calm counting - 75 and beyond in 2011 - part 2

Well I was getting close to the 250 messages mark so thought it was about time to set up thread 2!

Welcome to any visitors. I appreciate any comments and recommendations. I must admit to being a great lurker on other people's threads but I do try to say something occasionally. Though I tend to just sit in the corner and read:)



I read 180 books in 2010 so I'm setting my target at 200 (as I hate going over the end of the ticker)




I'm also taking part in The 11 in 11 Category Challenge. The thread is here

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105963

Unfortunately I haven't been posting there (just updating posts with books read in each category and managing the ticker!)

My categories are

1 Ideas - Religion and Philosophy

2 The Past - Prehistory, Ancient History and History (non-fiction)

3 I Want to Know More - other non-fiction

4 Myth, Folklore and Legend - both original and retellings

5 Books in Translation - fiction translated into English

6 Around the World - contemporary fiction

7 The Way We Used To Live - historical fiction

8 Maybe - Fantasy and Science Fiction

9 Arthurian and Celtic Tales

10 It's a Mystery - stories with a twist.

11 It's About Time - Classic Fiction

My favourite reads of 2010 were (in no particular order):-

Fiction
The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
Nation by Terry Pratchett

Non-Fiction
The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer
Before the Dawn : Recovering the lost history of our ancestors by Nicholas Wade
Nine Lives: in search of the sacred in modern India by William Dalrymple

Those are the ones I remember as the best of the year for me:- the ones I didn't want to put down and the ones that have stayed in my memory.

Books read on thread 1.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/104801

Post numbers are where there are comments.

1) The Magicians by Lev Grossman (post 33)
2) Homeland and Other Stories by Barbara Kingsolver (post 34)
3) Elf Love edited by Josie Brown (post 54)
4) The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (post 62)
5) Travels in the Scriptorium by Paul Auster (post 81)
6) The Whirlpool by Jane Urquhart (post 82)
7) The Tower and the Emerald by Moyra Caldecott (post 106)
8) The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney (post 107)
9) Spirit : or, the princess of Bois Dormant by Gwyneth Jones
10) The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
11) Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
12) The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia A. McKillip (post 111)
13) The Corner That Held Them by Sylvia Townsend Warner (post 112)
14) The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell (post 127)
15) Weaveworld by Clive Barker
16) The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (post 129)
17) the Normans and Their World by Jack Lindsay (post 130)
18) Crow Lake by Mary Lawson (post 138)
19) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (post 143)
20) The Mouse God by Susan Curran (post 155)
21) The Mind in the Cave by David Lewis-Williams (post 156)
22) The Prodigy Project by Douglas Flanders (post 164)
23) Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquuivel (post 165)
24) Silas Marner by George Eliot (post 166)
25) A Time for Everything by Karl Ove Knausgård (post 167)
26) Old Man's War by John Scalzi (post 168)
27) The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay (post 179)
28) JIgs and Reels by Joanne Harris (post 180)
29) Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow By Peter Hoeg (post 188)
30) The Genius of China by William Watson (post 189)
31) Religious Experience of Mankind by Ninian Smart
32) The Flowers of Adonis by Rosemary Sutcliff
33) Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (post 192)
34) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
35) The Bhagavad Gita by Anonymous
36) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
37) The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi (post 200)
38) The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
39) Citadels of Mystery by L Sprague de Camp (post 202)
40) Ambrosius Aureliana by Leon Mintz
41) The Last Colony by John Scalzi (post 208)
42) Awakening by S J Bolton (post 220)
43) The Lady in Blue by Javier Sierra (post 229)
44) China : the land of the heavenly dragon by Edward L. Shaughnessy (post 239)
45) When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman (post 240)
46) The Game by A. S. Byatt
47) Rose Madder by Stephen King (post 245)

Books read on this thread. When I've written comments I will add the post number.

48) The Alienist by Caleb Carr (post 4)
49) The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen (post 12)
50) Affinity by Sarah Waters (post 13)
51) How the Irish Saved Civilization : the Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill (post 22)
52) The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris (post 24)
53) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (post 25)
54) The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (post 38)
55) Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft (post 39)
56) Bending the Boyne by J. S. Dunn (post 40)
57) Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson (post 43)
58) Sacrifice by S. J. Bolton (post 48)
59) Animal Folk Tales Around the World by Kathleen Arnott (post 59)
60) Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt (post 60)
61) Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch (post 83)
62) Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov (post 85)
63) Irish Fairy Tales by Padraic O'Farrell (post 97)
64) Riddle of the Wren by Charles de Lint (post 138)
65) Blood Harvest by S. J. Bolton (post 139)
66) A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel (post 140)
67) Company of Liars by Karen Maitland (post 141)
68) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (post 158)
69) Mythangelus by Storm Constantine (post 187)
70) The Crippled God by Steven Erikson (post 191)
71) The Dark World by Henry Kuttner (post 204)
72) Theodora : actress, empress, whore by Stella Duffy (post 206)
73) 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (post 211)
74) The Cats of Seroster by Robert Westall (post 225)
75) The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant (post 231)
76) The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson (post 243)
77) The Night Watch by Sarah Waters (post 248)

48) The Alienist by Caleb Carr (17 - 20 April)

A well researched historical mystery set in 1890's New York. Taking real and fictional characters and weaving them together into a hunt for a serial killer. At this time Teddy Roosevelt is Police Commissioner and fighting the endemic corruption within the city. When several young boys are savagely murdered he enlists two old friends, a psychologist and a reporter; two young police officers and a woman who wants to be a police officer and sets them the task of tracking down the killer before he strikes again.

Told from the point of view of the journalist, John Moore, the style is rather detached and fitting for that character. The descriptions of New York and its various inhabitants are strong and the hunt for the killer (using new scientific methods and an experimental style of profiling) is strong.

Interesting characters, a good plot and a real feel for time and place make this a series that I will probably continue reading.

glitter-graphics.com

Your #48 sounds interesting but I'm trying to stay away from savage murders so I think I'll take a pass on this one. Have a great day, calm :)

Found you! I'll lurk around quite a lot, too. Interesting lists of books, calm.

48 books thus far! Congratulations!

Another thread I've fallen behind on in my springtime slump...

Looking forward to seeing what you think about Cahill's book!

Lynda - definitely savage murder so good call on the pass.

Thanks Karen - lurking is so much fun but I really should try to at least say hi now and again:)

Linda - Thanks for stopping by, though it's actually 53:) but I haven't commented on them yet:( Soon though

Hi Kath - cute gif:)

Kara - more cuteness!

Suzanne - a lot of slumps around this year:( The Cahill was an easy read ... thoughts up soonish.

49) The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen (11 - 20 April)

This is a good overview of the history and philosophy; gods, people and places of Hinduism. Baring in mind that this covers over four thousand years of beliefs Johnsen doesn't do a bad job though sometimes her style did occasionally irritate me - but then what do you expect when you pick up an "Idiot's Guide". Johnsen is a convert to Hinduism and her passion for her chosen religion is obvious but this is not a flaw. I like people who are passionate about their subject.

Lots of good information, mostly clearly presented. An easy read with maybe a little bit too much repetition for my taste. Overall it was a worthwhile read.

50) Affinity by Sarah Waters (20 - 23 April)

Not one to say much about, for fear of spoilers. So I'll just say that this was a very atmospheric read, Waters captures the feel of a Victorian prison - grim and oppressive. The plot slowly reveals hints of the two main characters past and builds to a stunning conclusion. A wonderful read and another great story from Waters.

OOOOO Sounds interesting!

yup.... love the waters... and I know what you mean. So hard to review some books, eh?

Hi Carrie, nice to see you here. It is interesting and I think that you would like it.

Too right Kath:)

#13 O.K. yah got me with this one calm. Affinity goes to the wishlist.

I've got you starred! :) Congrats for reading over 50 books so far this year...

Hope you like it Lynda:)

Thanks Angela, nice to see you here.

Now it's time to try to keep up with the books I read (after the complete fail on my first thread - still 12 books owing there, including one I got from the author ... which I am kind of feeling really guilty about!)

Delurking to say Hi! You've read some really interesting books and I will have to add them to my ever growing list of books...so many books that they are getting dusty by neglect!

I have not read a Waters book yet *cringes*

BUT they are on my list to read...so that counts right? :)

51) How the Irish Saved Civilization : the Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill (20 - 23 April)

An interesting look at the part played by Ireland and the Irish after the fall of the Roman empire. Firstly he looks at the causes of the downfall of the Roman empire; the character of the Irish; the rise of Christianity and its introduction (along with literacy) to Ireland by St. Patrick. After that he talks about the rise of monasticism and scriptoria where the new found love of literature led to the copying of many ancient scrolls and codices and then the reintroduction of these texts to Europe.

