Christina reads by Hogwarts houses in 2020

{Ron Weasley describing Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}

Hello, and welcome to my 2020 category challenge! For my 2019 challenge, I chose very broad categories that essentially allowed me to read whatever I wanted. That strategy worked really well for me, so I’ll be doing something similar in 2020. And since I’m a Harry Potter fan, I’ve decided to go with a Hogwarts theme: four categories, each associated with a different Hogwarts house. Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

Slytherin: Books I own (before January 1, 2020) but haven't read yet.
Slytherin is the most ambitious house, and one of my great ambitions is to decrease my TBR pile!

1. Kate Milford, Greenglass House (3/3/19)
2. Mary Balogh, Only Enchanting (10/5/19)
3. Katherine Arden, The Winter of the Witch (1/15/19)
4. Georgette Heyer, Detection Unlimited (10/30/12)
5. Becca Wilhite, Check Me Out (6/14/19)
6. Lauren Graham, Talking as Fast as I Can (12/19/17)
7. Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden (4/8/11)
8. Bria Quinlan, It's in His Kiss (10/4/18)
9. Bria Quinlan, The Last Single Girl (7/9/19)
10. Helen MacInnes, Assignment in Brittany (4/6/19)
11. Diana Wynne Jones, The Lives of Christopher Chant (9/20/15)
12. Martha Wells, The Death of the Necromancer (11/29/09)
13. Sandhya Menon, When Dimple Met Rishi (2/8/18)
14. Caroline Preston, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt (5/6/14)
15. Anthony Berkeley, Not to Be Taken (5/31/18)
16. Louise Penny, Still Life (8/26/19)
17. Mary Balogh, Dark Angel (6/9/19)
18. Mary Balogh, Lord Carew's Bride (6/9/19)
19. Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, The Glass Ocean (12/6/18)
20. Deborah Crombie, A Share in Death (4/29/17)
21. Rachel Bach, Fortune's Pawn (12/27/13)
22.
23.
24.
25.

Ravenclaw: Rereads.
Intelligent Ravenclaws know that true wisdom comes with reflection and that an old favorite can always inspire new knowledge.

1. Martha Wells, The Element of Fire
2. Georgette Heyer, Black Sheep
3. Jennifer Crusie, Bet Me
4. Kristan Higgins, On Second Thought
5. Diana Wynne Jones, Charmed Life
6. Kasie West, P.S. I Like You
7. Josephine Tey, Brat Farrar
8. Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study
9. Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study
10. Maria V. Snyder, Fire Study
11. L.M. Montgomery, Pat of Silver Bush
12. L.M. Montgomery, Mistress Pat
13. Kristan Higgins, Just One of the Guys
14. Robin McKinley, Beauty
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18.
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24.
25.

Gryffindor: Books I buy, borrow, or otherwise acquire in 2020.
Gryffindors love to bravely (or foolishly) rush into dangerous situations -- in this case, the danger to my overflowing bookshelves!

1. Kate Clayborn, Love Lettering
2. Rachel Winters, Would Like to Meet
3. Jenny Colgan, Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
4. Mimi Matthews, A Modest Independence
5. Loretta Chase, Isabella
6. Julia Quinn, First Comes Scandal
7. Rosamund Hodge, Crimson Bound
8. Ngaio Marsh, The Nursing Home Murder
9. Andrea Penrose, Murder on Black Swan Lane
10. Cindi Madsen, Just One of the Groomsmen
11. Jessie Mihalik, Chaos Reigning
12. Mhairi McFarlane, If I Never Met You
13. Mary Balogh, Slightly Married
14. Sarah Title, The Undateable
15. Susanna Kearsley, A Desperate Fortune
16.
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18.
19.
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21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

Hufflepuff: Books read for BingoDOG.
All dogs are Hufflepuffs. :)

1. Laura Wood, Under a Dancing Star (title contains 3+ consecutive letters of "Bingo": DancING)
2. Sheri Cobb South, In Milady's Chamber (red cover, or red is prominent on cover)
3. Alan Rusbridger, Play It Again: An Amateur against the Impossible (by a journalist or about journalism: author was then the editor of the Guardian)
4. Meagan Spooner, Sherwood (mythology or folklore: retelling of Robin Hood)
5. Nicholas Blake, A Question of Proof (pen name or anonymous author: author's real name is Cecil Day-Lewis)
6. Joyce Dennys, Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942 (epistolary or letters)
7. Mimi Matthews, The Matrimonial Advertisement (small press or self-published: Perfectly Proper Press)
8. Katherine Reay, The Austen Escape (proper name in the title)
9. Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera, The Awakening of Miss Prim (female author not from the US or UK: author is from Spain)
10. Anne Bogel, I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life (book about books, bookstores, or libraries)
11. Lucy Parker, Headliners (published in 2020: pub date 1/20/20)
12. Cynthia Felice and Connie Willis, Water Witch (not set on Earth: set on a desert planet called Mahali)
13. Sherry Thomas, A Study in Scarlet Women (LT author)
14. Craig Rice, Home Sweet Homicide (Legacy Library: Edna St. Vincent Millay, Astrid Lindgren, Carl Sandburg)
15. Tessa Dare, Do You Want to Start a Scandal (read a CAT: February RandomCAT, published in a leap year (2016))
16. Richard John Neuhaus, Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross (involves a real historical event: the crucifixion of Jesus)
17. Patricia Wentworth, Grey Mask (mystery or true crime)
18. Karen Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice (book about birth or death: protagonist assists at several births)
19. Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing after Another ("library" or "thing" in the title)
20. Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke (published in my birth year: 1985)
21. T.S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays (published in 1820 or 1920: "The Sacred Wood" was originally published in 1920)
22. Alice Tilton, Cold Steal (title contains a pun)
23.
24.
25.

CATs
All cats are Slytherins. :) As in previous years, I'll participate in these (or not) as the mood strikes me. Some good topics this year!

January
RandomCAT (book that is challenging for you):
GeoCAT (Asia I):
NonfictionCAT (journalism and news): Alan Rusbridger, Play It Again: An Amateur against the Impossible
AlphaKIT (A, U): Laura Wood, Under a Dancing Star; Alan Rusbridger, Play It Again: An Amateur against the Impossible
SFFKIT (book you meant to read last year):
MysteryKIT (historical): Sheri Cobb South, In Milady's Chamber

February
RandomCAT (published in a leap year): Sherry Thomas, A Study in Scarlet Women; Craig Rice, Home Sweet Homicide; Tessa Dare, Do You Want to Start a Scandal
GeoCAT (Europe excluding UK): Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera, The Awakening of Miss Prim
NonfictionCAT (travel):
AlphaKIT (F, B): Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera, The Awakening of Miss Prim; Anne Bogel, I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life; Cynthia Felice and Connie Willis, Water Witch
SFFKIT (transformation):
MysteryKIT (furry sleuths):

March
RandomCAT (season in the title): Katherine Arden, The Winter of the Witch
GeoCAT (Middle East and North Africa):
NonfictionCAT (biography): Lauren Graham, Talking as Fast as I Can
AlphaKIT (G, C): Richard John Neuhaus, Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross; Patricia Wentworth, Grey Mask; Georgette Heyer, Detection Unlimited; Karen Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice; Becca Wilhite, Check Me Out; Lauren Graham, Talking as Fast as I Can
SFFKIT (series): Katherine Arden, The Winter of the Witch
MysteryKIT (Golden Age): Patricia Wentworth, Grey Mask; Georgette Heyer, Detection Unlimited

April
RandomCAT (showers and flowers): Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
GeoCAT (Australia and Oceania): Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
NonfictionCAT (law and order):
AlphaKIT (S, T): Bria Quinlan, The Last Single Girl; Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing after Another; Sandhya Menon, When Dimple Met Rishi; Caroline Preston, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt; Anthony Berkeley, Not to Be Taken; Julia Quinn, First Comes Scandal
SFFKIT (time travel): Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing after Another
MysteryKIT (espionage): Helen MacInnes, Assignment in Brittany

May
RandomCAT (believe in your shelf): T.S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays
GeoCAT (any place you’d like to visit): Louise Penny, Still Life
NonfictionCAT (science):
AlphaKIT (L, P): Louise Penny, Still Life; Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke; Mary Balogh, Lord Carew's Bride
SFFKIT (sentient things):
MysteryKIT (novel to screen): Louise Penny, Still Life

June
*RandomCAT (take to the sea!): Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, The Glass Ocean
GeoCAT (space): Jessie Mihalik, Chaos Reigning; Rachel Bach, Fortune's Pawn
NonfictionCAT (society):
AlphaKIT (K, Y): Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, The Glass Ocean; Mhairi McFarlane, If I Never Met You; Susanna Kearsley, A Desperate Fortune
SFFKIT (aliens): Rachel Bach, Fortune's Pawn
MysteryKIT (police procedural/private investigator): Deborah Crombie, A Share in Death

July
RandomCAT (picture this!):
GeoCAT (Latin America and the Caribbean):
NonfictionCAT (human science):
AlphaKIT (J, R):
SFFKIT (space opera):
MysteryKIT (cross-genre/mashup):

August
RandomCAT ():
GeoCAT (Asia II - South and East Asia):
NonfictionCAT (history):
AlphaKIT (O, H):
SFFKIT (female author):
MysteryKIT (international author):

September
RandomCAT ():
GeoCAT (polar and tundra):
NonfictionCAT (religion and philosophy):
AlphaKIT (M, E):
SFFKIT (international):
*MysteryKIT (series):

October
RandomCAT ():
GeoCAT (US, UK, Canada):
NonfictionCAT (the arts):
AlphaKIT (D, V):
SFFKIT (classics):
MysteryKIT (new-to-you author):

November
RandomCAT ():
GeoCAT (sub-Saharan Africa):
NonfictionCAT (food, home, recreation):
AlphaKIT (I, Q):
SFFKIT (dystopian):
MysteryKIT (noir/gumshoe):

December
RandomCAT ():
GeoCAT (catch-up):
NonfictionCAT (adventures by land, sea, or air):
AlphaKIT (W, N):
SFFKIT (short fiction):
MysteryKIT (cozy):

Year-Long
AlphaKIT (X, Z):

* = I'm hosting the thread.

And . . . that's it! Welcome, and may your 2020 reading be full of magic. :)

The cards look lovely! I look forward to following your reading adventures in 2020!

Good luck with your 2020 reading!

Great theme! I'm a Ravenclaw :D

Great to see you all set up and ready for another year, Christina. I'm looking forward to following along.

While I know pretty much nothing about the Harry Potter world, I do love your theme. Happy reading!

I love it!

Great theme! I'm a Ravenclaw and I love rereading. Someone once told me it was a waste of reading time, but I think not! Happy reading in 2020.

This is a wonderful theme! I would like to be a Slytherin, but I'm afraid it is Gryffindor for me. I never can resist a bookstore.

Great theme! Good luck with the Challenge

What a brilliant theme! One day I will actually read the Harry Potter books...

Very clever theme, I hope you have a great reading year!

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

>9 NinieB: Thanks! I adored the Shakespeare quote pics and shamelessly lifted them from Tumblr.

>11 rabbitprincess: According to Pottermore, I'm a Gryffindor, but I strongly identify with Ravenclaw as well! Somehow I think a lot of us LT-ers feel the same. :)

>15 This-n-That: Mmm, butterbeer. Cheers!

>16 JayneCM: I love rereading! It makes me feel guilty sometimes, because I could be spending that time with a new book, but I really do believe there's value in rereading as well. That's why I had to specifically give myself a category for rereads this year -- now I can be guilt-free!

>19 Jackie_K: I hope you like them when you get to them!

Your categories look very doable. Reading what you want is an excellent plan.

Although I'm not very Potter-literate I can see you have a very clever theme! Have fun!

Hooray, a Potter themed year! Looks like fun!

>22 pamelad: I find that I read better, in terms of both quantity and quality, when I read what I like instead of struggling through a "meh" book just to fill a category.

