D'oh! I've changed my mind already. I decided the tag choices was too limiting. So, I'm going the more traditional route including 'clever' category titles.

1. By the Book (police/police procedural)
2. Foreign Fare (books set outside the U.S.)
3. Daffy for Digits (numbers in the title)
4. Deadly in the Dark (urban fantasy or noir mysteries)
5. Fabulous Firsts (first in a series)
6. Memories of Me (biography/memoir)
7. Prose from the Past (historical fiction)
8. Spooky and Sexy (paranormal and/or paranormal romance)
9. Suspenseful Stories (suspense/thriller)
10. Tomorrow's Thrills (science and speculative fiction)

Message edited by its author, Dec 27, 2009, 10:51am.

By the Book
1. Freezer Burn by D.H. Dublin (started 10/11/09 -- finished 10/13/09)
2. Scattered Graves by Beverly Connor (started 12/26/09 -- finished 12/29/09)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Dec 29, 2009, 8:58pm.

Foreign Fare
1. In the Woods by Tana French -- Ireland (started 10/10/09 - finished 10/11/09)
2. Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason -- Iceland (started 10/23/09 - finished 10/25/09)
3. Quiet as a Nun by Antonia Fraser -- England (started 12/13/09 -- finished 12/16/09)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Dec 16, 2009, 10:43am.

Daffy for Digits
1. One Drop of Blood by Thomas Holland (started 11/27/09 -- finished 12/02/09)
2.
3. Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding (started 01/02/2010)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 9 Dragons by Michael Connelly (started 11/23/09 -- finished 11/25/09)
10.

Message edited by its author, Yesterday, 11:32pm.

Deadly in the Dark
1. Paths Not Taken by Simon R. Green (started 10/14/09 -- finished 10/15/09)
2. Greywalker by Kat Richardson (started and finished 10/16/09)
3. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs (started 10/26/09 -- finished 10/27/09)
4. City of Souls by Vicki Pettersson (started 12/03/09 -- finished 12/04/09)
5. Prey by Rachel Vincent (started 12/05/09 -- finished 12/08/09)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Dec 8, 2009, 11:00pm.

Fabulous Firsts
1. Dog on It by Spencer Quinn (started 12/09/09 -- finished 12/10/09)
2. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (started 12/20/09 -- finished 12/22/09)
3. Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman (started 12/29/09 -- finished 01/01/10)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Yesterday, 11:32pm.

Memories of Me
1. Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford (started 10/20/09 -- finished 10/23/09)
2. Escape by Carolyn Jessop (started 10/27/09 -- finished 10/29/09)
3. In My Hands by Irene Gut Opdyke (started 11/26/09 -- finished 11/27/09)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Nov 27, 2009, 5:56pm.

Prose from the Past
1. Murderers Prefer Blondes by Amanda Matetsky (1950's) (started 11/12/09 -- finished 11/17/09)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Nov 18, 2009, 1:28am.

Spooky and Sexy
1. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (started 10/17/09 -- finished 10/20/09)
2. Demon Ex Machina by Julie Kenner (started 11/01/09 -- finished 11/04/09)
3. A Vision of Murder by Victoria Laurie (started 11/07/09 -- finished 11/10/09)
4. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (started 12/23/09 -- finished 12/26/09)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Dec 26, 2009, 10:45pm.

Suspenseful Stories
1. Just After Sunset by Stephen King (started 10/29/09 -- finished 11/01/09)
2. Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner (started 11/04/09 -- finished 11/07/09)
3. Lying with Strangers by James Grippando (started 11/10/09 -- finished 11/12/09)
4. The Furies by Bill Napier (started 11/20/09 -- finished 11/23/09)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Nov 23, 2009, 10:41pm.

Tomorrow's Thrills
1. Mars Life by Ben Bova (started 11/18/09 -- finished 11/20/09)
2. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb (started 12/16/09 -- finished 12/20/09)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Message edited by its author, Dec 20, 2009, 6:38pm.

Some great categories you have selected. I will be watching how you fill them up. Have a good challenge.

I like your categories - catchy titles, too!

First up: In The Woods by Tana French. I've heard good things about this book - so far it's living up to them. I can't get the touchstone to work in the listing post, keeps sending it to A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Sigh.

Bryson's A Walk in the Woods is an awesome book if you haven't read it!! We actually ended up hiking some of the AT because of that book.
Love your categories btw. Good luck.

Message edited by its author, Oct 10, 2009, 10:17pm.

#15 - actually I have. I've read a few of his books and enjoyed them quite a bit. It's just that it's quite a different read than the Tana French novel.

Finished In the Woods today. Really an amazing book - gives you such a great sense of place and atmosphere. I will definitely read more by French.

