Chèli cuddles up with a few good books in 2013 - Chapter 1

Hi, my name is Chèli and I am a bookaholic.
I have a ton of books lined up for 2013 with at least one group read each month. Many of the books that I've selected for priority are chunksters, so I'm not going to be trying to read a great number of books (maybe 100) but I really want to try to settle into each of the books and really enjoy them as I read.
That said, here are some of the top candidates that I really hope to get through in 2013.
% indicates on my own shelves and ♫ audiobook.




1898 : the birth of the American century
1912 : Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debs-- the election that changed the country
22 Britannia Road: A Novel %
44 Charles Street: A Novel %
About Face %♫
Acceptable Loss % ♫
Age of betrayal : the triumph of money in America, 1865-1900
Air We Breathe% ♫
All Sales Fatal (Mall Cop)
Amberville: A Novel (P.S.)
America, 1908 : the dawn of flight, the race to the Pole, the invention of the Model T, and the making of a modern nation
An Incomplete Revenge % ♫
Any Bitter Thing: A Novel
Beastly Things% ♫
Beautiful Blue Death
✔Beautiful Mystery - latest Three Pines mystery %
Beauty to Die For %
Beyond Seduction (#6)
Bianca %
Big Burn %
Billionaire Wins the Game: Billionaire Bachelors
Birds of a Feather % ♫
Black Out: An Inspector Troy Thriller%
Blood from a Stone % ♫
Bond of Passion %
Book, Line and Sinker
Bride in the Bargain %
✔Bring on the Blessings %
Calligrapher's Daughter: A Novel ♫
Casual Vacancy - J.K. Rowling's new book
Catching fire %
✔Chester Alan Arthur by Karabell, Zachary
Cinnamon Roll Murder
Cloud Atlas ♫ (September)
Cockatiels At Seven
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - March %
✔Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
✔Crucible of Gold (#7) % ♫
Curse of the Pharaohs
Dark Assassin %♫
Daughter of the Sea%
Daughter of Time: A Time Travel Romance%
Day the Falls Stood Still
Deadly Cliché %
Deadly Dealer%
✔Deadly Decisions
Death Threads %
✔Death of a Kitchen Diva
Decaffeinated Corpse
Devil's Brood (August)
Discovery of Witches % ♫
Dragonfly in Amber ♫ %
Drawing Conclusions
Elegy for Eddie
Emerald Atlas% ♫
Emperor's Tomb % ♫
Enchantress (#6) % ♫
Execution Dock %♫
✔Fatal Appraisal %
Fireworks Over Toccoa
First, There Is a River%
✔Fonduing Fathers (#6) - latest White House Chef mystery
Freak of Freedom
French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 6)
Frozen Heat - November
Game of Thrones % ♫
Garment of Shadows (#12) - newest Mary Russell mystery
✔Getting Away is Deadly
Girl of His Dreams % ♫
Golden Compass % ♫
Golden Door%
Greatest Lover in All England %
Grover Cleveland : a study in character / Alyn Brodsky.
Hanging by a Thread%
Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon %
Heat Rises
I Shall Not Want% ♫
In the shadow of Wounded Knee : the untold final chapter of the Indian Wars - July
Irish Country Village (#2) % ♫
✔Iron Lake: A Novel %
Ivanhoe - September %
Johnstown flood %♫
✔Joy for Beginners
king and the cowboy : Theodore Roosevelt and Edward the Seventh : secret partners
Knit Fast, Die Young %
✔Knit the Season %
Knit Two ♫ %
Lady Liberty : a biography (1886)
Larceny and Old Lace (Den of Antiquity)
Leaving Everything Most Loved
Lesson in Secrets % ♫
Lies That Bind
✔Lifeboat %
Lionheart (October)
Lord Carew's Bride (#2) %
Love and Murder on the Queen Anne%
✔Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel (February) Local Book group % ♫
Map of True Places LP
Married By Mistake%
Messenger of Truth % ♫
Mind Over Murder (A Raven's Nest)%
Murder on the Cote d'Azure: A Maggie Newberry Mystery %
Murder On The Mind%
Murder on the Rocks %
Napoleon's Pyramids
Never Seduce a Scoundrel (The School for Heiresses, Book 1) %
✔Night Circus% ♫
Night Like This %
Night Watch % ♫
No Nest for the Wicket
Outcast%
Owls Well That Ends Well
Packing for Mars ♫
Pardonable Lies % ♫
Path between the Seas - October %
Penguin Who Knew Too Much
Peter and the Starcatchers % ♫
Photographs : George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
Pillars of the Earth % ♫
Presidency of Benjamin Harrison / Homer E. Socolofsky and Allan B. Spetter
President and the assassin : McKinley, terror, and empire at the dawn of the American century
Pretense for Murder%
Queen's Bastard (The Inheritors' Cycle, Book 1)%
Question of Belief % ♫
Rebecca - May%
Red Hook Road %
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Rivals in the City
Rope % ♫
Secret Mistress (#3) %
Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles
Sherlockian
Shifting Tide % ♫
Sisters
Six Geese A-slaying
Son of Neptune (#2) % ♫
Song of Achilles% ♫ - June
✔Stake & Eggs% (#4) - newest Cackleberry Club mystery
✔Staying Home Is a Killer %
Stolen Crown: The Secret Marriage that Forever Changed the Fate of England
Suffer the Little Children %♫
Summer Affair: A Novel
Sunless Sea
Swan for the Money
Sweet Tea Revenge (#14) - latest Tea Shoppe Mystery
Talk of the Ton (Berkley Sensation) %
There Is a Season%
Third Secret
Threaded for Trouble (#2)
Throne of Fire (#2) % ♫
Through a Glass Darkly %♫
Time and Chance (April)
Un Lun Dun - December
Wedding Trap (#3) %
We'll Always Have Parrots
✔When Christ and His Saints Slept (January) %
Who Left That Body in the Rain?

I hope that many of my friends here at LT will stop in frequently even if they bring BBs with them.

Welcome back!

Your list intimidates me. I am afraid to return because that list will glower at me as I jellyfish along reading whatever happens to be shiny and pretty right then. *sniff* I am not worthy

Hi Cheli, your list is ambitious, I've got you starred. Merry Christmas!

Just marking my spot, Cheli. Your list is both interesting and sorta scary. I think my planned reads may be up to as many as 12 or 13 by now.

I gave up making lists the year after I joined LT. As soon as I put a book on the list, I may as well consign it to the attic....it will never see the light of day.

I work very well from lists, I love to put that little check mark next to a title and mark one off!

@cyderry, I'm be lurking...got your thread starred!

Chéli, I'm like you with the lists. I love crossing the books off it.

Cheli - I have been known to make the odd list or two and indulge in a wee bit of statistical musing so obviously your list grabbed me.
I will be joining you with the Sharon Penmans for sure this year and one of the Commisario Brunetti books.

I don't know if I can be that organized but I sure do idolize those of you who are! Nice start this year Cheli! I have starred you.

I'm definitely not CDO enough. Sigh.

Hello Dear Friend!

I recognize several of the books on your list, but I doubt that surprises either of us. :-)

What a great variety of planned reads!

I love the glittery bears up top, Cheli.

Happy New Year!

From a fellow bookaholic, Happy New Year! I'll be following your thread in 2013 and looking forward to seeing what you read.

Happy New Year Chèli!

Well, I finished my last book for 2012 and have started my 2013 reads:

When Christ and his Saints Slept
A Fatal Appraisal
Knit the Season♫

one of each type - NookBook, Audio book, ARD (antique reading device aka real book)

Hi Chèli - Stopping by to check out the shiny new thread, drop a star so I can find my way back here and to wish you a Happy New Year! Love the list and all of the great books you have on it! Looking forward to another year of following your reading.

Happy New Year Cheli!

Cheli - to bookend my wishes from the 2012 group over here in 2013 - Happy New Year!

Thank you everyone!

Happy New Year, Cheli!

Hi Chèli - that is an impressive list! Happy New Year, and good luck with your reading goals.

What an impressive list! A few of your choices sit on my Mount TBR as well, but I've not planned past January :)

Adding a star so I can follow along!

Happy New Year Chelli!

My hoped for January reads are:

✔A Fatal Appraisal
✔Knit the Season♫
When Christ and His Saints Slept
The Beautiful Mystery ♫
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
A Game of Thrones♫
Bond of Passion
Bring on the Blessings
Night Circus♫
Anna Karenina
Amberville: A Novel (P.S.)
The Rope♫
Any Bitter Thing: A Novel

A little ambitious, but I did start a few early.

I'm wishing you much luck on Anna Karenina, and look forward to seeing what you think of it. About both When Christ and His Saints Slept and A Game of Thrones I've heard great things, and they're on my TBR stack. Far, far down, buried beneath other books though. So I'm curious to see what you think of them.

