Athabasca's 2012 reading journal - part 1

2011 was a really good reading year and I very much enjoyed journalling my reading.
The 2011 threads are here and here.

I'm going to try a ticker this year - for books bought. This is an attempt to control the TBR pile!
In 2011, 94 books came into the house. I want to keep that total down this year, so have set a target of 75.
(Update: OK - this is so not working! Let's change the target to 100!!)
(Update #2: 24th of November and I'm at 100 books - I suppose that's not too bad :o) Let's see where we end up!!)
Got three books for Xmas - they don't count, do they?

What happened last year:

2011 Statistics

Read: 151
Acquired: 94
New 136; Re-read 15

Female authors: 85 Male authors: 48
From own shelves 43; From library 105; e-books 3

Crime 42
Urban Fantasy 32
Fantasy 26
Historical 21
Non-fiction 12
SF 8
Thriller 3
Poetry 3

Wishlist

Cavalier of the Apocalypse by Susanne Alleyn (on order)
Keep this forever by Mark Halliday
French illustrators: Benjamin Lacombe/Rébecca Dautremer
A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman
Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby? by Allyson Beatrice
Lamy of Santa Fe by Paul Horgan
My reading life by Pat Conroy
At Mrs Lippincote's by Elizabeth Taylor (on order)
Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn
Eldrie the Healer by Claudia J. Edwards
The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes Lackey
Changing Fate by Elizabeth Waters
The Merro Tree by Katie Waitman
The last unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

In library catalogue

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Apollos' angels by Jennifer Homans
James Joyce by Richard Ellmann
Born on a blue day by David Tammet
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Black prism by Brent Weeks
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature by Steven Pinker
The girl who circumnavigated Fairyland in a ship of her own making by Catherynne Valente

getting an early start, eh? You could still finish and review a book or two before the new year starts.....

I am thinking your links to the 2011 thread are not working...

TIOLI Jan 2012

#2 Read a book in honour of Dragon Appreciation Day; Dragon's winter by Elizabeth Lynn
#3 Read a book about China; Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
#6 Read a book short-listed for the Orange Prize: Bel canto by Ann Patchett (Shared read)
#7 Read a posthumously published book: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
#8 Read a book where a word can be used as a verb: License to ensorcell by Katherine Kerr; The guards by Ken Bruen (Shared read)
#19 Read a book with a beverage on p10: Percy Jackson and the lightning thief by Rick Riordan
#23 Read a 1st book by an author you've never read before; The lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (Shared read)

Read 8
TBR pile 6, sourced for TIOLI 2, Shared reads 3
Favourite: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society/Bel canto

maggie - gimme a moment!! I'm working on it and my connections's going funny (must be the high winds) ;0) It takes me absolutely ages to sort out links! I'm about to go away for a week's holiday and I want to sort out the next thread and January's TIOLI afore I go!

License to ensorcell by Katharine Kerr #1
TIOLI Jan: Read a book with a word in the title that can be two different parts of speech
Own book; urban fantasy

Quite an interesting start to a new series. I like the Irish family background and the hunky Israeli. Some interesting magic, that is rather underplayed - funny in places. I think the series could develop well.

Proven guilty by Jim Butcher #2
Library book; urban fantasy

Another great Harry Dresden book. Harry's involvement in the Wardens throws up all sorts of ethical problems when a friend's daughter gets involved in black magic. I did find the plot a bit convoluted - maybe it will become clearer in time.

I've got a few Jim Butcher books, but they are still in the pile of books to read at some point. I'm following you and will probably add to that pile. Happy reading!

I loved Katherine Kerr's Deverry series, though I that was almost 20 years ago and I only read the first 8. I understand there were another 5(?) written after I finished them off. I need to reread those, finish of the whole series and then see if I like her urban fantasy as much. Someday...

>9 GeorgiaDawn - I am enjoying the Harry Dresden series - it's light and enjoyable.

>10 Sandragon - I remember the Deverry series as well, although I gave up after a few books. The new series is well-written, but I hope the plotlines will develop more as the series goes on.

Proven Guilty is one of my favourite HD books. You've still got many more in the series to enjoy before joing the hordes of us waiting for the next one to be written.

I too enjoyed the Deverry books, although I haven't finished reading the whole series yet. My favourite book by Kerr is Palace, a cyberpunky SF novel with great characters and worldbuilding. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. I'm not a huge fan of UF, so not sure if I'll try this new one. I did enjoy the first Dresden Files book though, and am waiting to find #2 so I can continue the series.

The lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch #3
TIOLI Jan: Read a first book (either debut or first in a series) by an author you've never read before
Own book; fantasy

Rather darker than I usually like, with a bit too much torture going on. However, some great characters and some very funny moments. The quasi-Venetian background is interesting and there are hints about more mysteries to come. The early adventures of the Gentleman Bastards were fun to follow. The book does move about in time rather a lot and that can be a bit confusing. I kept waiting for some major denouement that never really came, so that plot device was maybe over-used for no real reason. I particularly liked that the magic elements were kept rather low-key. I'll certainly look out for the rest of the series.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer #4
TIOLI Jan: Read a book published posthumously
Own book

A charming book about the ability of books (and the friends made through books) to get you through just about anything. A quick read, written mostly in the form of letters, this was a lovely wee tale about the deprivations suffered by the Channel Islanders during the German Occupation and their resilience in response to the horrors of war. A must read for any bookoholic (hanky alert!).

I highly recommend Point of Honour by Madeleine E. Robins from your list--a mystery set in a slightly alternate Regency London. There's a followup call Petty Treason, and I do wish she'd write more of them

>16 Thanks for the recommendation, Marissa, I'll certainly have a look for them.



Percy Jackson and the lightning thief by Rick Riordan #5
TIOLI Jan; Read a book with a beverage on p10
Library book, YA

This was OK - it has a wry tone and an amusing premise. The Greek gods and heroes live among us and you can reach Olympus from the 600th floor of the Empire State building. Quite a good YA fantasy with a likeable hero and some fun interactions with the panoply of Greek gods and monsters.

The Lightning Thief is the weakest of the books. I wasn't going to read anymore but my nephew said to try the second book. I'm glad I did!

>Thanks, Morphy, I'll keep an eye out for the rest.



Bel canto by Ann Patchett #6
TIOLI Jan; Read a book shortlisted for the Orange Prize
Library book

What a lovely book - if you can say that about a book that involves terrorists, hostages and an over-developed case of Stockholm syndrome. However, in essence it's a book about love and music. It's beautifully written, even lyrical.

I listened to Bel Canto and the narrator did a great job with all the national accents.

Angels' blood by Nalini Singh #7
Library book; urban fantasy

An interesting start to the series - angels, vampires and humans in a rather heady mix. I'll probably keep reading, just to see how the main relationship and some of the secondary characters develop.

The best art you've never seen by Julian Spalding #8
Library book; non-fiction

A delightful book exploring the hidden treasures of art. I particularly liked the commentary on how much the art we value nowadays is driven by fashion. There is more 'undiscovered' art than appears in most galleries and museums. Thought-provoking without being too academic, this book leaves you with a list of provincial galleries (and more out-of-the-way places) to explore for hidden treasures.

Dragon's winter by Elizabeth A. Lynn #9
TIOLI Jan; Read a book about dragons
Own book; fantasy

A fine tale of the old-school fantasy type. Dragons, shape-changers and evil villains abound. Perhaps a little clumsy in some of its story-arc and very dark in places, but a fun read, for all that.

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min #10
TIOLI Jan: Read a book about China or Chinese immigrants
Library book; historical

Another good read about life in the Chinese Imperial Court, this time at the end of it's days. A poor girl rises through the ranks of the Imperial City to become Empress, but the Chinese Empire is doomed and she is surrounded by powerful enemies.

The guards by Ken Bruen #11
TIOLI Jan; Read a book where one of the words in the title can be both a verb and another part of speech
Library book; crime

A rather different type of crime/PI book. The PI spends most of his time in drunken blackouts while all the people around him die. The crime seems to get solved in spite of him and the resolution of the crime leads to at least three more deaths. A very detailed description of the life of an alcoholic, but I'm not sure there is much else to it.

TIOLI February 2012

#1. Read a book with an animal mentioned on the left hand page, a beverage on the right hand page, and the number 3 in both page numbers. Magic on the hunt by Devon Monk
#3: Read a book with a word of at least 5 letters in the title that is an anagram of another 5 letter word: Deadly desire by Keri Arthur; Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay
# 6. Read a book whose author's surname has a "Scrabble value" of 12 or more; The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
#8 Read a book by an blurber on one of your books: A trick of the light by Louise Penny (shared read)
#10: Read a Book with a Title written in the FIRST PERSON: My soul to take by Rachel Vincent
#15: Read a book that has the Letters in TIOLI as doubles in the title or Author's Name; Hood by Stephen R Lawhead (Just didn't grab me); The killing way by Tony Hays ; Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding
#17 Read a book by or about Charles Dickens: Charles Dickens; a life by Claire Tomalin (my third challenge)

Attempted 10, Read 9, Abandoned 1, Shared reads 1
TBR pile 9, Library book 1
Favourite A trick of the light/Ysabel

Hmm, I can't imagine that many books would fit the description of #1!

