souloftherose's 2017 books and more - thread 2

I’m Heather and this is my 8th(!) year in the 75 Book Challenge Group. I'm in my midthirties and live in a small town to the northwest of London in the United Kingdom with my husband and our rescue cat, Erica.

I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction (including children's/young adult books) as well as a good spattering of crime/historical/other fiction. A fair number of the books I read are older books - I particularly enjoy 18th and 19th century fiction, golden age detective novels and women's literature from the first half of the 20th century. Last year I read 195 books - I don't have a specific target for this year other than the perpetual resolution to make a dent in the TBR piles.

This is Erica basking in some rare sunshine (but after she realised I was taking a picture which is why she doesn't look very relaxed):

Books read in January
#1 All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (TBR)
#2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling (Reread)
#3 Rivers of London: Night Witch by Ben Aaronovitch (Library)
#4 Deerbrook by Harriet Martineau (TBR)
#5 Worlds of Exile and Illusion by Ursula K. Le Guin (TBR)
#6 Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (TBR)
#7 Mitosisby Brandon Sanderson (TBR)
#8 Big Chief Elizabeth: How England's Adventurers Gambled and Won the New World by Giles Milton (Library)
#9 Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (TBR)
#10 Firefight by Brandon Sanderson (TBR)
#11 The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry (Library)
#12 Mrs Tim Flies Home by D. E. Stevenson (Library)
#13 March: Book One by John Lewis (TBR)
#14 One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie (Reread)

Books read in February
#15 Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer (TBR)
#16 Take Courage: Anne Bronte and the Art of Life by Samantha Ellis (TBR)
#17 The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly (Omnibus)
#18 Crimson Snow: Winter Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards (Amazon Prime)
#19 Black Widow, Vol 3: Last Days by Nathan Edmondson (Marvel Unlimited)
#20 Four Roads Cross by Max Gladstone (TBR)
#21 Hide My Eyes by Margery Allingham (TBR)
#22 Full Fathom Five by Max Gladstone (TBR)
#23 The Game by Diana Wynne Jones (TBR)
#24 Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (TBR)
#25 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling (Reread)
#26 The Devil You Know by K. J. Parker (TBR)

Books read in March
#27 The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov (TBR)
#28 The Walls of Air by Barbara Hambly (Omnibus)
#29 The Armies of Daylight by Barbara Hambly (TBR)
#30 The Unwinding: Thirty Years of American Decline by George Packer (Library)
#30.5 Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (Reread)
#31 Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor (TBR)
#32 Behind the Throne by K. B Wagers (Library)
#33 The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman (Free kindle)
#34 The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman (TBR)
#35The Duke's Children by Anthony Trollope (TBR)
#36 N or M? by Agatha Christie (Reread)
#37 Lost Man's Lane by Anna Katharine Green (Free kindle)
#38 Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones (Reread)
#39 The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones (Reread)
#40 The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones (Reread)
#41 Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire (TBR)

Books read in April
#42 Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones (Reread)
#43 Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (TBR)
#44 The Life Project by Helen Pearson (Library)
#45 Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch (Reread)
#46 Sunshine by Robin McKinley (Humble Bundle)
#47 Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani (Free kindle)
#48 Conrad's Fate by Diana Wynne Jones (Reread)
#49 Arrest the Bishop? by Winifred Peck (Free kindle)
#50 God's Traitors: Terror and Faith in Elizabethan England by Jessie Childs (Library)
#51 Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky (TBR)
#52 The Mislaid Magician, or, Ten Years After by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (TBR)
#53 The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon (Library)
#54 The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (Reread)
#55 The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper (Library)
#56 Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Free kindle)
#57 The Underground Railroad by Coulson Whitehead (Library)

Books read in May
#58 Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley (TBR)
#59 Talking About Detective Fiction by P. D. James (TBR)
#60 Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (Reread)
DNF After the Crown by K. B. Wagers (Library)
#61 Bewildering Cares by Winifred Peck (Free kindle)
#62 Planetfall by Emma Newman (TBR)
#63 Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey (Dan's)
#64 Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey (Dan's)
#65 Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani (TBR)
#66 The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (TBR)
#67 Zoe: The History of Two Lives by Geraldine Jewsbury (TBR)
#68 The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (Library)

Books read in June
#69 Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (Humble Bundle)
#70 The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (Reread)
#71 Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey (Dan's)
#72 A Chelsea Concerto by Frances Faviell (Free kindle)
#73 Unseemly Science by Rod Duncan (Library)
#74 Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (TBR)
#75 Feedback by Mira Grant (Library)
#76 Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Library)
#77 The Stranger from the Sea by Winston Graham (TBR)
#78 Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book Eleven by Bill Willingham (Library)
#79 Saga, Volume Three by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Library)
#80 Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler (Humble Bundle)
#81 After Atlas by Emma Newman (TBR)
#82 Elizabeth by David Starkey (TBR)
#83 Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden (TBR)
#84 Gilded Cage by Vic James (TBR)

Books read in July
#85 Updraft by Fran Wilde (TBR)

Books acquired




#1 The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams - Kindle
#2 Born a Crime by Trevor Noah - Audible
#3 The Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert Alter - Paper
#4 Deerbrook by Harriet Martineau - Paper
#5 The Darwath Series by Barbara Hambly - Kindle
#6 The Five Books of Moses by Robert Alter - Paper
#7 Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson - Kindle
#8 Gilded Cage by Vic James - Kindle
#9 Goldenhand by Garth Nix - Kindle
#10 Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer - Kindle
#11 Take Courage: Anne Bronte and the Art of Life by Samantha Ellis - Paper
#12 Golden Hill by Francis Spufford - Paper
#13 Zoe: A History of Two Lives by Geraldine Jewsbury - Paper
#14 The Game by Diana Wynne Jones - Kindle
#15 Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson - Kindle
#16 Four Roads Cross by Max Gladstone - Kindle
#17 Full Fathom Five by Max Gladstone - Kindle
#18 The Devil You Know by K. J. Parker - Kindle
#19 The Duke's Children by Anthony Trollope - Paper
#20 Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor Kindle
#21 The Enigma Score by Sheri S. Tepper Paper
#22 Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire Kindle
#23 The Mislaid Magician by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer Kindle
#24 The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman Kindle
#25 Victorians Undone by Kathryn Hughes Paper
#26 Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope Paper
#27 Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky Kindle
#28 The Sun Wolf and Star Hawk Series by Barbara Hambly Kindle
#29 The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Hunter Kindle
#30 Planetfall by Emma Newman Kindle
#31 An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows Kindle
#32 Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani Kindle
#33 The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Kindle
#34 A History of Britain in 21 Women by Jenni Murray Audible
#35 The Stranger from the Sea by Winston Graham Kindle
#36 The Miller's Dance by Winston Graham Kindle
#37 The Loving Cup by Winston Graham Kindle
#38 The Twisted Sword by Winston Graham Kindle
#39 Bella Poldark by Winston Graham Kindle
#40 Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller Kindle
#41 He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope Paper
#42 After Atlas by Emma Newman Kindle
#43 How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran Audible
#44 Updraft by Fran Wilde Kindle
#45 Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley Kindle
#46 Mandoa, Mandoa by Winifred Holtby Paper
#47 How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now by James Kugels Paper
#48 Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but not Literally by Marcus Borg Paper
#49 What is the Bible? How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything by Rob Bell Paper

An idea borrowed from Liz (@lyzard), this lists ongoing series that I am actively reading. This doesn't include series where I have the first book in my TBR pile (i.e. series I haven't started reading yet aren't included). An asterisk indicates a series where I already have a copy of the next book and bold indicates an intention to finish the series soon(ish)...

Series I'm actively* reading (*for a rather lax definition of active)
*Albert Campion: Next up The China Governess by Margery Allingham (17/19)
Arbai trilogy Next up Raising the Stones by Sheri S. Tepper (2/3)
*Barsetshire Books by Angela Thirkell: Reading out of order. Next up The Brandons (5/29 read)
Black Panther Next up Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book Two by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2/3)
Bone Universe: Next up Cloudbound by Fran Wilde
Luna: Next up Luna: Wolf Moon by Ian McDonald (2/2)
Darwath: Next up Mother of Winter by Barbara Hambly (4/5)
Every Heart a Doorway: Next book Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire (2/3)
The Expanse: Next up Cibola Burn by James S. A. Corey (4/6)
Fables: Next up Fables, Vol. 16: Super Team by Bill Willingham (16/22)
The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire: Next up The Custodian of Marvels by Rod Duncan (3/3)
*Gilead: Next up Lila by Marilynne Robinson (3/3)
*Green Knowe: Next up: The River at Green Knowe by L. M. Boston (3/6)
Hainish Cycle: Next up The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin (6/8)
The Illuminae Files: Next up Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (2/3)
Liaden Universe Novels: Next up Ghost Ship by Shareon Lee & Steve Miller (14/21)
*The Long Earth: Next up The Long War by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (2/5)
Ms. Marvel 2015: Next up: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 6: Civil War II by G. Willow Wilson (1/2)
*Poldark Saga: Next up The Miller's Dance by Winston Graham (8/12)
The Reckoners: Next up Calamity by Brandon Sanderson (4/4)
*Richard Hannay: Next up The Three Hostages by John Buchan (4/5)
Saga: Next up Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (4/7?)
The Stormlight Archive: Next up Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Wolves Chronicles: Next up The Witch of Clatteringshaws by Joan Aiken (11/11)
World of the Five Gods: Next up Mira's Last Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (6/7)

