DeltaQueen Plays Authors: 2013 Category Challenge - Part 3

After the first quarter of 2013, I am still enjoying both my theme and categories for this year.

I am basing my 2013 Challenge on the card game called “Authors”. I have picked authors to represent each category, but I will not necessarily be reading those authors, instead I will read books that are similar in genre or have some connection to the theme.

I will set a goal of at least 10 books per category (including the bonus category) for a total of 140 books for the challenge. I may read more in some of the categories, but will consider my challenge completed with the 140 book total.

I am trying to focus on my TBR piles and will read as much as possible from my own shelves and my Kindle which seems to be growing books on a daily basis!






Audio books = ♫♫

E-Read Books = ††

How I Rate Books:

2.0 ★: I must have been dragged, kicking and screaming, to finish this one!

2.5 ★: Below Average but I finished the book for one reason or another.

3.0 ★: Average, a solid read that I finished but can't promise to remember

3.5 ★: Above Average, there's room for improvement but I liked this well enough to pick up another book by this author.

4.0 ★: A very good read and I enjoyed my time spent with this story

4.5 ★: An excellent read, a book I will remember and recommend

5.0 ★: Sheer perfection, the right book at the right time for me

Categories:

1. Edgar Rice Burroughs: 10 Tales of Adventure and Daring

2. Virginia Woolf/Graham Greene: 5 Authors I Have Been Afraid of Trying & 5 Authors I Have Been Meaning to Try

3. Kate Atkinson: 10 Crime Stories by Women

4. Lawrence Block: 10 Crime Stories by Men

5. Arthur Conan Doyle: 10 Classic Crime/Mysteries

6. Henning Mankell: Around the World in 5 Crimes / Ariana Franklin: 5 Historical Mysteries

7. Pierre Burton: Non-Fiction

8. Xinran: 10 Books Set in Various Countries Around the World

9. J.M. Barrie: 10 Books to Keep Me Young (YA’s & Children's Lit)

10. Patrick O’Brian: 10 Historical Fiction Stories (To Be Determined by the Reading Through Time Challenge)

11. Hans Christian Andersen: 5 Tales of Fantasy and Magic / George Orwell: 5 Dystopian Stories

12. H.P. Lovecraft: 10 Tales on the Dark Side - Horror, Monsters, Creepy Crawlies

13. Dora Saint (Miss Read) - 10 Books I Want To Read Just Because

I also have plans to participate in the Sandman Graphic Novel Group Read but forgot to set aside a category for it, so I will treat graphic novels as refreshers that I will read between other books:

14. Neil Gaiman: Graphic Novels

1. Edgar Rice Burroughs - Stories of Adventure and Daring



"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."
Jawaharial Nehru

Books Read

1. I Was Amelia Earhart†† by Jane Mendelsohn - 4.0 ★
2. A Long and Winding Road†† by Win Blevins - 3.1 ★
3. The Count of Monte Cristo†† by Alexandre Dumas - 4.4 ★
4. Zorro by Isabel Allende - 4.5 ★
5. King of the Khyber Rifles†† by Talbot Mundy - 3.8 ★
6. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams - 4.7 ★

2. Virginia Woolf/Graham Greene - Authors I am Afraid to Try/Authors I Want to Try



"Curiosity will conquer fear more than bravery will."
James Stephens

Books Read

1. Brighton Rock by Graham Greene - 4.5 ★
2. Penrod by Booth Tarkington - 3.2 ★
3. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray - 5.0 ★
4. The Enchanted April†† by Elizabeth von Arnim - 3.3 ★
5. Alias Grace†† by Margaret Atwood - 4.1 ★
6. Memento Mori by Muriel Spark - 4.5 ★
7. What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn - 5.0 ★

3. Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime



"Women are like tea bags, they don’t know how strong they are until they are in hot water."
Eleanor Roosevelt

Books Read

1. The Missing by Jane Casey - 3.7 ★
2. The Armada Boy by Kate Ellis - 4.0 ★
3. Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie - 3.6 ★
4. Hocus by Jan Burke - 3.3 ★
5. Red Bones by Ann Cleeves - 4.0 ★
6. The Red Dahlia by Lynda La Plante - 4.2 ★
7. Almost the Truth by Margaret Yorke - 4.0 ★
8. Million Dollar Baby by Amy Patricia Meade - 4.2 ★

4. Lawrence Block - Male Authors of Crime



"Real heroes are men who fall and fail and are flawed, but win out in the end because they have stayed true their beliefs and ideals."
Kevin Costner

Books Read

1. Tilt-A-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein - 4.0 ★
2. Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville - 4.1 ★
3. Cold Light by John Harvey - 4.3 ★
4. Kindness Goes Unpunished†† by Craig Johnson - 4.5 ★
5. Flood by Andrew Vachss - 4.1 ★
6. Nineteen Seventy Four by David Peace - 2.5 ★

5. Arthur Conan Doyle - Classic Mysteries



"Murder is always a mistake - one should never do anything one shouldn’t talk about after dinner."
Oscar Wilde

Books Read

1. The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie - 4.0 ★
2. Fright by Cornel Woolrich - 4.0 ★
3. Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy Sayers - 3.8 ★
4. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie - 3.7 ★
5. The Plague Court Murders†† by John Dickson Carr - 3.2 ★
6. The Crime At Black Dudley by Margery Allingham - 4.0 ★
7. Fer-de-Lance†† by Rex Stout - 3.8 ★

6. Henning Mankell/Ariana Franklin International Crime Stories & Historical Mysteries



"The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only a page."
St. Augustine

"Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters."
African Proverb

Books Read

1. Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith - 4.1 ★
2. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill - 4.5 ★
3. The Witch Doctor's Wife by Tamar Myers - 4.0 ★
4. Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent - 3.8 ★
5. A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch - 4.0 ★
6. The Firemaker by Peter May - 4.5 ★

7. Pierre Burton - Non-Fiction, Memoirs & Bios



"Truth is the most valuable thing we have, so I try to conserve it."
Mark Twain

Books Read

1. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell - 5.0 ★
2. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah - 4.4 ★
3. A Year In the Life of the Cotswolds by Beata Moore - 3.3 ★
4. Under An Afghan Sky by Mellissa Fung - 4.4 ★
5. Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe by Charlotte Gill - 4.4 ★
6. Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne - 5.0 ★
7. Rowboat In A Hurricane by Julie Angus - 4.4 ★

8. Xinran - Stories Set Around the World



“In the middle ages people were tourists because of their religion, whereas now they are tourists because tourism is their religion.”
Robert Runcie

Books Read

1. An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor (Ireland) - 3.8 ★
2. Black Mulberries by Caitlin Davies (Botswana) - 3.6 ★
3. Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko (Nigeria) - 4.5 ★
4. My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young (Netherlands/Germany) - 3.4 ★
5. Sky Burial by Xinran - 4.5 ★
6. The Blue Notebook by James Levine - 4.0 ★

9. J.M. Barrie - Children's Literature and YA



“Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.”
Chili Davis

Books Read

1. Hunter by Joy Cowley - 4.3 ★
2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 4.1 ★
3. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - 5.0 ★
4. The Scorpio Races†† by Maggie Stiefvater - 2.0 ★
5. Rules by Cynthia Lord - 4.0 ★
6. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - 5.0 ★
7. Anne of Green Gables†† by L.M. Montgomery - 5.0 ★

10. Patrick O'Brian - Historical Fiction



"Any fool can make history, it takes a genius to write it.”
Oscar Wilde

Books Read

1. The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli - 3.3 ★
2. Dissolution by C.J. Sansom - 4.2 ★
3. Outlaw by Angus Donald - 4.0 ★
4. The Persian Pickle Club†† by Sandra Dallas - 4.5 ★
5. The Winter Prince by Cheryl Sawyer - 3.3 ★
6. Midwife of the Blue Ridge by Christine Blevins - 3.8 ★

11. Hans Christian Andersen/ George Orwell - Tales of Fantasy and Magic/ Dystopia



“A well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter any other way.”
Caroline Gordon

Books Read

1. Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden - 4.2 ★
2. Ice Forged by Gail Z Martin - 3.1 ★
3. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - 4.0 ★
4. Ashfall by Mike Mullin - 4.7 ★
5. River Secrets†† by Shannon Hale - 3.4 ★
6. The Eleventh Plague†† by Jeff Hirsch - 3.0 ★
7. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest - 3.1 ★
8. Ashes, Ashes†† by Jo Treggiari - 2.0 ★

12. H.P. Lovecraft - Tales of Monsters & Horror



“I love zombies. If any monster could Riverdance, it would be zombies.”
Craig Ferguson

Books Read

1. Domain of the Dead†† by Iain McKinnon - 3.5 ★
2. Dark Matter†† by Michelle Paver - 4.5 ★
3. Dust And Decay by Jonathan Maberry - 4.5 ★
4. Day By Day Armageddon by J. L. Bourne - 4.3 ★
5. American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - 3.0 ★
6. The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan - 2.7 ★

13. Dora Saint (Miss Read) - Reader's Choice



“For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude"
William Wordsworth

Books Read

1. Double Crossing†† by Meg Mims - 2.0 ★
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - 4.3 ★
3. Winter In Thrush Green†† by Miss Read (Dora Saint) - 4.2 ★
4. Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell - 4.4 ★
5. Plainsong by Kent Haruf - 5.0 ★
6. The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney - 3.2 ★
7. Shards of Honor†† by Lois McMaster Bujold - 4.1 ★

14. Neil Gaiman - Bonus: Graphic Novels



"Socrates should have written comics."
Mark Waid

Books Read

1. Sandman Vol 2: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman - 4.5 ★
2. Sandman Vol 3: Dream Country by Neil Gaiman - 4.0 ★
3. Sandman Vol 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman - 4.2 ★
4. The Walking Dead Vol 15: We Find Ourselves by Robert Kirkland - 4.0 ★
5. The Sandman Vol 5: A Game of You by Neil Gaiman - 4.5 ★
6. The Storm In The Barn by Matt Phelan - 3.3 ★
7. The Sandman Vol 6: Fables & Reflections by Neil Gaiman - 4.3 ★
8. A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori - 4.1 ★

(message deleted)

dropping in to keep track of a new thread

Love the way your thread looks. You've done some impressive reading so far.

Starred it!

You have kept a real balance between your categories which is commendable! And I love Doyle's mustache!

Just a quick stop to check things out.

Noting the new thread.

(still squirming over the GIANT BUG in the last thread)

Good morning, everyone. So nice of you to drop in before I've even added a review to the thread. (Which I am about to do) It's the time of month where I have to go over my planned reads and decide which ones I am not going to get to. :( I think this month I will have to remove The Windup Bird Chronicle from my immediate list. My good news for the day is that the next Sandman, A Game of You is waiting to be picked up at the library.

57. Rules by Cynthia Lord - 4.0 ★
Category: J.M. Barrie - YA and Children's Literature
April Autism Awareness
TIOLI #3: Embedded Word In Title



Rules by Cynthia Lord is a simple yet heart felt story. At the age of twelve all Catherine wants is to fit in and be considered normal but this is something that isn’t always possible. Her brother, David, is autistic, and with his special needs and, at times. uncontrollable behavior, he stands out and, Catherine feels, shines a spotlight on her as well. She copes by developing rules for him. Her rules are made to fit every situation, from the simple, No Toys in the Fish Tank and Chew With Your Mouth Closed to the more complicated, Sometimes People Laugh Cause They Like You, But Sometimes They Laugh To Hurt You. Although David can drive her crazy, she loves and cares for him and doesn’t want him exposed to ridicule and teasing.

With warmth, love and humor, Rules shows how living with a child that sees life differently from everybody else can be both very rewarding and very frustrating. Catherine is on the brink of learning that she can’t control every situation or person, and at times, it is best to just let things happen without having any rules to get in the way.

Although somewhat contrived, I found Rules to be a touching look at a young girl’s conflicted feelings of living with her autistic brother. The author paints a realistic picture that allows there are no simple answers in life while asking the question "What is normal anyway?".

Sorry, Andrea. I hope Judy didn't start a new thread because of that fearsome centipede.

I have to admit I ran away from the bug too! Too many legs :P

Nice new thread!

I don't love bugs, but I really started a new thread because I had so many pictures on my last one that the loading was getting a little slow.

58. Alias Grace†† by Margaret Atwood - 4.1 ★
Category: Virginia Woolf - Author's I'm Afraid To Try
April AwardCat: 1998 Short List for the Dublin IMPAC Award
Atwood April
TIOLI #16: Read a Book By Margaret Atwood



Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood delves into Canadian history for a long forgotten sensational murder case that she then proceeds to fill in, give flesh and bones to the characters, and without drawing any conclusions herself, leaves it up to the reader to decide whether Grace Marks was guilty.

Using witness accounts, newspaper excerpts, letters and poems, along with various characters points of view, she tells the story of house servant, Grace Marks who is accused of participating in the murders of the housekeeper and owner of the residence she was currently working in.

That Grace had an unfortunate life cannot be denied. As to her innocence, that I am not so sure of. Was she truly a clinical split personality, was she an amnesiac or was she simply a very clever woman who hid behind the mask of ignorance and insanity. Whatever the case, she paid with thirty years before finally being released and drifting into anonymity.

