Hi ho, it’s been a quick week. First off, thanks to those who participated in the No Kings peaceful protests yesterday, so good to express one’s first amendment right to free speech against what is happening under the current U.S. administration. It looked to be a great turnout!
We didn’t have any near us in Canada, but we do support the sentiments. It’s been a while since I flew to Denver in January 2017 to participate in the Women’s March, and if I had more notice, I’d like to have done so again. I was just in D.C. and I missed the march this time. But my brother shared some protest photos where he was in Pasadena, Calif., and my sister in San Francisco. All and all it seemed a great day.
It was a bit quieter here. Our snow from last week melted and we’re back to fall again. I’ve been walking our younger dog Willow down our road. Stella is too old now to go too far.
And I’m gearing up for a knee replacement surgery I’m having the second week of November. Sigh. I’ve been through this before — two years ago I did the first knee, now I’m doing the other. It’s quite an ordeal … but after three months I hope to be back walking okay and feeling fairly normal. And the good news might be: I’ll be ready for activities come spring and summer next year. Yay.
In book news, I don’t think I ever pictured the Booker Prize shortlist so here it is above. The prize will be announced on Nov. 10 and I would be a bit of a fool to pick which one will win since the judges seem to like to trick us at the last minute. I have only read Katie Kitamura’s novel Audition so far but I’d particularly like to read Flesh and Sonia and Sunny when my copy at the library comes in. I think the winner will be likely one of those three. Though then The Land in Winter or Flashlight will get it right? I’m slightly leaning towards Kiran Desai’s novel Sonia and Sunny for the win, but I haven’t read it yet, so what do I know. Katie Kitamura is certainly a beguiling kind of writer with her odd/lone protagonists and I’ve read and liked all three of her books. So your guess is as good as mine.
And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean / Viking / 336 pages / 2025
Synopsis: This novel follows the lives of a young married couple in their 30s in London (Isabel and Edward) who struggle in the aftermath of a violent home invasion that changes their lives. Twenty-five years later, divorced and in their 50s, they find themselves (along with the other victims) gearing for the upcoming trial of the arrested perpetrator. Told in alternating chapters by Isabel and Edward you get their differing views on the case, their faults, and struggles, but also their connection to one another and love.
My Thoughts: 4.0 stars. I don’t often read crime novels but this one was hailed very highly when it came out in April and I added it to my summer list. It’s a pretty potent crime story … of a serial killer/rapist on a spree, so trigger warnings abound. But it also unfolds quite convincingly and effectively and you come to know and root for the married couple Isabel and Edward. What happens to them impacts their lives and marriage in ways that catch you up and propel you through the story.
The story swirls around quite long with small developments in their case and in their marriage as it crumbles a bit. They get to know a few of the other victims as well as the detective Etta Eliogu closely and Isabel makes a fateful decision when the case goes cold that she hopes might lure the perpetrator out in some way.
It’s a different kind of crime story — not really a whodunit since you come to know that — but more of a victims’ story. The novel has a couple ebbs and flows in it and maybe a couple confusing transitions — since it jumps non-chronologically between the timelines — that I had to go back for in the audiobook. Still it’s easy enough to follow and you really get a sense of the characters of Isabel and Edward as real people … and root for their marriage and an arrest of the South London home invader. It’s a crime novel that was well worth my while.
The Fact Checker by Austin Kelley / Atlantic Monthly / 256 pages / 2025
Synopsis: This novel follows an unnamed protagonist who’s an obsessive fact checker at the New Yorker magazine circa 2004 in NYC. His job is to check every little detail on articles to make sure they’re the truth. He’s handled various serious pieces on terrorists, but then later he gets tripped up on an easier article he doesn’t expect to have any problems with …. about an organic farm that brings produce to the farmer’s market in the city.
He spends time (and a night) with a woman named Sylvia who works there who says something “nefarious” is going on but then she disappears the day after. He becomes worried and goes on a quest to find out what happened to her and if allegations about the place are true.
