Delta Queen's Reading - Part 4

First Thread

Second Thread

Third Thread

2011 Reading List

January

1. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - 4 stars
2. The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
3. Forty Words For Sorrow by Giles Blunt - 4 stars
4. The Black Rood by Stephen Lawhead - 3 1/2 stars
5. A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson - 4 1/2 stars
6. The Lies of Locke LaMora by Scott Lynch - 5 stars
7. Rise To Victory by R. Cameron Cooke - 3 1/2 stars
8. Pretty Birds by Scott Simon - 5 stars
9. The Indian Agent by Dan O'Brien - 3 1/2 stars
10. All The Colors of Darkness by Peter Robinson - 3 stars
11. City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende - 4 stars
12. The Guards by Ken Bruen - 5 stars
13. Fresh From The Country by Miss Read - 4 stars
14. Cat And Mouse by James Patterson - 2 1/2 stars
15. Springtime In Burracombe by Lilian Harry - 4 stars

February

16. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 4 stars
17. Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey - 4 stars
18. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender - 2 stars
19. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin - 4 stars
20. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - 5 stars
21. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - 5 stars
22. Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker - 4 stars
23. A Share In Death by Deborah Crombie - 3 1/2 stars
24. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - 4 1/2 stars
25. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng - 3 stars
26. The Outlander by Gil Adamson - 2 1/2 stars
27. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - 4 stars
28. Country of the Blind by Christopher Brookmyre - 4 1/2 stars
29. Assegai by Wilbur Smith - 3 stars

March

30. Elizabeth I by Margaret George - 4 stars
31. The Hotel On the Corner of Bitter And Sweet by Jamie Ford - 3 1/2 stars
32. I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish - 4 stars
33. Beside A Burning Sea by John Shors - 5 stars
34. Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay - 3 1/2 stars
35. Shadow of the Lynx by Victoria Holt - 3 stars
36. Bad Bridesmaid by Siri Agrell - 3 stars
37. Death Minus Zero by John Baker - 4 stars
38. The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas - 5 stars
39. A Story Like The Wind by Laurens van der Post - 3 stars
40. The Other Side of Paradise by Margaret Mayhew - 3 1/2 stars
41. The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash - 3 stars
42. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer - 5 stars
43. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham - 3 1/2 stars

April

44. What To Do When Someone Dies by Nicci French - 3 1/2 stars
45. Dances With Wolves by Michael Blake - 5 stars
46. The Splendor of Silence by Indu Sundaresan - 3 stars
47. The Postmistress by Sarah Blake - 3 stars
48. The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin - 3 1/2 stars
49. Black Swan Green by David Mitchell - 4 stars
50. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs - 3 1/2 stars
51. The Way of the Traitor by Laura Joh Rowland - 3 1/2 stars
52. The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer - 5 stars
53. Sarah by Orson Scott Card - 3 1/2 stars
54. The Enemy by Charlie Higson - 4 1/2 stars
55. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - 4 stars
56. The Various Flavours of Coffee by Anthony Capella - 3 stars
57. Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger - 4 stars
58. Mudbound by Hillary Jordon - 5 stars
59. Driftnet by Lin Anderson - 3 stars
60. The White Rhino Hotel by Bartle Bull - 4 1/2 stars

May

61. I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells - 3 1/2 stars
62. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo - 4 1/2 stars
63. The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis - 3 stars
64. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers - 31/2 stars
65. The Walking Dead Vol. 1 Days Gone By by Robert Kirkman - 3 1/2 stars
66. The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig - 3 stars
67. When The Dead Cry Out by Hilary Bonner - 3 1/2 stars
68. Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt - 4 1/2 stars
69. The Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart - 4 stars
70. The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin - 3 1/2 stars
71. The Walking Dead Vol 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars
72. The Walking Dead Vol 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars
73. Murder In Mayberry: Greed, Death and Mayhem in a Small Town by Mary Kinney Branson - 2 1/2 stars
74. Blind Eye by Stuart MacBride - 4 stars
75. Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead - 4 stars
76. Blink by Andrea Badenoch - 4 stars
77. The Saffron Gate by Linda Holeman - 3 1/2 stars
78. The Walking Dead Vol. 4 The Heart's Desire by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars
79. The Walking Dead Vol 5 The Best Defense by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars
80. The Walking Dead Vol 6 This Sorrowful Life by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars

June

81. The Religious Body by Catherine Aird - 3 1/2 stars
82. 20 Years Later by E.J. Newman - 3 1/2 stars
83. Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster's Daughter by Shoko Tendo - 3 stars
84. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith - 5 stars
85. Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl - 4 stars
86. The Conquest by Elizabeth Chadwick - 4 stars
87. Etta by Gerald Kolpan - 3 1/2 stars
88. Above Suspicion by Lynda La Plante - 4 stars
89. Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach - 2 1/2 stars
90. Jeremy and Amy: The Extraordinary Story of One Man and his Orang-utan by Jeremy Keeling - 3 1/2 stars
91. Sweet Tooth Vol 1: Out of the Woods by Jeff Lemire - 4 stars
92. The Serialist by David Gordon - 4 1/2 stars
93. The Walking Dead Vol 7 The Calm Before by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars
94. The Walking Dead Vol 8 Made To Suffer by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars
95. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer - 4 stars
96. Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip - 3 1/2 stars
97. House to House by David Bellavia - 4 stars
98. Dead City by Joe McKinney - 3 stars
99. The White Brigand by Edison Marshall - 2 1/2 stars

July

100. Wasted Years by John Harvey - 4 stars
101. The Walking Dead Vol 9: Here We Remain - 4 stars
102. The Walking Dead Vol 10: What We Become - 4 stars
103. The Complete Essex County by Jeff Lemire - 5 stars
104. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson - 3 1/2 stars
105. Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck - 5 stars
106. Down River by John Hart - 4 stars
107. Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock - 3 1/2 stars
108. World of Pies by Karen Stolz - 4 1/2 stars
109. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson - 4 stars
110. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson - 4 stars
111. The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan - 3 stars
112. The Dead of Summer by Camilla Way - 4 1/2 stars
113. As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway - 2 1/2 stars
114. At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
115. The Blue Noon by Robert Ryan - 4 stars
116. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear - 4 stars
117. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George - 3 1/2 stars
118. The Vanishing American by Zane Grey - 3 1/2 stars
119. Queenpin by Megan Abbott - 4 stars

August

120. Pearl of China by Anchee Min - 3 1/2 stars
121. The Goodnight Trail by Ralph Compton - 3 1/2 stars
122. The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell - 5 stars
123. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie - 4 1/2 stars
124. What Janie Found by Caroline B. Cooney - 4 stars
125. Dog Company Six by Edwin Howard Simmons - 4 stars
126. A Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich - 4 1/2 stars
127. Just Kids by Patti Smith - 3 1/2 stars
128. Rommel's Gold by Maggie Davis - 2 1/2 stars
129. Snowdrops by A.D. Millar - 2 1/2 stars
130. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - 4 stars
131. Stardust by Neil Gaiman - 4 stars

I have been seeing this meme being posted here and there and I picked it off of Donna's thread.

Favorite childhood book? Anne of Green Gables and Little Women stand out in my memory.

What are you reading right now? House to House by David Bellavia and Dead City by Joe McKinney

Bad book habit? Probably like everyone else here on LT filling my house up with books.

Do you have an e-reader? Yes - a Kindle

Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once? I usually read two books at a time, switching back and forth.

Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? I don’t blog, but reading habits have expanded since getting into the habit of reviewing my books here on LT.

Least favorite book you read this year (so far)? I really didn’t care for “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake” by Aimee Bender

Favorite book you’ve read this year? I’ve had a few: Mudbound by Hilary Jordan, Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer, Dances With Wolves by Michael Blake to list a few.

How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Since joining LT and signing up for various challenges, I’m often being stretched out of my comfort zone.

What is your reading comfort zone? Mysteries and Historical Fiction

Can you read on the bus? No, I get motion sickness

Favorite place to read? Curled up in the lazy-boy chair

What is your policy on book lending? My books are constantly being passed around mostly among family members.

Do you ever dog-ear books? Never.

Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Again - never.

What is your favorite language to read in? Has to be English

What makes you love a book? It has to evoke an emotion - be it tears or laughter, thrills or chills - a book that involves me and makes me feel something.

What will inspire you to recommend a book? I can only tell people how a book affected me and let them make the decision of whether it would suit them or not.

Favorite genre? Mysteries

Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)? Short Stories and Poetry

Favorite biography? The Story of Helen Keller, The Diary of Anne Frank

Have you ever read a self-help book? I’m sure I have but I don't think it helped.

Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish

Favorite reading snack? Usually something salty like potato chips, or a crisp, juicy apple

How often do you agree with critics about a book? I don’t often read what the critics have to say before I read a book, sometimes I read them after to see if we agree - and often we do.

How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? I feel terrible. I always think that there’s a book for everyone so even if I didn’t like it, someone might.

If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? French

Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? Probably Anna Karenina, although I read it when I was in my fearless twenties!

Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? Anything by Shakespeare

Favorite Poet? I don’t really have a favorite

Favorite fictional character? I will always love Scarlett O’Hara

Favorite fictional villain? I remember loving to hate Ernst Blofeld (James Bond books)

Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? Nowadays, whatever is on my Kindle.

The longest I’ve gone without reading. I don’t think I have gone longer than 12 hours in many, many years.

Name a book that you could/would not finish. I couldn’t continue on with Peony In Love by Lisa See, that book infuriated me.

What distracts you easily when you’re reading? Not very much, my husband says the house could burn down around me and I wouldn’t notice.

Favorite film adaptation of a novel? Gone With The Wind, The Godfather, Rebecca

Most disappointing film adaptation? Last of the Mohicans

The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? Probably about $130.00.

How often do you skim a book before reading it? When I am considering buying a book, I skim through the pages, often reading a paragraph here and there.

Do you like to keep your books organized? I try to shelf them alphabetically, but it’s a constant job to keep filling in the new ones.

Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? As I mostly buy paperbacks, I move them along - to family members, 2nd hand stores or charity shops.

Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? I have Robinson Crusoe and Ivanhoe sitting on my shelves, I suspect they are feeling ignored.

Name a book that made you angry. This year - The Outlander by Gil Adamson

A book you didn’t expect to like but did? I loved Slammerkin which surprised me as I hadn’t liked Life Mask by the same author.

A book that you expected to like but didn’t? I had high expectations for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and I ended up being slightly disappointed.

Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading? Anything by Miss Read, some chick-lit by authors like Marian Keyes. And, of course, Georgette Heyer.

Judy- Got you starred! Looks like you are having a terrific year of book reading! Keep it up!

Ditto what Mark said!

Happy Sunday to you Judy

Hi, Judy! Moving right along, I see! :)

97. House to House by David Bellavia - 4 stars



I found the Iraqi war memoir House to House by David Bellavia to be very intense and vivid. His well written descriptions of combat in Fallujah tells of the lethal fighting that took place as the infantry battled from house to house for control of the city. These men had to deal with so much, from intense heat, unsanitary conditions to booby trapped buildings, all the while fighting fanatic militants who appeared to have no fear of death.

Most of the action in this book is centered on the events of November 2004. As they breach an opening into the city and then start the slow process of clearing each street, alley, house and stairway. I was so impressed with the positive, professional attitude of these soldiers, they had come to do a job and they buckled down to it accepting these terrifying conditions as part of the job. Of course, there was plenty of course language, some actual humorous moments, but underneath it all these soldiers were fierce in their brotherhood, they protected, watched out for and cared for each other.

The author’s defining moment of combat was a terrifying one. Alone in a dark house against an unknown number of drugged up fanatics, he has to use every bit of his training and experience to survive. A life changing experience of danger that’s unforgettable to read about.

David Bellavia has managed to convey to me a striking picture of combat, his account enabled me to experience a small amount of what these men go through. I have always had enormous respect for veterans, and this book totally justifies that respect.

Great answers to the meme, you learn so much about people through their reading.

Starred of course! :)
I tried to alphabetize my books as well but quickly abandoned that idea when I realized that everytime I bought a book, I would have to shift one shelf if I'm lucky, or an entire bookcase if I wasn't. Too much work, not enough satisfaction.

98. Dead City by Joe McKinney - 3 stars



The first in a trilogy Dead City tells of a zombie-like infection that arises from the flood waters around Huston, Texas. In a matter of days this infection has spread throughout Texas and along the gulf coast. In this first book, the action is set in San Antonio as in a matter of hours the city undergoes a massive infection and the risen zombies outnumber the living. The main character, Eddy Hudson is a policeman and is on his regular patrol duty, his day and night quickly shifts to horror as he fights to survive and reach his family, not knowing their fate.

Most of the action takes place over the course of one night, and the action is non-stop. I class this type of thriller as a “popcorn thriller”, one that you just buckle in and go for the ride. A quick read, but a very gory and violent one, so not a book for the delicate or faint-hearted. As zombie stories go, I would class this one as about average, it hasn’t got the staying power of World War Z that lingers in mind long after reading it, neither do the characters appeal as much as the ones in The Walking Dead series.

I will be continuing on with the series simply because they are already on my shelves. If I didn’t already own them I probably wouldn’t be in any hurry to continue on. Overall, a basic action thriller, long on action but short on story and character development.

Tomorrow is my 3rd Thingaversary and I know exactly which four books I want to get in order to celebrate:

Shadow Valley by Steven Barnes
Faithful Place by Tana French
Bad Boy by Peter Robinson
War For the Oaks by Emma Bull

Unfortunately I have to wait until the mail strike here is over.

Bit of a shame about Dead City, but you've got some nice books lined up to get. Stasia sent me Emma Bull's Territory a bit ago - it was really good. It's about the gunfight at the OK Corral from a bit of a fantasy perspective. Now I'm reading a history of the gunfight and keep comparing it to events in Territory... :)

Happy Thingaversary! Too bad you will have to wait to indulge. Maybe they'll give you a real present and end the postal strike.

Happy almost-Thingaversary, Judy. That mail strike is such a killjoy. Oh well, you'll have a longer time anticipating your new books.

I liked reading through your answers on the book questions. I don't know how I missed reading the Anne of Green Gables books. The first one is downloaded on the iPad for when I need a comfort read. I'm assuming I'll be comfortable with it!

Happy Thingaversary, Judy!

I'm trying to catch up, and added Above Suspicion from your last thread to my Ever-Expanding list -- and the county library has it!!! :)

Happy Thingaversary -- enjoy your books after the strike!

Hi Judy! I thought I'd go ahead and visit your thread to read your full review. I do believe it is something my sister would like, so I might have to get them for her. :)

Oh, and happy Thingaversary! :)

#16 - Jim, I will have to have a closer look at Territory as it combines two of my favorite genres - Western and Fantasy. I can see this one in my future. Thanks for the rec!

#17 - Lori - I heard the happy sound of mail coming through my mail slot this morning - I believe they were legislated back to work which probably makes for an unhappy postperson. I would rather go without my mail a little longer and have all the concerns ironed out to everyone's satisfaction.

#18 - Donna, I hope you fall in love with Anne Shirley like I did. I actually downloaded the complete works of L.M. Montgomery and the complete works of Louisa May Alcott the other day, now I have my favorite books to enjoy any time I want. Those two collections and the complete Edward Lang Fairy Tales cost me about $3.00 total.

#19 - Terri - Hope you enjoy Above Suspicion, glad your library has it. I hate it when a book I really want to read (but not own) isn't available at the library.

$20 - Dejah, thanks for the good wishes. Looks like I will be able to order those books soon.

#21 - Stephen, I hope your sister likes the Joe McKinney series.

My day was made when I came to my thread and found I had lots of visitors. Thanks for coming everyone.

99. The White Brigand by Edison Marshall - 2 1/2 stars



When June Harte was very young, she and her father stumbled upon a magnificent deposit of jade along the border of China and Tibet. Her father spent his life trying to raise the money for an expedition to return and cull the treasure. Now June is a young woman of twenty-two and along with an old friend of her mothers‘, geologist Dr. Harper, has returned to China. The White Brigand by Edison Marshall is an old-school adventure story, June is quickly abducted and becomes the prisoner in a magnificent oriental palace. Gathered here are an strange and international group of people, all intent upon the jade.

Edison Marshall wrote many adventure stories of daring men and women, surmounting all obstacles to win out over cruel and sinister villains. The White Brigand is no exception, an exciting but dated story full of color, romance and intrigue. I had trouble getting past the fact that in his books women are admired more for the size of their bust than for their brains. The whole time I was reading this book I couldn’t help but picture Tyrone Power as the mysterious Lee and Virginia Mayo as his feminine counterpart. I think my days of truly enjoying an Edison Marshall read are in the past

Happy Thingaversary, I will wait for your review of War for the Oaks eagerly as this one has been on my radar for a while now and I don't think I've read a bad review yet.

Happy Thingaversary Judy! Hooray! Start looking for Sweet Tooth Vol 2. It really kicks this series up a notch.

Happy Thingaversary! I was looking forward to my own so much - instead of buying books I had planned to make a donation to LT - but then it came and went without my even noticing! I'm glad you're more cognizant of what is going on around you than I am.

Happy Thingaversary! Enjoy your new books (I think the mail strike has ended)!

Here you are!!
Happy Thingaversary...

Happy Thingaversary!

Once again I have spent the evening running around trying to match my TBR books to the TIOLI challenges. I have entered 8 books so far, and could have more depending on what new challenges get posted over the next couple of days.

I placed my Thingaversary order, of course I couldn't stop at four but I only added one extra one. I heard about Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding, the first in series. Someone praised it, and refered to pirates and steampunk - that sold it for me.

Top Reads of the 2nd Quarter

Dances With Wolves by Michael Blake
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan
Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betsy Smith

and for sheer story-telling:

The White Rhino Hotel by Bartle Bull

I have copies of Mudbound & Invisible Bridge & A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I hope I can squeeze all 3 in this year. Fingers crossed.

Happy Thingaversary Judy!!

Everytime I see that cover of yours...it makes me shudder..haha. I remember that is the book that you need to paper bag the front cover if you were to read it in public. :)

Hi Valerie, yep, luckily I never had to take that one out of the house! As everyone here knows I am a big fan of zombies, gore and all - I just don't advertise it to the general public! :)

100. Wasted Years by John Harvey - 4 stars



Wasted Years is the fifth entry into John Harvey’s police procedural featuring DI Charlie Resnick and, with this book, I could feel the author is getting really comfortable in Resnick’s skin, as this is the best of the series so far. We find Charlie and his team investigating two sets of armed robberies, some appear to done by professionals while the others have the mark of beginners. Either of the cases could escalate at any time if the threat of violence is carried through. If this isn’t enough for Charlie to deal with, a crime of some ten years ago is brought forward as the perpetrator comes up for parole. Twenty years ago, Charlie investigated this case of armed robbery while his marriage fell apart. All these events are on his mind, and then we find there are connections between all these cases.

An excellent series, with a good cast of characters. Charlie Resnick is a very good man, but unfortunately his job and life choices have cut him off and he lives a rather lonely life with his five cats and his jazz music.. DI Resnick isn’t a flashy policeman, he ponders each clue, then slowly yet deliberately puts the pieces together. These books are excellent police procedurals and are believable. The author keeps the story moving along with lots of interesting side trips into the lives of the secondary characters.

Oooooh! I fellow zombie lover, yay! Well, I'm more of a disease lover, I read a lot of epidemiology/microbiology books in nonfiction, so I love a good disease outbreak/apocalyptic novel as well. If the disease turns the victim into a zombie...well, I'm quite okay with that. :)

#35 Yay! another new series!

Sounds like I need to find some John Harvey books!

#36 Stephen - I love a good disease book too! I haven't read any non-fiction books like that, will have to check into some for future reading.

#37 & 38 Sandy and Susie - if you are interested John Harvey, I would suggest starting with his Frank Elder trilogy. The first one is called Flesh and Blood. This trilogy is excellent. From there I got into the Resnick books, which I have to admit started slowly. This last book, which is the fifth in the series, finally broke through and showed me the writer that I know he can be.

And speaking of Zombies ...

101 & 102 The Walking Dead Vol 9: Here We Remain & The Walking Dead Vol 10: What We Become by Robert Kirkman - 4 stars each





Only a few more remaining in this series. They way they knock off characters, I am keeping my fingers crossed for the few originals left.

@39- Judy your touchstone brings me to Jonathan Kellerman's Flesh and Blood

Flesh and Blood here is hopefully the right one

Thanks Susie, yes, you've got the right one. I've fixed mine as well.

