Morphy's 2011 Reading Journal - 2

First thread

Read 156 books (didn't count one children's book)

Pages read - 55,576

Fantasy - 45
Urban Fantasy - 25
Fiction - 18
Nonfiction - 14
Science Fiction - 11
Mystery - 10
Spirituality - 8
Romance - 6
Children - 4
Humor, Classics, Historical Fiction, Horror - 2 each
Books, YA, Erotica, Paranormal Romance, Steampunk, Chick Lit, Inspirational Fiction - 1 each

Best Books
*** 9 out of 10 stars ***
What I Eat by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
Soulless by Gail Carriger
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip
Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

Worst Books (Discarded)
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

155. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb Corrected numbering

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: July TIOLI #3 (two sets doubles), 1001 Fantasy, LTMP

Summary: A royal bastard apprentices to the king's assassin

Opinion: Excellent writing but dear god, this entire series is depressing as hell. I'm not sure why I'm re-reading the first trilogy other than as I said, the writing is so well done and the secondary characters all have their unique presenses - Chade, Fool, Burrich, Patience, Verity, Molly. I can picture them in my mind in personality if not appearance.

Rating: 8

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
The Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

On Deck:
The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King
Sebastian by Anne Bishop
Complications by Atul Gawande

I bought Hobb's trilogy a decade ago, and couldn't get into it then. I just dug them up again, thinking I should maybe try again...

>3 divinenanny: Just don't read them if you are are depressed or going through a bad time. They will just drag you down. Her writing is so good, I wish she wrote more cheerful - or at least not so bleak - books.

That's probably why I abandoned them before, I am no fan of books that are too depressing....

well, the fact that Hobb's hero survives at all given what she puts him through is one good thing about them. And she does reward him with Live ships and dragons later! I adore her Live Ship series.

156. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Notes: July TIOLI #17 (fantasy YA), LT Recommended

Summary: Retelling of Grimm's The Twelve Princesses

Opinion: A simple and straightforward but enjoyable tale. The story title made me think the book was about the princess, Rose; however, it was much more the story of the hero, Galen. No character building and the personalities seem a bit flat yet the world was interesting and the story well told.

Rating: 7

157. The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Notes: To complete bibliography, SC 15.8 Up in the Air

Summary: Roland must bring three people out of one world (ours?) and into his

Opinion: This would have gotten a lower rating for being slightly tedious; however, reading King is like eating potato chips. You just want a little more, please. I'm not sure what it is about his writing but you feel compelled to continue. Perhaps because his characters are so interesting even if what they are doing is boring.

Rating: 7

I felt this way about King for a long time but one day I discovered I didn't like potato chips any more. Quit the King, I did.

Maggie - this is probably a silly question, but did you read all of The Dark Tower series?

No, I am sorry to say I can't claim that accomplishment.

158. Sebastian by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Reread

Summary: Mostly a fantasy love story set in a world called Ephemera which is held stable by Landscapers and Bridges.

Opinion: Meh. This is my least favorite set of books by Bishop. It's a baby Black Jewels world. The people aren't as intensely written, the story isn't as engaging, the dark eroticism isn't present, the world isn't as interesting. She tries, but just doesn't do it.

Rating: 6

159. Complications by Atul Gawande

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: July TIOLI #8 (hot), SC 20.2 Rookie at the Top

Summary: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science

Opinion: Oh what fun. I zipped through this in a day. Engaging read though the subject matter was often scary and sometimes gross. I liked that he didn't bring doctors across as infallible beings that we must listen to. They are human just like the rest of us. That’s also the problem - they are human and make, sometimes horrible, mistakes.

Rating: 8

Favorite childhood book? My father read The Lion's Paw by Robb White to me when I was sick as a child. It's one of my few good memories of us together.

What are you reading right now? Redwall by Brian Jacques, A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman - 1 chapter a day, The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard Burton - approx. 10 pages a day, Good News Bible - a few sections a day and The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert - 1 page a day.

Bad book habit? Requesting huge piles of books from the library and ending up with late fees.

Do you have an e-reader? No.

Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once? As noted above, several at once.

Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog thread? I didn't use to record my books or do reviews (as small as they are.)

Least favorite book you read this year (so far)? Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu was awful.

Favorite book you’ve read this year? I have five books that have gotten a 9/10. The best was Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart.

How often do you read out of your comfort zone? About 10 to 15 percent of my reading is out of my comfort zone.

What is your reading comfort zone? 35% Fantasy, 11% Science Fiction, 8% Nonfiction, all other genres less than 7%

Can you read on the bus? No, even a glance at a book can cause motion sickness.

Favorite place to read? In my car, near the water, on a warm (not hot) day with a burger and fries

What is your policy on book lending? I figure that any book I "lend," I will never see again and plan accordingly.

Do you ever dog-ear books? No, I have lots of bookmarks.

Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Only nonfiction.

What is your favorite language to read in? English is the only option.

What makes you love a book? Likeable characters, a sense of humor or joy.

What will inspire you to recommend a book? I ask what the other person likes and make recommendations based on that.

Favorite genre? Per above, fantasy.

Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)? History. I find it terribly boring.

Favorite biography? The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid

Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes, I need a lot of help.

Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

Favorite reading snack? Something warm, soft and savory.

How often do you agree with critics about a book? Rarely. I read them to get a general idea of the flavor of the reviews, but that's it.

How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? I have no problem saying something is horrible.

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

Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

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

Favorite poet? None, I don't read poetry.

Favorite fictional character? Polgara

Favorite fictional villain? None, I don't like villains.

Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? Something within my comfort zone.

The longest I’ve gone without reading. A month when I was very sick. About all I could do is watch tv.

Name a book that you could/would not finish. The last one was Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

What distracts you easily when you’re reading? Used to be nothing - I'd read in a bowling alley. Now even the ticking of a fan can distract me.

Favorite film adaptation of a novel? The first one that comes to mind is Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Most disappointing film adaptation? Earthsea - the only similarity was in the names of the characters.

The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? I think $150, many years ago.

How often do you skim a book before reading it? I always read the last section/chapter.

Do you like to keep your books organized? In general, I'm not compulsive about it.

Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? I rarely buy books. We simply can't afford them. The ones remaining have been purged several times. What we have we'll keep at this point.

Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? Ulysses by James Joyce.

Name a book that made you angry. Crime and Punishment is nothing but whining by a scumbucket.

A book you didn’t expect to like but did? The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

A book that you expected to like but didn’t? Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. The style made it a slog. I quit 3/4 of the way through. Furthest I've ever gone in a book before quitting.

Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading? Don't feel guilt for any reading. So, my favorite reading is fantasy - preferably a pig-boy/girl story.

Great questionnaire, I also did it on my thread. Funny how some of our answers are the same (Like what has changed now we have threads, the books that we are avoiding) and some are so different (I loved Wolf Hall and history books). Fun to do and read.

160. Acquired Tastes by Peter Mayle

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: LT Recommended (per request for subject)

Summary: Essays on a life of luxury

Opinion: Light and humorous. I especially liked the essays on servants and staying in hotels. I could have wished for a little more meat, but in general was exactly what I was looking for - what my life will be like when I win the lottery. Heh.

Rating: 7

161. The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Women of Fantasy challenge

Summary: A young Pict is fostered to the King's Druid and discovers a girl child of the Good Folk on the doorstep

Opinion: The characters saved this bloated and slow-plotted story. I couldn't have finished it if I didn't like both the main and secondary characters. I almost didn't finish it because it is so plodding. There were times when I picked it up and thought, "Do I have to read this?" It could have been a much better book if cut in half.

