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

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

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

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

Mal Reynolds OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

WESTERNS
1. The Revenant by Michael Punke COMPLETED
2. Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider COMPLETED
3. Pretty Deadly by Kelly Sue Deconnick COMPLETED

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

Zoë Alleyne Washburne

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

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

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

Hoban "Wash" Washburne OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

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

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

Kaywinnet Lee "Kaylee" Frye

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

FRIEND
1. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez picked by Smiler69 COMPLETED
2. Small Mercies by Eddie Joyce picked by KatieKrug
3. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson picked by msf59 COMPLETED

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

Inara Serra - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

WOMEN
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen COMPLETED
2. Longbourn by Jo Baker COMPLETED
3. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth COMPLETED
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen COMPLETED

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

Shepherd Derrial Book

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

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

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

Simon Tam

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

BAD MEDICINE
1. Being Mortal: medicine and what matters in the end by Atul Gawande COMPLETED
2. How we Do Harm by Otis Webb Brawley
3. Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast COMPLETED

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

River Tam - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

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

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

"Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!"

Reavers - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

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

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

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

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

Serenity OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

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

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

Jayne Cobb OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

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

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

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

The Alliance

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

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

2.
3.

American Author Challenge*

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

British Author Challenge*

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

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

Jane Austen year long read

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

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

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

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

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



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



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



Charlaine Harris at MBTB May 6, 2015



Ace Atkins with Lyndsay Faye at MBTB May 23, 2015



The absolutely delightful Mark Pryor at MBTB June 13, 2015



Once again with the absolutely delightful Mark Pryor to the right and the soon to be read by me Harry Hunsicker on the left at MBTB September 13, 2015



With the very funny Jim Butcher at MBTB October 4, 2015. The young lady next to him is artist and cartographer Priscilla Spencer. She did the maps for his previous Codex Alera series and a map for one of the Iron Druid books.

BOOKS READ IN 2015

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

Dog Gallery



My Freddy gone but not forgotten.



Bruce, Nova and Téa

Welcome!

Happy Saturday! Happy New Thread, Ro! Hope you can kick back and enjoy some downtime. Sounds like you could seriously use it!

Nice new thread Ro

Happy new thread! I always like seeing those Mal Reynolds pictures again :D

Happy new thread, Ro! I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing vacation. xoxo

Happy new thread, Roberta! I love the author gallery and what a sweet picture of Freddie.

New thread! Yay!

Happy new thread! Love the gallery, especially the pic of Freddy, of course! ❤

Hi Ro, checking in and planning on pulling up a comfy chair and relaxing with you!

Hey Roberta. I just love your thread. Nice photos of you and some authors of note who have been at MBTB. And of course the dog gallery. You know I love that! And a list of, count them, sixty-seven completed books. I stand in awe.

I'm kind of interested in The Bookseller. Set (at least partially?) in Paris, I see.....

Lots of cool visitors! I haven't officially started my vacation although technically from my job I have. I worked at the Houston Dog Show on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Our rescue PeaceLoveDogs had a booth there and we raised a lot of money for our dogs. This was our first time there. It was a lot of work and I am exhausted. Don't ask me about the actual dog show because I was busy working. (Okay, I did some shopping but it was unnecessary crap for my dogs. That makes it legit.)

Tomorrow I have several errands to run before I get on the road but I will head to San Antonio and make a much needed pit stop at my Aunt Dora's. Whew. Then the relaxing will start!!!

>18 msf59: Mark I hope by tomorrow evening to get that downtime and get started on some of my GNs.

>19 Roro8: Thank you Ro!

>20 rabbitprincess: I can't get enough of Mal! Did you check out this amazing photo?



Can Nathan get any cuter? Seriously, I have been watching the man since he played Joey on One Life to Live and he truly gets better with age. That Bobak Ferdowski is not bad on the eyes either. I may be getting older but I'm not dead yet! ;-)

>21 katiekrug: Thank you KAK. It is much needed. Can't wait to see what my Dad has really been up to. LOL!

>22 lkernagh: Thank you Lori! I am fairly proud of my gallery. Now that Freddy is gone I realize how much of my heart and soul he influenced. He really was a teacher the Universe sent me to teach me tolerance, patience and compassion. What a privilege. I miss him.

>23 mamzel: Finally! LOL!

>24 -Eva-: Thank you Eva. That is great photo of Freddy my friend Patricia took. I have a friend, Beverly that paints portraits of dogs and she is going to paint that photo for me.

>25 DeltaQueen50: I'll be pulling up a chair tomorrow evening Judy. Thanks for stopping by. :)

>26 EBT1002: Ellen I have been privileged to attend some awesome signings at MBTB. I have also missed many!

I have thought about you while reading Mark Pryor's Hugo Marston series. Most of the series takes place in Paris. I am currently on book 3. I will PM you my thoughts. I think you would like this series.

New thread, and shiny pictures! Enjoy your holiday!

Great new thread and photos, Roberta! I read the first one of Ace Atkins' Spenser continuations a year or so ago and liked it. At some point I want to try his others.

>30 jnwelch: You know I stopped at Spenser book 20 Joe and I was there to see Lyndsay, but Mr. Atkins really did impress me. Enough so that I will try one of his Spenser books. I also want to try his other series.

The signing was a bit awkward as Lyndsay Faye was clearly struggling. She later addressed this in a blog post and I'm really proud of her for going public with her struggles. Shining a light only helps us all. I thought Atkins did a fantastic job of keeping the event going. He showed some serious grace under pressure. I am now a fan of his although I've yet to ever read a word he's written. I will.

Ah, I haven't read Lyndsay Faye, and didn't know she struggled with PTSD and anxiety. Good for her for publicly sharing it. And good for Atkins - I'm glad to hear he stepped up when needed.

There are some very good Spensers after #20; sorry you got Spenser fatigue.

>33 luvamystery65: She wrote the Timothy Wilde trilogy. It is excellent Joe. I am WARBLING about it to you. Got it?

I think I will be ready to get back to Spenser around the Thanksgiving Christmas holidays.

Roberta, you know I'm flying through San Antonio on my way from Atlanta to Seattle tomorrow, right? Probably no reasonable way to make a meet-up happen, but I thought I would just say.
:-)

>34 EBT1002: Ellen I totally would have met up with you but I had to postpone my trip one day because my dog Nova needed to have a nodule removed from her groin and a small cyst removed from her one of her mammary glands. Let me PM you and see what your schedule is. I would LOVE to meet you if it is possible.

We'll meet someday, Roberta, of this I am confident. :-)

I hope you're enjoying your vacation, Ro! If you're in Laredo, try to stay clear of Donald Trump, but if you get close enough feel free to kick him in the shins for me. :-)

Hi Ro, I hope you are getting plenty of R & R (Reading & Relaxin') in!

>36 EBT1002: Sorry I missed the opportunity to meet you Ellen. Yes, one day we will truly meet.

>37 rosalita: What a bozo that Trump is. 3 hours of hot air as if the heat isn't bad enough already. Loser! Why didn't he meet with ranchers and Coyote rape victims if he really wants to gauge the Border issues. As we say on the Border, pendejo.

