1majkia
Welcome to the 2023 AlphaKIT.
This is an unofficial challenge for the 2023 Category Challenge Group. Each month has two letters selected for you to use however you choose.
There are no rules. Just have fun and enjoy reading. August letters are: M and Q
and 
Please remember to update the wiki with your reading:
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2023_AlphKIT#August:_-_Letters:_M_and_Q
This is an unofficial challenge for the 2023 Category Challenge Group. Each month has two letters selected for you to use however you choose.
There are no rules. Just have fun and enjoy reading. August letters are: M and Q
Please remember to update the wiki with your reading:
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2023_AlphKIT#August:_-_Letters:_M_and_Q
2Robertgreaves
My book club's choice for August is "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig, so that's 'M' taken care of.
'Q' will need more thought.
'Q' will need more thought.
3cyderry
Hopefully, I will get back to reading!
How the Murder Crumbles
Medium Fate
Mischief Nights Are Murder
Modiste Mishap
Murder at the Elms
Murder Checks Out
Murder in Chianti
Murder in a Cup
Murder in Florence
Murder in Siena
Murder Makes Scents(2)
Murder on the Class Trip
Murder on Tour
Murder Once Removed
Rake Mistake
Some Touch of Madness
Songs of Wine and Murder
Spoonful of Murder
How the Murder Crumbles
Medium Fate
Mischief Nights Are Murder
Modiste Mishap
Murder at the Elms
Murder Checks Out
Murder in Chianti
Murder in a Cup
Murder in Florence
Murder in Siena
Murder Makes Scents(2)
Murder on the Class Trip
Murder on Tour
Murder Once Removed
Rake Mistake
Some Touch of Madness
Songs of Wine and Murder
Spoonful of Murder
4dudes22
>3 cyderry: - Lots of choices there.
I picked out The Huntress by Kate Quinn and Last Night in Montreal by Emily St John Mandel
I picked out The Huntress by Kate Quinn and Last Night in Montreal by Emily St John Mandel
5DeltaQueen50
I've set aside the following for next month:
Q - Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
M - Haywire by Justin Macumber
Q - Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
M - Haywire by Justin Macumber
7JayneCM
For Q, I will be reading A Question of Power by Bessie Head as this is the 1001 Books group read.
M is still a work in progress.
M is still a work in progress.
8LibraryCin
Lucky for me, I have The Rose Code by Kate Quinn coming up next month for my book club.
Haven't figured out, yet, anything else I'll be reading for next month. Hopefully something will just "fit" for O, but if not, I'll check my tbr.
Haven't figured out, yet, anything else I'll be reading for next month. Hopefully something will just "fit" for O, but if not, I'll check my tbr.
9LadyoftheLodge
I am thinking of Nonna Maria and the Stolen Necklace. Still thinking about the letter Q.
10LadyoftheLodge
Murder Most Unladylike is one of my choices for this month. It fits several other challenges too!
11Robertgreaves
Starting The Gardens of Light by Amin Maalouf
12KeithChaffee
Planning to read Qualityland by Marc-Uwe Kling and Dead Letters from Paradise by Ann McMan.
14Robertgreaves
COMPLETED They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie
15Kristelh
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan.
16clue
I have read Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri
17LibraryCin
The Rose Code / Kate Quinn
4.5 stars
Osla, Mab and Beth are recruited to work at Bletchley Park in 1940. It’s very secret and they are not allowed to talk about their work decoding German messages to help the soldiers at the front (even amongst themselves, as they work in different areas). They all have very different backgrounds, but with Osla and Mab boarding at Beth’s house, they become fast friends. Osla, a well-off debutante, has been dating Prince Philip of Greece; Mab is looking for a husband; Beth is very quiet and shy and will not say a peep to her overbearing mother who takes her for granted.
But something happens. One of the girls ends up in an asylum, and in 1947, she sends a note to the other two to come, even though things ended with bad blood between them all.