My Thoughts: 3.7 stars. I’m bucking the trend of the book’s low ratings on Goodreads (it did receive critical praise elsewhere). Austen Kelley deserves more love for this quirky, amusing novel. I too dabbled as a newspaper copy editor for years and I had to laugh particularly at the start of this debut. Then parts of it get a bit weird, other parts are amusing as he eventually makes a trip to the farm (a cult like place) to find out what’s going on.
Along the way the protagonist comes off as a pretty endearing bar-going, baseball-loving, factoid-loving mess of a nerd who can’t let things go. He must get to the bottom of it and his search for truth and the facts and to help Sylvia. And he will … probably by mistake one day into the future. I think I could have a drink with him, but I don’t know where his friend Sylvia is. You’ll find out a little at the end. Note: the novel has one trigger warning for an odd scene of a sheep being killed, which I didn’t care for, so that was my quibble. Otherwise thumbs up.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read either of these and what did you think? How’s your reading going?
My experience with the Booker list is that I usually don’t like the winner but do like some of the als0-rans. I haven’t read any of them yet, but will probably read Sonia & Sunny.m
Hi Mae, yes I agree — some of the Booker winners over the years probably aren’t for me. Still I keep on checking out their lists. I think Sonia & Sunny might be for me — we will see. Good luck with it. Cheers.
Like Mae, I haven’t read any on the Booker shortlist. I might get to some of them later. “The Fact Checker” also sounds interesting to me, maybe because I’ve been married all these years to a (now retired) editor. He still makes his editing opinions known to me! I love the fall colors of your pictures. We don’t get much of that here. For the most part, the leaves just turn brown and fall with the first frost, which usually comes in December.
Hi Dorothy, glad you like the fall pics, thanks. And I didn’t realize your husband was an editor. Interesting to know, now I’m curious about what publication he was working at. The Fact Checker is a bit obsessive about his work … like most editors have to be. Very precise in the details, lol. Enjoy your fall garden.
Always love your pictures, Susan. So lovely. Hope your knee surgery goes well and also the recovery from same. I haven’t read any of the Booker list, but I did pick up The Flashlight and The Death Of Us a few weeks ago. Both unread, of course – ha! I am going to my afternoon book group this week and we’ll be talking about another book by Susan Choi. It’s Trust Exercise. I’m very curious what others will think about it as I wasn’t taken by it. Didn’t finish it in fact. We’ll see how it goes. I had also heard from the group moderator that she didn’t care for it much either. Those discussions are sometimes the most interesting. I did suggest The Correspondent as a possibility for the group’s first half of 2026 reading. Not sure if it will be voted in, plus it’s becoming quite popular and enough copies of the book and hold lists make things a bit difficult. We shall see. I’m going to read it over the winter though. Take care, friend and have a good week!
Hi Kay, thanks glad you like the pics I post. The Correspondent is a book that’s definitely a bit hard to get a hold of at the library due to its popularity, but I wonder if by 2026 it will become more available for your book group. And I also had trouble with Trust Exercise by Susan Choi, not my favorite argh. In fact it has turned me off picking up more of her novels (like Flashlight) which is too bad. I did like her debut The Foreign Student back in 1998. But Trust Exercise was just blech to me. On the other hand, I think you’d like The Death of Us and that seems in your wheelhouse … as a crime story that seems to resonate. I’m going to keep a watch for British author Abigail Dean’s work. It definitely put her on the map for me. Enjoy your week too.
I’ve been thinking about fact checkers over the past few months; what a crazy time to have that job! Do they even have fact-checkers at Fox News?!
The No Kings protest here was a good one; it feels good to be surrounded by like-minded people, for sure.
Hi Helen, yes it must be a very crazy and challenging time to be a fact checker in today’s world. Holy smokes so many lies! I can’t even broach Fox News. This novel of the Fact Checker takes place in 2004 … so it wasn’t as full of total conspiracies back then. But still much digging to find out facts.
And I’m glad the No Kings protest went well there. It was impressive to see all the rallies across the country. I hope it can keep hope and democracy alive.
