6 of the Sunday Philosophy Club/Isabel Dalhousie "mystery" series, so what else is there really to say at this point?!   Except to wonder what ever happened to the Sunday Philosophy Club and are these ever really mysteries... or more Isabel wiggling her way out of situation after butting in to someone else's business??  Ha! Likewise, I can cut-and-paste any of my Alexander McCall Smith reviews -- in this series or No. 1 Ladies -- and reiterate how light, easy, comforting, pleasant they are to read as they continue to be my go-to "cleanse the palate" guilty pleasure books! So there you go!

In the last installment (Comforts of a Muddy Sunday), I felt the series was getting a bit tired. After reading several in a row, I switched back to No. 1 Ladies, but given that I needed another light read I and had just read a Mma Ramotswe "mystery" just a few books ago, I decided to give Isabel another try. Initially, my fears were confirmed. Isabel was just a bit too grating and her over-worrying/thinking I am sure had me rolling my eyes. But, alas slowly and surely, I was lulled into McCall Smith rhythm and was won over (yet again). Being an animal lover, a chapter devoted nearly wholly to Brother Fox really won me over and may have been one of the more beautiful and touching passages I have read in any McCall Smith novel.

Ratings-wise, I always rate these books in the 3 to 3.5 star range and I will go with the latter here, but given that I felt Gratitude won me back in the end after increasing doubts about the series, I gave it the Goodreads reading bump up to 4 stars (tho with my usual snooty-ish caveat that it should not be confused/compared to my 4-star ratings for more "serious" lit).

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

Still behind on book post, but this one is going to be short!

Ok, we're up to the 8th installment of the Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series with The Good Husband of Zebra Drive and it is pretty darn review-proof and there is really just not a whole lot to say other than it is yet another perfectly pleasant literary trip to visit some perfectly pleasant friends (well, Mma Makutsi tends to get a bit crabby at times.

To keep me extra entertained while reading this one, I found myself creating a No. 1 Ladies' drinking game:

Mention of Mma. Makutsi's 97% score at Secretarial School?  Drink!

Reference to Mma. Ramotswe's how-to book Clovis Anderson's "The Principles of Private Detection"?  Drink!

A woman being described as "traditionally built"?  Drink!

And to send us over the edge... any mention of tea drinking (and make it a double if it's bush tea)? Drink! Drink! Drink!

Readers know exactly what they're getting when they open one of these books, so it is hard to find any quibbles or, on the flip side, muster up any extra excitement.  I'd still say this was an above average installment with a lot of the regular/core characters getting their own little subplots. 3.5 stars, but with the usual guilty pleasure/literary palate cleanser round down to 3 stars.

The Perils of Morning Coffee (#38)

Well, here we are at the last book I read in 2011... but calling it a "book" might be a bit of a stretch... as it is an eBook original story that translated to about 50 print pages.

My motivation, much like my last read, was to squeeze in one more "book" before the end of the year and having read the first five books in the Sunday Philosophy Club/Isabel Dalhousie series, Alexander McCall Smith's The Perils of Morning Coffee certainly fit the bill. 

As far as where this fits into the series, it seems as if it would be Book 7.5, but no worries of any ongoing plot spoilers as long as you are past Book 4 (The Careful Use of Compliments) when Isabel's personal/home life took quite the dramatic turn.

I have a difficult time coming up with what to say about the full-blown books in the series which are pretty short/quick reads themselves, so I am really at a loss of words of what to say here.  But as with the rest of the series, this was a perfectly pleasant tale as Isabel is accused of being the "other woman" (you can imagine how she takes that news!). Over the course of these few dozens pages (errr... screen clicks), she uncovers what's really going on in her usual meddlesome manner.

Kind of a whimper-y way to another year of book posts, but what can I say... just a quick literary snack with this one!

The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday (#18)

Go ahead and put on that broken record (is that a phrase that "kids" today would even understand?) as I really don't know what new there is to say about an Alexander McCall Smith novel.

I have read 6 book in his No. 1 Ladies Detective/Precious Ramotswe series and The Comforts of a Muddy Sunday is Book #5 in his Sunday Philosophy Club/Isabel Dalhousie series... and if that wasn't enough, I read the first book in yet another of his series, but having not been bowled over -- and really quite content and kept busy by the other two -- decided not to continue on.

So I know what I am getting myself into when I pick up the next installment in either series.  Typically, they end up being what I have dubbed -- and I know I am repeating myself -- literary palate cleansers (tho, in the past I think I have erroneously referred to it as a "palette" which is the color/paint thing, not the the thing in your mouth).  But whenever I need to catch my reading breath, McCall Smith is the answer.  I certainly needed that after The Invisible Bridge as that was epic and emotional... and really, really good.  That's another thing, when you read a really great book, the question/dilemma is what can possibly top it!?   And here, and by no means meant as an insult to McCall Smith, I knew it wouldn't be any competition or means of comparison.  As I have said over and over, these are pleasant reads and that's what we need every so often.