>Actually, MrsLee, if you're allowed to use embedded words, like ate a or then, it's fairly easy - I found the right words on the first pages I tried.

Oh! I was thinking the animal and the beverage had to be and illustration! Doh! :)

>MrsLee - I guess I didn't explain it very well!


Magic on the hunt by Devon Monk #12
TIOLI Feb: Challenge #1
Library book; urban fantasy

I like this series. The books are getting a bit confusing - there're a lot of different characters. However, I think the plotting is getting tighter and the storyline hangs together a bit better - a fun read.

My soul to take by Rachel Vincent #13
TIOLI Feb; Read a book with a title in the first person
Library book; urban fantasy

The beginning of another nice wee series - banshees and grim reapers instead of vampires and werewolves, but you get the idea. An interesting main character and some fun ideas.

Deadly desire by Keri Arthur #14
TIOLI Feb: Read a book with a word that has an anagram (desire/reside)
Own book; urban fantasy

This book comes quite far on in the Riley Jenson series and I've only read some of the earlier ones, which might account for why this book didn't really draw me in. Riley still cannot make up her mind between two men and is still getting involved in complex murder cases with vampires, werewolves and hell-hounds. Has all the usual elements, but seemed a little bland.

A trick of the light by Louise Penny #15
Library book; crime

Another lovely Louise Penny. This time Gamache is delving into the worlds of art and alcoholism. Meanwhile there are still repercussions from the events of 2 books ago. A great series - the characters are beautifully drawn and the background is often as interesting as the crime itself.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa #16
TIOLI: read a book by an author whose surname has a scrabble value of 12 or more
Library book, Teen, fantasy

The start to another interesting Teen fantasy series. A teenage girl finds out she is related to the fey, discovers her powers, a quest and a totally unsuitable romance. Amusing, with lots of Midsummer Night's Dream references. Not bad for the first book.

The killing way by Anthony Hays #17
TIOLI Feb; Read a book with a double set of one of the letters from TIOLI in the title or author's name
Library book; historical, crime

This was pretty good - a murder mystery set in the court of King Arthur (more or less). Some great Dark Ages background, an engaging hero and a complex crime that is mired in the politics (and religion) of the time. Worth a read.

Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding #18
Feb TIOLI: Read a book that has the Letters in TIOLI as doubles in the title or author's Name
Own book; science fiction

This book has been described as similar to "Firefly" and I suppose it is. However, it takes a wee while to get there - a disreputable crew with a decidedly shifty captain grow into a team that you can root for. Slow to start but with a rip-roaring ending. Looking forward to the sequel.

Charles Dickens; a life by Claire Tomalin #19
TIOLI Feb; Read a book by or about Charles Dickens for the bicentennary
Own book; non-fiction

A great read - a fascinating biography of a fascinating (and complex) personality. I don't know that Tomalin did as well with Dickens as she had done with Jane Austen, there are just too many areas where there is little evidence to support her theories. For some areas of his life, there are tons of documentation and too much detail in the biography. However, for other areas, particularly his personal life, there is almost no documentation and she is forced to fall back on theories and supposition. In some ways that is as frustrating as Dickens himself obviously was! It goes to prove how important having good documentation is to writing a good biography and Dickens went to some lengths to cover up the areas of his life he didn't want revealed.

Claire Tomalin has written a great biography that gives some insight into a writer whose public persona was very different from his private one - but maybe it is that dichotomy that is at the heart of his talent?

One particularly enjoyable aspect of reading this book was the quality of the binding and the pages. It is a beautiful edition that is a pleasure to hold and to read. OK- it's pretty expensive, but it's lovely to handle a book that is so nicely produced.

March TIOLI

#1 Read a book where the author was born in a city with only one letter from MARCH: Anderby Wold by Winifred Holtby (Rudston) (shared read)
#3 Read a book nominated for the Agatha Award for first novel; Silent in the grave by Deanna Rayburn (shared read) ; Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (shared read)
#4 Read a book from JanetinLondon's library or wishlist; August heat by Andrea Camilleri
#6 Read a book with a homonym in the title; A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle
#7 Read a book with 2,4,8 or 16 words: Magic bleeds by Ilona Andrews ; The last Kashmiri rose by Barbara Cleverly (Shared read)
#8 Read a book with a pair of protaganists; Second confession by Rex Stout
#12: Read a newly-released series continuation (published December 2011 or later); Celebrity in death by J.D. Robb (shared read)
#18 Read a book where the author's name or a word from the title has a military connection: A monstrous regiment of women by Laurie R King (My fourth challenge)
#21 Read the first published novel or the first in a series by a new-to-you author, BUT in a rolling order by the first letter of the author's last name; The Coroner's lunch by Colin Cotterill (shared read)

Read: 11
TBR pile 7, sourced for TIOLI 4
Shared reads: 6

Favourites: A monstrous regiment of women/The Coroner's lunch

Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay #20
Feb TIOLI: Read a book where a word from the title has an anagram and is more that 5 letters long
Library book; fantasy

An enjoyable wee read. Along the lines of Labyrinth, I guess, with Celtic legends imposing themselves on modern day Provence. Less about time travel, more about the past constantly repeating itself. My only criticism would be that I didn't think the main character was particularly well realised. However, apart from that I enjoyed the storytelling (much as I would expect with this author).

What's the anagram?

baleys, basely, belays

Being less imaginative than Morphy - I had come up with basely!

:) I'm too lazy to work at anagrams unless forced by my husband's jumble cards he makes for me.

Who said I worked at it? :D

Google is your friend.

http://www.unscramble.net/

August heat by Andrea Camilleri #21
Mar TIOLI: Read a book from JanetinLondon's catalogue
Own book; crime

I really like this series - a lovely detective, a great setting in Sicily and usually an interesting crime. I thought this one was a bit obvious, however, a fun, light read. I'm also enjoying the TV series at the moment.

Great series! I watched the TV series on dvd here in the U.S.

I was looking for another mystery writer to try out and Andrea Camilleri caught my eye at the library. Glad to know you enjoy them. I didn't know they were made into a TV series. I'll have to look for those too.

>47 sandragon - I hope you like them - I'm finding the series very enjoyable. I like the characters and the setting nearly as much as the detective work. Montalbano is a very engaging character. The TV series I've been watching was made in Italy and is being repeated at the moment on BBC4 (and available on iplayer).

Magic bleeds by Ilona Andrews #22
TIOLI March: Read a book with 2,4,8 or 16 words in the title
Library book; urban fantasy

Another fine episode in what is becoming a great wee series. This time there's a pesky Plague god (and Aunty) on the loose and Kate has her hands full bringing her down. Good fun.

A monstrous regiment of women by Laurie R. King #23
TIOLI March: read a book with a military connection
Own book; historical; crime

I really, really enjoyed this - the second in the Mary Russell series. Mary comes into her own as an academic and as a detective. There's some interesting exploration of early feminism and religion, as well as a rather creepy crime. A thoroughly good read

The last Kashmiri rose by Barbara Cleverly #24
TIOLI March: Read a book with 2,4,8 or 16 words in the title
Library book; historical; crime

This was OK, I thought. Set in the British Raj, there's some interesting background, but I thought the mystery was a bit obvious and wondered why it took so long to solve it. The author did have a lot of fun exploring the lifestyle of the Raj and maybe allowed that to come in the way of the story. Not a bad read, but not particularly engrossing.

That was my reaction, too, to The Last Kashmiri Rose, Athabasca. I know there are others more high on it, but for me it was just so-so.

Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch #25
Friend's book; crime; urban fantasy

I thought this was great - one of those times when the second book in a series is even better than the first. The author is obviously growing in confidence and that shows throughout the book. Moon over Soho is redolent with wit and humour, full of literary and scientific asides that are laugh-out-loud funny. While solving two rather gruesome crimes, Peter continues his apprenticeship as a wizard, tries to apply scientific method to age-old magical theories and deal with a complicated love life. Brilliant stuff.

Oh good, I liked the first one and have wondered about the second one. Now I'll look for it.

>54 Joe, I thought Moon over Soho was great, much better than The last Kashmiri rose :0)

I think I liked the first just a tiny bit more than the 2nd in Ben Aaronovitch's series. Still looking forward to the third book.

The Andrews' Magic series is a lot of fun, isn't it? I'm getting close to trying something else of theirs as I finished what was written of the Magic series so far and I'm Jonesing for more.

Morphy - I might even prefer their other series - the Edge, but I am finding that the Magic series is growing on me ;0)

Anderby Wold by Winifred Holtby #26
TIOLI March Challenge #1
Library book

My second Holtby - this one is short and punchy. The story revolves around life in a Yorkshire village where a young woman has made decisions that she comes to regret and that have nearly catastrophic results. Some great characters and an interesting storyline - echoes of Thomas Hardy, I thought.

Celebrity in death by J.D. Robb #27
TIOLI March Challenge #12
Library book; crime

Another fine Eve Dallas - a little schizo as Eve and Peabody investigate a crime on the filmset of a film based on one of their earlier cases. A more straightforward mystery than some in the series, but pretty enjoyable.

