FEBRUARY RANDOM KIT: Second or Two

This month our challenge will be very flexible so we have a good chance to read from our TBR or Wishlist. Since February is the SECOND month of the year the challenge will be to read a book that can be associated with being second.

You might consider:
* the second book written by an author
* the second book you’ve read by an author
* the second book in a series
* a sequel
* the second time you’ve read a book
Any way you can associate a book to SECOND fits.

There is also a SECOND choice. You can choose a book that can be associated with TWO.

Consider:
* a book written by two people
* a book with characters who are in any kind of relationship whether it be romantic, workmates, friends, etc.
* a two word title

And as always the word Second or Two can appear in the title.

Happy reading!

https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2023_RandomKIT

Nice one (pun intended).

Excellent. I will try to get to The Bone Clocks, the second in the Horologists series by David Mitchell.

This is great - I am looking at reading A Darker Domain by Val McDermid, the 2nd in her Karen Pirie series, The Salt Line by Holly Goddard Jones, her 2nd book, and Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee, originally published in 2002.

This will certainly help my TBR!

I'm going to go for the second book I've read by this author - and handily I'm also going to use the same book for the Non-Fiction Challenge over in the 75 group. The book is Notebook by Tom Cox.

I was actually going to read it for December's AuthorCAT last year (favourite authors), but ran out of time. So I'm glad for the double opportunity to get to it in February.

I have several cat mystery series in which I need to read the second book. I will decide and read 1 or 2 of them.

I think I'll read Table Two by Majorie Wilenski and Murder at Wedgefield Manor, the second in the Jane Wunderly series. Then I'll read some of the two word titles on my TBR if I have time. I'm very surprised at how many I have.

I'm thinking about Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L'Engle, which is the last of her Crosswicks journals. I enjoyed the first two of these, and this last one has been sitting on my shelf for a few years now.

Ooh, fun theme! I'll dig through the shelves and find something :)

Edit: I've found The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills, which will be the second book of his that I've read.

Ohhhh, creative! Leaning towards something that is 2nd in a series, but haven't yet checked the tbr to see what else might fit.

Oh, I think one of my options for KiddyCAT might fit here. Two (ha!) of them might, actually...

Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones / Brandon Sanderson
The Secrets of Vesuvius / Caroline Lawrence

Oh, three... LOL!

Paper & Fire / Rachel Caine

Woo hoo - second book in a series! Started Frostheart last month so I will continue with Escape From Aurora.

Excellent idea!

I plan to read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is the second book of the Narnia series (chronological order).

>8 kac522: I loved that book! Make sure you have a couple of boxes of tissues handy at the end though!

I think I might read Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh which is the second in the Roderick Alleyn series.

I'm looking at Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Second book by author, second in series, second of hers I've read.

I was already planning on reading Angel's Game, the second in its series by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, so that's what I'll plan on here--especially since I was worried my book choices for February were so long as to keep me from meeting all my challenge goals, being able to double-dip this time will be perfect :)

>14 Jackie_K: Will do!

I don't have a second in a series. I don't usually begin a series unless I know I will read all the books consecutively until finished. I usually complete one big series each year (Outlander, The Last Kingdom, The Poisoned Crown, etc.) However, I did read my first Vera last month....the second is a possibility if I can get it from the library. Barring that I will probably go with Two Essays by Georgie Markov, recommended by Jackie or The Two Family House.

I will probably go with one of the Wells and Wong mysteries from the Murder Most Unladylike series. I can find one that fits the KiddyCAT challenge and maybe the MysteryKit challenge.

I have tons of second-in-a-series in my TBR, so I think I need to read one of those. Choosing which might be a problem: it's likely to be one or more of The White Priory Murders, Green for Danger, Due to a Death and The Lost Gallows. The Masked City and A Symphony of Echoes are also possibles.

I'm kind of tempted to line up The Bone Clocks - but if my February goes like I'm expecting it to (there are college assignment deadlines) then I won't be in the mood for serious literature, so the classic crime and easygoing fantasy seem like safer options.

Great topic, lots of choices!

I will go with a newer book, Regrets Only by Kieran Scott. It's at the top of my TBR Library List, so when i finish it will be one more book off my shelves :)

Excellent topic! I have lots to choose from so I'll wait until the last minute before choosing.

Oh no! In my feeble attempt to add the topic to the February wiki I managed to delete it! Just February, luckily nothing else. Can someone add it back? Thanks!

>25 clue: No worries! I've added back the February topic on the wiki. But if anyone had already added their planned reads, they'll have to re-enter them, unfortunately.

>26 christina_reads: Thanks so much! No one had added anything so we're good there.

>26 christina_reads: >27 clue: Thanks for adding it back! No worries, good to go!

>27 clue: Now that you've got it back, can you add a link to the wiki to the introductory post, please?

I'm planning to read Lincoln's Last Trial (a murder trial where he represents the defendant) by Dan Abrams and David Fisher (although Fisher's name is in much smaller type). Two years ago I read The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch about a conspiracy to kill Lincoln on his way to Washington, DC, to be inaugurated as President.

