Cal8769's Attack on Mount TBR! Year three

Here we are again, reading and reading but falling farther behind. Thank heavens we always have books to read! With that thought I give you...(drum roll, please)...

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
4 1/2 stars, library

This is an incredible book!

Oh, I haven't read any Bradbury for a long time. Have to hunt some up!

Nice start! Glad you're back!

Glad to see you back with us, Carrie, and with such a great start to your reading year!

Thanks everyone. It was a great book. I am so pleased with the classics that I have been hearing so much about and finally am reading. They live up to the hype.

I am excited for a new challenge and a great reading year.

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
4 stars, library

3. The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan
borrowed, 3 1/2 stars

I have been meaning to read Coraline for a long time. Thanks for reminding me. :) You are off to a great start this year already.
--BJ

Thanks, Billiejean. I have been hearing so much about Gaiman, I'm glad that I finally tried his books.

4. The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill
library, 3 1/2 stars

I found you, and have you starred! You are really reading some great stuff this year! :)

Thanks! I was just checking out your thread. Jinks!

5. The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lilian Jackson Braun
library, 3 stars

Currently reading The Stand (I know, I know but I'm almost done!), The Talisman, The Cat Who Sniffed Glue and Haunted America. I'm sure another book will catch my eye and I will put aside some of these books for that one...sigh. I have too many books looking at me saying,"I'm next, pick me!"

I read The Stand last year and really liked it.

There can never really be too many books, can there?
--BJ

I admire your diligence with The Stand - I think you have been reading it for almost a year now! Are you enjoying it at least?

I am enjoying it. The same thing happened the last time I read it 20+ (shudders) years ago. The beginning 300 or so pages kept my interest, the middle 500 or so pages DRUG OUT!!!! and the last 300 pages were exciting and gripping. I actually consider it one of the better books that I have read and I have enjoyed it more the second time around.

My main problem is that I read according to mood, that's why I read so many different types of books at once. More often that not when I'm in the middle of a bigger book, another will grip me and I'll have to finish it first. Oh well, I can see it happening with The Talisman too!

Guess what?

Drum roll, please!

I finished The Stand!!!!!

*bows*

Thank you, thank you.
Let me make it official!

6. The Stand by Stephen King
own, 4 stars

Bravo! Bravo! Quite an accomplishment and a great epic story. And was it the expanded edition? When I read it 30 or so years ago, it was just the ever so hefty not-expanded edition.

Congrats on finishing The Stand!
--BJ

Yay! One of my favorite Stephen King books!

Thanks everyone! Yes, was the huge extended version, all 1100+ pages of it.

Good work! Think we should give you a Standing ovation? ;)

Seriously, I read the book years ago -- and it took quite a while -- and I loved it, too.

Glad you finished The Stand and glad you liked it. It's much my favorite King, and I've read it several times. For some shorter King (not short stories), you might try The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and Blaze.

>22 tymfos: Hah!

Thanks everyone. Good one, tymfos!

I have read most on King's books before, including the two you mentioned, Prop2gether. I am in the King's Dear Constant Reader's group and we are doing monthly group reads of his books. We are reading them in order of publication. Currently we are reading The Talisman.

Feel free to check us out and maybe join in!

http://www.librarything.com/groups/kingsdearconstantrea

A drum roll just for you, Carrie!

> 26 Lol! How do you all find graphics-for-every-occasion?!

Let me add my congrats on finishing The Stand. I actually "read" that book via audio book. It's the only Stephen King book I've read and I've always meant to read more.

#27: www.glitter-graphics.com - I just look until I find one that suits, lol. They have a search function to get you started.

Great link, Stasia!

I finished this book for the 1st Librarything Readathon!

7. The Cat Who Sniffed Glue by Lilian Jackson Braun
library, 3 1/2 stars

8. Oceans of Fire by Christine Feehan
own, 3 stars

9. The Cat Who Went Underground by Lilian Braun
library, 4 stars

10. The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
borrowed, 3 stars

Currently reading The Talisman, and Bed of Roses. That's pretty good for me, I'm usually chugging through 3 or 5 books at once.

Would Bed of Roses be by Nora Roberts, by any chance? I am loving that series, although the third and fourth aren't available yet.