Have a good week.
I participated in my very first protest yesterday! My 92-year-old mother wanted to go, so we made a couple of signs, called a friend, and we joined 20 other neighbors in Newport, OR. There were hundreds of us along Hwy 101 and it was so uplifting! I felt proud to be among all those like-minded folks. We even had an impromtu session of a few of us singing some patriotic songs, just our little group. We didn’t have any problems with negativity. A few people held up hands with thumbs down. One guy flipped us the bird. One guy yelled that he loved Trump. But overall, the positivity from people driving by, some very slowly, smiling and waving and giving us thumbs up or peace signs, was so uplifting. One little girl (9 yrs old) walked by with her mom, pulling a cart full of snacks and bottled water. It was the girl’s idea. My heart was bursting by the time we left Newport. (I may repeat this paragraph in my monthly summary.)
Lovely autumnal photo of your road. I love the light from the “golden hour.”
I hope all goes well with your second knee surgery. I suppose it’s a little easier going in this time, knowing what to expect and how to prepare for life after the surgery.
The Death of Us sounds intriguing. Interesting that the trial takes place 25 years after the event. I assume that has something to do with how long it takes to catch the killer/rapist. I was just about to say that it sounds like it’d be a good one on audio, but with the nonlinear narrative, maybe the print edition is a better choice. Nope. I just listened to a sample of the audio and love the narrators (Claire Skinner and John Hopkins), so I’ll try listening.
I hope you have a good week with nice weather!
Wow that’s wonderful Lesley to hear — about your protest. Thank you for going! It is uplifting to be with others who feel as one does. I can relate. When I went to Women’s March in 2017 in Denver … it was an amazing experience. Very positive. It’s too bad when people drive by & flip you off or say they love the WH occupant. Good grief, what selfish dolts. But mostly it feels so worthwhile to speak up and protest. I wonder if his supporters will feel the job & service cuts & price inflation. I think so. They might even miss democracy once it’s gone.
Thanks I like the fall light right now. Trying to get that in photos. And you’re right about the surgery. I just can’t believe I have to do it again. Oh man.
Yes get the audio of The Death of Us. I think you’ll like it. A potent story. There’s sometimes where the character Isabel narrates in her mind to the perpetrator that mixed me up but then I got onboard. It’s bit nonlinear but should be able to follow. See what you think.
Cheers happy week to you as well. Looks like we might get 50s/60s as highs, which is warm for now.
Sonia and Sunny is on its way to me at the library. That makes me very happy. I’ve been wanting to read it ever since I saw it was coming out this fall.
Sending good thoughts about the upcoming knee surgery. Ugh! Good luck.
Thanks Deb. I’m crossing my fingers the surgery goes well. It’s hard to believe I have to go through it all again. blah.
And I’m very glad you’re getting the Sonia & Sunny novel. It’s long but I’m hoping you can vet it for us first. Yay. I’m not sure I am on the library wait list. Have a great week.
I hope your surgery goes smoothly and you have a full and speedy recovery. Good thing that it’s happening as the year is winding down so you don’t feel tempted to tackle any outdoor activities. From the Booker shortlist I read Flesh and Audition. I rated both 4* but liked Flesh way more. Will read Sonia and Sunny, Flashlight, and The Land in Winter. The latter won the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction, if I’m not mistaken, so it may be a strong contender for the Booker Prize, maybe? I have read 7/13 for the Booker plus those three still to go. Great reviews! The Death of Us sounds powerful; I’m not sure I would be game to read that one. The other sounds quirky. Glad you liked both. Have a great reading week!
Thanks Carmen. The surgery, ugh. At least as you say it’s in winter. Maybe I will read more during recovery? Who knows. It’s an ordeal to go through.
Yeah I think I will like Flesh more too. Audition was a bit like a puzzle — that’s interesting to think about … but I can’t say the story or characters are lovable etc. Now I’m wondering if The Land in Winter might upset to get the win? The judges seem to love the surprises or upsets, hmm.
