DeltaQueen's Big Steal of 2015 - Part 6
This topic was continued by DeltaQueen's Big Steal of 2015 - Part 7.
Talk 2015 Category Challenge
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1DeltaQueen50
Welcome to my 2015 Category Challenge thread. My challenge is ticking along nicely and at this point I believe I will successfully complete it by October. I am doing fairly well at reading my categories evenly, and I am enjoying this years various Cat Challenges as well. I am also slowly working on my Commonwealth Challenge but probably won’t wrap it up until next year. I have also been sporadically participating in the American and British Author Challenges and at times have had trouble trying to fit all the books I want to read in the month.
I will soon be heading over to Vancouver Island to visit with family and one of the things we love to do is browse through the many bookstores on the lower island. In honor of that, I have used various signs from bookstores around the world to decorate this thread.
2DeltaQueen50
2015 Categories
A. Grade Five: Sandy (sjmccreary) took us back to school in 2013 and assigned her mystery reading to Grade Five. I will do the same for my police procedural/mystery reading.
B. Endless Rain - In 2012 Dave (Wolfy) based his Challenge on a tribute to the band X Japan, using their song Endless Rain as the category for series. I loved the idea of honouring a musical favorite and have stolen this title for my series reading in 2015.
C. Edgar Allan Poe’s Quill Pen - Based on the Sci-Fi program, Warehouse 13, Jean (Majkia) had some of the most interesting category names in 2013. I have lifted Edgar Allan Poe’s Quill Pen and picturing it being used by the likes of Agatha, Dorothy and Josephine. This category will be for my well-aged mysteries by the previously mentioned authors as well as ones like James Cain and Dashiell Hammett.
D. Is This A Kissing Book? - Stolen from Christina. She used this amusing title more than once before letting it go. Her loss is my gain. This will be the place for books that feature some sort of romance or love story.
E. Cat And Fiddle Arcade - In 2014 Zozette used Tasmanian place names as her theme. I am absconding with this one to use for any of my Cat reading that doesn’t easily fit into other categories.
F. Colts - Using sport team names for her 2013 Categories, Carrie (cbl-tn) used Colts to list her YA reads, I will do the same.
G. I Don’t Remember That From History Class! - Lori (Ikernaugh) used this category in 2011. I have made off with it to use for my historical reading in 2015, both HistoryCats and Reading Through Time Choices will be listed here.
H. Falling Off The Map: Kay (RidgewayGirl) used this category in 2011 for books set in an obscure location. I am going to steal the name and use it for books set in other worlds or the future. Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Speculative Fiction.
I. Around the World - Lori (thorton37814) placed her global reading here in 2012, I am borrowing Lori’s self-explanatory title and using it for the same purpose.
J. Pitcher’s Duel - Linda (LindaPanzo) loves baseball and used that game as her theme in 2013. I’m stealing her category called Pitcher’s Duel and using it, like Linda, for books with a War or Homefront theme.
K. Blindfold Book Selection to be known as Camille's Choices: Of course I am stealing this excellent idea from Anders (Gingerbread Man) but I am changing it up to let my granddaughter do the selections, keeping my promise to her after allowing her brother to pick all the books for a category in my 2014 Challenge.
L. Combined Miscellany - stolen from Andrea (andreablythe). This was the category that gave me the idea of stealing everyone’s creative category names. Starting with one book, my next read will have a connection in some way to this book, and so on until the category is filled. All books read will have some connection with the previous one (i.e.) - main characters or authors’ name is the same, the themes match, or even the covers or tags have something in common. It will be fun to see where my reading leads me.
M. Dust Collectors: In 2014, Paulina (Mathgirl 40) used this category as a way of moving some of those well-aged books from her shelves. I will use this category for the same lofty goal. Any book that has been on my shelves for more than a year will qualify.
N. Woven Ribbons - Betty’s (dudes22) had one of the most interesting and eagerly anticipated threads of 2014 as she named her categories after quilt block patterns. She also assembled each block and by year’s end will have a fully completed quilt. What a lovely keepsake. Not being that creative, I will simply use this colorful title to list my 2015 graphic novel reading.
O. Overflow: Eva’s 2014 Challenge was short, straight-forward, and simple. I am borrowing this category name and using it for my anything goes category. Books that don’t fit anywhere else will find a home here.
These fifteen categories will comprise my 2015 Challenge. I will consider each category complete after 9 books, but give myself license to keep going especially to fit all the CATs in. The exception to this amount will be in Woven Ribbons, I am going to try and read two or three Graphic Novels a month for this category.
A. Grade Five: Sandy (sjmccreary) took us back to school in 2013 and assigned her mystery reading to Grade Five. I will do the same for my police procedural/mystery reading.
B. Endless Rain - In 2012 Dave (Wolfy) based his Challenge on a tribute to the band X Japan, using their song Endless Rain as the category for series. I loved the idea of honouring a musical favorite and have stolen this title for my series reading in 2015.
C. Edgar Allan Poe’s Quill Pen - Based on the Sci-Fi program, Warehouse 13, Jean (Majkia) had some of the most interesting category names in 2013. I have lifted Edgar Allan Poe’s Quill Pen and picturing it being used by the likes of Agatha, Dorothy and Josephine. This category will be for my well-aged mysteries by the previously mentioned authors as well as ones like James Cain and Dashiell Hammett.
D. Is This A Kissing Book? - Stolen from Christina. She used this amusing title more than once before letting it go. Her loss is my gain. This will be the place for books that feature some sort of romance or love story.
E. Cat And Fiddle Arcade - In 2014 Zozette used Tasmanian place names as her theme. I am absconding with this one to use for any of my Cat reading that doesn’t easily fit into other categories.
F. Colts - Using sport team names for her 2013 Categories, Carrie (cbl-tn) used Colts to list her YA reads, I will do the same.
G. I Don’t Remember That From History Class! - Lori (Ikernaugh) used this category in 2011. I have made off with it to use for my historical reading in 2015, both HistoryCats and Reading Through Time Choices will be listed here.
H. Falling Off The Map: Kay (RidgewayGirl) used this category in 2011 for books set in an obscure location. I am going to steal the name and use it for books set in other worlds or the future. Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Speculative Fiction.
I. Around the World - Lori (thorton37814) placed her global reading here in 2012, I am borrowing Lori’s self-explanatory title and using it for the same purpose.
J. Pitcher’s Duel - Linda (LindaPanzo) loves baseball and used that game as her theme in 2013. I’m stealing her category called Pitcher’s Duel and using it, like Linda, for books with a War or Homefront theme.
K. Blindfold Book Selection to be known as Camille's Choices: Of course I am stealing this excellent idea from Anders (Gingerbread Man) but I am changing it up to let my granddaughter do the selections, keeping my promise to her after allowing her brother to pick all the books for a category in my 2014 Challenge.
L. Combined Miscellany - stolen from Andrea (andreablythe). This was the category that gave me the idea of stealing everyone’s creative category names. Starting with one book, my next read will have a connection in some way to this book, and so on until the category is filled. All books read will have some connection with the previous one (i.e.) - main characters or authors’ name is the same, the themes match, or even the covers or tags have something in common. It will be fun to see where my reading leads me.
M. Dust Collectors: In 2014, Paulina (Mathgirl 40) used this category as a way of moving some of those well-aged books from her shelves. I will use this category for the same lofty goal. Any book that has been on my shelves for more than a year will qualify.
N. Woven Ribbons - Betty’s (dudes22) had one of the most interesting and eagerly anticipated threads of 2014 as she named her categories after quilt block patterns. She also assembled each block and by year’s end will have a fully completed quilt. What a lovely keepsake. Not being that creative, I will simply use this colorful title to list my 2015 graphic novel reading.
O. Overflow: Eva’s 2014 Challenge was short, straight-forward, and simple. I am borrowing this category name and using it for my anything goes category. Books that don’t fit anywhere else will find a home here.
These fifteen categories will comprise my 2015 Challenge. I will consider each category complete after 9 books, but give myself license to keep going especially to fit all the CATs in. The exception to this amount will be in Woven Ribbons, I am going to try and read two or three Graphic Novels a month for this category.
3DeltaQueen50
Tickers:
YTD Number of Books Read:
YTD Number of Page Read
YTD Number of Books Read From My Shelves
YTD Number of Books Read:
YTD Number of Page Read
YTD Number of Books Read From My Shelves
4DeltaQueen50
When I rate books it is a gut reaction, I am not a critic, so the ratings on books that I have read are really just how I felt about the book.
The following is an example of how I rate books:
2.0 ★: I must have been dragged, kicking and screaming, to finish this one!
2.5 ★: Below Average but I finished the book for one reason or another.
3.0 ★: Average, a solid read that I finished but can't promise to remember
3.5 ★: Above Average, there's room for improvement but I liked this well enough to pick up another book by this author.
4.0 ★: A very good read and I enjoyed my time spent with this story
4.5 ★: An excellent read, a book I will remember and recommend
5.0 ★: Sheer perfection, the right book at the right time for me
The following is an example of how I rate books:
2.0 ★: I must have been dragged, kicking and screaming, to finish this one!
2.5 ★: Below Average but I finished the book for one reason or another.
3.0 ★: Average, a solid read that I finished but can't promise to remember
3.5 ★: Above Average, there's room for improvement but I liked this well enough to pick up another book by this author.
4.0 ★: A very good read and I enjoyed my time spent with this story
4.5 ★: An excellent read, a book I will remember and recommend
5.0 ★: Sheer perfection, the right book at the right time for me
5DeltaQueen50
2015 BINGO DOG
For my 2nd Bingo Card I decided to go with the Art Deco theme.
Books Read
1. A Book Set in a Country Other Than Your Own:
2. A Book That is a Genre Bender: Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
3. A Book That Reminds You of Your Childhood: Skylark by Patricia Maclachlan
4. A Book Chosen By Someone Else: Before the Fact by Francis Iles
5. A Book Where An Animal Is Of Importance: The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
6. A Book With Correspondence or Letters: The Stowaway by Karen Hesse
7. A Book Owned For More Than One Year: Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie
8. A Book That Is Translated: The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
9. A Book Centered Around a Major Historical Event: Coventry by Helen Humphreys
10. A Book Published in 1915:
11. A Book With Prophecies/Portents: Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
12. A Book With Scientists: Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
13. Read A Cat: Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan (July RandomCat)
14. A Book Whose Author Shares An Ancestor's Name:
15. A Book With A Natural Disaster:
16. A Book With a Mythical Creature: A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
17. A Book With a LBGTQ Main Character:
18. A Book By an LT Author: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
19. A Book About Language:
20. A Book Outside My Comfort Zone: Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction
21. A Book About Autism:
22. A Book Inspired by Another Piece of Fiction:
23. A Book On a Subject You Are Unfamiliar With:
24. A Book Based on a Fairy Tale or Myth:
25. A Book With a Protagonist of the Opposite Gender: King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
For my 2nd Bingo Card I decided to go with the Art Deco theme.
Books Read
1. A Book Set in a Country Other Than Your Own:
2. A Book That is a Genre Bender: Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
3. A Book That Reminds You of Your Childhood: Skylark by Patricia Maclachlan
4. A Book Chosen By Someone Else: Before the Fact by Francis Iles
5. A Book Where An Animal Is Of Importance: The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
6. A Book With Correspondence or Letters: The Stowaway by Karen Hesse
7. A Book Owned For More Than One Year: Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie
8. A Book That Is Translated: The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
9. A Book Centered Around a Major Historical Event: Coventry by Helen Humphreys
10. A Book Published in 1915:
11. A Book With Prophecies/Portents: Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
12. A Book With Scientists: Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
13. Read A Cat: Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan (July RandomCat)
14. A Book Whose Author Shares An Ancestor's Name:
15. A Book With A Natural Disaster:
16. A Book With a Mythical Creature: A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
17. A Book With a LBGTQ Main Character:
18. A Book By an LT Author: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
19. A Book About Language:
20. A Book Outside My Comfort Zone: Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction
21. A Book About Autism:
22. A Book Inspired by Another Piece of Fiction:
23. A Book On a Subject You Are Unfamiliar With:
24. A Book Based on a Fairy Tale or Myth:
25. A Book With a Protagonist of the Opposite Gender: King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
6DeltaQueen50
Grade Five - Police Procedurals/Mysteries
Books Read
1. Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives by Sarah Weinman - 4.2 ★
2. Half Broken Things by Morag Joss - 4.2 ★
3. Into The Shadows by Shirley Wells - 3.5 ★
4. Broken Harbour by Tana French - 4.2 ★
5. Dare Me by Megan Abbott - 4.2 ★
6. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer - 5.0 ★
7. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith - 4.0 ★
8. Five by Ursula Archer - 4.2 ★
9. Devil's Work by Margaret Yorke - 4.1 ★
Category Completed
10. A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash - 4.4 ★
Books Read
1. Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives by Sarah Weinman - 4.2 ★
2. Half Broken Things by Morag Joss - 4.2 ★
3. Into The Shadows by Shirley Wells - 3.5 ★
4. Broken Harbour by Tana French - 4.2 ★
5. Dare Me by Megan Abbott - 4.2 ★
6. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer - 5.0 ★
7. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith - 4.0 ★
8. Five by Ursula Archer - 4.2 ★
9. Devil's Work by Margaret Yorke - 4.1 ★
Category Completed
10. A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash - 4.4 ★
7DeltaQueen50
Endless Rain - Series
Books Read
1. Shatter the Bones by Stuart MacBride - 3.7 ★
2. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson - 4.3 ★
3. Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger - 4.1 ★
4. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin - 4.5 ★
5. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen - 3.8 ★
6. The Unquiet Heart by Gordon Ferris - 3.4 ★
7. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch - 4.1 ★
8. Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie - 4.0 ★
Books Read
1. Shatter the Bones by Stuart MacBride - 3.7 ★
2. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson - 4.3 ★
3. Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger - 4.1 ★
4. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin - 4.5 ★
5. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen - 3.8 ★
6. The Unquiet Heart by Gordon Ferris - 3.4 ★
7. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch - 4.1 ★
8. Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie - 4.0 ★
8DeltaQueen50
Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen - Well-Aged Crime
Books Read
1. Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers - 4.0 ★
2. Double Indemnity by James M. Cain - 4.0 ★
3. The Getaway by Jim Thompson - 3.5 ★
4. Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham - 4.0 ★
5. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - 4.2 ★
6. Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell - 4.0 ★
7. A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh - 3.4 ★
8. Before the Fact by Francis Iles - 5.0 ★
9. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie - 3.6 ★
Category Completed
10. Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie - 4.0 ★
Books Read
1. Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers - 4.0 ★
2. Double Indemnity by James M. Cain - 4.0 ★
3. The Getaway by Jim Thompson - 3.5 ★
4. Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham - 4.0 ★
5. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - 4.2 ★
6. Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell - 4.0 ★
7. A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh - 3.4 ★
8. Before the Fact by Francis Iles - 5.0 ★
9. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie - 3.6 ★
Category Completed
10. Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie - 4.0 ★
9DeltaQueen50
Is This A Kissing Book? - Romance
Books Read
1. Love In A Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford - 4.0 ★
2. Wedding Tiers by Trisha Ashley - 3.8 ★
3. A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff - 4.1 ★
4. London Belles by Annie Groves - 3.7 ★
5. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley - 3.5 ★
6. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong - 3.2 ★
7. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - 3.7 ★
Books Read
1. Love In A Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford - 4.0 ★
2. Wedding Tiers by Trisha Ashley - 3.8 ★
3. A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff - 4.1 ★
4. London Belles by Annie Groves - 3.7 ★
5. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley - 3.5 ★
6. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong - 3.2 ★
7. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - 3.7 ★
10DeltaQueen50
Cat & Fiddle Arcade - Cat Challenges
Books Read
1. The Swan Maiden by Jules Watson - 4.1 ★
2. Blameless by Gail Carriger - 3.8 ★
3. On The Beach by Nevil Shute - 4.2 ★
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - 4.5 ★
5. The Prow Beast by Robert Low - 4.1 ★
6. The Terrorists of Irustan by Louise Marley - 5.0 ★
7. Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold - 3.3 ★
8. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay - 4.6 ★
9. Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy - 1.0 ★
Category Completed
10. Agent of Change by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller - 4.2 ★
Books Read
1. The Swan Maiden by Jules Watson - 4.1 ★
2. Blameless by Gail Carriger - 3.8 ★
3. On The Beach by Nevil Shute - 4.2 ★
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - 4.5 ★
5. The Prow Beast by Robert Low - 4.1 ★
6. The Terrorists of Irustan by Louise Marley - 5.0 ★
7. Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold - 3.3 ★
8. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay - 4.6 ★
9. Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy - 1.0 ★
Category Completed
10. Agent of Change by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller - 4.2 ★
11DeltaQueen50
Colts - YA and Children's Literature
Books Read
1. A Stitch In Time by Penelope Lively - 4.0 ★
2. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan - 3.2 ★
3. Sunrise by Mike Mullin - 4.0 ★
4. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - 4.0 ★
5. The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant - 3.5 ★
6. Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool - 3.6 ★
7. The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer - 4.8 ★
8. The Stowaway by Karen Hesse - 4.2 ★
9. Taken by David Massey - 3.6 ★
Category Complete
10. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin - 4.0 ★
11. The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer - 3.5 ★
Books Read
1. A Stitch In Time by Penelope Lively - 4.0 ★
2. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan - 3.2 ★
3. Sunrise by Mike Mullin - 4.0 ★
4. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - 4.0 ★
5. The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant - 3.5 ★
6. Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool - 3.6 ★
7. The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer - 4.8 ★
8. The Stowaway by Karen Hesse - 4.2 ★
9. Taken by David Massey - 3.6 ★
Category Complete
10. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin - 4.0 ★
11. The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer - 3.5 ★
12DeltaQueen50
I Don't Remember That From History Class
Books Read
1. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - 4.0 ★
2. Longbourn by Jo Baker - 5.0 ★
3. Lizzie Borden by Angela Carter - 3.5 ★
4. Katherine by Anya Seton - 5.0 ★
5. The Surfacing by Cormac James - 3.0 ★
6. The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger - 2.5 ★
7. To Have and To Hold by Mary Johnson - 4.3 ★
8. The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson - 4.1 ★
Books Read
1. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - 4.0 ★
2. Longbourn by Jo Baker - 5.0 ★
3. Lizzie Borden by Angela Carter - 3.5 ★
4. Katherine by Anya Seton - 5.0 ★
5. The Surfacing by Cormac James - 3.0 ★
6. The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger - 2.5 ★
7. To Have and To Hold by Mary Johnson - 4.3 ★
8. The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson - 4.1 ★
13DeltaQueen50
Falling Off The Map - Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Books Read
1. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - 3.8 ★
2. The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham - 2.8 ★
3. The Fallen by Charlie Higson - 4.1 ★
4. Invasive Species by Joseph Wallace - 3.8 ★
5. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness - 4.0 ★
6. Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop - 3.9 ★
7. Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness - 4.3 ★
8. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan - 4.2 ★
9. Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts - 2.5 ★
Category Complete
Books Read
1. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - 3.8 ★
2. The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham - 2.8 ★
3. The Fallen by Charlie Higson - 4.1 ★
4. Invasive Species by Joseph Wallace - 3.8 ★
5. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness - 4.0 ★
6. Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop - 3.9 ★
7. Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness - 4.3 ★
8. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan - 4.2 ★
9. Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts - 2.5 ★
Category Complete
14DeltaQueen50
Around The World - Global Reading
Books Read
1. Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan) - 4.1 ★
2. He Who Fears The Wolf by Karin Fossum (Norway) - 4.1 ★
3. Fiji by Lance & James Morcan (Fiji) - 2.0 ★
4. Disco For The Departed by Colin Cotterill (Laos) - 4.0 ★
5. The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara (Sierra Leone) - 3.6 ★
6. Sugar In The Blood by Andrea Stuart (Barbados) - 3.6 ★
7. The Lost Souls Of Angelkov by Linda Holeman (Russia) - 3.4 ★
8. A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison (India) - 4.1 ★
9. The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall (Malaysia) - 3.5 ★
CategoryComplete
Books Read
1. Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan) - 4.1 ★
2. He Who Fears The Wolf by Karin Fossum (Norway) - 4.1 ★
3. Fiji by Lance & James Morcan (Fiji) - 2.0 ★
4. Disco For The Departed by Colin Cotterill (Laos) - 4.0 ★
5. The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara (Sierra Leone) - 3.6 ★
6. Sugar In The Blood by Andrea Stuart (Barbados) - 3.6 ★
7. The Lost Souls Of Angelkov by Linda Holeman (Russia) - 3.4 ★
8. A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison (India) - 4.1 ★
9. The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall (Malaysia) - 3.5 ★
CategoryComplete
15DeltaQueen50
Pitcher's Duel - War & the Homefront
Books Read
1. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally - 4.5 ★
2. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters - 4.2 ★
3. Victors & Lords by V.A. Stuart - 3.4 ★
4. Follow the Drum by James Leasor - 4.0 ★
5. The Marines of Autumn by James Brady - 3.8 ★
6. Small Wars by Sadie Jones - 4.0 ★
7. Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan - 3.9 ★
8. Dead Man's Land by Robert Ryan - 4.2 ★
Books Read
1. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally - 4.5 ★
2. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters - 4.2 ★
3. Victors & Lords by V.A. Stuart - 3.4 ★
4. Follow the Drum by James Leasor - 4.0 ★
5. The Marines of Autumn by James Brady - 3.8 ★
6. Small Wars by Sadie Jones - 4.0 ★
7. Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan - 3.9 ★
8. Dead Man's Land by Robert Ryan - 4.2 ★
16DeltaQueen50
Camille's Book Selection
Books Read
1. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - 3.8 ★
2. Dancing In the Dark by Maureen Lee - 3.0 ★
3. The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey - 3.8 ★
4. The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield - 4.0 ★
5. Weddings In Burracombe by Lilian Harry - 3.9 ★
6. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri - 4.0 ★
7. Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer - 3.0 ★
8. Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan - 4.2 ★
Books Read
1. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - 3.8 ★
2. Dancing In the Dark by Maureen Lee - 3.0 ★
3. The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey - 3.8 ★
4. The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield - 4.0 ★
5. Weddings In Burracombe by Lilian Harry - 3.9 ★
6. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri - 4.0 ★
7. Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer - 3.0 ★
8. Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan - 4.2 ★
17DeltaQueen50
Combined Miscellany - Random Connections
Books Read
1. The Bear by Claire Cameron - 3.6 ★ (Survival)
