Nou ik zit op de 50 boeken hoor... Beetje jammer dat 't niet 3 juli is.

This is the sixth book in the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series that I have read. This book was so much fun for me, not just because it is a easy read and a fun story, but it has so many memories. I love that I know what the hot Botwana sun feels like , or what Kigale hill looks like, or that I can pronounce the Setswana words. I can relate to Mma Ramotswe (which was also the name of our nanny) on what a unique country Botswana is politically in Africa and the pride in their first president Siretse Khama. I imagine Mma Ramotswe as Mma Jane our cultural teacher. She was a "traditionally built" lady with a sense or humor and a lot of wisdom. As much as this brought brought warm fuzzies and pride in me, it was actually my least favorite in the series so far, but still a fun read.

it was amazing

Another nice entry in this series, a quick, happy read. I'm looking forward to the HBO series based on these books, that starts at the end of March.

There are so many great reviews of these books that it is hard to not be repetitive. This book was one of my favorites because of Mma Makutsi and her "blue shoes." Like so much else in Smith's books, the shoes are a vehicle for philosophy. There is a contrast between Mma Ramotswe's contented life and Mma Makutsi's need driven one. Mma Ramotswe sits under trees and looks at the land with such contentment and joy. She doesn't escape from her problems, but she does let the land put them into perspective. When I am reading these books, I am reminded to step back and thank God for all my blessings. I want to follow her example and live my life consciously instead of piling up task after task, goal after goal.

Here's a great example. I am a retired teacher and librarian. I homeschool my grandchildren, but it is now summer and I don't even have lesson plans to do. For the last four hours I have explored Goodreads and written reviews of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books trying to understand what they have taught me and why I like them. Still there is a little gremlin in my head telling me to stop indulging myself and get up and do some real work...like cleaning. Now, my house is just fine. There are things out of place, but there are no roaches, no visible dirt piles or much dust on furniture. Why would I feel that it was just play to stop and think about all the things I have learned from these books and to put them into words? Why would I feel that it is more valuable to sweep this almost clean floor, chase a bit of dust, and get rid of some clutter? I think that is what I like about Mma Ramotswe. She reminds me of what is important...and Mma Makutsi takes a giant step in realizing that in this book.

Delightful and heartwarming, as always. These books are the ones I use to calm myself down after reading too much depressing non fiction.

4 stars

4.5 I love this series and this book was just perfect. These characters never cease to put a smile on my face!

Oddly, I loved the short-lived HBO series that dramatized the first few books in this series. I think I'd read some of those, but I couldn't remember where I'd stopped and where the series had stopped, so I picked this book.

The best way I can describe these books is sort of like the mystery equivalent of easy listening music or, well, a bad hook-up to which one keeps returning. They're not bad per se; they're just sort of disappointingly flat and odd. As in, this might be someone's favorite book / series, but it isn't mine. Or it isn't my cup of (bush) tea? They're predictable: rehashing the same perspectives, taking comfort in the same things, speaking in the same euphemisms. You get . . . exactly what you think you're going to get: nothing too violent, some lovely descriptions (which might be why the HBO series worked so well), and some mysteries all neatly wrapped up. They'll be nothing too sad, nothing too unsavory and, well, nothing to overtly complex.

These are simply told tales. I don't know that they are necessarily simple tales - although I lean that way. The characters aren't perfect and they certainly have pasts that reflect triumph and tragedy, but, well, they just aren't that engaging or changing. It doesn't matter what book you read in the series, because, well, life is pretty unchanging.

This book had a weird take on feminism which left me feeling irritated and certainly reinforced my sense that there's a real lack of nuance here. I'll admit that I'd also like to see more critical engagement with race and politics and that I find the lack of this (except largely to romanticize the past) totally unrealistic and one of the reasons I find the books lacking in complexity. Perhaps this is related to the identity of the author (a white Scottish male), but I do think it's conceivable that another author with similar characteristics could have written a much richer tale.

This series continues to surprise me. I stumbled onto it by receiving a big box of books from a family member and the first book in the series was in it, so I read it and fell in love with the story line and characters. I love to revisit the #1 Ladies and see what they are up to.

Five new shoe happy stars for Lisette Lecat and her top notch narration once again. I am totally addicted to listening to these beautiful Botswana tales in audio form. Three new shoe are-they-the-right-size stars to the narrative. I do love Mma Ramatswe with her "tiny white van" and her "traditional build." The pacing, though, was all over the place. The cobra incident was so exciting. And the relationship growing pains for Mma Makutsi and her intended were a fascinating piece of her character development. Also, Mma Ramatswe's to diet or not to diet dilemma was a wonderful addition to the plot. There were essentially three mini mysteries to solve and they were so spread out that I sometimes forgot what was happening with each. All in all, though I still love this series and am happy to have so many yet to enjoy.

I have just realized I have never reviewed any of Alexander McCall Smith's series, though I have read from each one. McCall Smith's series are primers in "how to be kind." He calmly and rationally helps us to negotiate everyday conundrums that plague us and make us anxious and bitter. The thoughtful reactions he puts in the voice of Mma Ramotswe are kind and comforting, her solutions sensitive and gracious.

If blue shoes can bring happiness, it may be worth owning them even if they are too small. And, there is evil in the world, but most people want to do the right thing. It’s just that people are weak. One should recognize one’s weaknesses: if they are inconsequential or will make your life (or the lives of those around you) a misery to change, it may be better to just live with it.

Mma Ramotswe is a forgiving woman. She doesn’t chide her assistant for small failings, like purchasing blue shoes that are too small, nor does she agonize over her own “traditionally-built” size. She knows she should diet, but if she wants (and deserves!) cake, is it so very wrong to have a small piece?

Every book in this series is a little vacation for the mind. We are given time to consider problems that many of us face, and see how elegant solutions can be found that satisfy. The voice of Lisette Lecat defines the series. Her voice is such a perfect vehicle for the writing that I prefer to listen to these books published as downloadable files by Recorded Books.