Hi Bookworms, what say you? It’s a bit hard to believe but August has gone by the wayside and only a few weeks of summer remain, though some say it’s over after next week’s Labor Day. In the news you might have seen the devastating flooding in Nepal and Tibet. Please give to international efforts to help if you can. It looks totally horrific and scary what happened to communities there.
I didn’t post last weekend as I was waiting to finish a couple books, which I did, so you can see the reviews below. We took Willow to the river where she enjoyed a swim and was able to cool off in the hot weather. Next weekend, I’ll likely post a September Preview of what’s coming out, and then my husband and I will be away for a week in Mexico City for my nephew’s wedding, woohoo. We will explore and check out the sights. We have not been before. Have you?
Meanwhile there’s a lot of fall books coming out soon, and Kirkus has put out an enticing list of the 60 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2026. Of these I’d like to get to: Emma Cline’s novel Switzy (on the Booker Longlist), Bonnie Garmus’s second novel Peck & Peck, Chad Harbach’s novel The Brightness, Barbara Kingsolver’s upcoming novel Partita, and Imbolo Mbue’s Every Story is a Love Story among others.
Also, I plan to go to the book festival Wordfest in October here, where such authors as Tayari Jones, Jenny Jackson, Emily St. John Mandel, Bonnie Garmus, Ruth Ozeki and debut author Larissa Pham will be speaking. It should be good. Do you have any big books of fall or author events that you’re looking forward to?
And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
John of John by Douglas Stuart / Grove / 400 pages / 2026
4.5 stars. This is sort of a squirm-worthy family tale set in the 1990s about a closeted gay son Cal Macleod, age 22, who returns home after art school in Glasgow to a remote island off of Scotland where his strict Calvinist father John and profanity-loving grandmother Ella live and keep sheep.
His father is a deacon at the church and weaves wool to sell, which Cal is now expected to do in their small community (Falabay) of around 26 people. His father is no longer with his mother who lives a ways off. From the beginning you know that the son hides his gayness because he thinks he will be disowned if it comes out, but there are also things his gruff father and grandmother are not telling him.
Whoa the father is violent at times — he tries to force Cal to cut his long hair and change his weird clothes after his return from school — but he doesn’t want to lose Cal, and the grandmother is close to Cal and tries to ease his way. There are the neighbors: his father’s best friend Innes, who doesn’t speak with his estranged brother Sorley in the same house; the pub and inn keeper Flash Calder who gives Cal’s some work shifts; and Cal’s friend Doll Macdonald who shirks him upon his return.
You soon see this is a rocky, isolated place full of guarded people and little economic prospects and it’s no wonder Cal didn’t want to return. It has an old world feel of Gaelic speakers, church dwellers, sheep herders, and rough sea fisherman. There are some turns the story takes between Cal and his father and some of the others in the community, but it’s best to find out for yourself. It has secrets that unfold … and going into it blind is best.
I hadn’t read Douglas Stuart before, but I was compelled by his storytelling of Cal’s family and their home on the rocky, isolated island, which apparently the author based on his 2019 trip to the remote Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides (Scottish isles). Not perhaps since Charlotte McConaghy’s Wild Dark Shore has an island setting been so vivid in the story. It transports you to their world hook, line, and sinker.
You might recall the author’s debut novel Shuggie Bain won the Booker Prize in 2020, but I haven’t picked it up yet since I heard it’s a pretty brutal story of alcoholism and its effect on a family. Though I want to read it sometime — now that I’ve read John of John, which is up for the Booker as well. Like Shuggie, this novel has some intense moments and gay male sex … so perhaps that’s good to know before picking it up, but it’s not overly brutal.
Oprah picked John of John for her book club in May 2026 … and she has an interesting interview with Douglas Stuart about the book, but I would definitely read it first as the show gives away some secrets in the book … so watch it after you read it.
Douglas Stuart continues to be a great writer to watch. And since he now lives in New York City, I wonder whether his next novel will be set there? Or will he return to his Glasgow roots? We will have to wait and see.
True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell /Grand Central /464 pgs/2026
3.75 stars. Cornwell has had quite the whirlwind life from rags to riches. Half the long book shines the light on her troubled childhood … in which her father left and her mother had a couple mental breakdowns requiring hospitalizations. Patsy (as she was called) and her two brothers wound up in foster care with a harsh foster parent that made life a bit hell.
