Roberta's (luvamystery65) 2015 Category Challenge "I aim to misbehave." IV

I am Roberta. I live outside Houston, Texas and I love mysteries. Thanks to this incredible group and the 75 group I have come to enjoy many other genres as well.

Welcome to my 2015 Category Challenge. I was very structured last year and it was a challenge that I really wanted to make for myself. This year I want to be less structured. I will have 10 categories with 3 selections each that will count towards the completion of my challenge. In addition, I will have a bonus category where anything goes. This is to help keep track of my reading. Finally, I have a category where I can keep track of any challenges that I participate in. (This will include challenges from other groups).

I set out to be good but there were too many options. Now I just aim to misbehave.

Mal Reynolds

Mal was a former Browncoat sergeant and now is Captain of Serenity. He was raised by his mom on a ranch. Mal protects those around him while keeping himself at arms length. Sounds like a cowboy to me.

WESTERNS
1. Blood Kin by Henry Chappell
2. Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry
3. Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider COMPLETED
-The Revenant by Michael Punke

First rule of battle, little one: Don't ever let them know where you are.

Zoë Alleyne Washburne

Zoë served under Mal in the Unification War. She still calls him sir. She is loyal and courageous. Sounds like a great soldier to me.

WAR
1. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi COMPLETED
2. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
3. Slaughter at Goliad by Jay A. Stout

Oh my god! What could it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?! Oh right, that would be me. Back to work.

Hoban "Wash" Washburne

Wash is the pilot of Serenity and the husband to Zoë. Wash grew up on a planet so polluted the stars were not visible. He became a pilot to see those stars. Sounds like a Space Pilot to me.

SCIENCE FICTION/SPACE OPERA
1. Foundation by Issac Asimov COMPLETED
2. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
3. Agent of Change by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
- Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov COMPLETED
- Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov COMPLETED
- Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
- A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
- Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED

Oh I'm hearin' a lot of talk there, genius. Come on, show me what you got.

Kaywinnet Lee "Kaylee" Frye

Kaylee is Serenity's mechanic and everyone's little sister. She sees the good in everyone. If Kaylee is in your corner then that is all you need. Sounds like a friend to me. For this category I will randomly invite someone to pick a read for me or share a read with me.

FRIEND
1. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez picked by Smiler69 COMPLETED
2. Small Mercies by Eddie Joyce picked by KatieKrug
3.

You know, I put on a big act, storm away in a huff. Then I fly off, wait for you to double-cross Mal, beat you to the rendezvous spot and grab the loot before you can get to it. What? You didn't see it coming?

Inara Serra - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Inara is a Companion. She contracts the use of one of Serenity's shuttles. She is beautiful, graceful, intelligent and somewhat mysterious. She is a friend to Kaylee and develops a friendship with Book as well. She loves Mal but will not act on that love. Sounds like a woman to me.

WOMEN
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen COMPLETED
2. Longbourn by Jo Baker COMPLETED
3. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth COMPLETED
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen COMPLETED
- Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast COMPLETED

I've been out of the Abbey two days. I've beaten a law man senseless, fallen in with criminals, I watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect. I'm not even sure if I think it was wrong.

Shepherd Derrial Book

Shepherd Book is a pastor who takes passage on Serenity. He is very mysterious and violence is not unknown to him. He struggles against violence and often questions why he is on Serenity when it is the last place a man of the cloth should be. Inara tells him maybe he is meant to be there. Sounds like a man who wants peace to me.

PEACE
1. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
2. Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice and the Promise of America check with Ellen late May
3.

I don't know if she'll be all right. I don't know what they did to her. Or why. I just had to keep her safe.

Simon Tam

Simon is a top trauma surgeon who gives everything up to rescue and hide his sister. He will even forsake the Hippocratic Oath in order to keep River safe. This man of privilege will align himself with rebels in order to gain her freedom. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

BAD MEDICINE
1. Being Mortal: medicine and what matters in the end by Atul Gawande
2. How we Do Harm by Otis Webb Brawley
3.

I remember everything. I remember too much. And some of it's made up, and some of it can't be quantified, and there's secrets, and...

River Tam - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

River is the younger sister of Simon Tam. She is an absolute prodigy. Simon rescues her from experiments being done on her at The Academy. River is an enigma to the crew of the Serenity. She has powers that are unexplainable. Sounds supernatural to me.

SUPERNATURAL
1. Dead Heat Alpha & Omega book 4 by Patricia Briggs COMPLETED
2. Death of an Ordinary Man by Glen Duncan COMPLETED
3. Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch COMPLETED
- Banshee Cries by (Winter Moon Anthology) by C.E. Murphy
- Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy
- Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
- Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
- Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
- Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
- Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy

You never heard of Reavers? ...If they take the ship, they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh and sew our skins into their clothing. And if we're very, very lucky, they'll do it in that order.

"Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!"

Reavers - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Reavers are thought to be men who went insane and savage at the end of the 'verse. The truth is much more nefarious than that. Sounds like horror to me.

HORROR
1. The Monk by Matthew Lewis COMPLETED
2. The Trail of the Serpent by Mary Braddon COMPLETED
3. Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill COMPLETED
- The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole more of a romance than horror and very silly at that
- Locke & Key: Head Games by Joe Hill
- Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill
- Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom
- Locke & Key: Clockworks
- Locke & Key: Alpha and Omega

Horror Group Monthly reads (parking my picks here instead of Group Reads)

January - Original/classic Gothic works
February - Supernatural
March - Victorian Gothic
April - Graphic novels/Short stories Locke and Key Vol. 1 by Joe Hill
May - Women & non-English Ring by Koji Suzuki
June - Gothic Pulp & weird fiction The Thing on the Doorstep and Other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
July - Hauntings/ghost stories The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
August - Psychological Bird Box by Josh Malerman
September - Southern Gothic
October - Slasher/thriller
November - Light/humorous Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
December - Contemporary/modern Gothic

This landing is gonna get pretty interesting. Define "interesting". Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die?

Serenity OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Serenity is a firefly class vessel that is old but hardy. She has decoy buoys that can mimic other ships. Many a time she has almost failed the crew but miraculously they have all survived. Sounds like a mystery to me.

MYSTERY
1. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø COMPLETED
2. The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen COMPLETED
3. The Bookseller by Mark Pryor COMPLETED

Chain of Command: It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in command here.

Jayne Cobb OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Jayne is a mercenary on board Serenity. He appears to be loyal to the highest bidder but he is honest about his priorities. He is rude and crude. He is an accidental hero to the town of Canton. Hidden beneath his brash exterior there is intelligence and his mama loves him. Sounds very interesting to me. (This is my bonus anything goes category. I'll list anything I read that falls outside any of the other categories)

INTERESTING
1. The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson COMPLETED
2. The Martian by Andy Weir COMPLETED
3. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith COMPLETED
- The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye
- Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction illustrated by Chip Zdarsky

"Are you Alliance? "Am I a lion?"

The Alliance

The Alliance, formally known as the Union of Allied Planets, is a corporate government. The crew of Serenity try to steer clear of Alliance and their planets but have run into trouble with them along the way. They are formal in their tracking of the lives of their citizens. Sounds like group or planned reading to me. (I will use this category to track my group and CAT reading.)

GROUP READS
1. Check with mamzel: I have 1Q84 and Norwegian Wood so I should be okay to be in. I'm trying to be less structured but I will put a note in my category.

2.
3.

American Author Challenge*

January - Carson McCullers The Ballad of the Sad Cafe COMPLETED
February - Henry James Washington Square COMPLETED
March - Richard Ford Wildlife COMPLETED
April - Louise Erdrich - Shadow Tag COMPLETED
May - Sinclair Lewis - Main Street
June - Wallace Stegner
July - Ursula K. Le Guin -
August - Larry McMurtry - Comanche Moon
September - Flannery O' Connor
October - Ray Bradbury
November - Barbara Kingsolver
December - E.L. Doctorow

British Author Challenge*

January :
The Photograph by Penelope Lively COMPLETED
Kazuo Ishiguro The Remains of the Day COMPLETED
February : Sarah Waters & Evelyn Waugh
March : Daphne Du Maurier & China Mieville
April : Angela Carter & W. Somerset Maugham The Bloody Chamber
May : Margaret Drabble & Martin Amis
June : Beryl Bainbridge & Anthony Burgess
July : Virginia Woolf & B.S. Johnson
August : Iris Murdoch & Graham Greene
September : Andrea Levy & Salman Rushdie
October : Helen Dunmore & David Mitchell
November : Muriel Spark & William Boyd
December : Hilary Mantel & P.G. Wodehouse

*For the AAC & BAC I will read first off my shelves, second if I have time and it is available at the library.