103. The Complete Essex County by Jeff Lemire - 5 stars



An amazing collection of stories, The Complete Essex County weaves tales of secrets, love and relationships together to create a breathtaking, complex look at family. I loved everything about this book, the drawings, the writing, how the author conveyed emotion into every stroke of his pen. His stylized pictures showing the passage of time was brilliant. These stories brought both tears to my eyes and smiles to my lips.

I was sorry to see each story end, but then I was immediately drawn into the next one. And although they are all connected and interwoven, they could just as easily stand on their own. The author also added such strong Canadian touches, from our love of hockey to references to Canadian Tire Stores and Esso Gas Stations. Essex County is in Ontario, but this look at rural life could have been just about in any of our provinces.

With Essex Country I can see just what graphic novels have to offer. Emotional yet subtle, complete storytelling by picture and a few perfectly chosen words. This is a book that I will be thinking of often and I can’t praise it enough. I highly recommend this beautifully crafted book.

And a great big Thank You to Joe and Mark for recommending this graphic novel to me.

Arghhhh, zombies.... Nooooo

But I can heartily endorse the John Harvey books!!!

Judy- You are more than welcome! This is easily one of my top graphic reads. Your review captured it very well. I have Lemire's The Nobody, sitting nearby.

Hi, Miss Judy! You have been busy!

>35 DeltaQueen50: I love police procedurals and used to read them often (do you remember Lt. Luis Mendoza, Dell Shannon's detective from the 70s?) but haven't done so in awhile. This sounds like a good series to start to get back into it.

>42 DeltaQueen50: Graphic novels are a new love, and this one sounds exactly what I look for in the genre.

I might want to try that series by John Harvey. It looks like the county library has some of them, including the first one and the one you just read. Great review!

#45 - Mary, I do remember Dell Shannon and her mystery series. I don't remember them too clearly, but I know I read my fair share of them. Another older series I read a lot of was Perry Mason - very much a formula read!

#46 Terri, I hope you enjoy the John Harvey books! If you start at the begining of his Resnick series, just remember they get much, much better as he goes along.

And here I thought Dell Shannon used to sing 'Runaway" lol. Just saying *hi* Judy - as I have yet to tackle a graphic novel, I can't really add much here - though there is a 'sort of' graphic novel on my Sheleves of Shame, that I recently upgraded to the bedside...so stay tuned!

This is my first entry for the July Juvenile & YA Reads:

104. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson - 3 1/2 stars



A long, hot, humid summer led to one of the worst epidemics in America. The year was 1793, the ravaged city was, Philadelphia. In three months over five thousand people are dead, and it created a ghost town of the nation’s capitol. In Fever 1793 we relive those three months through the eyes of fourteen year old Mattie Cook.

Like everyone else at that time, Mattie and her family were unprepared for an epidemic of this nature. Nothing was known of the cause of Yellow Fever and people blamed the disease on many things never realizing that the fever was passed by mosquitoes, this fact wasn’t discovered until 1902. As we follow this small family’s experiences, we learn of how this disease transformed the city and those that lived in it. Some people stepped forward and were heroes, caring for the sick and trying to keep a steady flow of food coming into the city. Others, of a more baser nature, took this tragedy as an opportunity for looting and murder. Many fled the city in order to save themselves and their families.

Given the subject matter, I can’t use the word enjoyable but, I did find it both engrossing and educational. As Mattie’s world turns upside down, we see a young girl discover how to rely on herself and help others. The book is quite short, and I wished the characters could have been more fully developed, but the author kept her story within the three plague months which didn’t give her a lot of room for additional material. Opening the pages of Fever 1793, was like opening a small time capsule on this event, the author painted a very real picture and I learned a great deal.

105. Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck - 5 stars



John Steinbeck is a highly revered writer, his books are today considered American Classics, and none more so then the short and timeless story that is Of Mice and Men. This strong story is near perfect in both it’s descriptive imagery and timeless plot.

My edition consisted of 73 pages. But each page was used to it’s utmost. The story is developed completely, we can see where it is going but are powerless to change the outcome. Even with the foreshadowing, the ending is both touching, poignant and sad. Though this was a re-read for me, I was still gripped by the story and aware that I was reading something very special. Beautifully written and ageless, Of Mice and Men was well worth my taking a second look at.

Judy, I've had your thread starred for eons, but have been woefully lax about posting. I've enjoyed reading your reviews though (and LOVE that you use the cover images). What finally got me to post is your review of Of Mice and Men. That is such an amazing book, but one that I will probably never re-read because it was so freaking sad.

Hi Rosalita and thanks for dropping by. I first read Of Mice and Men in high school, and although I loved it then, I am glad that I have re-read it with more mature eyes. But you are so right, it is so freaking sad!

I think I have Of Mice and Men in a companion volume with Cannery Row which is also wonderful. I joyfully read pretty much every single Steinbeck book and short story as a teenager and loved them all! What a great writer...

Hi Prue, yep, I did pretty much the same with John Steinbeck. Grapes of Wrath would probably be in my list of top all time favorite books.

106. Down River by John Hart - 4 stars



If you are looking for a strong, plot-driven mystery with lush descriptive phrases set in a moody southern atmosphere, chock full of family secrets, revenge, and loyalty, then Down River by John Hart could be the book for you.

Adam Chase returns to his Northern Carolina home some five years after being acquitted of murder and tossed from his family. His stepmother was the prosecution’s star witness. His step-brother and step-sister don’t seem all that thrilled to see him, and his father appears to want everyone to just forget what happened in the past. He returns to help a friend, but also he longs to put things right with his family again. Almost from the first minute of his return things start to go wrong, and when Adam discovers a corpse, he comes to the realization that things will never be right again until all the family secrets are revealed.

John Hart combines good story-telling with excellent character development. Each character has his own distinct identity, and the story flows smoothly. I really liked that this book didn’t end with everything wrapped up neatly. As in real life, there were some ragged ends, hurt feelings, and family obstacles to overcome. The author took his time with this story, slowly putting each piece in place, until the end, which came quickly and kept me glued to the page. All in all, a very good story.

107. Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock - 3 1/2 stars



I found Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock to be a realistic look at fifteen year old DJ Schwenk’s summer as she takes on the bulk of the work on her family’s Wisconsin Dairy Farm due to her father’s injury. With only her younger brother’s help, the work is overwhelming and her schoolwork has already suffered as she flunked English. High school football plays an important role in this small rural town and a strong rivalry with an adjacent town has built up over the years. DJ’s own family is quite involved in football as her father is a former coach and her two older brothers were stars before they left home.

Brian Nelson plays for the rival team, and although talented, he needs to be trained in focus and temperament and so his coach, who is a family friend, brings him to the Schwenk farm to work and, he hopes, to be trained by DJ. At first this appears to be a bad idea as DJ and Brian are like oil and water, but gradually over the summer, they bond and DJ develops a major crush on him.

But this is so much more than a girl/boy/football story. The story deals with many issues, in particular communicating and keeping secrets. A coming of age story about finding yourself as an individual and becoming comfortable in your own skin. Well written with a very likeable heroine, this was a very enjoyable read.

Judy- Down River sounds very good. My first by Hart was The Last Child and I really enjoyed that one. Fortunately, I have an ARC of Iron House, which I hope to squeeze in at some point.

I'm thinking I may have to make September a month about "sequels and series"! I have so many series on the go that I have trouble remembering all of them. Also I have read some great books that have sequels yet I just never seem to get around to them either.

Judy, Down River sounds like it might be my cup of tea. Great review!

Hi Terri, four of us read it as a group read over on the 11 in 11 Challenge. I believe we all rated the book above average. Of course, now I have a new author whose books I want to get.

Hi, Judy - I just added 4 new books to the wishlist, thanks to you. I read Fever 1793 several years ago when my daughter was in middle school. Your comments are spot on. Great review - great book.

I am 61 messages behind, not even attempting to catch up, Judy. I hope to keep up with you from here on out though :)

Judy- "sequels and series" sounds like a great idea, plus it covers a lot of ground. LOL.

#61 - Hi Sandy, I aim to please! :) I am continually adding book to my wishlist with every thread that I visit. I guess with all the book lovers here on LT that's not surprising.

#62 - Hi Stasia, it's great to have you visit anytime you can. Just pull up a chair and I'll pour the lemonaide.

#63 - Hi Mark, concentrating on sequels and series is definitely a plan for September. I will try to work these into the other challenges I take on at my 11 in 11 and, of course, those addictive TIOLI challenges.

Judy - I may copy your September Series and Sequels idea. It would be a great way to clear out some back log :)

I never thought I'd get sucked into reading books in series. What has LT done to me? I'm continuing with Adam Dalgliesh (P.D. James), Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell (Laurie R. King), Inspector Garmache (Louise Penny), Inspector Sejer (Norway - Karin Fossum), and my latest guilty pleasure: The Matthew Shardlake mystery series about Tudor England (C. J. Sansom).

Can't wait for September!!!

#64: I will take the lemonade! :)

108. World of Pies by Karen Stolz - 4 1/2 stars



The delightful World of Pies opens in 1962 in the small Texan town of Annette. When we first meet the heroine, Roxanne is struggling between her love of baseball and her mother’s desire to teach her to bake pies. Roxanne is twelve but, as each chapter unveils a different time in her life we see her go through a whole gambit of emotions and events. From the sweet new feeling of developing a crush, to the more serious events, Roxanne’s life unfolds before us chapter to chapter. In the background, we see the events that shaped America through the sixties, from Kennedy’s assassination to Viet Nam.

What I liked best about this book was the strong, stable family that the author has given Roxanne. No matter what life dealt them, and there was some sadness, they were there for each other regardless. Social and political events are mentioned in passing but the bulk of the story is of Roxanne and her family. I felt a personal attachment to this character as we are about the same age, so her coming-of-age years were mine as well. At the end of some chapters the author supplies recipes for the sweet treats that are always brought to family gatherings, I actually recognized some of the recipes as ones that I too grew up with. As her life comes full circle and we are once again back to pies, I sighed with contentment at this big-hearted story.

I have never read a book by Karen Stolz before, and I actually just stumbled on this one while browsing the library shelves but I can guarantee that I will be on the lookout for any other titles by this author. My trip to Annette, Texas was a rich and rewarding reading experience.

Thumbs up on your review of Fever 1793. Congratulations on reading 108 books thus far!

I've added World of Pies to the tbr pile.

I keep adding more and more series into the mix of my reading. I forget what topic I had picked for September, but series and sequels would probably work better than anything else I could think of -- at least for my fiction reads.