So while I got exactly what I wanted out of this book, I have to say it was not my favorite of the series.  The last two books involved some big and surprising shake-ups in the life of Isabel Dalhousie and in this installment there was more of sense of settling down and in.  Also, I got a bit annoyed at Isabel at times with her tendency to over-think things and opening her mouth when she should be keeping it shut.  But then, I made two big realizations ... this is the reason why we love her and, coincidentally enough, if I were to look in the mirror, I'd have to admit they are perhaps two of my own character faults personal charms. 

I really should get back to the No. 1 Ladies series and perhaps with this ever so slight enthusiasm slip I will do that after reading 3 in a row from this series, but still no doubts I'll be back in Scotland to see what kind of trouble Isabel is getting herself into next time!

The Careful Use of Compliments (#22)

I take a couple of weeks off from book posts and no surprise that I find myself considering behind again...

... though Alexander McCall Smith's The Careful Use of Compliments will be a pretty short "review."  When we last left my books, I had just finished up the quite good, but emotionally exhausting Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart, so I needed something to light and fluffy and my go-to author for that is McCall Smith (henceforth known as AMS).

And that is the main reason why this is going to be pretty short, as this is the 4th book in the Sunday Philosophy Club/Isabel Dalhousie series, so there is no point encouraging you (or not) to read this particular book if you haven't read the first three! 

Typically, I switch off with the other AMS series I read, the phenomenally popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, but I was honestly so surprised by the turn of events (not particularly an AMS hallmark) at the end of the 3rd installment, The Right Attitude for Rain, that I was a bit curious to see where things picked up.

I thought this was a quite good installment with one of the better "mysteries" of the series and my mild anxiety that the series may have "jumped the shark" with the addition of a new character proved to be unfounded.

At the risk of being repetitive, I find these books to be reliably pleasant and a great diversion from more serious reading.  One of the criticisms that I read about this particular book is that it was "meandering," but honestly I find it be one of the strengths of the series and AMS in general.  A perfect opportunity to slow down and enjoy the proverbial journey over the destination.

The Right Attitude To Rain (#7)

Somehow I landed myself on a jury this week, so good thing I had this post ready to go before it hit!

It wasn't much of a struggle to figure out what to read next while I was in the midst of time-sucking black hole that was the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics game...

... it is the same go-to author that I find myself picking up (or, these days, should I say downloading) after I need to get over a particularly difficult read or find myself in a book rut... Alexander McCall Smith (going forward known as "AMS").  The guy is just a writing machine.  He has four different series going, plus he recently released a stand-alone novel.  I split my time between two of the series, The No. 1 Ladies Dectective Agency, where I am up to Book #7 and The Sunday Philospophy Club/Isabel Dalhousie series where I am now through Book #3, The Right Attitude To Rain.

I know I sound like a broken record with these AMS books, but they are always easy and entertaining reads, so quite perfect to keep me reading during the Games when it was fairly difficult to concentrate and maintain momentum and my steady/consistent reading schedule.  After 10 AMS books, obviously I know what I am getting and I like it.

I am not sure why both of these AMS series I read are classified as "mysteries."  While the No. 1 Ladies suggests a bit more mystery, there really much of a hint going on with philosopher Isabel Dalhousie, but both are more about the often difficult task of figuring people out than say solving a crime.  They are just charming slice-of-life tales that will charm you for hours before generally wrapping things up in a nice, pretty, tidy bow.

That said, I was surprised, not a typical AMS hallmark, by a couple of things that transpired in this installment.  It is even a bit risque too, though still firmly on the "chaste" end of the scale erotic scale (ha!).  My only other quibble with the series, and particularly this book was reconciling that Isabel is written as kind of  frumpy, over-the-hill biddy... and she's 42 years old... a year younger than myself! I have always been challenged getting a good picture of her in my mind, never really considering her a peer, but in this one you are kind of forced to spiff her up a bit.   

Due to the non-challenging nature of these books, I am always challenged coming up with a rating for these book.  I don't think I have ever strayed beyond my starting point of 3 stars, though typically do find them to be 4-star entertainment.  Perhaps, McCall Smith just makes it all look (and read) too easy.

Blue Shoes and Happiness (#34)

Ok, I said I was going to try and get back into blogging, but don't expect it to be a daily thing like it has been for this first week of 2010... though I have to admit, it has felt kind of good to have a little something popping up here each day.  But I am pretty motivated to get my 2009 book posts done and get to the big (though likely not as big as previous years) reading year wrap-up.

