Roberta’s (luvamystery65) Iron Druid Challenge. Thread 2

The past two years have been difficult caring for my mother. The past year was especially tough. We almost lost her and she has been in and out of the hospital numerous times. I’m always looking for fun reads to get me through my commute to the hospital and work (I work in the hospital) and back home. This past year I discovered The Iron Druid Chronicles from Mamzel’s thread. What a hoot this series has been. An added bonus is that my mom has enjoyed every one of these books too! We’ve also read the two novellas and a majority of the short stories. Of course Oberon is our favorite but we love Atticus and Granuaile too. What is even better is that Kevin Hearne is hilarious on Facebook and Twitter. Give him a follow for some great fun.

In honor of all that, I am making my 2014 Category Challenge Iron Druid themed. Of course I am taking liberty with the categories and binding them, as I need. I hope that 2014 brings harmony to our household and yours.



Nerding out with Kevin Hearne




I am holding my ticker here. I 'm going to use the same one for here and the 75 challenge. I picked this one because it reminds me of Atticus' knotwork tattoos that he uses for binding and shifting. The four leaf clover is for his home country Ireland.

Hounded COMPLETED



Where Atticus has decided to finally take matters into his own hands and confront the angry Celtic god who has been after him for centuries. Where Roberta will read all things Noir and Hard Boil etc… because who doesn’t like taking things into your own hands.

Spenser Ceremony
87th Precinct The Pusher
The Maltese Falcon

possible reads
The Song is You by Megan Abbott
Clandestine by James Ellroy

Hexed



Where Atticus battles witches with the help of werewolves and a vampire. Roberta will read all things supernatural because who doesn’t love ghosts, goblins and fangs.

Dresden Files Grave Peril
Talulla Rising
Mercy Thompson Moon Called

possible reads
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Hammered COMPLETED



Where Atticus heads to Asgard to repay a debt and help a friend get revenge on Thor. Roberta will head to Scandinavia and all things Scandi Crime because who doesn’t love reading about crime in a cold climate when she lives in HOT HOT HOT Houston.

Martin Beck The Laughing Policeman
Department Q The Purity of Vengeance
Inspector Sejer He Who Fears the Wolf

possible reads
The Bat by Jo Nesbo
Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason

Tricked COMPLETED



Where Atticus is hiding out from the gods and needs the help of a Trickster to play dead. Roberta will read all things to do with tricks, traps and shenanigans because who doesn’t love puzzling mysteries, identities and nonsense.

Miles Vorkosigan Saga (including these because they include identity issues due to cloning and genetic engineering)
Shards of Honor I plan on reading the books in the Cordelia's Honor and Young Miles omnibus. Anything after those will be a bonus.
Barrayar
The Warrior's Apprentice
The Mountains of Mourning
The Vor Game

Vorkosigan Series is a Year Long Readshttp://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/Group_Reads_of_2014#YEAR-LONG

Year Long Vorkosigan Saga thread is http://www.librarything.com/topic/160914

American Gods Thanks again Mamzel!
The Coyote Road : trickster tales edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling ; introduction by Terri Windling ; decorations by Charles Vess
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Trapped



Where Atticus is stuck at the base of Mount Olympus in his attempt to bind his apprentice Granuaille. Roberta will read all things about real life struggles to overcome because who doesn’t love a hero(s).

Unbroken November Group Read
http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/Group_Reads_of_2014#NOVEMBER
I am Malala 4th Quarter Group Read (Biographies)
http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/Group_Reads_of_2014#OCTOBER
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Hunted COMPLETED



Where Atticus is on the run from the goddesses of the hunt Artemis and Diana. Roberta will read all things Western because I live in Texas and my Daddy is a cowboy. (It’s a stretch. Sue me) I’m a city girl through and through but I do love to visit the cowboy way.

Empire of the Summer Moon
Shane by Jack Schaefer
The Searchers

Possible reads
The searchers : the making of an American legend by Glenn Frankel
Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry

Shattered COMPLETED



Where now the world has three Druids and who knows what will happen. Where Roberta will read whatever she wants to because who doesn’t love doing that!

Shattered
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

Tír na nÓg



Tír na nÓg is the Land of Promise or the Otherworld in Irish mythology. To get to Tír na nÓg an adventurer needed a guide. Tír na nÓg is where Atticus crosses planes and pays his respect to the Tuatha Dé Danann. Where Roberta will use this extra category to list my shared, group, tutored or challenge reads that do not fit anywhere else.

GeoCAT

January - Canada and the U.S. - Dying to Cross
February - Middle East and North Africa - Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City
March - Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean All the Pretty Horses
April - Eastern Europe -Safe Area Goražde
May - South Asia - The Interpreter of Maladies
June - Islands and Bodies of Water - Treasure Island
July - Polar Regions - Smilla's Sense of Snow
August - Western Europe - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
September - East Asia - Unbroken
October - South America - A Pen Pal for Max
November - Australia and Oceania - Cocaine Blues
December - Sub Saharan Africa - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

RandomCAT

January - The Janus Rules - Neverwhere
February - Children's Literature - A Wrinkle in Time
March - The First Birds of Spring - Birds of a Lesser Paradise
April - Poetry - Morning in the Burned House
May - Motherhood - Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America
June - Celebrating the Rose (Kings Macc) - Pale Kings and Princes
July - Books about Books - Ex Libris
August - Back to school Playmates
September - TIFF The Theory of Everything
October - Book Bullet The Devil in the White City
November - Mayday Mayday! The Last Policeman
December -

MysteryCAT

January - Detective Novels - Ceremony
February - Series - Broken Homes
March - YA and Children's Mysteries - The Guide Dog Mystery
April - Nordic Mysteries - The Purity of Vengeance
May - Classic and Golden Age Mysteries - The Man in the Brown Suit
June - Police Procedurals - The Laughing Policeman
July - Noir and Hard Boiled Mysteries - The Maltese Falcon
August - British Mysteries - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
September - Book Themed Mysteries - The Eyre Affair
October - Global Mysteries - Jar City
November - Historical Mysteries - Cocaine Blues
December - Cozy Mysteries - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Unofficial AlphaCAT

January - D Death Comes for the Archbishop & V Shards of Honor Vorkosigan Saga
February - H Broken Homes & R Red Rising
March - L The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold & M All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
April - I I, Robot & P The Purity of Vengeance
May - E A Curtain of Green by Eudora Welty & U The Unforgiven
June - A American Gods & Q Queen Lucia
July - C Cetaganda & W Dead Man's Walk
August - F He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum & T The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales
September - J The Bat by Jo Nesbo & O Go tell it On the Mountain by James Baldwin
October - N Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman & K The Stand by Stephen King
November - G & S Summer Knight by Jim Butcher & Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan
December - B & X Y & Z Paper Doll by Robert B. Parker I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai February 1965: The Final Speeches by Malcolm X & My Life as a White Trash Zombie

Here is my tentative list for Mark's American Author Challenge.

