1Robertgreaves
After a major splurge on 1 May at BBW book fair (because it was there and as a celebration of my 20th LT anniversary and 9th Litsyversary), I am starting a new thread.
The first part of 2026 was here.
My target is still 72 books. I have already read 35 ROOTs this year. All books I have purchased on or before 1 May 2026 count as ROOTs. I have 45 treebooks and 48 ebooks which count as potential unread ROOTs (re-reads for a challenge also count as a ROOT).
Currently reading:
Tales from Shakespeare by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb
The Porpoise by Mark Haddon
The first part of 2026 was here.
My target is still 72 books. I have already read 35 ROOTs this year. All books I have purchased on or before 1 May 2026 count as ROOTs. I have 45 treebooks and 48 ebooks which count as potential unread ROOTs (re-reads for a challenge also count as a ROOT).
Currently reading:
Tales from Shakespeare by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb
The Porpoise by Mark Haddon
2Cecilturtle
>1 Robertgreaves: Congratulations on 20 years! That reminded me that mine is coming right up on May 16!
3detailmuse
Happy 20th on LT!! You are reading rapidly and deserve that splurge :)
4Robertgreaves
Thank you for dropping by, Cécile and MJ.
5Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 69, One for Sorrow by M. E. Mayer (pen name of Mary Reed and Eric Mayer). This ebook forms part of the box set Death In Byzantium, which I have read before, so it counts as my thirty-sixth ROOT. I am re-reading it for my online reading group.
My review of The Porpoise:
A fascinating layered re-telling of "Pericles, Prince of Tyre", a collab between William Shakespeare and George Wilkins. It is set partly in the present day and partly in the imaginary Eastern Mediterranean mashup of classical antiquity and the 16th century featured in the play (which I have not read).
My review of The Porpoise:
A fascinating layered re-telling of "Pericles, Prince of Tyre", a collab between William Shakespeare and George Wilkins. It is set partly in the present day and partly in the imaginary Eastern Mediterranean mashup of classical antiquity and the 16th century featured in the play (which I have not read).
6MissWatson
Congrats on your LT anniversary, that’s impressive!
7Robertgreaves
>6 MissWatson: Thanks for dropping by, Birgit
8Jackie_K
20 years is impressive! I'm coming up for 14 years in August, so a spring chicken in comparison!
9Robertgreaves
>8 Jackie_K: Thanks for dropping by Jackie
10kaida46
Hi Robert! Congrats on 20 years! I just had my 17th anniversary here on LT and I think a book splurge is an excellent way to celebrate! 35 roots is also impressive, kudos and happy reading!
11Robertgreaves
>10 kaida46: Thanks for dropping by, Deb
12Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 70, A Bullet in the Ballet by Caryl Brahms and S. J. Simon. This is my thirty-seventh ROOT and brings the treebook TBR pile to 44. It fits the RandomKIT and the CalendarCAT.
My review of One for Sorrow:
John, Lord Chamberlain to the Emperor Justinian, aka John the Eunuch, stumbles across the body of his friend Leukos, the Keeper of the Plate, in an alleyway after a near-riot. Since Leukos still had his purse and some jewellery with him it wasn't a simple mugging, so why was Leukos killed?
A great opening number in this series, it's a dizzying mixture of medieval and Roman and Greek, just as the real Constantinople must have been at this time. It definitely keeps you hooked, turning the pages to find out more about the characters and what is going on.
My review of One for Sorrow:
John, Lord Chamberlain to the Emperor Justinian, aka John the Eunuch, stumbles across the body of his friend Leukos, the Keeper of the Plate, in an alleyway after a near-riot. Since Leukos still had his purse and some jewellery with him it wasn't a simple mugging, so why was Leukos killed?
A great opening number in this series, it's a dizzying mixture of medieval and Roman and Greek, just as the real Constantinople must have been at this time. It definitely keeps you hooked, turning the pages to find out more about the characters and what is going on.
13Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 71, Six Tudor Queens Katharine Parr The Sixth Wife by Alison Weir. This is my thirty-eighth ROOT and brings the treebook TBR pile to 43. It fits the AlphaKIT and the Coloured CoverCAT.
My review of A Bullet In The Ballet:
My review of A Bullet In The Ballet:
14Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 72, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Although it is billed as being by Jules Verne, the anonymous "translator" has in fact produced an adaptation, adding and omitting scenes and changing names. This is my thirty-ninth ROOT for 2026 and brings the TBR pile to 42. It fits the Coloured CoverKIT.
My review of Six Tudor Queens Katharine Parr, the Sixth Wife:
A fictionalised biography of Katharine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife.
Interesting and informative (except where the author admits in her afterword that she has deviated from history), but curiously unemotional. The main emotion Katharine seems to have felt is worry, but then she had a lot to worry about. Even there we are told she was worried, but I rarely felt it.
My review of In the Shadow of Queens:
An interesting collection of short stories to accompany the Six Tudor Queens series which the author wasn't able to work into the novels in the main sequence.
My review of Six Tudor Queens Katharine Parr, the Sixth Wife:
A fictionalised biography of Katharine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife.
Interesting and informative (except where the author admits in her afterword that she has deviated from history), but curiously unemotional. The main emotion Katharine seems to have felt is worry, but then she had a lot to worry about. Even there we are told she was worried, but I rarely felt it.
My review of In the Shadow of Queens:
An interesting collection of short stories to accompany the Six Tudor Queens series which the author wasn't able to work into the novels in the main sequence.
15Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 73, Archaeology From Space by Sarah Parcak. This is my fortieth ROOT for 2026. The treebook shelf remains at 42, due to a purchase this morning. This book fits the NonFictionCAT and the AlphaKIT.
My review of Journey to the Centre of the Earth:
Professor Hardwigg and his nephew Harry follow clues left by the Icelandic alchemist Arne Saknussemm to explore the interior of the Earth.
Unbeknownst to me when I bought it, this 19th century version appears to be more of an adaptation rather than than a translation of Verne's work, which may account for my uncertain memory of events in the book - plus I think some of my memories may come from the subterranean adventures in Vril: The Power of the Coming Race, which I read round about 1980.
My review of Journey to the Centre of the Earth:
Professor Hardwigg and his nephew Harry follow clues left by the Icelandic alchemist Arne Saknussemm to explore the interior of the Earth.
Unbeknownst to me when I bought it, this 19th century version appears to be more of an adaptation rather than than a translation of Verne's work, which may account for my uncertain memory of events in the book - plus I think some of my memories may come from the subterranean adventures in Vril: The Power of the Coming Race, which I read round about 1980.
16Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 74, An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris. This ebook is not a ROOT but it fits the SFFKIT.
My review of Archaeology From Space:
Sarah Parcak describes how satellite images of the Earth, similar to Google Earth, are being used to help archaeologists decide where to dig. She looks at sites in Europe and the Americas before taking us on a tour of potential archaeological sites round the world and in particular in Egypt, her speciality. She explains the race against time with sites being lost to development and climate change and then turns her ire on looters and the buyers of antiquities who enable them. Finally she explores crowd processing as a way to give everyone more of a stake in archaeology.
It was a bit heavy-going in places, especially in the first half, but was all in all a fascinating look at how a new field is being established.
My review of Archaeology From Space:
Sarah Parcak describes how satellite images of the Earth, similar to Google Earth, are being used to help archaeologists decide where to dig. She looks at sites in Europe and the Americas before taking us on a tour of potential archaeological sites round the world and in particular in Egypt, her speciality. She explains the race against time with sites being lost to development and climate change and then turns her ire on looters and the buyers of antiquities who enable them. Finally she explores crowd processing as a way to give everyone more of a stake in archaeology.
It was a bit heavy-going in places, especially in the first half, but was all in all a fascinating look at how a new field is being established.
17Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 75, How To Have A Killer Time in DC by Sam Lumley. This ebook is my forty-first ROOT in 2026.