A beautiful friendship by David Weber #28
Library book; SF

A prequel to the Honor Harrington series, this book describes the initial meeting between humans and treecats. It's OK - one for fans of the series, I would think - there's not a huge amount of plot, although the characterisation is pretty good, as the treecats and their humans start getting to know each other.

Silent in the grave by Deanna Raybourn #29
TIOLI March: Read a book nominated for the Agatha award for first novel
Own book; crime

An OK Victorian crime - perhaps heavier on the romance than the crime, but a fun read. The Victorian background is well-drawn and the main characters are both interesting. Looks like a fine beginning to what might turn out to be a good series.

Second confession by Rex Stout #30
TIOLI March: Read a book with a pair of protagonists
Own book; crime

Another fine Nero Wolfe, even if I had guessed the crook early on (maybe you're meant to - Rex Stout's a bit tricky). Usually nothing much bothers Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, but, this time as well as murder and a search for Communists, there's a seemingly omniscient criminal mastermind involved.

The Coroner's lunch by Colin Cotterill #31
TIOLI March Challenge no. 21
Library book; crime

A lovely little detective novel set in post-revolutionary Laos with a charming central character. The background is nicely delineated and there're some supernatural elements to add to the crime-solving.

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear #32
TIOLI March: Read a book nominated for an Agatha award for first novel
Library book; crime

This was fairly interesting - an historical crime set in 1929, but exploring a lot of issues around the First World War. Perhaps more focussed on the history of the main character than the crime - the crime solving elements were fairly weak, but an involving read, for all that. Not sure about some of the psychological theory - a bit touchy-feely in places. At the same time, it did, in some places remind me of Poirot. I'll probably read more in the series.

I'm reading this one right now!

>66 Marissa, I hope you enjoy it!

A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle #33
March TIOLI: Read a book with a homonym in the title (time/thyme)
Library book, YA, SF

Written in the early 1960s, this is an early example of SF for young people with a distinctly Christian message. Two young children go off to rescue their father who is fighting a great EVIL on a distant planet. Rather simple in construction, but fun (the parts set in real life seem better written than the SF elements). (You gotta respect a book that starts with: "It was a dark and stormy night"!!)

Lady John by Madeleine Robins #34
ER book; e-book; historical romance

A very pleasant romance set just after Waterloo. A young widow returns to the bosom of her late husband's rather eccentric family and finds that the course of true love does not run smoothly. Some fine characters in an amusing romp.

April TIOLI

#1 Read a book with a title in which the last letter is in rolling alphabetical order; A just determination by Jack Campbell
#2 Read a book by an Italian author or one that is set in Italy for Primavera in Italia; The terracotta dog by Andrea Camilleri
#6. Read a non-fiction work which features humor or is written by someone known for their humour; Surely, you're joking, Mr Feynman! by Richard Feynman (shared read)
#7 Finish a book that you started between January 1, 2012 and March 28, 2012; Dr. Riemann's zeros by Karl Sabbagh
#9. Read a book with a title that includes only the vowels in the word "April"; Inda by Sherwood Smith
#12. Read a Sherlock Holmes novel, collection of stories, or another "Sherlockian" work; A letter of Mary by Laurie R. King
#16. Read a book whose title contains a word from the Tarot's Major Arcana; Death of an Adept by Katherine Kurtz; The anvil of the world by Kage Baker
#21. Read a book that you acquired or borrowed between 1 January 2012 and 30 March 2012 and that you need to read in April to meet a deadline; Hounded by Kevin Hearne; The guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Read 10
TBR pile 8; Sourced for TIOLI 2
Shared reads 1

You might also enjoy The Sherlockian for that last challenge. It's lively.

>71 Thanks Jill, I'll keep an eye open for it.

Statistics Jan - March 2012

Books acquired: 28
Books discarded: 2

Books read: 34
Re-reads: 0

Female authors: 21
Male authors: 13

Own TBR pile: 11
Library books: 21
e-books: 1
Friend's: 1

Genres
Crime 8
Historical 7
Urban fantasy 6
YA 4
Fantasy 3
SF 2
Non-Fiction 2

The terracotta dog by Andrea Camilleri #35
TIOLI April; Read a book set in Italy
Library book, crime

Another lovely Montalbano. This time, the inspector gets caught up in a mystery from the time of the Second World War.

I read The anvil of the world in January and really enjoyed it. Hope you do too!

Death of an Adept by Katherine Kurtz #36
April TIOLI: Read a book whose title contains a word from the Tarot's Major Arcana
own book; supernatural

Dearie me....handsome Scottish baronet in crested slippers alongside Freemasons, Knights Templar, black masses and druidic sacrifices. Pleasant tosh with some ghastly writing - kind of Dennis Wheatley meets one of those dreadful Highland romances. Urk!

A letter of Mary by Laurie R. King #37
April TIOLI: Read a Sherlock Holmes novel, collection of stories, or another "Sherlockian" work
Own book; historical, crime

A thoroughly enjoyable read. The detection veered away from the crime quite a bit and frankly the mystery was only solved by circumstance. However, an involving read with two nicely-crafted main characters.

Hounded by Kevin Hearne #38
April TIOLI #21
Library book; urban fantasy

A fun read. An ancient druid fights witches, fae and demi-gods. A well-realised main character with some fun elements. (Love the dog - it's got more character than many humans)

I read Kurtz many years ago - the Deryni series. But I'm sort of afraid to try them again in case the suck fairy got at them.

Morphy - I really liked the early Deryni stuff as well - although I thought the later books (that were actually written as prequels) were very dark. I had enjoyed the earlier Adept books as well, but I thought this one was plain silly - maybe I'm growing up at last!

A just determination by Jack Campbell #39
April TIOLI; Read a book with a title in which the last letter is in rolling alphabetical order
Library book; science fiction

This was pretty good - sort of "A few good men" in space. The space military background was well done and the legal stuff was pretty good too. Some nice characters and plenty of potential for the rest of the series. I really liked the Lost Fleet series by this author and it's great to have another series to explore.

Dr. Riemann's zeros by Karl Sabbagh #40
April TIOLI; Finish a book that you started between January 1, 2012 and March 28, 2012
Friend's book; non-fiction

A fun exploration of the work being done to try to prove Reimann's Hypothesis. I admit to not understanding the maths at all. However, this book is really about the process of mathematics - how it is done and by whom. It's a warmly human story of the men (and the occasional woman) who devote their lives to this most abstruse study.

I found Inda a wonderful read - once I got past the beginning stages and got a grasp of the names and politics - very moving. Will be curious to see how you do with this.

The guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon #41
April TIOLI #21
Library book; urban fantasy

Tosh, but readable tosh. Another angst-ridden romance set against a pantheon of particularly nasty Egyptian and Greek gods. A pleasant way to pass a couple of hours....but completely forgettable at the same time.

Surely, you're joking, Mr Feynman! by Richard Feynman #42
April TIOLI; Read a non-fiction work which features humor
Library book; non-fiction

Not really an autobiography, more a collection of essays about the life of one of the century's best-known physicists. From working at Los Alamos to teaching at CalTech, this is an amusing tale of a jack-the-lad who happens to be a great thinker. I particularly liked his views on education.

>85 I've got it from the library. Glad to hear it's enjoyable.

Oh, he was a character, that's for sure!

Inda by Sherwood Smith #43
April TIOLI; Read a book with a title that includes only the vowels in the word "April"
Own book; fantasy

A cracking wee fantasy, rather old-fashioned in style - young prince goes off to millitary school against a background of political chicanery. The politics, social structures and naming conventions are a bit of a headache but, by the time the story really gets going you have a good grip of what's going on. Lots of great characters, a complex plot and world set-up make this a really satisfying read. (Although it is definitely a book of two halves!) Looking forward to the rest of the series.

A brother's price by Wen Spencer #44
Own book; re-read; fantasy

A sweet little romance set against an almost Wild West fantasy back-ground with polygamy, kidnapping and treason. Tosh, but great fun.

The anvil of the world by Kage Baker #45
April TIOLI: Read a book whose title contains a word from the Tarot's Major Arcana
Own book; fantasy

A fun wee fantasy - a bit episodic, but with really fun characters and a whimsical approach.

May TIOLI

#3 Read a book with the letters NMSP in the title and author's name: Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters by Rick Riordan
#4 Read a book derived from a 75er usrname; The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Shared read)
#5 Read a book with the words BLACK or WHITE in the title or author's name: White Night by Jim Butcher
#10: Read a book with a word in the title suggesting violent death; Truth dare kill by Gordon Ferris
#12 Read a book with the same 3 nos in the ISBN: Heartless by Gail Carriger (9780356500096)
#13: Read a book with a word related to gardening in the title; Broken blade by Kelly McCullough
#18 Read a book with a title word that forms another word when reversed; The Devil you know by Mike Carey (devil/lived) (Shared read)
#19: Read a book set in a library or about a librarian; Miss Zukas and the library murders by Jo Dereske

Read 8
TBR pile 8
Shared reads 2

Favourite: White Night

Now how did you determine which books had the same three numbers in the ISBN? Did you use the sort by ISBN option under the "Your Books" display? Or is there some other way that you figured out to do it?

