DeltaQueen's 75 Book Challenge for 2013 - Part One

Wow, this year seems to be moving along at a fast pace. We are deep in February now and spring seems to be just on the horizon. Here on the west coast of Canada, the crocus have bloomed, daffodils are up and forming buds, and the weather is getting milder.

I thought since February is a month for valentines and thinking of loved ones, my artwork would feature couples.



James Tissot - The Farewell
John Everett Millais - The Black Brunswicker

Number of Books Read in 2013:




Number of Pages read in 2013:

Currently Reading:



The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - 3 Month Group Read

BOOKS READ

January

1. The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie (256 pages) - 4.0 ★
2. Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden (304 pages) - 4.2 ★
3. Double Crossing†† by Meg Mims (264 pages) - 2.0 ★
4. The Missing by Jane Casey (496 pages) - 3.7 ★
5. Domain of the Dead†† by Iain McKinnon (216 pages) - 3.5 ★
6. I Was Amelia Earhart†† by Jane Mendelsohn (160 pages) - 4.0 ★
7. Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith (480 pages) - 4.1 ★
8. The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli (272 pages) - 3.3 ★
9. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (288 pages) - 5.0 ★
10. The Sandman Vol 2: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman (232 pages) - 4.5 ★
11. Hunter by Joy Cowley (176 pages) - 4.3 ★
12. Insurgent by Veronica Roth (592 pages) - 4.1 ★
13. Tilt-A-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein (321 pages) - 4.0 ★
14. Brighton Rock - Graham Greene (324 pages) - 4.5 ★
15. Fright by Cornel Woolrich (256 pages) - 4.0 ★
16. An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor (320 pages) - 3.8 ★

February

17. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (229 pages) - 4.4 ★
18. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (563 pages) - 5.0 ★
19. Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy Sayers (256 pages) - 3.8 ★
20. The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville (326 pages) - 4.1 ★
21. Ice Forged by Gail Z. Martin (563 pages) - 3.1 ★
22. The Armada Boy by Kate Ellis (217 pages) - 4.0 ★
23. The Scorpio Races†† by Maggie Stiefvater (410 pages) - 2.0 ★
24. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (534 pages) - 4.3 ★
25. The Sandman Vol 3: Dream Country by Neil Gaiman (160 pages) - 4.0 ★
26. Penrod by Booth Tarkington (186 pages) - 3.2 ★
27. A Long And Winding Road†† by Win Blevins (336 pages) - 3.1★
28. Black Mulberries by Caitlin Davies (551 pages) - 3.6 ★
29. Winter in Thrush Green†† by Miss Read (Dora Saint) (219 pages) - 4.2 ★
30. Dark Matter†† by Michelle Paver (256 pages) - 4.5 ★
31. Cold Light by John Harvey (375 pages) - 4.3 ★
32. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (363 pages) - 4.0 ★

March

33. A Year In the Life of the Cotswolds by Beata Moore (111 pages) - 3.3 ★
34. Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie (336 pages) - 3.6 ★
35. Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (352 pages)( - 4.4 ★
36. Under An Afghan Sky by Mellissa Fung (331 pages) - 4.4 ★
37. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie (200 pages) - 3.7 ★
38. The Sandman Vol 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman (192 pages) - 4.2 ★
39. Plainsong by Kent Haruf (301 pages) - 5.0 ★
40. Kindness Goes Unpunished†† by Craig Johnson (336 pages) - 4.5 ★
41. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill (271 pages) - 4.5 ★
42. Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko (329 pages) - 4.5 ★
43. Ashfall by Mike Mullin (463 pages) - 4.7 ★
44. Dissolution by C.J. Sansom (443 pages) - 4.2 ★
45. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray (661 pages) - 5.0 ★
46. Hocus by Jan Burke (449 pages) - 3.3 ★
47. The Plague Court Murders†† by John Dickson Carr (230 pages) - 3.2 ★
48. The Witch Doctor's Wife by Tamar Myers (307 pages) - 4.0 ★

Drat! I forgot to renumber my thread so I hope there's no confusion.

Welcome to my second thread.

I've noticed that some people are posting pictures of their first library and I think it's a wonderful idea to show one of the places that helped give us the gift of book loving.



The Public Library, Victoria, B.C.

I vividly remember my sister and I taking the bus to town at the cost of thirteen cents each on a Saturday morning to visit the library. I couldn't think of a better place to be, of course it didn't hurt that the Old English Sweet Shoppe was just a few doors from the library itself and was rarely passed by.

Looking forward to seeing what you read next! Happy Reading!

#9 - Hi Melissa, and welcome. :)

Judy, that was 13 cents well spent. What a beautiful library! I read on your old thread that you and your hubby have both been ill. I hope you are better now. This is the worst year in a long time for colds and flu around here. We had to find four subs for our monthly canasta game last week out of eight members! Stay well!

Happy new thread, Judy! I love those pictures up top!

Judy- You liked Part One so much, you decided to continue it, huh? Hey, I found you! I liked the Scorpio Races more than you but it definitely didn't stick with me very long.
I'm glad you enjoyed the Help. It's a good book and the movie version is pretty good too!

I like your shiny new thread, Judy! Nice story and pic regarding your first library. It looks like a massive place.
I can't believe your crocus and daffodils are bursting forth! I'd expect you'd still be in the depths of winter. Over here, crocus won't peak out till mid March.
Have a great week :0)

Nice new thread! Part One, Take Two. :-)

Hi Judy,
Sorry to hear you've been sick. Hope this week finds you back to full health and spunk.

>8 DeltaQueen50:
"...of course it didn't hurt that the Old English Sweet Shoppe was just a few doors from the library..."
location, location, location! lol

Happy new thread!

Hello Judy - hoping you are returning to ruddy good health! I also though The Help was a four-star read and heaps better than i expected it to be! And I also think the movie was great!

Congratulations on your new thread, Judy!

I'm so sorry to hear that you were sick - I hope you're completely recovered now. So many people have been sick this year....

Your review of Bitterblue gives me yet another reason to pick up Graceling - my library branch has it, so I've got no excuses!

I adore Lord Peter. They're fun stories, aren't they?

I tried Shiver but gave up on it pretty quickly. You were braver than I to try another. Thanks for taking the hit - I'll skip it....

Count me in as another who hasn't read The Help. It's interesting how some books are so quickly anointed as 'important' - we'll see how important it seems in a decade. That said, I'm planning to get to it one of these days.

Happy new thread!

I've spent the last few hours trying to catch up on the various threads and I tell you people, it just can't be done in one day! I'll have to chip away at it over the next few days.

#11 - Hi Donna, yes, I loved that library and was disappointed when I heard they closed it and moved to larger quarters. The building itself is still there and I have fond memories when I pass by when I visit Victoria. My library today is simply an addition to a shopping mall, not terribly attractive but still gives me access to books so I can't complain.

#12 - Hi Mamie, I love both those pictures but perhaps favor The Brunswicker at little. I love the little black dog and the lady's dress.

#13 - Welcome to my deja vu thread, Mark! I surprised myself with my dislike of The Scorpio Races, I really thought I was going to love it.

#14 - Hi Lynda, the original library building was actually quite small, but they purchased the building behind it and knocked some walls down to make it a fair size but eventually it just wasn't big enough. Our daffodils aren't showing any color yet, just the fattening of the buds. We have a lot of flowering ornamental cherry and plum trees in the neighbourhood and usually see them in full bloom in March. Of course Spring lasts longer here than in most places, we will could still be having spring-like weather when everyone else is welcoming summer.

#15 - Hi Julia, I was so busy trying to get my thread up and running that I forgot to check the title and by the time I realized that I had forgotten to change the number it was too late. Oh well, I will make the correct adjustments on the next thread.

#16 - Hi Cee, yep, we always plunked our coins down in the Sweet Shoppe and gorged ourselves on penny candy!

#17 - Waves to Roni.

#18 - Hi Prue, it seems to be a slow process but we are getting there, My husband actually went in to work for about three hours this afternoon, and we had our grandson for dinner which always makes us happy!

#19 - Dejah, I think you will enjoy Graceling, it's truly an amazing story. I really enjoy the Lord Peter Wimsey stories, so much humor written into the plots.

#20 - Waves to Es.

Oh my, I *love* the fabric in the painting on the left! I so admire artists who can capture the realness of fabric like that.

I think I may have reached my limit of YA this month - I just finished Tomorrow, When the War Began (which I think you pointed me toward) after having read Etiquette & Espionage and Scarlet. I don't think I can handle any more teenagers! When I'm recovered, however, Graceling is on the list.

>23 Dejah_Thoris:: I know the feeling. Graceling has limited teen angst, so that's a plus in its favor.

Hi Judy, I'm really enjoying the artwork you're starting your threads with this year. I'm glad to hear you're on the mend. I don't know if we had the same thing but I had a cold that lasted a good two weeks and then another two weeks of lingering effects. It left me feeling very tired most days. I love hearing about your signs of spring. It gives me hope! Oh, I'm also someone who hasn't read The Help although I do have a copy. Someday . . .

Hi Judy, just adding my congrats to a beautiful new thread. Very interesting review on The Help I got the book two years ago as a birthday present, well it is collecting dust on my shelves as for some reason it never really appealed to me.

HI Judy! I agree that it's terrible hard to try and catch up in one day! I regularly try and catch up but I rarely succeed in one day

#22 - I admire anyone who can produce a picture of any kind, Amber. I never really advanced much beyond stick figures!

#23 #24 - I know that feeling as well, sometimes you can definitely have had too much YA and you need to sink your teeth into something a little more substantial. Es is right, Graceling does not have that YA-Teenager feeling.

#25 - Hi Pat, I thought I was on the mend until today. All symptoms seem to be coming back and I looking forward to giving myself an afternoon nap. I think we had exactly the same thing, I certainly am feeling very tired all the time. More signs of spring, I noticed the daffodil buds in our backyard are showing color now.

#26 - Hi Bianca, wow, I am surprised at the number of people who haven't read The Help - I thought I was the last one!

#27 - Hi Chelle, I guess trying catching up seems to be what we are all doing these days. :)

26. Penrod by Booth Tarkington - 3.2 ★
13 in 13 Category: Virginia Woolf - Authors I Have Been Afraid to Try
AlphaCat: B
50 States Challenge: Indiana
TIOLI #10: Author Shares Country of Origin With a Friend



Booth Tarkington has long been an author that I felt I should sample, and so I decided to start with Penrod. Penrod is the main character and a young boy of 11 growing up in Indiana in the early 1900’s. Penrod was originally published in 1914 and although considered as a novel, really consists of a collection of loosely connected short stories. The tone and style of the book reminded me a great deal of Tom Sawyer. Penrod prides himself in being considered the “worst boy in town” and each chapter provides him a way of sustaining his reputation.

Although this book harkens back to a younger America and a simpler time, it is quite dated and there would be little in the book that would appeal to the younger reader of today. There are plenty of examples of the casual racism that was so prevalent in books published in the first half of the 20th century, but I suspect Tarkington himself would not consider himself a bigot. It is wise to keep in mind the time in which this book was written, although it is hard not to be distracted by these racial slurs.