Then months later they got back with their mother who relocated them to Montreat, N.C., where she took Patsy to the estate of evangelist Billy and Ruth Graham’s. Ruth became a benefactor to young Patsy and a friend for life. Later Cornwell ended up going to Davidson College, which opened up a world to her … with books and meeting influential professors, one of which would later become her husband for some years. Afterwards, Cornwell first worked in journalism and then at the morgue in Richmond, which lead to ideas for her fictional crime books.
It seemed to me this memoir spends a lot of time on her hard childhood … over half the book and then speeds it up in the second half when she becomes a well-known crime author. I was ready to find out more about her writing life earlier. She touches on much adversity including: the early life with her unstable parents; a date assault while with the Charlotte Observer newspaper; the end of her marriage; a hair-raising car crash in 1993; and being outed as bisexual in an affair scandal in 1996-97.
It makes for a pretty dramatic read, which is interesting to hear Cornwell narrate the audio for. She seems fairly candid in various parts. And late in the book she writes about the book and screen projects she took on and drops names of all the celebrities — actors and politicians — she’s known. I thought some name dropping was all right to make it dishy, but it seems overall the memoir could’ve been streamlined and edited shorter. It becomes a lengthy and slightly tiring journey.
In it, she mentions she’s been the highest paid female author (other than JK Rowling) which I guess I didn’t really realize … all her millions. I haven’t read her Scarpetta books since the very early days, but it is nice to hear about how she got her start and how her career came together.
I’m not exactly sure why this memoir was on my Summer List as I haven’t been a big reader of her crime books or seen her new Scarpetta TV series on Prime Video, but I guess she has had quite a roller-coaster life in which she’s experienced a lot. I didn’t realize how much the evangelist Billy and Ruth Graham had been in her life, or that she was married once to her professor Charlie, and is now married to neuroscientist Dr. Staci Gruber. Her life and career have been a bit here, there, and everywhere it seems.
That’s all for now. What about you — do you know these authors and what did you think?
You have a lot of fun plans in store and I know you are looking forward to every one. Safe travels! I can’t wait to see a photo or two. The Cornwell sounds like a pretty interesting book. I think I’ve only read one of hers; have another on the shelf at the cottage. Might be worth a look if I run out of material this summer!
Hi Jeanie, thanks. We are looking forward to our trip …. it feels like a long time since we’ve both gone on one. I hope to get some photos.
I’ve read only a couple of Cornwell’s crime books long ago … but her life story is almost better … a wilder ride for sure. Enjoy your days at the lake.
I’d love to visit Mexico City. My cousin lived and worked as a journalist there for years and she loved it.
I’m very interested in John of John, but I’m not big on violence or open bedroom doors, so we shall see. Peck & Peck is a book I am also looking forward to reading—hope it does not disappoint.
I envy you going to Wordfest. I see by the library conference author lineup and the Inprint schedule this year that some authors are hesitating from touring in Texas, and who would blame them? I’d hesitate when the lieutenant governor calls for 2,200 books to be pulled from library shelves including Night and House on Mango Street and other amazing stories.
Hi Deb, good to know about your cousin in Mexico City, wow, cool. We are excited about our trip. Will let you know.
Luckily the violence in John of John does not continue the whole book … it’s like one time or so. And the sex parts are probably manageable. See what you think –though not sure if it will be your kind of story. Sort of dark etc.
And I’m sorry to hear about books being pulled in Texas; how crazy and terrible. Inprint invites so many good authors … it’s hard to see them not come. I hope people fight the book bans. Keep reading open & alive!
I will see how many events I can get to at Wordfest. Cheers.
Those flash floods in Nepal were horrifying and so tragic! It just breaks my heart to think of the people there affected by it all. And I can’t believe August is almost over. It went by so fast. Though I am very ready for some cooler fall weather!
Hi Lark, yes the flash floods in Nepal were so alarming … and the toll is bad. I’m trying to keep up to date on the recovery news.
Hard to believe it’s September now. Is it cooling off there yet? We seem to be here. Fall is nearing. Enjoy your week.
That’s awful about Nepal!
I can’t believe August is basically done and dusted. I read the Scarpetta series in the beginning and then got tired of it but dived back in when she had sort of a reboot a few years ago. Now I’ve been listening to and enjoying each new release. It sounds like she had a traumatic childhood. Not sure I’d read her memoir, but it does sound interesting.
