Delta Queen's 11 in 11 Challenge

I enjoyed my categories so much in 2010 that I am not changing very much. I will be going for the full 121 books - 11 books in 11 categories and starting January 1st.

Categories

1. Timeless Mysteries
2. Crime & Thrillers
3. Following A Series
4. Non-Fiction
5. American West
6. Historical Fiction (Reading Through Time Challenge)
7. Young Adult and Children's Literature
8. War & The Homefront
9. Fantasy
10. Random Recommendations
11. In The Mood (Something I want to read but doesn't fit any of my categories)

1. Timeless Mysteries



1. The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
2. Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey - 4 stars
3. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham - 3 1/2 stars

Candidates

The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin
Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles

2. Crime & Thrillers



1. Forty Words For Sorrow by Giles Blunt - 4 stars
2. The Guards by Ken Bruen - 5 stars
3. A Share In Death by Deborah Crombie - 3 1/2 stars
4. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer - 5 stars

Candidates
Devil In A Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman

3. Following A Series



1. All The Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson - 3 stars
2. Country of the Blind by Christopher Brookmyre - 4 1/2 stars
3. Death Minus Zero by John Baker - 4 stars

Candidates

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larsson
Wasted Years by John Harvey
Blind Eye by Stuart MacBride

4. Non-Fiction



1. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson - 4 1/2 stars
2. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin - 4 stars
3. I Shall Not Hate by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish - 4 stars

Candidates
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Chang Jung
Over A Thousand Hills I Walk With You by Hanna Jensen
Columbine by Dave Cullen
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

5. American West



1. The Indian Agent by Dan O'Brien - 3 1/2 stars
2. Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker - 4 stars
3. The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas - 5 stars

Candidates
Dances With Wolves by Michael Blake
Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead
The Chains of Sarai Stone by Cynthia Hasseloff

6. Historical Fiction



1. The Black Rood by Stephen Lawhead - 3 1/2 stars
2. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - 4 1/2 stars
3. Elizabeth I by Margaret George - 4 stars

Most of these books will be selected to match the themes chosen by the Reading Through Time Challenge

7. Young Adult and Children's Literature



1. City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende - 4 stars
2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 4 stars
3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - 4 stars
4. A Story Like The Wind by Laurens van der Post - 3 stars

Candidates

The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock

8. War & The Homefront



1. Rise To Victory by R. Cameron Cooke - 3 1/2 stars
2. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng - 3 stars
3. Beside A Burning Sea by John Shors - 5 stars

Candidates
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Burma Boy by Biyi Bandele
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

9. Fantasy



1. The Lies of Locke LaMora by Scott Lynch - 5 stars
2. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - 5 stars
3. Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay - 3 1/2 stars

Candidates
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Marti
Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip

10. Random Recommendations



1. Pretty Birds by Scott Simon - 5 stars
2. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - 5 stars
3. The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter And Sweet by Jamie Ford - 3 1/2 stars

Candidates

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

11. In The Mood



1. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - 4 stars
2. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender - 2 stars
3. The Other Side of Paradise by Margaret Mayhew - 3 1/2 stars

Candidates

This cagegory will be filled as I go along - books according to what I feel like reading at the time, but don't fit my other categories.

I like your categories - am starring you so I can see how you go :)

I have Mockingjay heading to me in the mail - don't think I will be able to hold off reading till next year - will pounce on it as soon as it arrives :)

Love the ticker!

I love a number of your specific selections, which means, of course, that I like the categories. Among others, your fantasy candidates include several greats and my parents had all the Gervase Fen mysteries so I was tickled to see Gilded Fly listed.

I am making a tentative recommendation for your West category. It's non-fiction but short and, I thought, amazingly written. It's Mary Austin's Land of Little Rain. She was one of those wild adventurous women who went haring around the landscape by themselves in the early part of the 20th century and lived to write about it.

You've got some great categories and books listed! I'm also planning to read The Case of the Gilded Fly and A Game of Thrones; and I really enjoyed The Red Necklace. Am starring your thread and will be following it eagerly!

Very few of your candidates match my read or plan to read lists so I can already sense that there's going to be more additions to mount tbr. Always good to see a Christopher Brookmyre book being read and will be interested to see what you think of Malice Aforethought.

Welcome everybody!

#14 - Sally - I love the Suzanne Collins series, I was introduced to it here on LT and it just blew me away! I will be reading Mockingjay from the library, and with it's huge waiting list will have to wait until next year to get my hands on it.

#16 - Neverstoptrying - Thanks for the suggestion, Land of Little Rain would be a perfect fit for me as I love those kind of non-fiction reads. I'm adding it to my wishlist.

Many of our categories overlap so I'll be curious to see what you're doing with yours.

I don't have an American West category but I'd like to read some Wallace Stegner.

Hi Judy:

I have starred your thread and am looking forward to your reads.

I may join you in reading Miss Pym Disposes and The Gilded Fly I also have the Moving Toyshop so I wasn't sure which one I may go with.

I also have a feeling you may get hooked on Deborah Crombie.

I'm starring your thread again this year as I added a few to my wishlist last year based on your reviews and I see a few that look interesting in your pre-list for this year.

Yah! Now I know where to find you when the challenge starts!

#21 - Lisa, I watched as you tore through a bunch of Deborah Crombie earlier this year - you really got me intrigued. Let me know if you want to do a joint read for either Miss Pym Disposes or The Gilded Fly - anytime would probably be fine for me. I haven't commented on your thread yet as it looks like you are still in the process of setting it up and I didn't want to mess it up! But I have to say, I love your Author's Birthday Category.

Now that I'm all set up I can't wait for the New Year! Only have to finish the two books I am reading now to complete my 1010 Challenge. I'll have to find something else to keep me busy for the rest of the year.

Reminder to myself:

Planned Group Reads:

January - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
February - The Thirteenth Tale
March - Guy Gavriel Kay Ysabel
May - Suite Francaise

I've got you starred!

Thanks tymfos, I am really looking forward to the start of this challenge.

Looking forward to the new year to start this challenge too! I've got you starred so I can stalk find you easily! :)

Hi, got ya starred and can't wait to get 2011 started.

Nice selection of books you have lined up. I look forward to your comments.

#28, #29 - I can't wait either. I was going through my books this morning, picking out what I want to read in January - I'm really looking forward to kicking this challenge off!

Good categories! I have some similar ones and I look forward to your reviews of Miss Pym Disposes and Malice Aforethought.

Happy New Year everyone. I am off and running. I am reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and The A.B.C. Murders.

Happy New Year Judy! I love The A.B.C. Murders. Enjoy!

1. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - 4 stars
Category: In The Mood



Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is a well-written, charming story about an aging, conservative, widowed, retired English major who lives in the village of Edgecombe St Mary. He finds himself drawn to the lovely Mrs. Ali, the Pakistani village shopkeeper. They find that they start out discussing books and go on to find they share many interests and eventually decide they are in love. Of course they both have disapproving families and must face intolerance from friends and fellow townspeople.

With gentle humor and appealing characters this books manages to touch on generational frictions, difference in social classes, religion and cultural barriers. I found the slow development of the love story of these two older, wiser people extremely interesting. There is no violent emotion or ragged passions but a slow awareness of each other and how they fill an empty place in each other’s lives.

A gentle, cozy read written with intelligence and humor and I enjoyed the reading experience.

Good review of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Onto the TBR pile it goes.

I checked our library's catalog, discovered that it was open and that the book was on the shelf, so I headed there and checked it out this afternoon. I'm looking forward to starting on it later this evening, although I feel a bit guilty making the November Early Reviewer book that just arrived wait a bit longer to be read!

Well, when a book calls you must answer - right? I hope you enjoy it.

Came back to add - there is a group read of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand going on right now, you should check in there as well.

I like you review Judy. Looking at your categories, I just realized that I forgot to make one to encourage me to read more non-fiction, but I suppose that could fit under "new to me authors". I also like the way you indicate "candidates". I think I'll do something like that too if you don't mind! Thanks for stopping by on my thread. I'll be back to visit you too.

Oh, wishing you a belated Happy New Year! :-)

Please feel free to copy away - most everything I do here on LT I have probably copied from someone else!

2. The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
Category: Timeless Mysteries



The A.B.C. Murders is a cleverly plotted story about a serious of random murders. The victims are from different places, are of different sexes and ages. The only sure thing is that that killer started with the initial A and is working his way through the alphabet. Hercule Poirot comes into the hunt due to the letters he receives from the killer taunting him and giving him slight advance notice of the location of the next murder.

A slightly different plotline from her usual Hercule Poirot stories, but it did include the familiar ending where Poirot gathers all involved for the big reveal. A well-crafted, interesting mystery with enough twists to keep the reader on their toes. The A.B.C. Murders is one of my favorite Agatha Christie mysteries and I thoroughly enjoyed this visit with the quirky detective, Hercule Poirot.

I've just purchased a copy of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand so I am pleased to see your favourable review. :) I may get it in time for the group read too.

I'll be watching your reads this year with great interest too.

You're back! I thought you would begin the year with a Christie!

When you get around to Deborah Crombie, I think you may become slightly addicted!

#42 I used to read Deborah Crombie's as soon as they came out but, somewhere along the way, I stopped reading her. I need to get back to her soon.

Yes, great categories! & you're making me curious about Mr. Pettigrew too. It's nice to see an older, wiser romance. I work with pre-teens, and they seem to think people become half-dead after 30. Speaking of, for YA, I'll recommend Going Bovine but with this warning: It's the kind of book you wouldn't recommend to a kid. If you think they'd like it, you leave it lying about and then take no responsibility for it. If you're sick of the Twilight craze, read The Reformed Vampire Support Group. It's lots of fun, and also a different sort of romance.