> Jill, Naah, that would be too much like work. I just decided that this was the month I would read Heartless and lo and behold, it fitted the ISBN challenge :0)

Very sneaky! But very clever. 8>)

#93 - My kinda person!

White night by Jim Butcher #46
May TIOLI #5: Read a book with the words BLACK or WHITE in the title or author's name
Library book; urban fantasy (5)

Fabulous. So far, my favourite Dresden. Harry has grown up and into his powers and I'm loving the more mature outlook and less chaotic approach. This time there's a serial killer on the loose and the war with the vampires is still going on in the background. Although the action was great, it's the characters and Harry's interactions with them that make this book stand out for me. The relationships with others, even Johnny Marcone, are becoming integral to the storytelling and with a lot more depth and maturity than previously. There was also a strong feeling of tidying up loose ends before moving on. Great book which I will have to own. (Already want to re-read it)

Miss Zukas and the library murders by Jo Dereske #47
May TIOLI #19: Read a book set in a library or about a librarian
Own book (Discarded); crime (3)

This was OK - a cozy mystery with an extremely stereotypical librarian as the sleuth. There are signs there may be a bit of growth as the series continues, but there wasn't much here - the first book of a series is often given over to establishing the main character, rather than growing it, I suppose. However, I would have preferred something a bit less stereotyped. The plot seemed to depend a bit too much on coincidence and ineptitude. Not sure I'll bother with the rest. (slight spoiler I would have destroyed the Gauguin too - never much liked Gauguin.)

Broken blade by Kelly McCullough #48
May TIOLI #13: Read a book with a word related to gardening in the title
Own book; fantasy (3.5)

Pleasant fantasy novel. A fairly common trope - broken-down hero gets a chance at redemption and finds that the loss of the certainties of his previous position make him a better man. However, nicely played out with an interesting central character and some good world-building. The history of the main character takes up quite a bit of the book and there's a mixture of influences - swords going into lakes and 'grasshopper' moments. Overall, an OK beginning to the series.

Your book summaries are fun to read. :)

Jillmwo, Mrs Lee - Thanks :o)



A test of wills by Charles Todd #49
Own book, crime (4)

The start of a cracking crime series. Ian Rutledge returns from the First World War suffering from shell shock. In an effort to reclaim his old life, he jumps back into solving a murder in rural Warwickshire. A fine mystery with a great, if troubled, detective.

It's an excellent series. I have read one or two of the titles successfully with my book group at the local library. And my OTHER book group got into a really in-depth discussion of how Ian Rutledge compares with Peter Wimsey.

>101 Jill, I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more. If it develops half as well as the Wimsey canon, I'll be a happy reader, indeed.

Hmm, I know I had that on my wishlist, but I have a memory that when I went to buy it, it wasn't available? I'll have to check again.
*Typing to the resounding parts of the LotR symphony is fun.*

>102 The discussion sprang from the recognition that Peter Wimsey's shell shock was virtually invisible and barely impacted on his performance as a detective whereas Ian Rutledge has trouble hiding his trauma and frequently does have trouble in the performance of his duties. The Sayers version of PTSD isn't anything like the more realistic version of PTSD with which Ian Rutledge is hampered. There are other parallels as well.

Welcome to the jungle by Jim Butcher #50
Library book; urban fantasy (3.5)

A Dresden prequel in graphic novel format. Pretty good, if over rather quickly. This time Harry investigates trouble in a zoo.

Truth dare kill by Gordon Ferris #51
May TIOLI #10: Read a book with a word in the title suggesting violent death
Library book, crime (3.5)

A pretty good historical crime. Funnily enough, not unlike the Charles Todd books - this time the hero returns from the Second World War a damaged man. Quite an unusual setting, London post-war and an interesting main character. I thought the mystery elements were a bit obvious and some of the methods clumsy - but an OK read with some strong Raymond Chandler influences.

Burden of proof by Jack Campbell #52
Library book, science fiction (3.5)

Second in the "Naval Lawyers in Space" series. (That needs to be said in a dramatic voice!) Pretty good, if light. Again honour and devotion to duty save the day - but I think it's too like the JAG TV series to really catch my interest. Very readable.

The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller #53
May TIOLI #4 Read a book derived from a 75er username (ErisofDiscord)
Library book; historical (3.5)

A re-telling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. Well-written, but it lacks something for me. I'm not sure what caused this to be a bit unsatisfying. It sticks to the original fairly closely and you meet all the usual Greeks and Trojans, but it seems to lack a bit of heart. Perhaps it needed to be further from the orginal? I just didn't feel it added much - perhaps someone less familiar with the original would have a different response? For me, it seemed like a rather bland translation.

Heartless by Gail Carriger #54
May TIOLI #12 Read a book with the same 3 nos in the ISBN
Library book; urban fantasy (4)

Another lovely addition to this series. Great fun as the werewolves and vampires of steampunk Victorian London get it on. I enjoy the characters and the evolving tale of the infant inconvenience.

The devil you know by Mike Carey #55
May TIOLI #18 Read a book with a title word that forms another word when reversed
Library book; urban fantasy (3)

An OK urban fantasy. Felix Castor is an exorcist in a world where hauntings are commonplace. The feel of this series is a bit 'noir' for me and the main character is no Dresden. However, all-in-all, it's not too bad. Felix is called in to exorcise a ghost in a museum/library, but (as you would expect) there's more going on here than meets the eye.

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan #56
May TIOLI #3 Read a book with the letters NMSP in the title and author's name
Library book; YA (3)

The second in the Percy Jackson series - a fun romp through a world populated with Greek gods, monsters, quests and plots within plots. Good fun - a quick, light read.

June TIOLI

#1 Read a book with three letters in the third word of the title Mark of the lion by Suzanne Arruda
#5 Read a book with an automobile in the title: Echoes of betrayal by Elizabeth Moon
#7 Read a book set in a country beginning with "I": The patience of the spider by Andrea Camilleri
#13 Read a book with an amusing tag; Small favour by Jim Butcher (Trenchcoat Brigade, you can't have fun if your parents ain't dead)
#15 Read a book with old, new, borrowed or blue in the title: Oath of gold by Elizabeth Moon
#16 Read a Book set in a continent based on a die roll; Thirty-three teeth by Colin Cotterill (2: Asia)
#17 Read a book with a prominent tag that appears in bold on another 75-er's tag mirror and doesn't appear at all on your (250-tag) tag mirror; Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (Tudors) (Shared read)
#18: Read a book by an author with a four letter first name that includes two letters that are the same; The crossing places by Elly Griffiths (Shared read)


Read 8
TBR pile 8
Shared reads 2

Favourite: Wolf Hall/Oath of gold

I'm reading Wolf Hall at the moment and enjoying it; I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

Indulgence in death by J. D. Robb #57
Own book, crime, re-read (4)

As usual, a fun rollick. Eve takes on the world of the rich and privileged, aided by her usual gang. Perhaps wrapped up a bit conveniently, but a quick, amusing read.

The patience of the spider by Andrea Camilleri #58
June TIOLI #7 Read a book set in a country beginning with "I"
Library book; crime (3.5)

Another fine wee Montalbano. The inspector is recovering from a shooting when he becomes involved in a kidnapping case. I think I really like this series, not so much because of the police work, but because of the setting, Montalbano's relationships (including his girlfriend) and the great descriptions of food. Very Sicilian!

Oath of gold by Elizabeth Moon #59
Own book; fantasy; re-read

Great stuff - paladins, Gods, honour and a fight between good and evil. Fantasy doesn't get any better than this. The earlier books in the sequence are OK, but this is outstanding. One of my alltime faves.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel #60
June TIOLI #17
Own book; historical

This was excellent. Yes, I was irritated by the pronoun problem, but the rest is a rollicking good read. Mantel makes quite a lot out of your knowledge of what happens next and her characters are beautifully drawn - particularly Cromwell himself. The book draws you in and keeps you enthralled (and in thrall) until the last pages. I cannot believe this won the Booker - it's incredibly readable.

I agree that Wolf Hall was enthralling - despite the fact that we know what is going to happen to all the characters! I loved how she reversed the traditional views of Cromwell and More, so that we see a sympathetic side of Cromwell while More is a pretty horrible person.

>118 Yeah, I enjoyed the different view of More too, and the Wolsey/Cromwell parallels. It has left me with lots to think about. I'm mostly familiar with this era through Antonia Fraser's Six wives of Henry VIII and films/TV, so I was surprised that the Anne Boleyn relationship was 6 years old before she was crowned Queen - the film/TV versions always compress the timelines, I suppose. Mantel does give a strong impression of how much effort went into the divorce and the gradual legal changes that ended up with Henry in charge of the Church of England.

I gather you find most Booker Award winners to generally be less than readable? (#117). (snark, just snark...)

Jill - with very few exceptions, I think winning the Booker prize generally puts a book on my "must never bother with this" list. Pretentious, difficult, unreadable junk, for the most part IMO ;0)

I understand the feeling.