This was my first Margaret Atwood and I readily admit I was nervous of trying this Canadian icon. I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible the writing was, how it very much held my interest, and how involved I got into the story, given the ambiguity. I certainly won’t be hesitant to pick up this author again.

Atwood is wonderful! Alias Grace is too, but Atwood is always very, very good. I read The Robber Bride last year and adored it. Well, that reminds me to read something by her soon.

Hi Kay, I think The Robber Bride may very well be my next Atwood read.

Love the shiny new thread Judy! You are doing a great job at balancing out the reading in your various categories. Every time I see that picture of Gaiman it makes me chuckle... there is such innocent mischievousness in that smile of his!

Re: Solomon Island pic at post 259 previous thread - I see the perfect spot on that beach for me, a blanket and a pile of books... really, I do!

Like you, I love the Zorro movies - romantic and exciting at the same time. I really should get around to reading the book!

Well, now I feel a little bad that I haven't delved into any Atwood. I wasn't up for reading her works during my school years but now, thanks to your review, I think I am up to reading some of her stuff.

->27 RidgewayGirl:
Oh good grief, what was that thing?!?!?!

Nice new shiny digs, Judy!

>33 lkernagh: - Lori - I'm getting older. Can I have an adirondack chair instead of a blanket?

Glad you liked the Atwood Judi. I tried The Blind Assassin last year and only found it so-so. Your review makes me think I should try at least one more.

I read Alias Grace three or four years ago and loved it too. I followed it with The Blind Assassin and liked it almost as much.

Glad to hear you liked Alias Grace. It's one of my favourite Atwoods.

Eva, it's a giant centipede, known by various names all over the tropics and Asia. It figured in a book I read (Getting Stoned with Savages), in which a guy moved to Vanuatu and found one of those roaming his living room one day. The account of the fearsome battle that ensued is hilarious.

Hello Judy, thank you for your review of Alias Grace. The Handmaids Tale is one of my favorite books, but I have been apprehensive about trying other Atwood titles. Don't know why. She has so many books I guess I just don't know which one to read. This one might just be it.

->38 RidgewayGirl:
Creepy (pun well intended!) - perhaps Vanatu will be pushed a little further down the bucketlist... :) I've been recommended The Sex Lives of Cannibals - is Troost a good read in general?

> 35 - There is room for an adirondack chair!

I've spent most of the day doing my favorite thing, reading. :) Alternating between the two books I am currently reading and my lastest Sandman.

#33 - Hi Lori, I think I'm with Betty, at my age an adirondack chair sounds much more comfortable than lying on the ground. But a pile of books sounds just about perfect.

#34 - Waves to Eva, I am not a bug person and spiders can truly send me off the deep end, but that huge centipede is no laughing matter!

#35 - Betty, I got scared away from Atwood years ago. I think I tried Surfacing and really did not like it at all. I have avoided her for years, but now I would definitely like to try at least a couple more by her.

#36 - Hi Jennifer, hmm conflicting opinions on The Blind Assassin. I am leaning towards The Robber Bride and/or The Handmaid's Tale for my next Atwood.

#38 - Ah, a book bullet! I'm looking for a book set in Vanatu for the Commonwealth Challenge. I will have to try and track down Getting Stoned with Savages.

#37 - Hi Paulina, any advice on which Atwood I should tackle next?

#39 - Caroline, I'm glad to see someone else who is apprehensive about Magaret Atwood. I was truly nervous about tackling her.

#40 - Eva, The title,The Sex Lives of Cannibals had me scurrying off to see what it's all about. Unfortunately the reviews says "No sex and no people eating". :(

#41 - I hope there is room for a couple!

59. The Sandman Vol 5: A Game Of You by Neil Gaiman - 4.5 ★
Category: Neil Gaiman - Graphics
Sandman Group Read



*** SPOILERS ***

In Volume 5 of the Sandman series, we are taken in a different direction as it steps away from mythology and offers only one story for the whole book. We rendezvous with some characters that have showed up previously and follow a confused Barbie into her dream world. We are also introduced to some new, and fabulous characters, a drag queen, a lesbian couple, and a pair of seriously strange neighbours.

I loved the story of Barbie’s dreamland, how she came there as a child and now has to return to try and set things right. This seems to be recurring theme in the Sandman, real life characters coming to their inner dream world to wage battle. In A Game of You, “The Cuckoo” is Barbie’s nemesis and is a clever invention and one that we can all identify with (don‘t we all feel as if somewhere in our dreams the child we used to be dwells?). This book with it’s female leads and princess dream concept felt very feminine and fresh, yet this is a dark and at times violent tale.

Gaiman often gives the reader a nod and a wink with a reference to a past event or character. He keeps his readers on their toes and I love the feeling of satisfaction when you do recognize something from a previous book. I hesitate to say this issue is my favorite, but for me, this one stands beside The Doll House as two of the best (so far).

Judy, I am avoiding the above post until i have read Vol 5 of Sandman! ;)

I do love Atwood, and Alias Grace sounds fantastic.

I will be picking up Vol. 4 of Sandman this week so quickly dodged your review for Vol. 5 - thank you so much for posting the spoiler warning, Judy!

Alias Grace is on my list of books to read next month so am happy to read your positive review. Margaret Atwood is coming to speak at the end of May for Arts & Letters Live so I wanted to read a few of her books before I attend. I read Penelopiad a couple of months ago and really liked it. Also read Moral Disorder a few years ago and just thought it was okay.

#44 - I hope you enjoy Volume 5 as much I did, Roberta!

#45 - I am looking forward to discovering more of her books.

#46 - Hi Lori, I find it virtually impossible to talk about the various Sandman's without giving something away.

#47 - The Penelopiad sounds good too. It's great that I have discovered an author with such a large and varied catalogue. Lots of choices.

Troost's books are fun. I listened to both Sex Lives of Cannibals and Getting Stoned with Savages and enjoyed both.

60. Day By Day Armageddon by J.L. Bourne - 4.3 ★
Category: H.P. Lovecraft - Horror
April AlphaCat: D
TIOLI #9: A 4 Syllable Word on Page 13



Day by Day Armageddon by K.L. Bourne is quite simply one of the best “zombie apocalypse” books I have read. Written as an unnamed survivor’s journal, we follow the outbreak from it’s early days. Our journalist notes the rumors, the cover-ups and finally the government’s acknowledgement of an uncontrollable disease that is destroying the known world.

Being a military man he doesn’t waste his words on sentimentalism but immediately starts planning how to survive in this chaos. Food, water, weapons and ammunition are stockpiled and he is constantly planning his next step. This planning is a good thing because apparently no place is safe for long, and as he gathers a few other survivors up as he moves along, they eventually stumble upon an underground missile silo and take refuge there but there are still problems that these people have to confront and deal with in order to survive.

As with many zombie stories there was plenty of action and violence but what makes this book stand out for me was the main character, his analytical methods, his constant calculating of the odds and the almost believable way in which he records the action gave the book a realistic slant. A few very creepy moments such as underwater zombies kept the ick factor up and made for an thrilling read. This is, as usual, the first in a trilogy, and you can be sure that I will be getting the next book soon.

#49 - Thanks, Kay, Troost's book will work great for the Commonwealth Challenge.

Day by Day Armageddon by K.L. Bourne is quite simply one of the best “zombie apocalypse” books I have read.

Oooooooohhhhhhhh. I'm sold!

Day by Day Armageddon by K.L. Bourne is quite simply one of the best “zombie apocalypse” books I have read.

Oooooooohhhhhhhh. I'm sold!

Me too!

Great review of Sandman: A Game of You, characters and the fantasy dream world are the best parts. Go Thessaly. :)

and I take a book bullet for Day by Day Armageddon!

adding my voice to say great reviews of a game of you and day by day armageddon for which I'm taking the BB

#52 - 55 - I hope everybody enjoys Day by Day Armageddon, it certainly kept me glued to the pages!

#54 & 55 - These Sandman's just keep on getting better! I'm sure there's bound to be one that I don't particularly care for, but I haven't found it yet!

61. River Secrets†† by Shannon Hale - 3.4 ★
Category: Hans Christian Andersen - Fantasy
April RandomCat: A Force of Mother Nature
TIOLI #13: Title Contains a Water Word



The third entry in Shannon Hale’s Books of Bayern, River Secrets focuses on Rizo, a member of the elite Bayern Guards. Rizo who feels he owes his position to his friendship with the King and Queen, is surprised when he is picked as one of the escorts to the Ambassador who is travelling to the country of Tira to show peaceful intentions toward their old enemy and help to sway the upcoming vote on whether the war should continue or not.

There are many who would like to see the war continue and Rizo finds he has a very special role to play as a spy working to discover who is sabotaging the peace efforts. As a very likeable fellow, he also has the unique ability to make friends with the Tirans and show them that peace with Bayern would ensure not only a peaceable life but profit trading and commerce as well. He meets and befriends the unusual young Tiran, Lady Dasha, and although her behavior at times seems suspicious, he decides to trust her in the hope that she can help him reveal who is scheming against the peace proposal.

After loving the first book of this series and then being slightly disappointed with the second, I was happy to find that this third book told an interesting story, had a likeable main character and that the romance was sweet, simple, sincere and kept to the minimum. River Secrets was a quick, easy and delightful read but one that I am sure won’t linger in my mind for long.

Hi Judy, I loved your review of Zorro. I was thinking of reading it this month for our RTT theme but haven't got to it. Your mention of it being set in Napolean times has given me the thought that I could put it on my list when we get to that time period.
With regard to the giant centipede, we also have them here. I have mostly found them when we have been camping but once my husband found one in my daughter's bedroom so I guess they could make their way into hotel rooms too. Mind you we have also had a couple of snakes in the house and a multitude of spiders. None of these have ever bitten us though.

>42 DeltaQueen50:: About which Atwood to read next: I'd suggest The Handmaid's Tale. It's not necessarily her best, and people I know either love it or hate it (I belong to the first category), but it's such a significant work in her canon and has generated enough controversy over the years that it's worth reading for those reasons. I also liked The Blind Assassin and Oryx and Crake. She has written interesting non-fiction as well.

Oh, but The Robber Bride is so good! Really, any Atwood.

>60 RidgewayGirl:: I haven't read The Robber Bride yet. Another Atwood to look forward to!

>50 DeltaQueen50: I loved World War Z so this one sounds like one for me, for sure. Even if it WOULD be nice to read a standalone horror/sci-fi/fantasy book once in a while...

As for Sandman - there're still lots of goodies ahead of you!

The Robber Bride is excellent, but if you haven't read Handmaid's Tale, I heartily recommend it. It has been a long time favorite and one I should really reread soon.

I was in such misery yesterday! No computer, server was down. Thank heavens it's back up now.

#58 - Ro, I think Zorro would work fine for the Napoleonic Era, a good portion of the book is set in Spain, under the rule of Napoleon's brother Joseph. We get the odd spider in the house, and I've seen garter snakes outside, but luckily no snakes in the house and no centipedes of any size!

# 59,60,61 & 63 - Regarding Atwood, I am definitely adding both The Handmaiden's Tale and Robber Bride to the wishlist. After that who knows?

#62 - I loved World War Z as well, this one is a little more personal, in-your-face kind of thing but I really liked it. Yeah, it is hard to find a stand alone book of just about any genre these days, I guess the publishers can see dollar signs with the idea of a ready-made audience for the author's work. Be it music, writing or art, I often wonder how it affects a creative persons' juices to have to keep churning out the same thing. It would be very hard for a writer who manages to publish a successfull fantasy to try and make his next book a western!

I'll be reading A Game of You soon as well - great review! *thumbing* It's another of my favorite installments (aren't they all), so I'm looking forward to my reread. I too am putting Day by Day Armageddon on the wishlist - good characters will always get me!

Eva, A Game of You along with The Doll's House are my two favorites of the series so far. Can't wait to see what's next!

62. Flood by Andrew Vachss - 4.2 ★
Category: Lawrence Block - Male Authors of Crime
April RandomCat: A Force of Mother Nature
TIOLI #10: Double Letters in Both Author's Name and Title



“Burke would eat Spade and Marlow for breakfast not even spitting out the bones. He is one tough, mean, pray-God-you-don’t-meet-him hombre”
-The Boston Herald

Originally published in 1985, Flood by Andrew Vachss has been reissued by the Vintage Crime House of Black Lizard Publishing. Written in first person, in a hard-boiled noir style, the main character is Burke, a ex-con, ex-mercenary, raised by the state and distrustful to the extreme. Burke has many irons in the fire and one of them is working as a private investigator. He is on a case of tracking down a vicious neo-Nazi child molester. His client for this job is a young woman, Flood, who is on a revenge ride, she wants this man found so she can kill him in retaliation for the deaths of her best friend and her friend’s young daughter.

Burke works the gritty streets of New York City and the author’s familiarity with the depth of this city seems extremely authentic. He stalks through the this tough, mean, scary city with strength of purpose and a knowledge of twisted humans that is both impressive and downright readable.

Harkening back to the 1980’s, this crime novel paints a vivid picture of the ebb and flow of a big city. The author is also a qualified lawyer who represents children and knows the horrors that can be inflicted on the vulnerable. This is the first Burke novel in his series, and I now know that when I want to take a walk on the dark side, these books will get me there and then some.