I remember being young and thinking that very thing. A teacher told us sometime in the 1960's how we would all be around for the turn of the century, but I worked out that I would be 50 at that point and figured I'd never live to be that old!

I work with pre-teens, and they seem to think people become half-dead after 30

When I was a teenager, I didn't think I'd even be alive past 30, so anything over that just didn't register in my consciousness! Now that I'm what I guess is considered middle age, I think 70 is just about the right age to start thinking about what one wants to do with one's life!

ETA: and yes Judy, it never occurred to me that I'd be living in the 21st century or if I did, I thought I'd be positively ancient by then. Age is relative, like everything else, isn't it?

I love your categories and the books you've included in them so much that I am going to add a few of the books to my own challenge, and then I'm going to add your library to my "interesting libraries" list!

I especially love the books you have under your "historical fiction" category. I'm going to add The Bronze Horseman to my historical fiction category as well. I'll be curious to see what you think of it! I found an excerpt from it on Barnes and Noble's website, and I'm already hooked!

OMG - you are definitely off and running. I love when pictures show exactly what the category is about - they're great! I'm keeping an eye on you!

Age is totally relative!!! Ack, but I'm not letting any of the students know how old I am anymore. I'm beyond dead!

Glad you'll be joining us Judy! (I couldn't post the following to your 75ers thread for some reason... some kind of technical glitch?)



Welcome one and all! I've just posted our new thread for our Jan 7-8 read-a-thon
so come on over and join the discussion there!

3. Forty Words For Sorrow by Giles Blunt - 4 stars
Category: Crime & Thrillers



This crime thriller by Giles Blunt is the first in his series featuring Algonquin Bay’s Detectives John Cardinal and Lise Delorme. John Cardinal was working on the cases of two missing children and beginning to believe something very bad had happened when he was pulled off the case and assigned to burglary detail. The missing teens were considered to be runaways by his superiors and they did not want to waste their budget on runaways. Of course when the body of one of those children comes to light discarded in a mine shaft, and another turns up in an abandoned house, John Cardinal is put in charge of the case. With these two bodies, and two more teens missing the search for a serial killer is launched.

The reader is introduced very quickly to the murderer, so there is no great mystery here but the story, although quite gruesome, is written beautifully and the author is very good at drawing you into the scene. The very cold northern Ontario winter is described in great detail, and although the town of Algonquin Bay is fictional, it is quite obviously the Ontario town of North Bay. I also felt that he based the character of his murderer on Paul Bernardo, a real life Ontario serial killer. The sub-plot of Cardinal being investigated by Lise Delorme as part of an internal affairs case was interesting, but I thought the outcome was pretty obvious.

All in all a very good introduction to this series which I fully intend to continue reading. I am looking forward to seeing the development of the main characters, especially Lise Delorme as well as the background characters who, at this point, we know very little about. I would recommend this book with the warning to the tender-hearted that there are scenes of torture involved.

You can't get me with Forty Words for Sorrow as it's made my wishlist already. It is good to get confirmation that a place on there is deserved.

Good to see another recommendation for Forty Words For Sorrow - and thank you for the warning about scenes of torture. I read Breaking Lorca when it first came out and I wasn't prepared for some of the scenes in that one! I have added this series to my TBR pile with plans to try and read them this year.

Gory scenes don't bother me, but I know from experience that I should warn others. I had a girlfriend quite upset with me once when I recommended something with scenes that she wasn't prepared to read!

4. The Black Rood by Stephen Lawhead - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Historical Fiction, Reading Through Time: Crusades



Delivering lots of action and adventure, The Black Rood is the 2nd book in Stephen Lawhead’s Celtic Crusades trilogy.

Starting in 1132 on the Orkney Islands, this book is narrated by Duncan, the son of Murdo, who was the main character of the first book. Duncan learns some of his father’s story and decides to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. He swears that he will recover a pieces of the holy cross, called the black rood, and bring the relic back to the Orkneys to rest with the Lance of Christ that his father brought home. With a small band of companions he sets off on his quest.

The author includes a lot of information about the different peoples and religions that existed in the Middle East at that time. I also found the early parts of the book, the actual traveling through Europe to Marseilles to take ship to the Holy Land very interesting. A well-researched yet still lively read, that both informs and entertains. I look forward to the final volume in the trilogy.

#51 Oh, no! Another new series to add to the Ever-Expanding List!

Nice review of Forty Words For Sorrow, I have it on my shelves and read it several years ago in high school however, I didn't realise it was a series. I'm going to have to see if I can find some of the others :-)

5. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson - 4 1/2 stars
Category: Non-Fiction



A Walk in the Woods was my first, but certainly not my last Bill Bryson book. This one is a wonderful read about the Appalachian Trail told from the viewpoint of a amateur hiker. This book is really funny. The author is well able to find the humor in any given situation. I must admit, even though I am listing this as a “non-fiction” book, I can’t quite believe that all the situations he found himself in are totally accurate.

I guess his writing would fall under the category of ‘Travel Writing” but as he inserts himself into the story, it is taken to a different level, and allows the reader to participate in a fun adventure without leaving the comfort of your home. His writing is comfortable and cozy, but he does manage to insert plenty of facts and figures about the creation of the trail and it’s upkeep and history, along with many small tidbits about misfortune that has or could befall the hapless hiker.

I found myself really looking forward to picking up the book and losing myself on the Trail with him and Katz. I also drove my husband to distraction trying to read portions aloud to him, I finally gave up and will just pass the book along for him to enjoy quietly on his own. I recommend this book for the humor, the education, and the author’s basic love of the outdoors which shines through.

>58 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for the review. I have not read any of Bryson's work but I did pick this one up as my introduction. Now, to find some time to read it...

6. The Lies of Locke LaMora by Scott Lynch - 5 stars
Category: Fantasy



The Lies of Lock LaMora by Scott Lynch is one of the most original books I have read in a long time. The first book in his Gentlemen Bastards series, I was totally invested in this book from page one. This fantasy book tells the story of an orphan boy, Locke LaMora and his group of friends and partners that call themselves “The Gentlemen Bastards”. Con-men and thieves, they develop elaborate, often twisted schemes to rob the rich and fill their own coffers. Yes, that’s right, they are only out for themselves.

This book is so good on so many levels I hardly know where to begin. The author tosses in descriptions of fantastical things and places here and there until he has built this wonderful medieval fantasy city of Camorr in which to grow his story. The story is interesting, varied, fun and exciting. Full of intricate plots and unforeseen happenings, sometimes we are in the present, and sometimes he takes us into the past of the main characters so we can see for ourselves how Locke came to be the master thief and ringleader of The Gentlemen Bastards. One of many gangs in the underworld of this city, The Gentlemen Bastards live on the edge as they deceive everyone including their underworld boss up to the very heights of society. Their loyalty is only to each other.

A fantasy book quite unlike any other I have read, the author has used many fantasy principles like brotherhood, intrigue, magic and revenge but stamped these plot devices with his own mark. A very creative, humorous, adventuresome book with an edge. Some violence and gore which is only to be expected given the drift of the story. My only minor complaint would be perhaps the lack of a strong female lead, although the book definitely supplies us with a few strong females in lesser roles, but this is the first book, and, this is a character development that could be revealed in a later book. For a fresh look at fantasy, I highly recommend The Lies of Locke LaMorra.

I have had The Lies of Locke Lamora on my TBR for awhile. I'm moving it up based on your review - thanks!

Judy - Excellent review of The lies of Locke LaMora! ..... and even better ..... I have it sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to read it. I think it will be a perfect fit for my Off the Shelf category, and and long overdue for a read!

I owe a big thank you to Wolfy - I am pretty sure I read about The Lies of Locke LaMora on his thread last year.

Time flies so fast. Was one of my favourites from 2009. So glad that you enjoyed it so much.

What a fantastic review of The Lies of Locke LaMora! Our copy was loaned to a friend before I got the chance to read it; it hasn't been returned and has since made it's way to a whole different city. Time to give up and buy a second copy, I think.

Edited for grammar

Lies of Locke is one of my favorites. The coming of age part is what made the book for me which is completely gone in the follow-up. Locke got old! Well, not that old but he wasn't a kid anymore.

Great review Lies of Locke LaMora is a winderful, fun fantasy adventure. I loved all the Lockes crew which is one of reasons I didnt enjoy the second one. Anyone know when the 3rd one is out? (I hear this year).

@67, I think it's still just a case of wait and see. No updates about it on Scott's website or his LJ account. He has been battling anxiety attacks and depression (some of which he has written about on LJ) so I doubt anything will be forthcoming in the near future.

#58 Great review! I have a Bill Bryson book on my reading list this year. I have heard so many good things about his writing. Your review has inspired me to move it higher on the list.

Hi Craso, I hope you enjoy your first Bill Bryson as much as I did!

I haven't read much fantasy in my life but do enjoy it on occasion and seeing this review again (first time was on the 75ers thread) I just HAD to add it to the WL. Great review by the way if I haven't said so already!

7. Rise To Victory by R. Cameron Cooke - 3 1/2 stars
Category: War & The Homefront



Rise To Victory is a thriller telling the story of a modern day American submarine crew that, hours before landing at their home port after six months at sea, are sent back out on an urgent rescue mission. Morale sinks on a boat that already has it fair share of personnel problems. A new Captain, an Executive Officer that is marking his time until retirement, a young communications officer that was expecting to leave the navy once they landed and a chief engineering officer that is nothing less that a sadist that appears to have cracked under pressure and is gunning for some of the men who work under him.

