Majkia ROOTs and Hopes For the Best

Hi everyone. Jean back again. Last year I ROOTed twice my chosen goal, but this year I'm hoping to tackle more Library Books so keeping it the same.

WRT purchasing new denizens for the darker shelves hidden in the shadows under the roof, well, I'm hoping to limit myself to specific favorite authors and books that fit existing series. I'm going to ATTEMPT to avoid too much new and shiny. We all know how this is going to turn out... Sigh.

ROOTing rules: Any book I own is a ROOT, never mind when I bought/was given it. If I have one version of it, say an ebook, but find an audio in the library and decide to listen to it, I'm still counting the version I own as a ROOT. DNFs definitely count.






🎵 🕮

1st Quarter

January (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
1. Dying to Sin - Stephen Booth - Series: Cooper&Fry #8 - ROOT, MysteryKIT, Focus:Mystery
2. The Executor - Margaret Oliphant - Series: Calingford #1 - ROOT, Classic
🖤 3. City of Dragons - Robin Hobb - Series: Rainwilds #3 - ROOT, Focus-SFF, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, BingoDOG
4. This Immortal - Roger Zelazny - ☑ (Read by: Victor Levine) - ROOT, TBRCARDS, AlphaKIT
5. Inspector French's Greatest Case - F.W. Crofts - Series: Insp French #1 - ROOT, Classic, MysteryKIT
6. The Rector - Margaret Oliphant - Series: Carlingford #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Classic
7. City of Stairs - Robert J. Bennett - Series: Devine Cities#1 - ROOT, Focus:SFF, Bookspin
8. The Blessing Way - Tony Hillerman - Series: Leaphorn #1 - ROOT, mysteryKIT
9. The House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Kline - ☑ (Read by: Daniel Henning ) - ROOT, Bookspin (December), RandomCAT
10. Veiled Alliances - Kevin J. Anderson - ☑ (Read by: David Colacci ) - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,
11.Closed Circles - Vivica Sten - Series: Sandhamn #2 - ☑ (Read by: Angela Dawe ) - ROOT, MysteryKIT, Bookspin, BingoDOG
12. The Doctor's Family - Margaret Oliphant - Series: Carlingford #3 - ROOT, Classic
13. Dreadnaught - Jack Campbell - Series: Geary #7 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi
14. Mindstar Rising - Peter F. Hamilton - Series: Greg Mandel #1 - ☑ (Read by: Toby Longworth) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Series: SciFi

February (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
15. The Ten Thousand Doors of January - Alix E. Harrow - ☑ (Read by:January LeVoy) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, BingoDOG
16. Sheepfarmer's Daughter - Elizabeth Moon - Series: Deeds of Paksenarrion #1 - ROOT. Focus:SFF. BingoDOG
🖤 17. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir - ☑ (Read by: Ray Porter) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BingoDOG
18. The Blood of Dragons - Robin Hobb - ☑ (Read by: Anne Flosnick) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Focus-SFF
19. Black Cat Murders - Karen Baugh Menuhin - Series: Lennox #2 -
- ROOT, AlphaKIT, RandomCAT
20. Aunt Dimity and the Duke - Nancy Atherton - Series: Aunt Dimity #2 - ROOT, MysteryKIT, TBR Deck, BingoDOG

March (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
21. Termination Shock - Neal Stephenson - ☑ (Read by: Eduardo Ballerini) - ROOT, BFB, Bookspin
22. A Peace Divided - Tanya Huff - Series: Confederation #7 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, Bookspin
23. Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet - M.C. Beaton - Series: Agatha Raisin #1, (Read by: Diana Bishop) - ROOT, mysterykit,
🖤 24. Invincible - Jack Campbell - Series: Lost Fleet #8 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,
25. Arcadia - Ian Pears - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT
26. Slow Horses - Mick Herron - Series: Slough House #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BingoDOG
27. Ruins of the Galaxy - JN Chaney - Series: Ruins of the Galaxy #1 - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT, Focus: Sci Fi
28. Duplicate Effort - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #7 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,

2nd quarter

April (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
29. How To Rule an Empire and Get Away With It - K.J. Parker - Series: Siege #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Deck of Cards
30. A Place of Hiding - Elizabeth George - Series: Lynley/Havers #12 - ROOT, BFB, Focus:Mystery
31. A Study in Silks - Emma Jane Holloway - Series: Baskerville Affair #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BFB, Bookspin
32. Corporation Wars: Dissidence - Ken MacLeod - Series: Corporation Wars #1 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,
33. The Darkness - Ragnar Jonasson - Series: Hidden Iceland #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, MysteryKIT, RandomKIT
34. The Summer Before the War - Helen Simonson - ROOT, Deck of Cards, - DNF
35. One Good Dragon Deserves Another - Rachel Aaron - Heartstrikers #2 - ROOT, Bookspin, SFFKIT
36. Murder at Old St. Thomas's - Lisa M. Lane - Early Reviewer