I warned that the last 3 books of the year would be pretty short reviews.  As you saw earlier this week, wasn't such a fan of Sag Harbor.  And while I enjoyed this next book the most out of these final three, it seems a bit silly to say much about the 7th volume in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency collection, Blue Shoes and Happiness.

If I am up to #7, I would guess there is a pretty good chance I know what I am getting myself into and that I am going to like it. there's a pretty good chance you know what you are getting yourself into and you are going to like it... and that is the reason I return to McCall Smith over and over again (I've also dabbled in his Sunday Philosophy Club series), he is a known quantity. These are charming and thoroughly pleasant tales that are my literary equivalent of cleansing the palette after a difficult or not particularly enjoyable read.  Though it's certainly a sign of a quite good reading year if it took me until December to get to my first McCall Smith book.

There is nothing new to report here. The only difference perhaps is that this is the first of the books that I have read after seeing the quite good small-screen serialization of the earlier books on HBO.  Much to their credit, my mental visuals matched up quite well with those from the series, though I certainly had the actors more in mind when reading this one, particularly Jill Scott as the lead character of Precious Ramotswe.

Rarely do I find the appeal of these books is never the 'detective' aspect, which typically end up being wrapped up all too quickly and conveniently (and sometimes confusingly to me, since it is such an easy read)... but it is the interaction between the main characters and the often unusual circumstances they find themselves in (though perhaps not too unusual, as I can not be sure what a typical day in Botswana is like).  These books are wrapping yourself in the proverbial warm blanket or perhaps cozying up with a cup of bush tea that Mma. Ramotswe so looks forward to each day. Not GREAT or terribly thought-provoking literature, but short, sweet and entertaining.

Ok, folks one more 2009 book to go (hopefully next week), and then onto the year-end wrap up and onto 2010!

In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies (#16)

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).

Express Lane: Issue 47

Dutch To Legalise Gay Sex in Public Park - Who needs the hetero-centric Red Light District when you have the rose garden at Amsterdam's Vondelpark!  But there are some "rules":  evening hours only, pick up your condoms, and not around the playground areas please. (3/19/08)

'Scrubs' Star Meets 'How I Met Your Mother' - Perhaps Sarah Chalke will distract me from the potential 'jump the shark' stunt-casting of Britney Spears in the same March 24th episode of one of my sitcom faves. (3/12/08)

'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' Gets HBO Green Light - As a big fan of the Alexander McCall Smith books, very happy to see HBO picking up its move to the small screen with Jill Scott heading the cast as Mma Ramotswe. (3/10/08)

The Full Cupboard Of Life (#34)

With my 2007 Reading Challenge winding down, there will likely be an increased frequency of book-related posts as I play "catch-up" before now and December 28th (full disclosure: I started the challenge on 12/29/06... close enough!), when this now moot "challenge" officially ends. 

And this book should just do wonders for current 2nd Place vote standing for Best GLBT Entertainment / Gossip Blog... reading a novel, with a perceived target audience of middle-aged women, written by an old-ish English guy... and to make matters worse, this is the 5th book in the series!   Granted these books are instant bestsellers, so who knows maybe it will be the Alexander McCall Smith fag-hag voting block that pushes me over the top.  Voting ends Dec 17th (good gosh, another week of this!?!).

So yes, my latest book is The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith which is the 5th in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series... which continues totally sound like something my "inner child" would get beat up on the playground for if he was found reading it.

But as I will say over and over, the books continue to be quite charming and, dare I say, there is not a more charming protagonist out there than detective Mma (Precious) Ramotswe.  Though of any of the installments thus far, this was by far the lightest in the detective department... more focused on the personal progress of Mma Ramotswe and her fiance Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni (if you've read these book, you must refer to the characters by their full title and name). 

The relative absence of detective work is fine.  It is the little life lessons and cast of characters that are the draw/appeal of these books, not the mystery aspect -- and me thinks fans of that genre would be disappointed by these books (well, at least when it came to the mystery part... I can't imagine too many folks not being won over by Mma Ramotswe).  So, continuing my repetition (and okay, rationalization) about this series, while it kinda is... it really is not a Botswani version of Murder, She Wrote.

I have created a category for Alexander McCall Smith which includes all the books I have read in this and other series.  While it may appear I am apologetic about reading these books, I will fully and gladly admit they are always a pleasant diversion -- a quick, easy, and palate-cleansing reading experience.

2007 10K Reading Challenge:  + 196 pages (Total Pages: 11105 pages)