Morphy Gets Her Groove On - Part 2

This is my second 75 Books Challenge. I read about 250 books a year, so I'm not worried about meeting the challenge!

First thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/130083

I mostly read fantasy, preferably urban, but also enjoy general and genre fiction, historical romance, classics, popular non-fiction, and will honestly try any genre at least once.

I have more challenges and lists than I know what to do with and am not going to list them here except as notes to the books I've completed.

My best books of 2011 are:

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, Patricia
Bridge of Birds by Hughart, Barry
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Wells, Rebecca
Garden Spells by Allen, Sarah Addison
Soulless by Carriger, Gail
What I Eat by Menzel, Peter and D'Aluisio, Faith
Ready Player One by Cline, Ernest

My favorite books from the last five years are:

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Stand by Stephen King
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Katherine by Anya Seton
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

My 12 in 12 challenge categories:

1. Family Science Fiction Read
2. TIOLI Most Popular Books
3. Prior Year Challenges
4. 1001 Fantasy Books to Read Before You Are Turned into a Newt
5. US 50 State Challenge
6. Around the World in 80 Sleuths
7. Reading Romances Challenge
8. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
9. LT Recommended
10. Off the Shelf
11. Nonfiction
12. Most Popular Books by Year by GoodReads

http://www.librarything.com/topic/127722

25. The Hollows Insider by Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (double TIOLI letters), to complete bibliography

Summary: Reference to Harrison's World of Hollows

Opinion: I liked it more than I thought I would. It was told as a journal by a reporter including clippings and such. I could have done without the cooking and magical recipes, but the journal entries, creature articles and memos were enjoyable. The expense reports were particularly amusing. Recommended only for those that have read the series as there are spoilers galore.

Rating: 7

26. Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow

Genre: Classic

Notes: TIOLI #6 (Scrabble - 14), WCC Book Club, LTMP, Ultimate Reading List

Summary: Fictional accounts of an upper middle class and lower class Jewish family in New York city during the first part of the 1900s

Opinion: The writing was excellent and I really enjoyed reading about the society and culture of the time. It was a little jarring at times - the plot did not move smoothly - and at times the action flagged. But I could relate to all the characters and learned a lot about the time it was set in. Recommended for those that like historical fiction.

Rating: 7

27. 500 Ideas for Small Spaces by Kimberley Seldon

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #3 (anagram - aides), 888

Summary: Interior design for those in small homes

Opinion: I really liked the pictures - they were lovely. And the ideas, while repetitive at times, were helpful. Now if I could only afford to do what I'd like in our little house! Recommended for those that are in little homes and have some money to spare.

Rating: 7

28. The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Children's

Notes: TIOLI #9 (person and place), audiobook

Summary: Humorous and touching stories of a black family in Michigan and Alabama in the 60s as told by a young boy

Opinion: I laughed throughout the various stories of the "Weird Watsons." It got a little mystical in the end and I'm not sure how I feel about that. While I love fantasy, I wasn't expecting the fantastical in this book. Otherwise, a delightful book. While aimed at the 9 to 12 set, I can see any adult enjoy this. It felt "Cosby-ish." Recommended for all.

I listened to this on audiobook and LeVar Burton did an excellent job.

Rating: 8

Oooh, Doctorow went to Kenyon, where I used to teach. Makes me think that I ought to try him out, but I just haven't yet.

LeVar Burton - cool!

Found ya!

29. The Lunatic Café
30. Bloody Bones
31. The Killing Dance
32. Burnt Offerings
33. Blue Moon
34. Narcissus in Chains
35. Cerulean Sins
36. Incubus Dreams
37. Micah - 6
38. Danse Macabre
39. The Harlequin
40. Blood Noir
41. Skin Trade - 6
42. Flirt - 5
43. Bullet
44. Hit List - 6
All by Laurell K. Hamilton

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Rereads

Opinion: Zipped through my smutty, bloody comfort reads while I was sick.

Rating: Mostly 7s except where noted. Used to be rated higher, but I've read them too many times now. Probably the last time. Except that's what I said three years ago.

Just dropping a line in your new thread so I can find you.

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton
Needful Things by Stephen King

On Deck:
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Heran
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Life on Air by David Attenborough

You've certainly been busy. Hope you are feeling much better now.

Glad you are feeling better, Morph!

I live in a small house, but unfortunately, it doesn't look roses on the money front. Even so, I love looking at pictures of small house interior design ideas, so I might try to find it at the library.

I loved the first five or so of the Anita Blake series but kind of lost interest in the series when it became (or seemed to become) a vehicle for sex scenes.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham sounds fun. I'm going to look for it on audio and hope one of my library systems has it.

The Laurell K. Hamilton books are comfort reads for me, too -- I'm just sorry you needed so many of them!

I hope you're feeling wonderfully well today.

Hiiiii! :)

I'm jumping in with an answer to your TBR question from the last thread. Only, I have six TBR shelves/cases and that isn't counting my new load of books in my ereader. So.
The shelf nearest me, on the top left is: Charlemagne by Manuel Komroff. But the book I will read next is one sent to me by an author here named David Webb. He doesn't have it ready for publication yet,so I won't list the title.

This post was an heroic effort, as my cat keeps sticking her head under my hand as I type.

checking in :) hope your reading is treating you well

Atta girl Morphy 44 puts you up near the top of my "books read list" Hope you are feeling well at present. I have Bradbury and The Martian Chronicles underway and stepping into your Sci-fi shoes for a rare excursion. I read Life on Air early last year and didn't love it so much although Attenborough is an admirable fellow.

>7 scaifea: Amber, I've read a couple by Doctorow, The March and now Ragtime. Both were pretty good.

>8 divinenanny:, 10, 15, 17 Thanks for stopping by!

>12 ronincats:, 14 Other than a bit of a scratchy throat, I'm all better!

>13 Storeetllr: The pictures are what I liked the most. Do try to get the Watsons. Burton was wonderful

>16 MrsLee: I recognize the pet/hand thing. Maia's been known to weasel between me and the keyboard as well.

>18 PaulCranswick: See, sometimes we read the same stuff!

Just for you, MrsLee:

Bwahahahaha!!!

Heeeheehee

I love that picture. That's exactly what my cat does.

Oh, that is so true!

*snickering* And I don't even own a cat.

found you! *stars thread* Sorry that you were ill and glad that you are feeling better!! Love the cat cartoon.

Haha, I used to have 3 cats all of whom did that. Sometimes at the same time. Now I have a bird I don't dare allow near the keyboard. She likes to pull off the keys with her beak.

I'm late answering your TBR question from the last thread too...I recently rearranged stuff to make sure the things that have been checked out from the library the longest are closest to the bed...the leftmost book on the TBR shelf is Only To Deceive by Tasha Alexander followed by Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton (both new to me authors). On top of the nightstand we have The Journey, The Chesapeake Diaries: Coming Home (an Early Reviewer book that I really need to get to but haven;t been in the mood for) and Changeless (which I am probably going to give up on). And I am probably going to pick up none of those next...I have my eye on the first Circle of Magic book by Tamora Pierce which is kind of mid-shelf.

