1LittleTaiko
Primary:
1. Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
2.The Secret Lives of the Elements by Kathryn Markup - February
3.Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg - March
4. Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World by Eric Jay Dolin
5. The Devil's Cave by Martin Walker
6. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson
7. Night of Many Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama
8.Killing by Numbers by M.S. Morris - April
9.Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women by Annabel Abbs - March
10.Conviction by Denise Mina - April
11.Seeking Whom He May Devour by Fred Vargas - January
12.Bummer Camp by Ann Garvin - May
Alternates:
1. Long Bright River by Liz Moore
2. The Missing American by Kwei Quartey
3. Ashton Hall by Lauren Belfer
4.Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner - February
5. More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
6.The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes - April
7.White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton - May
8. The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva
9. The Heartbeat Library by Laura Imai Messina
10. The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth
11.Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell - January
12. The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Read: 11
To Read: 13
1. Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
2.
3.
4. Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World by Eric Jay Dolin
5. The Devil's Cave by Martin Walker
6. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson
7. Night of Many Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Alternates:
1. Long Bright River by Liz Moore
2. The Missing American by Kwei Quartey
3. Ashton Hall by Lauren Belfer
4.
5. More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
6.
7.
8. The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva
9. The Heartbeat Library by Laura Imai Messina
10. The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth
11.
12. The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Read: 11
To Read: 13
2LittleTaiko
Just couldn't resist posting my list, mainly so that I don't change my mind yet again. I had a list drafted a month or so ago but when I looked at it again, I just wasn't that excited about the books. Scrapped it all and picked some books that were calling out to me.
3Charon07
I’ve read only two on your list, but they were both good: Conviction and The Fox Wife. I recall The Fox Wife with particular fondness.
4Cecrow
>2 LittleTaiko:, that's the way to do it!
I don't recognize a single one, so I look forward to learning about them.
I don't recognize a single one, so I look forward to learning about them.
5riida
Oooh, i perked up when i saw Charlie Holmberg in your list ^_^ i finished her paper magician trilogy a while back and remember thinking that i definitely want to read more of her! Looking forward to your reaction :)
6LittleTaiko
>5 riida: - I read the first book in the Whimbrel House series Keeper of Enchanted Rooms earlier this year and quite enjoyed it, at least once I got past the first chapter. For some reason it took me several tries to get past it. Once I get through this series I'll have to give the paper magician one a try.
7LibraryLover23
Nice list! I think the only one I've read is Long Bright River, but it was a good one.
8LittleTaiko
1. Seeking Whom He May Devour by Fred Vargas (2 stars)
Quirky might be too vague of a term to describe the characters in this book. It started off well enough with a trapper observing wolves. Once sheep start getting slaughtered it opened up interesting questions about whether the wolves or the sheep need more protecting. You also get introduced to Camille, a musician/plumber which is definitely not the usual sort of character to find in a mystery novel. There’s also the shepherd who makes phones calls to his flock and a few other oddballs thrown in.
Where the book started to lose me was with the idiotic werewolf premise. I found it hard to believe that anyone would take it seriously. The author kept portraying the people living in the French countryside as backwards buffoons which rubbed me the wrong way as well.
Luckily there is the Commissaire who at least is rationale. He also has a past with Camille. His attraction to her didn’t make much sense to me either as she seemed to be unfocused and not terribly intelligent. At least everything was wrapped up even if it was done with last minute information.
Quirky might be too vague of a term to describe the characters in this book. It started off well enough with a trapper observing wolves. Once sheep start getting slaughtered it opened up interesting questions about whether the wolves or the sheep need more protecting. You also get introduced to Camille, a musician/plumber which is definitely not the usual sort of character to find in a mystery novel. There’s also the shepherd who makes phones calls to his flock and a few other oddballs thrown in.
Where the book started to lose me was with the idiotic werewolf premise. I found it hard to believe that anyone would take it seriously. The author kept portraying the people living in the French countryside as backwards buffoons which rubbed me the wrong way as well.
Luckily there is the Commissaire who at least is rationale. He also has a past with Camille. His attraction to her didn’t make much sense to me either as she seemed to be unfocused and not terribly intelligent. At least everything was wrapped up even if it was done with last minute information.
9LittleTaiko
2. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (4 stars)
This was such a charming, amusing, and pleasant book. The focus is primarily on the lives of a group of genteel female residents of the small town of Cranford. It details the small ins and outs of their lives and the bonds of friendship among them. The tone reminded me so much of Barbara Pym's novels that she had to have been inspired by Gaskell.
Apparently Gaskell originally started this with a couple of short stories that were submitted to a magazine. Charles Dickens was one of the editors and encouraged her to write more stories which were then collected into this book. Maybe he was particularly enamored since the first story involves a lively debate regarding which book is better - Dicken's Pickwick Papers or Samuel Johnson's The Rambler.