I have Vision in White on my nightstand to read and Bed of Roses lurking around somewhere as well. I hope to get to both of them soon.

Yes, I'm enjoying that series a lot. That's the problem with reading series books when they are being released...The wait is a killer!

#37: Yes, I know (says Stasia who is not so patiently waiting for August to arrive to read the second and third books of The Hunger Games trilogy.)

11. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
library, 3 1/2 stars

12. The Vows of Silence by Susan Hill
library, 3 1/2

Was The Christmas Sweater uplifting or depressing?
--BJ

It was pretty sad. I didn't think that it was written very well. I don't regret reading it but I wouldn't push it on my friends to read.

13. The White Road by John Connolly
library, 3 stars

I was afraid that it would be so sad rather than uplifting. Thanks for letting me know.
--BJ

14. Matchless by Gregory Maguire
library, 4 stars

15. The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry
own, 3 1/2 stars

HHMM 3 Christmas books in February. My timing seems to be way off!

my husband is still humming Christmas songs...
So you are not alone in a late Christmas ;-)
Anita

I love Christmas music and I really miss it. Maybe my sub concious is telling me something. :)

16. The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts by Lilian Jackson Braun
library, 3 1/2 stars

17. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
library, 4 stars

#49: I have yet to make it through that book. I have tried twice. It is odd because I really like Connelly's Harry Bosch series.

I really enjoyed it. I thought it was up there with the Bosch series. It started a little slow but there were so many twists and turns right up to the very end that I was on the edge of my seat. I kept watching for Harry to make an apperance but he's nowhere to be seen.

I will give it another go then, Carrie. I trust your opinion. I will try it until the halfway point and then if I do not like it, I will chunk it.

18. Partners by Nora Roberts (book one in Suspicious)
library, 3 stars

19.How the Dead Dream by Lydia Millet
library, 2 stars

20. The Art of Deception bNora Roberts (book two in Suspicious)
library, 3 stars

21. Night Moves by Nora Roberts
library, 3 stars, reread

22. Thinner by Stephen King
library, 3 stars
read for King's Dear Constant Reader's group reads (February 2010) I'm a little behind!

23. The Lover by Marguerite Duras
own (translated French Literature class), 3 stars

Hi, Carrie! I'm just trying to catch up on threads and stopped to see what you've been reading.

What did you think of Thinner? I love King, but don't think I've read any of his "Bachman" books. (I understand Thinner was the last one before someone saw through the pseudonym?) I've read very mixed reviews of this one, and the 3 stars you gave it doesn't look all that promising.

Hi! Nice to hear from you. These threads are hard to keep up with! I'm very far behind!

Thinner wasn't as gripping as most of his books. I didn't like the main character and that clouds my judgement. I would tell a King lover to give it a try but if someone wants a suggestion for a good starting book for King, I would leave it off the list!

24. The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub
own, reread, King's Dear Constant Reader's January group read.
4 1/2 stars

25. Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
library, 5 stars

I love Fforde! What a treat! I hoard them for when I need something delicious.

Congratulations on making it 1/3 of the way through the challenge, Carrie!

Thanks!

Fforde is such a treat. The way his stories surprise you and his humor is fabulous. I'm so glad for The Green Dragon group read of The Eyre Affair that got me hooked! I'm anxious to read more!

26. Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies
library, 4 stars

27. Coming Home by Mariah Stewert
Feb. ER book, 3 stars

#65: I have enjoyed the entire Thursday Next series. I hope you do too.

28. The Sweet Potato Queens' 1st Big Ass Novel by Jill Conner Browne
4 stars, library

29. what to do until the undertaker comes by Tobias Wells
2 stars, library

#69: 2 stars? Sounds like one I can skip!

Definitely! I picked it up, on a whim, at the library. Mostly due to the title. Luckily it was only 120 pages. It really tried to be good but it couldn't make the cut. The story would have been intriging if another author would have wrote it.

Well, I hope you have better luck with your next book!

I'm in good shape. I'm currently reading The Bachman Books (King), A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving), Angels Flight (Michael Connelly), and The Cat Who Lived High (Braun). The favorite authors rarely disappoint!

#73: The favorite authors rarely disappoint!

True - and I tend to be more lenient with favorite authors too.