January/Willa Cather- Death Comes for the Archbishop
February/William Faulkner- The Hamlet
March/Cormac McCarthy- All the Pretty Horses
April/Toni Morrison- The Bluest Eye
May/Eudora Welty- A Curtain of Green
June/Kurt Vonnegut- God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian
July/Mark Twain- Life on the Mississippi
August/Philip Roth- The Plot Against America
September/James Baldwin- Go Tell it on the Mountain
October/Edith Wharton- The New York Stories of Edith Wharton
November/John Updike- The Witches of Eastwick
December/Larry Watson- Let Him Go

I am also reading a Spenser by Robert B. Parker every month with Mamie (Crazymamie) and Donna (Donna828). This has been so much fun and we started 2014 with book 9.

The Spenser Project

January – Ceremony #9
February – The Widening Gyre #10
March – Valediction #11
April – A Catskill Eagle #12
May – Taming a Sea-Horse #13
June – Pale Kings and Princes #14
July – Crimson Joy #15
August – Playmates #16
September – Stardust #17
October – Pastime #18
November – Double Deuce #19
December – Paper Doll #20

Reading Bingo Challenge 2014



More than 500 pages:
Forgotten classic: The Flame Trees of Thika
Book that became a movie: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Published this year: Broken Homes
Number in the title:
Written by someone under 30:
Book with non-human characters:
Funny Book:
Female Author: Shards of Honor
Book with a mystery: Still Life
One-Word Title: Shane
Book of short stories:
Set on a different continent: Out Stealing Horses
Non-Fiction: Dying to Cross
First book by a favourite author: Neverwhere
Heard about online:
Best-selling book:
Based on a true story: The Searchers
Book at the bottom of TBR pile:
Book my friend loves:
Book that scares me:
More than 10 years old: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Second book in a series: A Fatal Grace
Blue cover:

YA Reading Bingo Challenge 2014



Female heroine:
Set in a high school: Eleanor and Park
Last book of a trilogy:
A color in the title: Red Rising
First book in a series: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Set in the future:
A breakup:
Without a love triangle: Cress
That became a movie: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Set in Paris:
Set in the past:
With magic: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Set in the summer:
With a dragon: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Made you cry: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Graphic Novel: Watchmen
Based on a Myth:
"Classic" YA book: A Wrinkle in Time
With a lion, a witch or a wardrobe:
An incredible fight scene: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows???
Heard about online:
Set in another world:
Epic love story:
With music: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

The Devilles (Bruce, Téa and Freddy)

Wow, I get to be first! I'm glad that you liked Empire of the Summer Moon, Roberta. I thought it was wonderful.

Uh, it's probably too late now, but this seems to be the second thread that is numbered as #2!

Yay! Judy you are first. Duh here I was thinking I am finally starting my second thread and June is almost over. LOL! Brain fart!

Welcome to my 2nd second thread!

Happy new thread!!

Woo hoo! Happy new thread! Just in time for the summer :D

Happy new Thread and I loved the reminder that I still need to get started on Hearne's Iron Druids series.

What a great picture of you with Kevin Hearne! Also, happy second second thread (thread)!

I prefer to think of these duplicates as a glitch in the universe. Not your fault at all ....

Cool that you can put that picture of you with Hearne at the top of your new thread! It's like a figurehead on a ship!

#60



Pale Kings and Princes by Robert B. Parker is #14 in the Spenser series. This time Spenser is hired by a newspaper editor to find out who murdered one of his reporters. The reporter was trying to uncover a story about cocaine distribution in a small town in Massachusetts. More of the same from Spenser, wisecracks, descriptions of food and clothing. Susan and Hawk are along for the ride. At this point Hawk gets all the best lines and some interesting wardrobe choices. Go Hawk!

*Total meeting Kevin Hearne Envy*

But YAY!!! you got to meet him!!

>15 -Eva-: Thanks Eva!

>16 rabbitprincess: Woo hoo! RP is here!

>17 lkernagh: What are you waiting for Lori?

>18 christina_reads: Thanks Christina. I almost posted the pic as my profile pic but I still love Adler-Olsen and will leave him there.

>19 DeltaQueen50: It's some kind of message Judy. ;-)

>20 mamzel: It completes the package for me Mamzel. I got my copy of Shattered and my photo on my IDC thread. Now that the recommender has come by for a visit, all is well.

>22 mckait: Kath wild horses couldn't have kept me away.

>23 luvamystery65: - I keep forgetting to place a hold at the library for the first book in the series.... I know, I know, not much of an excuse! I will get to it as that is the book I have decided to read for my Bingo square "A book you friend loves". ;-)

>24 lkernagh: I have decided to read for my Bingo square "A book you friend loves". ;-) Whoop! I think you are going to be laughing out loud when you read Hounded Lori.

*taking a bow*
The seed was planted, the plant bloomed and may the seeds now sprout on other threads.

And I thank you VERY much marvel, as Iron Druid is now one of my all time favorite series thanks to Roberta's suggestion!

>26 mamzel: *claps*

>27 TinaV95: Now get thee to DragonCon!

#61



Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson was completely delightful after a month of reading police procedurals and detective stories. Emmeline Lucas, known to one and all as Lucia, is the undisputed Queen of Riseholme. Her husband and her right hand man, Georgie dote on her. The rest of the village falls in line, wanting to see the Queen stumble off her throne but no one dares dethrone her until the lovely Olga, moves to town and accidentally one ups the Queen over and over. What will Lucia do? I always got a laugh over Hyacinth Bucket's antics in Keeping Up Appearances, but the antics of Lucia are much more subtle and very, very funny.

It's in the public domain so you can get a Kindle version free.

#62



Queenpin by Megan Abbott has all the ingredients of classic noir, crime, violence, sex & hard living. This time the dames are calling the shots. “You have to decide who you are, little girl, she told me once. Once you know that, everyone else will too.” A young girl goes from cooking the books for two small time losers to become the protégé of Gloria Denton. Gloria is not a gangster's moll, she is a player, doing jobs for nameless big boys. Everyone is in awe of Gloria and they fear her too. Gloria sees something in the narrator (she is never named) and grooms her. Question is did she go to far?

I tore through this book! Seriously delicious.

>30 luvamystery65: Oh man, yet another good review of Queenpin! Sounds like a contender for next month's noir/hardboiled MysteryCAT!

>31 christina_reads: Absolutely go for it. I just tore through it. LOL!

#63



Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was a wonderful revisit to a classic from my childhood. What made it so wonderful was the narration by Alfred Molina. Young Jim Hawkins gets caught up in a pirate mutiny and treasure hunt. I loved Molina's Long John Silver!

Has anyone read The Berrybender narratives by Larry McMurtry? Alfred Molina does the narration so I wonder if they are good.

Roberta, I loved The Berrybender narratives! If you have read Lonesome Dove by McMurtry, that should give you an idea of the style. The narratives follow the wanderings of Lord Berrybender and his very interesting family as they kriss-kross the American West.

>35 DeltaQueen50: I knew I could count on you Judy! I love Lonesome Dove. It is in my opinion the perfect cowboy story. A true representation of the American cowboy.

Lonesome Dove always makes my top five reads of all time. And although I loved the Berrybender stories, they weren't quite up to the perfection of Lonesome Dove but I still think you will enjoy them.

>33 luvamystery65: - wasn't this a fun book! The standard of all pirate books.

>38 LittleTaiko: Absolutely! I loved this version.

Roberta, I finished Cetaganda today, a fun read!