Without a doubt many Latin and Greek texts would have been lost if this isolated corner of Europe hadn't discovered literacy at this crucial point in history. It is true that European monasteries mainly concentrated on preserving texts that fit with a Christian view point. Cahill does also credit the preservation carried out in the East while the majority of Europe descended into troubled times. Still a lot has been lost and we should be thankful for the remnants that have survived whether through the efforts of Irish monasteries or the refugees from the Islamic invasion of Byzantium.

Enjoyable and informative. Very readable, though not quite academic, history book. Useful appendices include an Irish pronunciation guide; bibliography and chronology. Some black and white plates and colour end pieces (from The Book of Kells).

Thanks for delurking Valerie. Books are patient ... keep them dry and they will wait until the right time:)

Kara - of course it counts! you read enough interesting books of your own adding to other's to read lists. I'm sure we'll all get to the ones that catch our attention at the right time:)

52) The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris (23 - 24 April)

This is the sequel to Harris's Chocolat and has also been published under the title The Girl With No Shadow, thought I'd clear that point up before going any further.

Set four years after the events of Chocolat Vianne has changed her name and is trying to live a magic free life, sinking into mundanity so that she can raise her children without notice. Into this small family's life comes Zozie, a flamboyant, bohemian character much like Vianne a few years earlier. As she befriends Annie, Vianne's young daughter, more sinister events unfold.

Wonderful, magical lyrical prose with a story of family and community; fitting in when you are different and growing up. I actually enjoyed this one more than Chocolat.

53) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (24 - 25 April)

This is a wonderful story of growing up in Afghanistan. From the 1970's until the rise of the Taliban - a turbulent time in Afghani history (from Monarchy, to republic, the Russian invasion and beyond) and the consequences to two young boys who live there.

Amir, the son of a rich man, and his servant/friend Hassan are of different castes and religions but run the streets of Kabul together. Amir is desperate for the respect and attention of his father and his actions towards his friend leave him guilt ridden.

Hosseini is a gifted story teller and this is an amazing story. He brings the history of Afghanistan to life through the eyes of Amir. Powerful, disturbing and unforgettable.

I felt the same way regarding The Kite Runner
Powerful, disturbing and unforgettable YUP!!

I still need to read A Thousand Splendid Suns

I am the opposite! I read A Thousand Splendid Suns and could use the your review for The Kite Runner to describe it exactly! I will have to read The Kite Runner eventually. :)

> 25

The movie of "The Kite Runner" is worthwhile seeing as well. It was adapted very nicely from the book.

Kara and Valerie - I read A Thousand Splendid Suns first, both are excellent in their own ways. I think that they are complimentary - describing male and female points of view of life in Afghanistan. Really disturbing and eye opening.

Thanks for that Madeleine, so often books made into movies are disappointing. I'm not sure if I could watch it though, there are some pretty violent scenes.

I've been seeing good things about Affinity. I need to read her Fingersmith first, which I have, but I'll certainly look for this one if I like it.

Hi Michelle, I hope you like Fingersmith. so far I have found her books well researched and very atmospheric.

Well I finished another book today - The Great Gatsby. I'll put some thoughts up in the next day or so.

I also managed to get into town today. As always that means more books added to the to read shelves:-

From the library

Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt - I've been hearing good things about this.

Sacrifice - by S J Bolton - I really liked her Awakening so I requested her debut, I hope it is just as good.

The Crippled God by Steven Erikson - at last a completed series. I've already got Dust of Dreams out of the library but Erikson says in his introduction that the two are really one book that had to be split into two so I have held off reading it until I had the last one ready to read.

Animal Folk Tales Around the World by Kathleen Arnott - I really need to get on with my mythology/ folk tales category in my 11 in 11 challenge and this collection of short stories took my fancy.

Bought (second hand) :-

The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas - I requested her Our Tragic Universe from ER but failed to snag it so I am interested in reading some of her work

The Tale of Murasaki by Liza Dalby - historical fiction set in 11th Century Japan that looked intriguing (and you can't really go wrong for 75p!)

That's it! Reasonably restrained I think:)

Good to see you were out and about today, calm. I have The Great Gatsby lined up for later this year so I look forward to your comments.

Nice selections but too reasonably restrained. Perhaps it was slim pickings, hmm?

Hi Lynda - good to see you here.

Well with the Royal wedding tomorrow I couldn't get my usual home delivery so I had to carry the cat food and didn't fancy lugging too much weight and the Erikson alone weighs 3lb! So there were other things I fancied but they'll probably still be there next time I visit town. Hopefully:)

What happened here? How long have I been gone??
sigh

The Kite Runner was a good book.. rivaled only by Angela's Ashes
for sadness..

How the Irish Saved Civilization is going on the list, drat it!

Hi calm. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on your recent acquisitions, particularly the Erikson and Mr Chartwell. Although I knew The Crippled God had been published, I hadn't realised it completed the series.

Sounds like The Tale of Murasaki is about the woman who wrote one of Japan's centuries-old classics, The Tale of Genji! Shall have to check that out.

The Cahill book is one of the best in a series he's written about turning points in cultural history. Another is on the Greeks (not very good; read it last year); one on the Jews; one on Jesus and one that I still haven't read about the Middle Ages. I'm very, very interested about what happened to these works when Cahill's story picks up. There's an interesting guy called Poggio Bracciolini who was an early 15th century bookhunter; he spent much of the Council of Constance digging through the basements of nearby monasteries in search of MSS. Then, within 100 years, there is Aldus Manutius in Venice, inventing the paperback book and running a translation bureau for surviving classical works! Great story; if I can ever figure out a narrative framework for it, I'd turn it into a book myself...

Hi Kath - I haven't read Angela's Ashes ... never really appealed to me. The Cahill is a very readable book, hope you find a copy.

Hi Heather - Yes The Crippled God is the last book. Erikson's dedication makes that pretty clear and it has - The Final Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen on the cover! I'm looking forward to Mr Chartwell I first heard about it on the BBC's World Book Night and finally got to the front of the reservation queue at the library. As they are library books I'll be reading them both in May so, as long as I don't hit any kind of funk, thoughts should be up by the end of the month.

Hi Suzanne - Yes The Tale of Murasaki is a fictional account of her life. I've never read The Tale of Genji but the book itself looks interesting.

I've got the other Cahill's on my wishlist but my local library doesn't have them so I'll keep searching the local book shops.

It does sound like that would be an interesting subject for a book if you got around to writing it. Michelle Lovric's The Floating Book does cover some of the early days of the printing press in Venice, including the publication of Catullus's surviving poetry. But there is so much more to be said on the subject:)

54) The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (26 - 28 April)

To be honest I first read this when I was a teenager and hoped that my reaction then was because I was too young to appreciate it, but no, I still don't like it. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't complete it but I found the characters shallow; their life styles a waste of life and the plot unpleasant. I guess this is just a completely alien time and place to me, one I'm not interested in and one I have no interest in revisiting. Just not for me.

55) Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft (23 - 30 April)

This is often called the first major feminist text, in some ways I actually think it is the first "equalist" text. She is answering some of the male thoughts on women in the Eighteenth century. In this book Wollstonecraft argues for the right of girls to be educated alongside boys, taught to the best of their abilities not just "trained" to be wives.

Not an easy read unless you are familiar with the Eighteenth century style of writing. Some words have veered away from the meanings as used and the context is two centuries away from modern time. But get beyond that and what she has to say is as valid now as it was then.

56) Bending the Boyne by J. S. Dunn (28 April - 1 May)

Well researched historical fiction. Approximately four thousand years ago on the coast of Ireland a peaceful tribe faces an invasion of metal using traders who are searching for copper and gold. What Dunn has done is to weave archaeological evidence and Irish mythology to create a human vision of the distant past.

Interesting characters and description of the possible life styles of that time make this very readable. I liked the way he uses names from mythology to create characters. At the back of the book is a glossary of these names that shows both their role in this book and in myth.

Your most recent read sounds wonderful!

Hi Linda, it was a good one. I won it in the March ER batch and am very pleased that I did:)

57) Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson (1 - 9 May)

Highly imaginative, epic fantasy. The ninth, and penultimate, book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen. I think I can quite safely say don't start here. Erikson has created a complex and convoluted world, full of interesting characters. As I was reading the idea of a vast jigsaw was in my mind. There are many pieces and the way they fit together is not always obvious but persevere and you will be rewarded. I'm pleased that I held off reading this until the last book was published as I am eager to get to the end of the tale.