I much preferred this to North and South. Now, I'm interesting in reading more by her - maybe Mary Barton or Wives and Daughters.
This was such a charming, amusing, and pleasant book. The focus is primarily on the lives of a group of genteel female residents of the small town of Cranford. It details the small ins and outs of their lives and the bonds of friendship among them. The tone reminded me so much of Barbara Pym's novels that she had to have been inspired by Gaskell.
Apparently Gaskell originally started this with a couple of short stories that were submitted to a magazine. Charles Dickens was one of the editors and encouraged her to write more stories which were then collected into this book. Maybe he was particularly enamored since the first story involves a lively debate regarding which book is better - Dicken's Pickwick Papers or Samuel Johnson's The Rambler.
I much preferred this to North and South. Now, I'm interesting in reading more by her - maybe Mary Barton or Wives and Daughters.
10Cecrow
I'm glad you liked it! You can feel the shift where she dispenses with the idea of writing loosely related stories and they start becoming actual chapters that move a story forward. I'm still a bigger North and South fan, myself, but I liked both. I've been looking into Wives and Daughters too.
11LittleTaiko
>10 Cecrow: - You're totally right about how you can sense the shift. The first couple of chapters were very distinct. Eventually there is a semblance of an actual story coming together.
12LittleTaiko
3. The Secret Lives of Elements by Kathryn Markup (3.5 stars)
This was fun and frustrating at the same time. The author does an excellent job of making the elements very understandable with light and breezy stories about each of them. The frustration came in that I was left wanting more at the end of each section. Excellent way for someone who is science challenged like myself to slowly broaden my knowledge.
Fun facts:
- Helium is the wallflower of the periodic table.
- 7Up used to have lithium in it
- Leaves turn yellow, red, and orange once magnesium is taken away
- Potassium is extremely stubborn and likes a quiet life
- The CIA considered a plan to assassinate Castro by adding thallium salts to his shoes.
This was fun and frustrating at the same time. The author does an excellent job of making the elements very understandable with light and breezy stories about each of them. The frustration came in that I was left wanting more at the end of each section. Excellent way for someone who is science challenged like myself to slowly broaden my knowledge.
Fun facts:
- Helium is the wallflower of the periodic table.
- 7Up used to have lithium in it
- Leaves turn yellow, red, and orange once magnesium is taken away
- Potassium is extremely stubborn and likes a quiet life
- The CIA considered a plan to assassinate Castro by adding thallium salts to his shoes.
13riida
>12 LittleTaiko: love your review ^_^ i want this book! you had me at "helium is the wallflower" :p
14LittleTaiko
4. Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner (3 stars)
Super slow start. I almost gave up but eventually started to become more interested in Rosie’s story. The second half that focused on Helen was much more engaging. I think it’s because while Helen’s story had some heartbreak it was nicely balanced by some uplifting sections. Rosie’s part was almost all sadness.
It was quite interesting to learn more about synesthesia which I wasn’t that familiar with. More troubling was learning about eugenics laws that existed in the United States that allowed for sterilization of someone considered “not normal.”
Super slow start. I almost gave up but eventually started to become more interested in Rosie’s story. The second half that focused on Helen was much more engaging. I think it’s because while Helen’s story had some heartbreak it was nicely balanced by some uplifting sections. Rosie’s part was almost all sadness.
It was quite interesting to learn more about synesthesia which I wasn’t that familiar with. More troubling was learning about eugenics laws that existed in the United States that allowed for sterilization of someone considered “not normal.”
15LittleTaiko
5. Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg (3 stars)
I really quite enjoyed the first book in this series about a magical house and the keepers of it. This second book may have a bit of a sophomore slump to it. I enjoyed it but it felt more chaotic and messy. You can tell that it’s setting up to future books and doesn’t feel as cohesive as I would have liked.
The characters are still good though maybe they were a bit stuck in repetitive actions through a good portion of the story. Yet, I’m still intrigued to see how this all plays out and will read the next book in the series soon.
Bonus points for the POV from the dog who was actually the house in the first book. Strange sentence I know. Here’s hoping he can eventually get to human form someday.
I really quite enjoyed the first book in this series about a magical house and the keepers of it. This second book may have a bit of a sophomore slump to it. I enjoyed it but it felt more chaotic and messy. You can tell that it’s setting up to future books and doesn’t feel as cohesive as I would have liked.
The characters are still good though maybe they were a bit stuck in repetitive actions through a good portion of the story. Yet, I’m still intrigued to see how this all plays out and will read the next book in the series soon.
Bonus points for the POV from the dog who was actually the house in the first book. Strange sentence I know. Here’s hoping he can eventually get to human form someday.
16Cecrow
>15 LittleTaiko:, being a dog feels like a step down from being a sentient house, imo, but I didn't read it so what do I know?
17LittleTaiko
>16 Cecrow: - That’s a good point. Being a sentiment house definitely had some benefits. Eternal life, the ability to really mess with visitors to the house, etc…
Being a dog had its upside though - the ability to move around and communicating with humans.
Being a dog had its upside though - the ability to move around and communicating with humans.
18LittleTaiko
6. Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women by Annabel Abbs (2.5 stars)
I’m pretty sure I picked up this book because I had read 52 Ways to Walk by the author and enjoyed it. However this book rubbed me the wrong way. I was intrigued by the idea of stories about women going on adventurous walks. In that respect, it almost lived up to expectations. Unfortunately the author had to work her own life and opinions into the narrative and that got tedious. It started to feel repetitive. For me, it didn’t help that she is a woman who feels things intensely and wants to share all those feelings. I am not that sort of person so I quickly grew tired reading the same thing over and over.
I’m pretty sure I picked up this book because I had read 52 Ways to Walk by the author and enjoyed it. However this book rubbed me the wrong way. I was intrigued by the idea of stories about women going on adventurous walks. In that respect, it almost lived up to expectations. Unfortunately the author had to work her own life and opinions into the narrative and that got tedious. It started to feel repetitive. For me, it didn’t help that she is a woman who feels things intensely and wants to share all those feelings. I am not that sort of person so I quickly grew tired reading the same thing over and over.
19LittleTaiko
7. Conviction by Denise Mina (3 stars)
This was a weird book that was hard to get into but ultimately held my attention. At the start you don’t really know much about what is happening except that the narrator has something dark in her past. Around the midway point you start to get a better feel for what is actually happening and why. All the action and drama was too over the top and didn’t make sense though.
This was a weird book that was hard to get into but ultimately held my attention. At the start you don’t really know much about what is happening except that the narrator has something dark in her past. Around the midway point you start to get a better feel for what is actually happening and why. All the action and drama was too over the top and didn’t make sense though.
20Cecrow
Sounds like a distant descendant of Lady Audley's Secret. I think when they say it was one of the original "sensation" novels, this is the sort of thing they mean.
21Charon07
>19 LittleTaiko: I guess I liked this better than you, but I agree it was odd.
22riida
>15 LittleTaiko: im missing holmberg ^_^ i love dogs who used to be houses!
23riida
>18 LittleTaiko: sounds like a book to avoid...but i've been into books about interesting women and their stories lately, so it is still kind of coming accross as intriguing to me...
24riida
>19 LittleTaiko: currently reading The Woman From Book Club, and its a different plot and feel altogether...but it sounds like they have the same book vibe...interesting mystery, and then somewhere along the line it gets tedious and messy
25LittleTaiko
>21 Charon07: - I liked the second half once it got into a groove.
>22 riida: - The magical part of it does make it fun!
>23 riida: - I’d say find something else - there are plenty of other books about interesting women out there.
>24 riida: - I’m intrigued by the title, but based on your description maybe I’ll pass.
>22 riida: - The magical part of it does make it fun!
>23 riida: - I’d say find something else - there are plenty of other books about interesting women out there.
>24 riida: - I’m intrigued by the title, but based on your description maybe I’ll pass.
26LittleTaiko
8. Killing by Numbers by M S Morris (4 stars)
I still really enjoy a police procedural and this second installment lived up to my expectations. It’s the right balance of mystery and setting. Love the Oxford setting and while the DI agonizes a bit too much about her ex-husband it managed to not be too overhwelming.
The key for me with this particular book was the mix of art and numbers. I tend to enjoy going to museums and as an accountant I love numbers. Put them together and I am a fan.
I still really enjoy a police procedural and this second installment lived up to my expectations. It’s the right balance of mystery and setting. Love the Oxford setting and while the DI agonizes a bit too much about her ex-husband it managed to not be too overhwelming.
The key for me with this particular book was the mix of art and numbers. I tend to enjoy going to museums and as an accountant I love numbers. Put them together and I am a fan.