The story is exciting, with plenty of action, as they land on an Indonesian island in the midst of a rebellion. Implanted with the rebels are a muslin terrorist group that would like nothing better than to kidnap American officers in order to torture and kill them, holding America up as the prime enemy to their cause. To add to the complications, an Indonesian submarine is docked at the island as well, and the captain appears to have definite sympathy for the rebels.

R. Cameron Cooke knows the U.S. Navy and having served on submarines gives us authentic details of life below the waves. The author avoids bogging us down with overly detailed technological details and keeps the reader engaged in the plot. A natural story teller, he is able to create realistic tension both in the day-to-day running of the submarine and in the action sequences.

I absolutely loved the previous R. Cameron Cooke book Pride Runs Deep, which was set in the early days of World War II, but I still found this book a very good read. If you are looking for a realistic, exciting thriller I would recommend Rise To Victory.

8. Pretty Birds by Scott Simon - 5 stars
Category: Random Recommendations



This is a book that I heard about shortly after joining LT in 2008. I don't remember who it was that caused it to come to my attention, but I owe that person a big Thank You!

I never really understood what caused or influenced the outbreak of the Serbian-Bosnian war and Pretty Birds by Scott Simon doesn’t really delve into these issues either. Instead it tells the harrowingly haunting story of Irena Zaric a seventeen year old school-girl interested in pop music, boys and being the star of her basketball team whose world changes overnight as she and her family are forced to flee their home, live on starvation rations, learn to duck bullets and live in a new world, one of horror and violence. “Ethnic Cleansing” is a terrible, dirty phrase, yet one I fear the world is still hearing about from many different quarters.

Irena’s world quickly develops into one where she, her family and her friends are classified according to their ethnic background. Irena’s best friend, Amela, is classified as a Serb. Irena and her family are considered to be Muslim, although their background is truly mixed. Irena is slowly drawn into the war until she finds herself being trained as a sniper. Many young girls on both sides were trained as snipers thereby freeing the young men to join the front lines of their respective armies.

Scott Simon is a journalist and tells this story in a straight forward, unemotional way. Yet through the development of his characters, great emotion is shown and felt. Irena’s parents, a pair of grown up hippies whose world has crumbled, are wonderful characters, showing both dignity and humor in facing their situation. One scene comes to mind that was filled with humor, dismay and grace was an evening meal prepared by Irena’s mother that included both grass cuttings and chopped up snails, along with their U.N. provided macaroni. As they chew on this stew, no complaints are made, instead they all start making animal sounds, mooing like a cow or bleating like a goat. When one member pulls a chewy piece of macaroni from their mouths and discovers it is really a worm, they simply get on with their meal.

I was glued to the pages of this book finding it gripping, emotional, painful, and yes, at times even funny. Like a small time capsule one minute I am reading about Irena’s joy in her Air Jordans and Espirt jeans, or her crush on Johnny Depp, suddenly something will happen to throw me back into the horror that the beautiful town of Sarajevo became in the early nineties. This was a truly moving read.

>73 DeltaQueen50: Great review! And another for my wishlist.

@60 (sorry, late to the party) Yes, what a fun read Lies of Locke Lamora was! Dickens meets Stevenson meets...Scorsese? I'm going to have to disagree with many of my fellow readers above and state that I thought Red seas under red skies was very good too. Not quite up there with the first book, but tons of fun. I hope Scott Lynch overcomes his mental health problems, I'm eager to read the third book.

After a bit more research I've found that both the UK & US publishers have Scott Lynch's third book scheduled for a February release. We can but hope.

>73 DeltaQueen50:. Yes, great review. We have a few Bosnian kids at the school I work in. I'll have to put this on the wishlist.

Oooohhh - great review of Pretty Birds! Please tell me you posted the review..... excellent.... you did post the review.... review Thumbed! Now off to see if I my local library has this one!

Wow, have to come back and read those reviews. Not so keen on submarines (makes me feel claustrophobic just thinking about them!) But curious to see what the 5 stars is about for Pretty Birds!

Love your review of A Walk in the Woods! This has been on my list of Favorites for quite some time now...I even wrote a paper about it in a "Literature of Travel" class I took when I was completing my Masters Degree. I compared his writing to Mark Twain's travelogues, which was very interesting.

Thanks KindleKapers, I am looking forward to tacking my next Bill Bryson. Hopefully I squeeze another one of his in sometime this year.

#79 - Ilana - I agree with you about those submarines - you couldn't pay me to travel in one of those, I get the shakes just thinking about it!

Ditto about the submarines, Donna -- I could never handle those close quarters. But I do like to read about them sometimes. Sounds like that book was a real page-turner.

Great review of Pretty Birds!

I'm getting a new project started to get together great recommendations for books by themes. I've called it Books By Themes (BBT) and I'd love to have your suggestions! Here's the link.

9. The Indian Agent by Dan O'Brien - 3 1/2 stars
Category: The American West



The Indian Agent by Dan O’Brien tells the true story of Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy who was appointed as the Indian Agent to the newly created Pine Ridge Reservation. McGillycuddy was a wise choice, although still a young man, he had years of experience with the Sioux Indians from his time serving as a contract surgeon under General Crook. He was at Little Big Horn, one day after the massacre and over time he both traveled among and made friends with the Lakota Sioux. He considered the renowned warrior Crazy Horse as having been a close friend.

Desiring to make changes and help to guide these people to a new way of life, he met many obstacles from both government sources and Easterners who didn’t understand the situation. By far though his biggest obstacle was the old war chief Red Cloud. Red Cloud had had the previous agent under his thumb and didn’t want to lose what power he had. McGillycuddy was a bit of a despot, seeming to believe that only he knew what was best for these people. He thought nothing of throwing eastern visitors off the reservation if he deemed them “troublemakers”. A shift in the government in Washington eventually seals the fate of the Indian Agent and he is replaced by a political hack. Around the same time the notorious Ghost Dancing begins on the reservation . Surrounded by greed, treachery, and nasty politics his dream of creating a peaceful, working environment for the Lakota Sioux is destroyed as events lead to an unavoidable climax that was to become known as Wounded Knee.

A well researched account of an event that was to have a huge impact on American History. I found this book interesting but with the point-of-view being a little one sided as often happens when real people and events are made into a fictionalized novel.

85 - Sounds like an interesting book.

That does sound interesting!

10. All the Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson - 3 stars
Category: Following A Series



All the Colours of Darkness is the eighteenth book in Peter Robinson’s remarkable crime series featuring DI Alan Banks. Although good, I didn’t think it lived up to his usual standard and so this one will not go down as one of my favourites of the series.

I found it hard to get into the rather convoluted plot involving the deaths of two men, one a suicide committed in remorse over his having murdered his lover. The lover it turns out is retired from the secret service and before too long Banks has M16 breathing down his neck and trying to control the investigation. A huge leap-of-faith is required by the reader when Banks develops his theory from watching the play Othello. Luckily after eighteen books I do trust in his deductive reasoning but it was quite the stretch.

Still Robinson can write. His descriptive narration, character development and scene setting is flawless as usual. So overall although I was slightly disappointed I have great faith that Peter Robinson will blow my socks off with book number nineteen.

Hi Judy:

Only three stars for one of our favorites? I'll be reading Friend of the Devil in the near future, then knowing me, I'll want to finish off the series.

You have me curious about Othello though, I'll have to wait and see.

11. City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende - 4 stars
Category: Young Adult and Children's Literature



I found City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende an absorbing read. Telling the story of Alexander, who is sent off to accompany his grandmother on an expedition to the Amazon. His family is in crisis, with his mother very ill with cancer. Alex and his sisters are to be farmed out to the grandparents. Alex thinks he has drawn the short straw by being sent to his decidedly eccentric grandmother, Kate.

This coming-of-age tale was written beautifully, the South American jungle comes to life as do the inhabitants of the jungle. As the expedition travels deeper and deeper into the rainforest, civilization seems so very far away, and Alex comes into full contact with his spirituality. We are taken into the realms of a fantasy world as Alex and his friend Nadia are taken captive by the People of the Mist and eventually these two are taken to the City of the Beasts to meet the legendary creatures. They are given the tools they will need to ensure that the People of the Mist don’t come under the control of greedy entrepreneurs in the future.

Isabel Allende manages to include both the topics of genocide and the exploitation of the Amazon Basin in her story, but first and foremost, she stays true to her younger audience and tells a wonderful fantasy adventure story about a boy coming to terms with his life and taking those first steps towards becoming a man. I found the fantasy parts of the book a little weaker than the adventure story, but overall a good YA read.

>90 DeltaQueen50: I read Isabel Allende's House of Spirits, so I'll be very interested in checking out this YA book by her.

Thanks for the review. I remember being shocked when I first saw she was writing YA. Her writing usually includes some brutal passages that are hard enough for an adult to take. What you say, though, makes it sound very much Allende, but I'm assuming she's sparing them the horrifying passages involving sexual brutality.

I am embarrassed to admit that I haven't read any Isabel Allende's adult books yet. I did notice that some readers thought her writing was quite different when doing a YA book from her usual writing. I think her expertise shines through, and her YA writing is probably much simpler and more G-Rated than per usual.

Nothing to be ashamed of Judy, I haven't read any of Allende's books either, though I have a couple on my shelves and hope to get to them soon.

Too many authors in the world to have read something by all the notable ones. :) Her adult writing is great. You just need a strong stomach for some of it.