The Boyne book looks tempting.. how are you anyway :) ?

glitter-graphics.com

ditto what kath said :)

Only 45 messages behind *shrug* I hope to keep up better now, calm :)

Hi Kath and Kara, nice to see you here.

That's a very cheery gif Kara.

To answer the question ... so so ... sometimes long term health problems suck:)

No worries Stasia, just nice to see you around when you feel up to it. Take care of yourself.

58) Sacrifice by S. J. Bolton (9 - 10 May)

Set on the isolated Shetland islands a female doctor finds a body on her land and gets involved with the investigation. As an incomer she is having enough trouble settling into her new community at work and her interest in the case leads her to other secrets.

I think one of the things I really liked about this was the feel of being an outsider in a new community; a build up of tension and of not knowing who to trust. I also liked the way that Bolton incorporated aspects of Shetland history and folklore.

I think it was not bad for her debut novel. I do think that, in common with some other debuts, she had a problem with incorporating her research in a non- info dump way. Apart from that there are touches of wonderfully descriptive writing; an interesting, menacing plot and a fully realised central character. Maybe some of the other characters could have done with more development. There are also some slight problems with pacing but overall a good fast read.

I have already read her second novel, which seemed a lot smoother and this is an author who I will continue to read.

#38 I read The Great Gatsby a couple of years ago and like you just didn't get on with it. I can see why it's a classic but I didn't find anything to enjoy about the characters or the plot. A fairly depressing read really, I haven't really felt like trying anything else by Fitzgerald since.

#43 Glad you enjoyed that one. I think I will try the series at some point, but maybe finish some of the series I'm midway through first.

Hi Heather ... too true about Gatsby and I am not going to be reading any more Fitzgerald either:) There are so many more books out there that I think I'll like. To be honest if Gatsby hadn't been part of Santathing I wouldn't have read it!

The Malazan certainly takes some commitment - not easy reading but Erikson has created such a richly detailed world. I fell in love with the first book and am glad that the end is in sight (got it out from the library but I'm taking a slight break before diving back into the world).

I have The Great Gatsby on my shelves because it's one of those books that appear on all those lists of books you MUST read, but I've heard that it is a really heard book to read. Now I'm all curious to pick it up and see for myself.

Last Friday (May 6th) was your birthday! I'm sorry I missed posting a Happy Birthday message to you!

I hope you had a lovely day!

Happy Belated.

Oh Linda thanks for reminding us!!!



calm :)

Happy belated birthday!

I won another of Bolton's books in ER a month or so ago, so it's on my list; glad to hear it won't be a dud! I'm always hoping to discover a good new mystery writer, especially since some are now dropping off my 'must read' list.

Oh no, a belated happy birthday from me too! Now, the important question is, did you get any books?

A belated 'Happy Birthday,' calm! I hope it was a great day for you!

Oh Linda, what would we do without you. I have a birthday spreadsheet but too lazy to look at it. Shame on me.

Calm!!!
glitter-graphics.com

Wishing you a happy and healthy year!

Valerie - no such thing as MUST read (unless you are studying!). It's not a hard read but seems to be one that divides opinion. You might like it more than I do ... not so hard:)

Linda - you do a brilliant job keeping up with the birthdays and I love the cake.

Kara - more cake! thank you:)

Suzanne -Thank you for the birthday wishes. About the Bolton would that be Now You See Me? I'll look forward to your thoughts.

Heather - Not yet:) I'm probably going into town tomorrow and I'll see what I can find.

Thanks Stasia - not bad ... apart from the obligatory family phone/skype calls. Nice and quiet just the way I like it:)

Lynda - that's a wonderful picture ... love it!

59) Animal Folk Tales Around the World by Kathleen Arnott (6 - 10 May)

This does what it says in the title. Thirty nine tales from around the world. Why animals look or behave as they do; tales of magic; tales of trickery. Simply told, nicely illustrated, a good light read.

60) Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt (10 - 11 May)

Who would have thought that a book about this subject could be so positive. Told in alternating chapters, telling the story of a few days in their lives, the two main characters are Winston Churchill, who is nearing retirement from his long years in politics, and librarian Esther Hammerhans who has a new lodger, a very unusual lodger - Mr Chartwell. Unlikely as it seems both of them have something in common - Mr Chartwell.

I think this was very good. Even though I did have a slight problem with the short sentences that made the read feel choppy to begin with. Though, as I read on, I found the characters and story drawing me in.

All in all an impressive debut novel, rich in details and description. I liked the supporting characters and the way the story develops. I will definitely look forward to more books by this author.

I've added Mr. Chartwell to the ever expanding tbr pile.

Hope you like it Linda, it seems to be a popular choice at the moment:)

#60 I'm glad you liked that one, I've seen quite mixed reviews of it but I think our tastes are reasonably similar that you're liking it can be taken as a good sign! I'll add it to my long library list.

Hi Heather, as I said it took me a little while to get into it as it didn't really flow to begin with but I did end up liking it. Not enough for a re-read so I'm pleased I borrowed it from the library.

oh dear.. sorry to miss the birthday.. so I will wish you a happy year ahead instead...

Happy Belated Birthday!!! :)

Mr. Chartwell is now downloaded from the library, so I'm glad to see another positive verdict!

And yes, that's the Bolton novel in question...

Thanks Kath and Valerie.

I hope you like Mr Chartwell Suzanne.

Well as I said to Heather earlier I did some book buying today and also visited the library so the TBR stack has grown again:)

From the library:-

Blood Harvest by S. J. Bolton - the last of her books available there until they get a copy of Now you See Me (which is on order)

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland (I love medieval historical fiction)

From various shops around town

Middlemarch by George Eliot (nearly everyone says this is the one to read)

River Thieves by Michael Crummey (don't know anything about this one but I liked the sound of the blurb - more historical fiction this time Nineteenth Century Newfoundland)

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (I had heard of this and seemed to remember some positive reactions to this one)

In the Shape of a Boar by Lawrence Norfolk (an author I have heard of but never read. This one looks like it is my kind of book)

The Reckoning by Sharon Kay Penman (one of my favourite authors and I'm slowly collecting her books. This is the third part of a trilogy and I haven't got the first two yet but it will sit quite happily on the shelf until I track them down)

That's it, for this visit to town at least:)

Sacrifice by S. J. Bolton sounds very promising. I have added it my wishlist. Thanks for the great review.

you wounded me calm with some book bullets ;)

I'm going to check my library for Blood Harvest, Company of Liars and River Thieves :) they all look really good!

The Red Tent I read and really liked! hope you do too :)

ETA...my library has them!... and I added The Owl Killers :)

ACK! UGH~ dinna like Red Tent.

Talk about mixed reviews. At the time of reading it, I liked The Red Tent. But I can't remember alot of it. I'll be looking forward to your take on it, calm.

Nice book haul.

I enjoyed The Red Tent way back when I read it. Middlemarch is another one of those classics sitting on my shelves that I have every intention of reading sometime in my lifetime. :)

#60: I already have Mr. Chartwell in the BlackHole. I just need my local library to get a copy!

I may have surplus copies of the first two books in the Sharon Kay Penman series. If so, d'you want them? I've added them to my Kindle already, so don't really need to keep hard copies.

I think my fave of those was Falls the Shadow; Simon de Montfort was someone I knew far too little about, and I found the story very intriguing indeed. Her new book, about Richard I (that Lionheart guy...) will be out in the autumn.

I've heard raves about Company of Liars....

chinquapin, thanks for stopping by:) Hope you like Sacrifice.

Kara - I haven't read any of them yet but as you say they all look really good:) I read The Owl Killers last year and really liked it. I hope I like The Red Tent as well:)

Oh dear Kath that is a strong reaction.

Lynda - glad to hear that another person did like it.

Valerie - I think we've all got some classics waiting until we're ready to read them. I did like the only Eliot that I've read so Middlemarch will probably be reasonably soon.

Hhhmm - Let's tally this up

for The Red Tent :- Kara, Lynda (but forgettable!) and Valerie; against Kath.
So opinion seems to be divided on The Red Tent but there are more for than against votes... guess I'll have to read it and find out for myself!

