Luvamystery65/Roberta's 2013 Challenge part 2

Welcome to my second quarter thread! This is a property in Sugar Land, Texas. I love it! I live in a master planned community and everything is homogenized and manicured. Here in this little piece of country in the city I can still see cows and horses lazily grazing.

Last year I did a 365 gratitude project. I counted my blessings daily and posted them on Instagram and Facebook. It was a HUGE spiritual journey for me. It prepared me for bad things to come. It prepared me for wonderful things to come. Now I see beauty and grace all around me.

The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence. It may not be. I am blessed either way. I count my blessings daily.

Category I: Huge Book (doorstop)

1. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami currently listening

This is a year long commitment for me.

Category II: Pro and Con (silver tongues and weapons of mass distraction)


1. My Life by Bill Clinton currently listening long winded LOL I am about three quarters of the way through



2. Decision Points by George W. Bush
http://www.librarything.com/groups/uspresidentschalleng

Category III: Español (my grandmother would be proud)


1. Como agua para chocolate por Laura Esquivel (read it in Engish)
2. El amor en los tiempos del cólera por Gabriel García Márquez
3.

Category IV: Spiritual (food for my soul)


1. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali commentary by Swami Venkatesananda
2. A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield
3. A Year of Biblical Womanhood How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband "Master" by Rachel Held Evans
4.

Category V: Medical (knowledge is power)


1. Rabid by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy
2. The Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
3. Polio: An American Story by David M. Oshinsky
4. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach completed
5.

Category VI: Nominees and winners for book prizes (probably going to read whatever Darryl, kidzdoc, is/was excited about)


1. Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel
2. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
3. Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
4. El Narco by Ioan Grillo
5.
6.

Category VII: Themed and Group reads (yes if everyone is jumping off a bridge I will too)



1. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon - May
2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - January it's March & I'm still slogging along with this one! I finally finished!
3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - June
4.The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim - April completed
5. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott (reread) - September
6. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain - March completed
7. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers - August
http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/Group_Reads_of_2013

Category VIII: ROOT (Read Our Own Tomes)


1. Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi
2. The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
4. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (August)
5. Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum
6.
7.
8.

Category IX: Young Adult (because I need quick, fun or fast reads some days)


1. Leviathan by Scott Westerfield
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore completed
3. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer completed
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth
5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene
6. Genesis by Bernard Beckett completed and I LOVED it! (gifted by maggie1944) (recommended by jolerie)
7. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander completed
8. Un Lun Dun by China Miéville - (also a group read for December)
9. Son by Lois Lowry completed

Extras:
The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander completed
The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander completed
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore completed

Category X: Sandman by Neil Gaiman (checking this off my bucket list)


1. Preludes and Nocturnes completed
2. The Doll’s House completed
3. Dream Country completed
4. Season of Mists completed Favorite so far!
5. A Game of You
6.Fables and Reflections
7. Brief Lives
8. World’s End
9. The Kindly Ones
10. The Wake
http://www.librarything.com/groups/sandman

Category XI: Mysteries/Thriller/Crime (duh, I luvamystery)


1. The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré
2. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie completed
3. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
4. In the Darkness: An Inspector Sejer Novel by Karin Fossum completed
5. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle completed
6. Dog On It by Spencer Quinn completed
7. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson completed
8. Hard Magic by Larry Correia
9. The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker
10. In the Woods by Tana French
11.

Category XII: 1001 books to read (so I can die in peace)


1. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift (reread) completed
2. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
3. Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M. Forster
4. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
5. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
6. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
7. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
8. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré completed
9. The Handmaid’s Tail by Margaret Atwood (also a group read December)
10. The Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
11.
12.

Category XIII: Bullet Books or Whatever I Want! (wiggle room)


1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (jolerie; msf59) completed
2. The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle (kidzdoc) completed
3. Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin plus Burmese Days by George Orwell (Crazymamie) Mamie recommends I read both
4. 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam completed
5. The Line by Olga Grushin (Ellen/EBT1002)
6. The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon (jnwelch) completed BEST SO FAR!
7. Fire by Kristin Cashore completed
8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (drachenbraut23) audio version completed A FAVORITE!
9. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver (katiekrug) audio version
10. Cricket Explained by Robert Eastaway completed (all johnsimpson and paulcranswick's fault)
11. Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge
12. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
13.

Whew!

Okay!

Congratulations on your shiny new thread, Roberta! I'm looking forward to seeing what you put up top.

BTW, great new about your mom from the previous thread - it sounds as though she's doing really well.

Glad things are going better for your mom. I'll be back when your threads gets a few more items.

Leaving a comment to make sure I follow along!

I tried to get some construction done here today but taking care of mom is hard work. My own RA is acting up a bit so I am trying to slow down. I'll be back this weekend to post my categories and some photos.

Meanwhile tell me what is going on with you & what you are reading.

Peace to you _(|)_

We'll be here whenever you have time, Roberta. I hope you can find time to take care of yourself!

Since I'm still struggling with whatever this crud I caught is, I've had lots of time to read. I'm almost done with the latest J. D. Robb: Calculated in Death. It's pretty perfect sickbed reading!

Stopping by to check out your new thread Roberta and to say how happy I was to learn that your mom continues to improve. Don't forget to take care of yourself.... ;-)

Mamzel, Cheli, Dejah, Eva and Lori thank you for popping in.

Dejah I hope you are feeling better. I think I need to read J.D. Robb. I never have. :-O

Lori I slowed down as much as I could this week. Thank you for your kind words.

I am loving loved everything about this book.

ETA: the little change above ;)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky lays it all out there with The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Charlie's story is told over the course of a year through a series of letters written to an anonymous friend. Charlie is quiet but extremely observant. In his letters he talks about his best friend committing suicided, his anxiety about being a freshman in high school and his place in his family. We learn of Charlie's football hero brother and his sister who after being slapped by her boyfriend decides she loves him.

Charlie's English teacher Bill takes a particular interest in him. He gives Charlie extra books to read and report on. As the year progresses Charlie's writing skill improves from these assignments. His letters to his friend get more expressive. Bill encourages Charlie to stop being passive in his life and participate.

Charlie struggles with participating in life. He makes friends including step siblings Patrick and Sam but still he holds back. At the end of the book we find out why as Charlie comes to terms with some dark things in his life. Charlie learns to hold back is to be dishonest.

The book brings up suicide, abortion, abuse, drug use, depression, racism and sexuality. These are the subjects of life and it is refreshing to see them discussed so openly.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Bill tells Charlie how gifted he really is. He tells him that he wanted him to know this in case no one had ever told him this before.

Happy new thread! Have a good week :)

Hi Roberta, great news about your Mom, but I agree with Lori, don't forget to take care of yourself as well. I love your opening picture and the words, I too count my blessings every day.

Chbosky really packed a lot into that little book, didn't he?