I googled famous second novels and The Awakening is one every list and has been on my bookshelf for a very long time. I have given myself permission to read it without reading the very long essay at the beginning.

I've just finished The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka which was the second book she wrote and also won the Pen/Faulkner Award in 2012. It's our book club book for this afternoon so I just snuck it in.

I read Poison is not Polite by Robin Stevens, which is part of the Wells and Wong mystery series, and I believe it is second in the series too.

I just finished The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig, book #2 in the Pink Carnation series. It's a fun historical romp, and I'm enjoying my reread of this series!

I finished Notebook by Tom Cox, the second (and definitely not last) of his books I've read. I think 'psychedelic whimsy' just about covers it - random jottings, sentences, paragraphs from his notebooks over the years that haven't made it into his other books. Lots of fun.

Ooh, I got one ("two"?). I just read Blueberries for Sal, and also borrowed the sequel, One Morning in Maine.

I have finished A murder of quality which is the second novel featuring George Smiley. How did I miss out on this before?

I read The Heron's Cry the second in the Two Rivers series by Ann Cleeves. Not bad, but I don't think I'll continue with the series.

I read the second book in a series: Not Your Villain by C. B. Lee. Not as "fantastic" as I expected, but it does have genuine relationships between the main characters and their families, so that i nice.

I've read Peril at the Exposition by Nev March, it's the second book in the Captain Jim Agnihotri series. It's not one I can recommend.

Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones / Brandon Sanderson
2.5 stars

Listened to the audio of this one and really couldn’t tell you the plot of the story. All I know is that Alcatraz (and a cousin(?), Bastille) ended up at the Library of Alexandria, where the curators (skeleton(?) librarians) require the signing over of a soul in order to check out a book. I think they were looking for Alcatraz’s mother (or father or maybe Bastille’s mother?). Not too sure.

Ok, so it’s been a long time since I read the first in the series, but I gave it 4.5 stars! This one is only rated as high as it is for the humourous bits when Alcatraz was talking directly to the reader (not usually to do with the story, itself), and the stuff about the “evil” librarians (I am a librarian, so I did find that very entertaining!). Listening to the audio, though, those were the only parts where I was interested enough to pay attention. I have found that many (most?) adventure does not translate well for me on audio. No idea what the story actually was about. Not sure if I want to continue. I probably should give the next one a chance, but not on audio (let’s hope I remember that!).

Starting Death In A Strange Country by Donna Leon, the second in the Commissario Brunetti series.

I read The man who planted trees by Jean Giono, it's an illustrated short story rather than a novella and is the second book I've read by the author. Last month I read Giono's The horseman on the roof.
My current read is Stone Sky Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe which is the second book by her that I'll have read. The first book was her novella The Fish Girl which I really enjoyed.

I read Charles Dickens's second novel, Oliver Twist.

COMPLETED Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon, the second in her Commissario Brunetti series - rather darker than the first one.

I've read Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, her second novel, which was published when she was 29.

Starting The Wolf of Britannia; Part 1 by Jess Steven Hughes, which confusingly enough is actually the second in the series.

I'm reading The Bastards of Pizzofalcone by Maurizio De Giovanni, which is the first book in the series, but it is the second book to feature Inspector Giuseppe Lojacono as a main character. He originally appeared in The Crocodile, and then several years later the first book in The Bastards of Pizzofalcone series was written - here his character has been relocated to a different precinct.

COMPLETED Four Aunties And A Wedding by Jesse Sutanto, the sequel to Dial A For Aunties

I finished listening to Letters of Note - Music, ed. by Shaun Usher, which I think is a good fit here. As the title says, it is a collection of letters, and by its nature every letter needs two people, the writer and the addressee!

COMPLETED The Wolf of Britannia Part 1 by Jess Steven Hughes, 2nd in the series.

Starting Somebody Killed His Editor by Josh Lanyon. This is the first in a detective series called Holmes and Moriarity. It's billed as a mystery/romance so I assume the two detectives end up as a couple either at the end of the book or the end of the series.

I just finished Lady of Magick by Sylvia Izzo Hunter, book #2 in her Noctis Magicae trilogy. Unfortunately it was a letdown after the first book!

The March RandomKIT has been posted here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/348596

I wasn't even thinking about this challenge when I checked Overdrive a couple of days ago, but I found The Man Who Died Twice, the second in the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman, available to download so I did so straight away - it's the first time in over a year I've seen it available! I started it today and love it already.

COMPLETED All She Wrote by Josh Lanyon, the second in the Holmes and Moriarity series

I read the second book in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series, Buy A Whisker by Sofie Ryan.