>38 DeltaQueen50: Well I drove my daddy around Miss Daisy style and I ended up bringing my Aunt Dora from San Antonio to my house. She will probably stay forever. She needs the help and I love her. Owe her a lot. This will not be easy but family comes first at my house. Reading has suffered but I managed to finish Book 3 of the Hugo Marston series, Persepolis 2 and I started the book 4 in the Navajo mystery series. I also picked up The Revenant by Michael Punke from the library. Have you read it? It sounds right up your alley. The movie with Leo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy will be out on Christmas.

Finished up:

Evelina by Frances Burney. Loved it. Did the audio and I will in the future reread on Kindle and ask lyzard lots of follow up questions.

The Blood Promise by Mark Pryor, 3rd in the Hugo Marston series. I am enjoying this series.

Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi really enjoyed this series. I remember this time well as I was growing up in America while she was growing up in Iran. Nice to see the other side of things. At least her POV I should say.

Started: People of Darkness, Agent of Change on audio and Hicksville. Still plodding along with Homage to Catalonia and The Thing on the Doorstep. Both are very good but I dip in and out.

HOWDY RO!

(That is all.)

>41 katiekrug: Howdy KAK!!!

Very jelly of all the yummy places you have been eating at!

Evelina by Frances Burney. Loved it.

Delighted to hear it!

I will in the future reread on Kindle and ask lyzard lots of follow up questions.

Even MORE delighted to hear it! :)

Happy New Thread, Roberta! Lovely pictures!!

Hi, Ro! Just checking in with, my pal! Hope you are doing well and staying cool.

Hi Ro, you are a truly a generous soul and I bet Aunt Dora knows that. The Revenant is going right on the wish list, I have read Lord Grizzly which was about Hugh Glass, it was written back in the 1970's. It's such a fantastic story that I will be more than happy to re-visit it. A movie too? Excellent!

>43 lyzard: :-)

>44 connie53: Howdy Connie and thank you.

>45 msf59: Doing my best Mark.

>46 DeltaQueen50: Thank you Judy. I remember your review of Lord Grizzly but forgot it was the same story as The Revenant. Have you read any of the other novels in The Buckskin Man Tales? Looks like I know what one of my categories will feature next year.

I haven't read anything else by Fredrick Manfred but I certainly would if I could get my hands on them! I think my brother recently mentioned that he had read another book by him, hopefully he will pass it on to me next time I get over there.

If you are interested in mountain man tales and haven't read it yet, The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie is a great book. He followed it up with The Way West and These Thousand Hills all three books are classics in the American West genre.

Hi Roberta, nice new thread my dear, sorry I have been awhile getting on here but we have just got back from our holidays and the wi-fi there was not good. Sending love and hugs from over here.

Hi Roberta! Thinking of you today because Linwood Barclay is/was at Murder by the Book this afternoon. It sounds like a great store.

>48 DeltaQueen50: Little Miss Sure Shot strikes again! All blue added to my wishlist. ;-)

>49 johnsimpson: Your holidays sounded so lovely John. Thanks for stopping in. Love and hugs to you and Karen.

>50 rabbitprincess: I was working so I could not go see Lindwood Barclay. MBTB is an amazing store with the coolest staff.

*waves* Just passing through and thought I'd say hello.

Howdy Roberta! I've enjoyed catching up on your threads. Very sorry to hear about Freddy.

Shameful to say, but I want Big Hard Sex Criminals!

Sounds like you've been enjoying some time off; not sure if you're in Houston at the moment, but I'm here in Houston through next Friday and it would be great to meet you!

Hi Roberta, I just wanted to let you know that the September Series & Sequels thread is up over at the 75 Thread. Hope to see you there!

September Series & Sequels

Hi Roberta, hope you had better luck with your library, since we last talked, in getting the next installment of the Dresden files. I just realised, that apart from those, we have 2 more common reads this year, The Martian and The Killer Inside Me.

>52 BookLizard: *waves* right back!

>53 LisaMorr: I am so sorry I missed you. Truly. I am going to PM you. I hope we can meet up next time you are in town.

>54 DeltaQueen50: I will definitely go post over there Judy. I just finished a Dresden, Small Favor and I'd like to tackle another in September.

>55 PiyushC: I hope I get the next Dresden sooner as well Piyush. I really loved The Martian and The Killer Inside Me is a must read as far as I am concerned.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Been super busy trying to get my Aunt situated. Still don't know what we are going to do about her house and her stuff but one thing at a time. I've been exercising and trying to eat better since I am taking on more than I thought I would.

Sorry I've been MIA. I do hope to come around more often.

I finished The Revenant by Michael Punke and it was really good. It is my official 75th book.

A Ro sighting! A Ro sighting! Yippee!

We miss you, my friend. Congrats on hitting the mighty 75!!

Good to see you here! And even better that you're remembering to take care of yourself as well as others!

56> Good to see you again! Congrats on the 75th book.

Good luck with your aunt's house. If she's willing to sell or rent it, you might want to look into getting a POD for all her stuff. (If you haven't seen them before, they're basically portable storage units.)

I think I'm more excited about your progress in the Dresden Files than you are! Butcher just launched a new series, the Cinder Spires, which has me sulking. I hate when authors start new series when I want more of the current one.

Congratulations on hitting the 75 book mark, Ro!

Hope your aunt is settling in nicely. I know the house will be a lot of work, whatever she decides, but at least it's something you can take a bit of time with.
{{{{Ro}}}}

Congrats on 75, Ro!

And good luck sorting your aunt's situation out. You are a Good Person. xoxo

Way to go reaching 75, Roberta!

Lovely to see you posting, Roberta!

Congrats on 75 and Happy Weekend, Roberta.

Happy Birthday, Ro! Hope you have a great day!

Happy Birthday, Ro! Have a great one!

Happy Birthday, Roberta!

Happy birthday my dear.

Hope you are having a great day, Ro, and are getting some mis-behaving time in! Happy Birthday.

>58 msf59: >59 -Eva-: >60 BookLizard: >61 ronincats: >62 katiekrug: >63 jnwelch: >64 lkernagh: >65 Ameise1: Thank you! Although I no longer have a thread on 75 I still like to make it to 75 and beyond.

>66 msf59: Thanks Mark!

>67 ronincats: Thank you Ro!

>68 jnwelch: Mil gracias Joe!

>69 johnsimpson: Thank you dear John! Say howdy to Karen please.

>70 DeltaQueen50: I am having a wonderful day so far and plan some fun tonight.

>71 katiekrug: How can I have complete Shenanigans without you here? When will our bullet train get going? Thanks KAK!

I had a lovely three hour breakfast visiting with my cousin who is here from Bangalore. Her husband works for Shell and they will be there another 3 years. Lucky me, she is coming back in October so I get to spend more time with her.

This evening I'm headed to a friends 65th Bday party. She has retired and is moving to Austin. She has a shindig planned at one of those paint and drink wine. We have some oh so yummy snacks and vino ready to go. I bought some champagne to send her off and celebrate my big Five-O!