The crossing places by Elly Griffiths #61
June TIOLI #18
Library book, crime

A grand wee crime, set on the Norfolk marshes and involving Iron-Age burials and missing children. The detecting pair of the copper and the forensic archaeologist are great - a bit of a "Bones" vibe, in a very English fashion. Good crime, maybe a wee bit obvious, but tense and with lots of red herrings. Another good example of the landscape as character. I would definitely read more of this series.

My poor wishlist. *sigh*

I just finished The Crossing Places as well. I loved the setting and how important it is in the book.

Thirty-three teeth by Colin Cotterrill #62
June TIOLI #16 Read a Book set in a continent based on a die roll (2:Asia)
Library book; crime

Another fine Dr Siri. This time the supernatural/magical elements are stronger than the crime. However a fine wee story with a well-realised, if unusual, background.

Echoes of betrayal by Elizabeth Moon #63
June TIOLI #5 Read a book with an automobile in the title (Toyota Echo)
Library book; fantasy

Good fun - but, instead of things becoming clearer, they're getting even more complicated. I enjoyed some of the storylines here, but I do wish Moon would start to tie off a few of these storylines - it's all a bit too complicated now. Too many characters in the midst of too much stuff. For the next book, I'll probably have to re-read the earlier ones.

Small favour by Jim Butcher #64
June TIOLI #13 Read a book with an amusing tag
Own book; urban fantasy

Another great Dresden - this time Harry's manipulated by at least three great powers and ends up charging to the rescue with a small army of side-kicks (Oh, wait, that happens every time, doesn't it?) A thumping good read.

July TIOLI

#1 Read a rainbow coloured book : Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer (orange) ; A study in Sherlock by Laurie R. King (yellow)
#5. Read a book with a title or author name that includes the letter Q: Quiet by Susan Cain (shared read)
#6. Read a book with the word “boy” or “man” (or a synonym) in the title or author's name; Stark's Command by Jack Campbell
#7: Read a book of > 300 pages with a multiple word title; Whispers underground by Ben Aaronovitch
#8. Read a book where the author's initials form a commonly used abbreviation; The blackhouse by Peter May (Shared read)
#10. Read a book by an author whose surname could also be a first name: Full moon rising by Keri Arthur; Magic slays by Ilona Andrews
#14. Read a book whose title begins with a 'B': Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
#16. Read a book by an author who shares a name with you: Silent in the sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn ; A moment of silence by Anna Dean
#17. Read a book with "girl" or "woman" (or a synonym) in the title or the author's name: Girl in a blue dress by Gaynor Arnold (Shared read)
#19 Read a book by an author where you are trying to complete their canon: Side jobs by Jim Butcher; The paper moon by Andrea Camilleri

Read 14
TBR pile 11, Library 3
Shared reads 3
Favourite: Whispers underground/Quiet

Mark of the lion by Suzanne Arruda #65
June TIOLI #1 Read a book with three letters in the third word of the title
Library book; crime, historical

This was OK - a bit like The last Kashmiri rose, I think the author got carried away with the background. By the end, I was a bit tired of the heroine - "the bravest gal you ever met". She got a bit irritating. I'm not sure I'll bother with the rest.

Statistics April to June 2012

Books acquired: 38
Books discarded: 0

Books read: 28
Re-reads: 3

Female authors: 14
Male authors: 17

Own TBR pile: 10
Library books: 17
e-books: 0
Friend's: 1

Genres
Crime 9
Historical 2
Urban fantasy 8
YA 1
Fantasy 6
SF 2
Non-Fiction 2

Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer #66
July TIOLI #1 Read a rainbow coloured book (orange)
Library book, crime

This was really pretty good - I couldn't put it down. A country house murder of the classic locked room variety with a small group of rather unpleasant characters. The criminal seemed pretty obvious, but the crime and the solving of it were more complex. (slight spoiler I loved all the trouble over the library book!)

Side jobs by Jim Butcher #67
July TIOLI #19: Read a book by an author whose canon you are trying to complete
Library book, urban fantasy

Dresden short stories - some very short. A good mixture of the comic and serious - a few from the POV of other characters. Good fun.

I thought Envious Casca was a delightful example of a classic British Country House mystery. Humorous but still adequately puzzling. Glad you enjoyed it!

In Side Jobs, I think my favorite was the cursed baseball team story. Fun!

>134, Jill, I enjoyed Envious Casca much more than Death in the stocks, thanks for the recommendation.

>135 Morphy - I liked quite a few of the stories, but I always enjoy any story with Michael in it. :0)

Silent in the sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn #68
July TIOLI #16 Read a book by an author who shares a name with you
Own book, crime, historical

An OK Victorian mystery with interesting characters. The central relationship is well described, although it is dragging on a bit - shades of Charlotte and Pitt, I guess. I'll certainly read the later books.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore #69
July TIOLI 14. Read a book whose title begins with a 'B'
Library book; fantasy

A fine thoughtful wee fantasy. What happens after the evil King is killed? How does a kingdom and people who have been abused heal? Perhaps a little confusing with many of the characters from the first two books thrown in rather higgledy-piggledy, but a grand wee story of redemption(s), forgiveness and reparation. Good characters, let down by a rather over-loaded plot.

Girl in a blue dress by Gaynor Arnold #70
July TIOLI #17. Read a book with "girl" or "woman" in the title or the author's name
Library book; historical

An interesting read - the story of Dickens' wife through the trials of her marriage and after. Well-written with some interesting insights into Dickens' character. Definitely worth a read.

The blackhouse by Peter May #71
July TIOLI #8. Read a book where the author's initials form a commonly used abbreviation
Library book, crime

Mmmh...dunno. A rather strange murder mystery set on the Isle of Lewis, where the murder is closely (maybe too closely) intertwined with the detective's past. The setting is well realised, but I found the constant chopping and changing between third-person and first-person narrative and the jooking about in time overly confusing. The first of a series, but I don't think I'll bother with the rest.

Too bad, it's a great title and cover!

>141. MrsLee - it's not dreadful, it just lacked something for me. A bit too dark with too many shifts between present/past and third-person/first person. I guess I just like my life simpler. ;0)

Whispers underground by Ben Aaronovitch #72
July TIOLI #7: Read a book of > 300 pages with a multiple word title
Library book, crime

A lovely addition to the series - perhaps not as laugh-out-loud funny as the second book, but with plenty to keep me amused (I particularly liked the bingo-card approach to policing). More about the police force and its workings than magic, but funny and slightly bonkers at the same time.

Full moon rising by Keri Arthur #73
July TIOLI #10. Read a book by an author whose surname could also be a first name
Own book, urban fantasy

This was actually pretty good. Later books in the series have been a bit patchy, but the first one sets things and characters up pretty well. It is a bit confusing with lots of different beasties and different plots going on, but it fairly rips along.

The proud Mr. Peverill by Gillian Kaye #74
Own book (Discarded), historical romance

A sweet romance set against the backgound of England during the Napoleonic wars - light but fun.

Good to see that Whispers Under Ground matches up well with the other two books of the series.

>146 Wolfy - I thought it was great and, even better, there are hints for the next one!



Quiet by Susan Cain #75
July TIOLI #5. Read a book with a title or author name that includes the letter Q
Library book, non-fiction

A lovely book affirming the joys of being an introvert and how difficult that can be in a culture largely based on an extrovert ethos. Some great life-affirming stuff that provides a useful run-down of recent personality research. Very readable.

A study in Sherlock by Laurie R. King #76
July TIOLI #1 Read a rainbow coloured book (yellow)
Library book, crime

A collection of stories with very tenuous links to Sherlock Holmes. Some good stories and a range of really good writers - Gaiman, Child, Cotterill make this an OK read. I've discovered some new authors I'll need to pursue (needed that like a hole in the head, but..)

Stark's command by Jack Campbell #77
July TIOLI #6. Read a book with the word “boy” or “man” in the title or author's name
Library book, sf

Number two in a military sf series written some years ago - before the Lost Fleet series became so popular. The grunts have rebelled and taken over the moon and this book describes what happens next, so more about consolidation and the morning after the revolution than the combat of the first book. Good stuff, good characters, well-written with some reluctant hero overtones. It has an old-fashioned appeal.

A moment of silence by Anna Dean #78
July TIOLI #16. Read a book by an author who shares a name with you
Library, historical, crime

This was gentle fun - a rather Jane Austenish crime, with an unmarried gentlewoman trying to get to the bottom of a murder and a family secret in a country house. It has a wry, amusing tone and seeing what the lady detective does not discover is almost as much fun as watching her solve the crime.

Paper moon by Andrea Camilleri #79
July TIOLI #19 Read a book by an author whose canon you are trying to complete
Library book, crime

Another fun Montalbano - this time a murder of passion, maybe! It's definitely Montalbano's character that keeps these being so interesting. A fasinating twist this time was all the mistakes he made - so glaringly obvious to the reader, that I'm starting to wonder about where the author is going with this. Something to keep an eye on for the next few books.

Magic slays by Ilona Andrews #80
July TIOLI #10. Read a book by an author whose surname could also be a first name
Library book, urban fantasy

No.5 in the Kate Daniels series. A nice addition that seems to be about development - of the plot, the main character and the main relationship. Still dark in places, but there does seem to be a series arc coming about.

