I can’t think of anything super creative to write, so I will do this book report style tonight; at least it is writing! Have you read the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency books? If not, I highly recommend them. I am an admitted book snob, and the series looks, feels, and the public likes them at a level that makes me want to turn my nose up at them. But you know what? They are actually very, very good.

I don’t necessarily know how to describe the why behind this, but the books generally leave me with this peaceful feeling, they make me see that everything is going to be okay. How does the author do this? I am really not sure, but I love to read these books immediately before falling to sleep. They put a smile on my face and generally make for an awesome night’s rest.

So what’s the premise? Well, I’m glad you asked. The series is about a detective agency (duh.) in Botswana. At first I thought the series took place in the past, but it is set in current Africa. The detective agency is managed and operated by Precious Ramotswe (who is traditionally built, i.e., heavy; I love that phrasing!) and Grace Makutsi. Not a whole lot really goes on at the detective agency (not that that is a bad thing, and yes, they do solve some fairly big cases now and again); this probably adds to the peaceful feeling I get from the book. Also, the ladies drink a lot of tea, and drinking tea is always thought of as the best way to think.

Bad things happen in the book. Deaths, AIDs, poverty and hunger to name a few, yet the positive, respectful attitude of all of the characters definitely gives the reader hope. No matter what, things will be okay. Simply beautiful.

Okay. I feel like I have done enough of a book report for now. More later; maybe.