Chèli's 75 3rd Quarter summer adventures

Hi, everyone - I'm moving on to another thread to keep consist with a quarterly thread and I'm at a good break point. I hope you will all visit frequently and keep me company as I travel through my histories and mysteries this year. You Can See what I've read so far on Thread #1 Thread #2.




2012 I'm continuing the following challenges:

US Presidents Challenge (So far I'm finishing Rutherford B. Hayes so this year the Reconstructive Presidents are on tap.)
European Challenge
50 States challenge

and besides the 75 book Challenge I will also be participating in

12 in 12 Challenge - 112 books - 12 categories with 12 books (with 32 overlaps 20+12)
TIOLI challenges - each month a different set of challenges
BOMBS Challenge - (Books Off My Book Shelves) 80 books that I already own (either ARD (Antique Reading Device) or e-book NOOK or Net Galleys - Downloaded)

I can't think of not being part of 75ers - between all the fun conversations, TIOLI, group reads, and I'm sure surprises to be found. I love sharing my reads with everyone here.

Here's the link to my introduction http://www.librarything.com/topic/129148/message#3
Here are the books that I am hoping to read in 2012:
If I've struck them out, I actually got them read this year!

A Beautiful Blue Death
A Deadly Dealer
A Fatal Appraisal
✔A Fountain Filled with Blood
✔A Killer Collection
A Killer Stitch @
A Murderous Glaze
A Precious Jewel
A Secret Affair
✔A Trick of the Light
✔Affairs of Steak
Alexander Cipher
An Honest President
✔Andrew Johnson : a biography
✔Atlantis Code
Battered Body
Benjamin Harrison : America's 23rd president
✔Body in the Tower
✔Book of Lost Fragrances
✔Books Can be Deceiving %
Border Lord and the lady @
✔Burn
Chester A Arthur Conspiracy
✔Chili Con Corpses
✔Colfax massacre and the death of Reconstruction
✔Contrary blues
✔Count of Monte Cristo
✔Crunch Time
Curse of the Pharaohs
Dark Angel/Lord Carew's Bride %
✔Dead Cat Bounce @
Deadly Yarn
✔Death Comes to Pemberley
Death Threads
✔Diva Runs out of Thyme @
Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander)
Eat, Pray Love
✔Elegance of the Hedgehog
✔Embroidered Truths
Emperor's Tomb
✔Evil in Carnations
Exodus Quest
Faithful Place by Tana French
✔First Rule of Ten
✔Forgotten Garden
French Pressed @
From the Towpath to the White House James Brisbin
Frozen Thames
Garden Intrigue
Getting Away is Deadly
Gilt by Association
Girl of His Dreams
✔Great Expectations
Hanging by a Thread @
Heir Condition
✔Help
Heretic's Daughter
Heroes of Olympus
✔Hunger Games
✔Impeached : the trial of President Andrew Johnson and the fight for Lincoln's legacy
✔Irish Country Doctor
Iron Lake
Jane & the Unpleasantness at Seagrove Manor @
✔Jar City
Just Desserts a possibility for August
✔Killer Plot
✔Killer Weekend
knit Fast, Die Young#2
Knit Two#2
Lies that Bind %
✔Lord Sunday
Maine Event
✔Maisie Dobbs
Middlemarch
Murder at the Mimosa Inn
Murder by Mocha
✔Murder Most Frothy
✔ Murder with Puffins %
Murder on the Rocks
Murphy's Law
✔Necromancer
✔Pirate King
✔Postmistress
Pillars of the Earth
President is a sick man
RECONSTRUCTION PRESIDENTS
Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos %
Romanov Prophecy
Royal Flush
✔Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President
Sarah's Diary - Nook %
Sarah's Key
Set Sail for Murder
Shifting Tide (William Monk)
✔Silent Mercy
The Sisters
Snowman
Something's Cookin'
✔Superior Saturday
Sword of God
Tenderness of Wolves
Them Bones
Third Secret
Through a Glass, Darkly: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery
Too Many Murders
✔U.S. Grant : American hero, American myth
Uniform Justice
Viognier Vendetta
Warden
✔Warlock
West from Appomattox : the reconstruction of America after the Civil War
✔Wolf Hall

These are the books that I'm hoping to get read in July:

True Justice
Irish Country Doctor ♫
Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President
Gone to Ground
The Winter Palace
The Girl Below
Travelling with Pomegranates ♫
Summer Breeze
Jar City
Emperor's Tomb ♫
The Colfax massacre and the death of Reconstruction
Alexander Graham Bell
The 19th Wife: A Novel ♫
Queen's Vow
Lucifer Code
Temple Mount Code

oh great computer guru.... I am very curious to learn how you import the musical notes at the end of specific books.

I copied it from somebody else.

Challenge Book #66

Title: True Justice ★★★★
Author: Robert Tenanbaum
Genre: Legal Thriller
Subject: infanticide, legal definitions
Setting: Delaware, NYC
Main Characters: Bucth Karp, Lucy Karp, Marlene Ciampi, Sarah Goldfarb
Series: yes, #12
Dates Read: June 20 - July 3
Number of pages: 464
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Public Library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Geography class

Today's controversial headlines easily could be the driving force behind this legal thriller. After a wave of suspicious baby deaths, the NY public, spurred on by sensational headlines and newspaper stories, wants someone convicted and Butch Karp, the Chief ADA in NYC, is put in the position of having to prosecute a 15 year old Hispanic girl who is alleged to have thrown her baby out of a bathroom window after delivery so that she could return to a party. In the meantime, his wife, Marlene, who specializes in security for battered women, decides she's been shot at enough and is going back to practice law.

Marlene's first case is the defense of a young woman in Delaware who also is accused of infanticide. Leaving her two young sons and teenage daughter, Lucy, to the care of her husband and the Nanny, Marlene travels down the interstate to entangle herself in the search for justice for the dead child as well as the young woman accused of an horrific crime.

Lucy has troubles of her own when she inadvertently discovers the bodies of the parents of her best friend, dead in their home. The alleged murderer is someone that Lucy had befriended and so she tries to discover where her instincts were wrong in trusting this person.

The three different subplots of the book are so well intertwined that once the reader is embroiled in the story, there is little rest to be had. The stories grab your emotions and swing the reader from side to side until the inevitable conclusion.

The characters are interesting, though at some points a bit stereotypical, but all in all a story to relish. Unfortunately, it is part of a series (stands alone quite well) but only drives me to want to see these characters again. Ah, well, what's another series. Highly recommended.

Okay, I have to share...

Three surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.

The first surgeon says: "Electricians are the best, everything inside is color coded."

The second surgeon says, "No, I think librarians are, everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

The third surgeons shuts them up when he says, "You''re all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains, and no spine. Plus, the head and ass are interchangeable."

I nearly wet my pants.

Ha! That is hilarious! Good luck with your July reading!

Great one Cheli, I've favorited it.

on the other hand...


this is just too cute and look really yummy!
I knew I liked Oreos for a reason.

Challenge Book #67

Title: An Irish Country Doctor ★★★½
Author: Patrick Taylor
Genre: Fiction
Subject: Small Irish village and new doctor
Setting: Ballybucklebo
Main Characters: Barry Laverty, Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Kinky Kincaid
Series: no
Dates Read: July 2 - July 9
Number of pages: 448
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Geography Class

Dr. Barry Laverty has finished medical school and searching for a location to hang out his shingle, answers an advertisement and heads to a small village in Ulster called Ballybucklebo. There Dr. Laverty is confronted with the town doctor who is looking for an assistant. Dr. O'Reilly is a larger than life character who proceeds to teach the younger man the nuances of treating the village residents.

The amusing tales highlight the gentleness of the area - reverberating with the simple setting and the lack of the urban rush of most of our everyday lives. The characters and situations make you smile and often laugh - just a wonderful summer read. Highly recommended.

Thanks to my sister Tina (tutthefirst) I have another series to follow.

Challenge Book #68

Title: Rutherford B Hayes: Warrior and President ★★★½
Author: Ari Hoogenboom
Genre: Biography
Subject: Rutherford B. Hayes
Setting: USA
Main Characters: RB Hayes,Lucy Hayes
Series: no
Dates Read: July 3 - July 11
Number of pages: 535
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no , Interlibrary Loan
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: History Class

Rutherford B. Hayes, for me, was just the name of the President who followed Grant. I really knew nothing about him. I read another biography which told me about his early life and military adventures during the Civil War but absolutely nothing about his Presidency so I ordered this book from another library and set to work to find out about his Presidency. I will admit to skimming through to his Presidency since I'd already been there and done that.

