Tried and true

The Colville Improvement Club Used Book Sale was last month and a bunch of books jumped right off the shelves in to my bag! Just finished one, Maigret and the Madwoman by Georges Simenon which was published in 1970. Maigret, if you don't remember, is a French police inspector and Simenon wrote over 80 mysteries featuring him. Unlike much of the mystery or detective novels of today, there is little in the story that doesn't relate to the crime so it reads quickly and refreshing straightforward. Maigret is a sympathic character, human enough but tres professional! While the library doesn't carry all of the Maigret books any longer, there is a generouse sampling for anyone who would like to try one.

Bella Tuscany : the sweet life in Italy

Bella Tuscany : the sweet life in Italy by Frances Mayes is a follow-up companion to her more famous, Under The Tuscan Sun. This is a great read for early spring since the author takes a sabatical from her job in the United States to spend a spring and summer at her home in Italy. It's full of gardening plans (and failures!), crazy weather, great food, wine, and ancient ruins. The author has a knack for taking you to a place and allowing you to discover it slowly with her. Just be prepared to crave some great pasta!

Spring Break Reading

Witch Hunt by Ian Rankin. A steady, quietly suspenseful puzzle tale of British intelligence agents tracking a young woman assasin. Who is she? Where is She? And most important, who is her target?
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. A bequiling mix of love and horror; and finally a plea before the world for literacy. A very quick read, don't let the subplot of the Holocaust keep you away.