August TIOLI

1. Read a book by a new-to-you author chosen from a list of author names generated at “Literature-Map"; Dragon King's palace by Laura Joh Rowland (Louise Penny) (Just never grabbed my attention); The Eyre affair by Jasper Fforde (Laurie R King) (couldn't get into it); Covet by JR Ward (Anne Bishop)
3. Read a book about an alternate Earth; Timeless by Gail Carriger
4: Read a book where the Title either begins with the same letter as the one above or ends with the same letter, alternating; Broken by Kelley Armstrong
9. Read a book that is set in a city that has hosted the Summer Olympics in the 21st century; The unquiet heart by Gordon Ferris
13. Read a book where the first letter of the title words can be rearranged to make a single word ; The wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri (swot)
15. Read a book with the words "life" or "death" in the title: A lonely death by Charles Todd
16. Read a book with a cover that is boring or mostly brown: Heresy by S.J. Parris; The 19th wife by David Ebershoff (shared read)
17. Read a book with an embedded first name in either the title or author's name; Without due process by J.A. Jance ; The proposal by Mary Balogh
18 Read a book with currency in the author/title: Rounding the mark by Andrea Camilleri
19. Read a short work such as a short story or an essay with a title which follows an alphabetical sequence; The facts in the case of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allan Poe (shared read)

Attempted 14, abandoned 2, Read 12
TBR pile 13, for TIOLI 1
Shared reads 2

Favourites; the two Camilleris

Heresy by S.J. Parris #81
Aug TIOLI #16. Read a book with a cover that is boring or mostly brown
Library book, historical, crime

Yet another historical crime set in Elizabethan times, against a background of Oxford dons and the Catholic/Protestant divide. Some interesting history, well-written, the story draws you in and I like the main character. However, it lacks the depth of the Shardlake books. An OK read.

Broken by Kelley Armstrong #82
Aug TIOLI #4
Own book, urban fantasy

This was OK - a search for a time portal spewing out evil Victorian zombies in modern day Toronto. Most of the usual suspects make an appearance. Perhaps a bit obvious and with quite a lot of messing about, but not a bad read. (Gee, ain't it difficult to read while having to watch the Olympics with one eye all the time!) Perhaps this book never really stood a chance!

A lonely death by Charles Todd #83
Aug TIOLI #15. Read a book with the words "life" or "death" in the title
Library book, crime

Another great little crime with Ian Rutledge struggling to solve a series of murders in an English village. It ties off some loose ends in the ongoing story. A grand wee read - it's a shame so much of this series is out of print.

The wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri #84
Aug TIOLI #13. Read a book where the first letter of the title words can be rearranged to make a single word
Library book, crime

Another lovely Montalbano - a quirky crime much confused by the interlinking of the Sicilian underworld. Great fun and a quick read.

Without due process by J.A. Jance #85
August TIOLI #17. Read a book with an embedded first name in either the title or author's name
Library book, crime

Nice old-fashioned police drama with a rather grusesome crime at the centre. I liked the main character - this book is obviously quite far on in a fairly long series, but it stood alone pretty well. Well-written with some good characters and lots of twists and turns.

The proposal by Mary Balogh #86
Aug TIOLI #17. Read a book with an embedded first name in either the title or author's name
Library book, historical romance

A fairly standard Mary Balogh - regency romance between two rather troubled, imperfect main characters. A fun read.

#156 - Oooh, I've read a couple of the Ian Rutledge series myself. I had no clue there were many of them, though.

>160 Clare, I think this one is no.13 and there're a few published after it. Unfortunately, the library has very few of them.

Timeless by Gail Carriger #87
Aug TIOLI #3. Read a book about an alternate Earth
Library book, urban fantasy

The latest part of the Parasol Protectorate finds our heroes in Alexandria trying to solve the problems created by Alexia's father. As fun and bonkers as the earlier books, this one is maybe a tad more predictable.

The facts in the case of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allan Poe #88
Aug TIOLI #19 Read a short work such as a short story with a title which follows an alphabetical sequence
Short story, e-book

My first Edgar Allan Poe and I'm not sure. I found the language rather dense, although I did like the vampiric overtones of the short story. I'm just not sure there was a whole lot of point to it.

The unquiet heart by Gordon Ferris #89
Aug TIOLI #9. Read a book that is set in a city that has hosted the Summer Olympics in the 21st century
Library book, crime

Second in the Danny Macrae series - morose Scots PI in post-Second World War London gets involved (again) with a woman he shouldn't. This time the rather aimless plot meanders from the East End to a shattered Berlin. This isn't as good as the first one - it wanders around too much.

I was a tad disappointed in Timeless too.

>165 Morphy - maybe she carried the same jokes on too long? Or was she just in a rush to finish and get onto something else? It did seem like the last book, didn't it? It wasn't dreadful - just, as you say, a tad disappointing.

Here is what I wrote about it:

I don't know. Maybe I've become jaded now that we are five books in. The bloom is off the rose. My favorite characters in this book were all secondary ones - Biffy, Alkeldama, Lyall. Loose ends felt wrapped up too easily or maybe, too quickly? It all felt too pat. All that being said, Carriger is a good writer and I zipped through this in one sitting.

>167 Exactly!!



Rounding the mark by Andrea Camilleri #90
Aug TIOLI #18 Read a book with currency in the author/title
Library book, crime

This is one of the best Montalbano's yet - the disillusioned Inspector is contemplating resignation when he literally stumbles over a body that leads to a very nasty smuggling ring. Full of all the usual characters and with some great background and (unusually) action sequences, this is a great addition to the series.

Covet by J.R. Ward #91
Aug TIOLI #1. Read a book by a new-to-you author chosen from a list of author names generated at “Literature-Map"
Library book, urban fantasy

This was OK - the start of a series with some interesting ideas around the fight between good and evil (although I'm not sure that part is explained particularly well). Some nice characters, if a bit preachy - that'll happen with so many angels around.

I just finished Crave, the second book in the series and liked it a bit more than Covet.

>170 Morphy - I'll look out for it. Thanks

The 19th wife by David Ebershoff #92
Aug TIOLI #16. Read a book with a cover that is boring or mostly brown
Library book, crime

This was an interesting read - more for the polygamous background than the crime. It's a bit confusing, as the narrator changes a lot and the crime is solved in a rather deus-ex-machina way, but there are some great characters and the multiple narratives feed off each other nicely. Worth a read.

I agree with you about The 19th wife. I'm not one for murder mysteries, but the background and history in this book was fascinating.

>173 Sakerfalcon - I like a good murder mystery and I thought that, in that respect, The 19th wife was a wee bit weak. However, as you say, the background is fascinating and I liked how the multiple narratives built on each other. (I generally struggle with multiple narratives and books that leap back and forward in time - but this time, I was carried along by the story-telling)

I've had The 19th Wife on my list of possibilities for the book group at our local library. It has an interesting narrative, but I agree that the multiple narratives can be irritating and/or confusing to the casual reader. But it sits on the shelf and maybe I'll include the next time I need to fill a hole in the schedule.

Sept TIOLI

#3. Read a book with an alliterative title by a new-to-you-author: Sisters of Sinai by Janet Soskice
#6: Read a series book by an author who has written more books in another series:Rule of evidence by Jack Campbell
#9: Magic 9 - Read a book with 9 words in the title: Aristotle detective by Margaret Doody
#10: Read a book by an author who commonly published using his or her initials: Crave by J.R. Ward
#15. Read a Book With an Article of Clothing in the Title: Turn coat by Jim Butcher
#16. Read a book first published in 2012: War maid's choice by David Weber

Read 6
TBR pile 5, from Library 1

Favourite: War maid's choice/Sisters of Sinai

The track of sand by Andrea Camilleri #93
Library book, crime

I found this a rather confusing Montalbano - the dead horse switcheroo seemed a bit too complicated and the upper-crusty background a bit lame. However, as usual, some great characters and fun banter between the main characters.

Crave by J. R. Ward #94
Sept TIOLI #10: Read a book by an author who is commonly published using his or her initials
Library book; urban fantasy

Second in the series and still OK - but I'm not sure I'm all that committed. Angels vs Demons with Special Ops guys in the middle. It is starting to show some story arc, but it was quite long and I found some of it a bit jarring. I don't really like the torture stuff and, in this series, everyone ends up tortured one way or another.

War maid's choice by David Weber #95
Sept TIOLI: Read a book published in 2012
Library book, fantasy

Lovely - but I do wish that David Weber was a bit less long-winded (and that I could remember more about the book before this one! re-read coming up). All the usual suspects and the usual machinations by the bad guys.

Sisters of Sinai by Janet Soskice #96
Sept TIOLI #3. Read a book with an alliterative title by a new-to-you-author
Library book, non-fiction

A lovely book, detailing the intrepid adventuring and equally intrepid scholarship of two eccentric Victorian ladies. Full of lots of background to the search for the earliest biblical manuscripts, but an enthralling read for all that.