The Hayes Administration did not start out well. Because of the disputed election results from South Carolina, Louisiana and FLORIDA, the victor was not declared until March 2nd - two days before he was to take office. A special act of Congress and commission were needed to determine which election returns from these three states would be counted. There were questions of fraud, ballot box stuffing, and intimidation of voters - not the cheering that is expected at the end of an election.

Hayes had at the beginning stated that he would only serve one term. During that term he was confronted with numerous diplomatic issues - Chinese immigration and the beginning talks and - negotiations regarding the Panama Canal. Domestic problems that he faced centered on the final reconciliation of the South by the removal of federal forces and reinstatement of local government control, redemption of greenbacks and return to specie payments, and his prime goal of civil service reform.

Hayes battled continually with the Democratic Congress because of his desire to reform the civil service and frequently had to veto appropriation bills because of riders that they inserted that would have weakened election laws in the South. Other items he should be remembered for are his stressing of education for all (which he worked on after he left office) and the final funded for the completion of the Washington Monument.

Benjamin Harrison said of Hayes "His public service extended over many years and over a wide range of official duty. He was a patriotic citizen, a lover of the flag and of our free institutions, an industrious and conscientious civil officer, a soldier of dauntless courage, a loyal comrade and friend, a sympathetic and helpful neighbor, and the honored head of a happy Christian home. He has steadily grown in the public esteem, and the impartial historian will not fail to recognize the conscientiousness, the manliness, and the courage that so strongly characterized his whole public career."

Rutherford B Hayes stated at his inauguration " he serves his party best who serves his country best." It was words he lived by, always believing that if he did what was best for the country, he would never hurt the Republican Party.

The book is well-written, easy to read and follow, and apparently well-researched.

"Rutherford Hayes will forever be linked with the Disputed Election of 1876, an unfortunate legacy since he should be counted among the most honest presidents."

If only half of what is told in this biography is true, this man has earned my respect. This is a president I am glad that I found out about. Too bad not more people know of his life.

HAHAHAHA...sorry your joke was hilarious!

I have The Winter Palace on my to read shelf and The 19th Wife slotted for July as well. Will have to come back and see what you thought of it!

Glad you rated An Irish County Doctor so highly. We have An Irish County Christmas coming up for our December book club read.

Challenge Book #69

Title: Alexander Graham Bell: Inventor and Visionary ★★★
Author: Kendall Haven
Genre: History
Subject: Biography
Setting: Scotland, USA
Main Characters: Alexander Graham Bell
Series: no
Dates Read: July 12
Number of pages: 114
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Public Library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: History class

Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell was a talented pianist? His talent was so great that he could have been a concert pianist but his father believe that it was too frivolous and insisted that he give it up. His father wanted him to do something valuable in the area of sound (his own specialty was development of Visual Sound language). But Alexander (AGB) was not academically inclined. He was a visionary.

At the age of 8,with his brother Melville, AGB invented a wheat separator for a neighboring farmer. Later at his father's suggestion, they created a talking machine that could be "programmed" to mimic the human voice.

The early years of his life he spent helping the deaf learn to speak but he yearned to put his other ideas into action. Receiving funding from his future father-in-law to create a harmonizing telegraph, AGB "accidently" developed and created the telephone. And there is where most people leave AGB - the Telephone effected everyone and still does but at the age of 29 AGB wasn't finished.

Other inventions in his life were:
audiometer to measure hearing loss
creation of the decibel rating system
fiber optic photophone was ahead of its time (80 yrs.) so it flopped
a metal detector to try to find bullet in Garfield (would have worked except for the metal springs in the bed)
vacuum jacket - forerunner of the iron lung
graphophone (dictaphone) voice recordings
automatic butter churner, water delivery system, cooling fans,
aeronautical designs from aircraft to jet engines
hydrofoil boats
flat records for phonographs

He also financially supported other inventors - Samuel Langley - steam aerodrome and Albert Michelson, Nobel prize winner for measurement of the speed of light for a few. And he wanted to spread the word of scientific progress so he helped to create the National Geographic Society and publication as well as supplying money to start the Smithsonian publication.

AGB also warned of the "greenhouse effect" and of energy shortages he foresaw in the future.

So Alexander Graham Bell was not just the telephone, he was a visionary for his time and the future.

Challenge Book #70

Title: Gone to Ground ★★★★
Author: Brandilyn Collins
Genre: Mystery
Subject: Small Irish village and new doctor
Setting: Amaryllis, MS
Main Characters: Tully Phillips, Deena Ruckland, Cherrie Mae Devine, Trent Williams
Series: no
Dates Read: July 4 - July 13
Number of pages: 321
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, publisher for review
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Homework

If you thought that someone you loved was involved in a crime, would you have the courage to come forward and present evidence against them, or would you try to hide what you knew?

The small town of Amaryllis, MS for the past three years has been the scene of 5 murders by a serial killer who places his victims in the closet. No one has been killed in over a year when Erika Hollinger is found dead to be the Closet Killer's newest victim and the residents begin to start pointing fingers again.

Cherrie Mae Devine is a housecleaner and finds some incriminating evidence in the home of one of her clients. Tully Phillips finds blood on some of her husband's clothes, and Deena Ruckland sees blood on her brother's work uniform. Each of the ladies keeps quiet because they find it hard to believe that the person involved could be the killer. It is not until they band together do they find the real killer.

This book was extremely entertaining between the story and the characters. It was as if I could hear their voices the way that the dialogue was written and the mystery was well planned.

#9: I do not like Oreos, but I would probably buy some to make something that cute!

#15: I will have to see if I can find that one. It looks like a book I would enjoy.

#9 Oreo Pandas are best Pandas! Those look really good :9

Stasia - I think I like oreos too much (especially in ice cream blizzards).

Challenge Book #71

Title: Tongues of Serpents ★★★
Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy
Subject: Dragons, deportation to Australia
Setting: Australia
Main Characters: Captain Laurence, Temeraire
Series: yes, #6
Dates Read: July 13 - July 15
Number of pages: 274
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class

In previous installments, Laurence has been convicted of treason and only to save the services of Termeraire the celestial dragon, his sentence is commuted to transportation to Australia where it is hoped Temeraire can help the new colony with dragons on New South Wales.

Upon their arrival they are caught in a power struggle between the Colonial Governor, Captain Bligh (of Bounty fame) and local rebels. Try as they can to complete their designated missions, they encounter defeat after defeat in the Outback.

This story seemed to lack substance and just seemed to be a vehicle to move the characters from one locale to another. It was entertaining but not what has been the normal thrill of a Temeraire tale. Hope the next one is back on track.

Challenge Book #72

Title: The Colfax Massacre ★½
Author: LeeAnna Keith
Genre: History
Subject: racial issues during Reconstruction
Setting: Louisiana, USA
Main Characters: William Smith Calhoun
Series: no
Dates Read: July 14 - July 15
Number of pages: 171
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Public Library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: History class

This book told of the account of the racal incident in Colfax, LA where 13 white men and 150 negros were killed. It was extremely difficult reading not just because of the topic but the writing as well. Hard to follow and at times a bit too detailed.

Almost to 75! :) Hope your next couple of books and especially your 75th read is a gooder.

Cheli my sweetiedarling, I lost you when you went for a new thread for the quarter!

Rutherford B. Hayes? Heavens, was he for real a president or is someone goofin' on us?

And the Colfax book...urgh...sounds grisly, pass!

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

Richard, I am loved again now that you have found me!

Sometimes the books we read need to have us stretch beyond our normal likes to teach us of other aspects of life. Yes, Colfax was grisly but something I had never heard about in our history as well as RB Hayes was really an honorable President that is apparently often forgotten.

Hi, Cheli! LOL at the politician joke. The Oreo panda cupcake things are adorable! And several of your books look interesting . . . good reviews. You may have grazed me with a book bullet or two! Gone to Ground, True Justice, and maybe the Hayes bio. I'll definitely skip The Colfax Massacre.