Looks like another BB heading my way. And as it's a series with 18 books in then that's just plain evil!

Hi Dave, wow, I didn't even know there was 18 in the Burke series. I have the next one, Strega on my shelf.

That's what it says on the LT series page anyway.

62. My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young - 3.4 ★
Category: Xinran - Global Reading
TIOLI #4: Two Or More People On The Cover



My Enemy’s Cradle by Sara Young is a book that I probably shouldn’t have liked as much as I did. I had to swallow some very big coincidences and set-ups in order to let the story work, and more than a few times I had to shush my inner voices that were saying “Huh? That couldn’t have happened!”. But I totally got caught up in both the story and the romance and the pages flew by.

The story is of a half-Jewish girl, who in order to keep herself and the family that has sheltered her safe during WW II, gets herself impregnated, impersonates her cousin, and enters a Nazi Lebensborn. The plan being that she will be rescued and taken to safety well before the baby is born. Of course, as with all war-time plans, things change.

Although this story tends to romanticise the period, I found the author’s descriptions of the Lebensborn to be fascinating. Touted as a safe haven for girls who get pregnant (either willingly or by rape) by German soldiers, in fact, this was one more institution that the Nazi’s carried to the extreme. Only girls with “pure” bloodlines were allowed this refuge, only healthy babies were accepted, the girls had no rights over their child (although the German fathers had first claim). Most of these babies were adopted into a Nazi home in the hopes that they would be reared to be future soldiers and solid citizens of the Third Reich.

My Enemy’s Cradle offers intrigue, suspense and romance in a very readable package but at no time did I ever feel I was reading anything but a fictional piece. Good escapism with a flawed ending that was too pat and too abrupt.

Interesting premise. I didn't realize that there was such a thing as a Lebensborn organization (though in retrospect I'm not surprised). I wonder if I could find another book would have a treatment of that aspect of history that might appeal more to me (readable romance with a pat ending suggests that maybe this isn't quite the one for me)....

#72 - If you do find such a book, please let me know I would love to read more about this subject

I'm another one taking a bookbullet (or 18....) with the Vachss-series. :)

#74 by @-Eva-> ditto.

#74 & 75 - The Vachss book was a great read. I am loving the Black Lizard label for giving us access to some Vintage Crime that I missed in the past. I guess I was too busy reading Matthew Scudder in the 80's!

64. Red Bones by Ann Cleeves - 4.0 ★
Category: Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime
April AwardCat: 2011 Long List for Dublin IMPAC Award
TIOLI #9: A 4 Syllable Word on Page 13



Red Bones by Ann Cleeves is the third book in her series set in the Shetland Islands. As each book is placed in a different area of the islands, the reader is getting a good introduction to this scenic location. Red Bones is set on the island of Whalsay, known as the “Friendly Island” a 30 minute ferry ride from the main island. Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called to Whalsay to investigate what appears to be an accidental shooting of a local elderly woman.

When a further death occurs, Perez is left wondering if an accidental death and then a suicide in the same place and time is too much of a coincidence. Relying on the assistance of his young colleague, Sandy, the two start to sift through the evidence to see what they can uncover. It starts to look as if the answer may lie in the past, that events that have been thought to be forgotten have instead been festering and coming to the surface.

Although a rather slow moving book, the combination of the misty island atmosphere, a archaeological dig, family secrets and close knit community rivalries keeps the reader engrossed to the end. The author does her research and supplies many interesting facts about the islands while still delivering a first class mystery. I’m looking forward to Blue Lightning, the next entry in the series.

#77 That one was televised on the BBC quite recently. It was reasonable, but felt a bit rushed to me. Sounds like that was the adaptation rather than the original story, from your review. The Shetland Islands is somewhere I've always wanted to go: we've been to the Orkney Islands twice but never quite managed to go the extra distance.

I'm glad you liked Red Bones. I've got White Nights on my TBR, but will now go look for the final two books.

#78 - Hi Rhian, I would love to go to the Shetland Islands, from the pictures I've seen they are so beautiful. Of course, I would want to go in the summer.

#80 - I love this series for the setting, plus the author provides fairly interesting mysteries as well.

Just getting to your new thread. Very impressive!

I love that Ann Cleeves series. I understand that there's another one after Blue Lightning, Dead Water. Funny that it's listed on Amazon as "Shetland Quartet 5." I think it's a quintet now.

Alias Grace and Flood are on my list to read. Glad you enjoyed them!

Hi Terri, I loved what Carrie said about the Shetland series, something like - I hope Ann Cleeves enjoys writing about the Shetlands as much as I enjoy reading about them - my feelings exactly. With such a great setting and intereting characters already set up, I hope she continues on with the series indefinitely.

Terri & Judy, I read somewhere in the last few days - maybe the author's website - that the first four books are a quartet based on the seasons. She's also planned a quartet for the next four Shetland Islands books based on the elements earth, air, fire, and water. We now know that we have at least 3 more books to anticipate in the series!

# 83 - Hooray!!

65. American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - 3.0 ★
Category: H. P. Lovecraft - The Dark Side
ER Program
TIOLI #20: A Book With A Nationality In the Title



American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett is a blend of sci-fi, horror and fantasy. The style of the writing brings Stephen King to mind, but, for me lacked the readability that Stephen King’s books have. The story tells of Mona Bright, who has spent most of her life kicking around Texas. She finds, upon the death of her father, that she has been left a house in the town of Wink, New Mexico by her deceased mother. Mona’s mother died many years ago, and what she remembers is a woman who struggled with her mental health and eventually took her own life.

Filled with questions, Mona arrives in Wink and tries to find out more about her mother. But this is, to say the least, a very strange town with even stranger residents. Picturesque, quaint and tidy it may be but something is dreadfully out of sync here, and the longer Mona stays, the more she is drawn into the horror.

I believe I am in the minority here with this book, I quite simply did not like it and if it hadn’t been an ER book that I felt required to read, I probably would have abandoned it quite early. I struggled to understand the author‘s concept, and although the idea of time warping and creatures from a different dimension intrigues me, I just couldn’t connect with this book. To top it off, I didn‘t like or understand Mona and having no connection to the character took a lot away from the story. I also think the author would have produced a tighter, more interesting book if he had pared the book down from it’s 662 pages.

I'm so sorry you didn't like your ER book - especially one that was so long. Kudos to you for finishing it and giving an honest review.

Some previous positive reviews had put American Elsewhere on my wishlist. May have to think twice now.

I got American Elsewhere from ER, too, and should get to reading it, though you're review isn't particularly encouraging.

You deserve some applause for sticking with a book you disliked for 662 pages.

#86 - Thanks, Dejah!

#87 & 88: I don't want to scare anyone off this book, it's getting very good reviews from most people so I am definitely in the minority here. It may just be a case of the wrong book for this reader.

#89 - Hi Jennifer. It wasn't a difficult read, the words flowed along nicely, it was simply that I never got caught up in the story and so found it a bit of a slog.

66. Sky Burial by Xinran - 4.5 ★
Category: Xinran - Global Reading
AlphaCat: X
May RandomCat: Group Zeitgeist



Sky Burial by Xinran is a profoundly spiritual book, telling the story of one woman’s journey through the country of Tibet, searching for her missing husband and how she does eventually find some of the answers she was looking for as well as an inner peace and acceptance. .

Shortly after her doctor husband left with the Chinese Army for Tibet, Shu Wen received notice that he had been killed, although no details were given. Unable to come to terms with this and determined to find the truth behind her husband’s death, she, a doctor herself, joined a militia unit and travelled into Tibet. This was the beginning of a thirty year journey through that country ever searching for news of her lost love. During her sojourn she is befriended by some amazing and caring people who assist her in ways both spiritual and physical.

In this hauntingly beautiful story, Xinran describes the silence and emptiness that surrounds Shu Wen, as both she and, during the same time period, the country of Tibet, embark on a journey to find peace, serenity and survival. This short book is beautifully written and for me, spoke directly to the soul.

I've been interested in Sky Burial and am now even more so after your review. Thanks!

I loved Sky Burial too. The Good Women of China is also a very good read.

Sky Burial sounds really good. WL!

I'm definitely taking a BB on this one - sounds right up my alley. And (I mentioned this in your ROOT thread) you can use it for "X" in the Alpha CAT.

OOPs - Just noticed you did.

Well darn on American Elsewhere. Anything that lacks readability and a reader connection with the protagonist - and is a chunkster at 662 pages - doesn't bode well. Looks like your next book was better, so yay for that!

Hope you are having the same lovely weekend weather we are having on the island!

Sky Burial sounds wonderful.

Having a busy weekend with both grandson's and hubby's birthdays to celebrate. Today I am cooking a turkey dinner for the family so I am popping in and out of LT as I get the chance.

#92 - Sky Burial is a lovely read, Dejah, and as it is very short, barely 200 pages, it's easy to bookhorn into your reading plans.

#93 - Paulina, I am going to add The Good Women of China to my wishlist.

#94 - I hope you enjoy Sky Burial, Katie, when you get to it.

#95 - Yep, I finally found an X for the AlphaCat!

#96 - Hi Lori, I keep looking at the other reviews of American Elsewhere which are mostly very positive and wondering if I read the same book! It's disconcerting when I feel so out of step with the norm.

#97 - It is a wonderful book, Andrea, and well worth tracking down.

67. The Persian Pickle Club†† by Sandra Dallas - 4.5 ★
Category: Patrick O'Brian - Historical Fiction
Reading Through Time Monthly Theme: 1930's
TIOLI #12: Just For the Fun of It



No ifs, ands or buts, Sandra Dallas has become one of my favorite authors. In The Persian Pickle Club she explores the special bond that women can create with each other. Set in rural Kansas during the dust bowl times of the 1930’s, the Persian Pickle Club, which is what these quilters called a paisley pattern, consists of local women who get together to “stitch and bitch”. Over the years the friendship and loyalty that these women have forged is strong, pure and constant. Protective of their weaker members, forgiving of each others short comings, once these women with such greats names as Queenie Bean, Septima Judd, and Opalina Dux, have a made a promise to one another, that promise will be kept forever.

The Persian Pickle Club has been flavoured with many details of the 1930’s. From the description of the dry earth that is constantly blowing, to casual references to movie stars and politicians of the day. Many men were doing back breaking work to be paid only a dollar for their days’ labour. Women struggled to keep the family fed and clothed, yet these poverty stricken people were the first to lead a hand when needed. These were hard times that would have been unbearable without community support.

I loved everything about this book from it’s authentic sound to it’s gentle rhythms of everyday rural life in the depression. The main character, Queenie, springs from the pages a fully formed real person. She and her husband, Grover are endearing, earthy and a couple that I would love to have as neighbours. But this book is far from being simply sweet, there is a dark undercurrent that runs through it’s pages and a few twists and turns along the way to keep the reader fully engrossed. A great read.

I have that Sandra Dallas book in a TBR pile. I don't know if I can squeeze it in this month or not, but I definitely need to get to it soon. It sounds like a winner.

#85 I'm sorry to hear you didn't like American Elsewhere. It's actually been one of my favorite reads for this year. Although I do agree that Mona's character has some flaws especially since she seemed to constantly be behind in understanding what was going on in the town. When I can figure out a complicated plot and the main character can't that's not right.

I never would've guessed "persian pickle" meant paisley. It does sound like a good book.

#100 - Hi Lori, it's a good one, but I know how difficult it can be to fit books in, I suspect I have shelves full of excellent books that I should be getting to.

#101 - Caroline, I couldn't understand why she stayed in that strange town, I would have been out of there on the first night!

#102 - Yeah, I thought I was going to be reading about a group of women who got together to can their homegrown fruit and veg., instead it was a group of women who quilted together!

68. A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch - 4.0 ★
Category: Ariana Franklin - Historical Mystery
May RandomCat: Group Zeitgeist
May Murder & Mayhem
TIOLI #8: Read A Book With Life or Death In the Title



A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch is the first in his series about Charles Lenox, a Victorian gentleman who enjoys playing the sleuth occasionally when interesting cases are presented to him. This particular case is brought to him by his childhood friend and close neighbour Lady Jane Grey . A former maid of hers has been found dead of an apparent suicide, but it isn’t long before Lenox knows the young woman was a victim of foul play.

I found this book reminded me a great deal of Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey novels, although the time period here is Victorian and Lord Peter’s time is after World War I. Both men are the younger brothers of country-loving Earls, and both men are lucky to have intelligent, faithful valets to assist them in their investigations.

The mystery itself moves along at a quick pace and has Lenox visiting both the grandest places in London and some of it’s lowest as well. Lennox himself is a likeable, slightly eccentric character who is fun to read about. There were a few other characters that I am hoping will reappear in future episodes. The writing is light, with frequent humorous insights and gives the reader many details of the day to day life of the upper class. Overall an enjoyable Victorian puzzle and I look forward to reading more about Charles Lenox in future books.

I'm hoping to get to book 2 in the Charles Lenox series this month. I can see the connection to Lord Peter. I like the valet character. I also enjoyed the references to the books Lenox was reading. I remember Trollope was one of them.

I have a couple of Charles Finch books including that one waiting in my TBR pile. It looks like you are reading all my TBR books and making me want to get to them quickly!