2. Into The Forest by Jean Hegland - 2.6 ★ (Survival, Forest in Title)
3. The Forest of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan - 3.3 ★ (Forest in Title, Tagged as Dystopian)
4. A Killing Frost by John Marsden - 4.1 ★ (Tagged As Dystopian, Frost in Title)
5. First Frost by James Henry - 4.2 ★ (Frost in Title, Police Procedural)
6. Fields of Grief by Giles Blunt - 3.6 ★ (Police Procedural, Canadian Author)
7. Coventry by Helen Humphreys - 4.5 ★ (Canadian Author, Blue Cover)
8. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller - 4.2 ★ (Blue Cover, Author's 1st Name is Peter)
Books Read
1. The Bear by Claire Cameron - 3.6 ★ (Survival)
2. Into The Forest by Jean Hegland - 2.6 ★ (Survival, Forest in Title)
3. The Forest of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan - 3.3 ★ (Forest in Title, Tagged as Dystopian)
4. A Killing Frost by John Marsden - 4.1 ★ (Tagged As Dystopian, Frost in Title)
5. First Frost by James Henry - 4.2 ★ (Frost in Title, Police Procedural)
6. Fields of Grief by Giles Blunt - 3.6 ★ (Police Procedural, Canadian Author)
7. Coventry by Helen Humphreys - 4.5 ★ (Canadian Author, Blue Cover)
8. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller - 4.2 ★ (Blue Cover, Author's 1st Name is Peter)
18DeltaQueen50
Dust Collectors - Books on my Shelf Longer than 1 Year
Read
1. The Great Karoo by Fred Stenson - 4.0 ★
2. To My Daughter In France by Barbara Keating - 4.2 ★
3. My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier - 5.0 ★
4. Birmingham Rose by Annie Murray - 3.8 ★
5. How The West Was Won by Louis L'Amour - 3.4 ★
6. Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery - 3.4 ★
7. The Fiercest Heart by Stuart Cloete - 3.0 ★
Read
1. The Great Karoo by Fred Stenson - 4.0 ★
2. To My Daughter In France by Barbara Keating - 4.2 ★
3. My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier - 5.0 ★
4. Birmingham Rose by Annie Murray - 3.8 ★
5. How The West Was Won by Louis L'Amour - 3.4 ★
6. Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery - 3.4 ★
7. The Fiercest Heart by Stuart Cloete - 3.0 ★
19DeltaQueen50
Woven Ribbons - Graphic Novels
Books Read
1. January I: Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★, Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★, Fables Vol 4.: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★
2. January II: Hark! a Vagrant by Kate Beaton - 4.0 ★, Hyperbole And A Half by Allie Brosh - 5.0 ★, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel - 2.8 ★
3. February I: Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan - 4.2 ★, Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan - 4.0 ★, Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan - 4.2 ★
4. February II Bride of the Water God, Vol. 1 by Mi-Kyung Yun - 3.3 ★, Bride of the Water God, Vol. 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun - 3.2 ★, Bride of the Water God, Vol. 3 by Mi-Kyung Yun - 3.0 ★
5. March: Sweet Tooth, Volume 4: Endangered Species by Jeff Lemire - 4.0 ★, Sweet Tooth, Volume 5: Unnatural Habitats by Jeff Lemire - 4.0 ★, Sweet Tooth, Volume 6: Wild Game by Jeff Lemire - 3.0 ★
6. April: Thumbelina: The Graphic Novel by Martin Powell - 2.5 ★, Snow White: The Graphic Novel by Martin Powell - 2.5 ★
7. April II: Fables Vol.5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham - 4.1 ★, Fables Vol. 6.: Homelands by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★, Fables Vol. 7: Arabian Nights (And Days) by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★
8. May: Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur by Tony Lee - 3.5 ★, Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood - 3.5 ★, The Last of the Mohicans adapted by Tom Ratliff - 3.8 ★
9. June I: My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf - 4.2 ★, Green River Killer by Jeff Jensen - 4.1 ★, The Walking Dead, Vol. 19: March To War by Robert Kirkland - 3.6 ★
10. June II: The Walking Dead, Vol. 20: All Out War, Part 1 by Robert Kirkland - 3.5 ★, The Walking Dead, Vol. 21: All Out War, Part Two - by Robert Kirkland - 3.5 ★, The Walking Dead, Vol. 22: A New Beginning by Robert Kirkland - 3.7 ★
11. July: Fables, Vol. 8: Wolves by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★, Fables, Vol. 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★, Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham - 4.1 ★
12. July II: Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky - 4.5 ★
13. August: Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale - 3.5 ★, Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer - 3.3 ★, This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki - 4.2 ★
Books Read
1. January I: Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★, Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★, Fables Vol 4.: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★
2. January II: Hark! a Vagrant by Kate Beaton - 4.0 ★, Hyperbole And A Half by Allie Brosh - 5.0 ★, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel - 2.8 ★
3. February I: Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan - 4.2 ★, Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan - 4.0 ★, Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan - 4.2 ★
4. February II Bride of the Water God, Vol. 1 by Mi-Kyung Yun - 3.3 ★, Bride of the Water God, Vol. 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun - 3.2 ★, Bride of the Water God, Vol. 3 by Mi-Kyung Yun - 3.0 ★
5. March: Sweet Tooth, Volume 4: Endangered Species by Jeff Lemire - 4.0 ★, Sweet Tooth, Volume 5: Unnatural Habitats by Jeff Lemire - 4.0 ★, Sweet Tooth, Volume 6: Wild Game by Jeff Lemire - 3.0 ★
6. April: Thumbelina: The Graphic Novel by Martin Powell - 2.5 ★, Snow White: The Graphic Novel by Martin Powell - 2.5 ★
7. April II: Fables Vol.5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham - 4.1 ★, Fables Vol. 6.: Homelands by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★, Fables Vol. 7: Arabian Nights (And Days) by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★
8. May: Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur by Tony Lee - 3.5 ★, Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood - 3.5 ★, The Last of the Mohicans adapted by Tom Ratliff - 3.8 ★
9. June I: My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf - 4.2 ★, Green River Killer by Jeff Jensen - 4.1 ★, The Walking Dead, Vol. 19: March To War by Robert Kirkland - 3.6 ★
10. June II: The Walking Dead, Vol. 20: All Out War, Part 1 by Robert Kirkland - 3.5 ★, The Walking Dead, Vol. 21: All Out War, Part Two - by Robert Kirkland - 3.5 ★, The Walking Dead, Vol. 22: A New Beginning by Robert Kirkland - 3.7 ★
11. July: Fables, Vol. 8: Wolves by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★, Fables, Vol. 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★, Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham - 4.1 ★
12. July II: Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky - 4.5 ★
13. August: Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale - 3.5 ★, Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer - 3.3 ★, This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki - 4.2 ★
20DeltaQueen50
Overflow
Books Read
1. The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers - 3.8 ★
2. Descent by Tim Johnson - 3.7 ★
3. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James - 3.7 ★
4. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn - 4.0 ★
5. The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather - 3.8 ★
6. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge - 4.1 ★
7. The Trouble With Poetry by Billy Collins - 3.8 ★
8. King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard - 3.8 ★
9. Gossip From Thrush Green by Miss Read - 4.2 ★
Category Completed
10. Ambush by Luke Short - 3.0 ★
Books Read
1. The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers - 3.8 ★
2. Descent by Tim Johnson - 3.7 ★
3. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James - 3.7 ★
4. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn - 4.0 ★
5. The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather - 3.8 ★
6. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge - 4.1 ★
7. The Trouble With Poetry by Billy Collins - 3.8 ★
8. King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard - 3.8 ★
9. Gossip From Thrush Green by Miss Read - 4.2 ★
Category Completed
10. Ambush by Luke Short - 3.0 ★
21DeltaQueen50
2015 Reading Plans
1. Jane Austen Group Reads
Sept - Oct: Northanger Abbey
Nov - Dec: Persuasion
2. Agatha In August - Agatha Christie
3. Liaden Universe Group Read - Agent of Change
4. Hemingway in the Autumn
5. British Author Challenge (75er Group)
January: A Stitch in Time by Penelope Lively - Completed
February: The Night Watch by Sarah Waters - Completed
March: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne DuMaurier - Completed
April: Lizzie Borden by Angela Carter - Completed
May:
June: The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge - Completed
July:
August: The Stamboul Train by Graham Greene
September:
October: The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore
November: Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd
December: Something Fresh by P G Wodehouse
6. The American Author Challenge
January: Carson McCullers: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe - Completed
February: Henry James - The Turn of the Screw - Completed
March:
April:
May:
June:
July: Ursula Le Guin - The Tombs of Atuan
August: Larry McMurtry - Leaving Cheyenne
September:
October: Ray Bradbury - Dandelion Wine
November:
December: E.L. Doctorow - The March
1. Jane Austen Group Reads
Sept - Oct: Northanger Abbey
Nov - Dec: Persuasion
2. Agatha In August - Agatha Christie
3. Liaden Universe Group Read - Agent of Change
4. Hemingway in the Autumn
5. British Author Challenge (75er Group)
January: A Stitch in Time by Penelope Lively - Completed
February: The Night Watch by Sarah Waters - Completed
March: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne DuMaurier - Completed
April: Lizzie Borden by Angela Carter - Completed
May:
June: The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge - Completed
July:
August: The Stamboul Train by Graham Greene
September:
October: The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore
November: Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd
December: Something Fresh by P G Wodehouse
6. The American Author Challenge
January: Carson McCullers: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe - Completed
February: Henry James - The Turn of the Screw - Completed
March:
April:
May:
June:
July: Ursula Le Guin - The Tombs of Atuan
August: Larry McMurtry - Leaving Cheyenne
September:
October: Ray Bradbury - Dandelion Wine
November:
December: E.L. Doctorow - The March
22Storeetllr
Love the bookstore signs, especially the crawly reader in the top hat. Also, the name As The Plot Thickens is great for a mystery bookstore. Congrats on your new thread!
23andreablythe
New thread! Woo!
24rabbitprincess
Looks like I need to plan another trip to Vancouver Island! Give my love to all the bookstores.
25msf59
Happy New thread, Judy! Love those bookish toppers!
Wow! You sure have plenty of book challenges going. Good luck with that, my friend.
Wow! You sure have plenty of book challenges going. Good luck with that, my friend.
27Chrischi_HH
Happy new thread! Lovely pictures, these must be great bookstores.
28MissWatson
Happy new thread! My, those are gorgeous signs.
29dudes22
Happy new thread! Love the bookstore signs and also looking through the books you've already read. I see some I've read also and some BBs I've taken too.
31DeltaQueen50
>22 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, I love those book signs as well. The book worm sign came from the Netherlands. Of the bookstores I visit when on the Island, my favorite name is The Haunted Bookshop. It is a second hand bookstore and seems to specialize in mysteries. I always find a few good books there. :)
>23 andreablythe: Welcome, Andrea. The year seems to be passing far too quickly, I can't believe we are in the second half of the year already!
>24 rabbitprincess: RP, the lower part of Vancouver Island does have a lot of bookstores, the small town of Sidney which is near where the ferries from the mainland arrive, has a number of bookstores. That plus some nice restaurants and beautiful ocean views makes it a great place to visit.
>25 msf59: Hi Mark, I guess I am just a girl who can't say no -- to book challenges! I am looking forward to reading Ursula Le Guin this month for the AAC, I read Wizard of Earthsea, by her just last year and now I am going to read the second in that trilogy.
>26 lkernagh: Thanks Lori. Of course I used over 20 just to set myself up! ;)
>27 Chrischi_HH: & >28 MissWatson: I love those unique bookstore signs. I would love to be able to browse through all of them!
>28 MissWatson: Hi Betty, I've been gathering my fair share of BB lately as well. Who knows when or even if I will ever to them, but I always will have an interesting wishlist!
>23 andreablythe: Welcome, Andrea. The year seems to be passing far too quickly, I can't believe we are in the second half of the year already!
>24 rabbitprincess: RP, the lower part of Vancouver Island does have a lot of bookstores, the small town of Sidney which is near where the ferries from the mainland arrive, has a number of bookstores. That plus some nice restaurants and beautiful ocean views makes it a great place to visit.
>25 msf59: Hi Mark, I guess I am just a girl who can't say no -- to book challenges! I am looking forward to reading Ursula Le Guin this month for the AAC, I read Wizard of Earthsea, by her just last year and now I am going to read the second in that trilogy.
>26 lkernagh: Thanks Lori. Of course I used over 20 just to set myself up! ;)
>27 Chrischi_HH: & >28 MissWatson: I love those unique bookstore signs. I would love to be able to browse through all of them!
>28 MissWatson: Hi Betty, I've been gathering my fair share of BB lately as well. Who knows when or even if I will ever to them, but I always will have an interesting wishlist!
33DeltaQueen50
>32 mamzel: Thanks Mamzel!
34DeltaQueen50
107. Devil's Work by Margaret Yorke - 4.1 ★
Category: Grade Five
TIOLI #5: Book's Title Could Drive You To Drink
Margaret Yorke explores the psychological issues of her stories and that, blended with a mystery makes for very interesting reading. In Devil’s Work, an older man, Allan, has been made redundant, and is having difficulty finding another job as it seems most firms are looking for younger men. He can’t bring himself to tell his wife that he has lost his job so he leaves the house everyday and even after job hunting and visiting the library, he has hours to fill before it’s time to go home again.
He meets and forms a relationship with Louise, a young widow and her daughter , Tessa, and soon he is drawn into and becomes a part of their lives. Little do they know that they are being watched and judged by the elderly lady who lives in the flat below. Also unknown is the fact that this elderly lady spent time in prison for murder. Alan is living a life of lies and deception, and when Tessa disappears all his secrets are suddenly brought out into the open.
Devil’s Work was a subtle, insightful story that was peopled by mostly sympathetic characters. The author took her time with the story in order to ensure the readers understood exactly what made these characters behave the way they did. This is the third Margaret Yorke book that I have read and I have found each of them to be a well-written psychological study with the added bonus of a mystery element.
Category: Grade Five
TIOLI #5: Book's Title Could Drive You To Drink
Margaret Yorke explores the psychological issues of her stories and that, blended with a mystery makes for very interesting reading. In Devil’s Work, an older man, Allan, has been made redundant, and is having difficulty finding another job as it seems most firms are looking for younger men. He can’t bring himself to tell his wife that he has lost his job so he leaves the house everyday and even after job hunting and visiting the library, he has hours to fill before it’s time to go home again.
He meets and forms a relationship with Louise, a young widow and her daughter , Tessa, and soon he is drawn into and becomes a part of their lives. Little do they know that they are being watched and judged by the elderly lady who lives in the flat below. Also unknown is the fact that this elderly lady spent time in prison for murder. Alan is living a life of lies and deception, and when Tessa disappears all his secrets are suddenly brought out into the open.
Devil’s Work was a subtle, insightful story that was peopled by mostly sympathetic characters. The author took her time with the story in order to ensure the readers understood exactly what made these characters behave the way they did. This is the third Margaret Yorke book that I have read and I have found each of them to be a well-written psychological study with the added bonus of a mystery element.
36leslie.98
New thread looks great!
And Devil's Work sounds intriguing although mysteries with a psychological slant are generally not my thing.
And Devil's Work sounds intriguing although mysteries with a psychological slant are generally not my thing.
37AHS-Wolfy
>34 DeltaQueen50: I should probably add Margaret Yorke to my authors to check out list.
38DeltaQueen50
Happy 4th of July to all who are celebrating America's birthday, today!
>35 -Eva-: Hi Eva, I'm glad you found me!
>36 leslie.98: Thanks, Leslie. I have now read three of Margaret Yorke's books, they were all quite different in story, but in all three she stressed the psychological aspects much more than the actual mystery. So if knowing the whys of something is as important or even more so than the how's, then her books may be for you.
>37 AHS-Wolfy: Her work is quite different than what is out there today, she was a contemporary of Ruth Rendell and although she doesn't match Rendell at her best, there is a similarity between the two.
>35 -Eva-: Hi Eva, I'm glad you found me!
>36 leslie.98: Thanks, Leslie. I have now read three of Margaret Yorke's books, they were all quite different in story, but in all three she stressed the psychological aspects much more than the actual mystery. So if knowing the whys of something is as important or even more so than the how's, then her books may be for you.
>37 AHS-Wolfy: Her work is quite different than what is out there today, she was a contemporary of Ruth Rendell and although she doesn't match Rendell at her best, there is a similarity between the two.
39DeltaQueen50
108. To Have And To Hold by Mary Johnson - 4.3 ★
Category: I Don't Remember That From History Class
July HistoryCat: 1600's - Immigration, Migration
July Reading Through Time Theme: The 1600's
TIOLI #12: Originally Published Before 2000
To Have and To Hold by Mary Johnson was a bestseller when it was published in 1900. And although the writing is rather dated, it is a story that I loved. I first discovered this book when I was in my teens and although I had forgotten most of it, I remembered enough to know it was a story set in the Virginia colony of Jamestown. This is a story rich in history and the author made good use of Jamestown’s colorful past, making references to both Pocahontas as well as the “Starving Times” of 1609 - 1610 when 80% of the colonists died. This story is set in the 1620’s and includes the March 22nd, 1622 Indian uprising that killed over 300 white settlers in outlying communities. Luckily, Jamestown itself was warned in time to be ready for the attack.
First and foremost To Have And To Hold is the love story of Ralph Percy, a gentleman planter of Virginia and Lady Jocelyn Leigh, a ward of King James. When faced with being married to a man she hated, she disguised herself as a servant and sailed to the colony with a group of young women who were sent to Jamestown to be brides. Jocelyn and Ralph were married, but she told him her story and their marriage was in name only. Of course, they fall in love but in the meantime, Lord Carnal, her spurned suitor arrives and as he is a favorite of King James, he has the power to drag the couple back to England with Ralph in chains, to face the wrath of the King.
There are many adventures to read of here, from capture by Indians, to a short spell as pirates and swords are drawn more than a few times as Ralph, a truly decent man, fights to support his wife and their marriage. The one aspect of the book that I found a little lacking was that the character of Jocelyn remains undeveloped, we hear of her beauty, her bravery, her compassion, but she mostly appears in the background. She is the prize, the treasure that these two men are fighting for, but this does serve as a reminder of how women were viewed as chattels in these times.
To Have And To Hold was a captivating story written in rather flowery descriptive writing that took a little time to get used to, but was totally worth the effort.
Category: I Don't Remember That From History Class
July HistoryCat: 1600's - Immigration, Migration
July Reading Through Time Theme: The 1600's
TIOLI #12: Originally Published Before 2000
To Have and To Hold by Mary Johnson was a bestseller when it was published in 1900. And although the writing is rather dated, it is a story that I loved. I first discovered this book when I was in my teens and although I had forgotten most of it, I remembered enough to know it was a story set in the Virginia colony of Jamestown. This is a story rich in history and the author made good use of Jamestown’s colorful past, making references to both Pocahontas as well as the “Starving Times” of 1609 - 1610 when 80% of the colonists died. This story is set in the 1620’s and includes the March 22nd, 1622 Indian uprising that killed over 300 white settlers in outlying communities. Luckily, Jamestown itself was warned in time to be ready for the attack.
First and foremost To Have And To Hold is the love story of Ralph Percy, a gentleman planter of Virginia and Lady Jocelyn Leigh, a ward of King James. When faced with being married to a man she hated, she disguised herself as a servant and sailed to the colony with a group of young women who were sent to Jamestown to be brides. Jocelyn and Ralph were married, but she told him her story and their marriage was in name only. Of course, they fall in love but in the meantime, Lord Carnal, her spurned suitor arrives and as he is a favorite of King James, he has the power to drag the couple back to England with Ralph in chains, to face the wrath of the King.
There are many adventures to read of here, from capture by Indians, to a short spell as pirates and swords are drawn more than a few times as Ralph, a truly decent man, fights to support his wife and their marriage. The one aspect of the book that I found a little lacking was that the character of Jocelyn remains undeveloped, we hear of her beauty, her bravery, her compassion, but she mostly appears in the background. She is the prize, the treasure that these two men are fighting for, but this does serve as a reminder of how women were viewed as chattels in these times.
To Have And To Hold was a captivating story written in rather flowery descriptive writing that took a little time to get used to, but was totally worth the effort.
40thornton37814
Found your new thread!
42lyzard
Happy New Thread, Judy!
>39 DeltaQueen50:
Nice review, I really enjoyed it too. I like Johnston's ability to use history without labouring it (or showing off her knowledge / research).
Did our best-seller reading bring To Have And To Hold to your attention, or was it on the TBR anyway?
>39 DeltaQueen50:
Nice review, I really enjoyed it too. I like Johnston's ability to use history without labouring it (or showing off her knowledge / research).
Did our best-seller reading bring To Have And To Hold to your attention, or was it on the TBR anyway?
43DeltaQueen50
>40 thornton37814: & >41 jnwelch: Welcome Lori and Joe!
>42 lyzard: Welcome, Liz. I didn't know there had been a group reading of To Have and To Hold, I'll have to look for it and see what everyone thought. I participate in the HistoryCat, a challenge we devised through the Category Challenge. Every month we have both a time frame and a theme to read about and July's is the 1600's Immigration/Migration. I had downloaded this book a couple of years ago and thought it would fit this month's HistoryCat theme perfectly. I had read it years ago when I was in my teens and had vague memories of it, mostly I remembered that I loved the story.
>42 lyzard: Welcome, Liz. I didn't know there had been a group reading of To Have and To Hold, I'll have to look for it and see what everyone thought. I participate in the HistoryCat, a challenge we devised through the Category Challenge. Every month we have both a time frame and a theme to read about and July's is the 1600's Immigration/Migration. I had downloaded this book a couple of years ago and thought it would fit this month's HistoryCat theme perfectly. I had read it years ago when I was in my teens and had vague memories of it, mostly I remembered that I loved the story.
44Familyhistorian
Hi Judy, I have been following your new thread but just realized I didn't post on it. Happy new thread. Is it hot enough out there for you?
45DeltaQueen50
> Too hot for me!! Meg, are you getting a lot of smoke in the air? It's been getting worse and worse here and now not only can you smell it, you can taste it and see it swirling by. I think we are affected by the forest fire on the Island by Port Hardy.
46lyzard
>43 DeltaQueen50:
No, it isn't anything formal - I made myself a little challenge of reading a book a month from the Publishers Weekly list of best-sellers, which they ran from 1895 onwards, and Steve (swynn) decided to join me so we've been reading the #1 book together for a few months. For To Have And To Hold Heather joined in too - I thought you might have seen something about it.
Your comments about a fire sound worrying - I hope not too serious?
No, it isn't anything formal - I made myself a little challenge of reading a book a month from the Publishers Weekly list of best-sellers, which they ran from 1895 onwards, and Steve (swynn) decided to join me so we've been reading the #1 book together for a few months. For To Have And To Hold Heather joined in too - I thought you might have seen something about it.
Your comments about a fire sound worrying - I hope not too serious?
47DeltaQueen50
>46 lyzard: Thanks for the info, Liz. That sounds like a fun challenge. The smoke is awful, but I am on the mainland of B.C. and the actual fire is across the water on the northern part of Vancouver Island. I know Victoria has been affected by the smoke today as well, but I am pretty sure the fire is not a danger to the southern island where most of the people live. Unfortunately there are a number of forest fires burning in the Western Provinces and I believe the State of Washington has a couple as well. We really need some rain in this part of the world.
