A better year in 2012: Dejah_Thoris' 75 and more - iteration 2

My 75 Book Challenge for 2012

Greetings all!

I found LT and the 75 Book Challenge last year and was having a great time until August, when disaster in the form a near solid month of rain followed by Irene and Lee hit upstate NY where I was living. We were more fortunate than many, but it was still a huge mess.

Between the wet, our planned move to Georgia and ongoing connectivity problems when we got down here, I decided to let LT go until the New Year – which has finally arrived! I apologize to all the great LTers I was communicating with when it went soggy; I’m looking forward to reconnecting with you all.

Here’s my overly ambitious plan for 2012:

I’m participating in three Challenges. Every book I read will be listed on my 250 Book Challenge page. Each of those books may only be counted toward either the 75 Book Challenge or the 12 in 12 Challenge, but not both. I’m going to count rereads toward 75 and 12 in 12 as long as it’s been at least 5 years since I last read the book.

As a result of my no double dipping policy, most of my non-fiction, historical mysteries and new releases are going to end up over on 12 in 12. Hmm...It'll be interesting to see what's left.

Splitting my books between this Challenge and the 12in12 isn't working for me, so I'm combining them again.

My reading patterns are hugely different when I’m on LT – much more diverse and interesting. I’m glad to be back!

January and February
Edited to add 12 in 12 books 1/14/2011

January - 25 books for the month / 7 non fiction
1. Coming Home for Christmas by Carla Kelly (TIOLI #8)
2. Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose (TIOLI #17)
3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (TIOLI #19)
4. D.C. Dead by Stuart Woods
5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (TIOLI #14)
6. Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful by Amy Stewart (TIOLI #8)
7. Ghoul Interrupted by Victoria Laurie (TIOLI #8)
8. The Garner Files by James Garner (TIOLI #13)
9. Giant Tomatoes by Marvin H. Meisner (TIOLI #20)
10. Tricks of the Trade by Laura Anne Gilman (TIOLI #19)
11. Sins of the Demon by Diana Rowland (TIOLI #8)
12. Taken by the Others by Jess Haines (TIOLI #19)
13. Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly (TIOLI #8)
14. The Wild Ways by Tanya Huff (TIOLI #2)
15. Murder in Burnt Orange by Jeanne M. Dams (TIOLI #22)
16. Alien Proliferation by Gini Koch (TIOLI #20)
17. Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy (TIOLI #20)
18. Physical Education by Maggie Barbieri (TIOLI #1)
19. Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson (TIOLI #16)
20. 100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein (TIOLI #8)
21. The Alpine Winter by Mary Daheim (TIOLI #4)
22. Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz (TIOLI #8)
23. The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths (TIOLI #20)
24. Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China by Leslie T. Chang (TIOLI #3)
25. The New Dawn for the Kissimmee River: Orlando to Okeechobee by Kayak by Doug Alderson (TIOLI #5)

February - 23 books for the month / 3 non fiction
26. Wild Wild Death by Casey Daniels (TIOLI #3)
27. The Elephant to Hollywood by Michael Caine (TIOLI #5)
28. Old World Murder by Kathleen Ernst (TIOLI #1)
29. Quickstep to Murder by Ella Barrick (TIOLI #15)
30. The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester (TIOLI #5)
31. Zarafa: A Giraffe’s True Story, from Deep in Africa to the Heart of Paris by Michael Allin (TIOLI #5)
32. Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet (TIOLI #11)
33. The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia A. McKIllip (TIOLI #9)
34. The Evil That Men Do by Jeanne M. Dams (TIOLI #1)
35. More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Georgia Women by Sara Hines Martin (TIOLI #5)
36. Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia A. McKillip (TIOLI #6)
37. Haunted Ground by Erin Hart (TIOLI #8)
38. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (TIOLI #11)
39. Frozen Thames by Helen Humphries (TIOLI #13)
40. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (TIOLI #5)
41. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (TIOLI #5)
42. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (TIOLI #5)
43. Bellwether by Connie Willis (TIOLI #19)
44. A Darkly Hidden Truth by Donna Fletcher Crow (TIOLI #13)
45. Harpist in the Wind by Patricia A. McKillip (TIOLI #6)
46. Austenland by Shannon Hale (TIOLI #13)
47. A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett (75, TIOLI #15)
48. A Princess of the Aerie by John Barnes (TIOLI #4)

March and April

March - 30 books for the month (plus 5 recent rereads) / 4 non fiction
49. No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie (TIOLI #8)
50. Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb (TIOLI #12)
51. Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton (TIOLI #12)
52. Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend (TIOLI #6)
53. God’s War by Kameron Hurley (TIOLI #18)
54. Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James (TIOLI #1)
55. Fair Game by Patricia Briggs (TIOLI #12)
56. Choke by Kaye George (TIOLI #3)
57. Mallory’s Oracle by Carol O’Connell (TIOLI #21)
58. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (TIOLI #3)
59. Angels’ Flight by Nalini Singh (TIOLI #12)
60. Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry (TIOLI #3)
61. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin (TIOLI #21)
62. The Heirloom Murders by Kathleen Ernst (TIOLI #19)
63. The Cold Light of Mourning by Elizabeth J. Duncan (TIOLI #3)
64. The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley (TIOLI #19)
65. Timeless by Gail Carriger (TIOLI #12)
66. Lysistrata by Aristophanes (TIOLI #13)
67. Aya by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie (TIOLI #15)
68. The Man Who Cast Two Shadows by Carol O’Connell (TIOLI #19)
69. Grayson by Lynn Cox (TIOLI #5)
70. Aya of Yop City by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie (TIOLI #15)
71. Century Girl: 100 Years in the Life of Doris Eaton Travis Last Living Star of the Ziegfeld Follies by Lauren Redniss (TIOLI #5)
72. The Odd Couple (Female Version) by Neil Simon (TIOLI #6)
73. The House on Durrow Street by Galen Beckett (TIOLI #6)
74. Las Soldaderas: Women of the Mexican Revolution by Elena Poniatowska (TIOLI #5)
75. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (TIOLI #15)
76. Savannah’s Crooked Little Houses by Susan B. Johnson (TIOLI #14)
77. Dire Threads by Janet Bolin (TIOLI #6)
78. Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry (TIOLI #21)