>40 DeltaQueen50: Judy I finished it yesterday too! Great fun!

#65


Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold is another solid entry in the Vorkosigan Saga. This time Miles and his cousin Ivan are sent to Cetaganda as low level diplomatic representatives for the funeral of the dowager Empress of Cetaganda. Nothing ever goes as planned for Miles and he hasn't even disembarked before trouble finds him. Being Miles, he wants to solve the mystery himself. When a murder occurs Miles plunges forward in all the intrigue, dragging Ivan along with him.

Cetagandan society is multi-leveled and even more complicated than Barrayar's. The power structure is not as it seems and Miles learns a lot. Will this put a target on his back later? I have a feeling Miles' knowledge will be back to bite him in the ass later.

I'm slowly reading Life on the Mississipi for the AAC and I'm reading Smilla's Sense of Snow. I have started Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry on audio.

> 43 Roberta , I just finished Dead Man's Walk and am now reading Comanche Moon because I enjoyed it so much! Both books are nice background on Gus and Woodrow's early Ranger days. Enjoy!

>44 lsh63: Lisa I absolutely loved Lonesome Dove. It is my favorite Western ever and at least on my top of all time reads. I am looking forward to reading some of the back story on Gus and Woodrow. I've been reading some non-fiction on the Texas-Indian Wars so this will be very timely reading for me.

You're making me want to read Cetaganda when I was planning to reread from the beginning....

I have heard so many people say they love Lonesome Dove! I don't typically choose westerns, but someday, I may have to read that one.It is so hard having so many books slide through my fingers each day when some of them I want to clutch to my chest and hide in a corner to read.. happens all the time. Well, one day maybe?

>46 Dejah_Thoris: I don't think you can go wrong either way Dejah.

>47 mckait: Kath the thing about Lonesome Dove is that although it is a western, it is a beautiful story with wonderful characters that stick with you. It transcends the genre and resonates with many readers who love Gus, Call, Newt and Lorena. It's a huge book. If you decide one day to read it make sure you have time to enjoy it.

I had a last minute mini-meetup with Katie (katiekrug) who had to drive down to Houston for some business. We met at Murder by the Book and then had Italian and a nice little restaurant down the street.

I bought

Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives edited by Sarah Weinman AMAZING COVER!!!
Dare Me by Megan Abbott
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

We ate (stealing this straight from Katie's 75 thread)

rugula salad (Roberta)
Caesar salad (Katie)
Cheese ravioli with brown butter and thyme (shared)
Penne with prosciutto, peas, and parmesan (shared)
Veal milanese (shared)
Bottle of Pinot Grigio (shared)

And we each got a cappucino, which didn't turn out to be very good.

We had a great time.

Yay meetups and book shopping! Did you get a picture? :)

>50 rabbitprincess: No we met up in May and I got a photo but not last night. Next time she rolls into town I'll take another one of us and post it.

>49 luvamystery65: - One of these days I'm going to hit the road and drive to Houston. Would love to meet up with you and visit the Murder by the Book store. Sounds like a really nice dinner.

>52 LittleTaiko: Stacy that would be awesome! Murder by the Book has tons of author events so if you want to plan a meetup around something like that it would be fun. There is a nice Half Priced Books in Rice Village not far from MBTB. The food was delicious and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere. One day I will make it up your way & we can meet up in your neck of the woods too.

ETA: Were your ears itching a bit? Katie & I were talking about LT Texans & who we had or could meet up with around here. Your name came up. :-)

49> Hope you like The Eyre Affair. It's on my Someday-I-need-to-reread-it list.

>54 BookLizard: I bet you were one of the ones that was recommending this author to me.

I was so pleased to find The Eyre Affair on the ALA list of books recommended for college bound students. They issue this list every 4 years or so and have a mixed bag of fiction and non-fiction. We try to have as many of their recommendations on our shelves as possible. Sometimes books are not available by the time the selection process is finished and the list is released. I had this book on my shelf (I have loved the series) so I'm putting that copy on the shelves.

>56 mamzel: It's good to know the series is good Mamzel. They had the series in the used section of the bookstore but I only picked the first one up. I was hesitant to pick them all up. Darn it! I should have. I may call them and see if they will put them aside for me.

You're not supposed to give me book bullets on my own thread! Bwahaha!

The Thursday Next series is just so clever. And you've got to love a character who has a dodo for a pet!

I think maybe we just have similar taste in books.

>53 luvamystery65: - My ears may have tingled just a little!

I envy you reading The Eyre Affair for the first time - enjoy!

>58 mamzel: you've got to love a character who has a dodo for a pet!

Exactly! I'm only partway through the first book but when I realised that she owned a dodo, I knew I was in love!

>48 luvamystery65: I will keep all of that in mind, and thank you! Great that you squeezed in a meetup! yay you :)

Meetup and bookshopping - sounds perfect to me! :)

Catching up on reviews and then I'll respond to posts tomorrow.

#66


Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg is mystery that simmers but is thrilling none the less. I loved it, especially the ending.

#67


“Well, boys," Long Bill said. "I guess here's where I quit rangering. It's rare sport, but it ain't quite safe.”

Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry tells the tale of how Agustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow Call come to join the Texas Rangers. It was a wonderful story and I felt right at home after the reading I've done this year about the Texas-Indian Wars. The ending felt rushed to me but it was an excellent listen. Will Patton is a great narrator.

#68


Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman was a good read. I'm not as in love with it as many here on LT. I loved some of the stories, but for me, it would have benefited from a slow read over a long period of time. All together, it got a little much for me.

#69


Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker

Me cayó pesado! Translation = not good.

#70


Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. I listened to the audio narrated by Grover Gardner and it was very well done. I missed a beat here and there because I listened as I drove and I got it from Hoopla. I am not able to rewind very precisely and so I just had to proceed forward. It's free so I'm not going to be upset. It was good. I would have liked more time with it.

Catching up with old post.

>58 mamzel: Mamzel the Thursday Next series is calling my name for September.

>59 LittleTaiko: All for good!

>60 Dejah_Thoris: September!

>61 PawsforThought: How far are you in the series Paws?

>62 mckait: Hi Kath!

>63 -Eva-: Meetup, book shopping and a delicious Italian dinner = perfection.

I had to move my mom into a new personal care home this week. The place she was at was not staffed well and the lady in charge of day to day operations was not calling me when there was issues and my mom was running out of medications and she was not notifying me. I have her in new place 4.5 miles from my house and they have several employees. This place is very organized.

I am sleeping better. The lady that owns the new place is an ICU nurse. As a former ICU nurse, I appreciate her attention to detail. One of the lady's sons is a patient there so she has a personal reason for making sure the place is a safe and welcoming home.

Currently reading The Maltese Falcon and listening to Ethan of Athos.

>69 luvamystery65: I'm just partway through the first book.

Nice review of Cetaganda. Ethan of Athos is next on my Vorkosigan reading list too. I'll be interested in hearing what you think of it, especially the audio version. I don't have easy access to an audio version so I'll be reading it on my e-reader.

>72 PawsforThought: I will be reading the first in September.

>73 mathgirl40: Does your library offer Hoopla? Most of the Vorkosigan series seems to be on Hoopla.