48Familyhistorian
>45 DeltaQueen50: My Fitbit took me out for a walk about 5:00, Judy and I didn't notice any smoke then but I looked out again when they mentioned it on the news and it was starting to look hazy. Now the sky is kind of white looking.
49lyzard
>47 DeltaQueen50:
It has been fun - we've rediscovered some interesting books, To Have And To Hold being one of them.
I can fully sympathise with your fire issues; summer here is always a nervous time, though our weather is so unpredictable these days it's hard to know what to expect. It's been quite a wet winter so far, so that might stand us in good stead going forward into hotter weather.
It has been fun - we've rediscovered some interesting books, To Have And To Hold being one of them.
I can fully sympathise with your fire issues; summer here is always a nervous time, though our weather is so unpredictable these days it's hard to know what to expect. It's been quite a wet winter so far, so that might stand us in good stead going forward into hotter weather.
50Storeetllr
Dang! We had a good downpour this afternoon. Wish I could have sent it your way. I know I've had enough rain to last me awhile, and I think Colorado's doing okay rain-wise too. Do stay safe, Judy, and stay inside while all that smoke is in the air!
52VivienneR
>48 Familyhistorian: I took my fitbit for a walk too but it wasn't attached anymore when I got home. I retraced my steps but the only benefit was that I doubled the original walk. :(
53DeltaQueen50
>48 Familyhistorian: I was wrong in thinking that this smoke is from the Island, it turns out the fire above Whistler is to blame. Today, the wind has shifted direction a little so although the sky is still hazy, the smoke is not swirling around close to the ground and the smell of burning wood isn't as strong. I hope Meg, this doesn't mean that it has shifted more your way!
>49 lyzard: B.C. is a province that relies on it's lumber so forest fires are a hazard that we are aware of. Very rarely do we have fires that actually affect the Vancouver area, but this year has been very hot and dry and there are a lot of fires in many different directions. Water isn't usually a problem in this part of the world but the very dry conditions plus the fact that we got no snow pack in the mountains and less rain over the winter than usual, means that we are experiencing a water shortage. So far we have been cut back to watering our gardens once a week.
>50 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, wouldn't it be great if we could share our weather with each other! I would love some rain and I know there are people who would like some of our warm, dry summer weather! I am staying inside, these days you can usually find me near a fan with a book in my hand!
>51 VivienneR: & >52 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne and welcome but, I am sorry to hear that your fitbit went astray!
>49 lyzard: B.C. is a province that relies on it's lumber so forest fires are a hazard that we are aware of. Very rarely do we have fires that actually affect the Vancouver area, but this year has been very hot and dry and there are a lot of fires in many different directions. Water isn't usually a problem in this part of the world but the very dry conditions plus the fact that we got no snow pack in the mountains and less rain over the winter than usual, means that we are experiencing a water shortage. So far we have been cut back to watering our gardens once a week.
>50 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, wouldn't it be great if we could share our weather with each other! I would love some rain and I know there are people who would like some of our warm, dry summer weather! I am staying inside, these days you can usually find me near a fan with a book in my hand!
>51 VivienneR: & >52 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne and welcome but, I am sorry to hear that your fitbit went astray!
54DeltaQueen50
109. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin - 4.0 ★
Category: Colts
July American Author Challenge
TIOLI #4: Author Is Mentioned In The Science Fiction Awards Database
The second book in Ursula Le Guin’s Wizard of Earthsea Cycle is a quieter book than the previous one. This is not a book of high adventure, of sailing out into the unknown and at first I do admit I was a little put off at not finding Ged off on another adventure. But thank heavens I was patient and allowed the story to develop because before I knew it, Ursula Le Guin had worked her magic and I was totally drawn into the story.
In The Tombs of Atuan the main character is Tenar who through an elaborate ceremony has been chosen to be the priestess reborn called Arha and to serve the Nameless Ones in the Tomb of Atuan. Her life is rather bleak and all she knows is duty, but one day, while walking the labyrinth she discovers an intruder, a young wizard who calls himself Sparrowhawk. She imprisons him but through discussions with him and the magic that he shows her, she starts to question all that she has been taught.
I listened to this book as read by Rob Inglis, and although he isn’t my favorite narrator, he did an adequate job. It was Ursula Le Guin’s descriptive writing and beautiful prose that made this book such a wonderful experience. This is a much slower moving book than the first, but the payoff comes with Le Guin’s elaborate world-building and character development. Her descriptions of the dark, underground maze painted a picture of a very creepy and claustrophobic place with a sense of evil lurking in the dark. The pace of the story does pick up once Ged makes his appearance and the ending not only brought closure to this story, but has perked my interest in finding out what happens in the third volume.
Category: Colts
July American Author Challenge
TIOLI #4: Author Is Mentioned In The Science Fiction Awards Database
The second book in Ursula Le Guin’s Wizard of Earthsea Cycle is a quieter book than the previous one. This is not a book of high adventure, of sailing out into the unknown and at first I do admit I was a little put off at not finding Ged off on another adventure. But thank heavens I was patient and allowed the story to develop because before I knew it, Ursula Le Guin had worked her magic and I was totally drawn into the story.
In The Tombs of Atuan the main character is Tenar who through an elaborate ceremony has been chosen to be the priestess reborn called Arha and to serve the Nameless Ones in the Tomb of Atuan. Her life is rather bleak and all she knows is duty, but one day, while walking the labyrinth she discovers an intruder, a young wizard who calls himself Sparrowhawk. She imprisons him but through discussions with him and the magic that he shows her, she starts to question all that she has been taught.
I listened to this book as read by Rob Inglis, and although he isn’t my favorite narrator, he did an adequate job. It was Ursula Le Guin’s descriptive writing and beautiful prose that made this book such a wonderful experience. This is a much slower moving book than the first, but the payoff comes with Le Guin’s elaborate world-building and character development. Her descriptions of the dark, underground maze painted a picture of a very creepy and claustrophobic place with a sense of evil lurking in the dark. The pace of the story does pick up once Ged makes his appearance and the ending not only brought closure to this story, but has perked my interest in finding out what happens in the third volume.
55leslie.98
I agree that The Tombs of Atuan is a quieter book but having reread this trilogy several times, I think it has become my favorite of the three. I love Le Guin's descriptive ability!
56Storeetllr
Oh! I loved the Earthsea trilogy when I read it a million years ago! May be time for a reread. It can join the long-and-getting-ever-longer list of books TBRR.
57Familyhistorian
>52 VivienneR: Oh no, I hope you are able to find it.
>53 DeltaQueen50: This morning we were really socked in with smog so it must have shifted this way. It lifted a bit during the day and I hope that it will blow away soon. Some rain would be good. (I never thought I would say that!)
>53 DeltaQueen50: This morning we were really socked in with smog so it must have shifted this way. It lifted a bit during the day and I hope that it will blow away soon. Some rain would be good. (I never thought I would say that!)
58souloftherose
Glad to see you enjoyed To Have and to Hold and The Tombs of Atuan Judy. I was pleasantly surprise by the former as I'd never heard of it before Liz read it but I found it a lot of fun.
Hoping some rain comes your way soon.
Hoping some rain comes your way soon.
59DeltaQueen50
>55 leslie.98: I have seen that many people list this one as their favorite, Leslie. Even though I have the third book to read, I suspect it may become mine as well.
>56 Storeetllr: I have been doing a fair bit of re-reading lately as something will jog my memory and I feel the need to check out a book I read years ago. I have been finding that these books still mostly resonate with me and often my more mature viewpoint brings new items into focus.
>57 Familyhistorian: Today, the temperature is down and the smoke is way less so I am a happy camper! We do need a good rainfall to help with all these fires though.
>58 souloftherose: I loved To Have and To Hold, Heather. This time I could appreciate the author's research and writing whereas when I read it in the past, I was all about the love story! I count Ursula Le Guin among my LT finds as I was encouraged to give her a try by other members.
>56 Storeetllr: I have been doing a fair bit of re-reading lately as something will jog my memory and I feel the need to check out a book I read years ago. I have been finding that these books still mostly resonate with me and often my more mature viewpoint brings new items into focus.
>57 Familyhistorian: Today, the temperature is down and the smoke is way less so I am a happy camper! We do need a good rainfall to help with all these fires though.
>58 souloftherose: I loved To Have and To Hold, Heather. This time I could appreciate the author's research and writing whereas when I read it in the past, I was all about the love story! I count Ursula Le Guin among my LT finds as I was encouraged to give her a try by other members.
60DeltaQueen50
110. Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy - 1.0 ★
Category: Cat & Fiddle Arcade
July SFFFCat: Critters
TIOLI #14: Author Has Something To Do With California
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy is a book that I knew very little about in advance. I did know that it has something to do with werewolves and that there is an original Netflick series that has been developed from the book. This book is one that came very close to being abandoned as I couldn’t seem to get my head around these strange characters. How strange you ask? Well, when the boy who turns into a werewolf once a month appears to be the most normal and likeable one of the lot, it does cause you to ask some questions.
I did stick with it, and this is one time that I wish I hadn’t. Yes, it was a werewolf story, but so much additional crap was added that the final product was muddled, pointless and completely incomprehensible. The characters act in strange, unexplained ways. Plot points that seem carefully developed by the author often had no resolution. One thing (of many) that totally drove me crazy was that the author took the time to include a special two-headed silver axe that was specifically to be used for killing a werewolf, but it never gets used. Instead the character that has it, stands idly by with it in his hands, while someone else fights the werewolf.
All I can say about Hemlock Grove is I wish I hadn’t bothered.
Category: Cat & Fiddle Arcade
July SFFFCat: Critters
TIOLI #14: Author Has Something To Do With California
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy is a book that I knew very little about in advance. I did know that it has something to do with werewolves and that there is an original Netflick series that has been developed from the book. This book is one that came very close to being abandoned as I couldn’t seem to get my head around these strange characters. How strange you ask? Well, when the boy who turns into a werewolf once a month appears to be the most normal and likeable one of the lot, it does cause you to ask some questions.
I did stick with it, and this is one time that I wish I hadn’t. Yes, it was a werewolf story, but so much additional crap was added that the final product was muddled, pointless and completely incomprehensible. The characters act in strange, unexplained ways. Plot points that seem carefully developed by the author often had no resolution. One thing (of many) that totally drove me crazy was that the author took the time to include a special two-headed silver axe that was specifically to be used for killing a werewolf, but it never gets used. Instead the character that has it, stands idly by with it in his hands, while someone else fights the werewolf.
All I can say about Hemlock Grove is I wish I hadn’t bothered.
61thornton37814
>60 DeltaQueen50: Sounds like that one is safely avoided.
62DeltaQueen50
>61 thornton37814: Definitely, Lori, definitely!
63christina_reads
>60 DeltaQueen50: Oh, no! Sounds like a complete misuse of Chekhov's two-headed silver axe. I feel like I've heard good things about the "Hemlock Grove" TV show, though...
64tymfos
Hi, Judy! I got way behind on the last thread, so I missed the party for your Thingaversary, 100th book, and Canada Day! :)
I'm glad I found your nice new thread. Great thread topper photos!
I'm glad I found your nice new thread. Great thread topper photos!
65AHS-Wolfy
>60 DeltaQueen50: I think I'll give that one a miss and leave my last bookish werewolf encounter to the Glen Duncan trilogy.
66DeltaQueen50
>63 christina_reads: LOL Christina! I've heard some good things about the show and once I've gotten over this book, I may check it out in the hope that somethings will be made clearer.
>64 tymfos: Hi Terri, no problem, I know how easy it is to fall behind here!
>65 AHS-Wolfy: Dave, I can't tell you how often I wished it was one of Glen Duncan's books that I was reading ....
>64 tymfos: Hi Terri, no problem, I know how easy it is to fall behind here!
>65 AHS-Wolfy: Dave, I can't tell you how often I wished it was one of Glen Duncan's books that I was reading ....
67DeltaQueen50
111. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri - 4.0 ★
Category: Camille's Choice
BingoDog: Set In a Country Other Than My Own (Sicily)
TIOLI #2: Book Has a Connection to Water
The first in his Inspector Montalbano series, The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri was a very enjoyable excursion to Sicily. As opposed to some of the darker European crime stories, Montalbano has both a warmth and lightness that makes the reader feel comfortable immediately. The food descriptions alone have me wishing a trip to Italy was in my near future.
The mystery itself was a lesson in political machinations with misplaced loyalties and ambitions. With a nice twist, Montalbano proves to himself exactly what happened to Silvio Luparello. He also proves to the reader that not only is he willing to bend the rules a little, he is also a very smart detective which bodes well for future books.
Although I mentioned lightness up above, this book was far from light-weight. Montalbano threads his way through a cauldron of corruption, and the darker side of Sicily is not disguised in any way. This was a story of contrasts with stark honesty, humor, warmth and vendettas mixed throughout. I am intrigued and will definitely be continuing on with this series.
Category: Camille's Choice
BingoDog: Set In a Country Other Than My Own (Sicily)
TIOLI #2: Book Has a Connection to Water
The first in his Inspector Montalbano series, The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri was a very enjoyable excursion to Sicily. As opposed to some of the darker European crime stories, Montalbano has both a warmth and lightness that makes the reader feel comfortable immediately. The food descriptions alone have me wishing a trip to Italy was in my near future.
The mystery itself was a lesson in political machinations with misplaced loyalties and ambitions. With a nice twist, Montalbano proves to himself exactly what happened to Silvio Luparello. He also proves to the reader that not only is he willing to bend the rules a little, he is also a very smart detective which bodes well for future books.
Although I mentioned lightness up above, this book was far from light-weight. Montalbano threads his way through a cauldron of corruption, and the darker side of Sicily is not disguised in any way. This was a story of contrasts with stark honesty, humor, warmth and vendettas mixed throughout. I am intrigued and will definitely be continuing on with this series.
68EBT1002
It's a good thing you gave us the link, Judy. I almost posted to your old thread!
In any case, harkening back to it: Coventry is on the top of one of the TBR piles beside my bed and I keep thinking about picking it up. Great review and great recommendation!
I'm glad you enjoyed the first Inspector Montalbano. It's a series to which I need to return. I don't often close out series (call me distractible) but this is one I'm still wanting to keep reading.
In any case, harkening back to it: Coventry is on the top of one of the TBR piles beside my bed and I keep thinking about picking it up. Great review and great recommendation!
I'm glad you enjoyed the first Inspector Montalbano. It's a series to which I need to return. I don't often close out series (call me distractible) but this is one I'm still wanting to keep reading.
69Chrischi_HH
>67 DeltaQueen50: I really don't need another series at the moment (and certainly not such a long one), but this one is tempting!
70AHS-Wolfy
>67 DeltaQueen50: I can avoid a BB with this one but only because I already have an omnibus of the first two books of the series already on the tbr shelves.
71DeltaQueen50
>68 EBT1002: I was quite put out with myself for forgetting to use the Continue Button, Ellen. It makes setting up a new thread so much easier! Glad you found me.
>69 Chrischi_HH: I know how you feel, I definitely don't need another series, but this one is hard to resist - and I have no willpower!
>70 AHS-Wolfy: Pull those Montalbanos down off the shelf, Dave - they are good! :)
>69 Chrischi_HH: I know how you feel, I definitely don't need another series, but this one is hard to resist - and I have no willpower!
>70 AHS-Wolfy: Pull those Montalbanos down off the shelf, Dave - they are good! :)
72tymfos
Judy, it took a couple of installments for me to really warm up to Montalbano, but I'm hooked too. I have access to the audios through one of the libraries where I have a card, and I need to get to the next one.
73leslie.98
>67 DeltaQueen50: Is this your first experience with the Inspector Montalbano series? I have only read a handful but each one has been excellent. These books were among the ones I recently acquired from my parents when they were culling their collection so I look forward to comparing notes with you on more of them. :)
74Helenliz
>67 DeltaQueen50: I can't catch a bullet as I've already read that one. Well, listened to it. It was good, good enough that I'll pick another up when I see it, but not so good that I'm rushing out to find the next.
76VivienneR
>67 DeltaQueen50: Nice review, Judy! I scored a number of Andrea Camilleri books at recent library book sales. I'm another one on the Inspector Montalbano bandwagon!
77DeltaQueen50
I have been outside a lot this morning enjoying the cooler weather. We are forecasted to get rain tomorrow and Sunday, which I hope happens as we need it to put out the many forest fires currently burning in B.C. I picked up the next three Fables (Vol. 8 to 10) from the library yesterday and, as always, I am enjoying that ongoing story.
>72 tymfos: I was surprised at how much I liked The Shape of Water, Terri, I was pretty much hooked after a chaper or two!
>73 leslie.98: Yes, it is my first Montalbano, Leslie. I kept seeing such positive comments about the series, that I decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. I will look forward to sharing out thoughts on these books!
>74 Helenliz: I read this one, but I have heard that the audios are good so I can definitely see me trying the series in that format. I wanted to see the names in print first and get all the characters straight in my head which I find I can do better if I read them off the page.
>75 lkernagh: Thanks Lori, you are one of the ones that got me very interested in this series. :)
>76 VivienneR: This is the first series since I discovered the Dr. Siri series by Colin Cotterill that has hooked me quite so firmly, Vivienne. I am looking forward to putting more of Montalbano in my reading plans.
>72 tymfos: I was surprised at how much I liked The Shape of Water, Terri, I was pretty much hooked after a chaper or two!
>73 leslie.98: Yes, it is my first Montalbano, Leslie. I kept seeing such positive comments about the series, that I decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. I will look forward to sharing out thoughts on these books!
>74 Helenliz: I read this one, but I have heard that the audios are good so I can definitely see me trying the series in that format. I wanted to see the names in print first and get all the characters straight in my head which I find I can do better if I read them off the page.
>75 lkernagh: Thanks Lori, you are one of the ones that got me very interested in this series. :)
>76 VivienneR: This is the first series since I discovered the Dr. Siri series by Colin Cotterill that has hooked me quite so firmly, Vivienne. I am looking forward to putting more of Montalbano in my reading plans.
78dudes22
I was all set to avoid starting a new series until your response to VivienneR above. Since I'm hooked on Dr Siri because of you, I think I'll now have to add this to my "Recommended by LT" collection for future consideration.
79mstrust
Wow, look at you whipping through all these books so quickly! You got me with Devil's Work- your review makes it sound too intriguing to pass up.
80DeltaQueen50
>78 dudes22: I know another series is the last thing most of here need, but, I think this is just the beginning of an excellent mystery series!
>79 mstrust: I am getting a lot of reading done right now, Jennifer, cause I am having some slight wrist problems when I use the keyboard, so I am spending a little less time on the computer these days. Also with this heat, the only energy I seem able to generate is the energy to read!
>79 mstrust: I am getting a lot of reading done right now, Jennifer, cause I am having some slight wrist problems when I use the keyboard, so I am spending a little less time on the computer these days. Also with this heat, the only energy I seem able to generate is the energy to read!
81DeltaQueen50
112. Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan - 3.9 ★
Category: Pitcher's Duel
July Random Cat: Let There Be Light
BingoDog: Read A Cat
TIOLI #12: Book Published Before 2000
Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan is about SOE operatives in France during World War II. Although she was brought up in England, Evelyn is half English, half French and she is recruited into the SOE, trained and dropped into France. Her cover is that she is a distance relative of the local count and she works as his secretary in the chateau but her main business is helping him to recruit members of the resistance. When he is killed, her mission changes and she is put in charge of both recruitment and operations.
The author has provided quite a few sub-plots all revolving around people in this area of France who are caught up in the war. From a German officer to a French peasant girl, all have their own unique point of view. The story was fast-paced and held my interest, even though I felt it would have been better served with more development of the major characters and perhaps, a few less side stories.
I did find the information about the Resistance very interesting and I think the author did a good job of portraying the intense stress and constant fear that these people lived under without adding unnecessary glamour. Light of the Moon had some flaws but overall I would class this book as a pretty good read.
Category: Pitcher's Duel
July Random Cat: Let There Be Light
BingoDog: Read A Cat
TIOLI #12: Book Published Before 2000
Light of the Moon by Elizabeth Buchan is about SOE operatives in France during World War II. Although she was brought up in England, Evelyn is half English, half French and she is recruited into the SOE, trained and dropped into France. Her cover is that she is a distance relative of the local count and she works as his secretary in the chateau but her main business is helping him to recruit members of the resistance. When he is killed, her mission changes and she is put in charge of both recruitment and operations.
The author has provided quite a few sub-plots all revolving around people in this area of France who are caught up in the war. From a German officer to a French peasant girl, all have their own unique point of view. The story was fast-paced and held my interest, even though I felt it would have been better served with more development of the major characters and perhaps, a few less side stories.
I did find the information about the Resistance very interesting and I think the author did a good job of portraying the intense stress and constant fear that these people lived under without adding unnecessary glamour. Light of the Moon had some flaws but overall I would class this book as a pretty good read.
82jnwelch
I'm a pushover for the Montalbano series, and I'm so glad you enjoyed The Shape of Water, Judy. The quality is consistently high, and those food descriptions are mouth-watering throughout.
83lindapanzo
I'd say "happy new thread" Judy but it's a week old. I guess I haven't been on LT in quite a few days.
I had no idea about the B.C. wildfires til the weatherman here explained why the skies here in Chicagoland have been so hazy. Amazing how that smoke can travel thousands of miles.
I had no idea about the B.C. wildfires til the weatherman here explained why the skies here in Chicagoland have been so hazy. Amazing how that smoke can travel thousands of miles.
84DeltaQueen50
>82 jnwelch: I would say you have a lot to do with me picking up this series, Joe!
>83 lindapanzo: Linda, all of Western Canada has been hot and dry and there are a lot of forest fires. I expect the smoke you are seeing may be coming from Saskatchewan which has some really big fires in the north. Luckily the weather has changed a little here today, and hopefully we will see some rain soon which will help B.C., but the prairies are still suffering from drought.
>83 lindapanzo: Linda, all of Western Canada has been hot and dry and there are a lot of forest fires. I expect the smoke you are seeing may be coming from Saskatchewan which has some really big fires in the north. Luckily the weather has changed a little here today, and hopefully we will see some rain soon which will help B.C., but the prairies are still suffering from drought.
85Familyhistorian
>84 DeltaQueen50: I saw on the news yesterday that we were up to 260 active wildfires in BC, Judy.
86DeltaQueen50
>85 Familyhistorian: I didn't know we had that many fires burning, Meg! I don't know about your area, but the rain here hasn't amounted to much more than a few drops. I hope it's more substantial where it is so desperately needed.