Rating: 6

162. Redwall by Brian Jacques

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: July TIOLI #17 (YA SF/F), 1001 Fantasy, Ultimate Book List, LTMP

Summary: A young mouse saves an abbey being attacked by an evil rat

Opinion: This is a perfect novel for a child. As an adult, I found the characters too good and the plot too straightforward. You would be presented with a problem and it would immediately get solved. Problem, solution, problem, solution. Also, there is a lot of death but it is brushed over and the characters are barely affected by it. All that being said, it was an interesting world and some of the secondary characters had more depth. I rooted for the good guys and they won. Satisfactory but nothing special.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Finding God When You Don't Believe in God by Jack Erdmann

On Deck:
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

I haven't read Redwall yet, but I read something else in the series. I pretty much agree with you. My daughter loved these as a child, so I enjoyed seeing what the attraction was for her. I also loved the food descriptions, could almost make me become a vegetarian, or at least eat like one for a while. :)

163. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Genre: Children's

Notes: TIOLI #21 (reread less than 21)

Summary: A boy and his tree

Opinion: I think my experience this time was colored by a bad review I recently read. I remember liking this book when I was young but I was rather disgusted by both the tree's submissiveness and the boy's greediness.

Rating: 6

164. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: LT Recommended

Summary: Mercenary has to discover who killed her guardian - the werewolves or the vampires?

Opinion: Enjoyable start to a new series for me. Kick-ass heroine and no sex in sight. Okay, I like sex in my books, but sometimes in urban fantasy it gets ridiculous. You can figure out who she's going to end up with, but there is no love at first sight here. Interesting world-building tops it off.

Rating: 8

165. Heartless by Gail Carriger

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (6 or 7/2011), Next in series

Summary: Alexie saves the queen with her usual flair while eight months pregnant

Opinion: Lots of fun. Especially liked the extra time with secondary characters, Akeldama and Biffy. Alexie seems to have a litle more heart in this one and doesn't come off quite as abrasive. The furniture moving scene is hilarious. Most fun since Soulless.

Rating: 8

166. Vengeance in Death by J. D. Robb

Genre: Mystery

Notes: Next in series, SC 30.2 AKA

Summary: Eve has to prove her bane, Summerset, didn't commit murder

Opinion: I didn't enjoy this as much as the first few, I'm not sure why. Perhaps because it feels darker in tone. Yes, I know these are murder mysteries, but some of the humor is missing.

Rating: 7

>21 Morphidae:

I'm so glad you liked Magic Bites - I hope you enjoy the rest of the series, too. Isn't it great when you find a new series that already has several books published?

>22 Morphidae: I felt the same way -- the best since Soulless.

>23 Morphidae: Some of the J.D. Robb books are much, much darker than the others. Overall, though, I find it a predictably entertaining series.

I've been out of town for over a week and I'm playing catch up -- you've been reading some great stuff!

Stray thoughts...

I just read some reviews for a book and most of them had the word "challenging" in them. There isn't a more likely word to make me NOT want to read a book. My life is challenging enough. I don't want to work at my reading, too. Blech. I want enjoyment. I want, "OOooh, that was so much fun that I want to read that book again right now!" I want pig boy/girl stories and romance novels and kick-ass hero/ines and tales about finding a place to belong. Give me Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code and Anne McCaffrey. Give me Eddings and The Help and Stephanie Plum. The Thirteenth Tale. Anne Fadiman. Bildungsroman.

have you read Progeny: The Children of the White Lions ? It reminds me a little of Eddings with more meat on the bone.

No. I want to but I can't afford to buy it and the library doesn't have it.

Did you ask the library to get it? My wife seems to have great success at our library requesting books not in the system. They've bought every one she's asked for so far.

Yep, but it's time consuming.

Well, if I have my copy back by Sept. 17th I'll try to remember to bring it along to lend to you.

I just read a great book by Patricia Wrede: Thirteenth Child - you might want to check that out if your library has it. Western frontier alt history fantasy. Loved it.

167. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Genre: Fiction

Notes: Booker Prize

Summary: A taxi driver in India defends the murder of his boss

Opinion: The writing was excellent and the story was interesting but the main character is slime and the corruption in India was unpleasant to read about. The rating is more for the writing than the enjoyment.

Rating: 7

168. Naamah's Blessing by Jacqueline Carey

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: July TIOLI #8 (Hot), Next in series

Summary: Moirin has to go to alternate history Mexico and South America to bring back the heir of Terre d'Ange

Opinion: Yum yum. After nine books and several rereads, I don't love these with the intensity I first did yet Carey still tells excellent stories even if they do weigh a ton. I loved the alternate look at Aztec and Incan culture. The only thing lacking is some freshness. It almost feels like a rehash of the third Kushiel book - "bad magic guy takes over town, heroine is the only one to be able to save the people, etc." Still I loved it and consumed the 600 page book in two days.

Rating: 8

169. Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: July TIOLI #15 (June/July 2011), Next in series

Summary: Kitty and her friends head to San Franciso to help an ally keep an object of power from a baddie

Opinion: Popcorn. Fun popcorn. Um. Not a whole lot to say. Her relationships are stable - always a nice and, honestly, a unique thing to see in urban fantasy. The plot is light but I love the characters.

Rating: 7

170. Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: A mercenary in alternate Atlanta has to retrieve some maps for a were-pack and discovers that two gods are at war

Opinion: There's a richness about Andrew's writing that appeals to me. Her characters have depth and the plot has little twists and turns. There are some qualities I find less than admirable in the two leads which brings the rating down a little but it is made up for by how absorbed I get while reading this series.

Rating: 8

171. Bad Attitude by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Romance

Notes: To complete bibliography

Summary: A sniper, jailed for attempted murder, is offered a job he can't refuse

Opinion: One of Kenyon's weaker books. The plot is unrealistic, even for her, and rather basic. The heroine was inconsistent - bitchy at first and then became somewhat wimpy. I rather liked the hero though. His story was emotionally engaging.

Rating: 6

172. Among Others by Jo Walton

Genre: Urban fantasy

Notes: LT Recommended

Summary: A fifteen-year-old who loves reading science fiction/fantasy is sent to boarding school

Opinion: Uck. I'm not sure what others found attractive about this book but it certainly wasn't my cup of tea. It is basically a teen girl's diary. Yawner. The fantasy was minimal and the people were on the whole unlikeable. There was a lot of whining and nothing really happened. The "climatic" showdown with her mother lasted all of one page. SO not recommended.

Rating: 5

Quote:

"Bibliotropic," Hugh said, "Like sunflowers are heliotropic, they naturally turn toward the sun. We naturally turn towards the bookshop."

173. Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Urban fantasy

Notes: SC 5.5 Maple Leaf Rag, Next in series

Summary: Hope is hired by a cabal to infiltrate a gang and bites off more than she can chew

Opinion: Armstrong writes fluff. I get what I expect with her - a quick, fun read with likeable characters. Hope and Karl push the edges of likeability but overall it's a decent story.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8 Lee
Life of the Beloved by Henri J Nouwen

On Deck:
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Outlaw Mountain by J. A. Jance
Naked City by Ellen Datlow (ed) ARC!

Oooh, you've got some great stuff on deck. I'm glad to hear you liked Ilona Andrews-- she's on my wishlist.

174. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8 Lee

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: SC 10.8 Baby, It's Hot Outside!

Summary: About American Chinese cuisine, restaurants and the fortune cookie

Opinion: Entertaining enough. I enjoyed learning the origins of certain dishes and Chinese-American culture. The Jewish-Chinese connections were fascinating. But the book, like Chinese food, while appetizing, had no real substance to it. Fluffy nonfiction.

Rating: 7

175. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: July TIOLI #14 (time periods), SC 30.8 Summer Solstice #1, 50 State, 1001 Fantasy

Summary: A vampire discusses his history from New Orleans to France and back again with a journalist

Opinion: Needs more story, less description. And this is only the first of Rice's books. I heard she got worse as the books went along. I only made it through because I had seen the movie and could picture what was going on. The film was pretty faithful to the book except for the ending.

Rating: 6

176. Life of the Beloved by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Genre: Spirituality

Notes: July TIOLI #19 (random-5)

Summary: A "letter" from a Christian to a Jewish friend about how we are are beloved children of god

Opinion: I was hoping for more meat, less filling. Maybe I'm looking for a lost cause. I like more straightforward talk about god and less frou-frou. I still haven't found a book that I can connect with about this subject. I'm a generic Deist. I (want to) believe in a loving god, everything else is details.

Rating: 5

177. Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Kate and the pack have to fight in a tournament to keep the bad guys from winning the prize

Opinion: Kate is a great heroine. While powerful, she's no MarySue. While there is a romance, there was no "love at first sight" nor is there the "which guy will she end up with" crap. The plot is engaging, the world interesting and the characters well rounded.

Rating: 8

178. Outlaw Mountain by J. A. Jance

Genre: Mystery

Notes: July TIOLI #7 (America), SC 15.5 Mind the Gap

Summary: An elderly lady is murdered and Joanna must deal with all the family members

Opinion: The mystery is good enough but the real attraction for me is Joanna's relationships. They are so real - never perfect, always changing. The plot bothered me a bit. Too many players were thrown into the works. It was confusing and I don't typically get all that confused with lots of characters.

Rating: 7

179. Blood Lite by Jim Butcher, et al.

Genre: Horror

Notes: July TIOLI #11 (themed anthology), SC 30.6 Shakespeare Under the Stars #1

Summary: Short story collection of horror tales

Opinion: This was supposed to be a collection of HUMOROUS horror stories but I failed to see the humor in the vast majority of them. I can only think of two that I found funny rather than just horrific and I have a pretty broad sense of humor.

Rating: 5

>43 Morphidae: I'm so glad you like this series, too -- Kate is one of my favorite heroines. Magic Strikes may be my favorite in the series.

>42 Morphidae: I find books about religion and spirituality tricky, too. I keep reading them, but I rarely find anything that speaks to me.

>45 Morphidae: Blood Lite didn't do much for me, either.

180. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: July TIOLI #19 (random-2), SC 50.1 Hodge-Podge #1

Summary: Kvothe's continuing adventures as a University student and as a bard

Opinion: It could have been cut by about 250 pages, but overall a really good read though sometimes felt episodic. Sometimes when reading something this long, you get the feeling of, "Will this never end?" Happily, this was not the case and Rothfuss kept my interest throughout the book.

Rating: 8

181. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Genre: Urban Fantasy, YA

Notes: August TIOLI #22 (uncommon name - Rose)

Summary: Teenage dhamphir (human/vampire cross) gets dragged back to vampire school along with her best friend.

Opinion: Angst. Angst. A bit more angst. Could be any teenage girl in any boarding school. Mean girls. Gossip. Parties. Rebellion against authority. BFF. Forbidden romance. Yadda yadda yadda.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman
Conspiracies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

On Deck:
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
She Walks in Beauty by Caroline Kennedy (ed)

Dejah, I keep finding parts of books that speak to me, but nothing as a whole. It's frustrating. There has to be something out there for us practical spiritual people!

I've had the best luck overall with Quaker writings, but even that's crapshoot (if you'll excuse a gambling expression in such close relation to the Quakers).

I'm going to suggest Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh which I gave 10/10 stars. I like how he talks about seven practices that you find in all faiths and how he integrates many spiritual paths.

1. Transform Your Motivation (happiness)
2. Cultivate Emotional Wisdom (love)
3. Live Ethically (ethics)
4. Concentrate and Calm Your Mind (meditation)
5. Awaken Your Spiritual Vision (the sacred)
6. Cultivate Spiritual Intelligence (wisdom)
7. Express Spirit in Action (service)

Thanks for the suggestion -- I'll give it a try. Happily, it's in my library system.

182. Conspiracies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: August TIOLI #3 (Arthurian), SC 50.1 Hodge-Podge

Summary: Continued story of a mage academy for orphaned teens

Opinion: What's with the depressing teen stories? Do they all have to be bleak, unhappy, whining kids? I don't think so. Lackey and Edghill tell a great story but they need to leaven it with some humor and joy.

Rating: 6

183. Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: A plague deity comes to Atlanta and plays havoc with Kate and all she cares about

Opinion: Have I told you that Andrews rocks? Yes, the couple is now together and they've had sex. But it makes sense four books in. A rich story. Snarky humor. Characters to love despite their failings. Love these books.

Rating:8

184. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Genre: Romance

Notes: August TIOLI #4 (of), SC 30.6 Shakespeare Under the Stars #2

Summary: Regency romance

Opinion: A typical Regency romance yet still well done. I was wondering if the hero was savagable at the beginning, but all it took was the love of a good woman. Awwwwww. Both hero and heroine were (eventually) likeable and the plotting was absorbing.

Rating: 8

185. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: August TIOLI #22 (uncommon name)

Summary: A group of mountain girls have to attend a school in order to be chosen by the Prince for his bride

Opinion: See, now this is more like it. Aimed at teens - there is drama, teen angst, and mean girls and yet there is also success, humor, and joy. Lovely story and look forward to reading more by Hale.

Rating: 8

186. Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts

Genre: Romance

Notes: August TIOLI #18 (music in title), SC 30.2 A.K.A

Summary: Second in a trilogy about a trio of friends who have to find magical keys to free three goddesses

Opinion: It's a typical Roberts. Good set up and plot. (Above) average Janes and Joes with a twist. The emotional connection wasn't quite there with this one though. I like to get a little teary now and then with my romances and didn't have that with this one.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

On Deck:
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
She Walks in Beauty by Caroline Kennedy (ed)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

187. She Walks in Beauty edited by Caroline Kennedy

Genre: Poetry

Notes: LT Recommended

Summary: A collection of poems about a woman's journey from first love to motherhood and through loss and middle age

Opinion: This is rated pretty high for me since it's poetry which is not my normal genre. I got a few keepers - one that brought me to tears (Love by Roy Croft) - but overall I have to say that poetry just isn't my thing. I did try.

Quote:
Grown Up by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Was it for this I uttered prayers,
And sobbed and cursed and kicked the stairs,
That now, domestic as a plate,
I should retire at half-past eight

Rating: 5

188. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Genre: Fiction

Notes: August TIOLI #4 (of)

Summary: A doctor goes into the Amazon jungle to confront a mentor and locate the body of a dead co-worker

Opinion: This was a book club read. I was really looking forward to it because I so like Bel Canto but this was a disappointment. The main character was a doormat, changing little through the book and the mentor was a totally unlikeable piece of work. Lastly, the plot wrapped up in two pages and then the book just … ended. I did enjoy the author's writing. She gives a fabulous sense of place and is descriptive without being purple.