Probably the only thing I didn’t like was the convenience of the timing of an event near the end. Thinking more about it, they likely would still have figured it out (in a different way) before the very end. And wow! I was surprised at how much in this story was real! The characters, some based wholly on a real person and some on a mix of people. But even the events… so many of them really happened.
4.5 stars
Osla, Mab and Beth are recruited to work at Bletchley Park in 1940. It’s very secret and they are not allowed to talk about their work decoding German messages to help the soldiers at the front (even amongst themselves, as they work in different areas). They all have very different backgrounds, but with Osla and Mab boarding at Beth’s house, they become fast friends. Osla, a well-off debutante, has been dating Prince Philip of Greece; Mab is looking for a husband; Beth is very quiet and shy and will not say a peep to her overbearing mother who takes her for granted.
But something happens. One of the girls ends up in an asylum, and in 1947, she sends a note to the other two to come, even though things ended with bad blood between them all.
Probably the only thing I didn’t like was the convenience of the timing of an event near the end. Thinking more about it, they likely would still have figured it out (in a different way) before the very end. And wow! I was surprised at how much in this story was real! The characters, some based wholly on a real person and some on a mix of people. But even the events… so many of them really happened.
18KeithChaffee
Finished The Dutch Shoe Mystery by Ellery Queen.
19LibraryCin
Memories of a Anne Frank / Alison Leslie Gold
3.5 stars
Hannah Goslar was Anne Frank’s best friend before the Holocaust. This book includes some of her memories of Anne, in addition to her own memories of that time. She and her family remained in Amsterdam (not in hiding) much longer than Anne, but her family also ended up in a couple of concentration camps. In fact, Hannah and Anne did see each other (through a barbed wire fence) at Bergen-Belsen. The book was a result of the author’s interviews with Hannah.
It’s written quite simply and it’s short, so it is a fast read; I believe it is meant as YA. There were even some photographs of Hannah’s (that she managed to hold on to through and after the war) that included Hannah, her family, and photos with Anne. There wasn’t as much about Anne, specifically as I’d hoped, but that’s ok. What was there was interesting, as well as learning about Hannah and her family’s experiences.
3.5 stars
Hannah Goslar was Anne Frank’s best friend before the Holocaust. This book includes some of her memories of Anne, in addition to her own memories of that time. She and her family remained in Amsterdam (not in hiding) much longer than Anne, but her family also ended up in a couple of concentration camps. In fact, Hannah and Anne did see each other (through a barbed wire fence) at Bergen-Belsen. The book was a result of the author’s interviews with Hannah.
It’s written quite simply and it’s short, so it is a fast read; I believe it is meant as YA. There were even some photographs of Hannah’s (that she managed to hold on to through and after the war) that included Hannah, her family, and photos with Anne. There wasn’t as much about Anne, specifically as I’d hoped, but that’s ok. What was there was interesting, as well as learning about Hannah and her family’s experiences.
20christina_reads
So far I've read Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane for M and To Sir Phillip, with Love by Julia Quinn for Q. I'm expecting a lot more M books this month!
22NinieB
For the M, I read North Star Conspiracy by Miriam Grace Monfredo.
23majkia
Just starting Quarter Share.
24LadyoftheLodge
Just finished Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer. Now reading Clue in the Crumbs.
25KeithChaffee
Bounced off a couple off possibe M books, but am now enjoying The Violin Maker by John Marchese.
26susanna.fraser
I read The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older.
27Robertgreaves
Reading A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. I am reading it for the chapter a day challenge on Litsy, so I'm obviously not going to finish it this month :-)
28christina_reads
I just finished A Purely Private Matter by Darcie Wilde, a decent historical mystery.
29majkia
>27 Robertgreaves: Me too. :)
30LibraryCin
Milk Glass Moon / Adriana Trigiani
3 stars
This is the third book in the “Big Stone Gap” trilogy. Ave Maria’s daughter Etta is now a teenager (or almost? Anyway, by the end of the book, she’s 18). I don’t know that there’s really a plot. It’s their relationship as Etta grows up, and Etta making stupid teenage mistakes/decisions. There are a couple of trips to New York (for Ave Maria) and to Italy (for the entire family (I think)). And there are some good secondary characters.