Jane Austen year long read

Jan-Feb -- Pride and Prejudice COMPLETED
Mar-Apr -- Mansfield Park COMPLETED
May-Jun -- Sense and Sensibility
Jul-Aug -- Emma
Sep-Oct -- Northanger Abbey
Nov-Dec -- Persuasion

Navajo Mystery(Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee)/Walt Longmire Project

January - The Blessing Way COMPLETED
February - The Cold Dish COMPLETED
March - Dance Hall of the Dead COMPLETED
April - Death Without Company COMPLETED
May - Listening Woman COMPLETED
June - Kindness Goes Unpunished COMPLETED
July - People of Darkness
August - Another Man's Moccasins
September - The Dark Wind
October - The Dark Horse
November - The Ghostway
December - Junkyard Dogs

Author's Gallery (This is my version of a Rogues Gallery)

I must include a photo of one of my absolute favorites, Jussi Adler-Olsen when he was here at Murder By The Book in May 2013.



I will share his spotlight with Kevin Hearne who was also at MBTB June 2014.



Must include Anne Bishop and Patricia Briggs. They were at MBTB March 2015



Charlaine Harris at MBTB May 6, 2015



Ace Atkins with Lyndsay Faye at MBTB May 23, 2015



The absolutely delightful Mark Pryor at MBTB June 13, 2015

BOOKS READ IN 2015

January
1. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold
2. The Photograph by Penelope Lively
3. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
4. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
5. Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
6. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø
7. Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
8. The Martian by Andy Weir *
9. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
10. The Monk by Matthew Lewis
11. The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers
February
12. The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
13. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen *
14. Death of an Ordinary Man by Glen Duncan
15. Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
16. The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
March
17. Longbourn by Jo Baker
18. Banshee Cries by C.E. Murphy
19. Foundation by Isaac Asimov
20. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
21. Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy
22. Trail of the Serpent by Mary Braddon *
23. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
April
24. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
25. Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
26. Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
27. Wildlife by Richard Ford
28. Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
29. Locke & Key: Head Games by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
30. Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
31. Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
32. Locke & Key: Clockwork by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
33. Locke & Key: Alpha and Omega by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
34. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
35. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold
36. Washington Square by Henry James
37. The Bloody Chamber and other stories by Angela Carter
38. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
39. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
40. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
41. Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich
May
42. A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
43. Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold
44. Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
45. Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
46. Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
47. Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy
48. Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
49. Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
50. The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen
51. The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye
52. Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman
53. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
54. Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider
June
55. Ring by Koji Suzuki
56. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
57. Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction, illustrated by Chip Zdarsky
58. White Night by Jim Butcher
59. The Bookseller by Mark Pryor
60. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
61. A Bride's Story, Volume 1 by Kaoru Mori
62. Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
63. A Bride's Story, Volume 2 by Kaoru Mori
64. A Bride's Story, Volume 3 by Kaoru Mori
July
65. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
66. The Crypt Thief by Mark Pryor
67. Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland

Dog Gallery



My Freddy gone but not forgotten.



Bruce, Nova and Téa

Next one is yours. Excuse me while my thread is under construction. All done. Make yourselves at home.

Happy new thread, Roberta! Freddy looks like he's waiting for visitors.

>18 MissWatson: Yes that is Freddy always waiting for a friend. He is my own personal stalker but anyone will do in a pinch.

Harkening back to the previous thread, I want in on Julia's internet high five because I also hate "It's a Wonderful Life"!

Happy new thread, Ro!

>20 katiekrug: Now that there is four of us (Mary doesn't like it either) we are officially a club.

Happy New Thread, Roberta - >14 luvamystery65: = so cool!

>21 luvamystery65: - LOVE!

>22 jnwelch: That is a fantastic poster! I will have to incorporate it into future threads.

>23 katiekrug: EFFs! :D

I am a huge Firefly fan but I have one bone to pick with you. I think a better Reavers quote would be "Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!"

>25 mamzel: Done!

Lovely new thread! I always have to laugh when I open one of your new threads and see your opening statement about being less structured this year, and then I scroll down through your categories.

Happy New Thread, Ro! And Happy Friday. You do like your challenges, don't you?

>20 katiekrug: >21 luvamystery65: Woot!

>27 ronincats: I really am less structured this year. Last year I did the GeoCAT, RandomCAT, MysteryCAT, AlphaKIT (2 picks a month and 4 in Dec), the AAC and the Bingo Challenge. I also did the Spenser Project. I was timely and true to them all. I was exhausted!

This year I am doing the Horror because it has really peaked my interest and Jane Austen, same thing but those are spaced out in 2 months time. I am doing AAC but I'm not worried if I can't get through it that month. I just finished February's pick. I read 3 of the BAC but I'm not as interested in keeping up. I keep the list up because I would like to get to some of those authors but I'm not married to a time frame.

So yes I sound crazy but I'm not as crazy as I used to be. Nevermind, I am!

>28 msf59: Look who is talking! B.A.G.

>29 rosalita: I think we need T shirts and a conference. ;-)

>30 luvamystery65: A T-shirt of that ecard in >21 luvamystery65: would be smashing! As for the conference, I don't think I've been very subtle about hoping to be invited the next time you and KAK plan a reading retreat. :-) (if I knew the emoticon for "bats eyelashes" I would use it here).

>26 luvamystery65: :D

Happy new thread! I'll join your club with pleasure! Though I don't hate It's a Beautiful Life, I don't care much for it or its premise. However, I have a tiny little bone to pick with Julia: Where's MY high five? *pouty face*

Fun Firefly toppers/categories/quotes!

>31 rosalita: I need to know the emoticon for *bats eyelashes* too. We do need a reading retreat Julia. We can never have enough of those. Don't you just love hating things together with Katie? It's a wicked bonding when you discover that you dislike the same book, movie people etc... and you can just laugh evilly together. Bwahahaha!!!

>32 mamzel: I wish I could make everyone as happy that easily.

>33 Storeetllr: Mary I did specifically state that you didn't like it because you never used such strong language as hate on your thread. Now me, I do hate it. Yuck! Gag!

Here you go Mary. It's not from Julia but since we are all now in a club I hope it works for you.

Works great! *high five*

Boo Hoo! I don't qualify for your club. I have no strong feelings one way or another for "It's A Wonderful Life", I do appreciate that Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie's names came from the film however.

Happy new thread, Ro!

I make a motion that we bestow membership on Judy based on her affinity for library carts and making naughty comments about them.

Hi Roberta, happy new thread my dear, we both send love and hugs to you my dear.

I also hate "It's a Wonderful Life". Just saying...*bats eyelashes*

>35 Storeetllr: Awesome!

>36 DeltaQueen50: Judy you can join any club I am ever in. Why? See my response to Katie.

>37 katiekrug: I agree! Why does this e card make me think of Judy? Bwahaha!!!

>38 johnsimpson: Thank you John. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

>39 Crazymamie: Oh Mamie...

We have lots of these here today! Yay!

So many shenanigans, so little time... no, wait ... So many shenanigators, so little wine.

There! That's better.

(I've been waiting to use this one!)

>44 katiekrug: Nice! Worth the wait.

>43 rosalita: There you go Julia. Enough to go around.



>44 katiekrug: I LOVE IT!

>45 rosalita: Agree.

Yipee! I'm a member! I'm a member!

What a great way to kick off the weekend.

>47 DeltaQueen50: >48 Crazymamie: >49 msf59: Dang! Where's the "Like" button when you need it?

Hi Roberta, Happy New Thread and I wish you a wonderful weekend.

LIKE!

I do have the most fun visitors!

>47 DeltaQueen50: I'm so thankful too Judy!

>48 Crazymamie: As long as we're in it together Mamie.