Judy - I am another reader that has yet to read any of Allande's books - adult of YA. I have Daughter of Fortune on my bookshelf and I was thinking about tackling it this year, while keeping in mind Katie's comment @95 that you just need a strong stomach for some of it.

I'm intrigued about the 'strong stomach' comment as well, but almost afraid to ask.

>96 lkernagh: I read Daughter of Fortune last month - it was my first Allende, and I didn't find my stomach churning over it. It's a nice piece of pretty straight forward historical fiction. Or maybe I just have a strong stomach...? I really enjoyed it.

97>I don't know about Daughter of Fortune, but Isabel Allende is the daughter of Salvador Allende, who was the president of Chile and killed in a coup. A lot of brutal things happened at that time, including repeated rapes of the people who were imprisoned/killed for being her father's supporters. Frequently her writing includes violence of this nature, and she's a good enough writer to make scenes like this emotionally convincing.

I love historical fiction, so it sounds like Daughter of Fortune may be the starter book for me as well. I don't know when I will get to it, but eventually.

I have a few of her books on my TBR pile and was hoping to fit at least one into one of my categories this year. Not sure how I feel about the "strong stomach" part. Will wait until I tackle the first one to decide.

#99 Thanks for the explanation Katie. Now I'm embarrassed that I didn't know she was Salvador Allende's daughter, but then again I've never looked her up so I guess I can be forgiven for that? I don't know whether I have a strong stomach or not as it seems to entirely depend on context, but I do appreciate being forewarned. I have both Daughter of Fortune and House of Spirits, and intend to read the latter soon simply because it was written first. Would you recommend that or does it not matter in which order they are read?

Smiler> I haven't read Daughter of Fortune. I believe most of her adult novels are not series, so it doesn't matter. If I'm remember House of Spirits correctly, there's only one chapter that's rough if that. It's mostly an odd magical realism romance. & not many people know much about South American politics, so you're totally forgiven.

Daughter of Fortune last year was my first exposure to Allende and I enjoyed it very much. I have House of Spirits on the shelf that I hope to get to this year. I didn't know she also wrote YA.

Thanks Katie. I guess I'll just pick up whichever one strikes my fancy most at that moment.

I had no idea that she was Salvador Allende's daughter!

I read Daughter of Fortune several years ago, and I loved it. I've been meaning to read more of her books, but somehow just haven't gotten to it. Thanks for the review of City of the Beasts, Judy -- I've now added it to my list.

I got so worked up reading these posts that I could barely contain myself through all of them!

I love Allende...my second favorite writer after fellow South American Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Love the mystic realism genre, though I just finished Daughter of Fortune yesterday and found it to be completely historical fiction and no mystic realism. A great read, but nowhere near the joys that are her other works. Ines of My Soul is a wonderful piece of historical fiction with an amazing heroine, and would delight any female history buff. House of Spirits is also very wonderful, and much in the "family saga" style of Marquez. City of the Beasts is awesome YA and my students love it, but the second book in the series, Kingdom of the Golden Dragon overshadowed it completely. There are three all in all, and it's a nice little trip around the world.

But if you really want my two cents (and I know you do!) skip all of those and go immediately to Paula. Now. It is so heartbreaking and honest and you will cry for weeks, but it was my first exposure to Allende and I will always thank my mother for that. Paula is one (of many) of her memoirs, but it is written with such genuine heart that it comes off more phenomenally than any of her fiction. I love Allende, and I would recommend this book first to anyone who's never really experienced her. Never in a million years would you be disappointed.

MissTeacher> Thanks for the recomendation! I haven't read Paula yet.

Ok - Paula is on the wish list. Thanks Miss Teacher!

12. The Guards by Ken Bruen - 5 stars
Category: Crime & Thrillers



The Guards by Ken Bruen is the first entry in his original series featuring Jack Taylor. Jack, currently living in Galway has the dubious record of having been expelled from the Irish police force, the Guardia for excessive drunkenness. He does the work of a PI but doesn’t like to refer to himself in that term as, in Ireland, it can be confused with the word “informer” which is mightily frowned upon.

This book is so much more than a crime story. In fact the crime is very much a secondary story, given to us in small doses. Instead it reads more like a diary, filled with Jack’s personal references, thoughts on life and on being Irish. With his unique writing style, Bruen has produced a intelligent, character driven story that has left me hungry for more.

A lot of books give you flawed heroes, but Jack Taylor stands heads and shoulders above them all. Stumbling through life, addicted to alcohol , prone to blackouts, creating one mess after another, Jack still has the ability to make you root for him. No matter how down and out he gets (and he seems to get pretty low), he manages to pick himself up and carry on. Jack is a book lover, or as he would say, “a hoor for books” and always has the appropriate quote for whatever situation he finds himself in.

I think this is the type of book one either loves or hates. It has a strong, hard-boiled style than may not appeal to everyone. As for me, Jack Taylor is a character I’m looking forward to reading more about. Irreverent and gritty, funny and wise, The Guards has just whetted my appetite.

Great review! I thought you'd like the Jack Taylor books and I'm glad you did. I've only read the next 2 in the series (so far) but there's no drop in the quality up to now. I'm definitely going to have to read them again at some point to pick up on the book references made by either the chapter quotes or from Jack himself. I think it's going to increase my wishlist considerably when I do.

#111 - Another book that I think I have you to thank for. I'm pretty sure I first heard about Ken Bruen on one of your threads. I know what you mean about the book references, I finally got pen and paper and wrote some down. For example: Derek Raymond who writes British Noir - now I want to get hold of something by him!

You might have noticed it on mine but there are plenty of people that have been pressing his claim on LT. There were so many author's mentioned that I'd never heard of and still need to look up but I'll have to refresh my memories again and do what you did by making a note of them.

13. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 4 stars
Category: YA and Children's Literature



The last entry in the Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay left me with a bittersweet feeling. I loved this series and am disappointed that it is over, yet, I liked how it ended and was glad to have closure.

Katniss the heroine of all three books came across as a very real person. Not always likeable, appearing rather detached and cold, allowing only a very few inside her defences, nevertheless, we are given occasional glimpses into the passion and love that drives her and learn to care for and admire her. She always was true to herself and that kept her character real and authentic throughout the trilogy.

As the rebellion becomes a full blown war, we are in turns horrified and heartbroken. Although Katniss allows herself to be used as a figurehead, she still is breaking rules. We realize that there are no true “good or bad guys”, everyone has their own agenda. The author holds nothing back, she shows us that war is not a game, the deaths are real, people that we care about are killed, maimed and left broken.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

The love story is still intriguing. Katniss has choices to make and eventually she does. I can see some would be a little disappointed in the ending, hoping that Katniss would overcome her inner demons and grow in the powerful, independent woman we can all see inside her. Instead the author chooses to show her withdrawing to a quieter, contemplative life. I thought this was another way that the author showed that war doesn’t always lead to an exciting victory, instead, the best outcome can often be simple - Peace.

Mockingjay for me was the perfect ending to a great story. I don’t know where the author is going next, but I will gladly follow.

14. Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey - 4 stars
Category: Timeless Mysteries



Miss Pym Disposes is the second book by Josephine Tey that I have read and she is rapidly becoming a favorite mystery writer. She produces a well written, tightly plotted story that although slightly dated and with the inclusion of a couple of throw away racial comments that grated, held my attention throughout.

Set in the isolated world of a Women’s Physical Training College, Miss Pym, as a current best seller of a book on psychology, arrives as a guest lecturer. Meaning to leave the day after her lecture, she succumbs to this insulated world of young women and eventually stays through to the end of the year and the graduating exercises. She enjoys getting to know and becoming attached to some of these young women. She also enjoys the sense of belonging that she experiences.

Rather than a full blown mystery or whodunit, this book examines moral questions and a person’s responsibility to pass on evidence, even if it is extremely damaging. Miss Pym makes her choices based on her belief in psychology and on what she feels is the right and just thing to do. Whether she is correct or not, the reader is left to judge.

This book is by no means a fast paced action thriller, instead we are gently led through the last days of the term and the impact that certain decisions have on everyone. Great characterizations help to move this book along and keep it interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Pym Disposes.

Hello Judy, great review of the Josephine Tey novel. She is an author that I am very interested in reading.

#116 Craso - Thanks. I am experiencing a arthritic attack on my hip right now and I am drugged up to my eyeballs. I just spent a couple of minutes correcting the above review!

I thought the benefit of not being able to do anything would be all the reading I would get done, but unfortunately the drugs cause me to fall asleep constantly or else I am just in a very dazed condition. The good thing is that the pain is gone when taking the drugs. Hopefully the hip will settle down and I can get back to normal soon!

You poor thing! Well, you still write good reviews even when you are comatose. Take care of yourself!

15. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender - 2 stars
Category: In The Mood



I was very much looking forward to reading The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake but was sadly disappointed. I found this to be a bizarre, depressing story with absolutely no joy. I don’t expect all my books to have happy endings, but this was a slow dark ride that just seemed to just run out of gas and coast to a stop.

The story of Rose a young girl who on her ninth birthday discovers she is cursed with the ability to taste feelings in the food she eats sounded intriguing. Instead I was treated to description after description of food that tasted gummy and thick or dry and chalky. The characters in this story are all strange, detached, and quite incomplete. From Rose herself to the rest of her emotionally unstable family, we are always just given small insights, never the bigger picture. So, her mother is sad and empty. Her father a dull blockhead. They both prefer to pretend a normalcy that doesn’t exist in this family. Rose’s brother Joseph who obviously is autistic, was again, I felt an incomplete character.

