Cheli's 101010+20 2nd qtr

My 101010+20 challenge 1st Qtr thread was getting a little long so I'm switching here. I'm doing the full 101010 plus a bonus category of 20 in honor of the century. I may add additional bonus categories at the end, if I finish before 10/10/10. Here is my 1st Qtr Thread.

** indicates books I own





Here are my candidates for the categories
I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery (repeat from 999)
The chocolate Cat Caper**
The Chocolate Bear Burglary**
The Chocolate Frog Frame-up**
Murder on St. Mark's Place**
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Death on Demand**
Design for murder**
The Diva Runs out of Thyme**
Death at Bishop's Keep**
Gilt by Association**
Dead Cat Bounce**
Jane & the Unpleasantness at Seagrove Manor**
Homicide in Hardcover**
Murder is binding**

II. Civil War and its Leaders
Lincoln President-Elect : Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861
Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney
Lincoln and his Admirals
The two American Presidents : a dual biography of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis
Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee**
Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War
Desperate engagement : how a little-known Civil War battle saved Washington, D.C., and changed the course of American history
Confederate Ordeal: The Southern Home Front : The Civil War
The South vs. the South: How Anti-Confederate Southerners Shaped the Course of the Civil War
Why the South lost the Civil War
The Reconstruction Presidents

III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Mastered by Love**
First comes Marriage**
Then Comes Seduction**
At Last Comes Love**
Everlasting**
Irresistible**
Gates of Trevalyan**
Taste of Innocence**
Queen's Bastard**

IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)
The Exploits and Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy** - Elizabeth Aston
The True Darcy Spirit - Elizabeth Aston**
The Second Mrs. Darcy** - Elizabeth Aston
Darcy's Temptation**
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One** (Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy) - Sharon Lathan
Loving Mr. Darcy: **Journeys Beyond Pemberley - Sharon Lathan
The Pemberley Chronicles: A Companion Volume to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice**: - Rebecca Ann Collins
The Women of Pemberley**: A Companion Volume to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (The Pemberley Chronicles)
The ladies of Longbourn : a companion volume to Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice
Mr. Darcy's Daughter: The acclaimed Pride and Prejudice sequel series (The Pemberley Chronicles)

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads(repeat from 999)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (group read January)
The Three Musketeers **(group read Feb/Mar)
The Scarlet Pimpernel (group read 7/14)
Dressed for death
Lace Reader
Lost Symbol
Great Expectations
Call of the Wild (#neverstoptrying)
The 19th Wife
Empire of Ivory
Mister Monday
Over Sea, Under Stone

VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies (repeat from 999X2)
Knit One, Kill Two
Needled to Death
A Deadly Yarn
A Killer Stitch**
A Murderous Yarn **
Hanging by a Thread**
Hooked on Murder**
Murder in miniature**
Death by Cashmere**
Through the Grinder**
Plum Pudding Murder
Apple Turnover Murder**
Died in the Wool**
The Mournful Teddy**
The Clockwork Teddy**
The Crafty Teddy**
The False-Hearted Teddy**

VII. I HEARD THEM(repeat from 999X2)

RED Badge of Courage
this Republic of Suffering
Don't know much about the Civil War
Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief
With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln
Team of Rivals (Lincoln cabinet)
A House Reunited
Borderline 1/24/10
Her Fearful Symmetry 5/27/10
The Art of Racing in the Rain
In Big Trouble
No! I don't want to join a book club
Someone to Love
The Sugar Queen
Seducing an Angel
Hardly Knew Her

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history (Repeat from 999)
Polk : the man who transformed the presidency and America
The California Gold Rush and the coming of the Civil War**
The Impending Crisis (civil war bkgrd) joycepa
1858: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and the War they Failed to See
Lincoln at Gettysburg : the words that remade America
Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest
Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
Expatriation of Franklin Pierce: The Story of a President and the Civil War
James Buchanan by Jean Baker
Over the edge of the world:Magellan's terrifying circumnavigation of the globe

IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999)
Lost Throne**
First lady of the Confederacy : Varina Davis's Civil War
Mrs. Robert E. Lee: The Lady of Arlington
If the South had won the Civil War
Yankee Women sjmccreary
The Brutal Telling (group Read April)
A Separate Country**
Eggs Benedict Arnold**
Decoding the Lost Symbol**
My Name is Will**
Wives of Henry Oades**
A Summer Affair**
Future Hope** abandoned

X. A Full Course Meal
Cocktails - Whiskey Sour
Salad - Crazy salad : some things about women
Bread and Butter - Fax me a bagel
Soup - Chicken soup for the soul
Seafood - The oyster wars of Chesapeake Bay
Meat Entrée - Dead Meat
Wine & Cheese - The Bordeaux Betrayal
Dessert - Eat Cake
After Dinner Drinks - Clash of cavalry; the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863
Coffee or Tea - Sex, Murder and a Double Latte**

And I'm doing a bonus category of 20 books for the century!

BONUS - Niagara Falls 20 CATEGORY Overflow (repeat from 999X2)

I. Cuddle up with a good Cozy Mystery



1. Dressed for Death
2. Hail to the Chef
3. Eggs Benedict Arnold
4. Murder on St. Mark's Place
5. Teaberry Strangler
6. Chocolate Cat Caper
7.
8.
9.
10.

II. Civil War and its Leaders
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

III. Love is a Many Splendored Thing
1. True Colors
2. Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
3. Mastered by Love
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

IV. Miss Austen and her relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)
1. Matters at Mansfield (or the Crawford Affair)
2. Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read - Group Reads





1. The Picture of Dorian Gray
2. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Times
3. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Once Upon a More Enlightened Time
4. The Complete World of Greek Mythology
5. Ella Minnow Pea
6. The Brutal Telling
7. The Three Musketeers
8. Her Fearful Symmetry
9.
10.

VI. Crafts/Hobbies/Cooking in the background





1. Plum Pudding Murder 1/13/10
2. Apple Turnover Murder 4/3/10
3. Died in the Wool: A Knitting Mystery
4. Death by Cashmere 4/24/10
5. Knit One, Kill Two 6/7/10
6. Knit in Comfort 6/15/10
7.
8.
9.
10.

7. I HEARD THEM (Audiobooks) CATEGORY COMPLETED



1. Venetian Betrayal 1/18/10
2. Borderline 1/24/10
3. Empire of Ivory 3/3/10
4. The Charlemagne Pursuit 4/1/10
5. Victory of Eagles 4/21/10
6. Death and Judgment 4/26/10
7. Sea of Monsters 4/30/10
8. Titan's Curse 5/7/10
9. Battle of the Labyrinth 5/22/10
10.No, I Don't Want to Join a Book Club! 6/10/10

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history CATEGORY COMPLETED!!




1. Polk : the man who transformed the presidency and America
2. Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest
3. The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War
4. Millard Fillmore
5. Millard Fillmore: Biography of a President
6. Franklin Pierce:Young Hickory of the Granite Hills
7. President James Buchanan
8. The Impending Crisis
9. 1858: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S Grant and the War They Failed to see
10. Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War

IX. Books I found out about on the Internet/at the library/in a bookstore CATEGORY COMPLETED





1. The Lost Throne 1/8/10 4 stars
2. My Name is Will 1/19/10 ½ star
3. Decoding the Lost Symbol 2/14/10 3 stars
4. A Second Helping 3/27/10 3 stars
5. The Wives of Henry Oades 3/31/10 2 stars
6. The Agency: A Spy in the House 4/7/10 4 stars
7. Hush: A Novel 4/11/10 4 stars
8. The Power of Half 5/1/10 3½ stars
9. Lumby Lines 5/13/10 4½ stars
10.God of the Hive 5/27/10 4 stars

10. Full Course Meal



1. Cocktails - Whiskey Sour 1/15/10
2. Salad - Perfection Salad: Women and Cooking at the Turn of the Century 3/23/10
3. Bread and Butter - Fax me a bagel 4/2/10
4. Soup - Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul 5/15/10
5. Seafood - The Oyster Wars of Chesapeake Bay 5/16/10
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

BONUS 20 CATEGORY
NIAGARA FALLS Overflow (repeat from 999X2)


1. The Mapping of Love and Death 6/12/10
2. The Demigod Files 6/15/10
3. Stealing Lumby 6/21/10
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

MARCH RECAP
Well, March was not a very good reading month for me if you take nly numbers into consideration. However, the books that I read were surprising in many ways.

