1clue
I've learned that a lightly structured reading plan is the best for me. I like to plan, but I'm too influenced by recommendations, reviews, and library visits to stick to it! Still, I enjoy participating in group reads and challenges so you'll see me in some of those from time to time.
My decision to participate in a group read will depend on what I have on the shelf (both literal and electronic). Whatever I have , I'll consider reading or putting in the donation box. When there is more than one available, I'll consider reading more than one. I've always thought that would be a good idea but had other commitments. The groups are:
Alpha Kit
Bingo
Historical Novel
Random Kit
Calendar Cat
Though I don't have a theme, I'll be sprinkling in pictures of native plants of my home state of Arkansas. A native plant is one that was present when Europeans arrived in North America, though they may have been lifting their heads to the sun for thousands of years before.
I plan to list what I read below. I do love a list!
My decision to participate in a group read will depend on what I have on the shelf (both literal and electronic). Whatever I have , I'll consider reading or putting in the donation box. When there is more than one available, I'll consider reading more than one. I've always thought that would be a good idea but had other commitments. The groups are:
Alpha Kit
Bingo
Historical Novel
Random Kit
Calendar Cat
Though I don't have a theme, I'll be sprinkling in pictures of native plants of my home state of Arkansas. A native plant is one that was present when Europeans arrived in North America, though they may have been lifting their heads to the sun for thousands of years before.
I plan to list what I read below. I do love a list!
2clue
Author Remindar
These are authors I either want to return to or want to begin. The list will grow, I didn't want to overwhelm myself by listing 2,000 starting out.
Mick Heron
Adrian McKinty
Ken Follett
Laura Morelli
C.J. Sansom
Thingaversary Books. Goal is to read them this year.
Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Parks by Conor Knighton
A Friend of Mr. Lincoln: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Remainders of the Day: A Bookshop Diary by Shaun Bythell
Guide To Beasts of East Africa by Drayson S Nicholas (currently reading)
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
The Leopard Is Loose: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Indian Horse: A Novel by Richard Wagamese
Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett Read February
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef
The Lost Van Gogh: A Novel by Jonathan Santlofer
My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young
The Bookseller of Inverness by S.G. MacLean
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman Read February
The Wager by David Grann
The Women by Kristin Hannah
These are authors I either want to return to or want to begin. The list will grow, I didn't want to overwhelm myself by listing 2,000 starting out.
Mick Heron
Adrian McKinty
Ken Follett
C.J. Sansom
Thingaversary Books. Goal is to read them this year.
Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Parks by Conor Knighton
A Friend of Mr. Lincoln: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Guide To Beasts of East Africa by Drayson S Nicholas (currently reading)
Indian Horse: A Novel by Richard Wagamese
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef
The Lost Van Gogh: A Novel by Jonathan Santlofer
My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young
The Bookseller of Inverness by S.G. MacLean
3clue
1. Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
2. Remainders of the Day by Shaun Bythell
3. The Wager by David Grann
4.
5. The Women by Kristin Hannah
6. Foxgloves and Hedgehog Days by Damiel Blajan
7. My Name Is Barbara by Barbara Streisand
8. Person or Persons Unknown by Bruce Anderson
9. The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli
10.
11. Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce
12. Maman's Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan
13.
14. Lucky Thirteen by Iris Hattersley
15.
16.
17. Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett
18. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agaha Christie
19. The Leopard is Loose by Stephen Harrington
20. Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
21.
22. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
23. Look For Me There by Luke Russert
24. The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
4clue
Biography/Memoir
1. My Name is Barbra by Barbara Streisand
2. Lucky Thirteen by Iris Hattersley
3. Look For Me There by Luke Russert
4. Mamans Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan
1. My Name is Barbra by Barbara Streisand
2. Lucky Thirteen by Iris Hattersley
3. Look For Me There by Luke Russert
4. Mamans Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan
5clue
General Fiction:
1. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
2. The Last Masterpiece: A Novel of World War II Italy by Laura Morelli
3. The Leopard is Loose by Stephen Harrington
4. The American by Kristen Hannah
5. The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
6. Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
7. Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
8. Dear Mrs. Bird by A. J. Pearce
1. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
2. The Last Masterpiece: A Novel of World War II Italy by Laura Morelli
3. The Leopard is Loose by Stephen Harrington
4. The American by Kristen Hannah
5. The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
6. Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
7. Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
8. Dear Mrs. Bird by A. J. Pearce
6clue
Mystery
1. Person or Persons Unknown by Bruce Alexander
2. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
3. Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennet
4. Under Orders by Dick Francis
5. Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penny
6. For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black
1. Person or Persons Unknown by Bruce Alexander
2. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
3. Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennet
4. Under Orders by Dick Francis
5. Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penny
6. For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black
8clue
Books Over 450 400 pages
I find myself skipping over these because they're big even though it's unlikely they'll get smaller.
1. My Name is Barbra by Barbara Streisand 996 pages
2. The Women by Kristin Hannah 464 pages
3. Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephaine Dray 501 pages
I find myself skipping over these because they're big even though it's unlikely they'll get smaller.
1. My Name is Barbra by Barbara Streisand 996 pages
2. The Women by Kristin Hannah 464 pages
3. Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephaine Dray 501 pages
9MissWatson
I had to smile at this: I didn't want to overwhelm myself by listing 2,000 starting out. Sometimes our ambition gets ahead of us. Happy reading!
10DeltaQueen50
I have placed my star and I am looking forward to following along. :)
12pamelad
>4 clue: Me too. I keep bypassing the longer books on my tbr pile but, as you have, I've made a category for them this year. Happy reading!
13lowelibrary
Good luck with your reading in 2024.
15mysterymax
Reading at least four BIG books is on my agenda for 2024. I'll be following along hoping you keep me inspired!