>49 msf59: What?! Say it isn't true Mark.

>50 Storeetllr: We need a "love" button don't we.

>51 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara!

>52 jnwelch: Mal and I are d'accord. Now if only I could get him to Houston to misbehave with me!

>53 Crazymamie: Yes, me too. ^

Wow... I disappear from LT for a week, spend a week struggling to get caught up and I see a slew of reviews on your previous thread! ;-)

Looks like we agree on Wildlife. I found The Bloody Chamber to be aptly titled and filled with unique takes/retellings of various fables/fairy tales.

>22 jnwelch: - I soooo need to re-watch Serenity!

Happy new thread Roberta and Happy Weekend!

Wow, there sure are lots of shenanigans on this thread Roberta.

Hi Roberta, hope you have had a good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs to a special friend from over the pond.

#38


Death Without Company by Craig Johnson



Category: The Alliance – Group Reads

Format: Real Book

Opening line: “They used fire, back in the day.”

Quote(s) that caught my attention:
“We think it was the extra layer of fat that saved you.”

“The place was packed as we flooded in, all the patrons freezing at the sight of an armed sheriff, two deputies, an Indian, and a construction worker; we probably looked like the Village People.”


This is a reread for me, the second installment of the Walt Longmire mysteries. A woman is found dead at the local nursing home and the former sheriff of Absaroka County wants the death ruled a homicide. Mari Barojas is a Basque and the first wife of Lucien Connally. A series of deaths and the hiring of two new deputies, occurs before the mystery is solved. Solid sophomore effort by Johnson.

#39



Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher



Category: River Tam – Supernatural

Format: Audio via Overdrive narrated by James Marsters

Opening line: “Blood leaves no stain on a Warden’s grey cloak.”

Quote(s) that caught my attention:
“The point is that I should have seen you were one of the good guys a lot sooner than I did. And… I blinked at her ingeniously and waited for her to say it. And, I’m sorry she growled. Jerk!”

“It would require a small price of me, if nothing else by making me a tiny bit more dependent on her. …Baby steps on the highway to hell.”

“You can’t change what has already happened. But you choose what to do next. Which means that you only cross over to the dark side if you choose to do it.”

Book eight in the Harry Dresden Files has Harry bailing out a friend’s teenage daughter. The problem is that she has gotten in way over her head in the magical world and even Harry may not be able to help her. In his role as a Warden it is Harry’s job to turn her in for execution.

Harry struggles to come to terms with changes to his relationships in this one. He surprised me. He has been quick to judge in the past and his own experience with darkness has shown him that not all things are black and white. Few are truly good or truly evil, regardless of the choices they make. Harry does rise to the challenge.

Harry’s days as Private Investigator are numbered now that he has thrown himself into the middle of Wizard politics. I am loving the turn this series is taking.

>55 lkernagh: Lori we completely agreed on Wildlife which I also want to keep calling Wildfire. What a waste of reading time. I need to re-watch Serenity as well. I just caught up on your Challenge thread and I love all your gardening a veggie cooking progress.

>56 Roro8: I know Ro! I have the most fun visitors. ;-)

>57 johnsimpson: I have had a nice weekend John with the exception of all the mosquitos! The only downside to all the rain we have been having.

Happy Sunday, Ro! Glad to see the Longmire love. I don't think I'll be able to squeeze in one for M & M but I try to read/listen to one, every couple of months.
If you get a chance to listen to a Longmire on audio, try to do so. They are priceless.

And yes, I was kidding around up there. I love me some shenanigans.

Glad you're having fun with two of my favorite series, Roberta. That "Village People" line is a crackup.

That "Village People" line gave me a smile as well, Ro. I love the Walt Longmire books. My last one, The Dark Horse was an audible and so I agree with Mark, they are very well done.

>61 msf59: I listened to Death Without Company the first time around Mark. Love George Guidall.

>62 jnwelch: Well it would only seem fair that I indulge in two of your favorite series Joe since you are the #1 Book Pusher extraordinaire. Craig Johnson is coming to MBTB on 5/22 but I am working. I am hoping I can get off early and go check him out. Lyndsay Faye is coming the next day and I will go see her. I love her Timothy Wilde series. Have you read Gods of Gotham?

>63 DeltaQueen50: Seems everyone enjoys that line Judy. I have listened to George Guidall narrate book 2 before, as I told Mark. Excellent indeed.

Judy are you planning on hosting September Series and Sequels again this year? I am planning on some catch up and I think I will try to take a week off work for reading fun if you do run a thread. I've done that twice before and I really enjoyed it.

>59 luvamystery65:
I really liked that installment since the stakes were so high. And, he is making some very considerate decisions that I liked very much.

Also, I have to say, I very much enjoyed all the Shenanigans above - those are some great ones!!

PS! I really, really dislike It's a Wonderful Life.

Hi Roberta! Just catching up on threads! Waving!

>64 luvamystery65: I am definitely planning on setting up a Series & Sequels Challenge in September. I know you understand when I say I have so many series on the go that it's impossible to ever catch up but it's sure fun trying!

I finished The Talented Mr. Ripley and Shadow Tag. Both are vying for my favorite of the month. I will need to mull this over. Reviews posted this weekend.

My Freddy ate charcoal briquettes, ash and grease and ended up with bowel obstruction and emergency surgery. Poor little devil. He is still in the hospital but doing better. I was so scared because he is already in poor health and I didn't think he would make it through the surgery. No choice but to do the surgery because that can't be treated medically. Luckily where it was, the cecum, and because it was charcoal the Vet was able break it up and they are flushing it out of him. Because of that they did not have to open up his intestine which would have been a long and painful recovery. He may not have been up to it. l love this little old man and I'm thrilled he has not left my life yet.

Oh, no! Poor baby. (And poor you! What a terrible thing for you both.) So glad it ended up the way it did. And let me say I hope he never decides to eat charcoal briquettes again. (What WAS he thinking?)

I'm glad Freddy didn't need the more drastic surgery and hope for a complete recovery!

Glad to hear that everything went well. How is he doing?

Here's hoping Freddy has a speedy recovery.

So happy that Freddy gets to come home today - poor, poor baby! And so glad that he didn't have to have his intestine opened up - how scary. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers, Roberta.

Sorry to hear about Freddy, Ro! Poor little guy. I hope he has a full recovery.

Glad you loved Shadow Tag. It also seems to be an AAC hit.

Poor Freddy! Joining the others with hopes that he has a speedy and full recovery.

So sorry to hear about Freddy, Ro! I hope everything is okay now. Thanking of you!

Oh, poor Ro and poor Freddy! Excellent news that he didn't have to undergo the more invasive surgery. Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

>69 Storeetllr: >70 ronincats: >71 Ameise1: >72 AHS-Wolfy: >73 Crazymamie: >74 msf59: >75 lkernagh: >76 jolerie: >77 DeltaQueen50: Thank you so much for your well wishes for my Freddy. He seems to be better everyday. I know he is a dog but he really does have 9 lives!

Now for some thoughts on my latest reading.

#40



The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith



Category: Jayne Cobb – Interesting

Format: Real Book and Audio narrated by Kevin Kenerly

Opening line: “Tom glanced behind him and saw the man coming out of the Green Cage, heading his way.”

Quote(s) that caught my attention:
“The conversation was dull, and the dinner superb. In answer to a question of Mrs. Greenleaf’s,Tom told her that he was working for an advertising firm called Rothenberg, Fleming and Barter. When he referred to it again, he deliberately called it Reddington, Fleming and Parker. Mr. Greenleaf didn’t seem to notice the difference.”

“They were not friends. They didn't know each other. It struck Tom like a horrible truth, true for all time, true for the people he had known in the past and for those he would know in the future: each had stood and would stand before him, and he would know time and time again that he would never know them, and the worst was that there would always be the illusion, for a time, that he did know them, and that he and they were completely in harmony and alike. For an instant the wordless shock of his realization seemed more than he could bear.”

“He liked the fact that Venice had no cars. It made the city human. The streets were like veins, he thought, and the people were the blood, circulating everywhere.”


