Ivy's 101010 -- Part 2

I'd thought I would start a new thread, since the 1st one is getting so long, when I got to book #50 -- halfway -- which I hoped to do before June 1. I didn't quite make it, and the 50th book, which I finished last night, is my first overread, so I'm still not quite halfway done.

I'm changing category #6 from History back to World View (a category from my 999 Challenge), since it seems more representative of the books I've read and intend to read. I'm also eliminating my sub-categories and half-categories from the main list, since they have turned out to be more or less meaningless for completing the 1010 Challenge.

I am also adding a Bonus category of 20 books for the overreads, though that may be overly ambitious.

Comments about books read prior to June 1 are on my first thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/70734
Comments about books read after November 1 are on my 3rd thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/101941

1. Contemporary Fiction -- completed October
2. Series Continuation
3. New Series -- completed July
4. Literary Giants
5. USA
6. World View -- completed September
7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales
8. Fantasy -- completed April
9. Lucy Maud Montgomery
10. Children / YA -- completed October

Bonus: 20 books

My rating system:
5* Perfect, or nearly so; I loved it
4* Outstanding
3* usually means: Good; I enjoyed it -- but sometimes means: I didn't like it very much, but can see literary merit in the book or why others might like it
2* I didn't like it; I have major criticisms
1* Bad (will happen rarely, since I mostly won't finish a book I dislike this much)
No rating: for various reasons, I don't feel qualified to rate the book and/or it's not that great but I was satisfied with the information it contained

My ratings of children's and YA books are a bit more nebulous. If I read it as a child, I usually give it the rating I would have given it then. If I'm reading it for the first time, the rating is a combination of how much I like it now and how much I think that it will appeal to children.

Reserved

1. Contemporary Fiction
COMPLETED October

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (January, 4 1/2*)
2. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (January, 3 1/2*)
3. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (January, 4*)
4. The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran (February, 4*)
5. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (March, 4*)
6. Old City Hall by Robert Rotenberg (May, 3*)
7. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn (May, 4*)
8. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (July, 4*)
9. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (October, 3 1/2*)
10. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick (October, 2*)

2. Series Continuation

1. Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen #11) (January, 3 1/2*)
2. Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen #12) (January, 3 1/2*)
3. Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen #13) (February, 3*)
4. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny (Inspector Gamache #4) (April, 4*)
5. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (Inspector Gamache #5) (April, 4 1/2*)
6. Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb (Eve Dallas #29) (April, 3 1/2*)
7. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny (Inspector Gamache #6) (August, 5*)
8. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb (Eve Dallas #30) (October, 3*)
9. Sand Sharks by Margaret Maron (Deborah Knott #15) (October, 4*)

10.

3. New Series
COMPLETED July

1. In the Woods by Tana French (February, 3*)
2. The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton (March, 4*)
3. Going, Gone by Laura Crum (March, 3*)
4. Death on Demand by Carolyn G. Hart (May, 3*)
5. Design for Murder by Carolyn G. Hart (May, 3*)
6. The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser (Lumby #1) (July, 3*)
7. Love You to Death by Gail Bowen (July, 3*)
8. Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs (Tea Shop #1) (July, 3 1/2*)
9. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (Flavia de Luce #1) (July, 4*)
10. Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs (Tea Shop #2) (July, 3*)

Bonus:
11. Something Wicked by Carolyn G. Hart (Death on Demand #3) (August, 3 1/2*)
12. Honeymoon with Murder by Carolyn G. Hart (Death on Demand #4) (August, 3 1/2*)
13. A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch (August, 3 1/2*)
14. The September Society by Charles Finch (Charles Lenox #2) (August, 3 1/2*)

4. Literary Giants

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (January)
2. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (March, 4*)
3. The Histories by Herodotus (January-September)
4. The Complete Poems and Plays 1909-1950 by T.S. Eliot (March-October)

Shakespeare

5. The First Part of King Henry VI (September)
6. The Second Part of King Henry VI (October)
7. The Third Part of King Henry VI (October)
8. Macbeth (October, 5*)

9.
10.

5. USA

1. The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton (May, 4*)
2. Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan (May, 4*)
3. Raintree County by Ross Lockridge, Jr (June, 4 1/2*)
4. The Glades: Sunny with a Chance of Homicide by Clifton Campbell (July)
5. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (October, 3 1/2*)
6. Creating a Hoosier Self-Portrait by George T. Blakey (October)
7. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent (October, 4*)
8. The Old Fauntleroy Home by Ross F. Lockridge (November)

9.
10.

6. World View
this used to be History on my first 1010 Challenge thread
COMPLETED September

Relating to Religion

Books of the Bible:
~~ "Genesis" (March)
~~ "Ruth" (April)
~~ "Esther" (July)
~~ "The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther" (Apocrypha) (July)

1. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (March, 3*)
2. The Bible as History by Werner Keller (March)
3. Genesis, translation and commentary by Robert Alter (April, 4 1/2*)
4. The Gods of Eden by William Bramley (April, 1*)

British Isles

5. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (January, 3*)
6. The Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd (February, 4*)
7. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory (May, 2 1/2*)
8. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (September, 3*)
9. A Very Private Grave by Donna Fletcher Crow (September, 4*)

Other Times & Places

10. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy (July, 3*)

7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales

1. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (March, 3 1/2*)
2. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 1) (April, 4*)
3. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 2) (May, 3 1/2*)
4. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 3) (May, 4*)
5. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 4) (May, 4*)
6. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan (May, 3*)
7. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 5) (July, 3*)
8. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (July, 4 1/2*)
~~ "The False Bride" (aka "The Goose-Girl"), Grimm's Fairy Tales (July)
9. A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce (November, 4*)
~~ "The Gold Spinner" (aka "Rumpelstiltskin"), Grimm's Fairy Tales (November)

10.

8. Fantasy
COMPLETED April

1. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. LeGuin (Earthsea Cycle, Book 2) (January, 3*)
2. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1) (January, 4*)
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 2) (January, 5*)
4. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) (January, 4 1/2*)
5. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 4) (January, 4 1/2*)
6. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 5) (January, 4 1/2*)
7. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 6) (January, 3 1/2*)
8. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 7) (January, 3*)
9. Wicked by Gregory Maguire (April, 4*)
10. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole (April, 3*)

Bonus:
11. The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin. (Earthsea Cycle, Book 3) (June, 3*)

9. Lucy Maud Montgomery

1. Anne of Avonlea (Anne #2) (August, 4*)
2. Anne of the Island (Anne #3) (August, 4*)
3. Anne of Windy Poplars (Anne #4) (August, 4 1/2*)
4. Chronicles of Avonlea (ca Books 1-3 of Anne) (August, 4 1/2*)
5. Further Chronicles of Avonlea (before or ca Books 1-3 of Anne) (September, 3 1/2*)
6. Anne's House of Dreams (Anne #5) (September, 4*)
7. Anne of Ingleside (Anne #6) (October, 3 1/2*)
8. Rainbow Valley (Anne #7) (October, 4*)

9. Rilla of Ingleside
10. The Blue Castle

10. Children / YA
COMPLETED October

1. Brave Pioneers by Merlin L. Neff (The Bible Pageant, Volume 1) (February)
2. Conquering Heroes by Merlin L. Neff (The Bible Pageant, Volume 2) (March)
3. Kings and Queens by Merlin L. Neff (The Bible Pageant, Volume 3) (February)
4. Alison Dare: The Heart of the Maiden by J. Torres & J. Bone (May, 4*)
5. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (Newbery Honor Book 1997) (August, 3*)
6. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (September, 5*)
7. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Newbery Medal 1998) (October, 4*)
8. The Black Arrowhead: Legends of Long Island by Caroline Dale Snedeker (October, 3*)
9. The Giver by Lois Lowry (Newbery Medal 1994) (October, 5*)
10. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (October, 4*)

Bonus:
11. Messenger by Lois Lowry (October, 3 1/2*)

Bonus Category
Goal: 20 books
This will be for the overreads of my 10 categories, and for any book that won't fit into my other categories, though that's somewhat unlikely since I keep my categories pretty general so that I can count every book I read.

1. The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin (Fantasy, June, 3*)
2. Something Wicked by Carolyn G. Hart (New Series, August, 3 1/2*)
3. Honeymoon with Murder by Carolyn G. Hart (New Series, August, 3 1/2*)
4. A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch (New Series, August, 3 1/2*)
5. The September Society by Charles Finch (New Series, August, 3 1/2*)
6. Messenger by Lois Lowry (Children / YA, October, 3 1/2*)

Reserved

Hi Ivy: Okay to post? You're not reserving any more space, are you?

Yes, Linda, I think I've got plenty of space reserved. I got started on this but have had family obligations and haven't gotten back to it. Maybe later today or tomorrow.

Got any cozy mysteries lined up? I got a boxful of new cozies from Amazon yesterday, including my long-awaited new Claudia Bishop bed & breakfast one, Toast Mortem. This series has gone on for a long time but it seems like forever since there was a new entry in that series.

Once I finish The Help, I plan to start the Bishop cozy.

I've finally gotten my categories updated with the books I've read prior to June (comments on my 1st thread). Since June 1, I've read:

50. The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea Cycle, Book 3), 3*
Categories: Fantasy, Bonus

The fantasy world created by Ms Le Guin is complex and fascinating. Writing in the late 1960s and 1970s, her works are an interesting bridge between the earlier Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fantasies, and the later Rowling, Pullman, Riordan fantasies. I also find her descriptions of the lands interesting, in that many of them bring to mind Oregon landscapes (she lives in Portland).

However, her characters are flat. When it appears that Ged may be lost, I don't get that same gut-wrenching feeling that I did about Gandalf or Dumbledore. I don't really care whether the juvenile hero (what was his name?) succeeds in his quest, as I did with the Pevensies or Lyra or Percy -- if, that is, I can figure out what he's trying to accomplish. Because the plotting isn't really very well done, either; they mostly just sail around the complex world of Earthsea encountering strange people and dragons.

Of the three books I've read, The Tombs of Atuan (which was a Newbery Honor Book) was clearly the best. I doubt that I will read any more.

~~ Book 6 of The Histories by Herodotus

I found this book easier reading and more interesting, as the history moves into events and geography that are more familiar to me.

>17 lindapanzo: I'll be watching for your reviews, Linda! I have so many cozy possibilites lined up that I don't really know where to go next. I think my next book order (which will be soon) will include the next couple Carolyn Hart books, the first of Barbara Hambly's (i.e., Barbara Hamilton) New Orleans series (Cindy really liked it), and I think I need to try the Laura Childs teashop series. Oh, and Cheli's Lumby(?) book that she read recently. Plus I'm behind on Margaret Maron and J.D. Robb and Alexander McCall Smith, and I think there are a bunch of books due to be released this summer/fall.

Sometimes I think I'd be happy to read nothing but cozies, but then after I've read 2 or 3 or 4 in a row, I'm usually ready to read something with a little more depth... It will be the reverse soon, though, since I've now started Raintree County.

We were cleaning out the basement this weekend, donating lots of stuff to our church's rummage sale, when I came upon a box of old Agatha Christie's I didn't know I had. I need to figure out which ones I haven't read and then might read a few of those. I do want to start the Claudia Bishop but I picked up #2 in the Rita Lakin Florida seniors series, Getting Old Is the Best Revenge first.