My first exercise in reading Booth Tarkington brings me confidence that I could tackle something a little more ambitious and I think I will be looking at The Magnificent Ambersons at some point in the future. Penrod, although at one time a very popular book, has little that one can relate to today other than giving us a glimpse of mid-western life before World War I.

27. A Long And Winding Road†† by Win Blevins - 3.1 ★
13 in 13 Category: Edgar Rice Burroughs - Adventure
AlphaCat: B
TIOLI #8: Washington Rolling Challenge



The fifth book in his Rendezvous series, A Long and Winding Road follows the adventures of Sam Morgan and his comrades. This series is getting a little tired, but the completist in me will probably stick it out as there is one more book to go. In this volume, Sam loses his love, Paloma to breast cancer. He helps his adopted son search for his two kidnapped sisters, visits his daughter who is being raised by her aunt and uncle within the Crow nation and realizes that the days of fur trapping are coming to an end. He is getting tired of wandering and would like to settle down somewhere and be part of a family.

The last chapter has him breaking his adopted son, Tomas, out of jail in Taos, New Mexico, where he was being held on trumped up murder chargers. Obviously the last book will see Tomas cleared of these charges and perhaps Sam will find someone to settle down with and reunite his family.

The first two books in this series were excellent as they traced the progress of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company as these brigades arrived in the mountains and, through their explorations, helped to open the way for future American expansion. Now the stories seem a little contrived and I am ready to move on but, I have invested enough time in these characters that I want to see if they will get their happy ending.

Good reviews, Judy. If you'd like to get more of Penrod, you should look out for Penrod and Sam. You definitely have to read it with the times in mind since there is a fair bit that would be considered politically incorrect today.

I am sad to say that I have had a relapse of my illness, this time it has developed into a nose and throat infection and is painful and has swollen my nose up and turned it a bright red. Needless to say, I am laying low and my body seems to fight the infection by sleeping. So today was spent alternating between naps and reading.

#31 - Hi Caro, so many of the books that were written prior to 1960 have that casual discrimination that was so taken for granted. But as I happen to enjoy books that were written in the early part of the 20th century, I have learned to put the blinders on.

28. Black Mulberries by Caitlin Davies - 3.6 ★
13 in 13 Category: Xinran - Global Reading
AlphaCat: B
Commonwealth Tour: Botswana
TIOLI #18: Read a Family Saga



Black Mulberries by Caitlin Davies is set in Botswana and tells the story of the Muyendi and Krause families. One black, one white, these two families become entwined through the years, first as neighbours then as business partners. Harbouring grudges and secrets, the story is told by four generations of women. The clever and crafty Nanthewa, the family matriarch, her beautiful daughter, Kazi, Petra, the daughter of a white hunter, born to Africa but never feeling welcomed in it, and Candy, the granddaughter of Nanthewa, who spends her time listening and sees more than anyone knows. The story spans decades from the late 1940’s and into the new century.

I enjoyed this book but it never quite reached the level that I had hoped for. Each of the four “speakers” had their own unique voice which kept the storylines separate and easy to identify. I certainly found the women characters were much more clearly defined than the men who all seem to some across somewhat ambiguous. The author herself lived in Botswana for twelve years and knows of what she writes which is apparent in her descriptions of the land and the culture of the people.

Although I found Black Mulberries a mostly enjoyable read I did have some issues with the author’s somewhat jerky writing style, but I was able to put up with the abrupt transitions in order to read this multi-generational story. Overall, this is a good book, but not a great book.

Judy, so sorry to hear that you're sick again. Nose and throat stuff is particularly yucky. Take care of yourself, and I hope you're back in top form very soon!

Sorry to hear you're dealing with a relapse. There's some nasty stuff going around this year. Hope it's not too long before you're feeling better.

Judy, I'd send you some of my chicken & rice soup if I could. Chicken soup is one of my favorite remedies!

Oh, drat! I'm sorry you are ill! I hope you are feeling better soon!

I love the Millias painting you posted at the top of your thread. Pre-Raphaelite art is my favorite!

Sorry to hear you've been sucked back into the nastiness. Take care of yourself, Judy! Sleeping sounds like a good plan!

Judy - Belatedly catching up and concerned to see your not too well. A hug from the tropics to take your cold symptoms aways post haste.

Get well!!! I hate nose/throat/sinussy ick! & wishing you a read that's better company than Black Mulberries. The premise sounded interesting, but yes, if it's going to be a saga "jerky" isn't a good writing style.

Sorry to see that you are sick! Alternating between napping and reading sounds like a good way to spend a sick day though!

Judy - Sorry to hear that you're sick again. You're right about trying to catch up with threads. I mostly lurked last week, and I still have to be careful about how much typing I do with my wrist, but I'm working my way through the threads. Great reviews. I think I read the Tarkington in high school, and after reading your review I don't feel I have to reread it. The Blevins series sounds fun. I'm also reading a book set in Botswana now White Dog Fell from the Sky and think maybe I would like to try Black Mulberries.

I hope you begin to feel better soon. Poor thing.

Double drat! Sorry to hear you are sick again. Take good care of yourself.

Ack! Take good care of yourself, Judy. Those aloe tissues are very comforting to a sore nose.

Any plans for a March Mystery thread this year?

Thank you all for dropping by and sending me so many good wishes that I can't help but have a speedy recovery. I am feeling much better today. I tell you I am so done with being sick!

Big waves to Julia, Pat, Carrie, Linda, Katie, Paul, Katie, Chelle, Beth, Es, Ronni and Donna. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughts.

Carrie, I am absolutely craving chicken soup right now. In fact I am going to send my husband out tp pick some up from a nearby restaurant. Not quite homemade, but not canned either.

Linda, I have enjoyed and appreciated it when you have posted your favorite pictures over the last couple of years, and you've led me to an appreciation of this type of art.

Paul, I'm usually not a big hot weather person, but I tell you a dose of tropical weather sounds mighty inviting. I could spend a day or two on a tropical beach soaking up the sunshine right about now.

Beth, I clicked on the link to White Dog Fell From the Sky and have immediately added it to my wishlist. I am taking part in the Commonwealth Challenge and may take an opportunity to revisit some of the countries.

Donna, I sort of forgot about Mystery March , but yes, I think it would be fun to repeat that theme. I will scout around and see if there is interest and if so, will post a thread in a day or so.

Please let me know if you are interesting in having a Mystery March.

29. Winter In Thrush Green†† by Miss Read (Dora Saint) - 4.2 ★
13 in 13 Category: Dora Saint - Reader's Choice
RandomCat: Frosty February
TIOLI #9: Author Shares Last Name with Movie Star/Entertainer



Winter in Thrush Green by Miss Read (Dora Saint) is the second book in her Thrush Green series. Thrush Green is a small rural village in the Cotswold area of England. Set in the early 1950’s, the books consist of tales from the day-to-day lives of the villagers that dwell here. This particular book takes place over the winter months of 1950-51 and deals with the arrival of a new resident. Also, the villagers decide to honour a past citizen by erecting a statue of him on the green. Over the course of the winter, two separate couples takes steps toward changing their long friendships into matrimony.

Dora Saint was herself a country school teacher who took her pseudonym from her mother’s maiden name. She began to write articles for magazines about country life and, in particular, country schools. Her appealing, slightly humorous stories of village life resonated with her readers. Her picturesque descriptions of the countryside and how it changes with the seasons enhance all her stories.

These quiet, charming tales are great comfort reads for me, and this look back to the past is like opening a window onto a different world. I know my 1950’s weren’t as bucolic as these and I suspect Miss Read writes of how she visions perfection, not how it really was. Nevertheless, I know I will be continuing to pick these books up whenever I need a break from the modern world and want to wander back to a simpler time.

I'm looking forward to seeing what all of you reading White Dog Fell from the Sky think of it. We have it at the library, and I'm considering reading it this summer sometime. Maybe in May? The chair of our English department told me he has his eye on it to read after he gets through some of the ones he's picked up for reading. He told me he'd told the English majors that they should be reading beyond what is required of them in their classes, and he's hoping they'll pick up some titles like that one too.

Judy I don't know how I lost your thread but here I am. Yes to Mystery March!

ETA: I hope you are feeling better.

I've been hoping there would be a Mystery March! I'm glad you're feeling better.

I'm in for Mystery March too! :)

I've started a thread for March Mystery Month .

Come on over and join me.

I'll be in for mystery March, Judy! Currently I'm reading Poisoned Pawn by Peggy Blair. Her debut novel was The Beggar's Opera . I think you'd enjoy both of them.

Count me in for March Mystery Month! Heading over there right now.

Thanks so much for setting up the Mystery March thread, Judy - I LOVE Mystery March! And so sorry to hear about your relapse - no fun at all. Wishing you a speedy and permanent recovery.

Lovely thread #2 Judy.

> 8 - I recongnize that library... or at least the building! What a fantastic memory you have of that building from your childhood. I see that the Old English Sweet Shoppe is now near the conference center on Douglas Street, which is still somewhat conveniently located to the current downtown branch of the library!

Hope you are feeling better!

Oh Judy, I'm so sorry to hear you've been so sick! I hope you're firmly on the mend very soon.

I will, of course, be joining you for Mystery March - I'll head over there now!

Feeling just about 100 per cent and can't wait to get out of the house for awhile. I think I will take myself off on a little shopping trip sometime this week, with planned visits to a yarn shop and a book store!

I'm looking forward to Mystery March, I have quite a list of books I would like to get to. I could probably read mysteries for a straight year and still have some left over!

#56 - Lori, I didn't know The Old English Sweet Shoppe was still around and open! I may just have to pay a visit to the conference center.

It's great to hear you are bouncing back, Judy! Yarn shops and bookstores are good for whatever ails you. :-)

I've got the 5th Dr. Siri book set by for Mystery March, along with The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, so I'm in too, Judy. So glad you are feeling better and look forward to hearing what yarn you've acquired.

#59 - Hi Julia, tomorrow I have an appointment to finally get my hair done and then on Thursday, I may hit the shops.

#60 - Roni, I am really looking forward to finally starting the Dr. Siri series!

30. Dark Matter†† by Michelle Paver - 4.5 ★
13 in 13 Category: H.P. Lovecraft - The Dark Side of Fantasy
TIOLI #4: Title Includes One of the Popular Fantasy Title Words
Fantasy February



I don’t read many ghost stories, mostly because it is hard to find a good one, but Dark Matter by Michelle Paver is that wonderful exception, a great ghost story that is both scary and believable. I was glued to the pages as this dark, chilling story unwound. Set in 1937, it tells the story of a small group of young men who are on a scientific expedition to the Norwegian arctic, to a remote island area called Gruhuken. As daylight gradually disappears and the dark grows longer, things start to happen and eventually there is only one member left at camp. Alone except for the company of sled dogs, he feels more and more isolated as he senses a malignant presence growing ever closer.