May (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
37. Fool's Assassin - Robin Hobb - Elderlings #5 - ROOT, BFB, Focus:SFF
38. Spin - Robert Charles Wilson - Spin #1 - ROOT, SFFKIT, Focus:SciFi
39. The Privilege of Peace - Tanya Huff - Confederation #8 - ROOT, SFFKIT, Focus:SciFi
40. He Who Fears the Wolf - Karin Fossum - Series: Sejer #3 - ROOT, MysteryKIT
41. Redemption Ark - Alastair Reynolds - Series: Revelation Space #3 - ROOT, BFB, Focus:SciFi, Bookspin
42. Dance Hall of the Dead - Tony Hillerman - Series:Leaphorn #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT
43. The Once and Future Witches - Alix E. Harrow - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BFB,
44. On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service - Rhys Bowen - Series: Her Royal Spyness #11 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery, AlphaKIT
45. Anniversary Day - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #8 - ROOT, Bookspin, Focus:Scifi
46. A Deepness in the Sky - Vernor Vinge -Series: Zones of Thought #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, BFB
47. Footsteps in the Dark - Georgette Heyer - ROOT, Classics
48. Lady Audley's Secret - M.E. Braddon - ROOT, Classic, BFB, Bookspin, mysterykit

June (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
49. Blowback - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #9 - ROOT, Series:SciFi, SFFKIT
50. A Murder of Clones - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #10 - ROOT, Series: SciFi, SFFKIT
51. A Quantum Murder - Peter F. Hamilton - Series: Greg Mandel #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SeriesFocus:SciFi, SFFKIT
52. Miss Mackenzie - Anthony Trollope - ROOT, BingoDOG, Classic
53. The Starless Crown - James Rollins - ROOT, BFB, Bookspin
54. The Salzburg Connection - Helen MacInnes - ROOT

3rd quarter

July (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
55.Artemis - Andy Weir - Deck of Cards, ROOT
56. They Found Him Dead - Georgette Heyer - ROOT, Classic, AlphaKIT, MysteryKIT,
57. One Way - S.J. Morden - Bookspin, Root
58. Search & Recovery - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #11 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, SFFKIT
59. Guardian - Jack Campbell - Series: John Geary #9 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,
60. The Family Trade - Charles Stross - Series: Merchant Princes #1 - ROOT, Focus:SFF, SFFKIT
61. Bob's Saucer Repair - Jerry Boyd - Series: Bob and Nikki #1 - ROOT,
62. Meet Me In Malmo - Torquil MacLeod - Sundstrom #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIt
63. The God Is Not Willing - Steven Erickson - Series: Witness #1 - ROOT, Bookspin, AlphaKIT
64. The High Crusade - Poul Anderson - ROOT
65. Mayhem At the Orient Express - Lylie Logan - DNF, ROOT
66. Axis - Robert Charles Wilson - Series: Spin #2 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi
67. Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding - Rhys Bowen - Series: Her Royal Spyness #12 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery

August (I'll 🖤the month's favorite book )
68. Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding - Rhys Bowen - Series: Her Royal Spyness #12 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery
69. Grey Mask - Patricia Wentworth - Miss Silver #1 - ROOT, classic, DNF
70. Shards of Earth - Adrian Tchaikovsky - Series: Final Architect #1 - ROOT, BFB, Bookspiin
71. The Peyti Crisis - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval ARtist #12 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,
72. The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra - Vaneem Khan - Series: Baby Ganesh Detective Agency #1 - ROOT
73. Kingdom of Bones - James Rollins - Series: Sigma Force #22 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery
74. Death in the Fifth Position - Edgar Box (Gore Vidal) - Series: Peter Sergeant #1 - ROOT, Doublespin, BingoDOG, Classic
75. The Nano Flower - Peter F. Hamilton - Series: Greg Mandel #3 - Focus Series, AlphaKIT, BFB,
76. Death in a Strange Country - Donna Leon - Brunelli #2 - ROOT

September (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
77. Nophek Gloss - Nicholas Eames - Series: The Graven #1 - DNF - ROOT
78. Kings of the Wyld - Nicholas Eames - Series :The Band #1 - AlphaKIT, ROOT, SFFKIT
79. In Plain Sight
80. The Sussex Downs Murders - John Bude - ROOT, Classic
81. Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - ROOT, BFB,
82. The Comforts of Home - Susan Hill - Series: Serrailer #9 - ROOT,
83. The Obsidian Chamber - Preston/Child - Series: Pendergast #16 - ROOT, BBFB, Focus:Mystery
84. The Kill Call - Stephen Booth - Series: Cooper & Fry #9 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BFB, Focus: Mystery
86. The Kaiju Preservation Society - JOhn Scalzi - ROOT, AlphaKIT

4th quarter

October (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
87. Vortex - Robert Charles Wilson - Series: Spin #3 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT
88. Sabriel - Garth Nix - Series: Absoren #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT
89. Steadfast The Lost Fleet - Jack Campbell - Series: Admr Geary #10 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, SFFKIT
90. With No One As Witness - Elizabeth George - Series: Lynley/Havers #13 - BFB, Focus:Mystery, ROOT
91. Ringworld - Larry Niven - ROOT, AlphaKIT
92. A Dead Djinn in Cairo - P Djeli Clark - ROOT
93. Vigilantes - Retrieval Artist - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval ARtist #13 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi
94. The Black Ascot - Charles Todd - Series:Rutledge #21 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery

November (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
95. Spinneret - Timothy Zahn - ROOT, AlphaKIT
96. The Citadel of Weeping Pearls - Aliete deBodard - ROOT, Bookspin
97. The Grace of Kings - Ken Liu - Dandelion Dynasy #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT
98. Starbase Human - K.K. Rusch - Retrieval Artist #14 - ROOT,. Focus:Sci Fi,
99. Inkheart - Cornelia Funke - DNF
100. Masterminds Retrieval Artist series - K.K. Rusch - Retrieval Artist #15 - ROOT, Focus: SciFi
101. A Practical Guide to Conquering the World - K.J.Parker - Series: Siege #3 - ROOT
102. Touch Not the Cat - Mary Stewart - ROOT, MysteryKIT
103. Lost Fleet: Leviathan - Jack Campbell - Series: Adm Geary #11 - ROOT, Focus: SciFi
104 No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished - Rachel Aaron - Series: Heartstriker #3 - ROOT, BFB
105. Upgrade - Blake Crouch - ROOT, alphaKIT

December (I'll 🖤 the month's favorite book )
106. Sorcery Reborn - Steve McHugh - Rebellion Chronicles #1 - ROOT
107. Mythos - Stephen Fry - ROOT
108. Lost River - Stephen Booth - Series: Cooper and Fry #10 - ROOT, Focus: Mystery
109. Binti - Nnedi Okorafor - ROOT, Series:Sci Fi
110. Wanderers - Chuck Wendig - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT
111. A Ghost of a Chance - Dan Willis
Series: Arcane Chronicles #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT,
112. Age of Ash - Daniel Abraham - Series: Kithamar #1 - ROOT, Bookspin
113. The Armored Saint - Myke Cole - Series: Sacred Throne #1- ROOT, Focus:SFF, SFFKIT
114. The Salvage Crew - Y Wijeratne - ROOT, AlphaKIT
115. What Came Before He Shot Her - Elizabeth George - Series: Lynley/Havers #14 - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT, Focus: Mystery
116. The Praxis - Walter Jon Williams - Series: Dread Empire's Fall - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Series:SciFi

Love the pictures and tickers. Happy you are with us again!

Welcome back, Jean! Have a great ROOT-reading year!

Good to see you back ROOTing, Jean!

Glad you're back again!

Thanks all. Happy New Year!

Love your pictures! Good luck with the rooting!
Happy New Year!

1. Dying to Sin - Stephen Booth - Series: Cooper&Fry #8 - ROOT, MysteryKIT, Focus:Mystery

This series uses the intriguing setting, weather and people of the Peak District to set the mood and heighten suspense and confusion. Such an interesting series.

2. The Executor - Margaret Oliphant - Series: Calingford #1 - ROOT, Classic

Short intro to Calingford. A bit contrived but enjoyable.

A Happy New Year of reading, Jean

Welcome back, Jean, and Happy ROOTing. The pictures are lovely!

3. City of Dragons - Robin Hobb - Series: Rainwilds #3 - ROOT, Focus-SFF, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, BingoDOG

Excellent as usual. The City of Dragons is found in ruins. But, will it awake for the dragons? Meanwhile, once they learn of it, the traders will hurry to pull it to pieces to sell off everything. How to stop them...

Hobb is so very good at mixing plot lines and creating such complex characters.

Good to see you back - and off to a great start!

>16 majkia: I have devoured the Hobb books and loved everyone of them.

>17 Henrik_Madsen: Thanks!
>18 connie53: I so agree. In her earlier series she was so bloody mean to Fitz. I'm glad she's not quite that bad in this part of the series.

4. This Immortal - Roger Zelazny - ☑ (Read by: Victor Levine) - ROOT, TBRCARDS, AlphaKIT

Hmm.. Not my favorite Zelazny. Not much of a plot, llthough parts of the story were very good. The mythology mainly.

Happy reading in 2022! I'm still catching up with individual threads and I will look forward to following along with your reading. Cheers!

5. Inspector French's Greatest Case - F.W. Crofts - Series: Insp French #1 - ROOT, Classic, MysteryKIT

Lots of travel for the good detective as he attempts to solve a diamond robbery and murder. Not much in the way of suspense, just a concentration on detecting.

I enjoyed it, especially somebody running around London and getting anywhere he wished to be in a matter of minutes!

6. The Rector - Margaret Oliphant - Series: Carlingford #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Classic

Interesting to see a book about a male doubting his calling and putting his mother first.

7. City of Stairs - Robert J. Bennett - Series: Devine Cities#1 - ROOT, Focus:SFF, Bookspin, alphaKIT

I listened to the Audio version read, very ably, by Alma Cuervo

What is reality? Is it something solid and independent of us, each and every one of us? Or is it created by what we believe, and how we think it is? Can we make the world change by merely creating a shared reality that we all agree to live within? And if so, how can that be altered? Can it be?

This was a terrific read. A strong female protagonist, a complex plot, world-building that was deep and elaborate and well-planned. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a fantasy that has depth and thought behind it.

8. The Blessing Way - Tony Hillerman - Series: Leaphorn #1 - ROOT, mysteryKIT

Interesting with lots of local color and Navajo background. Surprised at how little Leaphorn appeared in the story.

Today is special for our family. We're increasing our numbers by one. Meet little Buffy the Dragon Rider (second cousin to a certain vampire slayer).

She was born November 1st and is 3/4 standard poodle, 1/4 Golden Retriever.

Our other doodle, L.C., isn't all that happy with this new state of affairs but it's only been a couple of hours. Hopefully they'll bond fine.

>26 majkia: Awwwww puppy! Adorable!

>26 majkia: Aw Buffy! She's lovely! I can imagine though that LC might feel a bit put out.

9. The House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Kline - ☑ (Read by: Daniel Henning ) - ROOT, Bookspin (December), RandomCAT

A very sweet, sometimes a bit too sweet, if I'm honest, tale of finding one's place in the world, no matter who you are.