Turn coat by Jim Butcher #97
Sept TIOLI #15. Read a Book With an Article of Clothing in the Title
Library book, urban fiction

Another fine Dresden - this time he comes to the help of another warden accused of murder. The usual high jinks happen and there are some threads developing that look interesting for the next books. However, the bad guy was a bit obvious, I thought.

Rule of evidence by Jack Campbell #98
SEPT TIOLI #6: Read a series book by an author who has written more books in another series
Library book, science fiction

An enjoyable read as Paul Sinclair tries to get to the bottom of a space disaster that his girlfriend is accused of causing. More drama in this one.

Aristotle detective by Margaret Doody #99
Sept TIOLI #9: Magic 9 - Read a book with 9 words in the title or a word in the title or author name
Own book, crime

A rather fun crime set in Ancient Greece with Aristotle in a fairly Sherlockian role. Lots of details about life in Athens at the time, but the storytelling was pretty good, if a bit slow and I thought the murderer and some of the detective work were a wee bitty obvious. It was OK, but I'm not sure I would bother to continue with the series.

Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan #100
Own book, fantasy

Lovely addition to the series - definitely need to have read the others first, 'though. More political machinations and budding romances as the Warprize party returns to Xy. Looks like there's more to come in the series. A good, fun, relatively uncomplicated read.

October TIOLI

#1 Read a book found using the LT random tag generator: The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
#3:OLD or NEW Challenge - Read a book first released for publication over 100 yrs ago or in 2012; The beautiful mystery by Louise Penny (Shared read)
#6: Read a book with a title word that starts with "un"; Kai Lung unrolls his mat by Ernest Bramah
#7: Celebrate J*A*S*P*E*R - a rolling challenge; A lost lady by Willa Cather ; Ex libris by Anne Fadiman ; Predatory game by Christine Feehan ; Spirit gate by Kate Elliott
#11: Read a book with a word in the title or author associated with a cemetery; Delusion in death by J.D. Robb
#13 Read a book about architecture: 50 architects you should know by Isabel Kuhl
#16. Read a book that has two or more 4's in it's ISBN; A wanted man by Lee Child

Read 10
TBR pile 6, Library 4
Shared reads 1

Favourite; The hunger games/The beautiful mystery

Sisters of Sinai looks excellent. I'm going to go look into it further,

Actually, that one -- Sisters of Sinai -- actually arrived in my own home this week. Athabasca's review mid-September reminded me it was something I had had an interest before when I saw it in Borders. Unfortunately, I didn't buy it at the time (which is why I am solely responsible for the failure of the chain...). But now I've got it and as soon as I finish Invader by C.J. Cherryh, I'm reading Sisters of Sinai.

In other words, I'm blaming my failure to stay within the bounds of my book-buying budget in September on Athabasca....

>187 - Well turn-about is fair play! I've lost count of the times you've played the same trick on me. ;0)

I really liked Sisters of Sinai - amusing and educational at the same time. Enjoy!

Kai Lung unrolls his mat by Ernest Bramah #101
Oct TIOLI #6: Read a book with a title word that starts with "un"
Own book, historical

A rather old classic - overall not unlike Barry Hughart, but more dense and stilted (the double and triple negatives make your head spin after a while). Quite witty but a lot of work, I'm not sure I'll bother with any more.

Oh, but Peter Wimsey quotes Kai Lung to Harriet! (I mean, the literary allusion alone makes one swoon. Although I'll grant you that the language can be somewhat daunting, bewildering, and ultimately exhausting...)

And now you've almost made me want to read it, jillmwo, but I won't. I don't have the brain energy at the moment for "witty but a lot of work" type of books.

>Jill - Wimsey is where I first heard of Kai Lung too - many, many years ago. So it was nice to finally track one down. (A lovely completist feeling) :0)

>MrsLee, I did enjoy it, but the language is a bit of a chore! (Barry Hughart is much easier)

The beautiful mystery by Louise Penny #102
Oct TIOLI #3:OLD or NEW Challenge - Read a book first released for publication over 100 yrs ago or in 2012
Library book, crime

Another great Gamache, this time the crime-solving takes place in the rather claustrophic setting of a remote monastery. As usual, there's a lot more going on than just the murder and there's a bit of a surprise ending - doubtless to make you even more impatient for the next book! I love this series!

Statistics July to Sept 2012

Books acquired 19
Books discarded 3

Books Read 35
Re-reads 0

Female authors 18
Male authors 17

Own books 6
Library books 28
E-books 1

Genres

Crime 11
Urban fan 9
Historical 8
Fantasy 3
SF 2
Non-fiction 2

(note to self: books discarded in Oct: 2, in Nov:2)

Ex libris by Anne Fadiman #103
TIOLI Oct #7: Celebrate J*A*S*P*E*R - a rolling challenge
Own book, non-fiction

A really lovely little book about the pleasures of books and reading. It has a nice old-fashioned feel and its essays range from the joys of proof-reading to Gladstone's book collecting mania. A really pleasant wee read.

Predatory game by Christine Feehan #104
TIOLI Oct #7: Celebrate J*A*S*P*E*R - a rolling challenge
Own book (discarded); urban fantasy

Complete tosh...It is in the middle of the series, so you might get more from it if you had a clue what was going on. Runaway super-assassin falls in love with disabled (sort of) super-soldier. Inconsistent characters bolstered by a plot with holes you could drive a tank through. I kept hoping it would make more sense, but, it never really got there.

Spirit gate by Kate Elliott #105
TIOLI Oct #7: Celebrate J*A*S*P*E*R - a rolling challenge
Library book, fantasy

An interesting start to a rather complex fantasy series - lots of different peoples with different customs to try to work out. However, good characters and the jeopardy is well-laid out. It's a wee bitty dark for my tastes, but the storytelling drags you along.

A wanted man by Lee Child #106
Oct TIOLI #16. Read a book that has two or more 4's in it's ISBN
Library book, thriller

Another lovely Reacher - better than the last few, but still with the same basic plot. Reacher discovers a conspiracy that only his particular skills can destroy and sets out to do so in a one-man army kinda style. However, if you enjoyed the earlier ones, you'll enjoy this one.

A lost lady by Willa Cather #107
Oct TIOLI #7: Celebrate J*A*S*P*E*R - a rolling challenge
Own book

An interesting character study from Willa Cather - I wouldn't say there was much more to it than that. A short, fairly light story that seems to be about the interdependance of characters. I certainly enjoyed it, but I'm not too sure why.

The hunger games by Suzanne Collins #108
Oct TIOLI #1 Read a book found using the LT random tag generator
Library book; YA

A rollicking read with fun characters who do seem to experience some growth. Fairly simply written, but with an energetic approach. I'll certainly continue with the trilogy (and look out for the film).

#195 - Loved that. I really should re-read it.
#199 - I have enjoyed several of her books but I never heard of that one!
#200 - Yup.

I agree with you on A Lost Lady. It is exactly a character sketch presented in novella form. Not as compelling as one might like, but because it is from Willa Cather, still worth reading.

>claimary - as Jill has pointed out, A lost lady is a lovely little novella that is well worth reading. I found it in a little secondhand bookstore and eventually got around to reading it.

November TIOLI

#1: Read a book with a culinary fruit in it: Before I go to sleep by S.J. Watson (orange on p9)
#2. Read a book with a tag which includes the word 'time'; The time traveller's wife by Audrey Niffenegger
#3. Read a book set during the Regency Period (1811-1837); The pink parasol by Sheila Walsh; Rebel heiress by Jane Aiken Hodge
#4: Read a book with one of the words "good", "better", or "best" in the title or author's name; The good earth by Pearl S Buck (shared read) (Not in the mood)
#6: Read a book whose title includes a word related to a card game or board game: Tarnished knight by Jack Campbell
#8. Read a second-hand book from a bricks-and-mortar bookstore: Imperium by Robert Harris ; Le fleau de Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
#9. Read a book where the first letter in the title words has a Scrabble value higher than 6; More deaths than one by Rex Stout
#12: Read a book where the author's name contains the name of a U.S. state or state capital: The Cardinal's blades by Pierre Pevel ; Forbidden magic by Cheyenne McCray ; Dark time by Dakota Banks

Attempted 12, Read 11
TBR pile 10, Library book 2
Favourites: Chalion/Cardinal's blades

Delusion in death by J.D. Robb #109
Oct TIOLI #11: Read a book with a word in the title or author associated with a cemetery
Library book, crime

Another grand Eve Dallas. Much like the rest of the series, Eve is on the hunt for a serial killer with links to a historical terrorist group - a bit more focused on police work than previously, a rollicking read that will appeal to her legions of fans.

50 architects you should know by Isabel Khul #110
Oct TIOLI: Read a book about architecture
Library book, non-fiction

A really interesting book about famous architects from Bernini to Foster. I really enjoyed it, even though I found its episodic nature - there are just a few paragraphs about each architect - a bit off-putting and the translation didn't really flow in places. However, if you are interested in architecture, this is a really nice, easy-to-read introduction.

The Cardinal's blades by Pierre Pevel #111
Nov TIOLI #12 Read a book where the author's name has a US state or state capital
Library book, fantasy

A fun alternate history - sort of the Three Musketeers meets a fantasy novel. It takes a wee while to get going and there seem to be a lot of very similar characters, which can be confusing. However, it's a fun swashbuckler with great action and some great characters. It's translated from the French and, I must say, the translation is great. Paris is definitely one of the characters in the book, so it's great fun for anyone who knows Paris. (A better map might have helped for those who don't.)