The author kept tight control of her story, allowing the readers’ dread and panic to grow along with the main characters'. The setting with it’s isolation and stark landscapes bring an additional element to the story that helps with the creeping terror.

Reminiscent of a classic ghost story, the author keeps it subtle and is able to impart horror with the simple use of a shadowy movement or the sound of a wave lapping the shore. My only complaint is that I felt the ending was a little rushed but, I guarantee you’ll want to keep the lights on while reading this one. If you are looking for a well done ghost story, I recommend Dark Matter.

Nice review of Dark Matter. I might pick that up when I'm in the mood for a ghost story.

Adding Dark Matter to my wishlist - sounds really good!

Definitely sounds good, plus the review got a thumb from me! My library doesn't have this one yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it.

Oh, Dark Matter sounds like a must read. I'm going to see if my local library has a copy. Your review is great! Thumbs up from me!

Dark Matter sounds like a great October read!

All I can say is "me, too!" Great review of 'Dark Matter', Judy.

A big wave to Carol, Amber, Jim, Linda, Roberta and Julia

Oh, I hope you are all able to get your hands on a copy of Dark Matter, it's well worth the read. I got mine from Amazon for the Kindle, and at the time it was on at a reduced price. Luckily I read a great review by cfisha (Claire) over at the Category Challenges and picked it up. It's a great read, in the style of an older "classic" ghost story, very nuanced and atmospheric.

31. Cold Light by John Harvey - 4.3 ★
13 in 13 Category: Lawrence Block - Male Authors of Crime
RandomCat: Frosty February
TIOLI #9: Author Shares Last Name with a Movie Star/Entertainer



Cold Light is the 6th book in John Harvey’s Charlie Resnick series and I am finding this series just keeps getting better and better. We learn a lot more about Charlie in this book, and not necessarily to his good. He has a phobia about relationships, he is indecisive, and avoids direct confrontation in his personal life at all costs In his professional life, he is all business and follows the procedures as he and his team work on the case of a missing women who left a party on Christmas Eve and simply disappeared.

I like how the other characters in this series are also being developed and by now the reader can pretty much predict how the various members will respond. John Harvey writes clear and concise police procedurals, allows the suspense to build and isn’t afraid to show his dark side. This gripping story of a very disturbed killer isn’t overdone or littered with so many bodies that it’s not believable.

I would call John Harvey a specialist at urban crime novels, and he excels at writing realistic characters, settings and dialogue. Cold Light is a gritty, well written police procedural that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Hmmm.... March Mystery Month
Sounds great - but I have a bunch of books I NEED to read first. Maybe I'll catch up with you all in the middle of the month. I'll check out what I have on my shelves.

Glad you are feeling better ;-)

Hi Cee, hope to see you over at Mystery March at some point in the month. My last planned Fantasy February book, The Iron King finally came in to the library. I have a day to get this one read in order to count it for various February challenges so I am off to read, read, read!

Hi Judy- Hope all is well with you! Good review of Dark Matter. Sounds very interesting. I hope I can bookhorn in a title or 2 for Mystery March. I really want to get to Broken Harbor & Little Stranger, I think the latter is a mystery, ??

Your review of Dark Matter gets a thumbs up from me, but I'm not certain I'll read it!

A big enthusiastic thumb from me for your review of Dark Matter. I might even try it it sounds so good. I'm a big scaredy cat though so I usually stay away from books like this so I can sleep.

#73 - Hi Mark, Broken Harbour is on my list of books I really, really want to get to but I won't be reading in March. :( I hope you get to it. The tags for Little Stranger call it a historical mystery and it looks really good as well.

#74 - Hi Dejah, thanks for the thumb!

#75 - Pat, Dark Matter is so well written, I think you would like it. Just read it in daylight hours! ;)

32. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - 4.0 ★
13 in 13 Category: Hans Christian Andersen - Fantasy
AwardCat: 2011 Rita Award - Best YA Romance
Fantasy February
TIOLI #4: Title Includes a Popular Fantasy Title Word



The Iron King by Julie Kagawa is the first in her Iron Fey Trilogy and tells the story of a young girl, Meghan, who always felt something wasn’t quite right with her world but nonetheless is astonished to find she is only half human, the other half is fey, and fey royalty at that. Drawing on many literary references about magical creatures from Shakespeare to Lewis Carroll, the story brings Meghan to the Nevernever on a quest to rescue her younger brother, kidnapped and being held by a new type of fey, one who is dangerous to both the Seelie (Summer Fey) and Unseelie (Winter Fey).

On her adventures she is aided by various magical creatures and develops strong feelings for Ash, a prince of the Winter Court. This attraction could lead to future problems as Meghan is the daughter of Oberon, King of the Summer Court. The two courts are enemies of long standing. Other members of her team include a cat-like creature called Grimalkin, and, her father’s favorite lackey, Puck. When dealing with the fey, one must be careful what one promises, but Meghan, in her eagerness makes some rash agreements that look as if they will come back to haunt her in future books.

I have to admit that I usually don’t care for books about fairies, but I found The Iron King not only very readable but actually enjoyable as well. The author moves her story along at a nice pace, doesn’t indulge in too much teen angst, and keeps a vein of humor running throughout the story. She nicely wrapped up major plot points in this book, while still leaving the door wide open for the next story. I have been ensnared by this fey series and will be looking for the second book soon.

Very nice reviews! Thumb for Dark Matter, and I'm adding that one to the list - I love a good ghost story! I have not heard of the John Harvey book's - I will have to check those out. And your last one is a book that Abby very much enjoyed when she read it - it is in my stacks, and I had hoped to maybe join you in reading it for the February TIOLI when I saw that you had listed it, but February SO got away from me.

Good morning, Mamie. I can't believe that February is over and we are now into March. This year is flying by. When I look over the lists of TIOLI books that everyone has listed I practically need blinders on. There are always so many that I wish I could fit in as shared reads, but I know I will never be able to fit them all in.

Hey Judy - I keep trying to fit in more shared reads, too, but don't manage as many as I'd like. I'm aiming for 25% of my TIOLI books to be shared - we'll see how it goes!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Great review of The Iron King, but I've got to say - why is it always 1/2 fey royalty - and some fey named Ash? Cats & Puck, Seelie, Unseelie and something else, great, and it sounds like it has enough style and humor to rise above the rest of the 1/2 fey royalty novels.

#80 - Dejah, good luck with the TIOLI shared reads. 25% would be an excellent goal, I seem to usually average 3 shared reads, unless I am taking part in a planned group read.

#81 - LOL, Katie. The Iron King does fall into the mold of so many books about the fey. It's funny how there is such a preconceived concept when dealing with these totally madeup creatures. The king is always called Oberon, there is always two courts (one light/one dark), the heroine is usually half-fey falling in love with the out-of-this-world handsome fairy prince. What can I say, I guess for me it was the right book at the right time cause I totally fell for this story.

33. A Year in the Life of the Cotswolds by Beata Moore - 3.3 ★
13 in 13 Category: Pierre Burton - Non-Fiction
March RandomCat: Beautiful Cover



If you follow my thread you will have seen that I am a big fan of Miss Read. She usually sets her books in the Cotswolds and I have long wanted to learn more about this region. Recently I noticed Lori (thorton37814) reviewed a book on the Cotswolds that caught my attention. My library didn’t have that book, so I chose instead to read A Year In the Life of the Cotswolds by photographer/writer, Beata Moore.

This coffee table book is full of beautiful photographs and also gives the reader some information on both the history and the various tourist attractions of the area. It divides the land into regions by compass points of east, west, north and south and then further separates the photographs by the seasons, giving the reader a look at the Cotswolds throughout the whole year.

A Year in the Life of the Cotswolds worked perfectly for me, giving me a bit of background information that fills out what I have been reading and the photographs show both rural and village views of the area that help to totally complete the picture I have been building in my mind.

Trust that you are now back in the pink Judy. Have a lovely weekend and I'll get along to your March Mystery thread soonest.

Your Cotswold book looks lovely too, Judy!

Sorry to hear you've been so unwell, Judy. I hope you're feeling 100% soon.

Dark Matter sounds really good - I've added it to the wishlist and thumbed your review.

#77 Interesting review of The Iron King. I'd sort of been ignoring that series due to YA overload but you've made me reconsider...

Sorry that you've been ill, but glad that you're starting to feel better.

Great reviews of Dark Matter and Cold Light. Dark Matter has been on my radar for a while. I've not read anything by Harvey, but perhaps should give him a try.

(groan -- yet another series to put on my list . . . if I live to be 100, I'll never get to half the stuff I want to read!)

The Poisoned Prawn, Judy! I got a chuckle out of that! Cold Light sounds very interesting. I'll have to look into that one.

#84 - Hi Paul, yes I am doing very well at the moment. I'm looking forward to seeing what you will be reading for Mystery March.

#85 - Lori, it was great seeing the pictures and comparing them to the descriptions I have read about the area. Thanks for giving me the idea of getting a book like this from the library.

#86 - Hi Heather, I think you will enjoy Dark Matter, it really feels like a book that was written many years ago.

#87 - Terri, the Charlie Resnick series is quite the commitment with 11 books, but I would recommend trying the Frank Elder Trilogy to start with. The three books (in order) are: Flesh and Blood, Ash and Bone, and Darkness and Light. They are excellent and would give you a good idea of what his writing is like.

#88 - Yep, I thought you were reading a book about poisoning someone with bad seafood!

34. Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie - 3.6 ★
13 in 13 Category: Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime
March AlphaCat: C
TIOLI #4: Series Catch Up
March Mystery Month



Leave The Grave Green by Deborah Crombie is the third book that follows the exploits of DI Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James. In this book their mutual attraction to each other brings them closer than ever, but does this do more harm than good? As these two detectives continue to dance around each other, they are also assigned to investigate the death of young man who is connected to a powerful family.

This young man has been pulled out of a lock on the Upper Thames River. Not sure if this is an accident, a suicide or a murder, Scotland Yard is called in. While on the one hand we have this slow romance to follow and root for, this is first and foremost a police procedural, and when forensics fail to offer much in the way of evidence, Kincaid and James must handle the painstaking work of going over the clues, interviewing and re-interviewing all the various witnesses, as they absorb themselves in the drowned man’s life, and try to trace what actually happened.

I am quite taken by both the main characters in this series, and I applaud the author’s adherence to police procedure. This book doesn’t hesitate to show the slow grind that police work can be, searching for the one wisp that will lead them in the right direction. I find these books quite involving with their blend of captivating romance and intriguing murder cases, and look forward to book number four.

35. Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell - 4.4 ★
13 in 13 Category: Dora Saint - Reader's Choice
March AlphaCat: C & O
March RandonCat: Beautiful/Intriguing Cover
TIOLI #11: Choose a Book Because You Like the Title



Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell is a book that I am having a hard time defining. I would interpret this book loosely as the coming of age story of a young girl. Margo Crane lives along the Stark River in rural Michigan and is truly a river girl, brave, independent and well able to provide for herself yet over and over again she becomes a victim. A victim of neglect, abuse, incest, rape and violence.