So, without an actual plot, and it moved pretty slow… and teenage girls. It was ok, can’t say much more than that for me. I loved Ave Maria’s best friend (at first), but she also made a stupid decision that I was quite disgusted with later (you’d think she was the teenager!). I think I’m very much like Ave Maria. I’m not a parent, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I had been, that I’d be similar to her.
I listened to the audio, read by the author herself. She has a slightly monotone voice, but also has a Southern accent (I always thought she’d have an Italian accent!). It did keep my interest, for the most part, it just wasn’t a terribly exciting book. And oops, I thought it was a trilogy, but it appears there is a 4th book. I think I am unlikely to pick it up.
3 stars
This is the third book in the “Big Stone Gap” trilogy. Ave Maria’s daughter Etta is now a teenager (or almost? Anyway, by the end of the book, she’s 18). I don’t know that there’s really a plot. It’s their relationship as Etta grows up, and Etta making stupid teenage mistakes/decisions. There are a couple of trips to New York (for Ave Maria) and to Italy (for the entire family (I think)). And there are some good secondary characters.
So, without an actual plot, and it moved pretty slow… and teenage girls. It was ok, can’t say much more than that for me. I loved Ave Maria’s best friend (at first), but she also made a stupid decision that I was quite disgusted with later (you’d think she was the teenager!). I think I’m very much like Ave Maria. I’m not a parent, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I had been, that I’d be similar to her.
I listened to the audio, read by the author herself. She has a slightly monotone voice, but also has a Southern accent (I always thought she’d have an Italian accent!). It did keep my interest, for the most part, it just wasn’t a terribly exciting book. And oops, I thought it was a trilogy, but it appears there is a 4th book. I think I am unlikely to pick it up.
31VivienneR
The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr
A young gay black man is the sleeping car porter in 1929. He dreams of being able to study dentistry at McGill University in Montreal. The abuse and racism he must tolerate from passengers is atrocious. As well, the supervisor can give him demerits for anything whether fair or not, he must pay for stolen towels and linen. and there is the chance of an undercover spotter ready to report a minor infraction. The novel describes a journey across Canada that is interrupted by a mudslide. What is remarkable is that the text has a beat similar to to that of a train. But be advised, it is a heart-breaking, infuriating story.
A young gay black man is the sleeping car porter in 1929. He dreams of being able to study dentistry at McGill University in Montreal. The abuse and racism he must tolerate from passengers is atrocious. As well, the supervisor can give him demerits for anything whether fair or not, he must pay for stolen towels and linen. and there is the chance of an undercover spotter ready to report a minor infraction. The novel describes a journey across Canada that is interrupted by a mudslide. What is remarkable is that the text has a beat similar to to that of a train. But be advised, it is a heart-breaking, infuriating story.
33Kristelh
Completed Singled Out, The true story of Glenn Burke by Andress Maraniss.
34VivienneR
For August Q and all year X I read:
Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder by Qiu Xiaolong
The cultural background of Shanghai is the prime attraction of Qiu's mysteries. Inspector Chen will remind the reader of P.D. James' detective Adam Dalgleish, both are intellectuals and poets, although Chen has to work with a bureaucratic government in a country still transitioning from traditional China to a more capitalist economy. Chen has been given a promotion but in fact he has been removed from his job, and placed on so-called "convalescent leave" to prevent him from taking part in investigations and with that, taking the spotlight. Fortunately he has been given a secretary, Jin, a student of history, who is more than willing to help the famous Inspector Chen, now Director Chen.