Hi Stasia - hope your library obliges soon and I'm pleased it wasn't me adding to the BlackHole ... this time:)

Suzanne - that's a very generous offer. If you are willing to send to Wales I'll PM you my address. And a new Penman about Richard I - I'm definitely hoping that the library gets that.

Company of Liars does look good and most people seem to have liked it. I know Stasia didn't but I can't remember why:(

My comments on Company of Liars, if anyone is interested: ' I enjoyed the historical detail a lot, but thought the book too long for the content and really did not care about the characters'

I gave it 3.5 stars at the time. In retrospect, I think I would give it fewer stars now.

Thanks for that Stasia, I'm pleased you liked the historical detail and can only hope that I like the characters more than you did.

I hope you enjoy the book more than I did too, calm!

I recall not liking the characters either, but I think far more people enjoy it than don't, so you might be alright!

I read Red a long time ago.. and remember it making me angry. I also think I liked it well enough up until the last part.. I think.... maybe.. ?

Jenny - I don't think I mind not liking all the characters as long as the writing, plot and historical detail hold together. So I'm looking forward to finding out what I think about Company of Liars and I did like her The Owl Killers.

Alright Kath, thanks for that. I'll bear it in mind.

I spotted this on Heather's (souloftherose) thread and it was a great recommendation. It does have an alternative US title - Midnight Riot.



61) Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch (11 - 12 May)

This was a very enjoyable start to an urban fantasy series. The central character is Peter Grant, a probationary constable in London who, following a murder, ends up interviewing a ghost and then apprenticed to a wizard.

There is a great feel to the story and a humorous touch to the writing; lots of interesting characters and a great pace to the build up of the plot. This story is complete in itself but I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series and look forward to more of Aaronovitch's writing.

Ohh, that's sitting waiting for me at the moment. Thanks for another good review, I shall bump it up somewhat!

62) Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov (13 - 14 May)

Very readable and strangely enjoyable this story of struggling writer Viktor and Misha, his King Penguin, is set in Kiev. When Viktor is offered a job writing obelisks (advance obituaries) of notable people he is drawn into an unfamiliar world and faces some strange challenges.

I think Kurkov has managed to create a real feel for an unfamiliar, to me, time and place. From the zoo who offered its animals to anyone who is willing to feed them; the day to day life of Viktor and his Misha; the other characters who come into their lives and a feeling of suspicion as the people Viktor writes about start to die.

There is a follow up book to this which I hope to be able to read, someday, and also the rest of Kurkov's novels.

Hi Jenny - I hope you like it.

#83/85: I already have both of those in the BlackHole, so 2 book bullets dodged! :)

Well dodged Stasia, I hope they emerge from the BlackHole sometime:)

Yeah, me too!

I really liked Death and the Penguin when I read it earlier this year, but didn't realize there was a follow up. I'll have to look for it. Do you know the title?

Hi Deborah - the sequel is Penguin Lost and both books are available in an omnibus edition - The Penguin Novels.

Rivers of London looks really good calm!!! looks like the first in a series of three so far.

must check my library :)

Hi Kara - I enjoyed it:)

Only the second has been published so far ( Moon Over Soho). As far as I know the third has a November publication date. I will be getting to the second sometime later this year (as the local library has a copy).

That's three or four times I've been intrigued by Rivers of London, but my library doesn't have it yet. We'll see if I end up getting my hands on it some other way.

The Penguin books look interesting, too.

stepping in to say hello...

Hi Laura - you're in the US aren't you? If so Rivers of London was published under the title Midnight Riot there. I hope you can track down a copy.

I liked Death and the Penguin, it's good to read some a contemporary Russian book, maybe sometime I'll get into some of those Russian classics sitting on the shelves:)

hello Kath ... thanks for stopping by:)

63) Irish Fairy Tales by Padraic O'Farrell (3 - 14 May)

I must admit to being disappointed with this collection. Ireland has a rich tradition of storytelling about the interaction of humans and the sidhe (fairies) but in this collection O'Farrell has managed to make some of these stories dull and boring. Concentrating mainly on stories from the Eighteenth- Nineteenth centuries there are some stories of interest. Unfortunately I was left unsatisfied by most.

Too bad about the book, calm! It looks like one I would have tried.

I hope your next read is much better!

I had found that the title was different, for some reason I like the title Rivers Of London better than Midnight Riot but even when I search by author the library doesn't have it. However, I got a B&N coupon in the mail this week so maybe I'll just go use it and solve my problem. :-)
Not that I need another book on the stack right now, of course.

I have a few books about Irish Folk Tales.. that is not one of them...
but like Stas said, looks like one I might try..

onward! :)

Missing my own thread again:) no more books finished since I was last here, still reading A Place of Greater Safety; Persian Fire and American Indian Myths and Legends - all chunksters in their own different ways - so it might be awhile before I finish them:) Though I might pick up some light reading for this weekend's Readathon.

Stasia - I'm sure there are good collections out there and I did like one or two of the stories but I just didn't like O'Farrell's style.

Laura - it's not about "needing" ... it's having the book to hand when you want to read it:) Have fun with whatever you get with the coupon.

Kath - any recommendations? Though maybe I just prefer the earlier Celtic tales to the more modern tales of leprechauns and banshees:)

I did it - Midnight Riot is now on my shelf for when I am ready to pick it up and read it. My husband (who has very different tastes in books) read the back and laughed (not exactly a scornful laugh, but not a laugh that said "this looks fun, I'll have to read it). Oh well, I bought it for me, not him. :-)

I hope you like it Laura. I think it's good to live with someone who has different tastes in books ... at least there are no arguments about who reads it first:)

I'm taking part in the Readathon today and have finally managed to finish Persian Fire. I've also read the whole of The Telling. Thoughts on those two tomorrow, or the day after, as it's time to decide what to read next:)

I am sort of pining for a good spooky read..do you know what I mean?
Not harsh and ugly, but spooky and fun..I have to peruse my shelves.

I finished up Midnight Riot/Rivers of London Yesterday evening. It was one of the better urban fantasies I've read recently. I loved his world building, but the wry humor is what really got me.

Hi Kath -I get what you mean but nothing is coming to mind, something atmospheric that takes you away from real life. I hope you find what you're looking for.

Hi Jim - It's a good one isn't it. Definitely humorous - I actually laughed a few times (very rare for me!). I'm holding off on borrowing the sequel from the library until the third book is available:)

I've now got three books to talk about. I picked up Charles de Lint's The Riddle of the Wren for the readathon and finished it this morning. Back later - I need to go out for a walk.

Reminder to self: Must get back to de Lint one of these days!

I really like Wren

64) Persian Fire by Tom Holland (11 - 22 May)

Certain events 2,500 years (or so) ago have entered into cultural history — Marathon; the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and how a small area of squabbling city states held off a vast empire. This is the background to those stories. One good thing about this book is that Holland can write - clearly, concisely and with an ability to make ancient history fresh and relevant today.

Starting with the history of how Persia became such a vast empire and then moving onto Sparta, Athens and their relationships with other Greek city states and then building up to the Persian attempt to conquer Greece Holland uses primary sources to tell a coherent history. Of course most of those sources are from the Greek side of things as Herodotus and others wrote their accounts of their recent history, while on the Persian side we are mainly left with archaeological evidence - monuments, sculpture and bureaucratic records. So in some ways the information available is mainly one-sided but, in spite of this, Holland manges to present, what seems to be, a balanced account.

This is a very good, readable account of the past that is as relevant today as it would have been for the people who lived in those times. The characters of the main players of the time come through. Politics, personalities and battles this has it all.

Additional information - contains maps; colour plates; notes; timeline and a comprehensive bibliography.

65) The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin (22 May)

The eighth book in Le Guin's Hainish series. I haven't read them all but, to be honest, I don't think it is necessary to have done so to enjoy them. In this story Sutty, a young woman educated by the Ekumen, is an observer on the planet Aka. Due to the time differential of when she studied the society and the time she arrives on the planet things have changed and her knowledge no longer seems relevant, as the impact of contact with the Ekumen has led to a suppression of the old ways. Sutty is allowed to travel away from the main city into the hinterlands to talk with the natives. Here her experiences lead to an understanding of the cultural changes.

Le Guin always seems to write well. This is a look at culture clash; changing societies with the impact of new ideas and technology; the ability to go beyond your past and look to the future. The main character's experiences on Earth are mirrored in what is happening on Aka. If you like thought provoking; sociological; anthropological SF this is a good read.

#109: I read and enjoyed Holland's Rubicon several years ago, so I will be interested in seeing that you thought of that one, calm.

Thoughts on their way Stasia:)

Good!