My darling sister.....I do so wish we could convince you to use touchstones on your lists. It would be so much easier to go take a look at some of your possible book bullets. even so, not to worry...we still love you.

Which list do you want touchstones on?

At least the monthly lists (e.g., #28).......pretty please???/

Good luck with your goal. Tina...everyone loves Cheli....

And you too!

Challenge Book #1

TITLE: A Fatal Appraisal ★★★¾
AUTHOR: J.B. Stanley
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: antiques, forgery
Setting: Richmond, VA
CHARACTERS: Betty, Avery, Jack
DATE READ: December 31 - January 1
NO. OF PAGES: 454
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes,Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Second Hand Rose

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3.5
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.5
OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.63

Molly Appleby, reporter for Collector's Weekly is sent to Richmond to report on the Hidden Treasures TV show being taped at the Museum. She is introduced to the different experts in various areas - furniture, toys, jewelry, books, coins, etc. and as she gets to know them through the interviews she conducts, Molly also learns about the knowledge that each expert garners. Following the experts, Molly sees their personal quirks as well so when Frank (furniture) is exposed to a strange mold and later dies because of an allergic reaction, Molly becomes curious.

When Alexandra (coins) is found murdered in the museum after mentioning that the coins on display there are fakes, Molly delves deeper into the backgrounds of various other experts.

The writing for this cozy was easily presented to the reader, spacing and "quietly" presenting the clues at the same time as taking the reader on a pleasant journey through the antique world. Made me want to visit Richmond and its historical district.

I tried one of Stanley's food mysteries once and wasn't that impressed. Have you read any of those? If so, how does this antique one compare?

Hi, Cheli. Off to a marvelous, ambitious start to the new year, I see.

>34 cyderry:: THRESHOLD QUALITY? What does this mean, please?

Glad to know that I'm not alone in having a "Nook stockpile". I'm one of those "just in case" people who can't imagine being without a book at any given moment.

Loved Anna Karenina, although it's surely a long one; also A Beautiful Mystery is a book I'm still on the fence about. Maybe a re-read before her next one will help me decide if I love it or just like it.

Hi Chèli good spirits and hopes for 2013 I see.
I'll keep an eye on your thread. I'm TJ.

35>> Lori, I've read the Foodie ones and I think I like this series better. The concept of the reporter and her going to different places, I think makes it more acceptable that she gets involved in murders. People are really passionate about collectibles so it seems more believable.

36>>THRESHOLD QUALITY - Did this book hook you into a genre, author, or Series? In other words, am I on the Threshold of wanting more? Should I change the wording?
As for the Nook stockpile, I'm getting books on my Nook and a few on my Kindle faster than I can read them, but then if I'm ever someplace where I have to wait, I know I have something I want to read.

37>> TJ - you are welcome to stop in at any time, I love visitors and I get excited when I see a message on my thread.

I think we all do. Haha did you have a nice New Year celebration?

TJ - my hubbie and I stayed home and went to bed early. As we've gotten older, brunch in the morning is more our speed than watching the ball drop. At midnight he was asleep and I was busy reading. How about you - did you party?

Happy New Year! Will and I read New Year's eve. The day before we went to see Les Miserables. It is an incredible film!!!!

Well a morning celebration isn't bad at all...and Yup I did. Me and my roommates went out to a party. I didn't drink though. But I still had a good time and watched the ball drop. I wouldn't have if I had to work early in the morning.

Thinking of you and adding that I posted the photo of our time together on my thread. I also noted that yesterday when Will and I took the ornaments off the tree, I carefully wrapped the one I purchased from our time together at the clock factory.





I hope to see you again in 2013.

Cheli, I've never read the supper club series but read all three of this series years ago and liked them. Wish Stanley would write more of them.

I have the third one on my Nook, too. I'll get to it soon.

That's an ambitious reading list. I don't make lists like that, because I know as soon as I do, some other book will call. I don't even like when I try to discipline myself!

I look forward to your comments and reviews.

Wow, Cheli, those are great lists, both for the year and the month. Happy reading!

Just stopping by to say hi and thank you for visiting my thread. The Game of Thrones is one of my favorites. I "re-read" it last year in audiobook form and it was just as great that way. Since Christmas I have started watching the HBO series on my new blu ray player.... Guess you can't tell I'm a fan!

Several people here were talking about and reading Fonduing Fathers that I had to put aside my list temporarily and pick it up. I'm having a hard time putting it down!

I really thought that was a typo! LOL

Cheli - a fly past happy weekend waving from baggy-eyed Yorkshireman from tropical climes.

#49 I finished my latest baseball book and have no cozies going right now. Maybe I'll pick it up, too.

Challenge Book #2

TITLE: Fonduing Fathers ★★★★¾
AUTHOR: Julie Hyzy
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: Family history
Setting: Washington, DC
CHARACTERS: Ollie Paras, Leonard Gavon, Joe Yablonski
DATE READ: January 3 - January 5
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes,Nook stockpile

PLOT:.......................................5
CHARACTERIZATION:................5
TOPICS:....................................4.5
STYLE:......................................4.5
ORIGINALITY:...........................4
ADDICTIVENESS:......................5
OWNERSHIP:............................5
THRESHOLD QUALITY:...............5
Average.............................................................4.75

Ollie Paras, head chef at the White House has finally persuaded her mother to tell her the truth about her father's death. Unfortunately, Mrs. Paras doesn't know much other than the fact that he was murdered and the crime was never solved. Adding the fact that he was dishonorably discharged from the service, Ollie is filled with questions that she wants answered.

With the help of her boyfriend, Secret Service agent, Leonard Gavin, and his friends in high places, Ollie meanders into trouble on her own, trying to track down answers to who killed her father as well as how he managed a burial in Arlington with his record.

The story was crisp and clean drawing the reader into Ollie's emotions as searched deeper into her father's life and death. Her frustrations became the reader's frustrations as we want more and more information as the story progressed.

Definitely the best of a great series - can't wait for the next one, but unfortunately we must.

Definitely the best of a great series - can't wait for the next one, but unfortunately we must.

Totally agree with you. I must say, this one and the one before are my favorites in this series and I know I'll be re-reading (parts of) them often.

The latest meme making the rounds; use your books read in 2012:

Describe yourself ......................................................The Princess and the Bear
Describe where you currently live..............................Forgotten Garden
If you could go anywhere, where would you go?......The Inn at Rose Harbor
Your favorite form of transportation?.........................Travelling with Pomegranates
Your best friend is?....................................................The Secret Keeper
What's the weather like?..........................................A Sea of Troubles
You fear?......................................................................................Quarantine
What's the best advice you have to give?...............Embroidered Truths
Thought for the day.................................................Great Expectations
How I would like to die? ..........................................Just Desserts
My soul's present condition......................................Fixer Upper

I need to catch up on the Hyzy series. Fonduing Fathers is getting rave reviews, and I've only read the first in series.

Great meme Cheli! I love everyone's creativity in the selection of books for the meme.

The funny part of the meme is the first one - I collect teddy bears and frequently am seen carrying my favorite (just known as Bear) with me. He rides in the car and watches TV, reads over my shoulder. My husband also calls me a princess, so when I saw the title of the book, I knew I had to read it, I also knew that it was the perfect answer for the meme. :-P

Great story Cheli! I have a friend who collects dolls and she often takes them places with her. She's also in a club that has a traveling doll. You get the doll for a week and take it wherever you go, taking pictures along the way. Sort of like Flat Stanley.

#53. 56 - I've only read the first in that series too. I can't believe she's already up to #6!

We have a student worker who has a bear that goes with her everywhere. Her bear even has a Facebook page. (Yes, I'm friends with the bear!)

Yes, my bear has a FB page too.

Challenge Book #3

TITLE: Knit the Season ★★★
AUTHOR: Kate Jacobs
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: family
Setting: NY, NY Scotland
CHARACTERS: Dakota Walker, Anita Lowenstein, Catherine Anderson
DATE READ: December 31 - January 5
NO. OF PAGES: 318
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes,audio stockpile

PLOT:........................................3
CHARACTERIZATION:.................3
TOPICS:.....................................3
STYLE:.......................................3
ORIGINALITY:.............................3
ADDICTIVENESS:........................3
OWNERSHIP:..............................3
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.................3
Average...................................................3.00

Dakota Walker, the daughter of Georgia Walker, has grown and now is working to her personal ambition of becoming a chef. As she works toward her goal, several of the women who have stood by her as she has grown up, are also making life changes.

Realizing that family is more important than her career enhancement, Dakota heads to Scotland for the holidays and Dakota is warmly embraced with memories of her mother.