So happy to see you enjoyed A Beautiful Blue Death, Judy! I have read all six books in the series (but apparently not the short store prequel the LT series listing shows) and find them to be great stories to unwind with. Looks like I will need to look into Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey series......

#105 - I also liked the armchair traveller parts as well, I have a feeling that he will always be planning trips but never actually getting to take them! If you had to live in the Victorian times, the only way to go would be as a member of the upper class, although I would still miss the lack of refrigeration and be leery of the medical procedures.

#106 - I am having a pretty good reading month so far, Lori. Have gotten to a few books that have on my TBR or library list for a long time.

#107 - I always knew that I would enjoy this series, Lori, from all the great reviews I have read about them. It just takes me so darn long to get all these books off the TBR and into my hands! I think you should give Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey a try, they are quite captivating.

I've read the first three in the Lenox series and am on the look out for book 4 at the library sales this summer. One of the things I really have enjoyed about the series so far is that he can solve the mysteries without DNA, telephones, bullet analysis, etc. I think there is a mention in one of the books that fingerprints are just beginning to be used.

#109 - Hi Betty, I love reading historical mysteries and seeing how they went about solving crime through the various time periods. Lenox does rely on his doctor friend to help him with time of death etc. but he also has to put the pieces together much more painstakingly having no forensics to fall back on.

69. The Storm In the Barn by Matt Phelan - 3.3 ★
Category: Neil Gaiman - Graphic Novels
Reading Through Time Monthly: 1930's
TIOLI #18: A Book About Children In Peril



The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan is a graphic novel that seems to be a blend of folk tale with a coming of age story. Set in 1930’s Kansas, the artwork depicts the dust, wind and dryness of the countryside. Jack and his family are clinging onto their land, trying to scratch a living while all around them their neighbours are packing up and hitting the roads, searching for a better place. Jack is eleven and it hasn’t rained since he was seven. His elder sister has dust pneumonia and her prognosis isn’t good. Rain is urgently needed, but what is keeping it away?

The tall tale part of the story comes in as Jack senses a watery presence in the abandoned barn next door, when he does go investigate, at first he can’t get the door open. He is small for his age and is bullied by the other boys in town, but eventually Jack feeling desperate about the safety of his sisters and the situation his family is in, finds the strength to enter the barn and confront the menace inside. Is Jack going to be the hero his family and his town needs?

This is a simple, heart-felt story that, unfortunately didn’t transcend the age it is targeting. I found it a bit simplistic for my taste, but the plain, unadorned illustrations does capture the bleakness of the landscape and the hopelessness of the people living in it.

My adventures in reading GNs this year has taught me how important it is that the artwork and the story are a great compliment to the other for the book to be a stunning piece of work..... kind of like pairs figure skating, or the two parts of an oreo cookie! ;-)

#112 - You are so right, Lori, and if truth be told, I have just finished a YA that I was reading at the same time as The Storm In the Barn and both the story and illustrations of this one, A Monster Calls totally blew me away. The Storm In The Barn just couldn't compete with this book.

70. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - 5.0 ★
Category: J.A. Barrie - YA and Children's Literature
May AwardCat: Winner of the 2011 Red Tentacle, Kitschies Award
TIOLI #3: In The Top 10% of my TBR by LT Average



I don’t believe that I have the words to do justice to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. This moving, heart-breaking and incredibly brave book left me in a puddle of tears, but truly grateful that I was pointed in it’s direction. This book deals with the sensitive subject of facing up to the reality of death and caring enough about someone to have the courage to let go. Although a quick YA read, I would suggest it’s most suitable for mature elevens and up and, I also think it would be an excellent idea to have a mentor or at least some on-going discussion about the storyline as well.

An original idea by Siobhan Dowd that was developed by Patrick Ness after her death, this allegorical book captures the readers emotions and holds one spellbound. Enhanced by illustrations by Jim Kay, this story of grief, loss and love is truly unforgettable and one I would highly recommend.

I keep seeing great things about A Monster Calls and your review is no exception to that, Judy! Looks like I will be adding this one the the future reading list.

Now that's a review. I've been looking at A Monster Calls and have heard about it, now I have to read it.

#115 & 116 - Lori and Andrea, this book really got to me and I freely admit to crying like a baby over it. So I would advise having a box of kleenex beside you when you pick this book up.

71. The Red Dahlia by Lynda La Plante - 4.2 ★
Category: Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime
May AlphaCat: R
Murder & Mayhem May
TIOLI #9: Series in Rolling Order



The second entry in her Anna Travis series, The Red Dahlia by Lynda La Plante has the young detective once again working for DCI James Langton as they track a particularly nasty killer. This killer is imitating the 1940’s murder that became known as the Black Dahlia case.

As the police slowly start developing their case, Anna finds that her feelings toward her supervisor are again coming to the surface and she struggles to hide her feelings. This author excels in the police procedural part of the book, and this was an edge of your seat read. I appreciated that the relationship part of the story was very low keyed, and most of the attention was on the solving of the murders. The actual break in the case felt very realistic, and once they had a suspect, the book then delved into the life and mindset of this truly evil person as the team painstaking worked to gather evidence and build a case.

My only quibble with The Red Dahlia is that although the author produces realistic and well-shaded women characters, I find the men characters a little less realistic. I do plan on continuing on with this series however as they are well able to hold my attention but would add that the book does contain some very gruesome scenes.

No doubt I'll be adding A Monster Calls to the tbr shelves at some point though I'll probably get to his Chaos Walking trilogy first as that's already there.

#119 - Dave, I need to get to his Chaos Walking trilogy as well.

Really must read A Monster Calls!

#121 - It's a good one. If only reading was a full time job for all of us, then we would have the time to get to all these different books that we keep hearing about!

72. The Winter Prince by Cheryl Sawyer - 3.3 ★
Category: Patrick O'Brian - Historical Fiction
Reading Through Time Quarterly Theme: 17th Century
TIOLI #5: A Book I Should Have Already Read



The Winter Prince by Cheryl Sawyer is a detailed historical fiction story that is set during the English Civil War. The main characters are Mary Villiers, The Duchess of Richmond and Prince Rupert, nephew of Charles I. From a sentence she read in a biography of Prince Rupert, the author developed this star crossed love story of Rupert, Mary and her husband, James Stuart, Duke of Richmond.

Prince Rupert was a masterful character and one that needs no enhancement, he was a larger than life figure in his day being tall, handsome and outspoken.. He was at all times a soldier, straight forward and blunt, and although very close to the Royal Family, he had more than his share of enemies in the inner circle which led to some difficulties. Mary Villiers was a great favorite of both the King and the Queen. She grew up at court and was very much treated as one of the family. The author did a great deal of research and supplies many authentic details of the time period.

Set in a time of such great turmoil, I would have expected this book to be a little more exciting than it was. At various times, I think the author’s devotion to detail and accuracy caused the story to drag somewhat. Also as historically the liaison between Rupert and Mary was mostly gossip, there weren’t many details to be written about and the story quickly became more of a backdrop. But because of this intensive attention to detail, I believe she nailed the characters that she writes about, and it becomes clear that the King and Queen could have saved their reign if only they had been willing to compromise with their parliament. I would suggest The Winter Prince to people who are more interested in the history than the story.

Oh I loved A Monster Calls, stunning artwork, heartbreaking story.

another fan of a monster calls great review :-) He's worth seeing being interviewed/doing a reading if you ever get the chance

Here's more praise for your review of A monster calls! Sound like something I really need to pick up. Darn good-looking cover too!

Book bullets galore!

#124 - 126 - Hi Claire, Pete and Anders - it's great to see so much love for A Monster Calls, it is a book that speaks right to the heart, and the illustrations add so much to the story.

#127 - Hi Sandy, I love handing out book bullets! After all that's our number one purpose in posting here, to share out love of books with each other.

Adding A Monster Calls to my TBR list. Sorry to be so late to the party! I'm still catching up after time off to recover. I also loved The Persian Pickle Club, but I tried another one of her books and just couldn't get into it. Not sure why.

#129 - Hi Cindy, great to see you here, no worries about being late, we all struggle at times to keep up. I have loved every thing I have read by Sandra Dallas so far, with The Persian Pickle Club and The Diary of Mattie Spenser being my favorites so far.

73. King of the Khyber Rifles†† by Talbot Mundy - 3.8 ★
Category: Edgar Rice Burroughs - Adventure
Commonwealth Tour: India
TIOLI #14: The Letters M, A, and Y Appear in the Author's Name



Harkening back to the days of Saturday afternoons watching old movies on TV's Adventure Theatre, King of the Khyber Rifles is a posturing, swaggering adventure story of a British army secret agent in the early days of World War I as he infiltrates and manages to thwart the plot of the Turkish mullah, Muhammed Anim and the mysterious, beautiful Yasmini. As the military is being shipped off to the European front, India is wide open for the tribes from the other side of the Khyber Pass to sweep down and stage a jihad, pushing the British out of India.

Athelstane King is a master of disguise and although British to the core, is able to think and act like a native. The mysterious Yasminni, of mixed Russian and Indian heritage is a masterful foe, and has gathered a force that will follow her blindly. Her downfall however is her love for Captain King. Throw in a mad Mullah, secret caves, charging lancers and you have an adventure story that will keep the pages turning.

I found Talbot Mundy’s writing reminded me of both Edgar Rice Burroughs and H Rider Haggard, slightly dated, rather unbelievable, yet still highly readable and altogether King of the Khyber Rifles was a ripping good yarn.

This one I thought was great fun! I got it free for the kindle, knowing nothing about the story or the author, but I loved it!

Hi Cindy, my copy was also a free Kindle download. I remember watching an old movie called King of the Khyber Rifles starring Tyrone Power, but I think the story was changed dramatically. I wonder if that movie is still out there, I will have to check and see.

74. Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne - 5.0 ★
Category: Pierre Burton - Non-fiction
May AwardCat: 2011 General Non-Fiction Finalist, Pulitzer Prize
May AlphaCat: E
TIOLI #11: A Winner or Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize



I have long been a fan of western literature and my reading has often brought me to the Staked Plains of Texas, the Comanche and, in particular, the fabled myths of Cynthia Parker and her son Quanah. In the Pulitzer nominated Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne we can now read the facts that are the core to the myth that surround both these places and people. Empire of the Summer Moon is the story of the half-breed Comanche who was a fierce warrior, the son of the famous captive Cynthia Parker, who became known as the “white squaw’ when it became clear that she had no interest in returning to her white roots, preferring instead the life of a wild Comanche. This book also defines the end of a civilization as the life of the nomad North American Indian, in this case the Comanche is brought to a close.

The Comanche were the most feared tribe of the North American plains, and their depredations were extreme and exceedingly cruel, but they were making a last stand trying to stem the white immigration that was pushing them slowly off their land and taking away their way of life.

The author clearly lays out both sides of this conflict and does so with a complete lack of sentimentality, he sticks to the facts and the story unfolds in a direct, understandable fashion. When the government steals from, and breaks promises made to the Indians, it is so noted. Also he makes no excuses for the cruel tortures the Indian inflict upon their captives, and at times this unflinching look is very difficult to read about.

Empire of the Summer Moon is a fantastic book, one I literally couldn’t put it down. Top notch writing makes this epic narrative of how the Texas frontier was settled both an exciting and engaging read. Empire of the Summer Moon is a book that any fan of western fiction would find a great read.

75. The Sandman Vol. 6: Fables & Reflections by Neil Gaiman - 4.3 ★
Category: Neil Gaiman - Graphic Novels
The Sandman Yearly Group Read
TIOLI #21: A Book of Mars, Myths or Make-Believe



The 6th Volume of The Sandman series, Fables & Reflections is a collection of assorted stories in which Morpheus makes an appearance. Some of the stories delve into his history and his siblings also show up in a random fashion. All these stories show a different side of Morpheus’ nature and this volume does much to advance the series in various directions. Some familiar character make an appearance and some new ones, most notably, Morpheus’s son, the tragic Orpheus are revealed.

There are nine separate stories in this issue and I am sure everyone has their own particular favourites. I loved “Three Septembers and a January”, featuring Emperor Norton I, and the “Parliament of Rooks” with Eve, Cain and Abel sharing stories with Matthew and Baby Daniel. The last story, “Ramadan” had a very different look with it’s colourful artwork and intriguing storyline. Truly I enjoyed each story although for me, “Soft Places” and “The Hunt” didn’t captivate my interest as strongly as most of the others.

Fables and Reflections is a wonderful addition to the Sandman series and it is beguiling to see the craft and imagination that Neil Gaiman and his crew has put into each volume of this series.

76. The Crime At Black Dudley by Margery Allingham - 4.0 ★
Category: Arthur Conan Doyle - Classic Mystery
May Murder & Mayhem
TIOLI #14: Author Has The Letters M, A, and Y in Their Name



The Crime At Black Dudley by Margery Allingham starts with a weekend in the country, an isolated house full of guests, and a strange tale to be told about an ancient family ritual. During the course of the evening it was decided to act out this ritual which involved the passing of the family dagger around in the dark. When the lights are turned back on whoever is holding the dagger must pay a forfeit. This was the opening of an entertaining and impelling read. As we can surmise, when the lights are turned back on, the party is down one member.