>54 Jackie_K:
I love the Thursday Murder Club Series! I alternate reading the books with listening to the audioversion when my eyes get tired, and the audios are really good :)

>49 Robertgreaves:
I listened to the audioversions of both Dial and for Aunties and Four Aunties and a Wedding and thought the narration was excellent. Did you like these? I think she has a new book coming out next month :)

>58 beach85: I thought they were both very funny and thoroughly enjoyed them, especially as I live in Jakarta and have known people like the aunties. I can't speak to the audiobook narration as I read them in paperback. Somebody on Litsy mentioned having received an ARC of the new one though I don't think it involves the aunties we know and love.

Starting Last Seen Wearing the second in Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse series.

COMPLETED Last Seen Wearing, the second in Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse series.

I'm reading An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed
2nd in the entertaining Elderly Lady series by Helene Tursten.

I read The Devil's Highway by Hannah March, book #2 in the Robert Fairfax mystery series set in Georgian England. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to continuing with the series!

Starting the second in the Everness trilogy, Be My Enemy, by Ian McDonald

I read Sky Coyote by Kage Baker, book 2 in The Company series, also a two-word title.

COMPLETED Be My Enemy by Ian McDonald

I have finished Murder at Wedgefield Manor, the second book in the Jane Wunderly series by Erica Ruth Neubauer.

I read The Winter Bride by Anne Gracie, second in her Chance Sisters series. I'm really enjoying this series and author so far!

Finished The Awakening by Kate Chopin this morning, Chopin's second novel. The edition included contemporary reviews of the book along with excerpts from the various magazines and books that governed the lives of women.

I'm reading The Second Cut a Scottish noir mystery by Louise Welsh. It's the second book in the series and the second book I've read by Welsh.

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
I love this series - and this is the second.

I finished The Absent One, the second book in the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen.

Finished Jade War, second in the Green Bone Saga. what a great series.

>73 majkia: A great series indeed! I hope you'll love the final book as much as I did.

Initially didn't think to post this here (kept thinking #2 in series), but this has two authors

Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster / Allen & Linda Anderson
3.5 stars

This book looks at the volunteers and organizations that went to help the animals left behind when people evacuated New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It also looks at disaster planning for animals (which was pretty much nonexistent at the time), and how that could change going forward.

I had it in my head that this would look at more than just the one disaster, but I guess there was enough for the book with just Katrina and aftermath. It was chaos. It was hard to understand why some people were turned away due to not being “trained” (so some volunteers went “rogue”), but later in the book they explained why that would be the case. And untrained people can help elsewhere (as opposed to going door to door in a boat to pull animals out of the houses). Not surprisingly, the stories of specific people and their pets were the most interesting here. Overall, it was good.

I have read a second book for the challenge. Theodore Boone: The Abduction the second in the series by John Grisham.

The Roughest Draft has two authors, married couple Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. Unfortunately, this contemporary romance didn't really work for me.

Starting Time Was by Ian McDonald (2-word title)

COMPLETED Time Was by Ian McDonald

Appropriately, this month I have finished 2 books with "Two" in the title:

Two Heroines of Plumplington, Anthony Trollope (1882)--a long short-story (or a short novella!) that is set in Barchester about 30 years after the Barsetshire Chronicles. The story was published in the last year of Trollope's life.

Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage, Madeleine L'Engle (1988). The last book of L'Engle's Crosswicks Journal memoirs that tells the story of her courtship and 40-year marriage to Hugh Franklin. Interspersed are chapters about her husband's cancer diagnosis, lengthy illness and coming to terms with his death.

I finished my third book for this challenge, The Dark Frigate. It was the second and last book the author wrote.

I have finished On the Black Hill which tells the lives of identical twins in rural Wales.

I have finished Table Two set during WWII.

I read The Overstory by Richard Powers. This is the second book that I've read by this author.

Finished Oliver Twist, which was Dickens' second book.

I read The Second Cut by Louise Welsh.
Louise Welsh was unknown to me until recently when I read The Cutting Room after which she was immediately added to my favourite authors. This book, the second in the series, was written twenty years later although she appears to have picked up where she left off and the characters have aged little. Rilke, the melancholy auctioneer at Bowery Auctions in Glasgow is no longer prowling through parks searching for casual sex, but finding partners on Grindr. His present job is overseeing an estate sale for a pair of cousins who claim they need to money to provide care for their elderly relative, the owner of the mansion. There is something not quite right, but Rilke and his boss, Rose Bowery, satisfied themselves that there is nothing illegal in the sale. Welsh portrays all of the characters in detail, neglecting none, while giving a description of gay nightlife in Glasgow including some more sordid events. The plot, set in a unique location, is excellent, complex enough to make it compelling but not overly complicated. She takes the reader to what appears to be predictable places via surprising paths. I really hope Welsh follows up soon with more in this fabulous series.

I have completed A Darker Domain by Val McDermid which is the second book in the DI Karen Pirie series.

I've read one more that fits the requirement, Big Russ and Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life by Tim Russert. The is a memoir about father and son.

Thanks to all for participating this month, I hope you enjoyed your Feb. Random Cat. The March topic of water is good for me too, a fast check through my TBR found 19 that would qualify!

Finished a few more books that fit here:
Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan, second book read by this author
Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac, two word title
Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer, two word title