A cozy tale that continues the Friday Night Knitting Club.

posted the short version in the wrong place, duh.

I read the first one in that series - The Friday Night Knitting Club - a few years back. Hated the ending, and never had the desire to pick up another one of her books. When I read 'chick-lit' I expect a happy ending - I want one, even if it's a bit bitter-sweet. Or at the very least a hopeful ending. This...no.

So I can't really understand why this series would give you "warm fuzzy" feelings - but I hope the next one in the series will be better for you.

I think I get the warm feeling because of the ladies in the Friday Night Knitting Club who remained to support Dakota as she grew up. True, a book with the central character dying is not what you would normally think of as giving a warm fuzzy feeling, but the flashbacks that are intertwined, keep Georgia Walker very6 vibrant.

I have a special thread setup because I could use some help from my friends here at LT. There's a full explanation on the thread, so if you could take a few minutes, I'd really appreciate it!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/147907#

#55 The Princess and the Bear As Cheli's big sister, I can tell you that that is SOOOOOOOO Chèli. I had to excuse myself to the ladies room when I read it lest I have an accident. Gotta love her!

I admit that it is definitely me!

Hi Cheli, I finally got over here after fighting the onslaught of threads. loved your answers to the meme. That was great fun wasn't it. I went over and responded to your survey too and that was also fun:-)

Ok I just saw your Christmas village on Lori's thread and I had to come tell you how amazing that looks!!

Thanks, Chelle. I really enjoy doing it every year. My friends and family laugh at me because my husband and I take it down every year and then set it back up. It's pretty involved but I like to change the placement of buildings and the little people and this year (the pics are from last year - I haven't downloaded them for this year yet) we made some major changes as to the table design so it was a lot of fun figuring out where to put things. It's kind of a special project that we do together every year.

It starts out like this. First I put down templates of the buildings to give me an idea of space and can decide where another level should go. Then my husband will make the cuts. I lay the roads.


It progresses to this. Then my husban takes over running the street lights, then he drills the holes for the building lights all before the buildings even get unpacked. We've found it's easier and safer (less breakage) if we're working with as little in the way as possible at this stage.


Finally, it ends up like this. After the buildings are in place, then the people enter the town, and finally wherever there is room, trees and bushes are put in.



It takes about 2 months, evening and weekends but it's precious moments that we spend together.

Very, very cool! A lot of work, but the end result is amazing.

No kidding!

Chèli, all your bears are really great. I have a thing for bears, myself, after working for three years as an interpreter at the Anan Bear Observatory.

I will add a note here that I had the opportunity to take a long look at the village in person earlier this month when Bob and I stayed with Tim and Cheli for two nights. I was blown away by the little details, the gorgeous layouts. I've seen it before, but definitey think this was the best one yet. Besides....they served us liver and onions (one of our favorites which we all agreed is too hard to do for two people, but such fun for four!)

Baby sister definitely gets 5 stars on this one!

It's amazing and great!

WOW!

I came over because I saw pictures of your Christmas village in another thread. I love that you and your husband work on this together! Fantastic!

What amazing work. Happy weekend, Cheli!

#72: Beautiful work, Cheli!

I came over, because I noticed on the Introductions thread that you do counted cross stitch. I've just started one - which I intended being a project for my 9 year old, but then realised it's a bit too complex. Maybe the end part - anyway, the idea was / is to finish it for my sister's birthday in March. Hopefully. So I may drop by for some advice.

Our reading doesn't seem to overlap much, but your reviews certainly have me intrigued.

How nice to have family on LT. Mine kind of disapprove of reading (because I do have a reputation of reading to the exclusion of all else) - but on the other hand, I can grouse about them without fear of discovery :0)

>72 cyderry: : Oh. WOW!
That is involved. And beautiful.

humoress - thanks for stopping by. I love to talk cross stitch so no problem - check in anytime. Have you seen the group for NeedleArts? My sister, tutu, also does cross stitch and needlepoint (I ask her when I have a question on Needlepoint) and she is always lending me and pointing me in the direction of great books - she's a librarian (is that cheating having your own private librarian?)

80 & 81> thanks for the complements on my little town. I often think when I'm in planning mode that I should look for a job in the city planning office LOL

humoress had this on her profile and I took the test - go figure - I end up a history book.

You're A People's History of the United States!

by Howard Zinn

After years of listening to other peoples' lies, you decided you've
had enough. Now you're out to tell it like it is, with all the gory details and nothing
left out. Instead of respecting leaders, you want to know what the common people have to
offer. But this revolution still has a long way to go, and you're not against making a
little profit while you wait. Honesty is your best policy.

Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

I took the Women's World Leader quiz as well and I turned out to be Oprah Winfrey. LOL

>83 cyderry: I got The Hobbit

You're The Hobbit!
by J.R.R. Tolkien
All you wanted was a nice cup of tea when some haggard crazy old man came into your life and told you it was time to do something with yourself. Now you're all conflicted about whether to stick with your stay-at-home lifestyle or follow this crazy person into the wild. While you're very short and a little furry, you seem to be surrounded by an even greater quantity of short folks lately. Try not to lose your ring, but keep its value in perspective!

Guess I really do need to finish reading this!

Hmm.....that book quiz nailed me. I'm Compassion Fatigue by Susan D. Moeller. Looks like an interesting book, but one I have absolutely no intention of pursuing for the time being. Go Figah...

I took the Book Quiz too. I am Catch 22.

You're Catch-22!

by Joseph Heller

Incredibly witty and funny, you have a taste for irony in all that you
see. It seems that life has put you in perpetually untenable situations, and your sense
of humor is all that gets you through them. These experiences have also made you an
ardent pacifist, though you present your message with tongue sewn into cheek. You
could coin a phrase that replaces the word "paradox" for millions of
people.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Stunning Village... STUNNING!!!!

Woke up with a horrible headache. I was supposed to go to lunch with a friend but I'm going to cancel and see if a quiet day of just reading will kill the Headache. Besides, the weather stinks. :-(

Hope your headache is better. I have bad headaches now and then, and they are no fun!

I took a 3 hour nap midday and when I woke up, headache gone.
My reading was even further behind, but I felt better, thanks.

Glad you got rid of the headache, Cheli!

Challenge Book #4

TITLE: When Christ and His Saints Slept ★★★★¾
AUTHOR: Sharon Kay Penman
GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUBJECT: Early British history, civil war
Setting: England, Normandy, France
CHARACTERS: Ranulf FitzRoy, Empress Maude, King Stephen, Geoffrey of Anjou,Robert FitzRoy
DATE READ: December 27 - January 18
NO. OF PAGES: 784
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes,borrowed from Tutu

PLOT: 4.5
CHARACTERIZATION: 5
TOPICS: 5
STYLE: 4.5
ORIGINALITY: 4.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 5
OWNERSHIP: 5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 5
Average 4.81

The early history of England is chuck full of struggle and civil war and this book could easily be a detailed document of those struggles, but for the personal accounts created by the author which bring to life the individuals involved and their driving motivations.

The story begins with the sinking of the White Ship, believed the greatest ship of its time (think Titanic in medieval times) and with it the only legitimate son of Henry I. Not that Henry didn't have other sons (20 bastards - give or take a few) but now only his daughter Maude, widowed German Empress, was left as his heir. Deciding without her permission to first name her as his successor and second to marry her to a younger man, Geoffrey of Anjou, Maude's life was thrown into upheaval that never ended.

Maude's second marriage was miserable but did eventually yield 3 sons - Henry, Geoffrey, and William. But after her father's death, when Maude was ready to take the crown of England it was claimed by her cousin Stephen, since the English barons preferred a man over a woman, and thus the Civil war that swept through that nation for nearly 20 years erupted.

Maude's supporters were led by her half-brothers and other lords, while Stephen frequently needed to purchase mercenaries as well as some of his own nation's noblemen. Often there were defections back and forth.

Maude's oldest son, Henry was finally crowned king along with his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine (reputed to be the most beautiful woman in Christendom as well as a great heiress. (She had been married to Louis of France but was set aside because she only had girls.) Eleanor was the only woman who was ever Queen of France and England.

This book was extremely well researched and written so that it read more as an adventure than as a history. The hundreds of pages took the reader through the horrors of war in the 12th century as well as identifying the political atmosphere regarding the nobility, the church, and women's rights.

Excellent book!

excellent review

Wow! Fantastic review...onto the WL that one goes!

Great review! I can't wait for our next group read :)

I had already added that one to my wish list. It sounds amazing!

Oh, no! That's a convincing review - it might even be a book bullet, if I can go outside my comfort zone.

I have always had an interest in the history of England and in particular the kings and queens of England ever since my father gave me The Conquering Family by Thomas Costain (I was about 10) which chronicled the beginning of the Plantagenets. Until this book, however, I had never delved into the battle that took place to bring Henry II to power.