During the summer, I tend to read a lot of fluffier stuff while at the same time, reading lsome longer books.

20> What a nice find! I read most of Agatha Christie's books in my early teens, and though I'm pretty sure that I didn't read every single one, I don't have any idea how to figure out which ones I haven't read -- unless I could somehow get a list of which books my hometown library owned in about 1960! When I read reviews of them, they usually sound familiar, and every time I've picked up a book that I think I haven't read, I've gotten 50 pages or so into it, and realized that I have.

For some reason, I seem to like long books in the summer. Maybe a hangover from my childhood, when I could sit on the porch in the wicker rocking chair and immerse myself in a long book.

Even though I was keeping track of my reading starting in 1976, for some reason, I didn't count my Agatha Christie books as books read. I suspect I've already read some of the Christie books shown as unread, especially the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot books.

Then again, there's always the problem with the alternate titles. I've picked up ones I thought I hadn't read only to find that I had read it with the alternate British title.

I don't ever remember reading Parker Pyne or the others so at least I've got those.

Parker Pyne sounds familiar, but I couldn't tell you whether I've read some or just heard the name. Or maybe saw a TV program?

There's Superintendent Battle and Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. I was never that interested in the books that didn't involve Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot.

I know I read some Tommy & Tuppence, but Superintendent Battle doesn't ring any bells. Miss Marple was my favorite, but I liked Hercule too.

Oh, I love Superintendent Battle! I know he's in The Secret of Chimneys and The Seven Dials Mystery, both of which I highly recommend.

51. Raintree County by Ross Lockridge Jr., 4 1/2*
Category: USA
RTT for June: 19th Century

A marvelous, magnificent saga of the 19th century.

I have so much to say about this book (which has taken me nearly 3 weeks to read) that I hardly know where to start. And my daughter arrived home from overseas yesterday, so it may be a while before I get a review posted.

This book marks the 1/2 way point of my main challenge, and it's not yet the end of June. The Bonus category is looking a bit doubtful, though.

Congrats on reaching halfway, Ivy!! Enjoy your time with your daughter!!

The time with my daughter was wonderful -- 2 weeks and and day after almost 11 months. You spend years bringing up your children to be caring, responsible, curious, independent, to follow their dreams, and to do their part to make the world a better and more beautiful place. Then it turns out that you've probably succeeded, since that's exactly what they are doing... but what you didn't count on was that their path would take them halfway around the world for nearly a year at a time...

So now I have a lot of catching up to do here. I've been reading threads from time to time, and have read a few short books, but haven't taken the time to update my challenge.

June Recap

I only finished 2 books in June, so choosing a favorite is easy: Raintree County, which I'm certain would be a favorite no matter how many books I read, and I promise to say more about it when I get everything updated.

I've read a lot of really good books in the first half of 2010, and with only a couple of exceptions would not hestitate to recommend them, but my favorites for the year are

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Genesis, translation and commentary by Robert Alter
Raintree County by Ross Lockridge, Jr

Mysteries:
The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

Children:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

1. Contemporary Fiction (7/10)

2. Series Continuation (6/10)

3. New Series (5/10)

4. Literary Giants (2/10)
~~ Book 6 of The Histories by Herodotus

5. USA (3/10)
~~ Raintree County by Ross Lockridge, Jr

6. World View (7/10)

7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales (6/10)

8. Fantasy (11/10) -- completed April
Bonus: The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin

9. Lucy Maud Montgomery (0/10)

10. Children / YA (4/10)

Bonus (1/20)

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit with your daughter. I bet the two weeks went by in a flash.

Except for a pair of cousins about 3 hours away and another pair who live in Vegas, all of my family lives within about an hour and a half away. I can't imagine being halfway around the world from them.

July

52. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5), 3*
Category: Myth, Legend & Fairy Tales

This was a satisfactoy end to this series, but was not my favorite book, probably because a good portion of the book detailed the final battle. My preferences run to quests, mysteries and puzzles rather than wars. I am, however, eager to read Riordan's new series about Egypt and will almost certainly read his new series about Camp Half-Blood.

53. The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser, 3*
Category: New Series

I really enjoyed this book about the little town of Lumby and its inhabitants, and want to read more about them.

54. The Glades: Sunny with a Chance of Homicide by Clifton Campbell
Category: USA

This was a free book included with my B&N order. It is the script of the pilot episode of a new A&E television series which premiers tonight. It was a pretty good mystery, and I found it very interesting because I have never before read a television script. Although I infrequently watch cop shows, and I suspect it will be a bit gory for me, I intend to watch the show just to see how the script translates to the screen. In other words, their marketing strategy was successful with me, at least for the first episode.

55. Love You to Death by Gail Bowen, 3*
Category: New Series

This is an ER book, and I will be back with a full review.
July 18: Review is in message #38.

56. Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mysteries, #1), 3 1/2*
Category: New Series

Loved it. This is definitely a series I want to continue.

Ivy - are you summarizing July already or just keeping track of it as you go?

Glad you enjoyed Lumby Lines, I just finished the third book and have #4 waiting in the wings - they get better and better IMHO. The Tea Shoppe Mysteries is one of my favorites so my advice is keep going.

>34 cyderry: Cheli, I'm just listing the books finished in July so far, since I had not posted anything since my daughter got home. I was actually surprised that I had 5 books, but as far as reading time, it's not that much. A week each for the Riordan and Lumby, and 2 books that took less than 2 hours each. And I read all weekend, Death by Darjeeling on Saturday and most of The Book of Lost Things yesterday -- I find that when my daughter is somewhere in the sky over the Pacific Ocean for 28 hours that it's best to immerse myself in someone else's imagination rather than my own. (She's now safely back in China.)

>31 lindapanzo: The wonders of technology (e-mail, Skype) make it a little better, Linda, but I find it really hard having her so far away. I do feel fortunate, though, that my older daughter is only 20 minutes away.

Immersing one's self in reading at a tense time is a great idea. I do that, too. It helps take your mind off the worries.

Is that Gail Bowen book you read in her mystery series? I can't remember the sleuth's name but I read one or two of these and liked them. I think she is one of the most popular Canadian mystery authors. My copy of The Last Good Day is around here somewhere. Possibly others as well.

>36 lindapanzo: No, the Gail Bowen is a very short book that is part of the "Rapid Reads" line designed for busy people and adult literacy programs. I've got some work to do today, but will get a review posted in the next day or so. I thought it was really well done and the bio mentions the mystery series about Joanne Kilbourn (12 books)... I liked this short book enough that I'm interested in investigating the series...

I'm trying to get caught up with my posting. Here's the review for Book #55, an ER book:

Love You to Death by Gail Bowen

Charlie D is a late-night radio talk show host. On the air, he is able to help the lonely and the hopeless –- and he can become someone different, rather than a sad man, disfigured by a facial birthmark, who has lost the woman he loved. But someone is killing his regular callers… and he has only one 2-hour talk show to discover the murderer.

This very short book – hardly more than a short story – is part of a new Rapid Reads line of books, designed for busy people and for adult literacy programs. It is engaging, fast-paced, and very well written; if the vocabulary is circumscribed for literacy programs, it is not apparent. The adroit characterizations create a likeable protagonist, and the reader is left wanting to know more about Charlie, his talk show, and his colleague Nova (and several hanging threads suggest the possibility of sequels).

Back in the days when I was working 10 or 12 hour days and would stop on my way home to buy a book that I could read that night, this book would have been perfect. And, although I am not a literacy expert, I know that struggling readers feel a great sense of accomplishment in finishing a book, even if it's a short one. So, I agree that there is a market for this kind of book, but… the list price of $9.95 seems excessive for a book that takes little more than an hour to read. Movies can be rented for under $5, and a 200-300 page easy-to-read book can be purchased for $7-9.

I was impressed by Ms Bowen and I intend to investigate her long-running mystery series.

57. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, 4 1/2*
Category: Myth, Legend and Fairy Tales

David, 12 years old and wracked with grief by the loss of his mother and the rapid remarriage of his father, begins to hear his books talking... and he eventually finds his way into the land of fairy tales (with a smattering of Greek mythology and a dab of Roman history thrown in). The familiar stories are changed and twisted, though, reflecting his anguish and attempts to cope with his situation.

The Book of Lost Things is extremely well written, and there is amazing depth in the use of the fairy tales and in David's emotional state. Although the fairy tale versions are dark, the book is also clever and funny. Supposedly written as an adult book, it nevertheless follows the magical lands / quest for understanding formula of many children's books (which adults enjoy), and I think it would also appeal to older children and teenagers.

I don't think I've made this sound very interesting... but it is, and I highly recommend it. Thanks to Cindy (cmbohn), who prompted me to read this book now -- check out her excellent review for a better summary of the book.

~~ "The False Bride" (aka 'The Goose-Girl"), Grimm's Fairy Tales
Category: Myth, Legend and Fairy Tales

Books of the Bible:
~~ "Esther"
~~ "The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther" (Apocrypha)
Category: World View

These short reads resulted from reading The Book of Lost Things. Although Connolly included a version of "The Goose-Girl" in his Notes, I was interested in comparing the story in my Grimm's. It was very close. My Grimm's was my grandmother's (she was born in 1900) and it is sometimes a bit different than other versions, including the titles which are almost always different.

The idea of the culprit unknowingly pronouncing her own punishment then reminded me that I had meant to re-read "Esther" earlier in the year, and to read the Apocryphal version. Although Haman initially unknowingly declares a reward for Mordecai, and only indirectly determines his own punishment, it makes me wonder about the recurrance of this motif in legends and myths. On the other hand, the Apocryphal version seems to underscore the idea that the story of Esther is not legend but did in fact occur.

58. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy, 3*
Category: World View

The elusive Scarlet Pimpernel, savior of French aristocrats destined for the guillotine, is a fascinating romantic character and the prototype for later masked heroes (Zorro, Superman, the Lone Ranger, etc), though he also owes a debt to legendary heroes such as Robin Hood. Set in England and France during the French Revolution, Baroness Orczy's feelings about the Revolution itself are somewhat ambiguous, but she clearly deplores the atrocities of the Reign of Terror.

I liked the story, but did not like the writing style. I liked the Scarlet Pimpernel, but despised Marguerite. I found the book interesting as a book which has inspired many similar adventure/avenger/savior stories, much as I thought The Castle of Otranto was interesting as the first gothic novel. The great merit of these two books is in their originality, but in my opinion, later writers have created superior works in these genres.

Ivy - I'm only a third of the way through The Scarlet Pimpernel. I read it over 40 years ago when I was a kid in an abridged edition so I thought I'd read the full thing this time around. The Baroness definitely has a different style I agree but I am enjoying the read especially since it's on my new Nook. I got the whole set of Scarlet Pimpernel books (11) for $2.56. Good Deal!

>42 cyderry: Excellent price, Cheli! I'm somewhat envious of your Nook...

I think that sometimes I sound more critical than I really am, because I did enjoy the book (3* is "good" in my rating system). I wouldn't mind reading at least one more of the books, but I didn't like it enough to seek them out ahead of a whole lot of other books that I am eager to read (many of which I already have).

I'll be interested in seeing your comments about The Scarlet Pimpernel and the sequels, when you get to them.

Ivy - I'm glad you enjoyed The Book of Lost Things! I didn't read the notes, so now I'm wondering what else I missed.

