Majkia Tries to Stay Focused

I'm trying to spend most of my reading time on series I've already started. This is my attempt to do that better this year than last.

I'm going to give star ratings to books based on how much I enjoyed it, rather than attempt to rate a book as to how it is written, what it is about, or how high-falutin' it thinks it might be. I might, though, just chicken out again and not rate anything. We'll see...

My challenges are:
1. TBR challenge - books I've had in my TBR for awhile and have been avoiding or just don't hit the genres I read most. This is for the TBR Challenge Group. I'm trying to read 2 a month.

2. Sci Fi Focus Series - no real aim as to how many of any of the focus series categories. My favorite genre.

3. SFF Focus Series - I have fewer of these series and lately have been disappointed in many SFF books. So we'll see how this goes.

4. Mystery/Thriller Series - I've been caught up in spy fever lately (I blame Slough House books and the Apple Slow Horses series for this) so I'm reading a bunch of older thriller spy series.

5. Historical/Alt History Series - Not too many of these but same as above. I may add a few more series to this.

6. Library Books - I have a ton in my wishlist there, so want to read at least one a month.

7. Kindle Unlimited books - Again, I have quite a few, including some that fit in above categories. I'll track them both places. I aim to read 2 per month.

8. W(h)imsey reading. I want to spell that 'Wimsey' because of a certain guy who tends to piffle alot, but probably everyone will just think I can't spell. Anyway, here's where I wander off plan and pick up newer books, or try out new series or authors. I'm hoping to keep this category small(er). We'll see.

9. LITSY challenges as listed.

In addition, I'll be wandering in and out of our KITs and CATs, and BingoDOG (which I've never manange to complete and doubt I will this year either).

I'm an introvert so tend not to post a lot or talk alot beyond the basics but I'll try to say more about the books I've read this year.

🎵 Murder on the Marlow Belle - Robert Thorogood
🕮 Murder on the Blue Train - Agatha Christie


Reading Plans for September

Bad Actors
Bel Canto
Mystery of the Blue Train
✔ The Blind Assassin
✔ The Labyrinth Makers
✔ Red Warning

Challenge 1: TBR Challenge

Number Read so Far - 13

✔ 1. Ilium - Dan Simmons - January
2. Fifth Business - Robertson Davies
✔ 3. The Fifth Gospel - Ian Caldwell
4. Imajica - Clive Barker
✔ 5. Carthage - Joyce Carol Oates
6. 11/22/63 - Stephen King
✔ 7. Troubles - J G Farrell
8. Bel Canto - Ann Pratchett
✔ 9. Eye of the Needle - Ken Follett
✔ 10. The Age of Innocence - Edith Warton
✔ 11. Darwinia - Robert Charles Wilson
12. The Poe Shadow - Matthew Pearl

Alternates
1. Olympos - Dan Simmons
✔ 2. The Labyrinth Makers - Anthony Price
✔ 3. Starplex - Robert J Sawyer
✔ 4. The Godwulf Manuscript - Robert B Parker
5. The Ipcress File - Len Deighton
✔ 6. Booked to Die - John Dunning
7. Flood - Andrew Vachss
8. The Immaculate Deception - Iain Pears
✔ 9. The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood
10. The Codex - Douglas Preston
✔ 11. Zodiac - Neal Stephenson
12. The Adjacent - Christopher Priest

Challenge 2 - SciFi Series

✅ The Expanse -James S A Corey
✔ Strange Dogs - January
✔ Persepolis Rising - February
✔ Tiamat's Wrath - March
✔ Leviathan Falls - March

The Finder Chronicles - Suzanne Palmer

Terra Ignota - Ada Palmer
✔ Seven Surrenders - January

Diving Universe - K K Rusch
✔ Skirmishes - April

The Culture - Ian M Banks

Murderbot - Martha Wells
✔ Rogue Protocol - January
✔ Exit Strategy - April
✔ Network Effect - April

Expeditionary Force - Craig Alanson
✔ SpecOps - January
✔ Paradise - August

✅ Memory War - Karen Osborne
✔ Architects of Memory - January
✔ Engines of Oblivion - February

The Event Group - David L Golemon
✔ Legend (Event group)

Neo G - K B Wagers
✔ A Pale Light in the Black

Adm Geary - Jack Campbell
✔ Boundless - July
✔ Resolute - August

Frontiers Saga - Ryk Brown
✔ Rise of the Corinari - January

Challenge 3 - SFF Series

Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo
✔ Shadow and Bone - January DNF

Phule's Company - Robert Asprin
✔ Phule's Company - February

The Dagger and the Coin - Daniel Abraham
✔ The Dragon's Path
✔ The King's Blood
✔ The Tyrant's Law
✔ The Widow's House

The Age of Madness - Joe Abercrombie

Saevus Corax - KJ Parker

The Locked Tomb - Tamsyn Muir

Discworld - Terry Pratchett

Temple of the White Rat - T Kingfisher

The Kithamar Trilogy - Daniel Abraham

Book of the Ice - Mark Lawrence

Arcane Ascension - Andrew Rowe

Camelot Rising - Kiersten White

The Realm of the Elderlings - Robin Hobb
✔ Assassin's Apprentice - February

Clocktaur Wars - T Kingfisher
✔ Clockwork Boys

Challenge 4 - Mystery/Thriller

Agatha Christie
✔ The Mysterious Affair at Styles - January
✔ The Secret Adversary - February
✔ Murder on the Links - March
✔ The Man in the Brown Suit - April
✔ Poirot Investigates - May
✔ The Secret of Chimneys - June
✔ The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - July
✔ The Big Four - August