Hope you are doing well, Morph, and getting some reading time in.

wow, you really knocked off a list of books while you were sick! Glad you are feeling better

You were sick? :( Sorry... hope you are mending quickly!

Hi Morphy, saying Hi and I love that cartoon - so funny. Pre-computers mine would always sit in the middle of the newspaper I was trying to read!

Hope you are well on the way to mended. : )

Yeah, I seem to be mostly over it. Finally! Being sick for two weeks with two different viruses was NO fun. Still have a little bit of congestion but overall feeling more myself.

Good to hear! Take it easy so you can avoid getting yet another version of the virus... o_O !!!

Glad you're feeling better at last!

*lifts a glass, toasting* Here's to good health, and easy reading! Back to normal, baby!

Hi there, Morphy. Glad to hear you're feeling better. The only good thing about being sick is the "extra" time it affords to get more reading in. I'm a "sort of" fan of Doctorow. You know, if I read Ragtime, it was so long ago that I've forgotten it. I have that one and a few others I know I haven't read on the shelf. Maybe I'll choose one of them to read soon for a historical fiction fix.

Stay well!

ETA: Hmmm...apparently I read Ragtime in pre-LT days. I gave it 4 stars so I must have liked it!

45. Obsidian Butterfly
46. A Kiss of Shadows
47. A Caress of Twilight
48. Seduced by Moonlight
49. A Stroke of Midnight
50. Mistral's Kiss
51. A Lick of Frost
52. Swallowing Darkness
53. Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Rereads - Zipped through my smutty, bloody comfort reads while I was sick, part 2.

Rating: All 7's except for Obsidian Butterfly which got a 6

54. Lover Avenged
55. Lover Mine
56. Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: To complete bibliography

Summary: 54. The romance of Rehvenge, a sympath, and Ehlena, a vampire; 55. The romance of John, a Brother in training, and Xhex, a sympath; 56. The romance of Manny, a human doctor, and Payne, a vampire

Opinion: I really enjoy this series. Ward sucks you into this world and makes you care about all the characters. I waffle between calling these paranormal romances and urban fantasy. While a romance is the base of the book, there is a lot more world-building and character interaction than you would typically find in a romance. I love reading all about the Brotherhood. I don’t rate this higher as Ward has a VERY annoying habit of ending chapters on a cliff hanger. And since there are several plot lines going on at once, it can be three or four chapters until you find out what happened…just to have another cliff hanger.

Rating: 7

57. Needful Things by Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #3 (anagram - nights), to complete bibliography

Summary: A new shop opens in town and chaos results

Opinion: King fell flat in this book and the usual charm of his characters were missing. I put this down many times, sometimes for a week or more. I'm pretty easy when it comes to suspension of disbelief but even I said, "You've got to be kidding me," at several spots.

Rating: 5

I have to ask -- why did Obsidian Butterfly get a lower rating? Do you like the Meredith Gentry series better than Anita's?

58. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #4 (list add), 1001 Fantasy, LTMP

Summary: A young man's family and town is destroyed and a passing lord adopts him

Opinion: This didn't do a lot for me. Other people have done this flavor of book better, Wurts and Feist come to mind with the Empire trilogy for the Japanese-style intrigue and Hobb with the adopted assassin theme. For some reason, I couldn't connect to the characters. Perhaps because I simply didn't like them. I won't read the rest of the trilogy.

Rating: 6

Glad you like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series :) It was one of my favorties. The tenth one, Lover Reborn, about Torhment is coming out March 27!

>42 Dejah_Thoris: In general, yes. I prefer the Merry books the Anita ones. But also, Obsidian isn't one of my favorite Anita's either.

>44 Kassilem: And I'm 168th in line at the library for it! Thankfully they are ordered 26 copies so it won't be TOO terribly long before I can read it. I think he's going to end up with No'One. What do you think?

59. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #6 (Scrabble - 16), Family Science Fiction

Summary: Short story collection about the colonization of Mars

Opinion: I typically struggle with Bradbury's writing as being too lyrical, but this was mostly straightforward and at times rather creepy and horrific. So much so I could almost categorize this as a collection of horror rather than science fiction. I am glad I re-read this as an adult.

Rating: 7

That's a lot of smut! I'm glad you didn't post pictures of all those colors, I might go blind. :P

60. The Last Olympian by Rick Riodan

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #13 (island), to complete bibliography

Summary: Percy leads a last stand at Olympus in downtown Manhattan

Opinion: A good ending to the story. It has the usual frantic pace and intriguing characters. I'm a little sad it's over at least for this particular story line.

Rating: 7

61. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #3 (anagram - gaurs), to complete bibliography

Summary: Fairy tale of a southern woman who finds someone hiding out in her closet

Opinion: I couldn't rate this as highly as Garden Spells because it is basically the same story and I found Garden Spells somewhat more charming. But it still got a solid 8 because it was fun and left a smile on my face. I love the simple magics and gentle romance in a Southern town.

Rating: 8

62. Holiday in Death by J. D. Robb

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #3 (anagram - hated), to complete bibliography

Summary: Santa as serial killer

Opinion: The relationships are what make this series and not the mystery. The mystery storyline itself is a re-tread of all in the In Death books (no, it's not this person, no, it's not this person, it's this person, oops, nope, not them either). I don't have too much of a problem with that as long as I remember to spread out my reading of this series. Eve's relationships and growth are engrossing as usual.

Rating: 7

63. Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #6 (Scrabble - 14), to complete bibliography

Summary: Tavi is a page to an ailing King in the capital while the Vord invade

Opinion: Butcher writes real page turners and builds plot tension to an almost painful crescendo. These aren't great, but are solid reads with good world-building and interesting characters that I want to learn more about.

Rating: 7

64. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (Double TIOLI), to complete bibliography

Summary: People are being killed and Rachel is pulled in as either scapegoat or mystery solver

Opinion: I'm so glad I don't buy these anymore. I'm tired of the angst, angst and more angst and I'm tired of nothing good ever happening. Nothing new is going on. In fact, things just keep getting worse. I'm about done with this series. I'll give it one more shot but I doubt the author can make me care about these characters again.

Rating: 6

>47 Ape: Love me some smut while I'm sick. :D

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (tutored read)
Life on Air by David Attenborough (888 Challenge)
Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin (Around the World in 80 Sleuths)
Dreamweaver's Dilemma by Lois McMaster Bujold (to complete bibliography)

On Deck:
Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord (Calico blog challenge)
Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison (February/2nd month challenge)
Never After by Laurell K. Hamilton, et al. (Romance subgenre challenge)

Glad you liked Sugar Queen, Morphy. Yes, it repeats Garden Spells in a lot of ways, but she does it so well. As I said to my sister, I don't think it's easy to write a good book that's "happy". We sure don't see it very often.

>55 jnwelch: Agreed. That's why it still got an 8. I was smiling at the end!

In the process of trying to catch up with everybody's threads... Sorry to hear you were sick but glad you're feeling better! I tried reading The Sugar Queen last year but just couldn't get into it. There was something about the author's style that just grated on me.

Hey Morphy, there are some good reads going on here!
Love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series! That series went around my work, someone bought it and about 20 of us borrowed them. We call them Vampire Porn, for obvious reasons ;)

Interesting note on the Kim Harrison! I just started that series, and was moderately encouraged by the first. I mean to continue it at some point, but I won't expect it to be cheerful now.

