Back to the Irish

So, I stayed up last night to finish Missing Mark - I had pretty much started it earlier that morning and just kept reading - well, when I wasn't at work or watching Bones with Mom. I quite enjoyed it, although I'm not sure I liked it as much as I liked Stalking Susan. I knew quite early in the story who caused Mark's disappearance, although I'd had no clue about the reasons for it. I was also intrigued by the face-blindness described in the book. I can't imagine what that would be like. In some ways I'd like to argue that it (in a mild form) is the reason I have some trouble recognizing people in large crowds and remembering people's names, but I don't think it's true. No matter how convenient that could be, I'm not sure it would work quite that way. I suppose, though, it could also explain why I sometimes say this person reminds of this other person and (often) everyone else gives me a confused stare and argue that they look nothing alike.

After finishing that book, even though it was already late - probably almost 1am or 1:30am (I don't remember what the clock said, even though I did look at it) I decided I wasn't ready to go to bed yet. I started another book I'd checked out from the library - another one I'd had on hold that I was only going to get to keep for two weeks (I suspect that many people are interested in it for the same reason I was). After the title intrigued me, although I can't place what about it did that, I decided I was going to try to read it because it was written by a Mayo doctor and was inspired somewhat by real occurrences. This book is The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine, M.D. It wasn't quite what I expected and I can't decide if I want to say it was a good book or not. My heart goes out to Batuk, and especially all those who live what she did in the story. I appreciate that Dr. Levine is donating all proceeds from the sale of this book to help missing and exploited children. I ended up staying up to finish this book as well last night (probably finishing around 4:30am, maybe a bit closer to 5am). In some ways, it could be interesting to have a one-on-one conversation with the author about his book, but I don't actually plan on that ever happening.

After a bit of debate on what to read next, I decided I needed to move to the next Nuala Anne McGrail book, Irish Cream. So far (I'm only 15-20 pages in), I'm enjoying this Andrew Greeley book, too. In some ways I'd like to move to some of his other series' too, but I don't know how to pick one, and there are so many. I may just wait until I've read all of these - at least that have been written so far. I don't really know what the historical mystery is in this story yet, but I'm sure there will be one; there've only been hints as to what the modern one is so far. I'm amused by Day's character so far, but it's a bit early - although I suspect he's a character I'm supposed to like, so it's not too surprising. I am amused that he's related to the little bishop - although I suppose I'm also still amused that he's called the little bishop. Hmm, I wonder if Nuala and Dermot (and kids) appear in any of the Blackie Ryan mysteries. I suppose the best way to find out would be to read them.