My review of An Easy Death:
In Texoma, one of the regional successor states to the US after the assassination of FDR, gun for hire Lizbeth Rose is employed as security for two agents of the Holy Russian Empire who are searching for descendants of a certain blood line.
I thought it was a bit longer than it really needed to be and there were a couple of places where I thought that even given the premise the characters' actions and knowledge were unlikely. But I enjoyed it enough to want to read the others in the series, just not yet. >
My review of An Easy Death:
In Texoma, one of the regional successor states to the US after the assassination of FDR, gun for hire Lizbeth Rose is employed as security for two agents of the Holy Russian Empire who are searching for descendants of a certain blood line.
I thought it was a bit longer than it really needed to be and there were a couple of places where I thought that even given the premise the characters' actions and knowledge were unlikely. But I enjoyed it enough to want to read the others in the series, just not yet. >
18Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 76, San Francisco Noir, edited by Peter Maravelis. This ebook is not a ROOT but does fit the MysteryKIT.
My review of How To Have A Killer Time In DC:
Autistic gay travel writer Oliver Popp is sent to Washington DC on his first assignment where he actually has to travel. With Ricky his photographer he gets caught up in the mystery of the death of a former school friend who was trying to raise concerns about self-drive cars being hacked before a congressional committee.
Although I appreciate it suited Oliver's POV, for me the street by street route of his arrival in DC was just a list of names that meant nothing. But having said that, this mixture of mystery, comedy, and a little bit of romance ended up being great fun and I can't wait to see how Oliver and Ricky's relationship develops as they and we hopefully find out more about their back stories.
My review of Tales From Shakespeare:
I don't think I recognised when I read this 50-odd years ago how much of Shakespeare's phrasing was kept in these re-tellings for children. In these days when teachers lament how much children struggle with reading even simple short stories, I wonder how they would cope with these.
My review of How To Have A Killer Time In DC:
Autistic gay travel writer Oliver Popp is sent to Washington DC on his first assignment where he actually has to travel. With Ricky his photographer he gets caught up in the mystery of the death of a former school friend who was trying to raise concerns about self-drive cars being hacked before a congressional committee.
Although I appreciate it suited Oliver's POV, for me the street by street route of his arrival in DC was just a list of names that meant nothing. But having said that, this mixture of mystery, comedy, and a little bit of romance ended up being great fun and I can't wait to see how Oliver and Ricky's relationship develops as they and we hopefully find out more about their back stories.
My review of Tales From Shakespeare:
I don't think I recognised when I read this 50-odd years ago how much of Shakespeare's phrasing was kept in these re-tellings for children. In these days when teachers lament how much children struggle with reading even simple short stories, I wonder how they would cope with these.
19Cecilturtle
I read Montréal Noir (which I loved) and Tel Aviv Noir (which I enjoyed less). Do you know San Francisco well? I look forward to your review.
20Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 77, The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie. As a re-read, this is my forty-second ROOT in 2026. I watched the Netflix version and was taken aback by the reveal, thinking surely I would have remembered that. So I'm re-reading it to refresh my memory, though as I remember it, it wasn't one of Dame Agatha's better efforts.
21Robertgreaves
My review of The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie:
The house guests at Chimneys prank one of the party who can't seem to wake up in the mornings by sneaking 8 alarm clocks into his bedroom. Unfortunately the sleepyhead never does wake up because he's been poisoned. Lady Eileen Brent (aka Bundle) and her friends investigate.
I found the 1920s Bright Young Things less insufferable this time round than when I first read it nearly 12 years ago. The book and TV versions are very different. Since her plotting is a major part of Agatha Christie's appeal, I don't see the point of making such drastic changes even to what is admittedly one of her weaker efforts rather than starting from scratch.
The house guests at Chimneys prank one of the party who can't seem to wake up in the mornings by sneaking 8 alarm clocks into his bedroom. Unfortunately the sleepyhead never does wake up because he's been poisoned. Lady Eileen Brent (aka Bundle) and her friends investigate.