I liked The Scarlet Pimpernel more than you did, I think, but I agree that Marguerite is a little annoying sometimes. One of the things I liked about the book was how easy it was to read. I always expect historical books to be rather wordy or stilted, but this had a style I could easily read. I read a couple more in the series and didn't like them nearly as much.

>44 cmbohn: The Book of Lost Things is a wonderful book. I think I'd have given it 5* if it weren't quite so dark -- merely a matter of personal preference.

I found the Notes very interesting, since he explained some of how and why he changed the fairy tales to reflect David's state of mind. As for the tales themselves (the standard versions were the bulk of the section), "The Goose-Girl" was the only one that I couldn't have recited myself, although I had read/heard it before. And I didn't know the story of the Roman (I've forgotten his name already).

Thanks again for the recommendation!

59. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, 4*
Category: New Series

Fabulous!

I didn't really think that so many people praising this book could be wrong, but I nevertheless had my doubts about an adult English country-house mystery featuring a precocious 11-year-old detective. They weren't wrong, my doubts are laid to rest, and I'll be reading the next book in this series as soon as I can get my hands on it.

I've said many times, probably more than once on my various threads, that while I love children's books about children, I don't usually like adult books about children. And now, in little more than a week, I've read -- and loved -- 2 "adult" books featuring child protagonists (this and The Book of Lost Things). I think the difference is that many adult books about children look at them from an adult perspective, while good children's books -- and these 2 books -- stay true to the child's perpective. In addition, I think that the adult/YA/children designation is often mostly a marketing decision. I am quite certain that I would have loved this book when I was 11, and I can't see anything inappropriate in it for an 11-year-old. It also appeals to adults, but so do many books marketed as children's or YA.

#46 Glad to hear you liked it, Ivy. I started it on my recent train ride back from St Louis and never got into it. Maybe I'll give it another chance and get into it further.

It definitely has gotten rave reviews.

>47 lindapanzo: Linda, I got quite far into it the first evening -- about 150 pages, I think -- and I don't remember at what point I got hooked. However, as you know, I like children's books, and if someone had handed it to me without comment, I think I would have classified it as a children's book. It just may not be your cup of tea! And once again, isn't it fascinating how people can really like many of the same books, yet disagree on others?

I think I got right up to where the body was discovered so I assume it got better after that.

With first-time authors, it seems like they sometimes take awhile to get going.

I will probably get back to it.

>49 lindapanzo: Yes, it did.

I'll be interested in your reaction -- if you decide to continue!

I really liked it as well. The second one was very good too.

~~ Book 7 of Herodotus' Histories
Category: Literary Giants

I think this is my favorite Book of Herodotus so far. The details of the march into Europe and the enumeration of the Persian force were a little tedious, but I thought the depiction of Xerxes personality (madness?) and the part played by Damaratus was fascinating. Once again I was surprised at the brevity of the descriptions of the destruction of the Persian fleet and the battle of Thermopylae. Whole books and movies have been made from just a few pages of Herodotus' history.

A few years ago, I read and loved Caroline Dale Snedeker's The Spartan (originally titled The Coward of Thermopylae). It is the fictionalized story of Aristodemus, the Spartan who was so disgraced by his failure to die at Thermopylae, and includes a lot of information about Sparta and Leonidas. Although Mrs Snedeker always gives free reign to her imagination, I think she stayed pretty true to the brief story given by Herodotus.

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's answers, so here are mine:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
I love to eat and read, read and eat. Although I try to keep myself from buying them -- but often succumb to the temptation -- the very best snack is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, especially the holiday versions (eggs, pumpkins, trees), nibbled slowly while reading.

What is your favorite drink while reading?
Iced tea, by the gallons.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
In general, I'm horrified and don't do it. Except... my reading copy of the Bible, Shakespeare, sometimes other classics: passages or phrases that I may want to come back to and want to be able to find.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?
Book jackets, bookmarks, sticky tabs, any handy piece of paper. I never dog-ear, but am quite often guilty of laying the book flat open.

Fiction, Non-Fiction, or Both?
Mostly fiction.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I usually plan to read to the end of the chapter, but then want to know what happens next... so then I'm into the next chapter and think I'll read to the end of that chapter... and then... In other words, I rarely stop at the end of a chapter.

Are you a person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
I never have yet.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Sometimes. I keep a dictionary, atlas, Bible and Shakespeare next to my favorite reading chair -- theoretically for easy reference, but I often don't bother to do it.

What are you currently reading?

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, moving along on Herodotus' Histories with the Group Read, and from time to time T.S. Eliot's Complete Poems and Plays and the Bible.

What is the last book you bought?
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Someone Knows My Name and a 3rd book I can't remember.

Are you a person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
I tend to read only one fiction at a time. But I am usually in the midst of at least one non-fiction, classic or anthology as well.

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?
I mostly read in the evening/night, sitting in my recliner. I rarely read during the day, but I love to sit on the porch in my wicker rocking chair (same chair -- but with different cushions and a different porch -- that I spent countless hours reading in as a child and teenager).

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
I like both.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Recently it's been The Help, Stieg Larsson's trilogy, Louise Penny's mysteries. It keeps changing, and often depends on the interests of the other person.

How do you organize your books? By genre, title, author's last name, etc?
Organize? That would be nice. I tend to shelve non-fiction books by topic (but that partly depends on size), and series books together. And I do keep special books, old books, signed books in glass-fronted bookcases.

I LOVE Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Smooth peanut butter, not chunky.... Hummm, now I have a craving for one.

Thanks, Ivy. It's been interesting to see other people's responses to that reading quiz.

At the Cubs game last night, they were handing out samples of sweet and sour twizzlers. I will NOT be adding those to my reading snack choices. Ugh!!

>54 lkernagh: I think I always have a craving for one. Or two. Or three. I try to restrain myself.

>55 lindapanzo: I finally found your quiz on your 75 book thread, Linda. Interesting that your reaction to the last question about organization was the same as mine!

I tried the dark chocolate Reese's this weekend. The difference was very subtle but they were definitely tasty.

60. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson, 4*
Category: Contemporary Fiction

As others have commented, this 3rd book in Stieg Larsson's trilogy is actually a continuation of the events in Book 2 --beginning just minutes after the end of that book -- and a resolution of those events. It also differed from the first two books in that it lacked their high suspense, unexpected twists and page-turning quality. But I enjoyed the digressions into Swedish government and politics, was fascinated with further revelations and development of Larsson's superb and totally individual characters, and was tantalized with new characters and the beginnings of new story lines.

I'm sad --for him, of course, that he died so young -- but also for the rest of us that we won't be continuing the saga of Blomkvist and Lisbeth.

61. Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs (Tea Shop #2), 3*
Category: New Series (Category Completed)

I very much enjoyed this 2nd book in Laura Childs' Tea Shop series, and was confirmed in my intention to continue the series.

July Recap

July was a far, far better month than June, in terms of the number of books that I read. Even having my daughter home for the first 10 days of the month, and babysitting my granddaughter for most of another week, I managed to finish 10 books (some very short) and complete another category. The prognosis for completing my challenge looks close, though, since I've read exactly 20 fewer books than I had at this point last year and I'm 10 books and a couple of categories behind where I would like to be.

Choosing a favorite is difficult since, for different reasons I liked everything that I read. The Book of Lost Things and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest are probably the standouts, but I also discovered new series that I want to continue.

The television script of The Glades wasn't all that great -- or perhaps I should say, it wasn't really my kind of story -- but I did find it interesting to see how the script translated to the tv show.

1. Contemporary Fiction (8/10)
~~ The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

2. Series Continuation (6/10)

3. New Series (10/10) -- completed July
~~ The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
~~ Love You to Death by Gail Bowen
~~ Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs
~~ Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs
~~ The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

4. Literary Giants (2/10)
~~ Book 7 of The Histories by Herodotus

5. USA (4/10)
~~ The Glades: Sunny with a Chance of Homicide by Clifton Campbell

6. World View (8/10)
~~ The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

Books of the Bible:
~~ "Esther"
~~ "The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther"

7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales (8/10)
~~ The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
~~ The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
~~ "The False Bride" (Grimm's Fairy Tales)

8. Fantasy (11/10) -- completed April

9. Lucy Maud Montgomery (0/10)

10. Children / YA (4/10)

Bonus (1/20)

August

62. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (Newbery Honor Book 1997), 3*
Category: Children / YA

Gen, after having been tossed into prison for the theft of the king's seal, is released by the magus and taken on a quest to find (and steal) a magical stone.

In many respects a typical adventure / quest story, this book lacks the element of self-discovery and personal growth that is usually found in this type of children's book. The characters are interesting, and despite the detailed description of the journey, the action moves along quite nicely.

However... I disliked the writing style -- choppy, short simple sentences -- which strikes me as juvenile and, in my opinion, is a disservice to young readers; and several misplaced modifiers and grammatical errors were just plain sloppy. I didn't find Gen very likeable; that he was deceptive was apparent early in the book, but I don't ususally like 1st person narration which sets out to deceive the reader by omitting essential facts and then changes the whole story when they are eventually revealed (this is a personal preference -- I know some people like the unreliable narrator -- and I don't usually have a problem when it's 3rd person rather than 1st person). I think what bothered me most, though, was the vaguely pleasurable (sadistic?) descriptions of violence, injuries, illnesses.

I didn't exactly dislike this book -- it was a pretty good adventure -- but I didn't like it very much either. I'm surprised that it was a Newbery Honor Book, and don't think it is of the same quality as most of the Newbery books. I think my 3* rating is generous.

I'm sorry you weren't impressed with The Thief. I didn't really get into it until the very end when Gen's true identity was revealed...but I think The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia are amazing! If you ever feel like giving Turner's series another chance, it definitely gets better in my opinion!

>62 christina_reads: I was sorry, too! I had expected to like it more than I did. And I agree with you that it became more interesting at the end. At the moment I'm not inclined to continue the series -- there are books that I'd rather read right now -- but I'm going to pass this book on to my daughter, and if she wants to continue the series, I probably will also.

I really loved it. The second one was good, but not as amazing. Less of the religious/mythological stuff, which was what made the first so cool to me. But more romance.

>64 cmbohn: I also found the religious/mythological aspects interesting, and thought she did an excellent job of adapting Greek mythology to an original pantheon. The more I talk about this book, the better I seem to like it! Maybe I was just in the wrong mood when I read it, but nevertheless I'm not particularly interested in (though not especially averse to) continuing.

63. Something Wicked by Carolyn G. Hart (Death on Demand #3), 3 1/2*
Categories: New Series, Bonus

I thought that this was the best book so far in this series. I still find Annie a bit annoying, but less so than in the first two books, and I am convinced more than ever that much of it is a reflection of 1980s attitudes of women (which I also disliked at the time).

Reading both this series and Laura Childs' Tea Shop series in the past month or two, I'm learning a lot about South Carolina, a state that I've only visited once, in 1971 when we drove from Atlanta to New York City. I had no idea that dolphins were so prevalent in the coastal waters, and I finally had to look up "live oaks" -- yes, I'm sure I saw them, but had no idea what they were, and I'm still amazed that an oak tree can be an evergreen!

64. Honeymoon with Murder by Carolyn G. Hart (Death on Demand #4), 3 1/2*
Categories: New Series, Bonus

Another good installment in this series. This was the first book in this series that I wasn't sure of the murderer early in the book.

