1Robertgreaves
2023 was here
My target for 2024 is 72 ROOTs to allow more chunksters and series to be read. All books acquired up until 15 January 2024 will count as ROOTs during 2024.
My ROOTs as of today (06 January 2024) consist of 29 treebooks and 63 ebooks, making a total of 93 ROOTs, down from 106 ROOTs this time last year.
Since ebooks are always available and always tempting I am as usual going to limit myself:
1. 2 books as a reward for each kg I lose;
2. next in a series (if I am up to date on the 6 ROOTs per month needed to reach my goal);
3. bookclub/reading group books.
My 2024 ticker:
My target for 2024 is 72 ROOTs to allow more chunksters and series to be read. All books acquired up until 15 January 2024 will count as ROOTs during 2024.
My ROOTs as of today (06 January 2024) consist of 29 treebooks and 63 ebooks, making a total of 93 ROOTs, down from 106 ROOTs this time last year.
Since ebooks are always available and always tempting I am as usual going to limit myself:
1. 2 books as a reward for each kg I lose;
2. next in a series (if I am up to date on the 6 ROOTs per month needed to reach my goal);
3. bookclub/reading group books.
My 2024 ticker:
2Robertgreaves
My book count No. 1 and my first ROOT for 2024 is The Falcon: A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner by John Tanner. It fits the RandomCAT, the AlphaKIT, and the HistoryCAT.
5rabbitprincess
Welcome back!
6MissWatson
Great to see you're back!
7Robertgreaves
Thank you for dropping by, Connie, Jackie, RP and Birgit.
Also reading my No. 2, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. This book is not a ROOT.
Also reading my No. 2, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. This book is not a ROOT.
8cyderry
Welcome back!
The limits you set are probably ones I should have too, but I know I would never be able to keep within those limits.
1. 2 books as a reward for each kg I lose; I just have to try not to gain!
2. next in a series (if I am up to date on the 6 ROOTs per month needed to reach my goal); fortunately for me, many of my ROOTS are the next in the series!
3. bookclub/reading group books. I only read the books for Book Club if it is something that appeals to me.
Good luck!
The limits you set are probably ones I should have too, but I know I would never be able to keep within those limits.
1. 2 books as a reward for each kg I lose; I just have to try not to gain!
2. next in a series (if I am up to date on the 6 ROOTs per month needed to reach my goal); fortunately for me, many of my ROOTS are the next in the series!
3. bookclub/reading group books. I only read the books for Book Club if it is something that appeals to me.
Good luck!
9Robertgreaves
Thanks for dropping by, Chèli.
My reading year has not got off to an auspicious start with The Falcon being a DNF. I got halfway through but then gave up as it was just too repetitive with variations on I went hunting and killed this many animals.
My reading year has not got off to an auspicious start with The Falcon being a DNF. I got halfway through but then gave up as it was just too repetitive with variations on I went hunting and killed this many animals.
10Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 3, Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths. This ebook is my second ROOT of 2024.
My review of Norse Mythology:
A re-telling of some Norse myths. At times I wondered who the target audience was because the language seemed overly simplified so maybe tweens or teens? Ultimately I didn't really care. I still enjoyed it.
My review of Norse Mythology:
A re-telling of some Norse myths. At times I wondered who the target audience was because the language seemed overly simplified so maybe tweens or teens? Ultimately I didn't really care. I still enjoyed it.
12Robertgreaves
Thanks for dropping by, Jerry
My No. 4 is The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. This ebook is not a ROOT. It fits the CalendarCAT as a series new to me.
My review of Bleeding Heart Yard:
An MP is found dead at a school reunion. A few days later another MP who was also at the party is found dead. Are the deaths related to the death of a classmate 21 years before?
At first I found it difficult to keep track of who was who among the suspects attending the party. It's not just me, my niece who has also read the book said the same. Once I got over that hurdle, I found it an engaging read though not a fantastic one.
My No. 4 is The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. This ebook is not a ROOT. It fits the CalendarCAT as a series new to me.
My review of Bleeding Heart Yard:
An MP is found dead at a school reunion. A few days later another MP who was also at the party is found dead. Are the deaths related to the death of a classmate 21 years before?
At first I found it difficult to keep track of who was who among the suspects attending the party. It's not just me, my niece who has also read the book said the same. Once I got over that hurdle, I found it an engaging read though not a fantastic one.
13Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 5, Roy: The Most Chaotic Midlife Crisis in Cosmic History by Zachry Wheeler
14connie53
>13 Robertgreaves: That could easily fit in my Ridiculous titles category for my RL-bookclub.
15Robertgreaves
My review of Roy: The Most Chaotic Midlife Crisis in Cosmic History:
Puki Horpocket investigates the story of Roy, a qualified engineer working as a plumber on a space station, most of whose salary goes back as alimony to his wife on his home planet. Wanting to expand his horizons he starts taking on odd jobs for a crime boss.
Obviously from the title, it's a comedy. It had its moments, but I mainly thought it was trying too hard.
Puki Horpocket investigates the story of Roy, a qualified engineer working as a plumber on a space station, most of whose salary goes back as alimony to his wife on his home planet. Wanting to expand his horizons he starts taking on odd jobs for a crime boss.
Obviously from the title, it's a comedy. It had its moments, but I mainly thought it was trying too hard.
16Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 6, If Not, Winter by Sappho. This book is not a ROOT.
17Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 7, Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. This ebook is my fourth ROOT for 2023. It fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of The Hangman's Daughter:
In 1659 Bavaria children are being killed, found with a mysterious sign on their bodies. Could the local midwife also be a witch?
It took me a long time to get through this as I found myself unable to concentrate on it for more than few pages at time. I will probably continue with the series but not for now.
My review of The Hangman's Daughter:
In 1659 Bavaria children are being killed, found with a mysterious sign on their bodies. Could the local midwife also be a witch?
It took me a long time to get through this as I found myself unable to concentrate on it for more than few pages at time. I will probably continue with the series but not for now.
18connie53
>17 Robertgreaves: ROOT for 2023? LOL.
19Robertgreaves
>18 connie53: Whoops. It's generally the end of January when I start getting the year wrong because that's when I stop paying particular attention.
21Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, Husband Material, as my No. 8. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of Boyfriend Material
After celeb-adjacent Luc O'Donnell appears in the tabloids once too often, he finds his job as fundraiser for an obscure charity devoted to the dung beetle in jeopardy unless he can find a presentable boyfriend. A friend of a friend agrees to be his fake boyfriend if Luc returns the favour at a family gathering.
This romcom was great at the com - it had me howling with laughter at times - but the rom part was more of a meh - I just didn't care about Luc and Oliver as a couple.
My review of Boyfriend Material
After celeb-adjacent Luc O'Donnell appears in the tabloids once too often, he finds his job as fundraiser for an obscure charity devoted to the dung beetle in jeopardy unless he can find a presentable boyfriend. A friend of a friend agrees to be his fake boyfriend if Luc returns the favour at a family gathering.