I found the 1920s Bright Young Things less insufferable this time round than when I first read it nearly 12 years ago. The book and TV versions are very different. Since her plotting is a major part of Agatha Christie's appeal, I don't see the point of making such drastic changes even to what is admittedly one of her weaker efforts rather than starting from scratch.
22Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 78, Maurice by E. M. Forster. This is my forty-third ROOT in 2026 and brings the treebook TBR shelf to 41.
23Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 79, The Lonely Man by Ann Cleeves. This ebook is my forty-fourth ROOT in 2026. It is a short story prequel to what will be my No. 80, The Killing Stones, my forty-fifth ROOT, which is one of the books I will be reading on my flight tomorrow. I am returning to the UK unexpectedly because my father died on Monday. They both fit the AlphaKIT.
My review of Maurice:
The story of how, in Edwardian Cambridge, Maurice falls in love with another man who returns his love but wants to keep it platonic and how eventually Maurice finds somebody who wants to include the physical.
Maurice's experiences felt so familiar and yet so strange - the difference the 65 years between his experiences and mine at the same age made.
My review of Maurice:
The story of how, in Edwardian Cambridge, Maurice falls in love with another man who returns his love but wants to keep it platonic and how eventually Maurice finds somebody who wants to include the physical.
Maurice's experiences felt so familiar and yet so strange - the difference the 65 years between his experiences and mine at the same age made.
24Jackie_K
Oh Robert, I'm so sorry to hear your father died. I hope your flight is uneventful and you have the space and time to grieve with your family. Sending my gentle condolences at this difficult time.
25MissWatson
>23 Robertgreaves: My condolences on your loss, Robert.
26EGBERTINA
>23 Robertgreaves: Deeply sorry.
27detailmuse
>23 Robertgreaves: Sending condolences and peace to you.
28Cecilturtle
>23 Robertgreaves: My sincere condolences, Robert
30Robertgreaves
Read on the flight:
The Lonely Man (my No. 79, forty-fourth ROOT)
Very short story with a good twist at the end.
The Killing Stones (my No. 80, forty-fifth ROOT)
Archie Stout is found dead, bludgeoned with a Neolithic artefact from the local museum. As he was Jimmy Perez's best friend, can Jimmy investigate impartially or will Willow have to pull him off the case?
Another group of islands to explore in Jimmy Perez's new series. There was one point where I wondered if disaster was being foreshadowed but fortunately all was well.
Offshore (my No. 81, forty-sixth ROOT)
Short story collection featuring detectives from different series
And started my No. 82, Blind Lake by Robert Charles Wilson. This ebook is my forty-seventh ROOT for 2026. It fits the AlphaKIT.
The Lonely Man (my No. 79, forty-fourth ROOT)
Very short story with a good twist at the end.
The Killing Stones (my No. 80, forty-fifth ROOT)
Archie Stout is found dead, bludgeoned with a Neolithic artefact from the local museum. As he was Jimmy Perez's best friend, can Jimmy investigate impartially or will Willow have to pull him off the case?
Another group of islands to explore in Jimmy Perez's new series. There was one point where I wondered if disaster was being foreshadowed but fortunately all was well.
Offshore (my No. 81, forty-sixth ROOT)
Short story collection featuring detectives from different series
And started my No. 82, Blind Lake by Robert Charles Wilson. This ebook is my forty-seventh ROOT for 2026. It fits the AlphaKIT.
31Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 83, The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith. This ebook is my forty-eighth ROOT for 2026. It fits the AlphaKIT.
My review of Blind Lake:
One of two astronomical research stations in the US which show what appear to be living beings on an extra-solar planet is suddenly cut off from the outside world. But why? And are the screens showing something real or just an AI hallucination?
A fascinating and enjoyable exploration of ideas, though it does sometimes tip over into technobabble.
My review of Blind Lake:
One of two astronomical research stations in the US which show what appear to be living beings on an extra-solar planet is suddenly cut off from the outside world. But why? And are the screens showing something real or just an AI hallucination?