The pink parasol by Sheila Walsh #112
Nov TIOLI: Read a book with a Regency setting
Own book, historical romance

A charming little Regency romance. Usual plot - boy meets girl, things get complicated.

I read The Cardinal's Blades last year but still haven't picked up the sequel yet. Thanks for the reminder. It could turn out to be a decent series.

>209 Wolfy - I agree it could mature into something quite special - it isn't quite there yet, but I did enjoy it :0) I've ordered the next two from the library.

Forbidden magic by Cheyenne McCray #113
Nov TIOLI #12: Read a book where the author's name contains the name of a U.S. state or state capital
Own book(discarded), urban fantasy

Pleasant tosh... witches and demons...pagans and warlocks....good 'n' evil and a bit too much sex. I don't think there was much else to it.

More deaths than one by Rex Stout #114
Nov TIOLI #9. Read a book where the first letter in the title words has a Scrabble value higher than 6
Own book, crime

Another convoluted case for Nero Wolfe - this time a man is murdered live on prime-time radio. Great character interaction and some complex sleuthing make this an interesting read.

Boy, you threw me with that title! We know it as And Be a Villain. One of the few instances where I prefer the American title and covers to the British one. :)

>213 MrsLee - yeah, that keeps catching me out, too - I don't think either title works particularly well, but I hate when the publishers change titles - too confusing for words!

Before I go to sleep by S. J. Watson #115
Nov TIOLI #1 Read a book with a culinary fruit in it
Library book, thriller

An interesting wee thriller with a surprising premise. However, by the end the "does he know that she knows that he knows that she knows..."stuff got a bit old. Readable, but not all that memorable *snort*

That's all very well and good, Athabasca, but you never identified the fruit that made the story qualify for TIOLI. What was the culinary fruit? Or does that constitute a spoiler?

Or does that constitute a spoiler?

It isn't that kind of book!! :0) There's a mention of orange juice on p9!

Dark time by Dakota Banks #116
Nov TIOLI # 12: Read a book where the author's name contains the name of a U.S. state or state capital
Own book (discarded), urban fantasy

More readable tosh - the plot is a bit too complicated; the heroine lacks empathy and there are too many similar characters and pointless actions. I only finished it because I was on holiday and had little else to read.

Tarnished knight by Jack Campbell #117
Nov TIOLI #6: Read a book whose title includes a word related to a card game or board game
Library book, science fiction

Very readable military SF set in the same universe as the Black Jack Geary books. I did enjoy it but I think the main premise - that dictatorial leaders will change into liberal ones, if circumstances permit - was a bit forced. But then I do prefer clear cut good guys/bad guys rather than shades of grey in my heroes.

Le fleau de Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold #118
Nov TIOLI #8. Read a second-hand book from a bricks-and-mortar bookstore
Own book, fantasy, re-read

This was wonderful - it's one of my favourite reads anyway, but, somehow, it seemed even better in French. Perhaps it's because I have to pay much more attention to each word when reading in French, but this was an indulgent delight. The translation was excellent, retaining all the pleasure of the original.

Imperium by Robert Harris #119
Nov TIOLI #8. Read a second-hand book from a bricks-and-mortar bookstore
Own book, historical

Lovely - Roman Republican history through the eyes of Cicero's secretary. Politics, law, oratory and chicanery against the background of the faltering Republic. They're all here - Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, but the central character is Cicero himself and how he manages to secure political power in spite of all the forces opposing him among Rome's elite. A grand, rip-roaring read, can't wait for the next one.

The time traveller's wife by Audrey Niffenegger #120
Nov TIOLI #2. Read a book with a tag which includes the word 'time'
Own book, romance

This was really excellent. I had enjoyed the film, but the book, as usual, was better. I confess I did find it confusing - you might have to read it several times to follow all the twists and turns, but a very enjoyable read. Now I'll have to go and watch the film again.

I listened to the audio of The Time Traveller's Wife a few years ago and thought it done well. There were two narrators, one for Clare and one for Henry. I haven't watched the movie, but the way their lives circled one another was so bittersweet, especially where the book ended. A very good story.

Rebel heiress by Jane Aiken Hodge #121
Nov TIOLI #3. Read a book set during the Regency Period (1811-1837)
Library book, historical romance

A rather odd Regency romance with a wandering storyline and some truly odd notions. Not the traditional style at all, full of cads and bounders and the central romance was strangely low-key. An OK read, but well...odd.

December TIOLI

#1 Read a book with a round robin tag: The lady and the unicorn various authors (art/medieval)
#2 Read a book whose title or author name contains "end": Thief of lives by Barb Hendee
#6 Read a book that starts with the next letter available in the word "Christmas" - S: Seventy-seven clocks by Christopher Fowler (too convoluted); C A Crimson warning by Tasha Alexander
#11 Read a book in which the main character has an exceptional talent or power, name the power: Changes by Jim Butcher (wizard)
#13. Read a book from one of the Green Dragon compiled lists; To ride hell's chasm by Janny Wurts
#18 Read a book with two same digits within hyphens and within the last 10 digits of the ISBN; The unquiet by J.D Robb et al

Attempted 7, Read 6
TBR 7

Favourite: To ride Hell's Chasm / Changes

The lady and the unicorn #122
Dec TIOLI #1: Read a book with a round robin tag
Own book, non-fiction

An interesting wee book, beautifully illustrated, about the famous tapestries now held in the Musee de Cluny in Paris.

Captain Vorpatril's alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold #123
Library book, science fiction

Great fun - by no means great literature, but a fun romp that manages to involve many of the usual suspects from this excellent series. There is an utter sense of smugness associated with the idea of Ivan as the hero.

I adore Ivan. I'm so glad he finally got his own book.

Changes by Jim Butcher #124
Dec TIOLI #11 Read a book in which the main character has an exceptional talent or power (wizard)
Library book, urban fantasy

Another great Harry Dresden - with a fab beginning and an even better ending. The series is maturing really well. even though the plots seem to a bit repetitive. (But how can you not love a character who goes off to a battle muttering because he got left with being Sam Gamgee and his dog gets Gimli! :0))

Thief of lives by Barb Hendee #125
Dec TIOLI #2:Read a book whose title or author name contains "end"
Own book, fantasy

Vampire hunters in a fantasy setting, good characters and an evolving storyline. Makes you want to find out what happens next. Isn't it odd how many times the dog is the most interesting character?

A crimson warning by Tasha Alexander #126
Dec TIOLI #6 Read a book that starts with the next letter available in the word "Christmas"
Library book, historical, crime

A rather good Victorian crime drama with a husband and wife team investigating nefarious dealings among the London aristocracy. Maybe a bit sweet in places, but I liked the characters and the central crime was interesting, if a bit obvious. I love the British Museum and British Library, but I found the chase for clues through those weighty establishments a bit of a bore. Apart from that a fun read.

You are just sweeping along with your reading. You'll clear 130 by New Years with no problem at all! (And I agree about Tasha Alexander. She does tend to be a bit too sweet at times.)

>232 Jill - I might well make 130, but my reading has slowed down a lot recently - I blame Lego Lord of the Rings!

To ride Hell's Chasm by Janny Wurts #127
Dec TIOLI #13. Read a book from one of the Green Dragon compiled lists
Own book, fantasy

A lovely fantasy that reminded me of all the reasons I love the genre. Good guys, bad guys, a complex magic system and some great story-telling. It races along and I had some trouble putting it down. It's one of those books that, once read, invites you to go back to the beginning and start again. Fab.

LOL @ Lego LotR. My son got that for Xmas and he and his sister, both in their 20's, have been playing it non-stop.

Did you find the chat we had here with Janny about Hell's Chasm? It was great fun. There is a link on the GD main page to the book chats.

MrsLee - thanks for that - I'll go have a look.

I loved Hell's Chasm but had missed the chat, so will go and look it up myself! Thanks, MrsLee!

You both know it's never too late to add comments and observations in the chat thread, right?

Statistics Oct to Dec 2012

Books acquired 20
Books discarded 4

Books Read 26
Re-reads 1

Female authors 18
Male authors 6

Own books 13
Library books 14
E-books

Genres

Crime 4
Urban fan 4
Historical 5
Fantasy 5
SF 2
YA 1
Non-fiction 3

Statistics 2012

Books acquired 105
Books discarded 9

Books Read 128
Re-reads 4
French 1

Female authors 71
Male authors 53

Own books 42
Library books 82
E-books 2
Friends 2

Genres

Crime 32
Urban fan 30
Historical 23
Fantasy 17
SF 8
YA 6
Non-fiction 9

The unquiet by J.D. Robb et al. #128
Dec TIOLI ##18 Read a book with two same digits within hyphens and within the last 10 digits of the ISBN
Library book, short stories

I read this for the J.D. Robb short story - the rest are sort of paranormal romances, I guess, and not very good ones.

The 2013 thread is here. Thanks for all the contributions throughout the year. :0)