Hi Rachel, good to know about the Scarpetta books … and that you’ve liked them. I guess there’s 30 books (wow) … and another is coming in 2027. The characters must be older now. Her childhood sounded pretty tough. I listened to Cornwell read her memoir and she had a lot to say (!)
Have a good week & happy September.
Willow looks like she’s having the time of her life. Bet that felt good swimming. Exciting to explore Mexico City! I hope you get lots of photos. And you also have Wordfest to look forward to, something I would love to attend.
Great review of John of John. I think I am still number 18 in line for the book at the library. Sending an email after this.
Hi Tina, I wish you were here to attend Wordfest with me. I have to drive quite a ways to get to it in the city but I think it’ll be worth it. I need to decide which events to go to.
And John of John was a bit different than where I was expecting the story to go … but it is quintessential Douglas Stuart I think. See what you think. I will chat with you soon about the Belle Burden book … which is fairly quick. Cheers!
The Wordfest sounds like a fantastic event! I just RSVP’d to several author talks at my local library this month.
Enjoy your travels
Thanks for sharing your week, happy reading.
Hi Shelleyrae, yes I feel spoiled with having Wordfest every October … it has like dozens of author and book events … and it’s really great to go. I will post which authors I hear speak. And thanks, we are really excited about our trip …
Have a great week.
I too am sad about those floods in Nepal. Flash floods are so, so scary. Hope you guys have a good trip to Mexico for the wedding. Wordfest sounds like a lot of fun. I love author events, conventions, etc. Hope you have the best time! As to your reading, I will say that Patricia Cornwell was an author that I read a number of years ago. Came to a point in her Scarpetta series that really irritated me and I just kind of stopped reading it. Have not gone back. Wasn’t terribly impressed with the new TV presentation either. I’m sorry that her life was hard in the early years, but I won’t likely read this memoir. I do appreciate your sharing your thoughts about it though. Got several books that I’m looking forward to in upcoming days. Can’t believe that September will be here tomorrow. Have a good week!
Hi Kay, it seems like parts of a glacier came down the mountain in Nepal … crazy scary. Still trying understand all what happened … and the devastation.
I’m glad for your take on the Scarpetta books … I have not followed the series …. but I can see where a character like that might grow tiresome or worse. I don’t plan to watch the TV show. I guess i learned a few things reading her memoir so I don’t mind. She had an interesting take on fiction writing … and how her career came about was a bit surprising. Enjoy your reads. & week too.
The book event sounds fantastic with very good authors in attendance. Have a great time (though I know it’s a month or so off).
Swimming in a river to escape the recent heat sounds wonderful. It’s been hot down here, too, and we’re just not used to it.
Have a great week!
Hi Helen, things are starting to cool off now here. I hope your high heat leaves soon. Willow loves to swim, so perhaps we’ll go a couple more times before fall sets in.
And the Wordfest book/author events are really good … I need to pick still which ones to attend … keep you posted. Cheers, enjoy your week too.
I thought you were already traveling since you didn’t post last week. Mexico is not a safe country by any means but is pretty for sure. Enjoy your trip! Have fun! I returned John of John without starting it, and I started Land, which I am reading now. Boy! It’s taking its sweet time to get to the end but I’m enjoying the journey. Hopefully I’ll borrow John…before long. I would like to read Cornwell’s memoir but at this point I’m starting to cull my reading list for what I can’t possibly finish before the end of the year. There’s always next time. 🙂
Hi Carmen, ha … I was bad about not posting last weekend but then I hadn’t finished the books, so I waited. I hope to post once more before our trip. And thx – the trip should be fun and a good area to explore.
The novel Land is a long epic (!) and has a slower pace … but I enjoyed the various characters … it takes some dark turns at times … and is bit of a journey for sure. I’ll be interested to hear what you think by the end.
John of John is a bit of a long one too … but seems a faster pace than Land. Still both books take some focus. I’m reading a quicker book now … the Belle Burden divorce memoir. Then perhaps I should take a Silvia Moreno-Garcia book on the Mexico trip?! Did you ever read her debut novel? Have a great week.