87DeltaQueen50
113. The Fiercest Heart by Stuart Cloete - 3.0 ★
Category: Dust Collector
Commonwealth Challenge: Lesotho
TIOLI #12: Published Before 2000
The Fiercest Heart by Stuart Cloete is a story of the Boers who trekked north from the South African Cape into unknown lands in order to live free of the British yoke that had been tightening around them. In this story they were trekking from the eastern Cape and their journey led them through an area that would eventually become known as Lesotho. The history of Lesotho is entwined with the Boers. Originally called Basutoland, some of the Boers settled in the Western Highlands of this country. As the natives waged war alternately with the British and the Dutch, the Boer colony went through both peaceful times and times of war. Eventually the King of Basutoland made peace with Queen Victoria. The British promptly signed a treaty with the Dutch and allowed them to hold a portion of Basutoland and include it as part of their Orange Free State. Of course once gold was found in Kimberly, the Orange Free State attracted the attention of the British once again.
Set in the 1830’s, the main character in The Fiercest Heart is Francina, a young Boer girl who, with her grandmother Tante Maria and granduncle, Oom Willem Prinsloo, become voortrekkers and leave behind their farm and comfortable lifestyle to trek uncountable miles through unchartered wildlands with about six other families. They are searching for a place where they can settle and live without Britain‘s laws and taxes. Before they reach a safe haven they have to face warlike Zulus, wildlife, flood and fire.
This was a very popular book when it was originally published in the early 1960’s, a movie was made as well. I had originally read this book while in my teens and remembered it quite favourably. Unfortunately, I probably should have left this one buried in the mists of time as today, the sexism and male hubris is difficult to swallow and I had to force myself through to the end of the book. There was less plot and more heaving chests than I remembered and I would have liked both the male and the female characters to have been developed more than the stereotypic identities that the author gave them.
Category: Dust Collector
Commonwealth Challenge: Lesotho
TIOLI #12: Published Before 2000
The Fiercest Heart by Stuart Cloete is a story of the Boers who trekked north from the South African Cape into unknown lands in order to live free of the British yoke that had been tightening around them. In this story they were trekking from the eastern Cape and their journey led them through an area that would eventually become known as Lesotho. The history of Lesotho is entwined with the Boers. Originally called Basutoland, some of the Boers settled in the Western Highlands of this country. As the natives waged war alternately with the British and the Dutch, the Boer colony went through both peaceful times and times of war. Eventually the King of Basutoland made peace with Queen Victoria. The British promptly signed a treaty with the Dutch and allowed them to hold a portion of Basutoland and include it as part of their Orange Free State. Of course once gold was found in Kimberly, the Orange Free State attracted the attention of the British once again.
Set in the 1830’s, the main character in The Fiercest Heart is Francina, a young Boer girl who, with her grandmother Tante Maria and granduncle, Oom Willem Prinsloo, become voortrekkers and leave behind their farm and comfortable lifestyle to trek uncountable miles through unchartered wildlands with about six other families. They are searching for a place where they can settle and live without Britain‘s laws and taxes. Before they reach a safe haven they have to face warlike Zulus, wildlife, flood and fire.
This was a very popular book when it was originally published in the early 1960’s, a movie was made as well. I had originally read this book while in my teens and remembered it quite favourably. Unfortunately, I probably should have left this one buried in the mists of time as today, the sexism and male hubris is difficult to swallow and I had to force myself through to the end of the book. There was less plot and more heaving chests than I remembered and I would have liked both the male and the female characters to have been developed more than the stereotypic identities that the author gave them.
88DeltaQueen50
114. Fables, Vol. 8: Wolves by Bill Willingham - 4.2 ★
Fables, Vol. 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★
Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham - 4.1 ★
Category: Woven Ribbons
Fables, Vol. 8 Wolves by Bill Willingham
This was a good one. Snow White and her pack are still confirmed to the farm where she and Rose Red are trying to teach the children that it’s important that they control their flying and shape changing abilities. Mowgli continues his search and finally tracks Bigby Wolf down. Bigby goes on a mission to the Empire and his and Snow White’s dilemma is finally resolved.
Of course not all storylines are resolved, the North Wind has taken himself off somewhere and Cinderella has a promise made to Frau Totenkinder hanging over her head. Also, we have yet to learn Geppetto’s reply to Fabletown’s threat.
Fables, Vol. 9 Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham
While the Empire plots against Fabletown and Fabletown spies on Ambassador Hansel who the Empire has sent to negotiate, the reader is treated to a number of different and varied stories that let us get to know some more residents of Fabletown. We spent Christmas with Snow White, Bigby Wolf and the Cubs and learn more about Bigby Wolf’s family. Also, we learn that Flycatcher will have an important role to play in the future.
A series of questions by fans is answered by one page mini-stories at the end of the book and the enjoyment here is learning more about the characters and their background, lots of humor here. Some may find this volume a little disjointed, but I enjoyed it.
Fables, Vol. 10 The Good Prince by Bill Willingham
Fabletown is preparing for the war against the Empire. Intensive training is being secretly carried out but although we are kept up to date with many of the Fabletown folk, the main story is about the good prince of the title. Not wanting to give too much away, I will just say that the good prince goes off on a mission and has dealings with the Empire while creating his own kingdom. He is an unlikely hero, but it appears that he has a great deal to do with the future of both Fabletown as well as the Homelands.
I was a little disconcerted by the artwork that was done by different artists in this volume, in particular the chapter entitled “The Birthday Secret” was quite jarring. But overall Volume 10, with the epic story of The Good Prince, is another winner in this consistently good series.
Fables, Vol. 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham - 4.0 ★
Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham - 4.1 ★
Category: Woven Ribbons
Fables, Vol. 8 Wolves by Bill Willingham
This was a good one. Snow White and her pack are still confirmed to the farm where she and Rose Red are trying to teach the children that it’s important that they control their flying and shape changing abilities. Mowgli continues his search and finally tracks Bigby Wolf down. Bigby goes on a mission to the Empire and his and Snow White’s dilemma is finally resolved.
Of course not all storylines are resolved, the North Wind has taken himself off somewhere and Cinderella has a promise made to Frau Totenkinder hanging over her head. Also, we have yet to learn Geppetto’s reply to Fabletown’s threat.
Fables, Vol. 9 Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham
While the Empire plots against Fabletown and Fabletown spies on Ambassador Hansel who the Empire has sent to negotiate, the reader is treated to a number of different and varied stories that let us get to know some more residents of Fabletown. We spent Christmas with Snow White, Bigby Wolf and the Cubs and learn more about Bigby Wolf’s family. Also, we learn that Flycatcher will have an important role to play in the future.
A series of questions by fans is answered by one page mini-stories at the end of the book and the enjoyment here is learning more about the characters and their background, lots of humor here. Some may find this volume a little disjointed, but I enjoyed it.
Fables, Vol. 10 The Good Prince by Bill Willingham
Fabletown is preparing for the war against the Empire. Intensive training is being secretly carried out but although we are kept up to date with many of the Fabletown folk, the main story is about the good prince of the title. Not wanting to give too much away, I will just say that the good prince goes off on a mission and has dealings with the Empire while creating his own kingdom. He is an unlikely hero, but it appears that he has a great deal to do with the future of both Fabletown as well as the Homelands.
I was a little disconcerted by the artwork that was done by different artists in this volume, in particular the chapter entitled “The Birthday Secret” was quite jarring. But overall Volume 10, with the epic story of The Good Prince, is another winner in this consistently good series.
89-Eva-
>67 DeltaQueen50:
Not a BB. But only because I already was hit with it about 5 minutes ago on @mathgirl40's thread. :)
Not a BB. But only because I already was hit with it about 5 minutes ago on @mathgirl40's thread. :)
90DeltaQueen50
>89 -Eva-: I think it's going to be a fun series, Eva, and get ready for some serious craving of Italian food!
91souloftherose
>88 DeltaQueen50: Judy, you're a few volumes ahead of me but I've also been really enjoying the Fables series this year. What I can't decide is whether to try the Jack of Fables spin off series. Have you read those?
92AHS-Wolfy
>88 DeltaQueen50: I'd definitely agree that some of the side stories around Sons of Empire suffer in terms of quality with all the different artists being involved but, like you, I thought The Good Prince got things back on track nicely.
>91 souloftherose: Personally I thought they were quite entertaining but not on a par with Fables itself. I'd say that if you don't mind a womanising rogue as a lead character then give it a go.
>91 souloftherose: Personally I thought they were quite entertaining but not on a par with Fables itself. I'd say that if you don't mind a womanising rogue as a lead character then give it a go.
93DeltaQueen50
>91 souloftherose: Hi Heather, I am enjoying the Fables series and have gotten quite attached to some of the characters. I am planning on reading the Jack of Fables series and, in fact, I was planning on starting it this month, but unfortunately my library is missing Volume 1. I now have to decide if I can skip that volume and start with Vo. 2, or whether to try and get Volume 1 somewhere else.
>92 AHS-Wolfy: I know these volumes are gathered together from an assortment of issues, but it really is jarring when different artists are used. I was all ready to start the Jack of Fables series, but as you can see from above, I will probably have to skip Volume 1. :(
>92 AHS-Wolfy: I know these volumes are gathered together from an assortment of issues, but it really is jarring when different artists are used. I was all ready to start the Jack of Fables series, but as you can see from above, I will probably have to skip Volume 1. :(
94AHS-Wolfy
Judy, there are some important characters that get introduced in book 1 of Jack and will have a role to play in later volumes of both Jack and the main fables storylines.
95DeltaQueen50
>94 AHS-Wolfy: Sounds like I better start bugging my librarian to order a new Jack of Fables, Volume 1!
96DeltaQueen50
115. A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh - 3.4 ★
Category: Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen
TIOLI #17: A Book LibraryThing Thinks I Should Borrow From a Member
The first in the Inspector Roderick Alleyn series, A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh was published in 1934 and established another great mystery series during that genre’s golden age. The setting is a weekend house party where the guests are getting ready to play the popular game of Murder, but when the lights are turned back on, one of the party is lying dead in the hall. Scotland Yard’s Inspector Alleyn is dispatched to investigate as this case is a real puzzler with all the guests being able to account for their whereabouts. Not only is Alleyn able to figure out who the murderer is, he also is able to shut down a ring of Bolshevik conspirators.
As the introduction to this series, A May Lay Dead is an entertaining read but not particularly outstanding. The actual murder method was, however, most ingenious and that, along with the classic gathering of all suspects for the big reveal at the end gave the book a fun edge. About her main character, Marsh seemed a little unsure, but I suspect Alleyn’s character gets developed more fully as the series moves along.
I am a fan of mysteries written during this time period, and I will definitely be continuing on with this series if only to see how and where Ngaio Marsh fits into the hierarchy of Christie, Sayers and Tey, etc.
Category: Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen
TIOLI #17: A Book LibraryThing Thinks I Should Borrow From a Member
The first in the Inspector Roderick Alleyn series, A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh was published in 1934 and established another great mystery series during that genre’s golden age. The setting is a weekend house party where the guests are getting ready to play the popular game of Murder, but when the lights are turned back on, one of the party is lying dead in the hall. Scotland Yard’s Inspector Alleyn is dispatched to investigate as this case is a real puzzler with all the guests being able to account for their whereabouts. Not only is Alleyn able to figure out who the murderer is, he also is able to shut down a ring of Bolshevik conspirators.
As the introduction to this series, A May Lay Dead is an entertaining read but not particularly outstanding. The actual murder method was, however, most ingenious and that, along with the classic gathering of all suspects for the big reveal at the end gave the book a fun edge. About her main character, Marsh seemed a little unsure, but I suspect Alleyn’s character gets developed more fully as the series moves along.
I am a fan of mysteries written during this time period, and I will definitely be continuing on with this series if only to see how and where Ngaio Marsh fits into the hierarchy of Christie, Sayers and Tey, etc.
97mstrust
Glad you enjoyed it, as it's sitting on my shelf. I've only read two from Marsh- Overture to Death and Dead Water- but enjoyed them both. Overture was more humorous than Water, but I recall Alleyn being very effective in Dead Water.
98leslie.98
I love Ngaio Marsh's mysteries, which I read aeons ago & mostly out of order. I should try rereading them in order sometime & fill in whatever gaps I might have...
99DeltaQueen50
>97 mstrust: There is something about mysteries that are written in this time period that really appeals to me. The language is, of course, a large part of it, but I also love reading about the day-to-day life of the upper class, and the mysteries themselves are usually puzzlers that need to be worked out rather than relying on forensics.
>98 leslie.98: Leslie, I am adding this series to my list and will try to read them in order if I am able to track them all down.
>98 leslie.98: Leslie, I am adding this series to my list and will try to read them in order if I am able to track them all down.
100Storeetllr
If you can't find any of the series, Judy, let me know. I may have a copy I would be happy to send you. I have a lot of the Marsh mysteries in paperback, from the 70s and 80s, so they are, you know, pretty old and, for someone with my crappy eyesight, impossible to read without a magnifying glass.
101mathgirl40
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on The Shape of Water, which meshed pretty well with my own opinions of it. I especially agree about the food descriptions ... :)
I've enjoyed several Ngaio Marsh mysteries, though I didn't think much of the last one I'd read, The Nursing Home Murder. I love the TV adaptation with Patrick Malahide.
I've enjoyed several Ngaio Marsh mysteries, though I didn't think much of the last one I'd read, The Nursing Home Murder. I love the TV adaptation with Patrick Malahide.
102DeltaQueen50
>100 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary, but I think there must be a lot of fans of these early mysteries as they seem fairly easy to find. I don't think one can go into a bookstore and not find a shelf of Agatha Christie, Josephine Tey and Dorothy Sayers and luckily, Ngaio Marsh seems pretty easy to track down as well.
>101 mathgirl40: I am following so many series that it seems a little silly to be so excited about a new one, but I am looking forward to continuing on with the Montalbano series! I haven't seen any of the TV adaptations, so I will have to be on the lookout for those as well!
>101 mathgirl40: I am following so many series that it seems a little silly to be so excited about a new one, but I am looking forward to continuing on with the Montalbano series! I haven't seen any of the TV adaptations, so I will have to be on the lookout for those as well!
103DeltaQueen50
116. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan - 4.2 ★
Category: Falling Off The Map
July SFFFCat: Critters
BingoDog: A Book With A Mythical Creature
TIOLI #4: Author is Mentioned in the Science Fiction Awards Database
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan as much as I did as I am not usually a fan of books that include dragons. But this book captured my interest and imagination right from the first page as we follow Isabella through her early years and see how her love of dragon study came about. I found that Isabella, the main character, reminded me a great deal of Amelia Peabody from the series by Elizabeth Peters, with her headstrong ways and love of natural science. The setting is a shadow world much like Earth although the etiquette and sensibilities are strictly Victorian. This is a young lady who was brought up to know the rules of society but she is clever enough to know when to bend them.
This book details her early years, her coming out, and subsequent marriage. Most importantly this is a record of her first expedition to a foreign land to study dragons as she joins her husband Jacob, along with the Earl of Hilford and his assistant Thomas Wilker as they travel to the remote country of Vystrana. Their purpose is to study the Rock Wyverns, but they find themselves with a mystery to solve as well.
Well written with a lively plot, lots of humor, some romance and an assortment of unusual characters, A Natural History of Dragons was both a surprising and enjoyable read. I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series before too long.
Category: Falling Off The Map
July SFFFCat: Critters
BingoDog: A Book With A Mythical Creature
TIOLI #4: Author is Mentioned in the Science Fiction Awards Database
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan as much as I did as I am not usually a fan of books that include dragons. But this book captured my interest and imagination right from the first page as we follow Isabella through her early years and see how her love of dragon study came about. I found that Isabella, the main character, reminded me a great deal of Amelia Peabody from the series by Elizabeth Peters, with her headstrong ways and love of natural science. The setting is a shadow world much like Earth although the etiquette and sensibilities are strictly Victorian. This is a young lady who was brought up to know the rules of society but she is clever enough to know when to bend them.
This book details her early years, her coming out, and subsequent marriage. Most importantly this is a record of her first expedition to a foreign land to study dragons as she joins her husband Jacob, along with the Earl of Hilford and his assistant Thomas Wilker as they travel to the remote country of Vystrana. Their purpose is to study the Rock Wyverns, but they find themselves with a mystery to solve as well.
Well written with a lively plot, lots of humor, some romance and an assortment of unusual characters, A Natural History of Dragons was both a surprising and enjoyable read. I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series before too long.
104dudes22
>96 DeltaQueen50: - I've heard of this author before (I think here on LT somewhere) and have thought before that maybe I should try the first book and see how I like Marsh. Seems like every series in this time period has some type of a "house party" murder. I read the first of P.D. James earlier this year which was similar.
>103 DeltaQueen50: - I didn't think I'd be very interested in this until you mentioned that the main character reminded you of the Amelia Peabody series. May need to think on this. I had Seraphina for my critters book but may change and see if I can get this from the library.
>103 DeltaQueen50: - I didn't think I'd be very interested in this until you mentioned that the main character reminded you of the Amelia Peabody series. May need to think on this. I had Seraphina for my critters book but may change and see if I can get this from the library.
105jnwelch
I'm like you, Judy, not usually a fan of books that include dragons. Good review. I've added this one to the WL.
106DeltaQueen50
>104 dudes22: I would say, Betty, that if you are a fan of mysteries from the 1930's, you will probably enjoy the Ngaio Marsh ones. I expect some will be more enjoyable than others, but overall, this one struck all the right notes.
I think you would enjoy A Natural History of Dragons, the book main plot is more about a headstrong woman trying to become a scientist in a male dominated world. The dragons are treated much like any other studied animal.
>105 jnwelch: I like the way the dragons are portrayed in this book, Joe, they are simply animals to be studied. They don't have personalities, nor do they have hoarded treasure. They are part of the plot, but not "characters" per say.
I think you would enjoy A Natural History of Dragons, the book main plot is more about a headstrong woman trying to become a scientist in a male dominated world. The dragons are treated much like any other studied animal.
>105 jnwelch: I like the way the dragons are portrayed in this book, Joe, they are simply animals to be studied. They don't have personalities, nor do they have hoarded treasure. They are part of the plot, but not "characters" per say.
107VictoriaPL
Just dropping by to catch up Judy. I'll have to check out Light of the Moon. Thanks for the review!
108Storeetllr
I love Brennan's Lady Trent novels! I like her Onyx Court novels too, but they are completely different (the first is alternate history, the other is about the faerie court which exists below an alternate Elizabethan London). Anyway, you've got some good reading ahead with books 2 and 3 of the dragon histories!
109DeltaQueen50
>107 VictoriaPL: Hi Victoria, I hope you enjoy Light of the Moon when you get to it.
>108 Storeetllr: Mary, I am looking forward to continuing on with Lady Trent's adventures - such a clever concept!
>108 Storeetllr: Mary, I am looking forward to continuing on with Lady Trent's adventures - such a clever concept!
110luvamystery65
Parking! I'll come back this weekend to catch up.
111DeltaQueen50
117. Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky - 4.5 ★
Category: Woven Ribbons
BingoDog: A Book Outside My Comfort Zone
The following book is going to be rather difficult to describe using polite language. But first off let me reassure you that Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky is not about incest, pedophilia, rape or any other actual sex crime. It is about a couple that is able to stop time and enter another dimension while at the climax of their lovemaking. It isn’t long before they decide to take advantage of this time stoppage by robbing a bank, but it’s all for a good cause as they are planning on using the money they steal from the bank to help save the library from foreclosure. Yes, one of the main characters is a sexy librarian! Unfortunately they didn’t take into account the existence of the Sex Police in this strange dimension.
Once I got over the shock, I found this to be a clever, well written story with likeable, engaging characters. This is a thick, immensely interesting book, packed with a lot of background humor and insight, wonderful if somewhat graphic artwork and let’s face it, a strange but funny premise. I don’t know if I would want a steady diet of this subject, but this large hot pink book was an amusing and quirky read. Don’t get me wrong though, this book does explore other issues, it’s not just all about the sex. I have to admit I keep going back to it and finding something new, the artist put a lot of thought into all the backgrounds and they are well worth investigating.
Overall, Big Hard Sex Criminals is a beautifully crafted book and, although not for everyone, I thought the sexuality of the book was dealt with in a honest, respectful and natural manner. If you are over the age of 18 and agree that what goes one between two consenting adults can be downright funny at times, then you may just enjoy Big Hard Sex Criminals.
I want to add a big thank you here to Roberta (luvamystery65) as she arranged to have this delightful book arrive on my doorstep in a plain cardboard wrapper. She sent me hours of entertainment and saved this little ol’ lady the embarrassment of having to ask my local bookstore to order me Big Hard Sex Criminals. Thanks, Ro!
Category: Woven Ribbons
BingoDog: A Book Outside My Comfort Zone
The following book is going to be rather difficult to describe using polite language. But first off let me reassure you that Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky is not about incest, pedophilia, rape or any other actual sex crime. It is about a couple that is able to stop time and enter another dimension while at the climax of their lovemaking. It isn’t long before they decide to take advantage of this time stoppage by robbing a bank, but it’s all for a good cause as they are planning on using the money they steal from the bank to help save the library from foreclosure. Yes, one of the main characters is a sexy librarian! Unfortunately they didn’t take into account the existence of the Sex Police in this strange dimension.
Once I got over the shock, I found this to be a clever, well written story with likeable, engaging characters. This is a thick, immensely interesting book, packed with a lot of background humor and insight, wonderful if somewhat graphic artwork and let’s face it, a strange but funny premise. I don’t know if I would want a steady diet of this subject, but this large hot pink book was an amusing and quirky read. Don’t get me wrong though, this book does explore other issues, it’s not just all about the sex. I have to admit I keep going back to it and finding something new, the artist put a lot of thought into all the backgrounds and they are well worth investigating.
Overall, Big Hard Sex Criminals is a beautifully crafted book and, although not for everyone, I thought the sexuality of the book was dealt with in a honest, respectful and natural manner. If you are over the age of 18 and agree that what goes one between two consenting adults can be downright funny at times, then you may just enjoy Big Hard Sex Criminals.
I want to add a big thank you here to Roberta (luvamystery65) as she arranged to have this delightful book arrive on my doorstep in a plain cardboard wrapper. She sent me hours of entertainment and saved this little ol’ lady the embarrassment of having to ask my local bookstore to order me Big Hard Sex Criminals. Thanks, Ro!
112rosalita
>111 DeltaQueen50: Well, if two gentle flowers of demure ladyhood like you and Ro are fans of this one I may have to check that one out someday. :-)
113EBT1002
Hi Judy. I had not heard of Big Hard Sex Criminals and I'm still not convinced about how it would land on me but I love your review! You've tempted me with A Natural History of Dragons, too, although I'm also reluctant to read novels in which dragons significantly feature. A good exception is The Buried Giant which is one of my favorite reads so far this year.
114-Eva-
>103 DeltaQueen50:
That cover is so intriguing - good to hear that the contents are good too. BB for me.
That cover is so intriguing - good to hear that the contents are good too. BB for me.