I don't remember reading that le Guin..... must remedy that...

Done, Stasia!

Hi Kath - It's one of the Hainish series. Thoughts on that coming shortly.

Well, rats. I went to add Persian Fire to the BlackHole and found it already there. I checked my local library again and it still does not have a copy of the book.

Sorry to hear that Stasia. I hope you manage to find a copy somehow.

I will check PBS and if they do not have an available copy, I will put it on my wishlist.

Sounds like a very good idea:)

Hi Calm!!!

Too bad about that Irish Fairy Tales...I like fairy tales...

The Telling and Persian Fire :)....neither are my cuppa but that's OK I liked reading your reviews on them!

I have not read any de Lint yet but I do have one of his books on my wishlist...Someplace to be Flying

Yes I like Fairy Tales too:) But there are lots of other collections out there. I'll be looking for something else!

It would be a boring world if we all liked the same things and I'm pleased that you like reading my thoughts:)

Oooh! You're in for a treat. I love de Lint's work. I think you can probably read Someplace to be Flying as a standalone. It is part of the Newford stories where he builds on recurring characters but most of them have a different central character with appearances from his usual cast. It is a rich and wonderful world.

Good to know calm :) about the de lint books!

If you find a good fairy tale collection let me/us know :)

Hi Kara, if I find one I like I'll let you know.

Well I've been neglecting my reviews - I still own the one for de Lint's Riddle of the Wren and since that I have also finished Blood Harvest by S. J. Bolton. Both of which are very good in their own ways. As I managed to get out today I don't really feel up to doing it now, hopefully I'll be up to it tomorrow. But going out does mean a few more books added to the shelves

The Outlander by Gil Adamson
Tiger Burning Bright by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
The Vampyre (Lord of the Dead: The Secret History of Byron) by Tom Holland
A Very Long Engagement by Sebastien Japrisot
Britain BC by Francis Pryor
Shapechanger's Song by Jennifer Roberson
and Wolfking by Bridget Wood

oops:)

I don't think I'll ever be signing up for a book buying ban:)

Hi calm. I'm afraid I got really behind with your thread for a while. So glad you enjoyed Rivers of London :-) I have Moon Over Soho waiting for me at the library. I think I would like to own this series but I'm going to try and hold off until they're available in paperback.

And I'm glad you enjoyed Tom Holland's Persian Fire because Cushla persuaded me to pick up Rubicon by the same author on our London trip.

I was going to try and join you with A Place of Greater Safety this month but I seem to be ignoring all my reading plans at the moment.

Is The Vampyre a fiction book by the same Tom Holland? Sounds intriguing... I saw the film of A Very Long Engagement years ago, didn't realise it was based on a book.

Hi Heather - don't apologise. I so rarely post on other people's threads - though I am a great lurker:) Though if I read a book because of what someone else said I'll give credit where it's due, I probably should post to say thanks on their thread as well. I'll try to remember to do that in future.

I'm waiting on Moon Over Soho until the next book is published, I've got so many started but unfinished series that I'm in no hurry to keep up ... but it was a great book, so I'm very pleased to have noticed it on your thread.

I haven't read Rubicon myself, I don't think I'm going to either as it's not my favourite period of history:) I'm sure it will be very good though.

Don't worry about A Place of Greater Safety - that is a chunkster ... I'm still reading it .. only three chapters to go, but I'm going to have to delete some of the other books I have on the TIOLI wiki. I'm just not going to get to them this month.

Yes the same Tom Holland - I'm looking forward too it as I did like his writing style and it will be interesting to see where his imagination takes him.

I saw the film as well. I think the book was mentioned on Stasia's thread last year and I said much the same. So when I spotted it in a charity shop today I picked it up.

I will be interested in seeing what you think of A Very Long Engagement, calm. Congrats on the rest of the haul too!

Given the state of my TBR shelves that might be a while Stasia:)

Yes I'm a sucker for books ... they might not be on the shelf next time I manage to get to town!

It's a very windy day here and the broadband keeps dropping in and out so I think I'll wait for it to be a bit steadier before attempting comments on my recent reads. Another one added to the list as I managed to finish A Place of Greater Safety this morning.

I have not read A Place of Greater Safety yet although I believe I have it somewhere in the BlackHole already. I will be interested in seeing what you thought of it, calm.

I know exactly what you mean about the state of your TBR shelves:)

Hi calm, just catching up with friends see what's been going on.

Quick post!

Hi Stasia - it's a very dense book, interesting but I could tell that mantel has a background in Journalism and I found it a bit patchy. Worth reading though.

Hi Lynda - still having broadband problems so no thoughts on the books. They are monitoring so hopefully a fix soon.

I hope the broadband problems are fixed soon for you, calm.

Thanks for the input on the Mantel book :)

I haven't forgotten about the book thoughts and I'm sorry not to be around but the broadband is still playing up. It is so annoying not being able to get my LT fix:)

When it's not dropping out every few minutes, I'll try to get something written down.

I am sorry you are having these difficulties. I hope they are resolved soon as I miss lurking on your thread.

Thanks for that Karen - I miss lurking too:)

GRRR! Just about to reply to you Karen and it dropped out again!

Waiting for a blue light on the hub and then I'll quickly press "Post message"

terrible! I have had issues with my provider.. but mostly telephone, and sometimes internet..
lately.. it has been better. I do feel your pain though.. ugh! Hope it resolves soon.

I envy you discovering the Japrisot novel & look forward to your comments!

Meanwhile, MUST add the Holland book about Persia to my tottering tower of tomes. I've dipped into another of his, about the end of the first millennium, and he does have a very easy, fluid style.

Thanks Kath - it hasn't helped that it has been a bank holiday weekend, too many calls to the internet provider and still not sorted.

Suzanne - I've seen the film and enjoyed it, so it will be good to read the novel. Not sure when I'll get to it but sometime soonish.

Holland does write well and you've just added to my wishlist I'll have to look for the one you mentioned, as that's another period in history that I like.

Quick listing of book titles while I've got access, hopefully thoughts for the library books that are due back tomorrow.



64) Riddle of the Wren by Charles de Lint (22 - 23 May)

This early work by de Lint is a traditional style fantasy. Minda Sealy is having nightmares and when she actually brings something out of one of those dreams she realises the danger she is in and ends up travelling through worlds.

In this book you can see the seeds of where de Lint's imagination will take him. Elements from traditional mythology with his own personal twist. Themes of abuse and friendship, quests and the "family of the heart". Not his strongest work but still a very enjoyable read.

65) Blood Harvest by S. J. Harvest (23 - 25 May)

I really like what this author does in her books. Unlike her earlier work this one is written from several view points - a young boy; the new vicar; a psychologist and an unknown watcher. Opening with an accident in the graveyard, which reveals bodies that shouldn't be there, we slowly build up to this point. Along the way discovering who the victims might be and who the next target will be. There were enough suspects and weirdness within the quiet and insular town to keep my attention.

A haunting atmospheric read. I think that the different character view points worked well. Unfortunately a couple of plot points did seem to come out of the blue and the ending isn't the strongest but I still enjoyed this book. I'm still looking forward to reading her next work

My gosh a month since I finished this - about time I put down s0me thoughts!



66) A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel (14 - 27 May)

First of all this is huge! Nearly 900 pages about the French Revolution and the Great Terror. It follows three of the main players of those times - Georges-Jacques Danton, Maximilien Robespierre and Camille Desmoulins; along with friends, enemies, acquaintances, wives, lovers and families.

Firmly based on contemporary sources Mantel definitely researched this well but occasionally the story seems very dry and too detailed. In comparison some chapters are so wonderfully good that I wonder why it couldn't all have had such a freshness and connection to the characters.

Sometimes I could see Mantel's journalistic background coming to the fore, in my opinion a detriment to the story she is telling. So, to be honest, I can only recommend this to fans of really dense historical fiction and those with an interest in the French Revolution and some of the characters involved.

67) Company of Liars by Karen Maitland (27 - 30 May)

As plague strikes a disparate group of people travel across England in the Fourteenth Century. All have secrets and as they try to find a safe place the real danger is from within the group. The clues are there for the reader to see what the characters are hiding from each other but still there is a feeling of suspense and a hope that they will survive.

Rich historical detail; intriguing characters and a compelling story add up to a winning formula. I really enjoyed reading this.

I should try the Karen Maitland novel -- I heard raves about it from my HF fan friends when it came out a year or two ago.