The best of the month was - Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
with a close second being Empire of Ivory and Ella Minnow Pea.
The worst of the month - Perfection Salad.

I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery (repeat from 999)
Murder on St. Mark's Place

II. Civil War and its Leaders

III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing

IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads (repeat from 999)
Ella Minnow Pea

VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies (repeat from 999X2)

VII. I HEARD THEM (repeat from 999X2)
Empire of Ivory

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history (Repeat from 999)
Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
Franklin Pierce, Young Hickory of the Granite Hills.

IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999)
The wives of Henry Oads
A Second Helping

X. A Full Course Meal
Perfection Salad: Women and Cooking at the Turn of the Century

I better do better in April, or I'll never make my yearly goal.

The Three Musketeers (group read Feb/Mar) (I'm behind on my group read)
The Charlemagne Pursuit (¾ done) TIOLI
Fax me a Bagel
Apple Turnover Murder TIOLI
The Brutal Telling TIOLI
A Spy in the House
Teaberry Strangler TIOLI
Hush
Victory of Eagles TIOLI
Future Hope
Power of Half
Lumby Lines
The chocolate Cat Caper** TIOLI
The Chocolate Bear Burglary**
The Chocolate Frog Frame-up**
The Mapping of Love & Death
President James Buchanan
Sea of Monsters
Dead Cat Bounce
First come Marriage
4th course of chicken soup for the soul

Book Talley for MARCH:

Books Acquired 7 (0 read)
Books Read Owned 3 (Pages: 1,010)
Books Read Borrowed 6 (Pages: 1,828)
Audio Books heard 1 (11 ¼ hours)
Audios Acquired 1

Total Completed
7 books, 2,838 pages and 1 audio book
4 fiction; 3 nonfiction

Genre Summary:

Nonfiction:
3 books

Fiction:
Novels: 2
Fantasy: 1
Mystery: 1

You're making great progress on this, Cheli.

#31 The Charlemagne Pursuit

Author: Steve Berry
Read: Mar 4 - Apr 1
Format: AUDIO, 13 CDs, 736 pages equivalent
Source: Public Library
Setting: Anarctica, Germany, NC, GA, DC
Category: I Heard Them!
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, Audio, Read your Name - Letter C, TIOLI, Chunkster, Thriller
Stars: 3½

Cotton Malone has finally found a way to get the information which could lead to the answers of what happened to his father nearly 40 years ago. Calling in favors he is handed the file of the final mission that his father went on. Just as he receives the file he is accosted by agents of an unknown adversary.

As the story evolves, Malone is caught between antagonistic twin daughters of a German who was also on the mission with his father and want the same information. As in the past, Berry weaves a parallel story involving Stephanie Nell pitted against, this time, an Admiral that wants an appointment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and who knows exactly what Malone is searching for.

I love the Cotton Malone series because of the way that Steve Berry manages to take some ancient historical fact/artifact and weave it masterfully into thriller that will hold my interest even while generating questions of whether something like this could actually happen.

Looking forward to the next adventure!

#32 Fax Me A Bagel

Author: Sharon Kahn
Read: April 1 - April 2
Format: paperback, 242 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Murder, inheritance, bagels
Category: A Full Course meal
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 3

This little mystery is set in the fictitious town of Eternal, TX where we find the main character Ruby Rothman, a Rabbi's widow, trying to buy some bagels and instead finds herself a witness to murder. The victim was in line at the Hot Bagel and pushed ahead and she ended up dead. Since the owner is blamed and he was also the last person that her husband was with before he was killed in a hit and run accident, Ruby begins to wonder if the two deaths could be related.

It was entertaining to watch how the main character interacted with other members of the congregation now that they were replacing her husband. Her contacts with her husband family is also a main point and lead to interesting insights.

All in all a pleasant little cozy.

#33 APPLE TURNOVER MURDER

Author: Joanne Fluke
Read: April 2 - April 3
Format: Hardback 290 pages
Source: LT ER
Subject: Murder, fundraising, cookies, recipes
Category: Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI
Stars: 2½

Hannah Swensen, the owner of the Cookie Jar in Lake Eden Minnesota is, as usual, in a romantic dilemma in this latest adventure. She is torn between Norman, the dentist and Mike, the cop, with an old flame thrown in to stir the mix. However, in this escapade, Norman travels off to the big city to visit with old friends, Mike is pushing Hannah toward Norman, and the old flame turns up dead after an argument with our heroine.

The characters of this well-flavored series are evolving, however, in this book the murder didn't even occur until well past the halfway mark leaving the reader wondering when something material was going to happen. Once it did, there were very few clues for the reader even though the ones that were there were quite obvious.

Of all the Hannah Swensen mysteries, I probably have to vote this one my least favorite because of the lack of mystery but I still enjoyed the book because of the development of some of my favorite characters.

>17 cyderry: It sounds like we're all pretty much in agreement about this last Hannah Swensen. I did enjoy it, but I'm hoping the next one will be better!

Catching up on threads, I see that neither you nor Cindy liked The Wives of Henry Oades very much. My guess would have been that both of you would have liked it. Although it may not make my "favorites of the year," I liked it a lot -- and far from being bored, I wanted more information and details. And I was fascinated by the legal conundrum, and thought she did a good job of addressing it. I think my biggest complaint was that I knew too much about what was going to happen before I started (and it didn't happen until halfway through the book) -- yet I'm not certain I would have read it if I hadn't known about the spoilers.

#34 The Agency: A Spy in the House

Author: Y.S. Lee
Read: Apr 4, - Apr 7
Format: Paperback, 335 pages
Source: Candlewick Press, ARC
Subject: Adventure, female undercover spy, piracy, insurance fraud
Setting: London, England, UK
Category: Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Thriller
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Thriller
Stars: 4

A Spy in the House is the first book in a Victorian series whose main character, Mary Quinn, is rescued from hanging at age 12 and whisked away to a girls school were she is educated and then offered the opportunity to be an undercover spy. Her first assignment places her as a companion for a wealthy young woman whose father is suspected of smuggling. No one believes that the dowdy companion is listening for information that could break the case. When listening doesn't get Mary what she needs, she takes more energetic steps to solve the case.

All the characters in this book have secrets from someone and it is entertaining to see how they all work to prevent their confidences from being discovered. Ms. Lee also cleverly weaves a light-hearted romance within the story while allowing Mary show that she is intelligent, witty, and independent.

What a delightful story, I will be looking for the continuations in the future.

#35 HUSH

Author: Kate White
Read: Apr 10 - Apr 11
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
Source: Harper Collins, ARC
Subject: Thriller, murder, fraud, infertility clinic
Setting: New York City
Category: Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Thriller
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Thriller
Stars: 4

I'm still shaking. I can feel my heart pounding and I have to remind myself that it was just a book. I started this book and immediately was drawn into the lead character, Lake Warren. The first few chapters telling of her strive for independence as her divorce is finalizing and her struggle with custody issues. But then when she gets herself caught in a web of fear when she finds the man that she slept with casually, murdered in his bed while she slept on the terrace, Lake feels that no one will believe her innocence and she will lose her children.

The story revolves around Lake efforts to keep herself out of the limelight so that the police will not ask her for a DNA sample, but since she is working for the same Infertility Clinic as the victim, she has to keep a straight face while trying to solve the murder herself.

The story was riveting and keep me going until I had to find out the ending. Highly recommended for Thriller lovers.

#36 The Brutal Telling

Author: Louise Penny
Read: Apr 7 - Apr 11
Format: AUDIO, 11 CDs and 372 pages
Source: Loan from Tutu, Public Library
Setting: Three Pines, Quebec and Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia
Category: Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, Audio, TIOLI,
Stars: 3½

A body is found in the bistro in Three Pines and Inspector Armand Gamache is recruited to investigate. Difficulties arise when no one seems to know who he is or where he came from. But the reader knows and watches as the story unravels telling of a reclusive man who prized treasures of unknown value and who was victimized in more than one way.

The characters that Louise Penny has brought to life in all the previous installments of this series are front and center in this book. However, the characterizations are deepened and broadened until at some point we're not sure if they're the same person or have been transfigured by events past and present.

This is a magnificent story of love and friendship, greed and treachery, and final deliverance.