The hospital is driving me crazy!
I'm scheduled to go in tomorrow morning (in and out) to get have a procedure on my back which will hopefully relieve the chronic PAIN for several month. The hospital has already called 8 times with different little tidbits about what I'm supposed to do and not do. I wish they would get their act together and make just one call!

good luck!

Hope your procedure will be smooth and low stress recovery in comparison to the administrative nightmare they are putting you through! 1 or 2 calls is understandable...but 8 is kind of ridiculous.

I thought The Day Freedom Died was a pretty good account of the Colfax Massacre. You might try that one instead!

By the way, I lived just down the Red River from Colfax in Pineville...

Well, the steroid shots that I had back in March have worn off and so I back on the pain treadmill again. Off I went back to the doctor and so this morning, we met at the hospital to have more steroid shots and Rhizotomy on six nerve sites. I'm very sore and the doctor says it will be up to two weeks before I know whether they worked on not. I really hope so after what I went through. First the technician and anesthesiologist both had trouble starting an IV, so my BP went up and they had to keep asking me how I felt while the doctor was driving in the 18 needles. If they had just left me alone, I wouldn't have been concentrating on what was happening and made it through a bit easier.


I also had to worry about the time. Tim was scheduled to play golf at 2:30PM at Avenel and the procedure (20 minutes max) was scheduled for 11:45AM. The doctor was late and then the IV issues, we just managed to get out in time for Tim to make to the golf course. Whew, I never would have heard the end of it if he had missed his golf game! Just kidding.

Now just time to rest and read.

They're growing books along side the grapevines in Ghent, Belgium - how cool is that!

"books too can broaden the mind, just like good wine.” I'll drink to that!

Couldn't resist these pictures!

Ooh, I love the clock one. I'd totally buy that clock if they sold that somewhere!

Both are adorable!

Challenge Book #73

Title: Travelling with Pomegranates ★★★★
Author: Sue Monk Kidd, Ann Kidd Taylor
Genre: Memoir
Subject: Mother/Daughter relationships
Setting: Greece, France, SC USA
Main Characters: Sue Monk Kidd, Ann Kidd Taylor
Series: no
Dates Read: July 16 - July 21
Number of pages: 419
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public Library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Foreign Languages

Sue Monk Kidd is a writer (Secret Loves of Bees) but she is also a woman and mother. This book, co-authored with her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor, is about their lives and their relationship with and to each other.

The story is very spiritual in that Sue sees herself and Anne as a modern Demeter and Persephone. Sue, with health issues, projects her own fears of growing old, while Ann, shows a lack of self-confidence to go forward with her life and relationships. But as they travel and see the ancient world and hear its tales, they see that their fears and uncertainties need not stop them from doing what they want to do.

The progression from Greece and the Demeter/Persephone comparison (pomegranate charms that they wore) move on in another year to Paris where they are engrossed in the Jeanne d'Arc and then a return to Greece after Ann's marriage and their connection with Black Madonnas is filled with introspection and self-analysis.

This isn't the type of book that I normally read, but I found it interesting that a mother and Daughter would be this close. The descriptions of their travels were also enjoyable.

*waving* at Cheli

HI, Cheli! Love the pictures. I hope that, after all you went through, the medical procedure works to relieve your pain!

Challenge Book #74

Title: The Girl Below ★★
Author: Bianca Zander
Genre: Fiction
Subject: child of divorce
Setting: New Zealand, England
Main Characters: Suki Piper,
Series: no
Dates Read: July 14 - July 22
Number of pages: 274
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class

I'm not sure I know what I was expecting when I started this book, and I'm not sure I know what I got. This book was apparently supposed to be the tale of a child that has grown, and yet returns to moments in her past to correct an error she made as a child.

That's the best that I can surmise from this book. It was very jumpy, going back and forth in different times, seemed to meander with no direction and often was very predictable. The characters were too 2 dimensional and the main character was constantly whining about how the world seemed to be treating her badly!

I tried, but this book was just not for me.

Can't believe I somehow overlooked this thread. Already at 39 posts, too.

39 I'll skip that one. Thanks for the heads-up, Cheli!

I hope you are having a pain free day! Congratulations on reading 74 books...What will be enxt?

Challenge Book #75

Title: The Wife Trap ★★★
Author: Tracy Anne Warren
Genre: Romance
Subject: deception, snobbery, independence
Setting: Ireland
Main Characters: Jeannette Brantford, Darragh O'Brien
Series: yes, #2
Dates Read: July 24 - July 28
Number of pages: 392
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my shelves
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: English Lit

Lady Jeannette Brantford is in disgrace because of the deception that she persuaded her twin sister into participating in. Her sister, Violet, is now the Duchess of Raebern, the position that Jeannette was supposed to have had, but she didn't want to marry the Duke. Now she's been banished to Ireland to live with rustic cousins.

Jeannette, before even reaching her destination, meets Darragh O'Brien, a devilishly handsome man who thinks she's spoiled and self-centered. The interaction between these two characters and their antics is entertaining and thoroughly amusing.

I've completed the Challenge!

congrats!

Congratulations on hitting #75!

Congrats!

Congrats on reaching 75, Cheli

Hooray! Cheli, congrats on reaching 75!

YEAH YEAH WHOOT WHOOT

A whole plate of Whoopie for you on finishing...

YUM...YUM...
I'll have to get myself a treat because my big sister says I earned it! Thanks.

have to share....

lol

Congratulations Cheli!

Do I get whoopie pies when I get to 75 too?!?

Congratulations, CY!

Congratulations!

Challenge Book #76

Title: Jar City ★★★½
Author: Arnaldur Indridason
Genre: Police procedural
Subject: children of rape, medical diagnosis database
Setting: Reykjavik, Iceland
Main Characters: Erlendur, Kolbrún, Audur, Einar, Holberg
Series: yes, Reykjavik mystery #1
Dates Read: July 16 - July 30
Number of pages: 294
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public Library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Geography class

Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson of Iceland's CID is called to the sight of a dead body. The atmosphere is oppressive in the basement apartment of the victim, Holberg, and the only possible clue is a old black and white photo of a gravestone.

Deciphering the clue, Erlendur tracks down a history of the victim that finally enables him to find the murderer and the motive. The victjm didn't really get your sympathy so finding the motivation was paramount.

I had a very difficult time at the start of this book because of the unusual names. It was hard to figure out who was who and what their relationships were. However, the setting of Iceland came through well, making me feel that I really was seeing what it was like for someone to be in this country. The mystery was interesting and the characters, once I understood who was who, were very engaging.

I'm glad to hear Jar City is worthwhile.

This morning when I logged on I had a NEW COMMENT.

I was surprised when I opened it to see that I had won the new ER book The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber. The reason I was surprised was because I had told myself I couldn't request anymore books for review until I finished the ones I had (there are still 12 that I need to get done) and I purposely didn't look closely at the July batch of ER books because I didn't want to be tempted. How strange is it that I won a book anyway when I still have 2 other ERs that I haven't gotten to?

I definitely have to behave myself, my EFBABTS (eyes for books are bigger than stomach) is rearing its "ugly" head again. I can't seem to stop myself!

LOL. I was relieved to learn I hadn't won. I've won four straight and still have three to read and review. They're at the top of the TBR at least.

The things we learn about ourselves....

Poth - a creature characterized by its laziness and uncontrollable desire for carbs and high-fat, high-calorie foods

This is definitely me.

I think I have 4 ERs to read and review so I'm not asking for any new ones til I make a dent in that backlog. Note that, if there's something I really want, that'll spur me on to reading those accumulated ERs.

I had mixed feelings about Jar City. I thought it was ok and might someday read the second one but it didn't really grab me.

I thought Jar City was a good mystery but the Iceland thing and the names really got to me and so I don't think I'll continue, but I did get Iceland done for my Euro Challenge!

Every year while I work on my President's Challenge, I have read the corresponding time-frame of important Supreme Court decisions from
A People's History of the Supreme Court.

I just finished the section from 1865 - 1895.

Amazing that our nation survived considering some of the really bad rulings made all in the name of commerce and business.

JULY RECAP
Well, I got 11 books read, and that's good, but I still had books that I wanted to get read that were left untouched. With 76 books read year to date, I still have 36 books to read to reach my first goal of 112. Averaging 8 books per month, I should be able to do it.