April 20 books read (plus 7 recent rereads) / 2 non fiction

79. Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart (TIOLI #5)
80. The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott (TIOLI #4)
81. Cold Touch by Leslie Parrish (TIOLI #21)
82. Back from the Undead by D.D. Barant (TIOLI #1)
83. When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder and the New Madrid Earthquakes by Jay Feldman (TIOLI #14)
84. The Master of Heathcrest Hall by Galen Beckett (TIOLI #1)
85. Roman Blood by Steven Saylor (TIOLI #21)
86. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (TIOLI #3)
87. Heat Rises by Richard Castle (TIOLI #21)
88. Hard Magic by Larry Correia (TIOLI #1)
89. The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill (TIOLI #1)
90. The Witness by Nora Roberts
91. Broken Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin (TIOLI #1)
92. Unnatural Acts by Stuart Woods
93. Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly (TIOLI #1)
94. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (TIOLI #3)
95. The Yard by Alex Grecian (TIOLI #5)
96. Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon (TIOLI #1)
97. Placing History: How Maps, Spatial Data and GIS are Changing Historical Scholarship by Anne Kelly Knowles ed. (TIOLI #17)
98. Hay Fever by Noel Coward (TIOLI #1)

May and June

May

99. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (TIOLI #18)
100. In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl (TIOLI #8)
101. Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia (TIOLI #18)
102. Hush Now, Don’t You Cry by Rhys Bowen (TIOLI #16)
103. Plunder by Mary Anna Evans (TIOLI #3)
104. Wicked City by Alaya Johnson (TIOLI #16)
105. The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein (TIOLI #8)
106. Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell (TIOLI #12)
107. Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo (TIOLI #4)
108. Wild Thing by Josh Bazell (TIOLI #4)
109. Don’t Die Under the Apple Tree by Amy Patricia Meade (TIOLI #13)
110. Spellbound by Larry Correia

And so forth....

79. Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart (TIOLI #5)

I read the first book in this series Haunted Ground and wanted to like it much more than I did because of elements that usually appeal to me: archaeology, forensics, Ireland, dual timeline mysteries, etc. I decided I’d try the second, to see if it worked any better for me; it didn't.

First of all, these characters think far, far too much. In the first third of the novel, very little happens except for extensive introspection on the part of multiple characters. Truth be told, I find the book specific characters more interesting than the two main recurring characters, to whom I have never warmed. I concede I love the Irish bog settings and Hart’s lovely descriptions and once it got going, the mystery was pretty good. Nevertheless, as a whole, it just didn’t grab me. I think it’s unlikely that I pick up the third in the series.

Oooh, shiny new thread!! Too bad that book didn't grab you.

Dejah - congratulations on the new thread. Sorry that Lake of Sorrows didn't pan out - I liked the comment that "the characters think far, far too much" this normally indicates a writer who is a touch too heavy handed.

Just ambling through...

Dejah - nice new thread you got here! Bummer about Lake of Sorrows.

>6 Dejah_Thoris:: Thanks for the warning on that series. I feel your pain as I had a recent disappointing read that should have been pretty good but was told mostly through stifling interior monologues.

You want to grab the author by the ... let's say lapels ... and shout, "Out of their heads and on with the story!"

Well done! You continued the thread! yay! :)

I was all intrigued by False Mermaid and I saw it was a series and looked into it and thought it sounded awesome. I was excited about Haunted Ground but, I abandoned it early on. I was disappointed. Just never got into it. Never moved on

It's a shame....I love the titles....the premise and the authors name.

bummer Lake of Sorrows was a dud, too

Hi Dejah - nice new thread.

Sorry you didn't like the book. It sounds like one I might have picked up.

I really wanted to like Erin Hart's books, but two is enough of a chance for me. The folks who enjoyed Lake of Sorrows found it atmospheric - I guess that means I'm just not sensitive enough!

Thanks to everybody for dropping by - you're all welcome anytime!

80. The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott (75, TIOLI #4)

Although I like disaster books, I tend to avoid all things Titanic. I think I must be one of the few remaining individuals with easy access to a DVD player, TV and Netflix who hasn’t seen the blockbuster movie and I’m currently avoiding a local theater’s production of Titanic: The Musical. Kate Alcott’s The Dressmaker, then, is not an obvious choice for me. For some reason, though, it caught my attention and when Linda posted her TIOLI Titanic Challenge, I thought it would be worth giving it a try.

Tess, a young woman with ambitions in the world of fashion, manages to get herself hired by Lucy, Lady Gordon Duff, as a last minute replacement for her personal maid for her voyage to New York on the Titanic. Lady Gordon-Duff is the head of the design firm The House of Lucille, so for Tess, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. On board, Tess comes to realize that her employer can be more than a little difficult, but she finds unexpected kindness from several people meets.

When tragedy strikes, Alcott, who is actually author Patricia O’Brien, doesn’t wallow in the misery of the disaster. She handles it deftly and swiftly, reminding the reader of just how short a time it was between the iceberg strike and the Titanic slipping beneath the waves. Even before the survivors arrive in New York, questions are being asked: how could such a disaster occur and was everything possible done to save all the passengers? A Congressional investigation seeks uncover the truth, but the witnesses aren’t necessarily forthcoming.

All the elements of a great story seem to be in place: Tess, a young woman eager to find her place in the world, a romantic triangle, famous historical figures, New York City and the Titanic itself. Yet somehow, it didn’t entirely work for me. The evolving relationship between Tess and Lady Duff Gordon seemed unrealistic. Tess’s friendship with Pinky, a young woman reporter who’s covering the Titanic sinking for the New York Times, on the other hand, is wonderful. The romantic triangle ends quite predictably. The history of the post disaster inquiries is fascinating. I feel as though The Dressmaker came very close to be something very good indeed, but for me, at least, it ended up being just ok.

I should note that because of The Dressmaker I’ve become quite interested in the very real Lady Duff Gordon and her sister Elinor Glyn, who makes several appearances in The Dressmaker. LTer christiguc has listed The It Girls, a biography of the sisters, which I’m planning to read to learn more about the pair.

81. Cold Touch by Leslie Parrish (TIOLI #21)

I tend to have mixed luck with paranormal romances. Cold Touch is the second in Leslie Parrish’s Extrasensory Agents series, which pretty much follows the general plot of the first, Cold Sight. There’s a sick and horrible criminal who kidnaps, abuses and murders his/her victims, and in the process of tracking down the perpetrator one of the agents from eXtreme Investigations finds the love of his/her life.

As paranormal romances go, these are pretty good, but ultimately it’s just not a genre I’m all that fond of most of the time.

As you know, I picked up Dire Threads earlier this month at the bookstore. I don't think I'll get to it until I finish my 12 in 12 challenge because it doesn't fit remaining categories, and I'd have to make it overflow, but I'll get to it sometime in the next couple of months, I hope.

I'm glad to see you liked The Dressmaker. It's one that I've become interested in reading because of the positive response here. We have it at the library so I'll get to it eventually.

The Dressmaker sounds interesting, but it's too bad it ended up being just okay. On the other hand, the biography you mention about the sisters? That's definitely one I'd like to read!

Nice reviews, Dejah. I agree with Faith that the biography sounds interesting.