Believe it or not, but The Likeness is even better than In the Woods. An excellent beginning to your Challenge.

While on a business trip in Philadelphia, I finished three books. 5 hour flights make it easy!

Freezer Burn by D.H. Dublin
-- enjoyable series set in Philadelphia (coincidence!) about a Crime Scene Unit. Some interesting twists in this one.

Paths Not Taken by Simon R. Green
-- one of his Nightshade series with John Taylor. This one involves time travel and as the characters say, "that makes my head hurt". This volume explained some happenings from earlier in the series, which is always nice. He really has created an incredible world with the Nightside.

Greywalker by Kat Richardson
-- first novel in the series. Urban fantasy, set in Seattle. The main character (a PI) dies for 2 minutes after a brutal attack, and when she is revived is able to see and (somewhat) enter "The Grey" -- a space between our world and another. Some original concepts. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Definitely Dead -- Charlaine Harris
-- One of the Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampire) mysteries. A new love interest for Sookie and not much time spent at home -- lots of interaction with the Vampire Queen in New Orleans. I had stopped reading this series for a while (no real reason) but I'm glad I started back up again. I have about 4 more waiting for me.

Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford
-- Interesting memoir from Jessica Mitford "the great muckraking journalist". Originally written in 1960, it tells of her upbringing in England and ends when her husband of three years goes off to fight in World War II. Gives an insight into both England and the United States of the early 20th Century, especially the years leading up to WWII.

Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason
-- I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I know nothing about Iceland, and this book really captured the flavor of that country for me. Excellent character development - I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Message edited by its author, Oct 25, 2009, 7:09pm.

#22 I love this series and am currently waiting for Arctic Chill from the library.

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
-- From the Mercy Thompson series. She can 'shape-shift' into a coyote, but she's not a were-animal. She was, however, raised by werewolves, and counts them among her closest friends. In this volume, we learn much more about the fae and Mercy comes to a decision about her future. An enjoyable series.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

-- All I really knew about polygamy was what I learned from the HBO series, "Big Love". This is the frightening (and all too real) story of Carolyn Blackmore Jessop, who was born into the radical polygamist cult of the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter-Day Saints. She tells her story from her life as child with two mothers, including her physically abusive (and apparently mentally ill) birth mother through her 17-year marriage to Warren Jessop. From age 18 to 35, she had eight children and suffered incredible emotional abuse at the hands of both her husband (who was 32 years her senior) and his many other wives.

Ultimately, it is a story of hope, as Carolyn does escape this life (at no small cost) and became the first woman to gain full custody of her children after leaving the FLDS.

Message edited by its author, Nov 1, 2009, 4:50pm.

Just After Sunset -- short stories by Stephen King

-- A new collection of stories from the "Master of Horror". A fairly mixed bag in terms of genre: supernatural, suspense, gross-out, subtle horror. Likewise, a somewhat mixed bag of quality, but overall I enjoyed reading it. I haven't been crazy about his newer novels, but these stories are more what I'm used to with King. I think my favorite was "The Things They Left Behind", a story about the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. Very moving. Recommended.

Demon Ex Machina by Julie Kenner

-- The premise of this series is "What if Buffy the Vampire Slayer grew up, moved to the suburbs and became a soccer mom?" Kate Connor has to deal with a toddler, a teenage daughter who wants to be a Demon Hunter like her mom, her husband who has just learned her secret and a couple of the biggest, baddest demons to ever walk the earth. I thoroughly enjoy this series - this book is the 5th installment.

You're off to a flying start. Demon Ex Machina sounds interesting, I will have to check into that series.

Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner

-- 5th book (and last so far) in the Evan Delaney series. This story takes Evan from California to Bangkok and London in an effort to save her father. Lots of action and suspense -- a little more far-fetched than her other books -- but thrilling and a good read. According to the author, there are more stories to be told about Evan - I hope so, since the ending of this one was pretty open-ended.

A Vision of Murder by Victoria Laurie

-- From the "Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye" series. In this installment, Abby has to deal with a haunted house, an injured (and cranky) boyfriend, stolen jewels, ghosts, and a sister who has reached her wits' end with their parents. The author of this series is also a professional psychic, and every time I finish one of her books, I'm tempted to have a reading done. Recommended.

Lying with Strangers by James Grippando

-- A stand-alone thriller. A first-year resident goes through a "series of bizarre and frightening events" -- including cybersex, stalking, lawsuits, infidelity, familial betrayal, and murder. The pace moves along pretty swiftly, and there are some neat twists and turns, however, and I'm not sure why, I just didn't care for the book. It's really nothing I can put my finger on, it's usually the sort of book I enjoy. I didn't really care all that much about the characters though. Maybe it's a book more suited for the beach or on a long airplane ride.