Now I'm starting another series. I believe you were to blame for me adding Iron Lake to my list? I think that was one of yours? Anyway, the audio was available to me through NetLibrary, and I've downloaded it. We have the next five installments in that Cork O'Connor series on our library's NetLibrary program. Only I think our library may be losing NetLibrary access due to budget cuts soon . . . not sure yet.

#67 Stasia: Ohoho! Caught red-handed sipping Judy's lemonade after having refused my own offer of said beverage!

*sits back to watch the squirming*
*oh, and, of course, waves to Delta Queen*

;)

>68 DeltaQueen50: So glad to discover our public library has World of Pies. I've added it to the "read this sometime" list.

#70 - Terri, it could well have been me that gave you the idea of reading Iron Lake, but it has been a popular book over at the 11 in 11 challenge this year. I hope you enjoy it, I think it's the first book in what looks to be a very promising series.

#72 - Hi Lori, I absolutely loved World of Pies so I hope you do too. It was a great addition to my Juvenile and YA July.

Uh-oh - Lemonaide wars! Waves to Scaifea as I duck back through the screen door.

Amber: Stasia didn't want to spill the lemonade on all the fancy homemade clothes and scarf-bookmarks you have about your place, obvously.

(Don't worry Stasia, I got your back.)

:P

Ha! Nice one, Stephen!

109. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson - 4 stars



An enjoyable walk down memory lane for me, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson tells of his early years in Des Moines, Iowa in the 1950’s. Such a strange time, so many things to worry about - Communists, Atomic War, giant mutated bugs - and yet, as a whole such a happy time. The war was over, and North America got down to the business of making money, raising a family and driving cars.

In his usual humorous way, he walks us through his memories of childhood, giving us a few facts and figures along the way. His descriptions jogged my memory and overall, I enjoyed this book very much. A little repetitive at times, and I don’t know if people who didn’t live through the fifties would be able to relate to how simple and naïve we actually were.

This is my second Bill Bryson book, and I am eager to continue exploring this author’s writings. He is a master at entertaining and enlightening his readers. For me The Life and Time of the Thunderbolt Kid was a wonderful trip back to the fifties and a way of life that has disappeared.

Hello Judy - so glad that you enjoyed Life and Times of the thunderbolt kid I am quite a fan of Bill Bryson - I love his warmth. Wondering which was the other book of his that you read? His books on language are fun - and enlightening. And I really enjoyed The Lost Continent. Actually, there is not a book by him that I wouldn't recommend....so you have lots to look forward to, should you choose to take his journeys with him!

Hi Prue, earlier this year I read A Walk in the Woods and really enjoyed it. I fully intend on reading all of his books eventually.

I refuse to get caught in lemonade wars, Stephen, but thanks for watching my back :)

I think I need to read some Bryson at some point - I keep reading great reviews of his stuff.

No worries about a war breaking out - I drank all the lemonade anyway. :)

#80: Rats. I was just staying away because I did not want to have to help with the move :)

Judy, I enjoyed your review of Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. I didn't grow up in the 1950s (I was born in 1964), but I still found it to be a hilarious and nostalgic look at a lost era. I read this in my car pool and had to constantly stifle my out-loud giggles, which is usually the case for me with Bryson.

Just dropping by my starred threads Judy as I try to catch up on what everyone has been reading. :)

I have been saving Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid for a book "emergency." You know, the book funk thing that goes around here from time to time. Luckily, I haven't caught that book bug yet, but I have the perfect antidote with Bryson waiting for me. Your review is tempting me to read it now. I must stand firm!

Whew! I'd lost track of you for a good while there Judy. I'll have to come back to catch up on what I've missed, but got you starred for now!

It's always so nice to come to my thread and find I have had visitors. You are all most welcome.

Ilana, I know how easy it is to lose track of someone here but I am glad you have found me again!

I am trying to get all my library books for the TIOLI Challenges read this week. I am leaving on Monday and won't be back until early August, so must clear those library books out. I still have three more to go. The rest of my planned reads for the month are from my TBR pile so I can take them along with me.

I am firstly going to spend a couple of days with my eldest daughter and the two grandchildren at their beach condo in Parksville, on Vancouver Island, then I will drive south to the tip of the Island and spend about 2 1/2 weeks at my Mom's. Looking forward to the break, even though I don't work anymore, it's always nice to change up the routine.

110. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson - 4 stars



Walt Longmire is the sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming and Death Without Company by Craig Johnson is the second book about his cases. This time, an elderly woman dies in the Durant Home for Assisted Living and every one assumes her heart finally played out, everyone except for one other resident in the home who is loudly shouting, “Murder”. Walt immediately seals her room and orders an autopsy, as this other resident is the former sheriff whom Walt trained under.

Once again Craig Johnson delivers a top notch mystery full of complex characters. His knowledge of the area shines through in his vivid descriptive writing. He weaves the story skilfully back and forth in time, delves into the background and history of his victim and creates a plot rife with greed and secrets.

This is proving to be an excellent series, and Death Without Company is a highly readable addition to it. All the characters that I met an enjoyed in the first book have returned, along with some new additions that help flesh out the story. I am looking forward to my next trip to Absaroka Country.

Judy- I've put Thunderbolt Kid on the List. I have the 1st Walt Longmire in the stacks. Are you still doing September: Series & Sequels? (I love that idea) Maybe I'll drag it out then.

Hi Mark, I am definitely going to try and concentrate on Series and Sequels in September. If enough people want to join in, I'll start a thread about it August. I suspect a lot of us here on LT are following way too many series, and are trying to find time to fit in those sequels - maybe this will give us some incentive.

Just dropping by to say hi.. trying to catch up.

Hi Leonie, I know catching up can be a full time job!

Your upcoming vacation sounds wonderful Judy! I hope you have a great time with your daughter and grandchildren. I feel like I just got home but we are already in the process of getting our stuff together to head down to Vancouver next week. I can't wait to be "home" after being away for so long.....

#92 - Valerie, I hope the weather cooperates, the forecast for the next little while isn't very promising. But I am sure whatever the weather, you will be glad to be back!

111. The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan - 3 stars



When The Devil’s Paintbox by Victoria McKernan opens in April 1865, Aiden and his sister are barely surviving on their family homestead in Kansas. Over the last winter, their parents and other brothers and sisters have died and they have been reduced to eating dirt to quell their hunger pains. Luckily a wagon train master arrives and although he plans only to take them into the nearest town, Aiden convinces him to allow both himself and his sister to travel west to Seattle to work in the lumber camps.

They are told at the beginning of their journey, “There’s a grave a mile along the Oregon Trail. Aside from disease, there’s storms, Indians, stampedes, and pure awful accident. Anyway you can think up to die is out there.” This dire warning proved true as tragedy indeed struck. The story then makes an abrupt change as we follow Aiden into the lumber camps, but eventually this story evolves into the quest for getting smallpox vaccinations to the Indians.

I felt like I was reading two separate books as the story changed so completely. Either plot would have been an excellent story, but the mash up of the two just left me rather confused. Underlying all was a darkness that hung rather heavily on the pages, making it difficult to see this book as a YA. Although a well written story, I was left a little disappointed as this wasn’t the story I had envisioned.

I received my order from Book Depository that I placed to mark my 3rd Thingaversary. I received:

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull
The Night Following by Morag Joss
Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding
Bad Boy by Peter Robinson

There is still one more book to come: A Faithful Place by Tana French

Woot woot - gotta love those Book Depository arrivals! In my new frugality, I am not getting many now - so the post has little appeal for me. But great to share vicariously in your haul - and happy third Thingaversary! You will have some great books to take on holiday. Sounds like it will be bliss!

#87: I was hoping my local library carried some of Johnson's books, but no such luck. Too bad.

#95: Nice haul!

War for the Oaks is one I will eagerly await your review for, it really sounds like my cup of tea.

You've got me wondering now Judy whether I'd be able to hold on till my fourth Thingaversary in November and only order from the BookDepository for that occasion. Not likely, but it's worth considering!

I keep telling myself "That's it - no more book ordering" but something always comes along to change my mind. I just placed another order cause my lazy brother turns to me to track down the obscure books he wants, then in order to get free shipping or just because I see all those delicious books, I order some for myself as well.

Leonie, I will get to War of the Oaks but I don't know when.

I wish I had a lazy brother to explain why I just ordered the entire Game of Thrones series from Book Depository. I had book One (still to read) but decided I didn't want to be left hanging when I finished it so bought the rest of them. Just delaying the inevitable I guess seeing as there is a wait for the next book to be released..

Hahaha..sounds like we are all in the same boat in one form or another.

Leonie, I did the same and bought the entire series so far since it was buy 3 and get 1 free but I have no idea when I can even get around to the first book..haha

Hi Judy, I'm going to add the Thunderbolt kid to my list. I have actually read most of Bill Bryson's stuff, I find him very funny in the same way I flatter myself as being in the mirror when I'm all by myself :)

That Bill Bryson is a funny guy! And Miss Jessie, I have visited your profile page and if that gorgeous redhead is a picture of you then you have quite an eyeful when you look in your mirror! :)

I'm also going to add Thunderbolt Kid to my reading list (having grown up in the 50s, I imagine I'm going to find it side-splittingly funny). I wonder if I can get it on audiobook. Okay, going to check on that now, but I'll be back soon, hoping for some of that famous (or infamous?) lemonade that almost started a war on your thread.

With the weather we've been getting here on the West Coast the last few days, I may be serving hot chocolate!

I know, right!? Last week broiling, this week shivering. One good thing about the cooler weather, though, is that it is very pleasant in the evening to snuggle under a light blanket with a book ~ and a cup of tea (or hot chocolate).

I am definitely not complaining. I am not a big lover of heat, so I am enjoying this cooler summer. Of course I am selfish enough to hope for a couple of good days next week when I go to the beach!

112. The Dead of Summer by Camilla Way - 4 1/2 stars



I found The Dead of Summer to be a chilling and compelling look into the world of three young teenage misfits. In a series of flashbacks we are told the story by Anita. A loner all her life, Anita and her family moved to London from Leeds after the death of her mother in the 1980’s. She doesn’t fit in at school and the only friend she is able to make is Denis, a slightly slow boy. Through Denis she meets Kyle, who lives across the street from her and whom she has already noticed and been attracted to. Kyle is the leader of the group and the other two always follow him.

We are told at the beginning of the book that there was a event that left everyone but Anita dead. As she relates her story to a psychiatrist many years later, she fills in the blanks and we are shown what actually happened that summer. We learn about each of the children’s background, from Denis’s overprotective, religious mother to Kyle’s younger sisters’ disappearance a year earlier. This is a disturbing, yet riveting story that I found very hard to put down. Definitely not a book for the faint-of-heart.