Best birthday present is my cousin Joe is going to be my Care Cab! Woohoo!!!

I love those paint and drink places. Always a good time!

One of my Board members works for Shell in Bangalore. Small world... sorta.

Have a great time tonight!

>73 katiekrug: I suppose the oil and gas industry is a small world in many ways. She was hesitant to move to Bangalore but once she got there she has reconnected with friends from her years in Singapore.

Thanks!

Happy Sunday, Roberta. I hope you enjoyed your special day.

Hope you had a great birthday and that the celebrations continued this weekend!

September is here! I love Judy's (DeltaQueen50) September Series and Sequels thread. I take a day off work that coincides with my 4 days off, 1 day on, 2 days off stretch in my schedule. This gives me 7 days off of pure bliss and reading. It's been a couple of years now that I take a "vacation" to catch up on my reading. Last year didn't pan out but fingers crossed I get a lot of reading done this month.

My plans subject to change are:

Changes by Jim Butcher COMPLETED
Ghost Story by Jim Butcher Because BookLizard and AHSWolfy told me to that's why. COMPLETED
Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller COMPLETED
The Button Man by Mark Pryor COMPLETED
The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman

I hope to get to...

Faithful Place by Tana French
By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan closer to October so I can count it at my Halloween read too!
Countdown City by Ben H. Winters COMPLETED
Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn
The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbø
The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

I haven't been happy with Department Q even numbered books. I hope he breaks the that streak with this one!

Let's see what else I can add to this list.

>75 Ameise1: & >76 rabbitprincess: Many thanks!

As I'm sure a million people have already told you, Faithful Place is super awesome. Probably my favorite of the whole series.

Got my fingers crossed for you to get lots of reading time in, Ro. Let's get those series moved along!!

Those September plans look good. I'm hoping to read Carpe Diem soon too. I just bought the ebook. I don't know if I'll get to it in September; if not, then it'll be October for sure. I'm really enjoying the Liaden series.

>79 rosalita: It seems to be a favorite of the series among LTers Julia. I loved The Likeness. I thought Frank was an ass, but that was one POV and I look forward to seeing what makes him tick.

>80 DeltaQueen50: I do hope I get some progress made in series this month. I miss my reading binges.

>81 mathgirl40: I am enjoying the 2 Liaden books I've listened to so far. I can't wait to see what else is in store.

77> You might want to keep Ghost Story on hand for when you finish Changes.

>83 BookLizard: I was going to dip into Side Jobs next before I get to Ghost Story. I've read three Dresden's in a row and while I'd like to move forward I have a few other series to get to. Plus, I know I'm getting closer to the latest one. I want to stretch it out a little bit.

>77 luvamystery65:
7 days off sounds like heaven - happy reading! Hope you like the Adler-Olsen book when you get to it - I liked this one a lot and we get more clues to Assad's background, which is always intriguing!

>84 luvamystery65: The reason why you might want to keep Ghost Story handy for when you finish Changes is that there's one heck of a cliffhanger for that one and you might just want to see what happens next.

>83 BookLizard: & >86 AHS-Wolfy: Oh alright then. I know when to listen. I've got Ghost Story queued up and ready to go after Changes. I'm right in the middle of Changes and boy is this one a wild ride.

Good thing it's September series and sequels! I've updated my post >77 luvamystery65:

>85 -Eva-: Eva I miss my reading vacations. I wasn't able to have one last year except for my reading retreat with Katie and we drank more than we read. Not that I'm complaining or anything. ;-)

I am so excited to hear you liked The Hanging Girl. I count on you to give me a forecast on the Department Q books. Hurrah!

Happy Saturday, Ro! You asked me to request something and keep it a shorty, so I am going with Nimona. It is a lot of fun and one of my favorite GNs of the year so far.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

>88 msf59: Thank you Mark! I really appreciate your input. I love that this is a fresh GN you recommended. Bonus for my library system actually having it. I'm on the holds list but it shouldn't be too long.

>87 luvamystery65: - "drank more than we read." Only at night!

>90 katiekrug: If you insist Katie. If you insist.

I enjoyed my drinking and reading at our retreat.

>83 BookLizard: & >86 AHS-Wolfy: THAT'S CRAZY!!! I read Aftermath from Side Jobs and I gotta go with Murphy on this one. I can't believe Harry's dead until they find a body. ;-) I'll start Ghost Story this weekend.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I started a standalone Hollow Man by Mark Pryor. He will be here on Sunday to sign. I'll meetup with LisaMorr at Murder by the Book for the signing.

I also started Carpe Diem on audio. So far it seems more Romance, less Space Opera. I felt that way about Conflict of Honors as well. Overall I do like them, but not as excited as Vorkosigan series.

>92 luvamystery65: Glad to see our warnings have borne fruit. I will also add a proviso that I found Ghost Story to be one of the weaker books in the series to date but the next ones pick up again rather nicely.

>87 luvamystery65: and >90 katiekrug: I want to drink more than I read with Ro and Katie!

>93 AHS-Wolfy: I'll keep in mind that Ghost Story is not one of the stronger Dresdens. Thanks for the heads up.

>94 rosalita: As it should be Julia. One day my friend. One day.

>77 luvamystery65: That is an awesome way to stretch your long weekend into a full-on vacation for reading! I have been perusing my schedule occasionally in the past couple of days, looking for someplace in it where I could just take one day off, all by myself, to stay home and read. It sounds so lovely!!

>88 msf59: I second the nomination for Nimona. It is one of my all-time favorite GNs.

>96 EBT1002: I that part of my schedule. During my pre-cargiving days I used to schedule trips around that week in my schedule. Oh the memories. I hope to get back to that soon but I do love my reading staycation. I hope you get to take your day off just for you.

>97 EBT1002: Thanks for the reminder. I have Nimona on hold at the library.

>83 BookLizard: & >93 AHS-Wolfy: I'm about 13 chapters into Ghost Story. I feel like I'm in Bizarro World.

>99 luvamystery65: Okay, so this isn't it, but there was a movie called "Ghost Story" eons ago (really - decades ago!) that was filmed in my little home town of DeLand, Florida. I wonder if that is still out there in DVD rental land.

What? Loose associations? Me? Never.

99> It is a strange book, which is probably why people like it less than other books in the series. Also, imagine if you had been reading the series as it was published - to see the previous book end on a cliffhanger and then have to wait a year or more for that?

100>

Ghost Story (1981) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082449/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt

Available on Amazon for $10 or to stream for $3/4 http://amzn.com/B00023P4TM

>100 EBT1002: Well as BL pointed out it is available for instant viewing on Amazon. ;-)

>101 BookLizard: Waiting a year would have driven me crazy!

I had a lovely afternoon meeting up with Lisa (LisaMorr). I was able to meet up with her at my favorite bookstore, Murder by the Book, and took her a couple of blocks down the street to shop at Brazos Bookstore. We picked up a few, ahem, books and then went back to MBTB to attend a signing by two Texas based authors, Henry Hunsicker and Mark Pryor. It was very nice. Both authors were very interactive with the audience and that is always a plus for me.

