Oh, Scotland Street...

I'm in the middle of a tomato soup and homemade bread extravaganza, and since the soup is simmering and the timer diligently ticking away to my left, I thought I'd take a seat on the counter and get off my feet for a bit. And what an opportune time to blog about the latest three books of the 44 Scotland Street series! So here I am in my pink flowered splatter-proof apron preparing to share with you the joy these last three books have given me. I was going to take a picture of me in the kitchen with my books and my awesome pink flowered apron, but today is evidently a creepy picture day, and as I don't want to scare off the very few people who read this blog--I'm giving up on that idea.

So, the last two weeks I've indulged myself with Love Over Scotland, The World According to Bertie, and The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, books three, four, and five of the 44 Scotland Street Series. Incredibly, I'm not yet bored reading about Domenica, Matthew, Angus, Elspeth Harmony, Big Lou, Cyril, and, of course, Bertie. I even cheered out loud at one point during the reading of The Unbearable Lightness of Scones (and I also got several comments on the awesomeness of that title--I wish I could pass those compliments on to Alexander McCall Smith). I know this may sound weird but I am becoming friends with these characters. I feel that I know them intimately. This is, perhaps, the best sign of a good novel. I would feel comfortable sharing a cup of tea with Domineca and Angus, and I'm sure that Cyril (the dog) would find my ankles infinitely tasty. I occasionally want to shake Irene--"occasionally" might be putting it mildly. And I'm holding my breath as to whether or not Bruce has actually reformed. Can I wait til the next book comes out  in June? And where did Pat go? I'm missing her!

Essentially, Alexander McCall Smith, thank you for new friends who now feel like old ones. And on that note, I think I'll go spend some time with friends who are flesh and blood instead of paper and ink. And this time I won't make the mistake of leaving this blog open for my oh-so-enterprising husband to add his own little notes at the bottom.

P.S. Now I want scones and tea... Scotland does that to you! msf