Murderers Prefer Blondes by Amanda Matetsky

-- Set in 1954 New York City, this book is the first in a series about Paige Turner (yes, she knows all the jokes about her name) who is a secretary/proof reader at a detective magazine, but who really wants to be a writer. Given the climate of the time, this is not as easy as it sounds now. While working on her true mystery story, Paige manages to get very involved in trying to solve a murder, despite the handsome police detective telling her not to worry "her pretty little head about it."

The book does give a real sense of that time and place, but it was a little heavy-handed with the pop culture references. People don't really say "and then I picked up my Lucky Strikes cigarettes and walked over to my Sylvania TV." I enjoyed it enough to give the next in the series a try -- maybe that one won't be quite so insistent about establishing the fact that it's 1954.

Message edited by its author, Nov 18, 2009, 8:50am.

Mars Life by Ben Bova

-- 'Hard' science fiction combined with social commentary. The story details the interactions of the ultraconservative religious right, the Navaho nation, and the Mars explorers -- science, politics and religion clash with sometimes explosive results. Some of the short chapters don't really lead anywhere, the portrayal of most of the religious leaders and the politicians is a little heavy-handed, and the ending is a little abrupt, but some interesting concepts are presented. I don't read a lot of science fiction any more, but I enjoyed this one.

Message edited by its author, Nov 20, 2009, 11:46pm.

The Furies by Bill Napier

-- I probably could have put this in the 'historical fiction' category, since about half of the book takes place in 1940's Nazi Germany, but I left it in the 'suspense' category.

A biochemical weapon explodes in Arizona, and there seems to be ties to a top-secret Nazi bioweapon program. There are some convoluted relationships between various intelligence agencies and the story goes from London to Hollywood to Siberia. As I noted, a large chunk of the narrative tells the story of a German soldier/scientist who works on a top-secret weapon program where the goal is to disperse anthrax and sarin over London and Washington DC. I actually found that part of the story more interesting, and was somewhat disappointed every time the narrative switched back to the present. All in all, it was a pretty good story, and I recommend it for people who like conspiracy and thrillers.

Message edited by its author, Dec 13, 2009, 10:32am.

Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

-- 15th in the Harry Bosch series and this one takes us from California to Hong Kong, where Bosch's ex-wife and daughter live. A murder of a liquor store owner leads Bosch to investigate the crime rings known as the triads, as well as his daughter's kidnapping. A fast-paced thriller with a different feel from the other books in the series -- not as much actual detective work and more action. Some interesting themes including duty to family. I don't think I would suggest this being the first Harry Bosch book you read, and I don't think it's totally representative of the rest of the series. But I do recommend it.

>35

I had the same reaction. It was pretty pedestrian until about 1/2-way through, then took off.

In My Hands by Irene Gut Opdyke

-- A very powerful book written by a true hero. Irene was a 16-year old nursing student in Poland in the fall of 1939. When the Nazis invaded, this Catholic girl (who looked German) was brutally attacked and left for dead by Russian soldiers. Her subsequent journey took her into Russia where she worked in a hospital, back into German-occupied territory where she eventually became the housekeeper and mistress of a Nazi Major. Along the way she gave warnings to the Jewish ghettos when pogroms were coming, brought food and supplies to refugees hiding in the woods, single-handedly saved a dozen Jews by hiding them in the Major's house, and fought in the Resistance. This is an amazing book, in part because of the simple prose and almost matter-of-fact retelling of her heroism. Love, not Hate.

In My Hands sounds like quite a book! It's immediately going on my wish list.

One Drop of Blood by Thomas Holland

--Interesting novel that takes you from the jungles of Vietnam in 1966 to a present-day small Arkansas town. The deaths of a Navy corpsman and a "John Doe" corpse are somehow intertwined and it's up to the Director of the US Army Central Identification Lab and an FBI agent to solve the mystery of how and why. You can tell this is the author's first book - there are some missteps along the way but nothing too serious. I did have a bit of a hard time following some of the DNA explanation as to how the different parties got involved, but I think that was just me. Overall, I would recommend the book. You certainly get an insight into the difficulties of identifying the war dead, and into small town Arkansas. After the descriptions of the heat and the chiggers, I don't think I would want to visit there in the summer!

Message edited by its author, Dec 3, 2009, 8:56am.

City of Souls by Vicki Pettersson

-- 4th in the "Signs of the Zodiac" urban fantasy series. I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series, about a woman who realizes that she's actually a 'superhero' - a member of a troop of 12 (agents of the Light) who guard the city against the Shadow agents. It really brought some new twists to the genre. But by the 4th book, I'm starting to get very tired of all the darkness (no pun intended) and the fact that there seems to be a year of unhappiness and angst for every 5 minutes of joy. Betrayals abound and it's just unrelenting. I realize that these types of books are gritty by definition, but there has to be something besides continual misery for me to enjoy and appreciate the characters. So, again, I'm just not sure how I feel about the book. Not a rousing recommendation.