This book really does live up to its reputation as a psychological thriller. Tom Ripley is a minor con artist but when the major con of his life drops into his lap he goes for it. The beauty of this novel is that sometimes Tom’s biggest con is himself. It takes this book to a whole other level. It’s disturbing that you both feel sorry for and are reviled by Tom. In the end though I was really rooting for him to make it so that says quite a lot for this book.

One of the best of the month for me.

#41



Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich



Category: The Alliance – Group Reads

Format: Real Book

Opening line: “I have two diaries now.”

Quote(s) that caught my attention:
“The way Irene read was often exasperated him, but he envied him in a way too, and it was further evidence of her confidence with books. She treated them like servants; he was their servant.”

“Here is the most telling fact: you wish to possess me. Here is another fact: I loved you and let you think you could.”


This book was both elegant and disturbing. The characters weren’t particularly likeable but I just couldn’t put it down. The way Erdrich writes is intelligent and heartbreaking. She gives you a shock but never for the sake of shock itself. You knew a train wreck was coming but not quite when or how.

Tied for best of the month for me.

I just finished The Round House, my 2nd Erdrich for the AAC. You will like this one too. Shadow Tag also sounds terrific. What an amazing author she is.

I managed to get some audio time in, while working on the outside of the house. I have listened to just over 3 hours of The Marco Effect. He does take his time setting things up but it has been enjoyable. I will be doing some driving tomorrow, so I plan on knocking out a chunk.

I'm finally catching up with some of my favourite threads! Just wanted to say that I loved your comments on Komarr. Ekaterin is a great partner for Miles!

Also, many thanks to you and the others on your thread for the Jim Butcher recommendations. I finished Storm Front, found it a very fun read, and will definitely continue with the series.

Opps I missed a few up there!

>65 -Eva-: I know you are in Sweden Eva but you are welcome in my shenanigans club anytime.

>66 connie53: Hi Connie! I need to go see what you have been up to.

>67 DeltaQueen50: Judy I'm glad you are planning September Series and Sequels. I'll plan some time off work and see if I can catch up. LOL! I couldn't even finish typing the last part of that sentence without cracking myself up.

>81 msf59: I went out of town yesterday to pick up a dog for the rescue. I had some awesome audio time but no Department Q yet. I'm hoping to get to it by Friday.

>82 mathgirl40: I just finished A Civil Campaign on audio and had to download and listen to Winterfair Gifts! I love this turn of events in Miles' life.

I'm glad you listened to Storm Front. The first few in the series are good not great but the series gets better and better. Marsters does elevate the series in my opinion.

Ah good, Roberta. A Civil Campaign is a biggie in the series. I love the turn of events, too.

The first time I read ACC, it was a little difficult for me to adjust, because it seemed so different from the other books. I'm a big fan of his new opposite number.

Hi Roberta, hope you are well my dear. I am loving your reading list for the year so far, sending love and hugs.

I have had a copy of The Talented Mr. Ripley around the house for eons. I really must read it.

Sorry to hear about poor Freddy's misadventures. I hope he recovers quickly!

Love the photo of you and Charlaine Harris, wish our book store had more author signings.

So glad you are enjoying Miles in his new responsibilities. Yes, only two more, but in another year, Bujold will have out a new book with Cordelia occurring after Cryoburn.

Hi Roberta, I wish you a lovely weekend.

Let me play quick catch up on my reading. I'll post reviews at some point but not today.

A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold - Very funny!
Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold - Sweet
Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples - Great series
Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples - Even better than 1
Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov - Dated but I enjoyed the premise
Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy - Love the characters, hate the magical realm, really pissed about the ending.

I'm currently reading:

The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen real book and audio
Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples GN
Main Street by Sinclair Lewis audio
Ring by Koji Suzuki

Still need to get to Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman.

I will drop everything on Monday night and tackle The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye as she is coming next Saturday for a signing. I really want to be caught up for the discussion. Thanks to Mark for turning me on to that series.

Hi Roberta! You will love this - I took a quiz to find out which state I come from (http://www.surveee.org/stateguess.html) and it said TEXAS!!! A literal LOL moment. I hope your weekend is going well.

>85 jnwelch: Joe I know you are knee deep in wedding festivities but yes ACC was thoroughly enjoyable. I loved how she presented it as a comedy of manners in contrast with the previous 3 books (chronological order) which were much more serious. Enjoy your weekend my friend.

>86 johnsimpson: John I am woefully behind on your thread but I plan to head over there as soon as I am finished posting here. Hugs to you and Karen.

>87 EBT1002: Ellen I am quite shocked that you have not read Ripley yet! It is so completely up your alley. When you take your next vacation this will be a good one. I look forward to your take on it when you do get around to reading it.

>88 johnsimpson: Thank you my friend. She was delightful and I am very blessed to have such a great independent bookstore that caters to my favorite genre and is able to draw in big names.

>89 ronincats: I also have not read Falling Free so I may read that one for background before I tackle Diplomatic Immunity. I'm not too sad to be finishing the series because then I will be able to revisit one day and get more out of them.

>90 Ameise1: So lovely Barbara. Thank you so much for your continued thoughtfulness.

>92 susanj67: Yeehaw! How funny Susan. We need to get you here to your home state pronto!

My weekend is good. My Freddy is having some allergy issues which is affecting his collapsed trachea but I've loaded the poor fella up with steroids and he is sleeping. I'm headed to go have lunch with one of my nieces and her husband and then we will trek over to Murder by the Book where I pick up the latest by Lyndsay Faye.

Happy Saturday, Ro! I hope Freddy will be okay.

Glad you are enjoying the Saga series. It is one of my favorites.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the new Faye.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a lovely Saturday my dear, sending love and hugs.

Howdy, Miss Roberta!

>95 msf59: Mark I finished Saga, Volume 4 last night. It was excellent and dang it if I have to wait until October or later for Volume 5.

I am halfway through The Marco Effect. The beginning was convoluted. It is now just picking up steam. I am starting on audio so I don't have to stop because tomorrow night I will devote all my time to The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye. I can't wait to go to her signing. I'm also in the middle of Ring by Koji Suzuki. I may set it aside for next weekend as I don't like reading it after dark. I'm scared! It hasn't been too scary yet, but it is creepy. I'm also listening to Main Street which is a huge effort on audio. I may request the book from the library to finish it up before the month is done. I've set aside for now to finish up the murder mysteries and horror books.

>96 johnsimpson: My Saturday was lovely John. I met up with 2 of my nieces yesterday and we had an amazing lunch followed by a nice walk and book shopping. We also stopped by a nice little coffee shop and bought locally roasted coffee. Yum. My nieces husband told her to take her sister and make ladies lunch of it. It was so sweet of him and I appreciate him giving up his time with his wife since they are both in school and work.

>97 Crazymamie: Howdy Miss Mamie! Doesn't that sound sassy? Kinda like you. ;-)

Two more book bullets - The Talented Mr. Ripley and Shadow Tag both sound good.

>98 luvamystery65:, I just picked up The Fatal Flame from the library, and I am also dropping my other books to start reading it tonight. It's like an unplanned shared read! I hope it's just as good as the other two.

>99 LisaMorr: Lisa both of those books were so good.

>100 Roro8: Ro I am so excited we will be doing another shared read. I also hope its as good as the first two.

Hi Roberta, just passing and waving.

Looking forward to your thoughts on The Marco Effect, Roberta. I haven't rushed to it because of mixed reactions, but I do enjoy Carl and the gang.

I think you'll have a fine time with Falling Free. I'm not sure you need it for background - I didn't read it until long after the other Vorkosigan books - but it's a good yarn.

Hi Roberta, I wish you a relaxed weekend.

Happy Saturday, Ro! I am also looking forward to your final thoughts on The Marco Effect. I think this series is beginning to tail off. It does not look like I will get to the Alphabet House. Maybe, later in June?

I am really enjoying the Secret Place.

Posting my latest reading and then answering my lovely visitors.