>74 luvamystery65: I'm afraid my library doesn't offer Hoopla. It uses Overdrive instead and does have a pretty good audiobook collection, but it only has Diplomatic Immunity from the Vorkosigan series. I've heard good things about the audiobook versions of Bujold's books, but at the moment, I'm too cheap to buy them given that I already have the ebook versions. :)

>75 mathgirl40: I agree. I had previously purchased a few of the audios via audible because Overdrive did not have very many but I have since found out I can join the neighboring county libraries for free and I have access to their Overdrive and one of them has Hoopla. Hoopla has had some bugs but it is free so I've gone that route. The only downside is I go to Wikipedia to see how some of the names are spelled and a couple of times I have seen some spoilers from other books. Now I just guess at the spelling and will find out when I'm done with the series.

>74 luvamystery65: You'll probably finish it before I do.

I've started the thread for the August-October group read of The Stand by Stephen King. Join in if you are interested.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/178358

>70 luvamystery65:
Sounds like a great move! Have to have people you trust take care of loved ones.

74> Darn you to heck! ;-) I've been meaning to try the Vorkosigan for awhile now. My library does have Hoopla, but I don't use it because I didn't think I could use it on my iPod Touch. But there might be a way if I update to a more recent iOS so I can download the app. But do you know how long that's going to take? Well, I don't either, but I'll be sure to let you know.

On a more serious note, I'm glad you found some place better for your mother.

>79 -Eva-: & >80 BookLizard: Mom's back in the hospital with respiratory distress but the owner of the new place called me this morning without hesitation.

>80 BookLizard: Hoopla does have some bugs now and again but they seem to fix them quickly. It's not perfect but they have a lot of content and did I mention that it's FREE! ;-)

So sorry to hear that. Sending hugs to both of you.

Sorry to read that you had to move your mom to a new personal care home, Roberta but it sounds like the move was a good choice to make.

I have just started making use of Hoopla through my local library. Like you said, I had a few bugs with it at first - didn't fully download an audiobook so I couldn't listen to it while outside of internet range but also couldn't re-download it because the Hoopla server felt that I already had the title downloaded to my device. Annoying little glitches but it seems to be working better now. I have also had to remember to turn the wi-fi "off" on my iPod when I head out the door.... otherwise, the Hoopla app keeps on searching for connection and won't let me play the audiobook. Technology will be the death of my sanity one of these days, I just know it. ;-)

>82 BookLizard: Thank you BL.

>83 lkernagh: Lori I appreciate you kind thoughts. I owe the discovery of Hoopla to you. I had not heard of it until you mentioned it. Luckily one of the library systems I use has it. :-)

I hope your mom is doing better today!

This thread reminded me that I have a Hoopla account as well, but I had to reset the password and it doesn't seem to think my new password is correct! Gah! Have to reset it again I suppose.

Hi Roberta, I have just discovered your new thread (I have been absent for a while hanging out at Fraser's Ridge). You've been busy! I hope your mum is setting in to her new home ok.

Hope mama is doing better!!

#73



Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold is another novella in ongoing Vorkosigan Saga. Miles allows himself to be captured and placed in a Marilac POW prison camp by the Cetagandans. Miles plays messiah, quite literally. I liked Beatrice but I'm still pissed even though I could see that a mile away. Boo! Now on to the next adventure

#74



The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett deserves the classic status it has in noir fiction. Yes the book is dated but in a good way. Sam Spade is both so bad and so good. He gets the girl. Yes he really does get her. Bwahahaha!!!

LOVED IT!

Thanks Santa!

>85 rabbitprincess: I hope you get your Hoopla account settled. Lots of goodies on there. Mom is improving but still not great.

>86 Roro8: Ro I had to put my mom in the hospital so we are not in the new place but they have been checking up on her.

>87 -Eva-: Mom is improving but not out of the woods yet. The target date for discharge is Friday. Fingers crossed and holding thumbs. ;-)

>90 luvamystery65: Sorry Roberta, I obviously missed that part. I hope she is improving now.
Eta, I'll cross my fingers for Friday too.

Nice catching up job! You've been busy.

>91 Roro8: No worries Ro. No discharge tomorrow. Hoping for Saturday.

>92 mamzel: I'm halfway through 75 so that is one goal for the year almost done. Very busy.

Happy Birthday J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and belated bday to Neville Longbottom!

#75



The Song is You by Megan Abbott is dark, gritty, sexy, sleazy noir. The true life story of the disappearance of actress Jean Spangler in 1949 is woven into a tale of the hard side of Hollywood. There are many twists and turns in this story. If you read and liked Abbott's Queenpin this will not disappoint. If you like Ellroy then this is your cuppa.

Thanks to Judy (Deltaqueen50) for recommending this one.

>95 luvamystery65: I thought that looked like something I would normally see on Judy's thread.

>96 Roro8: I have so many books in my pile that ended up there based on Judy's reviews. :-)

b>July Roundup
Cetaganda very interesting
Smilla's Sense of Snow best of the month Smilla's gonna stay with me for a while.
Dead Man's Walk enjoyable tale of Gus and Call's early days
Ex Libris meh
Crimson Joy sucked
Life on the Mississipi good but not great (RL interfered too much to enjoy)
Ethan of Athos Loved it! I want a sequel.
Labyrinth a little over the top and that is saying a LOT in this world.
Borders of Infinity good but also sad.
The Maltese Falcon excellent I highly recommend it
The Song is You excellent you must read this one if you like noir

August Plans
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie GeoCAT & MysteryCAT
Playmates RandomCAT & Spenser Project
The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales AlphaCAT
He Who Fears the Wolf AlphaCAT
The Stand August-October Group Read
Moon Called
Brothers in Arms
The Plot Against America AAC

I have He Who Fears the Wolf in my TBR pile! Will be interested to hear what you think of it.

>97 luvamystery65:
Oh, hullo - welcome to that club!! She's a menace that one! :)

I hope you like Moon Called. I just started The Stand.

Ha! Ha! The menace returns. So sorry to read that your Mom is in the hospital, I hope this is a short stay and she is soon back in her new digs.

Roberta, I read The Maltese Falcon last week and I loved it as well. My brother and I watched the movie as well, what an excellently cast film. Of course, now I want to read everything Dashiel Hammett ever wrote!

I hope you enjoy Flavia Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.

>99 rabbitprincess: I have a library copy of He Who Fears the Wolf waiting for me. I hope to start mid week. I'll PM you when I start in case you want to join me.

>100 -Eva-: She is indeed!

>101 BookLizard: I just started The Stand too.

I absolutely loved Moon Called! Will there be a love triangle throughout the series? I hope not! Sookie's love life got on my nerves because in my opinion she NEVER got it right until the end and then the series was over and I didn't get to enjoy her relationship with Sam. I certainly don't want a Stephanie Plum endless Joe, no Ranger, no Joe, no Ranger. I finally gave up on that series. I may go back one day because she has worse luck with cars than I do and I love her & the family.

>102 DeltaQueen50: Judy I'm glad the menace is back! I'm sorry I'm not around much.

Glad you enjoyed the movie with your brother. I want to read more of Dashiel Hammett too.

>103 mamzel: I did enjoy Flavia in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Her life is a little heartbreaking but her world she has created in the chemistry lab seems to get her through the day. I really want to read more.

