Maisie Dobbs

Maisie Dobbs is a very unique and special fictional character in Jacqueline Winspear’s well-written mystery series.  The latest title in the series is An Incomplete Revenge, which I just finished reading.  What I enjoy about this series, which is set during and after World War I in England, is watching the process Maisie uses to solve mysteries and repair relationships.  Maisie has a very different (and rather psychological or Buddhist) way of approaching investigations.  It’s also fun watching Maisie cope with her own human frailty and blind spots and overcome her “disadvantages.”  And I just like it when a strong woman character develops her potential and makes a go of things in a society that doesn’t offer a whole lot of opportunities and support for that, and does so in a way that empowers others as well.

Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

What a wonderful book and well-done audiobook!  I enjoyed listening The Friday Night Knitting Club so much, even through some tears!  It’s a little idealistic along the lines The Walton’s TV show was, but the people still feel very real, and I got caught up in their lives and found myself rooting for them and often having the satisfaction of seeing them grow and change and succeed (in careers, school, and relationships).  Georgia and her 12-13 year-old bi-racial daughter Dakota, Georgia’s mentor/supporter Arlene, Dakota’s father James, deli-owner Marty, and all the women of the Friday Night Knitting Club are each unique and special.  Walker and Daughter live and have their small yarn shop in Manhattan.   Carrington McDuffie does a wonderful job narrating the Blackstone audiobook, which the Library has in CD and as a downloadable audiobook in our Digital Library.