Pendergast - Preston/Child

Gamache - Louise Penny

Cooper & Fry - Stephen Booth

Lynley/Havers - Elizabeth George
✔ The Punishment She Deserves - February

Richard Jury - Martha Grimes
✔ I Am the Only Running Footman - February
✔ Five Bells and Bladebone - June

Slough House - Mick Herron
✔ The Marlybone Drop - February
✔ Joe country - March
✔ Slough House - July

Logan McCrae - Stuart MacBride

Gabriel Allon - Daniel Silva

Inspector Banks - Peter Robinson

Cliff Janeway - John Dunning

Thomas Kell - Charles Cumming

Insp Littlejohn - George Bellairs

Game, Set Match - Len Deighton

John Rain - Barry Eisler
✔ A Clean Kill in Tokyo - January

Evan Tanner - Lawrence Block
✔ The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep - February

Alex Rider - Anthony Horowitz

Spenser - Robert B. Parker
✔ The Godwulf Manuscript - February

Karl Alberg - L R Wright
✔ The Suspect - January

Challenge 5 - Historical/Alt History Series

Alex Kovaks - Richard Wake
✔ The Spies of Zurich - January

John Russell - David Downing

Inspector Rutledge - Charles Todd

Arcane Casebook - Dan Willis
Capital Murder -✔

Thursday Next - Jaspar Fforde
✔ Lost in a good Book

Barker & LLewelyn - Will Thomas

Baskerville Affair - Emma Jane Halloway

Harriet Gordon - A M Stuart

Challenge 6 - Library Books

1. Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield - January ✔
2. Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect - Benjamin Stevenson - January ✔
3. The Punishment She Deserves ✔ February
4. The Queen of Poisons - Robert Thorogood ✔ April

Challenge 7 - Kindle Unlimited Books

1. The Suspect - L R Wright - January ✔
2. A Clean Kill in Tokyo - Barry Eisler - January ✔
3. The Spies of Zurich - Richard Wake - January ✔
4. The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep - Lawrence Block - February ✔
5. Earthside - Dennis E. Taylor - ✔
6. Meditation on Murder - Robert Thorogood ✔ June
7. The Night Agent - Matthew Quirk ✔ July
8. The Lazarus War: Artefact - Jamie Sawyer
9. The Killings at Badger's Drift - Caroline Graham

Challenge 8 - W(h)imsey

1. The Spy Coast - Tess Gerritsen - January ✔
2. The Wizard's Butler - Nathan Lowell - January ✔
3. The Unfinished Clue - Georgette Heyer - March ✔
4. Above Suspicion - Helen MacInnes - March - ✔
5. The Eye of the Needle - Ken Follett - April - ✔
6. In a Dark, Dark Wood - Ruth Ware - May - ✔
7. Sufficiently Advanced Magic - Andrew Rowe - August - ✔
8. Red Warning - Matthew Quirk - September - ✔

KITs and CATs

MysteryKIT
JAN - Winter Mysteries - ✔ The Spy Coast / ✔ The Spies of Zurich
FEB - Vintage Mysteries
MAR- Espionage ME ✔ Joe Country, Above Suspicion
APR - Paranormal
MAY - Mysteries not in US
JUN - LGBTQ+ detectives
JUL - Series sleuths
AUG - Legal thrillers
SEP - Silver Age Mysteries
OCT - Police Procedurals
NOV - Psychological
DEC - Cozies

SFFKIT
JAN - Cozy Fantasy - ✔ The Wizard's Butler
FEB - The Art of SFF ✔ Engines of Oblivion
MAR - Magical Realism
APR - Women Authors
MAY - Global South Authors
JUN - Anthologies & Collections
JUL - Alt History
AUG - Space
SEP - Back to School SFF
OCT - Mysterious Artifacts
NOV - The Day After
DEC - Free

Colo(u)rCAT

JAN - green ✔ The Suspect, ✔ A Mysterious Affair at Styles
FEB - gold
MAR - pink
APR - brown
MAY - red ✔ In a Dark Dark Wood
JUN - yellow
JUL - white
AUG - grey
SEP - silver
OCT - black
NOV - blue
DEC - purple

CoverCAT
JAN - Tea party - ✔ The Suspect
FEB - tree ✔ The Punishment She Deserves
MAR - Farm animals
APR - road - ✔ Earthside
MAY 2 elements
JUN - wheels
JUL - fruit
AUG - photograph
SEP - Dogs/cats
OCT - Fit in your pocket
NOV - Celestial objects
DEC - Something you'd want for a Christmas present

BingDog



13. Read a CAT - Ilium
19. Profession in Title - The Wizard's Butler
15. Medical topic - Zodiac
6. Long title: Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect
11. Non human narrator: Rogue Protocol
5. Child as main character - Seven Surrenders
18. Place You've Never Been - The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep

(Oldest book in TBR: David Copperfield)

Litsy Challenges:

I participate in Bookspin/Doublespin, ReadYourKindle, and Roll100.

Others are a bit harder to follow so I'll put them down here:

BookedInTime:
January: Tudor England
February: Golden Age of Piracy c 1700
March: Irish Famine 1845-6
April: China Post Qing Dynasty 1912+
May: Spanish Civil War 1936-39
Jun: Australian Colonies - 1800s
July: Camelot 600s
August: Argentina post WWOO - 1945-74
September: Vikings 800-1050
October: Cold War 1945-1974
November: NY Guilded Age c1890
December: Paris Belle Epoque - 1871-1914

SciFi BookClub
January: Redshirts - John Scalzi - Already read

Classic SciFi BookClub
January: The Martian Chronicles Already read
February: The Zero Stone

FictionalTraveler:
January: Someplace Cold - The Spy Coast ✔
February: A Place You Love
March: A Big City
April: An Island
May: Spanish-speaking
June: Place Youd LIke to Visit
July: Water
August: Someplace Hot
Septemver: English-speaking
October: Trees
November: Asia
December: Home for the Holidays

Agatha Christie Reads
January: The Mysterious Affair at Styles ✔
February: The Secret Adversary ✔

Realm of the Elderlings ReRead
February - Assassin's Apprentice ✔

Maybe one more

Happy new thread! You are right in there as the first to start a new 2025 thread. I like your girl graphics. Happy reading.

>15 LadyoftheLodge: Thanks. I wanted something bright and cheerful!

Congratulations on being first to post a 2025 thread! Your colourful graphics look very inviting.

Lots of interesting reading for 2025! And I want a poster of the cat on the books - so cute.
Thanks for starting the ball rolling.

Thanks for getting the ball rolling in 2025. I love the cat sleeping in >11 majkia: and the very colorful poodle for BingoDOG >12 majkia:

Congrats on being first up!

Happy 2025 reading! I like how you're organized, and your pics are great too!

I love your graphic selections! I hope you do not mind that I added a couple to my gallery/junk drawer.

Thanks everyone! >22 LadyoftheLodge: not at all

So organized and so colorful! Good luck with your 2025 reading!

You've got some wonderful images here, Jean. Happy reading in 2025! As for your Whimsey challenge, it has always been "As my Whimsy takes me" to me.

This is a great post and 2025 sounds interesting. Love the graphics.

Wishing you happy reading in 2025!

Happy reading. Enjoy the vintage thrillers!

I love your rainbow dog, and your reading w(h)imseys! Have a fun year of reading!

Thanks everyone. I'm always so excited to see everyone's first post and to look at their plans! I love this time of year.

>30 majkia: Me too! The current year is neglected as I check out every post in the new year. And coincidentally (in case you didn't notice) I have a w(h)imsey reference on my thread too - an image of a painting by Edward Petherbridge who played Wimsey so brilliantly.

Your plans look great, Jean! I like your pictures too :-)

>31 VivienneR: Oh! I hadn't noticed one of the paintings was by Petheridge. Off to see it!

ETA: Oh! And it is so lovely!

Great setup! Happy reading in 2025!

>34 MissBrangwen: Thank you!

I'm starting my thread a bit early as I've finished all the books I wanted to read in 2024. So, onward.

I'm reading Ilium. Firstly, I didn't realize this was the author who wrote Hyperion when I first put it on my TBR challenge. I didn't care for Hyperion I found it needlessly confusing. And now Ilium is even worse. Several different stories with no obvious connection between them. Characters who are obnoxious or boring.

At least Chapter 8 with the dinosaur was satisfying. Crunch.

I'll try to keep on with this tome but not sure how long I'll hold out.

Is there any sense to be found in the latter part of the book?

Great setup -- good luck with your series reading!

1.

The Suspect - L R Wright
Series: Karl Alberg #1
pages: 252



Interesting and surprising beginning of a Canadian mystery series. I liked how uncomfortable Karl can be in situations. He's not the typical cop. He's vulnerable, crotchety at times, and stubborn. He's also sometimes needy.

The victim was well portrayed and complex with depths and surprises. The mystery, while we knew who dunnit from the beginning, was still intriguing enough to hold my interest easily.

Challenges:
Kindle Unlimited
ColorCAT
CoverCAT
AlphaKIT
Focus Mystery

Happy New Year and good luck with your reading.

Hope you have a great year of reading! Looking forward to seeing the mysteries you choose!

Great set up. I'll look forward to following along this year.

Find me here.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/367017#8712413

2.

Ilium - Dan Simmons
Series: Ilium #1 - 752 pages
Audiobook read by Kevin Pariseau

Challenges: TBR Challenge, AlphaKIT, BFB



I found the start very confusing and disjointed. Three totally unrelated stories, one of the battle of Troy, a second robots on Io, and a third humans living on a reconstructed world with essentially no knowledge of their history or geography, and obnoxious mostly.

I finally stopped trying to make sense of the story and just read it. At the end, of course, the three pieces come together. However, I found that even so, much of it made little sense to me, as to the whys and wherefores.

I'm undecided if I will read book 2.

3.

Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield
Audiobook - Read by Juliet Stevenson



Challenges: AlphaKIT, LibraryBook

Atmospheric and haunting, the story of a kidnapped girl, and a dead girl who lives again. And a very special pig.

>44 majkia: So may I ask, what pushed the book the extra half star?

4.

SpecOps - Craig Alanson
Series: Expeditionary Force #2

Audiobook Read by: R C Bray



Challenges: Roll100, ReadYourKindle, Focus SciFi

This series is fast paced, funny and plays with pseudoscience (a lot) so well you can almost believe it. Skippy, the alien AI, makes the series. He's such a smart ass.

5.

The Spy Coast - Tess Gerritsen
Series: The Martini Club #1
Audiobook read by: Huber/Pressley

Fiun story of retired spies who get drawn back into the game when a dead body is dumped on one's driveway.

Enjoyable characters, twisty plot, nicely written.

Challenges:
MysteryKIT, AlphaKIT, Wimsey

The Wizard's Butler - Nathan Lowell
Audiobook read by Tom Taylorson who did a superb job.



Challenges: SFFKIT, BingoDog, Wimsey

What a fun book! A cozy fantasy I actually really enjoyed. A former military man, and trained EMT is in search of a job. An elderly wizard needs a butler. A match made in, well, somewhere.

>49 majkia: I enjoyed this book when I read it, waiting for a sequel!

Love your categories and the images you chose.

>49 majkia: Adding this one to The List - sounds like fun.

>49 majkia: That sounds interesting - taking a BB.

>52 lowelibrary: I've seen the abbreviation BB quite a bit in this group. What does it stand for?

>48 majkia: I'm hoping I don't find a body in my driveway when I go finish shoveling it tomorrow. ;-) (I actually think I'd see it if it were there, but it does remind me of two or three Christmases ago when we did find the body of the man who lived next door to my brother in his driveway. He'd fallen. The woman had dementia and just said she'd tried to get him to come into the house but he wouldn't. Fortunately they were able to get the woman into a facility nearer her daughter in the Nashville area.

>53 Cecilturtle: BB stands for Book Bullet - A book bullet is when a reader "hits" you with a great book that you now want to read yourself.

>50 LadyoftheLodge: Yeah. Don't see any indication of one yet though.
>51 Crazymamie: Thanks. I don't often like slow paced books but this one was just so imaginative.
>52 lowelibrary: Hope you like it!

>54 thornton37814: Oh, that is so sad.

>55 lowelibrary: Thank you. I have also been wondering.

Hi! I love your categories, and our interests seem to overlap quite a bit. I may need to check out The Wizard's Butler now.
I'm nearing the end of my personal challenge to read all of Agatha Christie's works.

>58 GenevieveAOK: Hi Genevieve! I'll look out for BBs from you then.
I'm reading AC's oevre with a Litsy group. I've read most of her novels but many years ago so thought it was time for a re visit.

7.

Zodiac - Neal Stephenon



Challenges: AlphaKIT, TBR Challenge, BingoDog

Wow. This wasn't what I expected in many ways. I love Stephenson's works so there is that. Very Very sciency so a slow read for me but oh so interesting.

It's the story of an eco activist who, as usual, gets labeled terrorist as he takes on corporate entities who are knowingly polluting the waters in and around Boston.

The title, btw, if you are wondering, refers to the zodiac boats he (and Greenpeace notably) uses to harrass polluting ships and he uses to look for sources of pollution so he can pinpoint the company involved.

The real heart-stopping action isn't until the last third or so of the book, but well worth the wait.

8.

Everyone On This Train is a Suspect - Benjamin Stevenson
Series: Earnest Cunningham #2
Audiobook read by Barton Welch, Megan Smart



How can I not love a book where an Oxford Comma is a clue!
Second in the series, and a strong second. I love the whole first person narrative and the narrator talking to the reader. He sets out the rules, points out where he's followed them, and even lets you know when he's identified the killer. I confess I didn't solve it, probably because I was too busy enjoying the narrative.

>55 lowelibrary: excellent! thank you :)

>61 majkia: It is on my Kindle!

9.

Architects of Memory - Karen Osborne
Series: Memory War 1
I listened to the audiobook read by Sophie Arnoss



Challenges: AlphaKIT, Focus SciFi,

At times confusing, but very well written and imagined. I loved how alien the aliens were and how wrong the humans were about what was going on, simply because they didn't understand anything.

Characters, the main ones at any rate, were well drawn. Plot was twisty and surprising.

Looking forward to book 2

10.
Clean Kill in Tokyo- Barry Eisler
Series: John Rain 1

Audiobook: read by the Author, surprisingly well.


Challenges: Kindle Unlimited, Focus Thriller, Roll100, ReadYourKindle

Half American, half Japanese assassin finds himself involved in a hit he'd done. He's hunted, alone and trying to save an innocent woman. Good plot, nicely written, I actually cared about the assassin.

11.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie
Ouevre #1
Audiobook read by Richard Armitage beautifully.


Challenges: Christie Reads, Colo(u)CAT

Not my favorite Christie but fun to revisit as she invents Poirot and improves her writing.

12.

Rogue Protocol - Martha Wells
Series: Murderbot #3
Audio version read by Kevin R. Free



Just as delightful as the first reading. I love how s/he is evolving and learning to be independent, innovative and even imaginative at times. And how humans are becoming something s/he wants to help.

>61 majkia: I've taken a BB on the series! >67 majkia: I did read the first in the Murderbot series and can't remember why I never did the second one.

13.

Rise of the Corinari - Ryk Brown
Series: Frontiers Saga #5
Audiobook read by Jeffrey Kafer



Challenges: Focus SciFi, Roll100

Getting a bit repetitive. Lots of space battles. The use of a jump drive in combat was interesting. Hoping the next one will show more change to their circumstances. The characters are growing and changing though, so that's good.

14.

Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo
Series: Greisha 1

audiobook read by Lauren Fortgang


Challenges: AlphaKIT, SFF Focus

DNF. Nothing happens other than romancy stuff that does not interest me. Won't be reading more of the series.

I live in Florida...

>71 majkia: So pretty! I live in southwest Georgia, and we got 6 inches. I love snow, so I am delighted.

>72 Crazymamie: I live in the Florida panhandle near Destin. We got 4 or 5 inches. I'd have loved it a lot more if I hadn't had to be out in it because of a procedure scheduled at the hspital. They did do their best to get us out of there early so the snow had only just started.

>71 majkia: It is pretty and fun there. I am in Minnesota and we have not had much this year. I live on a lake and it is frozen and covered with snow. Drive carefully.

>71 majkia: - My nephew lives in northern Alabama, and he said he didn't get anything.

>73 majkia: So glad you made it home safely.

15.

Seven Surrenders - Ada Palmer
Terra Ignota #2



Challenges: Sci Fi Focus, AlphaKIT, BingoDOG

A future world which has done away with wars and hatred finds itself disintegrating when the truth comes out.

Complex plot, which is hard to follow at times, and world-building that is believable sort of. The dirty politics is human though.

Thanks to everyone for comments and good wishes given our extreme weather. Almost all snow if finally gone and all roads are now open as it has finally been warm enough to melt the ice and snow.

16.

The Spies of Zurich - Richard Wake
Series: Alex Kovaks #2



Challenges: AlphaKIT, Focus Mystery

Alex is a spy. He's not really good at it, but does his best. He's been run out of Austria as Hitler took it over, now he's wondering if Hitler is coming for Switzerland. He tries to do what he can to help the Czech spy network, and the French network, but the more he tries the less they seem to take the info passed on and use it. He's frustrated and getting desperate.

I really enjoyed this view of spies. No fancy weaponry, just yeoman doing what they can for their countries.

>71 majkia: I live in the snowy mountains of British Columbia. This year, to date, we have no snow! And none in the immediate forecast! Yes, there is snow on the mountains that we can still look upwards to enjoy.

17.

Strange Dogs - James S A Corey
The Expanse series

Challenge: Focus SciFi, AlphaKIT



Powerful short story of how the protomolecule begins to interact with humanity.

January Statistics:

17 books read (highest ever I'm sure)
4 ebooks, 13 audiobooks

Challenges:
2 TBR Challenge Reads
6 SciFi Focus
1 SFF Focus
3 Mystery/Thriller Focus
1 HIstorical Focus
2 Library Books
3 Kindle Unlimited
2 W(h)imseys

Favorite book of the month, surprisingly The Wizard's Butler.

18.
The Punishment She Deserves - Elizabeth George
Series: Lynley/Havers #20



Challenges: BFB, Focus Mystery, Roll100, AlphaKIT, CoverCAT, LIbrary

A clergyman accused of pedophilia dies while in police custody. But there are questions. Havers arrives with Ardrey but the investigation goes nowhere. Then Lynley gets involved and he and Havers do the investigation up right.

I do love how personal George gets. Not only with the main characters but with even minor characters involved in the story. As usual, everyone is affected and grows accordingly.

19.

The Godwulf Manuscript - Robert B. Parker
Series: Spenser 1

Challenges: AlphaKIT, Focus Mystery

This is a re-read. I read this a long time ago and now want to read more of the series. Interesting main character, with sarcastic wit (sometimes). Hoping he improves over time. The mystery was fine.

20.
The Engines of Oblivion - Karen Osborne
Series: Memory War 2


Challenges: SFFKIT, Doublespin

Last of the two part Memory War series. Trying to end the 'forever war' run for and by corporations whose only desire is to control everything. Aliens seem like an additional way to win the war, but they aren't what they appear and offer a new vector toward fighting the corporations.

Imaginative, innovative in some respects and has lots of action.

21.
I Am The Only Running Footman - Martha Grimes
Series: Richard Jury #8



Challenges: Focus Mystery, Bookspin

I love Richard and Melrose. I also love how Richard tends to pay attention to the kids involved and cares so much for everyone.

>86 majkia: It was his treatment of the children and animals that made me fall in love with the series.

22.
The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep - Lawrence Block
Series: Evan Tanner #1


Challenges: Focus Mystery, KU, AlphaKIT

Such a weird book! Evan Tanner hears about some gold hidden from the Nazis in Turkey. So he plans to go find it. He uses contacts from strange groups he's been a member of to manage his quest. Nothing, of course, goes as planned. Instead he's involved in revolutions and murders and secret plans. How will he manage to survive?

I think Block would write a scene, then ask himself 'what could go wrong? He'd make that the next scene and then ask 'what could go wrong?"

>89 mysterymax: That sounds just right!

23.
Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb
Series: Realm of the Elderlings #1



Challenges: Group Read on Litsy, SFF Focus

First time re-reading this series. I loved it all when I first read it and reread is the same. This time though I'm listening to the audiobook read impressively by Paul Boehmer

Yes, I cried again.