~~ Book 8 of Herodotus' Histories

Dealing with people, geography and events that are more familiar to me, this Book went a lot faster. I'm glad I decided to do this group read; I'm finding it very readable and very interesting. But it is also slow and confusing (mostly because of my lack of knowledge about this period of history), and I don't think I would ever have made it through without the slow-paced group read. With only one Book left, I'm pretty sure that I will finish.

Ivy, I admire the fact that you carry on with these big books, like Herodotus' Histories. I'm not as patient a reader as I used to be.

I am thinking that, sometime this year, I'll work up the courage to read a chunky fictional or nonfiction work, which I almost never do anymore. I've wanted to read Bleak House and I've also got several doorstop-type biographies, such as one of Louis Brandeis.

>68 lindapanzo: It seems to me, Linda, that you do a lot of heavy reading!

I've always had trouble with non-fiction. Not with the information -- I've always wanted to know more about the facts that I encounter in fiction -- but my usual answer has been to check it out in the encyclopedia or (now) on the internet, or sometimes to buy a book and read only a little bit before I got the answers I wanted and became bored. One of the biggest changes that LT has made in my reading is that I'm actually finishing non-fiction books so that I can count them in my challenges -- not that it's all that many non-fiction books, but it's still a lot more than it used to be.

The other part of it, I think, is that since my children are grown and I'm only working part time, I have more mental energy to devote to some of these historical topics that interest me. For years, when I was working and had small children, I read almost nothing but fluff; my younger daughter was in high school when I started getting back into some of it.

And taking it by bits, rather than trying to sit down and read the whole book in a week or two, also helps...

I hope your week is going better!

Thanks, Ivy. My friend's wake is Friday night with the funeral mass on Saturday morning. I've heard, now, that she may have had a heart attack before she fell down the stairs.

A bunch of friends and I have season tickets to our local professional community theater and it happens that our next show is Friday night. I think it'd be good to get out so I am going to the wake on the early side, skipping the pre-show dinner with the girls and then meeting them for the show.

The show is Once on This Island, which is billed as a Caribbean fairy tale. Hopefully, it's entertaining and distracting. This is one of the few I've never heard of (later in the season, we have A Chorus Line and then conclude with Music Man).

65. A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch, 3 1/2*
Categories: New Series, Bonus

I thoroughly enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes type mystery, set in England in 1865, and I definitely will be continuing this series.

Thanks to Linda and several others of you who have recommended this book!

I really like the Charles Finch series -- hope you enjoy the rest of the books!

>72 christina_reads: Chistina, you're undoubtedly one of the people who made me want to read this book, since I try to keep up with your thread. I knew there had been a couple of good reviews, but only remembered Linda by name, since I ordered it right after she reviewed it. Thanks!

If they're at least as good as this first one, I'm sure I'll like them a lot. It's been a while since I've read books in this sub-genre (whatever it's called? English nobility armchair detectives?), and I'm looking forward to the rest of the books.

66. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables #2), 4*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne of Avonlea. the 2nd of the Green Gables series, is about Anne's experiences as a "schoolma'am" in Avonlea from the ages of 16-18.

It is a charming book... but doesn't begin to compare with Anne of Green Gables. Nothing does, though, and it satisfies one's desire to know more about Anne. Although I've read Anne of Green Gables a couple of times since childhood, I had not re-read the rest of the books. I'm somewhat surprised at the level of sophistication of the book, and wonder how much I missed when I first read it at the age of 9. On the other hand, in re-reading these books 50 years later, I can also see the tremendous influence that Anne and these books have had on my life -- both larger philosophies and little things like my fascination with poplar trees.

I'm about 40 percent through The September Society and I'm liking it even more. This one is an academic mystery and it's set in Oxford but I like the fact that he's cut back somewhat on the extraneous writing.

Sadly, not too much Lady Jane so far.

@73 -- Haha, I like the "English nobility armchair detectives" label. Might be a fun category for 2011! :)

>75 lindapanzo: That's good to know, Linda. I was hoping that would be the case; I've found that many series get better after the first book or two, particularly when it's a first novel -- at least until the author starts to burn out and is just fulfilling his/her contract.

I got Bury Your Dead yesterday, but have only had a chance to read the first few pages. Can't wait to get back to it.

>76 christina_reads: Sounds like a good idea, Christina. I'm still considering categories for next year and I've been thinking I don't have enough mystery categories this year. Who else besides Finch would you put in this category? Holmes, Wimsey, who else?

I also needed more categories with mysteries - I have 6 for 2011 that could take mysteries, 2 for histories, 1 for romance, 1 for youth, and 1 a mixture. Do you think I have enough?

@77 -- Hmm, that's a tough question! The only other author that immediately came to my mind is Agatha Christie; Poirot and Miss Marple would both count, I imagine -- and Tommy and Tuppence too! Anna Dean's Bellfield Hall is also about an English gentlewoman who solves a mystery. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!

Someone on here just reviewed a book about what looked like impoverished English nobility solving a crime that her brother was the suspect for? And she's something like a decorator during the 1920s? Looked like a series.

@80 -- Oh, I think you're talking about Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series, which would totally fit in this type of category! The first book is, unsurprisingly Her Royal Spyness. I've read the first couple of books; they're a lot of fun, though not particularly strong on the mystery plots themselves.

That sounds like the series by Rhys Bowen the Lady Georgie mysteries - there are 4 in this series so far.

Barry Brown just started a new series - Mrs. Hudson of Baker Street - came out in June.

This category seems to be shaping up! I have Rhys Bowen on my possibilities list. And there's a series I haven't read in a long time... Martha Grimes? A detective but his sidekick is nobility? And isn't one of the other British detectives actually nobility, though he tries to keep it secret? -- but of course he wouldn't be "armchair" if he's a detective. (I tend to get the British detectives mixed up, and I haven't read any for several years, so it's even worse now.) With a little flexibility, I think there may be a category here...

78> 6 mystery categories sounds just about right, Cheli! I have no problem stashing mysteries in a variety of other categories (I think I put all of Ariana Franklin's books in "British Isles" last year), but I probably should quit kidding myself and just label them mystery categories. I think about half of what I read is mysteries (and another quarter is children's books), so I really don't need many other categories.

This is a busy week for me. Next week I intend to do nothing except what I want to do (we'll see if it actually works out that way), and that includes setting up my 11 in 11 categories.

Roderick Alleyn was pretty low key about being nobility, I think. That may be who you're thinking of. It's been forever since I've read those though.

What about the Kate Ardleigh Sheridan & Sir Charles Sheridan Mystery Series takes place in Victorian (1890s) England.

I'm thinking my 11/11 doesn't have enough mysteries. I'm trying to think of a good additional mystery category.

Maybe "historical mysteries" or something equally broad.

What about mysteries set in countries other than the US?

#87 Always good. That would let in mysteries set in Canada and England and all the others. Good idea.

>84 kristenn: Yes, Christina, Roderick Alleyn was the one I was trying to think of. And the other was bugging me, so I had to look it up: it's Martha Grimes' Richard Jury and his friend Melrose Plant. I don't think I've read all of either series, but since I have no lists prior to joining LT in 2007, it's a bit of a problem to figure out which ones.

>85 cyderry: I haven't heard of that one, Cheli. Thanks!

>86 lindapanzo:-88 I'm thinking I might need separate categories for Britain and Canada. I seem to be reading a lot about Canada this year, and I just ordered an omnibus with the first 3 Gail Bowen books. I think I need at least 5 mystery categories (and maybe I'll join you with 6, Cheli!). If I plan to read 55 (or 66) mysteries, I just might make it to 121 books... though averaging 1 book every 3 days seems a bit out of reach for me, especially with a new granddaughter and my younger daughter's wedding.

67. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny (Inspector Gamache #6), 5*
Category: Series Continuation

Note: This review does not contain spoilers of any book, but the previous book in this series, The Brutal Telling, should be read before Bury Your Dead.

From the first Inspector Gamache novel, this series had more depth, more substance, than one usually finds in a mystery series. And the books just keep getting better. Somewhere around book 4 they moved out of the constraints of a formulaic mystery series and into the realm of general fiction (with a mystery, of course). In Bury Your Dead, the sixth book about Inspector Gamache, his colleagues and the inhabitants of Three Pines, Louise Penny has once again surpassed her previous books.

Bury Your Dead is a continuation of the previous book, The Brutal Telling, and contains major spoilers of that book. But it is set primarily in Quebec City, with a fascinating look at the history of Quebec, and two additional mysteries: a disastrous Surete operation which has left Armand Gamache physically and emotionally damaged, and a murder committed in the library where he has sought refuge. The three threads are adroitly intertwined, and suspense builds throughout the book until it is impossible to put down.

The characters are full-bodied, multi-dimensional. They are noble and flawed, all fully individual, loveable and interesting despite (or perhaps because of) their eccentricities and faults. One becomes so involved in the characters, their philosophies of life, the history and the settings, that one doesn't want the book to end, doesn't want to leave these people and places -- yet the developing stories are so fascinating that one feels compelled to keep reading.

I have no idea how Louise Penny can equal, let alone surpass, this book with her next one. But I will be first in line to find out!

>90 ivyd: This series just gets better and better. I can hardly wait to find out what happens next in the lives of Armand Gamache and the residents of Three Pines.

Louise Penny's blog is worth following. She updates it regularly, and you can keep up with her progress (without spoilers) on the next book in the series. I appreciate her work even more since I've discovered her blog and learned about the care she takes to get her work just right.

>91 cbl_tn: I feel the same way.

I think one of the things that amazed me the most with this book is that I was completely satisfied with the ending of The Brutal Telling -- shocked and a bit upset, but I didn't think that the story was unfinished. What a surprise to find out ithat t wasn't over!

Thanks for the tip on the blog. Really interesting. She seems like a really nice person -- and it comes through in her books. If anyone else is interested...

Blog: http://louisepenny.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.louisepenny.com/louise.htm

68. Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables #3), 4*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

This third book about Anne Shirley covers her 4 years at college. In this and the previous book, Anne has become more sensible, less impetuous, and less given to flights of fancy. I don't find these two books as funny, or Anne as endearing, as I did in Anne of Green Gables. It's interesting that girls are so fascinated with their heroines growing up (in this and other children's series) -- I remember being enthralled by the woman that Anne becomes -- and given the popularity of the entire series, others must be also. I guess it is comforting and encouraging to know that imaginative, mistake-prone, homely, orphaned Anne becomes a beautiful, successful, gracious woman who does indeed find the man of her dreams.

I enjoyed the book. I love Ms Montgomery's positive philosophy and wisdom, her delight in life and the world, her gentle criticism and tolerance of people's foibles.

69. Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables #4), 4 1/2*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

It's surprising to me how little I remember of these books after 50 years. I mostly only remember the general outline of Anne's story and have flashes of deja vu as I'm reading (although maybe it isn't strictly deja vu, since I did in fact read these books). I did, however, have it in my mind that Anne of Windy Poplars was one of my favorites in the series, and it still is.

Anne of Windy Poplars was written/published in 1936, almost 30 years after Anne of Green Gables and after other books in the series. It has the sophistication and smoothness of a mature writer, and differs in format from the earlier books. Much of the story is presented through Anne's letters to her fiance during the 3 years that he attends medical school and she is Principal of Summerside High School; and it is primarily a series of delightful vignettes about the inhabitants of the town, Anne's response to them, and her "meddling" in their affairs -- which, of course, all works for the best in the end.