Yes Mamzel I agree! Chbosky really did pack a lot in, but yet it still rings true. I just couldn't put it down and I suspect I will reread this little gem at some point.

I have to say that I absolutely loved Bill and I wish there were more Bills in the world.

I saw something nasty in the woodshed

This is how parodies are done. I had been meaning to read Cold Comfort Farm for some time now. I finally got hold of a copy and I am not disappointed. Some of the comments are dated (politically incorrect) but all in all Stella Gibbons story still holds up well.

Flora Post finds herself an orphan at 19. Over educated and not wanting to work she writes all her distant relatives to drum up an invitation to stay. She can't stand relatives and she can't stand life outside of London, but she doesn't want to work and "tidying" up others seems like a project she can aspire to.

Flora receives one definite invitation from her cousin Judith Starkadder in Sussex. The Starkadders own a farm called Cold Comfort. Off Flora goes and the shenanigans begin. There are wild men working on the farm. There is a hired girl who gets pregnant every spring by oversexed youngest Starkadder son, Seth. Cousin Judith suffers from severe melancholy. Her husband cousin Amos is full of hell fire and brimstone preaching. Last but certainly not least is the grand matriarch of the family, Aunt Ada Doom who sits up in her room orchestrating the life at Cold Comfort with her "madness" as she saw something nasty in the woodshed more than seventy years ago.

Flora is a bit annoying but her mission is clear and the outcome is delightful. I laughed throughout the book and just had a nice time with it. This is a classic but it is not serious high brow literature. It is comedy, pure comedy.

'You have the most revolting Florence Nightingale complex', said Mrs. Smiling. I'm a nurse so this quote really made me laugh.

Hey Roberta! Happy new thread! Sorry it's been so long since my last visit.

How are you & your mom?

Rabbitprincess, Judy and Tina thank you for stopping by to check in on me.

I added my review of The Perks of Being a Wallflower to post #26

->31 luvamystery65:
"Sure you did, but did it see you, baby?" :)

#35 :D

Hi Roberta, just saw that you finally finished Lolita. What did you finally think about it? I saw that you felt it was a very dragging story. Well, it's one of my faves which I reread every few years and which I just have done :)

Bianca Lolita really did drag for me but I think it is partially due to everything that was going on in my RL. Nabokov is a brilliant writer so I want to read more by him. Have you read anything else by him? If so, what would you recommend?

Nope, have not read anything else by him. All his other works never really appealed to me for one reason or another. But maybe I was to young at the time I had a look at them. I actually was looking at some of his other works again. I read Lolita the first time when I was 16 and was utterly shocked by the story, since then I have reread it about 4 maybe 5 times and everytime I find something new in Nabokovs writing.

Bianca I don't think I want to reread Lolita but I would not mind listening to the audiobook. Jeremy Irons narrates it. I wanted to check it out from the library but it was "in transit' for five weeks. Such shenanigans is what it was! If my suspicions are correct and one of the library employees decided they NEEDED to listen to that book right then and there, well I hope they enjoyed it more than I did. LOL! The library only has this one audio copy. It doesn't have any paper copies or ebooks of Lolita. Can you believe it? I know my county is conservative but that is so bizarre! I ended up buying a Kindle copy but I should have requested an ILL.

So very sad about the bombings in Boston. I was talking to my Aunt Virgie last night about going to Boston in September to see Thich Nhat Hanh. We saw him in 2009 in Denver. He is truly a man of peace. Now I really want to go and hear him speak again and participate in his peace walk.

This is one of the best books I've "read" all year. (I listened to the audiobook.) I really don't want to spoil it by giving away the story or trying to describe it in too much detail to you. It's the story of two competitors who compete and create more than they ever bargained for. More importantly, it is the story of those all around them who come to life more than they ever did before. It's the story of leaving behind more than what you put into the world.

The book weaves a truly magical tale. I did not want it to end. The book is written non linear, or out of order. The format worked quite well for this particular story. Time is a huge element in the story. It really almost becomes a character in itself.

If you love books about longings and dreams, then this book is for you. If you love books that are full of luscious vivid descriptions then this book is for you. If you love books about magic and the most wonderful magic of all, love, then this book is for you. Run out and get this book. I highly recommend the audio. What a fabulous job Jim Dale does.

“The most difficult thing to read is time. Maybe because it changes so many things."

Jim Dale and magic go together perfectly!

Discovered your thread today. We're reading a lot of the same things. I hope you enjoy Cold comfort farm--it's a favorite of mine. I'll be reading The night circus later in the year.

Beth thank you for visiting my thread. I have been looking for your thread but have been unable to find it. I will continue to look! I am loving Cold Comfort Farm. Night Circus is certainly drawing me in.

My latest Friends of the Library book acquisitions

Songbook by Nick Hornby
The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
The Shipping News by Annie Prouix
Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende
Murder at the Library of Congress by Margaret Truman
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
A New Earth by Ekhart Tolle
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

There were other books I wanted but they didn't pass my smell test. If they are too old or musty then they trigger my allergies and asthma. A fifty cent book that triggers my asthma causing me to buy a fifty dollar inhaler is a no go for me. I know people at the library must think I'm crazy sniffing the books.

I also bought Southhampton Row by Anne Perry in audio cassettes. Fifty cents! Woo!

Great haul! Also that is an excellent reason for sniffing the books. I hope you manage to find other, non-smelly copies of those books you had to pass up.

Great haul, Roberta. I admit I have been know to do a little sniffing in the second hand book stores that I go to.

rabbitprincess-I'm sure the library has copies of the smelly books. I like to buy from the library friends in order to give funds to our wonderful system. When I'm done with my books I donate them back. I do like my haul.

Judy- I was so excited to snag The Shipping News as Mamie is reading it and others have said on her thread how great it is. I can't remember if you've read it. The Awakening is one of my challenge books. So yay! I am relieved I am not the only one sniffing used books. :)

Excellent loot!! The Shipping News is beautifully written - it's on my reread list.

Nice haul at the book sale. My library has used book sales once a month. I avoided last month's sale because it coincided with Teen Read 'n Feed--an annual festival where teens gather to eat pizza and meet teen authors--but I need to go to the next one.

"To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine.
Small mediaeval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean
to be let furnished for the month of April.
Necessary servants remain. Z Box 1000. The Times"

The Enchanted April is exactly what the title describes. A month in Italy where the four main characters are "enchanted" during their stay at an old castle in San Salvatore. Each lady has her reasons for escaping London, although the horrid weather is the given excuse. Each wants to be alone with her thoughts, problems and loneliness. The stay in the Italian countryside gives them time to reflect on their problems away from their normal routines. Each eventually sees themselves as part of their own problems.