Suzanne - I've enjoyed both of the Maitland's that I have read as far as I can tell her historical research is good and she creates interesting, though not always likeable, characters. I've already requested The Gallows Curse from the library, just have to wait for it to be transferred to my local branch.

With all the internet problems I forgot that yesterday was my second thingaversary. I'm just heading into town so there will probably be some additions to the TBR shelves today.

So far everything seems to be steady - so hopefully they have fixed the problem!

Back later.

Happy thingaversary! Glad to be able to read about what you are reading, what you are enjoying, and how life is going in your little corner of the wide world.

Happy Thingaversary! I went to add Company of Liars to my wishlist and discovered it was already there - must get round to checking it out of the library.

I always like the books you read...

Hi Karen, well it's a lovely sunny day here but town was awful (it's the middle of a half-term holiday) so full of tourists and children. I'm the kind of person who just wants to zip in and get what I need before returning to my quiet corner:)

Heather, thanks and I hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on a copy

and Kath, that's very kind of you

So my second Thingaversary (2+1) books turned out to be

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. There is so much love for this one among the 75ers so I'm happy to have found a copy.

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. I still haven't read any of her work but this makes 2 of hers on my TBR and that is one of June's TIOLI challenges!

and The Cure for Death by Lightning by Gail Anderson-Dargatz. I've never heard of this before but it looks interesting

I also visited the library and picked up

So Many Ways to Begin by Jon McGregor - Jude just read this and, from what she said, I think I'll like it as well.

and If You Fall I Will Catch You by Eifion Jenkins - a SF novel that I liked the sound of, hope it turns out well - there are only 2 copies catalogued on LT and one person has given it 4 stars and a review; the other only gave it 2 ... I guess I better make up my own mind!

I also finished Mansfield Park today, so it's about time for me to go find the group read thread. I think I appreciated this one a lot more than S&S and P&P - at least partly because I read Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women which has actually put the women and their lives in the context of the times. More thoughts up sometime in the next day or two (depending on the broadband!).

#147 I really hope you like 84 Charing Cross Road. It was one of my favourite books last year and I have started buying copies to give to my friends; it's such a lovely book.

Hi calm, good to see you able to get your post through cyberspace.
Happy Thingaversary to you! Your book selections look great. I can vouch for 84, Charing Cross Road. Hope you enjoy it as much as I. I read The Birth of Venus a few years back, so I look forward to your comments.
Your "quiet corner" sounds delightful after a trip to town. Hope your snug as a bug and enjoying your new selections.

#147: I love 84, Charing Cross Road. I hope you enjoy it!

Heather, Lynda and Stasia - I knew there was a lot of love for it and 84, Charing Cross Road is such a short book and fits this month's TIOLI so I'll be reading it sometime soon. I'm really looking forward to it.

More news on the broadband problem -

Good(ish) news - it doesn't seem to be dropping out as frequently and I've finally got an appointment with an engineer

Bad news - the first available appointment is not until next Thursday!

Oh Well - I'll try to keep up as much as possible (and remember to copy my posts before pressing submit - just in case they get lost in cyberspace!)

Darn - just about to hit post message and the thing dropped out again!!!!

I think the dropping out thing would drive me batty! I hope the engineer can get the thing fixed for you, calm!

I hate internet problems. Hope they can sort it out on Thursday.

I'm the kind of person who just wants to zip in and get what I need before returning to my quiet corner:)

me too!

Catching up with you...

Happy belated Thingaversary!

Blood Harvest and Company of Liars are already on my list :)

I hope they can fix the internet issues on Thurs....my fingers are crossed for you!

have a great weekend calm!

Yes Stasia - or at least battier than normal:) The weird thing is that since I got an appointment it has only dropped out a few times. Typical!

Heather - I agree:)

Kath - it's nice to be among people who don't think it's strange to want to be by yourself. Home, cats and books ... what more do you need:) oh yes ... internet and LT!

Kara - nice to know that the books are already on your list. I hope they can sort out the internet as well. I hope you have a great weekend too.

#156: The weird thing is that since I got an appointment it has only dropped out a few times. Typical!

Yes, it is typical!

68) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (30 May - 2 June)

Mansfield Park seems to have a bigger picture than Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, possibly because the story is not just told from one point of view. I enjoyed the story and the characters and I think this might be my favourite Austen (so far). This is the story of the poor relation, Fanny Price, brought into the house of her wealthy Aunt and Uncle Bertram. Always reminded by her Aunt Norris to be grateful and not consider herself the equal of her cousins.

Possibly the reason I liked this more than the others I have read is that I have now read Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women. This has put into context the sort of education (or lack of it) that Austen's female characters would have had; the expectations of marrying well and a certain lack of empathy for others. This is amply shown in the actions of Fanny's cousins, Maria and Julia; Mary Crawford, Mrs Norris and Lady Bertram.

So this has lead me to a greater appreciation of Austen's satire. I've always liked the way she writes but now I have a greater empathy for the lives of her characters; the times they lived in and the expectations of the society.

I am glad to see you thought so highly of Mansfield Park, calm. I admit that it is one of Austen's that I have not read yet.

I'm sure you'll get around to it one day:) The Austenathon was a great idea and, though I don't think I've posted on any of the threads, it has been good to see what other people think.

I am glad that Ilana was able to take over the reins of the Austenathon for me. Nice to know you are enjoying the discussions even if you are not posting.

I am not peeking into many threads, other than my usual ones.
I am trying to spend a little less time online, and a bit more
outdoors and reading...so, I have not even looked at the Austen threads..
Also, I m just reading very light books these days.. not feeling like any challenging
or informative books just now. I am fine with it and enjoying my reads..

I was just quickly scanning your thread to see what I had missed in the last month or so but I had to comment when I saw you had read Death and the Penguin. You are the first person I've ever come across who has also read it. I stumbled across it while browsing the stacks of the library in college and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I had no idea there was a follow up so maybe some day I'll stumble upon that one too. :)

Stasia - Ilana is doing a great job with the Austenathon.

Kath - more outdoors and reading sounds like a good idea. Light books are good too:)

Rachel - I'm definitely going to be reading more Kurkov ... when I can find it:) I love his sense of quirkiness.

Happy thingaversary! Mine isn't until autumn -- but it will be my fifth, so a solid rationale for buying lotsa stuff I don't really need...

Hi Suzanne, thanks. Five Years! You must have been one of the first members and since when are books lotsa stuff I don't really need...?

Well I'm still having internet problems and there was a snafu about the appointment so the engineer isn't coming until next week!

I'm only reading threads while I've got connection and am not really posting while things are so unstable.

In the meantime I have finished a book of short stories -Mythangelus by Storm Constantine. I haven't quite got my thoughts straight on that yet - hopefully in the next day or two. I'm also about two thirds through the 900 page tome The Crippled God - I really should stop reading these doorstops! I'm ready for some lighter reading;)

Calm -- that happens when your TBR stack numbers in the hundreds, and you have 52 books out from the library, some of which you have had for MONTHS. *grin*

Yes!!!!!!!! I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who has chosen Mansfield Park as my favorite Austen, and yet I have not read this Vindication of the rights of women. So I think I'll avoid it just in case in tarnishes my view of this novel.

Internet Issues Begone!

Well Suzanne - my TBR shelves are in the hundreds as well but the library only lets me have a maximum of 8 books at as time - with up to three renewals ... still doesn't stop me adding to the shelves:)

Lynda - I haven't read all the Austen's yet - only Emma and Persuasion of her novels to go though but, so far, I think Mansfield Park is the strongest of her books.

I think Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women helped me understand the society of the time which added to my appreciation of Austen's work. She also had an interesting life and I think knowing more about the late 18th/early 19th century puts things into context.

I would love for the Internet Issues to Begone:)

Calm, here I can borrow 99 items at a time -- which made my eyes pop in astonishment at first, and now I can quite see how one could get to that level -- and stuff can be renewed up to 99 times (3 week borrowing periods x 99) as long as no one has a hold on it.

I definitely want to read Wollstonecraft.

I would never be able to take so many library books !
Good grief! lol. When I nook them, I take no more than three,
and then I return them the minute I read them .

If I had a stack of real life library books staring me down, I
would be a wreck :P

Happy Thingaversary Calm! Hope you were able to celebrate today with lots of reading! :

What Valerie said, calm!

Thanks Valerie, to be honest I'm not reading very much these days ... not sure why ... but watching the home hub for a blue light is rather distracting.

Thanks Stasia.