115DeltaQueen50
We've been busy this weekend both with a neighbourhood street party last night and recovery from said party today!
>112 rosalita: Gosh, Julia, I don't think I have ever been called a gentle flower of demure ladyhood before! I will have pass that along to my hubby, he deserves a good laugh!
>113 EBT1002: I do think that Big Hard Sex Criminals puts the "graphic" in Graphic Novel, Ellen, and, as I say it's not for everyone. A Natural History of Dragons was a fun read and I got quite caught up in the story and I am looking forward to continuing with the adventure. Sounds like I better go and check out Buried Giant.
>114 -Eva-: The cover was what attracted me to the book originally as well, Eva. I saw it on someone's thread and then read the review and thought it sounded intriguing even though I usually avoid dragon books.
>112 rosalita: Gosh, Julia, I don't think I have ever been called a gentle flower of demure ladyhood before! I will have pass that along to my hubby, he deserves a good laugh!
>113 EBT1002: I do think that Big Hard Sex Criminals puts the "graphic" in Graphic Novel, Ellen, and, as I say it's not for everyone. A Natural History of Dragons was a fun read and I got quite caught up in the story and I am looking forward to continuing with the adventure. Sounds like I better go and check out Buried Giant.
>114 -Eva-: The cover was what attracted me to the book originally as well, Eva. I saw it on someone's thread and then read the review and thought it sounded intriguing even though I usually avoid dragon books.
116DeltaQueen50
118. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong - 3.2 ★
Category: Is This A Kissing Book?
BingoDog: A Book With Scientists
July SFFFCat: Critters
TIOLI #4: Author Is Mentioned in the Science Fiction Awards Database
Stolen is the second book in Kelley Armstrong’s’ Women of the Otherworld series. The main character here is Elena, a female werewolf. In this outing, Elena is kidnapped by a group of scientists backed by an eccentric millionaire. They are studying supernaturals and Elena soon finds herself being held prisoner with witches, demons and vampires. Of course, her captors have underestimated her and we all know that it is just a matter of time before her mate, Clay, tracks her down. Clay does not take kindly to anyone getting between him and the love of his life.
This was quite a different book from the first in the series. That one dealt more with Elena adjusting to being a werewolf, living in a pack and the love story between her and Clay. This book has more action, and introduces plenty of new supernaturals, but I had to almost force myself to finish it as it seemed to just get sillier and sillier.
Stolen was a book chosen for sheer escape reading, but I was a little disappointed that this book was less about the romance between Elena and Clay and more about Elena on her own. This is quite an extensive series, but I think perhaps I have outgrown these books and won’t be continuing on.
Category: Is This A Kissing Book?
BingoDog: A Book With Scientists
July SFFFCat: Critters
TIOLI #4: Author Is Mentioned in the Science Fiction Awards Database
Stolen is the second book in Kelley Armstrong’s’ Women of the Otherworld series. The main character here is Elena, a female werewolf. In this outing, Elena is kidnapped by a group of scientists backed by an eccentric millionaire. They are studying supernaturals and Elena soon finds herself being held prisoner with witches, demons and vampires. Of course, her captors have underestimated her and we all know that it is just a matter of time before her mate, Clay, tracks her down. Clay does not take kindly to anyone getting between him and the love of his life.
This was quite a different book from the first in the series. That one dealt more with Elena adjusting to being a werewolf, living in a pack and the love story between her and Clay. This book has more action, and introduces plenty of new supernaturals, but I had to almost force myself to finish it as it seemed to just get sillier and sillier.
Stolen was a book chosen for sheer escape reading, but I was a little disappointed that this book was less about the romance between Elena and Clay and more about Elena on her own. This is quite an extensive series, but I think perhaps I have outgrown these books and won’t be continuing on.
117EBT1002
I hope you do check out The Buried Giant. I think you'd appreciate it.
118DeltaQueen50
119. The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall - 3.5 ★
Category: Around the World
Commonwealth Challenge: Malaysia
TIOLI #15: The Title Contains the Letter "W"
The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall was for me, a total escape read. This is a story of survival, betrayal and courage as a group of unique characters try to escape from the Japanese as that nation invaded Malaya in December 1941.
The White Pearl of the title is a sailing ship, a 60 foot yacht belonging to wealthy rubber baron Nigel Hadley and his wife Constance. They, along with their son, Teddy and an assortment of other people try to outrun the Japanese as they take to the sea in a bid to reach Singapore and safety. When it becomes obvious that there is no haven to be found in Singapore, they put their trust in the skipper, Fitzpatrick, who assures them he knows of an island so remote that they will be safe there. Little do they know that there is even more danger awaiting them.
This book was a mass of emotions running the gamut from hate and revenge to love and passion all set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of Malaya. As the story developed the plot got more and more farfetched. In the end The White Pearl was a totally unbelievable story that I nevertheless enjoyed for it’s rollicking adventure and colourful locations.
Category: Around the World
Commonwealth Challenge: Malaysia
TIOLI #15: The Title Contains the Letter "W"
The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall was for me, a total escape read. This is a story of survival, betrayal and courage as a group of unique characters try to escape from the Japanese as that nation invaded Malaya in December 1941.
The White Pearl of the title is a sailing ship, a 60 foot yacht belonging to wealthy rubber baron Nigel Hadley and his wife Constance. They, along with their son, Teddy and an assortment of other people try to outrun the Japanese as they take to the sea in a bid to reach Singapore and safety. When it becomes obvious that there is no haven to be found in Singapore, they put their trust in the skipper, Fitzpatrick, who assures them he knows of an island so remote that they will be safe there. Little do they know that there is even more danger awaiting them.
This book was a mass of emotions running the gamut from hate and revenge to love and passion all set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of Malaya. As the story developed the plot got more and more farfetched. In the end The White Pearl was a totally unbelievable story that I nevertheless enjoyed for it’s rollicking adventure and colourful locations.
119lkernagh
I love escape reads during the heady days of summer. Not sure I am up for a mass of emotions but The White Pearl still sounds like a read I might enjoy as an audiobook read.
120DeltaQueen50
>119 lkernagh: I would definitely class The White Pearl as a "Beach Read" - great escapism reading.
121DeltaQueen50
120. Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer - 3.0 ★
Category: Camille's Choice
TIOLI #1: Title Words Are In Alphabetical Order
I had the strongest feeling of déjà vu while reading Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer. I realized quite quickly that this was because this book is remarkably similar to Sprig Muslim which I read about five years ago. Since I read and enjoyed that book first, this one weighs in as the lesser read of the two. Charity Girl was originally published in 1970, while Sprig Muslin debuted in 1956. Why Ms. Heyer chose to repeat one of her plots I don’t know, but I was definitely disappointed.
The plot is of a young runaway girl coming under the protection of Viscount Desford. In order to protect her reputation, he takes her to his lifelong friend, Henrietta Silverdale who takes the young girl under her wing. In the confusion and entanglements, Desford finds he is looking at Henrietta in a new way. As for the young runaway, she too, finds a happy ending.
I have always found Georgette Heyer books to be clever, witty, stylish and romantic, I just wasn’t expecting this one to be recycled from an earlier story.
Category: Camille's Choice
TIOLI #1: Title Words Are In Alphabetical Order
I had the strongest feeling of déjà vu while reading Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer. I realized quite quickly that this was because this book is remarkably similar to Sprig Muslim which I read about five years ago. Since I read and enjoyed that book first, this one weighs in as the lesser read of the two. Charity Girl was originally published in 1970, while Sprig Muslin debuted in 1956. Why Ms. Heyer chose to repeat one of her plots I don’t know, but I was definitely disappointed.
The plot is of a young runaway girl coming under the protection of Viscount Desford. In order to protect her reputation, he takes her to his lifelong friend, Henrietta Silverdale who takes the young girl under her wing. In the confusion and entanglements, Desford finds he is looking at Henrietta in a new way. As for the young runaway, she too, finds a happy ending.
I have always found Georgette Heyer books to be clever, witty, stylish and romantic, I just wasn’t expecting this one to be recycled from an earlier story.
122leslie.98
>121 DeltaQueen50: I had that same sense of déjà vu when I read Sprig Muslin, which I read after having read Charity Girl. Neither of these are among her best work imo and I find that now, several years after reading both of these, I can't recall much that differentiates them! So I am willing to believe that Charity Girl is better but couldn't say based on my own recollection. Both of these struck me as inferior to another similar plot, The Foundling.
123DeltaQueen50
>122 leslie.98: Hi Leslie, I totally agree the neither Sprig Muslim or Charity Girl are among Georgette Heyer's best. I prefer Sprig Muslim of the two, but then I read it before I read Charity Girl so it remains the original in my mind. Perhaps in the future I should try to stick to GH's earlier books!
124DeltaQueen50
121. Before the Fact by Francis Iles - 5.0 ★
Category: Edgar Allan's Quill Pen
BingoDog: A Book Chosen By Someone Else
TIOLI #12: Published Before 2000
I was looking forward to reading Before the Fact by Francis Iles as the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Suspicion” was based upon this book. Also I had read a book by this author before and really enjoyed it. Luckily, I was very taken with this story, although I admit that there were times when I had strong reactions to the choices the characters made and found myself talking aloud to it.
When spinster Lina McLaidlaw marries the charming Johnnie Aysgarth, she thought she must be the happiest person alive. As the marriage progressed, the layers were slowly peeled back and revealed that she had married a total cad. Addicted to gambling and women, eventually Lina leaves him only to go back when he crooks his finger in her direction. Johnnie was always able to turn on the charm and work his magic on his “Monkeyface” and she, moronically went along with him. She finds out even more despicable things about him, but not only stays in the marriage, she also finds reasons to excuse his behaviour. Eventually, she realizes that Johnnie will stoop to anything even murder.
I applaud the author on a very clever and well crafted plot. As rotten as Johnnie is, Lina is the character that drove me crazy and there were many times when I felt like wringing her neck. Basically this is a dark comedy about what happens when a no-good rotter and the ultimate masochist come together. Although I suspect that many prefer the kinder, less offensive movie version, I loved every cruel and vile moment of Before The Fact and highly recommend it.
Category: Edgar Allan's Quill Pen
BingoDog: A Book Chosen By Someone Else
TIOLI #12: Published Before 2000
I was looking forward to reading Before the Fact by Francis Iles as the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Suspicion” was based upon this book. Also I had read a book by this author before and really enjoyed it. Luckily, I was very taken with this story, although I admit that there were times when I had strong reactions to the choices the characters made and found myself talking aloud to it.
When spinster Lina McLaidlaw marries the charming Johnnie Aysgarth, she thought she must be the happiest person alive. As the marriage progressed, the layers were slowly peeled back and revealed that she had married a total cad. Addicted to gambling and women, eventually Lina leaves him only to go back when he crooks his finger in her direction. Johnnie was always able to turn on the charm and work his magic on his “Monkeyface” and she, moronically went along with him. She finds out even more despicable things about him, but not only stays in the marriage, she also finds reasons to excuse his behaviour. Eventually, she realizes that Johnnie will stoop to anything even murder.
I applaud the author on a very clever and well crafted plot. As rotten as Johnnie is, Lina is the character that drove me crazy and there were many times when I felt like wringing her neck. Basically this is a dark comedy about what happens when a no-good rotter and the ultimate masochist come together. Although I suspect that many prefer the kinder, less offensive movie version, I loved every cruel and vile moment of Before The Fact and highly recommend it.
125mstrust
Ah! That one has just climbed its way to the top of Mount TBR, and I actually picked it up this morning wondering if I should take it with me to my appointment.
I'll likely start it this week, so I'm glad you liked it so much. I bought it because Malice Aforethought was so fantastic.
I'll likely start it this week, so I'm glad you liked it so much. I bought it because Malice Aforethought was so fantastic.
126AHS-Wolfy
>124 DeltaQueen50: I liked Malice Aforethought well enough but never really considered seeking out another of his works. Mayhap that will have to be reconsidered now.
127DeltaQueen50
>125 mstrust: I hope you enjoy Before the Fact, Jennifer, as I know there are many who didn't, I will watch with interest for your comments!
>126 AHS-Wolfy: I loved Malice Aforethought when I read it, now after reading Before the Fact I wonder about Francis Iles opinion of marriage! If you do read Before the Fact, Dave, I hope you enjoy it.
>126 AHS-Wolfy: I loved Malice Aforethought when I read it, now after reading Before the Fact I wonder about Francis Iles opinion of marriage! If you do read Before the Fact, Dave, I hope you enjoy it.
129DeltaQueen50
>128 katiekrug: Hi Katie, yes, this is the book "Suspicion" was based on and at first it is very easy to picture Cary Grant as Johnnie Aysgarth but halfway through the book, the story takes a decidedly nasty turn and it was much harder to picture Cary Grant. I do know that Hitchcock wanted to keep to the book's plot but the studio heads said no because audiences would never accept Grant as a murderer. I think for the movie, they made the right decision.
130katiekrug
Oh, good. I'm glad I was remembering the film right. Interesting (and understandable) about how they changed it from the book.
131rabbitprincess
>124 DeltaQueen50: Excellent rating! I gave up on Lina after she decided to take Johnnie back, "with conditions" , but I am very glad you liked the book! Also, I talked out loud to the book as well :)
132lyzard
Hi, Judy! When Georgette Heyer was ill towards the end of her life but her publishers were still on her back, she did recycle a couple of plots - in the same way, Lady Of Quality is a tweaked version of Black Sheep, and likewise the earlier work is the stronger of the two.
I prefer Malice Aforethought to Before The Fact because it tends to misanthropy rather than misogyny---which is to say, Francis Iles spreads the gall and bitters around more evenly! He definitely did have issues with women, which come out even more obviously in the mystery novels he wrote as Anthony Berkeley.
Discussion of Suspicion always focuses on changes to the book to accommodate Cary Grant (or at least, his image), but when I read Before The Fact I realised it was the character of Lina that got the most significant makeover. :)
I prefer Malice Aforethought to Before The Fact because it tends to misanthropy rather than misogyny---which is to say, Francis Iles spreads the gall and bitters around more evenly! He definitely did have issues with women, which come out even more obviously in the mystery novels he wrote as Anthony Berkeley.
Discussion of Suspicion always focuses on changes to the book to accommodate Cary Grant (or at least, his image), but when I read Before The Fact I realised it was the character of Lina that got the most significant makeover. :)
133VivienneR
>111 DeltaQueen50: I get lots of BBs from your thread but I'll have to pass on this one. It reminded me of when my husband picked up one of my holds at the library: AC/DC's album Ballbreaker. Wow, was he mad! I bet he blushed like crazy.
134DeltaQueen50
>131 rabbitprincess: RP, I hesitated on giving Before the Fact a 5 star rating, but I got so much enjoyment out of this book, plus it isn't very often you find yourself so caught up in a story that you talk back to it!
>132 lyzard: Thanks so much for the information about Georgette Heyer, Liz. This makes a lot of sense, and I personally, am delighted that one of my literary heroines didn't have such feet of clay as I feared.
I loved both Before the Fact and Malice Aforethought so now I am pleased to learn that he wrote under other names. I paid a quick visit to Amazon this morning and have picked up a couple by Anthony Berkeley.
You are right about the movie version of Lina being quite different from the printed version. In the movie she was quicker on the uptake, more independant and less of a masochist. One would have to practically hit the book Lina over the head with a shovel to get her to figure things out. Actually I am quite pleased with both versions being so different, I love both the movie and now the book for quite different reasons.
>132 lyzard: Thanks so much for the information about Georgette Heyer, Liz. This makes a lot of sense, and I personally, am delighted that one of my literary heroines didn't have such feet of clay as I feared.
I loved both Before the Fact and Malice Aforethought so now I am pleased to learn that he wrote under other names. I paid a quick visit to Amazon this morning and have picked up a couple by Anthony Berkeley.
You are right about the movie version of Lina being quite different from the printed version. In the movie she was quicker on the uptake, more independant and less of a masochist. One would have to practically hit the book Lina over the head with a shovel to get her to figure things out. Actually I am quite pleased with both versions being so different, I love both the movie and now the book for quite different reasons.
135DeltaQueen50
>133 VivienneR: LOL Vivienne, I can imagine how embarrassed your husband was! Perhaps he could take comfort in the fact that the title refered to music, rather than it being a self-help book!
136lyzard
I have a bit of a reputation with the librarians at the branch where I collect my ILLs, because of the obscurity of most of what I request---they always have to stop and see what I've got this time. Most of the time it's not a problem but occasionally we have embarrassing moments of---"Yes, yes, it's a soppy romance from 1930, now just hand the damn book over!" :D
>134 DeltaQueen50:
The film needed Lina to be sympathetic, which she definitely is not in the book! And of course, they also needed her to have, well, suspicion rather than certainty.
The real name of "Anthony Berkeley" and Francis Iles" was Anthony Berkeley Cox. He was well-established as a mystery writer under the name Anthony Berkeley when he began writing as Francis Iles. Malice Aforethought and Before The Fact were very different from most of the mystery / crime books published at that time, and there was a lot of speculation over who "Francis Iles" really was, but the secret of Berkeley's second identity was kept for quite some time (while a lot of other authors were "accused" of being Iles!).
Berkeley's Roger Sheringham series is one that I am currently reading---which books did you pick up?
>134 DeltaQueen50:
The film needed Lina to be sympathetic, which she definitely is not in the book! And of course, they also needed her to have, well, suspicion rather than certainty.
The real name of "Anthony Berkeley" and Francis Iles" was Anthony Berkeley Cox. He was well-established as a mystery writer under the name Anthony Berkeley when he began writing as Francis Iles. Malice Aforethought and Before The Fact were very different from most of the mystery / crime books published at that time, and there was a lot of speculation over who "Francis Iles" really was, but the secret of Berkeley's second identity was kept for quite some time (while a lot of other authors were "accused" of being Iles!).
Berkeley's Roger Sheringham series is one that I am currently reading---which books did you pick up?
137DeltaQueen50
>136 lyzard: I saw that Amazon has the Roger Sheringham books for the Kindle and I will probably be investing in them one of these days. Today I went the cheapo route and picked up Trial and Error and Death In the House both of which were at a reduced price. I then picked up An English Murder by Cyril Hare as well!
139DeltaQueen50
122. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch - 4.1 ★
Category: Endless Rain
July RandomCat: Let There Be Light
BingoDog: A Book That Is A Genre Bender
TIOLI #1: Title Words Are In Alphabetical Order
Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch is the second entry in his Peter Grant Series. These books are an entertaining and lively blend of a police procedural with a fair bit of fantasy. Peter Grant is a London police constable and an apprentice wizard who is investigating the deaths of assorted jazz musicians and he very quickly begins to suspect magic is involved. Meanwhile, there is evidence that a black wizard is performing some pretty grotesque deeds in the Soho area as well. Peter needs to find out if all these incidents are connected.
Peter Grant, the lead character, is a wonderful, modern personality that helps to make these books such fun to read. His self-depreciatory humor and snide asides are always spot on. His inept attempts at romance and his inventive attitude toward life and magic help give these book a fresh appeal. As always the City of London is a major character and the author obviously takes great pleasure in this setting.
I found this book to be tighter in plot and less confusing than the first book. The secondary characters are as interesting as the main, and I for one, am looking forward to more Inspector Nightingale. Moon Over Soho mixes black wizards, jazz music and vampires into a unique blend of mystery and magic. This is a inventive, unconventional series that I will be continuing on with.
Category: Endless Rain
July RandomCat: Let There Be Light
BingoDog: A Book That Is A Genre Bender
TIOLI #1: Title Words Are In Alphabetical Order
Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch is the second entry in his Peter Grant Series. These books are an entertaining and lively blend of a police procedural with a fair bit of fantasy. Peter Grant is a London police constable and an apprentice wizard who is investigating the deaths of assorted jazz musicians and he very quickly begins to suspect magic is involved. Meanwhile, there is evidence that a black wizard is performing some pretty grotesque deeds in the Soho area as well. Peter needs to find out if all these incidents are connected.
Peter Grant, the lead character, is a wonderful, modern personality that helps to make these books such fun to read. His self-depreciatory humor and snide asides are always spot on. His inept attempts at romance and his inventive attitude toward life and magic help give these book a fresh appeal. As always the City of London is a major character and the author obviously takes great pleasure in this setting.
I found this book to be tighter in plot and less confusing than the first book. The secondary characters are as interesting as the main, and I for one, am looking forward to more Inspector Nightingale. Moon Over Soho mixes black wizards, jazz music and vampires into a unique blend of mystery and magic. This is a inventive, unconventional series that I will be continuing on with.
140rabbitprincess
>139 DeltaQueen50: Yay! It's such a fun series! There is also a spinoff graphic novel called Body Work, although I'm not sure I want to have someone else telling me what Nightingale looks like.
141DeltaQueen50
>140 rabbitprincess: Oh, I will have to look into that! But I agree that I am not sure of someone else's opinion of what Nightingale looks like - I have a very definite picture of him. I am much more open on how Peter Grant would look.
142AHS-Wolfy
>139 DeltaQueen50: It's good to see you continuing to enjoy this series. I missed Lesley for the major part of that book and it was good to see her return to more of a role in the next.
143souloftherose
>92 AHS-Wolfy: & >93 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for the comments on Jack of Fables. My library doesn't have Vol 1 of Jack (or any of the first 6 volumes) so I'll have to decide whether to put a stock request in...
>96 DeltaQueen50: I've just started reading A Man Lay Dead and am finding it good fun so far. Like you, I'll be continuing with the series at some point.
>103 DeltaQueen50: I also really enjoyed A Natural History of Dragons and I have book two checked out from the library which I'm looking forward to.
>96 DeltaQueen50: I've just started reading A Man Lay Dead and am finding it good fun so far. Like you, I'll be continuing with the series at some point.
>103 DeltaQueen50: I also really enjoyed A Natural History of Dragons and I have book two checked out from the library which I'm looking forward to.
144DeltaQueen50
I've been having an excellent weekend. Yesterday I stumbled into a library sale and picked up some books:
Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
The Dead of Winter by Rennie Airth
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson
A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper
Today my husband and I went out to lunch with his brother and wife, we had an excellent water view and I had a crab cobb salad which was delicious!
>142 AHS-Wolfy: Good to hear that Lesley is a little more present in the next book, I enjoy the banter between her and Peter.
>143 souloftherose: Hi Heather, I'm in the same boat with Jack of Fables, my library has them, but Volume 1 is missing so I will have to wait until they replace it before starting on the series.
I am really enjoying all the classic crime books, especially the British ones, I've got myself following quite a few series and yet, I still keep adding more.
I'll be watching to see how you enjoy the second Lady Trent book.
Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
The Dead of Winter by Rennie Airth
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson
A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper
Today my husband and I went out to lunch with his brother and wife, we had an excellent water view and I had a crab cobb salad which was delicious!
>142 AHS-Wolfy: Good to hear that Lesley is a little more present in the next book, I enjoy the banter between her and Peter.