The Dead of Summer is Camilla Way’s debut novel, yet she has produced a well crafted plot that keeps the reader engrossed. Her skilful manipulation keeps the book fresh and unpredictable. There are times when you find a book that really speaks to you, and for whatever reason, this book spoke volumes.

Great review Judy! That book sounds super interesting! One of those ones that reveals tidbits a bit at a time and you keep wanting to turn the page so I will be adding this one to my list. I am so excited I have the option of looking for it at the library and not necessarily buying it..woot woot. :)

PS - I am hoping the weather clears up next week!

Nice review, Judy! Off to see if my local library has that one. . .

"There are times when you find a book that really speaks to you, and for whatever reason, this book spoke volumes" - what a lovely turn of phrase, Judy!

113. As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway - 2 1/2 stars



I saw this book referred to as a YA puzzler and thought this was the perfect term for this book. As Simple As Snow tells the story of a straight forward teen who meets a complicated Goth girl and falls hard. Over the course of one winter they are together. She is full of tricks and mind games, weaving herself into his life as they plan to be together forever. One of her hobbies is writing obituaries for everyone in the town. She talks about death and suicide and they make a pact to try to contact each other if anything happens. Their code is the phrase ‘as simple as snow’.

One February night she disappears. All that is found is her dress and a hole in the river. Did she drown? Was it suicide or murder? Where had she gone? Her body is never recovered and our main character is left to try and put the pieces together. At this point the book descended into an valley of teen angst and I basically lost interest.

A disappointing ending to a book that started with so much promise. Lots of literary and musical references but the writing turned stilted and clumsy, and the characters were just too one dimensional and lacked depth. Unfortunately As Simple As Snow never really developed into the interesting story I had hoped for.

Excellent review of The Dead of Summer. Thumbs up from me and it is now on the tbr pile.

Judy - Why thanks what a compliment :)! My natural color is blonde but yep indeed that is me.

#113: Too bad about that one. I will give it a miss, I think.

I've been practising transferring photos onto LT. These are my grandchildren, Clayton and Camille, taken around Easter 2010.

Yay! One less book for the wishlist! :-)

Your grandkids are gorgeous Judy.

Judy- Your grandchildren are adorable. Thanks for sharing.

114. At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - 4 stars



A quiet select hotel with an excellent Mayfair location, Bertram’s Hotel has been in business for many years. It’s like a small slice of Edwardian London and it’s appeal is growing among American tourists as well as the older clientele that it has been serving for generations. Offering the perfect English tea, glowing coal fires, quiet studies, and impeccable staff, Bertram’s seems too good to be true.

Miss Jane Marple is enjoying her stay at Bertram‘s, as usual she sits quietly in a corner, knitting and sipping her tea and observing all the comings and goings. Yes, things aren’t all what they seem at this exclusive hotel. From a missing clergyman, to a young impressionable heiress, and a flamboyant woman who lives her life on the gossip pages, Miss Marple has a lot to ponder upon.

Another excellent Agatha Christie mystery story where the mystery isn’t nearly as important as the atmosphere or the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Bertram’s Hotel.

Well, I am off tomorrow morning for Vancouver Island. Going to be without a computer for a couple of days while visiting my daughter and grandkids at the beach. Then I will be spending a couple of weeks in Victoria at my Mom's and will have the use of a computer. Won't be back home until first week of August - see you all then.

Nice review of At Bertram's Hotel, Judy. I remember reading that one many years ago. I have no memory of the mystery or whodunit, but as you say the atmosphere and the characters have stuck with me. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

I hope you have a wonderful visit to Vancouver Island. It sounds quite lovely!

Wow, have a great vacation... I just walked home for lunch thinking that I need to plan one for early September.

Have a great time Judy. We'll all be here when you get back!

#109-The Dead of Summer by Camilla Way sounds like a great book I'll have to try to find it!Thanks for the great review Judy!

Adorable Grandchildren.

What cuties! Have a great trip, Judy! Safe travels.

What lovely grandchildren you have Judy - hope you have a great time away!

Lovely grandkids, Judy! Great photo.

Have a great vacation. :)

Phew.. caught up again. Have a great trip and you have lovely grandkids there, you must be very proud.

Like every grandparent, I am very proud of my grandchildren. They really are a joy and a blessing in my life. I have arrived at my Mom's place after spending a couple of days at the beach with them, we were lucky with the weather, had a couple of really nice days there.

Not getting as much reading done, but it's nice to have so much else going on for a change.

115. The Blue Noon by Robert Ryan - 4 stars



Harry Cole is a chancer, whether he is fooling his military supervisor or running a con, Harry always is out for number one. Unfortunately sooner or later he always gets caught. His pictures of the Colonel in some very compromising positions ensures an honourable discharge, but still he manages to get himself in trouble with the wrong people, so back to the army he goes. This time he gets caught in Northern France just as World War II is breaking out. Harry manages to disappear from the fighting, turns up under another name as an orderly, and eventually finds himself running an escape route for downed allied pilots. Falling in love with French nurse, Odile is perhaps the making of Harry. He now choses to do the right thing.

Unfortunately clandestine operations can change in a heartbeat and Harry becomes surplus to needs and is silenced in a way that makes him appear to have turned traitor. Harry spends the rest of the war working for whichever side will take him, all the while planning his revenge and looking for his chance to reach Odile and tell her the truth.

Loosely based actual events this is an exciting read and goes to show that truth can be stranger than fiction. The world of espionage is murky and today’s enemies often become tomorrow’s friends and vice versa. I found The Blue Noon to be a highly readable story.

Hi Judy, I finally found you. First things first....beautiful, beautiful grandchildren. You've been doing a lot of terrific reading and reviewing. The Blue Noon sounds terrific. I visited Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria Island last summer. Beautiful area.

Hey Judy! I read Dead City. Meh, I think I pretty much agreed with you. Just an okay 'zombie thriller.' My sister might like it though. If only I could convince her to read it.

Glad to hear that you are having a great time with the grandkids, Judy! I know I do not get to see mine nearly often enough.

Adding The Blue Noon to the BlackHole.

#133 - Welcome Brenzi, glad you found me.
#134 - Hi Steven, yeah, there are certainly better zombie books out there, but when desparate for a zombie thriller, it will do.

#135 Stasia, yes I had a great time with the grandkids, and now they have gone back home and I am in Victoria visiting my mother and other family. We are finally getting some true summer weather and I am enjoying myself here. I love how my 90 year old mother still feels she has to wait on me! It's hard to get her to sit down and let me do the waiting on her for a change.

116. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear - 4 stars



A thoroughly enjoyable book, Maisie Dobbs is the first in the Jacqueline Winspear series about a young woman who becomes a private detective in 1929. Her first case involves investigating a retreat for disfigured WW I soldiers and is fairly straight forward but does launch us into the past and we get to see where Maisie comes from, how she was mentored and educated and her nursing experiences in World War I. She is able to face some of her own demons and put closure onto her own past.

The book started slowly for me, but once we went into the flashback of Maisie’s early years the story picked up. I have long been interested in the years between the two great wars, and I enjoyed the descriptions of society, fashions and conditions. This looks to be a very promising series.

This first book is more about setting the scene and introducing the characters. Maisie Dobbs is just one of a slew of interesting characters in this well written, well researched book, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Hi Judy - Getting caught up on threads. Happy to see you had an enjoyable visit with your adorable grandkids. Yup, summer appears to have finally arrived to the island - I was starting to have my doubts it was coming this year! Enjoy your visit with your mom!

Hi Judy, I love the Maisie Dobbs-series. I've only read nr. 2 and 3 in the series (Birds of a Feather and Pardonable Lies) and I highly recommend them.

I wanted to read Maisie Dobbs this month, but it looks like I'm grossly overbooked, so might wait till September Series & Sequels for that one. Now I think of it, maybe I'd best start my list right now! :-)

Yep, another series started - this will bring me to over 100 series that I am currently following! I hope to wind up a few in September. I think I may have overbooked myself this month as well. I don't know if I will get to our other joint read, Ilana, and Queenpin is one I have long wanted to read.

117. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George - 3 1/2 stars



Princess of the Midnight Ball is a fantasy rendition of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy-tale, and is deftly handled by Jessica Day George. The basic story is fleshed out, giving us a fun story with touches of magic and romance.

Fans of fairy-tale retellings will enjoy this book, as the author kept her story very close to the original. Twelve princesses are doomed to travel underground and dance the night away, as they must work off the pledge made to the Underworld king by their deceased mother. A young soldier, turned under-gardener, vows to free the girls from their curse. Of course, as this young man is a true hero he receives some magical help along the way.

I liked that the author didn’t stray too far from the original tale, instead she built upon long established visuals to create a vivid and lasting portrait of this well loved story. If you are a fan of fairy-tale fantasy, then I believe you will enjoy this solid effort that is the Princess of the Midnight Ball.

Hello Judy - gorgeous grandkids and how wonderful for them - and you - that your own mother is still around and active!

118. The Vanishing American by Zane Grey - 3 1/2 stars



Originally published as a short story in Ladies Home Journal in 1922, Zane Grey eventually fleshed out the story and the book, The Vanishing American was issued in 1925. Considered quite controversial in it’s day, this book examines the plight of the Navaho Indians who, around the time of the first world war were facing the loss of territory as well as the loss of their customs and religion. Zane Grey felt very strongly that white people should back off and let these people develop at their own speed. His particular ire was to the Christian missionaries that held a very strong sway with the government over the treatment of these natives.

His story was ahead of it’s time as it dealt with a love and marriage between a white woman and a native man. A great part of this book was based in fact, told to Grey by John Weatherhill, a trader who lived among the Navaho. Although pressured by many, including his publishers, Zane Grey refused to change his point of view.

Although rather dated in language, I found the story interesting and rather sad. I greatly admired his descriptions of the Navaho lands, as his words evoked the look, smell and feel of Arizona and New Mexico. This book makes me admire Zane Grey for the stand he was willing to take against oppression and prejudice.

Glad to see another Maisie Dobbs fan!

I am happy your visit with the grandkids was a good one, and wish you the same with your mother.

I just read Maisie Dobbs for the first time too and really enjoyed it great mix of cozy & historical fiction!