JULY: 1 pre-owned: 8 borrowed: 0 new: 2 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: True Justice
The worst of the month - The Colfax massacre

Here's what I read this month:

True Justice ★★★★
Tongues of Serpents ♫ ★★★
Irish Country Doctor ♫ ★★★½
Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President ★★★½
Gone to Ground ★★★½
The Colfax massacre and the death of Reconstruction ★½
Alexander Graham Bell ★★★
Travelling with Pomegranates ♫ ★★★★
The Girl Below ★★
The Wife Trap ★★★
Jar City ★★★½

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
3 books History
0 book Health
1 book memoirs
Fiction:
Novels: 2
Youth/Children: 1
Mystery: 3
Historical Fiction: 1
Classic: 0

Books for next month:

Fatally Frosted
Queen's Vow
The Quick and the Thread
From the tow-path to the White House
Pies and Prejudice
A Peach of a Murder
Beauty to Die for
Woman at the Light
The Winter Palace ♫
Summer Breeze
A Sea of Troubles ♫
Organize Your Corpses
Death comes to Pemberley ♫
The 19th Wife ♫

maybe a bit ambitious.....

We won the same July ER book! I just counted. I read 25 books during July, astonishing even me. I still have a couple to write up on here.

medical update

Well, it's been two weeks since my rhizotomy and I actually can see and feel improvement, YEAH!

Today, I really pressed it to see how far I had come and I was able to wander around the library without any discomfort and do some grocery shopping with minimal pain. I think we are on the right track at last!



I almost feel like a child that has to find her way back to the right path. At least Tim's there with me.

Great to hear that you are feeling better after the procedure! Made all that administrative nightmare a bit more bearable. :)

Belated congrats on reaching 75!
I look forward to what you think of The Winter Palace as that one is sitting on my TBR mountain and I finished The 19th Wife so curious as to what you thought of it after you read that one as well.

Challenge Book #77

Title: Fatally Frosted ★★★
Author: Jessica Beck
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: murder, framing
Setting: April Springs, NC USA
Main Characters: Suzanne Hart, Marge Rankin, Grace Gauge, Jake Bishop
Series: yes, #2 Donut Shop Mysteries
Dates Read: July 31 - August 1
Number of pages: 320
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Home Economics

Suzanne Hart, owner and operator of Donut Hearts, has been prevailed upon by Marge Rankin to demonstrate donut making in Marge's remodeled kitchen which is part of April Springs kitchen tour. But problems arise when the Chairman of the event, Peg Masterson is found dead in Marge's garden apparently poisoned by a donut from Suzanne's shop.

Since this could be a problem for business, Suzanne decides that she needs to find out who really did kill Peg and starts her own investigation. It doesn't help when her boyfriend, Jake Bishop of the state police, is called away for family emergency and leaves Suzanne on her own.

The characters are fun and the description of the bake goods are s0 good that you can almost smell them cooking. A definitely fun series.

I was hoping the Goodwill Bookstore would have a copy of the second Beck book when I went, but they didn't.

Okay, I've been watching the Olympics this week and I just have one question..
what happen to Red, white and blue for the USA?

The swimsuits are black and white, the suits they wear on the podium are grey, who came up with these designs? IMO they are really ugly.

So glad to hear that you are feeling better!

Challenge Book #78

Title: The Quick and the Thread ★★★½
Author: Amanda Lee
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: transitions, new opportunities, fraud
Setting: Tallulah Falls, OR
Main Characters: Marcy Singer, Sadie Mackenzie, Bill Trelawney
Series: yes, #1 Embroidery Mysteries
Dates Read: August 2 - August 3
Number of pages: 336
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my Nook
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Study hall

Marcy Singer has a regular old 9 to 5 accounting job in San Francisco but her college roommate, Sadie, has better ideas. She lures Marcy to the tranquil town of Tallaluah Falls, OR to realize her secret dream of opening a needlework shop. The location is perfect, right next store to Sadie's Coffee shop.

But the grand opening event doesn't go exactly as planned when the old tenant shows up drunk and causes a disturbance. Things get worse when the next morning Marcy discovers him dead in her storeroom.

The flow of this cozy mystery was great - just the right blend of introduction to the characters and locale with the clues woven in to solve the mystery. Looking forward to the next installment.

Glad you enjoyed that one. I have the second one Stitch Me Deadly in a TBR pile around here somewhere.

Congratulations on reaching -- and surpassing the 75 challenge goal. I'm ever so glad that the rhiztomy helped with your pain

I keep telling myself that I shouldn't request anymore books from the ER program until I get caught up, but then I am such a dummy and I go and look at tHe new batch and see at least 4 books that I want to read. But I was good...I added them to my wishlist and didn't request them from ER. DARN...why do they keep having these great sounding books when I can't get caught up?

***I'M READING AS FAST AS I CAN!***

I asked for a bunch this month but few of them are a good fit so I doubt I'll get anything.

drive-by *smooch*

Challenge Book #79

Title: Pies and Prejudice ★★★½
Author: Ellery Adams
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: returning home, special talents, new business,
Setting: Havenwood, GA
Main Characters: Ella Mae LeFaye, Loralyn Gaynor,
Series: yes, #1 Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries
Dates Read: August 4 - August 6
Number of pages: 294
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, 2012 Nook purchase
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Class Schedule

Ella Mae returns from NYC and her failed marriage (she caught her husband in the act with twins) and her mother and aunts persuade her to open the Charmed Pie Shoppe.

Ella Mae has run-ins with her old nemesis and her old crush but when her rolling pin is found at the scene where her nemesis' fiancé is found dead, her reputation is at stake and Ella Mae needs to find her actually committed the murder. During her investigation, she is busy baking all sorts of delicious sounding concoctions and her special ingredients are hard to distinguish.

There are many characters in this new series but they are introduced easily along with the clues that lead to the resolution. Sure wish this pie shop was in my town!

You are making me hungry for pie. I think I have a slice that I can warm in the microwave in my fridge. It's one of those wedges I bought sometime back in a store for just such an occasion as this. I actually put it out to thaw yesterday.

Actually, I'm glad to hear you liked the book fairly well. I've got it on my wish list already.

Lori,

The pies that Ella Mae whipped up in this book (recipes are included) kept making me want a piece. I have some in the freezer but they just didn't appear to be as good as what was described. I really wanted that Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie!

Challenge Book #80

Title: A Queen's Vow ★★★¾
Author: C.W. Gortner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subject: Isabel of Castile
Setting: Castille, Spain
Main Characters: Isabel of Castille, Fernando of Aragón
Series: no
Dates Read: August 4 - August 12
Number of pages: 374
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, LibraryThing ER book May
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Foreign Languages

I believe that we have all heard of Isabella of Castille, the Spanish queen that sponsored Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World, but do you know anything else about her? I admit that the only other fact that I knew about her was that she was the mother of Henry VIII's first wife, Katherine of Aragon. So I started this book with a great deal of interest trying to learn more about her. Granted, this is historical fiction, but the research credits in the book were impressive so I believed that I would at least learn a few historical facts along the way.

I will admit that I was blown away by the story. I started it thinking that it would be somewhat heavy, but the tale, as it was woven, told of the early life of Isabella who was never expected to inherit the throne of Castille and how she was drawn into civil war between her brother Alfonso and her half-brother Enrique.

Once she was crowned Queen and she married Fernando of Aragón, the story shifts to the issues of her reign and the decisions that she had to make. The anguish that she went through may not have been historically true, but helps to take the reader through the problems (something not necessarily always perceived) of a reigning monarch. The decisions may not be what she personally wanted but what was best for her country and its people at the time.

What I was not aware of and learned from this book, was how and why the Spanish Inquisition started and some of the feelings of the Christians toward the Jews and the Moors affected policies of the day.

A highly enjoyable read.

Adding A Queen's Vow to my WL as I love my historical fiction and that one sounds very interesting. Thanks for the review!