I have to agree. If I'm unhappy with a new author's book, I probably won't try another. If I am unhappy with a favorite author I attribute it to a bad day!

30. The Cat Who Lived High by Lilian Jackson Braun
library, 3 stars

#75: The Cat Who series is one that has gone downhill for me, unfortunately. I have not picked up the last several because of it. Have you read the series completely through?

No, I'm on the 11th book. It's cozy easy mystery reading for me but I can't see where these books can go. True, the mysteries change but I'm getting tired of the wonderful mustache descriptions and the clever cat descriptions. This book focused on spellings so much it was irritating. i.e. "I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know your last name."
She said something like "Cowbell."
"Spell it."
"K-o-w-b-e-l-l."
That happened at least 4 times in this little book.

I'll keep plugging away at the series because they are cute, easy and I'm a sucker for finishing a series once I start one.

#77: It is easy mystery reading, but I like my cozies to have at least some point to them. I have I do not know how many in the series and finally gave up on it after about book 15 or so. I am not even sure Lilian Jackson Braun is really writing them any more. The first several were charming, as you got to know the characters, and I liked the relationship between Qwill and Polly, but then that kind of got killed off.

31. Angels Flight by Michael Connelly
library, 4 stars

#79: I really like the Harry Bosch series. I hope you are enjoying it too, Carrie.

My only regret is that I read them out of order. I started with A Darkness More Than Night (picked because of the title) and a lady I work with gave me a couple she had. I read those as I picked them up and soon realized that IT'S A SERIES.....AAAAHHH!!!. Now I'm reading the others that I missed. I really enjoy trying to figure Harry out and wishing that something would go right for him for a change. Angels Flight was really good, one of the better of the series so far. It kept me guessing!

32. Critical Care by Theresa Brown
ER book from another LTer, 4 stars.

33. Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
library, 2 stars

#82: I did not much care for Dangerous Days of Daniel X either. I kept thinking throughout the entire book, James Patterson needed a co-writer for this?!

I'm not a 'alien invades Earth' fan anyway and this book was very, very blah. It's a good thing that it was a short book and his use of short chapters made it easy to finish. I was wondering if Patterson 'sells' his name and style (for lack of a better description) to unknown authors and if he actually writes any of the coauthored books? I have to agree with you, 'Why does he need a co-writer for a super short, super basic book"?

#84: I know the book was supposed to be for young adults, but I am sure even that age group is probably scratching their heads and saying "I can write better than this!"

After I read Witch and Wizard I kind of made a decision not to waste time on his books anymore. That was another YA book written apparently with the idea that young adults have no brains (not always the truth) and can only read books with the rhythm and vocabulary found on TV. I tend to lose interest with someone who has seems to have no respect for his/her audiences.

#86: I do not know that I blame you!

I still like Patterson's Alex Cross series. I just love the characters, especially Alex!

I've never tried his YA stuff -- they're not the sort of subject matter that appeals to me, generally.

#88: I still like his Woman's Murder Club and Alex Cross books, but at this point, I think I will leave his young adult books alone.

I agree, Stasia and Terri. I need to get caught up on the Woman's Murder Club series instead of reading his YA!

34. A Faint, Cold Fear by Karin Slaughter
own, 4 stars

#91: That is a series I really like. Looks like you enjoyed at least one book in it too :)

I have Indelible on deck and I won Broken through the ER program. (I haven't received it yet) She writes such a twisted mystery.. bad guys at every turn ...good guys who are bad guys...plot twists that hit you from left field! WOW

She writes such a twisted mystery.. bad guys at every turn ...good guys who are bad guys...plot twists that hit you from left field! WOW

Sounds like a great series. *sigh* Another great series. . . the list grows . . .

35. The Bachman Books by Stephen King
library, reread, 4 stars, King's Dear Constant Reader's April and May group read

I read that book quite a few years ago. The one that really stuck with me for some reason was The Long Walk. I also remember that there was one about a student taking over a classroom (Rage?). But The Long Walk is the one that I am reminded of from time to time.

How far along are you on reading all of King's works? Is he still publishing?
--BJ

The Bachman Books were so full of depression and anxiety. I enjoy (for lack of a better word) his diving into the behaviors of mentally unhinged characters. It makes you think.

His latest is Under The Dome which I haven't read yet. I'm reading (and rereading) his books in order of publication with the King's Dear Constant Reader's group. It's always fun to hear about other readers' thoughts' on his books. I skipped Skeleton Crew because of the lack of time but it's sitting at home, patiently waiting. Now I'm hooked on Horns by Stephen King 's son, Joe Hill. It's a weird, creepy book so far!

I wonder what it would be like to have Stephen King for a dad.
--BJ

98- Doesn't Stephen King's wife write horror as well? You're right - the kid probably had an interesting upbringing.

>98 billiejean: Couldn't you just see him sticking his face around the edge of the door saying, "Here's Johnny!" when he comes home from work?

That was classic! I just saw that movie on tv the other day. Jack Nicholson has made some great movies.
--BJ

Jack Nicholson is gifted, that's for sure. I loved him in The Shining!

Growing up in a household of horror writers...HHMM. I read one book of Tabitha King's. It was OK, I can't think of the title off hand. I think it was Small World. Hill took after dear old dad in the writing department!

36. Horns by Joe Hill
library, 4 1/2 stars

I'll tell you what.. if anyone thinks that Hill is riding on his dad's coat tails needs to read this book. What a disturbing creepy ride!

#103 I read his Heart Shaped Box last year. I pulled it off the shelf and started reading it at the county library while waiting for my son. Only book in recent memory that gave me goosebumps in a busy reading room in broad daylight! Could barely put it down long enough to check it out and drive home!

I really want to read Horns!

I felt the same way about Heart Shaped Box. My husband was away for job training and I actually had to sit it aside to read in the daylight!

Back from vacation and had some great reading time!

37. Thurday Next: First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde
own, 4 stars

38. The Cat Who Knew A Cardinal by Lilian Jackson Braun
library, 3 1/2 stars

39. Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen
Early Reviewer book, 4 stars

Currently reading A Prayer for Owen Meany, Ghost Hunters and I'm getting ready to start Skeleton Crew

I got Ice Cold as an ER book too, Carrie. I hope I like it as much as you did - when I get around to reading it.

Glad to see you back safe and sound!

Have you read many Gerritsen books? I have a few here that a friend gave me but I haven't read them yet.

Whew! Lots of posts.... It just doesn't pay to fall behind.....
I have The Heart Shaped Box somewhere........
I have got to find it......

Interesting to see posts regarding The Heart Shaped Box and Horns, both of which I brought home from the library today.

I'm interested in learning your impressions of A Prayer For Owen Meany. This is one of my top all-time favorite books.

I am plugging away at Owen Meany. It's interesting but it's not a book that is engrossing me. The other Irving books that I have read were the same. I enjoyed them but they weren't a power through in a day type reads. (The Cider House Rules and The World According to Garp)

The other down fall is that it isn't an ARC or a library book so it keeps getting put aside for those. I'm getting ready to start a massive reread of Gabaldon's Outlander series and I'm trying to get all of my library books and already started books finished before I start them.

#111: I have stalled on An Echo in the Bone. You remind me that I need to get back to it!

That's the only one I haven't read. My mom said that she liked it but not as much as the previous books. She didn't like how the book was told from each person's point of view.

Don't you wonder how she is going to wrap it all up? If Claire and Jamie do not end up HEA, I am going to have a fit.

I agree!!

In case you did not know, Gabaldon catalogues her library here on LT if you want to sneak a peek :)

116. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>111 cal8769:: 'Tis funny about books and readers; it's such a relationship. I loved Owen Meany, and for a year kept it on a shelf in the bathroom, because it was one of those books that I could open up anywhere and enjoy. But then, other people talk about the books I've read that made them laugh, and I think, "I must have a missing funny bone!"

#117: OK, what is that for, Kath? You do not like Gabaldon? Or you do like Gabaldon and are excited? lol

#118: other people talk about the books I've read that made them laugh, and I think, "I must have a missing funny bone!"

I think that describes my current relationship with Terry Pratchett, who I am desperately trying to like since everyone else seems to.

I don't 'mind' Pratchett... but it is just too relentlessly something for me. I read a few and was done.

119 I do

#122: Good to know!

I will have to hunt Gabaldon's library down. I think it's interesting to see what the authors like to read.

I wasn't finding Owen Meany funny but it's starting to crack me up. I just finished the Christmas play section.

#124: Gabaldon's LT library is here, Carrie: http://www.librarything.com/profile/diana.gabaldon

Thanks! :)

You are quite welcome!

Wow, I haven't finished anything lately. The sun is shining, the birds are singing....*sigh* It's much easier to read when it's ugly out. I'm currently reading Skeleton Crew, Ghost Hunters, The Glass Castle, and A Prayer for Owen Meaney. I'm waiting for 2 Early Reviewer books and I want to read It and Lilly Dale:the true story of the town that talks to its dead before I start a massive reread of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. No pressure though...HAHA

#128: No pressure though...HAHA

Yeah, right. Only the pressure you put on yourself, huh?

#128 ....*sigh* It's much easier to read when it's ugly out.

Isn't that the truth! Different pile of books, same kind of story for me. Lots of stuff started, and not so much progresss getting through it . . .
:)

It's the books, Stasia. They want me to read them and I hate to let them down!

#131: Yeah, but they are patient :)

So true, so true.

40. Skeleton Crew by Stephen King
library, 5 stars

Finally I finished a book! I was going to read but the sunshine is calling to me. Have a great day.

I know what you mean about the sun calling out to you :)
I have spent time in the yard ( so much to weed) and not enough just sitting on my front porch, under my new fan :)

enjoy your day carrie :)

I loved Skeleton Crew! I've read a lot of Stephen King and I've always found his collections of short stories (in particular Skeleton Crew, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and Night Shift) to be amongst his creepiest, scariest works. Loved them all!!!!!

His shorts are some of my favorites. Skeleton Crew is my favorite!

41. Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death by Deborah Blum

library, 3 1/2 stars

41 sounds yummy :)

It's a good book, Kath. William James was the brother of The Turn of the Screw's Henry James. He was a psychologist in the 1800's before Freud's theories were popular and he was interested in the paranormal. He and a few friends started a paranormal research group to debunk mediums and spirits in a time when mysticism was fraudulent. Surprisingly they found a few that they couldn't discredit.

This book was very interesting because all of the 'ghost hunters' were scientific minded people. There were future Nobel Prize winners, scientists, researchers, etc. Disproving spirits and mediums was a lifelong endevor for a lot of these people.

I loved that book (41)! Very, very interesting!

After reading it, I got hold of a used copy of the book William James: On Psychical Research, which is an edited collection of various things James wrote on the subject. One of these days, I'm going to read it . . .

I will be adding it to my list! Thanks a lot carrie ! lol

42. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
borrowed, 4 stars

A friend loaned me this book and what a book it was. It is the memoirs of the author's childhood. It's amazing that she ever made it through alive, let alone becoming a successful adult.

#142: I liked that one too. I am glad you got a chance to read it, Carrie. What a nice friend you have!

43. Lilly Dale: The True Story of a Town That Talks to the Dead by Christine Wicker
borrowed, 3 1/2 stars

This was an interesting book that was better because it followed my reading of Ghost Hunters. Wicker makes many references to William James and his paranormal investigation group. Wicker goes to Lilly Dale as a skeptic reporter writing a story about a town of mediums. It is a life changing experience for her.

44. Dark Demon by Christine Feehan
borrowed, 4 stars

I like the Carpathians series by Feehan. The plots are great and the characters are formed well but the sex! I get so tired of page after page of vivid sex details. Don't get me wrong I don't mind a little bit of lust and fun but her books are mirror images in this way, almost down to the desciptions.

#145: I am a big fan of the Carpathian series too, but I agree with you about the sex.

Loved the Lily Dale book.. dying to visit the community.....maybe someday ...

#147 dying to visit the community

Interesting choice of words, Kath, considering their specialty . . . I hope you're not going to be literal about that!

Who knows? If not now, then..?

Chiming in to say I also loved Ghost Hunters! And I was going to add the Lily Dale book to my list, but it's already there.

45. Indelible by Karin Slaughter
own, 4 stars

Carrie, I like your books...!

Great minds think alike!

exactly!!

I want to join the 'Great minds' club too! I am a big Karin Slaughter fan.

We would be glad to have you!

46. Uncle John's Bathroom Reader by the Bathroom Reader's Institute
own, 3 1/2 stars

#156: Good!

47. Broken by Karin Slaughter
ER book, 4 stars

I do love Slaughter's crime thrillers. I just wish that I finished reading the rest of the series before reading this one. Oh well, it was still great!

I tried to fix the touchstone but LT is not cooperating this morning.

48. A Prayer For Owen Meany John Irving
library, 4 stars

#48.. that was a good one..
*waves wildly*

Hi, Kath!!!

*waves back*

I really enjoyed it. Funny but sad.

49. The Travelling Kind by Janet Dailey
own, 2 1/2 stars

Well I wanted candy fluff. This was a so-so one. Thank God it was short and only took a couple of hours to read.

Had I read a summary of A Prayer for Owen Meany beforehand, I could never have predicted that I would love it as much as I did. 4 stars, huh? Any comments coming?

#160: Already read that one. Looks like you enjoyed it more than I did.

#162: Skipping that one!

I am also curious re. your comments on A Prayer for Owen Meany. It is one of my favorite all-time books. I recommend the movie Simon Birch which is loosely based on the Irving book.

Yeah... the bit of regretted fluff. I have one on the coffee table right now, waiting for me..

50. The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman

own, 4 stars

I will be adding my comments for APfOM soon. I'm still thinking about it.

#167: I own that book. I look forward to your thoughts on it.

Congratulations on hitting 50 books!

Congrats on 50 -- I just hit that number today too!

It's good to hit #50, isn't it? 2/3 of the way to the goal!

Thanks, everybody! I'm a little behind my norm this year but I'm pleased with the books that I've been reading. A lot of wishlist and owned but ignored books. Also I have been working at reading more 'classics'.

160.>Owen Meaney was such a deeper-than-obvious meaning book. At first I wasn't too crazy about it. It must be Irving's style because I felt the same way about The World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules. After finishing them, I consider them among my favorite reads. (That's why I'm a sinker!)
The caps for Owen's voice turned me off at first. I think it's because in this computer age it means shouting. By the end of the book I appreciated it. The caps added to Owen's presence.
As for the story itself, Wow. Irving brings up some valid questions about religion and faith. This story reminds me of the message from The Five People You Meet in Heaven, everyday there are things that happen that have a domino effect that we may never know about.

I love your comments regarding the domino effect! That is a great analogy for the book...and for life.

I like Irving, too.. always have.

:)

I need read some more of his books... I need to read more of everyone's books. :(

Does it ever end!?

I need read some more of his books... I need to read more of everyone's books. :( Does it ever end!?

*sigh* No, they just keep publishing more and more of them . . . and there are already more good ones out there than I could possibly read in 20 lifetimes!

51. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
own, 4 stars

thank the goddess no, it never ends :)

#176 - I've got The Surgeon waiting for me at the library. Glad to know you liked it. Have you seen the TV series? So far we're enjoying it.

I meant to watch the series but so far, no dice. I really need to record it. I like the cast members so I'm sure I would enjoy it.

#176: Dodging that particular BB as I have already read that one!

*waves* ...

52. etre the cow by Sean Kenniff
library, 4 stars

#182: Nice review, Carrie. I will look for that one.

Thanks. I always feel that I am not expressing myself. I love the other review written by knittingmomof3. She described everything that I felt about the book. It is an extraordinary book.

#184: I always feel that I am not expressing myself.

I know what you mean. Somehow when I try to put into words just how I feel about a book, the words are just flat compared to the feeling. I was that way about Night Train to Lisbon.

53. My French Whore by Gene Wilder
library, 4 stars

I picked this book up because of the author's name. I was curious to see what kind of book he would write. It is also a little book. I figured that if he was terrible I could muscle my way through it. Boy was I surprised. Wilder writes of Paul Peachy and his cowardly flight from a battle during WWI. Captured by the Germans he adopts the character of one of Germany's famous spies, Harry Stroller.

really?! huh, I didn't know he writes.. this is the actor?

Yeah, he has written at least three books that I know of. This was his first, I believe. I liked it. He had good descriptions and an engaging plot. It could have been better but then there aren't too many 'perfect' books!