For wealthy patrons of grand restaurants who want something even more lavish and opulent it has become fashionable to attend private kitchen dinners where small groups are treated to special dishes by a single chef. In this case the chef, Min, hired a helping hand, who is found murdered after a dinner. The murder has something in common with a story from the Tang dynasty that Chen is researching. This is an intriguing mystery, with excellent characters, unfamiliar food, and an out-of-the-ordinary setting. I'm looking forward to another Inspector Chen mystery especially if Jin is included although I doubt if I'll ever try the food.
This was Chen's description of the meal he ordered for Jin:
Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder by Qiu Xiaolong
The cultural background of Shanghai is the prime attraction of Qiu's mysteries. Inspector Chen will remind the reader of P.D. James' detective Adam Dalgleish, both are intellectuals and poets, although Chen has to work with a bureaucratic government in a country still transitioning from traditional China to a more capitalist economy. Chen has been given a promotion but in fact he has been removed from his job, and placed on so-called "convalescent leave" to prevent him from taking part in investigations and with that, taking the spotlight. Fortunately he has been given a secretary, Jin, a student of history, who is more than willing to help the famous Inspector Chen, now Director Chen.
For wealthy patrons of grand restaurants who want something even more lavish and opulent it has become fashionable to attend private kitchen dinners where small groups are treated to special dishes by a single chef. In this case the chef, Min, hired a helping hand, who is found murdered after a dinner. The murder has something in common with a story from the Tang dynasty that Chen is researching. This is an intriguing mystery, with excellent characters, unfamiliar food, and an out-of-the-ordinary setting. I'm looking forward to another Inspector Chen mystery especially if Jin is included although I doubt if I'll ever try the food.
This was Chen's description of the meal he ordered for Jin:
"The hotel brochure describes the wok-fried rock frogs as a must-have mountain special. Because of its constant jumping among the rocks, a rock frog's legs are supposed to be particularly sinewy and tasteful. Fermented tofu is another highly recommended local special, like stinking tofu elsewhere, but with a hairy cover in the surface. As for the stinking bass steamed with dried mountain bamboo shoots, it's also a celebrated Anhui delicacy. You don't have to touch it if you don't like the smell. And I don't think I need to say anything about white porridge rice with a thousand-year-old egg, salted duck, mountain mushroom, organic cold tofu mixed with chopped green scallions…"
35fuzzi
I've read three already, will try to update the wiki soon:
Matagorda by Louis L'Amour
Monument Rock by Louis L'Amour - (ROOT)
Canyon Winter by Walt Morey - (ROOT)
Matagorda by Louis L'Amour
Monument Rock by Louis L'Amour - (ROOT)
Canyon Winter by Walt Morey - (ROOT)
36LibraryCin
Solar System: Our Place in Space / Rosemary Mosco, Jon Chad (Ill.)
4 stars
This is a graphic novel. The premise is that one kid is home sick and bored. Her friend comes by with a book about the solar system, so they invent a spaceship (with their pets as the fictional crew) to travel throughout the solar system – to the sun, then to all the planets and “belts” in between them and slightly beyond, where they learn about where they are visiting.
This is aimed toward kids, but I learned some stuff about the solar system, as well. I really enjoyed this. The pets as crew was kind of silly, but likely appealing to kids. I liked that there was a summary at the end of each planetary visit to explain some of the things learned. I also liked that they stopped at Pluto, even though it is no longer considered a planet. And I also enjoyed learning about a few of the planets’ moons. It was unfortunate temperatures were only in Fahrenheit, however. The illustrator did a really nice job, as well; the illustrations are all in colour.
4 stars
This is a graphic novel. The premise is that one kid is home sick and bored. Her friend comes by with a book about the solar system, so they invent a spaceship (with their pets as the fictional crew) to travel throughout the solar system – to the sun, then to all the planets and “belts” in between them and slightly beyond, where they learn about where they are visiting.