Rating: 6

189. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Genre: Mystery

Notes: August TIOLI #15 (food), SC 5.6 As American As…

Summary: An 11 year old needs to solve the mystery of the dead stranger in the garden

Opinion: I found the bratty heroine annoying as all get out which made it difficult to enjoy the story such as it was. Mostly it was her running around on her bike finding clues with no effort. Her sisters were mean, her father distant, and the other adults one-dimensional. Not sure what the hullabaloo is all about.

Rating: 5

190. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Genre: Magical Realism

Notes: August TIOLI #1 (wonderful), SC 30.8 Summer Solstice

Summary: An apple tree, two sisters and a small Southern town - magic

Opinion: A delightful book and I loved each character. When I was done reading, I was grinning and wanted to start the book all over again. There were some plot holes and situations got tied up too neatly, but I just didn't care. I adore books that uplift and make me smile.

Rating: 9

191. Key of Valor by Nora Roberts

Genre: Romance

Notes: August TIOLI #18 (music), Next in series

Summary: A single mother has to find courage to stand against the enemy and to open her heart

Opinion: Typical Roberts romance with a touch of the fantastic. Not all that deep, but you feel good at the end of the story. I particularly liked the interactions between the hero and her son. It felt realistic and light-hearted.

Rating: 7

192. Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: August TIOLI #2 (pig-boy), SC 30.3 If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium #1, Next in series

Summary: Arthur has to return to the House to gain control of the second key before Grim's minions destroy his family

Opinion: The series books are quick reads but I am tired before the story is done. It is non-stop action with no character development much less a place to breath. I have the author down as one that I want to read the entire bibliography but if I read another like this, I'll probably remove his name from my list.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

On Deck:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen

In terms of light hearted fantasy (somewhat similar to Progeny) is Michael Sullivan's Crown Conspiracy - He's just achieved an Orbit publishing deal so his books should all be out in mainstream channels shortly. Maybe your librayr system will have them.

#58 - Love the poem quote. Seems to be describing me :op

#61 - I've read three of Sarah Addison Allen's books and found them all wonderful, though Garden Spells is my favorite so far, followed by Sugar Queen with a character that is followed about by self-help books wanting to help. I've got The Peach Keeper loaded up on my mp3 player but I've been putting it off, building up the anticipation.

I loved that poem, too. Describing me, very well, inddeed.

#60 - Sorry that one wasn't for you! Ah well, you and I often have different takes on books, I've noticed. :) And sometimes we agree!

#68 Maybe it's because you had kids that you are more patient with reading about them!

My MIL had 6 kids, but she said Flavia got on her nerves as well. She definitely didn't want to go on with the series. I haven't tried the books yet, but will eventually.

I think what endears me to Flavia, and possibly it is more evident in the second book, is her childlike vulnerability to some of the situations around her. In spite of her intelligence, she still thinks and often reacts as a child in a lot of situations.

oh! Is that "endearing"? I thought that when I respond like a child others thought I was being a "butt head"? hahhahaha

Well maggie, Flavia is only 11 years old. It makes a difference.

I had the same reactions to Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and Garden Spells as you.

In the former, overly precocious and annoying Flavia turned me off, and the latter was a wonderful surprise, much better than I expected. It's not easy to write a gripping but happy book. And I agree with >66 sandragon: sandragon that the subsequent two are wonderful, too. I haven't read her new one, The Peach Keeper, yet. I've become a big Sarah Addison Allen fan.

Don't miss this thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/122405#t

193. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: August TIOLI #4 (of)

Summary: When teenaged Clary starts seeing things nobody else can, she realizes there is level of reality she didn't know existed

Opinion: I was afraid City of Bones would be another whiny-teenager YA fantasy, but escapes that label for the most part. The story is focused on just a few characters as only a few people can see magic and monsters. The characters are mostly likeable and the plot moved along with the right amount of pauses inbetween action scenes. I'm struggling a bit with this review because I don't have strong feelings either way about this book. It's good enough that I'll most likely continue on with the series but not so great that I'm jumping into it.

Rating: 7

194. Fat Girl by Judith Moore

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: August TIOLI #16 (syllables), SC 15.9 Pulling Weeds, 888 Challenge

Summary: A woman describes her dysfunctional and "fat" childhood

Opinion: I couldn't get past her body dysmorphism of calling 20 to 40 pounds overweight disgustingly fat. The way she described herself you would have thought she was 100 pounds or more overweight when this is not the case. I doubt she was ever obese. That plus, even though she warns you at the beginning, the utter bleakness of her story. There is no joy or inspiration here.

Rating: 5

195. An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Genre: Romance

Notes: August TIOLI #1 (witty), SC 10.5 What's Next?

Summary: The bastard daughter of a nobleman in a Cinderalla (sort of) story

Opinion: This is my first Quinn and I'll certainly try something else of hers. The characters are likeable and the plot was well-done though neither were new or intriguing. A bit of fluff for a Saturday afternoon read.

Rating: 7

196. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Incidents of magic and people disappearing have Kate and Curren on the case

Opinion: Have I mentioned I REALLY love this series? Can I tell you that I am MAJORLY bummed that I have to wait who knows how long to read the next one? I'm already jonesing for it. I guess I'll have to try something else by this husband/wife team.

Rating: 8

197. Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: SC 30.7 Choose Your Own Adventure, 1001 Fantasy

Summary: Jakkin has to steal then train a dragon in order to fulfill his bond and become a free man

Opinion: Yolen gets high marks for writing style, I'll give you that. But there was little conflict in the book or anything for Jakkin to overcome with but the slightest bit of effort. Yolen might have done the "steal a dragon to become free theme" first, but I think Lackey did it better in Joust. I'll give the next in the series a shot, though.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

On Deck:
Naked City by Ellen Datlow (ARC of urban fantasy short stories, weee!)
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

re 77 & 80 - What a set of covers! Something for everyone. ;)

198. A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: LTMP, Ultimate Reading List

Summary: The Calamitous 14th Century

Opinion: Only by sheer stubbornness did I finish this book. Not because it was badly done, but rather because history, especially when it comes to battles and political machinations, bores me. I enjoyed it more when the focus was on the culture of the times - what people ate, wore, did. Six months and two library check outs later, I finally finished it. Whoo hoo!

Rating: 6

199. Changeling by Yasmine Galenore

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Were-tabby and her sisters are hired to discover who is killing the werepumas and why

Opinion: Fun enough romp. I like the characters, the plotting could be better.

Rating: 7

200. Dangerous Games by Keri Arthur

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Riley fighting a dark god and angsting about her vampire lover

Opinion: I'm getting tired of the love-angst in mysteries, paranormal or otherwise. Will she or won't she and with who? But the plot was interesting and I like Riley's interactions with non-lovers. I zipped through this in a couple hours and it kept me absorbed. Not too shabby.

Rating: 7

201. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Genre: Classics

Notes: August TIOLI #8 (with friend)

Summary: A bunch of folk hang around, get drunk, fish and watch the bull fights

Opinion: Read the summary. Doesn't sound very interesting, does it? It's not. I made it through because Hemingway is an easy read. None of the characters were likable for various reasons. A disappointment after The Old Man and the Sea.

Rating: 5

202. Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Fitz loses everything and succeeds at nothing.