I really like the Three Pines series. I'm loving your reviews! Keep it up!

#37 DIED IN THE WOOL

Author: Mary Kruger
Read: April 11 - April 14
Format: Paperback 311 pages
Source: Owned
Subject: Murder, knitting, website, mail fraud
Category: Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI
Stars: 3½

Ariadne's Web is the setting of this cozy mystery which is cleverly woven around the owner of a knitting shop where a dead body is found one bright fall morning. At first, Ariadne Evans, the owner, is the chief suspect, but after getting an alibi for her, Detective Josh Pierce instead enlists her help in solving the crime since it appears that knitting has something to do with the crime and he doesn't know the difference between a cable stitch and purling.

Ari and Josh are drawn to each other but profess that they are just working on the investigation. This light-hearted "romance" is used to gather information while throwing the murderer off track. The clues that are presented are ingeniously threaded throughout and unless you are carefully tracking all the hints, you will be surprised at the ending.

This is one of the better cozy mysteries that I have read recently because it all seem to be more realistic since Ari doesn't go out to question everyone about what they did and what they saw. It was more using her own intelligence to figure out what actually happened and why. I definitely will be looking for the next one, hopefully soon!

I'm glad to see this second favorable review of this book. It's in my to be read pile. I'd been putting it off because of other things, but I'll have to get to it soon.

#38 The Three Musketeers

Author: Alexandre Dumas
Read: Feb 17 - Apr 17
Format: Hardback, 628 pages
Source: Owned
Setting: France, England
Category: Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Endless Europe, BOSC, Chunkster
Stars: 3½

This is a well-known story so I won't bore you with rehashing the tale. I have been trying in the last few years to read Classics that I have on my shelf and never cracked open. This was one that I chose for this year and several other readers joined me in a group read.

I have to admit that I thought I knew the story because I had seen the movies (both versions) and I thought they probably didn't range too far from the book but I was wrong. I found as I was reading this over two months that it took me to places that I hadn't seen in either movie and character depths that were unexplored came to life. I'm not someone that normally enjoys the Classics, but this was an exception.

>25 cyderry: After approaching it with an attitude of "This is a book that I probably should read," I, too, was surprised at how much I liked it.

#39 VICTORY OF EAGLES

Author: Naomi Novik
Read: April 12 - April 21
Format: Audio 9 CDs equivalent of 332 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Dragons, Napoleonic Wars
Category: I Heard them!
Genre: Young Adult
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, Audiobook, SYLL
Stars: 3½

Victory of Eagles is the fifth installment of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series which finds him despondent in the Wales as the story opens. Laurence has been condemned to death for his treason and Temeraire is confined to the breeding grounds each held as surety for the other's good behavior.

British forces are scattered throughout the countryside due to Napoleon's successful invasion and his occupation of London. Neither Laurence nor Temeraire are ready to give up the fight because they realize that the stakes are much too high - their country, their home, their liberty, their lives.

Not being someone particularly into military strategy, this book still held the reader's interest as the placement of this type of information flowed easily with the story informing the reader of necessary tactics while pushing the story forward with Temeraire's advancement with a military commission. Temeraire's POV as to the tedium of troop movements successfully conveyed the circumstances while increasing character development. Temeraire really comes to life in this book showing how he now understands the consequences of his choice and how it influenced Laurence and his career and life. Realizing the impact, Temeraire attempts to assume some of the responsibility while trying to make restitution.

I believe what I like most about this series is the devotion between Laurence and Temeraire and how each "loves" the other while being such vastly different creatures. Their attempt to understand and support each other is a wonderful example for anyone.

#40 DEATH BY CASHMERE

Author: Sally Goldenbaum
Read: Apr 21 - Apr 24
Format: Paperback, 294 pages
Source: ersonal Library
Subject: murder, knitting, blackmail
Setting: Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, USA
Category: Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, TBR, BOSC
Stars: 3½

Izzy Chambers has a knitting shop in Sea Harbor MA and rented the room above to an old friend, Angie Archer, while Angie was working on a special project for the Historical Society. One morning Angie is retrieved from the water along with the lobster traps and the residents of this quiet little village are traumatized because they can't believe that one of them would kill. Izzy, her Aunt Nell and other residents can't believe when the police conclude it was a stranger.

This little cozy mystery set by the sea feels like a breath of spring air. The characters are warm and friendly and I wanted to join the Thursday night knitters from the very beginning. I could almost smell the aromas from the Friday cookouts and was ready to start searching for this little village on a map.

I was somewhat surprised that the detection efforts were spread out among the characters, but I actually thought that it was an interesting concept. As for the mystery the clues were subtle but available for the reader and the writing was delightfully refreshing to the spirit. Another series I'm definitely going to be following.

#41 Death and Judgment

Author: Donna Leon
Read: April 22 - April 26
Format: Audio 8 CDs equivalent of 336 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Murder, prostitution,
Category: I Heard them!
Genre: Thriller
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, Audiobook, SYLL
Stars: 3½
na

Death and Judgment is the fourth book in the Commissario Brunetti series. Commissario Guido Brunetti is assigned to the case when a well-known Venetian lawyer is found murdered on a train. Chiara, Brunetti's daughter, attended school with the murdered man's daughter and informs her father that the parents had warned Francesca to be careful so that she wasn't kidnapped making Brunetti think that the Mafia may have made a hit. When the murdered man's business partner is found dead, the connection is made to a sleazy bar outside of Venice. When the lawyer's brother-in-law, his accountant, is found murdered as well, Brunetti realizes that the connections must go far deeper. and may impact greater on Venetian culture.

In this book, Leon reveals the corruption surrounding the members of high Venetian Society and how money paid to the right people will produce just about anything. The storyline was, at times, very depressing and, in areas, frightening but the solution, though somewhat expected, was not unsatisfying. The actual ending leads the reader with the idea that Brunetti feels that though he solved the murder, he was not successful.

There were several bright spots in the book, where Guido is interacting with his wife and daughter which bring a smile to your face and these moments give the reader a feeling of normalcy in a frightening world.

#42 Teaberry Strangler

Author: Laura Childs
Read: Apr 24 - Apr 26
Format: Hardback, 288 pages
Source: Personal Library
Subject: murder, archeology,
Setting: Charleston, SC
Category: Cuddle up with a good Cozy Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI,
Stars: 3

This book is the latest of the Tea Shoppe mysteries continuing the exploits of Theodosia Browning and her cohorts at the Indigo Tea Shop. During an event, Theodosia witnesses the murder of her friend Daria in an alley but due to darkness she is unable to identify the murderer. Tidwell of the Charleston Police, thinks that possibly Theo was the target but cannot find any clues to substantiate that theory. When Theo recognizes Beth Ann, (Jory Davis' ex-fiancée) she begins to feel that she may be in danger. The events that follow keep Theo on her toes until the mystery is solved.

As much as I adore this series and enjoyed this book, I still felt that it lacked a little in the viable clues to aid the reader in solving the mystery. Will this make me stop reading this series, NO WAY! The interaction of the characters along with their development as well as the side stories of their day to day lives is enough to keep the readers coming back for more. And the scrumptious sounding recipes don't hurt either!

#29 Cheli, I love this series, and I believe this is the next one up for me. Thanks for a great review - I'm really looking forward to it, now.

#44 Sea of Monsters

Author: Rick Riordan
Read: April 28 - April 30
Format: Audio 7 CDs equivalent of 279 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: search for the Golden Fleece, greek gods
Category: I Heard them!
Genre: Fantasy
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, TIOLI, Audiobook, SYLL
Stars: 3½

In the second installment of the tales of Percy Jackson, Percy sets out to find the Golden Fleece to cure the protective tree at Camp HalfBlood. After finding out that the young Cyclops (Tyson) at the camp is his half-brother, Percy sets out with Tyson and Annabeth to rescue Grover and retrieve the fleece.

In the story we see Percy begin to utilize his powers that originate from his father, Poseidon. We are introduced to Hermes (Messenger of the Gods) who is Luke's father, we see Luke again turning more evil, and Ares - Clarisse's father. There are unusual creatures and monsters that reside in the Sea of Monsters which is located in the Bermuda Triangle.

The adventures of Percy Jackson and his friends continue to entertain while educate the reader with the old Greek Mythology. Definitely a keeper!

I love this series! Tyson is one of my favorite characters.