This is aimed toward kids, but I learned some stuff about the solar system, as well. I really enjoyed this. The pets as crew was kind of silly, but likely appealing to kids. I liked that there was a summary at the end of each planetary visit to explain some of the things learned. I also liked that they stopped at Pluto, even though it is no longer considered a planet. And I also enjoyed learning about a few of the planets’ moons. It was unfortunate temperatures were only in Fahrenheit, however. The illustrator did a really nice job, as well; the illustrations are all in colour.
37majkia
September thread is up:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/352973
https://www.librarything.com/topic/352973
38fuzzi
>37 majkia: thank you!
39KeithChaffee
Finished The Violin Maker by John Marchese for my M.
40christina_reads
I just finished Curses by Lish McBride, a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast retelling.
41whitewavedarling
Finished Mouse Trap by Caryn Larrinaga and Qualia Nous (an anthology) this week while traveling! Mouse Trap was a fantastic, gothic, haunted house novella. Qualia Nouse wasn't nearly so enjoyable, though there were some stories which I really enjoyed.
42Robertgreaves
Starting "Queen of the Tiles" by Hanna Alkaf
43DeltaQueen50
I have completed both my reads for August's AlphaKit:
Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
Haywire by Justin R. Macumber
Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
Haywire by Justin R. Macumber
45fuzzi
I'm reading yet another M book, The Man from Skibbereen.
46Robertgreaves
Starting "The Mermaid's Scream" by Kate Ellis
47Robertgreaves
COMPLETED The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Starting "Sergius Mencari Bacchus" by Norman Erikson Pasaribu
Starting "Sergius Mencari Bacchus" by Norman Erikson Pasaribu
49Kristelh
Another M Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. I don't think I will getting a Q for the month.
51Robertgreaves
COMPLETED The Mermaid's Scream by Kate Ellis
Currently reading the same author's The Mechanical Devil
Currently reading the same author's The Mechanical Devil
54christina_reads
I've read two more M books, Mrs. Porter Calling by AJ Pearce and Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams.
55fuzzi
I'm currently reading The Iron Marshall. It's a reread but it's been so long since the first read that the story is almost new to me.
56Kristelh
Read West with the Night by Beryl Markham.
58msf59
>50 susanna.fraser: Ooh, Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh is on my audio TBR. How was it?
59msf59
I had a good AlphaKit August. 2 Off Shelf.
The Colony by Audrey Magee
Dinosaurs: A Novel by Lydia Millet
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson
The Colony by Audrey Magee
Dinosaurs: A Novel by Lydia Millet
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson
60Kristelh
Another M for the month; A Time of Fear: America in the Era of Red Scares and Cold War - Albert Marrin.
62dudes22
I've just finished The Huntress by Kate Quinn.
63christina_reads
Another M book, The Red Lamp by Mary Roberts Rinehart.
64Kristelh
Yet another M. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan.
65Robertgreaves
COMPLETED
The Abbot's Gibbet
The Leper's Return
both by Michael Jecks
Starting the same author's Squire Throwleigh's Heir
The Abbot's Gibbet
The Leper's Return
both by Michael Jecks
Starting the same author's Squire Throwleigh's Heir
66kac522
No Q books this month, but here are my M books:
Unearthing the Secret Garden, Marta McDowell (2021)
Good Daughters, Mary Hocking (1984)
My Life in Middlemarch, Rebecca Mead (2014)
and I'm currently reading (but won't finish today):
Jamaica Inn, Daphne Du Maurier (1936)
Unearthing the Secret Garden, Marta McDowell (2021)
Good Daughters, Mary Hocking (1984)
My Life in Middlemarch, Rebecca Mead (2014)
and I'm currently reading (but won't finish today):
Jamaica Inn, Daphne Du Maurier (1936)
67rabbitprincess
About half my reading this month involved the letter M:
A Man and His Cat, Vol. 4, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
And Finally: Matters of Life and Death, by Henry Marsh
The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
Like Love, by Ed McBain
The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
A Man and His Cat, Vol. 4, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
And Finally: Matters of Life and Death, by Henry Marsh
The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
Like Love, by Ed McBain
The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