>58 ChelleBearss: Yeah, I call it my smut!

>59 Cynara: It's the 10th book of the series and it's getting old. The first four books got 8s out of 10. The next two books got 7s. Black Magic Sanction got a 6. Pale Demon bumped back up to an 8. Then this one is back down to a 6.

Well, that's not bad! Thanks for elaborating.

Morphy nice to see you back and in such obviously fine form. Up to 64 books already nicely in time for me to update my reader's stats.

>>45 Morphidae:. I have no idea to tell you the truth. I hope she writes another book on Quinn and Blay. That was what I was hoping this one would be about but I'm excited about Tohrment as well.

>63 Kassilem: While I'd read a book with Quinn and Blay as the main characters, I don't know if the public/publisher would let her get away with it.

I also think she brought that other group from Europe so she can continue with some new men.

*waving, while doing a flying lurk through*

*strolling by, peering at the books*

Glad that you are feeling better!

Working backward through your reads...Good to read your comments about the Kim Harrison series. She's a name that keeps coming up but I am not a big paranormal reader and dark or gritty books need something really special for me to keep going. I won't worry so much about trying her now. I do need to see if my library has the Codex Alera books even though I'm only 3 or 4 books into the Dresden Files. Thanks for the reminder to check. Of course, this thought comes at the end of Fantasy February with mysteries right around the corner.

I have gotten stalled on the Eve Dallas mysteries because my library was missing the next couple of books in the series (I just read #11, I think) but it's sufficiently popular that they agreed to purchase replacement copies. I merely have to wait for them to arrive.

Your comments about The Sugar Queen echo my own thoughts. I really liked Garden Spells though and I find myself wondering if I should try another of her books.

Sorry that you didn't care for Across the Nightingale Floor. I have wondered about that one. The best Asian fantasy I know of were Barry Hughart's books and Sean Russell's Initiate Brother duology until I read Under Heaven. Wurts and Feist are both holes in my fantasy reading. I might have to fix that. And I've only read the first book of The Long Price Quartet so I don't yet have an opinion beyond disagreeing so far with those who thought it better than GGK's Under Heaven.

Oh, and I had mixed feelings about the first Codex Alera book. I found the gender roles pretty boring and the leering way the rapey bits were treated creeped me out, though I'm not normally particularly sensitive. Do you think I should continue with it?

I liked the second Alera book better than the first but then I'm oblivious to gender roles. There were no "rapey bits" in the second book.

I'm not remotely squeamish and can read even the most putrid, gut-wrenching, filth-ridden yuckiness imaginable when it comes to violence, torture, gore or any other aspect of human depravity without batting an eye. It's really not a big deal to me. In fact, when an author tries to 'shock' me with a grisly murder scene I tend to just yawn and roll my eyes. It's like a child telling a scary story, cute I suppose but it's just too innocent to be remotely spine-tingling.

Rape scenes, however, are difficult for me to stomach. *Shudders* Horrible things. The only thing worse than those is when the poor pet dog get killed in an accident. Both are closely followed by...well, regular sex scenes. :X

The funny thing is, rape scenes in books don't always bother me. I mean, they bother me, but not in a I-can't-read-this way. Hey, some people find such scenes enjoyable (in a purely fantasy, not-at-all-real way). It's hard for me to put my finger on what bothered me about this one, but somehow it seemed too realistic to get away with the leering bits.

Understandable, I always like the gritty details in those battle-oriented historical fictions, a polearm to the eye socket is always entertaining, but I'm quite the pacifist in person.

I can read all the things mentioned above though, there isn't much that can make me put a book down besides horrendous writing and innacurate facts, but I always sigh unhappily after reading a chapter that features such a scene. :(

Stephen: You should read Homer, then. The Iliad has some *amazingly* gruesome and entertaining battle scenes (brains dripping out of ears and stuff). Plus, there are robots made of gold in there too. I'm not kidding.

I've read both The Ilian and The Odyssey already, actually. :)

Oh, then you know about the robots - cool!

Yep! And while they aren't golden in Age of Mythology I really do love the Automatons as defensive units. :D

February Statistics

43 books
16,652 pages
24 rereads

35 female authors
8 male authors

41 fiction
2 nonfiction

27 - Urban Fantasy
5 - Fantasy
3 - Paranormal Romance
2 - Mystery, Nonfiction
1 - Children, Classic, Horror, Science Fiction

*Ratings*

Average: 6.7

8 - 2 books
7 - 29 books
6 - 9 books
5 - 3 books

*Decades*

40s - 1
70s - 1
80s - 1
90s - 8
00s - 24
10s - 8

*Where*

Library - 18
Own- 25

43 books!! You are a book reading Diva! I love your rating system.

43 books is the most ever that I've read since I started tracking. My previous "record" was 33! I sort of blew it out of the water, didn't I?

Good thing it was a leap year - you can tell everyone that it was that extra day that made the difference!

65. Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #1 (animal/drink/page - 36/fish, 37/coffee), LTMP, Ultimate Reading, Around in the World in 80 Sleuths, 12 in 12

Summary: Scottish inspector in a hard-boiled murder mystery

Opinion: Meh. The hard-boiled, unlikeable, alcoholic morose detective trope does nothing for me. And it really didn't get going on the mystery until about half-way through the book. Mostly it was the main character being depressed and mopey.

Rating: 6

66. Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #1 (animal/drink/page - 34/ass, 35/water), Calico blog challenge, 12 in 12

Summary: Modern telling of an African fairy tale

Opinion: SPOILERS:

It was okay. I would have liked more African or Caribbean-flavor to it - I barely got a sense of place. But the simplistic style made it a fast-enough read and the characters were interesting. I liked the atypical ending where the two of the main characters were reincarnated as twin boys.

Rating: 6

67. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #10 (first person), 12 in 12

Summary: Nonfiction book about how people handle change

Opinion: Meh. It made good points about change but this should have been a magazine article rather than being padded into a slim book.

Rating: 5

68. Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #1 (animal/drink/page - 130/hen, 35/water), calendar challenge, 12 in 12

Summary: Teen girl in a paranormal world with angels and reapers, both light and dark

Opinion: I read this because I'm a completist when it comes to certain authors, otherwise I wouldn't have touched it. The "whiny paranormal teen who doesn't fit in but has super-powers" theme is getting old though I suppose a teen girl would probably like it. Am I getting crotchety?

Rating: 6

Am I getting crotchety?
I think we all are, when it comes to this kind of thing! :0)

85: I agree, when I think of whiny paranormal teens with super-powers I get a little crotchety too.

Then again, I might have the wrong definition for that word...

:P

>86 Ape: *eye roll*

Thanks, Morphy, after reading the title in 83, I now want cheese. :)

I got a slight cold on 2/8 that gave me laryngitis and some fatigue for about a week. Just as I was about to say, "I'm better," on 2/16, I came down with a nasty head cold. By 2/23, I'm feeling fine except for a bit of lingering but minor congestion. So Wednesday night, I went to choir practice.

And blew my voice during the third song.