I've never read Anne of Green Gables, which I have heard of but never realized was part of a series.

These are YA books, correct? When I was a kid, I rarely read much YA. I wanted to quickly move on to more adult-type reading. Now, I could probably fill a 1010 category with YA books I've never read. Books like Little Women, for instance.

@93, 94 -- I love the "Anne" series! Anne of the Island is probably my favorite, because of the love story and the fun college times. I've been getting really nostalgic about them recently!

>95 lindapanzo: Linda, there are 8 Anne books, plus 2 Chronicles of Avonlea (where Anne lived). I don't believe that I've read the last 2 of the series (my childhood library must not have had them) and maybe the 2nd Chronicles.

I think they are now marketed as YA, probably because of the vocabulary and extensive references and allusions -- Shakespeare, Milton, Thoreau among many others. When I read these books at age 9, I probably hadn't even heard of many of them -- I can't help but wonder how much these books, with their obvious delight in literature, influenced my later reading and love of literature.

In my opinion, they are clearly children's books, with orphaned children and happy endings. I still love them, for exactly those reasons -- it's rather nice to read about love that overcomes all, dreams that can be achieved, and people who can change to make their lives better -- a comforting, wise, positive philosophy of life.

>96 christina_reads: Christina, I've always loved Anne -- she may be my favorite literary heroine of all time. Except for Anne of Green Gables, I hadn't re-read them since I was 12 (by which time I think I had read those in my library 3 times), and it was a combination of nostalgia and curiosity about why I loved them so much that inspired me to add them to my challenge this year. I'm really eager to get to the 2 final books, which I'm pretty sure I haven't read.

I was wondering when I read Anne of the Island how much this book colored my expectations of college. Quite a lot, I think.

I have very fond memories of the Anne of Green Gables books which I read way back when. I should consider a reread.

>86 lindapanzo:-88 I also like the category for Mysteries in Countries Other Than the USA.

>67 ivyd: I have only read the first of the Inspector Gamache mystery series, but your review of Bury Your Dead sure makes me want to hurry and catch up.

>98 chinquapin: I loved Anne of Green Gables so much as a child, that I think one of the reasons that I hadn't re-read them as an adult was fear that I would be disappointed. I probably don't love them as much now, but I'm not disappointed and I'm really being drawn into life on P.E. Island, so that -- once again -- I just want to keep reading about it. There is a depth of philosophy, and sophistication in the references and allusions, that I know I couldn't have recognized back then, though I do think they greatly influenced me.

I've been recommending the Inspector Gamache series to everyone I know. Louise Penny has become one of my favorite authors.

Ivy, I'm curious -- have you ever read any of L. M. Montgomery's other books or series? If so, how do you think they compare to the "Anne" books? I remember reading the "Emily" trilogy a few years after the "Anne" series, and I really liked it too -- and I read The Blue Castle only recently and absolutely loved it! Montgomery just has a gift for writing lovely, charming stories.

>100 christina_reads: My home town library only had the Anne books (and apparently not even all of them). I read the first Emily book when my daughters were reading them -- at that point in my life (dealing with children and not so much interested in reading about them), I liked it but it didn't have the same charm for me that Anne did. I have The Blue Castle on my list for this year -- I've seen a lot of praise for it (perhaps including yours) -- but I wanted to re-read the Anne books first. I think I'd like to read the other series and books, too, but I'm not sure how soon I'll get to them.

Montgomery just has a gift for writing lovely, charming stories.

She certainly does! I'm almost done with Chronicles of Avonlea and loving it -- more, I think, than I did as a child.

70. Chronicles of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (takes place somewhere around Books 1-3), 4 1/2*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

Why do I make sweeping statements, such as I did a couple of messages ago, when I said the Anne books were "clearly children's books," and then have to reverse myself? Because I don't see Chronicles of Avonlea as a children's or even a YA book -- even though it's always been marketed (and shelved in libraries) as such.

Chronicles of Avonlea is a series of stories about love affairs gone wrong, "old maids" and parents. I remember, as a child, being impatient with this book because there wasn't enough about Anne in it -- and now I can see why. Anne Shirley appears only in the first story, as the matchmaker, but the story is not really about her; and she is only mentioned in passing (or not at all) in the other stories.

These stories are about middle-aged or elderly people, whose lives have gone wrong and who finally find happiness. They are touching, sometimes heart-wrenching, and optimistic. "Old Lady Lloyd" -- about a lost love, foolish pride, and generosity of spirit -- moved me to tears.

As a child, I would probably have given this book 3*. Right now, I am tempted to give it 5*.

71. The September Society by Charles Finch (Charles Lenox #2), 3 1/2*
Categories: New Series, Bonus

I'm definitely hooked on this series set in Victorian England. In The September Society, Charles Lenox travels to his alma mater Oxford to investigate the disappearance of a student.

I really like the descriptions of England and tidbits of history that Finch tosses in; many I know, but some I don't, and I would rather be reminded of what I already know rather than be left in the dark about references. Charles Lenox, his brother, his friends and of course Lady Jane are interesting and delightful characters. The mystery was good; part of it was obvious, but I think that was intentional, and there was a twist that I didn't see coming.

I already have the 3rd book in this series and will probably read it soon -- even though it doesn't fit into my 1010 except as a bonus.

August Recap

I read 10 books in August, but 4 of them were Bonus Books, so I still need 34 books to complete the 1010, and 49 books to also complete the bonus. If I stay focused (and that's a big if), the 1010 challenge is within reach, but I don't think I'll manage the extra 20 books for the bonus (or else I'll do that and not complete the main challenge -- it could go either way). I can see at this point that my categories (or at least my reading) wasn't very well planned -- not enough mystery categories and too many children's/YA categories, but I didn't really anticipate that the books in 7. Myth and 8. Fantasy would mostly be YA.

Favorite book: Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
Least favorite book: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (not bad, but not for me)

1. Contemporary Fiction (8/10)

2. Series Continuation (7/10)
~~ Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

3. New Series (14/10) -- completed July
Bonus:
~~ Something Wicked by Carolyn G. Hart
~~ Honeymoon with Murder by Carolyn G. Hart
~~ A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch
~~ The September Society by Charles Finch

4. Literary Giants (2/10)
~~ Book 8 of The Histories by Herodotus

5. USA (4/10)

6. World View (8/10)

7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales (8/10)

8. Fantasy (11/10) -- completed April

9. Lucy Maud Montgomery (4/10)
~~ Anne of Avonlea
~~ Anne of the Island
~~ Anne of Windy Poplars
~~ Chronicles of Avonlea

10. Children / YA (5/10)
~~ The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Bonus (5/20)

September

72. Further Chronicles of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (before or ca Books 1-3 of Anne of Green Gables), 3 1/2*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

I enjoyed most of the stories in this 2nd book about the inhabitants of Avonlea, but I didn't like it nearly as much as I did the first Chronicles of Avonlea. Once again, Anne Shirley is very much a peripheral character in the stories, and there were some oddities that I didn't expect: ghosts figure in 2 stories, there's a greater emphasis on religion, and the last story -- about "half-breeds" (French/Indian) -- was distinctly racist.

Ivy - I loved Bury Your Dead too. You are progressing nicely and should finish about that same time as I do.

>105 ivyd: FantasticFiction says book #7 is scheduled for next February. But the title given is "A Fatal Grace" -- the same as the US title of one of the earlier ones. I wonder if there's some confusion or whether the new book will have a different US title. I wish they wouldn't re-title books for the US. In any case, I hope they're right about a new book -- can't wait to read the next one!

As for finishing the challenge... I don't know... seems to me that you're in better shape than I am, except for that daunting (would be for me, anyway) Ciivil War category of yours. My L.M. Montgomery and Children's Books will finish up quickly, but I'm a bit worried about Literary Giants and USA...

73. The Histories by Herodotus
Category: Literary Giants

I finished!!!

I found this book surprisingly readable for a book written 2,500 years ago, and I learned a tremendous amount about the ancient history of the Middle East, Egypt and Greece. At the same time, I found it very difficult to try to keep track of myriads of people that I previously knew almost nothing about and to understand where they were.

This is a book that I'm glad to have read. I only wish I could remember all of it, but I'm also sure that just remembering the basic outline of these events will prove helpful in my other reading.

@108 -- WOW, congratulations on finishing the Herodotus! That is a huge accomplishment! I'm still not sure if I'll ever be ready to take it on. :)

Congrats on finishing that one! I'm impressed that so many folks tackled this one. Way to go!

Congrats on finishing the Herodotus Histories, Ivy. That is quite an achievement.

Ditto on Herodotus!

Thanks, everyone! I actually am rather proud of myself for getting through it, and glad I did. The slow pace and incentive of the group read were the only way I could have done it.

74. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, 3*
Category: World View

Once again, I find myself out of step with the majority. I finished the book a couple of days ago, but haven't had time to write a review, and then today I see that RidgewayGirl (whose opinion I respect) also just read it and loved it. So did my son-in-law. But my daughter abandoned it at page 77, and I considered doing so about every 20 pages after getting about 1/2 through.

I found the perspective -- the reign of Henry VIII from Thomas Cromwell's point of view -- original and interesting, and liked the exploration of Cromwell's personality. Cromwell is normally a rather shadowy character, portrayed as stern, unbending, ambitious and cruel -- and this book provided a much different and fuller picture of him. No notes or bibliography are provided, however, and I wonder on what Ms Mantel based this characterization -- or if her premise was simply a figment of her imagination.

In other respects, the book seemed to have been well-researched and accurate for the period. Except for the conversation, which was thoroughly modern.

My problem with the book was with the writing style. It is written in present tense (with a few inconsistent lapses), some of the conversation is delineated with quotation marks and some is not (without any pattern that I could discern), and the basic style is the choppy simple style that critics call lyrical and I call pseudo-literary. But, worst of all, it is written in 3rd person from Cromwell's point of view (I do give her credit for consistency in point of view), and he is not identified by name but by the pronoun "he" -- regardless of the antecedent, which far too frequently is someone other than Cromwell. Even knowing that she has used this stylistic artifice (which quickly becomes apparent), the reader is left constantly struggling to understand what is going on.

This is, after all, historical fiction, not poetry or art with deeper meanings to be explored and discovered by the reader. One of the joys of historical fiction is being able to immerse one's self in another time and place, and to feel a part of it. But, in my opinion, the stylistic tricks in this book defeat one's ability to do so.

Thank you for your review. I really like hearing everyone's opinions of these books. I think it gives a more well-rounded sense of what's in them and what might align or might grate on me as a reader. Your review of Wolf Hall was fantastic in that regard, and in its fairness. I certainly know that If I pick it up now, I won't feel so guilty if it doesn't appeal. It's hard to tell from the outside; I could see it going either way for me.

Yes, thanks for sharing. I wondered if I should give Wolf Hall a try since everyone seemed to give it such high praise. I always think I am missing out on something. I think I will pass over it for now.

>115 pammab: & 116 Thanks. I hope I haven't dissuaded you from reading a book that you would enjoy... I'm definitely in the minority in my opinion of Wolf Hall. The techniques that irritated me obviously haven't bothered the many people who have loved this book.