Just wanted to stop by and wish you all the best for your surgery -- hope it goes well and that you have a speedy recovery!

>92 christina_reads: thank you

I've undergone a major surgery (open heart) and am recovering. I did some reading while in hospital and in rehab but wasn't organized enough to keep a list of what I read. I couldn't read, actually, all I could manage were audiobooks.

I finished my re-read and first read of the last book of The Expanse series by James S A Corey and it was wonderful.
I listened to a few more, none of which were particularly memorable but I enjoyed them anyway. Too bad I can't remember them all, lol.

At any rate, my numbers are off, and I don't care right now, so am going to just pretend the last half of February didn't really happen in this dimension.

Take it easy! I think February has been a total loss for a lot of people. Glad to know that you're on the road back.

>94 majkia: Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Glad to hear you're recovering and enjoying some audiobooks, even if you can't remember most of them. :)

All my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, Jean.

Wishing you a fast and comfortable recovery! Thanks for letting us know!

>94 majkia: I'm glad everything went well with your surgery and I'll keep you in my thoughts as you continue to recover. I'm so glad you're ok!

>94 majkia: Thinking of you and glad that your recovery seems to be underway!

>94 majkia: Glad it's over and went well. Good idea to pretend the last half of February didn't happen. I'm telling myself the first half of March didn't happen (isn't happening). My best wishes for your recovery.

Thanks all for the kind words. Recovery is slow and that is frustrating but I am improving. I can now read! Read without getting nauseous or dizzy so that is a major improvement to me. I'm still dealing with shortness of breath which is maddening, but other than that I can walk without the walker so long as I remember not to try to walk at a normal pace instead slowly.

Hope all of you are well and happy.

>103 majkia: I am glad to hear you can enjoy reading again, Jean.

I am glad you are recovering. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

30.

Joe Country - Mick Herron
Slough House #6


Things never go as planned for the Slow Horses. This particular unplanned op starts off badly and ends worse. But our spies do the best they can with limited resources and limited options.

31.

The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton
Challenges: TBR CHallenge

I'd have never survived this world. Claustrophic, limited, controlled.
Frustrated love, frustrated lives. Beautifully written, but telling a decidedly unhappy tale.

32.
The Unfinished Clue - Georgette Heyer
Challenges: AlphaKIT, Wimsey



I do enjoy Heyer's mysteries. Always bright and sparkling dialog and lots of humor in characterization.

33.

Murder on the Links - Agatha Christie

Challenges: AlphaKIT, Focus Mystery

I like Hastings so much more in the books. I wish they wouldn't make him such a charictature in the TV/movie adaptations.

34.

Above Suspicion - Helen MacInnes

Challenges: AlphaKIT

Good effort for an early thriller from MacInnes. I thought it got a bit too detailed at times, but still a good read.

>110 majkia: Loved her books back in the day!

>110 majkia: I really want to read more by MacInnes! So far I've only read Assignment in Brittany, but I really liked it.

Glad to hear you're getting better.

>109 majkia: I like everything in the books better than on screen. I especially hate when the story is changed.

Glad you are recovering, even if slowly.

>113 dudes22: >114 VivienneR: WRT recovery, I am noticeably better. I have to keep reminding myself of that when I have a bad few hours or a bad day. Doctors are pleased with my progress and tomorrow I start Cardio rehab whatever that is.

I keep needing to be reminded I had my chest cracked open in February and I can't expect to be healthy already. The surgeon says 6 months to a year for full recovery. And I am an old fart which factors in. Sigh.

>114 VivienneR: yes, agreed on most of the Christie adaptations although a few I've liked a lot, the later ones anyway.

>111 clue: >112 christina_reads: Yes, I like MacInnes. I read quite a few of hers back in the day which is why I wanted to revisit her.

>115 majkia: Being an old fart is not for weenies! Congratulations on steady progress.

35.

The Eye of the Needle - Ken Follett

Challenges: TBR Challenge, AlphaKIT(2)

A German spy is hunted through England. If he succeeds in contacting his handlers, he can ruin the plans for D-Day.

I've seen an adaptation of this, but it wasn't nearly as memorable as the book has been. Well written, suspenseful, surprising, with lots of twists and turns and spy-y things going on.

>117 majkia: I didn't realize Ken Follett had written a spy novel! He's the Pillars of the Earth guy, right? It's always fascinating to me when authors write in multiple genres.

>118 christina_reads: Yup. He wrote Pillars which I have to say I wasn't impressed with. I found it a bit ...much. He's written quite a few thrillers. I'm hoping to get to the others as well.

36.

Skirmishes - K K Rusch
Series: Diving Universe 4

Challenges: Focus SciFi, AlphaKIT, SFFKIT, ColorCAT

Solid entry to the series about diving into ancient spaceships to learn about futuristic tech.

37.

The Clockwork Boys - T Kingfisher
Series: Clocktaur Wars 1

Challenges: AlphaKIT, ReadYourKindle, SFF Focus

Had its moments but not sure I'll continue this series. Not as comedic as much of her work.

38.

Earthside - Dennis E. Taylor
Series: World-Lines 2

Challenges: AlphaKIT, Kindle Unlimited

I've really enjoyed book one and two of this series. When disaster strikes Earth, a bunch of geeks/nerds escape to a parallel universe and find a way to survive. Lots of action, lots of laughs.