Margo models herself after her heroine, Annie Oakley. She is a expert marksman and hunter. Abandoned by her mother at fourteen, she lives with her father but within a year he is killed during a family ruckus. She then flees to her sanctuary, the river. Relying upon her hunting skills and a assortment of men that meets on her journey she travels both up and down the river learning how to survive this life she finds herself in.

A strange and compelling read, I never warmed to Margo or any of the characters, except the dogs, yet I was fascinated and could not stop turning the pages. Beautifully written the words flow very much like the river, lyrical, almost poetic is scope, yet at times both cold and unemotional. With such complex and deep themes, Once Upon A River is a book that I know I will be mulling over for some time and Bonnie Jo Campbell is an author that I will not hesitate to revisit.

I haven't read Once Upon a River but I loved her book of short stories American Salvage. I think it was one of the first books I heard of first on LT and was so thrilled with the recommendation. I'll probably try this one from the library.

#92 - Hi Pat, I think I would really like try American Salvage. I love her writing, even though somewhat depressing, it was beautifully descriptive. I think her style would work really well in the short story format.

Yes, the stories in American Salvage are very depressing but wonderful nevertheless.

I think I'll pass on Once Upon a River in spite of your wonderful review. I'm not in the mood for characters I may not like.

Judy, I managed to attend a reading of a portion of Once Upon a River by the author and several members of a local theater company when I was vacationing in Michigan last summer. (I forget what city it was -- Traverse City, maybe? They had a great independent bookstore there!) I really liked her. She took questions afterward and did signings. I told her I first heard of her work through LT. My copy of Once Upon a River is signed, in part, "Up with Library Thing!" I really should get around to reading it.

Judy- Good review of Once Upon A River! I have had this one on the WL for ages. I know some readers had mixed opinions and that's why I haven't got to it but now that you liked it a lot and I LOVED American Salvage, (that's a Must Read!) I better get to it.
I also have her earlier novel, Q Road sitting on my shelf.

#95 - Lori, I usually don't care for books that have so many unlikeable characters, but this was such a different world to read about, so far from my "normal" that I was fascinated. I found myself comparing this book to Winter's Bone which was very much about the same kind of people, although in WB I found the main character much more likeable.

#96 - Terri, how lucky that you were able to meet the author. I hope you do read this cause I would love to read your thoughts on it.

#97 - Mark, I really want to read American Salvage now as I love how this author puts her words together. I think the mixed opinions probably reflect the somewhat bleak outlook and the unlikeable characters, but even with that, Once Upon a River is so well written with such a strong point of view that it's a very compelling read.

36. Under An Afghan Sky by Mellissa Fung - 4.3 ★
13 in 13 Category: Pierre Burton - Non-Fiction
TIOLI #17: Read the 7th Book On a Bottom Shelf



Melissa Fung, a journalist working for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, was on her second assignment to war-torn Afghanistan when she was seized by armed men as she was leaving a refugee camp where she had been reporting on conditions. Stabbed, blindfolded and eventually thrown into an underground bunker, her ordeal was to last 39 days before she was freed. Under An Afghan Sky is her vivid portrayal of her time in captivity.

My admiration of this woman grew as I turned the pages and read of her experiences. Never losing her inner spirit, she spends her days with her captors in this underground hole, existing mostly on cookies and juice, her time is spent reflecting on her life, praying and establishing bonds with her kidnappers. She is allowed access to her notebook and a pen, and I believe the ability to write kept her hopeful and balanced. Through her, we see these men, not as criminals and terrorists but as victims of the war, dealing with poverty and religious extremes.

I found Under an Afghan Sky a complete page-turner. Her story of being taken hostage made for a harrowing story, but most importantly, her sense of dignity and strength of purpose was inspiring.

I love a good ghost story so Dark Matter goes to the wishlist. Hope all's well with you Judy.

I liked your review of Under an Afghan Sky Judy and just put a used copy of it in my Amazon cart. The two Amazon reviews were both 5 stars and they also described it as a page turner. Thanks for the recommendation.

Judy, thanks for putting Under An Afghan Sky on my sagging wish list. I've already read both books by Bonnie Jo Campbell so I'm good there. She and Daniel Woodrell do write about similar types of people. He is also very nice in person!

Judy - Nice review of Under and Afghan Sky. I'll be looking for that one. I hope you're all recovered.

Due to my lack of energy and just generally not feeling very well, I've been consulting a doctor. The first thing she did was conduct a Stress Test which apparently showed an abnormality. They suspect a blockage in an artery. I am going to the hospital for a couple of days next week for further testing. They are going to shoot some dye through my arteries and heart and take pictures to see if and where the blockage is. I am still processing this, but trying not to be too concerned. I believe the test is fairly straight forward just somewhat time consuming and hopefully, if something is wrong, it will be discovered early.

#100 - Hi Lynda, I think there are a lot of us that enjoy a good ghost story, and is strange that they are few and far between.

#101 - Pat, the more I learn about Mellissa Fung, the more I admire her. Apparently all the royalties for the book are donated to a foundation that is run by and for Afghan women. They have already build a school and are hoping to add a computer lab.

#102 - Hi Donna, I really loved Winter's Bone and must pick up another Daniel Woodrell soon.

#103 - Hi Beth, I'm feeling ok, just finding I have no energy. I've gotten into the habit of an afternoon nap and will find that a hard one to break! Under An Afghan Sky is well worth a read.

37. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie - 3.7 ★
13 in 13 Category: Arthur Conan Doyle - Classic Crime
March AlphaCat: C
TIOLI #1: Book Has A Character Whose Name Starts With 'Jo'



The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie is classed as a Miss Marple mystery, but there was very little evidence of Miss Marple in this book. She didn’t show up until page 142 out of 200 pages, then she proceeded to knit a few rows while solving the identity of the anonymous letter writing murderer.

Other than the lack of Miss Marple, I quite liked this book. Set in a seemingly quiet, placid country village, the obscene poison pen letters spared no one and did not hesitate to accuse each recipient of shocking activities. Even with no spark of truth in them these letters caused people to look at one another in a different way and suddenly everyone was under suspicion and accusations were being bandied about. It wasn’t long before suicide and murder followed.

With Jane Marple being an almost afterthought, the focus of the book is on Jerry Burton and his sister Joanna, who have come to the village while Jerry recovers from a flying accident. These two are total misfits in the rural village but were two characters that I found very sympathetic and I enjoyed seeing the events unfold through Jerry’s eyes. While The Moving Finger is not destined to be one of my favorite Miss Marple mysteries, it is still going to be considered a very good Agatha Christie mystery.

Judy, I'm sorry to hear about your tests, but, as you say, if they find something earlier then it should be easier to treat. I hope the hospital visit goes OK and you can at least get a bit of reading done while you're waiting for the procedure.

I'm glad you visited a doctor before things got to an emergency situation. Whatever the results of the test are, it's so much better not to be making decisions on an emergency basis! I will be sending bright thoughts and good vibes your way next week that all ends well.

So glad they are checking you out and catching things before they get to crisis level. Hope everything works out well and you can get your energy back, Judy.

Judy, I'll be praying for a positive outcome from all of your tests.

Judy add my good wishes and prayers to the list. It's hard not to worry when these things turn up but do take care of yourself. Love the reviews. I'm going to have to add Crombie series to my wish list.

Judy: Good luck with your test. Did they say if they find something, they will treat it at the same time? Often now, if there's a blockage, they can fix it during the same procedure. (I've written patient education materials for cardiology for years.)

I just got the newest Crombie from the library. I hope I have time to read it before I have to take it back.

Thanks for all the kind words, I am not looking forward to this, but I know it's best to get these things attended to as quickly as possible. In typical LT fashion I have been planning on what books to take with me, as I am sure there is going to be a lot of down time involved. I have decided on taking the first Dr Siri mystery, The Coroner's Lunch and Hocus by Jan Burke, an old, reliable series.

#111 - Beth, I don't know exactly what they will do, I guess no one does until they see what's going on, but I did read in the paperwork that they may be able to fix it then and there, which would be a great relief.

Of course, what I am most dreading is going without coffee (or any caffeine) for some 72 hours!

38. The Sandman Vol 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman - 4.2 ★
13 in 13 Category: Neil Gaiman - Graphic Novels
TIOLI #4: Series Catch Up
The Sandman Yearly Group Read



WARNING - SLIGHT SPOILERS

There was much to like about The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists starting with the gathering of the clan, seeing how the Endless react with each other, and having Morpheus’s error of judgement pointed out to him by his siblings. We are taken back to the story of Nada and how Morpheus condemned her to Hell. Now he is on a quest to correct his mistake and in typical Gaiman style the story is epic and brings in the gods of mythology, as well as deities from various religions and even visitors from the fey. A typical mixed bag that this author seems to delight in writing about.

So what happens when Lucifer decides to quit, and the gates of Hell are closed? Where do the dead go? Where indeed does Lucifer go? These questions are all answered in Season of Mists, and answered to my great satisfaction. Gaiman has once again provided a story that makes the reader think on a wider scale, but he also never hesitates to give us an appreciation of the smaller moments in life, be it the birth of a baby or a beautiful sunset.

My biggest delight in Season of the Mists was probably my surprise in the direction that the story took. It started off looking like this was going to be a tale of epic battle. Showing Dream storming the gates of Hell, battling Lucifer to get back the women he condemned to be there. Instead, with a simple twist, the story is taken into another direction entirely, and Lucifer gets his revenge by trapping Dream into a responsibility that he did not look for or want.

I can't wait to see where we are going to be taken next.

Good luck, Judy. Jan Burke is great. I wish she would write faster.

Oh, there ARE some Jan Burke fans here! Her sister is one of my best friends and so I have had lunch or dinner with Jan on several occasions. Really nice people!

ETA plus I get signed copies of all her books!

#104 Really sorry to hear about the suspected blockage Judy. I can understand feeling concerned but hopefully whatever it is, they will have caught it early enough . Will be thinking of you.

#112 I'm tempted to download the first Dr Siri mystery and join you reading that this month. Hope you can get some good reading done whilst in hospital and the caffeine withdrawal isn't too bad!

Judy, try and cut down on the caffeine before you go cold turkey to avoid a bad headache. I hope the tests go well and nothing serious shows up. From what I hear, The Coroner's Lunch is a good choice to take with you. I was kind of hoping to get to it for Mystery March, but I've got some chunksters lined up to read first. I'll be thinking of you next week.

Judy, I'm just stopping by to wish you well with the tests and am hoping that they find all is well or if for some reason there is a blockage they can fix it right away. I'll be thinking of you and checking back for updates.

Not sure when your testing is this week, Judy, but I am adding my good wishes to everyone else's. Will be waiting to hear updates. And I think The Coroner's Lunch is the perfect book to take along - highly entertaining but easy to pick up and put down. You are in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Again, I thank everyone for all the good wishes. I am going to hospital on Wednesday morning and should be home again by Thursday afternoon. I had a very nice weekend mostly spent with various family members and I spent both Saturday and Sunday evenings watching Season 3 of Downton Abbey. I stayed up till 2:30 am last night but I still have one episode left to watch.