So now I'm not allowed to talk, much less sing, for 5 to 7 days.

Bah humbug.

The book I'm reading: Never After by Laurell K. Hamilton, et al.

Books I'm writing: None. But at night before I go to sleep I have this erotica, urban fantasy, lottery winning "daydream" that I create.

The book I love the most: If I HAD to pick, I'd say Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux for fiction and Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman for nonfiction

The last book I received as a gift: A fellow 75er sent me Kosher Chinese by Michael Levy

The last book I gave as a gift: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld to my nephew and The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale to my niece

The nearest book: Never After

The book I want someone else to please write for me: I want some books like Mercedes Lackey used to write such as the Arrows series and the Herald Mage series.

>88 Morphidae: Boo about the no talking. Losing your voice is horrid. I had a nasty cold last year where my voice came and went for a couple days and it was not fun. Especially because it's really hard to go through an entire day without talking. Hope the time flies past for you. :)

Sorry about your voice! You are having a bad run! Hope you get better (and stay better) soon!

Sorry about all the respiratory misery and then losing the voice on top of it. Thank goodness you don't need your voice to read!

69. Never After by Laurell K. Hamilton, et al.

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #7 (2, 4, 8, 16 title words), Romance Subgenre challenge, to complete bibliography

Summary: Collection of fairy tale romances with princesses avoiding arranged marriages

Opinion: I don't particularly care for anthologies, especially romance ones, as just as you get to know the characters, it's over. However, in this selection, it works, probably because of the trope used. Fast, fun and fanciful.

Rating: 7

70. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #22 (Introduction by other writer), 1001, TIOLI Most Popular

Summary: A middle-aged failed governess gets caught up in a comedic whirlwind

Opinion: The humor is a little dated but this is a charming story which made me run right out to go watch the movie again. While there are some major differences, in general, they both have the same tone of a HEA for a delightful woman who decides to come out of her shell and live a little.

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (tutored read)
Life on Air by David Attenborough (888 Challenge)
Dreamweaver's Dilemma by Lois McMaster Bujold (to complete bibliography)
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien (real life book club)
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue (LT Recommended for 12 in 12)

NOTE: Last four, having problems settling into a book

On Deck:
The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia A. McKillip (Morphy's Magical Monthly Read)
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (50 State Challenge)
Wither by Lauren DeStefano (Off the Shelf for 12 in 12 and matched TIOLI read)

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a charmer!

I loved the book and movie version of Miss Pettigrew. Glad you enjoyed it.

I think I posted to the wrong thread just now. I thoroughly enjoyed the charm of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day; it's something of a fantasy but such a lovely one! I highly recommend Persephone Books as a publisher precisely because they are bringing this kind of tale back.

So how many lists or challenges do you read from? If you are list maker that is...

12 in 12
TIOLI
50 State
Around the World in 80 Sleuths
Calendar
Calico (blog)
Challenges (old challenges like 888)
Morphy's Mighty Magical Reads (in Green Dragon, from 1001 Fantasy list)
GoodReads Most Popular by Year
LT Recommended
Nonfiction
Off the Shelf
Reading Romances (blog)
Family Science Fiction read (from 111 Science Fiction)
Ultimate Reading list
WCC Book Club (real life)
Dewey
Stephen King
@ Next (about 50 authors I'm trying to read the full bibliography of)
111 Nonfiction
Best of Book Crossing

Those are the main ones anyway...

Dang.... quite a lot. I am a fan of tracking apps/sites, and am curently reading from:
- The Hugo/Nebula winners (tracking with the SciFi Booklist App)
- The 1001 books you myst read before you die (2008 edition) (tracking with book and 1001 books app)
- Any science fiction winner/nominee/must-read (tracking with Worlds Without End website)
- Other awards (mainly Booker) (tracking with self-cooked database)

I love lists, particularly if they come in a format where I can actually cross things off (e.g., my personal 12 in 12 lists).

Here are the lists and challenges that I look at currently, with varying degrees of attentiveness:
12 in 12
TIOLI
Dewey
GR Popular by Date
LT Recommended
Off the Shelf
school exam lists
LT's highest-rated books of the year

I feel like there must be more, but I can't think of anything else at the moment. In the past I looked at the composite 75ers list of favourite reads from the previous year, but I somehow fell behind in that thread this time and I don't even know whether there is a composite.

>composite 75ers list of favourite reads from the previous year

Here is one from the TIOLI challenges. All books through Sept 2011:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmSg5qorIw0jdGdxN0g3Q1VVZUtkMVN0dW9...

I'm (VERY) slowly working through the rest of 2011.

Oh, thanks, I had forgotten about the TIOLI composite list! That's definitely a good one to read from (and thank you again for all the hard work you do there!).

This is the favourites list I was looking at from 2010, but it looks like no one put together the 2011 data. In case you know anyone in need of a project ;)

Hi There!

I'm having a difficult time keeping up with the threads and since I'm home today I thought I'd spend some concentrated time visiting....

Back up to one of your earlier posts, I loved The Watsons Go To Birmingham. Christopher Paul Curtis is by far one of my favorite YA authors. If you haven't read Elijah of Buxton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GdevJ6jjHI

I highly recommend it.

And, if you haven't read
Bud, Not Buddy, I highly recommend this as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_P0sThuLEo

I have Bud, Not Buddy on my TBR One Day list. I may bump it up.

I've been dealing with laryngitis off and on for the last month and I'm seeing an ear, nose, throat specialist today. I'm tired of not being able to talk!

Oh dear - I installed the 1001 books app and I seem to be going backwards. I'd read 140 books off the 2006 list, 124 off the 2008 list and 122 off the 2010 list. At this rate I won't have read any at all by the time I die.

I picked one (2008, the edition of the book I have)... I sneak peeks at the other lists, but I am not as far along as you are (55 of 2008). But I am loving the app :D

uhm, not to sound dumb (but obviously I am) what app is that?

The 1001 books app for iOS, to be found here: http://1001booksapp.com/

And sorry Morphy to highjack your thread...

You're reading some interesting books, Morphy. I lost you for a while .... found you and just managed to catch up on your thread ...no mean feat since I went through 109 posts! *whew ...tired now... need a rest*

I'm glad to see another In Death fan. I love this series and re-read them whenever I'm in a book funk. they never fail to get me out of the funk and even though I know how they end, I still enjoy reading them again.

71. Dreamweaver's Dilemma by Lois McMaster Bujold

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #22 (intro by other author), to complete bibliography

Summary: Selection of short stories by and essays by and about Bujold

Opinion: I liked seeing her growth as an author through the selection of her short stories over the years. Also enjoyed reading about her as an author and the essays about genre. The Vor encylopedia type stuff (geneaology, pronounciation) was boring though.

Rating: 7

72. In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #1 (birth city/March - Austin), WCC Book Club

Summary: A failed politican's wife goes missing up in the Lake of the Woods

Opinion: While the overall feel was very dark, the characters were fascinating. I liked the "Evidence" chapters with news clippings and interviews. I typically dislike books with open endings but this one really worked. In fact there were other elements about the book (the abruptness of the Evidence chapters, the violence, unlikeable characters) that would usually turn me off but O'Brien is such a good writer that it all works.