Saga Volume 3 & Saga Volume 4 were both excellent. Volume 4 blew me away. Now I have to wait for Volume 5! :(

The Marco Effect was good, but like it's predecessor the story should have been tighter. Unlike the predecessor this was a story I could really engage with. The Marco portion of the story and the fraud etc..I enjoyed. I was really happy when I thought the story would be about the Romany but it really wasn't. It was about a narcissistic cult leader who we are never really sure if the family is Romany or not. If Adler-Olsen did this purposefully because he doesn't know enough about the Romany but wanted to portray how society treats outsiders then I'm okay with this. Truly he could have picked any immigrant culture in Denmark though because you see the same with the way Assad is treated in the books. Not the best in the series but much better than book 4.

Some important points: Absolutely zero progress with the nail gun murders and I wish he had spent a bit of time forwarding that back story. A huge reveal about Assad is made. Carl is starting to crack. Hardy has an incredible breakthrough!

This one counts for my Category Challenge - Serenity - Mystery

The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye is the final story in the Timothy Wilde Trilogy. All I can say is Wow! This series has taken no wrong turns for me, including the ending. Here is a description from the publisher.

No one in 1840s New York likes fires, copper star Timothy Wilde least of all. After a blaze killed his parents and another left him with a terrible scar, he has avoided flames of all kinds. So when a seamstress turned arsonist threatens Robert Symmes, a corrupt tycoon high in the Tammany Hall ranks, Timothy isn’t thrilled that Symmes consults him. His dismay escalates when his audacious and charismatic older brother, Valentine, himself deeply politically entrenched, decides to run against the incumbent, who they suspect is guilty of assault and far darker crimes. Immediately after his brother’s courageous declaration, Timothy finds himself surrounded by powerful enemies who threaten to harm those he cares about most.
Meanwhile, the love of Timothy’s life, Mercy Underhill, unexpectedly appears on his doorstep and takes under her wing a starving Irish orphan who may be the key to stopping the combustions threatening the city—if only they can make sense of her cryptic accounts. The closer they come to deciphering her wild tales of witches and angels, however, the closer Timothy comes to the fiery and shocking conclusion that forces him to face everything he fears most.

Timothy is a brilliant detective when it comes to solving complex and politically motivated crimes. When it comes to his own life, dear Timothy doesn't have a clue. Once again, Timothy has to take hard knocks to really understand the people around him and what they mean to him. Timothy faces his darkest fears and realizes there are things more fatal than fire. To give credit where it is due, he does figure most of this out. Does everything turn out perfectly happily ever after? No it doesn't but Timothy learns and shows who is gold and what is most valuable and true contentedness is worth a thousand more than ignorant bliss.

I haven't finished my reads for the month but I strongly suspect this will be my favorite. When I told Lyndsay Faye that I thought she closed the series perfectly she asked me "Did you finish it already." I told her, "Yes I did and I'm so happy with how everything turned out. I couldn't have asked for a better ending for Timothy." She smiled and signed my book with xoxo.

Happy Sunday, Ro! I enjoyed your thoughts on The Marco Effect. Go Assad!

Good review of The Fatal Flame. Glad you had a good time at the author event.

>102 connie53: Howdy Connie!

>103 jnwelch: I was fascinated by the Quaddi mentioned in Labyrinth so I definitely want their back story. Doing this way will prolong the series a little bit for me. ;-)

>104 Ameise1: We are having horrible weather but otherwise it is not a bad weekend. My dogs are not happy with the storms.

>105 msf59: I'm not sure I can get to the Alphabet House this month or next Mark. I am way behind on my Category Challenge reading and that challenge should take priority over the other optional challenges I have chosen to participate in. Once I've caught up a bit I'll let you know amigo.

>108 msf59: Howdy Mark!

Sorry to hear that you've got such terrible weather. I hope tomorrow will be better.

Hi Ro, yesterday afternoon I picked up The Fatal Flame, I was only up to p179, and I read the rest of the book in the afternoon/evening. It was so good that I had to make myself put it down to cook dinner for the family, then when straight back to it. I too thought it was an excellent book. In fact, I'm a bit disappointed that it will be the last one by the sound of things. I also like how things ended and think that Timothy's character has come a long way.
Did the author say anything about what she is working on now?

>110 Ameise1: Tomorrow I work so it doesn't matter too much Barbara but at least it will be safe to drive.

>111 Roro8: Ro! Bad news first. She said that she was done with Timothy Wilde and had no interest at all in revisiting his story. Great news! She said that she would be happy to write from Val's point of view and hinted that possibly a story in that vein has been purchased. *Squee*

The news just shows terrible weather across Texas--hope you don't have to be out in it, Ro!

>112 luvamystery65:, I wondered if she would take on Val or maybe even Bird. That sounds great!!

Roberta, our TV news is showing pictures of tornado damage in Houston - I hope you're OK.

Our news as been showing Texas as well, Ro, I hope you are safe and dry.

Thank you to everyone that has been by to check in on me. No tornadoes or flooding in my area. Praise! I was to go to Kenedy TX and pick up a dog yesterday but that trip has been postponed to Thursday.

My Freddy is not doing great right now. I'll keep everyone posted. Thank you again.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Hope everything with Freddy is okay. Also, I feel your pain with all this rain. I'm okay with the clouds and the light rain, but the flooding is a whole other story. We need a few dry days.

Thinking of you and Freddy... xoxo

Yikes, glad to hear there were no tornadoes and flooding out your way! We have had and are still having a lot of rain, but no tornadoes in the forecast.

Sending good thoughts for Freddy.

Hi Roberta, always nice to meet another Firefly fan! Starred now :)

Glad to hear you're enjoying the Dresden files. You reminded me I need to start "re-reading" them on audiobook.

The ending of Coyote Dreams was not what I would have liked, but I'm going to keep reading for a while.

Happy Sunday, Ro! Hope you had a good weekend. Have you been having a tough time with the flooding?

I am safe and sound. My neighborhood is fine. I live in a master planned community and the very back is flooded. This is the soccer and other recreational fields. The stables did not get flooded so the horses did not have to be evacuated. The main parkway was flooded in places yesterday but that did not affect me as I live in the front and to the outer edge of the community.

Lots of property damage and of course several lives were lost. This is heartbreaking. My family is all okay as well.

I am glad you and your family are okay, Ro! Sorry to hear about the devastation in your area. That is terrible.

>125 luvamystery65: Glad to hear you're OK, Roberta.

I need to get started with the Timothy Wilde series - it's actually nice to find out it's "only" a trilogy, another full series wouldn't be healthy for my Mt. TBR.

I picked up the new Department Q-book while I was in Sweden and will try to start it soon. Not sure when the English translation will be done, but they're usually pretty fast when it comes to popular series. Denmark is doing film versions of the books now and I saw The Absent One while I was home. It was a pretty good film, but Assad isn't even remotely funny as he is in the books (he's more a regular cop) and Rose is just normal, so not very true to the books in that sense, unfortunately.

So very sorry to hear about Freddy - hope he's doing OK!!!

>113 ronincats:, >114 Roro8: >115 susanj67: & >116 DeltaQueen50: Thank you again for checking in on me.

>118 mamzel:, >119 LittleTaiko:, >120 katiekrug:, >121 rabbitprincess: >124 msf59: Thank you again also for your thoughts and concerns.

Aack! My laptop is screwing with me and my posts are erasing before I can post. Sorry for multiple posts but I have to save asap. Here is my third attempt to answer Piyush and BL!!!

>122 PiyushC: I love Firefly and Serenity Piyush. I know die hard fans clamor for more but I think at this point in time they should leave it alone. Why mess with perfection. I haven't read the GNs but I plan to get around to them very soon. Have you read any?

I am so glad we are at the same place in the Dresden books. It's nice to have someone along on the journey.

>123 BookLizard: Get right on those audios BL! Just kidding, but Marsters the perfect Harry. I will be skipping #13 as he does not narrate that one.

I will also continue with the Walker Papers. I hated the ending but not really. It creates tension the story needs and I know they will get there one day. I am proud Jo told Morrison the truth about everything and also super proud of her promotion. Go girl!

>126 msf59: Thanks Mark and >127 mathgirl40: Thank you too Paulina.

>128 -Eva-: Eva save the Timothy Wilde trilogy for a time when you can enjoy him. I planned a reading day to finish the series. It was perfection. I was upset when I found out she was ending the series at 3 but then I thought why make us frustrated with the series down the road. Trust me when I say that Timothy can be frustrating enough in the 3 books as it is. He is hard headed and a little dense for someone so brilliant. I do like the fact that she may be revisiting the Wilde family with Valentine as the narrator. That should be incredibly interesting.