Well I went out again today as a couple of holds came in at the library Karen Maitland's The Gallows Curse and (on Suzanne's recommendation) Theodora Actress, Empress, Whore by Stella Duffy

While I was in town I checked out a couple of charity shops and came away with Songlines by Bruce Chatwin (I'm sure someone mentioned this recently but can't remember who) and Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson. Oh well, only minor damage to the TBR shelves

I hope the book funk won't last long. Even if it does, thats okay was well with summer on the way, it's not such a bad idea to spend some time just enjoying the outdoors. :)

What Valerie said!

ETA: Having been through my own book funk recently, I know how difficult they can be. I hope yours goes away very soon.

Funks pass.. enjoy doing other things :)

Funks come and go,calm, but books are patient and wait for you when you're ready.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.

Valerie ... Outside!! eeks, I don't do outside that well ... I might have to talk to somebody:) But it is grass court tennis season so I'm watching Queens and eagerly awaiting Wimbledon. Also playing lots of Freecell and Hearts while waiting for internet connection.

Stasia, Kath and Lynda - it's not so much of a funk but not being able to concentrate ... unless I'm shut in my bedroom away from all distractions ... so I am getting an hour or two of reading in every day but I seem to be reading lots of chunksters this year so progress is slow:)

I'm nearly at the end of the 900+pages of The Crippled God - well only another hundred or so pages to go - then I'll start picking up some shorter books. Lots of choice on the TBR; I've signed up for too many on the TIOLI and am taking part in Suzanne's Readathon later today and tomorrow. So no more distractions! Time to get reading:)

And that (msg 178) is one of the reasons we love them so! They even hang out in boxes, in the garage, for almost a year and do not complain.

Not being distracted? That is a concept I need to explore. I do find having a dedicated reading chair, in a room away from the TV, and the radio, and the unwashed dishes in the sink, does help somewhat.

Only a year Karen? But they don't complain and as long as you keep them dry no harm in waiting:)

Cross posting! What fun!

Well, yes, it hasn't been too long. But there are some waiting on my shelves that have been there a good deal longer than that. But they are patient, and don't seem to mind waiting in line.

Too true:)

Hope your internet connection gets sorted soon calm. Horrible rainy weather here :-(

Heather I agree on the horrible rainy weather - yuck!

Internet connection still bad:( As soon as the internet is stable I'm going to have to take a few hours days to catch up on LT!

I'm taking part in Suzanne's readathon. Unfortunately all this reading is just adding to the backlog of book comments. In addition to anything already mentioned I now owe for The Crippled God (finished last night); The Dark World (finished this morning); I've nearly finished Theodora : Actress, Empress, Whore (will probably finish within the next hour) and next on the to read list is 84, Charing Cross Road (which is so short that it won't take long to read). So I'll probably have time to start something else before the end of the Readathon.

Oh well I think I'll browse a few threads while I can and then get back to reading, not much else to do on such a wet and miserable day.

Calm do you like to play tennis as well or just watching it?

I wish I was better at it because it seems like the kind of sport that you would get so much exercise out of, but my aim is as good as my French, which is abysmal at best... :) Although running after errant tennis balls would constitute as a great workout as well...

Valerie - I haven't played since school (a very long time ago!). I was terrible - could never get the hang of serving:) So I just like watching, unfortunately the TV coverage (apart from Wimbledon or if a Brit is doing well) is not very good here, so I take any I can ... and the Murray/Tsonga Queens final is just starting. See you later:)

69) Mythangelus by Storm Constantine (14 May - 8 June)

A collection of short stories loosely based on the theme of angels; some based in her established Wraeththu, Grigori and Magravandias settings; some more folktale-like; some urban fantasy. There is a dark edge to some of the stories and if you are uncomfortable with issues of sexuality this collection is not for you.

Even though some of the themes make uncomfortable reading I liked Constantine's style of writing; her rich imagination and this collection gives a taste of her longer works. I first read some of Strom Constantine's work many years ago, when I read some of her Wraeththu novels, and for some reason never returned to her writing. After reading this collection I will definitely be looking for the Grigori Books and I'm pleased to already have the Magravandias Chronicles sitting on a shelf waiting to be read.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Theodora, as the person who nudged you into getting it... *grin*

I remember a friend of mine did a research project in high school on angels and I was absolutely fascinated by it. Thats for the reviews! Are the Grigori Books and the Magravandias Chronicles books written by the same author on the subject of angels?

70) The Crippled God by Steven Erikson (2 - 11 June)

Are all the questions answered? No. Is the ending unambiguous? No. But is life so simple and is it possible to draw a line and say this is the end? No. But what Erikson has done is simply brilliant. A fittingly epic conclusion to an epic fantasy series.

I am in awe of Erikson's achievement in The Malazan Book of the Fallen, his work stands at the pinnacle of modern fantasy writing. Completing 10 books of such rich complexity; with a cast of thousands that you can actually connect to and feel for; a world that feels so real - words fail me. I could say that Erikson's background in anthropology and archaeology helps in his creation of a multitude of people; species; races and societies. The world, though complex and needing many POV characters, fits together.

No more to be said. If you aren't caught by the first book in this series it isn't for you and if you weren't nothing I can say will bring you to this book. A long journey, but in my opinion, worthwhile.

Suzanne - loved Theodora, thoughts up soon.

Valerie - same author, but her angels are in no way traditional. She has such a rich and strange (possibly warped) imagination. The Grigori books are set in a sort of contemporary setting and inspired by the idea of fallen angels and Nephilim. The Magravandias Chronicle is a sort of alternate Victorian Age (though the short stories in this collection are more Medieval in feel, set centuries earlier) and the Wraeththu have a futuristic/dystopian feel (from what I remember).

I'll just quote a bit of the back cover blurb
Angels dark and light have inspired Storm Constantine throughout her writing life. In Mythangelus, all of her stories with an angelic theme, or inspired by angel mythos, are collected for the first time ... these stories are amongst the most sumptuous and vivid from the imagination of the Shadow Princess of Fantasy

The cover of Mythangelus by Storm Constantine totally sucked me in!
Then I read the post and saw that it is short stories.
Have you read Angelology? I can't remember. I loved it. NOT a short story, and
I expect a sequel .

Short stories rarely work for me..

No Kath, I haven't read Angelology but it looks intriguing and (hopefully) I'll be able to get it from the library. Thanks for the recommendation.

I love short stories for a bit at a time reading ... waiting rooms, bus rides and dipping during the day when I haven't got the time for concentrated reading.

#191 I (hopefully) will be getting a copy of Gardens of the Moon from bookmooch so soon I will be dipping my toe in the Malazan waters.... Glad you enjoyed The Crippled God. What did you think of the Malazan books by Ian Esslemont?

Heather - I've only read one by Esslemont - Night of Knives - and it isn't as good as Erikson's writing so I didn't bother with any of his others. I would say for Malazan completists only.

There is just something about Erikson's writing that makes his world so real. I hope you manage to get a copy.

I really really really want to start the series by Erikson but again I always hesitate when authors write SUPER long series and they aren't even finished yet...

#192 -- phew, can now exhale...

Valerie - The Malazan series is finished:) Ian Esslemont has also written some books set in that world and there are also the Bauchelain and Korbal Broach books by Steven Erikson - same world but I haven't read them yet. But the 10 books of The Malazan Book of the Fallen are a complete story arc.

Suzanne - yes the only thing I'm wondering now is whether there will be a sequel. There is more to Theodora's story.

I'm waiting for the engineer this morning so I'm not sure when I'll get thoughts for the other recently completed book down. Hopefully soon.

Ah well the engineer has been, fixed the line fault ... but I also have a faulty homehub and will be having a new one delivered within the next few days. So internet connection is still unreliable but the end is in sight.

I'll still try to get some book thoughts up today. Back later:)

Woot to the end being in sight!

Agreed, Stasia. This has been a major pain!

Hoping that things stay steady. I'm going to try and get some of these books listed:)

Glad that is getting sorted out..

71) The Dark World by Henry Kuttner (10 - 12 June)

First published in 1946 this short science fiction novel is still surprisingly fresh. Even though the theme is now a common trope - parallel worlds and a man from our Earth transported to the different planet. One of the things I like about this book is Kuttner's use of mythology - Nordic and Celtic and some of the folklorish monsters. A good quick read.

Thanks Kath.

72) Theodora : actress, empress, whore by Stella Duffy (12 June)

This is quality historical fiction covering the early life of Theodora - the woman who would become wife to the Emperor Justinian. Sixth century Constantinople is a world of factions; political and religious differences. Born into a life that means her future is going to be as an entertainer the path that Theodora takes is an interesting read.