#45 The Power of Half

Author: Kevin Salwen
Read: Apr 29 - May 1
Format: Hardback 244 pages
Source: FSB Media for review
Subject: Charity, Ghana, donations
Setting: Atlanta, GA USA
Category: Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Non-Fiction
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book,
Stars: 3½

I used to think that I was a generous person until I read this book. I mean, after all, I gave to different charities, helped those in need, volunteered a little, and I even gave a home to a homeless person we knew. But when I read this book, I felt that I was falling short and wasn't sure that I had it in me to be as generous as this family.

This is the true life story of the Salwen family from Atlanta GA who sold their $2Million house so that they could take the proceeds and donate half to a charity which helped fight hunger in Africa. They donated $800,000 to this effort because their 14 year old daughter felt that they weren't doing enough to assist those that were less fortunate. I truly admire this family because I don't think that I or my husband would be willing to make this kind of sacrifice.

This book raised a lot of questions throughout especially from the journal of the young daughter, but the one that I don't know how to answer is…. How many lives would you be willing to save in exchange for the person that you love the most? I can't answer that, can you?

I'm late, so sorry.

APRIL RECAP
Well, April was the best reading month for me because I stuck to my goals and managed to get through some good books.

The best of the month was - The Brutal Telling
with a close second being Hush and A Spy in the House.
The worst of the month - Apple Turnover Murder - it really wasn't bad just not great.

I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery (repeat from 999)
Teaberry Strangler
Chocolate Cat Caper

II. Civil War and its Leaders

III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing

IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads (repeat from 999)
The Brutal Telling
Three Musketeers I finally finished this. A little late but I finished it.

VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies (repeat from 999X2)
Apple Turnover Murder
Died in the Wool
Death by Cashmere

VII. I HEARD THEM (repeat from 999X2)
The Charlemagne Pursuit
Victory of Eagles
Death and Judgment
Sea of Monsters

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history (Repeat from 999)

IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999)
A Spy in the House
Hush

X. A Full Course Meal
Bread & Butter - Fax Me a Bagel

I hope to continue my progress in May.

Power of Half - half finished
President James Buchanan - 1/3 done
The Impending Crisis
Future Hope
Lumby Lines
God of the Hive
Chicken soup for the soul
The Mapping of Love & Death
Seafood - The oyster wars of Chesapeake Bay TIOLI
Her Fearful Symmetry
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One - TIOLI
First come Marriage

cyderry - you are making great progress on your challenge!

What did you think of the Three Musketeers? I am such a huge Alexandre Dumas fan, every time I see that someone has read one of his books I just go "Oooohhhhh!" and get all excited. I will calm down now.

I really need to pick up Louise Penny. I have seen so many people here on LT say such good things about her Three Pines series - it is just so hard to find the time with every other book out there calling for attention.

Lori,
I liked The Three Musketeers. I found that it was most interesting that the storyline that is shown in the movies is somewhat different then that of the book. I understand that for time sake condensation of the story was necessary, but I'm not sure that I agree with the way it was done.

As for Louise Penny's Three Pines series, if you like well-crafted mysteries then this tremendous series will not disappoint you. The characters are well-defined and the detaills that are incorporated into each book are definitely award-winning.

I envy you the start of this series.

#46 Titan's Curse

Author: Rick Riordan
Read: May 3 -May 7
Format: Audio 7 CDs equivalent of 312 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Greek Gods,
Category: I Heard them!
Genre: Fantasy
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Audiobook, SYLL
Stars: 3½

In the third installment of the tales of Percy Jackson, Percy is upset when Annabeth disappears because he doesn't know if she is still alive or not. He returns to Camp Halfblood and there he is teamed with Thalia, Grover, and 2 hunters (disciples of Artemis) to find the goddess Artemis and get her to the meeting of the Gods in time for the Winter solstice. Percy has dreams which show him Annabeth in trouble and throughout his adventures he is trying to find her while fulfilling his quest.

What I really enjoyed about this segment of the Percy Jackson series, was the inclusion of famous landmarks such as Hoover Dam and the Empire State building. It was so much fun to think of these places in a different ways.

The series is fun and reminds me of why, as a child, I was fascinated by mythology.

Wow, I can't believe I JUST found your threads again! I don't know why I didn't star them in the first place! Anyway, just caught up, and it looks like you've been reading some very interesting stuff! Thanks especially for your review of A Spy in the House; I just recently saw it in a bookstore and added it to my TBR list. Glad to know it's good!

#47 President James Buchanan: A Biography

Author: Philip S. Klein
Read: April 18 - May 11
Format: Hardback 429 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: 15th President, secession, disunion, civil war
Setting: Lancaster, PA, Washington DC
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: Biography
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, USPC, SYLL
Stars: 3

Everyone has always said that Buchanan was the worst President we ever had so knowing virtually nothing about him, I began this book with hopefully an open mind to see if he really was as bad as people made him out to be. That said, I'm not sure that he wasn't the worst (I've only read 15 presidents so far), but I know definitely he wasn't the best.

When he entered the political arena he was desperate to achieve an 'Historical reputation" but his forte leaned more to the diplomatic corps than to legislative/executive. He was an accomplished diplomat. During his administration (acting basically as his own Sec of State) - he negotiated trade rights on 3 continents, ended the British search of ships at sea, & negotiated protection of American rights abroad.

James Buchanan was in no way shape or form a risk taker. Not wanting to appear to be in any one particular camp politically (though an ardent Democrat) his cabinet was made up of members of all different factions as well as areas of the nation. While President, he was always looking for validation from his cabinet members but since the cabinet was made up of all factions, and they never could come to agreement therefore, Buchanan did nothing.

Buchanan tried to govern using policy and gentlemen's agreements - never with determination of idea or strength of purpose. When SC federal officers resigned after the vote for secession, Congress would not approve replacements preventing military intervention. As issues heated up, the SC forts requested previsions and manpower, but never received them because of issues between General Scott and the War Department. Cabinet members left one by one as they became unable to support the President's decision/nondecisions.

He fought bitterly with Congress who frequently tried to embarrass him by denying the necessary requirements for him to take action under the law. He was labeled a secessionist due to views expressed in the "Administration's' newspaper without his approval as his time in office came to a close. He also needed to reinforce the military presence in the capital to make certain that Lincoln's inaugural would take place without incident.

After reading this book, I have to admit that he wasn't a very good President, lacking, IMHO, a strength of character that is required for this momentous task. But, I do believe, that he was hampered by the political atmosphere and passions of the time. Would I have voted for him, NO, but I also can't see that all the blame for the Civil war should be laid at his doorstep. He wanted an Historical Reputation, he got it, just not the one I think he wanted.

#48 Lumby Lines

Author: Gail Fraser
Read: May 6 - May 13
Format: Traade Paperback 328 pages
Source: FSB Associates for review
Subject: Small towns, monastery, change in life goals
Setting: Pacific NW
Category: Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Fiction
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book,
Stars: 4½

I can't figure out where to start, I LOVED this book. The style was different but the same, the story was light-hearted but serious, the characters were ones you want to kick in the butt and give a big hug.

This is the story of Pam and Mark who decide to chuck it all and buy the burned out monastery in Lumby and convert it to an Inn. But along the way we meet the architect friend of Pam who is also taken with Lumby, the monks that had abandoned the monastery, and the residents of the town - There are a resentful codger who doesn't want the Monastery restored, a 90+ year old woman who is getting a prenuptial agreement for her 4th marriage, a plastic flamingo (Hank) who dresses for the seasons, and rambunctious teenagers that get into trouble. Then you have a dog for the mayor, cows that wander into a hidden marijuana field and eat it all, goats in a bank vault eating money, and chickens that escape from their crates and are hidden from recapture by heaven knows who.

Add to that the Police blotter entries with all the day to day happenings of the inhabitants as well as the newspaper articles telling of the town happenings. It amazed me how many times the windows in the church were shot out at the same time as a neighbor was scaring off deer and moose with a gun - do you think they may have been related?

Can you understand just a little why I loved this book? I can't wait to read the next installment - I think I have to go to the bookstore this weekend to find it.

>41 cyderry: And yet another book / series to add to my list! This one sounds like fun!

>41 cyderry: The Lumby Lines has been languishing on my TBR pile for a quite a while. Time to move it closer to the top!