Prey by Rachel Vincent

-- 4th in the Werecats series, and another good story. Faythe's boyfriend has been banned from the territory, she has to help a terrified teen with her Were Shift, and is on her way to the trial of another tabby who faces a death sentence. New responsibilities, betrayal and death are just a part of what happens. Edgy and dark, but not entirely bleak, this book sets the stage for a major confrontation between the different factions in Werecat society. A very good urban fantasy series and highly recommended.

Message edited by its author, Dec 11, 2009, 1:26am.

Dog on It by Spencer Quinn

-- Very enjoyable mystery, the first in the Chet and Bernie series. Bernie Little is an ex-cop turned private eye, but the star of the book is the narrator, his partner Chet. Chet just happens to be a dog. The mystery part is not the best, but the clever narration saves the book. It really sounds like a dog is telling the story - at least what I think a dog would sound like if he could narrate a story. Very creative and I'm looking forward to the sequel. Highly recommended (especially to dog owners/lovers).

Quiet as a Nun by Antonia Fraser

-- This was a re-read, but I probably read it first over 25 years ago, so I really didn’t remember what happened. This is part of the Jemima Shore (investigative TV reporter) series; in this installment she is called back to the convent school where she spent her youth. The Reverend Mother wants her help in solving a mystery involving the strange death of Jemima’s childhood friend, who had become a nun. Originally published in 1977, the book is somewhat dated, but it’s an interesting mystery as well as a look at the politics and society of that time. Jemima’s lover is a married M.P. and while he’s off-screen for most of the book, there is a real undercurrent of such things as Catholicism, the poor and the influence of television.

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb

-- One of the "In Death" series, with Eve Dallas as a police lieutenant of a future New York. The formula is pretty predictable, but the story was interesting with enough twists to keep your attention. If you like the series, this is a fairly good installment.

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

-- One of the best urban fantasies I've read in a long time. Some very original ideas (which isn't easy to do any more in this genre). As one of the blurbs says, this is a perfect blend of the two elements 'urban' and 'fantasy'. I've already pre-ordered the 2nd in the series, which isn't due out until March. Short version of the story: a Changeling (Faerie mother, human father) has to find the murderer of one of the pureblood "secret regents" of San Francisco. (When I say she "has to", I mean it. If she doesn't, she will die.) Highly recommended.

Message edited by its author, Dec 22, 2009, 11:33pm.

45> I loved Rosemary and Rue as well! I was getting tired of the "Ass kicking urban fantasy chick" genre and wasn't even going to read that book but I am so glad I did! It was a fresh premise, some very good writing and I cannot wait for the second one to come out!!

45, 46> I don't read a ton of urban fantasy, but Rosemary and Rue sounds good enough that I've added it to my wishlist.

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

-- Paranormal romance with a fair amount of "romance" (erotic interludes). Interesting concept - there are basically three types of humanity: Psy who have removed all emotions from their lives, Changelings (weres) and humans. None of the groups want much to do with each other. One Psy woman, who thinks she is broken because she is feeling emotions meets an Alpha of a pack of were-cats. In addition to dealing with each other, they try to find out who is killing changeling women. An intriguing mystery as well as some pretty steamy 'romantic' scenes. Overall, a pretty good beginning to a series. Recommended (if you like this genre).

Scattered Graves by Beverly Connor

-- "A Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation". In the last book, Diane was replaced as the head of the crime lab after a new mayor was elected. This installment deals with the aftermath of that in addition to the murders of both the new mayor and the newly-appointed chief of police. Good twists and a nice fast pace to the story. Recommended.

Fun list! I'm going to follow your "Memories of Me" category - I have a memoir category on my challenge list that needs to be filled in, and the three you've read so far look really interesting to me.

Thanks for the review of Rosemary and Rue. Amazon has been pushing it at me so it's been on my horizon for awhile. With these positive words it just bumped up a notch on the TBR.

#50 - Thanks. The next one I'm going to read is by Prince Felix Yusoupoff (the man responsible for the death of Rasputin). Russian history has always fascinated me.

#51 - It really was a good book - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman

-- The first of a new series by the author of the Cal Leandros books. This one takes place in Nevada, and tells the story of a bar owner who is out to revenge the death of her brother. She is looking for an artifact known as the Light, and plans to use it to find out the name of her brother's killer. Lots of action and quite a few twists, some of which are somewhat obvious but others that really are surprising. The writing was a little off - quite a bit of unnecessary repetition of details - but overall a satisfying start to the series. Recommended.