This romcom was great at the com - it had me howling with laughter at times - but the rom part was more of a meh - I just didn't care about Luc and Oliver as a couple.
22Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 9, Mountains More Ancient by Isna Marifa. This is my fifth ROOT for 2024. I am reading it now for my book club.
23Robertgreaves
My review of Mountains More Ancient:
When her father is sold into slavery to pay his debts in 1751, 9 year old Wulan follows with him from their home in Java to a farm in South Africa.
Richly told in a mixture of poetry and prose, this was a fascinating look at a time and place I hadn't heard about before.
My reviews of Husband Material:
Now that they've been dating for two years what is the next step for Luc and Oliver?
Again, very funny and I would love to read more about their lives although I'm not particularly invested in them as a couple.
When her father is sold into slavery to pay his debts in 1751, 9 year old Wulan follows with him from their home in Java to a farm in South Africa.
Richly told in a mixture of poetry and prose, this was a fascinating look at a time and place I hadn't heard about before.
My reviews of Husband Material:
Now that they've been dating for two years what is the next step for Luc and Oliver?
Again, very funny and I would love to read more about their lives although I'm not particularly invested in them as a couple.
24Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 10, Shot Through the Heart by Matt Cain. It is not a ROOT but it does fit the CalendarCAT.
My review of If Not, Winter by Sappho
A bilingual edition (Greek on the left-hand page, English on the right) of the complete surviving poetry of Sappho, some from papyri and some from quotations by other authors of a line or even just a word. TBH, I didn't find any of it particularly memorable but it was interesting to see just how fragmentary fragments are.
My review of If Not, Winter by Sappho
A bilingual edition (Greek on the left-hand page, English on the right) of the complete surviving poetry of Sappho, some from papyri and some from quotations by other authors of a line or even just a word. TBH, I didn't find any of it particularly memorable but it was interesting to see just how fragmentary fragments are.
25Robertgreaves
Currently reading my No. 11, Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of Shot Through the Heart:
Hollywood A-lister falls in love with a paparazzo but is publicly dating her closeted leading man.
Cute and engaging, but does everybody have to have had a difficult childhood?
My review of Shot Through the Heart:
Hollywood A-lister falls in love with a paparazzo but is publicly dating her closeted leading man.
Cute and engaging, but does everybody have to have had a difficult childhood?
26Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 13 Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto. This ebook is my seventh ROOT for 2024 and fits the CalendarCAT.
My review of Bored Gay Werewolf:
Brian works as a waiter and roams a local park one night a month as a werewolf. Then he meets another werewolf with a disturbing vision of what being a werewolf means.
It was light on the gore and had some amusing moments. If I came across a freebie by the author or it was included in one of my subscriptions, I'd read it but I wouldn't actively search for more books by him or pay out good money for it.
While I was away I also read A Matter of Oaths by Helen S. Wright as my No. 14 and my sixth ROOT for 2024.
My review:
Rafe is accepted as an elite webber (a navigator) on a starship but there is a mystery about his past.
The slices of life aboard the starship were well done, but the wider world-building wasn't quite as well illuminated, which meant the background mystery and politicking wasn't as enthralling as it had the potential to be.
My review of Bored Gay Werewolf:
Brian works as a waiter and roams a local park one night a month as a werewolf. Then he meets another werewolf with a disturbing vision of what being a werewolf means.
It was light on the gore and had some amusing moments. If I came across a freebie by the author or it was included in one of my subscriptions, I'd read it but I wouldn't actively search for more books by him or pay out good money for it.
While I was away I also read A Matter of Oaths by Helen S. Wright as my No. 14 and my sixth ROOT for 2024.
My review:
Rafe is accepted as an elite webber (a navigator) on a starship but there is a mystery about his past.
The slices of life aboard the starship were well done, but the wider world-building wasn't quite as well illuminated, which meant the background mystery and politicking wasn't as enthralling as it had the potential to be.
27Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 14, The Burial Circle by Kate Ellis. This ebook is my eighth ROOT for 2024 and fits the AlphaKIT.
28Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, The Stone Chamber, as my No. 15. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of The Burial Circle:
When a tree is blown down in a storm a skeleton and a backpack are found buried underneath it. Could it be the body of a hitch-hiker who disappeared 11 years ago?
Enjoyable mystery with some atmospheric spooky goings-on near the beginning. I had worked out the mechanism that was revealed near the end quite early on even if I didn't know who exactly was involved.
My review of The Burial Circle:
When a tree is blown down in a storm a skeleton and a backpack are found buried underneath it. Could it be the body of a hitch-hiker who disappeared 11 years ago?
Enjoyable mystery with some atmospheric spooky goings-on near the beginning. I had worked out the mechanism that was revealed near the end quite early on even if I didn't know who exactly was involved.
29Robertgreaves
Currently reading my No. 16, I Am Not Raymond Wallace by Sam Kenyon. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of The Stone Chamber:
Wesley Peterson is investigating a series of shootings but cannot see any link between the victims. Is another death previously dismissed as an accident related? Meanwhile Neil Watson is excavating what may be an anchoress's cell in an abandoned village.
Slight variation on the usual format with lots of twists at the end. Great fun.
My review of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers:
Vera Wong finds a dead body in her tea shop. Since the police don't seem to be taking it seriously, she decides to investigate, starting with some unexpected visitors to the tea shop as her suspects.
It was funny, but mostly variations on a single joke - Vera's ability to cow or coax people round her into doing what she wanted. Not as good as the Aunties books
My review of The Stone Chamber:
Wesley Peterson is investigating a series of shootings but cannot see any link between the victims. Is another death previously dismissed as an accident related? Meanwhile Neil Watson is excavating what may be an anchoress's cell in an abandoned village.
Slight variation on the usual format with lots of twists at the end. Great fun.
My review of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers:
Vera Wong finds a dead body in her tea shop. Since the police don't seem to be taking it seriously, she decides to investigate, starting with some unexpected visitors to the tea shop as her suspects.
It was funny, but mostly variations on a single joke - Vera's ability to cow or coax people round her into doing what she wanted. Not as good as the Aunties books
30Robertgreaves
My review of I am not Raymond Wallace:
Raymond Wallace has a brief affair while working as an intern in New York in 1963. For the rest of his life he regrets returning home to the UK rather than staying with his lover. His son has the opportunity to bring closure.
Melancholy, not to say plangent – a favourite word of the author’s – in tone but hardly devastating as it is described in the acknowledgements.
My No. 17 was The Asylum by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, which was not a ROOT. My review:
A genealogist uncovers the secret of his client's father's first marriage and a possible reason for the first wife's death.
Interesting novella to start a series. I will keep my eye out for further installments.
My No. 18 was A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert. This was my ninth ROOT for 2024. My review:
On her first day working for a semi-reclusive multi-millionaire, Jane Hunter stumbles across the body of his ex-girlfriend in the library she is meant to be cataloguing.