Series I've stalled on but want to get back to
*Arsène Lupin: Next up Arsène Lupin vs. Holmlock Shears by Maurice Leblanc (2/23?)
*Barsoom: Next up The Warlord of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (3/11)
Bas-Lag: Next up The Scar by China Mieville (2/3)
David Wintringham by Josephine Bell: Reading out of order (2/12 read)
*Dolphin Ring Cycle: Next up Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff (5/8)
Dragonslayer: Next up The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde (3/4)
*Ebenezer Gryce: Next up The Circular Study by Anna Katharine Green (9/13)
Empire Trilogy: Next up: The Singapore Grip by J. G. Farrell (3/3)
Finishing School: Next up Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger (4/4)
*Fionavar Tapestry: Next up The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay (3/3)
The Fractured Europe Sequence: Next up Europe at Midnight by Dave Hutchinson (2/3)
*The Girl Who: Next up The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente (3/5)
Hilary Tamar: Next up The Shortest Way to Hades by Sarah Caudwell (2/4)
The Iremonger Trilogy: Next up Foulsham by Edward Carey (2/3)
Jimm Juree: Next up Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach by Colin Cotterill (2/2)
Lady Trent's Memoirs: Next up Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan (3/4)
Les Voyages Extraordinaires: Next up From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne (4/54)
Maigret: Next up Maigret in Holland by Georges Simenon (7/76)
The Penderwicks: Next up The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall (2/4)
*The Prairie Trilogy: Next up The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather (3/3) (Reading out of order)
*Roderick Alleyn: Next up Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh (2/32)
Romantic Poets and Nephilim: Next up A Time to Cast Away Stones in The Bible Repairman and Other Stories by Tim Powers (2/3)
Ruth Galloway: Next up A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (5/9)
Dr. Siri Paiboun: Next up: Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill (5/10)
*Tales of a New Jerusalem: Next up Family Britain, 1951-57 by David Kynaston (2/5?)
*Turtle: Next up Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver (2/2)
Vlad Taltos: Next up Dragon by Steven Brust (8/14)
Young Pilots: Next up Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein (3/3)

Series I'm rereading
*Discworld: Tiffany Aching: Next up I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (4/5)
*Chief Inspector Armand Gamache: Next up A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (7/11)
*Thursday Next: Next up The Woman Who Died a Lot by Jasper Fforde (7/7)

Up to date series
The Bear and the Nightingale: Next book The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden (2/3)
Binti: Next book Binti: Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor (2/3)
The Broken Earth Next book The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin (2/3)
The Cinder Spires: Latest book The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher (1/?)
Craft Sequence: Chronological Order Next up A Ruin of Angels by Max Gladstone (6/6)
Dark Gifts: Next up Tarnished City by Vic James (2/3)
Empire of Masks: Latest book The Traitor by Seth Dickinson (1/?)
The Gentleman Bastard Sequence: Next up The Thorn of Emberlain by Scott Lynch (4/7?)
The Kingkiller Chronicle: Next up The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss (4/4)
Lady Helen: Latest book The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman (2/3)
Matthew Shardlake: Latest book Lamentation by C. J. Sansom (6/6)
Mistborn Latest book Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson (7/8)
Old Kingdom: Latest book Goldenhand by Garth Nix (5/5)
Peter Grant: Latest book The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch (6/6)
Planetfall: Next book Before Mars by Emma Newman (3/3)
Shades of Grey: Latest book Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde (1/3)
A Song of Ice and Fire: Latest book A Dance with Dragons by G. R. R. Martin (5/7?)
Sorcerer Royal: Latest book Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (1/3)
The Sunbolt Chronicles: Latest book Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani (2/3)
Vorkosigan Series: Latest book Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold (17/17)
Wayfarers: Latest book A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (2/2)
Witches of Lychford: Next book A Long Day in Lychford by Paul Cornell (2/3)
Wolf Hall: Latest book Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (2/3)

Completed series
Black Widow (2014) by Nathan Edmondson (3/3)
Earthseed by Octavia E. Butler (2/2)
Mrs Tim by D. E. Stevenson (4/4)
Newsflesh by Mira Grant (5/5)
The Palliser Novels by Anthony Trollope (6/6)
Sorcery and Celia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (3/3)
Vision by Tom King (2/2)

And I'm done!

Happy New Thread, Heather. I hope this week goes more smoothly for you and Dan.

Semi-coherent thoughts on the last few February reviews:

Book #24: Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke - 3.8 stars



Some classic science fiction from Clarke about a mysterious alien artefact that appears in the Solar System. I liked the science and the slow exploration of the artefact. It felt quite cinematically written - I could almost see the scenes unfolding in my mind (not surprising given Clarke also wrote the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey although I have never managed to make it very far into that film or read the book). Female characters were not bad for a classic sf book by a male author. I enjoyed this a lot and although it ends with a big hook for some sequels, they're co-authored and I think someone told me not to go there.

Book #25: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling - 4.7 stars



Continuing my reread of the Harry Potter series - I had remembered that this instalment was my least favourite of the series but either I've changed my mind or the Jim Kay illustrations are so good that I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series. I would definitely recommend getting the illustrated editions if you're a fan of the series (and thank you again to my friends who got these for me for my birthday!)

>6 lunacat: Thanks Jenny. I forgot to say on the last thread that after several weeks we've finally heard back from the specialist CFS service via the GP and they want Dan to have another blood test. No mention of what the blood test is or why on the letter and at the moment he doesn't feel well enough to go to the doctor's for the blood tests (oh the irony!) but hopefully next week will be better.

Some Tor.com novellas:

Book #26: The Devil You Know by K. J. Parker - 3.5 stars



A fantasy novella set in a world that seems to resemble Ancient Greece (I think this may be the same world as some of Parker's other short stories but I haven't read any of them) - an ageing philosopher makes a deal with a devil for his soul in exchange for a longer life. But who is going to outwit who in this bargain? Not quite as good as Parker's other Tor novella, The Last Witness, but still enjoyable.

Book #31: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor - 4 stars
Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor - 3.8 stars



A reread of Binti in preparation for the new novella, Binti: Home. I enjoyed Binti as much as I did the first time but Binti: Home ends on an agonising cliffhanger and I have to wait until September to find out what happens - aargh!

Happy new one, Heather! I love the Erica topper! I have Binti in the stacks - I did not know there was a second book out.

>7 souloftherose: That may have been me who warned you off the Rama sequels, Heather. But I am not a hard-core sf reader and it's possible that what I didn't like was more related to that than the objective quality of the sequels. And even not liking them pretty strongly, I still read them all, so ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If you're inclined you might try the second one and see for yourself.

>8 souloftherose: Oh dear. I hope Dan's feeling well enough to get the blood tests soon and that they shed some light on possible treatment options for him. It can't be easy to have a chronic condition that seems to have not much in the way of effective treatment — or to be the wife of such a one. Sending good thoughts your way.

Happy New Thread, Heather! That's a gorgeous shot of Erica. :)

Hope all goes well with Dan.

Just checking in on your new thread and admiring the photo of Erica. I hope Dan feels well enough for the blood test soon.

Hi Heather! Happy new thread! You're at the same point I am in the Hannay series. Let me know whenever you're ready for The Three Hostages and I'll read along with you. I'll need enough advance notice to request it from the library, though.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Heather!

Happy new thread, Heather. Still thinking of you and Dan and sending lots of good vibes.

>10 Crazymamie:, >11 rosalita:, >12 lyzard:, >13 lauralkeet:, >14 cbl_tn:, >15 drneutron:, >16 scaifea:, >17 Ameise1: Thanks Mamie, Julia, Liz, Laura, Carrie, Jim, Amber and Barbara for visiting my thread!

>10 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie! I'd say Binti is definitely worth a read but if you don't already have Binti: Home maybe wait until the final book is released...

>11 rosalita: I thought it might have been you Julia! I've had a look at the sequels and a lot of reviewers weren't keen so I feel ok skipping them - especially as I have so many other books I want to read!

>14 cbl_tn: I will let you know Carrie - it's been on my bedside table for several weeks now.... But I would like to get back to Richard Hannay's adventures.

-------

I also wanted to say a general LT thank you to all those who have mentioned how enjoyable the Ben Aaronovitch Peter Grant books are as audio books. I've read the entire series in print form but had the happy thought of using one of my Audible credits to try listening to Rivers of London as a reread and now Dan's hooked! And it's been especially helpful for him over the last week as he hasn't really had enough brain for reading print books. So helpful that he's started listening to them whilst I'm at work (no fair!) so whilst I'm still just over halfway through Rivers of London he's almost finished Moon Over Soho and will probably get through another book before the end of the week. Yay for audiobooks!

Happy New Thread, Heather!

As you know, I'm a fan of Binti and Binti Home, too. That was quite a cliffhanger in the latter! Can't wait for the third.

Hey there! I have been catching up just a little bit.

Hambly is one of my favorite authors, and I read the Darwath trilogy when it first came out, along with most of her other fantasy books. I also love, love, love her historical mysteries featuring Benjamin January (first is A Free Man of Color).

Anyway, you had asked Roni about the later spinoff novels, Mother of Winter and Icefalcon's Quest. I think those are at least as good as the original trilogy. The latter obviously largely focuses on Icefalcon's perspective, with the other POV being Prince Altir. The former as usual is told from Rudy and Gil's POVs. It introduces more backstory in terms of the building of the Keeps in the time of the legendary King Dare.

I was excited to find she's continued with storytelling in both of these series, but largely through ebooks. I might need to break down and get an ereader just so I can acquire the newer stories. Or visit my mom and borrow hers.

I've made note of some of your other reviews and will surely follow up on some of those leads.

>7 souloftherose: I am trying to read more sci-fi as my reading in that genre is sadly lacking. I will have to check out Rendezvous with Rama. Thanks for the recommendation, Heather!

Yay, new thread....

>1 souloftherose: beautiful photo of Erica. That's the most relaxed I've ever seen her. Ok, to be fair, I've rarely seen her anywhere because she hides from me.

>7 souloftherose: It may have been me who warned you off the Rama sequels. I got part way through the next one and gave up. But you're a much more competent reader than me.

>7 souloftherose: Concur on 2001, I read the book and wasn't impressed, then got talked into watching the film. Why oh why did I put myself through that???

>7 souloftherose: So glad you're enjoying the Harry Potter.

>8 souloftherose: praying Dan feels well enough for the blood test soon. I think that's good news they're checking the diagnosis with more tests.

>18 souloftherose: Yay for audiobooks. Done well they really add to the reading experience.

Happy new thread, Heather. I may get into audiobooks a bit more when I return to the UK.

Happy new thread, Heather.

What a beautiful cat!

Lovely new thread Heather!

Happy New Thread, Heather. {{{{{{Heather}}}}}} because you need them. Take Chris' opinion of the later Darwath books--I have them but I've never read them. I do think Hambly's Dragonsbane is one of the best dragon story ever. I've been afraid to read the sequels in case they ruin the story.

ETA oh, and I love the Erika picture--I remember your adventures when you first got her.

>26 ronincats: The sequels are some of the darkest stories I've ever read, certainly from this author. Not really pleasant. Interesting. Different. But hard. I have all of them. I love Dragonsbane best of them. The sequels go into a science fiction direction with more portal traveling and so on. Sorta cyberpunk on the other end. Took me years after I bought them to actually sit down and read them. I reread Dragonsbane occasionally but not so tempted to reread the follow-ups.

I vastly prefer Hambly's vampire sequels (Traveling with the Dead, etc) to the once again very lovely initial foray Those Who Hunt the Night to the dragon sequels.

Happy new thread, Heather.
I hope Dan can go for the blood test soon, is it possible they come to your place to get the blood for the test?

Happy new thread, Heather! I hope that Dan's test results are favorable.

>27 justchris: Chris, I feel like Dragonsbane ended perfectly, in a perfect manner at the perfect time, so I have no real desire to read the sequels. I had heard they were very dark, as you say, and I don't need that. I do very much enjoy her vampire series, the first of which is imho one of the best vampire novels around. So, Heather, let that inspire you!

Hooray for the audiobooks being a comfort to Dan right now, and those in particular are just so fabulous on audio. The perfect pairing of narrator and story.

Happy Thursday, Heather!

Hope all is well Heather. Not like you to go missing for nearly a whole week.

Happy new thread! Eric looks like a very warm, snuggly kitty :-)

>7 souloftherose: I've watched the first fifteen minutes of 2001 so many times. Never got past that, but it's an excellent insomnia cure!

Hi Heather and happy new thread!

Erica is gorgeous. That is a great picture.

I hope that Dan is feeling well enough this week to go for the bloodwork.

>7 souloftherose: I have read the HP books twice through, and listened to them 4 times through. I retired last year, though, so don't listen to audiobooks nearly as much as before since I only listen to them in the car. You make me want to re-read them.

>19 jnwelch: Thanks Joe. And yes, that cliffhanger!

>20 justchris: Hi Chris. Thanks for the input on Hambly. I definitely want to try her other series but given you liked Mother of Winter and Icefalcon's Quest I will finish the Darwath series first.

>21 alcottacre: You're welcome Stasia - lovely to see you on LT again :-)

>22 eclecticdodo: And she's not even particularly relaxed in that picture! She can sense when I'm taking a picture of her....

>23 PaulCranswick: I'm not quite in the habit of audio-books yet - I enjoy them when I remember to listen but keep forgetting that it's an option.

>24 BLBera:, >25 Kassilem: Thank you!

>26 ronincats: Thanks Roni. Yes, Erica has come very far from when we first got her. I still have hopes that as she ages and mellows I might persuade her that a lap could be a good thing.

>26 ronincats:, >27 justchris:, >30 ronincats: Helpful discussion of the other Hambly books - thank you both :-) Dragonsbane is on the list but maybe I will be a bit cautious about the sequels. And the vampire books are also the list (I guess I might as well admit to myself that pretty much all of Hambly's back catalogue is now on the list!)

>28 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. That's a good question about the blood tests. I assume there must be some provision made for people that are housebound but I don't know if we'd qualify. Whether or not Dan would be well enough to go out to get the blood test varies from day to day - it's just a well day hasn't coincided with a day I'm not at work to take him to get tested.

>29 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl.

>31 Crazymamie: The narrrator really makes those audiobooks - I'm still listening to Rivers of London as I'm still not in the habit of listening and keep forgetting it's an option. But listened some more yesterday and really enjoyed it.

>32 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I am finding it more difficult to find the time and energy to post this year - I wouldn't have thought I have been managing to post even weekly this year but perhaps I'm wrong. Anyway, nothing particular is up - just very tired.

>33 archerygirl: Thank you. She definitely likes warm and snuggly (she is very much a sun cat) but snuggling with humans doesn't really happen. For some reason she makes an exception for my husband but only if he's in bed and under layers of duvet and blanket. Presumably then she can pretend there isn't really a human underneath the duvet keeping her warm!

Hmm - that's about as far through 2001 as I've got too...

>34 karenmarie: Thanks Karen. I'm not sure how many times I've read the HP books - I know I've never managed to reread book 7 though (the others I was rereading at least each time a new book was released and then one reread since they were all released when I couldn't manage book 7 straight after book 6). They are good :-)

Hi Heather! Happy new thread. I am planning on a re-read of the first Harry Potter for April's Obama challenge. Something a little more fun for a change! ; ) Good luck with the blood tests for Dan.

>35 souloftherose: I hope you are able to find a day of positive intersections between your availability and Dan's energy. It's seriously not fun when the household just doesn't have enough spoons to adult, and you try to juggle as best you can what few you have between you.

Hi Heather - I'm very happy that the audio of the Peter Grant books has been a hit with your husband. I can imagine that they'd be good, I might have to listen to a sample.
I just used an audible credit to get 75hrs of Stephen Fry reading Sherlock Holmes, seems like a bargain.

I came to your thread to see your comments on the second Lady Helen book, The Dark Days Pact. I enjoyed the first and have just requested the second one.

Happy new thread, Heather! It seems the only time I visit 75ers is at the start of a new thread :0(
Erica is a beauty!
I really don't understand why the medical profession has not found a way to come to a patient when they're unable to get to the office.
Insurance companies come out for blood tests, so why..........oh! I forgot the blood test benefits the insurance company not the person wanting to be insured. So, of course, there's no benefit for drs to send out asst's, as there's no benefit to them. *sigh*
Hope Dan feels better soon and gets that test done.

>36 Berly: Thanks Kim - enjoy the Harry Potter!

>37 justchris: Thanks Chris. I am still very, very tired but feeling a little bit better today. I'm hoping April is going to be a gentler month....

>38 avatiakh: I saw the Stephen Fry Sherlock Holmes - it did look like a great bargain especially as I think it's the complete Sherlock Holmes canon for one credit! Hopefully comments to come on the Lady Helen books soon - but I enjoyed both books very much.

>39 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda. I think I'm the same with thread visiting at the moment....

It's April and I have almost all of March's books still to comment on. I'm going to attempt to be very brief in an attempt to make some headway into writing these up....

Book #27: The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov - 3.3 stars



Another classic, hard science fiction work which won the Hugo and Nebula awards in the early '70s. Whilst I'm a big fan of Asimov's earlier work from the 1950s I don't enjoy his later works as much - this had a really interesting section on an alien society with three genders (and an interesting exploration of gender stereotypes within that alien society) and I enjoyed the science but I was frustrated by the gender stereotypes Asimov failed to question when it came to writing about human society - the final section of the book features an ageing physicist and the very young, lithe and limber young lady who falls in love with him and spends most of this section walking around with no clothes on (because on the Moon no-one wears clothes). I had to roll my eyes a lot during this section and it left me with a strong desire to read some female authored science fiction....

Book #27: The Walls of Air by Barbara Hambly - 3.8 stars
Book #28: The Armies of Daylight by Barbara Hambly - 4 stars



These are the second and third books in Hambly's Darwath trilogy which I continued to enjoy very much. I've seen come negative comments about not much happening in the second book and I guess it didn't but the character development and world-building kept me interested even if with hindsight the plot didn't move forward very much. I felt this trilogy subverted enough fantasy tropes that I couldn't entirely predict the ending but still kept a familiar fantasy feel. Looking forward to the later books in the Darwath series.

Book #30: The Unwinding: Thirty Years of American Decline by George Packer - 4 stars



One of the few 'difficult' books I managed to finish in March - this was very interesting but quite challenging and depressing to read at times so it took me a long time to finish. I took away a better understanding of the political and social factors which have led to a Trump presidency but also a sense of inevitability. I couldn't really see anything that could have been done differently that would have made a difference in the results of the last election and Packer also doesn't offer any proposed solutions. But that's my take as someone who didn't really know anything about America from the last thirty years so I'd be interested to hear if others had different takes on this.

Book #32: Behind the Throne by K. B. Wagers - 3.6 stars



I seen some buzz for this series and the library had shiny new volumes and I wanted some female authored science fiction so picked this up. And it was a lot of fun, but maybe didn't quite live up to the buzz.

Hailimi Bristol was the younger daughter of the Empress of the Indranan Empire but ran away to become a gun-runner. After all her sisters are killed she becomes the only remaining heir to the throne and is forced to return home to take her place as the rightful heir and try to determine who is responsible for her sisters deaths.

This is fast-paced and fun with lots of plotting and intrigue but I didn't feel it really achieved all the things it was trying to do. The Indranan Empire is a matriarchal society but Hail ends up surrounded mostly by men once she's back home. The Indranan Empire has its roots in our Earth's Indian cultures but I didn't get a sense of depth to the culture - it felt fairly generic to me but with some saris and occasional references to Hindu gods thrown in. Hail is a strong female character but the author's sometimes so keen to show us how strong and kick-ass she is that I felt like I was being beaten round the head with this. And Hail swears a lot, which I don't have a problem with, but if you overuse swear words they start to sound silly rather than tough and hard-nosed. Hail felt like a teenager throughout and I was quite shocked to realise about 1/3 of the way through that she's actually in her 40s.

Saying that, those were all niggles (admittedly niggles that stayed with me and lost the book half a star) but it was fun and very readable fluff. And I have the next book (of course it's a trilogy!) out from the library which I am looking forward to. So guardedly recommended but it's not the successor to Star Wars, Bujold, Becky Chambers etc that the blurbs might have you think.

Book #33: The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman - 3.9 stars
Book #34: The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman - 3.8 stars



There seems to be a strong attraction to the Regency period for anyone thinking of writing some historical fantasy - I tend to approach these with fairly low expectations, not because I dislike historical fantasy set in the Regency period but because some authors seem to think the Regency period just means 'generic historical period in England when girls wore dresses' and then just add some magic.

Alison Goodman is not one of these authors (hooray!) and has done her research very thoroughly - sometimes this shows a bit when reading the book but this didn't really detract from my enjoyment. She also explores the darker side of the Regency period which I enjoyed and in the second book there's cross-dressing! Even a love triangle (of sorts), which I usually detest, didn't mar my enjoyment - as soon as I finished the first book I downloaded the second and now have to wait for the third book. Probably still fluff but well-written fluff and I will have to look for Goodman's other books.

Hi Heather, just catching up here. I have taken a BB for the two books by Alison Goodman they sound good. :)

>43 souloftherose: Regency era is my favorite historical romance era. And the darker historical fiction I've read has leaned toward the Victorian murder mysteries (in the vein of Anne Perry, who definitely explores the social underbelly in her stories). I've only dabbled in the fantasy stories set in the Regency era. I think I'll have to check out the Goodman books.

>41 souloftherose: Glad you're enjoying the Hambly books. I like her work very much, but after a dozen or more stories featuring the same types, I do like to branch out into other authors for some variety of characters. Hambly is all about geek love with skinny, smart women who may or may not be conventionally attractive, and large, often awkward or socially misfit brainy but also physical men of action. I definitely relate, but definitely like more different kinds of stories too.

A friend of mine was horrified to discover that I'd grown up reading science fiction my whole life but had never read any stories by Asimov (or some of the other "giants"). He promptly gave me a copy of The Gods Themselves. I read it. Thought the 3 sexes and alien society were mildly interesting, and it was an interesting narrative device. But didn't consider it a keeper and culled the book fairly quickly. So much for hewing to the "greats" of the genre.

>41 souloftherose: Given what I've heard about Asimov, that final section of the book doesn't surprise me much *sigh* His early work really is the best. I wonder whether some of the later awards were "he won because Asimov" more than anything else.

>43 souloftherose: Drat, you got me with some book bullets!

All caught up with you, Heather, and you hit me with the Goodman books - I'll have to look for those. I have only read one Asimov - The Caves of Steel, but I liked it. Good to know to stick to his earlier stuff.

>44 DeltaQueen50: Hope you enjoy them Judy!

>45 justchris: I think if you enjoy the Regency era Chris you will enjoy these - they felt very well researched. And they were fun too - I think they're meant to be YA but they didn't feel particularly YA.

>45 justchris:, >46 archerygirl: I like some early Asimov a lot but didn't feel that The Gods Themselves was one of his best books. I think it was probably a case of 'won because he's Asimov'.

>46 archerygirl: Also hope you enjoy the Goodmans!

>47 Crazymamie: Mamie, The Caves of Steel is one of my favourites and I also liked the next two sequels, The Naked Sun and The Robots of Dawn. And another BB hit for the Goodmans - yay!

----------------------------------------------

We had lovely weather this weekend (20C in April!) and I'm feeling proud of myself for learning to mow the lawn (somehow it ended up being Dan's job but I'm not sure he's going to be able to keep it up this year). Otherwise I am still totally shattered - can't believe the weekend is over and Monday is nearly here already. But I'm off work for 12 days from Friday so hopefully that will help.

I think I can squeeze in another couple of brief reviews before bedtime....

>41 souloftherose: I will have to look for the Hambly books.

>43 souloftherose: I just bought the first book in the series the other day (although I do not have it just yet). I am hoping I enjoy the series as much as you seem to be.

Book #35: The Duke's Children by Anthony Trollope - 3.9 stars



The final volume in Trollope's Palliser series - a loving character study of the Duke of Omnium, Plantagenet Palliser and his relationship with his children following the death of Glencora. Each of Plantagenet's children seem determined to be a disappointment to him in one way or another and I felt there was a sense of sadness throughout this novel although perhaps those were my own feelings on coming to the end of the series?

Book #36: N or M? by Agatha Christie - 3.8 stars



Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are some my favourite of Christie's detectives. They only feature in five books and they're also unusual in that they age as the decades proceed. I think the Beresfords must be close to Christie's own age which makes it particularly poignant that Tommy and Tuppence are both finding their apparent uselessness hard to deal with as WWII breaks out and the government keeps telling them that they are too old to help. Of course, this is Tommy and Tuppence so they get involved somehow and save the day - great fun.

>49 alcottacre: Lovely to see you Stasia - I hope you enjoy them!

{{{{{Heather}}}}}

I loved Asimov's Foundation Trilogy as a teen but going back to some years ago, I found that, as with so many books of that era where they composed of what were originally short stories in the pulps), they just didn't live up to my memories. I do still enjoy The Caves of Steel and its sequels.

I don't remember if I've mentioned here, but there's an alternative history Regency era series that I recommend, starting with The Midnight Queen. There are three books in the series.

Hi, Heather! Hope the week goes quickly for you so that you can enjoy some well-deserved time off.
*sigh* I've never read Hambly....... so much that I haven't read, but I can join you in Tommy/Tuppence love.

>50 souloftherose: I've only recently become familiar with Tommy and Tuppence thanks to recent PBS airings of BBC episodes of Partners in Crime, including N or M? I thought they were okay, but didn't really sweep me away like The Doctor Blake Mysteries, say. Probably the books would be better. There's a whole oeuvre of Christie's that I am completely unfamiliar with, despite growing up reading her Marple and Poirot mysteries. Who knew? You, obviously.

Happy Wednesday, Heather. I'm glad that soon you have some time off work.

>41 souloftherose: - I am shuddering at your description of the Asimov, Heather. I will definitely avoid that one. I would be tossing the book at the walls.

Hi Heather, wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend.

Or just Happy Sunday!!

Have a great week, Heather.

>52 ronincats: Roni, I can understand that response to Asimov's books - so far I still enjoy rereading the early Foundation and Robots books but I can see the limitations in his writing and his views (especially when women come up).

I think I recall you recommending The Midnight Queen and sequels (and also @sakerfalcon in the Green Dragon group also enjoyed them). I've checked and they don't seem to have been published in the UK so they are a bit pricey at the moment - hopefully a UK publisher will pick them up. Strike that - I've just checked her website and apparently the first two books have been published in the UK but under Sylvia Hunter not Sylvia Izzo Hunter (which was why I couldn't find them on Amazon) - hurrah!

>53 LizzieD: Thanks Peggy!

>54 justchris: I saw some episodes of the BBc adaptation called Partners in Crime and hated it - I really didn't think they captured the characters of Tommy and Tuppence very well, especially Tommy. So, in this case I think the books were a lot better. The books have more of an adventure story element than the Poirot/Marple stories but I have a soft spot for that.

>55 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara!

>56 BLBera:, >60 BLBera: Thanks Beth - yes, not my favourite of his books!

>57 DianaNL:, >58 Ameise1:, >59 Berly: Thank you - what lovely images. We've had a pull-the-drawbridge-up bank holiday weekend but I think I can slowly feel some energy coming back. And I've started to sleep in past 6am in the mornings again!

>61 souloftherose: 'And I've started to sleep in past 6am in the mornings again!'

Possibly I spoke too soon as I woke up at 5am today.......

Book #37: Lost Man's Lane by Anna Katharine Green - 3.4 stars



Another 19th century mystery from Anna Katharine Green featuring her police detective Ebenezer Gryce and her amateur lady detective, Amelia Butterworth. I enjoyed this story but was a bit disappointed when the hints at some of the very sensational happenings turned out to be more prosaic in nature.

Book #38: Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones - 4.4 stars
Book #39: The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones - 4.5 stars
Book #40: The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones - 3.9 stars
Book #42: Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones - 3.8 stars
Book #48: Conrad's Fate by Diana Wynne Jones - 3.8 stars



At some point amidst all the stress and tiredness that was March I started rereading Diana Wynne Jones' Chrestomanci series and raced through most of the books (still to reread The Pinhoe Egg and Mixed Magics). Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant are especial favourites but the Chrestomanci series is my favourite series amongst DWJ's books and in my opinion better than the Howl's Moving Castle trilogy.

And how I wish they hadn't redesigned the covers for the later books - I love the covers of the first four above but Conrad's Fate and The Pinhoe Egg were published much later and they seem to have redesigned all the covers at that point.

Ahem. Anthony Trollope?? :)

>63 lyzard: Oops! Now amended - thank you.

Those first four are redesigns too - though very nice ones. I have multiple copies of some, but I can't resist books in the first edition I read them in (but better condition). I need to find Dogsbody because I think it being about a dog might persuade Danny to read it. I read him the first sentence of a blurb for a new children's book that I have got a review copy of (that I thought he might be interested in) - the character is "a very special dog" and Danny's response was "I like it already!"

Hi Heather!

>50 souloftherose: I'm not particularly thrilled with Tuppence and Tommy, but I do like your two points: they age naturally in the books and Tommy and Tuppence are both finding their apparent uselessness hard to deal with as WWII breaks out and the government keeps telling them that they are too old to help. You've piqued my interest and I might actually read the last two to see if I like them better.

>61 souloftherose: With your plug in mind, I might look up the books one of these days. Watching the BBC adaptation wasn't a good sell for the original stories. I can appreciate the adventure element. Love many of the Dick Francis stories.

>65 elkiedee: Oh, I hadn't realised the first four covers were redesigns - it always bugs me when publishers change the covers of a series midway through publishing it. Dogsbody is one of my favourites - I hope you can find your copy and Danny enjoys it.

>66 karenmarie: It's been a while since I read the later books in the series Karen but from memory I think I enjoyed By the Pricking of My Thumbs but I'm less sure about Postern of Fate which seems to be viewed as quite a weak Christie novel.

>67 justchris: Well, if you do decide to give them a try Chris I hope you enjoy them.

--------------------------------

So the last few days of my holiday passed very quickly - I took my Mum out for a spa day as a belated Mother's Day present (late March in the UK), met up with Bianca (@drachenbraut) a 75-er who's not been able to be active in the group for the last few years but who I still keep in touch with her - we had a lovely knitting, crochet and yarn-related day. She showed me how to spin(!) and gave me some beautiful hand-dyed yarn to try spinning with as well as the loan of one of her spindles and I helped her work out a crochet pattern she was stuck with.

Then I had a lovely (but very busy) long weekend in Disneyland Paris with my family for my Dad's 70th birthday. So many photos to sort through but here is a slightly blurry selfie of me and Dan at the hotel. Dan managed much better than we thought he would and has, so far, not really been hit with debilitating fatigue. Waiting to see how he feels this week.......



Back to work tomorrow but that doesn't seem too bad given that the coming weekend is a long bank holiday weekend.... I may change my mind once I see the number of unread emails and have been debriefed by everyone on my team....

Final March book comments!

Book #41: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire - 4 stars



A very moving novella from Seanan McGuire on suicide, death, ghosts and reasons to keep on living. I started it earlier in the month and stopped again because I found it too sad to read but then managed to find myself with a bit more brainspace later on in the month. I thought this was really, really good except for the ending which felt a little rushed and is why I haven't given it more than 4 stars.

Lovely photo, Heather. Happy Tuesday.

Fabulous photo of you both, Heather!!

>68 souloftherose: Nice picture, Heather.
Glad to read Dan managed better than anticipated.

>69 souloftherose: Adding that one to the Black Hole! Thanks for the recommendation, Heather!

Happy Wednesday!

Lovely photo of you and Dan, Heather. Nice hats! ;-)

Fab pic up there ..... only thing that helps first day back is lots &lots of tea :)

>62 souloftherose: I don't think any of my covers for the Chrestomanci series match each other! They were all acquired at different times in my reading life and are from various publishers.

I'm glad you and Bianca had a good meetup. I hope we can all get together again some time this year.

>68 souloftherose: Great photo and lovely hats, Heather! Can I assume that you'll wear yours when (hopefully) we meet up later this year?

Bianca told me about the lovely day she had with you and Dan last week; I'm glad that you three had such a nice time together.

Thanks for posting the Disney photo of you two. Looking very happy there! I totally agree about being irritated when the covers change in a series mid-stride. And I like the earlier ones of the series above. And glad you had fun with Bianca, too. Hope back-to-work hasn't been too overwhelming. Happy Friday!!

And now they aren't just changing covers. Two series I have followed for yonks, all in paperback, now have new ones coming out in hardback this year! =^P

>70 Ameise1:, >71 scaifea:, >72 FAMeulstee:, >74 rosalita:, >75 roundballnz:, >78 Berly: Thank you! We had a great time (although I had run out of spending time with people energy by the last day). Going back to work wasn't too bad although the tiredness caught up with me more Thurs and Fri than on Weds.

>73 alcottacre: Hope you enjoy it Stasia.

>76 Sakerfalcon:, >77 kidzdoc: Yes, I'm sorry I missed meeting up with both of you on this break. Hopefully we can schedule something for later in the year. The ears are probably going to my goddaughter and oldest nephew as presents so will sadly not be available for wearing on future meetups! :-)

>79 ronincats: Oh, that's frustrating too!

Another Disney photo (from left top right: me, Dan, my Dad, my brother, my Mum - my brother's fiancee was taking the photo)

Celebrating another long weekend by trying to catch up with some book comments:

Book #43: Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson - 4 stars



A lovely story about a young orphan, Maia, who travels out to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil to stay with distant relatives who are her new guardians. Whilst her relatives only want to shut out the jungle and pretend they're still living in polite society in England, Maia embraces the wonderful diversity of life in the Amazon. Her governess, Miss Minton, is also a wonderful character. Wonderful.

Book #44: The Life Project: The Extraordinary Story of Our Ordinary Lives by Helen Pearson - 4.4 stars



Whilst the cover is fairly uninspiring I found this book fascinating - it's the history of various cohort studies in the UK which followed groups of people all born at roughly the same time (depending on the study this varies from people born in the same week to the same year) and collects data regularly throughout the subjects' lives for scientific/sociological purposes. As the author says, it's not widely known that these studies exist but the results from these studies have had a huge influence on health and government policies in this country - from the link between smoking and cancer to the Sure Start scheme. Funding was never guaranteed for any of the studies beyond the current round of data collection so the book also looks at the scientists and sociologists who lead the different studies and how they worked tirelessly in every case to get their funding their study needed.

There's a brief mention of studies in other countries but otherwise this is very UK focused. Fascinating stuff!

And thank you to Susan for the nudge to read this!

>81 souloftherose: Oh, I loved that one - I'm so glad that you did, too!

>82 souloftherose: I would be adding that one to the BlackHole again if it weren't already there.

Hi Heather - I hope your return to work has gone smoothly. Thanks for sharing your pictures. It looks like you are all having fun.
You hit me with the McGuire, Ibbotson and the Pearson!

I love the cover on Journey to the River Sea.

Hi, Heather!

I've put up the thread for the group read of Zoe---here. See you there soon!

>83 scaifea: It was good - I'm very slowly working my way through Ibbotson's books and they're all lovely.

>84 alcottacre: Well, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it Stasia!

>85 BLBera: Thanks Beth - sorry for hitting you with so many BBs!

>86 lyzard: Thanks Liz. I'll hopefully start reading today.

And today's Disney image:

Book #45: Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith - 4 stars



A reread, but the first time listening to this on audio and it was very well narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith who has a great deadpan delivery. I started listening to the second book a few weeks ago and then got distracted - will have to get back to it.

Book #46: Sunshine by Robin MckInley - 3.8 stars



Sunshine is Robin McKinley's vampire novel and if I say this reminded me a lot of the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that's not meant as a criticism (big Buffy fan). Sunshine is set in an alternate version of our world where vampires exist and our heroine, Rae (affectionately known as Sunshine), is an ordinary teenager until she discovers she has special powers that may help against the vampires.....

In many ways there aren't that many original ideas in this story and at times I did wonder if I was going to find it too angsty (there's almost a love-triangle) but whilst I didn't think McKinley was doing anything particularly new with these tropes, I thought this was very well-done and enjoyed it a lot (even though I wouldn't say YA vampire novels with love-triangles are my thing).

Book #47: Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani - 4 stars



Intisar Khanani is a self-published young-adult fantasy author I've heard very good things about. I've read two of her short stories which are available for free (The Bone Knife and Dragon Slayer Number Nine - I think the latter is available if you sign up to her newsletter) and had been meaning to try her longer works for some time so when I got an email to say Sunbolt was also free via her email list I quickly downloaded it (but I think it has taken me so long to write my thoughts up that the offer has now expired....)

Sunbolt is quite short for a novel - more of a novella length - but it's an excellent YA story about a young thief, Hitomi, who gets involved with the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the corrupt local government. Khanani manages to dodge most of the YA fantasy tropes that can bug me - Hitomi is a strong and capable heroine but she cares about others, isn't particularly bad-ass or broken by traumatic events in her past and there's no love triangle (or really much of a romance aspect at all).

This is a complete story but the ending does leave the reader wanting to know more about Hitomi's past and what's going to happen to her next. A longer (more novel-length) sequel, Memories of Ash was released last year which I am very much looking forward to reading soon. I think there's at least one more book planned in this series after that.

Khanani also has a stand-alone novel, Thorn (a goose girl retelling) and is writing another series featuring the main character from The Bone Knife.

I've never watched Buffy so maybe Sunshine felt more original to me but, as always with McKinley books, it's the characters who make it for me.

I am so mad that the next book in the Rivers of London series is coming out in hardback. I hate when they change format that far into a series. No, that's not true. I hate when they change format at any point in a series! And they are doing it with the Toby Daye series as well.

Come join us at the May Martians and Magic Theme thread at http://www.librarything.com/topic/256332

>68 souloftherose:, >80 souloftherose: Great photos, Heather. I'm glad you had such a good Disney break.

Wishing you a great weekend, Heather.

>89 ronincats: The familiarity in Sunshine was a good thing for me - it felt very comforting.

I think Rivers of London has always come out in hardback here but it does annoy me when my books need to change format - sometimes because I've caught up with a series in paperback and then can't wait for the next book to come out in that format.

Thanks for the link to the May theme thread.

>90 jnwelch:, >91 PaulCranswick: Thanks Joe and Paul!

Book #49: Arrest the Bishop? by Winifred Peck - 4 stars



Winifred Peck has quite a pedigree - she was sister to The Knox Brothers and aunt to Penelope Fitzgerald as well as being daughter of a bishop. Previously the only one of her novels which was readily available was House-bound, reprinted by Persephone, which was a tongue in cheek look at an middle-class lady in Edinburgh learning to do housework during WWII due to the lack of servants. Thankfully Dean Street Press have now stepped into the breach and republished a further three novels by Peck: two crime novels, The Warrielaw Jewel and Arrest the Bishop? and one general fiction, Bewildering Cares.

Arrest the Bishop?, first published in 1949, is, as the title might suggest, a murder mystery set in a bishop's palace during 1920 and peopled with bishops, curates, deans and other clergy whose titles I have forgotten. An ordination service is to be held and several guests are staying over when the unpleasant Reverend Ulder arrives without notice and tries to blackmail most of the senior clergy present. The next morning when the Rev Ulder is found dead there is no alternative other than to call the local police in, and unfortunately the local constable is a Dissenter and decidedly not fond of the high church folk. I won't spoil it by telling you whether the bishop gets arrested or not but I thought this was an affectionate and often quite funny look at murder in an ecclesiastical setting. Although 1949 is strictly rather late for the golden age of detective fiction this had the feel of a golden age novel albeit there is probably more focus on the characters and the effects of them on a murder investigation than the strict mechanics of the crime. Very enjoyable.

Book #50: God's Traitors: Terror and Faith in Elizabethan England by Jessie Childs - 3.8 stars



Another religion themed book - this looks at how Roman Catholics were treated during Elizabeth I's reign (and also during the early parts of James I's reign) by following the fortunes of one family, the Vaux. In particular, as a lot of the male members of the family were killed or exiled fairly quickly, the book's main focus was on the women of the Vaux family and the influence they could have.

This was very interesting but quite difficult to read - the 16th century was a time during which your religion and beliefs could literally mean life or death and neither the Protestants or Roman Catholics seemed to have moral issues with torture. Childs is sympathetic towards the Roman Catholics who refused to give up their faith during Elizabeth's reign - whilst Elizabeth may personally have wanted to be more lenient towards those of the Catholic faith this was made very difficult for her by the Pope's proclamation forbidding any Catholic to obey her and an assassination by Catholics of another Protestant ruler in Europe not to mention the Spanish Armada. I'm glad I read it but I'm even more glad that I don't live in the 16th century.

It sounds like Winifred Peck is worth checking out. I wonder if I'll be able to put my hands on any of her books here.

>94 BLBera: She really is - although it's been a few weeks since I read Arrest the Bishop?, writing up my thoughts on it inspired me to pick up another one of her books so I started Bewildering Cares this morning which is a fictional diary of a vicar's wife at the beginning of WWII and am really enjoying it.

Having checked Dean Street Press's website it looks like they also distribute their books in the US so hopefully you will come those reprints.

>95 souloftherose: I've just read Bewildering Cares, which I enjoyed very much. As a vicar's wife myself I am very relieved that times have changed! I've got copies of Arrest the bishop? and The Warrielaw Jewel ready as well. Isn't Dean Street Press wonderful?

>96 CDVicarage: Yes, I'm quite excited by a lot of the Dean Street Press reprints and they often seem to offer some of their books for free for a week or so - I have a fair number of the first batch of their Furrowed Middlebrow reprints which I got for free at various points.

Glad to hear things have changed for vicars' wives now - I have to say some of the characters she described struck me as people who could easily be contemporary (thinking of Mr Weekes, the self-made successful businessman who thinks that because he worked his way up from nothing everyone else should be able to and therefore doesn't hold with free meals for school-children which is exactly the sort of argument I end up having with my Dad...)

Book #51: Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky - 4.4 stars



I picked this up because I really enjoyed Tchaikovsky's science fiction novel, Children of Time which won the Clarke award last year. I thought Spiderlight was a fantasy novella playing with D&D tropes (so a group of priest, ranger, thief, wizard, warrior etc. goes on a quest) and apart from the fact that it's a full length-novel that's correct but I thought Tchaikovsky went from playing with D&D tropes to challenging these tropes and all kinds of 'real-world' issues (sexism, nature of good and evil) very well but did so in a way that stayed light and funny. Also, one of the main characters is a spider. Definitely recommended to any fantasy lovers.

Glad you have so much reading going on, Heather! (And I love the Disney pics!!!)
Thanks for alerting me to Winifred Peck.... I read The Knox Brothers, but I had forgotten that they had a sister. Happily, a number of the novels are available for Kindle here at a very good price. I'll get around to them!

Hi Heather! Again, loving the Disney picture. Thanks for posting. You've read a lot since I was last here! Nicely done and they all seemed to score pretty high in the ratings. Fun. I know where to come when I need a good fantasy recommendation!

>98 souloftherose: I have a couple of books by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Heather and have wavered a couple of times on them because they are such chunksters. Your positive reviews are making me a bit more confident about an attempt soon.

Have a lovely weekend.

>99 LizzieD: I hope you enjoy the Peck novels when you get to them, Peggy!

>100 Berly: 'they all seemed to score pretty high in the ratings' - Yeah, it's been a good couple of months reading wise.

>101 PaulCranswick: Thank Paul - looking at your library I think you've got some of Tchaikovsky's Shadows of the Apt series? For some reason those aren't calling to me particularly - perhaps just because a 10 book series seems quite daunting!

------------------------------------------

Very, very tired lately. Some brief book comments:

Book #52: The Mislaid Magician, or, Ten Years After by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - 3.3 stars



The conclusion to Wrede's and Stevermer's Regency with magic trilogy - although this one's actually set ten years after the first two books in the 1820s so not longer really Regency. I liked the nod to progress with the new railways being a key part of the books plot. Otherwise, it was again quite difficult to distinguish the different characters' voices and I found the children very confusing. But still fluffy and fun although nowhere near as good as the first book.

Book #53: The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon - 3.1 stars



Another in the British Library's Crime Classics reprint series - this was perhaps more of a thriller/pursuit novel than a classic detective story. I enjoyed it at the time but am struggling to recall details a few weeks later. What I do remember is the depiction of railway travel, particularly the early morning arrival at Euston off the night train.

Hi Heather - I hope you're having a great weekend. I've been meaning to try Farjeon.

Hi, Heather!

Just FYI, I have created a thread for some chat about what Trollope we might read next---please pop in if there's anything you'd like to add:

Which Trollope next?

Just saying hi and hoping all is well.

>103 BLBera: Thanks Beth - I have a few more Farjeon's to try. I think my favourite so far is Mystery in White.

>104 lyzard: Thanks for letting me know Liz.

>105 avatiakh: Hi Kerry!

Remaining April reads:



Book #54: The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - 3.8 stars
Book #55: The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper - 3.8 stars
Book #56: Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - 3.9 stars
Book #57: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead - 4.4 stars

I always enjoy Miss Marple stories and The Body in the Library was no exception.

The Gate to Women's Country was a more difficult read - at first I was quite uncomfortable with what seemed to be a very gender-essentialist stance but now I've finished I think what she's written is more subtle than that. Women's Country is an apparent post-apocalyptic utopia where men and women largely live separately. The society seems to draw on Ancient Greek culture and in particular, a reworking of Euripides' The Trojan Women is a theme throughout the book.

Fledgling was pure fun - this book in the Liaden series introduces a new character, Theo Waitley, and is more of a coming of age tale than the other books.

The Underground Railroad was as good as everyone said - I really enjoyed this alternate history of slavery in 19th century America (although 'really enjoyed' is a strange thing to say about a book about slavery). I found myself thinking of similarities between the structure of this book and Swift's Gulliver's Travel and then GT was specifically mentioned in the text so I assume that was deliberate. Very well done.

Some May reads:



Book #58: Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley - 3.8 stars
Book #59: Talking About Detective Fiction by P.D. James - 2.8 stars
Book #60: Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett - 5 stars
DNF: After the Crown by K. B. Wagers - 2 stars

Rose Daughter was a lovely retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Beauty and her two sisters and the relationship between them. I also liked the ending which seemed more realistic than in other retellings. I read McKinley's other retelling of this story, Beauty, a few years ago but can't remember much about that one to compare the two.

Talking About Detective Fiction was a very brief overview of detective fiction by crime writer P. D. James. I was a bit disappointed with this - probably because it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know and didn't seem to go into much depth. Maybe better for someone wanting an introduction to the subject.

Wintersmith is one of my favourite Tiffany Aching books and I really enjoyed this reread

After the Crown is the direct sequel to Behind the Throne. I had a few issues with the first book but finished it anyway and picked up the second. But all the issues I had with the first book were present in the sequel and for whatever reason I had less patience with them this time so I abandoned the book at 60 pages.

Hi, Heather! Beauty is very traditional (same great family relationships though) while Rose Daughter questions the idea of what is beauty and what is beastly and do we really need the beast to change into a beautiful prince to have a happy ending?

Love Wintersmith too, and keep reading Liaden books!!

>109 ronincats: Thanks for the refresher on Beauty/Rose Daughter Roni. And definitely re the Liaden books - I have Saltation lined up for June and I'm looking forward to seeing what Theo gets up to next.

My early morning insomnia seems to have returned so feeling dry-eyed (why does that happen when you don't get enough sleep) and not really with it today. We had a long weekend in the UK and managed (1) to do a small bit of work in our garden (it still looks very overgrown but not quite as bad as it did before) and (2) to visit my parents for a BBQ on Sunday (and the weather was nice enough to sit outside). Dan's been pretty wiped out since then but hopefully he will regain some energy as the week progresses.

>108 souloftherose: I read that P.D. James book a few years ago and agree with you. Other than picking up some suggestions for authors to check out, it was more shallow than I would have liked.

Hi Heather - just a quick,drive through wave. I'm finally, gradually catching up with my LT friends. Will have to come back and read through your news properly later.

Another visitor waving Hi!

>111 rosalita: Yeah, it's a shame as I was expecting something more indepth from James.

>112 humouress:, >113 Berly: Hi both!

May reads:



Book #61: Bewildering Cares by Winifred Peck - 3.8 stars - A fictionalised diary written by a vicar's wife based in Manchester at the beginning of WWII. In terms of style it's more D. E. Stevenson than E. M. Delafield (gentle rather than biting humour) and gives an intriguing insight into matters of faith and religion during the war. In particular the disturbance caused by the curate preaching a sermon on pacifism (‘It’s a storm in a tea-cup, of course, but then we happen to live in a tea-cup!’). I really enjoyed this and I'm very happy that Dean Street have republished this along with some crime novels by Peck. I still have The Warrielaw Jewel left to read and I'm hoping they'll reprint more of her books.

Book #62: Planetfall by Emma Newman - 4.3 stars - I've heard good things about this science fiction novel and had been meaning to read it for a while and was given the push to do so by the announcement that the sequel/companion novel After Atlas was nominated for this year's Clarke award. This was an excellent read about a new human colony on a distant planet. There's a mystery at the heart of the book so I don't want to say too much about the plot but this is a character driven novel which examines the effects of this mystery on the colonists and deals with themes of religion and mental illness.

Book #63: Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey - 4 stars
Book #64: Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey - 4.4 stars

Great space opera series written collaboratively by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck writing as James S. A. Corey. I'd actually watched the first series of the TV show, The Expanse before reading the books so I knew a little bit about what to expect but the books were so much better than the TV show (or rather, I think the TV show will be a lot easier to follow having read the books). This is gritty space opera but not too dark (as I've started to find Iain M. Banks and Alistair Reynolds too bleak) and with a good dose of fun thrown in. I also like the way the books play with the hero archetype; James Holden (one of the recurring POV characters) is the archetypal 'good guy' who believes in right and wrong and lives accordingly. And whilst the authors don't mock him for that (and they do make it clear that other characters in the book recognise his essential goodness and, in some degree, respect him for it) they also make it clear that life doesn't really give you a 'good' option and a 'bad' one to choose between. There's just lots of different wrong options and trying to figure out the least wrong option is not always clear. I thought the second book, Caliban's War was even better than the first, because if there was one thing missing from the first book it was the lack of more than a handful of female characters and CW we get two awesome female POV characters to balance things out. One of which, Chrisjen Avasarala, might be one of my favourite characters ever and I could understand why they'd pulled her forward in the TV show.

Currently reading the third book, Abaddon's Gate, and considering rewatching the first season of The Expanse again.

“There's a right thing to do," Holden said.
"You don't have a right thing, friend," Miller said. "You've got a whole plateful of maybe a little less wrong.”

Planetfall sounds like one I need to find.

>108 souloftherose: Disappointing news about Talking About Detective Fiction - I purchased it recently thinking it would be interesting to hear her thoughts as I admire her as an author. Oh, well.

>115 drneutron: Planetfall's a good one Jim - I seem to be on an sf kick at the moment.

>116 rretzler: Hopefully you enjoy it more than I did Robin! It wasn't bad - just didn't really tell me much I didn't know.

>117 souloftherose: I'm guessing that will likely be the case for me. I've been reading classic golden age mysteries (and contemporary) ones for 45+ years, so I would guess there's probably nothing new to me either.

Book #65: Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani - 3.6 stars - This is the novel-length sequel to Khanani's novella Sunbolt. I really enjoyed returning to this world and to Hitomi, the thief/mage. I didn't enjoy this quite as much as Sunbolt as sometimes the pacing felt a little off but I still enjoyed this a lot and would like to read the sequel (when written). I would recommend reading Sunbolt first.

Book #66: The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - 3.3 stars - This was a solid children's book about evacuees in WWII but for me the story was too similar (i.e. pretty much identical) to the British classic Goodnight, Mister Tom. It's not bad by any means but I kept thinking that I should just reread GMT instead...

Hi Heather - You've been busy. I read the James a few years ago and enjoyed it more than you did. I think I just enjoyed seeing her thoughts about detective fiction. But it's been a while.

>114 souloftherose: Glad you enjoyed Planetfall. I loved it when I read it last year. I'm currently reading After Atlas and it has sucked me right in!

Adding Planetfall and Leviathan Wakes to my list, Heather. Those sound like books that Craig and I would both enjoy. Loved reading through all of your thoughtful reviews.

Another one hit by those BBs, Heather. I'm adding Planetfall and Leviathan Wakes to the WL.

I liked The War That Saved My Life, too, and Jenny made the same point that Goodnight, Mister Tom is similar, and better. So I've got that on the WL, too.

Dang you! I've been hit...several times. Takes my (happily!) wounded body off to add books to my WL. ; )

>119 souloftherose: If those books are half as good as their covers then I would enjoy them both immensely.

I think I will read Goodnight Mister Tom first though, Heather.

You got me with Rose Daughter and bumped up my decision to read Caliban's War, having reread Leviathan Wakes earlier in the year.

>120 BLBera: Hi Beth - thanks for stopping by!

>121 Sakerfalcon: Hi Claire - I just finished After Atlas and enjoyed it as much as Planetfall, if not more. I think I read that there's a third book to be published in this series in the future. And of course, there's still Newman's Split Worlds series to try.

>122 Crazymamie:, >123 jnwelch: >124 Berly:, >126 archerygirl: Hope you enjoy those!

>125 PaulCranswick: Goodnight Mister Tom is a wonderful book, Paul, hope you enjoy it.

Quite a long absence from LT - lots of catching up to do.....

Hi Heather! Just a quick hello.

I was trying to get caught up on the situation with Dan, but haven't seen you post anything about it for a while unless I missed it.

Book #67: Zoe: The History of Two Lives by Geraldine Jewsbury - 3 stars - Published in 1845 this is an interesting look at faith and doubt told through two lives, the eponymous Zoe, illegitimate and given a man's education meaning she struggles to fit into the roles expected of women at that time and Everhard, a Roman Catholic priest who loses his faith and resigns from the priesthood. Interesting for its treatment of these themes in a way that was very unusual for the time it was written but sometimes it seemed to be more message than story.

Book #68: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden - 3.9 stars - A really wonderful novel set in 14th century Russia (or more accurately Rus) and drawing on Russian fairytales and folklore. Reminded me a little of Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child.

Book #69: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler - 4.1 stars Written in 1993 and set in the near future, life for Lauren Olamina, a black teenager living in the USA, is pretty bleak. Her family live in a walled and guarded compound in California. Climate change means that it is more and more difficult for crops to grow and jobs are limited. Many people are leaving and heading north to Canada and Alaska where it's believed there are still jobs and ways of earning money but the journey is very dangerous and no-one is sure that life is really any better further north. Lauren fears that even the guarded compound her family lives in may not protect them much longer but she is unable to persuade her parents and the other families that they need to make more drastic plans for their community's future. And soon, what Lauren has feared comes to pass, her family and community are wiped out and she must survive on her own.....

Although written more than 20 years ago, this doesn't feel dated and although it's often very dark (even the first section where Lauren is 'safe' in her community) I found it very compelling and read the sequel, Parable of the Talents, later this month.

>129 souloftherose: I've had The Bear and the Nightingale on my list for a while, but I'll have to push it up a bit :-)

>129 souloftherose: I need to read more Octavia Butler. I like the sound of that one.

>130 archerygirl: The Bear and the Nightingale is good. The female lead is a really interesting character who doesn't conform to the expectations of the time period but doesn't feel like a 21st century character dropped into a historical setting. Apparently there are going to be sequels but the story in this book felt complete.

>131 rosalita: I'm really enjoying exploring Butler's works (I think Kerri/dorsvenabilii first recommended her to me as an author). So far Kindred, Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents have all been excellent but there's lots more still to read! I hope to get to more of her books this year.

Book #70: The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter - 3.2 stars - The first book in the collaborative Long Earth series by Pratchett and Baxter in which a series of parallel universes and travel to those universes (via a stepping device powered by a potato) is discovered. I first read this when it was published in 2012 but never got round to the sequels (of which there are four). It was enjoyable, fairly undemanding science fiction but some of the characters got on my nerves a little on this read through. I have the next book lined up - not sure if the sequels feature the same characters (in which case I think I will abandon plans to read the whole series) or whether it's different characters but set in the same worlds.

Book #71: Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey - 3.8 stars - Another collaboration and the third book in the Expanse series. This suffered from being a little slower of pace compared to the first two books but still enjoyable to follow the adventures of Holden and crew further and I continue to enjoy the multiple narrators approach - Anna the minister was a particular favourite even though her narrative took the most time to really get going.

Book #72: A Chelsea Concerto by Frances Faviell - 4.2 stars - Another re-release from the Furrowed Middlebrow imprint, I really enjoyed Faviell's memoir of life in Chelsea during the Blitz and her experiences of helping Belgian refugees and acting as a first-aider. Her stories of the devastation wrought by those bombings and the lives lost are very moving but there are also moments of comedy and joy as normal life in Chelsea goes on despite the Blitz. I was reading this book as news of the London Bridge attacks broke and in a way it was comforting to be reminded that London has survived worse.

Hi, Heather! I've put up the thread for our read of He Knew He Was Right:

Thread

Please drop by and check in. :)

Hi, Heather. I'm reeling from the BBs flying and have put the Coreys and Planetfall on my wish list. Looks like Corey has gotten way ahead of me! And, oh phooey! I just ordered the first 2 Coreys. Thanks!
Enjoy your weekend. Hope you get to read a bit and sleep a lot!

Hi, Heather.

I enjoyed Planetfall. Loved Ren and the God City. Thanks for the nudge. I can't imagine what Emma Newman is going to do for a follow-up.

*covers head and flees...*

Darn it; Roni's hit me with covering fire from the side.

>133 souloftherose: A Chelsea Concerto looks like something well worth searching for, Heather. I have not bought books this year with my usual flourishes but I am itching to get back into the swing of doing so.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Hi Heather - lots of great reading since my last visit. I've taken note of Planetfall. I also enjoyed The bear and the nightingale, happy that there's a sequel though I also felt the story complete.
I've watched the first episode of The Expanse, my son watched the first season, so I'll add Leviathan wakes to my to read list.

Hi Heather - I loved Kindred and will certainly add Parable of the Sower to my list. The Bear and the Nightingale also sounds good.

Oh dear, I seem to be getting increasingly bad at posting here. I had just over a week off work recently and we enjoyed a lovely week away with some friends and their children at the seaside in Cromer, Norfolk. Now back at work and trying to frantically meet deadlines, catch up with the emails that accumulated while I was off and deal with things for a couple of colleagues who are now on holiday themselves.

I bought a few books in Cromer but two were Trollope books I had read (thanks to Project Gutenberg) but wanted my own copies (one of which has been lent out straight away to one of my friends) but I did buy less well-known Winifred Holtby novel to add to the TBR pile (despite having still not read most of her other books) in a lovely Virago green edition:

The Three Clerks by Anthony Trollope
An Autobiography by Anthony Trollope
Mandoa! Mandoa! by Winifred Holtby

Also, during my time off work I decided that I definitely was going to allow myself a little reading project which I've been thinking of for some time. I haven't mentioned it much on my thread because I haven't finished either book yet but you may remember I started the year by saying I was going to join in with the group read of the Bible as Literature this year. Well, the group read didn't work for me for a whole variety of reasons but I have been enjoying working my way through Robert Alter's translation and commentary of The Five Books of Moses and The Art of Biblical Narrative. Reading these has helped me to think about the Hebrew Bible in a new way and this is something I'd like to explore further so I treated myself to some other books on the subject:

How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now by James Kugel
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but not Literally by Marcus J. Borg
What is the Bible? How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything by Rob Bell

My Thingaversary's not until October but I think I'm going to count these three as Thingaversary purchases - I wouldn't normally allow myself such a splurge on so many new books. No bets taken on whether I actually read any of these before the end of the year......

>134 lyzard: Thanks Liz!

>135 LizzieD: Oh sorry to hit you with so many BBs Peggy! I am really enjoying the Corey series and have book 4 on the pile of books to read soon next to my bed - I hope you enjoy them.

>136 jnwelch: So glad you enjoyed it Joe - I thought After Atlas was even better - I definitely need to try her other books.

>137 humouress: Oh no - sorry Nina!

>138 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. The Faviell is definitely worth searching out. I'm reading another of her memoirs which was written earlier but set in post-war Berlin - really interesting but also so much suffering by the Berliners.

>139 avatiakh: I found The Expanse could be a bit hard to follow on TV - so many people in spacesuits talking made it very difficult to follow what was going on sometimes but the books were great and I think I'll enjoy the TV series more having read them. Just waiting for the UK to pick up season 2.....

>140 BLBera: I hope you enjoy Parable of the Sower Beth - I'm really enjoying exploring Butler this year.

We miss you around the place but it's great to hear you had 'a lovely week away'. :)

>141 souloftherose: Marcus Borg is the only author I recognize in this post but he's good. Of course I'm squarely in the "serious but not literal" camp which helps.

Oh my goodness! I read the Borg some years ago and didn't realize at the time that he was Marcus Borg. Then I lent it to a friend who has never returned it (and probably never read it either). Oh well.

Hi Heather!

>141 souloftherose: I've been very unhappy with how that group read has turned out, but I've personally been persevering to the original schedule and am on Isaiah now through the end of July. It's been eye-opening and a combination of interesting and boring. Begats and temple dimensions and etc. *smile*

Delurking...Hi!! Glad you had fun on VK.

>143 lyzard: Aw, thank you Liz. I'm hoping to be a bit more present on LT if I can....

>144 lauralkeet: Hi Laura - good to hear the Borg is good. I downloaded the sample on to my kindle before making the decision to go ahead and buy the paper book and I really liked the way he wrote so I'm hopeful that I will enjoy the book.

>145 LizzieD: Oh,boo to un-returned books Peggy! I don't think Borg is as well-known in the UK (I had to order a US edition of the book above) but I think I read about him in one of Tom Wright's books (who's probably not that well-known in the US) an was intrigued, particularly as Wright and Borg seem to have very different approaches to Christianity but seem to have mutual respect for one another (whcih is sadly quite rare).

>146 karenmarie: The schedule was one of the stumbling blocks for me Karen - I'm in Leviticus so possibly on track to finish the first five books by the end of the year! But, I am enjoying it when I get the time to read and mull over the passages. Lots of blood and ritual cleansing at the moment. Well done for staying on schedule!

>147 Berly: Hi Kim! Thank you :-)

Further attempts to get caught up...