It's hard to get a picture of Buffy. She's hell on wheels or out cold, not much in-between time, LOL.

She doing well, and L.C. is even staying closer than before, although no playing together yet, but then Buffy tries to chew on her, so I don't blame L.C, one bit. And I have the tooth marks and scars to prove I'm dealing with a puppy!

Thanks for all the kind words about her. She's a sweetheart.

10. Veiled Alliances - Kevin J. Anderson - ☑ (Read by: David Colacci ) - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, AlphaKIT

A Prequel for The Saga of Seven Suns. Cleared up a few questions I had, but nothing really surprising.

11. Closed Circles - Vivica Sten - Series: Sandhamn #2 - ☑ (Read by: Angela Dawe ) - ROOT, MysteryKIT, Bookspin, BingoDOG

Pretty good series set in a beach resort in Sweden. Good characterization and interesting and complex mystery.

12. The Doctor's Family - Margaret Oliphant - Series: Carlingford #3 - ROOT, Classic

Okay, I have to admit I was greatly annoyed with Nettie. And didn't feel much love for the doctor either. I suspect they deserve one another.

Buffy is really so cute! Congrats on the expanding of your family!

>34 connie53: Thanks Connie. She's a sweetie.

13. Dreadnaught - Jack Campbell - Series: Geary #7 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi

I don't know what exactly it is about this series, but when I start one of these I just can't put it down. Logistics! Battleship maneuvers! Political shenanigans, treachery, aliens! What's not to like?

Two weeks and finally LC is allowing Buffy to come close to her.

14. Mindstar Rising - Peter F. Hamilton - Series: Greg Mandel #1 - ☑ (Read by: Toby Longworth) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Series: SciFi

A SciFi murder mystery. Very odd, interesting. Lots of tech and complex plot.

>37 majkia: LC does look a bit resigned there! But I'm sure they'll be best friends soon. They're both lovely!

>39 Jackie_K: She does, doesn't she. This morning though, she played tug with the pup, so there is hope.

January Wrap-Up

I read 15 books, one a re-read. 4598 pages, but no chunksters this month. 5 by female authors, 10 by males.
4 mysteries
4 SFF
3 classics
3 sci fi

Oldest written in 1861, newest in 2021.

Favorite of the month : City of Dragons altho Dreadnaught was a close second. These are books I enjoy, not necessarily based on how well written or whatever. I'm in it for the joy of reading, and try not to judge between genres except in figuring out what I most enjoy.

February Plans
Blood of Dragons - Robin Hobb - Focus Series: SFF, AlphaKIT,
Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir - AlphaKIT,
Lady Audley's Secret - M.E. Braddon- Classic, group read

Aunt Dimity and the Duke - Nancy Atherton - AlphaKIT, TBRCard (2 of clubs: ghosts)
The Body Finder - Kimberley Derting - Library Book
The Black Cat Murders - K.B. Menuhin - RandomCAT, AlphaKIT
Salem Chapel - M Oliphant - Classic

✔ Ten Thousand Doors of January - Alix E. Harrow - SFFKIT, AlphaKIT, BingoDog
City of Blades - Robert J. Bennett - Focus Series: SFF, AlphaKIT
The Future of another time line - A Newitz - SFFKIT, AlphaKIT
A Place of Hiding - Elizabeth George BigFatBook, Focus Series: Mystery

puppies are adorable!

>42 cyderry: Thanks!

15. The Ten Thousand Doors of January - Alix E. Harrow - ☑ (Read by: January LeVoy) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, BingoDOG

Hmmm. Fascinating concept, which I thought got muddled a few times, but good and interesting and well written book nonetheless.

16. Sheepfarmer's Daughter - Elizabeth Moon - Series: Deeds of Paksenarrion #1 - ROOT. Focus:SFF. BingoDOG

Lots of slogging through mud going on but still loving Paks and her Duke. Lots of character development, realistic vision of warfare. strong women and men who accept that.

17. Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir - ☑ (Read by: Ray Porter) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BingoDOG

What a fabulously upbeat story. Lots of science!!!! Science!!!!! Rocky! And Engineering!!!!!

The sun is dying with an infection of some sort, and all Earth is activated to figure out what the heck is going on and stop it. And it ends up that a high school science teacher, who doesn't want to go off to space to save the world, is the one true Earth hero. Rocky, being the alien hero!

>46 majkia: This was a lot of fun!

18. The Blood of Dragons - Robin Hobb - 🎵 (Read by: Anne Flosnick) - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Focus-SFF

Great wrap-up to the tale of the return of dragons and the re-founding of Kelsingra. Not much else I can say because everything's a spoiler!

Hest finally getting his!!!! Seldon finally rescued! Bad guys punished, dragons!

19. Black Cat Murders - Karen Baugh Menuhin - Series: Lennox #2
- ROOT, AlphaKIT, RandomCAT

Country house murder involving opera singers, wedding doings and a curmudgeonly crime solver.

20. Aunt Dimity and the Duke - Nancy Atherton - Series: Aunt Dimity #2 - ROOT, MysteryKIT, TBR Deck, BingoDOG

I'm very much enjoying this series. I really like the vibes and the characters and the mystery had a few surprises.

21. Termination Shock - Neal Stephenson - 🎵 (Read by: Eduardo Ballerini) - ROOT, BFB, Bookspin

All about what to do about climate change, and how to deal with societal disruption, competing countries, and luddites. Intriguing, if a bit hard to follow at times.