Jane Hunter has an intriguing backstory and I like Cam Clewe, so I will probably continue with this series despite my disappointment that my vague idea going in that the mystery involved cryptic crosswords turned out to be false.
My No. 19 was Compulsory by Martha Wells. This was my tenth ROOT for 2024. My review:
Murderbot prequel novella.
Currently reading my No. 20 Cat Me If You Can by Miranda James. This ebook is my eleventh ROOT for 2024.
Raymond Wallace has a brief affair while working as an intern in New York in 1963. For the rest of his life he regrets returning home to the UK rather than staying with his lover. His son has the opportunity to bring closure.
Melancholy, not to say plangent – a favourite word of the author’s – in tone but hardly devastating as it is described in the acknowledgements.
My No. 17 was The Asylum by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, which was not a ROOT. My review:
A genealogist uncovers the secret of his client's father's first marriage and a possible reason for the first wife's death.
Interesting novella to start a series. I will keep my eye out for further installments.
My No. 18 was A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert. This was my ninth ROOT for 2024. My review:
On her first day working for a semi-reclusive multi-millionaire, Jane Hunter stumbles across the body of his ex-girlfriend in the library she is meant to be cataloguing.
Jane Hunter has an intriguing backstory and I like Cam Clewe, so I will probably continue with this series despite my disappointment that my vague idea going in that the mystery involved cryptic crosswords turned out to be false.
My No. 19 was Compulsory by Martha Wells. This was my tenth ROOT for 2024. My review:
Murderbot prequel novella.
Currently reading my No. 20 Cat Me If You Can by Miranda James. This ebook is my eleventh ROOT for 2024.
31Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 21, The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth. This is my twelfth ROOT for 2024. I now have 38 treebooks on the TBR shelf.
My review of Cat Me If You Can:
Charlie and friends are having a week away with their book club to discuss gplden age murder mysteries. Naturally, people in the hoteI start turning up dead.
Always pleased to visit Charlie Harris and Diesel again.
My review of Cat Me If You Can:
Charlie and friends are having a week away with their book club to discuss gplden age murder mysteries. Naturally, people in the hoteI start turning up dead.
Always pleased to visit Charlie Harris and Diesel again.
32ritacate
>2 Robertgreaves: what are randomCAT, alphaKIT, etc, please? It sounds like more challenges I don't need to hear about! I don't know how to search for topics on Library thing, only the main search bar which only brings up books for me.
34Jackie_K
>31 Robertgreaves: I'll be interested to read your review of The Golden Gate, which I've owned for a number of years but always felt too daunted to start!
35ritacate
>33 Robertgreaves: thank you, think I'll add the bingo to my year of reading
36Robertgreaves
>35 ritacate: Good luck!
Starting my No. 22, Why Is Sex Fun?:The Evolution of Human Sexuality by Jared Diamond. This ebook is my thirteenth ROOT for 2024. It fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of The Golden Gate:
A group of friends look for love in San Francisco around 1980.
I can look on this verse novel as something of a tour de force and it is fun watching the author's verbal dexterity in keeping to the meter, but the actual story is really rather slight.
Starting my No. 22, Why Is Sex Fun?:The Evolution of Human Sexuality by Jared Diamond. This ebook is my thirteenth ROOT for 2024. It fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of The Golden Gate:
A group of friends look for love in San Francisco around 1980.
I can look on this verse novel as something of a tour de force and it is fun watching the author's verbal dexterity in keeping to the meter, but the actual story is really rather slight.
37Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 23, The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers. This ebook is my fourteenth ROOT.
My review of Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality:
Much of what we take for granted about human sexuality - sort of monogamous, co-parenting, menopause, non-procreative sex - is downright weird by the standards of the rest of the animal kingdom. This book tries to look at why and how these practices evolved.
It's an interesting how others might see us account. The book dates from 1997 and it particularly shows when talking about sex that cannot result in procreation such as during pregnancy etc., without any mention of homosexuality in our and other species.
My review of Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality:
Much of what we take for granted about human sexuality - sort of monogamous, co-parenting, menopause, non-procreative sex - is downright weird by the standards of the rest of the animal kingdom. This book tries to look at why and how these practices evolved.
It's an interesting how others might see us account. The book dates from 1997 and it particularly shows when talking about sex that cannot result in procreation such as during pregnancy etc., without any mention of homosexuality in our and other species.
38Robertgreaves
Possible reading for March:
39Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 25, An Immense World by Ed Yong. This ebook is my fifteenth ROOT for 2024. It fits the RandomKIT and the PrizeCAT.
My review of The Galaxy and the Ground Within:
Various interstellar travellers of different species are stranded in a hotel together for a few days when the satellites they depend on to continue their journeys are destroyed in an accident.
It took me a while at first trying to remember who was what species and hence their characteristics but once I got that sorted out, it was an enjoyable ride, if a little didactic in an "AUTHOR'S MESSAGE" way at times. But I found myself on the edge of my seat during the medical emergency towards the end.
My review of The Galaxy and the Ground Within:
Various interstellar travellers of different species are stranded in a hotel together for a few days when the satellites they depend on to continue their journeys are destroyed in an accident.
It took me a while at first trying to remember who was what species and hence their characteristics but once I got that sorted out, it was an enjoyable ride, if a little didactic in an "AUTHOR'S MESSAGE" way at times. But I found myself on the edge of my seat during the medical emergency towards the end.
40Cecilturtle
>38 Robertgreaves: I remember enjoying Headlong. It has a fast pace and I finished it in a few days (I'm a slow reader!)
41connie53
>38 Robertgreaves: I hope you get to The Lincoln Highway soon. I loved it a lot!
42Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 26, On A Red Station, Drifting by Aliette de Bodard. This ebook is not a ROOT.
43Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 27, The Citadel of Weeping Pearls, a novella from the same series.
My review of On A Red Station, Drifting:
After her planet is over-run by rebels against the Da Viet Empire ,Magistrate Linh arrives on Prosper space station which is run by her family. Can she adjust to her change in status in the face of hostility from Quyen, the insecure acting Administrator of Prosper, as the Honoured Ancestress, the station's AI, starts to fail?
One of the best from an author who always intrigues me even when I'm not sure I've really understood her.
My review of On A Red Station, Drifting:
After her planet is over-run by rebels against the Da Viet Empire ,Magistrate Linh arrives on Prosper space station which is run by her family. Can she adjust to her change in status in the face of hostility from Quyen, the insecure acting Administrator of Prosper, as the Honoured Ancestress, the station's AI, starts to fail?
One of the best from an author who always intrigues me even when I'm not sure I've really understood her.
44Robertgreaves
My review of The Citadel of Weeping Pearls:
30 years ago the Citadel of Weeping Pearls vanished, taking with it one of the Empress's daughters. Now the Empress needs her daughter's special abilities to help her fend off a threatened invasion, but the only scientist to ever find traces of the Citadel has also vanished.