I plan to take a break from PW reading at the end of the year, so I have two more left and then perhaps my reading next year will be more free. We will see. I seem slowed b/c of that. Keep going with your reads. You’re doing well. Cheers.
I have The Land in Winter on hold at the library now. It’s in the preorder stage but I am “in line” for the book once they get it and catalogue it. Also I want to read Flashlight, The Rest of our Lives and now I want the Abigail Dean and Austin Kelley book.
I want to start hitting all these books languishing onmy Kindle as well. Yikes. I think once you have your knee surgery maybe we can fit in 2 buddy reads? We’ll see.
Ear rubs for Stella and Willow and we will chat soon!
Hi Tina, Our books piles are accumulating lol. The Land in Winter sounds cold brrrr. I wonder if it might win the Booker? I think the judges like picking surprise choices. You’d probably like the crime novel by Abigail Dean. And the Kelley book has one three page scene of an animal death that I flagged for a trigger warning. I’m not sure if you’d like it or think it too quirky.
I wonder which book we should read next for Dec? Chat with you on email.
Enjoy your week. And the dogs seem happy. thx.
Thanks for letting me know about the animal death in Fact Checkers. Three pages of it? I am imagining something graphic and unsettling so I may have to skip it.
I do have so many books in a loose lineup so I’m not of any shortage for titles. Will write you today!
Yeah maybe The Fact Checker might be okay for you to skip. You’d probably like The Death of Us if you like crime shows etc. We will narrow down our choice for December.
talk soon.
What a lovely photo.
I’ve never got along well with the Booker Prize so I tend to ignore it though The Rest of Our Lives interests me.
Wishing you a happy reading week
Hi Shelleyrae, I think I need to find out more about The Rest of Our Lives since I know pretty much nothing about it. The other books on the shortlist at least I’m familiar with. I guess the Booker choices can be hit or miss for me. I recall being pretty moved by the Paul Lynch novel Prophet Song, which won a couple years ago.So that one worked for me, though I didn’t get to the novel Orbital which won last year. Cheers. Hope you have a good week too.
It was wonderful seeing everyone coming together for the protests. Good luck with the upcoming knee surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Hi Hena, thanks for stopping by and I agree the protests were a great boost to see. I hope it will translate in the midterm elections. And thanks for well wishes with my surgery. I’m trying to gear myself up for this. Cheers. Have a great week.
Hi Susan, best wishes for the surgery.
I do enjoy crime books so I will look into The Death of Us. This novel demonstrates that a violent crime stays with the victims all through their lives. But its also possible to recover.and it sounds like Isabel and Edward were able to do that.
Thanks Kathy, fingers crossed on the surgery. I think you’d like The Death of Us. It’s a pretty powerful novel and though it’s a bit long, I was pretty involved with it the whole way through. It felt quite realistic and the couple goes through a lot together. Check it out if you have time. I was a bit impressed with this British author, I hadn’t known before. Have a great week.
There was a good showing for the No Kings protests! I try to stay away from the news but caught some footage online late last night. You’ve had snow already? I’m not ready for that, lol! Fall is out in all its glory out here and the trees are so gorgeous! I’m trying to soak it all in. When we get back from Italy I’m sure all the leaves will be gone. I probably wouldn’t read Fact Checker, but I love that cover. So reminiscent of a The New Yorker magazine cover. I’m doing a puzzle with a New Yorker cover right now. The Death of Us sounds interesting, but maybe a painful read.
Hi Rachel, yes the No Kings protests had a good showing! It’s one spark of good news. And we had snow on Oct. 12 but now we are having highs in the 60s! Much warmer than usual. I’m sure it’s gorgeous where you are.
Your Italy trip will be great and it’s quite a coincidence you are doing a New Yorker cover puzzle now after my review. Love the covers on the magazine! I look forward to seeing your pic of the puzzle. You might like The Death of Us book. Some parts painful other parts interesting. Cheers. have a great week!