Book #73: Unseemly Science by Rod Duncan - 3.4 stars - This is a sort-of alternate history series - it's set in the present day where England has split into a Republic and a Kingdom following a civil war in the early 19th century. The advance of technology has since been strictly controlled by the Patent Office and so you have a modern day setting with a semi-Victorian feel. The border between the two parts of England runs through Leicester which I appreciated (there are so many fantasy, alt-history novels set in London). The main character is Elizabeth who lives alone on an old canal barge in Republican part of Leicester by pretending she has a twin brother for whom she keeps house. The twin brother is actually Elizabeth herself dressed in men's clothing and she supports herself by running an intelligence agency. A little bit of suspension of disbelief is required to believe that none of her neighbours have ever noticed that no-one's seen Elizabeth and her brother together but otherwise this series ticks lots of my boxes - steampunk, cross-dressing, quirky setting. Unseemly Science is the second book in the series - you could start here but it makes more sense to start with The Bullet Catcher's Daughter.

Book #74: Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - 3.3 stars - A direct sequel to Fledgling and this time we are following Theo's adventures at pilot training academy. I found this addition to the series much more difficult to follow - it felt like there was a lot of background information missing about Theo's school and the planet it was situated on. At the end of the book we are caught up with the main storyline and the book ends in exactly the same place as Plan B. I think next up will be Ghost Ship.

Book #75: Feedback by Mira Grant - 3.1 stars - this is the fourth book in Grant/McGuire's Newsflesh series but this is a companion book rather than a sequel to the first three books. Feedback is set at the same time as Feed and features a different group of newsies following a different Presidential candidate. It's ok, and as readable as all of Grant's/McGuire's books are but nothing about it really stayed in my memory and I didn't feel it really added anything to the world.

Congratulations on reaching 75, Heather!

75!!!! You continue to be a formidable reading woman, Heather!
>148 souloftherose: I have a copy of The Meaning of Jesus with Borg and Wright alternating chapters. I started it at a bad time and have never gotten back to it. I'd like to.

Congratulations on reaching 75.

Congrats on reaching 75, Heather!

Congrats on reaching 75, Heather.

Unseemly Science sounds interesting. I'll add it to the list.

Glad you had a good break.

Nice book haul.

Hooray for 75, Heather! And it's only July.

Congrats!

Congratulations, Heather!

Congratulations on 75!

Woo hoo, congrats on hitting the 75 book marks, Heather!

Congrats on hitting 75 books!

And you got me with The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter. That sounds like something I need to read :-)

>150 FAMeulstee:, >151 LizzieD:, >152 avatiakh:, >153 Berly:, >154 karenmarie:, >155 BLBera:, >156 rosalita:, >157 drneutron:, >158 kidzdoc:, >159 humouress:, >160 ronincats:, >161 archerygirl: Thank you for all the congratulations! I'm so behind with comments that I finished book #89 yesterday but it's nice to be reminded that 75 was a reason to pause and celebrate!

>155 BLBera: Beth, it might be better to start with the first book in the series, The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter.



Book #76: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - 4.3 stars - I think this YA novel was first recommended to me by Kerry/@avatiakh (thank you for the rec!) It's a space opera with a bit of adventure and romance thrown in but what makes it stand out is the presentation of the story which is a combination of epistolary novel and graphic novel for the 21st century - emails, instant messages, ship's logs and illustrations are used to tell the story. On top of that it was a really exciting story told by two authors I hadn't heard of before and the romance didn't annoy me (which I find can happen with YA romances). Definitely recommended and I'm hoping to reserve the next in the series, Gemina, from the library soon. I think there is already a film adaptation in the works too.

Book #77: The Stranger from the Sea by Winston Graham - 3.6 stars - The eighth volume in Graham's Cornish family saga was written some years after the end of The Angry Tide and set about a decade later too. Ross, Demelza, Caroline et al have all grown older and in most cases their children are now coming of age so this instalment follows the children's lives and romances as much as the older adults.

This felt like it was more slow-moving than previous instalments and I was conscious of historical scene-setting by Graham which I hadn't felt so much in the earlier books. Still interesting to return to the world of the Poldarks though and I will be continuing with the other books but I hope things will get moving a little bit in the next book.

>162 souloftherose: Thanks for the tip, Heather. I will follow your advice.

Congrats on reaching 75 and happy weekend, Heather.

Huh, I think I wrote a message at the weekend but forgot to post it. Anyway,...

>163 BLBera: No problem Beth!

>164 Ameise1: Beautiful flowers Barbara!



Book #78: Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book Eleven by Bill Willingham - 3.8 stars
Book #79: Saga: Volume Three by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples - 4 stars

I got back into some graphic novels last month - both of these are continuations of different series. Not much to say other than I enjoyed them both and will be checking out the next volumes in the series soon.

Today I went swimming for the first time in 10 years (as recommended by a doctor for my tense shoulders). The trick for me with lifestyle changes is to take it slowly (otherwise I just give up because it's too hard) and as Dan came with me we needed to make sure he didn't get totally exhausted too. We managed 8 very slow 25m lengths (with rests) in about 15 minutes and feel very proud of ourselves! Dan needed a nap this afternoon. My goal for next week is 10 lengths!

Congrats on the swimming. What a good idea.

>168 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara!



Book #80: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler - 4.2 stars - Even more accomplished than Parable of the Sower and in some ways a darker read as things get far worse for the main characters before they get better. Although published in 1998 many elements of the storyline feel very prescient: a populist president who promises to "make America great again" (not kidding) has taken power, climate change has affected the world for the worse and (hopefully less prescient) the Christian fundamentalists in the US are given new powers to enslave anyone who disagrees with them. A superb dystopic duology and I don't really understand why Butler isn't as well-known as someone like Margaret Atwood (although maybe it's just in the UK she's less well-known?)

Book #81: After Atlas by Emma Newman - 4.4 stars - A companion novel to Planetfall (set in the same future world but no need to have read Planetfall first. I enjoyed this even more than Planetfall even though it went to some very dark places. I think what I like so much about these novels is that whilst they have a dystopian/science fictional setting the focus of the books is very much on normal, sympathetic but flawed characters just trying to get through what to them is a normal day. The focus of the books is not really on the dystopian setting itself.

Our main character is a highly trained investigative detective so normal in this case for is being put in charge of a murder investigation into the leader of a religious group. As the case progresses we find out more about how the world is doing after the Atlas spacecraft took all the brightest and the best off to find Planetfall in the first book and the answer is, unsurprisingly, not great. And that ending.....

This won a well-deserved place on the Clarke shortlist this year (winner to be announced tomorrow) and I'm happy that Newman has at least one more book set in this universe to be published next year.

Congrats on the swimming, Heather.

The Butlers sound more and more appealing. I might have to put my hands on the first one to check it out.

>170 BLBera: I think the Butlers are really good so I hope you can get hold of the first one Beth.

Final June books (on 29th July but nevermind...)



Book #82: Elizabeth by David Starkey (aka Elizabeth: Apprenticeship) - 3.5 stars - I've been very slowly listening to Jenni Taylor narrate her A History of Britain in 21 Women and her chapter on Elizabeth I reminded me that I've had Starkey's biography on my shelves for several years (sadly, something i could say about so many books). This biography focuses on Elizabeth's life before she became queen and she comes across as a highly intelligent and astute young lady.

Book #83: Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden - 4.2 stars - This 1953 novel is a about a young mother, Sophie, living in India in the 1920s with her two children, who rather naively decides to go and live like the natives in Kashmir when her husband dies leaving her without financial support. Of course Sophie fails to realise that although she is poor compared to the rest of British society in India she is still rich compared to many Indians and will be perceived that way by them. Innocently she ends up creating turmoil in the small village she's moved to and events subsequently take a very dark turn (which I find often happens in Godden's stories).

This is a semi-autobiographical novel and as usual, Godden succeeds in vividly capturing the beauty and harshness of life in Kashmir and the different personalities of the villagers and Sophie and family. Sophie does come out of her own naivety and grow and develop as a character and the ending, happily, did not go as I expected. The title of the book comes from Gerard Manley Hopkins poem 'As Kingfishers Catch Fire and it took me until the end of the book to understand the link between the story and the poem - but it's there and a very satisfying one.

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

Book #84: Gilded Cage by Vic James - 3.4 stars - This is a recent young adult dystopia I'd heard good things about. It's a strange one in that it did a lot of things than annoyed me but I found myself compelled to read on anyway. It's set in an alternate version of England where, following a revolution some centuries ago, a small minority with magical powers known as Equals rule England with the remaining inhabitants living otherwise normal lives apart from an obligation to provide 10 years of servitude to the Equals known as slave years.

What I liked: a good pace and lots of political intrigue. Some signs that it's not as simple as Equals = bad people.

What annoyed me: the young people who started their slave years seemed completely taken aback by the idea that their slave years might be difficult, even though we're told that people often die during them or come back ill and broken. Insta love (although at least no love triangles).

Strangely compelling despite the flaws and I will probably read the next book.

>171 souloftherose:

Ha! I finished my June reviewing yesterday, you slacker! :D

I studied Hopkins for my Higher School Certificate. I've found him one of those school subjects that you moan and groan over at the time, but which really stay with you afterwards. I often find myself quoting bits and pieces.

>167 souloftherose: Hooray for swimming, Heather!! Keep it up!!! It gets easier and easier and more and more fulfilling. As a favorite student said once, "The pool cures everything!"
>162 souloftherose: I think that The Stranger from the Sea is my least favorite of the Poldarks, so be encouraged to read on!
>171 souloftherose: Rumer Godden is mentioned at least a couple of times in The Fishing Fleet, which I just finished. (Did you recommend it? If not, I recommend it to you.) Despite the hardships, she was one who loved India.

Hi Heather!

I agree with Peggy about The Stranger from the Sea and the Poldark series - be encouraged to read on.

>172 lyzard: Ha! It did make me think I should try reading some of his poetry again. Poetry is more my husband's thing but I think that means we have a collection of Hopkins' poems somewhere.

>173 LizzieD: Thank you Peggy - I am proud of myself for going swimming again today and swimming further! Might have to look into some prescription goggles as at the moment I am swimming with my glasses on (so I can see) but I think longer term that may not be good for my neck.

I didn't recommend The Fishing Fleet but thank you for the recommendation! I've been meaning to read her autobiographies/memoirs too - I think she wrote one about her early life in India with her sister, Two Under the Indian Sun.

>173 LizzieD:, >174 karenmarie: And thank you both for the encouraging comments re Stranger from the Sea - I will definitely keep reading on!

Please come and join me on my new thread!

>172 lyzard: No need to show off; I'm still reviewing January (not that I can remember that far back).

>162 souloftherose: Added Illuminae to my TBR. Thanks.