I loved the way that Ms. Penman told this story and the detail to which she went. The tales of the sieges of the towns of Lincoln and Winchester were vividly portrayed. And for myself, I never honestly took the thought of how devastating fire could be at that time. The storytelling and writing were tremendous.

The only drawback was that this book was over 700 pages and the print was very small so it really did seem like it went on forever even if it was extremely interesting.

Excellent review of When Christ and His Saints Slept. Definitely goes on my TBR list.

Little Miller Patrick arrived two weeks early on January 21, 2013 at 10:21pm weighing in at 8lbs 7 oz , 20.5 inches long!

I'm going to see him in a few weeks! Yeah Miller! Welcome - hugs and kisses from Nonna!

Congratulations!

He looks sweet and peaceful :0)

Congratulations! What a lovely baby!

Ah, Cheli that baby is just too cute for words!

And born on my birthday. Obviously this kid has very good taste! Congratulations to all.

And born on ky birthday. Obviously this kid has very good taste! Congratulations to all.

>82 cyderry:: I've been going slow on LT and with the cross-stitch, trying to race a deadline to return library books. I have a couple of questions on cross-stitch:

- do you use / recommend using an embroidery hoop?
- do you us masking tape to stop the edges of the material unravelling? - that's what the instructions suggest.
- how on Earth do you keep track of where you are / maintain your sanity? (ahh - cross-stitch)

I may have to start a thread over at the NeedleArts group.

>83 cyderry:: Looks like everyone on LT is taking the book quiz; it's all over the threads. I think you started something!

106>>Nina,

I saw the project you're working on your thread. To be honest, I've never been one of those people that can work from the center out. As for your questions...

1. Yes, I always use either an embroidery hoop or a scroll frame. It keeps the fabric taunt so that the needle and thread move more easily back and forth. But before I start I usually stitch a frame around my material that is 2 squares larger than the pattern and then start from one of the corners - one square over, one square up.

2. I've never used masking tape on the edges. Using the scroll bars usually keeps the material from fraying too much and I always leave as much edge as I possibly can around the stitched frame so that if it does fray, it's not near the needlework.

3. As for keeping track of where I am, at the start, I take the pattern I've chosen and make a xerox copy, then while I'm working on it, I use a highlighter on the copy to show the squares that I have completed. That way if I leave it for a long period of time (for instance more than a year) it doesn't take me too long to figure out where I am.

I urge you not to stress over completing your project in the few months left. I started a project for my SIL for her 40th birthday. I'm about halfway done. She'll be 47 in August. LOL :-)

You do remind me that I need to update/start a new thread in the needlearts group.

Stopping by to say I hope your day is pain free.

Congrats to baby and family!

My cross-stitch shop sells a little glue-like fluid that keeps the edges from raveling. You just dab a little bit on with the very fine-tipped bottle, and it works well. I'd have to look at my bag to see what it's called, I just go in and pick up the bottle without even looking at the label.

Lori, does your shop have a website?

It is: One More Stitch.

She used to just tell everyone to look at the page for Hoffman Distributing (which is on her links page) if there was something you wanted to order. She'd order it.

I can look to see what the glue stuff is called. Carrie may know too since she sometimes goes to my shop.

It's called Fray-Stop, and it appears to be manufactured by Yarn Tree Designs.

Awww... so cute! Congratulations! :)

But if I need supplies (fabric or kits) can I order it from the website? I'd love to support someone I know rather than large retailers (michaels, etc.)

I don't know. If she doesn't have online ordering, Cheli. There's one in Pigeon Forge called Dixie Darlin' that probably does. I go there too, and the owner is nice and helpful also.

PS - You could always call Ann at the number on the web site. She could probably work out mail order stuff.

Cute baby! Congratulations :D

>107 cyderry:: Thanks, Chèli.

I started from the centre, because that's what the kit suggested. I did briefly contemplate starting from a corner, but there's a cross-stitch border too, and I was worried I'd be off centre if I didn't start from the middle.

I have copied my design - now I just have to work out which bits I've already stitched, so I can highlight the correct bits!

I urge you not to stress over completing your project in the few months left. Thank you; you're probably right. I actually beat you by a few years - I have a project for my sister that I started before I got married. I couldn't even tell you where it is now, but I still intend to finish it. One day. I just hoped this one would be the exception to the rule. *sigh*

Actually, when it's going smoothly, cross-stitching is almost addictive. It's just when I suspect I've gone wrong somewhere, and I've got to work out where, in all the tiny, similar coloured crosses it could be. Or not. Today was a better day for stitching than yesterday; especially when I started highlighting the pattern, and it looked like I'd done more on the paper than on the actual fabric.

Thanks for your helpful comments.

Well, since it snowed overnight and I'm "stuck" in the house (my husband takes my car in the bad weather), I think I'm going to get my cross stitch out while I finish listening to Night Circus. I was supposed to have lunch with Susan (kaulsu) but had to cancel because of the weather. BUMMER! At least it's a good day for reading.

Challenge Book #5

TITLE: Crouching Buzzards, Leaping Loons ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Donna Andrews
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: corporate espionage, blackmail
Setting: England, Normandy, France
CHARACTERS: Meg Langslow, Rob Langslow, Ted Corrigan, Liz Mitchell
DATE READ: January 20 - January 23
NO. OF PAGES: 297
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: No,borrowed from Library

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3.5
STYLE: 3.5
ORIGINALITY: 3.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 3
OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.38


Meg has injured her hand and so she has to put her ironworks on hold but that doesn't mean that she can't help her brother find out what's not right at the office of Mutant Wizards, the software company that Rob founded with Lawyers from Hell.

Rob is a bit quirky and so he installed a robotic mail cart in the office. Practical Joker Ted loves to ride the cart but one of his jokes goes wrong and he appears at Meg's desk dead. Just as the route for the mail cart winds throughout the office so does Meg's investigation into the murder.

Michael, her boyfriend, is out of town filming a TV series, but he still manages to play a part over the phone. All in all the mystery was satisfying, the humorous moments entertaining but nothing to garner any awards. Not the best of the series but not bad.

Challenge Book #6

TITLE: Night Circus ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Erin Morgenstern
GENRE: Fantasy
SUBJECT: competition, magic
Setting: England, USA
CHARACTERS: Celia Bowen, Ethan Barris, Friedrick Thiessen, Chandresh,Bailey, Poppet, Widget
DATE READ: January 8 - January 24
NO. OF PAGES: 528
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, auto stockpile

PLOT:.......................................4
CHARACTERIZATION:................4
TOPICS:....................................3.5
STYLE:......................................3.5
ORIGINALITY:...........................4
ADDICTIVENESS:......................3.5
OWNERSHIP:............................3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY:...............3.5
Average........................................................3.69

This story is magical not just in its contents but in the manner it which it is told.

Two competitors are brought together at the Night Circus. Their sponsors know the talents that each possess but the competitors don't know who they are vying with in a contest that continues until death. But the Night Circus IS magical, the performers all have special talents, some greater than others but the visitors can only see the performances from midnight to sunrise. And without warning the circus will disappear and move on.

The story of the performers is also a family tale as well as a love story. We see the closeness of Widget and Poppet, twins born on the night that the circus first opened, Celia and Marco, the contestants that eventually learn each other's identity and fall in love, and the mysterious contortionist, Tsukiko who befriends Celia and Isabel the fortuneteller.

Each of the personalities of the performers is woven into the story and brings a richness to the magic of tale. I would count myself in the category of the story as a " Rêveurs" because if the Night Circus actually existed, I'd have to buy a ticket and go to see all the unique tents and performances.

Cheli...Thanks for the wonderful review of The Night Circus.

This book is so well recommended. Alas, I thought I owned a copy and began to read Nights At the Circus by Angela Carter..I'm finding it a tad bizarre, but hanging in there because it is holding my interest.

I hope this evening finds you warm and pain free. Please say hi to Tim for me!

Linda,

I really like Night Circus but I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it half as much if I hadn't had the audio version. After listening to Jim Dale read all the Harry Potter books, his voice just automatically transported me to a magical spot and placed me exactly where the reader should be for Night Circus. I hope you get a chance to read it.

Did you make it home from your trip to Ohio without any major complications? When are you supposed to go back to the doctor? Stay warm and safe. Hi to Will.