Afterward, Lisa and I headed to the Half Price Books in Rice Village. (Be jelly KAK!) Of course we bought more books and then we headed for some delicious tapas at El Meson down the street. Here is a pic of us at the restaurant.



Lisa you are absolutely lovely and it was a treat to meet you. Glad you made the time. Look forward to some shared reads.

Happy Sunday, Ro! Sounds like you had a perfectly lovely day. And hooray for a Meet-Up! Nice photo of you both.

Any good book acquisitions?

I am oozing with jelly!

>104 msf59: Thanks Mark! Lots of goodies.

Murder by the Book

Zer0es by Chuck Wendig
The Grid by Harry Hunsicker (no touchstone)
The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Faithful Place by Tana French
1960s Austin Gangsters by Jesse Sublett
I got my copy of Hollow Man by Mark Pryor signed which I had bought earlier in the month to read.

Brazos Bookstore

Dear Life by Alice Munro
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Berman (book warbled by you know who!)
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (book warbled by Joe too)
Peggy Guggenheim The Shock of the Modern by Francine Prose (no touchstone)
Here by Richard McGuire
The Graveyard Book Volume 1 by Neil Gaiman

Half Price Bookstore Rice Village

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen Hardback
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Attwood
B.S. Johnson Omnibus by B.S. Johnson

All in all a very good haul!

>105 katiekrug: KAK I know you have zero free time when you come but if you do I want to see you. That is also my busiest week of the month at work but I am off on 25th and 28th so let me know.

Score!! Well, that should keep you busy for quite a while. : )

>106 luvamystery65:, goodness me, that is a big book haul. You must have had sore arms by the time you got home after carrying them around ;-)

Lovely meet-up photo and very nice book haul, Roberta!

I am quietly aware that we have not yet gotten to that committed shared read this year..... maybe in the last quarter?

The Blind Assassin is a very good read.
And I'm reading H is for Hawk right now and it is wonderful!!!

Dang Ellen! Wookie just gave H is for Hawk a fair review and so I thought I was off the hook. Grumble. Grumble.

I had a great time meeting you Roberta! Thanks for being a wonderful host. It was great visiting Murder by the Book, Brazos Bookstore and the Rice Village Half Price Books and buying lots of books of course, and attending the book signing was fun. And topping it off with Cuban tapas was perfect.

>106 luvamystery65: Now, that is a Cranswickian Book Haul, Ro! Nice going! I am glad you snagged Almost Famous Women and you know I am a huge fan of both H is For Hawk & Station Eleven.

I have not read Dear Life but I have it on shelf. I NEED to bookhorn a Munro in, this year.

>106 luvamystery65: - The 25th I have Board meetings all day and then a dinner with the Board, and the 28th I have the conference all day, and then a staff thing :(

Maybe we should try for a reading retreat in November/December again?

>107 Berly: Definitely so Kim.

>108 Roro8: No the book stores are close to each other so I was able to put the bags in the car before I moved to the next spree. ;-)

>109 EBT1002: I started the Patel book but was soon distracted. Bad Roberta. maybe in the last quarter? It will have to be so. I can't wait to get to H is for Hawk!

>110 Berly: See how we are around here!

>111 LisaMorr: It was a very nice afternoon Lisa. I can't wait to meet up with you again. Those tapas were fantastic. Now to find someone that likes paella to go try one of theirs as soon as the weather is a bit cooler.

>112 msf59: It was Cranswickian! I had to get Almost Famous Women. I loved her previous collection thanks to you. I saw that Munro and knew I needed to read her again this year. She is fantastic isn't she.

>113 katiekrug: I'm going to try to go to Denver in November. Not sure if I'll be able to. I'll know in the next week or two. If I don't go we can plan a retreat in November otherwise December it is. Where should we go this time?

>114 luvamystery65: - I like paella - just sayin' :) Is that the tapas place we went to just down the street from HPB? The first time we met up?

Hmm, not sure where to go for a retreat this time. I shall do some research!

Hmmm, I guess B.C. is a little far for a book retreat weekend for you and Katie. :(

Your day with Lisa sounds like the perfect day to me - bookshops, authors and restaurants - simply perfect!

>116 katiekrug: Katie, that was Mi Luna we went to. This is El Meson and it has Spanish, Cuban and Mexican food. The tapas were delicious. I'ts half a block down from Mi Luna. We definitely need to go there.

>117 DeltaQueen50: I wish Judy! It was nice. Lisa's work brings her to Houston on occasion and I was very happy I could meet up with her.

Woo hoo, LT meetups and book binges! Great photo and haul! :)

Hi Roberta, I see you had a good LT meet up my dear and got some books. Hope you are having a good Monday and send love and hugs to you.

Great to read about your happy meetup with Lisa and those great book hauls, Roberta. Hopefully we'll get down your way again some time soon.

>119 rabbitprincess: Thanks RP!

>120 johnsimpson: Thanks John! Loved my books. My Monday was fantastic. Tuesday not so much but it's almost over.

>121 jnwelch: I do hope you & Debb make it here soon and one day I would love to go to Chicago. I'm reading Dresen 13, Ghiost Story & it's doubly odd due to the plot line & that I'm actually reading, not listening to it.

Just to be clear I am A-OK with them making fun of a monologue as a "talent" but Joy's stethoscope comment was so ignorant.

>99 luvamystery65:
It is quite odd, is it not? It'll get better after that one, I promise. :)

>103 luvamystery65:
Yey for meetup! And big yey for tapas as well! :)

>106 luvamystery65:
Fantastic loot!

>123 luvamystery65:
Haha, yeah, I don't think she was quite listening to herself when those words came out of her mouth.

Happy weekend, Roberta.

>124 -Eva-: I finished Ghost Story and it was quite odd. There were some things I liked but I'm ready to move on. I downloaded the audio for Cold Days and I'll start tomorrow.

The View ladies should have just said I'm sorry and left it alone.

>125 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara. I went to San Antonio and had a nice time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>93 AHS-Wolfy: & >101 BookLizard: I finished Ghost Story! It was very odd but it wasn't bad. I'm ready to move on to Cold Days. Jim Butcher will be here October 4th at Murder by the Books to sign for his new steampunk series, The Cinder Spires, The Aeronaut's Windlass. I'll buy the book on Tuesday and plan to attend.

Here is my updated September Series & Sequels reading so far.

Changes by Jim Butcher COMPLETED
Ghost Story by Jim Butcher COMPLETED
Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller COMPLETED
The Button Man by Mark Pryor COMPLETED
The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman currently reading

I hope to get to...

Faithful Place by Tana French COMPLETED
By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan closer to October so I can count it at my Halloween read too!
Countdown City by Ben H. Winters COMPLETED
Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn COMPLETED Volumes 1-3
The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbø
The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

I don't think I'll get to the Nesbø or Adler-Olsen book this month but I did add a couple of more Dresden's than I originally had planned. I will definitely start By Blood We Live at the end of the month so I can continue it into October.

Looks like you are making good progress with your series and sequels.

127> We didn't say you had to start Changes right away. You did that on your own! ;-)

>128 Roro8: I am pleased with my progress so far. Thanks.

>129 BookLizard: I didn't say you did. I read Small Favor Turn Coat and Changes one right after the other. I was going to wait for Ghost Story but read it since you and Dave suggested I might. Now I'm on a roll and decided to start Cold Days. :D

I finished Nimona by Noelle Stevenson last night for my Kaylee-Friends category. This GN was picked for me by Mark (msf59). What a treat it was. Nimona is a shape shifter villain and she pairs up with a Super Villain. There is more to this little girl than what first appears.

>126 luvamystery65: Glad you enjoyed Ghost Story more than I did. I don't think it's a bad book per se but it just doesn't match the high points of the rest of the series for me.

>127 luvamystery65: I'll be looking forward to hearing what you think of the conclusion to Glen Duncan's werewolf trilogy.

>132 AHS-Wolfy: Dave Ghost Story was so different in style from the rest of Dresden Files I almost thought it was a dream sequence until the very end. I did like that Molly grew as a wizard in ways that Harry was holding her back from. I also liked that Butcher went there with Karrin in Changes and Ghost Story, meaning that she crossed a line that she would be unable to turn back from. I think it was inevitable once Harry began confiding in her and she chose to help him. I'm surprised it took this long. That journey was set in stone during Blood Rites when she went with Harry to the Black Court's hideout. I'm actually surprised that it took until Changes for her to lose her job. I'm six chapters into Cold Days and it also feels different in that Harry is still not in Chicago. I do hope we see some of the old cast soon.

I'm looking forward to finishing The Last Werewolf/Bloodlines trilogy. Then to pick the next Duncan. I have available to me. I'd appreciate your input.

I, Lucifer
A day and a night and a day
The Bloodstone Papers

>133 luvamystery65: I think you've nailed why I don't like Ghost Story as much. It just hasn't got the same feel as the rest of the books in the series. Not unhappy with certain things in there and how it all concluded sets things up nicely for the next book and the characters, even at this stage, to grow.

I, Lucifer was my introduction to Glen Duncan. It has a much lighter feel to any of his other books. Not that it's at all whimsical and airy (we're still talking Glen Duncan after all) and there are still some disquieting imagery and thoughts that the reader is exposed to (the narrator is the Devil when all said and done). My comments after I'd read it: a charming, witty, clever narrator... I enjoyed it immensely.

A Day and a Night and a Day is definitely a tension builder and certainly belongs in a post 9/11 era. The overall story is quite fragmented as it uses three distinct phases in time (pre, current and post torture) to bring the whole together. My comments after I'd read it: You can't help but ponder the moral implications involved

The Bloodstone Papers belongs in the historical fiction category as Duncan uses his own roots to use 1940's India to look at minorities in society. It's another split narrative with past and present being examined in alternating chapters. Darkness again is slightly toned down for this one. My comments after I'd read it: an intelligent, sad, funny, insightful story

You might get a similar vibe from the Devil in I, Lucifer to that experienced from Jake in The Last Werewolf but I can't remember for sure that they were that similar as its been a while since I read that one. Each of the three books are quite different to the others while still retaining most of the author's usual themes and style.

>134 AHS-Wolfy: Thanks for the input Dave. You are my Duncan guru. I, Lucifer appeals to me right now but first I will finish the Werewolf Trilogy.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I finished Y: The Last Man Volume 1 Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan. I loved it and I've ordered the next 5 from two of the library systems I belong to. I can't remember who recommended this series to me. I think it was Mark. I loved Vaughan's Saga series and I look forward to Volume 5 which is now out!

I'm halfway in Faithful Place by Tana French. She does this to me every time. She starts out slow and I'm both interested and disinterested, then she shifts everything sideways!

Faithful Place is my favorite so far in that series, mainly because Frank got me to feel for him so much, but also because that area of Dublin was described so well.

I liked Y: The Last Man as well - not as great as Saga, but very few books are. :)

Howdy, Ro! I am glad your enjoying Faithful Place. If you like this one, you will LOVE Broken Harbor.

I am glad you started Y-The Last Man books. This may be my favorite GN series, although Saga is not over yet...

I just snagged The Hanging Girl on audio. It might be awhile, before I get to it but at least it is in my greedy mitts. I would like to finally get to the Alphabet House first. I have been sitting on that one for months. Ouch!

Hey, there, Ro! Happy Friday!

My first Duncan was also I, Lucifer: Finally, the Other Side of the Story. I picked it up because I had just finished Mike Carey's Lucifer GN series and was jonesing for more in a similar vein. Here's my very brief "review": "I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. 4.5 stars. Impressive. Reminiscent of The Screwtape Letters."

>136 -Eva-: I am more than halfway in on Faithful Place. Work and keeping up with my Aunt's appointments is the only reason I haven't finished it! She is keeping me so interested.

I have read the first two Volumes or Books or whatever they are called of Y: The Last Man. Our library system was closed for Fair Day so I couldn't go pick up Volumes 4-6. It's really good. Right now tied with Saga for me but let's see how it plays out.

>137 msf59: I'm happy I have Broken Harbor to look forward to Mark.

I am impressed that Y: The Last Man is your favorite GN series. High praise indeed.

>138 Storeetllr: Mary thanks I hope your weekend is enjoyable. You just sealed the deal for me and I really think I, Lucifer will be my next Duncan. I have increasingly enjoyed Mr. Duncan's work and I loved the concept of The Screwtape Letters. It's been years since I've read that book but I remember enjoying it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'm almost halfway through Cold Days audio. This shows you how many errands I've been running since I mainly listen in my car. It's also from OneClick Digital and they only have regular speed. I miss my 1.25 and 1.5 that Over Drive and Audible offer. James Marsters is enjoyable and sometimes it is nice to slow down and listen at regular speed. I am eye rolling at how many pickles Harry has found himself in with this installment. It's a little too much even for Harry!!!

I'm going to be sad when I get to book #15 and then have to wait for the next Dresden like everyone else. ;-)

I still haven't got used to 1.25 and 1.5 speeds on audio yet but I really should work on it because otherwise audio just takes sooooooo long!!!

139> OK, I have to ask. How do they get it at 1.25 or 1.5 speeds without the voices sounding like the Chipmunks? LOL

Frankly, I have no idea why I compared I, Lucifer to The Screwtape Letters. I could be completely off. I'll be interested in your take on it when you get to it.

ETA to ask if you listened to John Cleese do Screwtape, because, if you haven't, you need to. He is amazing!

Happy Sunday, Roberta.

>140 Berly: Kim 1.25 & 1.5 works really best when you have a narrator that reads at a slower pace. Grover Gardner comes to mind. He works perfect on 1.25 I rarely listen to him at regular speed except to get a feel for a new work/characters. His narration of Mark Twain was so slow I definitely listened to the whole thing at 1.5. Most of the time I can listen to him in 1.25. Now James Marsters I can listen to perfectly in any of the three speeds.

>141 BookLizard: BL See ^ and in addition sometimes they do sound like chipmunks. It really does depend on the narrator and their pacing.

>142 Storeetllr: Perhaps you were having a "Roberta" moment! LOL! It still want to read it based on Dave's description alone >134 AHS-Wolfy:. He hasn't steered me wrong yet. ;-)

>143 Ameise1: I'm working today Barbara but I am hoping for the best. What a lovely fall bounty. Thank you.

Happy Sunday, Ro! Hope the weekend is going well and you are sneaking in some reading.

*waves cast--one more week!*

>142 Storeetllr: Just chiming in to agree -- John Cleese reading Screwtape is indeed amazing!

Hey Roberta. I hope you're having a good weekend. I think you'll like this: I'm tentatively thinking of dedicating a lot of 2016 to completing some series. There are so many of them, I don't know how this will go but I would like to be a bit more completionist than I sometimes am. LT, especially the AAC and BAC, have broadened my reading so much and I just love that. But I want to finish some authors' oeuvres and/or some series. So, it's like the whole year will be September!

Happy-ish Monday, Roberta! I'm so glad you loved Faithful Place. I loved the mix of old and new mysteries. Frank was characterized so well and I found myself really relating to his "we put the fun in dysfunctional" family.

>145 msf59: Mark I worked this weekend but I was able to finish Faithful Place! So yes, I was able to sneak in some reading. I tore through Y: The Last Man One Small Step last night. This series just keeps getting better.

>146 ronincats: I hope this week flies by for you Ro!

>147 christina_reads: I will definitely find the John Cleese version when I'm ready for a reread of Screwtape Letters.

>148 EBT1002: I used to be such a militant completionist and LT has ruined me! I have really enjoyed the September. I am also wanting to go back to my binge reading ways Ellen. I have been binge reading Harry Dresden and I'm getting closer to the latest one. I set up next years challenge with extremely broad categories so that I can read whatever I want and find a slot for it. I'm not even going to pre-plan what I'm reading on the challenge. I hope to get to some challenges next year but I'm not committing to anything except my broad category challenge. Here is the link if you want a peek. http://www.librarything.com/topic/195438

I do hope that we can read a few more Harry Hole novels together next year!

>149 rosalita: Julia Happy Tuesday now! I really loved Faithful Place. Frank's still an arrogant selfish jerk in many ways but you got to see more than the one side of him when he is in charge of an undercover operation. I also love the mix of old and new. French really excels and that doesn't she? I loved the awful family dynamics!

Yikes, my on-deck pile will collapse the bookcase at the rate I'm adding books to it! I must get to Faithful Place soon!

My September has been a stellar reading month!

Changes by Jim Butcher COMPLETED
Ghost Story by Jim Butcher COMPLETED
Cold Days by Jim Butcher COMPLETED
Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller COMPLETED
The Button Man by Mark Pryor COMPLETED
Faithful Place by Tana French COMPLETED
Countdown City by Ben H. Winters COMPLETED
Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn COMPLETED Volumes 1-4

I also read but aren't series:
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Hollow Man by Mark Pryor

The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman currently reading
By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan I started this one today and so far I like it! COMLETED

October possibles

I'll finish the two I've started that are listed above

Halloween type reads:

The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel Vol 1 & 2 by Neil Gaiman. (I've read the book but the GN looks fabulous.)
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosner (I ordered this today. It should come in about 2 weeks.)
Skin Game by James Butcher

Continuing series:
The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
Plan B by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 1 by Lee & Miller (I've already started this and will be reading short stories as I work my way through the series.)

>152 rabbitprincess: Faithful Place deserves a nudge up the TBR pile

Excellent stats for September. Me? I managed 3. For the whole month. Oops. :)

155> Only 3? I managed 3 (one on audiobook) AND 2 rereads.

Placing this here so it doesn't get crowded up with my September reads.

Halloween reads:
By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan COMPLETED
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel Vol 1 COMPLETED & 2 COMPLETED by Neil Gaiman.
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard current
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson COMPLETED
The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosner
Skin Game by James Butcher, narrated by James Marsters COMPLETED
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, narrated by Juliet Stevenson current

Continuing series:
The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman current
The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
Plan B by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Andy Caploe
Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 1 by Lee & Miller (I've already started this and will be reading short stories as I work my way through the series.)

Shared read:
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel COMPLETED

I loved those Graveyard Book GNs, Roberta. Of course, I'm a pushover for the story anyway. I've read/listened to it every which way.

I started reading Northanger Abbey without knowing how funny it was. A ways into it I had this revelation, she's making fun of all this!

>155 -Eva-: & >156 BookLizard: I've had months like that.

>158 jnwelch: Joe I almost forgot we are up to Northanger Abbey in the Jane Austen read and what a good one for October. Austen did have a wicked sense of humor. I can't wait.

Look at who I met yesterday Joe!



Murder by the Book, October 4, 2015. The girl next to Jim Butcher is artist Priscilla Spencer who did the maps for The Aeronaut's Windlass.

>159 luvamystery65: Oh, we were overflowing with envy, Roberta - Debbi and I saw the photo on FB. :-) He even looks a bit like I imagine Dresden. How was it meeting him?

Hi Roberta, nice photo of you meeting Jim Butcher, Amy has been reading his books recently and I have the first one but haven't got round to reading it yet. Hope you had a nice weekend my dear and have a nice week, sending lots of love and hugs.

>159 luvamystery65: Hope you weren't too flustered when you met him. I've followed a couple of his AMA's (ask me anything's) over on Reddit and he seems like a thoroughly decent fellow.

>157 luvamystery65: Looking forward to seeing what you think of quite a few of your Halloween picks. I really enjoyed the Johannes Cabal book and I really should get around to picking up books 3 & 4 of the series some time soon.

Hooray for an author Meet-Up, Ro! You lucky gal! I read 3 of the Dresden books. I liked them well enough but never felt like continuing.

How did By Blood We Live go? I have had an audio copy of that one, for ages.

159> Awesome! Let me know if you read The Aeronaut's Windlass. I'm reluctant to try it.

>160 jnwelch:, >161 johnsimpson:, >162 AHS-Wolfy:, >163 msf59: & >164 BookLizard: I'll reply to your individual comments but first a bit about Jim Butcher. He did question and answers for almost an hour. The place was packed and he was very, very funny. You can see his humor in his books and yes, he is Harry in the humor department. A revelation to me was some of the things coming out of his mouth and the way he said them was very much Waldo Butters. Since Harry can't use the internet and geek out that way, I can see where this side of Butcher comes out in Butters.

People asked him the craziest questions such as does he have the outlines for Dresden already written out and safe in case he dies? Does he have someone in mind to keep the series going if that happens? What is the real story behind Mister? He said the has in mind for Dresden to be 20 or 21 books for the case files and then 3 really long books after that deal with Harry but not necessarily the cases. He has thought about doing a spin off series of either Tomas or Molly. Butcher says that his son is a decent writer and getting better. Also that he is even funnier than him so he would entrust Dresden to him but he really hopes his son gets to do his own thing. As for Mister, he is a cat, that's the best thing in the Universe to be. He doesn't need to be anything else.

I wish we could sit down for a chat and some coffee so I could convey how funny and friendly Butcher is. He had been traveling to a new city daily and signing hundreds and hundreds of books. His hand was a mess so he was only able to sign 2 per person and not more than that. I never thought about how hard it is on a successful writer. He talked about some of those things too. How it was hard for him because it took him out of the creative process but it was necessary and he likes meeting his fans. I have to say it was the best signing I've ever been to.

The big question? I'll answer it to BookLizard below.

>160 jnwelch: He does look like Dreden is described Joe, except he is not as tall as Dresden. Make a point of going to an event with him Joe. It is very worth it. You will be delighted. Thank you for the encouragement to continue with this series. It has become one of my favorites and one I will revisit often.

>161 johnsimpson: Howdy John! I'm glad Amy is reading Butcher. Is she reading Dresden or Codex Alera series? Love & hugs from Texas to you and Karen.

>162 AHS-Wolfy: Dave I wasn't flustered but I was so excited to meet him. He didn't disappoint and actually surpassed my expectations. How cool is that? Since you have participated in his AMAs you know how quick witted he is then. He had the whole room in stitches almost the entire time.

Have you read his fantasy series? If yes, how does it fare?

Re: my Halloween picks, I am enjoying revisiting The Graveyard Book in graphic novel format. I am almost done with The Haunting of Hill House and I'll pick up Johannes Cabal immediately after that. I have been wanting to read that one for some time. I have book two of the series lined up and waiting. I finished TLW trilogy and I loved the continuing story of Talulla. She really is a great character. The Remshi bit fell stale for me when he was dealing with "the beguiling" and his obsession with Talulla but I loved the interaction with Justine. The multiple POV was strange for this series but it moved the story along. I thought too much vampire and not enough werewolf. It's still a great series with my favorite being the second book. Justine would make a great book herself.

>163 msf59: Mark see above for my small take on TLW series. I would encourage you to finish the series. Even falling short of the first two, Duncan's writing is still light years ahead of most authors.

As for the Dresen, I would encourage you to continue with the series one day. The first four are probably the "lightest" but once Dresden starts unraveling the strings being pulled in his world the series changes and becomes less about his case files and more about the power struggles that go on in the supernatural world.

>164 BookLizard: BL! I will definitely read The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher. I had to buy it to get a line ticket for the signing. He has a contract for 3 books and can wrap it up in 3 if the series doesn't sell well, but he would like to do 9 and has a greater outline for that. I'll give it a try because Dresden Files has proven to me that Butcher has a great mind for the long story arc. Lots of goodies and throwaways come back. I love that.

Oh the good news. He said he turns in Peace Talks, #16 this December and it should be out by spring! In the meantime I will content myself with his short stories and I'll read the graphic novels.

He is editing a short story anthology and his story will be Molly's first job in her new role and Ramirez will help her.

Thank you BL for sharing your obsession with Dresden. Now I am a superfan!

>165 luvamystery65: Nope, not touched his fantasy books as the general consensus was that they weren't that great unfortunately. I won't rule them out completely but for now I still have more than enough ongoing fantasy series to keep me occupied. I'll probably pick up The Aeronaut's Windlass at some point in time though.

Glad to hear that the meet and greet was a successful event.

I'm glad Glen Duncan ended the series as a trilogy. Personally, I thought that each successive book wasn't quite as good as the preceding one although the first is up there rivaling his very best.

165> Thanks for the good news. The next Dresden book is certainly something to look forward to. I'm still jealous that you got to hear him.

Sounds like a terrific time with Mr. Butcher, Roberta. Thanks for giving us the lowdown. The Aeronaut's Windlass has been getting a positive reaction, and I'll probably give it a try, too. I tried that other series of his and just didn't cotton to it, but this one looks intriguing.

Hi, Ro! I ended up really liking Talulla Rising and I was looking forward to By Blood We Live. It is just one of those titles, that keeps getting past me. I think I will just add it, right now, to my audio rotation. It would be a perfect October listen.

Thanks for the encouragement on the Dresden Files books. I might just take you up on that...

And speaking of perfect October listens, I started The Haunting of Hill House. Jackson Rules!

>166 AHS-Wolfy: Thanks for that info regarding the Codex Alera series. I think I will just move on to the Cinder Spires series and see how that works for me. I enjoyed Duncan's Death of an Ordinary Man and I am looking forward to exploring his other work outside the Werewolf trilogy. He's not an author I would have normally sought out so I'm glad you gave me encouragement to continue the trilogy and try his other work.

>167 BookLizard: BL, Butcher has been here before and I never bothered. Honestly, I could smack myself on the head! Glad I finally wised up.

>168 jnwelch: Joe I am going to pass on Codex Alera based on your and Dave's opinion. I read the prologue for The Aeronaut's Windlass when it was first posted online and it does seem intriguing. It's being billed as Steampunk but Butcher said he likes calling it Steamopera because it really isn't true Steampunk. He said everyone is expendable. I hope it's a good one.

>169 msf59: Mark I think BBWL would work well on audio. KAK lent me the book so that's the format I went with. I finished The Haunting of Hill House last night. It was a bit dated but it was still fantastic. I thought it was perfectly creepy and a great psychological thriller. Jackson does rule!

I have added By Blood We Live to my iPod. I appreciate the nudge. I did not realize you were reading the Jackson. How cool.

Hi Roberta, Amy is reading the Dresden series and I have the first in this series, hope you are having a good day my dear.

Hi Ro! Just trying to catch up with you, my friend!

Jim Butcher was here a night or two after he was there, but I didn't make it, unfortunately.

>171 msf59: Mark it looks like BBWL has multiple narrators which makes sense since the story is told from multiple POV. Enjoy it.

>172 johnsimpson: Very cool John. Today is my happy Friday! I hope you have a lovely weekend.

>173 katiekrug: ;-) Thanks Katie.

>174 ronincats: There is always next time Ro.

Hi Roberta! I had such a great time at Jim Butcher's book signing last week! Thanks for turning me on to Murder by the Book, and by association to Jim Butcher. In the middle of having to get a pile of work done today before I head to the UK tomorrow, but I had to make time to finish the first Dresden novel, Storm Front, and it was great! I'm so excited to start on the Dresden journey - so while I will start on Station Eleven tomorrow, I'll also be bringing Fool Moon with me!

I echo all of your comments above - Jim Butcher was awesome, truly funny and so cool.

Stopping by to get caught up. Lucky you to be at a book signing and meet Jim Butcher! Oh, and I see that you are going to start reading Johannes Cabal soon. Looking forward to seeing what you think of that one! You have just reminded me that I still need to read book 4 in the Cabal series.

Happy weekend, Roberta.

>176 LisaMorr: Lisa I'm so excited you have started on your Dresden journey. I'm also a little jealous you are headed back to the UK. I hope you have a great flight and we will discuss our shared read when you get back.

>177 lkernagh: Jim Butcher was such a highlight for me. I wish I had seen him sooner but better late then never. I am looking forward to Johannes Cabal but I'm taking a quick break first for a shared read.