>143 souloftherose: Hi Heather, I'm in the same boat with Jack of Fables, my library has them, but Volume 1 is missing so I will have to wait until they replace it before starting on the series.
I am really enjoying all the classic crime books, especially the British ones, I've got myself following quite a few series and yet, I still keep adding more.
I'll be watching to see how you enjoy the second Lady Trent book.
145lkernagh
I love that you "stumbled" into a book sale. Accidents like those are always welcome! Nice book haul.
146clue
>144 DeltaQueen50: I hope you enjoy A Brief History of Montmaray as much I did, and I'll will be interested in your comments on A Brief History of the Dead. I don't read much sf but I liked this. The ending is a bit jarring as his always seem to be but still a good book.
So...did you go out looking for titles beginning A Brief History of...?? LOL.
So...did you go out looking for titles beginning A Brief History of...?? LOL.
147RidgewayGirl
That's an excellent selection of books! And A Brief History of the Dead is so, so, so good.
149DeltaQueen50
>145 lkernagh: Lori, I am not very good at keeping up with when my library has sales, but yes, it was a great surprize to walk in and find a sale going on.
>146 clue: I have had A Brief History of Montmaray on my wishlist for a very long time, I was disappointed not to find the other two books of the trilogy on sale as well. I did have a chuckle over picking up two books whose titles start "A Brief History of ...". Basically these were all books I remembered as being on my wish list.
>147 RidgewayGirl: I did remember that A Brief History of the Dead has been very well received around these parts and so grabbed it as soon as I saw it!
>148 mstrust: Yes, a good weekend, and some nice, cool, rainy weather - I was happy!
>146 clue: I have had A Brief History of Montmaray on my wishlist for a very long time, I was disappointed not to find the other two books of the trilogy on sale as well. I did have a chuckle over picking up two books whose titles start "A Brief History of ...". Basically these were all books I remembered as being on my wish list.
>147 RidgewayGirl: I did remember that A Brief History of the Dead has been very well received around these parts and so grabbed it as soon as I saw it!
>148 mstrust: Yes, a good weekend, and some nice, cool, rainy weather - I was happy!
150andreablythe
Woah. I'm over 170 comments deep with this catch up, so bear with me.
>34 DeltaQueen50:
The Devil's Work sounds like quite an interesting read. The psychological study elements that you describe are the kinds of thing that draw me in.
>54 DeltaQueen50:
I have loved pretty much every Earthsea book I've read, so I'm glad to see you've enjoyed The Tombs of Atuan.
>60 DeltaQueen50:
Fantastic cover for Hemlock Grove. Too bad the book itself wasn't that good.
>88 DeltaQueen50:
Oooh, more Fables love. If I remember correctly, The Good Prince is one of my favorites in the series with how a certain character comes to form his own kingdom.
>103 DeltaQueen50:
I have A Natural History of Dragons on my bookshelf at home, so I'm glad to hear its a good read.
>111 DeltaQueen50:
I would never have picked this one up based on the title, but your fantastic review and the concept of sex-induced time travel has me intrigued!
>124 DeltaQueen50:
A five star read and the base for a Hitchcock movie? Fantastic BB.
And I think I'll stop there. Whew! ;)
>34 DeltaQueen50:
The Devil's Work sounds like quite an interesting read. The psychological study elements that you describe are the kinds of thing that draw me in.
>54 DeltaQueen50:
I have loved pretty much every Earthsea book I've read, so I'm glad to see you've enjoyed The Tombs of Atuan.
>60 DeltaQueen50:
Fantastic cover for Hemlock Grove. Too bad the book itself wasn't that good.
>88 DeltaQueen50:
Oooh, more Fables love. If I remember correctly, The Good Prince is one of my favorites in the series with how a certain character comes to form his own kingdom.
>103 DeltaQueen50:
I have A Natural History of Dragons on my bookshelf at home, so I'm glad to hear its a good read.
>111 DeltaQueen50:
I would never have picked this one up based on the title, but your fantastic review and the concept of sex-induced time travel has me intrigued!
>124 DeltaQueen50:
A five star read and the base for a Hitchcock movie? Fantastic BB.
And I think I'll stop there. Whew! ;)
151DeltaQueen50
>150 andreablythe: Hi Andrea, first off - Margaret Yorke - I have now read three of her books and really liked them all. She uses character study and setting to get effect and although she often tackles dark and violent crimes, she doesn't overdo that part of it, preferring to delve into the "why" rather than the "how".
I was quite taken with The Tombs of Atuan even though at first I was a little leery to have the characters changed but it wasn't long before the story totally drew me in. I have the third book lined up on my Kindle so will be getting to it one of these days.
I found Hemlock Grove was so over the top that I just couldn't get into it. I have now watched a couple of episodes of the TV program, it follows the books pretty closely, and again, I don't think I will be watching the whole thing.
I am loving the Fables series and the last group I read were particularly good. I did love "The Good Prince", how rewarding to have a minor character slowly develop into this wonderful, reliable ruler. I hope we see more of him in future issues.
As I said, I don't think I would want too much of a steady diet of this series, but this is a beautiful, well laid out volume. I have been picking up the book and going through the pages as there is a lot going on in the background as the story develops. If you can get your hands on this book, I would definitely go for it!
I'm not sure how many people would agree with my 5 star rating of Before the Fact but I reallyenjoyed this book and was so happy that it lived up to my expectations.
I was quite taken with The Tombs of Atuan even though at first I was a little leery to have the characters changed but it wasn't long before the story totally drew me in. I have the third book lined up on my Kindle so will be getting to it one of these days.
I found Hemlock Grove was so over the top that I just couldn't get into it. I have now watched a couple of episodes of the TV program, it follows the books pretty closely, and again, I don't think I will be watching the whole thing.
I am loving the Fables series and the last group I read were particularly good. I did love "The Good Prince", how rewarding to have a minor character slowly develop into this wonderful, reliable ruler. I hope we see more of him in future issues.
As I said, I don't think I would want too much of a steady diet of this series, but this is a beautiful, well laid out volume. I have been picking up the book and going through the pages as there is a lot going on in the background as the story develops. If you can get your hands on this book, I would definitely go for it!
I'm not sure how many people would agree with my 5 star rating of Before the Fact but I reallyenjoyed this book and was so happy that it lived up to my expectations.
152DeltaQueen50
123. Ambush by Luke Short - 3.0 ★
Category: Overflow
TIOLI #21: One Word Title That Begins With "A"
Ambush by Luke Short was originally published as a serialization in the Saturday Evening Post and ran from December 1948 to February 1949. This is an old time western, set on U.S. Army Fort in Arizona, the enemy are a band of renegade Apaches who have broken from the reservation under the leadership of a fierce war leader called Diablito. They had attacked a surveyor party and had taken a white woman as captive. I don’t know if this book was ever made into a movie, but I certainly pictured Randolph Scott as the lead character.
Perhaps because it was stretched to fit the serial format, I found that it felt a little padded, it seemed to take a long time for the cavalry to actually leave the fort in pursuit of the Indians and there was a minor sub-plot that would have tightened the story had it been removed. Luke Short wrote many fine westerns, but I felt that Ambush was not the best example of how good he could be.
Category: Overflow
TIOLI #21: One Word Title That Begins With "A"
Ambush by Luke Short was originally published as a serialization in the Saturday Evening Post and ran from December 1948 to February 1949. This is an old time western, set on U.S. Army Fort in Arizona, the enemy are a band of renegade Apaches who have broken from the reservation under the leadership of a fierce war leader called Diablito. They had attacked a surveyor party and had taken a white woman as captive. I don’t know if this book was ever made into a movie, but I certainly pictured Randolph Scott as the lead character.
Perhaps because it was stretched to fit the serial format, I found that it felt a little padded, it seemed to take a long time for the cavalry to actually leave the fort in pursuit of the Indians and there was a minor sub-plot that would have tightened the story had it been removed. Luke Short wrote many fine westerns, but I felt that Ambush was not the best example of how good he could be.
153DeltaQueen50
124. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - 3.7 ★
Category: Is This A Kissing Book?
BingoDog: An LT Author
TIOLI #16: Book Inspires A Recipe
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen is set in the town of Wall of Water in North Carolina, familiar territory for this author. Here we meet four thirty-something characters that need to come to terms with the adults they have grown into and let their fears and inhibitions along with the past go. Paxton and Willa were never friends although they grew up at the same time and went to the same high school. Setting up his dental practise in town, Sebastian has returned after being away a number of years. Paxton’s brother, Colin had escaped the small town as well but he is home now working on the landscaping of the Blue Madam, a mansion that used to be owned by Willa’s family but now is being turned into an inn by Paxton. When an old peach tree is removed a skeleton is found and it is apparent there are secrets about to be revealed.
With this author I can count of relaxing into the southern comfort that she creates with her light prose and touches of magic. This was a good book, but not, to my mind, one of her best ones. I didn’t really connect with the characters, and the magic touches seemed a little contrived in this book instead of the usual delightful, yet so right, surprise that they usually are.
The Peach Keeper touches on many of this author’s preferred themes of loss, regret, and choices not made. She does remind the reader that it’s wise to remain open to new experiences cause one never knows what is just around the corner. I look forward to reading this author and even though this one wasn’t one of my favourites, it was still a delightful read.
Category: Is This A Kissing Book?
BingoDog: An LT Author
TIOLI #16: Book Inspires A Recipe
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen is set in the town of Wall of Water in North Carolina, familiar territory for this author. Here we meet four thirty-something characters that need to come to terms with the adults they have grown into and let their fears and inhibitions along with the past go. Paxton and Willa were never friends although they grew up at the same time and went to the same high school. Setting up his dental practise in town, Sebastian has returned after being away a number of years. Paxton’s brother, Colin had escaped the small town as well but he is home now working on the landscaping of the Blue Madam, a mansion that used to be owned by Willa’s family but now is being turned into an inn by Paxton. When an old peach tree is removed a skeleton is found and it is apparent there are secrets about to be revealed.
With this author I can count of relaxing into the southern comfort that she creates with her light prose and touches of magic. This was a good book, but not, to my mind, one of her best ones. I didn’t really connect with the characters, and the magic touches seemed a little contrived in this book instead of the usual delightful, yet so right, surprise that they usually are.
The Peach Keeper touches on many of this author’s preferred themes of loss, regret, and choices not made. She does remind the reader that it’s wise to remain open to new experiences cause one never knows what is just around the corner. I look forward to reading this author and even though this one wasn’t one of my favourites, it was still a delightful read.
154lkernagh
Good review. I found The Peach Keeper had a darker tone to the story than her earlier ones and it caused me to wonder if Addison Allen was shifting her story focus to attract a different or broader audience.
155mysterymax
Trying to catch up on threads I had to go through two of your editions! Turn my back for a couple of months and look what happens. Just wanted to say, I love the store store signs! More please.
156jnwelch
I had a similar reaction to The Peach Keeper, Judy. Good, a fun read, but not one of her best. I forget, have you read First Frost yet? It's a sequel to Garden Spells, and it worked really well for me.
She had breast cancer and took a break for a while, before Lost Lake. It's great to see her back writing.
She had breast cancer and took a break for a while, before Lost Lake. It's great to see her back writing.
157katiekrug
Judy, I agree about The Peach Keeper - not her best. It was the second of hers that I read (after The Sugar Queen). Garden Spells was the last one that I read, and I still need to get to First Frost and Lost Lake....
158dudes22
I too thought The Peach Keeper was not as good as others of hers that I had read. I have a reread of Garden Spells and then First Frost on my TBR for the Sep or Oct SFFF Cat (whichever month they fit in).
159DeltaQueen50
Well, I did a very silly thing yesterday. I jumped up with a pile of books in my arms and walked right into the doorway. Gave myself a sharp whack on my leg but the worse damage was to my chest and back muscles. I guess I wrenched myself back and managed to twist things around. The pain was so bad my husband took me off to the ER last night. Of course once they saw my record of a recent heart attack, they had to to a complete cardiac workup, even though I kept telling them I thought it was only muscle spasms. Eventually, at 2:00 am they came to the same conclusion and sent me home full of muscle relaxers. I feel much better today although I did sleep the morning away.
>154 lkernagh: I haven't read Sarah Addison Allen's books in order, Lori, but I find that she usually does has a dark theme underlying her light prose. From wife beating to murder, she's touched on a lot of dark issues.
>155 mysterymax: I love those book signs too! If I was walking along and saw any of those signs I would be in that store so fast. I often go to a second hand bookstore called "The Haunted Bookshop" and it suits it's name perfectly.
>156 jnwelch: I haven't read First Frost yet, Joe, but that's the only one of hers I haven't got to yet so it's at the top of my Sarah Addison Allen list! I loved Garden Spells!
>157 katiekrug: I've jumped around with her books as well, Katie, it would be a toss up for me which of hers between The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells is my favorite.
>158 dudes22: I forgot that I was planning on reading The Peach Keeper for the September SFFFCat, Betty. Maybe I will join you in reading First Frost then.
>154 lkernagh: I haven't read Sarah Addison Allen's books in order, Lori, but I find that she usually does has a dark theme underlying her light prose. From wife beating to murder, she's touched on a lot of dark issues.
>155 mysterymax: I love those book signs too! If I was walking along and saw any of those signs I would be in that store so fast. I often go to a second hand bookstore called "The Haunted Bookshop" and it suits it's name perfectly.
>156 jnwelch: I haven't read First Frost yet, Joe, but that's the only one of hers I haven't got to yet so it's at the top of my Sarah Addison Allen list! I loved Garden Spells!
>157 katiekrug: I've jumped around with her books as well, Katie, it would be a toss up for me which of hers between The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells is my favorite.
>158 dudes22: I forgot that I was planning on reading The Peach Keeper for the September SFFFCat, Betty. Maybe I will join you in reading First Frost then.
160mysterymax
You've got to watch out for doorways, I am living proof that they actually move when they see you coming.
162lyzard
My eyesight is terrible in about six different ways. Consequently I have no distance judgement and so constantly walk into the furniture or bump into door-frames. I rarely do worse than bruising, though---ouch for your poor back!
163andreablythe
Oh, no! Glad to hear that there wasn't too much damage done.
On a related note I was so into my book this morning that I was reading and walking and walked into some poor man on the rail platform.
On a related note I was so into my book this morning that I was reading and walking and walked into some poor man on the rail platform.
164DeltaQueen50
>160 mysterymax: LOL - I totally believe you about those sneaky doorways!
>161 mstrust: It seems to be getting better, I was fine most of yesterday and then took a muscle relaxer in the evening. So far today, feeling good.
>162 lyzard: I think I jerked back and away trying to save the books from falling. I do have to learn that it's time to stop and think before I jump up and act, I don't have the reflexes or eyesight that I used to have.
>163 andreablythe: Oh, how we suffer (and I guess make others) suffer for our reading! I wouldn't dare try to walk and read at the same time anymore, I would probably end up causing a major accident!
>161 mstrust: It seems to be getting better, I was fine most of yesterday and then took a muscle relaxer in the evening. So far today, feeling good.
>162 lyzard: I think I jerked back and away trying to save the books from falling. I do have to learn that it's time to stop and think before I jump up and act, I don't have the reflexes or eyesight that I used to have.
>163 andreablythe: Oh, how we suffer (and I guess make others) suffer for our reading! I wouldn't dare try to walk and read at the same time anymore, I would probably end up causing a major accident!
165DeltaQueen50
125. A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash - 4.4 ★
Category: Grade Five
TIOLI #18: A Noun In the Title Is Also Found in Your Country's National Anthem
Every once in awhile a book comes along that seems to grab hold of the reader‘s emotions. For me, A Land More Kind That Home by Wiley Cash was one of those kind of books. This is a rather grim story, told in beautiful prose, about how a preacher turns a small town congregation into a cult of darkness with snake handling, speaking in tongues and hands on healing. The story unfolds in three distinct voices, young Jess Hall, Sheriff Clem Barefield, and Adelaide Lyle, each character having their own viewpoint of the events that unfold.
Jess and his mute brother Christopher decide to look into their parents bedroom one day but instead of their Mother and Father, they see their Mother with Preacher Chambliss. The preacher sees Christopher spying, and before too long he is encouraging their mother to bring young Christopher into the church to have him healed. Adelaide Lyle, the local midwife, had years ago pulled all the children out of the church fearing for their safety. She ran a Sunday school for them, but over her objections Christopher was taken into the church and a tragedy occurs.
A Land More Kind Than Home is a southern gothic tale of good versus evil, cruelty versus innocence and as all the pieces mesh together to form a flawless narrative, the reader is engulfed by this powerful, unforgettable story. This debut novel introduces an author that is able to deliver an inspired, substantial and heart rendering story and shows promising possibilities for his future efforts.
Category: Grade Five
TIOLI #18: A Noun In the Title Is Also Found in Your Country's National Anthem
Every once in awhile a book comes along that seems to grab hold of the reader‘s emotions. For me, A Land More Kind That Home by Wiley Cash was one of those kind of books. This is a rather grim story, told in beautiful prose, about how a preacher turns a small town congregation into a cult of darkness with snake handling, speaking in tongues and hands on healing. The story unfolds in three distinct voices, young Jess Hall, Sheriff Clem Barefield, and Adelaide Lyle, each character having their own viewpoint of the events that unfold.
Jess and his mute brother Christopher decide to look into their parents bedroom one day but instead of their Mother and Father, they see their Mother with Preacher Chambliss. The preacher sees Christopher spying, and before too long he is encouraging their mother to bring young Christopher into the church to have him healed. Adelaide Lyle, the local midwife, had years ago pulled all the children out of the church fearing for their safety. She ran a Sunday school for them, but over her objections Christopher was taken into the church and a tragedy occurs.
A Land More Kind Than Home is a southern gothic tale of good versus evil, cruelty versus innocence and as all the pieces mesh together to form a flawless narrative, the reader is engulfed by this powerful, unforgettable story. This debut novel introduces an author that is able to deliver an inspired, substantial and heart rendering story and shows promising possibilities for his future efforts.
166RidgewayGirl
Yeah, that was a good one. Exactly what Appalachian noir should look like.
167thornton37814
>165 DeltaQueen50: I won't be reading that one. Those snakes have already scared me away!
168katiekrug
>165 DeltaQueen50: - Glad you liked that one, Judy! His second novel is also good, just not *as* good...
He was one of the authors Mark and I met at Booktopia last summer in Asheville. Super nice and really cute :)
He was one of the authors Mark and I met at Booktopia last summer in Asheville. Super nice and really cute :)
169DeltaQueen50
>166 RidgewayGirl: I'v seen him compared to Tom Franklin but I thought there was also a similarity to his writing and Daniel Woodrell, both authors of which I have read and enjoyed.
>167 thornton37814: Lori, I did think of you when I read the book, and, I agree that perhaps you should avoid this one!
>168 katiekrug: Katie, I took my original BB from Terri (Tymfos), but I had Mark down as a recommender as well. I love this author's name - Wiley Cash - and it is his original name as well.
>167 thornton37814: Lori, I did think of you when I read the book, and, I agree that perhaps you should avoid this one!
>168 katiekrug: Katie, I took my original BB from Terri (Tymfos), but I had Mark down as a recommender as well. I love this author's name - Wiley Cash - and it is his original name as well.
170Storeetllr
>159 DeltaQueen50: As long as you didn't apologize to the doorframe when you walked into it. (I've done that.)
In any case, hope you have recovered from the injuries that sneaky doorframe inflicted on you.
Good review of A Land More Kind Than Home. I may have to put it on my WL.
In any case, hope you have recovered from the injuries that sneaky doorframe inflicted on you.
Good review of A Land More Kind Than Home. I may have to put it on my WL.
171DeltaQueen50
>170 Storeetllr: Nope, I offered no apologies to that sneaky doorframe! I am pretty much totally back to normal (or as normal as I get).
I think you would like A Land More Kind Than Home, Mary.
I think you would like A Land More Kind Than Home, Mary.
173Dianekeenoy
I listened to A Land More Kind Than Home and was mesmerized by the story and the reader!
174Roro8
Things move so fast in this thread, I am playing catchup here. I like your review of The Peach Keeper, I remember enjoying it when I read it.
I have read other good reviews for A Land More Kind Than Home. I think it may just have to go on my wish list now.
I have read other good reviews for A Land More Kind Than Home. I think it may just have to go on my wish list now.
175DeltaQueen50
>172 EBT1002: Ellen, it does a body good to find another author that has such a clear voice. I've added his second book The Dark Road To Mercy to my wishlist.
>173 Dianekeenoy: Hi Diane, I can imagine A Land More Kind Than Home would make an excellent audible, the story has that old-time feel of a morality tale that I could visulize my grandfather telling me.
>174 Roro8: Sarah Addison Allen seems to be an author that if her books speak to you, then you are a firm follower. I think you would like A Land More Kind Than Home, Ro.
>173 Dianekeenoy: Hi Diane, I can imagine A Land More Kind Than Home would make an excellent audible, the story has that old-time feel of a morality tale that I could visulize my grandfather telling me.
>174 Roro8: Sarah Addison Allen seems to be an author that if her books speak to you, then you are a firm follower. I think you would like A Land More Kind Than Home, Ro.
176DeltaQueen50
126. The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson - 4.1 ★
Category: I Don't Remember That From History Class
TIOLI #10: Numbers in the Title
I really enjoyed my reading of The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson. The story swings back and forth between two women, Julia in modern times and Catherine from the year 1625. Both stories were interesting and although neither would have fully sustained a book on their own, this blend worked.
Julia came into possession of an antique book that turned out to be Catherine’s journal describing how she was taken captive by Barbary pirates in Cornwall and spirited away to be sold as a slave in Morocco. The connection between the two women was credible and I liked the fact that it was never fully confirmed that they were related. Also having both women involved with embroidery was both different and interesting. Julia eventually decides to follow in Catherine’s footsteps and travels to Morocco to continue to trace Catherine. Both she and Catherine seem to be destined to find their future in this exotic country.
I felt the contrast between the two women could have been more defined. For all her modern ways, Julia didn’t seem that different from Catherine, who, in turn, seemed a little too “with-it” to be a totally credible 17th Century woman. I would have liked both these characters to have been a little more developed. Overall however, The Tenth Gift was a fast-paced, highly readable story that shines a light on a little known piece of history.
Category: I Don't Remember That From History Class
TIOLI #10: Numbers in the Title
I really enjoyed my reading of The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson. The story swings back and forth between two women, Julia in modern times and Catherine from the year 1625. Both stories were interesting and although neither would have fully sustained a book on their own, this blend worked.
Julia came into possession of an antique book that turned out to be Catherine’s journal describing how she was taken captive by Barbary pirates in Cornwall and spirited away to be sold as a slave in Morocco. The connection between the two women was credible and I liked the fact that it was never fully confirmed that they were related. Also having both women involved with embroidery was both different and interesting. Julia eventually decides to follow in Catherine’s footsteps and travels to Morocco to continue to trace Catherine. Both she and Catherine seem to be destined to find their future in this exotic country.