27riida
>26 LittleTaiko: omg, i love murders set in oxford! (reading that back to myself, it sounds too specific :p)
another one added to my TO-HUNT-LIST
another one added to my TO-HUNT-LIST
28Cecrow
>27 riida: what kind of grudge do you have against Oxford? LOL
29riida
>28 Cecrow: hahahahaha i actually had a good time studying for my masters there... though i didn't finish my thesis...so some not so good memories too :p
Best memories would probably be going to this very small hidden cafe (the hidden bean)...i think it can only sit 6 or 8 people at a time...but they have this very old style, very steam punky samovar, and lots of chill vynil albums ive never heard before....my fave reading spot and my safe place ^_^
Saying that...something about oxford autumns/winters that make me feel like, "mmm...murder season" ^_^
Best memories would probably be going to this very small hidden cafe (the hidden bean)...i think it can only sit 6 or 8 people at a time...but they have this very old style, very steam punky samovar, and lots of chill vynil albums ive never heard before....my fave reading spot and my safe place ^_^
Saying that...something about oxford autumns/winters that make me feel like, "mmm...murder season" ^_^
30LittleTaiko
9. The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes (4 stars)
Once I got past the initial setup of the first few chapters that introduced the three main characters, this was hard for me to put down. Millie, Alice, and Collette were compelling in their own ways. Their love of books and determination to bring them to people who might not normally have access was inspiring.
Though the main character might have been the state of Montana. There was definitely a strong sense of place and I quite enjoyed learning more about the state’s history. I was also intrigued to learn about the American Guide Series, a depression era project aimed to provide jobs to writers.
Once I got past the initial setup of the first few chapters that introduced the three main characters, this was hard for me to put down. Millie, Alice, and Collette were compelling in their own ways. Their love of books and determination to bring them to people who might not normally have access was inspiring.
Though the main character might have been the state of Montana. There was definitely a strong sense of place and I quite enjoyed learning more about the state’s history. I was also intrigued to learn about the American Guide Series, a depression era project aimed to provide jobs to writers.
31Cecrow
>30 LittleTaiko: sounds alright. Montana isn't a place I've visited much in fiction ... if ever, come to think of it.
32LittleTaiko
>31 Cecrow: - Yeah, I was surprised to find that I had three other books set in Montana on my shelves.
This one by far gave me a better sense of Montana. The mileage varies on the other ones. The Royal Wulff Murders was another good one. I recommend it if you’re into fly fishing. Not that I am, but I liked reading about it. The Paris Library technically had part of the story set in Montana but honestly it could have been set anywhere. The other one was Last Bus to Wisdom which was more of a road trip book that was partially in Montana.
This one by far gave me a better sense of Montana. The mileage varies on the other ones. The Royal Wulff Murders was another good one. I recommend it if you’re into fly fishing. Not that I am, but I liked reading about it. The Paris Library technically had part of the story set in Montana but honestly it could have been set anywhere. The other one was Last Bus to Wisdom which was more of a road trip book that was partially in Montana.
33LittleTaiko
10. Bummer Camp by Ann Garvin (3 stars)
This was a fun, quirky novel about the bonds between sisters and growing up and learning to trust others.
Told entirely from Cat, the older sister’s point of view, this leant heavily into colorful and odd characters. I don’t think you’re supposed to necessarily like Cat, but as an oldest child myself there was much I could relate to.
The story veered into the improbable and at times silly but maintained a certain sweetness about it. It helped that there was character growth throughout as Cat and others realize what they really want out of life and are capable of.
This was a fun, quirky novel about the bonds between sisters and growing up and learning to trust others.
Told entirely from Cat, the older sister’s point of view, this leant heavily into colorful and odd characters. I don’t think you’re supposed to necessarily like Cat, but as an oldest child myself there was much I could relate to.
The story veered into the improbable and at times silly but maintained a certain sweetness about it. It helped that there was character growth throughout as Cat and others realize what they really want out of life and are capable of.
34riida
>33 LittleTaiko: reading the description and your review made me miss my sister....
35LittleTaiko
>34 riida: - It made me wish I had a sister….My brother is wonderful but the book made it seem like having a sister could be great.
36riida
>35 LittleTaiko: i feel you ^_^ no offense to my brother :p
37LittleTaiko
11. White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton (3 stars)
The premise is interesting, a young Korean girl in the 1930’s moves to Japan to avoid an early marriage and to continue her education. She needs to try and hide her background and assimilate into the Japanese way of life in order to succeed. Based on the author’s grandmother’s life, this is a work of fiction that feels more like it was written as nonfiction. There is a lot of telling the reader about people’s thoughts, intentions, and actions. The dialogue and writing comes across as simplistic and at times repetitive. Finding out at the end that it was based on a specific person made me appreciate the overall story and the courage it must have taken to make her way through the multiple challenges that came her way.
The premise is interesting, a young Korean girl in the 1930’s moves to Japan to avoid an early marriage and to continue her education. She needs to try and hide her background and assimilate into the Japanese way of life in order to succeed. Based on the author’s grandmother’s life, this is a work of fiction that feels more like it was written as nonfiction. There is a lot of telling the reader about people’s thoughts, intentions, and actions. The dialogue and writing comes across as simplistic and at times repetitive. Finding out at the end that it was based on a specific person made me appreciate the overall story and the courage it must have taken to make her way through the multiple challenges that came her way.