#49 Chicken Soup for the Women's Soul

Compiled by: Jack Canfield
Read: May 13 - May 15
Format: Paperback 353 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Love, Motherhood, Marriage, Aging, Self-esteem, wisdom
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book,
Category: Full Course Meal
Genre: Short Stories
Stars: 3

Women have many roles in their lives - daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers - well, you get the idea. This group of stories progress through those stages showing how a woman's spirit can change and grow with the "adventures" of time.

Never having been a mother, it amazed me that my favorite sections were those about motherhood. One story told of a woman asking her friend if she should have a baby? Her friend's thoughts ran the gambit of all she had been through with her own children in seconds and replied to her friend that she'd never regret it. The other story that made me laugh was made up of supposed want ads for the requirements of the job of "mother". Newborn mothers should like to rock, be light sleepers, early risers, willing to work all shifts with no vacation time. Mothers for toddlers should be athletes in top condition with quick reflexes and boundless energy, patience, knowledge of first aid, - a pediatric nurse with an Olympic background was deemed a perfect candidate for the position. The other ads were just as amusing.

There were also stories of how women adjust to the changes as we get older and lose those we love whether they are parents or other family members. Some are amusing, make you laugh while others cause your eyes to fill with tears as you empathize with the writers.

I have to admit that the last few months for me have been difficult but when I read the inspiring stories in this book, my spirit was lifted and I feel that I can go forward again. It was a perfect time to read this book and set me back on the path of life's joy and beauty.

This was absolutely perfect for my soup course!

#50 Oyster Wars of the Chesapeake Bay

Compiled by: John R. Wennersten
Read: May 15 - May 16
Format: Paperback 136 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Oysters
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI
Category: Full Course Meal
Genre: History
Stars: 3

In the state of Maryland, oysters rank along with the blue crab as a state treasure. So it's not surprising that in the 19th century there were disagreements over the ownership of the oyster beds along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

This book tells the history of the oyster harvests after the Civil War. There were two basic ways to harvest oysters at that time - dredging and tonging and the watermen fought viciously over the rights of the oyster beds. Legislation was passed where the dredgers were to stay away from the coastlines and rivers harvesting only in the main bay area while the tongers were restricted to the coastline. The State of Maryland commissioned the Oyster Navy of Maryland to patrol the bay and prevent infractions. Just as in a war, there were "blockade runners" who dredged at the coastline or tonged in the bay.

Besides the friction between the dredgers and tongers there were quarrels between Maryland and Virginia. In 1785 George Washington and James Madison had called together a conference between the two states which finally agreed on the Compact of 1785 where MD and VA were granted equal access to the Pocomoke Sound.

Twice the Supreme Court was called upon to settle disagreements between MD and VA concerning the oyster beds. In 1876, the decision in McCready v. VA the court stated that VA's right to exclude Marylanders from the sound was "based not on citizenship but upon the prerogative of her collective ownership of the oysters." Then in 1894 in Wharton v. Wise the court held that the Pocomoke Sound was a separate body of water not covered by the Compact of 1785 and that MD had no right to oysters on the VA side.

Today we hear about pollution and how it is affecting the harvests in the Chesapeake Bay. Even in the 19th century there were issues concerning the overharvesting of the oyster beds. But the watermen at that time wouldn't listen to the warnings. They harvested 10 times as many bushels as we do today and have threatened the future of the Chesapeake Bay oyster. Lets hope we can listen a little bit better.

Editorial: I really enjoyed learning more about my own state and something I love to eat. This book was written in 1978 so I think I will have to do a little research to see where the oyster beds stand today. So every time you gobble up one of those scrumptious little bivalves think about all the men who fought to keep them coming.

#51 Mr. and Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two shall become One

Author: Sharon Lathan
Read: May 17 - May 20
Format: Trade Paperback 295 pages
Source: Prize, Bookin' with Bingo Blog
Subject: Pride & Prejudice Sequel
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI
Category: Miss Austen and Her Relations (P & P lives on!)
Genre: FICTION
Stars: 3

Yes, Elizabeth Bennet married Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride & Prejudice but that is where Jane Austen left the reader never giving us the fulfillment of knowing how the marriage fared.

There have been several productions for film and television which have used Pride & Prejudice the book as inspiration but never before have I heard of a book being inspired by the film. In this story, Ms. Lathan has taken the most recent production and used it as the inspiration of the continuing tale of Lizzy and Darcy.

We are voyeurs to their wedding night and the early days of their marriage seeing how they relate not just to themselves but to their home with its staff at Pemberley. We see adjustments that Elizabeth needs to make to be Mistress of the House as well as Darcy's adjustments to being a happy and loved individual.

I have to admit that though the plot of this book is very thin, I still enjoyed seeing that the love affair that was so beautifully written by Jane Austen can be seized by another author and given life again. Seeing the progress of the relationship unwind to a beautiful crescendo while reminding us of the roots of the story, is very entertaining.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I did feel that some of the dialogue was a bit overdone with the "I love yous and you are my heart and soul" lines. But all in all a good book for a Pride & Prejudice lover.

#52 BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH

Author: Rick Riordan
Read: May 15 -May 22
Format: Audio 9 CDs equivalent of 361 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Greek Gods,
Category: I Heard them!
Genre: Fantasy
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Audiobook, SYLL
Stars: 3½

The Battle for supremacy between the Titans and the Olympians is coming. Camp Half-Blood is threatened by an entry from the fabled labyrinth which would allow the enemy to enter and destroy all the young demigods. Percy along with Annabeth, Tyson, and Grover set out on a quest to find Daedalus and stop the invasion.

Many ancient myths are included in this story - Daedalus and Icarus, Calypso, and all different types of creatures and monsters. It's action-packed and a highly entertaining. Can't wait for the next one.

>47 cyderry: You're staying just ahead of me, Cheli. I should finish this one tonight.

#53 Her Fearful Symmetry

Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Read: May 10 - May 27
Format: Audio 12 CDs equivalent of 637 pages
Source: Public Library
Setting: London, England
Category: Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Chunkster, Audio, SYLL
Stars: 2½

In the strange world of this story, twin sisters Elspeth and Edwina are estranged at the time of Elspeth's death. But Elspeth has ways of getting back at her sister when she leaves her entire estate including her London flat to Edwina's twin daughters Julia and Valentina Poole with the stipulation that they must live in the flat for one year before selling it and that their parents cannot enter.

When they move in, we meet some other strange individuals - Martin with severe, shall I say extreme OCD, Elspeth's lover who is working on a thesis for the history of the cemetery directly beside the apartment building, and the twins themselves, who seem to be drifting aimlessly through life. Just as the reader is adjusting to all these unusual characters, Elspeth herself comes back as a ghost and wreaks havoc.

The farther I got into this book, the less I liked it and that was a big disappointment to me because I really loved The Time Traveler's Wife. The storyline was just a little too freaky for me and I would have abandoned it 2/3 in if I wasn't part of a group read. It may have been well-written, I don't know, because I had a hard time staying with it.

>53 cyderry: I agree with you. I don't think I had as much trouble finishing, but I was definitely disappointed. The part I liked best was about Martin and his wife, which didn't seem to have much to do with the story of the twins, except that they lived in the same building.

>53 cyderry: Yes, I agree with you too. I love TTTW but I didn't like this one at all. Freaky is the right word for it. I just couldn't tolerate Robert and Valentina, which is really odd because Henry and Claire didn't bother me at all (even when the older Henry would visit a younger Claire). And I definitely did not care for what Elspeth did in the end.

#49 Yikes. Thanks for the heads up. I'll be skipping that one.

Sandy,

I don't think you're missing much. I usually give a book at least 3 stars but this one, I couldn't. It was just really, really weird. I didn't even think that the characters were well developed, pretty 1 dimensional or flat - basically stereotypical.

Thanks, Chin, for stopping in.

I just picked up the 4th lumby book so now I'm set with 2-5 and hope to get them done this summer. Lumby Lines was such a fun read!

#54 God of the Hive

Author: Laurie R King
Read: May 21 - May 30
Format: Advanced Uncorrected Proof 354 pages
Source: LibraryThing ER program free for review
Subject: Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Thriller,
Category: Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Mystery
Stars: 4

The mystery and characters that were remaining at the end of The Language of Bees are front and center with this sequel. Holmes is desperately trying to keep his son, Damien Adler, alive and out of Scotland Yard's custody while Russell is responsible to keep Damien's daughter, Estelle, safe. While they escape from Rev Brothers' fiasco in different directions, the reader knows that they will eventually meet up and resolve the issues.