Reading the preview, I thought this was going to be a mystery, with the Empress's former lover investigating the disappearances, but as the POV rotated through different characters it became clear that the story didn't really fit any subgenre. I still enjoyed it though.
30 years ago the Citadel of Weeping Pearls vanished, taking with it one of the Empress's daughters. Now the Empress needs her daughter's special abilities to help her fend off a threatened invasion, but the only scientist to ever find traces of the Citadel has also vanished.
Reading the preview, I thought this was going to be a mystery, with the Empress's former lover investigating the disappearances, but as the POV rotated through different characters it became clear that the story didn't really fit any subgenre. I still enjoyed it though.
45Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 28, Guardians by T. J. Baer. This ebook is not a ROOT. It fits the SFFKIT.
My review of An Immense World:
Different animals perceive and experience the world differently due to their different senses. It is difficult and necessary to overcome the biases from how WE perceive the world if we want to really understand other animals. For example, a zebra's stripes are not camouflage because from a distance all a lion can see is a zebra-shaped object and the stripes have no effect on that.
Fascinating.
My review of An Immense World:
Different animals perceive and experience the world differently due to their different senses. It is difficult and necessary to overcome the biases from how WE perceive the world if we want to really understand other animals. For example, a zebra's stripes are not camouflage because from a distance all a lion can see is a zebra-shaped object and the stripes have no effect on that.
Fascinating.
46Jackie_K
>45 Robertgreaves: I found it a fascinating book too - every time I opened it I had my mind blown.
47Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 29, Vincent by Jonathan G. Meyer. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of Guardians:
Adventures of a teen whose family is part of a network of guardians protecting Earth from interdimensional threats.
It was OK, not good, not bad. The author has a very noticeable fondness for the expressions "tight nod" and "tight smile".
My review of Guardians:
Adventures of a teen whose family is part of a network of guardians protecting Earth from interdimensional threats.
It was OK, not good, not bad. The author has a very noticeable fondness for the expressions "tight nod" and "tight smile".
48ReneeMarie
>47 Robertgreaves: That reminds me of binge watching "Murder She Wrote" and realizing how many times characters say 'dead bang.'
49Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 30, The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. This is my sixteenth ROOT for 2024. I'm reading it now for my book club and it fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of Vincent:
Jim Thompson is recruited by an AI starship to help retrieve some alien tech left on Earth.
The plot was OK, if somewhat predictable in places, but the prose was very flat and monotonous.
My review of Vincent:
Jim Thompson is recruited by an AI starship to help retrieve some alien tech left on Earth.
The plot was OK, if somewhat predictable in places, but the prose was very flat and monotonous.
50connie53
>49 Robertgreaves: I'm curious about your thoughts (No. 30) on that one, Robert. It was a five star book for me.
51Robertgreaves
>50 connie53: Left to myself I probably wouldn't be reading it. I loved A Gentleman in Moscow but found Rules of Civility tedious enough that I wasn't going to read any more of his books.
52Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 31, Act of Mercy by Peter Tremayne. I am counting this ebook as my sixteenth ROOT for 2024 as I will be counting The Lincoln Highway for rosalita.
My review of The Lincoln Highway:
On his release from a reform school after the death of his father Emmett decides to leave Nebraska for California with his little brother Billy to find their mother. First, however, they have to help two absconders from the reform school, Duchess and Woolly, get to New York, where they are hoping to claim and divide Woolly's inheritance.
Great fun, with engaging characters I kept reading to learn more about. Ultimately, the book left me wanting to know what happened next, whether Emmett and Billy made it to California and whether they found their mother.
My review of The Lincoln Highway:
On his release from a reform school after the death of his father Emmett decides to leave Nebraska for California with his little brother Billy to find their mother. First, however, they have to help two absconders from the reform school, Duchess and Woolly, get to New York, where they are hoping to claim and divide Woolly's inheritance.
Great fun, with engaging characters I kept reading to learn more about. Ultimately, the book left me wanting to know what happened next, whether Emmett and Billy made it to California and whether they found their mother.
53connie53
>52 Robertgreaves: Glad you liked it, Robert.
54Robertgreaves
Starting the next novel in the series, Our Lady of Darkness as my No. 32. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of Act of Mercy:
Sister Fidelma is on a pilgrimage to Spain by sea. Another pilgrim, Sister Muirgel, vanishes during a storm and it is assumed that she was swept overboard. However, Fidelma finds a torn and bloodied robe in Muirgel's cabin. Was she murdered and her body thrown overboard?
Lots of interesting information about 7th century travel. I am slightly sceptical about the "Roman church bad Celtic church good" stance in some of the interactions between the passengers but it wasn't enough to spoil an enjoyable story.
My review of Act of Mercy:
Sister Fidelma is on a pilgrimage to Spain by sea. Another pilgrim, Sister Muirgel, vanishes during a storm and it is assumed that she was swept overboard. However, Fidelma finds a torn and bloodied robe in Muirgel's cabin. Was she murdered and her body thrown overboard?
Lots of interesting information about 7th century travel. I am slightly sceptical about the "Roman church bad Celtic church good" stance in some of the interactions between the passengers but it wasn't enough to spoil an enjoyable story.
55Robertgreaves
Starting a collection of short stories from the same series, Hemlock at Vespers, as my No. 33. I think I have read at least some of it before but am re-reading it as my seventeenth ROOT for 2024.
My review of Our Lady of Darkness:
Fidelma is called back from Spain by her brother to help her friend Eadulf, accused of raping and strangling a young novice.
Although I was reading it out of order due to the cliffhanger at the end of the previous novel, it was a while before I really got into this book but once I did I found the mystery intriguing and the events exciting. BUT HOW ARE TWO 7TH CENTURY CHARACTERS ABLE TO QUOTE PETRARCH BY NAME? That totally threw me out of the story and was very disappointing.
My review of Our Lady of Darkness:
Fidelma is called back from Spain by her brother to help her friend Eadulf, accused of raping and strangling a young novice.
Although I was reading it out of order due to the cliffhanger at the end of the previous novel, it was a while before I really got into this book but once I did I found the mystery intriguing and the events exciting. BUT HOW ARE TWO 7TH CENTURY CHARACTERS ABLE TO QUOTE PETRARCH BY NAME? That totally threw me out of the story and was very disappointing.
56connie53
"BUT HOW ARE TWO 7TH CENTURY CHARACTERS ABLE TO QUOTE PETRARCH BY NAME? That totally threw me out of the story and was very disappointing."
>55 Robertgreaves: I can see how that threw you off, Robert. Very sloppy
>55 Robertgreaves: I can see how that threw you off, Robert. Very sloppy
57Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 34, The Case of the Undiscovered Corpse by Charlie Cochrane. This ebook is my eighteenth ROOT for 2024.
My review of Hemlock at Vespers:
A collection of stories about Sister Fidelma. Inevitably there is a fair amount of repetition when introducing the character in different stories, but I still enjoyed them, especially the last one, "Our Lady of Death", which was actually quite atmospheric and creepy as a possible ghost story.
My review of Hemlock at Vespers:
A collection of stories about Sister Fidelma. Inevitably there is a fair amount of repetition when introducing the character in different stories, but I still enjoyed them, especially the last one, "Our Lady of Death", which was actually quite atmospheric and creepy as a possible ghost story.
58Robertgreaves
Starting The Ring That Caesar Wore by Ashley Gardner. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the AlphaKIT and the MysteryKIT.
MY review of The Case of the Undiscovered Corpse:
A crossover of the author's two detective series, one set before and after WW1 and one set in the 1950s, as the two detective duos join forces to discuss the mystery of a corpse found in 1914 in a packing case last opened 60 years before.
I found the investigation hard to follow - too many people with similar names who may or may not be the same person - but I like the 'tecs enough to give the series a second chance at some point.
MY review of The Case of the Undiscovered Corpse:
A crossover of the author's two detective series, one set before and after WW1 and one set in the 1950s, as the two detective duos join forces to discuss the mystery of a corpse found in 1914 in a packing case last opened 60 years before.
I found the investigation hard to follow - too many people with similar names who may or may not be the same person - but I like the 'tecs enough to give the series a second chance at some point.
59Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 36, Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles. This is my nineteenth ROOT for 2024 and brings the treebook TBR shelf to 36. It fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of The Ring that Caesar Wore:
On a building site, Leonidas finds a half-buried ring with an inscription which feeds Nero's paranoia about plots against him. The emperor gives Leonidas and Cassia 8 days to uncover the conspiracy - but what if it doesn't exist?
I find the author's books very readable with engaging characters and intriguing plots but her failure to do her homework, occasionally apparent in her Regency and Victorian books, becomes impossible to ignore here. At the very least she needs to understand what "patrician", "plebeian", and "equestrian" actually meant in Rome.
My review of The Ring that Caesar Wore:
On a building site, Leonidas finds a half-buried ring with an inscription which feeds Nero's paranoia about plots against him. The emperor gives Leonidas and Cassia 8 days to uncover the conspiracy - but what if it doesn't exist?
I find the author's books very readable with engaging characters and intriguing plots but her failure to do her homework, occasionally apparent in her Regency and Victorian books, becomes impossible to ignore here. At the very least she needs to understand what "patrician", "plebeian", and "equestrian" actually meant in Rome.
60Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, A Death in the Parish, as my No. 37. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of Murder Before Evensong:
Canon Daniel Clement finds a body in the church as he reads the evening prayers. But why would anyone want to kill a harmless soul like Baron De Floures's estate archivist?
Apart from a vague feeling that Daniel's age didn't really match up with what we were told about his childhood, I didn't really catch on till quite far into the book that it was actually set in the late 1980s. I liked the setting, the characters, and the humour but didn't really think the solution was very satisfactory. I'll read the next one but I'm not sure if I'll continue after that.
My review of Murder Before Evensong:
Canon Daniel Clement finds a body in the church as he reads the evening prayers. But why would anyone want to kill a harmless soul like Baron De Floures's estate archivist?
Apart from a vague feeling that Daniel's age didn't really match up with what we were told about his childhood, I didn't really catch on till quite far into the book that it was actually set in the late 1980s. I liked the setting, the characters, and the humour but didn't really think the solution was very satisfactory. I'll read the next one but I'm not sure if I'll continue after that.
61Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 38, First Ladies of Rome by Annelise Freisenbruch. This ebook is my twentieth ROOT for 2024 and fits the AlphaKIT. I am reading it now for my online reading group.
My review of A Death in the Parish:
The son of Daniel's assistant minister in the neighbouring parish is killed in the chapel of a disused WWII airbase in what looks like a ritual murder.
As with the first book, I enjoyed the slice of life scenes before and after the murder far more than the mystery itself because again the solution seemed to come out of nowhere. I will wishlist the next one because it's not out yet, but I'm in no hurry.
My review of A Death in the Parish:
The son of Daniel's assistant minister in the neighbouring parish is killed in the chapel of a disused WWII airbase in what looks like a ritual murder.
As with the first book, I enjoyed the slice of life scenes before and after the murder far more than the mystery itself because again the solution seemed to come out of nowhere. I will wishlist the next one because it's not out yet, but I'm in no hurry.
62Robertgreaves
Possible reading for April:
63Robertgreaves
Currently reading my No. 39, Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram. As a re-read, this is my twenty-first ROOT for 2024. It fits the AlphaKIT and I am reading it now because the other day I came across my stash of genmaicha, Darius's favourite tea.
My review of The First Ladies of Rome:
Roman history told through a focus on the wives of the emperors from Livia to Gallia Placida (and I will never tire of saying somebody needs to make a biopic or series about Gallia Placida). Interesting and enjoyable, but it's 14 years old and already some of the "contemporary" resonances and parallels are starting to age and I have to think for a bit to remember what they are about.
My review of The First Ladies of Rome:
Roman history told through a focus on the wives of the emperors from Livia to Gallia Placida (and I will never tire of saying somebody needs to make a biopic or series about Gallia Placida). Interesting and enjoyable, but it's 14 years old and already some of the "contemporary" resonances and parallels are starting to age and I have to think for a bit to remember what they are about.
64Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 40, A Leg To Stand On by Oliver Sacks. This ebook is my twenty-second ROOT for 2024. It fits the AlphaKIT.
65Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 41, Darius The Great Deserves Better. This ebook is my twenty-third ROOT for 2024.
My review of Darius The Great Is Not Okay (unchanged from when I previously read it five years ago):
Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore (which makes him what, 15 or 16?) and his family go on a trip to Yazd in Iran where he meets his mother's family for the first time.
I enjoyed this story of a teenage boy trying to navigate a culture unfamiliar to him when he doesn't really fit in at home either. However, the author says in an afterword that he 'wanted to show how depression can affect a life without ruling it'. I don't really think he managed that. Darius seemed a normal enough rather self-absorbed teenager coping with a bully at school and a hypercritical father. If it weren't for the references to him and his father taking their medication I wouldn't have known depression was an issue until a conversation about 30 pages before the end explaining events seven years before.
My review of Darius The Great Is Not Okay (unchanged from when I previously read it five years ago):
Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore (which makes him what, 15 or 16?) and his family go on a trip to Yazd in Iran where he meets his mother's family for the first time.
I enjoyed this story of a teenage boy trying to navigate a culture unfamiliar to him when he doesn't really fit in at home either. However, the author says in an afterword that he 'wanted to show how depression can affect a life without ruling it'. I don't really think he managed that. Darius seemed a normal enough rather self-absorbed teenager coping with a bully at school and a hypercritical father. If it weren't for the references to him and his father taking their medication I wouldn't have known depression was an issue until a conversation about 30 pages before the end explaining events seven years before.
66Robertgreaves
My review of Darius The Great Deserves Better:
After the family's return home from Iran, Darius gets a boyfriend, his dream job as an intern in a tea shop, and a spot on the school's soccer team. But that doesn't mean his problems are over.
There were times I felt the intricacies of tea connoisseurship and sports were taking over the story, but I still want to know how various relationships were going to develop further at the end. There wasn't really a cliffhanger, it just left me wanting the story to continue.
After the family's return home from Iran, Darius gets a boyfriend, his dream job as an intern in a tea shop, and a spot on the school's soccer team. But that doesn't mean his problems are over.
There were times I felt the intricacies of tea connoisseurship and sports were taking over the story, but I still want to know how various relationships were going to develop further at the end. There wasn't really a cliffhanger, it just left me wanting the story to continue.
67Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 42, Language Unlimited by David Adger. This ebook is my twenty-fourth ROOT for 2024. It fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of A Leg To Stand On:
Oliver Sacks's memoir of how he broke his leg in the Norwegian mountains and his recovery and convalescence. Because of neurological damage he couldn't recognise the leg as part of his own body and had to re-integrate it into his mental body image. He was able to use that experience to help him in his treatment of patients with neuropsychological problems by emphasising the need to listen to patients' accounts of their experiences rather than simply fixing the physical problem. The first edition used Kantian metaphysics as an explanatory tool (and I admit I struggled to understand this section) but he backtracked on this rather in later editions as scientific knowledge has progressed thanks to the availability of more modern equipment.
My review of A Leg To Stand On:
Oliver Sacks's memoir of how he broke his leg in the Norwegian mountains and his recovery and convalescence. Because of neurological damage he couldn't recognise the leg as part of his own body and had to re-integrate it into his mental body image. He was able to use that experience to help him in his treatment of patients with neuropsychological problems by emphasising the need to listen to patients' accounts of their experiences rather than simply fixing the physical problem. The first edition used Kantian metaphysics as an explanatory tool (and I admit I struggled to understand this section) but he backtracked on this rather in later editions as scientific knowledge has progressed thanks to the availability of more modern equipment.
68Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 43, A Cold Wind by Neil Plakcy. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the MysteryKIT.
My review of Language Unlimited:
Interesting book about why some linguists think all languages have an underlying universal grammar. The title seems a bit ironic since most of the book is about the restrictions and constraints on what languages can do.
My review of Language Unlimited:
Interesting book about why some linguists think all languages have an underlying universal grammar. The title seems a bit ironic since most of the book is about the restrictions and constraints on what languages can do.
69Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 44, The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the MysteryKIT. I am reading it now because the third book in the series is my book club's choice for April, and I can't possibly read it till I've read the first two.
My review of A Cold Wind:
Aidan and Liam are asked to guard an unwillingly-retired minor Russian oligarch in self-imposed exile in Monaco, who has had attempts made on his life, but by whom?
As they approach the big 40 the boys are wondering if they are aging out of the personal protection business and TBH I'm wondering the same about this series. This entry felt kind of meh. I also read the first chapter of the next one and am not feeling any urge to continue. Maybe another time.
My review of A Cold Wind:
Aidan and Liam are asked to guard an unwillingly-retired minor Russian oligarch in self-imposed exile in Monaco, who has had attempts made on his life, but by whom?
As they approach the big 40 the boys are wondering if they are aging out of the personal protection business and TBH I'm wondering the same about this series. This entry felt kind of meh. I also read the first chapter of the next one and am not feeling any urge to continue. Maybe another time.
71Robertgreaves
>70 connie53: Thanks for dropping by, Connie.
Starting the next in the series, The Art of Dying, as my No. 44. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the MysteryKIT.
My review of The Way of All Flesh:
In 1847 Edinburgh, Will Raven, apprentice to Professor of Midwifery James Young Simpson, and housemaid Sarah Fisher look into the death of a friend of Will's and a friend of Sarah's both written off as suicide.
The mystery was a bit predictable at times but the historical background was very well done. The professor was a real person, and his discovery of chloroform as an anaesthetic is one of the events in the book. The descriptions of surgery and obstetric problems without the benefit of anaesthesia, although less graphic than they could be, should convince anyone that the past was not a desirable place to live.
Starting the next in the series, The Art of Dying, as my No. 44. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the MysteryKIT.
My review of The Way of All Flesh:
In 1847 Edinburgh, Will Raven, apprentice to Professor of Midwifery James Young Simpson, and housemaid Sarah Fisher look into the death of a friend of Will's and a friend of Sarah's both written off as suicide.
The mystery was a bit predictable at times but the historical background was very well done. The professor was a real person, and his discovery of chloroform as an anaesthetic is one of the events in the book. The descriptions of surgery and obstetric problems without the benefit of anaesthesia, although less graphic than they could be, should convince anyone that the past was not a desirable place to live.
72MissWatson
>71 Robertgreaves: I've seen those books at my bookstore and wondered...your review tells me they're worth taking a closer look.
73Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, A Corruption of Blood. This is my No. 45 and is my twenty-fifth ROOT for 2024. It brings the treebook TBR shelf down to 35.
My review of The Art of Dying:
A nurse's patients are dying - but is she unwittingly spreading disease or is she a serial killer?
A good mystery set in a time when medical practitioners had noticed a better survival rate if they washed their hands between patients but didn't know why.
My review of The Art of Dying:
A nurse's patients are dying - but is she unwittingly spreading disease or is she a serial killer?
A good mystery set in a time when medical practitioners had noticed a better survival rate if they washed their hands between patients but didn't know why.
74Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 46, Just By Looking At Him by Ryan O'Connell. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the AlphaKIT.
My review of A Corruption of Blood:
One of the richest men in Edinburgh is found dead in bed with traces of arsenic in his stomach. His son is accused of the murder but Raven's new fiancée believes him to be innocent and asks him to investigate.
Despite some well-worn tropes, the mystery all came together nicely enough but the social and medical background are still what attracts me to this series.
My review of A Corruption of Blood:
One of the richest men in Edinburgh is found dead in bed with traces of arsenic in his stomach. His son is accused of the murder but Raven's new fiancée believes him to be innocent and asks him to investigate.
Despite some well-worn tropes, the mystery all came together nicely enough but the social and medical background are still what attracts me to this series.
75MissBrangwen
Hi Robert, I finally got around to your thread!
The Raven, Fisher & Simpson series sounds interesting with its time, setting and topic.
The Raven, Fisher & Simpson series sounds interesting with its time, setting and topic.
76Robertgreaves
Thanks for dropping by, MissBrangwen.
Also reading my No. 47, Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, by Edward Craig. This book is my twenty-sixth ROOT for 2024 and brings the treebook TBR shelf to 34.
Also reading my No. 47, Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, by Edward Craig. This book is my twenty-sixth ROOT for 2024 and brings the treebook TBR shelf to 34.
77Robertgreaves
My review of Just By Looking At Him:
TV-writer Elliott's 6-year relationship with Gus implodes after he books a session with a sex worker but he learns to be more comfortable with himself and starts to overcome his addictions.