I felt the contrast between the two women could have been more defined. For all her modern ways, Julia didn’t seem that different from Catherine, who, in turn, seemed a little too “with-it” to be a totally credible 17th Century woman. I would have liked both these characters to have been a little more developed. Overall however, The Tenth Gift was a fast-paced, highly readable story that shines a light on a little known piece of history.
177Roro8
>176 DeltaQueen50:, I really enjoyed The Tenth Gift when I read it. I gave it 5 stars, I thought the setting of the story was great. I also liked The Sultan's Wife, another book by the same author.
178DeltaQueen50
>177 Roro8: Hi Ro, I've already ordered another book by her The Salt Road but it sounds quite a bit like The Tenth Gift. Although set in Morocco,The Sultan's Wife sounds quite different from the other two. I will have to get myself a copy of that one.
179cbl_tn
Hi Judy! Just getting caught up here. Lots of good reading going on as usual, I see! I hope your poor back is recovering from your tangle with the doorway. I have poor depth perception so I'm always banging into something like that.
180-Eva-
As always, I'm behind on your thread, but wanted to add my sympathies about that attacking doorway - good to hear nothing bad came of it. The Tenth Gift sounds interesting and the cover is gorgeous!
181DeltaQueen50
>179 cbl_tn: I got through all of yesterday without any muscle relaxers so I think I am totally recovered. I have to remember to slow down and watch where I am going!
>180 -Eva-: Thanks for your sympathy, Eva. :) I think it was the cover that first attracted me to The Tenth Gift, and the settings of both Cornwall and Morocco were irresistible!
>180 -Eva-: Thanks for your sympathy, Eva. :) I think it was the cover that first attracted me to The Tenth Gift, and the settings of both Cornwall and Morocco were irresistible!
182DeltaQueen50
127. Skylark by Patricia Maclachlan - 4.2 ★
Category: Camille's Choices
BingoDog: Reminds Me Of My Childhood
TIOLI #6: Fits a Seattle Library Bingo Category - A YA Read
Skylark by Patricia Maclachlan is a sequel to Sarah Plain and Tall, and here I got to catch up with the family that was such a delight to read about. In this book, the family is feeling complete, strong and happy in their being together and now having Sarah as their wife and mother. But things are not perfect, there is trouble however in the lack of rain. This is the prairies and crops, animals and people rely on the rain to supply the water that is needed. As the drought goes on, and neighbours around them are pulling out the tension increases. Eventually the father, Jacob, decides it will be best if Sarah takes the children to visit her aunts in Maine on an extended holiday.
At first Sarah and the children delight in the greenness of Maine and the happiness of being with the relatives. They are amazed by the ocean and much of their time on the beach or out in a boat. But as the newness wears off, they all start to miss Jacob and their home. As time passes, they become more and more concerned about when they will be able to go home. Of course, Jacob is missing them tremendously and comes for them as soon as rain finally arrives on the prairies.
This book is a very quick read, being about100 pages, but it reminds one of the strength and comfort one finds in family. The author has a flair for being able to paint life’s tender moments in a true and touching manner. Quite simply Skylark was a joy to read.
Category: Camille's Choices
BingoDog: Reminds Me Of My Childhood
TIOLI #6: Fits a Seattle Library Bingo Category - A YA Read
Skylark by Patricia Maclachlan is a sequel to Sarah Plain and Tall, and here I got to catch up with the family that was such a delight to read about. In this book, the family is feeling complete, strong and happy in their being together and now having Sarah as their wife and mother. But things are not perfect, there is trouble however in the lack of rain. This is the prairies and crops, animals and people rely on the rain to supply the water that is needed. As the drought goes on, and neighbours around them are pulling out the tension increases. Eventually the father, Jacob, decides it will be best if Sarah takes the children to visit her aunts in Maine on an extended holiday.
At first Sarah and the children delight in the greenness of Maine and the happiness of being with the relatives. They are amazed by the ocean and much of their time on the beach or out in a boat. But as the newness wears off, they all start to miss Jacob and their home. As time passes, they become more and more concerned about when they will be able to go home. Of course, Jacob is missing them tremendously and comes for them as soon as rain finally arrives on the prairies.
This book is a very quick read, being about100 pages, but it reminds one of the strength and comfort one finds in family. The author has a flair for being able to paint life’s tender moments in a true and touching manner. Quite simply Skylark was a joy to read.
183mathgirl40
>116 DeltaQueen50: I'm finally catching up with your latest reviews, and I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like Stolen all that much. I enjoyed the first book in the series and I have this waiting on my shelf. On the other hand, the romance aspect of the story doesn't interest me as much as the other aspects, so maybe this novel will work for me. I've enjoyed several of Armstrong's other series.
>127 DeltaQueen50: My kids really liked Sarah Plain and Tall and we have it on our shelves. Sounds like I should try it myself.
>127 DeltaQueen50: My kids really liked Sarah Plain and Tall and we have it on our shelves. Sounds like I should try it myself.
184Familyhistorian
Hi Judy, good to hear that you are recovering from your tangle with the door. I see that it didn't slow down your reading at all!
185VioletBramble
>159 DeltaQueen50: Ouch! Those doorways are dangerous places. Glad that there was no long term injuries and that you're doing well.
186jnwelch
I keep wanting to read more Patricia Maclachlan. I loved Skylark, too.
187thornton37814
>182 DeltaQueen50: Years ago, Sarah Plain and Tall was on TV. I read both it and Skylark soon afterwards. I always loved those Prairie tales.
188DeltaQueen50
Today is B.C. Day and a holiday Monday here and we are having a quiet day and younger daughter and her husband are coming over for a BBQ. We are having steak with potato salad, sliced tomatoes and corn on the cob. I have made a peach bread pudding with whipped cream for dessert.
>183 mathgirl40: Paulina I really liked the first book in the Kelley Armstrong series when I read it as well, but unfortunately I didn't care for this second one. I hope you enjoy it. When you are in the mood for a short but heartfelt story, then Sarah Plain and Tall would fit the bill nicely.
>184 Familyhistorian: Not much deters me from reading, Meg. I wasn't able to read while in the hospital that night, first because they were running their tests and then because I was so doped up.
>185 VioletBramble: Thanks, please be assured that I am being extra careful not to bang into anything these days!
>186 jnwelch: Joe, I see the series does carry on with a book written from Caleb's point of view, I will have to get myself a copy cause I too want to read more by this author.
>187 thornton37814: Lori, I am pretty sure I saw that movie. It starred Glenn Close as Sarah and Christopher Walkin as Jacob. I remember the part where she took the kids back to Maine so I wonder if they covered both books with the one movie.
>183 mathgirl40: Paulina I really liked the first book in the Kelley Armstrong series when I read it as well, but unfortunately I didn't care for this second one. I hope you enjoy it. When you are in the mood for a short but heartfelt story, then Sarah Plain and Tall would fit the bill nicely.
>184 Familyhistorian: Not much deters me from reading, Meg. I wasn't able to read while in the hospital that night, first because they were running their tests and then because I was so doped up.
>185 VioletBramble: Thanks, please be assured that I am being extra careful not to bang into anything these days!
>186 jnwelch: Joe, I see the series does carry on with a book written from Caleb's point of view, I will have to get myself a copy cause I too want to read more by this author.
>187 thornton37814: Lori, I am pretty sure I saw that movie. It starred Glenn Close as Sarah and Christopher Walkin as Jacob. I remember the part where she took the kids back to Maine so I wonder if they covered both books with the one movie.
189rosalita
>159 DeltaQueen50: So the official story is that it was a rogue doorway, and not a close encounter with your "book" cart on wheels? Just checking ... ;-)
>182 DeltaQueen50: I think I bought Sarah Plain and Tall during a ebook sale a couple of years ago, and promptly forgot about it. I need to dig it out and read it, if you are such a fan. I always trust your book judgment!
>182 DeltaQueen50: I think I bought Sarah Plain and Tall during a ebook sale a couple of years ago, and promptly forgot about it. I need to dig it out and read it, if you are such a fan. I always trust your book judgment!
190lkernagh
It looks like we came away with a similar impression of The Tenth Gift, Judy. You BC Day BBQ sounds wonderful!
191DeltaQueen50
>189 rosalita: Hi Julia, I definitely had a run in with a doorway! Anyway, I don't even have a book cart! :( Katie is the proud owner of one, I was just giving helpful ideas of how to use it.
Sarah Plain and Tall is a short, quick read that is deceptively simple. It conveys a lot of emotion and is very descriptive about the prairies. I think you would enjoy it.
Sarah Plain and Tall is a short, quick read that is deceptively simple. It conveys a lot of emotion and is very descriptive about the prairies. I think you would enjoy it.
192DeltaQueen50
I just wrote a reply to Lori and it totally disappeared into cyber-space! I'll try again.
>190 lkernagh: Hi Lori, my dinner went great, everything turned out and best of all, I have enough leftovers for tonight.
I will be reading more Jane Johnson in the future, I think she is a first class story-teller, just would like to see a little more character development.
>190 lkernagh: Hi Lori, my dinner went great, everything turned out and best of all, I have enough leftovers for tonight.
I will be reading more Jane Johnson in the future, I think she is a first class story-teller, just would like to see a little more character development.
193DeltaQueen50
128. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale - 3.5 ★
Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer - 3.3 ★
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki - 4.2 ★
Category: Woven Ribbons
TIOLI #3: Book Features A Character From Folklore/Fairytales
TIOLI #6: Fits a Seattle Library Bingo Category - Graphic Novel
TIOLI #10: Numbers in the Title
This month I have been reading graphic novels that are very different from one another, but have some things in common. They all have female lead characters, all feature relationships between mothers and daughters.
Rapunzel’s Revenge
Rapunzel’s Revenge is a fun riff on the Rapunzel fairytale with a few other fairytale references thrown in. The setting however is more typical of an American western than a fairytale. From Deserts to Badlands, with coyotes and jack-a-lopes, this is a western like I’ve never read about before, and Rapunzel with her twenty foot long braids that she is able to whip around like a lasso is a very different heroine for a fairytale.
This Rapunzel does things for herself in this swashbuckling and humorous story that is presented with clear and brightly colored artwork by Nathan Hale (no relation to the author) . She saves herself, along with her fellow countrymen and, most importantly, her mother, from years of enslavement to the evil Mother Gothel.
A fun story and a great female empowerment tale that is geared toward a younger audience.
Kill My Mother
Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer was one that I thought I was going to love. And I think I would have except I found the artwork confusing. There were a number of leading ladies, all were blonde and had rather pointed noses and I found that I couldn’t tell them apart. This caused me to be constantly flipping back and forth trying to figure out who was who.
This was a noir story told in two parts. The first is set in Bay City (San Francisco) in 1933. The second is set mostly in Hollywood during the 1940’s. I don’t want to give away any of the plot points, but the main characters included a very angry young lady called Annie, her smart but too nice Mom, Elsie, and a trio of blonde look alikes, There is an involved plot and gun play comes into the story in both decades.
Totally done in blacks, greys and whites with an almost sketch like feel to the artwork, this story is an homage to the 1940 noir movies. As I said I had trouble separating the characters, but it was a different and interesting story and definitely aimed at adults. There is nudity and violence but this is offset by some quirky humor and lots of tips of the hat to 1940’s Hollywood.
This One Summer
This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki (cousins) got it right. Deceptively simple, I thought this book conveyed so many emotions and family dynamics. Effortlessly capturing a young girls transition from child to young lady over the course of one summer, both the artwork and the writing are exceptional. This book managed to touch me, even though much of the emotion and growth was internalized.
The interplay between Rose and her friend Windy felt very real and brought back memories of being that age myself. The setting of a vacation cottage helped create that mix of feeling free on one hand while being forced to be with family for much of the time on the other. Rose’s semi-crush on the store clerk was also very well done, showing how confused she was with these new felt emotions that she didn’t know what to do with.
Rose’s family appears to be imploding around her and her outwardly showing no reaction but inwardly seething with emotions was almost uncomfortable to watch. There was a scene that showed Rose sitting alone after a family blowup and then just moving her foot enough to knock over a half empty wineglass that spoke volumes. When she and her mother finally have their confrontation, Rose lets her hurt out but isn’t mature enough to realize that her mother has something to say as well.
By the end of the summer, Rose has changed, she is edging toward growing up with all of it’s unknowns, but I suspect she will always remember This One Summer.
Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer - 3.3 ★
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki - 4.2 ★
Category: Woven Ribbons
TIOLI #3: Book Features A Character From Folklore/Fairytales
TIOLI #6: Fits a Seattle Library Bingo Category - Graphic Novel
TIOLI #10: Numbers in the Title
This month I have been reading graphic novels that are very different from one another, but have some things in common. They all have female lead characters, all feature relationships between mothers and daughters.
Rapunzel’s Revenge
Rapunzel’s Revenge is a fun riff on the Rapunzel fairytale with a few other fairytale references thrown in. The setting however is more typical of an American western than a fairytale. From Deserts to Badlands, with coyotes and jack-a-lopes, this is a western like I’ve never read about before, and Rapunzel with her twenty foot long braids that she is able to whip around like a lasso is a very different heroine for a fairytale.
This Rapunzel does things for herself in this swashbuckling and humorous story that is presented with clear and brightly colored artwork by Nathan Hale (no relation to the author) . She saves herself, along with her fellow countrymen and, most importantly, her mother, from years of enslavement to the evil Mother Gothel.
A fun story and a great female empowerment tale that is geared toward a younger audience.
Kill My Mother
Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer was one that I thought I was going to love. And I think I would have except I found the artwork confusing. There were a number of leading ladies, all were blonde and had rather pointed noses and I found that I couldn’t tell them apart. This caused me to be constantly flipping back and forth trying to figure out who was who.
This was a noir story told in two parts. The first is set in Bay City (San Francisco) in 1933. The second is set mostly in Hollywood during the 1940’s. I don’t want to give away any of the plot points, but the main characters included a very angry young lady called Annie, her smart but too nice Mom, Elsie, and a trio of blonde look alikes, There is an involved plot and gun play comes into the story in both decades.
Totally done in blacks, greys and whites with an almost sketch like feel to the artwork, this story is an homage to the 1940 noir movies. As I said I had trouble separating the characters, but it was a different and interesting story and definitely aimed at adults. There is nudity and violence but this is offset by some quirky humor and lots of tips of the hat to 1940’s Hollywood.
This One Summer
This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki (cousins) got it right. Deceptively simple, I thought this book conveyed so many emotions and family dynamics. Effortlessly capturing a young girls transition from child to young lady over the course of one summer, both the artwork and the writing are exceptional. This book managed to touch me, even though much of the emotion and growth was internalized.
The interplay between Rose and her friend Windy felt very real and brought back memories of being that age myself. The setting of a vacation cottage helped create that mix of feeling free on one hand while being forced to be with family for much of the time on the other. Rose’s semi-crush on the store clerk was also very well done, showing how confused she was with these new felt emotions that she didn’t know what to do with.
Rose’s family appears to be imploding around her and her outwardly showing no reaction but inwardly seething with emotions was almost uncomfortable to watch. There was a scene that showed Rose sitting alone after a family blowup and then just moving her foot enough to knock over a half empty wineglass that spoke volumes. When she and her mother finally have their confrontation, Rose lets her hurt out but isn’t mature enough to realize that her mother has something to say as well.
By the end of the summer, Rose has changed, she is edging toward growing up with all of it’s unknowns, but I suspect she will always remember This One Summer.
194andreablythe
Great review of This One Summer. It was a wonderful read with such lovely artwork.
195DeltaQueen50
>194 andreablythe: Andrea, I guess you can tell by my review that This One Summer totally grabbed me!
196jnwelch
Oh, I'm so glad This One Summer worked so well for you, Judy. Me, too. Great use of the GN medium.
I also liked the lighter Rapunzel's Revenge.
ETA: Thumb for the TOS review.
I also liked the lighter Rapunzel's Revenge.
ETA: Thumb for the TOS review.
197DeltaQueen50
>196 jnwelch: Thanks for the thumb, Joe. :)
198DeltaQueen50
129. Evil Under The Sun by Agatha Christie - 3.6 ★
Category: Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen
Agatha In August Group Read
TIOLI #12: Your Copy of the Book Must Be Published Before April, 1972
Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie is a Hercule Poirot mystery. The setting is a beach resort on the southern coast of England. The murder victim is Arlena Marshall, a woman whom the other guests have been gossiping about. Strangled and left lying on a deserted beach, this was a woman who was not liked and there are many suspects. Could the murderer be her husband, tired of watching her go off with other men, or perhaps it was Christine Redfern who was standing by quiety watching her husband being lured into an affair.
Hercule Poirot is more than willing to give up his holiday and put his little grey cells to work on this puzzler. Although he is an insufferable little man with a very superior attitude, he does understand human nature and it’s weaknesses. I am a sucker for the scene that has the suspects gathered together for the big reveal and, in Evil Under the Sun, Hercule Poirot outdoes himself with accusations flying around the room making everyone seem capable of the deed until he finally zeros in on his actual suspect.
This was a fun read, but although I thought this was my first time reading it, I couldn’t vanquish that niggling feeling that I had read it before. I also thought I knew who the murderer was and the motive behind the act. This made the final reveal all the more enjoyable when I realized I was quite wrong and perhaps had been thinking of a different Agatha Christie book. Evil Under the Sun was a quick, light, and agreeable read but not particularly outstanding in any way.
Category: Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen
Agatha In August Group Read
TIOLI #12: Your Copy of the Book Must Be Published Before April, 1972
Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie is a Hercule Poirot mystery. The setting is a beach resort on the southern coast of England. The murder victim is Arlena Marshall, a woman whom the other guests have been gossiping about. Strangled and left lying on a deserted beach, this was a woman who was not liked and there are many suspects. Could the murderer be her husband, tired of watching her go off with other men, or perhaps it was Christine Redfern who was standing by quiety watching her husband being lured into an affair.
Hercule Poirot is more than willing to give up his holiday and put his little grey cells to work on this puzzler. Although he is an insufferable little man with a very superior attitude, he does understand human nature and it’s weaknesses. I am a sucker for the scene that has the suspects gathered together for the big reveal and, in Evil Under the Sun, Hercule Poirot outdoes himself with accusations flying around the room making everyone seem capable of the deed until he finally zeros in on his actual suspect.
This was a fun read, but although I thought this was my first time reading it, I couldn’t vanquish that niggling feeling that I had read it before. I also thought I knew who the murderer was and the motive behind the act. This made the final reveal all the more enjoyable when I realized I was quite wrong and perhaps had been thinking of a different Agatha Christie book. Evil Under the Sun was a quick, light, and agreeable read but not particularly outstanding in any way.
199rosalita
I devoured tons of Christie when I was younger but that's one I never read. I'll have to see if the library has it ready to hand.
200VictoriaPL
>153 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy, just catching up on your thread (it grows SO fast!).
I agree that The Peach Keeper was not her best. My favorites are Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen.
I can read those over and over again.
I agree that The Peach Keeper was not her best. My favorites are Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen.
I can read those over and over again.
201DeltaQueen50
>199 rosalita: I did the same, Julia, and although I remember most of them, there are some that I am not sure if I have read or not. I am trying work my way through all of them now, but she does have an extensive body of work!
>200 VictoriaPL: Hi Victoria, yep, those are my two favorites of hers as well.
>200 VictoriaPL: Hi Victoria, yep, those are my two favorites of hers as well.
202susiesharp
I have had The Tenth Gift on my TBR forever maybe I need to get it to the top!
203cbl_tn
Hi Judy! I should be ready to start Dead Man's Land in the morning. I'm looking forward to it!
204DeltaQueen50
>202 susiesharp: It's a good read, Susie. In fact, as soon as I finished the book I ordered the next one in the trilogy. BTW, I don't think the books are connected directly except that they are all set in Morocco, so each one can be read as a stand-alone.
>203 cbl_tn: Carrie, I was babysitting my granddaughter last night and took Dead Man's Land along with me to start. I'm only 5 chapters in and it's definitely caught my interest. I think this is going to be a good one!
>203 cbl_tn: Carrie, I was babysitting my granddaughter last night and took Dead Man's Land along with me to start. I'm only 5 chapters in and it's definitely caught my interest. I think this is going to be a good one!
205DeltaQueen50
130. Agent of Change by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller - 4.2 ★
Category: Cat & Fiddle Arcade
August SFFFCat: Other Worlds
Liaden Universe Group Read
TIOLI #5: Author Has a Double Barrelled Name or Book Has 2 Authors
Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is the first Liaden Universe book that I have read. I can assure you now that it won’t be the last. This is a science fiction story that is very easy to comprehend and enjoy. I immediately felt a connection with the two main characters, Val Con and Miri, and enjoyed the time spent in each of their heads. This is a very fast moving, action adventure story, and as we get to know these characters, they are getting to know each other so it comes as no surprise to any of us that while fighting off Juntavas mobsters, Yxtrang pirates and other general forces, that they fall in love.
As well as delivering some excellent characters to root for, the authors also supplied a tightly woven plot that managed to offer tantalizing glimpses of this universe and the many varied settings that may be used in the future. There are a few observations of the complicated social system that Liandens adhere to that I hope is further developed in future books. Of course, no review would be complete without a nod of delight in the direction of the benevolent turtles whose very presence escalated this book a notch.
As these books were written back in the 1980’s, one of the fun things is how the technology of the future was envisioned and the result was at times almost humorous, an example of this is the fact that characters were still wearing framed eyeglasses and reading still entailed opening an actual book. I found Agent of Change highly readable, almost addictive and I look forward to my next venture into the Liaden Universe.
Category: Cat & Fiddle Arcade
August SFFFCat: Other Worlds
Liaden Universe Group Read
TIOLI #5: Author Has a Double Barrelled Name or Book Has 2 Authors
Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is the first Liaden Universe book that I have read. I can assure you now that it won’t be the last. This is a science fiction story that is very easy to comprehend and enjoy. I immediately felt a connection with the two main characters, Val Con and Miri, and enjoyed the time spent in each of their heads. This is a very fast moving, action adventure story, and as we get to know these characters, they are getting to know each other so it comes as no surprise to any of us that while fighting off Juntavas mobsters, Yxtrang pirates and other general forces, that they fall in love.
As well as delivering some excellent characters to root for, the authors also supplied a tightly woven plot that managed to offer tantalizing glimpses of this universe and the many varied settings that may be used in the future. There are a few observations of the complicated social system that Liandens adhere to that I hope is further developed in future books. Of course, no review would be complete without a nod of delight in the direction of the benevolent turtles whose very presence escalated this book a notch.
As these books were written back in the 1980’s, one of the fun things is how the technology of the future was envisioned and the result was at times almost humorous, an example of this is the fact that characters were still wearing framed eyeglasses and reading still entailed opening an actual book. I found Agent of Change highly readable, almost addictive and I look forward to my next venture into the Liaden Universe.