I know just what you mean in post 6 about how all the elements of a book appeal to you, but for some reason the book doesn't work. I think that is more frustrating than when you simply read a book that you don't like. Wishing you better luck with your next read!

>17 thornton37814: Hey Lori - Most seem to be liking Dire Threads more than I did, so I hope you'll side with that group and enjoy it! It was a solid book, but with so many series out there, it's not going to be my first choice.

As for The Dressmaker, I think that because of it's different focus (concentrating on the aftermath, more than the sinking itself) it's a good choice for disaster centennial. As I noted, I think it came just short of being a very fine book - it's still good, though!

>18 dk_phoenix: -19

Faith and Mamie - Good historical fiction should encourage us to learn more about the people and places depicted, right? And The Dressmaker was good, solid, historical fiction. Of course, the best historical fiction makes you feel as though you already learned everything there is to know!

I didn't actually do very well with my 20th Century Women TIOLI Challenge last month, but I've found so may interesting books on the subject, I think I'll make it a sub theme for myself for the rest of the year. I love it when books interconnect. I read Century Girl last month (I can't recommend it highly enough) and in it, Lady Gordon Duff was mentioned as Lucile - she designed gowns for the Ziegfeld Follies. Then she turns up in a major role in The Dressmaker - I think I'm meant to read The It Girls! She and her sister Elinor Glyn appear to have been born well, but poor and by dint of sheer determination created successful careers for themselves. I'll let you know what I think!

I love it when there are serendipitous connections between the books I read. I'm interested to hear what you think of The It Girls!

Hi Dejah, I can see you've been busy reading and although I couldn't fit it in this month, I was planning on reading The Dressmaker soon. After reading your review, I can relax and not rush to fit it in. Sounds like a read that will hold my attention, but not one that I feel I have to read right away.

Just popping in- hope you week is off to a lovely start!

Hey everybody!

I apologize for ignoring my own thread and not visiting everyone else's. I had a great weekend and the week has been very busy so far - I'm swamped. I'm still reading, though not as much, and a couple of the books were rereads. I'm not certain I'll get to all the book I planned to this month, but then I rarely do!

Thanks, Mamie - my week has been excellent so far!

*waving*

Dejah - after your last upbeat message - I assume that you're having one hell of a weekend. Really hope so.

Dejah - I miss you. Where are you?

>16 Dejah_Thoris: I tend to have mixed luck with paranormal romances
I have never even attempted one, I cant say either genre grabs me so I guess its safe to assume that the mixed version wont. Look at me....being all conservative and sticking to my safety zone!

I'm here! Life has been busy (a good thing), but I think it's slowed down enough that I'll get caught up here on LT over the weekend.

>25 alcottacre: Hey Stasia - it's been a long time! Thanks for dropping by!

>26 PaulCranswick: Thanks for your concern Paul - life is good, just a little frantic. I just noticed that I'm over 200 posts behind on your thread. It may take me a while to catch up....

>27 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie - Sorry I've been least in sight. I've missed you, too! I'll be visiting your thread soon, I promise.

>28 LovingLit: Megan - there are so many books out there, why worry about genre? And as for safety zone, I've been so tired lately I've been doing a lot of rereading; there's nothing as safe as a plot you already know and like.

I promised myself I'd make a start on catching up on my reviews tonight - I've got so many to do, most will be the bare minimum. I wrote a few right after I read the book, so those will be longer and I have two ER books I need to put a little more effort into. I'd better get started!

82. Back from the Undead by D.D. Barant (TIOLI #1)

I’ll start off by saying once again that this is a great series that is vastly under read. Jace is an FBI agent transported to an alternate version of Earth where her skills as a profiler are needed to catch a criminal – a human criminal on an Earth where only one percent of the population is human. The rest of the population is composed of vampires, lycanthropes and golems and as a human Jace is definitely in the minority. The series began with Dying Bites; Back from the Undead is the fifth. Try them!

83. When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder and the New Madrid Earthquakes by Jay Feldman (TIOLI #14)

This book was quite good. While is about the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 – 1812, there is so little documentation of the quakes there isn’t all that much Feldman can write about the quakes directly. Instead, the bulk of the book focuses on the movement of settlers into the relevant portions of the Mississippi Valley and of the build up to and the duration and aftermath of the War of 1812. He covers Native American issues, slavery, murder and battles, and involves several future American Presidents along the way. I think this is an excellent book to read in honor of the bicentennial of the beginning of the War of 1812. It’s definitely worth checking out.

84. The Master of Heathcrest Hall by Galen Beckett (TIOLI #1)

The Master of Heathcrest Hall is an excellent finish to Galen Beckett’s trilogy that begins with The Magicians and Mrs. Quent. It is not a book to be read in isolation. Set in a country, Altania, remarkably like 19th century England, Beckett has created a world in which only men, and only some men at that, can practice magic. Still other men, despised by polite society, have the ability to create illusions. And a few women have an affinity for the Wyrdwood, the wild woods that once covered the nation and now exist only in protected and fear patches. Add in tricky political situation and a potentially devastating threat from afar that few are aware of and this is not a book to pick up without reading the first two.

I have no intention of giving any plot points, so I’ll simply say that the stories of Eldyn, Ivy and Rafferdy come to suitable and satisfying conclusions. This is a very good fantasy series for anyone who likes 19th century novels; I do myself, and loved it.

85. Roman Blood by Steven Saylor (TIOLI #21)

In Steven Saylor’s first Ancient Rome mystery Roman Blood, Gordianus the Finder is asked by Cicero, an unknown advocate, to help his client who has been accused of patricide, a most heinous crime. Rome of 80 B.C., ruled by Sulla in his third year as Dictator, is a constant political minefield and as Gordianus investigates, it becomes clear that there may be more than motives of hatred and greed involved. Can justice be found in Rome?

Ancient Rome is not one of my favorite settings, but I had heard wonderful things about this series from another LTer (mamzel) and I wanted to give it a try. Overall, I thought it was quite good, but I did have a few quibbles. Saylor is clearly extremely knowledgeable about his chosen time and place, but occasionally lets his desire to inform the reader overwhelm his good sense as a writer. For example, Gordianus muses for several pages while hiding behind a curtain about the rise to power of Sulla, while he should actually be departing the premises which he has illegally entered. The information was interesting reading, but awkwardly placed at best. Gordianus is also somewhat judgmental of others, particularly those whose very legitimate fear makes them unwilling to come forward with information. Finally, I though the book ran rather longer than was justified by the mystery.

I will without question seek out the sequels to Roman Blood; I’m looking forward to having another mystery series to read! Thanks, mamzel!

86. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (TIOLI #3)

Cinder is a YA retelling of Cinderella in a dystopian future with steampunk / grunge style elements; Cinder is a cyborg with a mechanical bent. Honestly, I thought it had strong enough elements that it might have been an even stronger book without the Cinderella storyline, but then again, I’m not the target market. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and will be watching for the sequel.

87. Heat Rises by Richard Castle (TIOLI #21)

There really isn’t much to say about Heat Rises – read it if you enjoy the show Castle and if you’ve read the previous two ‘Richard Castle’ books. It reads differently from the first two, which I suppose gives credence to the theory that they were both written by the late Stephan J. Cannell. There are plenty of references to Season Three and a nice nod Nathan Fillion and Firefly. Only for fans.

88. Hard Magic by Larry Correia (TIOLI #1)

I have to admit that I wasn’t at all certain that I was going to like this book when I started it. I mean take a look at the cover; it’s seriously over the top! But something about the book caught my attention when was published last year and while I wasn’t willing to buy it to get my hands on it, I made a note to myself to get it eventually. Well, I finally got it though my new library system, and I adored every minute of it.

Hard Magic is set in on a slightly different Earth. Sometime during the 19th century, people with different paranormal or magic abilities started being born and by the Depression years of the 1930s, one person in one hundred has a special talent. The book has something of a steampunk feel with dirigibles and a ‘Peace Ray’ which combines beautifully with detective fiction noir elements including gangsters (by the end of book you’ll know who Correia’s favorite detective fiction writer is). There’s a fair amount of violence and a lot of guns, but it was a rollicking ride and a whole lot of fun. Give it a try – it’s a hoot!

Your book #85 will be my next read after I finish the books I'm currently reading--I've heard only good things about it.

I may try the Barant series. Two straight science fiction mysteries I can really recommend are Wrapt in Crystal by Sharon Shinn and Deadly Silents by Lee Killough.

Artifacts by Mary Anna Evans (reread, TIOLI #5)

This is another series I think is very under read. Faye Longchamp is from a long line of strong, lonely women who are determined to keep Joyeuse, a house and island off the panhandle of Florida, in the family. Artifacts, the first book in the series, combines archaeology, history and a great setting with an excellent mystery; no mystery fan should miss it.

Plunder, the seventh book in the series, was recently published. My librarian made a point of mentioning that she ordered it for me, but it’s driving me crazy that it’s still in processing….

>37 ronincats:

Hey Roni --

Roman Blood was a very solid historical mystery - particularly for a first novel. I'm looking forward to the others.

Wrapt in Crystal is great - I've got the new Sharon Shinn waiting for me, but I'm a little dubious about the topic. Did she have to write a werewolf book?

My library doesn't have Deadly Silents - you've got me interested, though, so I'll pick it up from a used book dealer. Thanks for the suggestion.

I hope you try D.D. Barant's books. They're fun and upbeat without being goofy and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Thanks for dropping by - I'll be visiting your thread soon!

Whoops...I ended up with a double post. I'll find a cat picture to post here.

Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews (reread, TIOLI #1)

This was a reread of the second book in Donna Andrews' fun Meg Langslow mysteries. Meg and Michael head off for a quiet, romantic weekend together on an island off of the coast of Maine, but things don’t work out exactly as planned….

Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews (reread, TIOLI #20)

In book three of the Meg Langslow series, Meg, her boyfriend Michael, assorted friends and family members and the dog Spike are variously involved in the reenactment of the Battle of Yorktown and the related events, including a crafts fair at which Meg is selling her work. When an unlikeable character is murdered, Meg once again gets involved….

Oh, Artifacts looks good!

the seventh book in the series, was recently published.

..... seems I have been possibly sucked into more than one book with that review! ;-)

Wow Dejah when you post you really post. The last three books are not numbered nor are they on your list of books read? I take it that your total is 98?

If I am remembering correctly, the flamingo book was one of my favorites in Andrews' series. Of course, Reelfoot Lake was formed during that New Madrid earthquake up there "when the Mississippi ran backwards." Even though we are on the opposite side of the state from it, we've heard quite a bit about its bicentennial this year.

Hi Dejah. Cinder and Roman Blood are already on my wishlist but it's still good to get further recommendations for them :-)

>43 lkernagh: Hi Lori! Definitely give Artifacts a try. It's a mystery to me why the series isn't more well known. If you do read it, I'll be looking forward to hearing your opinion - both of the book and why more people haven't read it! Thanks for coming by.

>44 PaulCranswick: Paul - 95 per the top of the thread is actually correct. I decided not to count recent rereads (within 5 years) toward either my 75 or 12 in 12 totals, but as rereads are generally books I really like and would love to talk about (and use for the TIOLI Challenges), I started adding them to my thread. My goal is to reduce but not eliminate my rereads, but if I'm really busy / tired / stressed out / sick I reach for a familiar favorite. My total counting rereads and a few very short books I otherwise didn't count is 113. Stick with the total at the top of the thread - it's easier and I'm not all that competitive!

>45 thornton37814: Hey Lori - Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos is one I particularly like as well, although I must admit to having several favorites in that series.

I was wondering if the anniversary of the quakes had gotten much local press - if there was much national coverage I missed it. I had hoped to learn more about the quakes than I did, but I suspect Feldman did the best he could with the available material. The War of 1812 has never been a strong point for me and I'd intended to read about it this year. I feel as though I've gotten a decent basic knowledge of it from When the Mississippi Ran Backwards which should make further reading easier. The story of the murder case he included, involving Thomas Jefferson's nephews, while appalling, was fascinating.

>46 souloftherose: Heather, I suppose it's a good thing that I didn't hit you with any new book bullets - I'll keep trying, though!

89. The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill (TIOLI #1)

Many people have written about this book and series, so I’ll only add that I agree with the majority – The Coroner’s Lunch was very good indeed and I’m looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

90. The Witness by Nora Roberts

A young woman witnesses a crime committed by the Russian Mafia and goes into hiding to save her life. Eventually, she must decide if she’ll keep running or face her enemies with the sexy Chief of Police she’s fallen for….

Sound familiar? It’s not the most original plot, but it’s classic Nora Roberts. It’s fun, escapist fiction – accept it for what it is and enjoy.

91. Broken Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin (TIOLI #1)

Broken Kingdoms, the second in N. K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy, is set 10 years after The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Like its predecessor, it’s a heady mixture of Gods, mortals and politics – and family quarrels. It was very well done, and I’m looking forward to reading The Kingdom of the Gods very soon.

92. Unnatural Acts by Stuart Woods

Unnatural Acts is a Stuart Woods Stone Barrington novel, so there really isn’t all that much to say. Like most of these recently, you’ll have little idea of what’s going on unless you’ve read at least some of the previous books, so start at the beginning (this is only the 23rd in the series, so it’s not as though it’ll take you all that long). Herbie gets a lot of page time – is Woods grooming Herbie for a bigger role?