16MissBrangwen
I'm another one who has a "big books category" for 2024! I had one this year and it did help a little, but I want to focus more on this in the upcoming year. Happy reading!
17mysterymax
>16 MissBrangwen: I'm determined to get through Moby Dick this year! I've tried several times and have come away convinced that anyone who says they've read it is dreaming. Yet those that say they have all seem to really like the book. I'm going to make a real effort and if I don't make it through - that's the end of it!!!
18christina_reads
>17 mysterymax: Ironically, it is your white whale! :)
19mysterymax
>18 christina_reads: Oh, good one!
20clue
>9 MissWatson:, >10 DeltaQueen50:>, >11 mstrust:, >12 pamelad:, >13 lowelibrary: >14 Jackie_K:, >14 Jackie_K:, >15 mysterymax:, >16 MissBrangwen:, >17 mysterymax:
Thanks to all for stopping by. It looks like many of us have the Big Book syndrome, it will be fun to follow everyone as they read them. Think how much room they're taking up on the shelves!
Before I take on this heroic effort, I have to catch up on posting 2023!
Thanks to all for stopping by. It looks like many of us have the Big Book syndrome, it will be fun to follow everyone as they read them. Think how much room they're taking up on the shelves!
Before I take on this heroic effort, I have to catch up on posting 2023!
21rabbitprincess
Good luck with tackling the big books next year!
22dudes22
According to LT, I have a lot more books over 500 pages than I thought. I also have Les Miserable which is over 1,000+ pages on my e-reader. I had a plan one year to read "x" number of pages each day to finish it over a year, but that lasted less than a month. Maybe I'll try to get to at least one this year. You're really pushing a lot of us, Luanne. Hope you have a good year of reading.
23lsh63
Good luck with your reading next year, and especially with those big books! I avoid them also, I think I get impatient wanting to get to the next book.
24Jackie_K
>22 dudes22: I did that several years ago with War and Peace, although I gave myself a weekly page target rather than daily. I doubt I'd have managed it if I'd just started at page 1 without any kind of target.
26mysterymax
>22 dudes22: Where do you find the list of your books by page count?
27clue
>26 mysterymax: Go to Your Books and look at the top where the Settings are listed (A, B, etc). I use A setting but I think I added the pages column myself. You can do that by going to Settings (after A, B...) and click. It takes you to the page where you can change the columns, remove a column you don't use or add something.
30mysterymax
>27 clue: Many thanks!
31dudes22
>30 mysterymax: - Clue beat me to it. That's how you do it. I'll add that then you can click at the top of the column, and it will sort lowest to highest, or highest to lowest depending on how many times you click.
32hailelib
It's really easy to pass over the extra long books for me unless they are a favorite author.
Anyway, have some fun with your reading in the New Year.
Anyway, have some fun with your reading in the New Year.
33clue
1.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Birds)
BINGO: No
My Rating - 4.0
A good choice to begin 2024, this is a humorous and memorable little book. The story takes place in Kenya where Mr. Malik, now retired, takes part in a weekly bird-walk. It has caused him to learn alot about Kenya's birds and he always looks forward to the next week's walk. In truth he's had a longtime crush on the leader, Rose Mbikwa.
To shy Mr. Malik's dismay one day the handsome, wealthy and oh- so-sure-of-himself Harry Khan shows up for the walk. Khan was a classmate of Mr. Malik, and was his tormentor. It doesn't take long for both men to reveal they will be asking Rose to the social event of the year held by Mr. Malik's club. Other members get involved and create a bird related contest to reduce the two suitor's to one.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Birds)
BINGO: No
My Rating - 4.0
A good choice to begin 2024, this is a humorous and memorable little book. The story takes place in Kenya where Mr. Malik, now retired, takes part in a weekly bird-walk. It has caused him to learn alot about Kenya's birds and he always looks forward to the next week's walk. In truth he's had a longtime crush on the leader, Rose Mbikwa.
To shy Mr. Malik's dismay one day the handsome, wealthy and oh- so-sure-of-himself Harry Khan shows up for the walk. Khan was a classmate of Mr. Malik, and was his tormentor. It doesn't take long for both men to reveal they will be asking Rose to the social event of the year held by Mr. Malik's club. Other members get involved and create a bird related contest to reduce the two suitor's to one.
34dudes22
>33 clue: - Yikes! I took a BB for this way back in 2019. Guess I should move it up the list.
36mysterymax
Just what I didn't need... a BB... and it's only 02 Jan. Having lived in Tanzania, this is one I just can't bypass.
37Helenliz
Happy new year.
I like the prompts you've got. I, too, get easily sidetracked.
Looking forward to seeing what catches your eye this year.
I like the prompts you've got. I, too, get easily sidetracked.
Looking forward to seeing what catches your eye this year.
38JayneCM
>33 clue: >34 dudes22: Me too! I remember adding this to my to read list long ago!
40clue
>39 Tess_W: Tess, It would be a good "break" book because it's short but tells a good story.
41thornton37814
Hope you have a great year of reading! Looks like your first one was a good one.
42clue
>41 thornton37814: I always try to find something to start the year I think I'll like and this one was a good choice.
43Tess_W
>40 clue: Oh great suggestion. I'm currently reading Helen of Troy on audio and it's 22 hours. I will need a break after completing!
44beebeereads
Enjoy your reading year! I'll be following along as well.
45clue
2.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Alpha A
BINGO: Ugly Cover
My Rating - 4.0
The Sir John Fielding Mysteries are based on an actual person. Fielding was a magistrate, blind, and the founder of Bow Street Runners, the first London police force. In the series the Fielding character is all of these things, and is also the father figure for a young ward of the court, Jeremy Procter.
This is the fourth book in the series and my favorite to this point. