AlphaKIT for January: M and S

Welcome to the AlphaKIT for 2017!

January AlphaKIT letters are :



Please remember to update the wiki: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_Unofficial_AlphaKIT#January

I'm planning on Trading in Danger - Elizabeth Moon and The Steerswoman - Rosemary Kirstein

So many options! Right now I think it will be at least Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner and The Secrets of Wishtide by Kate Saunders. Might also work in The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.

Right now I'm planning on The Spider's Touch by Patricia Wynn...still thinking about possible "M" books.

I have a bundle of ARCs that have been sitting and fortunately many of them qualify. So I will trying to start the year off right by clearing some of these up.

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore - ARC
Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan - ARC
✔Forget Me Knot - ARC
The Messenger of Athens - ARC
✔Miss Seeton Draws the Line - ARC
✔Murder on Cue - ARC
The Romanov Sisters - ARC
✔Shades of Wrath - ARC
✔Time Out by Suzanne Trauth - ARC
Wednesday Daughters by Meg Waite Clayton - ARC

I'm going to read Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom but also have The Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks on my list for January so it will count here too.

I have two ARCs waiting that fit M and S, so they're in my plans: Savage: A Novel by Angel Berry and The Road to Enchantment by Kaya McLaren. We'll see if there's time for anything beyond them, what with the other challenges/plans I have!

My online book club is reading The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough in January. It's quite a chunkster so I will need something fairly short for S.

I will be reading Moo by Jane Smiley and I am sure some others as well.

This must be a good combination of letters. Even limiting titles to mysteries and on the shelf, I have the following double-hitters:

Sidetracked by Henning Mankell
Sleight of hand by Philip Margolin
The Silver Locomotive by Edward Marston
The Man who went up in Smoke by Maj Sjöwall
Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovich

>10 VivienneR: I really liked both Sidetracked and The Man Who Went Up in Smoke -- you should have a good January reading!

Some options that also fit other CATs:

Lives of Girls and Women / Alice Munro
Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat / Hal Herzog
My Stroke of Insight / Jill Bolte Taylor
Scent of the Missing / Susannah Charleson

I am planning on reading Close to the Bone by Stuart MacBride and A Gunman's Chance by Luke Short.

I'm trying to fit in the AlphaKIT without making it too hard on myself, so I'm going to read Today will be different by Maria Semple -- a two-fer!

>14 SleepySheep: Such a good idea! I've been meaning to read Today Will Be Different as well. Off to see if I can reserve a library copy.

I'll also be reading Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd in January, which I guess can also count as an "M" read!

I'll be reading All the Gallant Men:The First Memoir by A USS Arizona Survivor by Donald Stratton with Ken Gire.

>11 leslie.98: Thanks, Leslie. Good to hear that!

I'm planning all my AlphaKit books to come off my TBR. I'm going to prioritize by choosing first by the author's last name (my TBR shelf is organized loosely by last name), then if none strike me, then the author's first name, and last resort by a word in the title.

For January, I hope to read Shosha by I. B. Singer and to finally finish My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead.

Starting The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough a couple of days early but won't finish it till January.

I'll be starting with The Seventh Scroll by Wilbur Smith. - triple S.

I looked at the three books on my nightstand (my next to read stack). Two of the three matched January so I will be reading
The Grandfather Medicine by Jean Hager
and
Swingland by Daniel Stern

I've begun Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.

I'm starting The last days of new Paris by China Miéville

I just read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, which I loved!

Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith

I just finished an early review book Where My Heart Used to Beat by Sebastian Faulks. It was an uneven read for me, but ultimately a good one. The writing was beautiful but the format was hard to follow with the narrator jumping back and forth between different years where he compared his experiences with the travesty of war against the few weeks of intense love he felt for Luisa. He wrote of his despair for the human race against his realization of beauty and connectedness when friends reached out to him with compassion.

I finished All The Gallant Men by Donald Stratton with Ken Gire. This book moved me to tears more than once. I have been reading about World War II and this is the second book I've read in a month about Pearl Harbor. This book is the first memoir of a survivor of the attack of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It gives you a first hand account of what it was like on that day, during the attack. The actions of the servicemen and civilian personal that day were exceptional. The attack was something that we should never forget. I highly recommend this book and rate it 5 stars.

COMPLETED The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough

My Stroke of Insight / Jill Bolte Taylor
4 stars

Jill Bolte Taylor was a single, 37-year old neuroanatomist (brain scientist), when she, herself, suffered a stroke. This book tells her story of the stroke and her 8 year recovery.

The first part of the book explained some of the science of the brain. Have to admit that my mind wandered during parts of this section, but from what I heard, she was making it easy enough to understand. I was listening to the audio, which of course, makes it a bit easier for my mind to wander. The author read the audio herself and did a very good job, but apparently she also does public speaking (she has done a TED Talk about this).

The second part of the book describes the stroke and her recovery. She lost use of the left side of her brain (the analytical part) and actually seemed to enjoy simply using her right brain for a while, not worrying about her ego, feeling compassion and inner peace, etc. Oddly enough, the book was amusing at times even while she was describing her stroke (she was excited to be able to “study” a stroke first-hand!) and in some descriptions of her recovery (“tuna… tuna?… tuna” in different tones of voice as she racked her brain, trying to figure out what tuna was). I was amazed at how child-like she was and how much she needed to re-learn! This was the most interesting part of the book for me.

The last section of the book described the right brain vs the left brain and talked a lot about inner peace and such. Overall, I really liked this book.

Finished A Stranger in My Grave by Margaret Millar.

Next up: The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier.

Well, I was thinking I might not get any of January Alpha but I read Ethan of Athos and Lois McMaster Bujold does fit.

Finished Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon. Fun space opera.

I've completed a reread of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It's been more than five years since I last read it. It's still good after all these years.

Death in the Air / Shane Peacock
3.5 stars

In the second book in the series “starring” a 13-year old Sherlock Holmes, Holmes is watching a trapeze performance when one of the performers flies off the bar and lands near Holmes. It appears that someone cut the bar and Holmes is determined to find out who did it. Holmes is also currently homeless and manages to find an apothecary to take him in in return for his help.

I quite enjoyed the mystery in this one, but up until the end, I wasn’t as interested in the secondary characters. However, the last third of the book or so really did pick up for me. I have to admit to not reading much of Conan Doyle’s Holmes, so I’m not sure if these are characters that appear when Holmes is an adult, as well, or not. I would think at least some of them are. If so, the series might be even more appealing to those who enjoy Doyle’s adult Holmes.

Read Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner for my M read, though it really fits both.

I've already managed two AlphaKITs so far this month, The Years of Change by Mollie Hardwick, and a FUN read, Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments

Here's my review of the second book:

I've followed horseracing since I was a pre-teen "horse crazy" adolescent, so I thought this might be an entertaining read. It was that, and more.

The choices for the "moments" weren't just actual races, like Seabiscuit versus War Admiral, or Secretariat's huge Belmont Stakes win (both of those made the top five), but included other notable firsts, such as revolutionary new helmets for jockeys that have saved many lives since the 1950s, or the development of the starting gate which most race fans take for granted.

Each "moment" was two to four pages long, well illustrated with photographs, and often had lesser known facts included. I found myself putting down this book frequently, not because it was boring, but to watch internet videos of the older races described.

Nice job, Blood Horse editors, this is one claimer I'm keeping!

I'm planning on reading Elizabeth is Missing which also fits the AwardsCat and RandomCAT. Also, Frost in May which fits the CatWoman as well and is the first book of a series for my own 2017 series theme.

Now I've finished an "M" book, Dead To You by Lisa McMann.

Finished Deerbrook by Harriet Martineau.

Finished The Savage: A Novel by Angel Berry. Full review written.

>36 fuzzi: - The horse racing books sounds fantastic! I'm definitely putting it on my wish list, plus making note of it as a potential gift for my dad.

Started Beloved by Toni Morrison.

>41 LittleTaiko: super! Glad I could share. :)

Starting Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser

>35 LittleTaiko:, I have that one on my Wishlist, did you like it?

I am now reading Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon by Alison Weir. Another S book.

I'm currently reading Showdown Trail by Louis L'Amour...for "S", of course!

I've read Evicted by Matthew Desmond.

I have finished Moo by Jane Smiley and am now reading Swann's Way by Marcel Proust. And I listened to the audiobooks of 2 Wodehouse books that fit -- Money in the Bank and Service With a Smile. Off to add to the wiki...

Finished Medicine Quest: In Search of Nature's Healing Secrets by Mark J. Plotkin; if you're remotely interested, it was a wonderful read! Full review written...

I have just finished Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa, by Haruki Murakami. I would say, for classical music lovers only.

February alphaKIT is up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/246693

I finished The Scapegoat and started The Elementals by Michael McDowell.

I finished a reread of Agatha Christie's first Miss Marple book, The Murder at the Vicarage - I like the way it is told from the vicar's point of view.

Finished The Road to Enchantment by Kaya McLaren. Full review written, but I have to say... this wasn't one I'd recommend.

I completed The Years of Change, and am now reading The War to End Wars, both books written by Mollie Hardwick.

Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership With a Search-and-Rescue Dog / Susannah Charleson
4 stars
272 pages

This is primarily the story of Puzzle, but there are also bits and pieces about her handler (and the author). The author has been helping with search-and-rescue of missing humans for a while. She helps with the SAR dogs that are sometimes called out. She eventually decides she would like to be the handler of the one of the dogs, herself, so she finds a golden retriever puppy and trains her. Interspersed with stories of Puzzle’s training, the author shares stories of various searches she has been on.

This was very interesting, I thought. The entire training and certification process was interesting and I also found the search stories interesting: toddlers, elderly, teenagers, also searching after disasters… I do wonder, though, how the trainers can have jobs, but still go running when they are called to help.

>56 LibraryCin: I read that book and enjoyed it. I am glad you enjoyed it as well.

I've completed my "M" read with Close to the Bone by Stuart MacBride. This is the 8th book in the Logan McRae series.

I've finished a few for this month:
M: Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold
Galileo's Middle Finger by Alice Dreger
S: Firestarter by Stephen King
The Accidental by Ali Smith
I've just started Mansfield Park by Jane Austen for one more M book and I would like to find one more book with an S title.

I enjoyed the classic The Four Feathers by A.E.W. Mason & followed it up by rewatching the 1939 film version :)

Palace of Stone / Shannon Hale
3.25 stars

In this sequel to The Princess Academy, Miri is called to the palace in the city to help her friend Britta prepare for her wedding to the prince. While there, Miri is allowed to attend school, where she becomes involved with other students who want a revolution, as they feel the nobility should no longer exist. Miri gets caught up in it before she realizes that it may put Britta in danger.

It was ok. I’m giving the story 3 stars, but upping it by ¼ star for the well-done audio. There are multiple cast members for the audio, there are songs that are sung (I was picturing the lyrics to the songs being written out in the book, but they are performed in the audio), and I liked the way letters, thoughts and “quarry-speech” are done for the audio, as well. Despite all this, my mind did still wander somewhat while listening, so I’m attributing that to the story, which is why the slightly lower rating. I rated the first book “good” (3.5 stars) and it appears there is a third book in the series, so I will plan to read it, as well.

Bone and Bread / Saleema Nawaz
3.5 stars

Beena and Sadhana have an East Indian father and a white mother. They were raised in Montreal, Quebec. Sadhana is two years younger than Beena. Their father died when they were young and their mother when they were teenagers; they are then in the custody of their uncle, who runs the bagel shop (originally owned by their father) downstairs. As they grow up, they each run into teen girl problems (serious ones, not small ones), which I won’t mention, as they aren’t revealed until later in the book (though the blurb does reveal them, as do some tags).

The book is told by Beena in the “present day”, just after Sadhana has died. Sadhana lived alone and was not discovered for a week. Beena has to go clean up the apartment, and brings along her teenage son to help. The book goes back and forth between present day and Beena’s memories of she and her sister growing up.

It started off slow for me, but it did get better. I didn’t always like Beena and the decisions she made, but I could say the same of Sadhana. I don’t have a sister, but it seems that it was likely a good portrayal of sisters. There really was a Canadian flavour to the book, as well, with a look at some of the politics in Quebec.

I finished The Elementals by Michael McDowell and am starting Stranded by Bracken MacLeod. There sure seem to be a lot of S-M combinations on my TBR! I hope the upcoming months are as fruitful.

I finished - and hit both letters with The Locked Room by Maj Sjöwall, which fits my "mysteries only" AlphaKIT category.

I've finished What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. I have two more books in progress that will count here and I think I'll get them both finished before month end. That would give me a total of 5 for the month, 4 from TBR.

I read Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Mar Porter

I have finished Malone Dies by Samuel Beckett

>64 VivienneR: I really like that series - maybe I should try to squeeze in The Terrorists!

Starting "Three Books of Known Space" by Larry Niven

I'm currently reading Bear Island by Alistair MacLean.

>67 leslie.98:, what did you think of Malone Dies? Are you a lover of Samuel Beckett? I've read quite a few Beckett but not Malone Dies, yet.

I finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

>70 Kristelh: I wouldn't say that I love Beckett but I do find his books & plays compelling in a way that is hard to explain. I don't think that I liked this as much as Molloy but I have the feeling it will grow on me. I listened to the Sean Barrett narration which was terrific; if you listen to audiobooks I would recommend it!

I have finished the excellent American Rust by Philipp Meyer.

I am reading Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell. It's the ninth book in his Saxon Chronicles featuring Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I have to admit, this one isn't grabbing my attention very quickly, despite all the opening action. I hope it improves.

I finished The Steerswoman which was terrific. Two women are the main characters and no one does anything stupid (which is my new rallying cry for great books).

COMPLETED Three Books of Known Space by Larry Niven

I was able to find two S titles: Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill & Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen. And I've started one more M author, Blackout by Mira Grant.

COMPLETED Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser

My reading for this month for this KIT included:

My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King
You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Just finished Sweet Lamb of Heaven by Lydia Millet, works for both S and M.

I finished Frost in May by Antonia White and Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.

I do have an S book that I might finish in time, we'll see! The Reluctant Sorcerer by Simon Hawke

Just finished Suds in Your Eye by Mary Lasswell--good for S and M (Suds and Mary)

Exquisite Corpse: Surrealism and the Black Dahlia Murder / Mark Nelson and Sarah Hudson Bayliss
3 stars

The “Black Dahlia” murder was the murder of 22-year old Elizabeth Short in LA in 1947. She was found with her body cut in half. The murder has never been solved, but George Hodel was one of the suspects at the time. This book illustrates the similarities between Elizabeth Short’s murdered body and surrealist art. Hodel was apparently connected to the art scene in LA around the time, as well as being a doctor.

I am more interested in the crime itself and not surrealist (weird!!!) art. There were plenty of photos in the book, of both surrealist art and the crime scene. The crime scene photos are pretty graphic, but the authors assure the reader that these are the least bad of the crime scene photos. The photos do show how closely her body does resemble plenty of surrealist art. There was a LOT more information than I ever wanted to know about surrealism and the artists themselves. The bulk of the book was really about the art and the artists and less about the crime. Despite me not really being interested in art history, the book mostly did hold my attention, so it’s an “ok” for me, but I’d really like to find more information on the murder itself where the book actually focuses on that.

Murder at Sissingham Hall - Clara Benson. Disappointing. Good characterization, lousy mystery.

I posted on the Wiki but forgot to post here that I read Evicted by Matthew Desmond and North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Starting "Village School" by Miss Read (pen name of Dora Jessie Saint)

Is Mr. in The Abominable Mr. Darcy too much of a stretch? I don't think I have enough time to start and finish anything else this month.

It was a decent variation of the story, and an easy read.

>87 dreamweaver529: I'd count it!

I have finished up some more books for this:

Find a Victim by Ross MacDonald
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
Sir Philip's Folly by Marion Chesney
The Spia Family Presses On by Mary Leo

Even though I had two "M" novels set aside, my ALPHAkit reads this month ended up being all for "S"!

A History of the World in 6 Glasses (by Tom Standage) - Easily digestible micro-history about six beverages that reflected their respective times, and in turn influenced history: Beer in Mesopotamia; Wine in Ancient Greece and Rome; Rum in the New World; Coffee in the Middle East and Europe/Enlightenment; Tea in China and Britain; and Coca-Cola in in the United States/World. There is also and Epilogue about water that brings the work full circle. No number dumps, charts, or power language; but well researched and really interesting! (★★★★)

See Delphi and Die (Marcus Didius Falco, #17; by Lindsey Davis) - The Falco series is generally well-researched, and this installment in the series is no exception: Falco heads into Ancient Greece (c. AD76) to follow up on the deaths of two women who happened to have been on a sightseeing tour through the area, and with the same tour group, just years apart. Falco wants to solve both cases and see if the two cases are connected... Learning about Ancient Greece was interesting; but Lindsey Davis seems to be a bit tired of her creation. Since Book #15, the energy and humor that had been present in her other books up 'til then seems absent. (★★-1/2)

She Went All the Way (by Meg Cabot) - Continuing my reading #AllThingsMegCabot, I picked this one up at the library last week. This is a light contemporary romance novel featuring Louise ("Lou") Calabrese, an award-winning screenwriter; and Jack Townshend, an A-list actor who stars in a movie franchise that Lou writes. On a trip to a shoot in Alaska, the helicopter they are traveling in goes down, and the two of them find themselves having to navigate blizzard conditions and assassins with nothing but movie-lore and a bit of luck to survive. Incredulous; but fun... The perfect kind of escapist novel. (★★★★)

COMPLETED Village School by Miss Read

AlphaKITs for January:

M
The African Svelte: Orthographic Mistakes and Misspellings That Often Make Surprising Sense, by Daniel Menaker
Blood, Salt, Water, by Denise Mina

S
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, by Margot Lee Shetterly

A little late, but I finished Shosha by Isaac Bashevis Singer today.