The story unfolds through the eyes of a young doctor who fancies himself a bit of a an expert in the area of criminal doings as he has assisted Scotland Yard with his knowledge of pathology. Albert Campion who was to go on to be the star of this author’s series, is mostly a side character, a seeming vacuous young man who relishes playing the fool, but he is slowly revealed as a highly intelligent private agent with a mind like a steel trap.

The Crime At Black Dudley was a fun read and a great introduction to the Albert Campion series as this small sampling showcases Campion’s chameleon-like manner along with his humor, style and wit. This small appearance was certainly enough to whet this readers’ appetite for more.

I haven't read any from Allingham and this sounds like a good one. You got me with your BB!

I'm glad to see you enjoyed Empire of the Summer Moon - I loved that book when I read it a couple of years ago.

#137 - Hi Jennifer, I previously read Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham and it prompted me to try and track down the whole series. Albert Campion is a great addition to my other favorite classic detectives!

#138 - Sandy, I believe it was Mark (msf59) who put Empire of the Summer Moon on my wishlist, but I remember your review and it certainly pushed the book higher! This was a perfect read for me.

I'd read Police at the Funeral recently, as my first Allingham, and definitely want to read more, so it was great to see your positive review of The Crime at Black Dudley ... and I love those classic Penguin covers!

I've got the Campion book to read now. I have to complete my current book first!

#140 - Paulina, I wish I could collect the whole Allingham series in the classic Penguin green and white covers, but haven't been able to. I am absolutely haunted by a mistake I made a couple of years ago. I went into a second hand bookstore and there was a carton of books, probably about 40 - 50 books all with Penguin Green Covers by various authors. I could have bought the whole carton for $30.00 and I DIDN'T!!!

#141 - Lori, I hope you enjoy The Crime at Black Dudley as much as I did.

I finished it, Judy. I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as you did.

I am absolutely haunted by a mistake I made a couple of years ago. I went into a second hand bookstore and there was a carton of books, probably about 40 - 50 books all with Penguin Green Covers by various authors. I could have bought the whole carton for $30.00 and I DIDN'T!

I think every book lover has a story like that of "the one that got away."

#143 - Lori, I'm glad you did enjoy it, even if not as much as me. I'm looking forward to the next one where I believe Campion plays a much larger role.

#144 - You are probably right, Terri. Just like a fisherman!

77. The Eleventh Plague†† by Jeff Hirsch - 3.0 ★
Category: George Orwell - Dystopia
May AlphaCat: E
TIOLI #18: A Book About Children In Peril



The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch was just an ok YA dystopian read with little character development and a rather boring backdrop for the characters to work with. The book is set in a decimated future where Americans dropped bombs on China who then retaliated with germ warfare, which they called the eleventh plague One thing that really bothers me with this and many other dystopian books is that everyone appears to suddenly go dumb, they forget how to bring any modern day comforts back, and they all seem content to live like early day pioneers. Stephen and his family have been getting by as wandering scavengers.

When they have a run in with slavers and his father is badly injured, they are taken in by a small town called Settler’s Landing. In this place of relative safety Stephen learns what it is like to have a home. He has been raised to distrust strangers, but in very little time he is attending school, making friends and playing baseball. The family that has taken him in have a history of helping strays and a young Chinese girl, Jenny, has also been raised by them. Jenny is a rebel and all she wants to do is leave town and see what’s out there. Jenny and Stephen become instantly attached at the hip and they make plans to leave the town together. Of course the slavers eventually find the town, and Stephen and Jenny stay to help, but in the end Jenny still wants to go and Stephen wants to stay.

I didn’t get interested in the book enough to check and see if future issues are planned, For me this one book was enough.

One thing that really bothers me with this and many other dystopian books is that everyone appears to suddenly go dumb, they forget how to bring any modern day comforts back, and they all seem content to live like early day pioneers

That is such a good point! One would assume at least some engineers would survive, and if not them, then people who can read science books and texts and would be able to figure out at least how to get generators started and other technology going again. No one would have to start from ground zero.

#147 - Not only do they often forget "how to", technology in these books often is treated as a taboo subject. I read one book where the crisis wasn't even 20 years old, yet everyone not only seemed to forget how to have any kind of modern convenience, they didn't even seem to know what things like a TV or a computer were! I don't know about everybody else, but I am pretty sure that not only would I not forget things like TV, computers and I-Pods, I would probably drive everybody crazy talking about them all the time. As for heat, light and warm water, and refrigeration, I would never stop trying to bring those back!

This is my moment to recommend Eric Flint's series that begins with 1632. A small part of West Virginia is transported in time and space to the Germanic states in the year 1632. I love the way Flint has the small rural town deal with the technological challenges they face in addition to the survival issues of being a (relatively) small group plunked down in the middle of the 30 Years' War.

>148 DeltaQueen50:
Yeah, I'd be complaining quite a bit, or at least turning my favorite TV shows and movies into stories that would fit oral traditions, retelling them because I love them and so they are not forgotten. (It'd been like the ultimate fan fiction, you could rewrite the storylines for your kids and they wouldn't know!)

>149 Dejah_Thoris:
Ooooh! That sounds like a good one. I'll have to pick that up.

#149 - Thanks, Dejah. 1632 has been added to my wishlist. It will be nice to read about some people who still have their "Can-do" about them.

#150 - I can honestly say that I would be the last person anyone would want to be stuck with if my modern comforts were taken away. I'm not a big fan of camping rough.

>142 DeltaQueen50:: Wow, a whole box of Penguin green-cover books for $30! That would have been hard to pass up, though I understand the need to show restraint. (My own shelves are overflowing and I'm trying hard not to add to them.) I'm not really a book collector but I seem to have a real weakness for Penguins.

>146 DeltaQueen50:-8, I was talking with the librarian at work about how all the YA distopias all seem to run together after a while. Certain plot points like "no technology" get thrown in there because that's what the author thinks should should be there, whether or not it actually fits the storyline. One book that I thought did a good job at showing how poorly we would adapt to losing modern technology is Ashfall by Mike Mullin, about a boy's attempt to survive and find his family after Yellowstone erupts.

#152 - Restraint is good at times but I think I chose the wrong time to show it!

#153 - Yes, I read Ashfall recently and throught it was very well done, it was set at the time of, and immediately after the event so it made sense that technology was failing. What I take exception to are the books that are set 10 - 20 years later, and little or no effort seems to have been made to bring some of the "necessities" back. And then to have the characters wandering around shaking their heads over broken TV's, cell phones and microwaves as if they were strange, alien devices even though it's only been 20 years since they were in common use, well, that drives me crazy!

#146 One thing that really bothers me with this and many other dystopian books is that everyone appears to suddenly go dumb, they forget how to bring any modern day comforts back, and they all seem content to live like early day pioneers

What I find really irritating is almost the reverse point. When civilisation has been operating at a lower level for a long time, and then everything that's needed to build a modern civilisation is almost miraculously rediscovered by the main characters, so that there's several hundred years of progress shoehorned into a couple of years.

#155, Hi Rhian, I don't think I have read a book that has done that yet, but I can certainly see that it would be equally irrititating!

78. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams - 4.7 ★
Category: Edgar Rice Burroughs - Adventure
TIOLI #13: Author Shares Last Name with a Passenger from the Mayflower



Somewhere in my travels around LT I read a posting that said in effect, when it came to westerns, Butcher’s Crossing by John Williams was one of the best . Wow, thought I, that’s a western that I have never heard about and immediately went about tracking it down. Now I owe a big thank you to that unidentified poster for pointing me in the direction of this book.

This isn’t a big action packed story, instead it tells a simple tale of a young man who comes to the west sometime in the late 1870’s looking for that unknown something that young men search for. He hooks up with an older man, a buffalo hunter who tells him of a valley that he once stumbled upon. A valley nestled up against the Rocky Mountains with lush grass, water, plenty of game and, uncounted buffalo. Together with two other men they set out to find this valley and hunt the buffalo who take refuge there.

With characters that are complex and memorable, the author weaves his story together with sparse yet picturesque writing. Partly a coming of age story, partly a ecological essay, Butcher’s Crossing captures the essence of a land on the brink of change, the hunter’s time almost over, the buffalo having been brought to the edge of extinction. It will soon be the time of the railroads, as they move in and open up the land for ranching and farming. I don’t understand why this work isn’t better known with it's timeless writing and it’s very current themes. I know that I found it to be a wonderful read and for me, this book helps to define what a revisionist western is meant to be.

#157 That book looks great, and I see that I've already read a book by that author - Stoner, about an English professor at a fictionalized University of Missouri set in the early 20th century. The Missouri Readers Group did it as a group read a while back.

And now another book for the wishlist!

>155 SandDune: This is one of things that started to drive me crazy in Jean Auel's Earth's Children series.

#156 I don't think I have read a book that has done that yet

Now the only book that I can remember reading recently that does it was a YA book that I read earlier this year: The Pool of Fire by John Christopher. But I've certainly read quite a few in the past.

#158 - Sandy, how did you find Stoner? I have read that it is considered his masterpiece. I would like to find a copy and give it a try.

#158 & 159 - I stand corrected as I have read the Earth Children series and I do remember snorting out loud as one main character or another discovered or adapted something to make life easier. Your right, Alana, that series took a number of historic shortcuts which definitely disrupts the flow of the story. And now that I think of it, I remember a book about Egypt written by Wilbur Smith where one of the main characters was supposed to be very intelligent. During the course of the book the reader was led to believe that just about every discovery that the Egyptians ever made was this due to this character's genius.

79. Nineteen Seventy Four by David Peace - 2.5 ★
Category: Lawrence Block - Male Authors of Crime
May Murder & Mayhem
TIOLI #9: Series in Rolling Order



In the author’s own words:

“Crime is brutal, harrowing and devastating for everyone involved, and crime fiction should be every bit as brutal, harrowing and devastating as the violence of the reality it seeks to document. Anything less at best sanitises crime and its effects, at worst trivialises it.”

Following this mantra, Nineteen Seventy Four is a brutal, harrowing read of police corruption, serial killing and man’s ability to inflict violence and cruelty on each other. I usually like books that have a dark edge to them, but Nineteen Seventy Four was simply too vicious and offensive for me to recommend this book to anyone. I disliked pretty much all the characters, the writing style was fragmented and edgy and the plot rather convoluted and at times difficult to follow. I was unsettled by this book, which perhaps was the authors intent, but I was also having to force myself to continue with the read.

Unfortunately this is the first book in the Red Riding Quartet and I have the other three on my shelves. I will give this author one more chance, but I have a feeling that this series is simply too violent and bizarre even for me.

Happily avoiding the violence and cruelty of Nineteen Seventy Four. Hope you have a lovely Tuesday, Judy!

I've read one work by David Peace so far and its unremitting bleakness put me off picking up anything else since. Seems like that once he picks his theme he stays with it and really drives it home without any relief for the reader to catch their breath. Looks like there's no need for me to move this author further up the try again list.

#163 - Hi Lori, I can handle a fair amount of violence but this book was really over the top, a good book for you to avoid - definitely!

#164 - Dave, I was so disappointed in this book, I had been anticipating this series, fully expecting to love them, but yes, the phrase "unremitting bleakness" would certainly fit.

I still want to read it, but I'll take your warning under advisement and choose the timing of when I read it accordingly. I only have the first one, because my out of control TBR had me swear to only buy one book by an author I hadn't read, no matter what a deal it was or how dubious I was of finding that title again.

I wanted to watch the TV adaptation of Red Riding but thought the books might be easier to stomach (even if the TV adaptation DOES have David Morrissey). Maybe not!

I watched the TV adaptation of Red Riding and I don't remember it being too violent. I'm not very tolerant of that sort of thing so I'd have been quite likely to give up after the first episode if it had been. But a feel-good watch it was not!

Eeyou - thanks for the warning on Nineteen Seventy Four.

#166 - I'll be looking forward to reading what you think of the book, Kay. I should be more disciplined and stop buying three or four of a unknown series, but I tend to panic and think they won't be readily available when I want them.

#167 & 168 - I think maybe the TV adaptation might be easier to stomach, there is a limitation on the amount of violence and nasty sex that they can show. I think I read somewhere that my personal hunk, Sean Bean, is in it as well, so I would definitely watch it if I get a chance.

#169 - Your welcome, Katie.

80. The Firemaker by Peter May - 4.5 ★
Category: Henning Mankell - International Crime (China)
May Murder & Mayhem
TIOLI #14: Author's Name Includes the Letters M, A, and Y



The Firemaker by Peter May is the first in a series of crime novels that feature Chinese Police Inspector Li Yan and American Margaret Campbell, a doctor of forensic pathology. Dr. Campbell has left America to recover from a personal tragedy and is in Beijing to conduct a series of lectures at the People’s University of Public Security.. When a bizarre crime occurs Margaret is asked to assist in the autopsies. There is wonderful chemistry between Lt Yan and Margaret right from their first meeting and as the story develops so does the chemistry.

The city of Beijing is practically a main character in the story. As the investigation moves around the city, it comes alive on the pages. With detailed descriptions of parks, hotels, restaurants and clubs, university and government buildings, the city becomes a reality and gives the reader a real sense of place.