Challenge Book #81

Title: The Winter Palace ★★
Author: Eva Stachniak
Genre:Historical Fiction
Subject: early life of Catherine the Great, royal children
Setting: Russia
Main Characters: Varvara, Egor, Darya, Princess Sophie (Catherine), Grand Duke Peter, Crown Prince Paul, Empress Elizabeth
Series: no
Dates Read: August 1 - August 13
Number of pages: 436
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, received from publisher for review
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Geography class

I knew basically nothing about Catherine the Great when I started this book, and I feel that I am still in that same spot after finishing it. This fictional account was from the viewpoint of a trusted servant (more of the book seemed to be about her than Catherine) telling of Sophie's arrival (her name was changed to Catherine) at the Russian court until her assumption of the throne. It meandered, never really settling into a colorful narrative. I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

Challenge Book #82

Title: A Peach of a Murder ★★★
Author: Livia J Washburn
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: retribution
Setting: Weatherford, TX
Main Characters: Phyllis Newsom, Carolyn Wilbarger, Mattie Harris
Series: yes, #1 Fresh baked Mysteries
Dates Read: August 7 - August 14
Number of pages: 272
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Class Schedule

Phyllis Newsom is going to entering the Peach Baking contest so she heads to the peach orchard for fresh fruit. She not only gets peaches she discovers the owner dead.

Upset by the discovery, she tries to settle into her baking developing a new recipe for Peach cobbler but when the head judge dies after tasting her entry, Phyllis is more than upset, especially when it looks like one of her best friends and boarders, Carolyn, may be the chief suspect. Not liking that idea, Phyllis sets out to discover the real murderer before it's too late for their friendship.

The characters were fun and the slight hint of a possible future romance added some spice. Some yummy-sounding recipes were included.

I like the Livia Washburn mysteries. Likeable characters and fun, light mysteries.

Challenge Book #83

Title: A Sea of Troubles ★★★
Author: Donna Leon
Genre: Mystery
Subject: fishing industry corruption
Setting: Venice Italy
Main Characters: Commiossario Brunetti, Signorina Electra
Series: yes, # 10
Dates Read: August 15 - August 16
Number of pages: 239
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Math Class

Commissario Guido Brunetti is called to the little fishing village of Pellestrina after a fishing boat explodes and sinks and two bodies are found in the wreckage. The clam fishermen are not very communicative so Signorina Elettra "volunteers" to gather information while on "vacation" in the village while she visits with relatives.

What Brunetti uncovers on his own, makes him question the wisdom of allowing Signorina Elettra to remain the corrupt environment which threatens to be exposed by the investigation.

This was not one of Leon's best, IMO, leaving me a bit flat. The police procedural was missing and the thrilling end was the only redeeming part.

I have to spread the news! I found out a few weeks ago that little Stella - 11 months old (grandbaby#4) is getting a baby brother or sister in February! Then this morning when I picked up Molly Kate (grandbaby #2) and her parents at the airport for a visit this weekend (of course, I forgot my camera) I was told Grandbaby #6 is on the way due in April!

I AM SO EXCITED!

Congrats!!

Congratulations, Cheli.

Great news, Grandma! happy *smooch*

Congratulations on the impending addition of another grandbaby!

I imagine you are in heaven.

I hope you are having a pain free day Cheli!

Wow! I can't wait for the pictures of cute grandbabies to start rolling in. Congrats, Cheli!

Six months before Grandbaby #5 arrives and 7 before #6. I'm not sure that I can wait that long. SIGH...

Challenge Book #84

Title: Summer Breeze ★★★
Author: Nancy Thayer
Genre: Fiction
Subject: stages of a love relationships, friendships
Setting: Dragonfly Lake
Main Characters: Bella Barnaby, Natalie Reynolds, Morgan O'Keefe, Aaron Waterhouse, Ben Barnaby, Josh O'Keefe, Slade Reynolds
Series: no
Dates Read: August 13 - August 18
Number of pages: 368
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, received from LT for review
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Homework

This book is the typical summer beach read - young women looking for love, young men with other things on their mind. The interesting concept for me was that the relationships showcased were in different stages and yet they managed to overlap.

Morgan is married to Josh who has just taken a new job with a very prestigious firm and he wants his wife and young son to have a big house right on the lake where they meet Bella. Bella is in a relationship with Aaron who is interviewing for a job in San Francisco and if they stay together, would necessitate Bella leaving Dragonfly Lake and her new business. Natalie, an artist, is housesitting for her aunt and is living next door to Morgan. The 3 woman become fast friends. Trouble arrives in the figure of Slade, Natalie's brother, who takes a shine not only to Bella but Morgan as well.

Relationships get even more jumbled when Morgan is unhappy because Josh is working too many hours, Natalie gets involved with Bella's brother, Ben, and Slade is trying to influence Bella into a relationship as well as business dealings.

The story was okay, but I think that there were just too many relationships, too many twists. Two relationships in the story would have been sufficient and made more room for emotional expansion. Overall an okay for the beach.

I occasionally am in the mood for a "beach read" book. I've seend and wondered about the ones Nancy Thayer writes. I think I'll skip that particular one.

Congrats to you for having more grandchildren on the way!

Challenge Book #85

Title: Death Comes to Pemberley ★★★
Author: P.D. James
Genre: Mystery
Subject: suspicion, family separation
Setting: Derbyshire, England
Main Characters: Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, George Wickham
Series: no
Dates Read: August 16 - August 21
Number of pages: 418
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, MCL
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice are two of the best loved characters in fiction and so have often been "kidnapped" by other authors for use in their novels. P.D. James' version has the Darcys living happily at Pemberley with their children, Elizabeth's sister Jane and her husband Charles Bingley and their family living in the neighborhood and plans underway for the annual Lady Anne Ball. But before the festivities can commence, Lydia shows up in a fit, screaming that Wickham is dead!

The gentlemen of Pemberley return to the nearby woods and find Wickham bending over the body of his friend Denny, wailing of how Denny is dead and that he killed him. Regrettably, the Wickhams must be offered Pemberley's hospitality until the local magistrate can be notified. The Ball is cancelled and the investigation begins into the circumstances of Captain Denny's death.

News spreads of the events and fortunately, for the readers the only "sightings" of Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins come in the form of letters with their typical tones of condescension and haughtiness in the form of unwanted advice and disdain.

This book was by no means a heavy mystery lacking twists and turns that would hide the inevitable conclusion, it was a lighter mystery showing that the inhabitants of Pemberley are still the characters we loved and that the issues that they are forced to endure can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

This wasn't the greatest mystery but it was fun.

I always struggle with the classics, the Austen ones are no except. Where most Austen fans abhor the idea of their books being "re-told", I actually find them quite enjoyable. I read Berdoll's Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife earlier this year and I think it wouldn't go over well with the usual Austen fan, but I thought it was funny and completely different from the original.
Maybe I'll give this one a chance as well!

Challenge Book #86

Title: Organize Your Corpses ★★★½
Author: Mary Jane Maffini
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: inheritances,
Setting:
Main Characters: Charlotte Adams, Helen Henley
Series: yes, Charlotte Adams mysteries # 1
Dates Read: August 19 - August 22
Number of pages: 288
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Class Schedule

Charlotte Adams has returned to her hometown and started a business to help others with their organizational problems. When she gets a call from a former teacher (that everyone in town hates) her friend Sally warns her not to take the job. But Charlotte is brave and heads over to Henley House to meet with Helen Henley about the job. Charlotte accepts her check and plans to meet her to start working on the following day but in the evening she receives a call from HH demanding her to come right away. Charlotte tells her that she will meet her in the morning as arranged and when she arrives she finds HH dead.

Enter Pepper Monahan, Charlotte's former best friend, who is the police detective and who finds great joy in making Charlotte uncomfortable and has her as the chief suspect. Charlotte has to find the killer before Pepper gets sufficient evidence to put her ex-friend under arrest.

The characters in this new series are fun and entertaining, the situations are humorous, and the surprise ending has the reader saying wow! I didn't see that coming. Loads of fun, a definite cozy to read!

Challenge Book #87

Title: The 19th Wife ★★★
Author: David Ebershoff
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subject: Mormons, pologamy,
Setting: Utah
Main Characters: Ann Eliza Young, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith
Series: no
Dates Read: July 28 - August 25
Number of pages: 514
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Geography Class

I don’t know exactly what to say about this book. There are more than enough reviews telling you the plot of the book but I think I need to say something before I express my impressions of the story.

The book is actually two stories - one about the origins of the Mormons in Utah and the second a murder mystery in the current day. I think I would have liked it better if instead of trying to interweave the two tales, each had been separate. I often found it confusing going back and forth and so I feel like I lost continuity.

The material about the founding of the Church of the Latter Day Saints was enlightening and noticibly well-researched.