Rating: 8

*

73. The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia A. McKillip

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #14 (map), 1001 Fantasy, Mighty Monthly Magical Reads (GD)

Summary: Morgon reluctantly searches for answers about his Star-bearer destiny

Opinion: It would have gotten an 8, however, while I liked the main character's reluctance at first, eventually the angsting got annoying. My hope is that there is less of that in the rest of the trilogy. I like this engaging story and am very curious about what happens next so I requested the other two books from the library.

Rating: 7

*My book has a plain blue library binding.

Morgon's continuous, okay this is too hard I just want to go home, and then turning around and heading home, was super annoying to me. What a jerk. Especially as he had all sorts of people helping him. He cared nothing for them, and it was all about him. Ugh.

Morphy hope that you are having a great weekend and that you have already passed the 75 mark in March by the time your weekend is over.

Oh yeah. I'm working on 76. :D

Hi, Morphy ~ I've been keeping up with your thread but haven't said hi for awhile. Have a great weekend!

74. Bridge of Dreams by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (author name divisible by three), to complete bibliography

Summary: Lee must help save Vision with the help of a Tryad

Opinion: While I enjoyed the continuation in the world of Ephemera, it is missing the intense sensuality and laugh out loud humor that I so love in the Black Jewels world. I like that it didn't end with a HEA but rather Happy For Now. I didn't like how lightly events and people were touched upon then moved past and it all wrapped up too neatly.

Rating: 7

75. Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #6 (homonym - fair/fare), to complete bibliography

Summary: Werewolves Anna and Charles head to Boston to help catch a serial killer

Opinion: The growth and nuances in Anna and Charles' relationship are wonderful and the mystery was enjoyable, if not overly complex. Briggs is definitely a favorite. Her world building pulls me right into a book and doesn't let go. Good stuff!

Rating: 8

76. Timeless by Gail Carriger

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #12 (newly released series), to complete bibliography

Summary: Alexia heads to Egypt with her child and husband

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

Rating: 7*

*I could have dropped a point for that FUGLY model on the cover but it's not the author's fault.

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (tutored read)

Life on Air by David Attenborough (888 Challenge)
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue (LT Recommended for 12 in 12)
Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas
Raven Calls by C. E. Murphy
Rose: My Life in Service by Rosina Harrison
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

NOTE: Last seven titles, still having problems settling into a book

On Deck:
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (50 State Challenge)
Wither by Lauren DeStefano (Off the Shelf for 12 in 12 and matched TIOLI read)
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman

Hey Morphy -- wasn't Fair Game great? I really enjoyed it. I wonder how long we have to wait for another book from Patricia Briggs....

Timeless is still on my list for this month - I'm saving it for when I need a boost. Some of your upcoming reads look pretty good, too. I'll be watching to see what you think of them.

Goodness you read a lot! Love the constant book chatter and adore all your stats. I am much more haphazard in my reading, but admire you from afar!

>122 Dejah_Thoris: Probably a year. Waaaah!

>123 Berly: Thanks for stopping by!

Congrats on hitting 75!

Whoops -- I missed that you passed 75. Congratulations!

What? You've read 75 books already this year????? And you're going to school, too ?????

I was impressed with myself having read 12! What a lightweight am I!

Morphy, I so agree with you about the cover of Timeless. Is she trying to imitate a chicken?!! And don't get me started on the nasty costume she's wearing . . .

Congrats on reaching 75 books already :-D

What's most surprising to me about the bad cover is that's a very successful series, and the cover of Soulless, at least, seems fine to me.

Another congrats on reaching 75!

Congrats on reaching the magic number, Morphy! You going for triple or quadruple 75 this year? ;)

Congratulations on passing the 75 book mark, Morph!

I enjoyed Rose: My Life in Service; she had a very positive outlook for her time, and her job couldn't have been easy. I look forward to hearing what you think of it, Morphy!

Oh, and congratulations on hitting your objective of 75 before the end of the first quarter of 2012!

Wow!! You' ve already hit 75 books! Congratulations ,Morphy! That's just amazing!!! I'm still reading number 16! BTW - I also did not care for The Uncommon Reader and I'm not sure why. I think the premise seemed to silly for me. I actually abandoned it!!! I may incur the wrath of many by confessing that... Uh oh!

Thanks for all the "75 Books" congratulations. I tried for quadruple 75 last year but didn't quite make it - 290 books! We'll see if I do it this year.

>128 Sakerfalcon: I don't mind the costume especially as it reflects one in the book, but the model is butt ugly and in an unflattering pose.

>132 jillmwo: I'm just over halfway and am enjoying it. The writing is a little simplistic but I LOVE the look into the lives of the rich.

Congratulations on passing 75 books, Morphy, and the very best of luck with your goal for quadrupling that! I have been in a reading funk :-(

Congrats on hitting 75 books already! I'm also looking forward to your thoughts on Rose: My Life in Service.

and here I am all proud of myself to have reached 16 for the year so far. LT: a humbling experience. ;

Congratulations!

77. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #23 (girl in title), Good Reads Popular (12 in 12)

Summary: A small town children's librarian has to learn how to be a vampire after she is bitten by a handsome stranger

Opinion: Not as humorous and snarky as MaryJanice Davidson's Betsy series, not as dark or emotional as Charlaine Harris' Sookie series but rather light and fun cotton candy worth a giggle or two.

Rating: 7

78. Rose: My Life in Service by Rosina Harrison

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #1 (birth city/March - Aldfield)

Summary: Memoir of Lady Astor's lady's maid

Opinion: This was recommended for those that like Downtown Abbey and while I haven't watched it (yet), I love reading about that time period and culture. I enjoyed especially how fiesty Rose was. She brooked absolutely no nonsense, even from her employer. Or should I say, especially from her employer? I read about their spats with a grin on my face.

Rating: 7

Morphy I at least agree with the sentiments of your book number 77 - I've been bitten enough times by SWMBO to recommend dental procedures!
Book 78 looks interesting. My dear departed Gran spent her years of youth in service in a Yorkshire country house and her tales of the nobility flirting backstairs were always hilarious. Will put this on my hitlist.

>135 elfchild: Sorry about your funk. I was in one a bit. Could not settle on a book.

>136 RosyLibrarian: OMG! A book I read that you are willing to read. Near a miracle. Ha!

*BAM* Book bullet on #78! Rose: My Life in Service looks really interesting...

79. Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue

Genre: Historical Fiction

Notes: LT Recommended

Summary: An 18th century poor London girl becomes a prostitute to buy a bit of red ribbon

Opinion: Faber did this so much better in The Crimson Petal and the White that there is simply no comparison. This was a disappointment after I enjoyed Room by Donoghue. The plot was plodding and most of the characters were unlikeable. I almost put the book down a couple times out of boredom and because it was so bleak. Not recommended.

Rating: 4

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (tutored read)

Life on Air by David Attenborough (888 Challenge)
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas
Raven Calls by C. E. Murphy

On Deck:
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (50 State Challenge)
Wither by Lauren DeStefano (Off the Shelf for 12 in 12 and matched TIOLI read)
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman

What was the last book you recommended to someone in real life (i.e. not here at LT)?

