I cycled the San Juan Islands in 2016.
I need to do the Canadian Gulf Islands. Soon.
Perhaps autumn 2022.
The Rags of Time by Peter Grainger
Book 6 of the police procedural series featuring DC Smith, the aging cop who refuses to retire. After his wife died, he wants to keep busy and relevant.
After a few weeks off for minor knee surgery, the old man returns — grumpy.
He is feeling his age, both physically and mentally and that he no longer really fits in, even his sense of humour is subdued …
Goodreads
I read these books for Smith’s humour.
Therefore this was the least satisfying of the series, so far. Smith was too grumpy to be amusing.
ODESZA – Light Of Day (feat. Ólafur Arnalds)
Odesza are genius.
They are increasingly finding ways to marry electronica with real instruments and passionate vocals.
Collaborations.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
“… ingenious crime puzzle and a still more ingenious solution …
Wikipedia
Published 1933, this was the last of Christie’s books to be openly antisemitic.
She used the “N” word, too, in many of her books.
It gives us an indication of when racism started to become unfashionable in British pop culture. Part of the backlash against Hitler.
Mexico – James Taylor
“Mexico” was the opening track of his 1975 album Gorilla. …
Graham Nash and David Crosby sing backup vocals.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
It’s been covered by many, many others. Jimmy Buffet OFTEN. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Jimmy and JT.
Northern Spy by Flynn Berry
A producer at the BBC and mother to a new baby, Tessa is at work in Belfast one day when the news of another raid comes on the air.
The IRA may have gone underground in the two decades since the Good Friday Agreement, but they never really went away, and lately bomb threats, security checkpoints, and helicopters floating ominously over the city have become features of everyday life.
As the news reporter requests the public’s help in locating those responsible for the robbery, security footage reveals Tessa’s sister, Marian, pulling a black ski mask over her face.
The police believe Marian has joined the IRA, but Tessa is convinced she must have been abducted or coerced …
Amazon
I was impressed at how skillfully this book is constructed.
Well done, Flynn Berry.
LIBBY App – Listen to Library Audio Books
I listen to audio books pretty much every day.
Though I have an Audible account (12 books / year) I spend far more time on the Libby app. I’m coming up to 500 audio books borrowed, so far.
I can read 2-3 books a week at 150% normal speed.
Once I put a popular book on “HOLD” — wait time does seem to be increasing. So I recently added a second library to the app. Now I can put up to 60 books on hold: 30 for each library.
Bottom line … I LOVE THE LIBBY APP.
And I do donate to the libraries.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie
Murder in Mesopotamia (1936) is set at an archaeological excavation in Iraq.
Hercule Poirot happens to be close when an astonishing (far-fetched) murder occurs.
It’s typical Christie. A cast of characters all of whom MIGHT be the killer. A surprise ending.
I liked best Nurse Amy Leatheran who tells the tale.
Click PLAY or watch a snippet of a TV adaptation on YouTube.
Silent Parade by Keigo Higashino
I’m still captivated by the unique Japanese murder mystery books of Higashino.
Surprising. And fascinating.
This is his 4th book featuring ‘Detective Galileo‘, actually Dr. Manabu Yukawa — a physicist and college professor, who is known for his intelligence. He collaborates with the police when they can’t solve a crime.
The accused in a case of murder is found not guilty. Lack of enough evidence.
He returns to mock the family knowing he cannot be charged again.
In fact, this is the 2nd time in 20 years he was accused of murder and found innocent.
DCI Kusanagi worked both cases and is frustrated that the assumed killer is free. He asks Detective Galileo for help.
Coco (2017 film)
I finally saw Coco.
Fantastic.
The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family among the living and to reverse his family’s ban on music.
The concept for Coco is inspired by the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. …
97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Pixar truly is the best in animation.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