One of those books that is probably funnier if you are part of the milieu depicted but there were too many references to TV shows I don't watch or singers I'm only marginally aware of, if that, not to mention places and brands I don't recognise for me to really enjoy it.
TV-writer Elliott's 6-year relationship with Gus implodes after he books a session with a sex worker but he learns to be more comfortable with himself and starts to overcome his addictions.
One of those books that is probably funnier if you are part of the milieu depicted but there were too many references to TV shows I don't watch or singers I'm only marginally aware of, if that, not to mention places and brands I don't recognise for me to really enjoy it.
78Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 48, Way Station by Clifford D. Simak. This ebook is not a ROOT but fits the CalendarCAT.
My review of Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction:
Alternates sections on the author's list of favourite philosophers and on themes and questions. Mostly concerned with the European tradition with occasional glances at India. Does what it says on the tin, serves as an introduction.
My review of Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction:
Alternates sections on the author's list of favourite philosophers and on themes and questions. Mostly concerned with the European tradition with occasional glances at India. Does what it says on the tin, serves as an introduction.
79Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 49, Pretty Boy Dead by Joseph Hansen. This ebook is not a ROOT but it fits the MysteryKIT.
My review of Way Station:
Unknown to the rest of Earth's inhabitants, Enoch Wallace is looking after a station in a inter-stellar transportation network but affairs on Earth and in the Galactic Council are coming to a crisis.
This was a pioneering work of pastoral science fiction which still exerts its quiet attraction with on one level weird and wonderful goings-on but on another an uneventful slice of life until the last 1/3 of the book.
My review of Way Station:
Unknown to the rest of Earth's inhabitants, Enoch Wallace is looking after a station in a inter-stellar transportation network but affairs on Earth and in the Galactic Council are coming to a crisis.
This was a pioneering work of pastoral science fiction which still exerts its quiet attraction with on one level weird and wonderful goings-on but on another an uneventful slice of life until the last 1/3 of the book.
80Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 50, Life Beyond Us, a collection of stories and essays edited by Mary Robinette Kowal. This ebook is not a ROOT but fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of Pretty Boy Dead:
The book opens with Steve Archer returning home in the morning having woken up in a strange bed, only to find the police at his apartment ready to arrest him for the murder of his boyfriend, Coy. The bulk of the book is a flashback telling how this all came about (which I did not realise for quite a while and was thus terribly confused), and the final 20-30 pages (out of 200) shows Steve looking for the real murderer to exonerate himself.
It's a 1960s attempt at gay noir but, quite apart from language and attitudes which would not pass muster nowadays, I found some characters so forgettable that I had no idea who they were when they re-appeared. I have good, albeit vague, memories from the early 1980s of the author's Dave Brandstetter series, which I might revisit some day but this stand-alone deserves its fate of languishing in obscurity despite several re-issues over the years.
My review of Pretty Boy Dead:
The book opens with Steve Archer returning home in the morning having woken up in a strange bed, only to find the police at his apartment ready to arrest him for the murder of his boyfriend, Coy. The bulk of the book is a flashback telling how this all came about (which I did not realise for quite a while and was thus terribly confused), and the final 20-30 pages (out of 200) shows Steve looking for the real murderer to exonerate himself.
It's a 1960s attempt at gay noir but, quite apart from language and attitudes which would not pass muster nowadays, I found some characters so forgettable that I had no idea who they were when they re-appeared. I have good, albeit vague, memories from the early 1980s of the author's Dave Brandstetter series, which I might revisit some day but this stand-alone deserves its fate of languishing in obscurity despite several re-issues over the years.
81Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 51, A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft. This ebook is not a ROOT
82Robertgreaves
In honour of World Book Day, and the anniversary of Shakespeare's birth and death, I am reading my No. 52, William Shakespeare: A Very Short Introduction by Stanley Wells. This is my twenty-seventh ROOT for 2024 and leaves 33 on the treebook TBR shelf.
83Robertgreaves
My review of William Shakespeare: A Very Short Introduction:
After a quick run down through the life (which we don't know much about (but more than I thought)), the author looks at Elizabethan theatre and the poems, then takes us through Shakespeare's output, play by play. A short final chapter looks at Shakespeare's influence and reputation. The descriptions of the plays were too short to be useful except where you already knew the play. I think this could have been shortened and more time spent on the final chapter.
After a quick run down through the life (which we don't know much about (but more than I thought)), the author looks at Elizabethan theatre and the poems, then takes us through Shakespeare's output, play by play. A short final chapter looks at Shakespeare's influence and reputation. The descriptions of the plays were too short to be useful except where you already knew the play. I think this could have been shortened and more time spent on the final chapter.
84Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 53, Buried Deep by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. This ebook is not a ROOT but it fits the MysteryKIT.
85Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, Paloma, as my No. 54. This ebook is not a ROOT but it fits the MysteryKIT.
My review of Buried Deep:
When a body is uncovered during construction work in Sahara Dome on Mars, it provokes a crisis in Human-Disty relations which can only be solved by finding out who died and why, a crisis which is only made worse by subsequent discoveries at the site.
I like the fact that the author's aliens really are aliens, part of cultures which are perhaps logical on their own terms but which we can't really understand. However, there were lots of references to earlier events in Flint's and DeRicci's careers only some of which I recognised.
My review of Buried Deep:
When a body is uncovered during construction work in Sahara Dome on Mars, it provokes a crisis in Human-Disty relations which can only be solved by finding out who died and why, a crisis which is only made worse by subsequent discoveries at the site.
I like the fact that the author's aliens really are aliens, part of cultures which are perhaps logical on their own terms but which we can't really understand. However, there were lots of references to earlier events in Flint's and DeRicci's careers only some of which I recognised.
86Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, Recovery Man, as my No. 55 (correction: No. 56). This ebook is not a ROOT but fits the MysteryKIT.
My LT persona can now vote and drink - I joined 18 years ago on 30 April 2006. To celebrate I bought 3 books:
Lucy Worsley's biography of Agatha Christie
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
In the Company of Others by Julie Czerneda
My review of Paloma:
On his return to the Moon after a vacation, Miles Flint receives a message from his mentor begging for his help. When he arrives at her apartment he finds she has been murdered and he is one of the main suspects. His investigation uncovers some disillusioning aspects of Paloma's past.
Whenever I put this down I felt no strong urge to pick it up again. The Bixians were not present enough to be interesting aliens and without them it was a fairly run-of-the-mill mystery.
My LT persona can now vote and drink - I joined 18 years ago on 30 April 2006. To celebrate I bought 3 books:
Lucy Worsley's biography of Agatha Christie
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
In the Company of Others by Julie Czerneda
My review of Paloma:
On his return to the Moon after a vacation, Miles Flint receives a message from his mentor begging for his help. When he arrives at her apartment he finds she has been murdered and he is one of the main suspects. His investigation uncovers some disillusioning aspects of Paloma's past.