>178 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara and the same to you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'm taking a quick break in my current reading to pick up Station Eleven. Lisa and I decided to share the read.

179> I hope you like Station Eleven. Now I'm kicking myself for not thinking of it when I was trying to find something for my friend's birthday. I'm pretty sure I told her about it, but I'm not sure if she ever got around to reading it. Instead I got her Furiously Happy. I'm on the wait list at the library. With a cover like that, how can you resist?

 

>180 BookLizard: I just bought Furiously Happy the day of the Jim Butcher signing. I bought it from Brazos Bookstore which is two blocks down from Murder by the Book. I loved loved LOVED Let's Pretend This Never Happened. She was also here a couple of weeks ago but I was unable to attend. Boo!

>180 BookLizard:, that cover does look irresistible.

Got through almost the whole book on the plane and finished it up after getting to the hotel - Station Eleven was great!

>182 Roro8: :-)

>183 LisaMorr: Lisa I could not put the book down! I thought Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel was fantastic. I immediately passed it on to my cousin's wife. We will have to discuss at our next meet up. Enjoy your other Lisa time!

>183 LisaMorr: and >184 luvamystery65: So glad to hear more positive reviews for Station Eleven! I'm 181st in line at the library (on 48 copies), so it will be a while before I get to it...

>185 rabbitprincess: I really liked it. Some questions remain at the end but I like it when books end that way.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I got tickets to an evening with Neil Gaiman next month in Austin. Added bonus it will be Friday 13th! How perfect for Neil Gaiman.

>186 luvamystery65: He's a great speaker. You'll have a blast!

Oooh,, Neil Gaiman!! Jealous! Envious! Whatever!

>187 mamzel: I know you saw him last year or the year before! I'm really excited!

>188 ronincats: I know exactly what you mean. I would feel the same way.

>186 luvamystery65:
How fun! I agree with @mamzel, he's a really fun speaker and you'll have a great time!

What a great way to spend a Friday the 13th! Have a great time, Ro.

(And now I am off to join Roni on the jealous side of the room.)

Aaaahhh Harry!!!!

I'm on chapter 48 of Skin Games! Oh no!

This will be my 100 btw!

>192 luvamystery65:, 100!! You are blitzing this challenge.

Ooh, congrats on getting tickets to the Gaiman event. That should be great. I've been waiting for him to make a Chicagoland appearance.

Taps fingers...

>190 -Eva-: Eva you are making me itch for November 13th to get here!

>191 DeltaQueen50: Judy if I won the MegaLotto I would have a reading retreat in Canada with Julia, Katie etc... and special guest Mr. Gaiman with the hostess with the most Delta Queen! ;-)

>193 Roro8: Trust me Ro some of these 100 are GNs but they are really good and I hope to read a lot more next year. I've had a a decent reading year.

>194 msf59: Mark! I do hope he makes it to Chicagoland but it may be 2017 before he does.

I saw your FB post about Y: the last man becoming a TV series! How timely for me. Thanks to you I am right smack in the middle of the series. Thanks for the warble!

So my book review for book 100 Skin Game is that it was fantastic and worthy of any Dresden File book. For those that didn't think the series amounted to much early in the series I would encourage you to continue on and geek out towards the middle and end of the series. As for a proper book review, go to the review page and read AHS-Wolfy's review. I couldn't have put it any better. The ending is amazing. Finally, Harry gets a moment in his life where all is only good. Yes, there are questions hanging and not all is perfect, but life is good. Not saccharine happy, but this girl don't go for that sweet crap! Holy Crap Butters! Polka Rules! I hoped for this a few books ago but honestly, Butcher did it way better than I imagined. BTW I love Batman so much I named one of my dogs Bruce! May the Force be with you Jim Butcher.

ETA: Thanks again to Joe, BookLizard, Eva and Dave for encouraging me to continue on my Dresden journey.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Saturday I'm doing transport for dog rescue again. This time for Tired Dog Rescue from Mississipi and Aunt Dora is tagging along. I love it!

>196 luvamystery65: Glad you enjoyed the Dresden journey. Now you've caught up you'll just have to wait for the next instalment like the rest of us. Thanks for the kind words on the review.

>196 luvamystery65: Wonderful, Roberta! Great comments on Skin Game. It's a pleasure to see our friend Harry experience some happy, isn't it? Can't wait to find out what happens next.

>186 luvamystery65: - Yay for Neil Gaiman tickets!

I enjoyed hearing about your evening with Jim Butcher. Great photo!

>196 luvamystery65:
Isn't he just so much fun! And, like @AHS-Wolfy pointed out, welcome to the group - Waiting For The Next Dresden Anonymous. :)

I started a NF thread in the 75 group for November. Please join us if you are reading any NF next month.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/198771

>197 AHS-Wolfy: >198 jnwelch: >199 lkernagh: >200 mathgirl40: & >201 -Eva-: Thanks everyone! I plan on keeping up with Harry via Side Jobs and reading the graphic novels. After that I will really be stuck and whining. ;-)

Finished Butcher's The Aeronaut's Windlass last night and loved it!

Happy weekend, Roberta.

>204 ronincats: Yay!

>205 Ameise1: What a gorgeous photo Barbara. Thank you.

I finished up the series, Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn and Pia Guerra. I enjoyed the series throughout and can see why it rates as a favorite among GN readers. It will be a series I return to. I'm excited that FX is developing a series for television. I watch very little TV but I would give this a try.

Happy Sunday, Ro! And hooray for Y: The Last Man. I read somewhere that they might be turning this into a TV series. Interesting.

I am so glad you started the November NF thread. I don't have many NF books lined up yet, since I've read so many, already this year, but I am sure, I will find something.

I think you would like both my current reads: The Queen of the Tearling and The Library at Mount Char. The latter is currently 3 bucks on Kindle.

>207 luvamystery65:
I didn't now they were making a TV series - I'll be watching that!

>207 luvamystery65: Glad you enjoyed Y: The Last Man. It's not one I've got around to as yet but it is on the list for future reading.

>208 msf59: & >209 -Eva-: I do hope that Y The Last Man does actually make it to TV. I can see a lot of possibilities for the show.

Mark both of your current reads sound very interesting.

>210 AHS-Wolfy: Dave I think you will enjoy the series. I'll be reading Saga Vol. 5 this weekend.

For November I'm going to concentrate mainly on Non-Fiction. If I haven't finished my Halloween NF, The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosen, I will continue it into November. Then I will tackle:

Sacred Ground by Eboo Patel
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
How We Do Harm by Otis Webb Brawley
Homage to Catelonia by George Orwell

I'd like to get to but I won't tackle them all:
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
As She Lay Sleeping by Mark Pryor
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

I'll start The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda on Thanksgiving and read this through the holidays and new year.

Looks like you got some fine NF reading ahead of you! Good luck and enjoy!

I have an advanced copy of the Witches but if I can snag it on audio, I will try to listen to it next month. I've been hearing very good things.

Started a new thread. Come on over.