I tried to get my husband to read the second Percy Jackson book, The Sea of Monsters. He's been reading the same stuff over and over (mostly David Weber) and I thought he'd like it. He read the first book, The Lightning Thief, and thought it was pretty good. I think the first book is the weakest in the series. No luck in getting him to sit down and try it yet though.

None of my current RL friends do too much reading. Their lives are crazy busy. But my youngest niece did walk out with a small pile of books I lent her about how to decorate or remodel her condominium; and, I discovered that the woman who cuts my hair is a big reader. I'll be taking her some books, I'll bet.

My reading discussions tend to be here and in my RL book group.

I know very few folks in RL who read, or at least who read anything at all like what I do, so thank the internet gods for LT!

My last successful recommend was Karen Marie Moning's Fever series (urban fantasy). I love it when I get boys to read 'girl' books. As for unsuccessful recommends, my husband is snowed under in schoolwork and my *last* recommendation, so I've decided to start running a "Michael Should Read" list. Even though I probably only recommend one book in twenty, that's still faster than he can get to them.

Hmm, I've been recommending The Fault in Our Stars by John Green all over the place. And I've become my co-worker's go-to person for YA recommendations so I've suggested Graceling, The Hunger Games, and Divergent among others.

I liked all of those. Good recs.

I recommended The Sherlockian to my spouse on the basis of the positive comments here on LT. He's been enjoying it alot!

Hey Morphy -

In which TIOLI Challenge did you put Fair Game? I've got it in #12 - I want to make certain it's a shared read.

BTW, I saw that you'll be reading A Princess of Mars this month - I'll join you. I was thinking of putting it in Challenge #15, author name divisible by 3. Does that work for you?

I put Fair Game in #6 Homonym - Fair/Fare.

#15 is fine for A Princess of Mars.

Great! I'll move one and add the other.

I recommend books to my brother fairly often (and vice-versa), but usually it's more along the lines of "Hey, did you know that so-and-so has a new book out?" I think the last one I recommended to him was Ready Player One.

>147 maggie1944: maggie, I love finding someone who likes book. I rarely get to chat in real life with those who do.

>148 majkia: majkia, yes, almost all my "book talk" is here at LT.

>149 Cynara: Cynara, I recommend books to MrMorphy but he rarely reads them. It's rather frustrating. He'd much rather re-re-re-re-re-re-(lots of re)-read David Weber's Honor Harrington series or a Cussler.

>150 MickyFine: Okay, fine, Micky! I've seen it recommended so many places, I've finally added The Fault in Our Stars to Mount TBR.

>151 jnwelch: Joe, agreed.

>152 jillmwo: Jill, about the only book my husband has recently read and enjoyed that I recommended was Ready Player One.

>156 foggidawn: foggi, Ready Player One is awesome!

I think your husband is crazy to not read more to the many books you read and can recommend to him. You probably know what he likes, yes?

>158 maggie1944: Tell me about it. After 20 years? Yeah, I know what he likes. But noooOoooooo, he rarely will read something I recommend unless I shove it into his hands (like with Ready Player One.)

More his loss.

>157 Morphidae: Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah, huzzah. Hope you like TFiOS, Morphy. :D

Morph and Dejah, I'll join you for a re-read of A Princess of Mars--haven't read it in at least 45 years and want to see how it stands up to a re-read.

Morphy I think the last book I recommended to someone in RL would have been London by Edward Rutherfurd. It was to my friend who works 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off in Argentina on a dreging vessel clearing the River Plate and it was recommended for the 1000 plus pages to keep him occupied. The Far Pavilions and Centennial were recommended for the same reasons. Great question by the way.

Also loved your pithy put down summarising Slammerkin.

>157 Morphidae: We'll see, Micky!

>158 maggie1944: Cool.

>159 Morphidae: I might not have disliked Slammerkin so much if I hadn't read and enjoyed Crimson first. Another big honker is The Stand by Stephen King - the extended version.

Hi Morphy!
I keep trying to recommend books to Nate that I know he would like, but he is too stubborn. He sticks to his Lee Childs and Clive Cussler (when he reads that is ...I think he has had two halfway done for the last year!)

Wel, I have managed to get him to agree to a monthly science fiction read. I gave him a bunch of choices and he picked the ones he was willing to read.

80. Life on Air by David Attenborough

Genre: Memoir

Notes: TIOLI #6 (homonym - air/heir,) 888 Challenge, Ellie's Mixing It Up Challenge

Summary: Autobiography of a broadcaster and naturalist

Opinion: At times a bit dry and tedious, but overall a fascinating look at the man responsible for so many animal and nature programs. I doubt there are many of us that haven't watched at least a few of his shows in the Life series. I didn't know he was with BBC TV from the very beginning. His dry sense of humor shines through. Recommended for those that like autobiographies, nature programs and the history of TV.

Rating: 7

81. Soulless: The Manga by Gail Carriger

Genre: Graphic Novel

Notes: TIOLI #1 (birth city/March - Bolinas), Ellie's Mixing It Up Challenge

Summary: Graphic novel presentation of the novel

Opinion: I was turned off at first by the manga style characters - all very young and beautiful with tits hanging out all over. But then I got into the story and was able to enjoy it. Not near as good as the novel, of course, but still a pleasant hour or so. The entire story was told which was nice.

Rating: 7

82. The Stand: The Night Has Come by Stephen King

Genre: Graphic Novel

Notes: TIOLI #17 (consequences)

Summary: Concluding graphic novel of the four part graphical version of The Stand

Opinion: I didn't care for the style or how much was cut in order to give this a graphic novel treatment. But is it The Stand, I had to finish it and it was enjoyable enough that it wasn't a hardship.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (tutored read)

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas
Raven Calls by C. E. Murphy
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

On Deck:
A Free Life by Ha Jin
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
The Children's Blizzard by David Lasking

Stopping by to say hi! Like Chelle and others, my husband only reads a very few authors...sigh...

Hah! My husband only reads about fishing and hunting. Back in the day, he'd read novels, but no more, alas. He'd rather be out and about, I guess.

83. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #17 (consequences), Calendar challenge (March, 3rd in series), to complete bibliography

Summary: Vin and Elend have to prevent Ruin from bringing about the end of the world

Opinion: I've liked this series from the beginning though it was brought down a notch by its darkness and bleakness. The characterizations and world building are great. There is one plot point near the very end of the book that just blew me away and I'm still going "Holy Shit!" Maybe others wouldn't be so affected by it but I'm still grinning days later.

Rating: 8

84. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #7 (2, 4, 8 or 16 word)

Summary:Mara becomes the Ruling Lady after her father and brother are killed

Opinion: Reread - Mara is more ruthless in some ways than I remembered (and than I'd like,) but overall this is an excellent book with a world loosely based on Japanese and Mexican empires. I zipped right through it and am onto the next book.

Rating: 8

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (tutored read)

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas
Raven Calls by C. E. Murphy
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Servant of the Empire by Feist and Wurts

On Deck:
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
The Children's Blizzard by David Lasking
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

I hope you're planning to read The Alloy of Law at some point. It was a relly good follow-on to the Mistborn trilogy...

