Whine & Cheese

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) 

44 Scotland Street (#20)

Depending on how well my reading is (or is not) going while back East, this book review should finally catch me up.  I have had a pretty consistent lag between reading the book and blogging about it, though it is probably not such a bad idea to let some time go by to let it rest/rise/sink in.   

If you have been reading my book posts with any kind of regularity, you know Alexander McCall Smith is my go-to guy if I am looking for a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. 

44 Scotland Street is the first book in yet another series.  I have read a handful of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books and sheepishly have to admit I love them... earlier this year, I gave the Sunday Philosophy Club a try... and after some initial concerns, I enjoyed that as well... so why not try and go for the McCall Smith trifecta (though, believe it or not, he has yet another series... Portuguese Irregular Verbs, you have to give him credit for titles).   

If the title seems to have a bit of a familiarity to it... say a certain address in San Francisco... you would be correct.  While I knew that this book was kind of a soap opera-ish tale of residents living in the same building in Edinburgh... I had no idea, until I read the preface, that it was inspired by Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City series... with the collection of all those book often referred to as the 28 Barbary Lane omnibus.  Additionally, just like Tales this book (and its sequels) were first serialized in daily doses in a newspaper.  So I thought that was all pretty cool... I love(d) Tales (believe me, the latest Maupin non-sequel in that series is on my "to be read" priority list)... and McCall Smith has been a guilty pleasure, so definitely a good marriage!

... and that's what I get for thinking high and big going into the book.  While it was quick and easy reading (110 chapters in 325 pages), I didn't quite find the characters that engaging.   The one major exception was Domenica, the eccentric widow who lives upstairs... who had some of the same spark as McCall Smith's other lead female protagonists, No 1's Mma Ramotswe and Philosophy's Isabel Dalhousie. Maybe I am getting old (and McCall Smith's no spring chicken either)... but the young cast of characters were just not likeable ... either arrogant, overbearing, pushy, dim, or a bit of a slacker.  Now there's nothing wrong with having some of that in this ensemble, but at least the story kept jumping around between them, but it was like going from evil to lesser evil (or vice versa).

While I have no regrets having read the book, I am not sure if I will continue on with this series.  No great loss, since I am never lacking for the next book to read.  It seems like there is a bit of a McCall Smith trend, with fans of the No 1 series not having the same enthusiasm for his other book.  I had read that when I picked up Philosophy, and that one was fine for me... so I guess I was "due" not to LOVE(!!) 44 Scotland.

2007 10K Reading Challenge:  + 325 pages (Total Pages: 5862 pages) 

The Kalahari Typing School for Men (#9)

I'm guessing I haven't won many new W&C readers this week... three days of reality television followed by two days of books!   At least no puppy update to send you totally over the edge!  Anyhow, as a reality tv fan I often feel scorned for watching "trash" (I particularly love it when it comes from the "I don't watch reality, well except for..." folks)...  but, on most nights, after my low-brow reality shows I am curl up with a book... well, maybe not curl... but anyhow...

This is another much delayed book recap. It looks like I finished this one over a week ago (you really don't want to know how I know that!).  After the "big meal" of Ten Days in the Hills, it was time to for a light snack... and you know what that means, Alexander McCall Smith!  He's my go-to guy when I need a quickie... well, ahem... a literary quickie.  This is my second McCall Smith book of the year... not wanting to run out of books in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, I snuck over the Sunday Philosophy Club series earlier this year... but it was time to return to Botswana and my beloved Precious Ramotswe for the 4th book in the series, The Kalahari Typing School For Men.

As usual, there really not a whole lot to say about these books.  Always enjoyable... but nothing to meditate or extract any kind of deep meaning from... which is exactly why I read them!

Heck, there really wasn't even much detective work going on in this installment.  More character building as our plus-size leading lady struggles a bit ... learning it's not so easy being a foster mother, encouraging her assistant to start a new business of her very own particularly when a new detective agency opens up shop across town.  Again, not exactly earth-shattering, soul-searching material... but Mma Ramotswe handles it all with all her trademark optimism and wit.

Coming full circle, while I might not get much respect for reading McCall Smith's books (even within my own household... haha!)... it's the whole "can't live on bread alone" theory... reality television and McCall Smith are, for sure, two of my favorite desserts. 

2007 10K Reading Challenge:  + 189 pages (Total Pages: 2743 pages)