39.

Death Comes to Marlow - Robert Thorogood
Seris: Marlow Murder Club 2

Challenges: Wimsey

I love the use of crossword clues in this series. The characters are fun and surprising, the mystery was multilayered and hard to guess.

40.

A Pale Light in the Black - K B Wagers
Series: Neo-G 1

Challenges: Focus SciFi, AlphaKIT

This is a re-read so I can read the entire series. Lots of action, interesting world creation, and smart, capable characters.

41.
The Queen of Poisons - Robert Thorogood
Series: Marlow Murder Club 3

Challenges: Library

When a prominent member of the Marlow community is poisoned, the three friends are once again asked to look into the mystery and figure out whodunnit.

Fun as usual. I love his writing. He explores all the suspects and delves into the lives of his heroines too.

42.

The Man In the Brown Suit - Agatha Christie
Series: Christie 4

Fun spy romp through South Africa. Irritating commentary on women and domestic abuse by heroine though.

43.

Exit Strategy - Martha Wells
Murderbot Diaries #4

Challenges: Focus SciFi

Murderbot is so fun. They are still trying to figure out what they are, and just as confused about humans as ever. But when they reconnect with Mensa et all, feelings pop up, whether they want them to or not.

44.

Network Effect - Martha Wells
Series: Murderbot #5

Challenges: Focus SciFi

Best story yet in the series with Murderbot and ART teaming up to save their humans.

>128 majkia: Must get back to this series!

45.

Starplex - Robert J Sawyer
Challenges: TBR

I listened to the audiobook version read by Mark Boyett.

Definitely not my favorite Sawyer but interesting anyway. I found it a bit dry, but with lots of science and lots of imagination about where the future might lead us. I especially liked the aliens and how different from us they were.

46.

Lost in a Good Book- Jasper Fforde
Series: Thursday Next 2

This has taken me forever to read because I'm still having issues with my eyes. But well worth the effort. Dodos! Ridiculous puns. Books and libraries and plots and all of it.

47.

The Dragon's Path - Daniel Abraham
Series: Dagger and the Coin 1

Challenges: SFF focus, BFB, Roll100, Doublespin

This is a re-read, well re-listen (read by Pete Bradbury). I loved the series and want to revisit the entire thing.

Just as fascinating as I remembered it.

48.

Darwinia - Robert Charles Wilson

Challenges: TBR Challenge

This is one of the strangest SFF books I've read in many a moon. I'm not sure what I think of it. It morphs about halfway through from a fairly straight up alt history to a sort of SFF/Sci Fi mix.

I'm glad I read it and I'll be thinking about it for awhile.

49.
50.
51.

There really is no way to talk about these books except in total. when I finish book 5 and final, I'll write a review

Glad to see you back!

52.

In a Dark, Dark Wood - Ruth Ware
Challenges: RandomKIT, ColorCAT, Roll100

I thought the whole book was weakened by the main character doing something she freely admits she normally wouldn't do - go to the hen party in the first place.
Other than that, the mystery was sufficiently twisty to confuse and surprise throughout.
The setting was the strongest part of the book, and well written.

53.

The Ipcress File - Len Deighton

DidNotFinish

Not a fault of the book. I've been unable to read my ebooks for so long I just lost interest.

I'm finally able to read them again but wanted something lighter.

54.
Poirot Investigates - Agatha Christie

Challenges: Roll100, ReadYourKindle,

Read by Richard Armitage which is always fun. He does a great job always.
I do get tired of the fact that Poirot only ever has any dealings with the very rich. sigh.

June Plans:

I'm dealing with serious health issues which won't be resolved anytime soon. As such I'm trying to plan less and just read as I can and what moves me.

Hope everyone else is well.

>139 majkia:, I'm so sorry to hear it :( Here's hoping you're able to enjoy the reads you take in and that they ease the rough edges of things right now.

>139 majkia: I’m sorry to hear that. Take good care of yourself, and I hope your reading can be a pleasurable distraction.

>139 majkia: I am so sorry to hear that your health continues to be a challenge. May your reading bring you comfort.

So sorry to hear of your health issues, Jean. I hope you are feeling better soon and meanwhile, enjoy your reading. Take it easy.

>139 majkia: Wishing you strength, Jean.

>139 majkia: Thinking of you and hoping that every book you pick up is exactly what you need for comfort.

Best wishes and healing, Jean.

Take care and enjoy what you decide to read.

Wishing you good health and good reading.

Five Bells and Bladebone - Martha Grimes
Series: Richard Jury #9

Very confusing mystery for Jury. Who is who, and who dunnit are definitely in question. Can he solve it? Maybe...

>139 majkia: Sorry to hear you have this hurdle but I'm glad you have the joy of reading to help you through.

The Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Chrisie
Oevre #4

Wow. Whose who? Whose not who? Talk about masquerades! I found it a bit hard to follow at times, but we all got there in the end. Enjoyed it.

With regard to my health, thanks again for kind words. I was in hospital again but home now and maybe finally feeling better. Not stronger, but at least not feeling pain.

It is frustrating feeling weak and not being able to live as I had only a few months ago, but am doing my best to adjust.

Hugs to all dealing with limitations, whatever they are.

With regard to my health, thanks again for kind words. I was in hospital again but home now and maybe finally feeling better. Not stronger, but at least not feeling pain.

