During the winter, my favorite reading spot is in my recliner. It is set to the side of the gas fireplace and leans back to just the right angle to read. I cover up with a blanket and enjoy toasty toes and good books.

In the summer, my spot is on the Roost, which faces east, or the Deck with faces west. Different spots for different times of day, or different moods. Summer reading should be the easy stuff. Adventures, romance, or who-dun-it’s. I like to read and one of the wonderful pleasures of summer is kicking back on a deck chair, sipping Lemonade, and reading some engrossing book.

One of my favorite authors is Tom Corcoran. He lives in Sarasota, Florida and the Keys. His character is Alex Rutledge, a photographer. One of the most enjoyable things about books can be if you know the locale and settings of the stories. I love Key West, as I have often stated, so when I can read books set in the various locations I know and have visited, it’s a hoot!

Some of the settings are grocery stores like Faustis or the Four Brothers. The Island Book Store is an enticing place filled to the gunnels with every kind of book imaginable. One of my acquaintances from Key West, Warren, gave me a Civil War Book he purchased there. We had a conversation, while I visited at the Curry Mansion, regarding the War of the Northern Aggression, more commonly known as the Civil War. He recommended this book, then he got so enthusiastic he went and bought it for me.

I have spent many hours on this porch, reading, sipping brandy, and enjoying a cigar. Ceiling fans complete the ambience and the sound of music from the Saloon on the corner adds just the right Bizzaz!

I was introduced to the Key West authors when I was browsing at the Island Book Store. I became curious to find out who were the Florida authors and more importantly, were they good writers. Top scores on both counts. Carl Hiassen is well known, but Tim Dorsey is another author who writes about strange people. His character, Serge, is a lovable, intelligent, and on the side of the righteous. He is also, according to his psychiatrist, just a few bubbles out of plumb. This description does not negate his hilarious personality. If you want some really good and funny stuff, pick up this man’s books.

I won’t short Minnesota authors. I love them, too. I am re-reading Monica Ferris’s books about Betsy Devonshire. She is the shop-keep of Crewel World in Excelsior, Minnesota. A better hero is not to be found. Every character in this series has appeal to the reader. If you like Cross Stitch, Knitting, Cutwork, or Crewel, this series has a lot to offer for excellent reading. Kent Krueger is very special and he writes about our area of the state. His characters live in Aurora, Minnesota, just up the road apiece. His books keep you interested until the last page.

I am beginning to think I need to write a who-dun-it set in Moose Lake. It would be an interesting endeavor. Who did it?: The Grocer? The Potter? The Minister? The Thief? The Newsman? Keep imagining!