>23 VivienneR: >24 mstrust: Thanks! I really started with the four specific categories I wanted to do, and then started thinking, "What comes in a group of four that I can use as a theme?"

Nice simple set-up!

>26 thornton37814: Thanks! In the past few years, I've found that simpler is definitely better for me.

Great way to use Harry Potter for a theme. Happy reading in 2020.

I love this theme! It is simple, elegant, fun, and not restrictive. I suppose I'm another Ravenclaw. I like to know what is going to happen. So I love rereads. And spoilers. :)

>28 dudes22: Thank you!

>29 amaranthe: "Not restrictive" is the name of the game for me! I love rereads too, although I do try to avoid spoilers. :)

Today I finished my final book of the year, posted my remaining reviews, and wrote a wrap-up post for my 2019 category challenge, including my top 10 books read in 2019! Now I can finally turn my attention to the 2020 challenge and start catching up with people's threads. :) I'm also trying to decide what my first book of the year will be . . . likely something from my own shelves for my Slytherin category. If you feel like sharing, let me know what book you're kicking off 2020 with!

Happy New Year!

I am reading Empress Orchid for the book set in Asia Bingo square. Enjoying it so far.

I have only read three Harry Potter books, so I don't know much about that world. But you have made a brilliant set-up out of it! Happy New Year and enjoy your reading!

>32 JayneCM: Happy New Year to you too! Empress Orchid looks interesting -- hope you enjoy it!

>33 Chrischi_HH: Thanks! :)

As I read, "all dogs are Hufflepuffs," my sweet Ivy came over to lay down at my feet.

I'm impressed by the rereading plans. I save the books I loved and the ones I thought that I'd like to revisit in the future, and then I rarely, if ever, get to them. I think I reread a single book last year and that was because it was chosen as a book club book months after I'd already read it.

>35 RidgewayGirl: Aww! She's proving my point. :) I love to reread, but I always feel a bit guilty about it when I have so many unread books on my shelves. So this year I decided to make a whole category for rereads -- now I have to read them to complete my challenge!

>36 christina_reads: Some of my favorite reading memories are from rereads, but I've developed a big guilt complex because I keep bringing home books that I haven't read yet. I'd like to sort out this conundrum . . . .

>37 NinieB: I think it's just the eternal paradox of the book lover! I certainly haven't solved it yet, haha.

Congratulations on opening up your 2020 thread!

I'm working on finishing Circe at the moment (alas no touchstones today), which is as lovely as the hype would suggest -- even for someone like me who is not particular interested in Greek mythology or in literary fiction! I have a feeling my first book of 2020 is going to start out the year right. I hope you find a great book for your first of the year!

Love your set up Christina! I'll look forward to seeing how you fill up your houses

>39 pammab: I hear nothing but praise for Madeline Miller's books! For my first book of the year, I'm going with Greenglass House by Kate Milford. Not very far into it yet, but so far so good!

>40 SouthernKiwi: Thank you!

>41 christina_reads: I just added Greenglass House to my TBR last week! If you like it, I may have to move it up the list.

Love your Hogwarts House theme! Looking forward to following your 2020 reading!

>41 christina_reads: Just added Greenglass House to my TBR for middle grade reads. But I see there are three books in the series, so really I have added three books as I am a total completist when it comes to book series!

>42 casvelyn: I look forward to comparing notes!

>43 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori!

>44 JayneCM: I knew there was at least one more book, but I'm hoping this first one will stand on its own. I'll be sure to mention if it ends in a cliffhanger!

Ha! All doggies are Hufflepuffs. Love your categories and set-up. Good luck! :)

I'm looking forward to see how you fill the Hogwarts houses. Happy reading!

>46 madhatter22: >47 Trifolia: Thank you both for stopping by!

Book #1: Kate Milford, Greenglass House
CATs: none
Bingo: none

”There is a right way to do things and a wrong way, if you’re going to run a hotel in a smugglers’ town.” Thus begins the story of 12-year-old Milo Pine and his parents, who manage an inn called Greenglass House in a port city that is heavily populated with smugglers. But the smuggling business tends to die down in winter, so Milo is looking forward to an uneventful Christmas vacation with his family. His hopes for a quiet Christmas are dashed, however, when several strangers arrive at Greenglass House for an indefinite stay, and then a bad snowstorm effectively traps them all in the inn together. Then several of the guests’ belongings mysteriously go missing, and it becomes obvious that there’s a thief in their midst. Not only that, but each of the guests seems to have a connection to Greenglass House or to be interested in its history. Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, decide to investigate the guests, uncover the thief, and unearth the secrets of Greenglass House. But their search, while exciting, may turn out to be more dangerous than they ever imagined.

I must admit, I picked up this book primarily because of the gorgeous cover, but I’m pleased to say that the story does live up to it! It’s not quite the story I was expecting; I was picturing a little more action in the plot, when in fact it’s a pretty quiet story up until the last chapter or two. The novel actually contains layers of stories: First, Milo is reading a book in which several travelers meet in a tavern and exchange tales. Second, he and Meddy create fictional alter egos based on a roleplaying game similar to Dungeons and Dragons. And third, the guests of Greenglass House each tell a story and thus reveal their reasons for coming to the inn. I found this structure surprisingly complex for a middle-grade novel, but it does a nice job of bringing together all the threads of the plot. One interesting aspect of Milo’s character is that he’s adopted — he is of Chinese descent, while his parents are not — so he wrestles with questions about his heritage, while also worrying about hurting his beloved parents’ feelings. I don’t have personal experience with adoption, but I think the issue is handled sensitively here. Overall, I’d recommend this to people who want a cozy, atmospheric winter read, or for smart kids who loved The Westing Game and want more.

Book #2: Laura Wood, Under a Dancing Star
CATs: Alpha (U = Under)
Bingo: title contains 3+ consecutive letters of “Bingo” (DancING)

In 1930s England, 17-year-old Beatrice Langton longs to be a scientist, but her parents have a different plan in mind for her: because she’s their only child, and they no longer have the money to maintain the estate, she must marry a rich aristocrat and restore the family fortunes. But Bea’s “outrageous” behavior at an ill-fated dinner party gives her life a new direction when her parents decide to send her to her uncle’s home in Italy. Far from being chastised, Bea is thrilled — especially when she arrives in Italy to find that her uncle and his bohemian fiancée are essentially living in an artists’ commune. She is soon enjoying the freedom of her new life, with one exception: one of the artists, Ben, is as argumentative and obnoxious as he is handsome. But when their friends dare them to embark upon a summer romance, Bea reluctantly agrees. If nothing else, it will be an interesting experiment, and she’ll gain some much-desired life experience. But when their pretend relationship becomes all too real, will their very different backgrounds keep them apart?

Much Ado about Nothing is my favorite Shakespeare play, so I’m game to read any and all retellings, especially if they’re set in interesting historical periods! This one takes place in the 1930s, so I couldn’t help but compare it with Speak Easy, Speak Love, which is another Much Ado retelling set in the 1920s. I absolutely adored Speak Easy, Speak Love, and I must admit that this book suffers a bit by comparison. It’s a light, fun read, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Bea and Ben, but to me it lacked the substance of Speak Easy, Speak Love. It’s also not as good a retelling of Much Ado — it focuses on the Beatrice and Benedick story but jettisons the Hero/Claudio plot entirely, merely keeping a few of the character names. I did love the way this book subtly paraphrased some of the most famous lines from the play, rather than quoting them outright; I thought that was a great way to pay homage to the original play while still keeping the language appropriate for the characters’ ages and the time period. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would read more by Laura Wood, but if you’re looking for a YA Much Ado retelling set in the early 20th century, I’d definitely recommend Speak Easy, Speak Love instead!

>50 christina_reads: I have Speak Easy, Speak Love on my list since last year and will just have to add this one too.

>51 JayneCM: Ooh yay! I hope you enjoy them both!

Book #3: Sheri Cobb South, In Milady’s Chamber
CATs: Mystery (historical = set in Regency England)
Bingo: red is prominent on cover

When Lord Fieldhurst is found murdered in his richly appointed Mayfair home, suspicion immediately falls on his wife. It’s common knowledge in London society that their marriage has been unhappy and that, because of Lady Fieldhurst’s inability to produce an heir, her husband has pursued sexual satisfaction elsewhere. Furthermore, the man was stabbed in the neck with his wife’s own nail scissors. The evidence seems ironclad; but John Pickett, the Bow Street Runner assigned to the case, is immediately enthralled by Lady Fieldhurst’s beauty and becomes determined to prove her innocence. As he investigates other promising suspects, such as Fieldhurst’s heir and his colleagues at the War Office, he uncovers many secrets but comes no closer to finding the killer — that is, until he and Lady Fieldhurst finally join forces to discover the truth.

I love mysteries and the Regency period, so any book that combines them both is something I’m going to want to read! In this case, the book delivered exactly what I wanted: a light, quick-reading, Heyer-esque period piece with a little mystery and a hint of romance. John Pickett is a somewhat unique protagonist for this type of story: most Regency heroes are self-assured and commanding, but John is young, naive, and idealistic to a fault. Nevertheless, he manages to be good at his job, despite being distracted by the beautiful Lady Fieldhurst. I was a little annoyed that he falls for her so quickly, and apparently on the basis of nothing but her looks, but his awkward pining does make for several humorous moments. Julia, Lady Fieldhurst, is also given some dimension and depth as she helps John with his investigation and contemplates her own future. The mystery is wrapped up a little too abruptly, although I did like the subtle hints to one part of the solution that are seeded throughout the book. But overall, I simply enjoyed spending time in this world with these characters, and I definitely plan on continuing with the series!

>53 christina_reads: A BB for me!

>54 Tess_W: I hope you like it! I'm excited that there are several more books in the series.

Book #4: Kate Clayborn, Love Lettering
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Meg Mackworth, the “Planner of Park Slope,” has a thriving business in which she creates unique, hand-lettered planners, journals, and calendars for her clients. She’s reasonably successful and Instagram-famous, and now a major stationery brand is interested in hiring her, which would be a big step forward in her career — if only she weren’t completely creatively blocked. To make matters worse, Meg is unexpectedly confronted by a professional faux pas she made about a year ago, when she hid the word “mistake” in a wedding program she designed. The would-be groom, Reid Sutherland, noticed the pattern and has sought out Meg looking for answers. An unlikely friendship grows between them as Reid accompanies Meg on various walks around New York City, searching for inspiration in the city’s wealth of hand-lettered signs. But their relationship can only be temporary, since Reid hates the city and plans to move soon. Can Meg convince him to fall in love with New York — and with herself — before it’s too late?

I feel I’ve done a horribly inadequate job of describing this book, which is so much more compelling than I’ve made it sound! Most of what I mentioned above is the setup; the meat of the book is the slow development of Meg and Reid’s relationship. It’s a joy to see them fall in love in such a simple, quiet way, without a lot of unnecessary drama or conflict. The book is told exclusively from Meg’s point of view, so the reader gets to know Reid the same way she does, relying on every little comment, look, or gesture to figure out what he’s thinking. Some readers might be annoyed by this, but I actually really liked it! Reid is definitely my type of hero — a bit Darcy-esque in his directness and occasional awkwardness. I will say, I didn’t love the last section of the book, in which a big external conflict suddenly arises to threaten Meg and Reid’s relationship. I couldn’t figure out what purpose it served, other than to provide the obligatory “It almost didn’t work out!” story beat before the ultimate resolution. But overall, I loved this book and resented every time I had to put it down! Definitely recommended for fans of contemporary romance.

Book #5: Martha Wells, The Element of Fire
CATs: none
Bingo: none

In a quasi-Renaissance fantasy world, the kingdom of Ile-Rien is in a precarious position. King Roland is young and weak, completely under the thumb of his conniving cousin, who has his own plans for the throne. Roland’s mother Ravenna still wields much of the throne’s power, but her health is deteriorating, and many of those at court (including the evil cousin) are now her enemies. In addition to these domestic intrigues, Ile-Rien is now under threat from a foreign sorcerer, Urbain Grandier, who is rumored to be a powerful and dangerous dark magician. Thomas Boniface, captain of the Queen’s Guard and Ravenna’s former lover, is charged with finding Grandier and thwarting whatever plans he may have against Ile-Rien. Thomas also finds himself dealing with Roland’s half-fay half-sister Kade, who returns to court after a years-long absence with unknown motives. Amid the complex allegiances of the court — in which it soon becomes apparent that at least one traitor is at work — whom, if anyone, can Thomas trust? And when Grandier finally makes his move, will Thomas be able to stop him before it’s too late?

I first read this book in (I think) 2009, and I enjoyed it so much that I bought four other books set in the world of Ile-Rien. But for some reason, I never read any of those sequels, and since it’s been more than a decade, I wanted to refresh my memory of the first book. I’m happy to say that I still really enjoyed it! It strikes me as a quintessential classic fantasy novel, with tons of political intrigue, sorcery, and fay magic thrown in for good measure. I really like that, instead of the quasi-medieval setting of most fantasy novels, this book evokes more of a Renaissance feel, with pistols and gunpowder beginning to supplement (though not yet replace) swords as the dominant weapons. I also liked the main characters a lot, particularly Thomas and Kade. They share a cynical, bantering sense of humor that makes their interactions particularly enjoyable; but when the chips are down, they also share a deep courage and sense of loyalty. The plot is action-packed and exciting, and the world-building is vivid. In short, I’m really glad I reread this one, and I look forward to reading a few more of the Ile-Rien books this year!

>56 christina_reads: You got me with your desciption! It sounds fun - and I love the book cover.

>58 JayneCM: Thanks, I hope you enjoy it! The cover is definitely part of what drew me to the book.

>57 christina_reads: Whereas I somehow managed to read The Wizard Hunters without realizing (until I started recognizing names and such) that it was the start of a subseries that definitely came after The Death of the Necromancer, which I read years ago without realizing it was the second in a series :) I still need to get that first one!

>60 antqueen: Oh, interesting! Were you able to follow The Wizard Hunters OK despite not having read The Death of the Necromancer? Some websites have The Wizard Hunters as the start of a separate series, while others lump all five Ile-Rien books together. Regardless, I think I'll go in internal chronological order and read The Death of the Necromancer next.

Yes, The Wizard Hunters worked without the others. It was obvious that there was backstory, but I didn't realize there was another book before it for quite a while. It had been a long time since I'd read The Death of the Necromancer and I didn't remember much about it or I might have figured it out sooner. I'm sure I missed some things and I suspect that some of the parts at the beginning would have been clearer if I'd read them in order, but the characters and story worked anyway.

I definitely wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for someone planning to read the first two though. I still don't remember the 2nd one very well but I'm pretty sure there's at least one pretty big spoiler for it. I'll have to read them in order once I get the first one.

>57 christina_reads: I've enjoyed other works by Martha Wells but haven't read any from this series. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I hadn't realized Wells was so prolific!

>62 antqueen: Thanks, this is super helpful!

>63 mathgirl40: I hadn't known Wells was so prolific either! So far I've only read The Element of Fire, but I know her Murderbot books are super popular right now. It'll be interesting to see how her writing has evolved, especially in a different genre!

Book #6: Alan Rusbridger, Play It Again: An Amateur against the Impossible
CATs: Nonfiction (journalism = author was editor of the Guardian); Alpha (A = Alan, Again, Amateur)
Bingo: book by a journalist or about journalism

The author of this memoir is, at the time of writing, a 57-year-old amateur pianist with a dream: to competently play Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23. This is an extremely difficult and demanding piece, and Rusbridger is understandably nervous about whether he’ll be able to achieve his goal. His project is further complicated by the fact that his day job is editor of the Guardian, a major British news outlet. And of course, the time frame he’s chosen for learning the Ballade happens to coincide with high-profile news events such as the Wikileaks story and the News of the World phone hacking scandal. Nevertheless, Rusbridger manages to carve out at least 20 minutes to practice most days, and he also asks for advice wherever he can get it, including from books, music teachers, and even concert pianists. Rusbridger documents his quest to learn the Ballade in diary format, sharing his strategies, doubts, successes, and failures along the way.

I picked up this book because the premise sounded like something I might actually want to do: I’m an amateur pianist who took lessons from second grade up through college, and I still play occasionally for community theater musicals. I also own the score of the Ballade, though I’ve never attempted to read more than the first couple of pages. I think some familiarity with the Ballade is necessary to get anything out of this book; luckily, there are a ton of performances on YouTube, and Rusbridger includes his annotated score in the appendix. But he does spend a fair amount of time discussing the minutiae of the piece, referring to specific measure numbers, fingerings, and rhythms. So if you’re completely nonmusical, I wouldn’t recommend this book. I largely enjoyed following Rusbridger along his journey, although I couldn’t help noticing his privilege in being able to consult world-famous pianists about his project. The book also gets a bit same-y after a while, which made the last stretch somewhat tedious. Nevertheless, I’d definitely recommend this book to any musician, professional or amateur!

Book #7: Rachel Winters, Would Like to Meet
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Evie Summers has been an assistant at a film agency for several years, hoping one day to be promoted to agent. For now, though, her hands are full with the agency’s most important client, a critically acclaimed screenwriter who has been contracted to write a romantic comedy but who keeps missing his deadlines. In an effort to motivate him, Evie proposes an experiment to prove that people can fall in love the way they do in romantic comedies. She’ll use the meet-cute methods of famous romcoms to get someone to fall in love with her, and in return, the screenwriter will deliver his script. Of course, Evie’s various attempts at a meet-cute generally end in disaster; luckily, she has her friends and a sympathetic single dad named Ben to help her out. As she continues to struggle in her career and her love life, she gradually realizes that real love may have been right in front of her all along.

I enjoyed reading this book; it’s a fun, quick page-turner with a satisfying romantic comedy built into it. But I must say, I found a lot of Evie’s decisions frustrating, to say the least! She puts up with incredibly bad treatment from her boss, reasoning that if she just hangs in there a little longer, he’ll eventually promote her — but it’s immediately obvious that he never will. At one point, she seems to be torn between two suitors, but it’s painfully clear that one of them is just using her. There’s a big “twist” near the end of the book involving Evie’s written record of her meet-cutes, but I saw it coming a mile away. Basically, I felt sorry for Evie, but I didn’t have a lot of respect for her because she kept making such terrible choices. Also, I found her friend group a bit stereotypical, including a gay BFF and a super-type-A bridezilla. I did like the romance a lot and almost wish it had been more of a focus in the book. Overall, this is a cute chick lit novel that I’d recommend as a breezy beach or airplane read.

Book #8: Meagan Spooner, Sherwood
CATs: none
Bingo: mythology or folklore (Robin Hood retelling)

This retelling of the Robin Hood legend focuses on the character of Maid Marian. When her fiancé Robin of Locksley dies on crusade, Marian sees it as her duty to protect the people of Locksley from the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham and his lieutenant, Sir Guy of Gisborne. When her maid Elena’s brother, Will Scarlet, is arrested for poaching, Marian is determined to save him, both for Elena’s sake and for Robin’s. But when she dresses in men’s clothing for her first rescue attempt, she is mistaken for Robin himself. The mistake gives Marian a daring idea: as a woman, she is almost powerless in society and cannot fight back against the corrupt laws that oppress her people. But as “Robin Hood,” she can actually make a difference. As her deception becomes more and more elaborate, she finds herself in increasing danger, especially from the enigmatic Gisborne. She also makes some hard choices as she learns how far she’ll go to protect her secret.

My all-time favorite version of the Robin Hood story is Robin McKinley’s The Outlaws of Sherwood. It’s just always felt true to me in a way that, say, the Errol Flynn movie (much as I enjoy it) doesn’t. To my surprise and delight, Sherwood gave me that same sense of truth from a very different perspective. This version of Marian is strong and independent, but while her heart is in the right place, she tends to act without thinking — a trait that usually irritates me, but it makes total sense for her character. And I love that she grows in this area throughout the novel, as she realizes that her impetuous actions sometimes have unforeseen consequences. Similarly, I love how this book gives some nuance to the Robin Hood legend: are his actions in robbing the rich to give to the poor always justified? Could he have worked within the law instead of deliberately flouting it? Finally, there’s a romance in this book that completely sneaked up on me, and I adored it. In short, I really loved this book; the moment I finished my library copy, I immediately bought one for myself! Highly recommended, especially if (like me) you also enjoyed Hunted.

>67 christina_reads: Yay, another book for my retellings category!

>68 JayneCM: I hope you love it as much as I did! I do think it starts off kind of slowly, but it gets more and more compelling as it goes on.

>69 christina_reads: I've also just looked up the Robin McKinley one. Not sure how I have never seen that one as I have a few of her other retellings on my list. I think I could just read retellings for the year - there are so many!

>70 JayneCM: Oh, I'm so excited for you to read Robin McKinley! I first fell in love with her books when I was around 10 or 11, so my love for her is blind and irrational. :) But I've reread her several times as an adult, and I think almost all of her books hold up! In terms of retellings, I'd especially recommend Beauty and Spindle's End in addition to The Outlaws of Sherwood.

>71 christina_reads: My library only has Beauty so I will start with that one. Hopefully now I know about them, I will see some on my secondhand searches!

Book #9: Nicholas Blake, A Question of Proof
CATs: none
Bingo: pen name or anonymous author (author’s real name is Cecil Day-Lewis)

This first book in the Nigel Strangeways mystery series is set at an English boys’ prep school called Sudeley Hall. One of the schoolmasters, Michael Evans, is in love with Hero, the headmaster’s wife. They’ve been having a passionate affair for two months, but so far they’ve successfully managed to keep it a secret. One afternoon they meet for a rendezvous in a haystack on school property. Unfortunately for them, several hours later the corpse of one of the schoolboys is found in that same haystack. The boy, who was unpopular with both the students and teachers, has clearly been murdered, and it seems as though an outsider couldn’t have done it. Michael’s secret makes him the most likely suspect, a fact which isn’t lost on the local policeman in charge of the case. Luckily, one of Michael’s good friends is amateur detective Nigel Strangeways, who agrees to investigate the murder on the school’s behalf. Nigel is convinced of Michael’s innocence and soon sets his sights on another suspect. But since there’s very little physical evidence in the case, the murderer might get away scot-free.

I enjoyed this Golden Age mystery novel and think it’s a solid example of the genre with a few unique elements. First of all, Nicholas Blake is the pen name of Cecil Day-Lewis, who was Poet Laureate of the UK from 1968 to 1972, and I think his literary background shows in the writing style. The first chapter of the book reads more like a play, with lots of interior monologuing and narration that sounds like stage directions. It’s a clever device that recurs throughout the book, but it’s perhaps a bit overwrought. On the other hand, Day-Lewis was also a schoolmaster for several years, and it’s clear that his experience in this area also provided fodder for the book. The characterization of the schoolboys rings true and is especially fun to read. As for the mystery itself, I liked how the book deals with one question at a time and solves it before proceeding to the next problem — it makes the whole outline of the plot easier to follow, rather than waiting to dump everything on the reader in the last chapter. The revelation of the killer made sense but relied an awful lot on Strangeways’s amateur psychological profiling. Overall, I liked this book fine and will read the next in the series, Thou Shell of Death, which is already on my shelves!

>67 christina_reads: First off, you have definitely delivered a book bullet with Sherwood, I am a Robin Hood junkie so this one is right up my alley!

>73 christina_reads: I just finished Thou Shell of Death and I enjoyed it very much and plan to continue on with Nicholas Blake's mysteries.

>74 DeltaQueen50: Hooray, I hope you enjoy Sherwood! And thanks for letting me know about Thou Shell of Death -- good to know the next book won't disappoint!