The novel wraps things up a bit neatly as most "romantic" type novels do, but I do like the bit at the end where both Mrs. Fisher and Mr. Melleresh Wilkins are horrified as Lotty calls Lady Caroline and Mr. Briggs, The Briggses Back to form so quickly and not even on British soil yet. What I found delightful was that Lotty didn't care what they thought. A trip to Italy might not be life changing for most, but it gave her a courage that was new for her.

#51 I love that book.

Eva - I am hearing great things about Shipping News. I will have to shoehorn bookhorn it in as Mark says.

Beth - My library branch holds its book sale for three consecutive days once a quarter. They have two bookshelves upstairs in the library for sale items the rest of the year. Teen Read 'n Feed--an annual festival where teens gather to eat pizza and meet teen authors What a fantastic idea!

Rhian - Thank you for stopping in. I am enjoying the book. When I'm done I hope to say, I love it too.

ETA: correction on first statement. ;)

I went back and browsed the latest drop offs to the book sale. I was able to acquire more books.

The Photograph by Penelope Lively
The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett
One Day by David Nicholls
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
A Room With a View by E.M. Forster
Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz

Thoughts anyone?

More good loot! A Room with a View is lovely, but I am a Forster fan, so I'm slightly biased. If you "buy" the ending of One Day, it'll be good - the problem is that you won't know if you do until you finish. :)

I've posted my review of Cold Comfort Farm in #31.

Eva- Now you have me curious about One Day. I only picked it up because I saw the movie and the book was in good condition. I saw this copy of A Room with a View on all three sale days so I finally picked it up. I have Where Angels Fear to Tread on my 2013 challenge list.

I've never read any Forster, but I saw a hardback 5-novel anthology of his (Where Angels Fear to Tread, The Longest Journey, A Room with a View, Howards End, A Passage to India) from the 70s in near-perfect condition in a 2nd-hand store here, for €12, so I couldn't not buy it! I knew at some point I'd want to read at least 3 of them whose titles I was familiar with, just to see how they fared, so it made no sense to pass it up! :D

Mel-Thank you for stopping by. I would have bought the Forster anthology too. The local library has just such an anthology I have bookmarked for my Angels Fear to Tread read later this year. I really wish there were more second hand and independent book stores around these parts.

We actually do have a fair number of local bookstores here plus the one smallish company chain of used+overstock. I actually just discovered a good one when we passed by it yesterday, I think they're mostly an overstock seller, since lots of the tags had slashed prices, which is good for my wallet! Or bad, encouraging to empty it! haha.

Re your latest book haul, I'll be interested to hear what you think of One Day as I read and loved Nicholls' Starter for Ten.

Yay for library book sales!
My library has a permanent shelf near the door. When I pick up books I always check out what's there. Dangerous!

Mel - how lucky you are to have those book stores. We have one small book store in our county but it mainly carries popular books and books on the reading list for the school district. Still I try to go and get something from them when I can. There is another local books store in Houston proper, called Murder by the Book. It has been around since 1980 and was purchased by a former employee in 2009. She has kept it going and it attracts all the major crime and mystery writers for book signings.

rabbitprincess-I won't get to One Day soon but I will get back to you when I do. I went to your thread and read your review of the book and movie Starter for Ten it is pretty great, not least because it features Benedict as the quiz team captain.) The book captures the voice of protagonist Brian Jackson very well, and the love story angle is very sweet. Recommended for trivia buffs, "social misfits" and perhaps those who liked Love Actually You had me interested at Benedict and hooked at Love Actually! I will be watching that movie very, very soon.

Happy Earth Day



The photo is taken from my library's Facebook page. Here’s a great idea for recycling old envelopes to create custom corner bookmarks!

Thanks for the idea Fort Bend County Libraries!

I was just looking on the website of the one shop, and it looks like they only opened up not quite a year ago! I had no idea they were so new. Which is great that they're staying afloat! :) I've heard of that Murder by the Book shop, I love the name, I want to go visit there just because of it, haha.

That image has actually been around for a while, I know I saw it floating around pinterest about a year and a half or so ago. People have made all sorts of cute ones, it's a simple but creative idea, that I never remember to try out myself! lol.

Love the corner bookmark idea!!!!!

nice book hauls and great idea for bookmarks!

I posted my review of The Enchanted April in post #51

After two consecutive novels about British ladies it is time for some Scandi crime! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the second in the series Don't Look Back

In the Darkness: An Inspector Sejer Novel is the first Fossum I have read. It certainly will not be the last. Several LT members have recommended her work. The story is really well written. You get a sense of Inspector Sejer and know that there will be more to come. He is relaxed and methodical. He takes in every detail and only weighs the importance after much thought. At one point in the story he scratches off someones name from the top of his list but writes it at the bottom. He will rule out nothing until he is absolutely sure.

The small glimpses into his family life are sweet (his grandson) and a little sad (his difficulty coping with the loss of his wife.) He has a soft spot and a real way with children.

The story itself surprised me. I haven't read any of her (Fossum) other work so I don't know if she is always really good with a turn of the plot. This story gets you started in one direction and turns you around a couple of times. Not hard shocking unbelievable turns. Instead it is peeling back another layer or looking at things from a new view. It changed the story completely but was still incredibly believable. I couldn't put the book down.

I can see why she is the "Norwegian Queen of Crime". If all of her books are like this, exciting without being completely brutal then I will be a true fan.

It was late at night. He searched for stars, but could see none, the sky was too light. At this time of year he often felt that they'd disappeared for good, that they'd left and gone to shine over another planet. The thought saddened him. Without the stars he didn't have the same feeling of security, it was as if the earth no longer had a roof over it. And the sky simply went on and on forever.

Lori-I like the bookmark idea too. That is my idea of easy crafting that even I can't mess up. :)

Pete-Thank you. I enjoy our library book sales. Thank you for visiting.

>42 luvamystery65: Can't wait to hear what you think about Night Circus. I just finished it recently and thought it was really good.

->69 luvamystery65:
Got to fit some Scandicrime in somewhere! :)

Lauren - Thank you for stopping by my thread. I am LOVING The Night Circus so far!

Eva - Certainly! I can only go so long without my Scandi crime! This is first Fossum I have read. The new Department Q mystery is out at the end of May. The crimes are a bit gruesome but I love the regular characters. That Carl is an old softy.

In next years challenge I think I am going back to my true love, mysteries. I will probably devote the categories to authors or countries. Both is probably possible. I definitely want to read the Martin Beck novels.

Finally Finished!



End of April and I finally finished this March group read. As a nineteenth century satire it works brilliantly. In the twenty-first century it says a whole lot about America's opinion of itself as superior. Well that actually hasn't changed all that much. User susan67 reviewed American Notes by Dickens about his travel in America and a book by Anthony Trollope's mother, Frances Domestic Manners of the Americans. It is the flip side of this coin of what Mark Twain portrays in this book with the British authors thinking that nineteenth century Americans were uncouth and beneath them. Apparently lots of disgust about Americans spitting in public.