Rev Brothers' attempt to become a god are thwarted in the Language of Bees but in the God of the Hive we see that Brothers was just a cover-up for more sinister motives by those seeking power. Mycroft is threatened, Holmes protects and Russell investigates finding out things she wished she hadn't.

Having read all the previous Russell/Holmes mysteries I had no problem following the plot, however, I do believe that for this book to make sense to the reader The Language of Bees is a necessity.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the continuing saga of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

I finished my first category so now I will probably be starting overflows as well.

MAY RECAP
Well, May ran about average and I got 10 books read - some great, some just good, a few disappointing. But I did finish my first category of the challenge.

The best of the month was - The Lumby Lines with a close second being The God of the Hive.
The worst of the month - Her Fearful Symmetry - it really wasn't bad just disappointing.

I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery (repeat from 999)

II. Civil War and its Leaders

III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing

IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One (Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy) - Sharon Lathan

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads (repeat from 999)
Her Fearful Symmetry

VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies (repeat from 999X2)

VII. I HEARD THEM (repeat from 999X2)
The Titan's Curse
The Battle of Labyrinth

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history (Repeat from 999)
President James Buchanan: A Biography

IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999) COMPLETED CATEGORY
The Power of Half
The Lumby Lines
The God of the Hive

X. A Full Course Meal
Chicken soup for a Woman's soul
Seafood - The oyster wars of Chesapeake Bay

I hope to continue my progress in June with the following books:

No, I don't Want to Join a Book Club! Audiobook 1/3 finished
The Impending Crisis (civil war bkgrd) 3/4 finished
The Mapping of Love & Death
Knit in Comfort
First come Marriage
A Separate Country book and audiobook
RED Badge of Courage audiobook
The Chocolate Bear Burglary**
The Chocolate Frog Frame-up**
Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham?
Knit One, Kill Two
1858: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and the War they Failed to See
Stealing Lumby
Supreme Courtship
Lincoln President-Elect : Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861
Art of racing in the Rain audiobook
Lace Reader audiobook
The Mournful Teddy

Ambitious but I want to read them all!

#55 THE IMPENDING CRISIS

Author: David M. Potter
Read: May 12 - June 6
Format: Hardback 583 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Political issues leading to Civil War
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Chunkster, SYLL
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: History
Stars: 3½

Americans have heard much about the Civil War and how it started over slavery and the attack at Fort Sumter but after finishing this book, the reader realizes that the Civil War was about so much more.

In this book, which spans the era of time from 1848 when Zachary Taylor was elected President after the Mexican American War to the first shots at Fort Sumter in 1861, the deluge of information concerning the issues of the time can often be overwhelming. The Southerners were concerned about the apparent efforts of the Northerners to prevent them from continuing their society in the manner of the day and the Northerners were trying to prevent the spread of slavery into the territories.

The reason that the book starts with the time period after the Mexican American war is blatantly obvious because of the additional territories acquired in the settlement from Mexico. The political arenas of this era were filled with Northern Abolitionists, Southern Secessionists, and all manner in-between. As the political battles raged, "the South became increasingly a closed society, distrustful of isms from outside and unsympathetic toward dissenters".

Yet the decisions made by the states to attempt secession were not simply on the spur of the moment as sometimes implied by historians, but was discussed and threatened on numerous occasions for several decades. After Lincoln's election 120 days elapsed before his inauguration and during that time, the southern states held numerous conventions to determine their "plan of attack" to the situation. In the time that it took Lincoln to get from Illinois to Washington, the Southerners had held their conventions and created a provisional government and elected Jefferson Davis as their President.

What was the Union doing you ask? President Buchanan was trying to be peacemaker (unsuccessfully) and Lincoln was waiting for his "power". As President-Elect he had none. After taking office, Lincoln had to deal with the various factions and determine his stance and political reactions to the Southern states that had "seceded".

The crisis had arrived and had to be dealt with and Lincoln set about to do just that. His policy was that the Union needed to be preserved at any cost and thus civil war was thrust upon a nation.

So much information to absorb but I'm hoping that this background will help when I move forward from this time period to the actual war itself.

I knew that there were a lot issues related to the Civil War and so I asked someone who I thought was very knowledgeable about the era what book to read. JOYCEPA of the ClubRead group told me that this was one of the best and I want to thank her for the recommendation.

#58 I definitely need to keep this one in mind for next year.

#56 Knit one, Kill Two

Author: Maggie Sefton
Read: June 1 - June 7
Format: Paperback 273 pages
Source: Public Library
Setting: Fort Connor CO
Category: Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 3½

For me, this was a pleasant little cozy mystery that I could carry around in my purse and pick up whenever I had a few minutes to read. It wasn't rocket science, but it was interesting and entertaining in the manner of most cozy mysteries.

Kelly Flynn is called back to Fort Connor, CO to settle the estate of her Aunt Helen who was murdered in what the police say was a robbery gone bad, but too many little things don't add up to that scenario for Kelly and she convinces her aunt's friends to help her resolve those discrepancies. IMHO, the clues were well-spread out and the characters were interesting. I hope to see in future installments further character development for all the different personalities - some you wanted to laugh with, others you wanted to hug.

Thanks for the reviews! I hadn't heard anything about The Impending Crisis before and it sounds like it's worth looking for. As for the cozy, I read a later one in the series and wasn't super impressed. Be sure to read them in order, as I'm sure it spoiled a lot of stuff from earlier books, but it was a bit too "we're all friends and we all love each other so much and Kelly is so great" kind of thing. Well, except for the bad guy, who was fairly bad. That one was Dyer Consequences and the one thing I really felt that the writer got just right was the Rocky Mountain winter that the book was set in. It made me want a mug of hot chocolate, just reading about all that snow.

#57 NO, I DON'T WANT TO JOIN A BOOK CLUB

Author: Virginia Ironside
Read: May 31 -June 10
Format: Audio 7 CDs equivalent of 318 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: getting older
Category: I Heard them!
Genre: Fiction
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Audiobook, SYLL
Stars: 3

Mary Sharp has decided to keep a diary as she approaches the big 6-0 and in her writings tells of her issues with creaking bones, becoming a grandmother, a friend's death, and sex in the golden years.

Mary embraces this milestone in her life with the changes of her status as a general senior citizen and is thrilled with the birth of her first grandchild. She adamantly professes that people at her age shouldn't be interested in sex until she sees a new man on her horizon.

The stories in Mary's diary are told with humor and truth. I certainly hope that in a few years when I reach this milestone, I'll do it with as much grace.

Two categories completed!

sounds like a hoot! Just went to BM and found a copy!

#58 The Mapping of Love and Death

Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Read: June 7 - June 12
Format: Trade Paperback 339 pages
Source: Harper Collins for Review
Setting: London, England, UK
Category: Niagara Falls - Overflow Category#9 Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book,
Stars: 3½

This book is the 7th installment of the Maisie Dobbs adventures. She is contacted by a couple from America, the Cliftons, who are trying to resolve the circumstances of their son's death during WWI. Michael Clifton had enlisted as a cartographer and been listed as missing until they received word that his body had been found buried in a tunnel along with the cartographers that he had been working with. However, the autopsy showed that he was not killed in the line of duty but was murdered.

As the story progresses we see Maisie's processes working to determine who was involved in Michael Clifton's life and how at the same time as we see changes in her life and the people that she treasures.

The book is well-written, interjecting historical points as well as some historical jargon while not bogging down the plot and characters. Many readers are probably acquainted with Maisie Dobbs, I myself had started a book last year but had to return it to the library before it was finished so this really was my first Maisie Dobbs mystery. I can tell you it won't be my last. I'm going to be searching for the previous adventures of this character.

I really like Maisie, but I'm a couple behind in the series. I'm glad to hear that you liked this one.

I've read the first one and really liked it. I ought to get around to the second one soon.

# 59 The Demigod Files

Author: Rick Riordan
Read: June 15
Format: Audio 3 CDs equivalent of 160 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Greek Mythology
Category: Niagara Falls - Overflow from I Heard them!
Genre: Fantasy
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, Audiobook, SYLL,, TIOLI
Stars: 3

This book is a continuation of the Percy Jackson saga and gives the reader a few short stories relating adventures of Percy before the final installment to come.