Adler-Olsen did mention the first movie when he was here in 2012. He wasn't too pleased with the way they portrayed Carl. He said it was all sour with no humor. It really is the humor that stands this series apart from others and saves it when it tries to go all dark, nasty and twisty.

I always count on you to give me the mood for the next book in the series Eva!

UPDATE on Freddy: He was feeling poorly so I took him back into the vet. They ran several test and he is anemic so based on his symptoms, blood count and some chemistry that really didn't add up to any specific diagnosis Dr. Rodney decided to treat him for an ulcer(s). I've decided no more invasive procedures at this point. He seems to be responding well to the medication but he did have a seizure last Thursday. It was very brief and he recovered completely. It's one more thing to add to his list but he is comfy right now and as long as he is, he is sticking around.

May roundup:

A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold
Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy
Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye best of the month
Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider

June plans (subject to change)

Need to finish up Ring by Koji Suzuki, Main Street by Sinclair Lewis, Homage to Catelonia* by George Orwell & my audio of Love in the time of Cholera* by Gabriel García Márquez.

Then I will get to:

The Thing on the Doorstep and other weird stories by H.P. Lovecraft
Crystal Soldier by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller*
Garnethill Denise Mina*
Blood Kin by Henry Chappell*
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande *

It's all too much but priority will be given to my Category Challenge reads which are marked *. No Stegner this month but my goal is to catch up to the AAC before Summer is over. ;-)

I've started a thread for H.P. Lovecraft over in the 75 Group. Please join us this month if you would like.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/191629

Hi Roberta, please give Freddy a gentle pat from me. I am thinking that I may have to pass on either the AAC or the BAC this month as well. All these challenges are bogging me down! Of course, being bogged down in books really isn't all that bad ...

Seizures are so scary! We had a Black Lab that suffered from them. All we could do was hold his head so he wouldn't hit anything with it.

131> I'm on the wait list for Summer Knight.

>132 luvamystery65:
Carl is very sour indeed, but he's a little bit like that in the books too. Without Assad's humor and Rose's nuttiness to balance it out, though, it doesn't work very well. Had I not read the books, I would have thought it was a pretty good TV mystery, but when I know how good they could have made it, I'll probably not bother watching the other movies.

Poor Freddy! As long as you can keep him comfortable, all is well. My doggy has arthritis and was in a lot of pain, but he's getting drugs and laser treatments now and has turned into a skipping puppy again, although a somewhat wobbly one... :)

Hi Roberta, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

Hi Roberta. It cracked me up when you said you're shocked that I haven't yet read Ripley. I agree that it's probably right up my alley. I also like your suggestion of it as a vacation read. I'm flying to visit my sister in NC next month so I'll plan to take it on that trip.

Hi Roberta--hoping your Freddy continues to do OK! I cringed when I read about the intestinal stuff as I have had so many surgeries myself and I have another family member who has seizures. Neither one is any fun. Sending him good wishes! Also glad the rains have left you and yours safe and sound. Phew. Rough week.

>135 DeltaQueen50:, >136 mamzel:, >138 -Eva-: My Freddy seems to be holding steady right now. I take him in for his blood work next week. He turned 15 on the first so I am all about keeping the old man comfy right now.

>137 BookLizard: I really enjoyed Summer Knight. Harry relied on his friends. When he started doing that I really began to enjoy the series.

>139 Ameise1: :-)

>140 EBT1002: I'm glad I can make you laugh Ellen. I really was surprised you hadn't read Ripley yet. It will make a nice vacation read for you.

>141 Berly: I didn't mean to make you cringe Kim. I know it is tough. I just want him to be comfy. He has huge ups and downs. I feel like I am relieving last summer with my mom who also had huge ups and downs.

I have a foster dog now. I had one named Starla who is a she-devil but she really did not mesh well with two of my three. I love her to pieces and I still visit her and try to get some one on one time. My friend Darci suggested I take Nova home with me and she has blended in much better with The Devilles. She was quite depressed when I brought her home but she is really coming out of her shell and is even a bit sassy at times. My three are not thrilled someone else has invaded their territory but they are starting to get that she may be here awhile. I'll try to post a photo of her soon.

On the reading front I FINALLY finished Ring by Koji Suzuki!!!

I am closing in on Love in the Time of Cholera and about halfway through Homage to Catalonia.

I started a GN called Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky. It is extremely interesting. It's about two people who can time travel during orgasm. They discover each other and then plan to rob banks in order to save her library. Yes, this is the initial plot. For real. Recommended by one of the employees at Brazos Bookstore. Sounds nutty and it is, but it is highly entertaining.

I just downloaded the audio of Dresden #9 White Night so I can keep up with Piyush in 75 group. I also started my Lovecraft, The Thing on the Doorstep and other Weird stories.

I've set aside Main Street and will finish and catch up with the AAC late in the summer.

Happy Friday, Ro! Hope the week went well. Is Big Hard Sex Criminals the first one? I read the first 2 volumes and enjoyed them very much.

Go Starla! Go Starla!

>144 msf59: Mark Big Hard Sex Criminals is Volume 1-10. It's a gorgeous hardback with a hilarious undercover cover that makes it look like it is a GN about euthanizing your pets. All very tongue in cheek.

LOL! Starla is the naughty one I had to take back to the rescue. Of course you could be cheering her on. She is a loveable brat. Nova is my current foster. ;-)

Hi Roberta, I wish you a relaxed weekend.

You know I am crazy about those lovable brats!!

I read the first 2 volumes of Sex Criminals. I really like that series too!

ETA: speaking of lovable brats, I wonder how KAK is doing?

"speaking of lovable brats, I wonder how KAK is doing?"

I HEARD THAT!

There she is!!! I successfully baited the trap. LOL!

I'm keeping up with my thread. Even answered your question the other day, so NYAH!

Hi Ro! You've caught my attention with Big Hard Sex Criminals and I immediately went and checked my library for that title. No luck :( I will keep this in the back of my mind but I don't really relish the idea of going into stores and asking out loud if this title is available.

Have a good weekend!

>146 Ameise1: Gorgeous Barbara! Thank you.

>147 msf59:, >148 katiekrug:, >149 msf59: & >150 katiekrug: You two crack me up!

>151 DeltaQueen50: I knew this one would intrigue you Judy. I really think you would like it. It's quite smart and she is a librarian! I haven't seen a cart yet. Amazon is a great alternative to walking into the store and asking for Big Hard Sex Criminals.

>152 luvamystery65: I knew this one would intrigue you Judy. I really think you would like it. It's quite smart and she is a librarian! I haven't seen a cart yet.

Ha! Good one, Ro. Now Judy, you realize you are never going to live down that one innocent remark!

>153 rosalita: innocent Pshaw! ;-)

Honestly, it's really smart and I think Judy would love all the details. She is my guru after all.

>154 luvamystery65: I'm just hurt that when you think about Big Hard Sex Criminals MY name doesn't pop into your head ...

>155 rosalita: Don't be hurt. I actually did think of you but didn't want to embarrass you. I was going to post something about your freak flag flying. LOL! You know those introverted, Iowa wrestling loving, knitters always love to get their sexy on.

Perhaps I should send you a copy via Ammy?

>156 luvamystery65: Ah yes, my freak flag. Trust you not to forget about that. :-)

I don't do graphic novels — well, I do read novels with graphic content, but not graphic/comics-type books. If you know what I mean. And I'm extrapolating from the "Volumes 1-10" bit that this is a graphic novel? If someone ever converts it to text I'll be there in a heartbeat!

Big Hard Sex Criminals? Oooookay. Think I'll pass, tho I do enjoy GNs. Saga sounds more my speed. Yes, I'm a wuss.

>143 luvamystery65: Read Love in the Time of Cholera dog's years ago, and all I remember about it is the parrot.

>152 luvamystery65: So far, I have got all the graphic novels that I have read from the library, I find them very expensive to buy. For example here in Canada, from Amazon Big Hard Sex Criminals is $31.31. I'm cheap enough to hope either the library gets it or the price goes down eventually.