Challenge Book #7

TITLE: Bring on the Blessings ★★★★¾
AUTHOR: Beverly Jenkins
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: generosity, foster care
Setting: Henry Adams, KS
CHARACTERS: Bernadine Brown, Trent July, Lily Fontaine, Riley Curry, Amari Steele, Devon Watkins, Crystal Chambers, Zoey Raymond, Preston Mays
DATE READ: January 24 - January 25
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile

PLOT:............................................4.5
CHARACTERIZATION:....................5
TOPICS:........................................4.5
STYLE:..........................................5
ORIGINALITY:...............................5
ADDICTIVENESS:..........................4.5
OWNERSHIP:................................4.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY:...................5
Average............................................................................4.75

Bernadine Brown is not your typical heroine. She's not young (over 50), black, divorced not looking for romance, and rich - I mean really rich! Not the type of person that you would expect to be thinking of others but Bernadine has decided that with the MILLIONS that she received in the divorce settlement that she was going to help others.

Seeing an article offering a small town that could no longer financially exist up for sale, Bernadine decides it the perfect spot to work her magic and begin her pet project.

The story that develops and the residents that we meet along the way are totally lovable, laughable, and ones that you want to welcome into your own home. The adventures that push Bernadine's project forward will delight the reader and provide smiles and even out loud laughter.

I bought this book after receiving the next (2nd) in the series as an ER book early in 2010. When I was looking for something light and uplifting to start 2012, I remembered that book and decided that it was the right time to read the start of the saga. IMO a perfect book to start the new year - light-hearted but serious, funny and engaging, a book that puts a positive spin on generosity and helping others. A domino effect that just keeps rolling. Highly recommended!

I have an 8:00 a.m. appointment with the surgeon tomorrow to see if/how the fusion is coming along.

Please send up a prayer. I'm concerned because I'm still in a great deal of five months after the surgery.

I think you have an appointment this week as well.

Please keep me posted.

Have to get your thread back to the top of the stack.

Medical update

I went to the Neurologist today and we have scheduled another set of shots in my back for the 1st of March. He only does the procedures on Fridays and all my Fridays are booked with other doctors and traveling until then. In the meantime, I have somehow screwed up my knee so that I can barely walk. Doctor's appt for that one tomorrow. That will make 6 doctor visits in January.

Getting old is the pits. :-(

Sorry to hear about this, Cheli. It's too bad that you have to wait til March 1st to get the shots.

Actually, it's not that bad. I will be on vacation in a few weeks, I'm going to SC to see my new grandson and spend a week with my Mom.
Having the shots done after, makes it closer to when Tim and I go to Florida to visit with his family and friends and I'll need to be in better shape for that. I can hold a baby while I'm sitting, and not having the shots before I go to do time with Mom will give me an excuse to rest and read. (that's sounds horrible but true)

Challenge Book #8

TITLE: Chester Alan Arthur ★★¾
AUTHOR: Zaachary Karabell
GENRE: History
SUBJECT: Chester Arthur
Setting: Washington DC USA
CHARACTERS: Chester A Arthur
DATE READ: January 26 - January 28
NO. OF PAGES: 154
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: No, public library

PLOT: 2.5
CHARACTERIZATION: 2.5
TOPICS: 3
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 2.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 2.5
OWNERSHIP: 2.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2.5
Average 2.63

There are few books which tell of the life of the 21st President of the United States - possibly because he was controversial at the time, possibly because he wasn't elected but was thrust into the office by an assassin's bullet, possibly because he never wanted to be President.

There are few details other than the historical records because Arthur had his papers destroyed upon his death. But his short administration did have its accomplishments. Civil Service reform was the major achievement.

Challenge Book #9

TITLE: Joy for Beginners ★★★½
AUTHOR: Erica Bauermeister
GENRE: fiction
SUBJECT: friendships, challenges
Setting: Seattle WA, Grand Canyon
CHARACTERS: Kate, Caroline, Marion, Hadley, Daria, Sara, Ava, Robin
DATE READ: January 29 - January 30
NO. OF PAGES: 269
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: yes, ARC stockpile

PLOT: 3.5
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3
STYLE: 3.5
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.5
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.5
Average 3.38

Kate has finally finished with chemo and recovery from her double mastectomy. She has beat Cancer and decides to have a victory dinner with her 6 friends that stood by her through her ordeal. But the celebration turns into something more. Her daughter has been trying to convince Kate to go on a white water rafting trip through the Grand Canyon but Kate is afraid to take the risk. Her friends convince her to make a bargain - she takes the rafting trip but they each have to do something that is outside their comfort zone and Kate gets to choose for each of her friends.

The book chronicles each of the ladies' challenge and their emotions at facing their own fears. It was interesting because the challenges were so individual and unusual and yet match the background of each character perfectly.

Can you put this one in my basket - I'll be down in April!! I loved her first one, and this has been on my radar for awhile.

Marking it now!

Um - who's the librarian?

I'm having problems with my computer so I may be MIA this weekend, but I'll try to catch up soon!

**tears rolling my cheeks**

The PC doctor has just called with the bad news. ***SOB*** He cannot get the data from my hard drive (150+ audiobooks and all my photos) without sending it off to a specialist. It could take up to 3 weeks ***SOB, BIG SOB*** before my baby is well and can come home to me. It could also cost up to $1,500 to recover the data. ***HUGE WAIL***

In the meantime, I have got to try to recreate my working file for my reading reviews and book selection. My old PC that I am using now, is much slower, smaller screen, and on an old Operating System. I feel like I'm back in the dark ages already. :-(

For all my friends here at LT, learn my lesson - BACKUP! BACKUP! BACKUP!

sorry to hear that. I do multiple backups because that has happened to me too many times. Sorry you are learning the hard way. :(

You need to install Mozy or Carbonite to do back-ups, Cheli. It's well worth the annual fee to have peace of mind if you need to recover.

or get a Western Digital external drive. They come with backup software that works great.

137.... Oh no!!! That's horrible news :(

What are Mozy & Carbonite? I may need to learn from Cheli's woes.

141> Tina, They are online backups that you set to automatically back-up. They back up to the "cloud." It gives you a remote location in which to back up to so that if you had a disaster at your home such as a fire that your data would still be recoverable.

I use both a cloud backup and a personal external hard drive. Hard drives are pretty inexpensive these days, so two backups are easy to do.

ETA: WIndows 7 and 8 both have built in backups too. (In Windows 8 called File History)

My external hardrive died a while back after my cat knocked it down from its place one too many times. I need to get a new one but have been post-poning it as I'll have to get a new computer soon too. So many expenses, so absolutely not the finances to back them up.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Chèli. I hope you can recover it more easily than that.

I know that I have a bunch of pictures that a burn to CDs but the recent ones for the last two years on that PC and haven't been burned. I guess it's my own fault since I kept telling myself I needed to do it but let me finish one more book and then I'll take the time. Looks like my spring will be filled with backups and burnings hopefully.

Kaulsu and I met up for lunch today! We are both avid readers and stitchers so we had lots to talk about. The picture is not that great coming off my phone (Next time I'll have to take my camera!)

Hello Dear One

I hope the injections work.

I'm so sorry about the hard drive woes...

Hugs!

Hope the injections help with your pain. Also sorry to hear about your PC troubles...I am also really bad about backing up my data. I use an external hard drive as I haven't quite made the leap to cloud based backups.

You got me with a book bullet for Bring on the Blessings! Its not my usual fare but it sounds so cheerful and uplifting.

Cobs - I hope you enjoy it.

I have two books I finished but because of PC problems haven't written reviews, hopefully soon.

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger

151. Louise Penny? Oh, you've read a CanaCrime novel! :)

The top 10 most literate cities are:

Washington, D.C. Yeah, we win!
Seattle, Wash.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Denver, Colo.
St. Paul, Minn.
Boston, Mass.
Atlanta, Ga.
St. Louis, Mo.
Portland, Ore.

Wow! Both of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) made the list! We do have a ton of colleges and libraries. And bookstores. Minnesota is a great place to be a bibliophile!

Karen O.

Trying to catch up with my own reviews, hopefully soon.

Challenge Book #10

TITLE: The Beautiful Mystery ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Louise Penny
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Three Pine Mystery
Setting: Quebec Canada
CHARACTERS: Armand Gamache, Jean Guy Beauvoir, monks
DATE READ: January 26 - January 31
NO. OF PAGES: 373
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpile

PLOT:.........................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.................3.50
TOPICS:.....................................3.50
STYLE:.......................................3.75
ORIGINALITY:.............................3.50
ADDICTIVENESS:........................3.50
OWNERSHIP:.............................3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY:...............4.00
Average...........................................................3.66

Again, Inspector Gamache is investigating a murder outside of Three Pines. But this time the murder of the prior at the monastery at St. Gilbert entre les loupes sends Gamache into seclusion where limitations are placed on his staff as well as the monks who live there. The abbot releases the monks from their vow of silence so that they may answer the questions that revolve around the murder. The monks have become known to the outside world by their recording of Gregorian chants but they remain hidden away otherwise.