208DeltaQueen50
>206 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!
>207 cbl_tn: Carrie, you have surged ahead of me but I have a 2 hour ferry ride tomorrow, plus wait time that I can dedicate to Dead Man's Land. So far I think the author is doing an excellent job both at describing the conditions and in utilizing this iconic character in a fresh way.
>207 cbl_tn: Carrie, you have surged ahead of me but I have a 2 hour ferry ride tomorrow, plus wait time that I can dedicate to Dead Man's Land. So far I think the author is doing an excellent job both at describing the conditions and in utilizing this iconic character in a fresh way.
209DeltaQueen50
I have packed up the rest of my month's planned reads as I am off to Vancouver Island tomorrow to visit my family. I will only have limited computer time but I will be checking in and I will be setting up the September HistoryCat here at the Category Challenge and the September Series and Sequels thread over at the 75 Thread around the 15th. Wow, it seems weird to be planning for September, but it makes me oddly happy as well as this means that Autumn is truly just around the corner.
210Familyhistorian
>209 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for the heads up on the September Series and Sequels, Judy. I will have to bear that in mind when I pack for my trip as I will be traveling from September 8 to October 7 and living out of a suitcase - wonder how many books I can fit in there - what clothes, who needs clothes?
211mathgirl40
Have a great trip to Vancouver Island, Judy. I'm glad you enjoyed Agent of Change so much. I liked it very much too and have started Conflict of Honors, the second published book in the Liaden series.
214tymfos
Happy travels, Judy! I'm glad you loved A Land More Kind Than Home as much as I did. And sorry to read of your doorway collision.
215DeltaQueen50
Just a quick visit to post a review. I am having a good trip so far, tomorrow I will be seeing my 18 month old grand-nephew and I am looking forward to that as I hear he is quite a character.
>211 mathgirl40: I have Conflict of Honor on my Kindle, so hopefully, it won't be too long before I return to the Liaden Universe.
>212 mstrust: >213 leslie.98: >214 tymfos: Thanks for the good wishes. It's great to be spending some time with my family!
>211 mathgirl40: I have Conflict of Honor on my Kindle, so hopefully, it won't be too long before I return to the Liaden Universe.
>212 mstrust: >213 leslie.98: >214 tymfos: Thanks for the good wishes. It's great to be spending some time with my family!
216DeltaQueen50
131. Dead Man's Land by Robert Ryan - 4.2 ★
Category: Pitcher's Duel
August HistoryCat: Medicine
TIOLI #1: An Insect Is Named on Page 33
Dead Man’s Land by Robert Ryan was a very good thriller set among the muddy trenches of World War I. The author chose Dr. John Watson to anchor this story, and, I think, did a very good job with this iconic character. Ryan includes enough references to Sherlock Holmes and the relationship between the two men to remind the reader of their past detective efforts yet this would be just as easily read if one wasn't familiar with this duo.
Although rather elderly to be serving at the front, Dr. Watson arrives with the intent to oversee and record the new medical technique of blood transfusions. He stumbles into a murder mystery and along with the intrepid VAD, Georgina Gregson is soon working to uncover a killer.
Along with the main story, the author includes a side story about a German sniper that I really enjoyed. The excursions out into No Man’s Land were vivid and terrifying. A well-known celebrity also appears as Winston Churchill makes an appearance in the story as well. Details about the conditions that the medical staff worked under, and indeed, the shortcomings of medical knowledge of that time period was appalling. Overall the realistic descriptions of the war, the actual murder mystery and the strong characterization of Dr. Watson made Dead Man’s Land a satisfying page turner.
Category: Pitcher's Duel
August HistoryCat: Medicine
TIOLI #1: An Insect Is Named on Page 33
Dead Man’s Land by Robert Ryan was a very good thriller set among the muddy trenches of World War I. The author chose Dr. John Watson to anchor this story, and, I think, did a very good job with this iconic character. Ryan includes enough references to Sherlock Holmes and the relationship between the two men to remind the reader of their past detective efforts yet this would be just as easily read if one wasn't familiar with this duo.
Although rather elderly to be serving at the front, Dr. Watson arrives with the intent to oversee and record the new medical technique of blood transfusions. He stumbles into a murder mystery and along with the intrepid VAD, Georgina Gregson is soon working to uncover a killer.
Along with the main story, the author includes a side story about a German sniper that I really enjoyed. The excursions out into No Man’s Land were vivid and terrifying. A well-known celebrity also appears as Winston Churchill makes an appearance in the story as well. Details about the conditions that the medical staff worked under, and indeed, the shortcomings of medical knowledge of that time period was appalling. Overall the realistic descriptions of the war, the actual murder mystery and the strong characterization of Dr. Watson made Dead Man’s Land a satisfying page turner.
217cbl_tn
>216 DeltaQueen50: Great review!
219DeltaQueen50
>217 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie. Looks like we chose a good one!
>218 jnwelch: I think you would enjoy, Dead Man's Land, Joe.
>218 jnwelch: I think you would enjoy, Dead Man's Land, Joe.
220DeltaQueen50
132. The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer - 3.5 ★
Category: Colts
TIOLI #3: Book Features A Character From Folklore
The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer is the second volume in her Sea of Trolls Trilogy. I was totally enchanted by the first book, but this one didn’t quite cast the same spell upon me. I found it overly long and it wasn’t able to hold my interest. I also missed those rough and tumble Viking characters. I also found the Nordic mythology much more interesting than the Celtic myths that were explored in this book.
In this outing Jack’s spoiled and unlikeable younger sister is spirited away by elves and Jack, after his magic goes astray and he accidently causes an earthquake, is sent to both recover his sister and find the water that drained away during the quake. His companions are a slave called Brutus, a disfigured girl called Pega, and Thorgil, the shield maiden. Along the way they fall in with hobgoblins, whose king decides he has fallen in love with Pega, and meet both a priest and a half-elven princess that play an important role in the story.
The story of Jack’s sister has been resolved and I am glad to see the end of the unlikeable Lucy as a main character. The last book will probably deal with both Torgil and Pega, and hopefully see Jack become the bard that he is training to be.
Category: Colts
TIOLI #3: Book Features A Character From Folklore
The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer is the second volume in her Sea of Trolls Trilogy. I was totally enchanted by the first book, but this one didn’t quite cast the same spell upon me. I found it overly long and it wasn’t able to hold my interest. I also missed those rough and tumble Viking characters. I also found the Nordic mythology much more interesting than the Celtic myths that were explored in this book.
In this outing Jack’s spoiled and unlikeable younger sister is spirited away by elves and Jack, after his magic goes astray and he accidently causes an earthquake, is sent to both recover his sister and find the water that drained away during the quake. His companions are a slave called Brutus, a disfigured girl called Pega, and Thorgil, the shield maiden. Along the way they fall in with hobgoblins, whose king decides he has fallen in love with Pega, and meet both a priest and a half-elven princess that play an important role in the story.
The story of Jack’s sister has been resolved and I am glad to see the end of the unlikeable Lucy as a main character. The last book will probably deal with both Torgil and Pega, and hopefully see Jack become the bard that he is training to be.
221mysterymax
>216 DeltaQueen50: Another BB.
222DeltaQueen50
>221 mysterymax: It looks like the start of another excellent series, and one that I think you will enjoy.
223DeltaQueen50
I am drowning in the many series that I am trying to follow and so every year in September I host a thread over at the 75er's that is dedicated to reading series and sequels. If anyone is interested in joining in, here is the link:
September Series & Sequels
September Series & Sequels
224Storeetllr
Thanks for setting up the September Series and Sequels thread again this year! Really looking forward to it.
225rosalita
I can't believe it's already time for September Series & Sequels! Where has the year gone, Judy?
226DeltaQueen50
>224 Storeetllr: I may have to set my challenge up entirely around series one of these years! I hope I can move a good number of these series along in September.
>225 rosalita: I am not one to want to rush the year along, Julia, but this year, with the long hot summer we've been having, I am looking forward to a change in the season and the arrival of Autumn. But you are so right, it seems the time is going by very quickly and this year is flying by!
>225 rosalita: I am not one to want to rush the year along, Julia, but this year, with the long hot summer we've been having, I am looking forward to a change in the season and the arrival of Autumn. But you are so right, it seems the time is going by very quickly and this year is flying by!
227DeltaQueen50
133. Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts - 2.5 ★
Category: Falling Off The Map
August SFFFCat: Other Worlds
TIOLI #1: An Insect Is Named on Page 33
Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts lured me with the promising plot blurb that I read. A group of science fiction writers were gathered together by Joseph Stalin and told to invent a scenario whereby Russia was threatened by aliens. While in the midst of this, they were suddenly disbanded and told to never talk or even think about this again. The original idea was that Russia needed an outside menace to bond them together and basically give them something to hate more than their own leaders. Why were they disbanded? Could it be that this alien threat was real?
In actuality the book was about many things, and aliens took a backseat while the author rambled on with his strange thoughts and delivered an odd parody that was made all the more weirder by the setting of a Communist Russia that seemed extremely contrived. I guess I am not this author’s target audience because the only feeling he was able to bring out of me was one of confusion. When the story started describing the forty thousand threads of perception I knew I was in over my head.
My final thoughts are that Yellow Blue Tibia was a very odd book full of convoluted conspiracies and a blurred reality that made this high-concept sci-fi read a most difficult one for me and has sent me back to the comfort of more straight forward stories.
Category: Falling Off The Map
August SFFFCat: Other Worlds
TIOLI #1: An Insect Is Named on Page 33
Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts lured me with the promising plot blurb that I read. A group of science fiction writers were gathered together by Joseph Stalin and told to invent a scenario whereby Russia was threatened by aliens. While in the midst of this, they were suddenly disbanded and told to never talk or even think about this again. The original idea was that Russia needed an outside menace to bond them together and basically give them something to hate more than their own leaders. Why were they disbanded? Could it be that this alien threat was real?
In actuality the book was about many things, and aliens took a backseat while the author rambled on with his strange thoughts and delivered an odd parody that was made all the more weirder by the setting of a Communist Russia that seemed extremely contrived. I guess I am not this author’s target audience because the only feeling he was able to bring out of me was one of confusion. When the story started describing the forty thousand threads of perception I knew I was in over my head.
My final thoughts are that Yellow Blue Tibia was a very odd book full of convoluted conspiracies and a blurred reality that made this high-concept sci-fi read a most difficult one for me and has sent me back to the comfort of more straight forward stories.
228-Eva-
>227 DeltaQueen50:
Thanks for taking the hit on that one - I would have been lured by that blurb as well!
Thanks for taking the hit on that one - I would have been lured by that blurb as well!
229tymfos
>226 DeltaQueen50: My category challenge is all series reading, and I'm loving it. I'm looking forward to September!
230DeltaQueen50
>228 -Eva-: Eva, I think if I had checked into this author and his writing I would have had a better idea of what to expect. He is known for his parodies so Yellow Blue Tibia was not meant to be the straight forward sci-fi read that I was expecting so in many ways my let-down was my own fault.
>229 tymfos: Teri, I think a year dedicated to series reading would really help me and as long as I reserved a couple of categories for non-series, it would work well for me as well. Definitely something to think about.
>229 tymfos: Teri, I think a year dedicated to series reading would really help me and as long as I reserved a couple of categories for non-series, it would work well for me as well. Definitely something to think about.
231DeltaQueen50
134. Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie - 4.0 ★
Category: Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen
Agatha In August Group Read
TIOLI #14: Death or Murder is Implied by the Title
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie features Hercule Poirot as her main character. In this outing Poirot solves a complex murder case while on vacation in Egypt. He is at his arrogant best as he questions his fellow passengers on a luxury river cruise that is travelling the Nile River.
Without going into any specific details, this is a classic whodunit with many red herrings and interesting characters, many of whom had a grudge against the victim. Of course, Poirot eventually sorts through the clues and unmasks the correct guilty party and along the way manages to help his old friend Colonel Race uncover a terrorist and still has time to play matchmaker as well.
It’s assortment of twists and turns along with an intriguing motive makes Death on the Nile a very enjoyable read and one of my favorite Christie mysteries.
Category: Edgar Allan Poe's Quill Pen
Agatha In August Group Read
TIOLI #14: Death or Murder is Implied by the Title
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie features Hercule Poirot as her main character. In this outing Poirot solves a complex murder case while on vacation in Egypt. He is at his arrogant best as he questions his fellow passengers on a luxury river cruise that is travelling the Nile River.
Without going into any specific details, this is a classic whodunit with many red herrings and interesting characters, many of whom had a grudge against the victim. Of course, Poirot eventually sorts through the clues and unmasks the correct guilty party and along the way manages to help his old friend Colonel Race uncover a terrorist and still has time to play matchmaker as well.
It’s assortment of twists and turns along with an intriguing motive makes Death on the Nile a very enjoyable read and one of my favorite Christie mysteries.
232katiekrug
Hope you're having a nice time with your family, Judy! Death on the Nile is a fun one - but I think I've only ever seen the movie (with Mia Farrow, I believe?)... That and Murder on the Orient Express were two movies my mom and I liked to watch together when I was growing up.
233dudes22
>230 DeltaQueen50: - I too am thinking of devoting next year to my various series after seeing how well it's working for Teri. I sometimes feel I neglect them.
234LauraBrook
Hi Judy! I'm playing catch-up here and in scanning (just this!) thread, I've already added several books to my TBR list. Darn it! ;) Hope you're doing well and enjoying the summer!
235DeltaQueen50
>232 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I have been having a good visit with my family and I am now looking forward to getting home on Saturday. My Mom is as amazing as ever, 94, and still running her own home. I wish I had her energy, she seems to be constantly on the go! I vaguely remember seeing the movie version of Death on the Nile but I had no memory of who the actual murderer was.
>234 LauraBrook: I have my next year's categories pretty much worked out so I won't be doing a year of series reading then but perhaps 2017 will be built around series.
>234 LauraBrook: Hi Laura, great to see you. I hope things are going well. Yes, I am having a good summer and have been lucky enough to have had quite a few really good reads the last couple of months as well.
>234 LauraBrook: I have my next year's categories pretty much worked out so I won't be doing a year of series reading then but perhaps 2017 will be built around series.
>234 LauraBrook: Hi Laura, great to see you. I hope things are going well. Yes, I am having a good summer and have been lucky enough to have had quite a few really good reads the last couple of months as well.
236DeltaQueen50
Got home earlier today and I am so looking forward to my own bed tonight! Had a great time visiting my family and getting caught up with everyone's day-to-day lives.
I got home to the news that we are going on a road trip with my husband's brother and his wife, leaving toward the end of September which gives me something to look forward to as I love spending time with these two! The brothers are going to finally place the marker on their step-dad's grave, so it's back to Saskatchewan, which is far from my favorite destination, but the road trip will be a fun time. I think we are going to take the northern U.S.A. route and head up to Canada through Montana.
I got home to the news that we are going on a road trip with my husband's brother and his wife, leaving toward the end of September which gives me something to look forward to as I love spending time with these two! The brothers are going to finally place the marker on their step-dad's grave, so it's back to Saskatchewan, which is far from my favorite destination, but the road trip will be a fun time. I think we are going to take the northern U.S.A. route and head up to Canada through Montana.
237DeltaQueen50
135. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller - 4.2 ★
Category: Combined Miscellany
August RandomCat: Dog Days Of Summer
BingoDog: An Animal Is Of Importance
TIOLI #9: Title Includes the Word "Star"
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller is a book that I wasn’t immediately drawn into due to the writing style, but eventually both the story and the writing won me over. This is a post-apocalyptic story that is simple and straight forward yet struck a chord with me with it’s descriptions, the main character and the relationships that he builds. Hig is a survivor who has seen most of the things in his life that he loved die. What he has now is his dog, his plane and his escapes into the wilderness for hunting and fishing.
This is a world decimated by disease and on-going climate changes. Most people shoot strangers on sight and fellowship is difficult to find. Hig is a damaged soul and one that probably wouldn’t have survived without the help of military minded Bangley who lives at the small airport in Colorado with him. Yet when things take a downward turn for Hig, he takes off in his plane looking for someone other than Bangley to connect with.
Although the writing style was difficult to settle into, once the reader accepts that you are basically inserted into Hig’s brain for the duration of the book, it is difficult not to become totally absorbed by this story. Overall I found The Dog Stars a captivating read whose deceptively simple story is a powerhouse of emotions.
Category: Combined Miscellany
August RandomCat: Dog Days Of Summer
BingoDog: An Animal Is Of Importance
TIOLI #9: Title Includes the Word "Star"
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller is a book that I wasn’t immediately drawn into due to the writing style, but eventually both the story and the writing won me over. This is a post-apocalyptic story that is simple and straight forward yet struck a chord with me with it’s descriptions, the main character and the relationships that he builds. Hig is a survivor who has seen most of the things in his life that he loved die. What he has now is his dog, his plane and his escapes into the wilderness for hunting and fishing.
This is a world decimated by disease and on-going climate changes. Most people shoot strangers on sight and fellowship is difficult to find. Hig is a damaged soul and one that probably wouldn’t have survived without the help of military minded Bangley who lives at the small airport in Colorado with him. Yet when things take a downward turn for Hig, he takes off in his plane looking for someone other than Bangley to connect with.
Although the writing style was difficult to settle into, once the reader accepts that you are basically inserted into Hig’s brain for the duration of the book, it is difficult not to become totally absorbed by this story. Overall I found The Dog Stars a captivating read whose deceptively simple story is a powerhouse of emotions.
238rosalita
Welcome home, Judy! I loved The Dog Stars, but then I'm a sucker for both dystopias and dogs, so there you go.
240DeltaQueen50
>238 rosalita: Hi Julia, yep Dystopias and dogs are favorites of mine as well! :)
>239 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer. Now we just have to cross our fingers that the many forest fires across the northern part of Washington State are extinguished or we may have to change our route.
>239 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer. Now we just have to cross our fingers that the many forest fires across the northern part of Washington State are extinguished or we may have to change our route.
241DeltaQueen50
136. Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie - 4.0 ★
Category: Endless Rain
BingoDog: A Book I've Owned For More Than A Year
TIOLI #10: Numbers In the Title (Embedded)
One of my favorite series is the one featuring Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James by Deborah Crombie as this author gets the mix of mystery and the on-going romance between the main characters just right. Dreaming of the Bones is the fifth book in the series, and we find Duncan and Gemma have settled into their working and romantic relationship.
When Duncan’s ex-wife calls from Cambridge and ask him to look into a past death that was labelled a suicide, Gemma is not best pleased, but when another death that is definitely murder occurs she is quick to join Duncan in his investigation.
This book will change the relationship between the two in a specific way and I am looking forward to seeing how they work things out in the future. I admire how this author realistically portrays her characters, they make adult decisions and are taking their relationship slowly as they learn to adjust to having a significant other in their lives after being let down in the past. Both a well done mystery and another step for this developing adult relationship, Dreaming of the Bones was a great addition to the series.
Category: Endless Rain
BingoDog: A Book I've Owned For More Than A Year
TIOLI #10: Numbers In the Title (Embedded)
One of my favorite series is the one featuring Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James by Deborah Crombie as this author gets the mix of mystery and the on-going romance between the main characters just right. Dreaming of the Bones is the fifth book in the series, and we find Duncan and Gemma have settled into their working and romantic relationship.
When Duncan’s ex-wife calls from Cambridge and ask him to look into a past death that was labelled a suicide, Gemma is not best pleased, but when another death that is definitely murder occurs she is quick to join Duncan in his investigation.
This book will change the relationship between the two in a specific way and I am looking forward to seeing how they work things out in the future. I admire how this author realistically portrays her characters, they make adult decisions and are taking their relationship slowly as they learn to adjust to having a significant other in their lives after being let down in the past. Both a well done mystery and another step for this developing adult relationship, Dreaming of the Bones was a great addition to the series.
242katiekrug
^ That's the most recent one I've read, and I liked it a lot, too. I am hoping to get to Kissed a Sad Goodbye for September Series & Sequels...
243DeltaQueen50
>242 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I am excited that one of my projects today is to paw through my books and decide what series I will be reading in September!
244Familyhistorian
>236 DeltaQueen50: Ooh, a road trip with people you enjoy being with - that sounds like fun. You will have to post about your series from on the road so your reads will need to be somewhat portable. I have a similar problem trying to figure out my series reads for September but maybe a bit more difficult as I will be living out of a suitcase.
245DeltaQueen50
>244 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, no problem for me - as long as I take my Kindle, I will be spoiled for series reading choices!
246rosalita
>241 DeltaQueen50: >242 katiekrug: Oh no, both Judy and Katie like a series I've never read? That's bad news for my "no new series" pledge.
247Familyhistorian
>245 DeltaQueen50: I can see where a Kindle might come in handy when traveling - sometimes I wish I had one.
248RidgewayGirl
>247 Familyhistorian: An ereader is very handy when traveling, but since one does still have to bring physical books, too, you're not missing much - except a little more space in your suitcase for clothes. There's always the chance the device will run out of power where there's no convenient socket and some airlines make you turn the devices off for take-off and landing. They're also not great for the pool or beach - a book that gets wet is still readable, after all.
249mysterymax
>247 Familyhistorian: I loaded up my ipad with books for my month in Nova Scotia and wound up snatching up paperbacks that others had left in the B&B. They're good when there is nothing else at hand, but somehow it's just not the same.
250clue
>245 DeltaQueen50: I love my Kindle, but a couple of years ago I was traveling and the 2nd day on the road it froze up. I hadn't taken any other books with me and I was totally out of sorts! There was an IT person in the group and she tried to fix it but it just wasn't fixable. We ended up making a detour to a larger town so that I could visit a bookstore! I had readers with me so they were all okay with that, and those that were traveling with only an electronic reader bought backups as well. We all felt so much better.
251DeltaQueen50
I had to smile at everyone's comments this morning. It appears one of our biggest fears is that we will end up with nothing to read while on vacation! Of course I have the same fears so along with my Kindle and charger, I always pack an assortment of "real" books as well.
>246 rosalita: Julia, the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma Jones series by Deborah Crombie is a good one. A British Police Procedural with a slowly developing romantic relationship developing between the main characters. The mysteries are usually pretty good and the characters are both likeable and act like adults. I think you would like it ... ;)
249 >250 clue: Yep, it actually makes me break out in a cold sweat to think of being stranded with no "real" books. Luckily this is a road trip and there is always room in the trunk to slip a few extra books in.
>246 rosalita: Julia, the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma Jones series by Deborah Crombie is a good one. A British Police Procedural with a slowly developing romantic relationship developing between the main characters. The mysteries are usually pretty good and the characters are both likeable and act like adults. I think you would like it ... ;)
249 >250 clue: Yep, it actually makes me break out in a cold sweat to think of being stranded with no "real" books. Luckily this is a road trip and there is always room in the trunk to slip a few extra books in.
This topic was continued by DeltaQueen's Big Steal of 2015 - Part 7.