I don't mind being known for that one sentence - just don't know if I will ever be able to top it! ;)



It's really difficult to find a picture of a sexy librarian anywhere near a book cart - I wonder why?

>143 luvamystery65: I received the first volume of Sex Criminals in my Hugo Voter Packet, but I've not gotten around to reading it yet. When I first saw the title, I didn't think it would be something I'd enjoy, but I've heard that it's quite different from what most people expect. :)

>157 rosalita: No worries.

>158 Storeetllr: I've been trying to step out of my comfort zone and I definitely did on this one. It worked for me. ETA: There is quite a lot of sex in Saga so I don't think Sex Criminals is that much different except the title makes you aware that there is going to be sex.

>159 DeltaQueen50: I usually get mine from the library too but I've been trying to buy some books from the local independents and this young lady Liz that works at Brazos Bookstore was quite enthusiastic in recommending GNs to me. I thought I would take a leap of faith and go for it. I'm glad I did. I went back there today and picked up one about the Borgias that she recommended. It is visually stunning.

>160 mathgirl40: It is very different than what I expected. It's very clever. That is what the young lady who recommended told me so I'm glad I gave it a try. It is about sex but the time travel aspect and the feeling different and needing to belong issues are explored. There is also discussion about mental illness and taking care of yourself. Also, the secret police aspect is the most disturbing part to me. I was surprised about that but what could be scarier than secret police?

Okay then, fair warning? Well, I guess I'll try one of each, just to see if it works for me or not.

I read Sex Criminals, Vol. 1 and liked the art, but I felt the story itself became a little "same-y" after a while - perhaps it gets better as the story goes along?

>162 Storeetllr: I think Saga has a broader appeal. I hope you like it.

>163 -Eva-: It definitely picked up midway. It became more than just a gimmick.

I ended up at Murder by the Book on Saturday afternoon and stayed for a book signing. The author is an Assistant DA in Austin. He has written 5 mystery novels and one non-fiction based on a cold case he prosecuted. He has also written a stand alone that will come out in the fall. He was very engaging with the audience. I bought the first in the mystery series along with the current one to be signed. I ordered his non-fiction. I love true crime.

I wasn't planning on attending a signing and getting my photo taken so please don't hold it against me.

The absolutely delightful Mark Pryor at MBTB June 13, 2015



Mr. Pryor is from the UK but his mother is from South Carolina. He went to law school here in the States and of course works for Travis County DA in Austin.

Just finished Fatal Flame and you're so right ~ it was a perfect wind-up to a wonderful trilogy!

>112 luvamystery65: I'll join you in SQUEEEEEEing! I was feeling sad that the end seemed so final and permanent, but you've given me hope. I would love to read more from Val's viewpoint!

ETA you look cute in your pic with Mark Pryor (going to have to check out his work)! Glad you had a good time!

Hi Roberta, lovely photo of you and Mr Pryor my dear, I hope you had a lovely weekend and we send love and hugs.

Yay, unexpected book signings and photos! Excellent way to spend a weekend. :D

Hi, Ro! Congrats on the author signing! Love the photo. I'll be watching for your thoughts, once you read Mr. Pryor.

Hi Roberta! Sorry to learn about the flooding that has been occuring. Good to know you were not directly impacted and your family is okay but still...

Poor Freddy. ;-( I hope his health improves.

Yay for book signing author photo!

>166 Storeetllr: Yes! Another who feels the same way I do about the brothers Wilde.

I am kind of fangirling in this pic with Mr. Pryor. So far I am liking his first novel, The Bookseller.

>167 johnsimpson: I had a great weekend and now waiting out Tropical Storm Bill.

>168 rabbitprincess: So far a good start but I will definitely let you know what I think when I'm done.

>169 msf59: We are experiencing more rain due to Tropical Storm Bill but it is not as bad as predicted.

My Freddy is declining but he is hanging in there.

Mr. Pryor is quite easy on the eyes and has a lovely accent to boot. ;-)

Although I have 4 books in circulation right now I couldn't resist starting Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.

ETA: I bought this on Saturday during my unintentional book outing. I am turning into Paul Cranswick. LOL! I also ordered Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. Neil Gaiman posted this article on Facebook the next day.

http://cbldf.org/2015/06/college-student-wants-four-graphic-novels-eradicated-fr...

I've read Sandman so three out of four ain't too bad. Must look into Y: The Last Man. I do like Brian K. Vaughn. ;-)

>172 luvamystery65: Sounds like that young lady needs major life lessons! She can join the club of other idiots like the one who sued McDonald's because the coffee was too hot!

>173 mamzel: I agree that she needs life lessons. The course was an elective. One of 20 she could have chosen to fulfill her degree requirement. She like all students had access to a syllabus that showed what the reading would be for the course. She also had plenty of opportunity to drop the course. She chose to sue after the deadline to drop the course.

As for Stella Liebeck the woman who sued McDonalds, I'm afraid she has gotten a bum rap as the poster child for frivolous lawsuits. She received third degree burns to her pelvic region from the hot coffee. The management of that particular McDonalds had received several complaints of the coffee being too hot and McDonalds in general had over 700 filed complaints that their coffee was too hot when this happened to Ms. Liebeck. She had to have several skin grafts and was in and out of hospitals for over two years. That is extremely expensive. She sued to get help with her medical bill coverage. Her team wanted to settle several times but McDonald's refused to settle. So I guess they got what they deserved. It was a case of McDonalds being arrogant and of course when John Stossel did a story about it for ABC news, well everyone just assumed that Stossel's POV was the right one.

Sorry if you don't agree with me but I don't think Stella Liebeck is the villain in this story. Now Tara Schultz and her parents from the story I posted are frivolous idiots!

Hi Roberta, hope Tropical Storm Bill is not causing you too much trouble my dear. I gather you are 50 soon my dear but don't worry about it, it is just a number and you feel as old or young as want to. I was more worried about being 30 as I had to act like a grown up with having a wife and two kids, 40 was ok and 50 was a breeze especially as I had all these new friends on LT. Sending love and hugs to a special friend.

>174 luvamystery65: I have read up a little on the case because of your post and it was ruled she was partly to blame. Messing with a soft sided cup in a car without a good surface to sit the cup down on was probably not the best idea. I have come to be really annoyed by the warnings and disclaimers attached to items these days because of their misuse by people with less than the recommended amount of common sense. That she suffered so much is truly tragic.

I think the girl in the English class is the "poster child" of those instances where the child cannot take responsibility for their failure and the helicopter parents swoop in and raise way too much fuss to cover that failure. Just before school ended I had to deal with one of those parents. It is school policy that if a student owes any fines, textbooks, or library books, there are consequences such as not receiving their yearbook and for seniors, not getting their diploma (they walk the stage and graduate but do not receive the piece of paper). One young lady came in who owed $17.00 in overdue fines (that is a lot when you figure that fines are $.10 per school day). I would not clear her and she returned with her mother. A pleasant lady, unmindful of her location (the library) and others in there (including teachers) screeching at me that she paid for the yearbook and she never received a bill and she WILL get the yearbook. I explained how the students were notified how to check for fines through the daily bulletin and school webpage but to no avail. Short story, I refused to clear her, she bullied a student to give her the yearbook and I added a note to the student's record for any future contact. Le Sigh.

>176 mamzel: Fair enough.

Exactly on the 20 year old adult whose parents are suing the school with the "child". Really? All I can hope for is that when she becomes an English Teacher she has to deal with students and parents like hers constantly.

I finished Persepolis last night and I enjoyed it. It gave me a lot to think about.

Happy Friday, Ro! I also enjoyed Persepolis. Try to find the animated film version too.

Y: The Last Man!! Y: The Last Man!! Just sayin'...

>178 msf59: Y: The Last Man!! Y: The Last Man!! Just sayin'... Well if you say so Mark. Especially so I can complete the list of objectionable GNs from the lawsuit. ;-) One of the local libraries carries them so I'll probably aim to read this series in the fall.

Hi Roberta, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

Hooray for Persepolis! Glad you liked it, Roberta. Y: the Last Man is a good series, as some irrepressible warbler noted up above.