Opinion: Just kill me now. Why do I torture myself like Hobb tortures her characters? Is it because I'm a masochist or because Hobb is an excellent writer? Absorbing, compelling, but depressing as all hell. If it weren't for how depressed I am after reading one of her books, I'd give it an 8.

Rating: 6

203. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Genre: Fiction

Notes: For WCC book club

Summary: An old woman reflects on her life in service in 1920s England

Opinion: I kept waiting for something to happen. And waited. And waited. This could have been a good short story for all the action in it. Yet, I liked the main character (when she wasn't being Too Stupid To Live*) and enjoyed the stories around current time more than when she was speaking of her history. The end was especially touching.

* I figured out who her father was in a few pages and when she did figure it out… she did absolutely nothing - which was ridiculous.

Rating: 6

204. Belladonna by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Sept TIOLI #5 (never author), Next in series

Summary: The survival of Ephemera depends on Belladonna - will she, her family and friends be able to defeat the Eater of the World?

Opinion: I want to like this series more than I do but it doesn't have the charm, humor or intensity of the Black Jewel series. It tries real hard though.

Rating: 7

205. The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: Sept #5 (never author), 111 SciFi

Summary: A crime caper dressed up in science fiction clothing

Opinion: An amusing enough story but the veneer of science fiction was very thin. All the trappings could have been taken away and it wouldn't have made any difference. That being said, it was fun. I can't believe how old this was though. I remember reading it in the 80s and thought it was a current book, but no, it was written twenty years earlier!

Rating: 7

206. Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton

Genre: Memoir

Notes: Sept TIOLI #1 (5 words, Who is Wil Wheaton?)

Summary: Wheaton blogs about his life before, during and after Trek

Opinion: While I enjoyed the stories - he seems like a personable, funny guy - the complaining about not being able to find work after he left Next Gen got old. I'll try something else of his before deciding if it was just this book or if it's a soap box he won't get off of.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Dark Half by Stephen King

On Deck:
Page after Page by Heather Sellers
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Naked City by Ellen Datlow (ARC of urban fantasy short stories, weee!)

#91 ~~ I liked him as an actor, but haven't seen him in anything in forever. I didn't even know if he was still around the business.

#77 - to my mind, #2 is the best of the series. #3 was somewhat dissappointing letdown, and left me not inclined to try the rest.

#87 - I tried the frist trilogy, and couldn't bring myself to read any others. The writing is OK, but nothing in the plots inspired me to seek out more of them. I'm not sure why so many people rave about them.

#90There's a lot of Stainless Steel Rat books out there in the series, but I gave up after a few. Too close to farce for me somehow.

#92 Millhold: WLW is currently in Eureka on the SyFy channel and has guested on other series. I hated him on Star Trek but get a kick out of his annoying character on Eureka.

>94 majkia: Me, too. He's much better on Eureka.

Ahhhh. I only have regular broadcast channels, no cable, satellite, etc.

Yes, my husband likes him in Eureka, too. I don't watch the show. The only show I watch is Glee.

#90 I like farce, but in small doses only.

#84 oooh, another urban fantasy/Paranormal romance series for me to try...I'll see if my library has it.

#86, I totally agree....haven't read The Old Man and the Sea, maybe I'll check it out.

207. Paradise Wild by Johanna Lindsey

Genre: Romance

Notes: Sept TIOLI #19 (similar tag), to complete bibliography

Summary: He wants revenge for something her father did, she wants revenge for what he did to her, he wants rev… er, nevermind.

Opinion: He's a cad, she's a complainer. He hits her, she blows it off. She hides a pregnancy, his ex-mistress still lives in the house they share. She lies, he rapes. Ew, ew, and triple ew. I rated it as "high" as I did because I was able to complete it.

Rating: 3

207. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Sept TIOLI #6 (prime colors), LT Recommended

Summary: A witch is forced to learn about her long repressed powers after discovered a spellbound book while doing research

Opinion: This is one of the few books in recent months that I slowed down near the end because I didn't want to finish it. I didn't want it to be over. And now I have to wait until at least next summer before the second book in the trilogy comes out and I'm bummed. The characters are richly woven and the story, while fantastic, is homey and basic. It's a story about people. Yes, they are witches and vampires and daemons, oh my. But they are just people in many ways and I really liked that. They are cranky and have doubts and waffle and love and protect each other even when angry or when someone screws up.

Rating: 8

Darn it, Morphy, you are going to have to stop hitting me with the famous BB's (book bullets). I have to put this one on one of my wish lists, like "I wish I could find the time to read more".

101- I'm not adding it to my wish list, but it's on my serendipity list. A book I'll probably buy if I run across it at a reasonable price. Didn't clammy like that one too?

Too many people have been slipping references to me about A Discovery of Witches and I rather suspect that I'm going to have to read it.

208. Page after Page by Heather Sellers

Genre: Writing

Notes: TIOLI #19 (tag)

Summary: Discover the confidence and passion you need to start writing and keep writing (no matter what!)

Opinion: Had some good bits (Butt in Chair) but overall was too poetic and frou-frou for me.

Rating: 6

209. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #7 (9 letter), 111 SF, LTMP

Summary: A pizza guy/hacker comes across a conspiracy to infect the world and Metaworld (think a virtual life game like Sims) with Snow Crash, a virus that can cross the boundaries between the cyber and real world.

Opinion: Stephenson isn't a clear or concise writer and I found myself confused or bored at times. Interesting concept but he took certain ideas when creating the future society, such as corporate nations , and went too far. I have a pretty strong ability to suspend my disbelief but was unable to do so for this book. It was too absurd and it kept knocking me out of the story. I think if he had been a clearer writer and backed off on some of his concepts this could have been an excellent book. Lastly, this book shows its age - some of it is dated.

Rating: 6

210. Blood Work by Kim Harrison

Genre: Graphic Novel

Notes: TIOLI #7 (9 letter)

Summary: Describes the beginning of the relationship between Ivy and Rachel

Opinion: Ivy's point of view doesn't work for this as she comes across as not a very likeable person. I wanted to smack her at times. Harrison does well in novel form, but not in graphic novel storylines. There was no depth to the story. I also didn't care for the illustrator's style. I don't think he draws good characters.

Rating: 6

211. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: 75 Book Great Pumpkin Halloween Read, Ultimate Reading list, LTMP, 50 state

Summary: A meandering story about a murder in Savannah, Georgia

Opinion: I was halfway through the book before the murder was even mentioned but I didn't care. I enjoyed reading about all the colorful characters in the southern city. In fact, I thought the first half was more fun than the second when the wrangling over four (!) different trials felt never-ending. "Ah, jeez. Not again," came to mind.

Rating: 7

212. Dates from Hell by Kim Harrison, et al.

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: To complete bibliography

Summary: Four short paranormal romance stories

Opinion: Meh. I don't think I've ever given a high score to a short story collection, especially not in the paranormal romance genre. The only short stories I recall really enjoying were by Robert Heinlein or Spider Robinson. Otherwise, they mostly leave me cold. Dates from Hell felt the lack of depth and character building that turns me off most short stories more than most. Stick to novels, gals.

