Waking too early.
Listening to light rain bouncing off the roof drains, I reach for my phone. Too early to play my word game- the new one isn’t up as yet. The other games don’t interest me right now.
My phone shows me the ebooks I have partially read. Which one to start again, to put me back to sleep, maybe?
Do I want to follow that penurious artist in the French countryside village who has returned to his room at the inn, having been discharged from the hospital after cutting off his own ear in a mental frenzy? Sounds like Van Gogh’s story.
Or do I want to get on the motorcycle of a rider in Italy who doesn’t know how to control his vehicle in busy streets? Or perhaps visit the writers trapped with a murderer on a small, privately owned Greek island?
Decide on a motorcycle ride in Italy? Not very sleep inducing, but it suits my present mood.
I opt instead to get up and write this Sunday post.
Books that didn't help me get back to sleep
I am enjoying reading about the Artist who stays in a little French village called A-, at Madame Sorel's lodgings, gets up to paint all day in the fields overlooking a farm, and drinks at the nearby inn. The Artist is short of money, relies on his brother in Paris to send him funds. I'm at the point where the Artist, who is subject to strange buzzing in his head that sends him almost mad, has cut off his ear in one of his frenzies, and just returned from the hospital.
Sounds like the Artist might be modeled after the life of Van Gogh. I'll keep on reading. I am disappointed, though, that there was no mention of the famous artist anywhere in the book, in the prologue, afterword, or acknowledgements.
Writers and Liars by Carol Goodman, Publication: July 15, 2025; William Morrow, NetGalley
I do like mysteries set on Greek islands!
Several writers have been invited by Argos to his secluded island, to take part in a writing retreat, the second one he has organized over the years.
However, Argos is found dead when the writers arrive and they find themselves stranded on the island with no radio contact with the mainland or outside world. This is a classic locker-room type mystery and I don't know where it's going, but the writers are on the island with a murderer!
Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker, March 18, 2025; Berkley, NetGalley
I love setting and the plot. When the CIA offers would-be chef Max a deal, five milliion dollars to pretend to be Sofia, a female prime minister on her annual Italian vacation, cash strapped Max doesn't hesitate and heads for the Amalfi coast in Italy. The book opens with a chase, when Max on a bike is being chased by the mafia who want her dead.
The three books above that I tried to read in the early morning, did not put me back to sleep. Instead they got me going to my office to write this Can't Sleep post.
Note: The ebooks above are all ARCs from NetGalley, and not yet published or available in libraries or bookstores.
Memes: The Sunday Post, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves
Maybe it's a good thing that none of the three put you back to sleep. When I wake in the night (and from talking to others my age and older, it's a common phenomenon), I resort to listening to a quiet voice relating a story I'm not interested in. I will definitely look for Madame Sorel's Lodger; I'm always on the lookout for stories set in France.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Deb Nance, and makes a lot of sense to listen to a boring audiobook to fall back asleep.
DeleteThe Italian motoring would have gotten my interest!
ReplyDeleteYes, she doesn’t know how to bike well but she turns corners and swerves into narrow alleys, driving for her life!
DeleteI am not familiar with Tracy Wise but that book premise sounds interesting to me. Have you heard of an app called Sleep Stories? You can get a free trial and my husband and I listened to them when camping, when all the noises are different and you can't sleep.... Anyway, they have the most relaxing readers and I have yet to hear the end of a story.
ReplyDeleteThose books sound way too good to sleep to! I listen to sleep story podcasts -- there are a bunch of them that tell stories that aren't meant to be interesting and are often very soothing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your reads!
ReplyDeleteI've had a hard time going to sleep for almost 40 years so I leave the tv on with the sound low enough lull me to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of reading in the middle of the night! And stupid games on my phone. Not much sleeping!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I was up too early today and need to pick my next read. I hope we both enjoy Code Word Romance.
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
These all sound so good!
ReplyDeleteTempting titles! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been waking early too. Hopefully things go back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteI can see why none of them put you back to sleep. Adding Writers and Liars to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThese sound good ... I often listen to a book or podcast when I wake up during the night.
ReplyDeleteSorry you were having trouble sleeping, but glad you had some good books to keep you company.
ReplyDeleteMadame Sorel's Lodger definitely sounds like van Gogh. Writers and Liars sounds interesting (and reminiscent of Christie's And Then There Were None); I'll see if my library is going to order it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope you find it easier to get back to sleep next time.
Madame Sorel's lodger sounds like they've just tweaked Van Gogh's story slightly and since he's ones of my favourite artists I think I'll skip that book. I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteI can’t pick up a book if I wake up because I’ll just keep reading and never get any sleep!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a reading week
These all sound good, but not for boring you to sleep. I guess I'm lucky that I don't have trouble sleeping. However, I tend to stay up until 2 or 3 AM most nights. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThey all sound good. I've just started having my nights back in terms of length (my son is 18 months old and is finally sleeping through the night), the quality however is poor waiting for him to wake up or having my oldest son sneak into the bed! I try not to look at my phone otherwise I feel more awake 😂
ReplyDeleteI hope that you get some more sleep soon!
Finding the right book to put you sleep is hard. I've found that audiobooks help me. It has to be one that I've read and that isn't terrifying though. I set the timer to go off and usually am in the land of nod before it ends. Of course when I wake up in the middle of the night, my husband it's real happy if I try this and wake him up.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this coming week.
I hope you were able to go back to sleep, Harvee. I am glad you decided to spend the time with us though in the meantime. Writers and Liars sounds good! I hope you have a great week and enjoy your reading!
ReplyDelete