>180 Ameise1: Barbara thank you for that lovely image. I told my friend to google chairs as flower beds since she just started living in a country house. She saw many of the images you have posted over the threads this weekend and she is busy planning.

>181 jnwelch: Persepolis was very good Joe. I checked out Persepolis 2 from the library. I will definitely tackle Y: The Last Man. Probably this fall. I have really enjoyed Saga by Brian K. Vaughn so I would like to explore more by him. Plus, if it makes a banned books list or inspires a lawsuit by idiots, I am all for it.

>182 luvamystery65:. :-)

>182 luvamystery65: Hear hear!

>182 luvamystery65: Roberta, I love when things become and are used for a new meaning.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there. Here is mine.

I love your Cowboy Dad! Are you seeing him this week?

>186 luvamystery65: "Like" Great photo of the two of you, Roberta!

*waves*

Love the picture of you with your Dad.

>186 luvamystery65:, you both look very happy, great photo.

Hi Roberta, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

>186 luvamystery65:
What a great photo!

Howdy, Ro! Just checking in with my pal. Hope you had a nice weekend.

RIP my Freddy. I euthanized my little old man yesterday. He had stopped taking his medication and didn't want to eat much. He has had multiple health problems and I listened to what he was telling me. We had a lovely morning together yesterday and then my best friends went with me to the Vets and his very favorite Vet was the one who did it. She cried so hard. My other dogs were in the waiting room and then came in to see him. I didn't want them to ever wonder what happened to him. They took it well. We are all sad but we have each other. I had him for 13 of his 15 years and it was a wonderful life. He blessed me so much.

ETA: This is an older photo of Freddy. He was often at the Vets office and he loved everyone there so I had no qualms about him going there instead of at home. Everyone at the Vets office loves him and he loved them. Lots of tears.

Sorry, to hear about your Freddy, Ro. It sounds like he brought you many years of joy!

Gentle hugs to my pal!!

So, so sorry to hear about Freddy, Ro.

Ah, too bad, Roberta. My sympathy re losing your pal Freddy. Glad you had so many good years together.

He blessed you, and I know you blessed him for those 13 years. What a good run he had, my friend!

(((Ro)))

Sorry to read about Freddie, Roberta. Tough decision to make. {{{Hugs}}}

Freddy will be remembered. Glad you have other dogs to help console you.

Still sending a little bit of solace for poor Freddy's loss--what a good mama you were to him!

Liaden thread is up and running. http://www.librarything.com/topic/192715

Hi Roberta, sorry to read about Freddie, so glad you have other dogs to console you my dear, sending love and hugs.

Sad to hear that you've lost such a dear friend in Freddy.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm so very sorry, Roberta!

I'm sorry to hear about poor old Freddie.

Sorry to hear of your loss, Roberta, but you were very brave in making the best decision for him at this time.

>187 msf59: >188 jnwelch: >189 BookLizard: >190 Roro8: >191 Ameise1: >192 -Eva-: >193 msf59: Thank you all for your lovely comments. I was unable to see my Dad for Father's Day. That photo is from this past Easter. I do hope to see him later this month.

>195 msf59: >196 ronincats: >197 jnwelch: >198 katiekrug: >199 lkernagh: >200 mamzel: >202 johnsimpson: >203 AHS-Wolfy: >204 rabbitprincess: >205 lyzard: >206 Roro8: >207 DeltaQueen50: What a lovely group of people we have in our groups here on LT. Thank you for all the kindness. All of you know how much I loved my Freddy and I thank you for the comforting thoughts. It certainly is quieter without him. My Bruce is really feeling the loss right now and mourning the most. Bless him. They were companions for a lifetime.

>201 ronincats: Ro I marked a spot on the Liaden thread and as soon as I'm done with my audio of Sense and Sensibility I have Agent of Change queued up to start.

Roberta, I'm so sorry to hear about Freddy. What a lovely life he must have had with you, though. He was a lucky boy.

So sorry for your loss. You have my admiration for being able to let go and give him a lovely send-off.

I am so sorry you had to lose your friend - 13 years sounds like a lot, but it feels like such a short time when someone you love leaves. *hugs*

Hi Roberta, I wish you a lovely weekend.

Lost track of your thread there for awhile, Ro. So very sorry to come back to the sad news about your Freddie. It's so hard to let a beloved pet go; my heart goes out to you.

>209 susanj67:, >210 BookLizard:, >211 -Eva-: & >213 Storeetllr: Thank you for you kind words and thoughts.

>212 Ameise1: Beautiful! Thank you.

I haven't been keeping great track of my reading lately. Here is what I read in June.

Ring by Koji Suzuki
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction, illustrated by Chip Zdarsky
White Night by Jim Butcher
The Bookseller by Mark Pryor
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
A Bride's Story, Volume 1 by Kaoru Mori
Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
A Bride's Story, Volume 2 by Kaoru Mori
A Bride's Story, Volume 3 by Kaoru Mori

I am still reading Homage to Catalonia and The Thing on the Doorstep and other Weird Stories. Slow but sure.

We miss you, Ro, but I am glad to see the reading getting done and the GN productivity. B.A.G.

>216 msf59: Mark I just went and checked out Hicksville based on your FB post. B.A.G.

Big Ass Grin, indeed! Hicksville is a complex, convoluted GN, but much of it is incredible. A GN Must Read!

Hi Ro, glad to see you here. Hope all is well, I watch for the postman everyday but so far he hasn't had a package for me yet. :(

Another Big Ass Giraffe for Hicksville, Roberta. Hope it hits that sweet spot for you.

>218 msf59: I'll let you know what I think. I'm reading a zombie book right now.

>219 DeltaQueen50: Judy I am stunned! I ordered on June 20th and it was dispatched on June 24th but it still shows dispatched. I guess that is why Book Depository has free shipping. I'll send them an email. So what exactly are you telling your postman you are eagerly awaiting? :D

>220 jnwelch: If both the Warbler and Book Pusher recommend Hicksville then I have high hopes.

<221 Don't be too concerned yet, Roberta, the Canadian Mail System isn't exactly known for it's speed. We could use more guys like Mark! My mailman is used to me peeking out and seeing if he has any interesting packages for me, I'm probably known as the crazy booklady!

>222 DeltaQueen50: Got it Judy. It would be awesome if Mark were all of your postman but then we might get him in trouble by delaying him with all of our book talk.

Finished Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland. Another fun, fluffy tale in the life of Angel Crawford, white trash zombie and morgue tech extraordinaire.

Next I take on Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi and The Blood Promise by Mark Pryor. The Pryor book is #3 in the Hugo Marston series. I am really enjoying this series. Hugo is a stand up guy and it's nice to have a protagonist that isn't a total mess because that is what I usually gravitate towards. ;-)

Happy Sunday, Roberta.

I loved A Bride's Story - I really need to continue it soon!

Have you seen this?

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/conman

>225 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara. I spent the morning with my Uncle Andy. He is like a second dad to me. He has Alzheimer's and I want to enjoy as much with him while he knows me.

>226 -Eva-: I really loved the first 3 volumes. I look forward to the next ones.

>227 BookLizard: I knew they were making this but I had not seen the trailer. I love it.

Hi Roberta my dear, hope everything is well with you dear friend.

Hi Roberta! I decided to start all over with threads, so I'm doing the waving thing again!

Howdy, Ro! Just checking in with, my pal. Hope the week is going well.

I have not been around much lately, Roberta, and so I am just now catching up with your thread. So sorry to hear about your Freddy - how very lucky you both were to have found each other and to have shared so many good times together. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, dear.

>229 johnsimpson: John I have been struggling with my health but I am hoping to turn a corner soon. I've been working a lot and I have a lot of volunteer duties at the dog show. I am exhausted. I start my official vacation on Monday. I'll go see my Dad.

>230 connie53: Thank you for waving my dear.

>231 msf59: I'm not going to complain any more than I did in my above post to John. I hope all is well with you.

>232 Crazymamie: Thank you Mamie. I have not been around much either. I miss my Freddy but he is not suffering and for that I am grateful. He gave me many wonderful years of companionship. He was a great teacher to me. I am blessed.

New thread is up. Please come visit.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/193490