I’ll bet Willow had a great time swimming in the river. I wonder if you guys will get a lot of rain with the storm that’s brewing. We’re supposed to finally get some tomorrow and Thursday. Whoohoo! Mexico City should be fun. I’ve never been. Just San Felipe, Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito Beach, etc.
I’m really looking forward to Barbara Kingsolver’s new book. She’s a favorite of mine.
Glad John of John was a winner. My mom liked it, and it’s on my top shelf for later this year. I’ll come back to your review after I’ve read the book. 🙂
I enjoyed Cornwell’s early books in the Scarpetta series, but got burned out after a while. I don’t really have any interest in her memoir, and reading your review has convinced me that I’m not missing much. I don’t care for name dropping…
Safe travels!
Hi Lesley, I think we’re getting your rain this coming weekend (woohoo). We’ll see.
The Mexico trip should be interesting …. my Dad used to sail from Newport to Ensenada in the boat race each spring … But I have not been … so it’ll be good to explore. I can imagine you’ve been to parts since San Diego is so close.
It is cool that Kingsolver is putting out a new book …. I don’t know too much about it yet … but it should be a departure from Copperhead.
Wow your Mom liked John of John … I dont think it’ll be for everyone but I liked his writing. I hope to read his two others sometime (much angst!).
The Cornwell memoir is a long journey but was sort of interesting to me in parts about her crazy life story. I have less interest in forensic crime stories … but want to try Tana French sometime.
Enjoy your week …
Glad that the fall is here. Although summer still has a few more weeks i always regard Sept 1st as the fall. Terrible what happened in Nepal. The video is horrific and agree donations needed.
I was contemplating reading True Crime but maybe I’ll stick to Patricia Cornwall’s novels. Haven’t read her in awhile but I remember her first Scarlett book scary but so well written.
Hi Kathy, fall is a good time of year … though I still wonder if I’m ready for it. Summer went quickly here. And I agree the video from Nepal is just unreal devastation. I sent something to the Canadian Red Cross. It’s still hard to comprehend the scope of it …
The Cornwell memoir is quite long but interesting in places … you might enjoy her crime books more. I can’t believe there are now 30 of them. I just read the first couple back in the ’90s. Scarpetta must be old by now, lol.
Have a great week.
I read “Shuggie Bain” back in 2020 and it was a rare five-star read for me, so I’ll definitely be putting “John of John” on my reading list. Thanks for the review of Cornwell’s book. I have greatly enjoyed her writing over the years but I rarely read memoirs and likely will not be reading this one. There are so many terrific writers at work right now and they keep turning out these great-sounding books that I want to read. So many books and so little time – I just need to learn to read faster!
Hi Dorothy, Wow I didn’t realize you had read Shuggie Bain. His writing must be excellent in that. I think you will like John of John. Maybe a bit less intense than Shuggie but still hits the heart of the matter. See what you think.
The Cornwell memoir gave me a peak into her crazy life, but much more else to read. And new fall books could be good. Enjoy your week.
Very nice photo of Willow swimming in the river.
I am not so sure I want to read John of John, but I was glad to read your review to get an idea of what is like. I am not interested in the Patricia Cornwell memoir at all. I hope to get a copy of Switzy before the end of the year, but I also hope it won’t be too expensive.
Right now I am reading The Birds and the Beasts Were There by Margaret Millar, about her experiences with bird watching and feeding birds in Santa Barbara (Montecito really), mostly from her back yard overlooking a canyon, from 1957 – 1967. Margaret Millar was a prominent mystery author in the 1940s through the 1960s and was married to Ross Macdonald (real name Kenneth Millar). The book is beautifully written and a wonderful read.
The Mexico trip sounds great.
Hi Tracy, thanks Willow loves to swim. I hope we can take her one more time before it gets too cool.
And yes I wouldn’t say John of John is for everyone … the themes are a bit tough. I don’t know what Switzy will be like but I plan to read it once it comes in from the library. It’s gotten some good reviews.
And thanks for the info on the Margaret Millar book …. how terrific she wrote about bird watching from there …. S.B. must have been even more fantastic back in the ’50s & ’60s. I didn’t realize she was married to Ross Macdonald. I’ll see if my library has her Birds & the Beasts book. We have gotten into bird watching here the past several years, but I dont think we get half as many birds as Calif.
I’ll post about Mexico next time. Cheers. Have a great week.