A fascinating and enjoyable exploration of ideas, though it does sometimes tip over into technobabble.
32Robertgreaves
Starting the next in the series, The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, as my No. 84. This book is not a ROOT but does fit the AlphaKIT.
My review of The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe:
Mma Ramotswe's latest case is to find the identity of a woman who claims to have lost her memory. Mma Makutsi wants to start a cafe as a sideline, and Mr. J. L. B. Maketoni has a difficult decision to make.
Another gentle visit to Botswana, which nevertheless deals with some serious issues. The title is less directly relevant than in the previous books.
My review of The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe:
Mma Ramotswe's latest case is to find the identity of a woman who claims to have lost her memory. Mma Makutsi wants to start a cafe as a sideline, and Mr. J. L. B. Maketoni has a difficult decision to make.
Another gentle visit to Botswana, which nevertheless deals with some serious issues. The title is less directly relevant than in the previous books.
33Robertgreaves
Currently reading The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths as my No. 85. This book is not a ROOT.
My review of The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine:
Mma Ramotswe takes a staycation, but will her staff leave her to relax?
The usual gentle visit to Botswana with undercurrents of social problems for those paying attention.
My review of The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine:
Mma Ramotswe takes a staycation, but will her staff leave her to relax?
The usual gentle visit to Botswana with undercurrents of social problems for those paying attention.
34Robertgreaves
Possible June reading:
35Robertgreaves
Starting my No. 86, Two For Joy by M. E. Mayer, taken from the Death in Byzantium omnibus. It counts as my forty-ninth ROOT for 2026. I am reading it for my online reading group.
My review of The Frozen People:
Ali(soun) Dawson is sent back in time to 1850 to investigate claims that a government minister's ancestor was involved with a group the membership qualification for which was, according to rumours, to have killed a woman. In theory she was supposed to be imperceptible but in fact ...
This was a real page-turner with some gripping high-tension scenes and fascinating domestic details for Ali's life in the present and in 1850. The second in the series goes straight on my wishlist.
My review of The Frozen People:
Ali(soun) Dawson is sent back in time to 1850 to investigate claims that a government minister's ancestor was involved with a group the membership qualification for which was, according to rumours, to have killed a woman. In theory she was supposed to be imperceptible but in fact ...
This was a real page-turner with some gripping high-tension scenes and fascinating domestic details for Ali's life in the present and in 1850. The second in the series goes straight on my wishlist.
37Robertgreaves
>36 connie53: Thank you, Connie
Starting my No. 87, Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield. This ebook is not a ROOT. I am reading it now for my book club.
My review of Two for Joy, unchanged from the last time I read it:
On a stormy night, three stylites are apparently struck by lightning and burnt to death in fulfilment of a prophecy by Michael, a charismatic preacher camped across the Bosporos from the city. Was it divine judgement or was there a more earthly cause? And how is the Emperor going to deal with Michael as the city descends into chaos?
The mystery was intriguing and a startling revelation about a character from the first book means we won't be seeing that person again. But apart from marking that it is a sequel, I don't see the relevance of the title. There wasn't much joy for anyone, unless surving all the upheavals counts a cause for joy in itself.
Starting my No. 87, Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield. This ebook is not a ROOT. I am reading it now for my book club.
My review of Two for Joy, unchanged from the last time I read it:
On a stormy night, three stylites are apparently struck by lightning and burnt to death in fulfilment of a prophecy by Michael, a charismatic preacher camped across the Bosporos from the city. Was it divine judgement or was there a more earthly cause? And how is the Emperor going to deal with Michael as the city descends into chaos?
The mystery was intriguing and a startling revelation about a character from the first book means we won't be seeing that person again. But apart from marking that it is a sequel, I don't see the relevance of the title. There wasn't much joy for anyone, unless surving all the upheavals counts a cause for joy in itself.
38Robertgreaves
Also reading my No. 88, Beaker's Dozen, a collection of short stories by Nancy Kress. This ebook is not a ROOT. It fits the RandomKIT.