I did appreciate that Mark Twain used this story to talk about slavery and the impact it had on individuals and society. I liked that he also brought up class order and nobility versus the commoner. The part where Clarence was suggesting they exchange royalty with a royal cat lineage was hilarious. Tom the First, Tom the Second, Tom the Fourteenth had me laughing out loud.

I did enjoy the juxtaposition of nineteenth century inventions being used in the sixth century. This is not a book I would tell everyone they must read, but I think it would have been nice to meet Samuel Clemens and had some conversations with the man.

Hi Roberta!

Sorry I haven't been around in a while. What a great book haul - hooray for library book sales! I agree with you on the sniff test. Sometimes when I check out books from the library I know the last reader was a heavy smoker because of the wretched smell emanating from the book. How much does one have to smoke to get the pages of a library book smelly, I wonder?

I've been meaning to give Enchanted April a go, but another April has (mostly) passed by without me reading it. One of these years....

Dejah!

Thank you for popping in. Please don't ever feel the need to apologize for being away. We all have RL that get in the way of our fun time on LT and our reading time.

I can't stand to get smoke stink books from the library. Believe it or not I used to smoke many years ago for about ten years but I NEVER smoked in the house because I did not want my clothes, books or furniture to smell like smoke. LOL!

One of these years sounds good for The Enchanted April. It will be there waiting for you. Perhaps you will be able to enjoy it on holiday in Italy like the four ladies in the book. Wouldn't that be lovely? One can dream. I went to Italy eighteen months ago and was so busy seeing everything. The next time I go I want to camp myself in Siena and just relax, read and eat all that delicious Tuscan food.

End of April and I finally finished this March group read.

I tend to take a somewhat flexible approach to group reads.... if I finish the book within 3-6 months of the group read occurring then I am still on track! ;-)

I think it would have been nice to meet Samuel Clemens and had some conversations with the man.

Agreed!

Lori - I really like your approach.

->73 luvamystery65:
I've only just read the first in the Department Q-series and am in love! I'm on my way home to Sweden for my holidays and will be picking up the next 4 in the series - can't wait to spend more time with Carl Mørck and Assad!! As a Swede, I should have read the Beck-books, but I've been lazy and just watched the TV-series - I am planning on rectifying that soon!

Eva - Wait until you read the second book. Carl and Assad get an assistant! I'm a bit envious that you will get your hands on the 4th when the 3rd is only coming out here soon. I should be happy to know there is fourth book.

The Beck books sound so good and I really do enjoy the 60s and 70s flashbacks that come with reading older series. Have you read any of the Dalziel and Pascoe books by the late Reginald Hill? I have the 7th and 8th of the series lined up. It really is fun to see how crimes were solved with the science of the time. In one of the books they learn the killer is diabetic because they are able to test urine left at the crime scene and the test is the "latest" forensic technology.

I can't wait to see your photos of Sweden

It's worse than you thought - I'll be picking up books 2 through 5 of Carl and Assad!! :)

Dalziel and Pascoe are on the wishlist! I need more time to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the example of "the 'latest' forensic technology!" :)

I posted my review of In the Darkness: An Inspector Sejer Novel in post #69.

Eva- Book 5! How happy you have made me that my love affair with this cast of characters shall continue! Jussi Adler-Olsen really does excel at these characters. The former partner, the ex-wife (or are they still married?), the renter, the step-son, the sexy police therapist that drives Carl mad, they are all wonderful. Of course Carl and Assad keep me turning those pages.

>80 luvamystery65:: I remember that D+P novel! It was particularly striking to read about that example of forensic technology because usually D+P novels seem so timeless.

Death Without Company is the second book in the Longmire series. I loved the first book, but I am only in like with the second book. The plot was a little much for me but I really enjoy the characters in this book. Walt has another experience from another dimension. This one was a little different than the first book with the dead woman coming to him in his dreams. I don't think I learned anything new about Walt in this one. Maybe the next. I will be reading the third.

Life without friends means death without company old Basque proverb

My Kindle has frozen up on me. I tried to reboot it but no luck. I had to download Death Without Company on my iPhone. I hope Amazon can help me out.

It's Friday!

I'm so sorry, Roberta - maybe there's something they can do! Good luck.

Fingers crossed for you about the Kindle.

Dejah and Judy thanks for the good wishes.

Interesting comments on Connecticutt Yankee. I need to read more Twain! I love his cutting wit and his cynical idealism.

Booh to frozen Kindles. Hope you'll have a wonderful weekend!

Reading Right Now



Group Read is here http://www.librarything.com/topic/153742

Dejah, Judy and Diana my Kindle is in working order! It was the charger. A friend lent me hers and now I will order a new one.

Yay for the Kindle being in working order!

Lori - Amen! I was listening to Death Without Company on my Kindle. Fortunately I was able to download it onto my iPhone to finish the book. I'm thrilled to have my Kindle back in working order.

What a relief! I'm glad the Kindle is back.

Another Scandi crime novel for May: Murder & Mayhem 2013. You can find the thread here

***Spoilers***

I enjoyed Don't Look Back. It picks up exactly where the first in the Inspector Sejer series left off. A young girl is missing but she is found shortly thereafter. It is what she sees while she is out that is the real mystery of this tale. A dead teenager is found.

Inspector Sejer is meticulous without being fussy. He pours over every detail of the case. Even after his chief encourages him to place the blame on the girls boyfriend, he does not. The boy is found with incriminating evidence but Sejer is unconvinced.

The girl is from a small dead end subdivision. There are many people living in the neighborhood. Like most families, they all have secrets. Sejer encounters them all. Slowly he eliminates his suspects and gets to the real culprit.

What I like is that the crime is not given to you in extreme detail. It is the motive behind the crime that takes front and center in the story. It is the why, more than the where and how.

I liked this book. I will be reading more of this series.

He peered at the lock, a simple latch, then opened his wallet in search of a credit card. He was reluctant to use his bank card, but next to it was a library card with his name and number on it. On the back it said: "Books open all doors." He stuck the card into the crack, and the door slid open.

Dejah it was a huge relief. I don't use my Kindle a lot but I was in the middle of a good one.

Oh glad to hear the kindle is now good to go. My nook is acting up, I have the dread hole that lets the light through on it. Sigh. So currently reading books on my Nexus 7. Not sure if I'll order a new Nook or what I'll do.

Phew, glad the Kindle issue was easily resolved. Have a good rest of the weekend!

Glad to hear the Kindle is ok, Roberta. That is one of my biggest fears, having my Kindle shut down on me!

Jean - That is so disappointing about your Nook. I was listening to a book on my iPhone but I don't think I would want to read on it. One of my nieces has a Nook and she loves it. My Kindle was a gift so I didn't have much say in it. I do enjoy it. Its an older version with the keyboard but it suits me perfectly.

rabbitprincess - Yes, now all I need to do is order a new charger. That is isn't too difficult. I hope your weekend has turned out to be enjoyable.