75. A Very Private Grave by Donna Fletcher Crow, 4*
Category: World View (COMPLETED!!)

I really, really liked this ER book that I just received. In one well written and nicely crafted novel, it combines a present-day murder mystery, early British history (with an historical puzzle), Celtic Christianity and spiritual exploration -- all of which interest me very much.

Felicity -- young, impetuous and enthusiastic -- is studying to become a priest at an Anglican monastery in the north of England, when an adored monk is murdered. The solution to his murder seems to be tied to events that took place in the distant past. So, in the company of Antony, her church history teacher, she sets off on a pilgrimage across the north of England and into Scotland to unravel both the mystery of Father Dominic's murder and the puzzle of St Cuthbert's life and death nearly 1400 years earlier.

The historical portions of the book are primarily presented through the stories Antony tells Felicity, beautifully written segments set apart in italics. Ms Crow's use of this technique is very well done, and the "instruction" does not seem pedantic, contrived or condescending. Based on my recollections from 10 or so years ago, when I read a great deal about sub-Roman Britain and the Celtic Christian Church, the book seems to be thoroughly researched and accurately presented. I do wish, though, that she had included a bibliography and/or a historical note; although I believe that almost all of the information has historical bases, Felicity and Antony discover one document which I think is fictional (and I'd like to know).

Felicity sometimes seemed childish and foolish, and rather uninformed and irreverent for a college graduate aspiring to the priesthood. But she is nevertheless a thoroughly likeable character, and maybe I have forgotten that 23 or 24 is really very young: I, too, at the age of 23 was idealistically rushing headlong into a career which I realistically knew little about. Antony, presumably a few years older, since he is already a priest, is struggling with the requirement of celibacy to become a monk, a dilemma which struck a chord with me since a very good college friend also had to face this before finally making the decision to become a Roman Catholic priest.

Although this book is billed as "Christian fiction," it seemed to me very different than other "Christian fiction" that I have read, where a pretty good story is simply overlaid with comments, prayers, activities of a Christian sort. The Christianity in this book is far more integral -- and better integrated.

A Very Private Grave is the first in "The Monastery Murders" series, and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next one. I also intend to read Ms Crow's earlier book Glastonbury -- I'm very surprised that it escaped my notice when I was reading about this period -- and perhaps others of her earlier books. In other words, I've found a "new" author!

I'm glad you really liked it. The one thing I kept wishing for was a map of where their travels were taking them. I found some online, but it would have been nice to have one in the book. I think you'll enjoy Glastonbury. She has novels for Scotland and Ireland in the same series to which it belongs. I haven't read those, but I've been told that they are good but that her British volume is the best.

>119 thornton37814: Did you notice that somewhere about 1/3 to 1/2 through the book, Felicity says she wishes she had a map! I laughed when I read that, because it was exactly what I had been thinking! I looked at some online maps, too, but I still don't totally understand their route. A map would have been nice...

I'm really amazed that I haven't heard of Glastonbury before. I did so much reading about it and that time period -- fiction, non-fiction, the old accounts and documents -- plus I'm a big fan of Edward Rutherfurd, whose Sarum inspired the book, according to her website. And Glastonbury itself is one of my favorite places on earth.

>120 ivyd: I just got to the part where Felicity thinks a map would be helpful. Do you know how hard it is to laugh and eat at the same time?!

Glastonbury is my favorite of her Christian history books, and it's one of my all-time favorite books. I liked the Ireland and Scotland books, but not quite as well because of the modern story interwoven with the historical sections.

>121 cbl_tn: That can lead to choking!! It's fun when several of us on this thread get the same ER book...

Glastonbury is ordered. I don't have a spot for it in my 1010 (except as a bonus), but I have a feeling I'll be reading it soon.

76. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, 5*
Category: Children / YA

Wonderful!

It's very different than The Book Thief, and not as good. But that's all relative, and I don't want to lower my rating on this book just because I gave The Book Thief 5* (and probably would have given it 10* if that had been an option).

I started reading The Book Thief awhile back and just couldn't get into it. Maybe I will try again when I have a lot of continous time, such as post-holiday vacation time.

Linda, as we know, even books that a lot of people love aren't for everyone. It's been a while since I read The Book Thief, and I do have a vague recollection of being a bit skeptical in the beginning, but in the end I loved it so much that I've forgotten whatever initial reservations I might have had. My daughter who reads a lot of non-fiction couldn't get into it in the first few pages, either, and despite my strong recommendation, she still hasn't read it. My other daughter loved it.

You just never know. I'm finally reading The Devil in the White City and am loving it. This is about the Chicago World's Fair and the mass murderer. I suspect most people like it for the mass murderer parts but I love reading about life in Chicago back then and also about the building of the World's Fair.

>126 lindapanzo: I'm glad you're enjoying The Devil in the White City. I thought you would, but as you say, you never know... I read it a couple of years ago, probably just before I joined LT. I don't know much about Chicago, but I really liked the parts about the World's Fair -- as much as the crime part, I think.

Re The Book Thief: Since yesterday, I've remembered that I was really put off at first by Death as the narrator -- and something else I still don't remember -- and also that before I read it, someone advised me to give it at least 30 pages before making a judgment. And that my daughter (the one who read it) told me I should keep in mind that the intended audience is teenagers, even though its appeal has been far wider. Still... it just may not be a book for you.

77. The First Part of King Henry VI by William Shakespeare
Category: Literary Giants

I have not previously read the three Henry VI plays. This First Part is certainly among Shakespeare's least successful plays, but the introductory notes assure me that Parts 2 and 3 are better. Part 1 was most likely a revision of an earlier play by an unknown author, pehaps done after Parts 2 and 3 were written, as an introduction to those plays.

Most interesting to me was the appearance of Joan of Arc ("La Pucelle") in this play. Having always subscribed to the view that she was a saintly heroine, I was a bit shocked at her portrayal as a sorceress and harlot. But, of course, I quickly realized that this is an English play -- and that the enemy vanquished by Joan was the English!

I also had to laugh a bit at my recent rantings about historical fiction authors who change the facts "to make a better story." I guess they're in good company!

78. Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables #5), 4*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

September Recap

Only 7 books finished in September. All of them counted for the 1010 Challenge, but that still leaves me with 27 books. It's do-able, I think, but the chances are pretty high that I will read Glastonbury and/or New York this year, as well as several mysteries that only fit in the bonus section, and that might doom my challenge.

I keep telling myself that this challenge is about the journey, not the destination, but the dutiful daughter/good student mindset (even when I am the one who set the goals) -- or maybe it's OCD -- keeps interfering.

I think my favorite book this month was A Very Private Grave. I Am the Messenger was wonderful, but clearly YA. I feel a sense of accomplishment at having finished Herodotus and a Shakespeare play that I hadn't read before. Wolf Hall was a disappointment.

1. Contemporary Fiction (8/10)

2. Series Continuation (7/10)

3. New Series (14/10) -- completed July

4. Literary Giants (4/10)
~~ The Histories by Herodotus
~~ The First Part of King Henry VI by William Shakespeare

5. USA (4/10)

6. World View (10/10) -- completed September
~~ Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
~~ A Very Private Grave by Donna Fletcher Crow

7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales (8/10)

8. Fantasy (11/10) -- completed April

9. Lucy Maud Montgomery (6/10)
~~ Further Chronicles of Avonlea
~~ Anne's House of Dreams

10. Children / YA (6/10)
~~ I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

Bonus (5/20)

Ivy, I understand where you are coming from.
I set my goals to be 120 (I read 162 last year and thought 120 - no problem) but I also wanted to really enjoy the categories that I read and not just make it about the numbers, so I have 26 more to go - 16 for my official 1010 and the other 10 for my bonus. I re-organized the order of the books that I'm going to read, s that if I only get the 16 done, that'll be fine with me.

Thanks, Cheli. It looks like you're in good shape to finish!

I think I'll probably get to 100 books, but I'm not at all sure that they're going to neatly fit into the categories. What I find most frustrating is that I really do want to read all the books I have lined up for the categories -- it's not that I'm unhappy with the categories -- but I don't necessarily want to read them right now!

Organizing the order sounds like a good idea. Maybe I'll try that later today.

79. Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables #6), 3 1/2*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

This time through the series, I liked this book the least (so far). I can see, however, that it might appeal to children more than some of the other books (which deal primarily with Anne as an adult), since the focus of this one is the Blythe children, their escapades, dreams and missteps -- which always come right with the help of their perfect mother Anne.

Chronologically Anne of Ingleside is the 6th of 8 books in the series, but it was written last (and I think it was the last book published during Ms Montgomery's lifetime). Six Anne books plus the 2 Chronicles of Avonlea were published 1908-1921 -- then in 1936, Anne of Windy Poplars filled in the 3 years between college and Anne's marriage; and in 1939, Anne of Ingleside covered 6 of the 12 years between Anne's House of Dreams and Rainbow Valley.

The presentation is very episodic, without the multiple storylines of the other books, and the characterizations seemed a bit flat. Anne always has the perfect solution to her children's little heartaches, but she's just a bit too perfect and lacks her characteristic enthusiasm and verve. In some respects, the book seems almost a primer for good parenting, especially for remembering what it's like to be a child.

80. Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables #7), 4*
Category: Lucy Maud Montgomery

I very much enjoyed this installment of the Anne saga, although Anne and her children are really just supporting characters in this book. The story is really about the new Presbyterian minister, a widower, and his 4 charming and rather unruly children. The oldest daughter Faith is delightful and spirited, reminiscent of the girl Anne --although few literary characters can equal Anne of Green Gables as a child.

81. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Newbery Medal 1998), 4*
Category: Children / YA

A diary of sorts, written entirely in free verse, Out of the Dust is beautiful, moving -- and also quite awful. Covering the years 1934 and 1935 in Oklahoma, Billie Jo encounters life-changing personal tragedy as well as experiencing the more general devastation of the Dust Bowl.

I often wonder how authors can bear to write about horrors, how they can survive living with their characters, experiencing their tragedies, to such an extent that they can also bring those emotions to their readers. This book is is in many ways a masterpiece, and probably well-deserving of the Newbery Medal -- but it wasn't very pleasant to read.

I would definitely classify this book as Young Adult, and not for grade-school age children. For younger readers, one of my all-time favorite books, Blue Willow by Doris Gates, is also about the Great Depression.

Hi Ivy: Just wanted to let you know that the second Abigail Adams mystery, A Marked Man is out. This is by Barbara Hamilton. I'm really looking forward to it.

>136 lindapanzo: So am I! I should be getting it soon, and will probably read it right away, even though it only fits in my Bonus category. I was hoping to read Pamela before it came out, but I haven't gotten to it yet. But maybe she won't be referring to it in this book...

82. The Complete Poems and Plays 1909-1950, by T.S. Eliot
Category: Literary Giants

I pulled this book off the shelf back in March to (re-)read Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats before seeing a production of the musical Cats. I also re-read (for the ??th time) "Prufrock" and a couple of other poems, and then got to thinking that I had never read the whole book. So I've been reading bits from time to time ever since, and have finally read it all.

I love Eliot's poetry, especially "Prufrock," although there are a lot of poems that I really don't understand. And I sometimes think that if he knew how I was interpreting it, he would be shaking his head and saying,
"That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all."

I had not read the plays before. They were interesting and enjoyable, but -- ironically -- they seemed to lack drama. I don't think they've been much performed, and I can see why. But I can't help but wonder if he intended it that way; at least it seems to me that someone of his genius would know that a performed play needs a bit of action.

83. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, 3 1/2*
Category: USA

In her second book, Jeannette Walls has fictionalized the life of her grandmother Lily, a strong, independent, hard-working and eccentric woman. Lily was born in 1901, spent her childhood on ranches in Texas and New Mexico, went to Chicago for a few years, and then lived in Arizona for the rest of her life. Many of the historical details were fascinating -- among others, how wild horses are broken, how a ranch is run, flash floods, a Native American village, Chicago in the 1920s -- and Ms Walls is tremendously talented in characterization. As in The Glass Castle, hardships and difficulties, flaws and strengths of character, successes and failures are presented matter of factly, without self-pity or self-congratulation.

While I enjoyed the book, I didn't think it had the emotional impact of The Glass Castle, I didn't find Lily as sympathetic a character as the children in that book, and the story line was not as well crafted. There also seemed to be a bit of a disconnect; for example, Lily often appeared crude, uneducated and uninformed, yet she spent several years in Chicago, graduated from college and seemed to have no difficulty obtaining teaching jobs.

What impressed me most was that it was such a marvelous presentation of family history: placing ancestors in the context of events and circumstances and bringing them to life. I wish I were talented enough (and ambitious enough) to write such stories about my ancestors.

84. Creating a Hoosier Self-Portrait: The Federal Writers' Project in Indiana, 1935-1942, by George T. Blakey
Category: USA

I've never been there, but I'm fascinated with Indiana: ancestors (of both my mother and my father) spent a generation or two in Indiana before wandering further west; and a few years ago I became really interested in New Harmony. Other interests are the Great Depression, the Federal Writers' Project, the Lockridges (father and son), folklore, slavery and emancipation. So, when cbl_tn mentioned this book (thanks!) for the October topic of Reading Through Time, it seemed perfect for me.

As the sub-title indicates, the book is an in-depth analysis of the functioning, publications and research of the Indiana Writers' Project within the framework of the Federal Writers' Project. It is well-enough written and organized along the lines of a thesis or dissertation; although very readable, it definitely falls into the class of scholarly works rather than popular history. Information is given about the influence and activities of some of the people involved (including Ross Lockridge, Sr), and there are summaries and examples of the writers' reseach (particulary on subjects that were not published) -- but I would have liked more of both.

I have another book on my wishlist about the Federal Writers' Project, but it concentrates on the more famous writers who participated in the FWP in a variety of states. I think this was a good book to read first, showing how the FWP functioned on a state level, within the Federal guidelines and requirements.

I have no idea how to rate this book. I would not recommend it to anyone who isn't interested in these subjects -- I don't think it's a book that would create interest. But I learned a lot on topics that I wanted to know about, and I'm glad that I read it.

85. The Black Arrowhead: Legends of Long Island, by Caroline Dale Snedeker, 3*
Category: Children / YA

Reading this book completes a project started several years ago: to read all the books written by Caroline Dale Snedeker (author of one of my favorite childhood books Downright Dencey).

The Black Arrowhead, written about mid-career, is quite a departure from all of Mrs Snedeker's other books, which are pretty straight-forward historical fiction. This book is a time travel book, where the magical black arrowhead transports Dickey-Bull and Sally to the early settlement period on Long Island. During their several forays into the past, they meet with various historical figures -- both Indian and European -- who tell them their stories.

I briefly checked on some of the people met or mentioned in the stories, and they appear to be genuine historical figures and their stories those that have been handed down about the settlement of Long Island in the 1600s. Mrs Snedeker has a wonderful and seamless way of integrating fact and fiction, and I don't know enough about Long Island history (that is, pretty much nothing) to evaluate where she may have departed from the traditional stories.

Although the book is interesting in that it presents these early legends, I didn't care for the format. The children mostly just listen to (rather than experience) the historical events, and I thought one fairly long story was rather boring.

86. The Second Part of King Henry VI by William Shakespeare
Category: Literary Giants

Part 2 is a much better play than Part 1. I'm finding it rather difficult to keep all the players -- their names, titles and allegiances -- straight. But I loved the elaborate insults in this play, and I'm glad to finally have read the full context of "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

87. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, 3 1/2*
Category: Contemporary Fiction

A clever, entertaining expose of an unreasonable and unpleasant maven of the fashion industry. On a deeper level, I have some reservations about the protagonist (a junior assistant) as well as her boss, and I think the book is slightly dated (published in 2003), but I nevertheless enjoyed it.

88. The Third Part of King Henry VI by William Shakespeare
Category: Literary Giants

I liked this the best of the 3 Henry VI plays. I hadn't realized (not surprising, since I hadn't read this play) how much it develops and foreshadows the character of Richard III, which I think was written after the Henry VI plays.

Richard Neville "The Kingmaker" is a fascinating character / historical figure. I think I'd like to read more about him, and about the War of the Roses. I really don't know very much about this time period.

89. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb (Eve Dallas #30), 3*
Category: Series Continuation

As usual, I enjoyed this installment in the life of Eve Dallas, which involves future technology of electronic games. Although the series takes place in the future (2060 for this one), it is usually just the setting, incidental to the murder. Not so in this book: the technology is fully intertwined with the murder, and thus it reads more like sci fi than most of the other books.

90. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent, 4*
Category: USA

I really enjoyed this book about the Salem witches of 1692. I thought it was a bit slow getting started, but once it got to the arrests and trials, I didn't want to put it down. I have some of my usual criticisms (voice of a 9-11 year old that didn't ring true, dreams), but they're not significant enough to keep me from recommending the book. In addition, I'm fascinated by these fictional accounts of ancestors which combine family legends with solid historical research.

The Heretic's Daughter sounds good. I'm adding it to my wishlist.

91. The Giver by Lois Lowry (Newbery Medal 1994), 5*
Category: Children / YA

I've had this book on my shelves for quite a while and was somewhat reluctant to read it. A children's book about a dystopian society? What could be so great about that? But now I know. And it's a good thing that it doesn't take very long to read, because I couldn't stop reading and go to bed until I finished.

I don't think it's too strong an accolade to say that Ms Lowry's well-defined and likeable characters, the fully explained creation of a future society, and the well-paced and suspenseful plot, make this a work of genius.

And yet another one! The Giver is going on my wishlist as well. Got any more today, Ivy?

>147 DeltaQueen50: I hope you enjoy it, DQ!

I wish I could remember who recommended it a few months ago -- perhaps Lisa (Jonesli)? Thanks!

>149 DeltaQueen50: No more today! Finishing 2 books in one night (even when the 2nd one was at 3 am) is definitely my limit!

I agree with your assessment of The Heretic's Daughter - it did pick up steam when the trials started! The Giver looks fascinating. Will have to see if I can incorporate it into my challenge reading for next year.

The Giver is one of very few books that I have ever in my life reread. I suspect it is one that will continue to grow on me with age. It was so terribly unlike anything else I had read when I first read it as a child -- there is some real meat to the book. I'm glad you loved it too.

>153 pammab: I'm still amazed at the wealth of information and depth of philosophy that Lowry was able to pack into such a concise, simply written book. What I can't quite see is a child's view of it. As you say, it's very different than most children's books and I think there are parts that might not be fully understood (depending on age and experience).

I've ordered the other 2 "companion" books, though I understand that they're not nearly as good, and Number the Stars, her other Newbery Medal book about WWII.

Ooh, Number the Stars is very good! At least according to my childhood memories, haha. Haven't read The Giver yet, but it's definitely on my TBR list.

>155 christina_reads: "very good! At least according to my childhood memories"

My guess is that it is, then. In the past few years, I've been re-reading books from my childhood -- and with many of them that means from 50+ years ago! -- and I've actually been rather impressed with my literary acumen as a child. Some of them I liked more as a child than now, but on the whole I've loved them again. I think children are hard to fool -- they'll quickly pick up on (and reject) artifices, and immediately know if a character doesn't ring true.

92. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick, 2*
Category: Comtemporary Fiction -- CATEGORY COMPLETED!

That's 1 star for a story that could have been really good; and 1 star because Goolrick is a decent writer, though I'm not fond of the popular pseudo-literary style he chose.

Ralph Truitt, a lonely and wealthy business owner living in northern Wisconsin in 1906, advertises for "a reliable wife," and chooses Catherine Land, a woman who is not what she claims and has an agenda of her own.

Good so far? I thought so, but... there is no real sense of place or time, just some disjointed details presumably thrown in to create realism, but which are mostly just boring. The characterizations are almost wholly dependent on twisted sexual appetites, which the characters think about and agonize over page after page ad nauseam. What is otherwise presented about them is inconsistent, incomplete, and not very believable. In addition, there is a bit too much melodrama for the story to seem real.

After I finished, I read a few reviews, and one seemed to suggest that the book was a satire. I can see that: the book has a cartoon-like feel, where features of popular fiction are enlarged and carried to extremes. But I don't think that was Goolrick's intent, and even if it was, it wasn't well-done enough to read for that purpose.

I almost abandoned the book. I had decided to. Then I read just a few more pages before going to bed, and hit a twist in the story that made me want to find out what happened. As I said, I liked the story idea -- but not the execution.

Ivy, looks like you're nearing completion, too. How're you feeling?

93. Macbeth by William Shakespeare, 5*
Category: Literary Giants

The first time I read this play was in high school. Our teacher pulled all the shades (classrooms back then had huge windows to let the light in), lighted his kerosene lamp, sat in his easy chair at the back of the room, and read Macbeth to us in a British accent. It sounds corny, I know, but I think almost everyone enjoyed it -- and that's when I fell in love with Shakepeare.

I hadn't read it for a while, and Halloween seemed like a good time for it. I still think it's magnificent.

94. Sand Sharks by Margaret Maron (Deborah Knott #15), 4*
Category: Series Continuation

I thought this installment in the saga of Judge Knott was one of the better ones. This one takes place in Wilmington, during a Judges' conference, and try as I might I couldn't figure out the mystery, though in retrospect I could see that the clues were all there.

>158 lindapanzo: Linda, right now I'm feeling really good about finishing my 1010 Challenge. At the beginning of the month, I decided that I should stop whining about it and try to finish, so I made my list of what I needed to read (thanks, Cheli, for suggesting that I list the order as well as the books!), and have pretty much stuck to it. The result has been 16 books so far -- all counting for the challenge -- and I expect to read another Lois Lowry before the end of the month to complete the Children / YA category.

That will leave me with only 10 challenge books for November and December, which I should be able to manage without too much trouble, although the ones I have lined up for the USA category will take a bit longer to read than the short books I've read this month.

Theoretically, I might read those 10, plus another 15 to complete the Bonus, but I don't think that will happen. With the holidays, a couple of birthdays, a grandbaby due the first week of December, my younger daughter expected home about the same time, and some work-related stuff to do, I don't anticipate that November and December will be big reading months. I'm satisfied with completing my challenge.

My results on the Nerd Quiz, posted by Linda:

95. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry ("companion" to The Giver), 4*
Category: Children / YA -- CATEGORY COMPLETED!!

Gathering Blue takes place in some future society, which has significantly regressed from present-day society after "the Ruin." After the death of her mother, Kira's future is uncertain, since her twisted leg is an unacceptable defect in the village. She is, however, a talented weaver, and that may make a difference...