Oh, and I thought The Monstrumologist was great, so am interested in hearing your thoughts!

Yes, I will read The Alloy of Law. Probably some time in the next couple of months. But I have to get over the sadness first. He's like Martin in that he kills off main characters.

I've been meaning to continue with the Mistborn books for ages now. I read the first one maybe four years ago, and just haven't gotten around to continuing. One day.

I've been meaning to START with the Mistborn books for ages now. I've got 5 or 6 Sanderson books right here in my tbr pile.

I loved how the Mistborn series ended... I thought it really couldn't have ended any other way. It all came together so well! I have yet to read Alloy of Law too, but it's sitting by my bed, and I'm eager to get to it.

You've remined me that I still need to read those last two books in that series. :)

I wasn't impressed at first with the Mistborn series. I thought it too dark for my tastes. But it grew on me. Sanderson's world-building is simply amazing.

Wow! I had not realized that you had already read so many books this year! Congratulations, Morphy!

Morphy, I'm sad that you didn't like Slammerkin. Well, I haven't read it, but I was hoping it would be a "good enough" substitute for the lengthy Crimson Petal and the White. Obviously not. I am planning to read some big books this year IF I ever get through Infinite Jest. Matterhorn and Truman are the next behemoths in line.

You are having an amazing reading year. Over 75 books in the first quarter. I bow down to your reading prowess! It looks like you are well on the way to 75 x 4 in 2012. Go, Morphy!

85. Raven Calls by C. E. Murphy

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #7 (started between 1/1 and 3/31), to complete bibliography

Summary: Joanne has to go to Ireland to save her dead mother from a fate worse than death

Opinion: Felt too much like a YA with frantic action that doesn't stop until near the end of the book when we finally get some character development. I miss the humor and character building in Murphy's earlier books.

Rating: 6

86. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #5 (ologist), Calico blog challenge

Summary: An orphan assists a doctor of "philosophy" track down a monster

Opinion: No, just no. I was not expecting horror, or at least this level of horror in what is supposed to be a YA book. Also, I despised the doctor and didn't like the boy. There wasn't one likeable character in the entire book. The interesting plot is the only thing that held this together.

Rating: 6

I definitely agree that The Crimson Petal and the White is a better book, but I did enjoy Slammerkin too. On the other hand, I tried to read The Dress Lodger as another potentially similar book and couldn't get into it at all.

87. Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia McKillip

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Readerle learns about her powers as she looks for the Riddle-master

Opinion: Ish. The prose is too lyrical for my tastes and the plot is simply women running around looking for the Riddle-master and being told "no, go home, it's too dangerous" by the leaders (mostly men.) I have no idea why Readerle likes Morgan so much, much less love him. She hardly knows him.

Rating: 6

88. Harpist in the Wind by Patricia McKillip

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #19 (award - Locus), next in series

Summary: Morgan searches for the High One while dealing with his own growing powers

Opinion: Ugh. Half the time I didn't understand what was going on. How did Morgan figure out who the High One was? Why did he go hide in the wastes? How did he get his power in the end? Why didn't Morgan and Raederle end up together? Or did they? It was all very confusing and a great disappointment after I loved The Beasts of Eld.

Rating: 4

89. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #7 (started between 1/1 and 3/31), Hugo, 1001 Fantasy, LTMP

Summary: Two magicians bring magic back to England, eventually

Opinion: I would not have made it through this tome without the one on one tutoring thread. For 800 pages, not a whole heck of a lot happens. This would have been much better as a 400 page novel. I loved the footnotes that were sometimes an entire page long! Sometimes they were more interesting than the main story.

Rating: 6

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas (Next in bibliography)
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Family Science Fiction)
Servant of the Empire by Feist and Wurts

On Deck:
My Antonia by Willa Cather (Book club)
The Children's Blizzard by David Lasking (50 State)
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

***

Actually after the last few books, I need to cleanse my brain palate with some fluff. My husband is picking up the following for me from the library today:

The Royal Mess by MaryJanice Davidson
Dragon Wytch by Jasmine Galenorn
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Conspiracy in Death by J. D. Robb

Morphy--Wow! You have been reading a lot. I just wish the books were making you happier! Better luck with your next read.

Definitely one I will NOT be reading! Thanks, Morphy.

>190 Morphidae: I haven't read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell yet. (It's on the massive TBR pile!)

However, I was attracted to it after hearing the author at Worldcon - she read a footnote that hadn't been included in the book and it was great. She over-ran and the organisers were trying to move us all onto the next workshop before she had managed to finish the story - I thought there would be a riot - we were all riveted by the story she was telling. :0)

P.S. When I do get round to reading it, I hope to make use of the tutoring thread to help me work out what's going on.

Oh, where is the tutoring thread? I adored Jonathan Strange.

Here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/129806

March Statistics

17 books
5533 pages
1 rereads

12 female authors
4 male authors
1 both

15 fiction
2 nonfiction

7 - Fantasy
2 - Graphic Novel, Memoir, Urban Fantasy
1 - Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction

*Ratings*

Average: 6.94

8 - 4 books
7 - 10 books
6 - 2 books
4 - 1 book

*Decades*

30s - 1
70s - 3
80s - 1
90s - 1
00s - 5
10s - 5

*Where*

Library - 16
Ebook - 1

Morphy - one of our rare reading agreements! I also found Jonathan Strange ridiculously overlong and a book which began very promisingly meandered into a book I have rarely been so relieved to complete. Impressive 89 books 'done' so far. Hope you had a pleasant Easter.

>198 PaulCranswick: Meandered is certainly a good term for it!

I'm sorry your recent reads haven't been particularly good ones! I'm really disappointed to hear your opinion of Raven Calls. I never actually got around to reading the previous book, Spirit Dances, and planned to get to it this month in advance of Raven Calls. Suddenly, I don't feel quite as motivated. There have been things I've liked about this series, but it's not one of my favorites. Do you like her other books, Morphy?

Really the first three Shaman books are her best though the Negotiator trilogy that starts with Heart of Stone isn't half bad.

Let's see, Spirit Dances I gave a 7 out of 10. My review: I enjoyed the story and love the characters. Two items brought it from very good down to good. First, Joanne is becoming Mary Sue-ish. More powers? Really? She is saved by being a bit of a klutz, magic-wise. Second, the ending was cliff hanger-ish. Not that the main story wasn't completed but the last couple of pages left me with the feeling of "What the hell?"

Well it's good to know that I'll probably enjoy Spirit Dances, even if I don't have much to look forward to in Raven Calls. I'm feeling more motivated again - thanks!

I liked Heart of Stone and it's two later books. Perhaps I should look into the Shaman series. I think I might have read the first book but I can't remember right now.

Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?

Mass market paperback or trade. I don't like dealing with hardcovers - too heavy.

Amazon or brick and mortar?

Amazon - much cheaper.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?

Barnes & Noble. Borders has gone out of business up here.

Bookmark or dogear?

Bookmark. I have hundreds.

Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?

Random, sort of. Books are in numbered boxes in a closet sorted by genre.

Keep, throw away, or sell?

Keep at this point. We've sold everything we are going to.

Keep dust jacket or toss it?

Keep.