The Firemaker has been sitting on my shelves for some time, often picked up but never quite getting slotted in to actually read, partly due to it‘s having such a boring cover.. In this case judging a book by it’s cover was a mistake. This was an top-notch thriller with an interesting plot line that had real believability behind it. From Li Yan’s description I immediately pictured the Chinese actor, Chow Yun Fat, who has long been a favorite of mine. Margaret is written as having little to no knowledge of China and so many points of Chinese culture and life are pointed out to her.. Nothing is forced down the reader’s throat, just sprinkled throughout the story.

The Firemaker is an exciting and interesting crime thriller, with a little romance thrown in, and some great information on a country that I know very little about. This was a excellent read.

The Peter May series is one I've been intending to try. I just have to figure out how to squeeze another series into the many I'm already following.

#172 - I know. Carrie, I keep trying to resist starting yet another series, but it is such a common format these days that it's hard to avoid!

Oh dear I shouldn't stay away from LT for this long, great discussions and reviews and Book bullets for King of the Khyber Rifles & Butcher's Crossing.

I admit I an interested too find out how you get on with Nineteen Seventy Four Alison.

I just noticed that Eric Flint's 1632 is available free for Kindle at amazon. Since we'd just been discussing it, I though I'd let you know! Not that I want to pressure you into reading it or anything.....

#174 - Hi Claire, RL and LT can become quite a tug-of-war at times!

#175 - Dejah, I went and checked out Eric Flint's book on Amazon and the copy that was for sale at $1.99 isn't currently available due to some problem with the publisher. I don't know if this is only so in Canada, but I couldn't pick it up at a reduced price today and no freebies here either. :(

->85 DeltaQueen50:
Sorry American Elsewhere didn't work for you, but I'm very happy I didn't request it as I had planned to do. The cover is great, though!

->91 DeltaQueen50:
Sky Burial is my planned read for the Alpha-challenge, so it's very good to hear such positive words about it.

->114 DeltaQueen50:
I read A Monster Calls this month too - isn't it just amazing?

->134 DeltaQueen50:
Adding Empire of the Summer Moon to the wishlist, especially after reading Ride the Wind earlier this year - such a fascinating time in history.

->167 rabbitprincess:
I always have to be wary of any movie with David Morrissey - he always manage to convince me he's a good guy and then he always turns out to be a baddie! :)

Oh no, Judy, I'm sorry! It's funny that sometimes the deals are the same in the U.S. and Canada, and sometimes not. A puzzlement.....

>177 -Eva-:: The 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility may be an exception to the rule ;) But yes he is very good at being a devilishly charming villain!

178. No problem, Dejah. I don't know why either. My guess is that the difference may be in the various publishing laws of the two countries.

81. Anne of Green Gables†† by L.M. Montgomery - 5.0 ★
Category: J.M. Barrie - YA and Children's Literature
Commonweath Tour: Canada
TIOLI #9: A Book That is Tagged as a "Comfort Read"



I read somewhere recently that the best books are those that you close with a big sigh and then clutch it to your chest and Anne of Green Gables is exactly that sort of book for me. I have read this book about 4 times during various stages of my life, the last time was over twenty years ago when I read it to my youngest daughter, and I wondered if the story would still hold up and, for me, it does. The story of an orphan girl who is taken in by an elderly spinster and her brother, who goes through more than her share of scrapes and troubles is as charming today as it was when I first read it. Anne comes across as a very real girl, far from perfect, yet loveable and entertaining just the same.

Although the style of the book, published in 1908, is somewhat dated, I personally still found a lot to admire on these pages. The author’s descriptions of nature and the passing of the seasons is lovely. Her characters are well-rounded and even though the story is somewhat predictable, it is a wonderful read.

This is a book I first read and loved when young, the first book where I had to read about the death of a beloved character, the first book that offered me a fictional heroine to be a role model during my younger years. I simply can’t be impartial about this book. When called upon to name my favorite books, Anne of Green Gables is always in the top five, and that is still true today.

The Anne of Green Gables books are the perfect nostalgia fix for me. Such great stories!

I need to read Anne of Green Gables. I knew of it as a kid, and watched the Avonlea TV series, but never got around reading the books.

I think I've seen the TV-series, but haven't read the books. There is a very similar series in Sweden (Kulla-Gulla) that pretty much all girls read - I wonder if that kind of story exists in all countries? :)

#182 - Hi Lori, my plan is to reread all the Anne books, in fact, all of L.M. Montgomery's works. I think they are all rereads, but perhaps I missed some when I was young. Great comfort reads.

#183 & 184 - It's so very hard for me to divorce myself from my earlier feelings towards this book, so I am really interested in what an adult who has never read the books would think of it. Eva, I suspect there is some type of beloved children's book for every country, America has more than one, Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, and Oz books just to mention a few. I always think of Enid Blyton when thinking of British children's books, but I am sure there are plenty more authors. Speaking of beloved children's characters, I stole this cartoon from Mark's (msf59) thread, it totally cracks me up:

->185 DeltaQueen50:
That's hilarious!!!

I always connect Kulla-Gulla and Anne of Green Gables in my mind since they are both orphans and we get to follow them through-out their lives. I do want to read Anne, but (like many other lovely books), haven't gotten around to it yet.

>185 DeltaQueen50:
Hah!! That's awesome!

#185 I am really interested in what an adult who has never read the books would think of it - I'm reading Anne of Green Gables at the moment (having never read it before),so I'll report back

I love the Dorothy and Alice picture.

Rhian> I was an adult when I first read Anne of Green Gables.

My car is packed up and I am about to go get in line for the ferry over to Vancouver Island. I plan to spend 10 days or so at my Mom's and will have limited computer access. Hope everyone has a great early June and I'll be looking forward to catching up with everyone when I return.

Have a great visit! :)

Have a wonderful time, Judy!

I love Anne of Green Gables and Little Women and Little House on the Prairie.... And I do reread them over the years.

At the moment I'm reading The Human Comedy written in the same style as the above but it's about a little boy during WW2 in California. As this is the first time I'm reading it I'm wondering what my opinion will be as I sometimes think that if some books aren't read as a child the magic isn't there.

Have a great time with your mom! We'll be here when you get back.

Enjoy your trip.

Enjoy your time with your mother!

Great review of Anne of Green Gables! It captures exactly why this book is one of my favourites too. I'd like to reread all the Anne books too, and read for the first time some of Montgomery's other books that I've missed. Maybe next year ....

Hope you have/had a great time at your mom's!!

Well, all settled in and the ferry ride help me to get another book finished for the month. Thanks for all the well wishes, I seem to have arrived along with summer and we enjoying warm weather and sunshine.

I agree that books that we read and loved as children might not have the same magic if we read them later in life for the first time, I was a little disappointed with my reread of Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom recently, not remembering how moralistic these stories were, but Anne of Green Gables held up very well for me.

82. The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan - 2.7 ★
Category: H.P. Lovecraft - Dark Fantasy
June AlphaCat: F
TIOLI #6: Title or Author's Name Starts with a Letter That Contains Both Straight Lines & Curves



The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan is the second in a vampire trilogy. These are not the sparkly romantic vampires that have recently been the fashion, but yet neither are they the compelling, gothic original vampires. This vampirism is caused by a virus spread by blood worms that are deposited in people by a long stinger that the vampire releases from its throat. These vampires are nasty, disease ridden horrors with very little of their humanity left, although they are obsessed with tracking and turning their “Dear Ones” into their kind.

Most of the traditional vampire lore has been done away with, crosses don’t scare these guys, garlic doesn’t repel them and forget about that wooden stake. They are afraid of silver, and sunlight can damage them, so the best solution is to carry a silver weapon and, in order to avoid encounters do your business during daylight hours. The night belongs to them.

Overall I find these books over long, overdone and over authored. I prefer my vampires to be the cerebral, dark and literary type. The shock value quickly wears off and then the book is vaguely nasty and gruesome, but there is not enough story to hold my interest. I will take a pass on the third volume.

Hmmm. As much as I love Del Toro's movies, his books don't sound that compelling.

Ew! The vampire virus sounds really gross. But at least you've removed one book from the to-read list (the third volume)!

How have I managed to miss this thread for this long! Butcher's crossing has been recommended to me before so definitely taking that book bullet. I'll avoid the Del Toro though. Anne of green gables always reminds me of he late great Ken Campbell who did a routine about how the Japanese learned English from that book

Easily dodging The Fall as I tend to avoid vampire novels but still sorry to see it was a let down.

->201 DeltaQueen50:
Sounds like something I'd watch, but think I'll pass on the books. (Yey, another series not on the wishlist!) :)

@201 I admit I didn't make it passed the 1st one. I chalked that up to my dislike of the typical horror novel.

It's strange, although I don't mind mindless hordes in my zombie books, I much prefer my vampires to be in smaller groups and to have an intelligent, almost sophisticated way about them. If I hadn't already had The Fall on my shelves I would have stopped after the first book as well.

#204 - I have to confess my ignorance as I haven't heard of Ken Campbell, but I do know that the Province of Prince Edward Island and the Green Gables house is often a top priority of visiting Japanese.

My computer time is limited right now, but I will try to continue posting about the books I am reading and catch up with everyone when I get home.

83. The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney - 3.2 ★
Category: Dora Saint - Reader's Choice
June AwardCat: 1976 Costa Book of the Year
June AlphaCat: S
TIOLI #1: Flowering Plant mentioned on Page 23



The 1976 Costa Book of the Year, The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney is a complex story of life and murder in a small Canadian wilderness community during the winter of 1867. Lucy Ross discovers the body of her fur trapper/trader neighbour, scalped and with his throat slashed, and as the hue and cry rises, it is also found that her seventeen year old son has gone missing. The son, Francis, becomes the main suspect and the trail leads to another small community founded by a Norwegian religious sect and on to a Hudson’s Bay Post.

The story it told mostly by Lucy Ross, but shifts to other characters’ point of view in alternating chapters. This, for me, kept me both from becoming attached to any character and also for the story to become rather drawn out and muddied. The characters in this story come across as real and well fleshed out, but there were so many side stories that the book eventually became a rather frustrating read. Stories about two young girls who went out berry picking and disappeared into the wilderness, a Norwegian couple who indulge in an adulterous affair, and mysterious carvings that could possibly be proof of a Indian written language. These were all intriguing and would almost warrant their own book but in this book they eventually became distractions that pulled the readers’ attention away from the main plot.

There is no doubt that Stef Penney is an extremely talented author, but for me, I would have preferred a shorter, tighter story that kept the main story more as the main focus of the book.

I read Penney's The Invisible Ones last year, and I enjoyed it immensely, even if I guessed the ending early - it was still a good read. I have The Tenderness on the wishlist since then, but I appreciate the caveat so that my expectations are at the right level.

Oooo Tenderness of Wolves has been languishing on my WL. The setting sounds wonderful, but those side stories? I read three out of four books by an author once because she had wonderful side threads, that I thought would be handled in the 2nd book, that I thought would be handled in the 3rd book. By the time the 4th book was coming out, I'd found her blog and realized she didn't have a plan or answers for all these side threads. So, I'm hoping they aren't as annoying as that!

Joining Eva and Katie is saying I have Tenderness of Wolves on my TBR bookcase. I was hoping to read it this month - and may still get around to doing that - but no promises. My library account has just exploded with holds ready for pick up so I think I need to re-assess my planned reading for the next 3-4 weeks.

It's interesting how different readers react to the same aspect of the book. I really liked The Tenderness of Wolves, and one of the reasons was because of the various stories. I found them intriguing because it seemed like each character (or set of characters) was looking for something vitally important to them. Another character (or set of characters) had or knew whatever it was that was so important to another character and it was of no value to that person at all. It seemed like an illustration of how knowledge of the past becomes fragmented.

#210 - 213 - I think my problem with The Tenderness of Wolves was that I had a wrong idea of what the book was actually about. I should have allowed myself to relax and just enjoy the trip, but I got too caught up in the destination and wanted the main plot line to be solved. Her writing is very good, and her characters come across as real people with reason and thought behind their actions. I don't want to put anyone off this book, it just wasn.t the book I was expecting.

84. Shards of Honor†† by Lois McMaster Bujold
Category: Dora Saint - Readers Choice
June RandomCat: June Brides
June AlphaCat: S
June Women Authors of Science Fiction
TIOLI #8: Science Fiction by a Woman Author



I haven’t read a lot of pure science fiction, but Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold came highly recommended and so I gave it a try. And although I am still not a full convert to sci-fi, I did really love this book and appreciated that it was light on the technical information and science but did occasionally give me flashbacks to both early Star Trek episodes and the Star Wars movies. A fun, adventurous read featuring a strong, independent woman, Cordelia Naismith, who is the captain of a Betan astronomical survey ship that had the unfortunate luck to cross paths with a military spaceship from the planet Barrayar whose captain, Lord Aral Vorkosigan is to become an important person in her life.

Without delving into the plot too deeply, this is a story of two star-crossed lovers kept apart by political plots, as well as ethical and moral conflicts. The book was originally published in 1986 and is as timely today as it was back then as the main characters have to face serious questions as to the worth of a terrible sacrifice, and should one follow their country blindly, and when does personal honor come into alliances and betrayals. As these are mature people, this was never a “bodice-ripper” kind of romance, instead we are given a realistic adult story of practical people with both pasts and flaws that realize they should be together.