It is frustrating feeling weak and not being able to live as I had only a few months ago, but am doing my best to adjust.

Hugs to all dealing with limitations, whatever they are.

I'm glad you are no longer in pain. Unfortunately, I can relate to the frustration of not being able to do what you could before. There are new ways you will find to live your life. People seeing me in my chair seem to always pity me, but its given me so much more freedom than I had for a long time. Keep going, and keep reading! Hugs to you as well.

Glad to hear you're having some improvement!

>152 majkia: I wish you the best so you won’t be going back to hospital for a long time.

>152 majkia: Glad to hear you are feeling better, Jean.

A Meditation on Murder - Robert Thorogood
Death in Paradise #1

Based on the TV show I've enjoyed greatly. Lots of colorful folks, great surroundings, and a complex mystery. I enjoyed it.

Booked To Die - John Dunning
Lots of red herrings and surprises. Interesting take on mystery and i loved the bookman stuff.

Boundless - Jack Campbell

Ah space opera. Lots of space battles and politics.

>159 majkia: I found this whole series at a library sale years ago. I show I've read the first two but I think I've read the third as well. I enjoyed them a lot and have them on a list of series I want to to concentrate on. Hopefully I'll get a couple in this year!

>161 clue: I've got the second in the series and hope to get to it soonish.

Slough House - Mick Herron
Series: Slough House #7

Such a great great series, and the Apple TV adaptation is wonderful too.

>163 majkia: I agree! Fabulous series and the Apple TV adaptation was too. Genius casting.

The Night Agent - Matthew Quirk

Very different from the series streaming on Netflix. I'm not sure which version I liked best.

>164 VivienneR: Gary Oldman is so great.

The Lazarus War: Artefact - Jamie Sawyer

Interesting space opera where humans use artificial constructs to upload into to fight a war against aliens. Interesting concepts, mystifying aliens and weird artefacts. What's not to like.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie

This one was definitely a surprise. I did not see that coming.

>168 majkia: I wish I could read that again for the first time!

It's a great one, and the first to frame the story in that way.

The Fifth Gospel - Ian Caldwell

Okay, I'm unsure why I keep reading Caldwell, as I'm not religious, especially not Christian. But here we are. I enjoyed the mystery and didn't find the religion too oppressive.

Sufficiently Advanced Magic - Andrew Rowe
Series: Arcane Ascenion 1

I have no earthly idea why I thought it would be a good idea to reread this book. Obviously I was under heavy medication at the time (which was probably actually true). DNF

It was okay but definitely not what I enjoy.

Capital Murder - Dan Willis
Series: Arcane Casebook 7

I enjoy these alternate universe books, where sorcerers provide power to the grid, and create wonderful magical mixes with technology. Set just before WWII things are getting interesting with Hitler rising to power and all his emphasis on the supernatural.

Paradise (Expeditionary Force) - Craig Alanson
Series: Expeditionary Force #3

Fun series, with Skippy, the alien beer can, constantly stealing the show.

The alien beer can sounds like a must read!

An alien beer can? How do people come up with such things? The imagination is endlessly fascinating.

I know! Isn't it wonderful.

The Big Four - Agatha Christie
Oevre #8

Meh. Disappointment after the goodness of last month's mystery. I found it a bit disjointed and not very compelling.

>175 mysterymax: - >177 mysterymax: Agreed!

Resolute (Lost Fleet) - Jack Campbell
Series: Lost Fleet Outlands #2

Always interesting with great space battles. And new aliens!

The Old Silent - Martha Grimes

As usual, complex mystery with lots of history behind what happens.


Something Wicked - E X Ferrars

Very slow mystery. Interesting, but slooooooow.

Carthage - Joyce Carol Oates

This was a very strange book. It is ostensibly about the possible murder of a teen by her elder sister's fiance, who has just returned from war badly wounded, body and soul. He admits to killing the girl but he is so broken it is unclear if what he believes is the truth or not.

Delves deep into psyches all over the place, but I found the ending too open ended for me. I'd have rather had more of a resolution than we got.

Still, a good and interesting read.

Red Warning - Matthew Quirk

Spy novel about a threat to Washington DC. It was okay, but it never really captured my full attention.

The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood

Beautifully written, as usual for Atwood. Deep in thoughts and feelings. I did find it confusing though.

I've been doing a crappy job at updating my threads.
I was in hospital for two weeks (infection and myasthenia gravis flare up as a consequence). Currently in rehab hoping to go home Nov 1st.

I've been able to enjoy audio books but one symptom of mg is blurry vision so not reading ebooks very often.

Hopefully when I get home I'll remember the books I've finished!

>185 majkia: Oh, Jean, I know someone who has MG and it has taken such a toll on him--that is really tough. I'm glad to hear you've made it to rehab and crossing my fingers you'll go home November 1!

>185 majkia: That's really tough! Wishing you an uneventful recovery.

>185 majkia: Wishing you all the best for a full recovery, Jean.

>185 majkia: Wishing you a full recovery and hoping that you will be home soon.

>185 majkia: I hope you feel better soon and that you are enjoying some excellent audiobooks as you recover!

I hope you feel better fast and get to go home! My mom was in a physical rehab center this summer and did her PT just because she wanted to go home so badly.