January recap

Well, the first month of 2020 is over, which seems crazy to me! It's been a quiet month for me overall, although I did manage to clear some old clothes out of my dresser. I also read 10 books this month, which is on the high end for me, so I'm happy!

Books read in January:
1. Kate Milford, Greenglass House
2. Laura Wood, Under a Dancing Star
3. Sheri Cobb South, In Milady’s Chamber
4. Kate Clayborn, Love Lettering
5. Martha Wells, The Element of Fire
6. Alan Rusbridger, Play It Again: An Amateur against the Impossible
7. Rachel Winters, Would Like to Meet
8. Meagan Spooner, Sherwood
9. Nicholas Blake, A Question of Proof
10. Joyce Dennys, Henrietta’s War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942

Favorite book of the month:
I wasn’t expecting to love Sherwood as much as I did, but I got completely sucked into the story! I especially loved the romance and the nuanced take on the Robin Hood legend.

Dishonorable mention:
Would Like to Meet was breezy and entertaining, but I couldn’t help being frustrated by the heroine’s terrible choices.

CATs completed:
Nonfiction (journalism and news): Alan Rusbridger was editor of the Guardian.
Alpha (A, U): Laura Wood, *Under a Dancing Star; *Alan Rusbridger, Play It *Again: An *Amateur against the Impossible
Mystery (historical): In Milady’s Chamber is the first book in a mystery series set in Regency England.

Bingo squares completed:
Title contains 3+ consecutive letters of “Bingo”: Under a Dancing Star contains ING.
Red cover, or red is prominent on cover: The cover of In Milady’s Chamber has a red background.
By a journalist or about journalism: Alan Rusbridger was editor of the Guardian when he wrote Play It Again.
Mythology or folklore: Sherwood is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend.
Pen name or anonymous author: Nicholas Blake is the pen name of Cecil Day-Lewis.
Epistolary or letters: Henrietta’s War is an epistolary novel about an English village in World War II.

Books acquired in January:
Mrs. Oliphant, The Mystery of Mrs. Blencarrow / Queen Eleanor and Fair Rosamund
Leo Bruce, Case with 4 Clowns
Alice Tilton, Cold Steal
Patricia Wentworth, Grey Mask
Craig Rice, Home Sweet Homicide
Meagan Spooner, Sherwood

Sherwood hit its target, sounds like a great read!

>77 Chrischi_HH: I really enjoyed it -- hope you do too!

I enjoyed catching up on your thread and I will also take a BB for Sherwood!

>79 LisaMorr: Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy Sherwood!

February recap

Even with the extra day, February just flew by! I managed to read 10 books -- a very good month for me -- but I haven't kept up with reviews at all! Hopefully I'll be able to write and post some of them soon. But in the meantime, here's what I read last month:

Books read in February:
1. Mimi Matthews, The Matrimonial Advertisement
2. Katherine Reay, The Austen Escape
3. Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera, The Awakening of Miss Prim
4. Georgette Heyer, Black Sheep
5. Anne Bogel, I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
6. Lucy Parker, Headliners
7. Cynthia Felice and Connie Willis, Water Witch
8. Sherry Thomas, A Study in Scarlet Women
9. Craig Rice, Home Sweet Homicide
10. Tessa Dare, Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Favorite book of the month:
I really enjoyed A Study in Scarlet Women and can't wait to continue with the Lady Sherlock series!

Dishonorable mention:
I was not a fan of The Austen Escape -- clunky writing and unbelievable characters.

CATs completed:
Random (published in a leap year): A Study in Scarlet Women and Do You Want to Start a Scandal were both published in 2016, and Home Sweet Homicide was published in 1944.
Geo (Europe excluding UK): The Awakening of Miss Prim is set in an unnamed European country, and the author is Spanish.
Alpha (F, B): Anne *Bogel, I'd Rather *Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life; Natalia Sanmartin *Fenollera, The Awakening of Miss Prim; Cynthia *Felice and Connie Willis, Water Witch

Bingo squares completed:
Small press or self-published: The Matrimonial Advertisement was published by Perfectly Proper Press.
Proper name in the title: The Austen Escape contains Jane Austen's surname.
Female author not from the US or UK: Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera, author of The Awakening of Miss Prim, is from Spain.
Book about books, bookstores, or libraries: I'd Rather Be Reading certainly qualifies!
Published in 2020: Headliners was published on January 20, 2020.
Not set on Earth: Water Witch is set on the fictional desert planet of Mahali.
LibraryThing author: Sherry Thomas, author of A Study in Scarlet Women, is an LT author.
Legacy Library: Home Sweet Homicide is in the Legacy Libraries of Edna St. Vincent Millay, Astrid Lindgren, and Carl Sandburg.
Read a CAT: Do You Want to Start a Scandal fulfills the February RandomCAT because it was published in the leap year 2016.

Books acquired in February:
Lucy Parker, Headliners

>81 christina_reads: I keep reading the title of "Do You Want to Start a Scandal" in the tune of "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" from Frozen!

>82 rabbitprincess: Me too! And the book came out three years after Frozen, so I'm thinking it's got to be a direct reference. Although I'm not sure there are actually any parallels between the two, except that the book's hero is a bit cold and guarded (Ilsa-esque?).

Wow, I've been terrible at updating my thread since the end of January! There's no real reason for it...I've still been reading, just haven't felt motivated to write reviews. That said, I hope to churn out a bunch of short ones within the next few days.

In other news, my office closed this past Monday, and we are all working remotely. I'm grateful to be doing a job that can be done via telework and that allows me to be paid on a regular basis. My heart goes out to those who work in public-facing jobs, whose hours and pay are being curtailed or stopped altogether. I also have food for the next week or so, plus a fairly good supply of toilet paper and soap. But the self-isolation is tough all the same! I hope you are all staying well and cheerful, LT friends.

To lighten the mood, I've signed up for a "social distancing readathon" this weekend: https://24in48.com/2020/03/12/24in48-the-social-distancing-edition/. Because what better excuse than a worldwide pandemic to stay home and read some books, right? :) The Twitter/Instagram hashtag is #StayHome24in48, so come check it out! I'll be tracking my reading on Twitter @YouBookMe.

I'm glad you're able to telecommute, and that your have your supplies. Yes, if there's one good thing, it's that readers get to read through this. Time to catch up on those reviews. Stay well!

March recap

Since I'm now working from home, I assumed I'd have plenty of time to catch up on reviews and LT threads this month -- yet I feel farther behind than ever! My general motivation levels are very low. I'm pretty much working, then collapsing in front of the TV. (I'm currently binge-watching Psych, which is the perfect antidote to reality in its lighthearted silliness!) Nevertheless, here's what I read this month.

Books read in March:
1. Richard John Neuhaus, Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross
2. Mary Balogh, Only Enchanting
3. Patricia Wentworth, Grey Mask
4. Katherine Arden, The Winter of the Witch
5. Georgette Heyer, Detection Unlimited
6. Karen Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice
7. Becca Wilhite, Check Me Out
8. Lauren Graham, Talking as Fast as I Can
9. Jennifer Crusie, Bet Me

Favorite book of the month:
I loved The Winter of the Witch -- a fitting conclusion to an excellent trilogy!

Dishonorable mention:
Check Me Out fell flat for me, primarily because I found the heroine obnoxious and the romance unbelievable.

CATs completed:
Random (season in the title): The Winter of the Witch qualifies.
Nonfiction (biography): Talking as Fast as I Can is Lauren Graham's memoir, which focuses on her acting career, particularly her years on Gilmore Girls and Parenthood.
Alpha (G, C): Richard John Neuhaus, Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the *Cross; Patricia Wentworth, *Grey Mask; *Georgette Heyer, Detection Unlimited; Karen *Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice; Becca Wilhite, *Check Me Out; Lauren *Graham, Talking as Fast as I *Can
SFF (series): The Winter of the Witch is the final book in the Winternight trilogy.
Mystery (Golden Age): Grey Mask was published in 1928, and Detection Unlimited was published in 1953.

Bingo squares completed:
Involves a real historical event: Death on a Friday Afternoon centers around the crucifixion of Jesus.
Mystery or true crime: Grey Mask is a mystery novel.
About birth or death: The Midwife's Apprentice is about a girl who becomes a midwife's apprentice in medieval England and assists at several births.

Books acquired in March:
Susanna Kearsley, A Desperate Fortune
Mhairi McFarlane, Don't You Forget about Me
Rosamund Hodge, Crimson Bound
Mimi Matthews, The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter

>86 christina_reads: Yeah, the collapse of the work/home barrier has been in itself a shock.

>85 mstrust: Thanks for stopping by! Hope you and your loved ones are keeping well.

>87 NinieB: It definitely has! My workstation is in my living room, so I can't escape it!

>88 christina_reads: Me too! And it's harder to stay away from work email on the weekends, too.

Okay, I've finally caught up with (most of) my reviews! They're short and sweet, but I've got a bunch coming, so heads up. :)

Book #10: Joyce Dennys, Henrietta’s War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942
CATs: none - I read this in January
Bingo: epistolary or letters

I greatly enjoyed this charming epistolary novel, which is both written and set during World War II. The titular Henrietta writes to her childhood friend Robert, who is off fighting somewhere in France, and describes daily life in her rural English village. Despite the constant presence of the war in the background, Henrietta mostly focuses on the mundane, humorous aspects of life. A pleasant and uplifting book.

Book #11: Mimi Matthews, The Matrimonial Advertisement
CATs: none - I read this in February
Bingo: small press or self-published (Perfectly Proper Press)

Last year I read Matthews’s novella, A Holiday by Gaslight, and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to seek out some of her full-length novels. This one, the first in her Parish Orphans of Devon series, is a “proper” Victorian romance (i.e., no explicit content) that centers around a marriage of convenience. Justin needs a wife to manage his remote, secluded estate, and Helena needs a safe place to hide from her past. The book definitely justified my high expectations, and I can’t wait to continue with the series!

Book #12: Katherine Reay, The Austen Escape
CATs: none - I read this in February
Bingo: proper name in the title

I’ve read one other book by Reay, Dear Mr. Knightley, and I wasn’t a huge fan. But when I got this novel as a gift, I decided to give the author another chance. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book either — something about the writing style just grates on my nerves. I also found the heroine obnoxious and unsympathetic, and I have no idea what her love interest saw in her. I was frankly appalled by one major plot point: the heroine’s best friend, who has a history of mental health issues, starts to believe she’s living in Jane Austen’s time…and nobody seems to think this is something that needs immediate medical attention! So all in all, I wasn’t a fan, and I’m pretty sure I’m done with this author.

Book #13: Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera, The Awakening of Miss Prim
CATs: Geo (Europe excluding UK = set in a fictional European village); Alpha (F = Fenollera) - I read this in February
Bingo: female author not from US/UK (author is from Spain)

This is a strange little novel about a young woman, Prudencia Prim, who applies for a position as a private librarian in a remote French village. A modern woman herself, she is initially shocked by the villagers’ old-fashioned beliefs and behavior. But she soon observes the happiness and prosperity of those around her, and with the help of her enigmatic employer, she comes to see the merits of their way of life. I think this book is aimed at a very particular audience, namely a certain subdivision of Catholics who are huge fans of G.K. Chesterton. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’d say this book is probably not for you! Even as part of the target audience, I still found it a little much.

Book #14: Georgette Heyer, Black Sheep
CATs: none
Bingo: none

It’s always a treat to reread a Heyer romance, and it had been a few years since I’d encountered this one. Abigail, a spinster at 27, is more concerned with the marriage prospects of her young and beautiful niece than with her own. But when the niece falls for a fortune hunter, Abby must team up with the suitor’s unconventional uncle, who tries to sweep Abby herself off her feet. Not one of my all-time favorite Heyers, but still a delightful read!

Book #15: Anne Bogel, I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
CATs: Alpha (B = Bogel, Be) - I read this in February
Bingo: book about books, bookstores, or libraries

I’m a big fan of Anne Bogel’s podcast, What Should I Read Next? So when I found her book at a library sale, I snatched it up! The essays are fun — nothing particularly new or memorable, but bibliophiles and fans of the author should enjoy them. A fun read, but not a keeper for me.

Book #16: Lucy Parker, Headliners
CATs: none - I read this in February
Bingo: published in 2020 (pub date 1/20/20)

Lucy Parker is an auto-buy author for me; I really love her contemporary romances set in the London entertainment world. In this one, protagonists Sabrina and Nick are rival TV presenters who are forced to work together to revive their network’s struggling morning show. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, this book is a great example! I especially liked how Sabrina and Nick resolve their conflicts like adults; there are no stupid misunderstandings or secrets kept for no reason. I note that, while this book can technically stand alone, it does refer back frequently to the events of the previous book, The Austen Playbook. Definitely recommended for romance fans, although my favorite Parker books remain her first two, Act Like It and Pretty Face.

Book #17: Cynthia Felice and Connie Willis, Water Witch
CATs: Alpha (F = Felice) - I read this in February
Bingo: not set on Earth (set on the desert planet of Mahali)

I’m a huge Connie Willis fan, so I had high hopes for this book, especially because it also contains some of my favorite elements: con artists, a missing princess, and a sci-fi/romance combo. But overall I found it pretty underwhelming. I really liked the kernel of the story, but I wanted it to be fleshed out a lot more, especially the characterization. The romance essentially comes out of nowhere, and I never really felt like I got to know the hero at all. That said, I really liked a twist involving one of the secondary characters, who came to be a lot more important than I initially expected. Overall, I didn’t like this as much as Willis’s solo work, but I already own two more Willis/Felice collaborations, so I’ll definitely read them at some point.

Book #18: Sherry Thomas, A Study in Scarlet Women
CATs: Random (published in a leap year = 2016) - I read this in February
Bingo: LT author

I’d heard great things about the Lady Sherlock series but was hesitant to dive in, fearing that the books wouldn’t live up to the hype. But I was pleasantly surprised — I really enjoyed this book, which recasts literature’s most famous detective as Charlotte Holmes, a Victorian woman whose brilliant mind is constrained by the social rules of her time. So she decides to leave home and forge her own path. Meanwhile, of course, she solves several murders by realizing that they are all connected. I loved this take on a Holmesian character; Charlotte has a brilliant deductive mind but also really enjoys fashion, and her style is surprisingly ornate and gaudy. I also loved that the book, while sympathetic to Charlotte, also shows her flaws and the negative consequences of some of her decisions. I will definitely continue with the series sooner rather than later!

Book #19: Craig Rice, Home Sweet Homicide
CATs: Random (published in a leap year = 1944) - I read this in February
Bingo: Legacy Library (Edna St. Vincent Millay, Astrid Lindgren, Carl Sandburg)

I found this mystery novel delightful. It’s about three children (ages 8 to 14, I believe) whose mother is a popular mystery novelist. When their neighbor is murdered in real life, the kids are ecstatic — now Mother might get some new material for her books, and the publicity is bound to be good for business. Plus, the handsome detective working the case looks like excellent stepfather material, though Mother doesn’t seem to agree. The children team up to solve the mystery with the help of their friends and neighbors; the result is a farcical romp that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Book #20: Tessa Dare, Do You Want to Start a Scandal
CATs: Random (published in a leap year = 2016) - I read this in February
Bingo: read a CAT (February RandomCAT)

This Regency romance is the story of Charlotte Highwood, who has been nicknamed “the Desperate Debutante” because of her mother’s aggressive matchmaking efforts. Her mother’s latest target is Piers Brandon, Lord Granville; so Charlotte seeks him out at a house party to reassure him that she doesn’t wish to marry him. This strategy backfires immediately when the two are found in a compromising position — they accidentally interrupt a lovers’ tryst, but everyone else believes they are the lovers. Charlotte decides to clear her good name by unmasking the real lovers. But of course, the more time she and Piers spend together, the more they fall in love. This book was fine, although I found the comic style a little forced and overwrought. Not bad, but not particularly recommended.

Book #21: Richard John Neuhaus, Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross
CATs: Alpha (C = Cross) - I read this in March
Bingo: involves a real historical event (the crucifixion of Jesus)

I chose this book at the beginning of Lent as an appropriate spiritual read. As the subtitle suggests, each chapter is inspired by one of the seven last words of Jesus from the cross. Each “word” provides a jumping-off point for the author, a Catholic priest, to discuss various aspects of his faith. Sadly, since I read this a while ago, I don’t remember a lot of the details! But I do remember the chapter on “I thirst” being particularly interesting because it discussed the question of universal salvation (is it possible that everyone will be saved?). I’d say the book is geared more toward intellectual than devotional purposes. Overall, the book gave me a lot of food for thought, and I definitely plan to reread it in the future.

Book #22: Mary Balogh, Only Enchanting
CATs: none
Bingo: none

I’ve yet to be disappointed by a Balogh book, and this Regency romance is no exception. It’s part of the Survivors’ Club series, about a group of people who have been deeply wounded (physically, emotionally, or both) in the Napoleonic Wars, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. The hero, Flavian, has returned from the war with a head injury that left gaps in his memory. When he is thrown together with Agnes, a widow living a quiet rural life, he impulsively proposes to her, and together they are able to fill in some of the blanks in Flavian’s memory — and fall in love in the process. That makes it sound like love magically cures Flavian’s mental injuries, which isn’t the case…I feel like I’m not describing the plot terribly well! But I really liked the book and will continue reading more in this series.

Book #23: Patricia Wentworth, Grey Mask
CATs: Alpha (G = Grey); Mystery (Golden Age = published in 1928) - I read this in March
Bingo: mystery or true crime

Charles Moray has just returned to England after four years abroad. When he reaches his home, he is surprised to find that it is unlocked and that a secret meeting is taking place inside. He learns that the intruders are members of a criminal organization led by an unknown man in a grey mask. He also sees Margaret Langton — the woman he once loved, who broke off their engagement right before the wedding with no explanation — enter the house and speak with Grey Mask. Charles decides not to go to the police but to investigate the matter himself. He and Margaret eventually team up to save a beautiful young heiress who is in danger from the gang and to discover the identity of Grey Mask. I thought this book would be somewhat cheesy and campy, but in fact I really enjoyed it! I will definitely read more by Patricia Wentworth; this is technically the first book in the Miss Silver series, but Miss Silver is a pretty marginal character in this installment.

Book #24: Katherine Arden, The Winter of the Witch
CATs: Random (season in the title = winter); SFF (series = Winternight #3) - I read this in March
Bingo: none

I loved the first two books in this trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, and this book was a fitting conclusion to the series. I love the setting, which is essentially a magical version of medieval Russia that contains various elements of Russian folklore. I also really like that the series doesn’t shy away from consequences: although Vasilisa is a sympathetic heroine, sometimes her choices have unexpected or unintended effects on those close to her. It’s a morally complex universe where no one is completely good or evil, and I liked that the book has some sympathy for even the most destructive characters. My only complaint is that the novel is a bit slow-moving, but if you liked earlier books in the series, you should definitely read this last installment!

Book #25: Georgette Heyer, Detection Unlimited
CATs: Alpha (G = Georgette); Mystery (Golden Age = published in 1953) - I read this in March
Bingo: none

I love Georgette Heyer, but this isn’t one of my favorite of her mysteries. I’m a little surprised that I feel this way, though, because the mystery plot itself is one of her strongest. It’s a simple setup: a universally disliked man is shot in his garden, and everyone seems to have an alibi for the time of death. I thought the solution was clever and hung together well, although I was a bit disappointed in the choice of murderer because I liked that character! But the reason I didn’t totally love this book is that there’s a lot of padding surrounding the mystery plot; most of the book is just descriptions of the various characters and how they interact with one another. And while Heyer is great at characterization, I just wanted the story to go somewhere!

Book #26: Karen Cushman, The Midwife’s Apprentice
CATs: Alpha (C = Cushman) - I read this in March
Bingo: about birth or death (protagonist assists at several births)

Catherine, Called Birdy was one of my favorite books as a child, but I don’t think I’d ever read The Midwife’s Apprentice by the same author. It’s about a young girl in medieval England who is completely alone; she begins the novel by sleeping in a dung heap to keep warm. But the village midwife eventually takes her in as a servant/apprentice, and the girl’s life improves somewhat. Eventually she learns enough about midwifery to make herself useful, makes a friend, and even gets a name of her own: Alyce. But when Alyce makes a mistake in her work, she runs away, certain that everyone will hate her. Will she ever find a place she truly belongs? I was charmed by this book and wish I had read it as a child; while it’s not a keeper for me now, I would definitely recommend it to elementary schoolers!

Book #27: Becca Wilhite, Check Me Out
CATs: Alpha (C = Check) - I read this in March
Bingo: none

I really liked the premise of this book, with its librarian heroine and Cyrano vibes, but the execution was disappointing. Twenty-four-year-old Greta loves her job and her BFF Will, but she hasn’t managed to find romance yet. That is, until she meets dreamy Mac in the poetry section, and he sweeps her off her feet with his good looks and romantic texts. The trouble is, in person he’s not as sweet or witty as he is in print. Meanwhile, the library is in danger of shutting down, so Greta embarks on a series of fundraising schemes to save it. I thought the library-related stuff was interesting, and the book did a good job of covering the complexities of the situation (community benefits vs. budget, historical value of the library vs. need for a modern, accessible space). But the romance was frustrating for me; I felt Greta was clueless and shallow, and her descriptions of Will (who is overweight) were downright cruel at times. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and wouldn’t recommend it.

Book #28: Lauren Graham, Talking as Fast as I Can
CATs: Nonfiction (biography); Alpha (G = Graham, C = Can) - I read this in March
Bingo: none

A fun celebrity memoir by Lauren Graham, best known for her roles as Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls and Sarah Braverman on Parenthood. As a huge Gilmore fan and someone who has always admired Lauren Graham, I was definitely the target audience for this book, and I enjoyed it overall. It doesn’t delve very deeply into Gilmore Girls, which I was a little disappointed by, but upon reflection it makes sense: Gilmore was legendary for its long hours and demanding showrunner who expected every line to be word-perfect, so it makes sense that Graham would be reticent about the probable difficulties of working on the show. She obviously feels much more warmly about Parenthood, a show I stopped watching after season 1. Still a worthwhile read for fans of either show, and Graham has a funny, likable voice. But Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Mindy Kaling’s two memoirs are still my favorites in this genre.

Book #29: Jennifer Crusie, Bet Me
CATs: none
Bingo: none

I loved this book the first time I read it (probably more than 10 years ago now!), but I hadn’t read it since. On rereading, I still really enjoyed it; it’s a fun, escapist contemporary romance that also portrays friendship in a really strong light. Min Dobbs is an overweight actuary who never takes a risk; Cal Morrisey is a handsome, successful consultant who likes to gamble. Cal inadvertently bets Min’s ex that he can get Min to sleep with him within a month; Min overhears the bet and decides to teach Cal a lesson. Of course, then they end up bonding over Elvis and chicken marsala, and soon enough they’re falling in love. As I said, I enjoyed the reread, and it’s always nice to see a romance heroine who isn’t perfectly thin and gorgeous!

Book #30: Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
CATs: Random (showers and flowers = garden); Geo (Australia and Oceania = set partially in Australia, author is Australian)
Bingo: none

It took me a while to get through this book, and I think I’m still digesting it somewhat. It tells the stories of four different women. First, Nell is found on a dock in Brisbane, Australia, in 1913. She is raised by a loving family, but when her father finally tells her that she was adopted, she feels compelled to research the mystery of her past. In 2005, Nell passes away, and her granddaughter Cassandra inherits the mystery, as well as a decaying cottage on the coast of Cornwall. She eventually travels to England to see the cottage and piece together what really happened to Nell. Finally, the book jumps to 1900 and details the lives of Eliza Makepeace, a poor orphan with a gift for storytelling, and Rose Mountratchet, a privileged and beloved young woman who befriends Eliza. As the book shifts back and forth between all these different perspectives, the true story of Nell’s origins finally emerges. I thought the mystery was interesting, I liked the writing style, and the main characters were sympathetic; but for me, the pacing was just too slow. I genuinely do think it’s a good book, but I’m not sure I will pick up anything else by Kate Morton.

Books #31 and 32: Bria Quinlan, It’s in His Kiss and The Last Single Girl
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Last year I read Worth the Fall, book 2 in Bria Quinlan’s Brew Ha Ha series, and was unexpectedly charmed by it. So I picked up these two e-books when they were on a free deal; It’s in His Kiss is a prequel novella, and The Last Single Girl is book 1. The novella is about Jenna, a YA writer who needs her character to have a first kiss, but it’s been a long time since Jenna experienced one herself. She meets handsome, arrogant Ben while doing “research,” but her beautiful frenemy seems to be competing with her for his attention. Book 1 has all new characters: Sarah, a girl who needs a New Year’s Eve date and meets a bunch of online suitors in a coffee shop, ends up hitting it off with John, the shop’s owner, instead. These were decent quick reads, but I didn’t find the same spark that I did with Worth the Fall. On the upside, I managed to read them both in a single night!

Great batch of reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed Home Sweet Homicide as well. I liked that the kids were just the right amount of precocious.

Catching up on your slew of reviews. I might have a to take a BB for the Sherry Thomas book - I am such a sucker for atmospheric covers and the story is pretty much the genre that attracts my attention. Like you, I am leery of Holmes adaptations, so its a maybe for me, for now.

Re: Morton's The Forgotten Garden, that is, IMO, the weakest of her books I have read so far (I only gave that one 3 stars) so I understand why you would be deterred from reading another Morton book. My favorite Morton book is The Clockmaker's Daughter but some readers found that one had too many characters and too many plot lines to try and keep straight.

>113 rabbitprincess: Was it you who gave me the book bullet for Home Sweet Homicide? If so, thank you! I really did enjoy it. The kids were the good kind of precocious, not the annoying kind. :)

>114 lkernagh: I will say, it's been ages since I read the original Sherlock Holmes stories, and I wouldn't call myself a purist, but I enjoyed this take on Holmes very much. There are several nods to the Conan Doyle canon -- there's a Watson character, an Inspector Treadles (I see what she did there), and hints of a nemesis called Moriarty. But I enjoyed the story on its own merits too, not just as a Holmes pastiche. Also, thanks for the heads-up on The Forgotten Garden! If I decide to try another, I'll look out for The Clockmaker's Daughter.

Happy Easter, Christina! I hope you are enjoying it despite the current situation. I took a bb for A Study in Scarlet Women and Home Sweet Homicide, they sound great!

>117 Chrischi_HH: Thank you! I had a pretty good day, despite being by myself. Video chat helps a lot! Hope you enjoy the books. :)

I enjoyed reading through your reviews this morning. During a very rainy afternoon yesterday I worked on making a list of books to reread over the next few weeks. I've had some trouble concentrating during the virus upheaval so some past comfort reads seems to be a good idea for now. I put the Henrietta books on the list, I read them several years ago and I liked them a lot.

I took Home Sweet Homicide as a BB for me and The Midwife's Apprentice for a birthday present for a young reader I know. I gave her Catherine, Called Birdy earlier and she loved it.

>119 clue: I really gravitate toward rereads in tough times! It's so comforting to revisit my favorites. I do the same thing with movies and TV shows; I find myself rewatching things I already know I like, rather than taking a gamble on something new. Hope you enjoy Home Sweet Homicide and that your young reader friend likes The Midwife's Apprentice!

I totally agree with you about The Forgotten Garden - I wasn't a fan which disappointed me because I thought her books sounded very interesting. I haven't read anything else by her but perhaps I should give her a second try - will maybe try the book Lori recommended.

>121 DeltaQueen50: I'll be interested to compare notes with you if/when you read it!

Book #33: Helen MacInnes, Assignment in Brittany
CATs: Mystery (espionage)
Bingo: none

Martin Hearne, a British intelligence agent, has just been given a new assignment. He happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Bertrand Corlay, a Frenchman recuperating in an English hospital after the evacuation of Dunkirk. His job will be to impersonate Corlay and go “home” to the village of Saint-Déodat in Brittany, where he will research the movements of the occupying German troops. Of course, complications ensue as Hearne meets Corlay’s family, shelters an American journalist, and has several unpleasant run-ins with the Nazis. His situation becomes even more precarious when he realizes that the real Corlay hasn’t been entirely truthful with him. I really enjoyed this suspenseful and entertaining book. It’s all the more remarkable because the novel was published in 1942, when the outcome of the war was far from certain. Definitely recommended for fans of spy and/or World War II novels.

Book #34: Kristan Higgins, On Second Thought
CATs: none
Bingo: none

I really liked this book the first time I read it, and I enjoyed it equally well on this reread. It’s about Kate, newly widowed after only four months of marriage, and her half-sister Ainsley, who’s just been dumped by her boyfriend of 11 years. As they both struggle with grief and moving on, they become closer to one another and discover a second chance at love. I think the book does a good job of balancing grief and hope, and I really enjoyed the romance(s), especially Ainsley’s. Recommended for fans of the genre.

>123 christina_reads: Christina, you have such a talent for describing books. Taking a BB here.

>125 NinieB: Thank you so much! That made my day. :) Hope you enjoy the book!

Book #35: Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing after Another
CATs: Alpha (T = Taylor, Thing); SFF (time travel)
Bingo: book with “library” or “thing” in the title

When Madeleine “Max” Maxwell is recruited to join the St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research, she gets a lot more than she bargained for: the historians of St. Mary’s “investigate major historical events in contemporary time” — in other words, time travel! Max embraces the concept wholeheartedly and soon proves herself adept at her new job. But when a trip to the late Cretaceous goes horribly wrong, Max learns that another group of time travelers is wreaking havoc with history, and the St. Mary’s gang will have to stop them in order to protect both the past and the future. This book is a fun romp, although Max is one of those heroines who’s annoyingly good at everything. I found the present timeline hard to follow; the book starts with Max arriving at St. Mary’s, but it seems like several months (or years?) pass without really being acknowledged. There’s also a graphic sex scene that I could have done without. Despite these quibbles, though, I did enjoy the book and will most likely continue with the series.

Book #36: Jenny Colgan, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This chick lit novel is about Sophie Chesterton, a shallow socialite whose life is upended when her father dies, and the terms of his will state that she must earn her own living for six months before receiving her inheritance. Sophie moves into a dirty flat in South London with four guys, attempts to pursue her interest in photography, and falls for not one but two of her roommates. Normally I really enjoy Jenny Colgan’s novels, but this one was disappointing. Sophie does grow throughout the book, but she’s so awful in the beginning that it’s hard to completely buy her redemption. I also didn’t find the romance angle satisfying; the outcome seemed to come out of the blue, so that I had no chance to become invested. I still recommend Colgan’s books in general, but this one just wasn’t for me.

>127 christina_reads: - Every time I see a review for that series, I say I need to add it to my reading pile, and now I find myself, two years later, pondering once again about adding this series to my reading pile. I don't seem to be very good at taking thought into action. ;-)

>129 lkernagh: I found it a pretty quick read, if that helps!

Books #37 and 38: Diana Wynne Jones, Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant
CATs: none
Bingo: none

In Charmed Life, Cat Chant is alone in the world except for his sister Gwendolen: their parents died in a steamboat accident when they were very young, and they have no family except each other. Gwendolen is a gifted witch, and her talents soon outstrip the capabilities of the local magic teacher. So when Cat and Gwendolen are invited to live with the Chrestomanci, the most powerful enchanter in the world and governor of all magic, Gwendolen is ecstatic — until it becomes clear that Chrestomanci won’t teach her any magic. As Gwendolen plots her revenge, Cat gradually realizes that he may have unsuspected talents of his own. The Lives of Christopher Chant takes place 25 years earlier and gives the backstory of how the Chrestomanci came to be. Christopher is able to travel between worlds while he’s dreaming. When other magicians discover this talent and seek to use it for their own ends, Christopher is caught in a battle between good and evil — but which side is he really on?

I dimly recall reading Charmed Life as a child, but I’d forgotten almost all the details. It was a pleasure to revisit the book, which perfectly depicts Cat’s alienation and confusion as he is thrust into a new environment. And I adored Christopher in both books — he’s such a fun enigma as the Chrestomanci, but his origin story makes him an even more interesting and fleshed-out character. In both cases, I felt that the books ended just as they were getting interesting: Cat learns something important about himself, but we don’t get to see what he does with that knowledge. Similarly, Christopher survives his first test as Chrestomanci, but I wanted to see more of his story as he grows into his power. There are a few more books set in this world, so perhaps they’ll fill in some of the blanks, but I was a bit frustrated that these books both ended where they did! Still, I enjoyed both of these books a lot and will continue with the Chronicles of Chrestomanci.

Book #39: Mimi Matthews, A Modest Independence
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This second installment of the Parish Orphans of Devon series follows Thomas Finchley and Jenny Holloway, both of whom first appeared in The Matrimonial Advertisement. Tom is a London solicitor, and his job is his life; it was his ticket out of the orphanage and his escape from a life of poverty. His clients must always come first, even before his own needs and wants. Meanwhile, Jenny has just received a small fortune that enables her to quit her job as a ladies’ companion. She yearns to see the world and is eager to set sail for India, where she hopes to find news of an old flame who reportedly died in an uprising. Tom and Jenny are powerfully attracted to each other, but they want such different things that a romance seems out of the question. But when Tom spontaneously accompanies Jenny on her trip to India, their feelings for each other grow and intensify. Will they be able to find a way to be together despite pursuing their very different dreams?

I really enjoyed The Matrimonial Advertisement and was excited to continue with the series, but this book suffered a bit by comparison. First of all, I don’t think it stands alone very well; Tom and Jenny’s story definitely began in the first novel, and that context is important as their relationship grows in this book. Secondly, Tom’s actions occasionally rubbed me the wrong way. For example, he decides to escort Jenny to India and hires Indian servants for her without her knowledge or consent. His motives are good — he knows her journey will be more difficult and dangerous if she travels alone — but I didn’t like that he makes these decisions without consulting Jenny first. Finally, the conflict is very repetitive and became frustrating for me. Nearly all the conversations between Tom and Jenny deal with the same problem: she doesn’t want to be tied down by marriage, while he isn’t cut out for a life of adventure. And after all the hand-wringing, the solution seems almost too easy. But while I was disappointed in this book, it wasn’t a bad read by any means, and I definitely plan to continue with the series!

April recap

Somewhat surprisingly, this was a great reading month for me! I'll credit the 24-hour readathon for some of my productivity, and the rest is probably because I chose quick, light reads. My brain can't handle anything heavier during this pandemic! My April reads are below.

Books read in April:
1. Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
2. Caitie Quinn (Bria Quinlan), It’s in His Kiss
3. Bria Quinlan, The Last Single Girl
4. Helen MacInnes, Assignment in Brittany
5. Kristan Higgins, On Second Thought
6. Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing after Another
7. Jenny Colgan, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
8. Diana Wynne Jones, Charmed Life
9. Diana Wynne Jones, The Lives of Christopher Chant
10. Mimi Matthews, A Modest Independence
11. Martha Wells, The Death of the Necromancer
12. Sandhya Menon, When Dimple Met Rishi
13. Caroline Preston, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt
14. Loretta Chase, Isabella
15. Anthony Berkeley, Not to Be Taken
16. Julia Quinn, First Comes Scandal

Favorite book of the month:
Assignment in Brittany was an absolutely enthralling WW2 spy novel, and I’m excited to read more by Helen MacInnes!

Dishonorable mention:
Normally I really enjoy Jenny Colgan’s books, but Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend was disappointing.

CATs completed:
Random (showers and flowers): The Forgotten Garden contains a flower-related term.
Geo (Australia and Oceania): The Forgotten Garden is partially set in Australia, and the author is Australian.
Alpha (S, T): Bria Quinlan, The Last *Single Girl; Jodi *Taylor, Just One Damned *Thing after Another; *Sandhya Menon, When Dimple Met Rishi; Caroline Preston, The *Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt; Anthony Berkeley, Not to Be *Taken; Julia Quinn, First Comes *Scandal
SFF (time travel): Just One Damned Thing after Another is about time-traveling historians.
Mystery (espionage): Assignment in Brittany is a spy novel.

Bingo squares completed:
“Library” or “thing” in the title: Just One Damned Thing after Another qualifies.

Books acquired in April:
Jenny Colgan, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend (LTER win)
Mimi Matthews, A Modest Independence
Loretta Chase, Isabella
Julia Quinn, First Comes Scandal

Congrats on getting so much reading done for the month!

>134 mstrust: Thanks! It's definitely my best month in quite some time, in terms of quantity.

>133 christina_reads: - Wow, you did have a great reading month! I wasn't doing too bad on the reading front, but then I discovered plays for online watching, and my reading kind of nose-dived from there. :-)

>136 lkernagh: Well, watching plays seems like a good alternative! :)

Well, it's my Thingaversary -- as of today, I've been on LibraryThing for 14 years! Theoretically, that means I get to buy 15 books, but I've already purchased 12 books for myself this year, so I will content myself with buying 3 more. :) I think I'll wait until the bookstores near me start opening up again, which may happen later this month. That way I can browse and choose on impulse, which is something I'm sorely missing these days!

>138 christina_reads: Congrats!

Happy Thingaversary! Be sure to let us know what you get!

Happy thingaversary! Have fun choosing your books!

Happy Thingaversary! Yes, we want to hear about the haul.

Happy Thingaversary! Bookstores are opening up again here, but we're being stupid and I'm waiting until it's safer to go touch the same books other people have recently fondled.

Well done!

Thanks, everyone! I will be sure to post my haul once I acquire it. :)

>143 RidgewayGirl: That doesn't sound stupid at all -- I say proceed with whatever amount of caution you feel comfortable with!

A very happy Thingaversary, Christina. Ah, to go browsing in a bookstore is something I am looking forward to returning to at some point - these days I get my browsing in while sifting through the Kindle offerings.

>146 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! Going to a real-life bookstore is one of the first things I hope to do when lockdown is lifted! Some parts of my state (Virginia) will be starting to reopen tomorrow, but since I live up near DC, the local authorities have decided to extend the lockdown. Which I totally understand, but part of me is also sad about not getting new books!

>147 christina_reads: Do you live near Springfield, Va? My best friend lives there.

>148 Tess_W: I'm in Arlington, so pretty close!

Book #40: Martha Wells, The Death of the Necromancer
CATs: none - I read this in April
Bingo: none

This gaslamp fantasy follows Nicholas Valliarde, otherwise known as Donatien, the leader of a notorious criminal enterprise in the city of Vienne. He has one goal: to ruin the life of the Count of Montesq, who had Nicholas’s foster-father executed on a false charge of necromancy. In the middle of a heist that would further this goal, however, Nicholas runs into an unexpectedly life-threatening situation and soon learns that a real necromancer may be at work in the city. I really enjoyed this novel, especially the setting, which is like a fantastical version of 18th-century France. There’s also a really great friendship that arises between Nicholas and the police inspector who’s been tracking his criminal alter-ego. I will definitely continue with the Ile-Rien series, although this one stands alone quite well.

Book #41: Sandhya Menon, When Dimple Met Rishi
CATs: Alpha (S = Sandhya) - I read this in April
Bingo: none

Dimple and Rishi are Indian American teens who have never met, but their parents are friends and have tentatively arranged a marriage between them. Rishi knows about the arrangement and is happy about it; he loves his family and his culture, and he trusts his parents to choose an appropriate wife for him. Dimple, on the other hand, is more interested in computer coding than marriage, and she’s desperate to attend a prestigious summer program — one that Rishi happens to be attending also. When they meet, Dimple is enraged to discover the marriage arrangement. But the more she gets to know Rishi, the more she ends up liking him. This is a cute YA rom-com with insight into a culture I know little about. I recommend it if the premise intrigues you!

Book #42: Caroline Preston, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt
CATs: Alpha (S = Scrapbook) - I read this in April
Bingo: none

This “novel in pictures” tells the story of Frances “Frankie” Pratt, an ambitious American girl who leaves her hometown to attend college, then travel to New York and Paris in hopes of becoming a writer. The book purports to be Frankie’s scrapbook of these eventful years of her life, with just a few sentences of narration on each page. The photos are of authentic 1920s artifacts — advertisements, ticket stubs, postcards, and the like — and I was very impressed by the author’s dedication to finding these artifacts and creating a story around them. That said, the scrapbook conceit is the cleverest part of the book; the plot and characters are all fairly two-dimensional. Still, this is a fun, quick read that would appeal to people who enjoy scrapbooking or are fascinated by the 1920s.

Book #43: Loretta Chase, Isabella
CATs: none - I read this in April
Bingo: none

I’ve liked all of Loretta Chase’s traditional Regencies, and this is no exception. Isabella Latham considers herself an old maid at 26, but she arrives in London for the Season with her two young cousins and is surprised when she acquires multiple suitors. The most notable are Edward Trevelyan, the earl of Hartleigh, and his charming cousin Basil. Isabella is attracted to both men, but they both seem to have ulterior motives: Edward needs a wife to help raise his ward, the young daughter of his deceased best friend, and Basil has his eye on Isabella’s fortune. Naturally Isabella ends up with the right man, and naturally the spurned suitor gets his own book, The English Witch, which I’m looking forward to reading sometime soon! I’ll be interested to see how Chase redeems his character, because he certainly did some morally dubious things in this book.

Book #44: Anthony Berkeley, Not to Be Taken
CATs: Alpha (T = Taken) - I read this in April
Bingo: none

I adore Berkeley’s The Poisoned Chocolates Case, so I was excited to try another one of his mysteries. But overall, I was a bit disappointed. While this book is well written, the style is entertaining, and the mystery plot hangs together well, there’s nothing particularly special or surprising about it. It’s a classic murder in a small English village, and only one of the victim’s closest friends could have done it. I did find the story entertaining while reading it, especially near the end, when the narrator gives three or four false solutions before revealing the true one. But unlike The Poisoned Chocolates Case, this one is not a keeper. I’ll happily read more by Berkeley in the future, though!

Book #45: Julia Quinn, First Comes Scandal
CATs: Alpha (S = Scandal) - I read this in April
Bingo: none

I think of Julia Quinn as the perfect choice for historical romance with some sweet, silly fun and minimal angst. But the last few books of hers that I’ve read have been a bit “meh,” including this one. The heroine is Georgiana Bridgerton, who is forcibly abducted by one of her suitors and therefore “ruined,” even though nothing actually happened. The hero, Henry Rokesby, is a medical student who’s not particularly interested in marriage. But the Rokesbys and Bridgertons have been neighbors and close friends for many years, so Henry’s father convinces him to propose to Georgiana and salvage her reputation. I liked the premise and the fact that the book is very light on conflict, but the style got on my nerves. I felt like Quinn was trying too hard to be clever, and I also found a lot of the dialogue distractingly anachronistic. So I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you’re a Quinn completist.

>154 christina_reads: Trial and Error and The Piccadilly Murder are both good Anthony Berkeleys. Malice Aforethought is by Berkeley under his other pseudonym Francis Iles and while it is not a mystery but a crime story, it is very good too.

>156 NinieB: Thanks for the recommendations! I think I already have The Piccadilly Murder on my shelves, so I'll have to get to that one soon.

My beloved local used bookstore has recently reopened (with some restrictions, such as requiring masks and limiting the number of patrons in the store), so I went yesterday and picked up a couple of books! As I mentioned at >138 christina_reads:, my Thingaversary was earlier this month, and I decided to buy three books (in addition to the 12 I'd already purchased this year) to celebrate. I bought Slightly Married by Mary Balogh, Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose, and The English Witch by Loretta Chase. I'm so excited to have new books to read! :)

Yay, book shopping in person! Enjoy your new-to-you books!

>159 rabbitprincess: Thank you! I've really missed browsing bookstores...honestly one of the worst aspects of the quarantine for me!

Glad you had a good time picking out your Thingaversary books! I tried to book shop on Sunday but we walked up to the door to see a sign saying they were closed that day due to staffing issues.

Enjoy your book shopping! My favorite local used bookstore is only "buy on line, pick up at window" setup for now.

>161 mstrust: Oh no! I hope you've had better luck at the bookstore since then.

>162 lkernagh: That's what most of the bookstores around me are doing, although I haven't availed myself of that policy yet.

May recap

Another month of quarantine down! My state is slowly reopening, but many businesses are still closed, including my office. I'm doing pretty well -- healthy, thank goodness, and not too stir-crazy! I'm still reading a lot more than usual, which makes sense since I'm no longer busy in the evenings with choir/band/plays/etc. I miss having a social life, but I'm happy about finally making a dent in some of the unread books from my shelves!

Books read in May:
1. Rosamund Hodge, Crimson Bound
2. Louise Penny, Still Life
3. Kasie West, P.S. I Like You
4. Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke
5. Mary Balogh, Dark Angel
6. Mary Balogh, Lord Carew's Bride
7. Josephine Tey, Brat Farrar
8. T.S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays
9. Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study
10. Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study
11. Maria V. Snyder, Fire Study
12. Ngaio Marsh, The Nursing Home Murder
13. L.M. Montgomery, Pat of Silver Bush
14. L.M. Montgomery, Mistress Pat
15. Kristan Higgins, Just One of the Guys

Favorite book of the month:
I really enjoyed the Victorian adventure of The Ruby in the Smoke and will definitely seek out the rest of the series!

Dishonorable mention:
Please don't hate me, everyone, but I was underwhelmed by Still Life! I'll post my thoughts on it soon, but for now I'll just say that I didn't feel like I really got a handle on any of the characters, including Gamache. But perhaps this improves with later books in the series.

CATs completed:
Random (believe in your shelf): I've owned The Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays since before I joined LT back in 2006!
Geo (any place you'd like to visit): Someday I'd like to visit Quebec, where Still Life is set.
Alpha (L, P): *Louise *Penny, Still *Life; *Philip *Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke; Mary Balogh, *Lord Carew's Bride
Mystery (novel to screen): Still Life was made into a TV movie in 2013.

Bingo squares completed:
Published in my birth year: The Ruby in the Smoke was published in my birth year of 1985.
Published in 1820 or 1920: The titular work in The Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays was originally published in 1920.

Books acquired in May:
Elizabeth Lim, Spin the Dawn
Linda Holmes, Evvie Drake Starts Over
Y.S. Lee, A Spy in the House
Mary Balogh, Slightly Married
Andrea Penrose, Murder on Black Swan Lane
Loretta Chase, The English Witch
Beth O'Leary, The Flatshare

>164 christina_reads: I think the Gamache series does improve, I started the series when the first book came out and as with most series I like some more than others but overall like them.

>165 clue: That's good to know! I really feel like I'm missing something, given the number of people on LT who love the series!

>166 christina_reads: I too was very underwhelmed by Still Life and I haven't bothered to get back to the series to give it another try, so many other books are calling to me.

>167 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for the validation, Judy! :)

I read the Gamache series out of order. This meant I was not put off by the underwhelming books 1-2, since I read them later, but I encountered spoilers for book 5, since I read book 6 earlier... I don't usually mind spoilers, but that was a quite serious one.

>169 amaranthe: I read Gamache out of order too!! I read book 6 first, because I liked the Quebec City setting and the historical angle. Then I went back to book 1 and worked my way forward from there.

>169 amaranthe: >170 rabbitprincess: Thank you both...it sounds like once I get past the next book or two, things will improve, so maybe I'll stick with the series for a little while! But I will probably go in order, to avoid spoilers.

Book #46: Rosamund Hodge, Crimson Bound
CATs: none - I read this in May
Bingo: none

I was pleasantly surprised by this YA fantasy novel, which is a (very) loose retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Protagonist Rachelle is a bloodbound, doomed to eventually lose her soul to the evil Devourer at the heart of the forest. In the meantime, she works as the king’s hired killer — until he commands her to guard his son Armand, whom she immediately distrusts because the people revere him as a saint. Yet when Rachelle discovers a possible way to change her destiny and defeat the Devourer, Armand may be her only ally. I liked the juicy plot and (of course) the romance, but my favorite aspect of this book is its unexpectedly serious examination of evil and atonement.

Book #47: Louise Penny, Still Life
CATs: Geo (set in a place you’d like to visit = Quebec); Alpha (L = Louise, Life; P = Penny); Mystery (novel into film = made into a TV movie in 2013) - I read this in May
Bingo: none

I’ve read so many glowing reviews of this series, so I’m a little afraid to say that I didn’t love this first installment. Don’t get me wrong; I didn’t hate it either. I enjoyed the setting of a small town in Quebec, which is charming without being too idealized. And the mystery plot is interesting; I especially liked how the victim’s art contains a clue to the solution. But for one thing, I thought the book was doing too many things at once: introducing the town, describing the victim and her friends, introducing Inspector Gamache and his team…it was a lot to keep track of, and it was hard to tell which characters would turn out to be important. That’s normal for a series opener, of course, but it still made the book difficult to follow.

I also felt that the victim’s friend group was a little smug and snobbish. They’re mostly wealthy, mostly educated, mostly not originally from the small town…whereas some of the lower-class “townie” characters are painted as villains without one redeeming quality. Finally, I thought Agent Nichol was treated a bit unfairly. I read her as being on the autism spectrum (not understanding social cues, not able to see beyond the literal meaning of what people told her), so even though she unquestionably behaves badly, I wanted Gamache (and the book) to treat her with a little more compassion instead of writing her off as a clueless jerk. All that said, I may try the next book in the series, since it won’t have to do as much work of introducing the world and characters.

Book #48: Kasie West, P.S. I Like You
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This is a cute YA romance with a Shop around the Corner/You’ve Got Mail premise: quirky outsider Lily scribbles some obscure song lyrics on her desk in chemistry class, only to discover the next day that someone else has finished the lyrics. She and the mystery student start exchanging notes and sharing secrets with each other...but when she learns her penpal’s identity, their relationship gets more complicated. I was charmed the first time I read this book, but this time it fell a little flat. I had less patience for Lily’s self-conscious artiness this time around, I think. It’s not a bad book, and I think the target teen audience would enjoy it; it’s just not a keeper for me.

Book #49: Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke
CATs: Alpha (P = Philip, Pullman) - I read this in May
Bingo: published in your birth year (1985)

I greatly enjoyed this historical adventure set in Victorian England. When 16-year-old Sally Lockhart’s father dies under mysterious circumstances, she visits his business partner looking for answers — and stumbles into a sinister plot involving opium and murder. It’s just a really fun, pulpy novel for the MG/YA demographic, and I definitely plan to read the rest of the series!

Books #50 and 51: Mary Balogh, Dark Angel / Lord Carew’s Bride
CATs: Alpha (L = Lord) - I read this in May
Bingo: none

It’s a testament to how much I enjoy Balogh’s writing that I thoroughly enjoyed Dark Angel, even though it contains some of my least favorite romance tropes: reformed rake and revenge-seduction of the heroine. But the book doesn’t minimize the hero’s (initially) awful behavior or its painful consequences. The heroine doesn’t forgive him too easily, and he fully acknowledges how terrible his actions were. So I was ultimately able to root for the couple and believe in their happy ending.

I also liked Lord Carew’s Bride, though it wasn’t quite as emotionally resonant for me. Samantha has had a terrible experience with love, so she’s determined to keep her many suitors at arms’ length. Then she meets the incognito Lord Carew, who she mistakes for a common landscape gardener. He falls for her immediately, and she accepts his marriage proposal because she feels safe with him — and because the man she once loved is trying to weasel his way back into her life. I liked the hero more than the heroine in this one, but I do think they’re well matched. And I enjoyed seeing the villain get his comeuppance!

Book #52: Josephine Tey, Brat Farrar
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Josephine Tey is an extremely hit-or-miss author for me, but I adored Brat Farrar the first time I read it, and I loved it just as much the second time! The premise is wildly improbable: Bartholomew “Brat” Farrar is an orphan who bears an uncanny resemblance to Patrick Ashby, the heir to a horse-breeding estate and a fortune, who went missing many years ago and is presumed dead. A relative of the Ashbys notices the resemblance and convinces Brat to pose as Patrick in exchange for a cut of the inheritance. But the more time Brat spends with the Ashbys, the more he feels like he finally belongs somewhere. All the characters are so vividly portrayed, and the mystery of what really happened to Patrick is compelling. Highly recommended if the premise interests you.

Book #53: T.S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays
CATs: Random (believe in your shelf = owned since 8/8/06 or earlier) - I read this in May
Bingo: published in 1820 or 1920 (“The Sacred Wood” was originally published in 1920)

Despite its shortness, this book was a real challenge for me. It’s a collection of essays by T.S. Eliot about literary criticism, mostly focusing on specific critics and their (rare) success and (common) failures. Since I hadn’t heard of, much less read, the vast majority of these critics, I found most of Eliot’s arguments extremely hard to follow. On the other hand, I do think reading this book was good for me — the mental equivalent of strenuous exercise. But this is probably the type of book best read in a college course, with a professor and other students on hand to help make sense of it.

Book #54, 55, and 56: Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study
CATs: none
Bingo: none

In accordance with the rigid legal code of Ixia, Yelena is about to be executed for killing her abuser when she is offered an unexpected reprieve: she can instead become the Commander’s food taster, where she won’t be killed immediately but will most likely die of poisoning. She is apprenticed to Valek, the Commander’s most feared assassin and spymaster, who teaches her about the various poisons she may encounter. Soon she discovers a plot against the Commander — one that involves magic, which is outlawed in Ixia. As she works to foil the plot, she also learns more about her past and possible magical abilities of her own. I have fond memories of this fantasy trilogy, but upon rereading, I thought it was just OK. The first book is the best; I liked the poison stuff but wasn’t as interested in Yelena’s personal journey, especially when it took her away from all the court intrigue. I’m glad to have reread the series, but I’ve already gotten rid of it to make room for new books!

Book #57: Ngaio Marsh, The Nursing Home Murder
CATs: none - I read this in May
Bingo: none

When the Home Secretary contracts acute appendicitis and dies on the operating table, his wife insists that he has been murdered. After all, there’s no shortage of suspects: the man had many political enemies, including one of the nurses who assisted with his operation. Another of the nurses was his mistress, who was devastated when he broke off their relationship. Even the operating surgeon is a suspect, since he’s in love with the mistress himself. Then there are the dead man’s wife and sister, who each inherit a substantial sum under his will. Fortunately, Inspector Alleyn and Sergeant Fox are on the case. I found this a thoroughly enjoyable Golden Age mystery, despite some pejorative discussion of mental illness (referring to it as a “taint” in someone’s heredity, for example). I’m slowly working my way through this series and am glad Ngaio Marsh was so prolific!

Books #58 and 59: L.M. Montgomery, Pat of Silver Bush and Mistress Pat
CATs: none
Bingo: none

The Anne of Green Gables series is one of my childhood favorites, and I also loved the Emily of New Moon trilogy, but I didn’t really remember much about the Pat books. Now, having reread them, I can see why they’re not as widely known or loved as the Anne and Emily books. Pat is a less dynamic heroine than the other two; her defining characteristics are her love of home and hatred of change. As a result, almost every conflict in the book results from Pat’s stubborn refusal to accept that the people and places around her inevitably will change. The romance in these books is also unsatisfying, as Pat doesn’t recognize her own feelings until the very last chapter. The books are still sweet and old-fashioned and nostalgic, but like the rest of the world, I definitely prefer the Anne and Emily books.

Book #60: Kristan Higgins, Just One of the Guys
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This was the first Kristan Higgins novel I ever read, and while I didn’t absolutely love it, I liked it enough to seek out more books by her and thus discovered a reliably enjoyable author. So I was interested to see if my opinion of the book would change upon rereading, but in fact, it largely stayed the same. The book is about Chastity, a tall, athletic girl who’s in love with Trevor, a longtime family friend. She and Trevor had a brief fling in college, but then he pulled away, and now they’re firmly in the “friend zone.” Chastity thinks Trevor isn’t romantically interested in her because of her tomboy persona; plus, if they got together, it would have ramifications for her whole family. The book is entirely from Chastity’s POV, so we don’t get enough insight into Trevor’s thought process, and I didn’t think he had a good enough reason for keeping her at arm's length. Overall, this isn’t one of Higgins’s best; I’d recommend All I Ever Wanted or Too Good to Be True instead.

>181 christina_reads: I've never read the Pat books but love those covers! They make me think of my Emily box set :)

June recap

I've been extremely behind on reviews for the past few months, but I've finally managed to post my thoughts on all the books I read in May...so now I'm only one month behind. Small victories!

Books read in June:
1. Andrea Penrose, Murder on Black Swan Lane
2. Cindi Madsen, Just One of the Groomsmen
3. Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, The Glass Ocean
4. Deborah Crombie, A Share in Death
5. Jessie Mihalik, Chaos Reigning
6. Mhairi McFarlane, If I Never Met You
7. Mary Balogh, Slightly Married
8. Rachel Bach, Fortune’s Pawn
9. Sarah Title, The Undateable
10. Susanna Kearsley, A Desperate Fortune
11. Robin McKinley, Beauty

Favorite book of the month:
It was a fantastic month for historical fiction — I absolutely loved both The Glass Ocean and A Desperate Fortune!

Dishonorable mention:
Murder on Black Swan Lane was fine but nothing special. I’m not sure whether I’ll continue with the series.

CATs completed:
RandomCAT (take to the sea!): The Glass Ocean has “ocean” in the title, and it is set almost entirely on board the transatlantic ship Lusitania.
GeoCAT (space): Chaos Reigning and Fortune’s Pawn are both set at least partially in spaceships and on non-Earth planets.
AlphaKIT (K, Y): Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and *Karen White, The Glass Ocean; Mhairi McFarlane, If I Never Met *You; Susanna *Kearsley, A Desperate Fortune
SFFKIT (aliens): Fortune's Pawn has multiple alien characters.
MysteryKIT (police procedural/private investigator): The protagonist of A Share in Death is a Scotland Yard inspector.

Bingo squares completed:
None this month.

Books acquired in June:
Cindi Madsen, Just One of the Groomsmen (actually acquired on 5/31)
Natalie Jenner, The Jane Austen Society (actually acquired on 5/31)
Rena Barron, Kingdom of Souls
Mhairi McFarlane, If I Never Met You
Madeleine St John, The Women in Black
Margaret Rogerson, An Enchantment of Ravens
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (Puffin Plated edition, which includes recipes by Martha Stewart)

>183 rabbitprincess: I must have the same Emily set! In fact, all my L.M. Montgomery books have that same style of cover. It definitely takes me back to my childhood!

Wow, 11 books read in June..... no wonder you are a tad behind with posting your thoughts on some of your reads. ;-) Great job on the reading!

>186 lkernagh: Thank you! 2020 has been an extraordinarily good reading year for me, possibly because it's one of the few hobbies I can do at home by myself! :)

>175 christina_reads: is on my TBR, so I'm glad to see you enjoyed it!

>188 casvelyn: I was very pleasantly surprised by The Ruby in the Smoke! Hope you enjoy it when you get to it.