19th Wife is one I abandoned last year with no regrets. As you said, it was way more complicated than it needed to be. I have plenty of good mysteries to read, and on the off chance that someday I feel the need, I'm sure there are plenty of good (and impartial) histories of LDS Church around.

"All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

These are the things I learned:
. Share everything.
. Play fair.
. Don't hit people.
. Put things back where you found them.
. Clean up your own mess.
. Don't take things that aren't yours.
. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
. Wash your hands before you eat.
. Flush.
. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some, and draw and paint, and sing and dance, and play and work, every day some.
. Take a nap every afternoon.
. When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice, and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics, and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life, or your work, or government, or your world, and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about three o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."

"ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum.

Do you think we could get all the politicians to do this?

How lovely that your grandchildren will grow up so close in age. A pair of my cousins are 3 months apart and are still extremely close - it must be lovely to always ensure a good playmate at family gatherings :)

Their parents were like that too - all within 3½ years.

102 So true, so basic . . . and people seem to have such a hard time "getting it."

Stolen from Stasia's thread: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/08/what-kind-book-reader-are-y...

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/08/many-more-types-book-reader...

This is me:
The All-the-Timer/Compulsive/Voracious/Anything Goes Reader. Wherever you go, whatever you do, there's a book with you. It doesn't matter what it is, really, so long as there are pages with words on them, or an e-reader with words on it. We can't really suggested anything here because you took it with you to the grocery store or subway or library or laundromat or coffee shop, and you're standing in line or sitting down and reading it right now.

>106 cyderry: LOL! That is so ME!

The link isn't working though. Getting a 404 error.

Okay I fixed the links. (I think)

After reading them all, I'll have to stick with The All-the-Timer/Compulsive/Voracious/Anything Goes Reader although "It's Complicated" comes close. :D

Challenge Book #88

Title: Candy Apple Dead ★★★
Author: Sammi Carter
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: jealousy, greed
Setting: Paradise, CO
Main Characters: Abby Shaw, Brandon Mills,
Series: yes, #1 Candy Shop Mysteries
Dates Read: August 24 - August 28
Number of pages: 240
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Study Hall

Abby Shaw's Aunt Grace has left her candy shop to Abby knowing that she has a passion about making delicious candy. Abby gives up her legal profession and returns to Paradise, CO to continue her aunt's shop DIVINITY open and profitable.

As she gets use to her change in circumstance, Abby is befriended by another merchant, Brandon Mills, so when a fire destroys his store Man about Town, and he is subsequently found dead, Abby is naturally upset. Her distress increases when it appears that her brother, Wyatt, is the main suspect for the arson and murder.

Abby works unceasingly to find others that had reason to kill Brandon, the police are not happy about her interference and are noticeably perturbed when she appears to be in danger because of her involvement.

This was a fun mystery, introducing nice characters and a good background, however, the clues were sparse and the ending not completely satisfying. I'll try another in the series hoping for improvement.

AUGUST RECAP
Progress is being made! I finished 4 more categories for my 12 in 12 challenge as well as not even noting last month in my recap that I finished my 75 book challenge. This month I read 12 books, a few stinkers, but mostly enjoyable.

August: 4 pre-owned: 3 borrowed: 1 new: 4 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Organize Your Corpses
The worst of the month - Winter Palace

Here's what I read this month:

Fatally Frosted ★★★
The Quick and the Thread ★★★
Pies and Prejudice ★★★½
Queen's Vow ★★★½
The Winter Palace ★★
A Peach of a Murder ★★★½
A Sea of Troubles ♫ ★★★
Summer Breeze ★★★½
Death comes to Pemberley ♫ ★★★
Organize Your Corpses ★★★½
The 19th Wife ♫ ★★★
Candy Apple Dead ★★★

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
0 books History
0 book Health
0 book memoirs
Fiction:
Novels: 1
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery: 8
Historical Fiction: 3
Classic: 0

Books for next month:

The Inn at Rose Harbor
The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain ♫
Fundraising the Dead
Due or Die
Embroidered Truths
The Alexander Cipher
Wilful Behaviour ♫
Desperate Housedogs
Cleopatra: A Life ♫
Evil in Carnations
Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos
Thirteenth tale ♫
Buttercream Bump off
Quarantine

YEAH.....KEEP GOING!!!! Congrats on the 75!

congrats on 75!

Challenge Book #89

Title: The Inn at Rose Harbor ★★★★
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Fiction with romance
Subject: emotional healing, acceptance, forgiveness
Setting: Cedar Cove, WA
Main Characters: Jo Marie Rose, Abby Kincaid, Josh Weaver, Richard Lambert, Michelle Nelson
Series: yes, # 1 Rose Harbor Inn
Dates Read: August 29 - September 1
Number of pages: 330
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, LT ER
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Homework

Jo Marie Rose's husband of less than a year is killed in Afghanistan. Devastated, she decides that she needs a major change in her life and buys a B&B in Cedar Cove, WA. Renaming the property the Rose Harbor Inn to honor her husband, her first guests are two individuals with troubles of their own.

Abby Kincaid has been carrying around the guilt of being the driver when her best friend was killed in an auto accident. Josh Weaver was kicked out of the home that he grew up in by a stepfather who always felt that Josh didn't belong. Now dying, the stepfather has no one and Josh is called back.

Each of these central characters came to Cedar Cove with issues - Abby felt people would still blame her, Josh was still angry for the treatment he had received as a teenager, and Jo Marie wasn't sure how to go on without her husband.

The heartwarming acceptance and forgiveness that is threaded throughout this book brought through by the magnificent writing of Debbie Macomber will definitely make this one of my top reads of the year.

Thank you LT for sending this book to me. Funny I don't remember requesting it, but I'm sure glad I got it. I've never read a Debbie Macomber book before, but I definitely will again.

I've read a few of those Sammi Carter candy shop mysteries. Not bad. It's been awhile though.

Glad to hear that you liked the Macomber book so much. I'll probably start it in a week or so.

I remember reading Candy Apple Dead a few years back. It must have been pre-LibraryThing because it's not in my LT library. I do know that I didn't pursue the second in the series after reading that one, so I must not have liked it that well.

>106 cyderry: LOL! Sounds like me, too!

Resolution...no reading today until I finish the reviews for the last four books. I swear I'm going to get them posted.

Challenge Book #90

Title: The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain ★★★
Author: Andrew Greeley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: Missing person, priesthood
Setting: Paris, France
Main Characters: Bishop Blackwood Ryan
Series: yes, # 12 Father Blackie Ryan
Dates Read: September 3
Number of pages: 252 Audio
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class

I usually don't read a book from a series this far ahead if I haven't read the first ones, but I picked it up and thought it sounded good so I popped it in the player and got caught up in the story. I'll now have to backtrack and find the earlier adventures of Bishop Blackie Ryan.

Because of his apparent notoriety at solving mysteries, Bishop Ryan is ordered by his superiors to go to Paris and find a missing Dominican who has quite a following including his on TV show.

The investigation is interesting and the solution surprising…great fun.

You'd think that, since I've lived my whole life in Chicagoland, that I would've read some or all of the Blackie Ryan books, but no, I've never read any, I don't think. I keep meaning to.

I'll probably pick an interesting-sounding book from later in the series, set in Chicago, and read it.

Challenge Book #91

Title: Fundraising the Dead ★★★½
Author: Sheila Connolly
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: cataloging, charities
Setting: Philadelphia, PA
Main Characters: Nell Pratt, Marty Terwillinger, James Morrison
Series: yes, #1 Museum Mysteries
Dates Read: September 4 - September 6
Number of pages: 336
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Lunch

Just before the big gala for the Historical Society's anniversary, Nell Pratt, the chief fundraiser, is confronted my one of the board members concerning some missing artifacts. Promising that she'll look into it and mentioning it to the chief cataloger, Alfred Findley, the party goes on, but the next morning Nell discovers Alfred dead in the stacks.

Since Alfred is the only one who knew had to access information about the Society's collections through the new computer cataloging system, Nell has a difficult time trying to track down the missing artifacts. The police rule Alfred's death accidental but as Nell delves deeper and deeper, she not so sure.

I loved the characters in this story, they were realistic, but they were funny and heartwarming and the baddies were the guys you really didn't like. The mystery part was fun with interesting facts about our history as well as preservation of old objects. A definite keeper.