It was fun to see old friends and see the three children of the major gods - Zeus' daughter Thalia, Hades' son, Nick, and Poseidon's son Percy working together to prepare for the final battle against the Titans. The interviews of some of the characters made them appear in more realistically human rather than demigods.

I'm ready now for the Last of the Olympians!

#60 KNIT IN COMFORT

Author: Isabel Sharpe
Read: June 12 - June 15
Format: Trade Paperback 300 pages
Source: Librarything ER prgram for review
Subject: marriage, knitting, lace,
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book
Category: Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies
Genre: Fiction
Stars: 3

Knitting is getting a revival, at least when it comes to the themes for books and in this book it is front and center - but in a much more different way - knitting wise. This book is basically two stories intertwined - one of the new friendships forged by Elizabeth who is searching for comfort in Comfort, NC and the other of Fiona from the Shetland Islands in Scotland who is the great grandmother of Megan (Elizabeth's new friend).

Fiona's story tells of unrequited love of a young girl in Scotland. She is threatened by the existence of Gillian, a beautiful temptress, who steals her love, but after his loss, joins with her rival to learn lace knitting of a special kind. This is the skill that Fiona passes down through her female relations.

Elizabeth has a dream where her grandmother tells her to find 'comfort' so she sets out and ends up in Comfort, NC renting a room from Megan. The story weaves through the lives of Megan's knitting group (the Purls) revealing different issues and how they are handled in diverse and interesting manners.

The lace knitting is the thread that weaves the story together and eventually ties the past and future in a positive manner.

The writing had some difficulties - the beginning was a bit confusing while the reader tried to determine who all the characters were and how they were related, and some of the romantic aspects were a bit trite, but overall, an enjoyable read.

I'm now halfway through my 101020 Challenge to 120 books!

Congratulations on the milestone! way to go!

Congrats on reaching the halfway point, Cheli.

This time last year I was at about 72. I think I like this slightly slower pace better. I'm enjoying the books more at the same time as I feel I am keeping pace with my total goal for the year.

Congrats on getting to halfway!

> 45

Oyster Wars of the Chesapeake Bay is a book whose title I'd been eyeing for some time. It sounds very interesting.

If you have a chance, Cheli, a very enjoyable way to learn more about the Maryland oyster industry (or, let's just say, its demise) is by taking a tour on this skipjack in Southern Maryland. Everything you've just read will come alive. I did this tour a few years ago on a beautiful day. I left feeling relaxed, but sad.

Madeline,

You only managed to remind me how much I enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake when I was a bit younger.

Having lived in this area all my life, I found that The Oyster Wars of the Chesapeake Bay was very enlightening. I never knew all that was involved or the hazards that were taken nor would I have thought that it could get so political. If you like history and are interested in our area (Tidewater, Delmarva) then this is a good book for you. I got it from the Montgomery County library.

Congratulations on the halfway mark!

Have you read Beautiful Swimmers about blue crabs? My son-in-law grew up on the Eastern shore and wanted me to read it. I was amazed at how interested I became in the life of the blue crab and enjoyed the historical aspects.

I just got The Last Olympian but told my daughter that she could read it first -- I guess I feel compelled to cater to pregnant ladies. I had passed along the others as I finished them, and she devoured them. I'm still immersed in my RTT book, anyway.

> 74 and 75

Seems as if I need to get hold of both of the books you two recommended! I love reading about the waters in our area and am totally distressed by the condition of our waterways (not to mention the horrid BP oil disaster - I won't call it a "spill" - in the Gulf).

When will we learn? *sigh*

#61 STEALING LUMBY

Author: Gail Fraser
Read: June 16 - June 20
Format: Trade Paperback 300 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: hostile takeovers, stolen art,
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book
Category: Niagara Falls - Overflow Category#9 Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Fiction
Stars: 4

In the second installment of the Lumby series, the little town of Lumby is thrown into an upheaval when the priceless painting of the Barns of Lumby (considered a national treasure) by Dana Porter is stolen while in transit to the London Museum. Reporters descend on the town to get background for the story of the year.

Mark and Pam Walker's B&B is filled to capacity by the reporters who arrived determined to drag out any little morsel of scandal that can even remotely be associated with the theft to garner "a scoop". However, Lumby and its residents stand firm in their uniqueness and eventually the reporting mass sinks away.

While the story centers on the art theft and its effects on the town's inhabitants, the reader is introduced to a few new characters. The reader is also reminded of the unusual locale with little scraps of information throughout about Hank, the plastic flamingo, saving a little girl from drowning, the travels of a stone Owl to the Space Needle in Seattle and the Opera House in Sydney, the renovation of a bus stop including skylight, sofa and carpeting, a farm powered by cow manure, and a boat "sailing" down Main Street.

The most amazing part is the truthfulness of lines such as "from the Lumby Lines (newspaper) that it's almost unbelievable that we live in the same country. Their stories (Comparison to NY Times) cover stolen pension funds and murders, and ours are about wiener-dog races and a bovine Iditarod." These characters just see life in an entirely different genuineness which is why the series is so delightful to read and make you want to just laugh out loud. I wish the town Lumby really existed because I'd love to visit not just in books but in actuality.

I was worried that the second book would not be able to live up to the playful scenario that was depicted in the first book, The Lumby Lines. No problem here, the residents in the town just picked up where they left off and continued to amuse and delight this reader.

I may have to give this Lumby series a try. Sounds like something I might like. Summertime seems like the right time to start a delightful new series.

I just got The Lumby Lines, along with several other books that I'm eager to read. Although I like it a lot, I'm beginning to be a bit impatient with Raintree County -- I want to get on to some other books!

I will have to give this series a try. It sounds like a lot of fun.

I was reading in the car yesterday on the way to my mother's and my husband said if you're going to laugh that much, you're going to have to read out loud. So I read a passage to him and he smiled, which is other people's LOL :).

Ivy, Lumby Lines was my highest rated book this year and I added it to my FAVORITES!

You got me at the "laugh out loud" part, Lumby Lines is going onto the wish list.

#62 1858: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and the War they Failed to See

Author: Bruce Chadwick
Read: June 7 - June 12
Format: Hardback 300 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Setting: USA
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, RTT
Stars: 2½

1858 was a turning point leading up to the American Civil War. So many issues were beginning to come to a crisis point and the leaders that should have taken action were looking elsewhere. Jefferson Davis was fighting a health crisis, Robert E. Lee was dealing with family issues and trying to decide whether to leave the army, William Tecumseh Sherman and Ulysses Grant were trying to find a way to make a living. At the same time Abraham Lincoln was trying to get elected to the Senate but Stephen Douglas stood in his way.

President Buchanan didn't exercise the "proper" influence. He worked to prevent Stephen Douglas' re-election which helped to bring Lincoln to National recognition. He also was attempting to increase the presence of the USA as a global authority with offers to buy Cuba from the Spanish and efforts to annex portions of Mexico and other Central American and South American nations. Buchanan had eyes on expansion and refused to acknowledge the problems related to the slavery question.

Several events by other individuals and groups acted as a catalyst. John Brown got into action, William Seward, senator from NY, gave several volatile speeches against slavery (“It {slavery} is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, and it means that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become either entirely a slaveholding nation or entirely a free labor nation.”), and a group of individuals openly thwarted law enforcers of the Fugitive Slave Act.

All of these actions and issues put together propelled a divided nation toward a Civil War that killed hundreds of thousands. Could it have been averted? We will never know.

I thought it was very interesting the way that the author had each of the events/individuals sectionalized very much as the North and the South had issues by section. However, I had difficulties with the title for several reasons. First, Ulysses Grant was hardly in this book, second, nowhere that I saw or read was there anything to explain a "war they failed see", third William Seward played a large part in this book but wasn't in the title, and lastly Buchanan's shortcomings were identified throughout the book, but he also wasn't in the title. I think a better title would have been - 1858 and the Men and events that provoked a war. But I'm sure the title was chosen because Lincoln, Grant, Lee's names would get your attention.

#83 Cheli, it sounds interesting, but I see that you only gave it 2-1/2 stars. There are plenty of really good civil war books to spent time on a mediocre one, so I guess I'll pass. Thanks for the review.