Read with dust jacket or remove it?

With dust jacket. And often use as a bookmark.

Short story or novel?

Novel. Short stories don't do it for me.

Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)?

If I'm going to read short stories, I prefer an anthology.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?

Harry Potter. I haven't read Lemony Snicket.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?

When I get tired, I try to read to the chapter break unless it's a huge chapter.

"It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"?

I prefer a happy book to a dark book, so "Once upon a time."

Buy or Borrow?

Borrow. Can't afford to buy.

New or used?

When I do buy, I prefer new but buy used because it's cheaper.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation or browse?

Recommendations. I don't like reviews usually.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?

Tidy ending.

Morning reading, afternoon reading or nighttime reading?

I read all times of day but read the most in the afternoon.

Stand-alone or series?

Since most of my books are fantasy, it ends up being series though I really don't have a preference.

Favorite series?

Oh dear. Um. First thought is the Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey.

Favorite children's book?

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Favorite book of which "nobody" else has heard?

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh

Favorite books read last year?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Favorite books of all time?

Katherine by Anya Seton, The Stand by Stephen King, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux, Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman and Essential Spirituality above. All got 10 out of 10 stars.

Least favorite book you finished last year?

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville or Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu - both got 2 out of 10 stars.

What are you reading right now?

Wither by Lauren Destefano. I'm unimpressed but I'll finish the book.

What are you reading next?

Conspiracy in Death by J. D. Robb then The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin

Very interesting. Strong opinions. But I think I knew that about you, didn't I.

Heh, pot, this is kettle. You are black.

:D

*splat* you got me!

Delurking to say that I had fun reading your answers, Morphy. Thanks for sharing!

Shocked that "alphabetize by title" is even an option. That just makes no sense to me. Deliberately split up all series?

Your meme is so great that I stole it! Hope you don't mind. ;)

I will also steal it Morphy - it is great fun.

Nah, I got it from maggie1944 who got it from someone else, etc.

Yup, I got it from SweetbriarPoet. She found it on the "internet"... whatever that means....

Actually I think it's called the Interwebz. It's that weird set of tubez you hear tell of, maggie1944.

ah, ok, then

90. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #10 (cultures), Family Science Fiction, 111 Science Fiction

Summary: John Carter from Earth travels to Mars unexpectedly. He meets aliens and rescues a princess.

Opinion: Shows it's age in style and substance but still a decent romp if you like male adventure-type stories. Supposedly the princess was a strong character but I don't really see it. She's there to be rescued and adds little to the story. A quick read.

Rating: 6

91. The Royal Mess by MaryJanice Davidson

Genre: Romance

Notes: Next in series

Summary: A royal bastard reluctantly joins the Alaskan nobility

Opinion: What it lacks in substance , it makes up for in humor. Don't go into this expecting literature, it's fluffy fun.

Rating: 7

92. My Antonia by Willa Cather

Genre: Classic

Notes: TIOLI #11 (narrator opposite sex), WCC Book Club

Summary: A man reminisces about a frontier immigrant woman he left behind

Opinion: I read this a year or so ago but needed to refresh my memory since it was my book club's read. I enjoyed it before and did again with the re-read. This is the first book out of six or seven that we all liked. The story was engaging, the characters were multi-dimensional and interesting and the setting was nearly a character itself. I don't typically like lots of description, but Cather writes it with directness and simplicity.

Rating: 7

93. Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: Calendar (4th in series)

Summary: On-going story of three sisters - a witch, a were-tabby and a vampire - battling baddies from the Other World

Opinion: Meh. The story is getting to be repetitive and Galenorn couldn’t write a sex scene to save her life. They feel stuck in and emotionally distant. However, the characters make the book and they are fun to watch. I just hope they don't all become Mary Sues.

Rating: 6

94. Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Genre: YA

Notes: TIOLI #3 (YA 2007), Off the Shelf

Summary: A teen is forced into a polygamous marriage in a dystopian future where everyone dies young (20 for females, 25 for males)

Opinion: A dystopian excuse for teen angst with simplistic world building and one-dimensional characters. I'm usually oblivious to being told instead of shown, but even I noticed how badly the rule was broken in this book. Not recommended.

Rating: 5

My Antonia is one of my all-time faves, Morphy. O Pioneers and Death Comes for the Archbishop are really good, too.

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute (Bathroom read)
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Good News Bible by various (for literary/cultural reasons rather than religious)

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (Good Reads Popular for 12 in 12)
Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas (Next in bibliography)
Servant of the Empire by Feist and Wurts
Conspiracy in Death by J. D. Robb
The Children's Blizzard by David Lasking (50 State)

On Deck:
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Eating Mindfully by Susan Albers

*waving* at Morphy

Hi Morphy. Real life got busy and complicated but it settling back down and I am reading again. I have about a bunch of posts to catch up on on your thread but I saw your 'what was the last book you recommended to someone in real life question'

We're coming up on 3 years in Charleston and I still don't have many real-life friends locally (though I did find out that the neighbor I am friendliest with is a Downton Abbey fan and we have talked about getting together to watch is, and maybe other Masterpiece together). But I have a group of women friends, half of whom I know in real life and half of whom I know from the forums of a facebook game that I have chatted with almost daily for a couple of years, and I recommend books there all the time. I don't know if that counts or not but a couple of the women have managed to meet up and I'm hoping to meet two of them this summer. Five of us have children in the kindergarten through 4th grade range and the last picture book I recommended was 14 Cows for America. We recommended a bunch of fantasy to one who was enjoying Wheel of Time - she just finished reading Assassin's Apprentice (my recommendation) and has The Lions of Al-Rassan in her TBR pile. I recommended Guy Gavriel Kay though I haven't specifically read Lions.

Which Facebook game? I'm hooked on Castleville at the moment.

Hey Morphy -- I'm slowly catching up with everyone's threads. It looks as though you've been doing some interesting (if not always successful) reading!

Alaskan Nobility? Like Sarah Palin! Just kidding! Stopping by to say hi!

LOL, no. It's alternative history in which Alaska is a monarchy. But other than they are rich, they seem more like trailer-trash. It's very amusing.

>218 Morphidae:: Hi Morphy, it is interesting that your book club doesn't frequently agree on the books you read. It must make for more interesting discussions. It's kind of pointless (but still fun) to talk about a book that everyone likes. My Antonia is one the I can reread frequently, although it's been a few years since I've done so. You've got another one of my all-time favorites coming up: A Prayer for Owen Meany.

Alaskan trailer trash... you crack me up. Now everyone is going to want to read that book!

We still had an interesting discussion even though we all liked the book. We talked about how distant and unemotional much of it was, about the immigrant experience, about growing up in the earlier part of the 20th century (many of the group are older women), about growing up on farms, and about the relationship between the narrator and Antonia, etc.

#225> Mousehunt. I've been playing for over 2 years, but some of the draw is definitely the people I have met while playing.

Thought of you when I saw this:

LOL, yeah, I saw that.

I think the same applies here in Wisconsin, too.

Morphy, have you gotten Tea with the Black Dragon yet?

Yes, read it too. I'll comment in the next day or two.

I have so many books to post to get caught up that I'll blow right by 250, so have started a new thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/137054