Gamache not only learns of the details of monastic life, but something of himself and the Sûreté du Québec. The details are so cleverly woven through it, the reader has no choice but to sit down and take the ride.

I am finally stopping by over here. So sorry to hear about your hard drive woes--I had to do that expensive recovery once when one of my kids spilled soda in my laptop--I did get my data back but, ouch.

Well, the verdict is in on my PC and the news is not good.
The hard drive failed and to recover my pictures and data files it will be $1,300 and 4-8 weeks. That's just the data files. However, if they can't recover what I want/need, I can refuse the files and it will only cost me $250.

The pictures are what I really want so I told them to go ahead with the recovery but now I have to get a new PC because this one won't be back and functioning anytime soon (no software programs until I can find the keys from 3½ years - do you think that's going to happen?), my backup is lacking some of the programs that I need for the projects that I use for my other activities and I'm not sure I want to trust it again. I think I need to sell some of my stock to pay for this expenditure unless I can find a good deal out there.

WHAT A BUMMER!!

I guess it could be worse, I could be without a PC completely, right?

Well, I think I'll go try to lose myself in a book. Maybe I'll feel better then.

Sorry to learn the prognosis for your computer. $1,300 for data recovery..... big OUCH! Hopefully you will be able to get a good deal on a replacement computer.

Big OUCH indeed. That should teach us all ( me included ) to back things up on a regular basis.

Of course, I haven't yet. LOL.

BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP!

Well, I just order the new PC and with the software only $975 and it should be there for me when I get back from vacation Friday. So I will have an expensive new toy and I humongous rebuild project. Guess I'll have to work on that while I listen to the books from my MP3.

Good luck with your new computer.
How are you feeling? Your back?

New Computer is probably the best news I have.

Before I left for SC I went to the orthopedic Dr. because my left knee has been killing me and he inform me that I might have a small tear in my meniscus(sp?) and that if it was still bothering me when I got home, we could try a cortisone shot. Well, it still hurts like h.... on and off (more on than off) which causes me to adjust how I'm sitting/standing/walking which then affects my back. Needless to say, I am not a happy camper.

The timeshare where we are staying has no footrest so I've been trying to find the right number of pillows to prop up my legs to support the knee. If that's not enough, this place has those overstuffed mattresses and the bed is so high that I need a footstool to get into bed. The first night we had no footstool, and Tim just laid there laughing while I tried to dive into the bed, missing about 4 times, sliding off to the floor. We finally devised a stool of sofa cushions so that I could get into bed, by which time I was completely exhausted just getting there. Tim thought it was hilarious, I, however, did not.

Why do places like this never think about short people? If my Mom had been able to come, there's no way she could have gotten into the beds here without a stool. Granted the mattresses are very comfortable once you get on them, but getting on them is a bit tricky for a height-challenged person.
Needless to say when they called checking on how everything was, I informed them that they needed to think about things like this.

Back to my reading.

Why didn't you send Tim down to the Kitchen store place where I got the little collapsible step stool I carry everyplace now in my car? It's not expensive, and has saved my bacon many times when I've been tending vertically challenged individuals. Kiss kiss

We had one in the stow and go but only remembered it the next morning. If it hadn't been there, you can be sure, we would have been headed to the nearest spot to pick one up.

Challenge Book #11

TITLE: Iron Lake ★★★¾
AUTHOR: William Kent Krueger
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Indian casinos, blackmail
Setting: Minnesota
CHARACTERS: Cork O'Connor
DATE READ: January 31 - February 3
NO. OF PAGES: 360
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile

PLOT: 3.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 3.75
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 3.75
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.75
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.75
Average 3.69

This first mystery in the Cork O'Connor mystery series introduces the reader not only to an interesting "detective" in the main character (an ex-sheriff, with a failing marriage) who doesn't mind trying to do the job he is no longer being paid to do, but also an environment and cultural background of the Native Americans of a small town in Minnesota.

Because Cork is half-Irish and half-Anishinaabe Indian he can get more information from the tribal members than the sheriff so when a high placed official apparently commits suicide and an Indian teen goes missing, Cork decides to investigate himself and the story that is told is entertaining as well as riveting.

The writing has the reader on the edge of their seat all the while picturing the beautiful nature that is used as the backdrop.

Nice review of Iron Lake. And another series. Sigh. Just when I've decided not to retire yet.

I'm also vertically challenged and I hate those super-high beds. Every once in a while Jim and I encounter one, and as he is 6'4" and I am not quite 5' tall, you can empathize with the hilarity that follows.

Sympathies on the PC, the back and the bed saga. Empathies on the back and bed issues (being petite myself). I suspect my husband would find it equally funny - but I wouldn't let him keep laughing for long. As if he's any giant, himself. 8-)

I've lost a couple of laptops, but am still remiss in backing up. I do have a Time Machine for my MacBook - but I keep pulling it out to use the port for something else, or if I'm carrying the laptop around. Must plug it back in...

Challenge Book #12

TITLE: Staying Home Is a Killer ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Sara Rosett
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: Smuggling, artifacts
Setting: Oregon
CHARACTERS: Ellie Avery, Mitch Avery, Penny Follette, Clarissa Bedford
DATE READ: February 3 - February 7
NO. OF PAGES: 255
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 3.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.50
Average 3.19


The second in the Mom Zone mysteries was definitely fun with a few wacky scenes that help Ellie Avery solve the murder of one of the military wives and shut down a smuggling ring. No major brain power needed but still entertaining.

Challenge Book #13

TITLE: Crucible of Gold ★★★½
AUTHOR: Naomi Novik
GENRE: Fantasy, YA
SUBJECT: diplomatic mission, slavery, Incan empire
Setting: Pacific Ocean, South America
CHARACTERS: Will Laurence, Temeraire, John Granby, Iskierka, Demane, Hammond
DATE READ: February 6 - February 10
NO. OF PAGES: 255
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: No, Public Library

PLOT: 3.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 3.50
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.25
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.50
Average 3.47


The latest in the Temeraire Dragon series has brought Laurence and his Celestial dragon back to the British Aerial Corps so that they can attempt to win the support of the Incan empire in South America away from Napoleon.

Their adventure is fraught with dangers and difficulties as well as jealousies among the dragons but the character development and revelations carry the reader on to the new world with an entertaining style.

Can't wait for the next book!

I think I'll have to try the Mom Zone mysteries. They sound like my cup of tea.

Challenge Book #14

TITLE: Stake & Eggs ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Laura Childs
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: blizzard, snowmobiling, jealousy
Setting: Kindred, Minnesota
CHARACTERS: Suzanne Dietz, Sam Hazelet, Sheriff Doogie, Toni, Petra
DATE READ: February 7 - February 11
NO. OF PAGES: 279
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: ARC received from Author

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4.00
Average 3.63

The newest of the Cackleberry Club mysteries grabs the reader immediately with the murder by decapitation of the town Bank President while snowmobiling. (It's not as gruesome as it sounds.) But since most the town is not happy with the manner they were treated by the deceased, there are loads of suspects for Suzanne to look at which gets her into loads of trouble and others with her.

With mountains of snow and loads of good food described (including recipes - yum!) it isn't hard to imagine the events depicted.

Loads of fun and perfect read for a snow filled season!

Short people of the world unite!!!!



When I go to the drive in window of a bank, my arms are so short that I have to get out of the car.

Easy pass has eliminated my need to reach, reach, reach to pay the toll.

Crucible of Gold YA??????

Sorry to hear about your knee pain! Hopefully it starts to heal quickly!

Checking in to see how you are feeling today Cheli.

After 10 hours in a car, I'm ready to sit back in my recliner and play with my new PC. I've nicknamed it Lucky - hope it is.
Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.
We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

ETA - maybe not Lucky - the software I bought wasn't on the PC

Big Hugs to you!

JUST FOUND OUT i HAVE ANOTHER GRANDBABY ON THE WAY!

Did you get a laptop or a PC?

laptop - now I just need to get all my settings done.

>179 cyderry:: So you're keeping it quiet? In which case, *whispers* (congratulations)

OMG this new windows and IE are driving my crazy. I feel really stupid.

I don't like to get the latest Windows versions until the bugs get worked out. I know it was unavoidable for you. However, it's easy to download Chrome or Firefox. You don't have to deal with IE.

I did download Chrome and it is much easier to deal with.

Cheli, My dear...You are NOT stupid. Thumbs up for Chrome. I like it a lot.

How are you feeling? Your back?

Congratulations on another grand baby on the way!

Linda, thanks for the boost to my self-esteem. It's been a while since I had a new software to learn, so I'm hoping that my old age isn't going to be a drawback in learning.

My knee is very painful and steps are the worst part but now that I'm home and able to keep it elevated, it is a bit better. I guess I just needed another pain o take my mind off my back.