I believe the author is capable of much, much more. There were glimmers of good, descriptive writing here and there, but on the whole I felt she lacked direction. From her deliberate mispunctuation one gathers the author was trying to be innovative, but again, for me this didn’t work. I also felt the author wasn’t definite about whose story she was telling. The book starts with the focus on Rose but halfway through attention switches to her strange brother. Neither character was developed fully.

Perhaps it was me, but I finished the book feeling like I totally missed the whole point and I would recommend that this book gets a miss.

Sorry to hear that you're not feeling well! I hope that you're better soon!

@119 Too bad, the synesthetic concept sounded really interesting!

Judy - take things easy and get better soon!

Love your review of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. I see by the reviews for this one that it is not a book for everyone and one that I can easily avoid guilt-free. Now, if only the same could be true for my love for cakes..... ;-)

DQ, I loved your review of Miss Pym Deposes -- it definitely has me interested in reading the book now!

119> That title seems to promise a happy ending though, or some humor. Sounds like she took Water for Chocolate but made the story about everybody else instead of the main character. Lack of focus? So the reader ends up caring about no one?

Sorry to hear about the arthritis problem. Hoping for good things for you! Added a couple more books to my long list this pass through.

Sorry to hear your not feeling well and sorry that The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake wasn't good either. Had it on my wishlist but think I'll take it off.

16. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin - 4 stars
Category: Non-Fiction



The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin is a fascinating book about a powerful, freak blizzard that occurred in the upper Midwest of America on January 12, 1888. I found this an extremely moving, well researched book that caught and held my attention from cover to cover.

The author follows a few families that settled in this area that encompassed the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. Giving us the history and background of these families made what they endured through this blizzard all the more touching. Striking quickly and deadly, the blizzard became known as the Children’s Blizzard as so many school children were caught up in it. Either being stranded at school with their teachers or being sent out to find their way home. What happened to these children is both heart rending and, at times, miraculous.

Details on the scientific background of weather forecasting is given in simple terms which I found readable and helped to move the story forward. I was surprised at the knowledge that they did have in the 1880’s, but with a storm that approached so rapidly and was so severe, there really appeared to be little the Weather Bureau could do. Of course, that didn’t appear to stop a certain amount of fact spinning in the days immediately after this tragedy.

An interesting book that once more gives proof that nature should always be respected and when dealing with weather, it’s better to err on the side of caution.

I'm glad you found The Children's Blizzard as fascinating as I did!

Just added The Children's Blizzard to my "to-read" list. Thanks for the recommendation!

17. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - 5 stars
Category: Random Recommendations



Diane Setterfield’s debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale is a darkly rich, many layered read that drew me into it’s pages and held me there while I read of crumbling mansions, feral twins, ghosts and old books.

Reading this book became like peeling the layers of an onion. Intertwining tales, distinctly drawn characters, strange revelations all building to a rewarding climax. Mystery after mystery was laid before us, clues were scattered through the pages, and finally all was revealed. The author gave many nods of approval to some of the great classics, pieces of Jane Eyre, The Turn of the Screw, Wuthering Heights were all there to be discovered.

This is a book that I can see wanting to re-read in the future. Preferably on a stormy night while curled up under a blanket in front of a warm fire. By far the most atmospheric book I have read this year, I truly was carried off to a different time and place every time I picked it up.

I would highly recommend this book, especially to anyone with a love of the great gothic romantic tales of the past.

I was fortunate to be able to participate in the Group Read of this book and the discussions greatly added to my enjoyment of this rich read.

You have captures the feel of The Thirteenth Tale nicely with your review Judy! A great experience that was enhanced for me by the Group Read and all the great comments.

Enjoyed reading it with you!

It was a wonderful book...lots of fun as a group read! :)

18. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - 5 stars
Category: Fantasy



Where do I begin with the macabre delight that is The Graveyard Book? The first sentence leads you to believe you are about to embark on a dark and twisted adventure. But by the end of the first chapter you are realizing that once again Neil Gaiman’s writing can’t be pigeon-holed in any way. The Graveyard Book is a great fantasy read, focused, wry, observant and, most of all, fun.

A simple story of a toddler that fate helps to escape the clutches of a murderer who came in the night and wiped out his whole family. The child is drawn to a nearby cemetery and is adopted by a ghostly couple, and assigned a guardian to oversee the day to day operations of bringing up a child. Nobody (as he is called) grows to maturity in a surprisingly safe and secure environment. Protected, nurtured and schooled by the various haunts and creatures of the night that abide in the graveyard, they diligently prepare him for the dangers that lurk outside the gates of the graveyard.

This unique book was based on Gaiman’s take on Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. We are thus treated to this magical graveyard world that is populated by interesting creatures, who by the way, often possess amusing epitaphs, and learn, as in The Jungle Book, that families don’t have to be gene based as long as the love and emotional connection is there. So what began as dark and twisted, actually was very sweet and caring.

Another masterpiece from the extraordinary mind of Neil Gaiman.

Great review of The Thirteenth Tale! I've GOT to read that one! And our library has it!

#136 I liked The Graveyard Book too. Another great review.

I've been wanting to read The Graveyard Book for some time now...you're wonderful review confirms this. Really looking forward to it now! :)

19. Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker - 4 stars
Category: American West



Really good western novels are few and far between. Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker can join that rare breed as it more than exceeded my expectations. Good story, original and interesting characters, a place setting that helped define the book.

The small town of Appaloosa needed help in dealing with a ruthless rancher and his hired guns. They found what they needed when Virgil Cole and his assistant Everett Hitch ride in town. Cleaning up towns is their specialty. Yes, the plot is familiar but Robert Parker manages to put his own twist on events. He also adds a few bumps in road for Cole and Hitch, especially in the person of Allie French, a woman of mystery that Cole takes up with.

I have seen the excellent movie that has been made from this book and I had a hard time divorcing myself from the movie characters while I read this book. Although picturing Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen is not exactly a hardship. One of my favorite things in this book is the dialogue, sparse yet full of prose, it positively rolls off the tongue.

If you are in the mood for a straight forward, adventuresome western yarn, Appaloosa is the real deal.

#138 Thumbs up on the review. Added to the wishlist. Thanks, again!

The Graveyard Book was great... I just read it too.

And I went to add The Children's Blizzard to my wishlist and found that it was already there. Is that a sign there are too many there?

Hi Ant Queen, LOL I do that all the time as well, often a book becomes popular here on LT and it pops up on all sorts of different threads. The Children's Blizzard is a book that has been appearing all over LT lately.

20. A Share In Death by Deborah Crombie - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Crime & Thrillers



A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie is the first in her series featuring Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and DS Gemma James. A smartly written, fast paced, traditional mystery that made me think of Agatha Christie crossed with Elizabeth George. More modern than Christie, and without the angst of George.

Having been offered a week at a luxurious time-share in Yorkshire, Duncan Kincaid is taking a well earned break but when fellow guests start being murdered, he can’t help but get involved. Pulling some strings to ease the feelings of the local police, and bringing his assistant into the case, Duncan begins to investigate both guests and staff.

The interesting, slightly mismatched team of Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones sparks my interest. This relationship looks to be developed as the series continues and I am interested to find out where it is going.

I thought this was a good start to this series. If you like your cozy mysteries with a slight edge, I would recommend you give this series a try.

I thought you would like A Share in Death!

While I think all of these books in the series are good, there are a couple which stand out above the rest. One of them I think is the 5th book Dreaming of the Bones. It starts kind of slow, then it becomes amazing!

I'll have to look for that one too. I find I like these mysteries with "odd couples." One critical question, which I've wondered about before with a couple of actresses: Is "Gemma" pronounced with a hard or soft G?

We probably need someone British to give us the correct way but I tend to think of it as sounding like it starts with a "J" (is that a soft or hard G??).

Yes, it should be pronounced as if it starts with a J. Both parts of Gemma James start with the same sound, making it a very alliterative name.

Thanks Caty.

21. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - 4 1/2 stars
Category: Historical Fiction, Reading Through Time: Love & Marriage



The Bronze Horseman is first and foremost a doomed love story set against the backdrop of the German invasion of Russia and the siege of Leningrad. Tatiana and Alexander fall in love, but can’t show their love to the world for many reasons. Tatiana’s older sister met him first and claims him for herself. Tatiana’s position as the lowest member in her family forces her to step aside and allow her sister to take over But, more importantly, Alexander has a secret, his true identity must not become known, unfortunately there is Dimitri, who knows the truth and doesn’t hesitate to threaten him with exposure if he declares his love for Tatiana. Dimitri claims Tatiana for himself, but really has another agenda he’s following.

At first this book seems very long winded but suddenly, wow, all her character building and scene setting pays off and you realize what a fully fleshed book this is. Descriptions of a little girls’ hair falling out, or a young man whose body doesn’t have the strength to heal itself from a cut, brings home the gut-wrenching horror of slow starvation. There was little the Soviets could do to help this city as it was encircled, bombarded and besieged by the Germans.

The Bronze Horseman is a book for both your senses and your emotions. Passionate and fearless, Alexander and Tatiana are very intense characters and their love brings out both their best and worst qualities. Seeing how over-possessive and protective Alexander could be, or how stubborn Tatiana could become, made them all the more real. But at the same time, these two totally completed each other.

I can understand that this is not a book for everyone. People seem to either love or hate it, I come firmly down on the love side and I can’t wait to pick up the sequels. Paullina Simons has, in the past, been a hit and miss author for me, this time she really produced a hit.

You have me intrigued.

Me, too. Onto the wishlist it goes!

22. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng - 3 stars
Category: War & The Homefront



The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng is a first novel and although an interesting and intriguing story I found parts of this book just didn’t resonate with me. I never felt totally connected to the characters, it was if I was watching the story unfold through a silk screen. Beautiful to look at, but not personally engaging.

Set on the island of Penang off the mainland coast of Malaysia, there are many inviting descriptions of lush jungles and warm, tropical beaches. Born to a white man and his second wife, a Chinese woman, made Philip feel as if he didn’t fit it anywhere. With the British or with the Chinese people, even in his own family with his three half siblings, Philip never felt he belonged. Malaysia was very much a multi-cultural country, but these cultures kept to themselves.

At the impressionable age of sixteen, he meets a Japanese man who is destined to be his friend and mentor. Teaching Philip the art and discipline of aikido, Hayato Endo gives Philip a sense of belonging. But the year is 1939, and the world is on the brink of war. Soon enough the Japanese will be invading Philips’ beautiful country, bringing the savageness and terror to him and his family. Worst of all is the discovery that the man whom Philip reveres above all, is in fact a Japanese spy with Philip as his unwitting collaborator

Philip looks back on his life as a an older man, well into his sixties. Putting his life into perspective., he himself seems to remove himself from the story, telling it like an observer not a participant. The main themes of the book honor, loyalty and fate appear again and again in his story, but I just wish some passion had been there as well.

Nice review, but Beautiful to look at, but not personally engaging makes me think I should pass, but keep my eyes open for this author's next book. It sounds interesting, but you're right. If you don't feel a connection with at least one character, it doesn't quite make it.

Sorry to hear that The Gift of Rain wasn't captivating as it had such an interesting premise. The Bronze Horseman sounds fantastic.... another book lands on the TBR pile.

23. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - 4 stars
Category: YA And Children's Literature



A young boy suddenly wakes up, he believes he is in an elevator going down. He has no specific memories as to who he is or what is happening. Suddenly the elevator stops, the doors are pried open and he finds himself in the Glade with many other young boys. This is the opening of The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and it caught my attention right away. I had to keep reading.

A number of puzzles appear throughout the book, and only some are solved by the end, leading me to immediately turn on the Kindle and buy the next book. Frustrating for the reader, but an excellent marketing strategy. This is a YA book and it’s very appealing. The many characters are varied and interesting, and although we don’t find a lot out about them, I am sure more will be developed in future books. My personal favorite was Minho. A brave, silent, lets-get-the-job-done sort of boy.

Lots of adventure and action from trying to solve the maze that surrounds them, to fighting off the strange creatures that appear in the maze at night, to the various jealousies and arguments that young boys can get involved in. All the while creating a world for themselves while still trying to find a way out of this strange existence. Yes, there is a lot going on in this book and you can bet that I will be reading the next volume rather quickly.

I liked The Maze Runner. It reminded me of a certain old SF book. I'll be interested in your thoughts on the second book, which I haven't gotten to yet.

Great review for The Maze Runner. Sounds like an effective, straight concept.

I just downloaded the second book The Scorch Trials, now I just have to fit it in somewhere. Ideally I would like to read it as soon as possible so the first books stays fresh in my mind.

Drat! You just made me add to my wishlist. ;) Maze Runner sounds good, and I remember hearing positive buzz about it elsewhere recently too.

24. Country of the Blind by Christopher Brookmyre - 4 1/2 stars
Category: Following A Series



Journalist Jack Parlabane is back in this delicious book of political plots, conspiracy theories, and bizarre killings. Following up on the first book in the series, we find Jack almost married to Dr. Sarah Slaughter and contemplating taking a step away from his usual undercover, dangerous ways of getting his story.

Politics are a dirty business and none are dirtier than in Christopher Brookmyre’s Country of the Blind. It’s all about power, money and who has control. A important power broker, owner and publisher of many European newspapers , along with his wife and two body guards are found brutally murdered and four bumbling thieves are quickly arrested for the crime. But when witnesses or anyone taking a second look at the crime start dying in mysterious ways, Jack Parlabane can no longer sit on the sidelines.

Non-stop action, thrills and laughter are trademarks of this series. But it’s also refreshing to find a well crafted story with adult themes that are valid and eye opening. The fact that Brookmyre is able to express his own opinions as part of a thumping good read makes it all the more engaging. Brookmyre has his finger firmly on his reader’s pulse and delivers chills and thrills in a very stylish manner.

Glad you're enjoying the continuing adventures of JP. The next 2 in the series are both pretty good but the fifth (and last) probably has the characters and story ideas wearing a little thin. It was good that Brookmyre moved on to something else.

Good to know Wolfy. I will definitely plan on the next two in this series, and then there's his other series and stand-alones - should keep me happy for quite a while.

Yeah, his other series is excellent and one of the stand-alones is my favourite of his works, One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night.

Journalist Jack Parlabane is back in this delicious book of political plots, conspiracy theories, and bizarre killings.

Okay, you sold me on the book with your opening line.... and I haven't even read any of Jack Parlabane's works!

;-)

I have plans to read The Maze Runner for my challenge, so I am glad to hear you liked it. Thanks for the review!

25. Elizabeth I by Margaret George - 4 stars
Category: Historical Fiction



It is a privilege to have received this book as part of the Early Reviewer Program here at Library Thing. Margaret George is a favorite author, her historical fiction books are truly memorable.

The author has chosen to frame her book around the last 25 years of this queen’s reign. Therefore Elizabeth I starts when the threat of the Spanish Armada was looming over England. We meet a mature Elizabeth, one who has been on the throne for many years. Although she is taking great pains to hide it, she is in her mid-fifties and feeling all of her years. From experiencing hot flashes to having to write herself notes so she won’t forget something, Elizabeth comes across as a very real person.

Along with Elizabeth, all the major characters of the age are here: Drake, Raleigh, Shakespeare etc. We are given insights into both the times and this remarkable woman who ruled over all. Margaret George shows Elizabeth as a shrewd, wise, courageous woman who was not above being be both petty and jealous at times. A woman married to her country, one who has no private life to speak of, but has power and the right to wield it.

Intersected throughout the book are chapters told in the words of Robert Dudley’s wife, and the mother of Essex. Lettice is another shrew, ambitious woman, who because of her marriage to Robert Dudley is not welcome at Elizabeth’s court. She gives us a picture of how hard it was to be a forward-thinking woman in those days, and how her aspirations came to be focused on her son. Through these women we are shown the rise, and then the spectacular fall of Lord Essex.

Elizabeth I is filled with period detail and well researched historic references, rich and colourful. I believe Margaret George has captured the essence of this woman of history. A massive book that was almost too heavy to hold, I nevertheless found Elizabeth I both enlightened and entertained me and I highly recommend this book.

>25 DeltaQueen50: Nice review! And it sounds really good. I haven't yet read any of Margaret George's books, though I've had her on my wishlist for a long time. Maybe I'll remedy that sometime soon...

Review thumbed! ;-)

Great review! I will have to check out Margaret George's books. Consider your review thumbed.

26. The Hotel On the Corner of Bitter And Sweet by Jamie Ford - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Random Recommendation



I enjoyed this book as a joint read with Lisa (Jonesli). The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter And Sweet by Jamie Ford is the story of Henry Lee, jumping back and forth in time from 1942 when Henry is twelve to 1986 when Henry is a recent widower. The book explores his complex relationships with his parents in the past and his son in 1986. The book also deals with cultural identity and issues of racial discrimination.

Due to the ongoing war in 1942, Henry’s parents see that sending Henry to China to finish his education will be impossible. Therefore, they decide he needs an American education and arrange for him to attend a local public school as a “scholarship” student. This means that Henry must work at the school in order to be educated. He meets and works with another student, a Japanese girl called Keiko. Soon he and Keiko are seeing each other outside of school and Henry introduces her to his great love “jazz music”. Their friendship advances at an elevated rate mostly due to dealing with the discrimination they both face. All too soon the two young people are forced apart as Keiko and her family, along with all people of Japanese descent are removed to the internment camps.

In 1986, Henry is dealing with the recent death of his wife, Ethel. He realizes that he has made many of the same mistakes his own father did in his relationship with his son. He begins to understand that he must make the effort to open up and communicate, reveal some of his inner thoughts and feelings. When a cache of Japanese belongings are discovered in a old hotel, Henry is able to link both his past and present together.

There are some problems with this book, however. I found the depth of Henry and Keiko’s relationship hard to totally believe in. They knew each other such a short time before being separated, and, also I think they were too young, at twelve, to have such adult feelings. I know this has been mentioned before, but I too, found the computer references a little glaring. I don’t think home computers and the internet were readily available in 1986.

I found this a quick read, especially considering how much is packed into its pages, but ultimately this is a story of love and friendship that endures. A tad overly sentimental but a satisfying read. I had great sympathy for Keiko and her family, I grew up on the west coast of Canada and knew of Japanese families that had been sent to the Canadian internment camps, losing both their homes and businesses. I think this book is a worthwhile read, a good jumping off spot to learn about a piece of our history that doesn’t necessarily reflect well upon us.

#26 Too bad this book wasn't better. It's an important/interesting time in history that isn't talked about much, but your right, hopelessly in love at 12? & only the rich had internet in 1986. Deep friendship maybe, but love? ???

27. I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish - 4 stars
Category: Non-Fiction



What an eye-opener I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish was. This is the first book I have read by a Palestinian, not to mention one who was born and lived all his life in Gaza. Born to poverty in the internment camps, yet managing to educate himself and train as a doctor, this man is quite a role model. His cries of Peace, Brotherhood and Non-retaliation appear to fall on mostly deaf ears but, perhaps someday major advances will be made in regards to the plight of the Palestinian people.