22. A Peace Divided - Tanya Huff - Series: Confederation #7 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, Bookspin

A rather confusing entry in the series. I found the constant jumping back and forth between good guys and bad guys a bit difficult to follow. Still, it's Gunny ...

23. Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet - M.C. Beaton - Series: Agatha Raisin #1, (Read by: Diana Bishop) - ROOT, mysterykit,

Fun cozy with the unrepentant Agatha Raisin. Still struggling to fit into a small Cotswold village.

24. Invincible - Jack Campbell - Series: Lost Fleet #8 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,

Still an excellent series and still so oddly compelling, considering the majority of the action is one guy moving ships through space.

25. Arcadia - Ian Pears - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT

Complex, as most of Pears work is. Well written, and thought provoking.

26. Slow Horses - Mick Herron - Series: Slough House #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BingoDOG

Quite different from most spook books. Will have to watch the series on AppleTV now.

27. Ruins of the Galaxy - JN Chaney - Series: Ruins of the Galaxy #1 - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT, Focus: Sci Fi

Pretty good mil sci fi. Nothing ground breaking but a fun read nonetheless.

28. Duplicate Effort - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #7 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,

Still enjoying this series. Imaginative look at social issues when aliens are involved, not to mention crazy humans.

29. How To Rule an Empire and Get Away With It - K.J. Parker - Series: Siege #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Deck of Cards

So funny in a dry and imaginative way. I mean, who can create a series about a siege! And who'd imagine an actor would be the GOAT.

30. A Place of Hiding - Elizabeth George - Series: Lynley/Havers #12 - ROOT, BFB, Focus:Mystery

This is certainly a change-up for the series. Starring Simon and Deborah rather than Lynley or Havers. Interesting though.

31. A Study in Silks - Emma Jane Holloway - Series: Baskerville Affair #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BFB, Bookspin

Well, that was a refreshing change up on Holmesian pastiche. A bit steampunk, but not a lot, nice writing, interesting characters, and a magic twist.

32. Corporation Wars: Dissidence - Ken MacLeod - Series: Corporation Wars #1 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,
Hmmm. I'm a hard science fan, and particularly of AI and trans humans, but I found the plot hard to follow and the unreliable narrators making it harder to follow along.
Fascinating ideas though.

33. The Darkness - Ragnar Jonasson - Series: Hidden Iceland #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, MysteryKIT, RandomKIT

Very atmospheric, with a complex mystery with twists and surprises galor. And the ending...

34. The Summer Before the War - Helen Simonson - ROOT, Deck of Cards, - DNF

I just didn't click with this book. I found most of the women horrible, and didn't care enough about the main characters to wade through the annoying bits.

35. One Good Dragon Deserves Another - Rachel Aaron - Heartstrikers #2 - ROOT, Bookspin, SFFKIT, BingoDOG

Fun YA series. Neat Characters, and not a lot of romance, thank heavens. I'm enjoying this a lot, and love the world she's created.

36. Murder at Old St. Thomas's - Lisa M. Lane - Early Reviewer
I enjoyed this mystery. It was nearly a cozy. Well researched, interesting characters, nicely written, and although not many twists and turns, still a pretty good mystery.

37. Fool's Assassin - Robin Hobb - Elderlings #5 - ROOT, BFB, Focus:SFF

Wow. Took a couple of chapters to get my head out of the Rainwilds and back to FitzChivalry, but once I did.... And... she's still awfully good at torturing the poor guy.

Complex and wonderful characters, twists and turns, and terrifically written story.

38. Spin - Robert Charles Wilson - Spin #1 - ROOT, SFFKIT, Focus:SciFi

This is a re-read for me so I can read the entire trilogy. Just as good, if not better, on re-read. A truly alien take on aliens, with not a lot of answers, humanity just trying to exist, despite what seems to be a lethal takeover by truly alien 'hypotheticals'.

39. The Privilege of Peace - Tanya Huff - Confederation #8 - ROOT, SFFKIT, Focus:SciFi

Great wrap-up for the series. I'll miss Gunny and Craig and Alamber especially. I loved the mix of races and how the Confederation is attempting to integrate all into a functioning whole.

>69 majkia: I didn't realize there were more after Truth of Valor! Will have to pick these up.

40. He Who Fears the Wolf - Karin Fossum - Series: Sejer #3 - ROOT, MysteryKIT

Very interesting murder mystery, with the focus on the criminals rather than the detectives or their investigation. Psychological and complex.

>71 majkia: That was a good one! I wanted to keep reading the series but got distracted. Perhaps I'll pick up another one soon.

41. Redemption Ark - Alastair Reynolds - Series: Revelation Space #3 - ROOT, BFB, Focus:SciFi, Bookspin

Epic space opera with intelligent pigs. I am enjoying the imagination involved in picturing the far future and guessing what humanity would do with unlimited (almost) resources and time.

42. Dance Hall of the Dead - Tony Hillerman - Series:Leaphorn #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT

Lots of local color, lots of Navajo and Zuni mythology and religion. Very intriguing given that, and the mystery wasn't bad either. I guessed who did it, but not why.

43. The Once and Future Witches - Alix E. Harrow - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BFB

Very well done alternate reality where women are being held down because there were witches in the world. But three sisters find the ways and the words and decide to bring back the magic and free their sisters from men who beat and control them.