I can't believe it about the newest grandbaby - that will make 3 this year!

Challenge Book #15

TITLE: The Lifeboat ★★★½
AUTHOR: Charlotte Rogan
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: survival, morality, shipwreck
Setting: Atlantic Ocean
CHARACTERS: Grace Winter, Ursula Grant, Hannah West, John Hardie
DATE READ: February 11 - February 14
NO. OF PAGES: 278
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpile

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 3.50
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.25
Average 3.66

In this story several years after the sinking of the Titanic, an explosion rocks a luxury liner and before its sinking, several lifeboats are launched. However, just as with the Titantic there is not enough space for all the passengers. The reader is thrown into a lifeboat with Grace Winter and 37 other passengers and one member of the crew and warned that time to get away from the sinking ship is vital. Grace watches as the ship sinks, not knowing whether another lifeboat has rescued her bridegroom or not.

Fast forward to a court room where Grace and 2 others are on trial for murder. Startled the reader wonders what happened and they are treated to the recollections of the weeks that Grace spent in that lifeboat and the events that occurred prior to the rescue.

I have a book blog Cheli's Shelves where I post my reviews for the books I read as well as talk about books. On Tuesdays, there is a game called Top Ten Tuesday.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is looking at our favorite characters in whatever genre you choose.

I'm a huge fan of mysteries, so I chose that genre. I wasn't sure that I'd be able to hold my favorite characters to 10 but I gave it a shot. (Of course I came up with 12 and had to cut it back.)

1. Mary Russell (from the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Laurie R. King) is probably my favorite character because as a woman she is intelligent, self-sufficient, and unafraid to stand up to the males that surround her.

2. Armand Gamache of the Three Pines Mysteries by Louise Penny is the kind of man I would love to think actually protects the world from the evils that are there. He is passionately in love with his wife, Reine-Marie, as well as constantly endeavoring to improve the men and women that work with him.

3. Theodosia Browning from Laura Childs' Tea Shop mysteries - Theodosia and her cohorts at the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, SC are constantly coming up with delicious sounding events and recipes while working to make their friends and family safer.

4.Olivia Parras from Julie Hyzy's White House chef series is spunky and friendly while thoroughly professional, determined always to make things (food) as perfect as possible while keeping an eye out for the bad guys that may have danger on their minds.

5. Maisie Dobbs - (Jacqueline Winspear's character) who can't love Maisie - constantly trying to help those around her as well as improving herself.

6. Guido Brunetti - (Donna Leon's Venetian Commissario of Police) maybe it's the Italian background or maybe it's the atmosphere of his home - Guido reminds me of home.

7. Suzanne Dietz of Laura Childs' Cackleberry Club - here is a woman who has been widowed at a young age and yet manages to pick herself up and start over again along with he support of her friends. She has innovative ideas to grow her own business while still helping her community and friends.

8. Hester Monk from Anne Perry's Monk series - what an inspiration Hester can be - a nurse in the Crimean War (when women didn't do those things) and now back in England helping others who are ill as well as her husband find the bad guys. Here is a woman who doesn't stand on ceremony but does what has to get done.

9. Goldy Schulz - Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy series is just plain fun. Goldy always manages to get into some kind of hot water (her hubbie's a cop so he gets her out) while still coming up with delicious recipes for her catered affairs. YUMMY!

10.Clare Cosi - Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse series manager - manages okay juggling two men in her life as well as the coffeehouse. Just plain fun!

Those are my top ten, what about you.

What a wonderful idea! My top ten favorite detectives are:

1. Armand Gamache from Louise Penny's series
2. Precious Ramatswe of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
3. Flavia de Luce from Alan Bradley's series
4. Sarah Brandt from Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mysteries
5. Jackson Brodie from Kate Atkinson's series
6. Jane Austen from Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries
7. Amelia Peabody from Elizabeth Peters' series
8. Theodosia Browning from Laura Childs' teashop mysteries
9. Torie O'Shea from Rett MacPherson's genealogical mystery series
10. Tommy & Tuppence Beresford from Agatha Christie's series

Amelia Peabody were in the running for me too.

As anybody heard of a website called Bookish.com?
Does anyone know anything about it?

#192 I read about it, Cheli. It's a book website sponsored by about 15-20 major U.S. publishers. I haven't checked it out yet.

I hope you will feel better tonight and tomorrow...and forever.

Here are some books to read and a cup of tea:

Oweee...this is painful. How can you possible narrow down the list to 10????

1. Armand Gamache
2. Guido Brunetti
3. Salvo Montalbano
4. Precious Ramotswe
5. Maisie Dobbs (but she may be overtaken in the future by Maggie Hope if that series continues to be so good)
6. J.P. Beaumont
7. Gemma James
8. Inspector Lynley
9. Deborah Knott
10. Siri Paiboun

but then there's always

Anna Pigeon and....
Cork O'Connor and ....
Meg Langslow and.....
Jacobia Tiptree and.....
Eve Dallas and.....
Jackson Brodie and.....
Aurora Teagarden and....
Ike Schwartz and .....
Blackford Oakes and....
Faith Fairchild and...
Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne and...
Adam Dalgleish and .....and..... and.....

How can one choose?????

It is a tough list to make but so much fun in the process!

Challenge Book #16

TITLE: Deadly Decisons ★★★
AUTHOR: Kathy Reichs
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: biker gangs, innocent bystanders
Setting: Canada
CHARACTERS: Temperance Brennan
DATE READ: February 15 - February 15
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpile

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 3.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.00
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.00
OWNERSHIP: 3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.00
Average 3.00

Temperance Brennan, forensic anthropologist, is summoned back to Quebec because of a biker war which has resulted in several fatalities which only Tempe can identify. When a young bystander becomes a casualty as well, Tempe delves into the biker world to end the madness.

I'm a huge fan of mysteries as well, so this is my Top Ten of mystery characters, in no particular order (coming up with just this ten was hard enough!):

1. China Bayles from Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles Herbal Mysteries, because of her courage in changing careers, and her love for herbs.

2. Olivia Paras from Julie Hyzy's White House Chef Mysteries, because of her curiosity and ambition.

3. Leonard "Gav" Gavin, also from Julie Hyzy's White House Chef Mysteries. Because I just love the way he complements Olivia, instead of bringing her down as Tom used to do - although I did not see that until later on in the series.

4. Tommy and Tuppence, two characters of Agatha Christie who really can't be seen as seperate, because I love how they balance each other out and show me what a good marriage is all about.

5. Derek Ellis from Jennie Bentley's Do-It-Yourself Mysteries, because he's so wonderfully level-headed.

6. Maggie Hope from Mr. Churchill's Secretary for her brains and her take-on-the-world attitude.

7. Malgwyn from the Arthurian Mysteries by Tony Hays, because he shows real personal growth and learns from his mistakes.

8. Matthew Bartholomew from the Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles by Susanna Gregory, because he stays true to his principles despite what it costs him.

9. Nell Sweeney from the Gilded Age Mysteries by P.B. Ryan, because she doesn't let anythying stop her from what she wants.

10. Benni Harper from Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper Mysteries, because she loves quilts as much as I do.

I love the Kathy Reichs books. Easy reads but I find them always enjoyable :)
Hope you are having a good weekend!

Challenge Book #17

TITLE: The Johnstown Flood ★★★★
AUTHOR: David McCollough
GENRE: History
SUBJECT: Disaster at Johnstown
Setting: Johnstown PA
DATE READ: February 9 - February 16
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpile

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.50
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 4.25
ORIGINALITY: 3.75
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 3.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.75
Average 3.84


Near Johnstown PA there was a earth and wood dam which had been built to augment the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, a resort spot favored by members Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and other tycoons of the 19th century. However, the construction was poorly executed, maintenance was not ongoing so that conditions deteriorated and later alterations severely jeopardized the structure. Then in spring of 1889, the Johnstown area was hit with more rain than normal, the dam which had started to leak, broke and the town and residents were swept away.

One would think that would be the story and nothing further, but Mr. McCollough manages to take the dry historical facts and with interviews from actual witnesses, weaves a story that captivates the reader.

I listened to an audio version narrated by Edward Hermann - this was the perfect match of voice and tale. Together Mr McCollough and Mr. Hermann could probably turn training manuals into must reads!

Challenge Book #18

TITLE: Getting Away Is Deadly ★★★★
AUTHOR: Sara Rosett
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: terrorism,
Setting: Washington, DC
CHARACTERS: Ellie Avery, Mitch Avery, Hayley Avery
DATE READ: February 11 - February 17
NO. OF PAGES: 230
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4.00
Average 3.94

The story in this installment of the Mom Zone mysteries has Ellie and her friend Abby following their husbands to Washington DC for a vacation. The guys are in for some special training and the wives are setup with days of sightseeing.

