My favorite annual literary confection
Hey readers!
Two things are true: I am thoroughly enjoying my beach time and I was right to only pack two physical books. Not only have I not had a lot of reading time, I have also made several bookstore excursions which means I have already doubled the number of physical unread books I have with me on this trip. Perhaps part two of my vacation will yield more books read, but if not, I’ll be perfectly content soaking in the ocean views and family time!
For this week, I’d particularly love to hear what you are reading! What have been picking up or adding to your TBRs recently??
This week I read…
The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield by Claudia Gray. How to review the fifth book in a very niche series? Claudia Gray’s Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery Series is what I have come to think of as my annual confectionary treat. The first book came on in May of 2022 when I very difficult, non-sleeping 7-month-old and not very much brain power, and it was exactly what I needed. In the inaugural book of the series, The Murder of Mr Wickham, Gray creates an entire Austenian world in which the characters from all six Austen novels exist in the same universe and are connected enough to have gathered for a month-long house party at the Knightleys’ Donwell Abbey. A murder takes place and two characters of Gray’s own invention—the son of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy and the daughter of Catherine Moreland and Henry Tilney—pair up to solve this closed door mystery. Every novel in the series since the first has featured the murder or attempted murder of an Austen “villain” or otherwise dislikable character our two sleuths, Jonathan and Juliet, solving the crime while growing increasingly attached to each other.
In the newest installation, Mr. Bingley’s buffoonish brother-in-law Mr. Hurst is poisoned and Jonathan and Juliet are reunited after being separated by their parents after a scandal in the previous book. As an addition to the series, I thought this was delightful. The closed-door mystery, familiar setting (the previous book was in London, this one at Netherfield), and long-awaited advancement in the romance plot made this an upswing of a book after a bit of a dip in the previous novel. I’m excited to see what Gray does next and am curious how long she’ll be able to go before she runs out of side characters to kill off! If you enjoy Austen pastiche that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still having a good grasp on the style and substance of her work, these are a perfect confection to treat yourself to—and they’re great on audio if you’re looking for something to download. Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
I’ve had more time for audiobooks than sit-down reading this week so I downloaded Whistler by Ann Patchett on Libro.fm. I was on-the-fence about reading this because I didn’t like Tom Lake, and I’ve heard this new one is more similar to it than Patchett’s earlier work. So far, it is straightforward and gentle, but I’m enjoying it more than I anticipated.
New on my TBR…
I went to the new bookstore in Amagansett and asked the owner for a recommendation. We chatted a bit about Ann Patchett and she told me her favorite was The Patron Saint of Liars so I left with a copy.
💬 Tell me about your week in books! What did you finish, what are you reading now, and what have you added to your TBR?
It’s here! Part Two of the most epic anticipated books list is finally available to browse. Get ready for your TBR to explode. (Lit Hub)
7 new books you should read this July. (Vulture)
Home is where the art is: the rise of the epic domestic novel. (Guardian)
The best book covers of June. (Lit Hub)
In these thrillers, vacations go very very wrong. (NYT, gift link)
Writers and readers on the books they enjoyed in June. (Guardian)
After our months long Jeopardy! obsession, we watched the final tournament of Pop Culture Jeopardy! It is extremely difficult and I’m simultenously impressed by the contestants’ wealth of knowledge and uncertain if I should be impressed by this particular type of knowledge.
I picked up a sweet little set of American Girl board books for Louise at Book Hampton. At this point, they’re definitely “too young” for her, but they’re still a fun way to introduce her to the time periods of some of the dolls she inherited from my childhood. Louise wants me to share that the best book in the set is the Addy book.
For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. I love hearing from you!
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Happy reading!