44. On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service - Rhys Bowen - Series: Her Royal Spyness #11 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery, AlphaKIT

Why attempting to help her friend, Belinda, our heroine gets ordered by the queen to go to a meeting in Italy to check up on her errant son and Wallace Simson. Needless to say, murder and mayhem ensue.

A fun series, which often makes me laugh out loud.

45. Anniversary Day - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #8 - ROOT, Bookspin, Focus:Scifi

Wow. I really enjoy this series. Lots of atmosphere, great characters, and impressive world-building - in this case, world-destroying. Eager for the next book.

46. A Deepness in the Sky - Vernor Vinge -Series: Zones of Thought #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, BFB

Very intriguing alien story, with the humans threatening to destroy an intelligent species.

47. Footsteps in the Dark - Georgette Heyer - ROOT, Classics

Definitely not my favorite Heyer. One woman was so annoying I nearly stopped reading the book. I also figured out the main mystery way too early.

>79 majkia: I find that her mysteries haven't aged well. At all.

Hi Jean. I've been neglecting the ROOTers for some time. Live, sunny days, babysitting the grandkids and doing volunteer work for the library at Lonne's school. And reading of course. Today is a rainy day with some thunderstrokes. A perfect Sunday for reading al those neglected threads.

Good to see you are still reading those ROOTs. Nice job!

>84 majkia: Hi Connie. I've been horrible this year at visiting threads. I'm visiting them, just not commenting. I'm a lurker at heart, I guess. ;)

48. Lady Audley's Secret - M.E. Braddon - ROOT, Classic, BFB, Bookspin, mysterykit

Some of it I found jarring, old thoughts about women, how they were sly and plotting, and yet, how little power they had in the day, even the wealthy ones.

49. Blowback - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #9 - ROOT, Series:SciFi, SFFKIT

The pressure mounts as assassins/bombers are loose on the Moon. Great series. Immediately reading the follow on.

50. A Murder of Clones - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #10 - ROOT, Series: SciFi, SFFKIT

Darn it! This book follows the money, as they say, looking for bombers and assassins, and didn't check back in on the Moon and Miles and DeRicci at all. Now gotta hurry and read the next one too.

51. A Quantum Murder - Peter F. Hamilton - Series: Greg Mandel #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SeriesFocus:SciFi, SFFKIT

Murder mystery at the quantum level. Different, cool.

52. Miss Mackenzie - Anthony Trollope - ROOT, BingoDOG, Classic

What a horrible book. Apparently the lesson is that women should remain poor because money teaches them to stand up for themselves, and we can't very well have that.

>87 majkia: That's so annoying. I hope your next book will be better.

53. The Starless Crown - James Rollins - ROOT, BFB, Bookspin

Great book. Impressive world-building and Rollins, master of the thriller, created a plot that never slows.

54. The Salzburg Connection - Helen MacInnes - ROOT
Old time spy drama from the cold war, with Nazis and Commies and US and British spies all converging on a tiny lake in Austria that holds a box.

Brought back some old memories from the 60s and 70s. Including my trip in 1970 still with spies running around Europe. And everywhere else I suppose.

55. Artemis - Andy Weir

What a fun caper story, complicated by being set on the moon in the only colony there. Escape is well, limited? Anyway, great characters, complicated plot and science!

>91 majkia: Yes, I enjoyed this one as well, although it seems most people don't for some reason

56. They Found Him Dead - Georgette Heyer - ROOT, Classic, AlphaKIT, MysteryKIT,

Enjoyable whodunnit, with lots of twits and lots of lovely dialogue. I guessed the murderer, but had my doubts!

57. One Way - S.J. Morden - Bookspin, Root

Very powerful and sadly believable book about what a corporation will do to make money.

Prisoners are sent to Mars to set up a base for NASA. Lies, and plots and multiple murderers make for an exciting and twist filled plot.

58. Search & Recovery - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval Artist #11 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, SFFKIT

Not as good as some of the other books in the series, but still pushing the plot forward.

59. Guardian - Jack Campbell - Series: John Geary #9 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,

Great addition to the series. I particularly loved the ending.

60. The Family Trade - Charles Stross - Series: Merchant Princes #1 - ROOT, Focus:SFF, SFFKIT

This is a re-read so I can read the rest of the series. Really enjoyed the modern sci fi take on the Merchant Princes of Italy.

Great main character and interesting world-walkers she meets. Lots of action, and Miriam is no wilting violet, even if the women of her new-found relatives are expected to be pretty, well-spoken and obedient. NOT.

61. Bob's Saucer Repair - Jerry Boyd - Series: Bob and Nikki #1 - ROOT,

Fun first contact. Snarky humans meet snarky ... human aliens. When Nikki's saucer nearly crashes Bob comes to her rescue. The rest, as they say, is history.

62. Meet Me In Malmo - Torquil MacLeod - Sundstrom #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIt

Enjoyable Swedish based mystery. Lots of twists.

63. The God Is Not Willing - Steven Erickson - Series: Witness #1 - ROOT, Bookspin, AlphaKIT

Malazan! Great to be back.

64. The High Crusade - Poul Anderson - ROOT

I liked the idea, but since despise the whole crusade idea, this was a challenge.

65.Mayhem at the Orient Express - Kylie Logan

DNF Didn't make it past the first chapter. What a bunch of obnoxious people. I don't have the patience to read about people like that.

67. Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding - Rhys Bowen - Series: Her Royal Spyness #12 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery

Such a fun series. Georgie finally gets her own mystery and rises to the occasion, backed up by Granddad and Mom.