Judy - I go through periods where I don't use the Kindle at all, but lately I have been listening to a lot of audio books on it. Plus I signed up for a library card at the Houston Public Library and they have a nice selection of ebooks. I was going to cry if I had to wait for a new Kindle.

I've been planning to buy a Kindle for months - I've actually already bought quite a few books for it! I know I want the Paperwhite, but I keep dithering over the 3G wifi inculded vs use your own. Any thoughts?

My review for Death Without Company is Here

Dejah if you will use it to travel or take it with you, then I recommend spending the extra for 3G. This way you can download when there is no wifi available. If that is not an issue for you then save yourself some money and get the wifi only.

I have the 3G with wifi but mine was gift and I had no say in it. LOL! There are discussion boards about it on Amazon.

How exciting you are getting a Paperwhite. What made you pick that versus the Fire? I am always curious.

I really just want a dedicated e-reader - small and light with decent battery life. I want to be able to use it outside as well, so the Paperwhite seemed like the best choice.

Wifi access is so prevalent now that I'm not sure it's worth the extra $60. Besides, I expect I'll have so many books loaded on it that I'll never be in such desperate straights to download something that I can't wait a while. Obviously I think I should get the cheaper one, but a few folks have been trying to convince me other wise....

Do you regret not having a Fire?

Dejah - Not really. I use the library so much for "real" books and ebooks and audiobooks. I was truly afraid if I got the Fire I would be tempted to buy more than I really need. Having an older model has really helped keep my purchases limited.

As far as the 3G goes, how often would you find yourself wanting to order or download a book when WiFi isn't available? It seems like there is always a wired Starbucks around when you need one (unfortunately) and most public libraries have WiFi. My daughter got the paperwhite and loves it.

McDonalds also has free Wifi if you were on the road and it came to that.

Mamzel do you have a an e reader? Our library lends out Kindles which is pretty cool.

Love the e-reader discussion as I continue to shop around to see which make/model I want to buy as my first e-reader. Kindle isn't an option here in Canada for accessing library e-books at the moment so I am veering away from the Kindles. I do want one with back-lighting and one that is good for reading outdoors in natural light. WiFi is essential for me only because our home environment is all WiFi and the thought of having to figure out where I stored the cable to connect to my PC to load a book would driving me crazy! The process to download an audiobook and transfer it to my iPod Touch is about all I the patience I have in this technology world we live in. ;-)

I actually have two (I thought I had lost one and bought a new one which, of course, meant that the first one showed up again). I have the Kindle Touch with a cover that has a little night light in it (way cute). I am still trying to get used to reading an ebook. I read an article about something called 'spatial navigation' which always catches me. The book ends before I'm ready for it. With a paper book, one has an idea of when the ending is coming judging by how many pages are left on one's right. Even with the % number at the bottom of the pages, I've been caught unaware. Most recently a book I was reading had a couple of short stories at the end, which, when added to the fact that the book left some matters unanswered, gave me the feeling of walking off the edge of an unseen cliff when I came to the end. I'm also still getting used to the highlighting feature instead of my handy sticky notes.

The best part of having an ebook - and paper books can't compete with - is the ability to finish a book and log on to Amazon and ordering and receiving the next book without getting out of bed!

Lori - Let us know which make/model you choose.

Mamzel - I could use a night light with my reader. Next one I guess.

My review of The Night Circus is here

Listening Right Now



“’I don’t want my grandkids to grow up in a world run by a bunch of fascists or socialists or progressives or anarchists or communists or eugenicists or any sort of ists or ism. When I get those types, the men who just need to control everything to tell everybody else what to do, I stick it in and break it off. I’m fighting for freedom.’ Proudly, he gestured around the cave at his men. He loved them like a father. ‘We ride the air and plunder the seas. We’re the last free men and I’ll die a free man.’ ‘Amen’, Sullivan said.”

Year long group read is here

I finished A Game of You this morning before I left for work. I enjoyed it. My favorite is still Season of Mists but I saw a lot of Doll's House in this volume. The only downside is that I wanted some characters explored more.

I just trot over to B&N and lounge on their comfy furniture when I need wi-fi for my nook. I got mine for $58 so am totally happy. ;)

Thanks for the link to the Kavalier and Klay group read. I was looking for it in the category challenge group and was wondering why no one had started it up yet.

Katie (cammykitten) - They took the furniture out of my local B&N!

I really, really liked Hard Magic, which I read on a whim. It took me a little while to get into it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've also read the follow up Spellbound and an looking forward to the third in the series Warbound, which is out in August. Correia's Monster Hunter books, however, I can do without.

I hope you enjoy Hard Magic while you're waiting to get Sookie!

ETA: I ordered my Kindle Paperwhite and should have it today. Woohoo!

Dejah -

I picked Hard Magic on a whim as well. It is hard to describe to people. I have not read anything else by this author, Larry Correia so I have nothing to compare this book to. I'm okay with that. The story and characters are a little whackadoodle. That suits me fine right now.

I'm impatiently waiting for Sookie 13. I am afraid I will be let down because she is hawking the "just one more thing" book for October. I wish she would have wrapped up in 10 books. I don't blame her but I do.

Whoop! for the Paperwhite. Please let me know the pros and cons.

I just checked and I'm 34th for Sookie! *foot tapping impatiently*

mamzel - you are moving up the list! Woot woot! It is so frustrating. :)

Happy 10th birthday to my Bruce!



“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.”
― Milan Kundera

Or in the words of Kelly Clarkson "my life would suck without you"

*pat, pat*

Happy Birthday to Bruce! And many happy returns!

Roberta, Bruce looks like a sweetie, Happy Birthday pats from me!

Mamzel, Dejah and Judy Bruce says thank you. He is a very sweet dog.

Bruce does look like a real sweet dog! More birthday pats from me.

I finished A Game of You this morning and left some brief thoughts here

Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses was good but I was a bit underwhelmed. Some of the pieces really stood out. I particularly enjoyed Rapunzel: A Story in Five Parts, Bearskin and Memoirs of the Beast.

If you love fairy tales then this book is for you. It is a short read.

The cut paper illustrations are exceptional and alone worth a peek at the book.

Do you want to sleep? Find another storyteller. Do you
want to think about the world in a new way?

Come closer. Closer, please.
I want to whisper in your ear.

Lori - Bruce says "woof woof" or "thank you" in English. ;)

My review of Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum is here

My review of Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses is here

I can relate to your review of Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses. Good thing it is such a quick read! ;-)

Lori- Your assessment of Lies, Knives was spot on. It left me wanting more. I channeled Peggy Lee and asked "Is that all there is?"

Perusing at Present

My Current Madness





The library has bombarded me with four books in the last two days. Well made plans and all. I'll tackle the bottom three and renew the Clinton and Alexie books as needed. I own Hard Magic. I had just started part two, but it's a good place to hold. It is a really fun book in audio.