I'm glad you liked Roman Blood - I discovered that series through LT too (LizzieD recommended it, I think), and have read two of them now. I agree he does tend to dump some of his historical context info rather awkwardly at times - a common fault with historical mysteries or historical fiction generally - but I too want to read more. And you are one more person now who has endorsed the Cotteril recommendation: that is definitely on my list to look out for.

Hi Dejah: I loved the Feldman book when I read it a year or two ago. I'm hoping to get cracking with books #2 and 3 in the Donna Andrews series sometime soon, too.

>52 gennyt: Genny - Isn't LT great for finding new authors? I've discovered so many new authors and series since I've been on LT. As for The Coroner's Lunch, it's not going to be to everyone's taste (Laos in 1975 may not have a universal appeal) but I thought the setting made it. I hope you enjoy it.

>53 lindapanzo: Hey Linda - I saw your name when I added the Feldman book and I wondered if you'd already read it or were planning to. I'm really glad I read it.

As for Donna Andrews, I blame you for my current reread of her books. All that talk a while back about how great Murder, With Peacocks was got me started and I've actually reread the first five - I just haven't gotten around to posting them all yet. I hope you like the others when you get the chance to read them!

I'm reading a Mary Roach book about space travel right now but, after I finish it, I'm hoping to read some cozies. I'm just coming out of a horrible reading funk and think that maybe some comfort-type mysteries would be a good thing.

I'm so sorry your reading funk has been so protracted. I turn to the Meg Langslow series when I'm having trouble settling in with other books. It helps that they're light and fun - and that she almost always knocks off someone unpleasant! I hope the funk is over soon.

Dejah - Welcome back! Had no idea you'd be back with a vengeance though - I was not expecting to be hit with a barrage of book bullets. Should I just tell you which ones I'm not interested in - um, the ones that I already read! Ouch!! Now I will attempt to stagger back over to my WL and try to remain coherent long enough to get the titles entered in...

*edited for spelling

Hi Dejah, I am having deja vu as I could have sworn I posted to your thread yesterday!

Anyway, welcome back and I see you have been reading up a storm, lots of good stuff here. I have the first book in the Jemisin series, but have no idea when I will get to it, and Cinder has been on my radar for awhile.

>57 Crazymamie: Mamie - I'm glad to hear you got hit with a few book bullets! No violence intended, of course - it'll be fun to see what you think of whichever ones you read!

>58 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy - That's happened to me, too. Sometimes I'll swear I could swear I posted to a thread, all evidence to the contrary. I don't think you can go far wrong with either Cinder or the Jemisin books, although they're quite different. Enjoy!

Today is my one year Thingaversary - happy Thingaversary to me!

I've ordered my Thingaversary books - more than the two I'm traditionally supposed to get. I tend to rely heavily on my library for books, so my book purchases are usually items I can't get from them.

Here they are:

* Anna in the Tropics: the Tony Award nominated and Pulitzer Prize winning play by Nilo Cruz;
* In the Next Room (or the Vibrator play): the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominated play by Sarah Ruhl;
* Monster Hunter International: the first book in the first series by Larry Correia, who wrote Hard Magic, mentioned above;
* The Voice Book: Caring for, Protecting and Improving Your Voice by Kate DeVore.

I can't wait for them to get here!

Happy Thingaversary, Georgia!

I've enjoyed catching up with your diverse reading and hope you enjoy your new books.

Happy Thingaversary, Dejah! Hard Magic is one that I added to my WL. I will look to see what plays our library has to see if any of them qualify for your challenge - um, don't hold your breath, but I will check.

Happy Thingaversary. Enjoy your new books:)

Happy Thingaversary! Good to see you are celebrating in style.

Happy Thingaversary!

Yes, Dejah, it's hard to believe you've only been on here a year, but Happy Thingaversary to you!

Happy first thingaversary, Dejah!!

Happy thinga!

Happy Thinga to you!! Wishing you many more!!!

A real milestone, a year at LT! Happy Thingaversary.

Oh my goodness, book book book book, your thread is all about books lately. I suppose it shouldnt be a surprise really, just because I read slowly doesnt mean everyone else does. What a huge lot you have read. It must be great seeing all the books you have yet to read and thinking that you actually will read them soon :)

Guess that means you need to buy two books Dejah - congrats.

Thank you for the congratulations, Dee, Mamie, calm, Roni, Carrie, Lori, Linda, Lucy, Lizzie, Judy, Megan and Paul! I didn't know I had so many visitors!

>62 Crazymamie: Mamie - I hope you like Hard Magic; it was an unexpected pleasure. Don't worry about finding a play for my Challenge - I knew it wasn't going to be popular (ok, maybe not this unpopular). At any rate, it gives me an excuse to read plays.

>66 thornton37814: Lori, I can't believe it's only been a year, either.

>71 LovingLit: Megan - I had more time than usual in the first quarter of this year, so my numbers are a little skewed, although I do read a lot and fairly quickly. I'll tell you, though - if I had kids at home the way you do, I don't think I'd ever get any reading done at all!

>73 Dejah_Thoris: Actually, Paul, I bought four!

...just added 4 books to the TBR list, thanks a lot! You've really got to stop reading so many interesting books... *grumblegrumble*

Hey Faith -

I think it's great we share such similar tastes in reading - your thread is pretty dangerous for me, too!

I'm thrilled to say that I got my top choice of ER book for April: N.K. Jemisin's The Killing Moon - woohoo! I'm really looking forward to it.

I also got new Charlaine Harris Deadlocked from the library yesterday; it was great fun.

Now and forever I need to catch up on reviews and threads....

Oh, I love me some Sookie - she cracks me up! I am behind in that series; I still have the two previous ones to read but it has been awhile so I might have to start back at the beginning and read through them again over the summer.

Glad that you got the ER book that you wanted - WahHoo!

Hey Mamie -

I love Sookie, too! I've been reading them for years now - actually that should be I've read and reread them for years. Having just reread the two that come before Deadlocked, I can say that I think you stopped with one of the most unhappy in the series. But definitely, reread them! I have to admit that I don't watch the show - do you?

And another question - do you participate in the ER program? Did you get one this month?

We watched the first two shows, and to be honest, I think I am not old enough for it!!! Wow, talk about leaving nothing to the imagination! I liked the music though.

I do not participate in the ER. I thought I would wait until after we are settled down in Georgia for that.

That's probably not a bad idea. While most have mine have shown up quickly, I've heard from many people that they've waited months for their books....

Sorry I missed your Thingaversary Dejah but I can see that you celebrated it in style. Good for you! I've always gotten my ER books in a timely fashion but I know others have waited. I'm pretty excited that I managed to snag Bring Up the Bodies, the sequel to Wolf Hall which I'll read as soon as it arrives.