One of the things I most admire Dr. Abuelaish for is his stand on education for women. He feels this is one of the ways to bring the Palestine situation to a peaceful resolution. He is convinced that if women had some control we wouldn’t see as many advocates of war. He is putting his money where is mouth is as well by establishing an education fund in the name of his slain daughters and niece.

Yes, this man has lost a lot. Three of his daughters and one niece were killed when a Israelis tank shot a missile into his home. Another daughter and niece were badly wounded. So many wrongs have been committed on both sides, yet, he still says that both sides should not dwell in the past. Moving on and laying the past to rest is the way to a sustainable future.

Perhaps a naïve and over-simplified view, but I found this to be a very readable book about an admirable man, his family, his countrymen and his hope to see Israel and Palestine find the road to peaceful coexistence.

I was curious about this book. Was this an Early Review book for you? It was on the list. Sounds like it's one for the wishlist.

I Shall Not Hate definitely sounds like a must-read... thanks for the review!

It sounds like you have been reading some winners. I have several to add to my list! Keep up the good work!

#172 - One of the TIOLI Challenges this month is to read a book about the Middle East. I have a fiction read planned, but when Madeline (SqueakyChu) recommended I Shall Not Hate I thought it would be a good idea to read a non-fiction book on this subject as well so I checked my library and was able to get it right away. Several people are planning on reading it as well.

#174 Thanks Cindy. It's good to see you here. Hope all is going well.

>169 DeltaQueen50: I think I liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet a little better than you did, though I mostly agree with your criticisms. I disagree, though, that 12-year-olds couldn't form such a deep affection, at least in light of their subsequent separation where it could grow in their minds without the inconvenience of real life.

Last year, shortly after my daughter and I had read the book, we visited the train station and had (very good) tea at the Hotel. The floor at the tea shop is cut away to show items left at the hotel, and many photgraphs and artifacts are on display. It's worth a visit, I think, if you're in the area.

I think it would be so neat to actually visit that Tea Room. I will have to keep that in mind when we visit Seattle.

28. Beside A Burning Sea by John Shors - 5 stars
Category: War & the Homefront



If I were to describe the perfect story for me, Beside A Burning Sea by John Shors would be a very close fit. Set in 1942 the hospital ship Benevolence is torpedoed and nine survivors make their way to a deserted South Pacific island.

A story of survival and redemption. These people struggle against the elements, their fear of discovery by the Japanese and even against each other. Unbeknownst to them, one of them is a traitor, he betrayed their ship and now is about to reveal their location to the Japanese. More than this, he is a true psychopath eagerly anticipating the damage he will do, the terror he will inflict. The survivors are a mixed crowd, three nurses, the ship’s captain, two naval officers, an ship’s mechanic, a young stowaway and a Japanese prisoner of war. Many of these people have conflicts within themselves and how they bond together and help each other survive makes for a wonderful story.

Each chapter is the equivalent of a day and as we are drawn deeper into the story the suspense rises. I literally couldn’t put the book down, I had to know how it would end. Not a perfect book but I found myself willing to overlook some minor flaws and simply savour the story. This was so much more than a simple action story, the characters are well developed, the writing extremely lyrical and the story telling rich and varied. Like the haiku that start each chapter, this book is a small gem.

Oh! This one sounds good. Here you go making my wishlist grow again. ;)

Beside A Burning Seas sounds great! It has been added to myTBR list. A goal of this year was be more active in forms, and I have. The "downside" (which isn't really a downside), my tbr and wishlist is growing more rapidly.

This book sounds very interesting. Thank you for the review.

Great review, thank you! :)

As I mentioned to Bcteagirl, I really wasn't sure about the 5 star rating for Beside A Burning Sea. It was a five star read for me, but there were some really obvious plot holes. I don't know if it was my mood or what but this book just reached out and grabbed me. I see now from other reviews that some love it and some absolutely hate it. I usually rate books on how they appeal to me not necessarily how well they are written. (As I read in someone's thread recently, I am not a professional book critic nor do I want to be.) :)

Oh, this is all very dangerous!
Good; but my TBR is really going to fall over on me soon.

Did you become incensed reading this latest? There are some very interesting stories that are also quite devastating - yes?

I sometimes find it hard to rate books. I just read and rated a book that someone warned me against reading, but I enjoyed it and gave it 3 /2 stars, because of a few problems. I still thought the story was good and almost gave it 4 stars. If I love a book and can't honestly find any glaring flaws then it is a 5. If the book is enjoyable, but not overwhelmingly so then it is a 4. It's the same with most forms of art or entertainment, you decide for yourself what's good and that's what counts. :-)

29. Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Fantasy & Guy Gabriel Kay Group Read



Even though Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay will never be on my list of favorite books by him, it was still an interesting and engaging read. Those used to his usual epic story-telling will find this book quite different. I felt it was more of a YA read, set in our world with fantasy aspects, instead of his usual rich and deep historical fantasies set in worlds of his own creation.

An event which transcends time, and has been recreated through the last 2500 years is on the verge of being triggered when the story opens. A romantic triangle that is destined to be played out over and over again. Ned, a fifteen year old, has come to Provence with his world famous photographer father and a group of his assistants. With time on his hands, he explores the cathedral in Aix-en-Provence, meets a young exchange student, Kate, and they are swept up into a time spanning saga that eventually involves the whole group.

I found the addition of a couple of characters from the Finovar Tapestry provided an link to this authors other work, and eventually went a long way to explain some of the things that Ned was experiencing. It isn’t necessary to have read the Finovar Tapestry beforehand, but I think it would aid in the overall understanding of Ned’s abilities and his family connections.

Ysabel has such a different feeling to it from his other books, that I was glad this wasn’t my first Guy Gavriel Kay book. A fast read, a lighter read that I normally expect from this author, but still an above average fantasy with lots going on to hold the readers attention.

> 175

Did you see that I Shall Not Hate is back on this month's Early Reviewer list that Jeremy just posted today? Tell everyone so they can try to win a copy of this book. It's so worth it.

Some great reviews here! I have I Shall Not Hate as an ER book, and look forward to reading it.

#169 I don’t think home computers and the internet were readily available in 1986.

May I comment? I took my original "Introduction to Microcomputers" class in 1981 on an Apple 2E computer, I think. That was just before our community college made such a course mandatory; I believe the IBM PC came out about that time, and was very popular. I was hardly at the cutting edge of technology, but I had a modest (64K memory -- can you believe it?) Radio Shack home computer by around 1988, maybe a little earlier. (I vividly remember it crashing and losing a major term paper in 1989. Ah, memories!)

I think a basic form of the Internet existed by 1986, but I believe it was still mainly used by "professionals" -- scientists, business, etc. If the character was in a technical field, he may have had access to it.

In 1987, I took an Intro to Computers course and we were using a Commodore 128. At the time, my parents had a Commodore 64 at home and we used it all the time. Now, not a lot of people had home computers at that time but quite a few in our neighbourhood did. The internet, on the other hand, not so much. When I was finishing university in 1996, it was just catching on but had been around for a while.

So, it could have been possible in 1986 - but still highly unlikely. The character was a student and spoke of doing the research on his own computer, so I don't think it belonged to the university. I felt the computer research was used as a plot device. There were side characters that Keiko could have kept in touch with that could have passed her address along to Henry, but I also think the author wanted the son to pass the information to his father, as a way of showing that the son understood the father's need to reconnect with his past.

>191 DeltaQueen50: I actually don't think research was possible, at least on a pc, in 1986, though there were some home computers available. I tried to look it up but didn't really find a definitive answer, except that the www began in 1989. I do remember, though, communicating with my brother (computer genius) over the computer on a different protocol before that.

It's interesting how we forget, and younger people have no idea, that things weren't always this way when they become pervasive so quickly. One error I've seen repeatedly is pantyhose -- younger writers, fact checkers, editors must just skip over it without realizing that they weren't commercially available until 1964. But since they were universal by 1967, anyone born after about 1955 probably never experienced anything else.

Oh Ivy - I definitely remember before pantyhose! I still remember wearing nylons with garter belts in junior high and the feel of those clasps digging into the back of my thighs. Thank heavens pantyhose came along shortly after I started wearing nylons.

I also get blank looks from my grandchildren when I describe rotary dial telephones, or how exciting it was the first time I saw a phone that was any color other than black!

It truly was awful! No wonder pantyhose caught on so quickly!

I remember when we had to go through an operator to place a call -- before the rotary dial! -- and having party lines where nosy neighbors could listen in. And yet, I find it hard to remember what it was like not to have a cell phone and that they were very new when my oldest daughter was a teenager -- I just can't imagine what it would have been like to raise teenagers without cell phones!

LOL - A student drew a photo of an "old-fashioned" phone and showed it to me today. It was a push button cordless. Pantyhose - those seem a bit out of favor now too. That's something I'd love to see called "old-fashioned" but alas, not yet.

30. Death Minus Zero by John Baker - 4 stars
Category: Following A Series



Death Minus Zero by John Baker is the second book in a series featuring Sam Turner, a PI set in York. I read the first book last year and was totally captivated. This book draws you in with its interesting setting and quirky characters.

In this outing we find Sam and his crew actually starting to believe that they can make a go of this PI business as they settle into their new offices and start to build a client base. Meanwhile in another part of England a group of terrorists break one of their own out of prison. Not part of this group, another prisoner takes advantage of the situation and makes good his escape. Norman Bunce, a true psychopath has unfinished business to attend to and it’s leading him to York. He decides the best way to track down an old girlfriend that he is planning revenge on is to hire a PI.