That fall photo is very nice. The timing for your knee replacement surgery sounds good, I hope all goes as well as the first one.
Re the Booker shortlist, I have a copy of Audition. Maybe I can read it before the announcement of the winner. I would like to read Flashlight but maybe I will wait a while. Always too many books I want to buy.
I am glad you reviewed The Death of Us and it sounds like a good book, but the subject matter doesn’t appeal (violent home invasion). I still may try it out someday.
The Fact Checker sounds good and a perfect length for me. I recently read a mystery set in Switzerland (Bern) that involved a death on an organic farm and there were “nefarious” goings on at the farm and in the organic farming community.
Right now I am reading a mystery, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson. It is basically just a fun, not too serious mystery, which is what I feel like right now. Australian author and set in Australia.
The mystery I read before was The Dentist by Tim Sullivan, about a police detective who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Very interesting subject and the plot was good, complex but not unrealistic.
Hi Tracy, thanks I have fingers crossed about my knee surgery – so soon coming.
The Audition novel is a bit of a puzzle … but not sure it stayed with me long. And I normally don’t read crime books – especially a home invasion is scary in The Death of Us. The Fact Checker is a bit different, and interesting that you read a mystery on a similar topic of something bad happening on an organic farm.
You read good ones on various topics. I like the sound of the Train mystery (love the Australian setting) and the other with the detective with Asperger’s. I look forward to your reviews of both. Cheers. Hope you have a great week.
The Fact Checker looks like something I’d like.
You’ve already had snow? I will say that this morning’s walk was a bit brisk. Had to add a cardigan for comfort. It’s been pretty mild here. Even our summer wasn’t too bad.
I am terribly busy with nonsense at work but I am trying to catch up with blog reading, the blog and yes, reading in general. I have been doing a lot of group reads which kind of slows things down. Not everyone reads at my pace.
Hi Ti, good hearing from you. Sorry about your work going nutty.
We had snow on Oct. 12 but then it melted after a couple days. It’s been mild and pretty warm since. Windy weather.
Your group reads sound interesting. I’ll stay tuned to see what you review. I think I’ll get to Heart the Lover in Dec. which I know you read & liked. Cheers. Enjoy the weekend.
The No Kings protest in our small town drew 2000-3000. It was a beautiful day, completely peaceful and fun. I haven’t read any of the Booker shortlist and, at this rate, probably won’t get to any before the winner is announced, but I would like to try a few of them this winter. Good luck with your second knee replacement… didn’t realize it was coming up so soon!
Thanks JoAnn. Actually I’ve waited almost two years on a wait list for my second knee replacement so I’m glad to finally be called about it. It’s my preferred time of year for it too, so fingers crossed it goes well. And I’ll be very curious to see what wins the Booker. I hope to get to Flesh and Sonia & Sunny sometime next year likely.
Really good to hear of your No Kings protest! That’s awesome. So glad it was so positive and peaceful. I hope there are more to come. Cheers. Have a great weekend.
Hey, I was at the Women’s March in January 2017 too, and wore the pink hat I knitted for the occasion. I was traveling last week and so missed the No Kings in my town, but I was definitely there in spirit.
The Fact Checker definitely appeals to me. I started my working life as a copy editor as well, and wish it was still a viable job! I just requested a copy from my library.
The Death of Us also sounds pretty interesting as well, though I appreciate the cautions.
Hi Jane, I need to stop by your site to see if you’re back from your trip and how it went. Wouldn’t it be cool to meet up at the next big march in Denver sometime down the road…. I was sorry to miss No Kings this time.
I didn’t realize you were once a copy editor too … yay! The Fact Checker is a quirky thing but see what you think. And Death of Us was worthwhile as well though it gave me quite a chill thinking of it too much.
Hope all is well. Cheers.
BTW, I am back and I have to confess that on my previous post, I accidentally deleted your comment. I was traveling and my head wasn’t in the game. Sorry about that!
It’s Okay. I thought I had commented something. But all fine. Things happen. Wishing a Happy Halloween in Colorado. Cheers.