You beat the odds to get Bring Up the Bodies, Bonnie, but you're the perfect person to get it because you write such wonderful reviews!

93. Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly (TIOLI #1)

Carla Kelly is a RITA Award winning romance author and a two time Spur Award winner (award by the Western Writers of America) for short fiction (both stories appear in Here’s to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army, I believe). She’s also written several non fiction works of the U.S. West. As she’s one of the only romance authors I read any more, I was willing to give her Borrowed Light a try even once I realized it was a Christian / Inspirational romance.

In the summer of 1909, Julia Darling breaks her engagement to a man who is a wonder match in almost all respects, except that Julia doesn’t believe they’re in love. A recent graduate of the Fannie Farmer Boston School of Cookery, Julia decides to accept a job offer to be the cook at a ranch in Wyoming, and, eventually, romance ensues.

What makes this book unusual is that Julia’s home town is Salt Lake City and she and her family are members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. There are references to the Bible, but also to the Book of Mormon, with which I am not particularly familiar. Several historical events relevant to Mormons are integrated into the story. Frankly, I found the book more interesting because of the Mormon elements than I probably would have found it had it been more generically Protestant.

The issues of faith were nicely handled and were not overdone. The depictions Wyoming ranch and community life were interesting. While this book will have limited appeal, I thought it was well done.

94. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (TIOLI #3)

In 14th century Brittany, some young women are recognized as being sired by the old Breton god of Death. The lucky ones are spirited off to the Convent of Saint Mortain; their less fortunate sisters do not fare as well.

At the Convent, these young women are trained as assassins in the Death god’s service as decreed by the Mother Superior. Ismae, one of the lucky ones, is nearing the end of her training when is thrust into the midst of court intrigue and she begins to wonder who she really serves: the Death god Mortain or the Reverend Mother?

This YA book, the first in the His Fair Assassins trilogy was entertaining; enough so that I’ll watch for the next book to be published. That said, I couldn’t help but wonder how much more interesting the book might have been if it had been written for an adult audience. Of course, I do that with most YA books I read!

95. The Yard by Alex Grecian (TIOLI #5)

This is an ER book and as such deserves a decent review. I think I'll wait until I exhibit slightly greater brain function before I give it a try.

Dejah - So glad to see your review on Grave Mercy because I saw that on Amazon and wondered about it. It sounded like something my daughter and I would both enjoy. Adding it to the WL - so great because I can buy it for her and then read it when she is done with it!!! I will waiting to see what you have to say about The Yard.

Dejah - Borrowed Light looks interesting if not a little syrupy. Love westerns with a twist.
The cover for The Yard would scream "buy me" if I saw it in the shops here.

Hi Paul - thanks for dropping by!

Borrowed Light was a bit syrupy, but given it's a romance novel, it wasn't too bad.

I think The Yard is going to be pretty popular and I have no doubt that more books will follow. I have somewhat mixed feelings about it, though - it's no The Alienist.

Mamie -

Grave Mercy is fun - 14th century European politics, an old Breton Death god and a convent full of female assassins - how can you go too far wrong? I hope you and your daughter both enjoy it.

If you're thinking of buying it, I suppose that means your library system doesn't have it. You'll definitely be looking at an upgrade in GA!

Dejah - You would be really shocked by our library. The young adult section fits on one side of one shelving unit. They don't have Divergent, or Blood Red Road, or Cinder. The adult section is better, but is still pretty hit or miss. For example, they just got Michael Connelly's books because someone donated them. They don't have The Shining by Stephen King or any Colin Cotterill. They have one copy of IQ84 and it is the only book they have by Murakami. So, I will probably experience culture shock in Georgia!

Of course I haven't been to any of the libraries in the Dougherty County system, but at least I can vouch for you being able to get books through the PINES system. Even my small branch library has a really good YA collection, so hopefully your branch in Albany will, too.

Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews (reread)

This time, Meg is helping out in the office of her brother Rob’s computer game company while she recuperates from a blacksmithing accident. Rob’s game ‘Lawyers from Hell’ is a huge hit, but some strange things have been happening at the office, and he hopes Meg can figure out what’s going on. In addition, Meg is house hunting while Michael, her boyfriend, is off in California taping a guest spot on an old friend’s cheesy science fiction tv show. Once, Donna Andrews delivers a very humorous book – the big final scene is laugh out loud funny.

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (reread, TIOLI #20)

I don’t watch the Alan Ball / HBO series “True Blood,” but I’ve been reading Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse books for years. I consider them addictive brain candy.

In the tenth book of the series, Dead in the Family, Sookie is recovering physically and mentally from the Fairy War debacle in Dead and Gone. Quite a lot happens in this book that sets up the plots for the next two books, but most of it won’t make much sense unless you’ve read the first nine. If you’re interested in this series, go back to the beginning and read Dead Until Dark.

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (reread, TIOLI #1)

More Sookie, everyone's favorite telepathic barmaid.

We’ll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews (reread)

More Meg Langslow. Michael has become quite a hit on his friend’s science fiction TV show, “Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle” and has to appear at fan organized convention. Meg tags along, in part to protect Michael from his adoring fans, but also to see if her swords, daggers and the like would sell at that type of event. Murder and mayhem ensue.

I think this book is a hoot, but I’ll concede it’s probably best appreciated by anyone who’s ever had anything to do with a SF Con.

In that respect, it reminds me of the excellent Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb - another humorous mystery not to be missed.

96. Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon (TIOLI #1)

Many people have written about this book lately, so I’ll just say that I enjoyed that I enjoyed it, particularly the extravagant language. I must admit, though, that each time I read a review that says something along the lines of “I wanted something more,” I know exactly what they mean.

97. Placing History: How Maps, Spatial Data and GIS are Changing Historical Scholarship by Anne Kelly Knowles ed. (TIOLI #17)

I just noticed that this book has no LT reviews, so I think I’ll come back to it and write something I’ll feel comfortable posting to the work.

98. Hay Fever by Noel Coward ( TIOLI #1)

I adore Noel Coward’s snarky humor and Hay Fever delivers. During a visit to New York City in the early 1920s, Coward was said to have met a well off but boisterous, bohemian and badly mannered theatrical family. This family became the model for very English Bliss family in Hay Fever, published in 1925.

The Bliss family is comprised of a recently retired actress, her novelist husband and their young adult son and daughter. Residing at their country home, each member of the family has invited a guest for the weekend, but for variously assorted reasons each has neglected to mention their guest to the others. Eventually the ill assorted group is gathered and the Bliss family proceeds to torture their guests with their dramatic antics, many of a romantic nature. It sounds horrible and in truth it’s amazingly shallow, but it’s also hysterically funny – if you like Coward.

99. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (TIOLI #18)

What can I say about Deadlocked the twelfth and next to last Sookie Stackhouse novel? If you like the series, you’ll read it no matter what I write. If you haven’t begun the series or are only on book five or six, you don’t need to know what happens in Deadlocked. I’ll just say that a number of plot points that have been building up for the last several books are resolved ahead of the final book. As for what will happen in the final book, I don’t think that’s much of a mystery!

Dejah - My Word.... I work on the house for a big and when I come back you have 8 books posted. EIGHT!! Knock it off, you're making the rest of us look bad!

>95 Dejah_Thoris: I got this one from the library, read the first page and then too kit back! I dont know why it didnt grab me, (as didnt The Yiddish Policemen's Union), I feel like he's an author I would like. Hm, perhaps him and me are just not meant to be.

>99 Crazymamie: No such thing, Mamie. What I'm really doing is revealing just how far behind I had gotten. I had to write a whole bunch of short reviews (skipping one book 'til later) because with the exception of Deadlocked, I read all of those books back in April!. And I'm still not caught up - but I will be soon.

>100 LovingLit: Megan, you are not alone. I really wanted to like The Yiddish Policeman's Union but it just wasn't working for me and I abandoned it. I'm willing to give another of his books a try, but I'll probably wait a while.

Relics by Mary Anna Evans (reread, TIOLI #14)

Relics is the second entry in Mary Anna Evans Faye Longchamp mystery series. Now a graduate student in archaeology, Faye gets a wonderful opportunity to serve as the archaeologist for a Federally funded study of the Sujosas of Alabama (the Sujosas are fictional, modeled on the Melungeons of Appalachia, the Redbones of Louisiana and the Cajans of Alabama). Faye and her friend Joe arrive after the project has already begun and tensions are high, both amongst the academic team and between the team and the local populace. It’s not long before bad things start to happen.

While I don’t like Relics as much as Artifacts, the first Faye Longchamp mystery, it’s still a good book. My quibbles are fairly minor. Some of the academic/historic solutions come a bit too easily to Faye, but is after all, fiction. Occasionally Faye’s reactions to those around her seem to extreme or out of character. I will say, though, that I can’t see anybody guessing the ‘who’ in who done it much before the culprit is revealed. It’s a solid sophomore effort in a very good series.

100. In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl (TIOLI #8)

In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play is a Tony and Pulitzer Prize nominated work written by MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Sarah Ruhl. It will not be playing at a community theater near you any time soon.

In the Next Room is set in an upstate New York spa town, along the lines of Saratoga Springs, in the 1880s. Electricity is available, but still something wondrous to most. Ruhl examines the roles of wife and mother, race, marital relations, and the fascination of electricity. She weaves her story around the framework of a doctor who treats his patients for hysteria (or depression) by bringing them to orgasm with an electric vibrator. The characters include the doctor, his wife, their child’s African American wet nurse, two of the doctor’s patients (a man and a woman) and the female patient’s husband.

In her comments, Ruhl clearly states that medical practices and equipment she used in the play are historically accurate; the mundane interactions between the characters are her only inventions. Ruhl’s depiction of the frustrations and limitations of society’s imposed gender roles and expectations for marriage is very powerful, but I think many readers and theater goers will miss the some of the beauty of her work because of their shock at what’s happening on stage. While there is only limited nudity, medical treatments are conducted in view of the audience.

If you get a chance to see it, do so; barring that, it's well worth reading.

Whew! I'm glad to have that review written (for In the Next Room). I actually added my review to the work because the only other review was two words, no punctuation -'Strangely amusing'.

Dejah - I can see how that would be difficult to stage in a community theatre! Will not be possible to have this one sent to me in conservative Malaysia.

Paul, except for professional companies in major cities, I don't think this one will get staged at all! I'd forgotten that it might be difficult for you to bring certain written materials into the country. Well, as much as I liked it, I wouldn't say it's essential reading for anyone except theater geeks.

101. Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia (TIOLI #18)

I really enjoyed Larry Correia’s Hard Magic and when I was facing a delay in getting my hands on the sequel Spellbound, I decided to give his first published book, Monster Hunter International a try. My ultimate reaction was that Correia has learned a lot about writing in the last few years. Don’t get me wrong; there’s a fairly entertaining book somewhere in Monster Hunter International. Unfortunately, that book is 350 – 400 pages long, not the 713 pages it runs in paperback.

Owen Z. Pitt is a big guy, raised by his Green Beret father to be both mentally and physically tough and an expert marksman. After an unhappy experience, Owen does everything he can to be a normal guy; he becomes an accountant. When his monster of a boss turns out to be, well, a monster, Owen forced to kill him in self defense and is recruited by a professional monster hunting organization. There are many, many guns in this book and all the weapons are described in loving detail. I skimmed a lot. There are plenty of B movie worthy monsters and extended battles; I skipped some there, too. The characters are very likeable, though, and you can’t help rooting for Owen.

The differences between Monster Hunter International and Hard Magic are numerous. In Hard Magic, the writing, plotting and backstory are all greatly improved. There are far fewer guns and less description of them. I’m also pretty sure he now has a much better editor.

My suggestion would be unless love reading about weaponry skip Monster Hunter International and go straight for Hard Magic.

Wow Dejah... you have been busy reading/reviewing! Donna Andrews books sound like fun and I will be keeping my eye out for in the Next Room.

Truthfully, Lori, this is mostly catch up from ignoring my thread and reviews for a few weeks, but I'm in better shape now! The Donna Andrews books are great fun - I reread them when I want something cheerful. I hope you give them a try.

102. Hush Now, Don’t You Cry by Rhys Bowen (TIOLI #16)

It's the Fall of 1904 and the former Molly Murphy and her husband of three weeks, Captain Daniel Sullivan of the New York City Police Department are off on their delayed honeymoon. New York City Alderman Brian Hannan, an acquaintance of Daniel’s, has offered them a cottage at his Newport, Rhode Island estate for their wedding trip. It becomes clear that the Alderman had an additional motive for the invitation when his family begins to arrive per his request, unheard of for Newport in October. When someone is killed it’s clear that there is, indeed, a problem, but Daniel has little information to work with. Daniel wants Molly to keep out of it, but while Molly agreed to give up her investigation business when they married, she never promised to stop figuring things out.

As this series is usually set in New York City, the change of venue to Gilded Age Newport for the 11th book in the series is fun, even if it is the off season. It's also good to know that marriage hasn't slowed Molly down.

I am also awe struck Dejah at the number of books you are reading. I started the Molly Murphy series last year, but I haven't been able to fit the next one in yet. I did like the first one though. In the same manner, I have read the first five Sookie books and need to get back to her adventures at some point. I love to turn to these lighter books between some of the heavier ones I've tackled.