69. Grey Mask - Patricia Wentworth - Miss Silver #1 - ROOT, classic, DNF

I understand that there are many stupid people in the world, but I don't have to read about them. The protagonist is stupid and the potential victim is even worse. I'd stab her myself if I had to listen to her drivel for more than a minute.

>104 majkia: I think these are excellent reasons to DNF - no need to subject yourself to more stupidity than is unavoidable.

70. Shards of Earth - Adrian Tchaikovsky - Series: Final Architect #1 - ROOT, BFB, Bookspiin

I'll need to re-read this when I get the rest of the series. Great start and can't wait.

71. The Peyti Crisis - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval ARtist #12 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi,

I really enjoy this series. Imaginative, complex, and lots of twists and turns.

72. The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra - Vaneem Khan - Series: Baby Ganesh Detective Agency #1 - ROOT

Indian style cozy with a baby elephant sidekicking the retired inspector. A fun, fanciful read.

73. Kingdom of Bones - James Rollins - Series: Sigma Force #22 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery

Compelling as always. Our guys and gals go into the Congo to discover the origin of a terrifying new disease, and discover far more than they expected.

74. Death in the Fifth Position - Edgar Box (Gore Vidal) - Series: Peter Sergeant #1 - ROOT, Doublespin, BingoDOG, Classic

Interesting look back at the communist purges in the artistic community. Lots of historical references as usual with Vidal's work. The mystery was confusing enough that I was never certain I'd figured it out.

76. The Nano Flower - Peter F. Hamilton - Series: Greg Mandel #3 - Focus Series, AlphaKIT, BFB,
77. Death in a Strange Country - Donna Leon - Brunelli #2 - ROOT

Nano Flower was a very odd first contact/mystery story. Greg Mandel is asked to help a friend find her missing husband, who appears to have disappeared as a result of, or with, the first alien to visit Earth. I really enjoyed the series .

Death in a Strange Country was an interesting murder mystery that says a lot about America's presence in other countries. It also deals with climate issues, which are so relevant now.

I enjoyed both books quite a lot.

78. In Plain Sight Arcane Casebook 1 - Dan Willis - Series: Arcane Casebook #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT

What a fun SFF cozy type of mystery. I liked the characterization and the mystery was convoluted enough to confuse me. Altogether a very pleasant read.

79. Nophek Gloss - Nicholas Eames - Series: The Graven #1 - DNF - ROOT

I really wanted to read this book. I love the concepts and most of the characters, and it's very imaginative. My problem is the main character who begins at 14 and acts like it. But then he's supposed to be 'augmented' which will age him to 20 and update his brain and emotions as well. Except, even after the augmentation, instead of a competent adult, we're still stuck with a 14 year old in a grown up body, who is just utterly stupid all round.

So, anyway, DNF for me at about 50%.

80. Kings of the Wyld - Nicholas Eames - Series :The Band #1 - AlphaKIT, ROOT, SFFKIT

Fun 'getting the band back together' story. One of the guys (all retired) finds out his daughter is at risk as she'd followed in Daddy's footsteps, and gone off hunting demons in the wyld. The guys go after her to save little Rosy.

81. The Sussex Downs Murders - John Bude - ROOT, Classic
Pretty good classic murder tale. Lots of twists and some surprises.

Hi Jean! I made it to your thread! Yes, it took a while to work through all the threads.

>91 majkia: Andy Weir writes great books. I gave the book you mentioned 3,5 stars. Two other books I've read Mars (4,5 stars) and Project Hail Mary (5,0 stars)

>116 connie53: Hi Connie! Yes, I've loved everything Weir writes. He's got such a touch with humor.

I know. I love his books and can't wait for his next one.

82. Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - ROOT, BFB,
This is a story about a young man in Italy during WWII. Interesting life, supposedly based on reality.

83. The Comforts of Home - Susan Hill - Series: Serrailer #9 - ROOT,
I love this series. Simon is complex and surprising. His family convoluted and comforting in many ways. The mysteries are okay, but Simon is definitely the draw for me.

84. The Obsidian Chamber - Preston/Child - Series: Pendergast #16 - ROOT, BBFB, Focus:Mystery

Still dealing with Diogenes. Go Constance.

85. The Kill Call - Stephen Booth - Series: Cooper & Fry #9 - ROOT, AlphaKIT, BFB, Focus: Mystery

This series is deeply focused on the area (the Peak district), its history, its geography, its people. The mysteries are well thought out, and effective at keeping you guessing. And such interesting characters.

86. The Kaiju Preservation Society - JOhn Scalzi - ROOT, AlphaKIT
Typical crazy Scalzi fun scifi. Much like his book Redshirts he expands an existing idea and runs with it. Great fun.

87. Vortex - Robert Charles Wilson - Series: Spin #3 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT

Finished it, and, oh well, the world and science and physics is strange....

Hi Jean, just popping in to see what you are reading and cheering you on.

88. Sabriel - Garth Nix - Series: Absoren #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT

I'd probably have liked this a lot better if I hadn't also been reading Iron Widow which is blowing me away.

89. Steadfast The Lost Fleet - Jack Campbell - Series: Admr Geary #10 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi, SFFKIT

Still loving this series, as suddenly a new threat appears. Of their own making?

90. With No One As Witness - Elizabeth George - Series: Lynley/Havers #13 - BFB, Focus:Mystery, ROOT

Wow. Major character development and life change in this one. Did not see that coming.