>104 luvamystery65: Great, I'll get it out of the pile :)

#76



Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold is another adventure featuring Miles Vorkosigan. Miles ends up on Earth in the Barrayaran embassy. Ivan is there, of course. Miles ends up having to play both Miles Vorkosigan and Miles Naismith. He makes up this elaborate story about a clone and to his horror he really does have one. How to solve this dilemma? Only Miles would figure out how.

Enjoyable!

#77



The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley introduces Flavia de Luce. She is an eleven year old aspiring chemist with an obsession for poisons. She is precocious, and nosy but it works for me. I'll continue with the series.

#78



I really did not expect to be enchanted with Mercy Thompson but I decided to read Moon Called by Patricia Briggs anyway. I was wrong! I just love Mercy. I hope she learns more about her background and her shape shifting ways. I do hope this series is not an endless love triangle!!! Can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

>106 rabbitprincess: Yay!

#79



This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki is a GN story of two young teenagers that spend every summer together in a beach tourist town. The girls are at an age where they are aware of older teenagers and adults in a way they had not been before. Mature subjects are seen through the eyes of these girls.

I found this very believable in the actions and behaviors of the characters. It's everyday life in one summer of these girls but a lot happens as their understanding of life is changing.

109> Glad you liked it! Do you really want to know if it's an endless love triangle? Well, I'm NOT gonna tell you! Read it and find out. ;-) I'll be interested in seeing what you think about her father since you're reading this after the Iron Druid Chronicles.

>112 BookLizard: Ha! I guess I will have to find out but you did answer another question I was wondering about. Tricked is one of my favorite books in the IDC and you know I've been reading about Tricksters all year due to my category.

Mercy is great!

>108 luvamystery65:
Glad you liked that one. The enjoyment of that series wholly rely on whether you "buy" Flavia or not. Since you do, you're in for a few really nice reads whenever you get around to continuing.

I am one who definitely got Flavia. As a child I was always around adults that never talked down to me. However, I did not have access to a chemistry lab or an overwhelming desire to learn organic chemistry! ;-)

Another Mercy fan here thanks to @mamie

#80



In Playmates Spenser goes back to school to investigate point shaving. He discovers ties to the New York mob and a cocky player who is in way over his head. In book #16 Robert B. Parker has taken Spenser about as back to the beginning as he has been in a long time. The book was centered on the case and Spenser solving things in his own way. Susan was there but she wasn't the centerpiece of the story. Hawk played a prominent roll and this time he was in it for Spenser.

I'll call this one good.

>114 hailelib: Tricia I loved Mercy in book one and book two is sitting on my nightstand but I must finish a book for my challenge first.

>115 -Eva-: I'm glad to hear that. I really do like Flavia. She says and does thing I wanted to when I was her age but was too afraid to do so. She is also a pain, but I think it suits her for the purpose of the story. I will continue the series.

>116 mamzel: Mamzel just imagine if you had access to whatever your passion was! How grand.

>117 mckait: Mamie has really done Mercy Thompson a good turn around these parts Kath.

Currently reading He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum and finishing up The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales. I'm also listening to The Plot Against America by Philip Roth for the AAC. Ron Silver narrates.

I'm planning my September reads and so far I have the following books/audios.
Stardust by Robert B. Parker for the Spenser Project
Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin for Mark's AAC
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde Mystery CAT (Book themed) Alpha Kit and September S&S
The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen for Alpha Kit and September S&S
The Theory of Everything by Stephen W. Hawking for Random CAT (TIFF)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand for GeoCAT (East Asia)

Possibles:
The Bat by Jo Nesbø
Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason

Try to start Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan but I want it more for a Halloween Read.

>120 luvamystery65: Hurray! I'll start my copy tomorrow. Kind of bogged down in some big books at the moment so the Fossum will be a nice antidote.

>121 rabbitprincess: Whoop!

Hope you like The Marco Effect. I thought the storyline(s) in that one were a bit messy, but the characters are always worth it!

>123 -Eva-: If felt that way with The Purity of Vengeance. In my opinion it could have used some editing. So much was going on that the minor plot details could have actually made another book The whole uncle storyline and the cousin from Thailand I thought we would learn more about Assad in book 4 but he is more a mystery as the series evolves. I could have also done without the stomach bug subplot. It reminded me of the discussion on your thread last year. Yikes! I do love these characters though.

120> hope you like the Eyre Affair.

>125 BookLizard: Me too!

#81



The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling is an anthology of new stories inspired by Trickster gods and/or Trickster god stories. As with most anthologies some stories were better than others. I enjoyed the stories that had a real Trickster to them rather than the inspiration stories.

Recommended if you have a passion for Trickster tales. Skip it if you don't.

I think I have a little crush on Inspector Sejer.

>124 luvamystery65:
The Marco Effect will have more of the same - a scattered storyline and we'll get more information about Assad that will render him even more of a mystery.

>127 luvamystery65:
Difficult to avoid that. :)

>129 -Eva-: Such a shame because I felt he reigned himself in really well with the first 3 books. The first book was almost perfection. I look to you to keep me abreast since they come out in Europe first.

I finished He Who Fears the Wolf last night. Fossum is brilliant and yes it is difficult to avoid a crush on Sejer. I will just give in to it!

Yeah, this one deals with an issue close to the author's heart, so he goes a bit haywire, but it did shine through how passionate he is about it, so it's not bad, just messy. Unfortunately, I've heart nothing new about any upcoming books (and the previous ones have been published at the rate of one per year 2007-2012...), but I will certainly keep you posted!

#82



He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum is the third in the Inspector Sejer series. In the course of a day three lives intersect. A young schizophrenic man is suspected of murder, a man in distress robs a bank and an impulsive young boy from a juvenile home finds himself in the wrong place. It's up to Sejer to wade through the clues and stories and find the truth. In the process Sejer meets a doctor that awakens long dormant feelings. Will he end his eight years of mourning?

Fossum is brilliant in weaving all the threads of the story together. She gives you the end of your story and still leaves you wanting a little more. How does she do this without leaving you disappointed?

I'd also enjoyed He Who Fears the Wolf. I agree that Fossum is great at weaving the diverse threads together. I'd like to read more Fossum, but I've got so many other excellent Scandinavian mystery series to finish. What a dilemma!

Just finished He Who Fears the Wolf today! What an ending! I really enjoyed it.

>133 mathgirl40: Such a dilemma! I have a category for Scandi crime that I haven't even got close to completing because I got so into Westerns and Trickster stories. I do have to say that I include the Vorkosigan Saga in my Trickster category and it really does fit there perfectly!

>134 rabbitprincess: I loved the ending!

My mom is in hospice care now. She's tired and there is not much else to do for her now but keep her comfortable. I appreciate all the love we have received from LT. I really became active here the first time she was very ill. It has been a blessing to me and I appreciate all the camaraderie and finger crossing/holding thumbs from everyone.

You and your Mom are in my thoughts, Roberta.

Sorry to hear about your mum. Wish there was something else I could say but there aren't really words...

That is sad news about your mum Roberta. My thoughts are also with you.

I'm sorry to hear this, Roberta, but I hope your mom is comfortable where she is.

So sorry to hear about your mom.