As Duffy says herself I'm a novelist, not a historian, and the book makes no claims to be the one true story — just a story. Of course the minute details of Theodora's life are lost in the mists of time, and the propaganda that her near contemporaries wrote, but the story Duffy has written makes those bygone days seem real.

Well researched, very readable. Recommended to anyone looking for a picture of a time that is not often represented in historical fiction.

#200
glitter-graphics.com

Sweet, Lynda:)

and calm..............you got me with Theodora: actress.... that is a picture of time I would like to know more about so I'll let Theodora take me there. Wishlisted.

That was a Suzanne BB Lynda - credit where it's due and her review is great:)

73) 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (12 June)

This is the omnibus edition that also includes The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, which I haven't read yet, but I want to get my thoughts down on the original collection of letters before moving onto the follow up.

Quirky and charming is my first impression. Hanff's relationship with the staff of booksellers Marks and Co is related in a series of letters. Unfortunately not all the letters are published and sometimes the jumps in time are slightly jarring. What makes this book is Hanff's love of books and her idiosyncratic style of writing. To be honest I prefer the characters of the other letter writers and the picture of post war Britain that is evoked. I will move on to the next part of her story but not immediately.

She reminds me so much of my mother. Crusty and cranky, yet she'll feed you delicious food like nobody's business. She'll bitch then mother you. I think that's why I loved it.

I loved 84 as well. I agree, it's a shame that not all the letters survived.

Time for a re-read soon, I think.

Theodora sounds like something I would really like, so onto my list it goes!

Thanks for letting me know that the series is now complete! I will definitely have to look those books up next time I'm at the bookstore. :)

Adding the Kuttner book to the BlackHole. Theodora is already there thanks to Suz and I have read84, Charing Cross Road multiple times. Only 1 BB got me! Whew! lol

Hope you like Theodora Valerie and completed series are a good thing:)

Stasia - Hope you like the Kuttner (if it ever manages to emerge from the BlackHole!). Glad that you managed to dodge most of the BBs:)

Unfortunately for me, the local library does not have the Kuttner book. He may be in the BlackHole for a long time!

ah well at least there is enough in there to keep you busy for a long time:)

Good news - the new homehub has arrived; is installed and (hopefully) I now have stable internet connection. They say allow 10 days to get the best speed but as long as it doesn't drop out I think I can put up with that:)

I am all for stable internet connections! I had to have the tech out yesterday to take a look at our modem which kept dropping service. It looks as though it is fixed too.

That's great news Stasia.

Yeah, I cannot live without my internet any more, lol. I go through withdrawal!

Me too:)

I am trying to read your thread with my eyes closed, so I don't add anything..
* trips over text box*

Good to see you Kath. You don't have to read the pretty blue words:)

74) The Cats of Seroster by Robert Westall (12 - 14 June)

A YA historical with touches of fantasy. In early 16th Century France a Duke is murdered and a fight for good and evil centres around the cats of the town and the reluctant hero Cam.

Some nice historical detail I liked the connection with the sacred cats of Ancient Egypt and the witch trials of medieval Europe. I would say that I don't think this is suitable for young children, because of some graphic details. Apart from that I think this is a reasonably good story, nothing particularly deep but an entertaining read.

#225: I would probably like that one. Thanks for the review, calm!

I've just enjoyed catching up with your thread, calm. Here's to a future filled with plenty of high speed internet, and NO book funks! :)

Hi Stasia - hope you like it:)

Angela - Pleased you enjoyed catching up on this thread. I'm still reading; also doing YouTube as the engineer suggested trying some heavy internet use to bump the speed - very frustrating as it isn't quite good enough to play a whole song straight through. I do have book 75 to write about but I'm not quite ready to do that and I'm taking part in another Readathon! So have also nearly finished book 76. Hopefully in the next day or two.

Off to read some threads:)

Woo Hoo, on the brink of your 75th review this year! Hurrah for calm!

Hi Lynda, thanks for stopping by. I really should get on with those book thoughts ... Wimbledon isn't only eating into my reading time but my LT time as well:)

75) The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant (14 - 17 June)

Late 15th Century Florence and the puritan-like monk Savonarala gains some control of the city. Against the background of these times 14 year old Alessandra Cecchi's life unfolds. This is the Renaissance and the powerful Medici family has encouraged art and artists. Alessandra is fascinated and longs to be an artist herself. An arranged marriage to an older man seems to give her the freedom but secrets, and Savonarala, conspire against her dreams.

An interesting period of history. Alessandra and her family are, on the whole, believable characters. It is slightly irritating that the painter hired to decorate the family chapel is unnamed and some of the plot points seem rather unbelievable. Minor quibbles apart I found this a rich evocation of a turbulent era and an enjoyable read.

I very much enjoyed BoV when I read it a couple of years ago. Glad to see you not only found it but enjoyed it too

Hi Calm! BoV was the first book of Dunant's that I read earlier this year and I quite enjoyed it although some of the content was quite explicit. I am curious to see if her other book is similar to this one.

Lynda and Valerie, Pleased to see that you both liked BoV:)

It was my first Dunant and I'm pleased that I already have Sacred Hearts on the TBR shelves ... but as always so many books so little time ... ah well it will wait:)

I have just added The Birth of Venus to my TBR list. Thanks for the great review!

Hi calm. Going back a bit but glad you enjoyed Theodora so much. I had it on the wishlist after Suzanne's review but it's always good to hear someone else also recommends something.

#218 And hooray for your internet connection! Hopefully it will speed up soon?

Hi Calm. I've added Theodora to the huge tbr list. The Cats of Seroster is also now on the tbr pile. I very much like the writings of Robert Westall.

Ah, The Birth of Venus. Yet another book that's been sitting in my TBR since the extinction of the dinosaurs and still remains unread. Must get round to it soon.

Hi calm!!

passing through and catching up....well, at least I'm trying :)

Mythangelus looks like a book I would like :) so I'm going to see if my library has that one.

The Birth of Venus and Sacred Hearts I already have on my wishlist :) glad you liked BOV!

congrats to you on almost 75! one away :)

chinquapin - hope you like it:)

Heather - yes Suzanne recommended a good one there.

Internet speed is 10x faster now! From averaging around 300 kbps to 3797 kbps last time I checked. Woohoo!!

Linda - Another one for Theodora - that's great. The Cats of Seroster was my first Westall, checking out his other books he seemed to write a lot about WWII (not my favourite period of history). Any other recommendations?

Caty - it will wait:)

hi Kara - hope your library has Mythangelus; pleased not to add to the wishlist on the Dunants:)

Huh... one to go? ... looks again ... no ... BoV was 75! I made the target:)

Congrats on reaching 75 and beyond! I think Kara was looking at your ticker which says your still at 74. :)

oops ... I always forget to update that!

Thanks Valerie:) I'll do it now.

76) The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson (17 - 19 June)

I really enjoyed this slice of life. Born to a dour Presbyterian minister Gideon doesn't believe in God but somehow his life path takes him into the church but after his alleged meeting with the devil his life takes yet another twist. Supposedly a manuscript is found, bookended by the publisher's decision to put it in to print and some interviews by the investigative journalist of people who knew the author. Is the Testament true, is Gideon Mack as the narrator reliable? A modern day Church of Scotland minister claiming to have met the Devil is certainly unusual.

I think part of what makes this book is the affection I had for Gideon through his life. Robertson has managed to create a sympathetic character and brought to life the various communities he lives in - whether his childhood home, his university years or the village where he eventually becomes the minister. Good supporting characters, a thought provoking plot and just a very good read.

Calm

I highly recommend Blitz Cat and The Kingdom By the Sea

not able to catch up on everyone.. so I am trying and scanning and saying

And in your case, I am going to not look at any blue text, on account of you read too many books I like!

:)

I am reading with my eyes closed... again...

Ah well - at least you're back.

Thanks for visiting my thread, Kath:)

Always a pleasure... often a costly one! :)

77) The Night Watch by Sarah Waters (19 - 22 June)

Starting shortly after WWII, in 1947, we meet several characters as they live their lives. Obviously there are secrets and connections between them and these are slowly revealed as we jump back first to 1944 and then to 1941 and their wartime experiences. This is not my favourite Waters. I did like the characters and the story, to some extent, but the structure left too many loose ends for my satisfaction. So in the end I was left feeling vaguely unsatisfied.

Well this thread is nearly at the 250 mark so I'm moving over here

http://www.librarything.com/topic/119682

Hope to see you there:)