Rating: 5

213. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #6 (primary), LT Recommended

Summary: An elderly English gentlemen meets and courts a Pakistani shop keeper much to the chagrin of the rest of the village

Opinion: It was too close to being a "literary" novel for me - miserable events happening to miserable people. There was character growth and a happy ending though, so that saved it. I seriously considered quitting halfway through but I'm glad I finished it as the second half was better than the first.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
The Dark Half by Stephen King
Wayfinder by C. E. Murphy
Naked City by Ellen Datlow

On Deck:
Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker
Heart's Blood by Jane Yolen
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

I am glad you persevered through to the happy ending. Perseverance is a good trait, sometimes.

I've read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and never quite understood all the fuss it received when first published. It seemed to me (as someone who has lived down south) like one of those rude regional tourism titles where the author spends a good deal of time pointing at the eccentrics as examples of what people in this particular region of the world were really like. And the author in this instance is a young freelancer with less experience of the world than most who seems not to notice that his own home ground (up North if I remember correctly) has its own share of bizarre types and bad behaviors! I found it to be a disappointing read (and one of those few instances where the movie had more to recommend it than the book).

All this just my two cents and not to be taken as more than that. I may be remembering the book incorrectly. I do remember not wanting to reread it.

Jill, I, like you, have definite issues with a lot of books set in the South. I'm a New Englander, and will always feel like an outsider here, but even so. Yes, we've got rednecks (locally we call them Boggy Boys) and other wackos, but so does everywhere else.

I also cannot stand books (and especially movies and TV) that use some godawful accent and call it 'Southern'. There are a ton of different southern accents and trying to create ONE is annoying. I've been known to refuse to watch TV series because of bad accents (The Closer for one).

Woo hoo! Thread hyjack!!!

I think one of the saddest characteristics of this modern era is the disappearance of genuine regional differences. I believe the whole group of books labelled southern, in the past, were uniquely different because there were regional differences which intrigued and fascinated readers. And the authors were in fact rooted in the region. We had not all morphed into the nearly universal sameness which exists today.

Where do you go for a vacation where the airport is different from all other airports? Where the downtown streets have special, unique, one of a kind, shops where you can buy items not found anywhere else? And, very importantly: Where do you find regional food prepared in a memorable way?

Today on the Sunday Morning show they showed recent science says that Pleasure is found often when something really good is coupled with a surprise.

Food for thought.

I never got the impression the author thought his own area didn't have its share of weirdos. The colorful characters were my favorite part of the book and I felt the author was entirely sympathetic to them, except perhaps the guy that killed his "friend." My entire family is from the South and my mom was born in Savannah.

Morphy, you were very careful to say that in your review and I certainly understood that. I just didn't care for the author's overall tone.

I guess we differ on what we think his tone is then. Because I also lived in the south and am from a southern family and got an entirely different impression of it. My sole issue with the book was that I found the second half tedious and uninteresting.

#112 ~~ I agree. I enjoyed the movie, but the book--for me--sucked hard, and not in a good way.

214. Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #9 (LT work ends in 9 - 71279), LTMP

Summary: A prequel to Peter Pan

Opinion: What a delightful story. Where did Peter Pan come from? How did Captain Hook lose his hand? Where is Neverland? Why can Peter Pan fly? Who are the Lost Boys? Why does Peter Pan never grow older? I loved the illustrations that went along with the story. Aimed at children, but enjoyable for adults. Unlike other recent children's books, while there is a lot of action, it is not constant and unending. There are moments of rest and reflection before events get hairy again. It is scary and bloody at times, but not overly so. I wasn't terribly thrilled with reading this book when I first picked it up, but several chapters in, I was hooked.

Rating: 8

215. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

Genre: Historical Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #8 (prostitution), Ultimate Reading list, LTMP

Summary: A prostitute attempts to improve her life by becoming a rich man's mistress

Opinion: I'm conflicted about this book. On one hand, I found the style distracting at first when the narrator "spoke" to me, the language was overly coarse at times (and I'm no prude), and many things were left hanging in the end. On the other, I found the description of the time period and culture fascinating, the characters were well-fleshed out, and the plot was interesting. I listened to it on audio and the reader was good. Guardedly recommended.

Rating: 7

216. The Dark Half by Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #15 (author born Sept), to complete bibliography

Summary: The people around a writer are sadistically slaughtered and he knows why

Opinion: Other than the sheriff, I didn't like the characters. The concept was uninteresting and, frankly, had my eyes rolling at times. I can only suspend my disbelief so far. Give me SOMETHING to hang it on! Only finished it as I'm reading all King's bibliography. Not recommended.

Rating: 5

217. Heart's Blood by Jane Yolen

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: To continue series

Summary: Young dragon trainer attempts to aid his friend escape from the rebels

Opinion: Yolen is a smooth writer but her plots need work. They are too basic, even for a children's book. The main character did a lot of floundering and got nothing accomplished. Events happened to him rather than him initiating anything. I'll hope for the best and finish the trilogy.

Rating: 6

218. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: 1001 Fantasy, LTMP

Summary: The original pig-boy story

Opinion: This is not a series for me. I found the characters annoying and the constant activity tiring. Also, every problem was easily solved using the "it just so happened" plot device.

Rating: 5

119 - Hehe, "hooked" :)

>124 MrsLee: I was wondering if anyone noticed that. It was unintentional but fitting.

#120 ~~ There is a sequel, and it is fabulous. Clears up all the hanging threads, and is a series of stories rather than a novel. I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but you should be able to find it via his name.

>126 millhold: Ooooh... *goes hunting*

And I'm currently watching the BBC special. While it is good, it doesn't do the book justice.

219. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #10 (BookBrowse), TBR from 2007 (!)

Summary: Two women brought together by war in Afghanistan

Opinion: The writing and characters were fabulous. The story was far too unpleasant for me to enjoy. If you can get past the brutality, you might like it more than I.

Rating: 6

220. Wayfinder by C. E. Murphy

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: ER, TIOLI #4 (not simplest), next in series

Summary: A truthseeker has to discover the past of the Barrow-lands in order to save its future

Opinion: In a lot of children's stories, I find an annoying plot device I call "it just so happens." Right when a person or item or locale is needed, it shows up - just in the nick of time. With this story, its evil brother occurs far too often. Right when things start to go right for the heroes, something awful happens. Again and again and again. Also, I felt at times that the author wasn't playing tricks just on the characters, but me. Lastly, the plotting felt disjointed and episodic. The story was mostly saved by Murphy's usual smooth writing and interesting, approachable characters.

Rating: 6

221. Undead and Undermined by MaryJanice Davidson

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #12 (title monster), next in series

Summary: Continuing story of Betsy, vampire queen

Opinion: Next verse, same as the first. My chuckles kept this from a lower rating. This is cotton candy reading - something to zip through in an hour or two to catch up with the characters then on to something with more substance, plot, character development. (Which most near any other book will have!)

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Naked City by Ellen Datlow
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Emma by Jane Austen
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

On Deck:
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

I'm putting together a 2012 reading plan for fantasy based on the 1001 Fantasy Books You Must Read Before You Are Turned into a Newt list created by the Green Dragoneers. I'd like to do a monthly group read. The books for "nomination" are at the link below. Anyone is welcome!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/124802

222. Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #16 (book club), LTMP, Ultimate Reading List

Summary: A professor of English literature brings together women in Tehran to read forbidden novels

Opinion: When discussing the Iranian culture and history or stories of her female students I was interested; however, when she went into English lit critique, I skimmed a lot out of boredom. I found the information about women's attitudes about wearing the veil and the modern clothes many wore under it fascinating.