Thinking of you and your mom.

Thank you everyone. I'll be back later to reply and update. I am waiting for my brother to fly in and see her.

As much as I am sorry to read that your mom has entered hospice care, Roberta, I am glad to see that the focus is on keeping her comfortable with trained staff so that you do not become completely run down. Your energy can be focused on spending your time with her.

Ah, so sorry to hear about your mama - I do hope she's comfortable and get to have time with you guys in an as easy manner as possible. Huge hugs!

My thoughts are with you at this tough, tough time.

My beautiful angel. May she rest in peace.
February 7, 1941 - September 2, 2014

>137 DeltaQueen50:, >138 PawsforThought:, >139 Roro8:, >140 mathgirl40:, >141 BookLizard:, & >142 rabbitprincess:, Also, >144 lkernagh:, >145 -Eva-: & >146 mamzel:

Thank you for your thoughts, condolences, and prayers. I am thankful she left this world rather quickly. She suffered enough and I did not want to see what more she would have been through had she lingered.

Many family members were able to see her and talk to her on the phone before she became to confused and then, unresponsive. I am grateful for that. She smiled everyday right up to the end.

It's very comforting when the last moments are quick and free (or at least almost so) from suffering, and when you know they got to smile and feel joyful instead it help with the pain of the loss. Especially when someone has gone through as much as your mother had to. Stay strong.

My deepest condolences.

Oh no! I'm so sorry. Sending hugs.

Oh Roberta, you have my deepest condolences on your loss. That she smiled right up to the end, after all that she has been through, is amazing. {{{hugs}}}

My condolences to you and your family for your loss.

Roberta, my thoughts and prayers and sympathy are with you and your family.

>149 PawsforThought: I don't know how she smiled with everything she went through but it was one of the most wonderful things about her.

>150 mamzel: Thank you and thanks to you she really enjoyed some fun series and was a more than miffed that Kevin Hearne was going to take a break from Iron Druid.

>151 rabbitprincess: Thank you so much.

>152 lkernagh: The smile was amazing. It was a balm to many of her nurses and respiratory therapists.

>153 AHS-Wolfy: I appreciate your kindness.

>154 christina_reads: Thank you for the thoughts and prayers.

I'm very sorry about your loss. That's a lovely photo you posted.

So very sorry to hear about your loss. Lots of love from me at this difficult time. ❤

>156 mathgirl40: Thank you Paulina. My mom was 15 in this photo. Easter I believe.

>157 -Eva-: Eva I really appreciate it. This group has given me a lot of comfort over the last couple of years. I'm glad I found my way here. I'm planning my 2015 Challenge early (for me). This will keep me busy.

I forgot to post these reviews.

#83



Fun read. Mercy helps Stefan battle a demon ridden vampire.

#84



Fun read. Mercy helps Zee her former boss and mentor against a murder charge. Mercy makes a choice. A good one.

#85


The Plot Against America by Philip Roth is an alternative history with Charles Lindbergh defeating FDR in 1940. It was a good read but a little long winded in parts. Ron Silver did an excellent narration.

#86



Marisilia is on to Mercy's past deed and she is out to get her. Since Mercy is protected, she targets those Mercy cares about. One more fun read.

I am going to take a little time out from Mercy because then I won't have any more to read!

I'm so sorry for your loss. Will be thinking of you.

>161 LittleTaiko: Thank you Stacy.

Just caught up with your thread today...

I'm very sorry about your loss but you have some good memories of your Mom.

So sorry for your loss. I hope you're doing OK. *hugs*

#87



& #88 (the ampersand is for KAK!)



I picked these up because it takes place in the Mercy Thompson world but I want to space out Mercy a little. These takes place between books 2 and 3 of Mercy.

Alpha and Omega: A companion novella to Cry Wolf by Patrica Briggs is the prequel to Cry Wolf but it should be titled MANDATORY prequel for Cry Wolf. I started CW and was immediately thrown off and had to check that it was the first in a series because it was so obvious that the story did not start in the beginning but was the continuation of a story. It had a right of the cliff and on to the next chapter beginning. Okay enough of that. If you want to read this series start here first.

Cry Wolf is the story of Anna an Omega Werewolf that was forced into the change. Anna doesn't know she is an Omega until she meets Charles Connick, the enforcer and son of the most powerful werewolf in North America. Honestly, I really liked the story and learned a lot more about The Marrok and his pack but it read more like a romance novel. I loved Anna and Charles and plan to read more of their stories. I hope they are more action oriented now that the relationship is cemented. If not, I'll stick to Mercy.

Morphy I was asking you about CW on your thread because I felt so thrown off by the beginning. I figured it out though! ;-)

#89



The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is very clever. It knows it is very clever and it lets you know it knows it is being very clever. Still, at the end of the day I decided it wasn't obnoxious. Thursday Next works for the Spec Ops as a Literary Tech but she's really not the sit behind a desk type. The story takes place in an alternative 1985 Britain. The line between reality and fiction has been blurred. There is a madman on the loose and Thursday has her hands full. Will she be able to save the day? She does and in a very clever way.

There are characters named Paige Turner and Jack Schitt that had me rolling my eyes a bit, but when the Swindon Spec Op district supervisor is introduced as Braxton Hicks I laughed out loud! Then I called my friend Bonnie who loves to read and did Labor and Delivery nursing for years and told her she must read this book.

I plan to read more of this series but when I can really enjoy the zany.

KAK you MUST also read this book The bookworms!!!

>163 hailelib: Tricia I have some amazing memories of my mom. Thank you.

>164 BookLizard: Liz I'm in a fog right now and have a huge hole in heart. I'm visiting my Dad so it helps to be around him and out of my house.

"at the end of the day I decided it wasn't obnoxious"
Agreed! It could so easily have been, couldn't it.

>166 luvamystery65: Yay, glad you enjoyed The Eyre Affair! I once heard Jasper Fforde say that his writing process is basically "the endless pursuit of the lame joke."

>168 -Eva-: So true but it worked for me. I'm glad I stuck with it.

>169 christina_reads: I can so see that. I bet he is hilarious in person.

>89 luvamystery65: I too was laughing out loud when I encountered "Braxton Hicks"!

>171 mathgirl40: That was one of the funnier moments for me.

On to some reviews.

#90



Unbroken: A World II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand is everything you've heard and more. What an incredible story of Louis Zamperini. Hillenbrand tells his tale and the background of the the POWs in the Pacific theater so incredibly. Everyone American should read this book. It broke my heart and lifted me up. I am counting the days until the movie is out.

#91



Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs is book 2 in the Alpha and Omega series. More brain candy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance fun. I could eat Charles up with a spoon.

#92



Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs is book 5 in the Mercy Thompson series. Mercy's middle name should be Trouble or Chaos. She is certainly true to her Coyote nature. Mercy has been keeping a book that doesn't belong to her and one of the fae want it.

#93



The Bat by Jo Nesbø is the first book in the Harry Hole series. Honestly, I am fortunate not to have read this series before. If this is the man's first effort I look forward to the third and fourth installments. I'm not sure if I like Harry or not but he rings so true. I'm a fan.