91. Ringworld - Larry Niven - ROOT, AlphaKIT
Meh.

92. A Dead Djinn in Cairo - P Djeli Clark - ROOT

The library surprised me with ordering this audiobook, so they checked it out to me. Fun book, and definitely will be reading more of this series.

93. Vigilantes - Retrieval Artist - K.K. Rusch - Series: Retrieval ARtist #13 - ROOT, Focus:SciFi

Oi. When will we learn the truth!

94. The Black Ascot - Charles Todd - Series:Rutledge #21 - ROOT, Focus:Mystery

Still my favorite mystery series. Ian is such a complex, flawed, and interesting character. And his method of investigation is mostly about putting threads that seem unrelated together to flesh out a whole picture.

95. Spinneret - Timothy Zahn - ROOT, AlphaKIT

Science-y and surprising.

96. The Citadel of Weeping Pearls - Aliete deBodard - ROOT, Bookspin

My first venture into this weird world. I have a couple of others from this universe I guess I'll check them out too.

97. The Grace of Kings - Ken Liu - Dandelion Dynasy #1 - ROOT, AlphaKIT
Nicely written but for some reason I never really engaged fully with this book.

>135 majkia: i was thinking of reading The Grace of Kings as a G book this month but quailing a bit at the size of it. This does not inspire confidence.

>136 Robertgreaves: I really liked the concepts and the story, so am baffled by why I didn't ever get drawn in.

100. Masterminds Retrieval Artist series - K.K. Rusch - Retrieval Artist #15 - ROOT, Focus: SciFi

Wow. Quite the wrap up to a really imaginative and well done series.

101. A Practical Guide to Conquering the World - K.J.Parker - Series: Siege #3 - ROOT

What a terrific series. I loved the snark and the characters. Great fun.

102. Touch Not the Cat - Mary Stewart - ROOT, MysteryKIT

It took me a bit to get into this book, but after about half way it picked up and I enjoyed it far more. I did think our heroine was a bit silly in jumping to conclusions but she finally got there.

>102 majkia: I have that book somewhere. I like her books.

>141 mnleona: Agreed. I've been re-reading some of them, having read them eons ago.

103. Lost Fleet: Leviathan - Jack Campbell - Series: Adm Geary #11 - ROOT, Focus: SciFi

Still compelling read for me. Can't ever put them down. No idea why, LOL.

104. No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished - Rachel Aaron - Series: Heartstriker #3 - ROOT, BFB

Fun series, with lots of twists and turns. I enjoy the characters a lot, and can even put up with the romance as it isn't too steamy.

105. Upgrade - Blake Crouch - ROOT, alphaKIT

His books are always in my wheelhouse. I love all the science and the action is great too. Recommended for the science inclined.

106. Sorcery Reborn - Steve McHugh - Rebellion Chronicles #1 - ROOT
Well, darn. This didn't work out like I expected. This is a straight follow on to his previous series, which I only read the first book of. Sigh. Now I'm back to that series, because I loved this even though I didn't understand parts based on the previous series.

107. Mythos - Stephen Fry - ROOT
Audio version, so I got to enjoy listening to Stephen as well as enjoying his version of the myths. Interesting, presented in an easily approachable manner.

108. Lost River - Stephen Booth - Series: Cooper and Fry #10 - ROOT, Focus: Mystery

I do like this series, but this book was quite different, as Fry was dealing with her past in Brum. Also,
quite a few triggers for abuse in this one, which made it hard reading for me.

109. Binti - Nnedi Okorafor - ROOT, Series:Sci Fi

Hmm. Not sure I'll continue this series. I'll try the next one and see. Not that I didn't like it, just wasn't drawn in the way I like to be.

110. Wanderers - Chuck Wendig - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT

Wow. Lots of science, lots of mystery, lots of enjoyment.

111. A Ghost of a Chance - Dan Willis
Series: Arcane Chronicles #2 - ROOT, AlphaKIT,

I'm enjoying this cozy sort of SFF. Alex is a runewright who is also a detective. He's always broke, often because he offers to help folks who can't afford to pay him. Good guy, fun story.

112. Age of Ash - Daniel Abraham - Series: Kithamar #1 - ROOT, Bookspin
I'll definitely have to re-read this when the rest of the series comes out. Complex plot, as well as character development.

Hi Jean, finally reached your thread and read some posts and skipping some others.

I want to wish you and yours all the best for 2023 and Happy Holidays.

I hope to see you in 2023 and try to keep up with threads then.

Same to you Connie. Happy Holidays!

113. The Armored Saint - Myke Cole - Series: Sacred Throne #1- ROOT, Focus:SFF, SFFKIT

I enjoyed this one. Surprises, and plot twists and great characters.

114. The Salvage Crew - Y Wijeratne - ROOT, AlphaKIT

A sort of Firefly story, told by Nathan Fillion. Fun, with some twists.

115. What Came Before He Shot Her - Elizabeth George - Series: Lynley/Havers #14 - ROOT, BFB, AlphaKIT, Focus: Mystery

Until the end I didn't realize what this was about. It is the story of who did the shooting in the 11th book of the series. Wow.

116. The Praxis - Walter Jon Williams - Series: Dread Empire's Fall - ROOT, AlphaKIT, Series:SciFi

I really enjoyed this, although I admit the first half is pretty slow, setting the rest of the series up. After about half way in it became really interesting!