Rating: 7

223. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #19 (previous TIOLI), LTMP, Ultimate Reading List, 50 State

Summary: The first true crime novel about the murders of a family in 1950s Kansas

Opinion: I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book. I was expecting it to be more flowery but Capote is a very smooth and easy writer to read. It's clear he was a journalist as while he was descriptive, he didn't get all poetic. A straightforward, solid read.

Rating: 7

224. Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #9 (first/last vowel)

Summary: Current scientific information on what a dog experiences

Opinion: For a scientist, she writes flowery, which I found a distraction. Perhaps the book needed to be padded a bit? Lots of good information about dogs some of which I oohed and aahed over. "Hey, honey? Did you know that…" I wanted more about my own dog though. There was just one chapter at the end that gave ideas about how to interact with her.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Naked City by Ellen Datlow
Emma by Jane Austen
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

On Deck:
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker
The Key to Midnight by Dean Koontz

I've have Inside of a Dog as one of my bathtub books* so I'll be a while before I finish it. But I agree her style is a funny combination of "literary" (maybe the wrong word) and scientific! I am glad to hear it has some good interesting bits.

*books I dip into while soaking in a hot tub, only a few minutes at a time as I'm prone to falling asleep in the warmth.

MY THIRD 75!



225. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #2 (characteristic)

Summary: The twins of a Indian Catholic nun and an English doctor grow up as orphans in Ethiopia.

Opinion: There was great storytelling, relatable characters and an intriguing setting. It's not for the squeamish as several medical procedures are described in detail. While awful things happen, in general, it is a hopeful book. Recommended.

Rating: 8

226. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Genre: Self-help

Notes: TIOLI #15 (alliterative author)

Summary: Let Go of Who You Think You Are Supposed To Be and Embrace Who You Are

Opinion: Simple book on how compassion, courage and connection can improve your life. I prefer books like this that give straightforward self-help steps without all the frou-frou.

Rating: 7

227. The Key to Midnight by Dean Koontz

Genre: Fiction (Thriller)

Notes: TIOLI #18 (150 convos or less), to complete bibliography

Summary: A man unexpectedly discovers a senator's missing daughter in Japan twelve years after his firm was hired to find her and now she has no memory of who she was

Opinion: Brain candy. Simplistic plot but likeable characters. Not Koontz's best work but a quick afternoon read.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Naked City by Ellen Datlow
Emma by Jane Austen

On Deck:
Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

(Cover image from my local library - LT didn't have the right one)

228. Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #15 (alliterative author)

Summary: Girl goes to NYC to make money to send back to her injured husband in Ireland

Opinion: I needed to read this for my book club and I wasn't looking forward to an immigrant story. However, the good writing, gentle yet flawed characters, and new-to-me settings kept my interest.

Rating: 7

229. Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #5 (spooky), Edgar

Summary: Adopted son of murdered political appointee finds out his father isn't who he thought

Opinion: The best part of this book was Joe. Sympathetic, flawed, human. My heart went out to him. I wish I could read more about him but this is a stand alone. The mystery was a tad confusing but with enough peeks at the back (I know!), I was able to figure it out.

Rating: 8

230. A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #4 (non-simplest)

Summary: The continuing stories of Father Tim in the southern town of Mitford

Opinion: The episodic nature of these books reduce my enjoyment but the lovable characters and gentle yet real stories keep bringing me back.

Rating: 7

231. Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg

Genre: Mystery

Notes: Around the World in 80 Sleuths, LTMP

Summary: A neighbor's boy jumps off a roof and Smilla wants to know why

Opinion: I had a hard time relating to Smilla - she's quite a cold fish - and the story creeped along yet I enjoyed reading about the culture of Greenlanders and Danes. It was very atmospheric.

Rating: 7

232. Darkling by Yasmine Galenorn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #4 (non-simplest)

Summary: Third fae sister leads the fight against her vampire sire

Opinion: Fluff. The series improves as it goes along. There was too much extraneous sex in the first one. Now there is more story and I'm starting to care about the three sisters.

Rating: 7

233. Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: TIOLI #18 (150 convos or less)

Summary: Paranormal romance with a twist on Cherokee mythology

Opinion: Typical Kenyon romance - bad ass male and mislead female meet, fight each other, fall in love, fight the bad guy, Artemis releases him, the end. These are like potato chips, you can't read just one.

Rating: 7

234. Emma by Jane Austen

Genre: Classics

Notes: TIOLI #1 (English Class)

Summary: Um. People talk a lot and visit each other and get a happily ever after. The End.

Opinion: Oh dear lord. I originally tried to listen to this in audio and only got 1/3 of the way through. I was able to finish this only because I kept it down to 2 - 3 chapters a day. Do these people have nothing better to do than argue about the length of a hallway? Really? I didn't like any of the characters. I found them all annoying, some more than others. The only part I enjoyed was the look at the culture of the times which was assisted by the SqueakyChu tutored read.

Rating: 5

235. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #12 (monster)

Summary: Harry is in new and difficult circumstances yet still needs to figure out how to help his friends fight the bad guy

Opinion: This is definitely a transitional novel. There is little forward movement in plot though I think Harry as a character grows quite a bit. His friends were little more than scenery. You couldn't even call them secondary characters. That being said, Butcher is an excellent writer and I sucked the book down.

Rating: 7

236. Collegium: Changes by Mercedes Lackey

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #18 (150 convos or less)

Summary: Continuing story of Mags, Bear and Lena at the Collegium

Opinion: Not Lackey's best nor her worst. From other reviews, I was expected something much worse. It gave me an enjoyable enough afternoon. Most everything was resolved but not as thoroughly as I would have liked at the end of a trilogy. Obviously we will be seeing more of this trio. Mags' accent was annoying and hard to understand at times.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Naked City by Ellen Datlow
Kitty's Greatest Hits by Carrie Vaughn

On Deck:
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplighter

237. Kitty's Greatest Hits by Carrie Vaughn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #11 (first/last same letters)

Summary: Short stories about Kitty, the werewolf dj, her friends and associates

Opinion: It was readable. I doubt my lack of enjoyment had anything to do with Vaughn, just that short stories are not my favorite genre. Just when I'm getting into the characters or story - it's over!

Rating: 6

238. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #9 (Oct TIOLI rec)(vancouverdeb), LT Recommended

Summary: Forty years after the Japanese are interned, their belongings are found in the basement of an old hotel

Opinion: I liked the characters yet the plot seemed to lack weight. Areas I would have liked to read more in depth about were dipped into then gone and the conflicts seemed too easily surpassed. Otherwise, an enjoyable and quick read. I'd try something else by this author.

Rating: 7

239. Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #1 (page 50 animal, cat), Ultimate Reading List, US50

Summary: MIT students win big at Vegas using card counting and various other tricks

Opinion: I would have rated this an eight for sheer enjoyment if I hadn't found out that large portions were fiction rather than nonfiction. I raced this through book nearly out of breath at times with excitement. If you are looking for a fast, exciting read, try this out. Just don't expect it to be factual.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Naked City by Ellen Datlow
Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

On Deck:
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplighter
Prospero Regained by L. Jagi Lamplighter

FYI, I'm not going to continuing double posting my reading journal between here and 75 Books Challenge. It's too much work. I'll continue to post in the 75 Books Challenge since I get more responses there and will provide Clam with the link for the main listing so GDers can still follow it if they are interested.