#94



Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin, narrated by Adam Lazarre-White, is beautifully written and wonderfully performed. It is heartbreaking and redeeming. It also made me want to slap the sh** out of some of the characters. I can't abide abuse and in the name of religion it is so shameful. This was not an easy listen but the author deserves his praise.

#95


The Theory of Everything by Stephen Hawking is a series of 7 lectures that explains the search for the origins of the Universe. I'm not any smarter but the lectures are presented in a way that was understandable. Recommended if you want to understand a little more about cosmology.

#96



Stardust by Robert B. Parker, blah, blah, blah. Snooze. Huge disappointment after Playmates.

>176 luvamystery65:
It'll only get better! :)

>180 -Eva-: That's what I hear!

#97



Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman is the story of the sons of Mr. Nancy from American Gods. Mr. Nancy is Anansi, the trickster spider god. His son, Fat Charlie, is ordinary. One day Charlie gets word that Mr. Nancy has died. Charlie's ordinary will never be the same when he finds that he has brother named Spider.

This book has more in common with Gaiman's Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book than American Gods. I loved Lenny Henry's narration. Audio is the perfect format for this story and Mr. Henry shines.

I loved American Gods it was a very different book, but this one is a happy little sidetrack.

#98



River Marked by Patricia Briggs is another in the Mercy Thompson series. This is one of my favorite so far. I love Coyote and we get to "meet" him here.

#99



I read this one too when I was in Laredo! Fair Game by Patricia Briggs is another in the Alpha & Omega series. This series is a lot more paranormal romance and less kick butt than Mercy but it is still good brain candy.

Congratulations to Malala Yousafzai the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient!

The Category Challenge group is doing quarterly biographies this year. Malala's biography was chosen for this year's fourth quarter. Your's truly is hosting. Please join us if you would like. The general discussion thread is here

http://www.librarything.com/topic/180967

If you have read this book already and would like to join the group in discussing it please visit the spoiler thread here

www.librarything.com/topic/180968

>182 luvamystery65:
I have a paper copy of that, but picked up the audio as well solely because of Lenny Henry being the reader. Hope to get to it soon!

>186 -Eva-: Audio is definitely the way to go on Anansi Boys

Sometimes I wish Patricia Briggs could write faster!

>188 hailelib: I get that Tricia but so far she has not disappointed me. I'll allow her to take her time if that continues to be the case. ;-)

#100



The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson tells the story of the Chicago World's Fair, the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. The story focuses on the architect Daniel Burnham and his obsession with seeing that the fair show Chicago and the world that America's architects and engineers were some of the best around. They were bogged down by committees and Chicago's weather did it's fair share to delay the construction. There was pressure to outdo the Eiffel tower which debuted in the Paris World's Fair of 1889. Even Gusatve Eiffel submitted a proposal to build at the Chicago Fair. Many submissions were made for towers but Burnham did not want to try and imitate Eiffel and Paris with a tower. Enter a young man named George Washington Gale Ferris. His idea was novel and an engineering marvel in its day. It also produced a lot of money for the fair. The fair was dubbed The White City due to the cream color of its buildings and the fair was illuminated by night. This was due to the use of alternating current of Tesla and submitted by Westinghouse.

The book also highlights the Black City during the fair and it's most notorious crime. Chicago was growing and people were pouring in looking for work. There was a recession and bank failures. The unions were coming into prominence with strikes for workers rights. There was lively politics and an increase in crime. The fair would only increase the crime. A young doctor known as H.H. Holmes was living in Englewood and took advantage of the increase in population during the fair. He secured some property quite close to the fair and built a hotel with a pharmacy and restaurant. The hotel was poorly built with low lighting and odd passageways. Dr. Holmes had secretly built a crematorium in his hotel. He would lure young girls looking for work and love.

This book was very interesting. It's full of facts and figures and all sorts of information on what it took to build the World's Fair and what happened to all the players. It also details Holmes life of crime not only in murder but in fraud. He was a monster and Chicago proved to be the place to hide his hideous deeds. Never did the police have him listed as a suspect. There was too much going on at the time.

Definitely creepy.

#101



The Stand by Stephen King was good. The beginning started off a little slow for me as King built his story and developed the characters. There was some references that pulled me out of the story because they seemed off to me. Thankfully this happened less as the story continued. The story was about good versus evil but it seemed a little hokey at times when the conversations got around to it. In the end good prevails over evil but evil will always exist. The thing is that man gets in the way of man and that is just as hard to deal with as black and white good versus evil.

King really made me care about some of these characters. I was even rooting for Harold and Lloyd to make the right choice.

Not for everyone but I'm glad I read it.

#102



A Pen Pal for Max by Gloria and Ted Rand is a children's book about a young boy from Chile, Maximiliano (Max)k, who writes looking for a pen pal. Maggie a young girl from America responds to his letter. They discover differences and similarities in their lives. Chile is hit by an earthquake and Max cannot attend school due to the destruction of the building. When Max returns to school a surprise awaits him and his classmates from Maggie and her classmates.

Sweet little children's book that I read as a cheat for my GeoCAT this month. Nothing from or about South America was calling me this month although there is much I would love to read about that region. I just went with my instinct and this is my selection.

>190 luvamystery65:
That one's been on my wishlist for such a long time and every time I see a review for it, I push it higher up the list, but somehow it's never reached the top... :)

#103



Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason is the earliest of the Reykjavi­k Thriller (Inspector Erlendur) mysteries available in English. It was a very quick read for me. I stayed up to finish it. The mystery of a crime behind a crime was good. Inspector Erlendur was interesting but in this book he doesn't have that something that makes him stand out for me like Inspector Sejer or Carl Mørck. I'll definitely read the next one and we will see.

Mark says he has read four in this series. What about anyone else?

>193 -Eva-: There are parts of The Devil in the White City that are very tedious but once it gets going it is very good. It's unbelievable how that monster got away with his crimes for so long.

With Jar City I have completed another category!

>196 luvamystery65: Hurray!

My personal favourites of the Erlendur series are Silence of the Grave and Hypothermia. I've forgotten most of Jar City and could probably do with a reread. The main draw for me with that series is the setting; I love reading about Iceland.

>194 luvamystery65:
I've read three and have another five living on Mt. TBR. I too enjoy the setting a lot and the "lovely" Icelandic cuisine - sheep head being Erlendur's favorite meal makes me oddly happy. I have actually been served it in Iceland, but was, luckily, young enough to be excused from having to finish. :)

>195 luvamystery65:
Noted - thanks!

>197 rabbitprincess: Silence of the Grave is up next so that is a good omen.

>198 -Eva-: Have you read the first 3 in the series or Jar City and the next three? I'm curious because I the first two books have not been translated to English but I don't know about Swedish.

The first two aren't available in Swedish either (although it looks like they've been translated into German...). I've read #3 Jar City, #4 Silence of the Grave, and #7 Arctic Chill. I don't normally skip around in a series, but Arctic Chill was an Early Reviewer-book than I couldn't help but request. :)

>200 -Eva-: Cool! Good to know you aren't ahead of me in everything! ;-)

Haha! When is Adler-Olsen's next book coming out? :)

>202 -Eva-: So far Department Q is only up to book 5 in English, including the U.K. An old stand alone thriller of his is coming out early next year, Alphabet House.