Just catching up Judy! So glad to be home but I am in such a Vancouver food withdrawal that it hurts. Such adorable picture of your grandchildren. :)

119. Queenpin by Megan Abbott - 4 stars



What a great find, a modern author that writes like a classic noir author from the 1940’s. Queenpin is a stylish noir about a younger, unnamed woman being taken under the wing the older, established Gloria Denton and being taught the necessary mob survivor skills.

Written in the hard boiled prose that is expected of noir, we see the inevitable cycle of wanting a piece of the action so bad to the realization that once in, you can’t escape. Becoming the top lady mobster is a hard road to take, littered with cheap sex, booze, sleazy men, and ultimately blood, bones and bodies.

This is my first book by author Megan Abbott and, for me, it was a home run. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of these smart and very cool books.

#148: I own that one! I really need to get it read.

It's a good read, Stasia, and a quick read as well!

120. Pearl of China by Anchee Min - 3 1/2 stars



Born of missionary parents, raised in China during the early years of the 20th century, author Pearl Buck is the Pearl of China in Anchee Min’s semi-biographical story. As seen through the eyes of Willow, her childhood friend, we learn how this blonde American comes to see herself as “totally Chinese under the skin”.

I found Pearl of China to be very informative and I was drawn into the story right from the start. Although her focus was on Pearl Buck, Willow led an interesting and varied life that kept the story flowing. I did find the book to be a little slow in the middle, but as there was so much true history to relate, it was understandable that the plot suffered in comparison. The end of the book touched me and I felt that we had come full circle in this friendship between these two remarkable women.

Although Willow was a fictional character and was composed of several different people that influenced Pearl Buck’s life, I found the author created a character that rang true which I am sure was difficult as Willow was used to show how the political climate in China changed every few years.

If you are looking for a true biography of Pearl Buck, this probably isn’t the book you want, but if you are interested in an emotional and moving look at the turmoil and strife that created modern China than this is a book that I would recommend.

Think I might pass on Pearl - but I do feel I owe The Good Earth a re-read (I read it when I was 16 and remember loving it, but can't recall anything else much), so thanks for the prompt, Judy! Mind you, the Zane Grey looks very interesting....

Hi Judy. Maisie Dobbs is a series that has been on the wishlist for a while. I seem to be reading quite a few books written or set in the period between the two wars so although the number of series I'm currently following is also ridiculous (and I'm not going to count!) I really want to try this series too.

I've had Queenpin on my reading pile for a while, after discovering Megan Abbott on some "best of crime novels" lists a few years ago. Glad you loved it. Can't wait to make time for it.

Loved you review of Pearl of China, which is on my tbr for this month, though I want to at least read The Good Earth before I plunge into it, since I haven't read anything by Pearl S. Buck yet. I'm guessing you got it as an ER book like I did?

I think I will give Pearl of China and look for a biography of Pearl S. Buck. I wonder if a definitive one has been written?

Thanks for the reminder Judy that I really need to read the Pearl S. Buck novels I have sitting on my shelf! :)

Finally home from vacation and trying to catch up on all the threads. I will be visiting all of you in the next few days.

I, too, should try to re-read The Good Earth at some point, as I also read it while in my teens and only have a vague memory of it.

Stasia, I don't know if a definitive biography of Pearl S. Buck is out there - but if you find one, let me know as I would love to read more about this fascinating woman.

I may have mentioned this before, but I am planning on starting a thread mid-August for a September Series & Sequels. A number of people have expressed an interest so I thought I would set up the thread early for those who want to plan their reads. I will try to let as many people as possible know when I have it set up.

Judy, when you set up the thread, you might want to mention it on the Monthly Themes main thread as well http://www.librarything.com/topic/120644

Count me aboard that series and sequels train!! Toot toot!

Me too! I've started more series than I care to count at this point. :)

#158 Yep, definitely up for series and sequels. - welcome back!

121. The Goodnight Trail by Ralph Compton - 3 1/2 stars



At the end of the Civil War, Texas was a wide open frontier with millions of unbranded, wild cattle. The Goodnight Trail tells how three former Texas Rangers gather a herd of cattle and join with Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving and drive these cattle over new territory in order to reach the new market of Denver, Colorado. Colorado was mining country and miners needed beef. Others were driving their herd north to Kansas, but the Goodnight Trail promised good water, with fresh grazing , and a ready market at the end.

Like an old time Saturday matinee, this book is a true cowboy adventure. With Indian battles, cattle stampedes, and gunplay, the plot follows this small band through all their ups and downs on this journey and even manages to throw a romance into the mix.

For pure escapism, I found The Goodnight Trail to be an enjoyable, action packed story, loosely based on actual history. Written by prolific western author, Ralph Compton, this is one of his earlier works, which is important to note, as since his death in 1998, his publishers continue to release books under his banner, but written by other authors.

September Series & Sequels... sounds like fun. I'll play! Thanks for that great idea, Judy. I hope I can get hold of the new Louise Penny by then. Better go get my name on the library list.

I'm also adding Pearl of China to my dream list. I'm a big fan of The Good Earth and someday I will read the other two books in the trilogy. Hey, maybe in September for SS&S month. ;-)

122. The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell - 5 stars



Drawing upon the history of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, J.G. Farrell once again turns his razor sharp wit upon the British justification of their colonial policy. In The Siege of Krishnapur which he loosely based on the sieges of Lucknow and Cawnpore, he gives us a dramatically vivid account of a well mixed group of unique characters as they are trapped in the Company residency for a number of months holding the mutineers at bay.

While these people are plunged into danger and despair, we also are treated to their inner thoughts and justification for being in India and, from missionary zeal to actually believing that the British were improving the life of native Indians through medicine and science, we also see how effortlessly these same people hold themselves above the native population, fully confident in their superiority.

Beautifully written with his trademark ironic warmth, this is the middle book of his Empire Trilogy. J.G. Farrell is indeed an author of great skill as he delivers a suspenseful story, yet still manages to convey the political and human consequences of the British Colonial rule. The story is interesting and gut-wrenching while the political background is fascinating, I highly recommend this book.

Both The Goodnight Trail and The Siege of Krishnapur sound interesting. Thanks for the great reviews.

I like historical fiction set in India; I am not familiar with this trilogy. I'll put it on my wishlist.

Sounds like another great read Judy! Thanks for the review. :)

I have all three of Farrell's trilogy on the TBR shelves - just need to get to them!

I read The Singapore Grip last year and liked that one as well. Now I've got The Siege of Krishnapur completed so I have to track down a copy of Troubles. Most reviewers seem to consider Troubles as his best work.

#170: I read Troubles last year, but have nothing to compare it to as I have not read the other books of the trilogy yet. I can tell you that I thought Troubles was excellent though.

Like Katie, I have all three books by Farrell patiently waiting for me. I took a lot of trouble to locate the trilogy - so why haven't I started it yet? Maybe this will be good winter reading for me. Yes, I am a procrastinator!

I think we are all guilty of a little procrastination at times. I often knock myself out hunting down books, but once I know they are on my shelf, I don't feel the need to read them right away. They get shoved aside for newer, shinier books!

123. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie - 4 1/2 stars



The words of a dying man “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” leads Bobby Jones and Lady Frankie Derwent to conclude a murder has occurred and sets them off on a race to solve the mystery. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans by Agatha Christie is a fast-paced, exciting story with a few twists and turns along the way to keep the reader engrossed.

The more of Agatha Christie I read, the more in awe of her I am. This book is quite different from both her crafty Hercule Poirot and her gentle Miss Marple stories. More of an adventure romp with extremely likeable characters. Even the villain of the piece is charming and rather likeable as he plots his dastardly deeds.

The adventure comes full circle when Bobby and Frankie discover who Evans really is. A story of murder, drug dealing, and forgery told only as Agatha Christie can. And of course, those two crazy kids, are they ever going to realize that they are meant for each other? At first glance, this book could appear as rather a mess, but I think Miss Christie had her tongue firmly in cheek with the idea of giving her fans something different. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans is a top notch mystery and will definitely be on my list of favorite Agatha Christie books.

Great review Judy. I was at the bookstore this weekend and they had an Agatha Christie display and I wanted to pick up one of the books but it always feels so overwhelming when you try a new author out and they have so many titles to choose from!

I know Valerie, she's written a lot, but I really feel that you can't go wrong with most Agatha Christie books. She's a master at cozy mysteries. If you haven't read anything by her, I would suggest And Then There Were None, one of her finest.

Judy, I enjoyed both your latest reviews. The Siege of Krishnapur has been on my wish list for a very long time now, and since I saw Darryl's recommendation for the first book, Troubles, I'm really keen on reading the whole trilogy. They only have the third book at the library for some reason, so I might have to jump the gun and purchase them at some point, unless someone makes them available on BookMooch.

#175 Valerie, I'll back up Judy's recommendation of And Then There Were None, one of my favourites by Christie too.

Thanks for visiting my thread, Judy!! I hope that The Sisters Brothers is soon back at the library for you. I just LOVED it - and yes - Mark raved about it too. I was really not certain if I would like it - given that it is " sort of " a western -but it was fabulous and fun!!!! Enjoy!

Thanks for the recommendations. I will see if my library has a copy and go from there. :)

Hello Judy - I remember reading dozens of Christie books when I was younger - such a reliable author! Cosy sums her up perfectly.

124. What Janie Found by Caroline B. Cooney - 4 stars



This is the final book of four telling the story of Janie Johnson who discovered that she was the victim of a kidnapping by finding a picture of herself on a milk carton. What Janie Found finishes the series nicely and manages to tie up most of the loose ends.

As Janie discovers a lead to her kidnapper, Hannah, her trust in her adoptive father is shattered as she learns that he may very well have known her whereabouts all along. As he has suffered a massive stroke and is unable to discuss this with her, she decides to confront Hannah and get some answers. With the help of two of her real brothers and her ex-boyfriend Reeve, she is finally able to see the bigger picture and learn that this situation involves more people than just herself. Janie gets the closure she needs, and is able to take the first steps toward healing herself and her two families.

I thought the author, Caroline B. Cooney has done an excellent job with this YA story. A simple premise but with oh so many complications, she has shown over these four books all the anger, mistrust, anguish, love, acceptance and healing that these families and friends have had to go through. A difficult situation to resolve, but we are left with the feeling that Janie and her family will be ok.

* I can't seem to get the touchstones working with this book. If you are interested in this YA series, the first book is called The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney.

#181: My daughter Catey has read several of Cooney's books, but I never have. I guess I need to change that!