I have been drawn into this series and certainly plan on following it. John Baker manages to give a fresh spin on the genre and I enjoy his fast paced, well written stories. Sam Turner is a hero you can root for as he has his dark side and is always battling his alcoholism. He surrounds himself with a group of diverse and engaging people who give him their support and love. From the motherly Celia to young Geordie, along with the addition of some new characters, Sam is provided with a family. As we are about to find out, a family that Sam will protect and care for no matter the cost

The first book was added to my tbr shelves because of your enjoyment of it but I'm sad to say it still remains there. I will get to it sometime maybe even sooner now rather than later as you continue to enjoy the series and it's not just a one book wonder.

Oh good, another series with interesting characters to put on my "will I ever get to it" list ;-) Thanks for the review, DQ. I wonder if Norman Bunce is a reference to the old Dennis Franz character.

31. The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas - 5 stars
Category: American West



I totally enjoyed my trip back to 1866 and learning about the life of the pioneer woman that I met through The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas. This book was like reading a series of letters from a close friend. Through her personal journal I learned about travelling across the prairies in a covered wagon, homesteading in a bleak and barren land, living in a sod house and the trials of being cut off from family and friends.

The people who ventured away from their secure lives and tackled this adventure were truly a breed apart. From hostile Indians, severe weather conditions, back breaking labour, and assorted dangers they forged a new life and prepared a land for future generations.

Written in a straightforward, sincere manner, we are taken into the inner life of this woman and faced with her all the heartbreak she had to endure from learning she had always been second choice in her husband’s heart, to losing her babies, and growing old before her time. Yet even with all this she was able to shine through and forge a good life for herself and her family. I highly recommend The Diary of Mattie Spenser to anyone who has an interest in the westward expansion of America.

>199 DeltaQueen50: That sounds like one I would enjoy. Onto the ever-growing wish list it goes!

32. A Story Like The Wind by Laurens van der Post - 3 stars
Category: Young Adult & Chuildrens' Literature



A Story Like the Wind by Laurens van der Post is a coming of age tale about a young boy, Francois, raised on a remote farm in South Africa. This story is centered around the death of his father and his coming to terms with his loss and having to mature rather quickly.

While his mother and father leave to consult doctors, Francois and his faithful companion, his dog Hin, spent their days together. We learn of his life and experience some of his adventures. From rescuing a bushman from a lion trap to consulting a witch doctor about his father, we are given insight into how this boy thinks and feels.

Set in the late 1930’s and based on his recollections, the author is able to paint a vivid picture about growing up in Africa. Francois’ relations with the native people on the farm allow us to witness the rich oral traditions of these people. I did, however, find some of the descriptions were long winded and could become rather mind numbing, and at times, I felt the author wandered from his plot. Overall, I enjoyed this book, beautifully written but patience is definitely required.

33. The Other Side of Paradise by Margaret Mayhew - 3 1/2 stars
Category: In The Mood



This is a story of a young, rich, rather spoiled young woman as she grows up during the Japanese invasion of Malaysia. In 1940 her life is one round of tennis matches, swimming parties and dances in the beautiful city of Singapore. Her father owns a large rubber company and money is no object in her rounds of shopping and leisurely lunches. She meets a young Australian doctor who challenges her to grow up and become a responsible adult. He encourages her to become an ambulance driver.

With World War II raging, and the threat of the Japanese looming, she chooses, along with most of the British in Singapore, to ignore the warning signs and believe in the invincibility of Fortress Singapore. Of course, as we all know, Singapore and all of Malaysia did fall. Having left her escape too late, she becomes a prisoner of war and endures three and a half years in the prison camps. Here she proves to be a woman of great inner strength and courage.

The Other Side of Paradise although interesting and well written, brings nothing new to the plate in regards to the fall of Singapore and the harsh conditions the British faced but this is ultimately a love story and as such I enjoyed it very much.

>202 DeltaQueen50: - I might pick this up if I see it at the library. One of my favorite renderings of these events is the film "Paradise Road" with Glenn Close about a group of women in a POW camp. It's very brutal, but very beautiful in parts.

Oh, I remember "Paradise Road", it was very well done. If anyone is interested in reading about the women that were detained in the Japanese Prisoner of War camps I highly recommend the non-fiction book Three Came Home by Agnes Newton Keith. Also the beautifully written A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute. Both these books are excellent reads.

34. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer - 5 stars
Category: Crime/Thrillers



Blacklands by Susan Bauer is to put it simply a bloody good read. Extremely atmospheric, this original twist on a serial killer story was simple, straight forward and compelling. Part mystery, part coming-of-age story, part psychological drama, I found this book very addictive.

The story centers around Steven Lamb, an eleven year old boy, who lives with his grandmother, mother and younger brother in the village of Shipcott on the edge of Exmoor. Nineteen years ago, his Uncle Billy was taken and murdered by serial killer, pedophile Arnold Avery. Avery buried his victims on Exmoor and a few of the bodies were never recovered. Billy’s was one. Steven’s family life is bleak and he becomes fixated on the idea that if he could recover Billy’s body, his dysfunctional family would come together and be healed. After digging countless holes, he realizes the only way to get the information he needs is to write to the source. This in turn awakens a power and need in the serial killer.

The images of Exmoor that the author gives us in this book absolutely resounded in me. Never having been there, I went to Google Earth and placed myself in the area and “drove” all around. A beautiful yet isolated place that I could see a serial killer desecrating all too easily. I should mention that although this is a book about a child killer, the details given are not graphic, nonetheless still manage to chill you to the bone.

I highly recommend Blacklands. The action is gradual and builds slowly, you can see where the story is taking you, but the ride is truly arresting, and as the dread rises along with your pulse, you can buckle yourself in for a exciting climax.

34> Yikes! That one sounds like it crosses over into the psychological horror genre.

Blacklands sounds awesome! It's going on my list...

Judy: I got chills just reading your review of Blacklands, it's going on my list too!

The Other of Paradise sounds interesting, although I think the main character may bother me, sounds like a fairly good read.

Cammykitty - it's definitely a psychological read - you get inside the heads of these people. What I found most interesting is the damage this type of crime does to families, even a generation later. From the Grandmother, the mother (victim's sister) and down to the grandchildren. A child taken and never recovered isn't something easily moved on from.

Mimi & Lisa - I really liked this book - I hope you enjoy it as well.

Jules - yes, the heroine can be annoying at first. Mostly due to her pampered upbringing and lifestyle, but she goes through many life changing events and evolves.

If Blacklands weren't already on my list, your review would have put it there! Great review!

35. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Timeless Mysteries



The author of Sweet Danger and many other mysteries, Margery Allingham was first published in the late 1920’s and, of course, has been compared to Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Josephine Tey. I can definitely see why these comparisons were made, but after just one of her books I can also see a large difference as well. Sweet Danger was a delightfully strange story featuring Albert Campion and a group of his cronies. These young men appear to be of the upper class, none appear to have jobs that demand their appearance or attention so are free to follow Campion on his cases. Campion in turn, appears to be working this case for a unnamed government department.

In this particular one we are treated to many varied and assorted characters, from an innkeeper who doesn’t want any guests, a medical doctor who practices demonology and witchcraft, to a family of assorted eccentrics that both charm and intrigue. The plot is hung around a tiny kingdom in the Balkans that suddenly develops in importance as an earthquake changes it from a landlocked kingdom to a seaport. Albert Campion is intent on establishing the rightful heirs to this tiny country and is thwarted by a syndicate controlled by a rich and ruthless man.

Allingham manages to carry this far-fetched plot off with both humor and satirical observations. Her story moves quickly and builds to a rather satisfying conclusion. I was charmed by this book and look forward to reading more of Albert Campion’s adventures.

FIRST QUARTER RECAP

Books Planned to Read for Challenge: 121
Completed in 1st Quarter: 35
Balance to Read: 86

Categorie

1. Timeless Mysteries: 3/11
2. Crime & Thrillers: 4/11
3. Following A Series: 3/11
4. Non-Fiction: 3/11
5. American West: 3/11
6. Historical Fiction: 3/11
7. YA: 4/11
8. War & the Homefront: 3/11
9. Fantasy: 3/11
10. Random Recommendations: 3/11
11. In The Mood: 3/11

Right on track. My biggest surprise this year so far is how much I am enjoying the Non-Fiction category. I can see Non-fiction is going to become a regular part of my reading.

Top Reads of the First Quarter:

1. The Lies of Locke Lamorra by Scott Lynch
2. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfiield
5. The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas
6. Pretty Birds by Scott Simon
7. The Guards by Ken Bruen

You're so balanced. You've also had a great start, at least from my perspective, since you've added so many books to my wishlist and the year is yet young!

Great progress on your challenge, Judy! The biggest change in my reading caused by LT is the increase -- and more importantly, my enjoyment -- of non-fiction books.

This year I added a non-fiction category to my reading - if I continue to add a new genre every year - by the year 2015 I'll be a very varied reader!

All ready for a new quarter, my challenge continues HERE

#212 Hi Judy - Thank you for the review of Sweet Danger. I remember wathcing Peter Davison play Campion on Mystery in I think the 80's. He was upperclass and only took cases involving upperclass society. I'm going to look into Margery Allingham's mysteries. They look like fun to read.

#213 Great start to your challenge. I look forward to seeing what other books you will be reading this year. I always seem to find a new author to try when I read your reviews. :-)

Goodness knows, there's plenty of variety in what I read in terms of fiction, but you're reminding me that I need to add more non-fiction to the mix as well. Good thing there's still 9 months this year to make up for that oversight!