Sandy, it was somewhat mediocre but there was some information in it that I had never heard before.
1. In the Bio that I read for Buchanan, it never definitely pointed out that he was trying to advance the US as a global authority but when I think back on it, and put 2+2 together that's exactly what he was doing, trying to push the slavery issue aside and make himself look like this grand defender of the little nations hoping they would opt for US protection and statehood.
2. I also never heard that Jefferson Davis was frequently incapacitated throughout his life by illnesses which were believed to be syphillis related. Nor did I know that Jefferson Davis (southern slaveholder) was a friend of William Seward (abolitionist) - two complete opposites.
3. It was also noted that Robert E. Lee was passed over often for promotion and was thinking of leaving the army when he was called up to handle the John Brown incident in Harper's Ferry.
4. I was also surprised by the fact the William Tecumseh Sherman had been a banker before the Civil War and that he struggled with low self- esteem (or that's what it sounded like).
5. I also had never heard of an event/issue called the Rescurers - where townfolk in Ohio attempted to prevent the law enforcement officers of the day from re-capturing a runaway slave and returning him to a slave state.

Fascinating tidbits but I don't think that it was, all in all, worthy of 300 pages.
ETA - typos

#85 The problem with reading about a subject that you're familiar with is that often you don't get any new information. At least you got a few good tidbits. I still think I'll pass on the book, though. As you say, that wasn't worth plowing through 300 pages of mediocrity.

Okay, I can't believe I did it. My husband Tim got his semi-annual bonus and told me that since B&N had reduced the price of the Nook, to go get it.... and I did! I'm still trying to figure out all the ins and outs but I am now an owner of a an E-reader! Will I ever get anything else done besides reading?

Congrats, Cheli. I love my Kindle and the Sony e-reader, as I just learned, is quite similar. (My friend had the Sony and I had the Kindle and we were both reading the same book, the new Evanovich, as we headed down to St Louis together.)

I am so jealous! You lucky duck!

Oh! A fun new toy! I'm very jealous.

#63 Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War

Author: Robert B. Ekelund Jr.
Read: June 23 - June 26
Format: Trade paperback 132 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Setting: USA
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, RTT, TIOLI, BOSC
Stars: 2½

The Civil war was a highly complex event in history and observing how economics impacted the nation should enlighten the reader. For 136 pages this was pretty heavy reading. I'm not expecting other casual readers to pick up this book so therefore this review will be somewhat detailed.

Tariffs had been a major issue prior the war. The South wanted low tariffs while the North wanted high because of the difference between the agrarian society in the South and the industrial in the North. Throughout the early 1800's the tariffs fluctuated to keep the sections happy. Toward the end of the 1850's the tariffs were running high.

When the book moved on to the discussion of Blockades, it became a bit more interesting (flashes of Rhett Butler). The Majority of the discussion was about the different commodities and how the blockade runners chose to bring over luxuries rather than necessities because of higher profits.

The south injured themselves by not controlling prices of goods brought through the blockades. If they had had more necessities they may have been in better position to withstand the Union forces.

Inflation was the main issue for the downfall of the Confederacy. Financing a war can be done in several ways or a mixture of ways - taxation, borrowing, confiscation, conscripting, and inflation.

Borrowing from foreigners to buy foreign goods, protects the economy and spreads the costs of the war over more years. However, getting loans can be difficult if the lenders doubt the ability of the borrower to repay the loan. The Confederacy borrowed very little.

Conscription/Confiscation was also used little by the Confederate government because of the political dissatisfaction of those affected - compelling labor and capital out of its citizens with reduced compensation for such, didn't bode well in the South.

During the war, labor and capital were redirected from normal processes to military purposes. Labor forces went to fight the war and death and injuries reduced current and future production. Production went from civilian goods to military requirements - i.e. plows to cannons - and capital goods were switched to military use - railroads.

The government of the Confederacy issued new money which distorted prices and wages while hiding the cost of the war and giving an appearance of prosperity. Studies have shown that the Union also used inflation but not as much and that printing "greenbacks" increased the cost of the war by $528M. The South's rate of inflation in the 4 war years was 100%.

In the North, Abraham Lincoln attempted to moderate the impact of inflation and created his own "New Deal" during his administration. Some of the legislation he enacted was related to the first Income Tax, Homestead Act, land grants for Yosemite as well as the railroad, National banking Acts, and regulation of mail delivery both Urban and by Railroad, while modifying the central government to include the Department of Agriculture, Comptroller of the Currency, National Academy of Science, and the Office of Immigration.

There were many effects of the war - emancipation was primary but there was also the establishment of the US as a global power, 3 amendments to the Constitution(slavery, citizenship, suffrage), intercontinental Railroad, industrial revolution. While these were improvements there were also detrimental effects such as decreased workforce, financial and commercial ties severed, fallow farmland, reduction of assets for the Railroad and shipping industries.

My editorial would read that the Introduction is filled with so many 5+ syllable words that it would turn off the general reader. The main work was way too stuffy and high-handed and reads more like a thesis than a book for the general public. I think that it should be noted that scholars or economists may find it fascinating, the general reader would most probably not even get to Chapter One. That said, I'm still glad that I read it so that as I get farther into my Civil War reading I will understand the background of this impact. I felt like I was back in college.

#91 Sounds like an interesting topic, but I'm NOT in college anymore, and have a limited tolerance for 5-syllable words. On the other hand, it's short.... I might see if the library has this book, but probably won't keep looking if not.

Well, after a quick jump over to the library catalog (always open in another browser window when I'm on LT), I see that they DO have it, but Ekelund is listed as co-author. The "author" is Mark Thornton - do you suppose that this is a different edition? I'm going to add it to the wishlist, and give it a try.

You come up with so many intesting books!

Actually I think it's the same edition. LT has Ekelund listed as the author and I wasn't going to bother with a different edition.

Warning - it is very, very dry reading. Granted it is only 132 pages (and watch out for the introduction) but sometimes, you really had to concentrate intensely.

Yeah, I ran into that edition issue on LT - I'll decide later whether to try to combine them. Don't worry, as I said, I have a low-ish tolerance for very difficult reading. If it's too much, I'll just put it aside. But economics is a subject that I'm finding I don't hate as much as I used to, especially with so much happening in the last couple of years.

JUNE RECAP
Well, June ran below average because of injuries, visiting relatives, household improvements (my reading room is done!) and golf association activities but I managed to read 9 books - again some great, some just good, a few disappointing. But I did finish two more categories of the challenge and I only have one ARC left (#5 of Lumby I still need to read #3.).

The best of the month was - Stealing Lumby
The worst of the month - Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War - it really wasn't bad just overly educational.

I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery (repeat from 999)

II. Civil War and its Leaders

III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing

IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads (repeat from 999)

VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies (repeat from 999X2)
Knit in Comfort
Knit One Kill Two

VII. I HEARD THEM (repeat from 999X2)
COMPLETED CATEGORY
No, I don't Want to Join a Book Club!

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history (Repeat from 999)
COMPLETED CATEGORY
The Impending Crisis
1858: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and the War they Failed to See
Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War
IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999)

X. A Full Course Meal

Xi. Niagara Falls - Overflow
The Mapping of Love & Death
The Demigod Files
Stealing Lumby

I hope to do better in July, now that I have my Nook. I will be reading the following books:
Lincoln President-Elect : Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861
Eggsecutive Orders
A Separate Country book and audiobook
Turkey Day Murders
Through the grinder
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Wine & Cheese - The Bordeaux Betrayal
The Chocolate Bear Burglary**
The Chocolate Frog Frame-up**
The Mournful Teddy
Art of racing in the Rain audiobook
Lace Reader audiobook
Team of Rivals (Lincoln cabinet)
With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln
Death on Demand
I really need to get back on track so I'm hope with my Nook my new little study Nook, I can get my act back in gear.

Book Talley for 2nd Quarter:

Books Acquired 21 (8 read , 2 in progress)
Books Read Owned 17 (Pages: 4,802)
Books Read Borrowed 17 (Pages: 6,157)
Audio Books heard 8 (104½ hours)

Total Completed
23 books and 10 audio books - 11,187 pages
27 fiction; 6 nonfiction

Genre Summary:

Nonfiction:
6 books History

Fiction:
Novels: 8
Fantasy: 5
Mystery: 14

2nd Quarter is over, I'm moving on. Here is my 3rd Qtr Thread.