125. Dog Company Six by Edwin Howard Simmons - 4 stars



In Dog Company Six we follow the story of Marine Captain (Reserve) George Bayard as he returns to the military life that he experienced in World War II and is shipped out to Korea in September, 1950. From their first landing and battle at Inchon, Bayard’s Dog Company is in the forefront of the fighting, with high casualties and even higher stress.

At best a reluctant warrior, Captain Bayard reflects upon his life stateside, as he grows closer to the men who serve under him. When he receives his second wound, an automatic ticket home, he finds his decision isn’t as clear cut as he thought.

Author Brig. Gen. Edwin Howard Simmons, served with the Marine Corp from 1942 to 1978 and has delivered a strong, action packed story about combat and the men who are placed in harms way. Well written and absorbing, this is more than a gung-ho tribute to the marines. The main character is introspective and thoughtful which gives the story a realistic and believable flow. All in all a very good read and a sharp look at the thought process that creates a man’s sense of duty and honor.

#183: Too bad my local library does not have that one. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Judy!

I've heard of The Face on the Milk Carton but have never paid any attention to it and didn't realize that it was part of a series or that it was any good. Thanks for the recommendation - it's on the wishlist now.

I'm stopping by and waving hi.

I've declared "Series and Sequels" my own theme for September, in anticipation of your thread, Judy!

Stopping by to say hi and see if you have Sisters Brothers from the library yet. I guess not! I hope it's soon!

188 - Hi Deb, I am starting to give up hope that I will get The Sisters Brothers this month. When I first put my request in I was sixteenth on the list, now over two weeks later, I am only thirteenth. At this rate I may get it by October!

186 & 187: Hi Linda and Terri. I will start the September Series and Sequels thread next week sometime. I'm afraid to post it too soon cause then I will want to start reading all my series but I still have a lot of planned reads to complete for August!

Judy, I just got notification that Sisters Brothers is waiting for me at the library. We have 6 week loans over the summer, so I'll be reading it in September. Hopefully you'll have it by then so we can read it more or less at the same time.

Oh! DO go ahead and post that thread! Half the fun is sharing our lists with others! Of course, you do as you like, I just get very excited about lists, as you probably know by now. :-)

126. A Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich - 4 1/2 stars



A Plague of Doves is a set of connected stories, peopled in the most part by characters of mixed Indian-
White blood. Set on and around a reservation in North Dakota, concerning two communities, one Indian, one White. We read of their differences and their similarities, the various truths of living in a small, isolated area where mistrust and suspicion is the norm.

At the heart of this book, outlined at the very beginning, is a story of the terrible murder of a white farming family. The survival of a baby and the immediate outlash at the Indian community. These deeds set the tone and echo on through the generations to come. We eventually learn who the murderer was and who the baby grew up to become.

The stories jump around from person to person, backwards and forwards in time, You would think they would be a bit disjointed but Louise Erdrich is able to use language like an artist uses paint. She develops and enhances the pictures she is showing us. Her marvellous writing makes the whole book cohesive and real. These pages breathe life..

A fully populated, ultimately humane story, A Plague of Doves was a entertaining read about how entwined fates shaped the destiny of Pluto, North Dakota.

Judy: Louise Erdrich is one of my favorite writers. I'm glad you liked this book. It isn't one of my favorites, but almost anything she writes is better than most other writers. Did that make any sense at all?

Judy - Great review! I think I have this one on the TBR shelves.

#192 - Hi Beth, I know exactly what you mean, I feel the same way about some of my favorite authors!

#193 - Hi Katie, I think it would be worth a little nudge up the pile.

I had a very lazy day, spent most of it outside on the patio reading. Manage to finish another book - see below.

127. Just Kids by Patti Smith - 3 1/2 stars



I was never a big fan of Patti Smith, but I knew of her. Although our lifestyles are very different, she is just a few years older than me, so I was interested in her story, falling as it does across those same years that I too was just coming into adulthood. In Just Kids she tells of her life with her early love, Robert Mapplethorpe. She promised him that someday she would tell their story, and now, twenty years after his death, she has done so.

I loved the way she wrote and told their story, theirs was an ever evolving relationship based on love, art, mutual protection and eventually everlasting friendship. Romantically, they took separate roads, but in essence they stayed true to their original love. Her description of his passing in 1986 from Aids was heart wrenching.

My only concern with the book was that I feel it could have benefited from some editing. The basic story of the relationship was engrossing and interesting, but far too often I found myself bored as she wandered from the narrative into things that just didn’t hold my attention. That being said Patti Smith obviously has led an interesting and varied life, and her poetic side definitely added to her writing.

For a few short years Patti and Robert were the free spirited souls that they wanted to be, mixing with an eclectic crowd, they embraced art, poetry and music. Unfortunately all too soon, they had to grow up and face life’s harsh realities.

Judy: Just Kids sounds interesting. I'll have to add that to the ever-growing pile.

>191 DeltaQueen50:: Yay! You liked The Plague of Doves. I'm not sure which of Erdrich's books would be my 'favorite.' Most of them (but not Plague) are so interdependent on the others with the characters and story lines weaving between the books that I tend to think of them as a unit. The Painted Drum is another stand alone book that I enjoyed by her.

>192 BLBera:: Beth, your comment made perfect sense to me. It's good to meet another Erdrich fan.

Judy- I loved your review of A Plague of Doves. Thumb! I've had this one in the stacks forever. I need to bump it up. I've also had Just Kids on the WL since it came out. I am a fan of her music and was hoping they would release an audio version of it.
I'm sorry to hear about The Sisters Brothers. That's frustrating.

@198- The audio is available at audible narrated by, Patti Smith.

I know I should read Plague of Doves since I am from North Dakota but I've heard iffy reviews from patrons on that one may have to go ahead and give it a try!

I have just set up the September Series and Sequels Thread. Please come and join me.

Thanks Susie! Maybe it's just not available in my library system. Hey, I could finally try Audible, after all this time. Do you know who reads it?

@201 the author is the narrator

Stopping by to say hi! Sorry that Sisters Brothers has not come up for you at the library! So frustrating when you have to wait so long!!! Wait a bit, and I may join you in Series and Sequels in September. Heaven knows, I have a lot series on the go!!! :)

Hi Deb, hope you can join us for Series and Sequels September, it looks like lots of us have more series than we even thought we had going.

#191: The Plague of Doves was the first book of Erdrich's that I ever read and I loved it too!

Well, as they say it never rains but it pours. Today I got notification that two books are awaiting pick up from the library, and then I got an e-mail that two more are awaiting to be downloaded. I really have to get reading to get everything finished by month's end.

No word on The Sisters Brothers yet. :(

Judy: It's incredible. No matter when I reserve books, they all come in at the same time. My sister once said that reading some of these is like going to work. Good luck with your library reading. I just picked up three this afternoon, Misterioso, The Borrower and Flowering Judas. I'm currently reading State of Wonder, which has a reduced loan time because of the huge list of reserves. So, I guess I know what I will be reading this weekend.

What books do you have coming in?

I've picked up Snowdrops by A.D. Millar, and Blow Your House Down by Pat Barker. I also picked up two graphics in my ongoing read of The Walking Dead. I have downloaded Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr and Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. (Just what I need - two more series!!)

These, plus a few off my TBR pile should keep me busy for the rest of the month!

128. Rommel's Gold by Maggie Davis - 2 1/2 stars



I was eagerly anticipating my read of Rommel’s Gold by Maggie Davis, picturing a colourful adventure novel set in the Sahara desert about treasure hunters seeking forgotten Nazis gold. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong about what I was about to read.

Set in Tunisia in the late 1960’s, this book paints a picture of the North African landscape as it pertained to the political undercurrents and exploitation that was happening. American, British, and European interests were competing to get a foothold in this part of the world. International espionage and greed were running out of control and everything and everybody were suspect. Even young Peace Corp members were looked on with suspicion as the locals firmly believed that their main purpose was to introduce American ways and consumer goods with the intention of creating a demand for these things.

I found this to be a very mixed book, there was actually an attempt to find Rommel’s treasure, but mostly I found this to be a critique of how these North African countries were handled. The main character, Sharon Hoyt who arrives as a part of a Youth Commitment Group for a large, unnamed foundation seemed more interested in cheap drugs, booze and partying. I actually found most of the characters were lacking in admirable traits, all were working their own agenda.

Even with it’s strong message, the book’s jumbled plot, and mostly unlikeable characters kept me from enjoying the read. I think the author Maggie Davis, who had spent some time as a guest lecturer at the International Cultural center in Tunisia, had a strong viewpoint that she was trying to get across, but unfortunately, this wasn’t the book I was hoping to read at this time.

Judy: Good review. You are very diplomatic.

Yes, good review. I will be avoiding Rommel's Gold.

I am skipping Rommel's Gold too.

I hope your next read is more to your taste, Judy!

I was partly disappointed in my most recent read due to the same reason you didn't enjoy Rommel's Gold and that being not what I had expected.

Unfortunately my next read was a big disappointment as well. :(

Warning: This review has some slight SPOILERS included.

129. Snowdrops by A.D. Millar - 2 1/2 stars



I really don’t know what to think of Snowdrops by A.D. Millar. It was obvious right from the start that the main character, Nick, was being set up in an elaborate hoax involving property fraud and most probably murder. But we eventually discover that this naïve shmuck is also getting conned at his workplace as well in a totally different racket. It was also obvious, since he was narrating the story in the future, that he was going to be bruised but not knocked out.

Speaking of the main character, I found him unlikeable, weak and pathetic. He convinces himself that his obsession with a Russian woman is love, and he simply ignores all the warning signs that he is constantly stumbling over. In fact, for the most part, this book is filled with sleazy, greedy people that I really couldn’t care about at all.

Knowing Snowdrops has been nominated for the Booker Prize leaves me scratching my head. I just don’t see anything in this book that is worth raving about. Maybe it’s me and I just can’t recognize great literature when I read it, but frankly this book left me feeling quite flat.

Despite the book being a bomb for you, I quite like the cover art of this one. :)

My last read was also a Booker nominee (I didn't quite see why besides the extensive historical research so I'm also scratching my head and wondering if I missed something...) and I also was suckered in by the cover art, but the actual story itself fell flat for me as well. At least I don't feel so lonely in my flat and I don't get it boat. :)

I guess I'm glad I'm not alone Valerie, but at the same time, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your last read either.

I've decided that I am going to read Stardust by Neil Gaiman next, a simple, sweet fantasy (I think).

Judy: Good luck with your next one.