Ellie also agrees to help her sister-in-law get in good with a prospective boss. There's where they get into trouble which sends them trapsing all over the Nation's Capitol while "helping" the police try to stop the bad guys on their path of destruction.

The story was very entertaining and the characters are lots of fun.

The Geek squad just called with great news!


They were able to recover 19,000 photographs and bunches of my audiobooks! I should have the files back in a few weeks!

So everybody remember - BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP!

202. That's great news, Chéli! So glad to hear you'll get (all?) your photos back. Photos really are the most important files to keep, at least for me they are.

And I'm gonna order a new external harddrive tomorrow.

I'm just wondering...how many of those 19K were dups? BuT.................so happy for you I'm doing the snoopy dance.

That is fantastic news about your photos and audiobooks, Cheli!

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough love so there is no room for hate.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

What do you wish enough of?

Challenge Book #19

TITLE: Death of a Kitchen Diva ★★★★
AUTHOR: Lee Hollis
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: newspaper rivalries
CHARACTERS: Hayley Powell, Karen Applebaum, Lex Bansfield, Sal Moretti
DATE READ: February 18 - February 20
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile

PLOT: 4.50
CHARACTERIZATION: 4.00
TOPICS: 4.00
STYLE: 4.00
ORIGINALITY: 3.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.50
OWNERSHIP: 4.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4.00
Average 3.94

How many times have we, in real life, been put in a position where we are competing with another person and it is someone that we really don't like? Well, that's what happens here. Haley Powell, to make a few extra dollars agrees to write the food and recipe column at the newspaper where she works. Her former friend, Karen Applebaum, writes a similar column for the competing newspaper. So of course, they are at each other's throats especially when Karen steals Hayley's clam chowder recipe. Who else would the police think killed Karen with poisoned clam chowder but Hayley.

This was a fun little cozy mystery with LOL scenes like food fights, unique police interrogations, great characters, and yummy recipes including alcoholic beverages!

I look forward to the next one.

Hi Cheli! Congrats on the new grand baby! Three in one year...whoo boy, that is a lot!

Just passing through to catch up.

Yay for the grand-baby. And for the geek squad.

Challenge Book #20

TITLE: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand ★★★
AUTHOR: Helen Simonson
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: racism, prejudice, generational disputes
Setting: England
CHARACTERS: Ernest Pettigrew, Roger Pettigrew, Jasmine Ali
DATE READ: February 15 - February 26
NO. OF PAGES: 357
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, Audio stockpile

PLOT: 3.00
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.00
TOPICS: 3.00
STYLE: 3.00
ORIGINALITY: 2.50
ADDICTIVENESS: 2.50
OWNERSHIP: 2.50
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2.50
Average 2.75


This book has been reviewed numerous times so I will refrain from repeating the scenario. I will just giving my humble viewpoint.

I didn't like it, didn't not like it. It was mediocre as far as I was concerned. The same old story of an older person with self-centered children(child) and changing his whole outlook without any explainable reason. I couldn't get into the main character and I just wanted so many times to tell him to get over when he had issues with his son who acted the same way as he did.

Funny thing is that I read this for my book club and of the six members there for discussion, 3 disliked it, 1 loved it, and 2 were non-committal.

That Pettigrew book got rave reviews but I did not like it as much as others did.

Challenge Book #21

TITLE: There is a Season ★★★★★
AUTHOR: Joan Chittister
GENRE: religious reflection
DATE READ: February 28 - February 28
NO. OF PAGES: 118
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, my bookshelves

The Book of Ecclesiastes "invites us to see life as a mosaic made up of small pieces of human experience common to us all" and there in lies the beauty of this book. We as the reader are taken through the compartments of time - birth, death, loss, gain, love, hate, war, peace, sowing, reaping, and all that heaven holds for us. But do we ever really look at how we treat Time?

Time in our society is very often treated the same as money - being saved and counted, we even "invest" and spend our time.

But this book reminds that we must look deeper into what we see. For instance, the signs of the zodiac are all compared to a fragment of ourselves - Ram for Aries is a reminder that just as with Abraham finding a ram to sacrifice in place of Isaac we must make sacrifices, Taurus the bull shows us we must set aside the "golden calfs" that we worship, Gemini the twins identifies a manner of seeing the personal inner self as well as the personal relationships that we are a part of. Each of the zodiacal signs can find a non-pagan equivalent.

"Before we face the world, we must first face ourselves"
But are we capable of looking that deep or are we afraid? Fear governs are reactions whether we see it or not. We fear a loss of status so we say nothing, we fear a loss of comfort, so we mindlessly turn away from effort that might risk greater accomplishments. We fear criticism but we must reach inside our selves and give birth to a courage that we alone can muster.

Loss teaches us that we need to learn the lesson of how to begin again, learning how to be wrong, teach our children to learn not shame and guilt and anger from losing but pride and goodness and resolve to try again. We also need to find the true lesson of love because "anything that degrades or demeans or destroys a person in any way is not love, no matter how loudly proclaimed."

"Love is about regal respect, royal reverence and total support. It needs to be taught rather than made the victim of a hormonal roulette." How has our socieety today changed the definition of love? "Love resides in the santification of friendship" and yet how many marriages are based on friendship, how many can say my spouse is my best friend? The word 'friend' in our society has become so warped by social networks and texting do we really have BFFs?

The book continues on, reaching out and grabbing your soul because the words, that are almost poetry, explain what your thought processes and feelings are unable to express. When I started I thought this would be a book for those of the Christian faith, but the farther I went the more I realized that everyone would benefit from these words.

And so all purposes under heaven tells us that "in life we become that which we could not have been without our own particular recipe of cleansing pain and perfect joy in proper proportions."

My apologies for so many quotes, the author just said it so much better than I ever could.

All I can say is WOW!

Thanks Tina for recommending this book. I'm keeping my copy too.

So glad you enjoyed the Chittiser book. It's one of my favorites. I often give it for a wedding gift.

January/February Recap

Since I had a major meltdown on my computer at the end of January and was unable to gather and post a recap, I'm going to combine the first two months now. I also seemed to have lost my format so I'm going to be trying out a new one. Let me know what you think. (♫ is for audio books ß is for e-books)

Here are the books that I read this Month January and February

A Fatal Appraisal ß
Fonduing Fathers ß
Knit the Season ♫
When Christ and His Saints Slept: A Novel
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
Night Circus ♫
Bring on the Blessings ß
Chester Alan Arthur
Joy for Beginners
Beautiful Mystery ♫
Iron Lake ß
Staying Home Is a Killer ß
Crucible of Gold ♫
Stake and Eggs
The Lifeboat ♫
Deadly Decisions ♫
The Johnstown Flood ♫
Getting Away Is Deadly ß
Death of a Kitchen Diva ß
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel ♫
There is a Season

Best of the Month: There is a Season
Worst of the Month Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel

Categories:
Acquisitions: (New: 0 Pre-owned before 2013: 16 Borrowed:3 ARC/ER: 2 Total: 21)

TIOLI - Books read : 21 Books read for TIOLI Challenges: 21 100%

Breakdown of Type:
E-books 7
ARDs (paperbooks) 8
Audiobooks 6

Non-Fiction
History 1
Biography/Memoir 1
Religion 1

Fiction
General Fiction 5
Cozy Mystery 7
Mystery 3
Young Adult/Fantasy 2
Historical Fiction 1

Personal Cataloging:

The book that kept me breathless: There is a Season
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most Fonduing Fathers
Biggest disappointment: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs Bring on the Blessings
Book I wish I'd read sooner There is a Season
Best Recommended book There is a Season by tututhefirst
The book with the most surprises The Lifeboat
Most thought provoking book Joy for Beginners
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW! Fonduing Fathers, Iron Lake
Best Audio book Johnstown Flood - Edward Hermann Narrator
Book I am still working on: Anna Karenina
Book I'm glad I finished When Christ and His Saints Slept: A Novel

Projected March Reads: (Okay girl, let’s get real!)
I'd be happy if I can get 60% done.

Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court 2013 Category Group Read
Sweet Tea Revenge ARC that needs review
Manifest Injustice ER book that needs review
Birds of a feather % ♫
Cinnamon Roll Murder
Lost and Fondue
Shifting Tide % ♫
Book, Line, and Sinker
Deadly Dealer
Death Threads
Threaded for Trouble
Pardonable Lies % ♫
Night Watch % ♫
Dead Men Don't Crochet
Blood from a Stone % ♫
Diva Takes the Cake
Let's Play Dead
Rope % ♫
Stitch me Deadly
Beyond Seduction

I wanted a nice clean break for my next "Chapter" so March seems a good time to move on to thread #2.