I initially read the title of your latest book as 'Fundraising for the Dead' and my mind went to some kind of manual or instruction book for doing so.

I really must learn to keep my imagination in check..............

Little Miss Stella is 1 Year old today - Happy Birthday from Nonna!

Challenge Book #92

Title: Willful Behaviour ★★★½
Author: Donna Leon
Genre: Mystery
Subject: jealousy, hidden art treasures,
Setting: Venice Italy
Main Characters: Commissiaro Guido Brunetti, Claudia Leonardo, Heddy Jacobs
Series: yes, #11 Commissario Brunetti mysteries
Dates Read: September 5 - September 9
Number of pages: 320
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech class

In this 11th installment of the Commissario Brunetti mysteries, this one starts with Guido's wife Paola presenting him with an odd question that had been posed to her by one of her students. Claudia Leonardo knew that Paola's husband was a policeman and asked if she could find out if there was a way legally to have a person who had been convicted and sentenced for a crime declared innocent.

When Paola posed the question, Guido hedged, stating that he had to know the nature of the crime before he could give any kind of valid answer. So Paola sent Claudia to visit Commissario Guido Brunetti at his office to pose the question herself. Claudia gives the barest facts and no names. Guido is intrigued but thinks no more of it until he finds that his newest murder victim is none other than Claudia Leonardo.

After tracking down those who may know why Claudia was killed, Guido discovers Nazi Collaborators with a stockpile of millions in art treasures. Interwoven is a minor tale of municipal corruption and bribery.

This one of absolutely fascinating up until the last few chapters. The ending was, IMO, a little anticlimactic but overall a very good read.

Challenge Book #93

Title: Due or Die ★★★★
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: friendship, pet adoptions, honoring vows
Setting: Briar Creek CT
Main Characters: Lindsay Norris, Carrie Rushton, Mike Sullivan, Edmund Sent
Series: yes, #2 Library Lovers Mysteries
Dates Read: September 7 - September 9
Number of pages: 304
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, bought for Nook
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Class Schedule
OVERLAP REPLACEMENT

The crafternooners have gathered at the library and are startled when a small puppy is brought to them having been found in the book drop. They oo and ah because he really is adorable and persuade Lindsey to look after him until a new owner can be found and she reluctantly agrees.

That same evening, the Friends of the Library hold a meeting and elect Carrie as their President. The old President, Bill Sent, is angry but turns over all the keys and such to Carrie and drives off. Lindsey goes home with Carrie along with Sully and they discover that Carrie's husband has been murdered.

The next day Lindsey is nearly run over by Marjorie Bilson (Batty Bilson) who is sweet on Bill Sent, and urges Lindsey to get Bill back to the top of the Friends.

Events keep swirling around, along with the snow that keeps falling and falling in blizzard proportions as Lindsey with Heathcliff (the dog) make every effort to solve the murder and keep themselves alive at the same time.

This book was so much fun! Between the matchmaking ladies and the zany dog and people traipsing through blizzard conditions, you have to laugh. When did the puppy get housebroken? Nobody seemed to go out in the snow unless it was to get into trouble. The clues to the mystery were well woven throughout and, again, the characters were great. The next one comes out in December, I'll be watching for it!

I have finally caught up on my reviews and now I can read again!

Checking in, Cheli!

My local library has one of Jenn McKinlay's books, so I am going to give it a try. Thanks for bringing a new author (new to me, that is!) to my attention.

I've read both in this series and loved them, hope you do too!

Gotta get into the library lovers mysteries...too bad they're not NOOK shares. I think you would enjoy the Blackie Ryan books--I think I read them all years ago.....way before LT days, so I don't seem to have them in my catalog (I got them from the liberry I'm sure). However, they do tend to get same-oh, same-oh after a while.

What a lovely photo of one year old Miss Stella. She is ever so beatiful.

Challenge Book #94

Title: Evil in Carnations ★★★★
Author: Kate Collins
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: speed dating, gigolo
Setting: New Chapel, IN
Main Characters: Abby Knight, Marco Salvare, Nikki Hiduke, Carmen Gold
Series: yes, # 8 Flower Shop Mysteries
Dates Read: September 11 - September 14
Number of pages: 313
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Math Class

Abby returns from a romantic weekend with Marco to find that her roommate Nikki has gone out with Jonas Treat (after Abby warned her not to) and now that Jonas has been found murdered, Nikki is in a bundle of trouble since she was apparently the last one to see him alive.

Nikki's lawyer hires Marco to investigate and, of course, Abby has to join in. The suspects include a Speed Dating Coordinator (where Nikki and Jonas met), an ex-fiancée, previous business associate, previous client, and Jonas' own private stalker. With all those to check out Abby gets into a few unusual situations getting her family to jump to some interesting conclusions.

It's been a while since I read the last Flower Shop mystery and I'm wondering how I could have let that much time go by. This cozies are always so much fun because Abby Knight along with her family and employees just make me laugh. I definitely cannot let this much time go by again.

I finished Due or Die late last night. Loved it. Now I'm starting the Debbie Macomber book!!

SEPTEMBER is National Chronic Pain Awareness Month.

Let's try to give a little comfort to those we know are suffering. I know what chronic pain is and as much as I may dislike any one person, I would never wish it on my worst enemy. I definitely don't want it for my friends.

So if you know someone who is suffering, hold them gently, give them a smile, and tell them you hope things get better soon. But as one who knows, please don't say you understand if you've never had severe pain that won't go away - even with drugs - and don't say you wish you could take the pain yourself, because believe me, you don't want it.

Challenge Book #95

Title: Embroidered Truths ★★★
Author: Monica Ferris
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Setting: Excelsior, MN
Main Characters: Betsy Devonshire,Godwin Dulac, John Nye, Susan Laverly
Series: yes, #9 Needlecraft Mysteries
Dates Read: September 10 - September 17
Number of pages: 288
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Overdrive MCL
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Math Class

Betsy Devonshire is the owner of Crewel World and her store manager , Godwin DuLac, turns up at her door, having been thrown of the house by his long time lover, John Nye. Betsy takes him and tries to calm him down but when his clothes arrive the next day, Goddy knows its over. Not knowing of the breakup, John's secretary calls Goddy to see if he knows where John is because he didn't show up for work. Goddy and Betsy go to the house and find John dead. Of course, Goddy is the prime suspect so when he is arrested, Betsy sets out to clear his name, and the investigation and its results are terribly amusing if a bit predictable.

Betsy Devonshire and Godwin DuLac! Oh why oh why wasn't I a bully at their grammar school?!

Sounds like a perfect travel book...amusing, untaxing, and pleasant.

Challenge Book #96

Title: Buttercream Bump Off ★★★½
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: ponzi schemes, lost savings
Setting: Scottsdale, AZ
Main Characters: Melanie Cooper, Angie DeLaura, Tate Harper, Joyce Cooper, Joe DeLaura, Marty Zelaznik
Series: yes, #2 Cupcake Bakery mysteries
Dates Read: September 18
Number of pages: 212
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my bookshelf
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Study Hall

Melanie has been holding classes for couples at the bakery and in the middle of one her Mom, Joyce, comes in because she needs help buying a dress for a date that she has. This being the first date for her Mom since her Dad's death 10 years before, Melanie agrees to help her go shopping. The next day, after numerous shops, Melanie tries to bribe an elderly man sitting outside the dressing rooms, to say that her mom looks great in whatever she comes out in. When Joyce appears, the man keels over with an apparent heart attack. Joyce decides that the dress is a knockout and buys it on the spot.

The evening of the date, Melanie gets a call from her mother, to come quickly, she thinks the dress has killed the man she was out with. The antics in this book as terribly amusing with love life problems abounding. The mystery wasn't terribly heavy but the storytelling was great.

Nice quick little cozy which has me craving cupcakes!

Okay, I'm really having a bad reading day.

I thought I had a handle on how to keep my books where I could find them - shelves for those I own and want to read this year and a basket for those borrowed from the library or others.

I'm all set to start a book I got for review and now I can't find it. Drat, Drat, and double drat! I can even picture the cover but no where in sight. I'll have to keep looking while I listen to Cleopatra

Now I headed off to the pool for an hour of deep water walking and I had my handy dandy waterproof case (just like Tina's) with my MP3 loaded up with my next audio book. Pushed the little button to start the reading and I could just barely hear anything. Darn... boring walk in the water. Cleo will have to wait until I get home.