Whenever I put this down I felt no strong urge to pick it up again. The Bixians were not present enough to be interesting aliens and without them it was a fairly run-of-the-mill mystery.
87MissWatson
Happy Thingaversary, Robert! Enjoy the drinks!
89Robertgreaves
Thanks for dropping by Birgit and Jackie.
Possible reading for May:
Possible reading for May:
90clue
>86 Robertgreaves: Ha! I'll lift one in your honor Robert.
91Robertgreaves
Thanks for dropping by, Luanne.
Starting my No. 56, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This is my twenty-eighth ROOT for 2024. I am reading it now for my online book group and it fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of Recovery Man:
Going through Paloma's old case files, Miles finds a reference to his deceased daughter and Callisto, somewhere she'd never been. What had Paloma known?
An intriguing mystery with some side characters I'd like to see more of.
Starting my No. 56, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This is my twenty-eighth ROOT for 2024. I am reading it now for my online book group and it fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of Recovery Man:
Going through Paloma's old case files, Miles finds a reference to his deceased daughter and Callisto, somewhere she'd never been. What had Paloma known?
An intriguing mystery with some side characters I'd like to see more of.
92Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 57, The Recovery Man's Bargain by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. This ebook is not a ROOT.
93Jackie_K
I'll look out for your review of Wide Sargasso Sea. I thought it was an amazing book, albeit very oppressive and claustrophobic. Her evocation of place is extraordinary.
94Robertgreaves
My review of The Recovery Man's Bargain:
Novella giving the Recovery Man's back story and telling part of the story from "The Recovery Man" from his point of view.
I enjoyed it, but not much point if you haven't read the main story.
Novella giving the Recovery Man's back story and telling part of the story from "The Recovery Man" from his point of view.
I enjoyed it, but not much point if you haven't read the main story.
95Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 58, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. This is my twenty-ninth ROOT for 2024 and it brings the TBR shelf to 35.
My review of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief:
Odd things keep on happening to Percy Jackson, and at last he finds out why. He's a son of Poseidon. And now he has to go on a quest to the Underworld and challenge Hades.
Fun book setting themes from Greek myth in modern day America.
My review of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief:
Odd things keep on happening to Percy Jackson, and at last he finds out why. He's a son of Poseidon. And now he has to go on a quest to the Underworld and challenge Hades.
Fun book setting themes from Greek myth in modern day America.
96Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 59, Mann Hunt by Peter E. Fenton. This ebook is not a ROOT.
98Robertgreaves
Currently reading my No. 60, The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey. This ebook is not a ROOT.
My review of Mann Hunt:
Just as P.I. Declan Hunt's assistant goes on holiday for 3 weeks, he gets a new case, the disappearance of a local businessman. Can the temp help with more than just the office admin work?
An entertaining piece of fluff for when the brain needs a rest. Looking forward to the next one.
My review of Mann Hunt:
Just as P.I. Declan Hunt's assistant goes on holiday for 3 weeks, he gets a new case, the disappearance of a local businessman. Can the temp help with more than just the office admin work?
An entertaining piece of fluff for when the brain needs a rest. Looking forward to the next one.
99Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 61, The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers by Adam Sass. This is my thirtieth ROOT for 2024 but the treebook TBR shelf remains at 35 because a friend who's trying to downsize gave me a book (actually he gave me more than one but the others were all duplicates).
My review of The Man in the Queue:
Inspector Grant must find out who the victim of a stabbing in a theatre queue was to have any hope of finding the murderer.
I didn't really get engrossed in this early example of a police procedural but I would be interested to read more from the author.
My review of The Man in the Queue:
Inspector Grant must find out who the victim of a stabbing in a theatre queue was to have any hope of finding the murderer.
I didn't really get engrossed in this early example of a police procedural but I would be interested to read more from the author.
100Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 62, Murder at Cambridge by Q. Patrick. This ebook is my thirty-first ROOT for 2024. It fits the MysteryKIT.
My review of The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers:
Micah Summers sketches boys he meets as fairy-tale characters and posts romantic fantasies about them on IG. Will the fantasy become a reality with boy No. 100?
The first half was quite fun as we follow Micah and friends in their quest to track down boy No. 100 after an encounter on a train, but when Micah tried to create a similar fairy-tale for his new best friend, Elliot, he started to get on my nerves. Would it have made any difference to the story if Micah had been a girl? Probably not.
My review of The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers:
Micah Summers sketches boys he meets as fairy-tale characters and posts romantic fantasies about them on IG. Will the fantasy become a reality with boy No. 100?
The first half was quite fun as we follow Micah and friends in their quest to track down boy No. 100 after an encounter on a train, but when Micah tried to create a similar fairy-tale for his new best friend, Elliot, he started to get on my nerves. Would it have made any difference to the story if Micah had been a girl? Probably not.
101Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 63, The People on Platform 5 by Claire Pooley. This is my thirty-second ROOT for 2024 and brings the treebook shelf to 36. I'm reading it now for my book club and it also fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of Murder at Cambridge:
Hilary Fenton finds the student in the rooms next door dead, apparently from an accident while cleaning his gun.
The first chapter was funny but the condescending eye-dialect for Mrs Bigger and the author showing off his familiarity with university slang rapidly got tiresome - one more "sported oak" and I would have screamed. The actual mystery was good but the romance with the Profile was very unconvincing.
My review of Murder at Cambridge:
Hilary Fenton finds the student in the rooms next door dead, apparently from an accident while cleaning his gun.
The first chapter was funny but the condescending eye-dialect for Mrs Bigger and the author showing off his familiarity with university slang rapidly got tiresome - one more "sported oak" and I would have screamed. The actual mystery was good but the romance with the Profile was very unconvincing.
102Ann_R
>86 Robertgreaves: Book buying for any occasion is always fun! I quite enjoyed Lucy Worsley's bio of Agatha Christie, despite the fact I haven't read many of Christie's novels yet. Hope you like the book, too.
103Caramellunacy
>101 Robertgreaves: I quite liked The People on Platform 5 - looking forward to your thoughts on it.
104Robertgreaves
Thanks for dropping by Ann and Caramel.
Starting my No. 64, The Portrait by Iain Pears. This is my thirty-third ROOT for 2024 and brings the treebook shelf to 35. It fits the RandomKIT and the AlphaKIT.
My review of The People on Platform 5:
When one of them gets a grape stuck in his throat and nearly dies till a nurse comes to his aid, a group of commuters actually start talking to each other, which has a ripple effect across their lives.
Pleasant fun while it lasted but it's not going to stick in my memory.
Starting my No. 64, The Portrait by Iain Pears. This is my thirty-third ROOT for 2024 and brings the treebook shelf to 35. It fits the RandomKIT and the AlphaKIT.
My review of The People on Platform 5:
When one of them gets a grape stuck in his throat and nearly dies till a nurse comes to his aid, a group of commuters actually start talking to each other, which has a ripple effect across their lives.
Pleasant fun while it lasted but it's not going to stick in my memory.