ETA: corrected bombed to bombarded. I need more coffee.

I guess I don't need to ask what you have planned for the weekend, obviously lots of reading!

I loved this book. It is a really great hardboiled novel set in the 70s! I'm sure it was treat back in the day when it came out but it was doubly so to me today. It brought back some great memories of another era.

I love Spenser with an S, S-P-E-N-S-E-R. He's a tough guy with a soft spot for the innocent and no patience for the arrogant. He's got all the right credentials for a hardboiled PI, ex military, ex cop, ex boxer. He knows his streets and has a wisecrack for every situation. He knows his way around the kitchen and has a way with the ladies. Well most of them anyways.

I can't wait to read more of this series.

The office of the university president looked like the front parlor of a successful Victorian whorehouse. Oh Robert B. Parker, you had me at Hello!

Judy- I need a six day weekend right now.

#138 by @luvamystery65> Looking forward to The Godwulf Manuscript. Hoping to get to it in June!

Jean - The Godwulf Manuscript was great fun. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Hi Roberta!

I am clearly in the minority in finding Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses delightfully creepy and morbid. Oh well.

I didn't realize you were listening to Hard Magic as opposed to reading it. Audio books don't work for me, but I can see how that particular book would be fun.

Where are you on the Sookie waitlist?

Dejah - I really thought Lies, Knives would be MORE, but it just wasn't for me.

The narrator for Hard Magic is excellent! The story is amazing and having the narrator spot on is a dream.

At the library closes to me I am #28 for Sookie 13, but at the Houston Public Library I have jumped up (or is down) to #18! Whoop!

I always try to read new books which I know have lots of holds as quickly as possible so the next person can have it. I think it's good book karma.

Hooray for the readers of the Houston Public Library!

Shoggoth's Old Peculiar is a free short story from Neil Gaiman on Audible. You don't need an account in order to get it.

Here is the link: http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B00CPQP02K

More PSA: All 10 episodes of the 1st season of Longmire look to be available on Hulu (free version) this weekend. Season 2 starts on A&E Monday. Last year they showed the first 4 episodes the day after they aired. Then they switched to 8 days after they aired format and the episodes were available for a limited time.

Reading Update

I put poor Bill Clinton back on hold. I'm listening to Hard Magic and In the Woods so I don't have time to devote to Bill's audio. I'll pick it up again.

I also, put The Toughest Indian in the World aside as well. I got about half way through it and felt a little bit lost. I feel I need to go back and read Alexie's earlier short stories first.

Still reading Kavalier & Clay. I also picked up the book copy of In the Woods.

My RL has been draining lately. My Mom is just slowly deteriorating. She is requiring more physical assistance and she needs someone around to remind her and check up on her. One of my nieces has been able to help me while I look for a full time caregiver. Also, my aunt is coming from San Antonio to help me out for a week and a half. This will be wonderful.

I seen to be shifting gears with my reading too, Roberta. Sorry to learn that your Mom is requiring more physical assistance but glad to see the family is helping out where they can... full time caregiving is a big job!

I hope you have a relaxing Sunday!

Hi Roberta, so sorry to hear that your Mom's health is deteriorating. Good news that your aunt is coming to help you for a bit, but I do hope you are able to find a full time caregiver soon as you need some backup to help relieve your own stress.

Thanks for the reminder about Longmire, both my husband and I loved the first season and I have not set the PVR to record the 2nd.

I picked up Longmire in the middle of the marathon yesterday, wondering how I had missed it the first time around, especially since I admire the actress Katee Sackhoff from the Battlestar Gallactica series.

I'm sorry your mom isn't doing better, Roberta - I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you. I'm glad you'll get a bit of a break with your aunt's visit. I hope your search for a care giver is both swift and successful.

Being the primary caregiver is a tough job. Hope you find reliable help soon. Take care of yourself.

Just checking in, Roberta. Take care.

Lori - I've put aside Kavalier & Clay for now but I will finish it in the next couple of months. My aunt Dora and my niece Martha have been a huge help. I definitely need more help than them and I'm working on it.

Judy - I've interviewed a young lady I really like and now I just need to call her references and then have her meet my mom. My aunt liked her.

Mamzel - The first season of Longmire was excellent. The first episode of season 2 was a little much for me, but after reading Death Without Company I can't blame Hollywood. Craig Johnson goes there too with the dreams and hallucinations. I love Katee Sackhoff!

Dejah - I am hanging in there. I've been off LT because my aunt is here and I actually was able to go out and enjoy myself a couple of times. It has been very pleasant. I found a very good candidate to watch my mom. Fingers crossed and pulling thumbs it works out.

Tricia - I agree about being a primary caregiver being very difficult. Lately, I am exhausted, but I found a nice candidate. I'm also looking into respite care so I can take some time off for myself once in a while. Also, I need to do some remodeling at home and the respite care might be able to come in handy when we do that.

Dejah - You are the best!

->93 luvamystery65:
Yey for alive Kindle!!

->97 luvamystery65:
Skipping your Fossum-review, but will come back once I've gotten around to reading it.

->117 luvamystery65:
Why would they take the furniture out of the bookstore?!? Silly people. I just came back from Sweden where a few bookstores have finally caught on and added chairs and some even have coffeeshops!

->122 luvamystery65:
Cuteness! Happy birthday, Bruce!

->147 luvamystery65:
So sorry to hear about your mom - what a difficult situation to be in. Nice to hear you'll be getting some help soon and keeping my fingers crossed you find someone great to help out on a regular basis.

Happy Birthday to my Freddy! It's 12 years for you today. You have been a part of my family for 10 of those years. You are my favorite ragamuffin. From you I have learned that with love, kindness and patience all beings have a chance to make this a better world. Our little corner of it benefits from you.

“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” Mark Twain

Eva! I'm so glad you are back. Thank you for the fingers crossed. I hope to see photos from your trip home soon!

Happy birthday to Freddy! Many happy returns!

Happy birthday, Freddy!!

Oh what a little sweetheart. Happy Birthday, Freddy!

Sending further birthday wishes - and birthday pats! - for Freddy!

It was difficult to get a copy of this book, but it was so well worth it! I felt like I was there with Helene, Frank and company. Twenty years of correspondence went by so quickly.

I loved how formal the correspondence started and then it moved on to a more conversational style and then to a true exchange between friends. What a small world it is to reach across an ocean and make each other happy with thoughtful gifts and exchanges. It is so easy to do now in the age of internet but Helene did it the old fashioned way. I would love to know what became of Cecily Farr and Megan Wells. I'm also curious about Sheila and Mary and what became of their lives in the last forty or so years.

This book was a delight. I would recommend it to anyone.

you leave me sitting here writing long margin notes in library books that don't belong to me, some day they'll find out i did it and take my library card away. This horrified me!

i go through life watching the english language being raped before me face. like miniver cheevy, i was born too late. and like miniver cheevy i cough and call it fate and go on drinking. hh Miss Helene Hanff would have fit in perfectly with modern day texters! LOL

Dejah, Eva, Judy and Lori my Freddy says thank you very much and slurpy kisses to you all!