#114 - Beth, I have been a fan of Jan Burke's for some time, I picked up one of her later books and got totally hooked on the Irene Kelly series, I have since gone back to the beginning and filled in all the earlier ones. I've found that she has gotten better with each book.

#115 - Lucky you, Roni. As I say above, I am a big fan.

#116 - Big wave to Heather, I am not looking forward to be poked and prodded at the hospital, but I am looking forward to Dr Siri. I don't belive I have heard one bad thing about this series.

#117 - Donna, I am taking your advice and cutting down on the coffee. I usually have five or six cups a day and yesterday cut it to three cups and today will try to get by on one or two. Tomorrow morning I can have coffee at breakfast but after that no caffeine. Not necessarily chunksters, but I have overbooked myself for March and I am already looking over the pile and trying to decide which book(s) I may not get to.

#118 & #119 - Thanks, Pat and Mamie. My husband is taking me, my eldest daughter is insisting on coming along as well and my younger daughter works at the hospital so I am going to be surrounded by family members. And here's me hoping I get some reading time!

I hope everything goes well, during your hospital visit! Sending positive waves your way. I think the Dr. Siri is an excellent choice but keep in mind, they are addictive and quick reading. Enjoy. Hugs!

Hope everything goes well Judy my thoughts are with you!

Under An Afghan Sky sounds like one I will have to find!

Stopping by to wish you a speedy and positive hospital visit later this week, Judy!

Best wishes to you for your hospital test, Judy!

More hospitals? Best wishes!

Sending positive vibes your way, Judy!

#121 - Thanks, Mark. I just finished Plainsong and again must thank you for giving me a push in that direction. A five star read for me!

#122, 123, 124, 125 & 126 - Waves to Susie, Lori, Terri, Es & Katie, thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes.

39. Plainsong by Kent Haruf - 5.0 ★
13 in 13 Category: Dora Saint - Reader's Choice
TIOLI #3: From the Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ulitimate Reading List



I have just finished the spell bounding Plainsong by Kent Haruf and I don’t believe that I can write anything about this book that will do it justice. In the setting of a small rural Colorado town, the author tears back the layers to reveal the inner lives of various residents and in doing so shows us how valuable and needed family ties are, but also, and more importantly, that these family ties need not be connected by blood.

Heartstrings are truly pulled when lonely, isolated pregnant teenager, Victoria, is assisted by her teacher and put together with the older, crusty bachelor McPheron brothers. We can see the healing begin and a sense of family start to bud. We also read of the Guthrie family, high school teacher Tom and his two small sons, Ike and Bobby abandoned by their mother, learning to bond together to create a family that is secure and safe. Woven throughout the story are such wonderful, true to life characters such as Iva Stearns whom the boys at first fear but grow to rely on for comfort and conversation, and strong, confident Maggie Jones, another teacher, she looks beyond the surface of people and seems to know what they need even before they do themselves. Of course, not all the residents of this town are kind and thoughtful, just like real life, there those who are selfish and do more harm than good to others.

The author weaves his story around these struggling characters who learn to reach out and help one another. The story never crosses the line into becoming too emotional or overdone, the author’s writing is candid, under embellished and quite beautiful. I found Plainsong to be an uplifting experience, a simple, straight forward story that speaks to the heart.

"I have just finished the spell bounding Plainsong". That and the 5 star rating, is all I needed to see and thank you for making me tear-up. Weren't those McPheron brothers, wonderful? There is actually even more of them in Eventide.
Great review, Judy. Let's hope you snare any LTer that hasn't read this MUST READ!

Judy, you've got me with Plainsong!

All the best for tomorrow - how great that your family can be there to keep you company.

Ouch, I've been hit! Onto the wishlist with Plainsong.

I have been meaning to read Kent Haruf someday. Your review of Plainsong makes me want to read it today.

Judy

I want you to know I'm thinking of you and sending prayers for your hospitalization and tests tomorrow.

Much love

'Plainsong' is such a wonderful, wonderful book! It makes me happy that one more of my friends has fallen under its spell.

Susan, Roni and Carol: Oh I am so happy to see that you are interested in Plainsong, you won't be disappointed.

Linda Thank you so much for dropping by, I really appreciate it.

Julia I did really love Plainsong, it was one of those books that I didn't want to end. Have you read Eventide the sequel to Plainsong?

40. Kindness Goes Unpunished†† by Craig Johnson - 4.5 ★
13 in 13 Category: Lawrence Block - Men Authors of Crime
TIOLI #4: Series Catch Up
March Mystery Read



The third entry in the Walt Longmire series, Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson, finds Walt accompanying his best friend Henry Standing Bear to Philadelphia. Henry is there to give a speech and set up an exhibition of Native American photographs. Walt is looking forward to visiting his daughter Cady and meeting her new boyfriend. Barely upon arrival Walt receives word that Cady has been attacked. She now lies in the hospital with a traumatic head injury. Walt, feeling helpless over her condition, is determined to find who is responsible, and his first visit is to the boyfriend.

I was a little concerned that the urban setting would be detrimental to this series, but I needn’t have worried. You can take Walt Longmire out of the west, but you cannot take the west out of Longmire. Wearing his cowboy hat and boots, relying on his trademark dry humor as much as his brawn, Walt strides the city streets and is well able to work alongside the Philadelphia police which includes various members of the Moretti family. With Henry and eventually Vic at his side, they unravel the various clues and find justice for Cady.

I am a big fan of this series, and the main character Walt Longmire is a huge reason why. This character jumps from the pages and is so real that it’s hard to realize that he comes from the imagination of a very talented author. In this third volume we are given a look at Walt’s softer side as we read of his anguish over his daughters condition. His romantic life grows by leaps and bounds and definitely will be something that the series needs to explore in future entries. Kindness Goes Unpunished is intelligent, witty, and totally captivating. Another winner is this great series.

Judy, I did read 'Evensong' and liked it very much too, even if not quite as much as 'Plainsong'. But that's no insult, as very few books have moved me as much as 'Plainsong'. Just as with 'The Sparrow' and 'Children of God', it's difficult for the sequel to a great book to live up to the high standards of the original even if it's still better than a great deal of other books. If you read it, I'll look forward to your review.

#137 - I am definitely planning on reading it just not sure when I will get around to it. Another fix of the McPheron brothers is something to look forward to.

I am all caught up and need to have an early night, so I will be back in a couple of days.

Judy - I haven't been on the threads much lately, so I missed your news. I hope you rest well tonight that all goes smoothly tomorrow - you'll be in my thoughts.

You've been reading some great books and your reviews are wonderful - you've gotten several thumbs up from me! I've also just requested Plainsong from the library - I'm looking forward to it.

Judy I have been away from the threads but I am sending you wonderful healing thoughts. I'll be looking for an update. I'm glad your family is there with you for moral support.

I loved the first Walt Whitmire book and I can't wait to get to more. Were you able to see the series on A&E last year? It was not completely faithful but still, nice.

Judy - Just stopping in to let you know that you are in my thoughts today. Hope all goes well with your testing.

You got me with Plainsong - adding that one to my list. I skipped your review of Kindness Goes Unpunished because I am currently reading it, but I have to say that I love this series which seems to just keep getting better with each book. That scene in the beginning where Walt is trying to read to those kids cracked me up.

I meant to mention that I'm going to give Ashfall a try. I'm a sucker for a good volcano story - plus we would have a shred read! The only question is if I can handle the YA factor - we'll see!

We're looking forward to having you back, Judy.

Hmm... looks like I should pull Plainsong off the shelf and give it a try in... *looks at schedule* maybe May?

Thinking of you, Judy...

Stopping by to say hi, Judy! I am very ready for some sunshine!!!! DH is enjoying Cold Dish but his new C.J. Box arrived today too! :)

Hope all went well today.

Sending great big happy vibes your way that all went well yesterday, Judy, and you will soon be winging your way home.

Judy, I hope everything went well and that you get to come home this afternoon. With all the company you had, I doubt much reading got done!

That was a lovely review of Plainsong, one of my favorite books. I just finished Haruf's new book, Benediction and can recommend it heartily. "The author weaves his story around these struggling characters who learn to reach out and help one another" is a line from your review that applies just as well to his latest book.

Hello, here I am back home safe and sound. I've been poked, prodded and stress tested to within an inch of my life. I know nothing more than I did before, I was told today that it will be about a week before the report arrives at my doctor's office, so i guess we just wait and see.

#139 & 142 - Dejah, I'm glad you're giving Ashfall a try with me. I know very little about it except it was recommended by another LTer last year, so we will have to see together how it goes. I will probably be getting to it by next week. Another shared read is excellent, I am a little short of them this month.

#140 - Hi Roberta, I know you've had a lot on your plate these days. I sure hope your Mom is doing better. Yes, both my husband and I really enjoyed the TV series about Walt Longmire. In fact, I may have to go back and buy the first few books for my husband to read. I liked that they are a little different from the books so there wasn't a lot of repetition.

#141 - I know, Mamie, that opening was fantastic. I wasn't sure at first what was going on, but once it became clear, I laughed out loud. I love the humor of these books. And speaking of humor, The Coroner's Lunch has had me giggling out loud a few times as well. One of the nurses saw what I was reading and said it was her favorite series. Isn't it fun how reading a book in a public place often invites comments from other book lovers. We had quite a discussion about various mystery series.

#143 - Hi Es, Plainsong is a great read and I'm sure you will love it. You are doing very well to fit it in by May, I usually take almost a year or more before I get around to one of my LT recommendations!

#144 - Hi Katie, all seems to be well. I came out of the hospital, jumped into the car and said "Coffee!" so that was our first stop on the way home. It felt great to be pumping that caffeine back into my system!

#145 - Hi Deb, you'll have to let me know how your husband likes Cold Dish as I am thinking that I should get my husband hooked on this series, he really like the TV series. Unfortunately, it looks like we have a rainy weekend to look forward to.

#146 - Waves to Roni, it's great to be home again. Everything went very smoothly, the only thing I've noticed is that my arthritis in my hips has flared up a little, probably from the treadmill. They also told me not to cross the border for a few days as I would set off the alarms on their radiation alarms. Apparently it takes 5 days for it to work out of your system.

#147 - Hi Julia, all your good thoughts are very much appreciated.

#148 - Donna, you've struck me with a book bullet on my own thread. Benediction is being added to the wishlist. You are right, I felt a little silly taking two books with me and I barely got halfway through one!

Judy, I hope you get a good report from your doctor and the waiting period isn't too stressful. In the meantime, I prescribe a few good books.

It's good to hear that you're home safe and sound. I may read Ashfall next, so I'll probably pick it up over the weekend. I'm looking forward to it!

Judy, I'm glad to hear that all the tests are over and you're home. It sounds like they checked for everything, so at least you should get a full report.