I will have to have a look at his stuff :)

54. A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner
Early Reviewer, 3 1/2 stars

On a hot Memphis day, Detective Billy Able is assigned to find a missing socialite, Sophia Dupree. The problem is that he is familiar with the missing woman and her drunken habits and his super cop partner, Lou Nevers, is having 'issues' making him unstable. Throw in a domineering judge and mistreated woman and you have the makings of a really good suspense thriller!

I enjoyed reading this book. Turner has a way of involving you in the story. You can feel the heat of a Memphis summer and see the pain on the characters faces. I thought that the plot, while intriguing, didn't seem to flow. I felt as though I was following a story and then another story was focused on. In the end the plot made sense but at the time I didn't like it. I think Turner will be an exciting author as she evolves and I am eager to read her future books.

Not too shabby.

#190: I already have that one in the BlackHole. I hope the local library gets a copy soon.

sounds like a fun read..

What sorts of fun stuff have been going on in your world?
I have missed seeing you around here.. glad you are able to pop in now and then. I am now off to close the laptop and open a book! take care

Thanks, Kath :) It's vacation time at work so I've been working extra and we have been babysitting a lot. Then of course every weekend has something going on, two weddings on the same day last weekend! Then to top it off I was spending way too much time on FaceBook and not enough time doing important things like reading! I am boycotting most of the games on FB. I'm getting back to my LT roots. I hope your book is a good one!

#193: I made up in mind in January to not spend any time on FB any more. I spent far too much time playing the games. I have been on FB twice this year, I think, and that is it. I would much rather hang out on LT :)

I still play one game... but I don't spend as much time on FB as some think I do..
I agree, it is too easy to get sucked into the games.. :P
I have to go and look for grandbaby pics at fb.. hope you have some!

What a doll he is!

Yep, balancing Facebook games with reading can be tricky. But I read my LT threads while picking up all my gifts from the feed every day!

55. The Night Following by Morag Joss
library, 4 stars

A doctor's wife finds evidence of his infidelity in his car and on the way home, accidently hits Ruth and kills her. In her despair she drives away. Shock over her husband's betrayal and the accident eventually unhinges the doctor's wife's mind. At first she only watches Ruth's husband, Arthur. Then she steps in and does little things for him. Arthur believes that Ruth has come back to be with him.

What a sad book. It's full of desperation and heartbreak. I liked how it was written, the doctor's wife's story, Arthur's letters to his dead wife and then the story that Ruth was writing when she died.

that sounds very different.. I may have to give it a read sometime...Thanks carrie!

#198: I am not sure I can handle that much desperation. I will have to think on it.

56. City of Bones by Michael Connelly
library, 4 stars

Another awesome mystery by Connelly. Plenty of twists and turns but geez! Poor Harry. Give the guy a break already.

Help me out here. I'm reading The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson. I like how Wilson writes ( I loved The Keep) but I'm not getting into this book. I'm 150 pages in and HHMMM. I'll finish it because I'm a sinker and I almost always finish books that I start. My question is....Are all the Repairman Jack books so out in left field? The plot seems so unrealistic (And I love King so that's saying something!) and the characters are stupid, shallow and annoying. I can't imagine that there is a series based on Jack and his exploits.

#202: No, all the Repairman Jack books are not so out in left field, Carrie. I actually read the second book in the series, Legacies, before I read The Tomb and it is probably a good thing, because I am not sure I would have picked up any other books in the series if I had started with book 1.

That's good to know. I was really starting to wonder if his publisher lost his mind. Thanks, Stasia

#204: No problem, Carrie.

I'd agree. The "real" Repairman Jack books start with Legacies.

passing though to say hello!

57. The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson
library, 2 stars

I would have given this book 1 star but I enjoy the way Wilson writes and this book did pick up a little bit at the end. It's a shame that The Tomb is the first of a series of books because it doesn't make you want more. If I wouldn't have read The Keep first, I'm not sure if I could have finished this book. I'll look for Legacies based on the recommendations here. Thanks everyone.

I'm currently reading It (wonderful! Better the second time around) and Murder on Monday (Yawn).

I started a new thread. Come join me! http://www.librarything.com/topic/97083&newpost=1#lastmsg