Shards of Honor is the first book in the Vorkosigan series, and both the story and it’s ending has fully engaged me so that I want to continue on and see what happens to these characters next.

I do want to get to the Vorkosigan series at some point. The only problem is that when I do I have the feeling that I won't want to stop.

#216 - Dave, it's kind of mind-boggling to be taking on another huge series like this (somewhere in the area of 15 books), but at least they seem to be quick reads.

85. Almost the Truth by Margaret Yorke - 4.0 ★
Category: Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime
TIOLI #2: Saving Face



Almost the Truth by Margaret Yorke is an interesting tale of the repercussions to a family that experience the shattering horror of having the nineteen year old daughter raped during the course of a robbery. The daughter and the father were at home when the thieves broke in, and the daughter is never able to forgive her father for not trying harder to save her from the rape. The father, in turn, is guilt-ridden over his failure to protect her and his decision to cooperate thinking that was the way to ensure their safety. The family isn’t strong enough to hold together after this event and all three go their separate ways. Over the following years, the father comes to an understanding of what the cost of this rape was to his daughter who has settled upon the life of a recluse. He vows to inflict his own justice upon the rapist when he is released after serving a fairly short sentence.

I found this an involving story dealing as it does with the impact that a violent crime has upon, not only the immediate victims, but all the different people that are involved, from the mother of the rapist to the boyfriend of the victim. The story also has a great deal of suspense and drama when the rapist is released and plans of vengeance are enacted. I found Almost the Truth to be quite a page-turner, and although this authors' works were mostly published in the 1980's & 90's, they are well worth seeking out.

DQ, I really liked Shards of Honor, and the sequel Barrayar is great too! I haven't read any more Vorkosigan books after those two, but they're definitely on my list!!

I've just read Shards of Honour too and I'll definitely be reading Barrayar in the not too distant future.

Shards of Honor sounds great. I love to see stron women in scifi, which can still be kind of rare.

She's still shaped like the traditional sic-fi woman, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Ah, yes, I know exactly what you mean.

86. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest - 3.1 ★
Category: Hans Christian Andersen - Fantasy
June Women Authors of Science Fiction/Fantasy
TIOLI #8: Sci/Fi - Fantasy Novel Written by a Woman



I was quite looking forward to Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, a steam punk fantasy that takes place in an alternative Seattle, but unfortunately I was left a little flat by this book. I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing but I was never totally drawn into the story and often found myself flipping the pages and counting how many chapters I had left to read.

This is the tale of a mother’s search for her sixteen year old son who has entered the blighted part of Seattle on a quest to clear his father’s name. Sixteen years ago her husband, scientist/inventor Leviticus Blue was testing an advanced drill when he released a poisonous gas that either killed people outright or turned them into shambling zombie-like creatures. A twenty foot wall was built around the blighted area but some residents remained behind the walls, learned how to survive and nefarious dealings are being conducted with the outside world. This strange inner city is now being run by the mysterious Dr. Minnericht who many people believe is actually Dr. Blue.

This book has all the ingredients that I usually love and no one was more surprised in the resulting “meh” feeling it left me with than myself. Perhaps it was simply the wrong book at the wrong time, but I certainly don’t feel inclined to follow up with this trilogy and will probably drop the remaining two from my wish list.

I remember reading Boneshaker and having a problem connecting with the characters and the situations they found themselves in. interesting world build but, like you, left me rather flat and I still haven't gotten around to reading the second book in the series.

I've heard others who have had the meh feeling with Boneshaker (though I loved it).

I've read two of the following books in the series (I think there are five now), and rather enjoyed those too. In their favor, I'll say that if you like the world building, the subsequent novels each focus on a different character. this way you might connect with a different book better and honestly, I think I liked Ganymede best.

#225 - Hi Lori, actually finding a book where I don't want to carry on with the series is a bonus!

#226 - Andrea, other people have told me that they enjoyed the next two books more than this one, but as I wasn't all that engaged with this first one, I think slimming my obsese wishlist is the way to go.

87. Million Dollar Baby by Amy Patricia Meade - 4.2 ★
Category: Kate Atkinson - Women Authors of Crime
TIOLI #7: A Book with a Female Sleuth



I had great fun both in reading Million Dollar Baby by Amy Patricia Meade and in mentally casting this as a 1930’s movie. Written in a light, engaging way this vintage-style book, the first in a series, is a winning combination of mystery, humor and romantic entanglements.

Set in a small Connecticut town, the contrasting main characters of local mystery novelist, Marjorie McClelland and the rich, debonair Englishman, Creighton Ashcroft stumble upon the remains of a body hidden on the grounds of the estate that Creighton has just purchased. This murder seems to tie in with the suicide of the previous owner that occurred five years ago. Deciding to become sleuths, Marjorie and Creighton aid the local police in their investigations.

With high jinks and hilarity Million Dollar Baby carries the reader back to the 1930’s and in both style and vision, one can’t help but see the likes of Cary Grant, Constance Bennett, Lionel Atwell and Gale Sondergaard giving a light hearted twist to the dark times of the 1930’s depression. I am eagerly looking forward to getting my hands on the second book in this series.

Million Dollar Baby looks cute! I'll have to check that one out.

>228 DeltaQueen50: That BB missed me - but only because the book is already on my wishlist. As if I don't already have enough series to keep up with!

#230 by @cbl_tn> and what, you think many folks on LT aren't in the same boat with way too many series to read???? ;)

I am really interested in what an adult who has never read the books would think of it.

I read Anne of Green Gables for the first time as an adult--I read it out loud to my then 8 year old. I'd originally tried to read it when I was around 11 but I found it really boring--I was into Roald Dahl and Judy Blume and anything that fit under either of those types. My 8 year old enjoyed it, but she's never reread it or gone on to the other books. I liked it, but didn't find it magical. There is no doubt that Anne is a delightful character.

I read Little House on the Prairie when I was young and thought it was okay, couldn't bring myself to read Little Women (although it was readily available), read a bunch of the Oz books once, and read Alice in Wonderland a few times. I guess the last one if my favourite of the lot

I'm happy to see your positive review of Shards of Honor. I started the Vorkosigan series midway and I've loved all the books I've read so far. I do mean to go back to the beginning and read all the books I've missed.

Boneshaker slipping further down the wishlist - I need characters to connect with, if I have that, I'll forgive a lot.

#229 - Christina, Million Dollar Baby was a really fun read, I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it.

#230 - Carrie, at least I don't have to apologize for adding another series to your list. It's pretty hard to avoid adding more series these days as so many books are part of a series, trilogy, quartet or what have you!

#231 - LOL! We are all getting buried under the avalanche of new series, I guess it's an occupational hazard!

#232 - I think the children's classics that are destined to become our beloved favorites need to be introduced under the right circumstances and at the right time. One of my daughters feels as I do about Anne but the other one was much more into her Judy Blume books. I do suspect that there will be generation of Harry Potter lovers though.

#233 - Paulina, I have noticed that people that follow the Vorkosigan series seems to really love it. I'm looking forward to continuing on with Cordelia's story, hopefully next month.

#234 - Hi Eva, I feel pretty much the same. My characters don't have to be particularly nice or good, but there has to be that certain spark that captures my attention and makes me want to know more.

88. Memento Mori by Muriel Spark - 4.5 ★
Category: Virginia Woolf - Authors I Have Been Afraid To Try
June AlphaCat: S
TIOLI #15: Published as a Virago Modern Classic



Life is a series of strange and amusing events and none more so than the whole act of aging as it is presented in Muriel Spark’s Memento Mori. This was an absolutely delightful read that had me turning the pages eagerly and snickering to myself. Cut through the humor and you are left with a wicked satire on both the aged and their treatment that delivers it’s message in a clear, concise and very original manner. As I got deeper into the book however, I found myself becoming attached to and caring about the fate of these characters very much.

As pretty much every character in the book is age seventy or older, the subject matters of senility, funerals and nursing homes are explored as Ms. Spark’s macabre point of view presents the concerns and actions of the elderly. The plot revolves upon a mystery, as an anonymous phone caller leaves a frightening message of “Remember you must die” to one of the elderly main characters. Soon others are receiving this same message, but all describe a different voice.

This is the first book I have read by Muriel Spark and I admit I was a little concerned as to whether I would enjoy her work, but this story totally enchanted me. Although this subject matter could have been depressing, in this author’s capable hands this unique story of aging eccentrics was both fresh and inventive.

>236 DeltaQueen50: Muriel spark is one of my big favorites. So glad you enjoyed it! There's oodles of books to discover from here! And I agree, she does have a peculiar way of handling a siuation so that it becomes both funny, strange and a little creepy. I know no other author who handles the most mundane forms of everyday cruelty quite like her.

>224 DeltaQueen50: As I think I've said elsewhere, I kind of relate to this. I have Dreadnought lined up for this year's challenge though, and hope to like it better. I liked Priest's world building a lot.

ETF typos. Damn tiny iphone buttons...

I do suspect that there will be generation of Harry Potter lovers though.

Indeed! My daughters will both belong to that club.

I'm pleased to hear that Memento Mori is a good one, as it's in my TBR pile. I've read a few books of her's and I think it's important to be in the right state of mind. I find that I started reading them thinking they were one thing, and then part way through saw that I had it all wrong. Anyway, I had good fun listening to the audio book of Loitering with Intent and was seen in public laughing to myself a few times.

#237 & 238 - I bet that Muriel Spark would have been one hell of an interesting woman to know. With that razor sharp wit and her way of cutting through to the heart of the matter, she would have been a difficult one to cross in any way.

Anders - funny, stange and a little creepy is the perfect description!

Joyce, I can see that I will be spending some time in hunting down more Muriel Spark books. Memento Mori was the only one my library had!

89. A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori - 4.1 ★
Category: Neil Gaiman - Graphic Novels
June RandomCat: June Brides
TIOLI #6: Title or Author's Name Starts With a Letter that Contains Both Straight Lines & Curves



The manga, A Bride’s Story is a beautifully drawn, simple historic tale set in central Asia as a bride learns to adjust to her new life with her new family. Amir is twenty years old when she is married to Karluk, a boy of twelve, and this eight year difference plays an important role in their relationship as he is simply not ready to take on the traditional male role yet. Amir strives to fit into her new lifestyle which is different from what she is used to as she comes from a nomadic lifestyle where her horsemanship and hunting skills were valued, but here in her new life these skills make her different and stand out from the other women. But her respectful ways and the loving attention she gives to her young husband wins her new family’s love. As time passes this his young couple learn about each other and grow more comfortable in their roles and it appears this marriage will be successful.

These simple and slow moving tales are illustrated with detailed artistic drawings that are intricate and quite lovely to look at. The pacing is slow as the author takes her time developing this story, and I for one appreciate her care and the details she provides. Each stroke of the pen shows that the artist is inspired by the story and each simple tale leaves the reader with a rich knowledge of both place and time.

I love her Emma-series, so I will definitely add this to the wishlist as well!

Lovely review of Memento Mori, I haven't read that one yet but I really enjoyed The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

#241 - Eva, I really liked the Emma series as well and need to get back to that one as well as continuing on with the bride's story. Obviously I need to have a graphic novel category next year so I can continue to slot in these types of reads.

#242 - I remember the movie The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and would be most interested in reading that. So now I am looking for this one and Loitering With Intent for my next Muriel Spark reads.

90. The Blue Notebook by James Levine - 4.0 ★
Category: Xinran - Global Reading
Commonwealth Tour: India
TIOLI#6: Title or Author's Name Starts With a Letter That Contains Both Straight Lines & Curves



The Blue Notebook is not a gentle or even satisfying read, this book will disgust, horrify and leave you feeling sad and haunted. Yet, this is a book that many should read. In the back of my mind I know about the cheapness of life in many countries around the world, but to be drawn into the story of one small girl sold by her father into prostitution at age 9, repeatedly raped and treated as something less than human was still very shocking to read. The blue notebook of the title is the diary of this young girl, Batuk, and as she writes of her experiences and thoughts we are drawn into a world that no child should experience. The fact that the author is actually a middle aged American man is astounding as he captures the spirit of this 15 year old Indian female prostitute fully.

What is different about Batuk is that she had been gifted with the ability to read and write, her blue notebook is her escape, her place of refuge, and she learns how to hide her writing from prying eyes. It is through her writing that she eventually finds peace. Knowing that the author is exposing a reality that exists, I knew better than to expect a happy ending as this is a life that once children are thrown into, is near impossible to get out of.

Child exploitation is a global issue and it takes books like this one to shine a light into the darkness. One more observation, the author, James Levine has donated all his U.S. proceeds from this book to a child help organization. He was inspired to write the story after interviewing homeless children in Mumbai and saw one young prostitute writing in a notebook as she sat outside her cage waiting for the next customer.

Sounds good but I'd have to gather my courage before reading that one!

#245 - The author provides very graphic details and is definitely not for the faint hearted. I don't know where I got the idea this was a YA story, it is anything but that!

Maybe you were thinking of Patricia McCormick who wrote about the topic in her book, Sold. A nonfiction book, Half the Sky is about people (usually women) who are helping victims of this and other crimes against women. It was turned into a two-part program on PBS. Excellent!