Judy - I hope your results are good. You need some nice relaxing reading this weekend.

Keeping you in my thoughts and hoping that you get good new in the test results.
Also, so glad that you liked Seasons of Mist - I love Gaiman's Sandman series so much.

Judy and Dejah hope you enjoy Ashfall it is great and the second book Ashen Winter is just as good if not better!

Judy hope your results come back good!

Sending good vibes your way!

Happy Weekend to everyone. Looking forward to a quiet one with lots of reading. We'll be visiting with out-of-town relatives on Sunday which I am looking forward to, as these are particular favorites, and I always find them so interesting. They live way up a mountain side outside of Salmon Arm, B.C.. They recently sold their house and moved further up the mountain, carving out their own road. I haven't been up to visit their new place yet, but their stories of bears, deers, and bombing around on all-terrain vehicles are always fun and so different from how we live.

#150 - Thanks, Carrie, now that's a prescription I will gladly fill!

#151 - I've decided to pick up Ashfall next, Dejah, so I will be starting it this weekend as well.

#152 - Hi Susan, I do feel better now that the testing is done. I'm not stressing about the results, what will be will be.

#153 Hi Beth, I'm feeling really good about my reading these days. Every book I have picked up in the last week or so has been a winner. The Coroner's Lunch has totally lived up to it's good reputation and the other book I am reading right now, Daughters Who Walk This Path is a fascinating look at women/girls lives in Nigeria.

#154 - Hi Amber, I am really enjoying this year long read of The Sandman series. There are a few in the group that have previously read the series and I am learning a lot from them. It's truly amazing how every little aspect of these stories has meaning and background.

#155 - Susie, I knew Ashfall was an LT recommendation. When I checked my wishlist I saw it was you that originally read and recommended it. I've bumped it forward to this weekend as I am in the mood for some dystopia. Thanks for the good wishes.

#156 - Thanks, Es.

41. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill - 4.5 ★
13 in 13 Category: Henning Mankell - Global Crime
March AlphaCat: C
TIOLI #16: Book Cover Features Easter Colors



Set during 1976 just after the Pathet Lao seized power in Laos, The Coroner’s Lunch is an excellent beginning to a most promising series. Chock full of interesting characters, the author, Colin Cotterill delivers a top notch story and plenty of information about a country I know very little about.

After 46 years of loyal service to the Communist Party, 72 year old Dr. Siri Paiboun thought he was about to be retired and spend his days in gentle pursuits. Instead he finds himself appointed as chief (and only) coroner. Working in almost barbaric conditions, with little equipment or materials, he finds himself assigned a couple of highly charged, political cases. Urged to report one way, Dr Siri goes out on a limb and decides to get to the bottom of these cases. Of course, he does not work alone, Dr Siri has two most capable assistants who work alongside him in the morgue, as well as a great and well connected friend and a new aid in a police liaison. He also is assisted by the fact that he appears to be the incarnation of a centuries old Shaman, Yeh Ming and is regularly visited by the recently departed.

It’s been awhile since I have started a new series and been so totally taken with the main character. Dr Siri is a gentle soul, courteous, charming, insightful and terribly humorous. He and his friends find a way of getting things done in a country that questions the motives of everyone, and finds suspicion in every action. I am really looking forward to reading more about Dr. Siri and learning more about this intriguing country.

Hi Judy. I cannot resist reading Plainsong after your 5 star review. We have our library sale coming up soon and I will be looking for this book there.

I hope your tests come back with flying colors and am glad you're back home. Have a wonderful visit with your relatives.

Glad you are home safe and sound, Judy, and delighted to hear you are now a Dr. Siri fan!

Judy- Great review of The Coroner's Lunch! It looks like you are an instant convert! Yah! Have a good weekend.

Pat- You haven't read Plainsong? Tsk, tsk! It's amazing and I know you appreciate good western writing.

I'm so glad that you loved The Coroner's Lunch, and what a great set of books you have before you now in the rest of the series! Here's hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

Hi Judy - Great review of The Coroner's Lunch, which I am trying to ignore. No more series for me! Have a great weekend.

Great review of The Coroner's Lunch! I am really enjoying that series

Hope your test results turn out well!

#159 - Hi Pat, I hope your weekend is going well. Plainsong had been on my wishlist for some time, but Mark gave me a little extra push and I am thankful that he did. I know you will love it as well.

#160 - Roni, I now know where my next few book dollars will be spent. I need to invest in a few more Dr. Siri's!

#161 - Thanks again, mark, for giving me a gentle nudge toward both Plainsong and The Coroner's Lunch. I am looking forward to introducing my Mom to Dr. Siri.

#162 - I hope your weekend is equally fabulous, Mamie.

#163 - Hi Beth, that's exactly why I held off so long on Dr. Siri, I didn't want to take on more series, but now I am firmly hooked! Just know, when you are in the market for a new mystery series, this is a great one to pick.

#164 - Hi Cheli, I've been very happy with the books I have been reading this last little while. I just finished another one called Daughters Who Walk This Path (review to follow shortly) that was excellent, and I've started Ashfall, a YA dystopian that is really holding my attention and Dissolution, a historical mystery, is waiting in the wings, of which I have heard many good things.

Hey Judy!

Nice review of The Coroner's Lunch. I really enjoyed it when I read it last year and I have Thirty-Three Teeth waiting on the shelf. Thumbs up from me!

I finishing up a great play Clybourne Park and then I'll be on to Ashfall. I've been debating about Dissolution - we'll see!

Have a great weekend - your plans for Sunday sound wonderful!

Hi Dejah, my attention has already been totally grabbed by Ashfall. I readily admit that I have a weakness for books that feature survival. I'll be interested in what you think of it.

42. Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko - 4.5 ★
13 in 13 Category: Xinran - Global Reading
Commonwealth Tour: Nigeria
TIOLI #14: A Book About Women/Girls of a Different Culture



Yejide Kilanko, now residing in Canada, was born and raised in Nigeria. Obviously a gifted storyteller, she turns to her mother country for her first novel and, Daughters Who Walk This Path is a story of courageous women who have very little control over their lives in this male-dominated world.

The story stars off in the late 1970’s and continues on through to 2005. We follow one family and the women in that family. Morayo is growing to maturity as a protected and cared for daughter, her parents have plans that include schooling and eventual university for her. Little do they realize that when they open their home to their nephew Bros T, that they have let a snake into their garden. When Morayo finally finds the courage to expose what is happening, she finds her relationship with her parents is forever changed. She turns to her young aunt, Morenike, also a victim of abuse and rape, together they forge a lifelong friendship, although they often choose different paths in life.

Daughters Who Walk This Path is much more than the story of downtrodden women, as the author guides her characters through their lives, much is revealed about Nigerian culture and politics. This is a book that tells the in-depth story of a woman’s journey through life with all it’s heartbreak and joys. I found this to be a very real story and it left me feeling touched and inspired.

Thumb up for your review of Daughters Who Walk this Path. I just loved the book last summer when I read it. I'm so glad if you can popularize it, Judy! After I read the book , I designated Yejide Kilanko as one of my favourite authors. Just checked and I gave it one of my rare 5 stars!:)

Judy The Dr. Siri series does sound so good. It's on my list and now I will bump it up.

Hi Judy - Great review of Daughters Who Walk this Path; it was already on my wishlist -- probably from Deborah's recommendation. I'll have to move it up. It sounds like a book I would love, too.

I really enjoyed Ashfall, Judy - it suited my mood perfectly (I wonder what that says about me) and I raced through it. I like books that couple survival with optimism and Ashfall did the trick. My branch has the sequel, Ashen Winter, so I imagine I'll pick it up soon.

Thank you so much - I never would have even been aware of this book without you!

Hi Judy. Glad to hear you're back from the hospital safe and sound. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for the doctor's report this week. I just wanted to stop by and say that I have started The Coroner's Lunch and I'm really enjoying it :-) It helped me relax after a long day at work and train delays today.

I have been busy devouring my latest book, Ashfall(review follows). Couldn't put it down had to keep reading and see what was going to happen. I love it when a book comes out of nowhere and just grabs you!

#169 - Hi Deb, Daughters Who Walk This Path is a book that deserves a wide audience, the author is very accomplished and this book is a slice of perfection.

#170 - Roberta, with you being such a lover of mysteries, I am 100 percent confident that you will love the Dr Siri series!

#171 - Beth, it is definitely a book that deserves to be bumped up a notch or two (or ten)!

#172 - Dejah, you are not the only one who loved Ashfall. Wow, what a read. I spent most of yesterday reading this book, I need to send a big thank you to Susie (Susiesharp) as she brought it to my attention originally. I don't think it will be too long before I get the sequel out of the library either.

#173 - Hi Heather, one of the best things about the Dr Siri series is that you find yourself looking forward with a smile to reading it. Definitely a great book to help one unwind.

43. Ashfall by Mike Mullin - 4.7 ★
13 in 13 Category: George Orwell - Dystopian
TIOLI #8: "All or Nothing" in the Title



Wow, buckle your seat belts and get ready for a fast moving, adrenaline rush as you read Ashfall by Mike Mullin. This apocalyptic story of the Yellowstone super volcano erupting and spreading it devastation for thousands of miles is all the more scary as there is a grain of truth here. There is a super volcano underneath Yellowstone Park and it could erupt again, although it is generally believed that we would get some advance warnings.

Alex lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa and was left at home for the weekend when his family went to visit relatives in Illinois. When the eruptions occur, Alex manages to escape his burning home and eventually sets out to find his family. Along the way, he meets and hooks up with Darla and together they make the perilous 140 mile trek.

As Alex and Darla travel across a wasteland of ash and snow, they soon learn that along with the climate, hunger, and hazardous conditions, there is a further enemy, and they learn the hard way to avoid contact with others. When they finally cross the Mississippi, they believe the worst is behind them, only to discover the horror of government refugee camps.

I love books that deal with survival, and I fully expected to like and be entertained by Ashfall, I am however, somewhat surprised at how much I loved it. This is a book that deserves to be found by a wider audience as it is an exciting, well written story that is a true page turner. I highly recommend Ashfall to those who enjoy dystopian, apocalyptic stories.

Aaaand..... That one's going on the list! Thanks, Judy.

Me, too, Judy! Great review!

Ashfall sounds a great read - added it to the wishlist.

So glad you loved it as much as I did Judy & Dejah! And Ashen Winter is just as good can't wait for the third book!

Hello Judy, I hope all your test results are going to be ok. However, if something shouldn't be quite right as you said yourself, at least it has been detected early which is a good thing.

Soooo much good reading. Have to fan myself and remove the sweat off my forehead. Aaaargh, again so many books for my wishlist.

In regards to Church of Dead Girls Well, I do love a good mystery or a very good thriller. However, I was really looking forward to the book, but it just didn't deliver what it promised -- it was utterly boring, boring, boring. If I read this genre I want to be spellbound with anticipation about what is going to happen next and nothing of that happened in this book. :( However, I am about 1/2 way through The Hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris which is set in the late 1940's in Scotland and yeah that one is what I call a good and solid Mystery :)

Onto the list with that one. Dystopia set in Iowa/Illinois? I'd probably read it even if your very fine review hadn't convinced me it was more than worthy.