If the batteries on my Nook are dead, I've had it.



.

Cheli...Message 133 is very well stated.

The August TIOLI Challenge awards came out and...

The Get Your Thinking Caps On Award goes to cyderry for her challenge to read a book where the title either begins with the same letter as the one above or ends with the same letter, alternating. After several false starts, I think cyderry educated her participants into exactly what her challenge required. She then ended up with a nice long list of participants who took her up on her challenge.

I really didn't think that my challenge was so tough until everyone starting having a problem and then I realized, maybe it was clearer in my head than what I put on paper. So here's a cap for you all!

Challenge Book #97

Title: Cleoprata: A Life ★★★★
Author: Stacy Schiff
Genre: Biography
Subject: Egyptian history
Setting: Alexandria, Rome
Main Characters: Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Octavius
Series: no
Dates Read: September 18 - September 25
Number of pages: 432
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, loan from tutu
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class, Lunch

I will admit that when I started reading this book I was expecting a fictionalized life story, not realizing until I looked closer that this was a non-fiction biography by a Pulitzer Prize winning author. So the opening made me sit up and take notice with the statement "She was a Greek woman who's history fell to men's whose futures lay with Rome." and "Cleopatra's Egypt produced no fine historians."

There were many facts that were conveyed about Cleopatra of which I was unaware. She came to throne of Egypt with her younger brother when she was eighteen and he was ten during the last century before the birth of Christ. He was her husband - intermarriage being the norm of the Ptolemys. "While the inbreeding was meant to stabilize the family, it had a paradoxical effect. Succession became a perennial crisis for the Ptolemys, who exacerbated the matter with poison and daggers. Intermarriage consolidated wealth and power but leant a new meaning to sibling rivalry."

At the same time as Cleopatra's accession, Pompey the Great of Rome was defeated at the Battle of Pharsalus, he sought refuge in Egypt, where he was assassinated. Cleopatra had sided with Julius Caesar who was in Alexandria when she needed a little assistance to assume the power of the Egyptian throne. Caesar claimed her as an ally as well as a lover. While in Egypt, Caesar was exposed to the enormous amount of knowledge that was stored in the library at Alexandria. After his return to Rome, Cleopatra gave birth to his son, Caesarion.

"The personal inevitably trumps the political, and the erotic trumps all. We will remember that Cleopatra slept with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony long after we have forgotten what she accomplished in doing so, that she sustained a vast, rich, densely populated empire in its troubled twilight, in the name of a proud and cultivated dynasty." She was an intelligent, well-educated, politically adept ruler beloved of her people.

The author managed to divulge enormous amount of facts while keeping this reader's interest throughout. Highly recommended to those interested in ancient history. Ancient Egypt may not have had any great historians, but this author filled in extremely well.

so glad you liked it....Did you print out the PDF that was on the last disc?

Was I supposed to?

Challenge Book #98

Title: From the tow-path to the White House ★★
Author: James Brisbin
Genre: Biography
Subject: James A Garfield
Setting: USA
Main Characters: James A Garfield
Series: no
Dates Read: September 10 - September 26
Number of pages: 588
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Nook Freebie
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: History Class

This biography only dealt with the early portion of Garfield's life up to his nomination for President. It detailed his education, military experience, preaching proficiency (came in handy as a politician), and his political career. It, however, IMHO,overflowed with his interaction with others, carried far too many quotes (entire political speeches, complete letters - pages and pages), overdid the nomination coverage (it was about as long as the 36 ballots at the convention), and very little coverage of the issues with which he was confronted at that time.

I'm moving on to something that actually should inform me of the issues of the day and his short-lived Presidency. This book was a Freebie from Barnes & Noble, glad I didn't pay for it. Not recommended.

Did you read Destiny of the Republic? Lisa has my copy so if you two are in intersecting circles, grab it ---you will definitely love it for your Garfield book.

I'm planning to get it from the library so no problem. I already had this one when I read your review of Destiny and I think that it will augment Towpath well.

This child's parents built his halloween costume around his wheelchair - how great is that?

That's one of the most creative costumes I've seen. How fun!

What a great review of Cleoprata: A Life

Did you make all those hats?

WOW...how creative you are!

I can't claim to have made all those hats. I just found the picture floating in cyberspace.

Challenge Book #99

Title: Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos ★★★★
Author: Donna Andrews
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: copyright infringement, software piracy
Setting: Yorktown, VA
Main Characters: Meg Langslow, Michael Waterston
Series: Meg Langslow series
Dates Read: September 26 - September 27
Number of pages: 293
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my shelves
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Study Hall

Meg and her friends are participating in a craft fair/reenactment of the battle of Yorktown. Her boyfriend, Michael's, mother is the affair coordinator and has insisted that all vendors and participants dress in period garb. (those needing a costume can rent it from her dress shop) Meg, a decorative blacksmith, is trying to sell her wares but when she stumbles upon a dead body in her stall the first night, she has problems.

Since her stall is the crime scene, she can't get back to selling until the police are finished, so she decides to find the murderer and get the police out of her hair.

This book was so much fun between the descriptions of the pink wrought iron flamingos made for a friend to the paparazzi caught in the stocks, and the antics of the anachronisms Town Watch laughter abounds. A great addition to this series.

Challenge Book #100

Title: We got to Play baseball ★★★★
Author: Gregg Olson, Ocean Palmer
Genre: Memoir
Subject: Baseball stories
Setting: Major Leagues
Main Characters: Gregg Olson, other players
Series: no
Dates Read: September 28 - September 30
Number of pages: 248
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, NetGalley for review
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Lunch

This is a collection of stories from numerous major league players. It is filled with tales of pranks and practical jokes (i.e. Jell-O-man, straight jackets, goats and mules, and water pistols) to remembrances of special games, events (i.e. 2131, earthquake series). For a true baseball fan, this is a must read, full of laughter and amusements as well as background info on the contributors. Great for any baseball fan!

I've reached 100!

SEPTEMBER RECAP
Well, I reached the 100/130 mark this month so that I'm within sight of the finishing line for the 12 in 12 challenge and 1 1/3 of the 75 book challenge. Had some great books this month!

September: 4 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 2 new: 1 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Cleopatra: A Life (Hard decision so many to choose from)
The worst of the month - From the tow-path to the White House

Here's what I read this month:

The Inn at Rose Harbor ★★★★
The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain ♫ ★★★
Fundraising the Dead : ★★★½
Due or Die : ★★★½
Willful Behaviour ♫ ★★★½
Evil in Carnations ★★★★
Embroidered Truths ♫ ★★★
Buttercream Bump off ★★★½
Cleopatra: A Life ♫ ★★★★
Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos ★★★★
From the tow-path to the White House ★★
We got to play Baseball ★★★★

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
2 books History
0 book Health
1 book memoirs
Fiction:
Novels: 1
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery:8
Historical Fiction: 0
Classic: 0

Books for next month: These are all I need to finish my 12 in 12 Challenge!

Thirteenth tale ♫
Vanished in the Dunes
Quarantine
Devils Food Cake Murder ♫
Art Forger
The Secret Keeper
Princess Elizabeth's Spy
Reckless Bride
Uniform Justice ♫
DRACULA
Border Lord and the lady @
Frozen Thames
Destiny of the republic : a tale of madness, medicine, and the murder of a president ♫
Empires of Light

I could SWEAR that I left a smart-ass post about the Pink FLamingoes.....but it's a dreary rainy, ready day and I'm not going to try to reconstruct it. Could you just please put Challenge book#99 in my December borrowing bag. Pretty please.............

gotcha

Quarterly totals
Books Read Owned 19 (Pages: 6,339)
Books Read Borrowed 6(Pages: 1,891)
Audio Books heard 10 (95¾ hours, equivalent 3,604 pages)

Total Completed
15 books, 10 e-books and 10 audio books - 11,834 pages
29 fiction; 4 nonfiction

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
5 books History
0 book Health
2 book Memoir

Fiction:
Novels: 4
Youth/Children: 1
Mystery: 19
Historical Fiction: 4
Classic: 0

I am moving on to my Fall 4th qtr thread HERE

Please stop in and visit me! Look forward to see you there!