Although this book is touted as a "companion" book to The Giver, I could see no connection to that book other than that they both take place in the future; there is no commonality of place or society or characters. The third book Messenger is, however, a sequel to Gathering Blue. WARNING: the publisher's description of Messenger contains a major spoiler of Gathering Blue. Why do they do that????

As I expected, Gathering Blue is not nearly as good as The Giver. I did enjoy it, though, and found Kira an engaging heroine.

96. Messenger by Lois Lowry (sequel to Gathering Blue and The Giver), 3 1/2 *
Category: Children / YA, Bonus

This third book in Lois Lowry's dystopian trilogy was just okay for me. It is a sequel to Gathering Blue and contains spoilers of that book, but the protagonist is Matt, a supporting character in Gathering Blue. It is also a sequel of sorts to The Giver, in that it does tie that book to the others, but the references to it are veiled and probably obvious only to someone who has read The Giver.

I thought the plot was weaker in this book, and there was a bit too much reliance on magical elements. I suspect that the two "companion" books have a greater appeal to children (late grade school) than to adults. Although I enjoyed them, I didn't think that either of them had the depth of The Giver.

October Recap

This month set a new record high for me (since I joined LT in May 2007 and have been keeping track). I finished 18 books, 17 of them counting for my 1010 Challenge. Since that leaves only 10 books for the main challenge, I think I'll be able to finish it.

My favorites this month were The Giver by Lois Lowry and Shakespeare's Macbeth (a long-standing favorite). The rest I enjoyed, in different ways and to different degrees, except A Reliable Wife, which I do not recommend.

1. Contemporary Fiction (10/10) -- completed October
~~ The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
~~ A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

2. Series Continuation (9/10)
~~ Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
~~ Sand Sharks by Margaret Maron

3. New Series (14/10) -- completed July

4. Literary Giants (8/10)
~~ The Complete Poems and Plays 1909-1950 by T.S. Eliot
~~ The Second Part of King Henry VI by William Shakespeare
~~ The Third Part of King Henry VI by William Shakespeare
~~ Macbeth by William Shakespeare

5. USA (7/10)
~~ Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
~~ Creating a Hoosier Self-Portrait: The Federal Writers' Project in Indiana, 1935-1942 by George T. Blakey
~~ The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

6. World View (10/10) -- completed September

7. Myth, Legend, and Fairy Tales (8/10)

8. Fantasy (11/10) -- completed April

9. Lucy Maud Montgomery (8/10)
~~ Anne of Ingleside
~~ Rainbow Valley

10. Children / YA (11/10) -- completed October
~~ Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
~~ The Black Arrowhead: Legends of Long Island by Caroline Dale Snedeker
~~ The Giver by Lois Lowry
~~ Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Bonus:
~~ Messenger by Lois Lowry

Bonus (6/20)

Great reading month, Ivy!!

I don't know what my all-time record for a month is but, since I joined LT in January of 2009, my monthly "record" is 17, in December of 2009.

The touchstones work much better since the update, but there are some that I just can't get to work. I suspect it has something to do with the colon of a subtitle, and other punctuation (The Heretics Daughter works), but I don't know how to work around it without offending my purist tendencies.

I posted a picture on my profile of my adorable granddaughter in her Dorothy costume.

She is really cute, Ivy. Did she have a nice Halloween?

We didn't have that many trick or treaters this year. In fact, probably gave out only half of the candy we'd bought.

Thanks, Linda. I think so, but of course I'm biased.

She was entirely satisfied with a school party on Friday, carving pumpkins all afternoon and trick-or-treating for a short time in her neigborhood. I think the days of massive trick-or-treating are over, just too much danger going places that are unknown. We live down a private road, so have never gotten many -- and none for several years, except people we know. I do special treats for kids I know (8 this year), but this year I delivered them earlier in the day, so they could do their own thing and get to bed at a decent time.

What I can't figure out is why -- knowing all this -- I bought so much candy! Must have been a subconsious slip, because I now have a huge bowl left over!

Love the picture!

I'm on a dead end road and in the 7 years I've lived here we've never had trick-or-treaters. I always have candy ready just in case. I could save it for Christmas stockings, but I doubt it will last that long!

We live in a nice area, in town, surrounded by a lot of rural property. People drive into our area so their kids can trick or treat.

All the kids either (1) had a parent or other adult with them or (2) were bigger kids and in a group.

Unlike most years, virtually every kid said thank you. A couple of really little kids didn't but their parents did.

My niece (now 9) is growing up. She couldn't fit into a kids costume this year and had to get a teen one.

Your granddaughter is adorable. We had a very quiet Halloween, highlight of the evening was when our two grandchildren and their mother dropped by.

Congratuations on your reading month, I don't know how LT does it - I used to read an average of 8 - 10 books a month, I think my average is probably 15 - 18 since I've been on LT. I guess it's all the good books I hear about - makes me read faster to get to them.

What an excellent reading month you have had!

Our Halloween was quiet so that means my other half is happily munching his way through the chocolates container ;-P

Grandchildren are wonderful -- the highlight of any day, and especially holidays! But, as with Linda's niece, they grow up so very fast! I'm already feeling nostalgic for when my granddaughter was only 3.

I wish it were someone besides me who was happily munching on that bowl of candy!

I've always known that I spend more time reading when I really like what I'm reading, and I think that's part of the incentive in LT. I'm getting recommendations from people who like the same kinds of books that I do, and learning about books and authors that I hadn't encountered before, so that my choices are more likely to be books that I really like.

And, as a result, there are so many books that I want to read right now that I just can't read fast enough to get to all of them. My previous tbr stack has grown from a usual 5-10 books to something over 70 in the past couple of years -- and my wishlist is out of control.

And then too there's the fun of having someone to talk with about the books. Someone on LT is reading, has just read, is planning to read, almost every book. Suddenly, with LT, reading has become a much less solitary pursuit.

And all of that is in addition to all the warm, interesting, wonderful people on LT!

Ivy, another thing that has gotten me to read even more is joining the 75'er TIOLI group (Take It or Leave It).

The group leader issues a challenge for the month and you can either take her up on it or create your own challenge. There's a wiki (which scared me at first but now using it seems like old hat).

Every month, I always seem to promise I'll read about 20-25 books for TIOLI and usually get to about only 10 or 15 TIOLIs.

Linda, I've looked at the TIOLI challenges several times, and they look like a lot of fun. My problem with these kinds of challenges is my contrary streak -- once I say that's what I'm going to read, I suddenly don't want to anymore, or at least not right now.

On the other hand, I do have a list of at least some of the books I intend to read in November. And I guess there's no penalty for not reading them. Maybe I'll check out the November challenges and see what might fit with my list...

You could look them over, read something, and not fill it in til afterwards.

A lot of my 1010-finishing books fit within this month's TIOLIs so I'm fine. The ones that are not 1010s are not as likely to be read.

>176 ivyd:

Hi Ivy!

The coolest thing about the TIOLI challenge is the no guilt "Leave It" part of it. The idea is that, if you decide after a while that you don't want to read a certain book you've chosen, you don't *have to*. That's part of the challenge itself. You only read what you want to and when you want to. You can also toss any book aside, either half read or unread, at any time.

The whole point of the TIOLI challenge was to get people to choose all sorts of books that they otherwise might not have chosen and/or to get people to read the same books at the same time. There is nothing that you *must* do in the TIOLI challenge (apart from may be just having fun).

You also do not have to choose TIOLI books ahead of time. That's just if you want to.

Hope you decide to join us!

>177 lindapanzo: & 178

Thanks for the info, SqueakyChu & Linda! The "no guilt" aspect is great, and I wasn't clear about when a book was to be added. I'm glad to know that it can be anytime, including after I've read it. What a lot of work you go to, SqueakyChu, to maintain such organized challenges!

I've looked over the challenges and I think at least 5 of my 10 remaining 1010 challenge books will fit into one or another of the November TIOLI challenges. And maybe I'll join you, Linda, with Stealing Lumby. It's in my tbr stack of books I want to read "next" -- but I'm determined to read at least 7 of my 1010 challenge books (completing 2 more categories) before choosing from that stack.

I probably won't have time today, but I'll add my books to the wiki soon.

Ivy, TIOLI is fun. I hope you'll join us.

Good to know about Stealing Lumby. I make a special effort to get to the shared reads but, sometimes, RL gets in the way. This month, I'm really trying to focus on finishing 1010 so I can "play" in Dec but Stealing Lumby would fit into my "next in the series" bonus.

I am seriously considering joining the 75 Book Group next year in January, and the TIOLI Challenge does look like a lot of fun.

We're here waiting for you, DeltaQueen50!

>181 DeltaQueen50: I've been thinking about joining the 75 Book Group next year, too. There seems to be a lot of fun/social stuff going on there, and sometimes I feel sort of left out. In addition, I may read 121 books next year for the 11 in 11, but then again I may not, and the chances are really good that I will read 75 books, so it might be nice to succeed there even if I don't with the 11 in 11. I'm really bad with posting to more than one place, and I do want to try the 11 in 11, but I may try it anyway.

>180 lindapanzo: Linda, I added Stealing Lumby to the TIOLI wiki, but I'm not positive I'll get to it this month. I've put it on the top of the tbr stack, but it only fits as a bonus and since December will probably be a very busy month for me, I need to finish up a couple of categories first.

I also added 5 other books to TIOLI challenges, all of them fitting into my 1010 categories as well.

I think I understand the leap-frogging, but I don't understand the points in the TIOLI. Is there a list somewhere of how many points each person has earned?

Re TIOLI points...

People do not earn them individually, but by sharing reads with others. It's a group effort to collect points per month. This is all explained at the bottom of each wiki page.

Look at the bottom of this page where it's all explained in detail.

If you still don't understand the points, don't worry bout it. You may even ignore them. Just add your books to the wiki, and I'll add up the total points (for everyone together) at the end of each month.

Ivy, I'm not 100 percent certain I'll get to the Lumby book this month either. Just heard about a new book on health reform from the industry insider who plotted their campaign and I now want to read that one. (Due out next week.)

My new JD Robb should arrive tomorrow.

Anyway, that's where the "no guilt" comes in, with TIOLI. I would love to read the Lumby book this month but it may not happen so, if so, I just remove it from the wiki. (My find button gets a workout!!)

Thanks, SqueakyChu! I get it now, and like it even better: it's just the group trying to collect as many points as possible -- no individual competition for points. Then leap frog is the only individual competition, but it seems to be more a friendly game than a serious competition. All good!

Linda, you're always 1 book ahead of me on the J.D. Robb! I just read the previous one! I wait for it in paperback... which is right about the time the newest one is released.

After working so long and comprehensively on health reform, your thoughts about the insider book will be really interesting!

> 187

As an FYI: The "leapfrog" is *not* part of the TIOLI. It's just there for people who want to use it to keep track of their reads or to see how their number of reads compares with others.

It was specifically set up *not* to be a competition. You may use it or not use it. You may sit on the "bottom lily pad" of "0 books" and just keep your stats there, or you may move upwards by leaping over others. All just for fun!

I usually get it from the $9.99 book club. My mother likes JD Robb, too, so we split the cost.

(It's actually BOMC2 or something like that.)

I was going to post my 2 books so far for November, but I realized that this thread is getting pretty long, and certainly will be too long before the end of the year. I'm very hopeful about finishing the 1010 Challenge, but probably not my 20 book Bonus Category (though it's not yet impossible). So... since I will be working on this challenge or the bonus until the end of the year, I started a Part 3 for November and December:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/101941