Edited to Add: I just went to my local library's website to see if they have 'Ashfall'. They do, and I put myself on the hold list. They also have the sequel, 'Ashen Winter'. I wonder if it's as good?

Good review of Ashfall. I have never heard of it but you sold it on me immediately. See, how easy that was?

Nice review of Ashfall. Book bullet caught.

Rosalita-- It's even more of a thrill ride than Ashfall!

Hi Judy

I'm simply checking in to see if you heard anything from the docs regarding your tests. Please know I continue to keep you in my prayers.

Good to hear, Susie! I should go ahead and reserve both of them, then.

You're doing a great job promoting Ashfall, Judy! Thumbs up on your review, btw. I love the way books and authors spread around LT.

Catching up and delurking all at once, Judy. I'm thrilled that we have another to add to our Dr Siri fan club! Whoohooooo!

Great review of Daughters Who Walk this Path ... I've got to add that to my obese wish list. I've fallen off my global reading challenge for a while, and it's time for me to get back on it.

Hello everybody, I haven't been around much for a day or so, caught up in a couple more excellent reads. I am having a great reading month.

#176 - Hi Katie, enjoy Ashfall when you get to it.

#177 - Waves to Mamie, I think you will enjoy Ashfall, it's one of those books that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the last page.

#178 - Waves to Rhian as well.

#179 - Susie, I can't wait to get to Ashen Winter! I doubt if I will be able to fit it in during April, but hopefully I will in May.

#180 - Thanks, Bianca. My wishlist grows by leaps and bounds as I travel around LT. I won't rush to get to Church of Dead Girls and I already have The Hanging Shed on my wishlist, so may just bump that one up a little.

#181 - Julia, you will have to let me know how you liked Ashfall. Susie assures us that number 2 is just as good, so we have that to look forward to.

#182 - It feels great to sell you on a book, Mark. I take so many hits from you!

#183 - This is great, Es. I hoped for a wider audience for this book!

#185 - Linda, I haven't heard anything yet. They did tell me it would take a week for my doctor to get a report. I may hear something by the end of this week, but I think it's more likely it will be next week. I am planning on a trip over to see my Mom over Easter, so I am hoping to hear something before I go.

#187 - Hi Dejah, yep, I'm working hard to get the word out. ;)

#188 - Hi Caro, yep, I've been hit big time by the Dr Siri bug. Daughters Who Walk This Path is well worth investigating. I have a Global Reading Category for my Category Challenge this year and I enjoying being introduced to so many new authors.

44. Dissolution by C.J. Sansom - 4.2 ★
13 in 13 Category: Patrick O'Brian - Historical Fiction
Reading Through Time Monthly & Quarterly Themes: The Tudors, Renaissance
March Mystery Month
TIOLI #18: Read a Book from the World Book Giveaway Lists



In the intricate historical mystery, Dissolution by C.J. Sansom, it is 1537, shortly after the death of Jane Seymour. Henry VIII had declared himself the supreme head of the church in England in 1534 and the wealthy Catholic monasteries were now in the process of being dissolved under the auspice of the Vicar General, Thomas Cromwell. After a rebellion in the north of England, Henry’s men have to proceed with the dissolutions much more carefully.

Kyoptic lawyer Matthew Shardlake has been appointed one of Cromwell’s commissioners and, along with his assistant Mark Poer, has been sent to the Benedictine order at Scarnsea to investigate the murder of Cromwell’s previous commissioner, and, he is also charged with finding justification for the dissolution of this monastery. The first commissioner was found beheaded on the kitchen floor at the same time a desecration of the church occurred and a valuable religious relic was stolen. After arriving at the isolated community another murder takes place and a third body is discovered.

This author certainly knows his history and of what he writes, making the time come alive and seem current. He also doesn’t sacrifice plot, this is a well developed mystery that keeps the reader engaged and interested. Superior writing, intelligent plot, along with detailed historical facts combine to make Dissolution a great read. This is the first in a most promising series.

Great reviews, Judy. Ashfall sounds interesting. I've read Dissolution. I think you liked it more than I did.

Hi, Judy. Company is gone and cleaning is done, so I'm visiting threads! Thanks for your encouragement. I'm putting Ashfall on my wishlist.

Judy, you got me! You got me! The library has one copy of Ashfall available and it is on its way to me. :-)

Hey Judy! Loved your review of The Coroner's Lunch - I think I have read six or seven of the series now and have enjoyed each and every one of them. Added Daughters who walk this path to the obesely fat WL.

#191 - Hi Beth, I liked Dissolution a lot, it didn't quite capture me the way The Mistress of the Art of Death did, but I appreciated the quality of historical detail, and the intelligence of the plot.

#192 - Roni, you've inspired me. I am so behind in my cleaning and now I am planning on going to visit my Mom next week. I am going to try to get my spring cleaning done over the next few days, but I have to admit, my heart just isn't into cleaning these days. Yesterday, I did get the insides of the windows done. My plan is to tackle a different room every day.

#193 - You'll have to let me know how you like Ashfall, Roberta.

#194 - Hi Prue, my brother, sister and I are planning to scour the second hand book stores in Victoria when I visit my Mom next week and the Dr. Siri books are at the top of my list. Daughters Who Walk This Path is a great read, and I hope you enjoy it.

Hey Judy --

Ack!!!! My library branch's copy of Ashen Winter is missing! I've requested it from another branch, but I won't get it until next week. Drat - I was looking forward to it sooner rather than later.

I really liked Dissolution - I thought it was very well done. You remind me, though, that I need to pick up The Mistress in the Art of Death one of these days....

I tried to read The Mistress in the Art of Death when it came out initially and I just couldn't get into it. However, that may could be contributed that I listened to the German unabridged audiobook version, which was somewhat boring. Now, I am wondering whether I should give it another go :)

Wish you a lovely weekend Judy!

Hi, Judy! Great reviews! I think Dissolution is on my shelves . . . somewhere. I should get to it. Glad to see you liked Dr. Siri so much. I must get hold of the next one in that series for me. And I really want to try that Longmire series . . .

I hope, whenever you get news from the doctor, that it is good news.

Stopping by to say hi! Nice today -except it was a little cool!

Happy Saturday everyone! I am just about out the door, need to buy a birthday present for my sister. Hmm, how does a gift certificate from Chapter's sound? I wonder if I can go to the bookstore without picking up something for myself? I'll let you know later. :)

#196 - I'm sorry you have to wait, Dejah. I guess it's such a popular book that someone decided to help themselves from the shelf. I hate it when a book from a series is missing! I really liked The Mistress of the Art of Death and again, there's another series I haven't gotten back to yet!

#197 - Hi Bianca, I find for me that many books don't work in the audio format, perhaps in another form it may work. Wishing you a great weekend as well.

#198 - Terri, I think you will love the Walt Longmire series, it fits nicely with the Cork O'Connor series, and the Joe Pickett series, both of which I think you follow. Dissolution is a very good historical mystery. I see the doctor next Wednesday, so fingers crossed.

#199 - Hi Deb, happy weekend! I feel terrible complaining about the weather when I see all the snow and freezing weather others are experiencing. We are getting blue skies and sunshine, but it really needs to warm up just a little.

I'm off shopping now and will hopefully get a chance to visit around the threads later on today. We are going to a new neighbourhood Thai restaurant for dinner that has excellent food, so I don't have to worry about any cooking today.

Judy, *I* would love a gift certificate from a bookshop, so you've got one vote :-) My father gave me an Amazon certificate for Christmas and I'm having so much fun spending it!

HI Judy!
Glad to see you enjoyed Dissolution! I enjoyed the first two in that series and then forgot about it. I have the third book sitting here waiting to be read. I should add that in for next month!

Surprise, Surprise! I found out that I couldn't go to a bookstore and not buy for myself. I did pick up a gift certificate for my sister and for myself:

The Expats by Chris Pavone
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy
Miss Buncle Married by D.E. Stevenson
The Far Side of the World by Daniel Kalla

I have no idea of when I will get to any of these or where I am going to put them in the meantime.

#201 - My favorite gift to receive is book certificates, too, Susan. I will probably be with my sister when she goes to spend this one and will probably not be able to stop myself once again in indulging in new books!

#202 - Hi Chelle, I know only too well how easily a favorite series can get lost in the shuffle. It'll be a nice surprise when you come across the third book when sifting through your TBR piles one day.

Lovely books you picked up, Judy. I think you were very restrained!

I've not heard of any of those books, Judy, but I will certainly look forward to your reviews.

#203: The Expats is a fun read. I haven't read any of the others, but it looks like a good haul, with another one to come!

Oh boy, Judy, I am so sorry, I hadn't visited to offer you my support during your stress test episode. Are you still waiting for the results? I'll be keeping you in my prayers that all goes well. I think a stress diagnosis is a drs. way of telling you to read more and do so on an uncharted tropical island.
I've added Ashfall, Ashen Winter and Plainsong to my wishlist. Thanks for discovering them for me.

Glad to see you liked Dissolution. That's become one of my favorite series. Great book haul too!

Hi Judy!
I loved Dissolution and really need to get on to the next book in that series. And... Dr Siri is 'da bomb'. I need the next one there, too! Are there any stand alone books out there anymore??? lol
Hope you get great results from your tests and get some nice Spring weather!

#204 - Hi Dejah, I was actually quite shocked at the prices at the bookstore! I guess I am used to ordering books for $10 - $15 (or even less) on-line and at the bookstore most books seemed to be priced in the $18 - $24 range. But I do enjoy the whole bookstore experience.

#205 - I will get to them eventually, Julia, but it may take awhile. Even with books that I am really hyped up about, the sense of urgency seems to vanish once I have them on my shelves.

#206 - Hi Susan, yes, when I visit my family in Victoria later this week, we are planning a day of book shopping, visiting both second hand and new bookstores. The Victoria area has so many great bookstores, I can hardly wait.

#207 - Hi Lynda, I have heard from the doctor's office and I have an appointment this Wedneday morning. Then on Thurday I am heading over to Vancouver Island to spend some time with my Mother and the rest of my crazy family. A week or so of being under my Mom's care will be a great way to relieve any stress, even though I am in my sixties, she treats me like I was still fourteen! I'm trying not to be too concerned with the visit to the doctor - what will be, will be.

#208 - Hi Lori, one of my priorities at the second hand book stores will be to look for more books from both the Dr. Siri and the Matthew Shardlake series.

#209 - Cee, we are actually having quite nice weather right now. A little cool, but lots of sunshine. My grandson cut the grass for the first time last week and is coming again today to cut it again. Stand-alones, expecially in mystery and fantasy are pretty hard to find, that's for sure!

45. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray - 5.0 ★
13 in 13 Category: Virginia Woolf - Author's I Have Been Afraid to Try
March AwardCat: Tournament of Books - 2011
TIOLI #10: Read a Book Set in Ireland or by an Irish Author



A true tragicomedy, Skippy Dies by Paul Murray is an enjoyable and moving story that circulates in and around the Irish Private School of Seabrook College. The book opens with the death of Skippy, a fourteen year old pupil, but then spirals backward to encompass various characters. The story unfolds through the eyes of these very different personalities, each one having his own distinct point of view, but are we really learning Skippy’s truth? Be it fellow students or teachers, each has his own story and there are plenty of heartaches, pain and laughter in the days leading up to Skippy’s death.

I have heard that thoughts of sex run through an average male adolescent’s brain every 15 seconds, and this book attests to that fact. These kids turn just about everything into a sexual reference, even Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Less Travelled” becomes, in their minds, an ode to anal sex. This author has a way of reaching into the minds of teenage boys and really delivering a true to life picture. Although very humorous, Skippy Dies has a dark side as well as the characters’ failures and flaws are slowly exposed.

At 661 pages, Skippy Dies is a big, expansive, and brilliant read that gives us a vivid reminder of being fourteen, experiencing first love, and finding out the lie of Santa Claus is just the tip of the iceberg in a long list of life’s disappointments. And although Skippy dies, this poignant story is much more about life than death. Highly recommended.

#210 by @DeltaQueen50> You said: Even with books that I am really hyped up about, the sense of urgency seems to vanish once I have them on my shelves. I know exactly what you mean. Why does that happen? I've bought some books over the past few months that I very much want to read, and yet I let myself get constantly distracted by library books and new recommendations from LTers. Sigh.

I already had 'Skippy Dies' on my wishlist, but your review is wonderful and helped me remember why. I should look for it at the library.

Hi Judy - Good luck with the doctor. Great review of Skippy Dies. Onto the list it goes.

Judy - Excellent review - you got me! I also laughed when I read that line above: "Even with books that I am really hyped up about, the sense of urgency seems to vanish once I have them on my shelves." Like Julia, I completely identify with that. Is it because once we own them we know that we are at our leisure to read them whenever we want or because the thrill of the hunt is gone? Perhaps a bit of both!

I will be thinking of you on Wednesday - sending good mojo your way for good news.

Hmm... I'm not sure if I'm going to add Skippy Dies to my wishlist or not...

Great review of Skippy Dies! I've had that one on my WL, since it came out. I probably keep balking at it's length, but 5 stars is a big draw.

#212 - Hi Julia, I think Mamie hit the nail on the head. I love the "thrill of the hunt" but once the book is sitting on my shelf, I know I can enjoy it anytime I please. I also tend to hoard books that I either know or suspect will be a great read for those times when I really need a good book.

#213 - Skippy Dies is a great read, Beth. Enjoy it when you get to it.

#214 - Morning, Mamie. Yes, I think sometimes it's all about the "thrill of the hunt", I love it when I track down a book that's been on my list for a long time. My brother, sister and I tend to visit second hand book stores together and often we have the same books on our lists. Well, much gloating and laughter ensues when one of us trumps the others and finds that elusive book on the shelf!

#215 - Hi Es, I know how daunting it is when you see your wishlist growing and growing .... (But it is a good book - just saying!)

#216 - I won't lie, Mark, it is quite the chunkster. But seriously, it was so good that I would have been quite happy if it had been even longer.

I admit I love the title Skippy Dies - and your review is great. It may take a while for this one to rise to the top of the TBR pile, though. Thumbs up.

46. Hocus by Jan Burke - 3.3 ★
13 in 13 Category: Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime
March Award Cat: Agatha Award - 1997 Crime Novel
TIOLI #4: Series Catch Up
March Mystery Month



Hocus is the fifth in Jan Burke’s series about reporter Irene Kelly, and in this one her husband, Police Detective Frank has been kidnapped by a twosome calling themselves Hocus. Hocus started out with computer hacking but lately they have escalated the violence and have killed. It turns out that Hocus has a connection with Frank, as he was the policeman that rescued them when they were small boys and had been kidnapped along with their fathers. The two small boys had been forced to watch their fathers being murdered. What they want in exchange for Frank’s safety now is for Irene to find out the identity of the policeman who helped in the kidnapping.

I enjoy this series, but would have to say that this wasn’t one of my favorites. I found it a rather cookie-cutter plot that seemed to drag and when the ending finally came, it felt rather rushed and glossed over. I think part of my discconect was that both of the main characters, Irene and Frank, were in a position of weakness. I usually enjoy these characters and will continue on with the series and hope for improvement in the next entry.

>217 DeltaQueen50:: Well, it's just that I have a bit of an aversion to the minds of teenaged boys, so it might not be the book for me right now. I love multiple perspectives, though...

Thinking of you this morning and hoping for good news from the doctor...

I wonder how well Skippy Dies would play on audio? That's one way to get through a chunkster.

I had just about a clean bill of health from my doctor this morning. The most important thing, my heart is in good working order and there is no sign of any blockage. Other than a elevated cholestrol count everything looked good. So I guess I am tired all the time because of poor sleeping habits. Need to work on keeping regular hours and cut the napping out.

#218 - Waves to Dejah. Thanks for the thumb.

#220 - Es, Skippy Dies is all about teenage boy's mind so ...

#221 - Hi Amber, good news from the doctor and now I am packing to head over to my Mom's for the next week or so. Life is good right now. :)

#222 - Mark, a few days walking your route and listening to Skippy Dies sounds like a plan!

So my plans are to be on the 11:00 am ferry tomorrow to Vancouver Island and spend a week visiting my Mom and other family. We hope to go on second-hand book crawl one day next week, and I am sure we will be looking at some new books as well. The weather is quite nice right now, sure hope it stays this way for awhile. I am planning on spending the afternoon packing and cruising the threads, but if I don't get to you, Happy Easter!

Hooray for a clean bill of health, Judy! Such great news! I am wishing you safe travels and a very Happy Easter. Enjoy your visit with your family!

Congratulations on the clean (almost) bill of health! Elevated cholesterol? Piffle! You can handle that.

Have a wonderful time with your family - the book crawl sounds great. It'll be fun to see what you come home with - don't sink the ferry with all your finds.

Happy Easter!

Wonderful news, Judy! Now you can enjoy your week's holiday with your mom with a clear mind. Enjoy your time on the island.

Have a marvelous time on the island, Judy! Hope you find some great books.

Great news Judy! Did your blood work include your vitamin B and D levels? I don't think it's routine here unless the doctor specifically orders them to be checked. I don't know about Canada. When I was experiencing extreme fatigue a few months ago, my doctor had my vitamin levels checked and found that my vitamin D level was very low. Taking a vitamin D supplement has made a huge difference in my energy level.

Great news, Judy. Enjoy your Easter weekend with your family.

Glad to hear the good news, Judy. And doubly glad that you can now enjoy your time with your mom and family carefree!

I am feeling very relieved, I think I had convinced myself that they would find something. Now I feel great and can head over to my Mom's and enjoy myself!

Thanks to everyone for helping me keep my spirits up over the last week or so.

Judy, what great news from the doctor! I hope you have a lovely break and of course find some amazing book bargains :-)

Yay for the good news!! Hope you have a wonderful visit with your family, and I can't wait to hear about the books you'll buy!

Have a nice time with your family and Happy Easter to you! Don't forget to get that reading time in.

Happy Easter and YAY for good health!
Safe travels...

Hello Judy, just whizzing by to wish you a very happy and relaxing Easter!

And of course a huge hooray for good health! *smile*

I'm glad to hear that you got good news from the doctor.

Happy Easter to you, and hope your travels are going well.

Great news from the doctor Judy. I hope you also manage to figure out what's causing the tiredness. Have a lovely time with your Mum and a fruitful book crawl! Happy Easter!

Great news, Judy! Happy Easter! Have a wonderful time relaxing with your family.

Happy Easter, Judy, to you and your family!

Judy let me chime in with congratulations on your clean bill of health. I hope your week visiting your mom will help you relax.

Enjoy your visit with Mom and family, Judy. I know you are liking that peace of mind that comes with a clean bill of health. Hurrah!

I hope you're having a wonderful time, Judy and have picked up lots of books to amaze up with!

Thanks to everyone for dropping by my thread. I am still at my Mom's but will be heading home tomorrow. Hanging out with this energetic 92 year old has certainly been the tonic I needed. Although it's quite amazing how much I miss my daily visits to LT! Of course I have been reading up a storm and now need to catch up on reviews, but I have decided to try and make them very short. I am looking forward to getting home and catching up with everyone on LT.

EDT: Wait until you see my list of books that I am coming home with!

47. The Plague Court Murders by John Dickson Carr - 3.2 ★
13 in 13 Category: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Classic Crime
TIOLI #16: Book Cover Features Easter Colors



The Plague Court Murders by John Dickson Carr is a locked room mystery, of which the author is considered an expert. And although it seemed as if the majority of this book was spent in setting the scene, the payoff was interesting. This book is also the first appearance of Sir Henry Merrivale, but unfortunately he didn’t enter the story until almost two-thirds of the book had already taken place. I say unfortunately as he is a most interesting character. Arrogant, intelligent, riding rough-shod over others, H.M. (as he is referred to throughout the book) has the murder mystery solved and wrapped up within 48 hours of being brought into the investigation.

I fully intend to try another John Dickson Carr mystery at some point in the future, as the solutions to these puzzles are always interesting and keep the reader guessing.

Judy, you are such a tease with that "Wait until you see my list of books that I am coming home with!" I'll look forward to it :-)

Glad to hear you've had such a nice visit with your Mom.

Well, I know I'll be back to see that list of books you've snagged during your vacation! So glad you are having a good time with your mom, Judy.

Ohhhh...now you've got me curious!

Quick fly by, Judy. I'll wait patiently in the wings and await your list of new arrivals.

48. The Witch Doctor's Wife by Tamar Myers - 4.0 ★
13 in 13 Category: Henning Mankell - Global Crime
TIOLI #11: Read A Book Because You Like the Title



The Witch Doctor’s Wife by Tamar Myers is the first book in her series that features Amanda Brown, a young American missionary who come to the Belgium Congo in 1958. Amanda is little prepared for the culture clash she finds herself in but with the help of the local policeman and her newly hired help, who turns out to be the local witch doctor’s wife, she is learning how to cope.

There is very little mystery here, mostly a sly game of Who’s Got The Button but the button in this case is a huge, flawless diamond that originally shows up in hands of a toddler. As the diamond is snatched back and forth by different people, we also learn of the struggles of the various ethnic groups that are trying to get along while this nation is on the verge of a revolution for it’s independence.

I loved the setting and since the author was born and raised in the Congo, she is very informative about the land, it’s people, and the political tensions that were mounting. I was a little disappointed with Amanda finding her somewhat colorless and stiff but hope to see more character development with her as the series progresses. Overall an entertaining novel that was interesting and instructive at the same time.

Since this last review catches me up to the end of March, this seems like a good place to close this thread and start up a new one. Hope to see you over on my third thread.