Welcome to Litsy!

What else could a girl possibly require than a Scotsman who looked Mediterranean and could sing? The answer came to her unbidden, like an awkward truth that nudges one at the wrong moment...We do not like those are completely available, who make themselves over to us entirely. They crowd us out. They make us feel uneasy.

When the beautiful died, it was the same as when the less well blessed died; that was obvious. But why did it seem more tragic that Rupert Brooke, or Byron for that matter, should die, than other young men? Perhaps it was because we love the beautiful more; or because Death's momentary victory is all the greater. Nobody, he says, smiling, is too beautiful not to be taken by me.

America went to his head. He said that it freed him up. I've heard that normally cautious people can go quite mad there, just from feeling free of whatever it was that was holding them back at home. He was like that. He drank more, he had more girlfriends, and he was more impetuous.

Grace's world was very clear: there was Edinburgh, and the values which Edinburgh endorsed; and then there were the rest. It went without saying that Edinburgh was right, and that the best that could be hoped for was that those who looked at things differently would eventually come round to the right way of thinking...still firmly planted in...the world of douce Edinburgh, erected on rigid hierarchies, deep convictions of Scottish Presbyterianism.

She was used to notes like that from Grace: messages would be conveyed with a gloss on the character of those involved...Grace was rarely wrong about character, and her judgments were devastating. They were often of the one-word variety: cheat, she would say about somebody, or crook, or drunkard. If her views were positive, they might be slightly longer---most generous, or really kind---but these plaudits were hard to earn.

Day 7: #20series20days #top20series

My favorite Alexander McCall Smith series. I love Isabel, Jamie, Eddie, even Isabel‘s niece, Cat. These are listed as a mystery, but they are more than that. Isabel‘s internal dialogues are intriguing and thought provoking.

I liked this better the second time round: first time he needled me with negative comment about my old university! I think all Alexander McCall Smith‘s books are a vehicle for his gentle observations on how society‘s changed (often not for the better). Isabel Dalhousie‘s world is rarified and it‘s hard not to be a bit jealous of her, so it‘s almost brave but honest of AMS to have her as a protagonist. Interesting he chooses women as protagonists.

#pirchlife #coffeeandbooks #RedRiverBeach

Starting my morning thinking of Red River Beach on the Cape,which my dad visited late afternoons daily to walk, bird watch, and #near his end of life, watch the ocean from the car.
Breakfast of homemade blueberry crisp & coffee. 🥧☕️📚🏖🐟🦎🐦🦆

Love everything about this awesome package and the fact that @gradcat thought of my situation is so fantastic thank you so much for everything it was all so perfect you great 😋📖👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #mysterymessageswap and thank you @TheReadingMermaid for this great swap! (Sorry about the delay post I was out of town and didn‘t have my 📦)

#QuotsyJune19 Day 4: sharp-tongued #spinster is the way to be.
I have a stack of Alexander McCall Smith novels that I have yet to read. For those who have read him, which book do you recommend I start with?

Anyone get into this series? Grabbed the first 2 on a whim at a library books sale.

This is the first in the Isabel Dalhousie mystery series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I realized, belatedly, and distractedly, that it is actually set in modern day Scotland (early 2000s), but because of the writing style, one can be easily convinced, at first, that this takes place in the early 1900s. Nonetheless, it is a good mystery with a small twist at the end. Series ❤️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #BoB23IGPhoto #24B4Monday @TheReadingMermaid

I‘m doggin‘ this readathon. I got a tooth pulled and I‘m recovering from the effects of the anesthesia and the pain killers. But I‘ll do what I can and feel good about my reading time. #24B4Monday @TheReadingMermaid

#backpackeurope travelogue @JenP *fictional*

Country 2: next up on my list was Scotland. While I didn't see any murders in Edinburgh like the heroine of my book did, I saw plenty of tartan and wool! I decided against the haggis. I also listened a bit to Harry Potter on audiobook and imagined taking the Hogwarts Express through the Scottish countryside.
I love Alexander McCall Smith but this book wasnt my cup of tea. Dalhousie needed more to do.

#backtoreading #anditsaugust #recommendationsday Day 21.

I seem to have acquired a lot of Alexander McCall Smith's books over the years. I love all of his series, except the Scotland Streets ones and only because I haven't read them. I heartily recommend this author to you. He's also an extremely engaging speaker and man.

"Cooking in a temper required caution with the pepper."

Any Germans here, who can shed some light on this, or will I have to spend the evening googling "Germany potato cutlery 1800s"? ? And for that matter, why shouldn't one use a knife on a bread roll?

Because being a wine snob is so much worse than being a snob about classical music, paintings, poetry, and food. 🙄I am actually surprised Isabel isn't a wine snob as well, but I guess she needs to have some types of snobbery to look down on and be snobbish about. 😏

Say what!? 😒The people of Iceland did not come from Danes! *grumble* I hope Mr. Cleft Chin sets her straight.
And for that matter, why don't we dwell on the generations of hardy Scotsmen (and ditto women) who resulted in Isabel Dalhousie sitting all smug with her opera glasses wondering (on the previous page) if Reykjavik actually had a professional symphony orchestra, or if they would turn out to be amateurs. Snob.

Yawn. So many dead ends and pages upon pages of unsatisfying philosophical randomness for a mystery with an out of the blue finale. Stilted dialogue; the best characters are ignored. Very unlikely to keep going with this series.

From being in a rut to now reading 4000 books at once. 😂😂 feast or famine. This audiobook is read by Davina Porter and she is my favorite. Feels like a friend.

#Mood

#laidbackbooks - For several years, I had the tradition of reading an Isabel Dalhousie mystery around the holidays. These are lovely reads for busy times, easy to dip into & out of and back into again, when life is full of interruptions. They helped me focus on taking it easy and enjoying the time with family. (Because going without reading is not an option! 😉) #augustofpages #bookphotochallenge

Thursday evening Sunday Philosophy Club. Liked the characters, a little so-so about the mystery.