I understand what a pain that would be, I wouldn't do it either, but I'll miss your threads because I'm too lazy to click back and forth and I don't follow the 75 Books Challenge. Maybe at least let us know if you're reading something great in our Dragon general reading thread?

If you go once then star my thread, you can find it very quickly by going into your Starred threads.

But how will I remember? I tend to remember only the threads with unread messages in my groups, only use stars for reference. Would it be possible for you to just jot a note in here to bump a thread when you update? All you would have to type would be "update." However, I don't want to be a PITA to you. :D

I can probably do that.

Are you still planning to post your monthly fantasy reads at the GD? I was looking forward to those, even though I didn't know if I'd be able to participate.

Oh yes. That's still going to happen. It's part of why I'm not going to double post my journal. I need to make up the time somewhere. My days are busy enough as it is and I'm trying to trim down wherever I can.

Woohoo!

240. Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #16 (titled chapters)

Summary: Continued tale of the Enchanted Forest

Opinion: Chapter titles: In Which the Plot Thickens, In Which the Plot Positively Curdles, In Which They Make an Unexpected Detour, Which is Exceedingly Muddy

Don't those sound fun? This is a very enjoyable series with a sense of humor and likable characters though the plots are a little simple. I don't care. I grin through the entire book. Sheer fun.

Rating: 8

241. Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #1 (page 50 animal - hen), 111 Science Fiction

Summary: The Galactic Empire is coming to an end - what will be done to prevent millinia of chaos?

Opinion: I read these decades ago and forgot how good this series is. I had though it would be dense, but no. While definitely old-school, I zipped through these tales. I have the next one on order from the library and can't wait to get it.

Rating: 8

242. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

Genre: Memoir

Notes: TIOLI #13 (Next in series), Ultimate Reading List

Summary: Poor family moves from the US back to Limerick, Ireland and desperately tries to survive

Opinion: Bleak, unrelentingly bleak. While a good story-teller and there is humor in the rare spot, I didn't look forward to listening to the next CD and could only do so when I wasn't already depressed. Thankfully the book ended on a high note.

Rating: 6

Morphy, I don't think I was delighted by his story, but by his story telling. Listening to him in person was a huge treat. He definitely has what I think is called "the Irish gift of the gab". I know many readers find his books less than spectacular.

243. Four Past Midnight by Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #4 (author profession)

Summary: Four novellas from the King of Horror

Opinion: They were all solid reads but The Langoliers was my favorite followed by The Library Policeman. It seems I prefer the stories where King involves a group of people rather than focusing on one or two.

Rating: 7

244. Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplighter

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #4 (author profession)

Summary: Second book in the trilogy about Miranda and her family's search for Prospero

Opinion: Solid middle book. There was growth and plot development and I like Lamplighter's style of writing. Lots of interesting characters.

Rating: 7

245. Prospero Regained by L. Jagi Lamplighter

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #16 (titled chapters)

Summary: Third book in the trilogy about Miranda and her family's search for Prospero

Opinion: This would have gotten a much higher rating (8) if I hadn't gotten unpleasantly slammed at the end of the book with a Conservative Christian soapbox. If you can get past that, a very enjoyable read.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Daily Book of Art by Colin Gilbert (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Naked City by Ellen Datlow
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings

On Deck:
Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
Imagine by Jill Barnett
Fall from Pride by Karen Harper

>162 maggie1944: I didn't like him as a narrator. While I liked the Irish accent, he was rather monotone. There was no difference in voice between him doing sad dialogue or humorous dialogue, for instance.

November 27th Update:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/122455#3060491

I just bought Ready Player One for my son for Christmas. I'm hoping he is enough into the gaming scene to enjoy it, since he wasn't born until 1990.

How are you liking Naked City? Me, not so much. Although there were three or four stories I liked a lot.

>168 MrsLee:
My kid loved it and he was born in '97, so there's a good chance yours will too.

>168 MrsLee: I think I'm going to need to start avoiding short story collections. I can only think of two authors* that I like, otherwise, at best, I feel "meh" about them, including the ones in Naked City. About the only one I liked so far is the one about the real estate brokers in NYC and even that one left me a bit bewildered.

*Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson

Re: Ready Player One - I think it is well written enough that anyone would enjoy it but knowing 80s trivia gives it an entirely different level of fun.

Dayna, I'm glad to hear that.

#170 I really liked Patricia Briggs story, thought it was a fun take on a fairy tale and a pretty good mystery, too, but then, I'm very into stories from the mining days, etc.

I liked the real estate brokers one too, but it felt a bit rushed or something.

One of my favorites, as far as a short story goes, was "And Go Like This" loved the timing of it.

I kind of agree with you about the short story thing, however, I'm very timid about dipping into Urban Fantasy, so I appreciate the taste this gives me of various authors for future explorations. :)

Yeah, the Briggs one was another of the good ones. The problem I have with short stories usually is that just as I get to like the characters, the story is over.

I haven't gotten to And Go Like This yet. I'm on the one before it, The Way Station.

The problem I have with short stories usually is that just as I get to like the characters, the story is over.

Egg-zacktly!!! I hate sort stories for just that reason.

December 4th Update:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/122455#3075649

You don't mind if I comment here instead of there, do you?

I loved Kon Tiki, have no idea of the plausibility of his ideas, but the adventure of the thing is what got me. I've read at least one more of his books and have others in my TBR shelves. I'm a sucker for ocean adventures that end well.

:) on your reaction to "And Go Like This" otherwise, I think we are in perfect agreement on the stories in that collection. Not all short stories are like those though. I think for most of them the authors were simply trying to be too clever for their britches. I have several collections of short story mysteries that I like very well, but there is a talent to writing a short story.

I've tried various types of short stories and find, in your words, they were "simply trying to be too clever for their britches." The three exceptions for me are all SF writers - Asimov, Heinlein and Spider Robinson.

For romance short stories, my other complaint comes in - just as I come to care for the characters, the story is over.

December 11th Update:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/122455#3088526

Books:

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Carousel of Hearts by Mary Jo Putney
Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
Wolf at the Door by MaryJanice Davidson
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Ring of Fear by Anne McCaffrey
The Borrowers by Mary Norton

The Borrowers was/is one of my favorite tales, and yes, I think it was because I read it first when I was young, but also because from the beginning of my memories, my dad used to sit in his chair, with apparently nothing on his mind, then suddenly start and say, "Did you just see that little man?" Pointing under the couch, in a cupboard, the fireplace, etc. We would run and look, but never found the little man.

#178 What a wonderful way of getting you-all out of his hair before you became a nuisance!

Ayup!

December 18th update:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/122455#3100545

Books:
Fire by Kristin Cashore
The Mark of Merlin by Anne McCaffrey
The Kilternan Legacy by Anne McCaffrey
Colman by Monica Furlong
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

I'm going to be a grinch and ask that any holiday greetings posted to this thread do not include graphics. Thanks!

And who said you were getting any greetings? hmmm,

Oh, OK, have a happy time during Christmas and New Years!

Bah. Humbug. Have a great holiday season anyway!
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:)

Now what do I do with this 1400x900 400mb animated gif I made for you?

:P

December 31st (sort of) update:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/122455#3130687

Books Listed:

A LOT - I got behind and there are 18 books listed. Whew!

Ah, I'm sorry you don't care for Pratchett, but I'd say with four books under your belt you've given it more than a fair try! :)

Happy reading in 2012!

Yeah. I was sure I was just missing something or reading the wrong books. But I gave him a solid shot!