Catching up with you Judy. Sorry your two last reads weren't to your liking. It's happened to me plenty of times that I've read award winners or nominees and was left feeling the same as you. As for Just Kids, they released an audiobook version narrated by Patti Smith herself, which I would probably go with if/when I decided to read that book.

Thumb up from me, Judy , for your review of Snowdrops. You'lll save me from a bad read. Sorry it was no good.

I'm really starting to get into audio books (even though my brother says it's not reading), but I find I have to pick books that really hold my attention. I think because I tend to be a fast reader, I sometimes feel the audio versions move too slowly. But I am listening to a YA called Life As We Knew It right now and really enjoying it. Also I just saw a recommendation for the audio version of Keith Richards' Life as read by Johnny Depp which sounds really good.

I used to thing audiobooks weren't reading either. But I changed my mind when I realized I could double my reading time this way since I can listen at times when I normally couldn't sit down to read anyway. Whether I enjoy an audio or not has a lot to do with the narrator, which is why I always listen to a sample when I can. Audible has quite a big selection, so even if I'm borrowing from the library, I tend to check there first to see if it'll work for me or not. Life read by Johnny Depp is on my wish list already.

Sorry to hear that Snowdrops was not a better read for you, Judy. I do hope Stardust turns out to be!

Judy- I listened to and loved Life. Highly recommended.

>214 DeltaQueen50:: I'm with you on your assessment of Snowdrops, Judy. I thought it was very predictable and the protagonist deserved everything he got for being so incredibly gullible. Sheesh. I've been fairly disappointed with all four of the Booker nominees I've read thus far, but this one remains in last place on my list.

Hope Stardust is a better read for you Judy. So far, none of the Booker nominees are really tempting me.

Hi Judy. Checking in, starring your thread, saying hi.

I was just this morning saying that I need to choose a book to download so I can try the listening thing. I like Ilana's point that it can increase one's reading productivity. It sounds like you have found it to be a positive addition to your repertoire.

If it makes you feel any better Judy, I'm having a hard time getting The Sisters Brothers from the library too. And the funny thing is the online catalog shows the book being available and yet I still wait for it. Grrrr.

#222 - Thanks Stasia, I read somewhere here on the 75 Challenge this year, that we have to read the odd clunker so that we can really appreciate the good ones and I try to remember that.

#221 & 223 - Hi Mark and Ilana, that decides it, I am adding Life to my 12 in 12 Challenge as one of my non-fiction reads.

#224 & 225 - I don't know how or why certain books are chosen for prizes, but so far I have been more impressed with the Orange Prize nominees than the Booker nominees.

#226 - Hi Ellen, you should give audio books a try, it's great to able to get caught up on the ironing etc. while still following a story.

#227 - I'm sorry that you having to wait for The Sisters Brothers as well Bonnie, let's hope the wait will be worth it. It looks like you, me and Ilana will all be reading it around the same time - we'll have to compare notes.

Finally, I finished my audio book and I really, really liked it, review follows.

130. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - 4 1/2 stars



In the life of sixteen year old Miranda Evans, an asteroid hitting the moon doesn’t seem very important, certainly not as important as her friends, her homework and her lack of a prom date. But this event is to have a enormous impact on the whole earth, including Miranda’s small corner of it. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, takes this catastrophe and builds a story that kept me enthralled.

As the moon is knocked out of it’s orbit and closer to earth, strange things start occurring, from huge tidal waves wiping out the coasts, to violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This in turn leads to ash laden air that blocks out the sun. There is no growing season, food shortages and drastic climate changes become the norm. Shortages of gas and electricity add to the difficult conditions.

This is firstly a story of family, trying to survive, trying to do the right thing for each other, but also coming to the slow realization that not all may be saved. Who among them should be favoured, which ones were expendable. I am not a scientists so I can’t say for sure that things would happen in this way, but overall I found the story believable, chilling, and compelling.

The story is told through Miranda’s diary entries, so it’s focus was tightly on this family. What was happening in the rest of the world wasn’t readily available to Miranda or to the reader. Many questions were left unanswered, but I think this was absolutely the right approach to this story. Ultimately an inspiring story of family love, Life As We Knew It was a great (listen) read.

Good review of Life as We Knew It, Judy. It sounds great and is now on my TBR list.

Judy: I just added another book to my list. Sigh.

#229 Glad your most recent read was an improvement on the last two Judy. I've had that one on my wishlist for a while and need to get round to getting it out of the library I think.

Just added Life as We Knew It to the wishlist. Your review really makes me want to read it!

I spent most of yesterday catching up on The Walking Dead Series.





Still enjoying this series, finding it excellent escapism.

131. Stardust by Neil Gaiman - 4 stars



I firmly believe that Neil Gaiman could be asked to write a phone book and he would make it interesting. In the case of Stardust, he took a simple fairy tale and added humor and a twist of darkness to give us a delightful, magical adventure that was a pleasure to read.

A young man embarks on a quest to find a fallen star and bring it back to his lady-love. Neil Gaiman gives this basic plot a fresh look which keeps the reader engaged and excited to see what is going to happen on the next page.

Stardust feels very much like a YA story, a little shorter, and perhaps a little simpler than what I have come to expect from this author. But the exciting feeling of discovering a new world, one in which you could imagine meeting Rumplestiltskin or Jack the Giant Killer, makes this stylish book a great read.

I've heard some folks say that Gaiman's overrated, and he may not reach the level of high literature, but he's just about genius as a storyteller as far as I'm concerned, for the reasons as you've mentioned among others.

After seeing that you read At Bertram's Hotel, I'm re-reading it now. (I read it 30 years ago).

Really enjoying it. Miss Marple doesn't seem to have a big role but I love the hotel atmosphere.

#236 - Hi Mary, for me, Gaiman couldn't be rated high enough. Luckily I still have quite a few more of his to discover, but the few I have read have been pretty darned good.

#237 - Hi Linda, Miss Marple almost seemed like an afterthought in this book, and the mystery wasn't one of her strongest, but you're right the hotel atmosphere makes the book. Even with the murders, I still wanted to go and stay at Bertram's!

Hi Judy, just catching up. Thanks for leaving lovely messages on my threads and also for the good reviews I've just read. And Stardust is a great book by an awesome author, couldn't agree more, Have you seen the movie? I enjoyed that as well.

Judy- I am relatively new to Gaiman also, but I have enjoyed everything I've read by him. The Graveyard Book is probably my favorite. Glad you liked Stardust. My next of his, will be Good Omens.

Another Gaiman fan chiming in. Have you read American Gods yet? We just moved to WI, and I found out that we live only 20 miles from The House on the Rock - I'm so excited to go visit it soon!

Boy with all the Gaiman love we have around here, we should have a Gaiman month next year where we all read the Neil Gaiman of our choice!

Mark, I'm torn between The Graveyard Book and Neverwhere as my favorites. Of course, I have only read those two and Stardust.

Scaifea, I am hoping to fit American Gods in either later this year or early next.

I've been meaning to read American Gods for awhile maybe we should have a group read of it next year!

Life As We Knew It is definitely going on my list since I love movies of that genre but surprisingly I've never read a book about the same topic. As well I loved the movie Stardust but didn't even realize it was made from a book until I joined LT.

Another newly minted Neil Gaiman fan here. I discovered him during Fantasy February when I saw so many people reading The Graveyard Book which of course I adored. Helped that I got the audiobook narrated by Gaiman himself. He's a great narrator and has such a wonderful voice too. As Judy says, if he wrote the phone book AND narrated it, I'd be listening for sure.

Thanks for that review Judy. As I'm writing this, I'm also listening to him on a VERY long sample of Stardust on Audible. Very good chance I'll be getting that one.

I've also got American Gods awaiting on my shelves thanks to a very nice LT friend. :-) I look forward to that one too.

Looks like maybe we could plan either a group read of American Gods or a Neil Gaiman month next year. Anyone else interested?

Sounds good to me !

I would definitely do a group read of American Gods!

#246 Either sound good to me. I have American Gods and Fragile Things on the TBR pile.

Ok, does anyone have a time preference? Just about anytime would do for me.

Judy- I'd be up for a Neil Gaiman month! Count me in.

I think American Gods would be a good winter read because its a big one also I would go for a Gaiman Month too if we went that route with threads for each book people are reading because I would like to read Fragile things & Neverwhere too.

I'll be happy to go with whatever the majority votes for. I'd be just as happy reading American Gods this year as well, maybe November or December?

November would work for me. How about a Neil in November month? Everyone could read their Gaiman of choice?

Or does everyone want to wait until the new year?

Neverwhere is on my list, but count me in with any Gaiman.

Count me in as well Judy! That is a Gaiman book I have on my TBR shelf that I haven't had a chance to get around to yet. :)

November works for me :)

I'm due for a re-read of American Gods, but don't forget Anansi Boys which may be my favorite along with the co-written Good Omens. I could do it in November.

Sounds like we have a plan! I will set up a thread in mid to late October for a Neil November. I will try and let everyone know when it's up and ready.

Neil November sounds good to me I loved Anansi Boys on audio the narrator isn't Neil but he's really great!

#229: I loved that one, but did not think the other two books in the trilogy were as good. I will be interested in seeing what you think of the books if you read them.

I will be doing a Nonfiction November, so will not participate in Neil November, but I hope you have a good time!

November sounds good to me. I'm going to participate in non-fiction November too but I know I won't be able to exclusively read non-fiction for a month so I will be happy to alternate my non-fiction reading with some Neil Gaiman reading!

#258 If I can finally read American Gods I may well go on to Anansi Boys Roni.

I'm with Heather—also participating in non-fiction November, but also won't be reading that exclusively, especially since I don't usually read much non-fiction to begin with. I also plan on joining NaNoWriMo in November, and if I do, I'll be one busy lady and won't have that much time for reading, but I really do want to read American Gods and soon.

Looking forward to both Non-fiction and Neil Gaiman reading in November!.

I see it's well past the time for a new thread. I will be back after dinner to set that up.

Yummy - we were given a half salmon that are puttig on the BBQ tonight, with nugget potatoes, and fresh corn on the cob. For dessert I have some nice peaches and will slice them over ice cream. After that feast I will be ready to just sit and spend time on the computer.

Dinner sounds delicious, Judy. I loved grilled salmon, but we never get it fresh here.

I've never read Neil Gaiman, and might have to join in with you in November, just to find out what all the fuss is about! (My husband and son love him, too.)

Hope you can join in Sandy, I think you would really like Neil Gaiman.

I have set up my new thread. Please join me.