I have been hoping my local library system would get a copy of The Blue Notebook. As of today, no such luck. Great review Judy and it has peaked my interest enough to now add the book to my bookstore list.

Correction: They now have a copy so added it to my future reading list instead.

The Blue Notebook is going on my wishlist, but I'll considered myself forewarned and wait until I'm in the right mood for it.

#247 - Mamzel, was the PBS program called Half the Sky? I would like to see if I could find it somewhere. I have read Sold and perhaps I was thinking of that.

#248 - Lori, I am constantly being amazed at how many books are available at the library. My tiny branch is part of the Fraser Valley Library which is the largest in B.C. and now that I can go on-line and browse their resources, it's like being a kid in a candy shop! No wonder my own TBR shelves are bulging.

#249 - Alana, the fact that this book pulls no punches makes it all that more powerful, but it would be best to be in the right mood to tackle this subject.

91. Rowboat In A Hurricane by Julie Angus - 4.4 ★
Category: Pierre Burton - Non-fiction
June AwardCat: 2009 Honorable Mention, National Outdoor Book Award
TIOLI #5: Read an Adventure Story



When they were giving out the adventure gene, I was somewhere else, probably with my nose stuck in a book and although I shun wild and crazy adventures, I do like to read about them. As she obviously does possess the adventure gene, Julie Angus, author of Rowboat in a Hurricane decided to plan her own adventure while her fiancé was off on his expedition to circumnavigate the globe by human power. Her choice was to row across the Atlantic and she went about setting up her own expedition. Along the way fate stepped in and she ended up joining boyfriend, Colin in Moscow. They then biked to Lisbon and from there they launched a sea-going rowboat and rowed across the Atlantic, stopping on St Lucia and then on to Costa Rica. Not resting on their laurels, they then resumed the bike trip and pedalled home to Canada completing both his around the world expedition and her plan of being the first woman to row across the Atlantic.

This book is about the rowing trip and how this couple managed to overcome two hurricanes, a couple of tropical storms, the isolation and constant battling of waves and seasickness to reach a safe port on the other side of the ocean. After spending over five months on a 23 foot rowboat with only each other for company, that these two went on to get married says a lot about their relationship.

Rowboat in a Hurricane is that rare book that offers a great adventure, lots of information about the ecosystem they travelled upon, and had two engaging characters that I could admire and root for. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to read more about them as they continue to lead their adventurous lifestyle and work with organizations around the world to pass their knowledge on to others.



*** Even though we've been married over 30 years, if my husband and I were to attempt to live in such close quarters for 5 months I do believe one of us would end up in the water!

Rowboat in a Hurricane sounds like fantastic fun! :D

If my husband and I were to attempt to live in such close quarters for 5 months I do believe one of us would end up in the water!

Yeah, I don't know of anyone I wouldn't want to toss overboard after too long of an exposure. ;) lol.

Yeah, even if it was Sean Bean I was stuck with, after 5 months I might be ready to toss him!

After a while I'd be ready to shove myself overboard! :)

I owned a copy of The Blue Notebook, but ended up giving it away. I just couldn't handle it.

Great review for Rowboat in a Hurricane. I think I would be ok as long as I had the Internet, maybe a few books or 20, a comfy cushion, filter coffee machine.. Hmm I may not last the hour

Giving up my creature comforts is not something I can't see myself doing. I'm definitely not an outdoorsy, camping type of person!

92. What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn - 5.0 ★
Category: Graham Greene - Authors I Want To Try
June AwardCat: 2007 First Novel Costa Award
TIOLI #12: Two Title Words Start With the Same Letter



I have found another new favorite author in Catherine O’Flynn. In her What Was Lost she takes her time and develops her story slowly and the reader is drawn firstly into the life of a 10 year old girl and then into the lives of two disenchanted people who work at the Green Oaks Shopping Centre. In fact the Green Oaks Shopping Center could be said to be the main character in the book as the story ebbs and flows through the centre’s endless corridors.

The book opens in 1984 and we meet Kate, a little girl who escapes her dreary life by pretending to be a detective. With her stuffed monkey and notebook in tow she is always on the lookout for suspicious behavior and one of her favorite hunting grounds is the new shopping centre, Green Oaks. As she notices someone who behaves suspiciously she is determined to tail him and find out what he is up to.

The book then jumps ahead 20 years and the mall is the working place of Kurt, a security guard and Lisa, an assistant manager of a music store. Late one night as he is watching the CTV screens, Kurt sees a little girl with a notebook and a toy monkey standing outside the bank, and, as she travels the back corridors of the mall, Lisa finds a stuffed money tucked in behind some pipes. As these two get together they first search for a lost little girl, but eventually realize they are experiencing links to the past when a little girl called Kate disappeared

I found What Was Lost a charming yet spooky story, with a unique plot that is made up of both the mystery and ghost story as well as a social commentary on consumerism and the dehumanising effects of these giant shopping malls. People’s reaction to this book appears to be varied, but for me, this was a brilliant, spell bounding read from a very talented writer and I can’t wait to see what she produces next.

I thought What Was Lost was brilliant. I loved it. I've had O'Flynn's next book for awhile, but I'm nervous about reading it -- it can't possibly be as good, can it?

You got me with that one! I hadn't heard of it before and it sounds so good its got to go on the list.

There does seem to be a very even spread when it comes to people's opinions about What Was Lost and, although I probably wouldn't have looked too many times at it, the Whitbread/Costa has become quite a positive surprise for me and combined with your review, it's definitely going on the wishlist! *thumbing*

What was Lost sounds fantastic. Right up my alley.

#258 - I love books that can't be pigeon-holed. What Was Lost is a difficult book to fit into any slot, it isn't exactly a mystery or a ghost story or a social comentary and yet has elements of all three. And, I do the same thing, worry that the next book can't possibly match the first!

#259 - It's one of those books that for as many people who love it there will be those who are left scratching their heads. A diffcult book to recommend for everyone but I totaly loved it and thought it was brilliant.

#260 - I sure hope we continue with the "Cats" next year. There are so many good books to be discovered, epecially through the AwardCats and the RandomCats.

#261 - Andrea, I literally couldn't put it down, I had to see how it was all going to work out.

Wow! What Was Lost sounds unique. It's going on the WL!

The CATs have been great at getting me to attack Mt. TBR, so I too want to continue them next year!

The series did have the same name as the book. Half the Sky is described as "Columnist Nicholas Kristof travels with celebrity advocates america Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde to 10 countries where women and girls fight to change their oppressive living conditions." (I kept it on my DVR to watch it again.)

I've also been hoping that the CATs will continue next year. Some of the best books I've read this year have been for an AwardCAT. I might never have discovered them without it.

Charming yet spooky is a good way to describe What Was Lost, Judy. Glad to see you enjoyed it!

#263 - Hi Katie, enjoy What Was Lost when you get to it.

#264 & 266: I'm glad there are others who are enjoying the challenge of the "Cats"!

#265 - Thanks, Mamzel, I will like to try to track down this program or at least keep an eye out for a repeat showing.

#267 - This book surprised me, Lori as I didn't have very high expectations. I often find the best books are the ones that surprise me.

93. Fer-de-Lance†† by Rex Stout - 3.8 ★
Category: Arthur Conan Doyle - Classic Crime
June AlphaCat: F & S
TIOLI #10: Everyday Object on the Cover



This classic detective story is the first in Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe series, and it was my first Rex Stout as well. I was immediately totally immersed in the 1930’s, with fashion, language and settings and over all this was a fun read about an eccentric genius and his smart talking assistant, Archie Goodwin as they track down a murderer.

The plot was intriguing enough to hold my attention, but I can see staying with the series simply to read more about these characters. Full of idiosyncrasies, Nero Wolfe is a recluse who never leaves his brownstone in New York City. Instead he employs people to do his footwork for him, first and foremost is Archie Goodwin. Smooth talking and slick, Archie is our narrator and the story is revealed through his eyes. These two are perfect foils for each other, one has the brains, the other the brawn and together they make one perfect detective.

I found Fer-de-Lance to be both well written and enjoyable and certainly plan on reading more about this quirky twosome.

Great review of What Was Lost! It sounds very appealing. I'll have to check this author out.

DQ, I've been thinking of reading Fer-de-Lance this year...your review is giving me the nudge I need! :)

Heh, torturing yourself by starting another series with a ton of books, I see. It's one that I've been thinking of too though so I shouldn't laugh. Glad you enjoyed it anyway.

By all means, fall in love with Archie and Nero. The books are really good and there's almost not a lemon in the series. Plus, you can read them over and over and they're still fun. One thing: in the early books, Nero Wolfe is really eccentric. Stout backs off this a bit as the series gets going.

My favorites are Too many cooks, Might as well be dead and Murder by the book

so glad you like Rex Stout!! I started with Fer-de-Lance a couple of years ago and am up through 12 or 15 of the stories ... again no bad ones yet.

#270 - Paulina, I hope you like What Was Lost when you get to it.

#271 - Christina, Fer-de-Lance is a great introduction to these characters, and gives you a little taste of what the series is all about.

#272 - Dave, for some reason I have read far more classic English crime stories than American. I now want to go back and catch up on the Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler, and Dashiel Hammett's that I have missed. More series to add to the evergrowing list!

#273 - A quick glance at my library's lists and I can see they have some 30 of the Nero Wolfe series, and I see they have all three of the books that you have mentioned. I have heard that these can be read in pretty much any order so I am not going to knock myself out trying to find all the books in the correct order.

#274 - I don't really know how I missed Rex Stout. My Mom was an avid reader of the Perry Mason series and so I read a ton of those, but somehow I was never introduced to Rex Stout when I was young and when I started choosing mysteries on my own, I must have bypassed Nero Wolfe.

I think I've only read on of the Nero Wolfe books, but I loved the TV series with Timothy Hutton. I really need to make a point of reading them. I have Stouts in my family tree on my mother's side, and it appears that Rex Stout is likely my 3rd cousin 2 or 3 times removed.

Carrie, that is cool having such a famous author on your family tree! You should definitely pick up a few of his books!

94. Ashes, Ashes †† by Jo Treggiari - 2.0 ★
Category: George Orwell - Dystopia
June Female Sci Fi/Fantasy Author
TIOLI #2: Saving Face



I bought Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari about a year ago as a Kindle Daily Deal, and actually had very little expectations and at first I was pleasantly surprised. The book started off with a young girl surviving on her own in a world changed forever by disasters and disease. Unfortunately the story broke down about a third of the way through and this downward trend continued until the end.

A disappointing read as the concept was interesting, but unfortunately the final product was a mishmash that totally bogged down the flow of the story. I understand that in most dystopian books the reader must set aside certain beliefs to allow the author to carry you into a new world, but in this case the flow of the story was constantly being interrupted by something silly or pointless. I also lost my concentration many times when the author jumped her plot forward without any explanation and eventually everything these characters did made no sense at all.

I don’t know if there is a sequel to Ashes, Ashes and frankly I really don’t care. This one had enough teenage melodrama, pointless storyline and unbelievable plot points for me to even consider another book by this author.

95. Midwife of the Blue Ridge by Christine Blevins - 3.8 ★
Category: Patrick O'Brian - Historical Fiction
Reading Through Time Monthly Theme: Science (Medicine)
50 States Challenge: Virginia
TIOLI #2: Saving Face



Midwife of the Blue Ridge by Christine Blevins is a rollicking adventure novel mostly set in the American wilderness. As an healer and midwife, Maggie Duncan is in search of a new life and agrees to sign papers to be an indentured servant for four years. As she travels across the ocean she draws the attention of the vicious viscount, Julian Cavendish, but with the help of captain and crew manages to evade his attentions. They also help Maggie avoid Cavendish at the auction and instead she become indentured to a kindly frontiersman, Seth Martin, who is in need of a healer for his ailing pregnant wife. It isn’t long before Maggie meets Tom, a young frontiersman and Seth’s best friend. As Tom and Maggie fall in love events and circumstances keep them apart.

Overall I enjoyed this book, it had lots of action and seemed to be fairly accurate with the historical details. I would class this book as an historical romance and because of Maggie’s Scottish language and her healing skills I was constantly reminded of the Outlander series. Maggie is a very strong, independent woman and I liked both her and Tom a lot. Unfortunately the viscount was too one dimensional and came off more like a cartoon character. I like my bad guys to have a little more depth to them than this.

Midwife of the Blue Ridge was a fairly quick, easy to read book and the author had obviously done some extensive research on herbal and natural remedies that were used in Colonial America. It was history on the light side but I would not hesitate to read this author again.

Midwife Of The Blue Ridge goes straight on to my wishlist, you had me even before you mentioned the Outlander series :-)

Yes - I checked, and my local library has Midwife of the Blue Ridge. I'll get to it when I can.

A shame about Ashes, Ashes - it did sound like a potentially great premise.

#280 - Somewhere on one of the threads a group of us were talking about rereading the Outlander series. I have re-read the first one a couple of years ago and hopefully will read the second one in August. Enjoy Midwife of the Blue Ridge when you get to it.

#281 - Glad it's available at the library, Lori.

#282 - Eva, it was an even bigger disappointment because it actually started off pretty good. Unfortunately, as soon as she introduced other characters the whole thing went off the rails.

I have been dragging my feet about starting a new thread, but this appears to be the perfect time to do so.