I was really just teasing you about me always being ahead of you with his books - you are caught up on Department Q now, so I can't do that anymore. :) Alphabet House came out in Swedish last year, but I haven't been tempted by that one yet.

>194 luvamystery65: - So far I've read Jar City, Silence of the Grave, and The Draining Lake - all of which I've enjoyed. Have Hypothermia waiting for me.

I've read 7 books from the Erlendur series and have enjoyed them very much. Like others had mentioned, the setting is one of the attractions. The novels are very atmospheric, and I've also grown to like the characters, though they did seem distant at first.

I've only read Silence of the Grave and hope to try another one soon.

Great review of The Devil in the White City. I am looking forward to reading my copy of that one!

#104



The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood was recommended by friend Chris. She read some of my recommendations so I thought I would read this one. It was told from different POV and goes back and forth from the past to the present. It's a little soap opera ish and I kept thinking of Broadchurch as I read it.

I had to stop and Google Alex Marwood because as I texted my friend "I am very surprised a guy would write guys as such dicks." Well he is a she and so it made sense to me then. So there you have it. It may not work for you but if you liked Broadchurch there is a similarity to the place and characters.

#105



Pastime by Robert B. Spenser is Spenser #18. There was very good and then some bad in this one. Let's start with the good. Paul is back. Hawk is back. Susan is a minor player in this one. Paul's mom is MIA and he asks Spenser to help locate her. Also, Spenser gets a dog!

Now for my mini rant. It is getting old how we keep seeing this blond bimbo whore portrayed over and over in these books. Susan is a saint and the blonds are trash that just can't help themselves but be whores. One final thought If Spenser and Susan have been together for 16 years and are soul mates why is it he is only just now getting around telling her about his childhood.

>204 -Eva-: I haven't read The Marco Effect yet Eva. I started it in September but with everything going on with my mom I decided to put it aside and read it later when I could enjoy Carl an the gang.

>205 LittleTaiko: This is good to know. I figure this series must have something going for it since there is so many. I'll give the next one a try.

>206 mathgirl40: You are giving me encouragement to continue the series! I don't mind for characters to take time to grow on you as long as they do.

>207 hailelib: I want to catch up a couple of other series but I will definitely try the next Erlendur.

>208 lkernagh: I think you will enjoy Devil in the White City Lori. I thought of you as I read The Wicked Girls. It's no great masterpiece but it really reminded me of Broadchurch.

>211 luvamystery65: - Really?! I must investigate The Wicked Girls further....

.... which reminds me, have you watched the US adaptation of Broadchurch? I still cannot imagine David Tennant reprising his Broadchurch role, but with an American accent. *twitch*

>212 lkernagh: No I haven't watched Gracepoint. I enjoyed Broadchurch and I don't want to "ruin" it. I haven't heard anyone say it was fantastic or that they are watching it. Of course I have been a bit out of touch. They're filming Broadchurch 2 and there won't be a murder from what I read. What on earth will the show be about? It's really going to be a soap opera! :-)

My parents have been watching Gracepoint and they don't mind it (ringing endorsement, I know!). I couldn't wrap my head around the trailer so haven't watched the show. It was like David Tennant was being dubbed!
I'm ambivalent about watching Broadchurch 2, even with DT doing his normal accent.

Broadchurch: the Soap Opera.... well that may have potential. ;-)

>214 rabbitprincess: That is exactly how I feel about it RP. I will give BC#2 a try but I will dump it in heartbeat if it doesn't go anywhere.

>215 lkernagh: Yes it may. That is why I will give it a shot.

>209 luvamystery65:
"he is a she and so it made sense to me then"
Haha!

I'm watching "Gracepoint" and rather enjoying it! Of course, I haven't seen "Broadchurch," so I'm not troubled by negative comparisons to the original. I've basically heard that if you saw "Broadchurch," there's no need to see "Gracepoint" also.

November plans

The Witches of Eastwick for AAC
Double Deuce for Spenser Project
Cocaine Blues for MysteryCAT (historical) and GeoCAT (Australia)
The Last Policeman for RandomCAT (Mayday Mayday)
Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan AphaCAT G also for my Category Challenge Hexed category
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher AlphaCAT S

Want to squeeze in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to complete my Hexed category
Black Sheep's Meadow a mystery my cousin A.J. wrote this year.

>217 -Eva-: ;-)

>218 christina_reads: Christina I think that's it. Having seen Broadchurch last year I really don't need to see Gracepoint so soon. I felt the same way with the Millennium Trilogy movies. I saw the Swedish versions and just didn't feel a need to see the English one quite so soon afterward. I think given time I wouldn't mind going back to visit these shows/movie. That's the beauty of Amazon Prime and Netflix. Now we can!

I watched Broadchurch earlier this year and have watched a couple of Gracepoint episodes. So far, they seem almost identical though I believe Gracepoint will have a couple of additional episodes. Both were good - it'll be interesting to see what changes they do make.

>221 LittleTaiko: I'll probably watch it at some point Stacy.

#106



The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill is the first in the series featuring Dr. Siri Paiboun the national coroner for the new Lao People's Democratic Republic. I found the book and Dr. Siri quite delightful.

So many crushes on fictional characters. So little time.

#107



I enjoyed Cockroaches the second in the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbø. It was slow to start but it certainly picked up and had a few twist and turns. The ending was perfect. Yes I'm dark and twisty. It fits everything Harry said about himself in book one.

Shared read with Ellen.

#108



The New York Stories of Edith Wharton is an exceptional collection of short stories that span the entire career of Edith Wharton. They mainly take place in New York with few exceptions but all are about those old New Yorkers that Wharton new so well. She evokes a time and place so well that I felt I was there.

Highly recommended.

#109



Double Deuce by Robert B. Parker is Spenser #19. It is short, Hawk is predominantly featured. Pearl is back and so is Susan but she doesn't suck up the entire book. All in all I will say good.

Currently I am reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I listened the first time around and now I thought I would read and see how all these wonderful names are actually spelled. I took this out of the Kindle Lending Library in February hoping to keep up with the year long read of Harry Potter. It's never out of date to read Harry any time of year. ;-)

I'm also listening to The Witches of Eastwick for the AAC. I borrowed the Kindle version from the library but I thought the audio might work better for this one.

Then on to Talulla Rising to complete my Hexed category.

*waves* Glad you liked the Edith Wharton stories.

It's about time for a new thread. This one's taking too long to load. . . . Or maybe it's time for me to get a new laptop!

>228 BookLizard: You are absolutely right. I'll build it up tomorrow because I've spent the morning updating my 2015 thread! Come visit again!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/180198

>221 LittleTaiko:
Well, they have revealed that the culprit will be a different one, so may be worth a watch for that alone. :)

#110



Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling is a reread for me. The first time around I listened to the audios. It was nice to see how the names were spelled. I also enjoyed the art work that accompanies each chapter.

>230 -Eva-: Agree

I suppose I'll go build a new thread for the rest of the year. I'll come back and post when it's done.

New thread is built and ready to go. Come on over.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/182500

Yay on more Dr. Siri love!
I intend to reread HP starting maybe on my winter break (beginning of 2015 challenge). I can't say how many times I've already read them - 3 maybe? - but it's been a while.
Heading over to see your 2015 thread!