84, Charing Cross Road is a brilliant piece of non-fiction that reads like fiction. the movie is good, too. If you haven't seen it yet, Roberta I highly, highly recommend it.... Anne Bancroft and Sir Anthony Perkins are perfectly cast!

Lori- I absolutely love that movie.

I wanted to LOVE this book and I almost do. It really took me in with little promises and whispers. I loved that part of it. I kept turning the page for a payoff that didn't quite happen. It think the part that disappointed me most is not that the old mystery was never solved but that the new one was a bit of a let down.

I didn't know who the murderer was but I could see the "villain" a mile away. I liked the way that turned out. I can imagine there might be trouble from that front in the future. I would look forward to that book.

As for the narrator, he really wanted to be the hero but he was much too afraid. He solved the actual murder but he royally screwed up everything else. I loved Cassie and I can't wait to read her story.

Tana French writes really well. I could picture myself in Knocknaree, at Cassie's and in the squad room. I especially loved her descriptions of the woods. It came to life for me. I think this book is going to reveal itself a little more to me later. I'll update if it does.

“Now it seems obvious, of course, that even a strong person has weak spots and that I had hit Cassie's full force, with all the precision of a jeweler fragmenting a stone along a flaw. She must have thought, sometimes, of her namesake, the votary branded with her god's most inventive and sadistic curse: to tell the truth, and never to be believed.”

Very nice review of In The Woods. I have the Tana French books sitting on my TBR bookcase waiting for me.... at some point I will get around to them but not before this summer. ;-)

I haven't yet managed to read a Tanya French novel - I'm still not motivated! Thanks for the review.

Nice review of In the Woods. That's the complaint most people have about it, that one part remains unresolved. The following installments are as beautifully written, but have "proper" endings. :)

#40


This book is one fast, fun and hard ride! At first I wasn’t sure what to make of it. It is alternate history, diesel punk, magic, zombies and my absolute favorite part it has that hardboiled/noir style to it. Did I mention funny? If you hear tales of a crazy lady driving around the suburbs of Houston in a blue Highlander laughing and talking to herself, well that would be me!

I don’t want to tell you too much about the story because I really don’t like creating that bias. It takes place between the two World Wars. This is mainly the story of Jake Sullivan and Faye Vierra, two actives (people with magical abilities) who find themselves thrust into a secret society aimed at helping their kind. For their own reasons each is motivated to act and not only help their kind but save the world.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. It covers so many genres that it could have been a disaster. For me, it really works. I listened to the audio and I have to say the narrator, Bronson Pinchot was spot on. Who knew? His characterizations really sold the story to me. I can’t wait to start book two

“’I don’t want my grandkids to grow up in a world run by a bunch of fascists or socialists or progressives or anarchists or communists or eugenicists or any sort of ists or ism. When I get those types, the men who just need to control everything to tell everybody else what to do, I stick it in and break it off. I’m fighting for freedom.’ Proudly, he gestured around the cave at his men. He loved them like a father. ‘We ride the air and plunder the seas. We’re the last free men and I’ll die a free man.’ ‘Amen’, Sullivan said.”

I'm so glad you liked it, Roberta! I felt the same way reading it - I didn't know what to make of it or if I'd like it, but it ended up being so much fun! The follow up, Spellbound is really good, too, and the third, Warbound will be out August 6th. I'm looking forward to - in fact, I may have to reread the other two....

#41


This story was absolutely gorgeous. What a wonderful retelling of Achilles' legend. Thank you Madeline Miller for taking your time, ten years, to write this beautiful love story.

My heart was in it from the beginning. I young prince, Patroclus, is unloved and unappreciated by his father. Exiled from his home he is fostered in Phthia. In Phthia he is a loner, misunderstood until an unlikely friendship forms with the Prince of Phthia, Achilles. Achilles is a the son of a goddess. He is destined for glory. The King of Phthia, Peleus does not understand when his son Achilles chooses Patroclus as his companion.

The story really never explains the reason why Achilles is drawn to Patroclus, only that it is so. Patroclus like everyone else worships Achilles but also truly loves him. Perhaps this is why Achilles loves Patroclus as well.

We see the destiny of Achilles unfold in the story. His attempt to put off the prophecy concerning his death. The slow realization that he cannot put off his fate but instead savor every moment with his companion while winning a name for himself. We see his first taste of glory that battle gives him. Slowly, we see him become blinded by his pride. Patroclus calls him on his hubris but Achilles is too far gone to see the damage he will inflict on his comrades, Patroclus and on himself.

Patroclus takes up the armor of Achilles in order to help bring his honor back and stop the slaughter of the Greeks by the Trojans. The cost is his life. Achilles says for ten years "What has Hector done to me?" Finally, the death of Patroclus by the hands of Hector causes Achilles to set the prophecy in motion. Patroclus had not planned to live long once Achilles was gone. Now that Patroclus, "the best of the Myrmidons", has preceded him in death, Achilles welcomes the fulfillment of the prophecy. In the end, the two find peace together.

This book is really beautiful. It broke my heart and made weep tears. What a lovely retelling of the story of a proud Prince. Through the eyes of Patroclus I liked Achilles. I worried for him as he was caught up in his own ego. I wanted to reassure Patroclus that he was worthy. In the end all knew he was worthy.

“I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me.
If I had had words to speak such a thing, I would have. But there were none that seemed big enough for it, to hold that swelling truth.
As if he had heard me, he reached for my hand. I did not need to look; his fingers were etched into my memory, slender and petal-veined, strong and quick and never wrong.
“Patroclus,” he said. He was always better with words than I.”

Lori - In the Woods will make perfect autumn reading. I'll be looking for your thoughts on the book.

Dejah - I will read The Likeness the second in the Dublin Murder Squad series. Mamie, Mark, and Susan say it a series worth pursuing. They rarely steer me wrong.

Eva - I will give this series a go and I'm anxious to read Cassie's story. I really liked her character.

Dejah - OMG I started Spellbound almost immediately! This series is a blast! I didn't think he could add more but he did. Ghosts? Really? LOL! I will post my thoughts when I'm done.

#42


While the mystery is not my everything, Spenser has turned out to be. He is such a smart a**! I find myself giggling constantly. I absolutely love the "Spenserisms" and have taken to copying and saving them. They may not make sense to anyone else, but they make me fall out of my chair laughing. If that is the most a book can give you well I say it is a lot.

I loved the introduction of Susan. She has Spenser's number down. I'll be reading this series regularly. I am enjoying the flashbacks to another era and these make perfect in betweener books

"I was up to the Boston Athenaeum browsing through the collected works of Faith Baldwin," I said.

