I know that I have previously blogged about Alexander McCall Smith, but what can I say!!! He must be addictive!
First of all, let me admit to going nowhere without my Books on Tape. I listen to my books while driving, and also, while walking to my destination. This morning, for example, I unplugged my car’s device and plugged in my ear phone so that I could listen to my book while walking the distance between my car and my doctor’s office. (If you’re doctor is like mine, you can easily listen to a good portion of a chapter while sitting and waiting in both the doctor’s waiting room and the little examination room.)
I actually find myself looking forward to my time driving/running errands if I am listening to one of my favorite authors. Which brings me to Alexander McCall Smith… I not only enjoy listening to his mystery books (The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency and the Sunday Philosophy Club series) but also his non-mystery fiction. Of course, I don’t really see his two mystery series as “mysteries” per se, although they do have mysteries interwoven into them… If pressed to describe them, I would say that they are light on the mystery and very heavy on great writing, great characters, great story-telling…. just about everything GREAT!!!
I am currently listening to Espresso Tales, the second part of his 44 Scotland Street books. He wrote the books as story installments for The Scotsman newspaper, and since I don’t get that publication, I am delighted that they put all of the chapters together to form these books. The books follow several Edinburgh characters who live on 44 Scotland Street, and they are truly an assortment of people…. from Bruce (who just can’t seem to pass a mirror without longingly gazing into it) to Bertie (a five year old saxophone-playing, Italian-speaking, VERY lonely child) to Bertie’s mother Irene (who has been known to translate Bertie’s Italian to suit the situation…. “vacca” becoming “vaccum” instead of “cow”…..)
If you haven’t tried any of Alexander McCall Smith’s books yet…………… do yourself a favor…….. and DO!
More information about Alexander McCall Smith‘s four (currently!) series.
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