Hey Judy -

I think I read a lot more of the light and fluffy stuff than most 75ers do, which contributes directly to how many books I read. In addition, I usually read more non fiction, but for whatever reason, non fiction hasn't been holding my attention. I'm not going to drive myself crazy over it - I've decided I'm going to read whatever I feel like reading! Of course, lately that's included more plays, which tend to inflate my numbers, too.

The Molly Murphy series is pretty solid; I really like the NYC / turn of the century setting. As with most series, it isn't completely consistent in quality; there is one book I actively dislike. Sookie, of course, is a hoot. Do you watch the show? At this point, I think I'll wait to start it until after the final Sookie book is out next year.

Dejah - Just catching up. The Molly Murphy series looks interesting and so does the series by Mary Anna Evans. I actually own the first in the Donna Andrews series, but have not read it yet - too many books and too little time! Hopefully more time later this summer after we are settled in down there. I am really getting the bug now that we are so close!

I love the eclectic range of books you read, Dejah and you've reminded me I need to get back to Sookie Stackhouse!

>113 Crazymamie:

Hey Mamie - I particularly like early 20th century female immigrant makes good books / series. Jeanne M. Dams' Hilda Johansson series also comes to mind.

I think this is in large part because one of my great-grandmothers came to the U.S. in that era - alone. I've always admired what she accomplished in her lifetime. She was a tough lady who sent all of her children to college, which was no mean feat during the tag end of the Depression.

You've mentioned that you sometimes read books with your 16 year old daughter. Some of the Mary Anna Evens books have een picked by VOYA as 'Adult Mysteries with YA Appeal.' I'm not certain why there were picked, but wondered if part of it might be that Faye is multi-ethnic: black, white and Native American (Creek). There aren't a lot of darker skinned amateur detectives out there. At any rate, I was that you both of you might enjoy the series.

And you must read Murder, With Peacocks!!!

>114 Soupdragon:

Well thank you, Dee! You are not the only person to find my reading eclectic - they're mystified by my reading patterns at my library branch!

I like the Sookie books so much that they're comfort reads for me. I hope you get beck to her soon!

Well Dejah, you're certainly hard to keep up with. Not only do you read an inordinately large number of books but you manage to review so many so quickly. Great job! I have been meaning to give the Meg Langslow series a try. I love the cover art and the intriguing titles.

I haven't seen the True Blood show at all, my daughter who is a huge Sookie fan, does watch it as well and loves it. Maybe someday I'll hunt down the series, but I seem to be as far behind with my TV viewing as I am with my TBR shelves!

you need to rent the 1st season of True Blood on DVD. It's soooo good! The whole season just covers the 1st book....it's very true to the story yet there are a lot of surprises thrown in. Alan Ball did a great job. You'll love it

Hey everybody -

Once again I've been ignoring my own thread (and everyone else's) - my apologies! I think I mentioned on Mamie's thread that I'm in a community theater play right now, which is absorbing a lot of free time. We open next week, so this weekend is going to be hectic. I'll try to do a better job keeping up!

>116 brenzi:

Hi Bonnie! Thank you for your kind words. As for my reviews, I don't seem to either have the talent for or be willing to take the time to make the effort to write the beautiful reviews that you and some of the other LTers regularly post. I've decided not to drive myself crazy over it - maybe someday!

Greetings, Judy and Ellen!

I'm sure I'll end up watching True Blood one of these days - or at least giving it a try. But as I said above, I think I may wait until the last of the Sookie books is published and read. It's good to hear that several readers like it, though!

My thanks to you both for dropping by.

Rotten Lies by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins (reread, TIOLI #4)

Aaron Elikins, author of the Gideon Oliver ‘Skeleton Detective’ mysteries and his wife Charlotte wrote five entertaining golf mysteries; Rotten Lies is the second of these. This pleasant series (of which I am most fond of books 1, 2 and 4) isn’t just for golf fans; I myself don’t much care for golf. What I do like is heroine Lee Offsted, a ‘rabbit’ on the fictitious WPGL tour, and the cozy mysteries. The books are light and fun and rather short. Definitely worth a try is you’re a mystery fan.

Dejah! I cannot believe how many detective series are out there that I have never heard of before. Prior to joining LT, I actually thought I was reasonably well read - HAH!! You must be excited about the play opening next week - how goes rehearsals? If you ever do drive yourself to craziness let me know and we can meet up for drinks, as I seem to spend quite a bit of time there myself!

What play are you doing? Hope all is going well. Break a leg!

Hi Dejah - a very belated happy thingaversary. Hope your play goes well this week!

Hi Dejah haven't seen you on the threads recently, are you still doing your play? Hope all is well.

Good luck for the play!
What are you performing?

Dejah - very quiet over here. I hope that everything is well and look forward to your news soon. Hope the greasepaint and bright lights has not put you off us all!

I think we need to issue an APB for Dejah! Hope you are back with us soon.

We miss you, Dejah! Hope you are having fun with your play.

Dejah - hope you are back from Mars princess very soon.

Hi Dejah! I'm catching up on threads today. You've read an impressive number of books already. The Faye Longchamp mysteries sound interesting - onto the wish list they go.
Are you still doing the play? Are you acting or in production? Well, as they say, break a leg!

Just checking in to join the group wishing you the best.

One whole month with no sight of the Princess from Mars! Hope everything is well with you Dejah.

Dropped by to say 'Hello"; but you're not in. Hope everything is alright, and the play went well.

Dejah, we've just rented the new John Carter film and I thought of you. Hope everything's ok.

Also saying hi and hope all is well.

We miss you, Dejah. Hope you come back so you can read all our greeting messages.

Another one missing the Princess of Mars. Come back soon.

Me, too, Dejah! I MISS you. Please come back- we are missing your lively banter. Hope wherever you are, that you are having fun.

Dejah, Mars (and LT) needs you! Seriously, hope everything is well and that you'll be back here soon.

Karen O.

Dejah we haven't seen you since May - hope everything is well and that you will return to earth soon.

Dejah, I am missing you and hoping that you are well. Happy Thanksgiving - hope it is filled with wonderful moments!

Happy Thanksgiving, Dejah!

Dejah - I'm with Mamie (well not literally of course) - come back soon. Happy Thanksgiving.

Dejahhhhhhhh, come backkkkk, I have an extra turkey leg.

Glitterfy.com - Christmas Glitter Graphics

I want to wish you a glorious celebration of that time of year when we all try to unite around a desire for Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward All. Merry Christmas, Dejah!

Don't know where you are Princess but wherever it is ......Happy New Year!

Here's to a great new year ahead, Dejah!

A very Happy New Year, Dejah! May it be filled with fabulous things- such as your return to LT!!