Listening Right Now

#43



I finished Fables & Reflections this morning. I agree with others that the artwork was much improved on this one. I enjoyed the tale of Orpheus. Ramadan was the best chapter, story and artwork were very good.

I checked my number in the queue at the library for Sookie - getting close! Also getting excited about the new season of True Blood! Yay summer!

Mamzel - I have my hot little hands on Sookie 13 right now. I won't comment on it yet. :)

#44



Okay so I finished this book last night. It felt a little rushed and crowded with everyone who ever hated Sookie that isn't dead making an appearance and everyone who ever loved Sookie that isn't dead made an appearance too.

Sookie ended up with her true love after all. I am very satisfied with that. Goodbye Sookie. Be happy.

I'm Sookie Stackhouse. I belong here.

Bad news is my Mom is back in the hospital with sepsis pneumonia. She ended up back in ICU.

Good news is we caught it really early and got her to the ER in time and treatment was started immediately. She is now on the regular medical floor and she is doing much better. I hope to have her home by Monday.

I don't know category: Two of three doctors want to do her redo knee early next week while she is here. Yikes! She really needs that knee but she is recovering from pneumonia and sepsis!!! Did I say Yikes!?

Sorry to learn your mom is back in hospital, Roberta glad to see that she has responded well to the quick treatment given and is doing better.

Two of three doctors want to do her redo knee early next week while she is here. Wow, I didn't know hospitals operated along the same basic principle of the auto repair shop - offering to work on something else, since the car/individual is already "in" - but I guess it makes sense as it does remove a bit of the scheduling nightmare of booking a seperate visit.

So glad to here she is out of danger. Good thing it was caught early. How does she feel about heading right into surgery?

Yikes indeed! I hope your mom continues to do better and that things work out with the knee.

Scary! Hope she recovers fast. Sepsis doesn't sound like anything you will want to have had anytime close to having surgery...

Lori, mamzel, rabbitprincess and Eva, thank you very much for your well wishes and thoughts. Surgery is postponed for now. Still not out of the woods. We had a really rough night but things are a little better this morning.

Silver lining to being up all night with her is I was able to get reading done. I'm counting my blessings where I can find them.

#45



I don't read a lot of historical fiction anymore. The Stockholm Octavo was brilliant! I haven't read too much about this time period in regards to Sweden. Most of the books I've read about this time period are about the French Revolution. It was interesting and I would like to go back and read more about this era in Sweden's history.

I loved the pace of the story. The inclusion of a little bit of magic brought about by a card player with the gift of Sight. The laying of the cards and all the connections made the story exciting. Another fascinating subject to explore.

All the details about the folding fans and their use as weapons was fun. Men don't mess with a scorned woman!

This was an excellent debut novel.

....and The Stockholm Octavo goes on my future reading list!

The Stockholm Octavo is a potential book bullet for me as well!

Lori and Christina I really enjoyed The Stockholm Octavo

What can I say but that this was an incredibly beautiful but difficult book for me to read. I started it as I knew my mother was headed to the hospital but she wasn't quite there yet. I stopped reading it when she was admitted to the hospital. I finished it last night. My mom came home today. We will be back at the hospital. This I know. My mom doesn't have a terminal disease but she has chronic illness and it has taken a toll.

The monster served a purpose for Conner. This book served a purpose for me. READ it! Whenever you are ready. Read it.

"Stories are wild creatures," the monster said. "When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak"?

"Many things that are true feel like a cheat. Kingdoms get the princes they deserve, farmers' daughters die for no reason, and sometimes witches merit saving. Quite often, actually. You'd be surprised."

"You do not write your life with words," the monster said. "You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do".

This is my life right now, caring for my mother. I don't regret one single minute of it. Sometimes I hate it, but I love her and I will keep on. Reading has been my salvation. You my like minded friends have been a huge blessing!

I will definitely look out for this book. It obviously has made a huge impact on you. I hope you can appreciate the time with your mother as difficult as it is. I lost my mother when I was away at college. I hope you have good support during this time.

Hi Roberta, great to see you here. A Monster Calls is one of those books that seems to really touch the reader, and I think you are very brave reading it right now with all that's going on in your life. Although things are difficult right now, I am glad that you are able to escape into a book now and again. I sure hope your Mom is doing better.

Wow, that's a brave time to read A Monster Calls - I had (fortunately!!) nothing to relate it to at the time of reading, but it packed quite a punch anyway. Keeping my fingers Xed for your mom!

#47


I enjoyed Volume 7 of the Sandman Chronicles. The art work is getting better but the flow of the story was really strong in this volume. You can see change is coming whether Morpheus is ready for it or not.

Mamzel thank you for your kind words. It is precisely because I see so many people have lost their parents that I am doing my best to cherish mine while they are with me.

I loved A Monster Calls although it is not an easy read by any means. It was very healing. I plan to purchase the audio book. and the hardback for keeper collection.

I hope you are able to get to the book one day.

Judy I keep meaning to get over to your thread. I am so way behind. I will have to come armed with my wish list. I always pick up a must read when I am over in your territory. ;)

My mom recovered from her aspiration pneumonia. We have been trying to get her knee put back in and had to post pone it several times. We did it Monday. It was really rough because she had a lot of scar tissue and she is already really weak. She is struggling but she is also one of the strongest people I know.

Like most of us here on LT, books are my sanctuary!

Eva thanks for the X fingers and don't forget to hold those thumbs! LOL!

I don't know if it was brave to read A Monster Calls now but it was very helpful.

The latest volume of Sandman, Brief Lives also deals with mortality and how short our time on earth is. The universe is telling me something and I am doing my best to listen. Don't get me wrong I'm not predicting doom and gloom but I do believe we have to cherish every moment with those we love.

Thank you all for your kind wishes and thoughts!

#48


This was another fine ride in the Grimnoir universe! All the favorites are back, Jake, Faye and the rest of the bunch. The Grimnoir are being framed for all sorts of horrible crimes. Someone wants all the actives rounded up, tagged and controlled. Sound familiar? Too many times in the real world for sure.

This story has it's own adventure but also serves to push the plot forward for the final installment with an epic battle with an enemy that threatens the Earth. I loved how we see a little more of Jake Sullivan's character in this story. In the first book you get a glimpse that he is lot smarter than those with his ability usually are, but in this book you really see the depth of his intelligence. Faye learns something huge about herself. HUGE! Our little girl is growing up.

I can't say how much fun this series is. If you want a fast paced fun and exciting story then this is for you. I am listening to the book and the narrator is honestly spot on with all the characters. 5 stars for his narration.

"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war," Dan Garret said as he looked over Sullivan's final battle plan. The grease penciled map that covered one wall of the farm house living room was far more detailed today. "I read Shakespeare in prison," Sullivan muttered. "Why don't you pick somebody that writes happy endings."

->197 luvamystery65:
That is a very good approach - I too try to remember to be grateful as much as possible!

My new thread is up. Come on over!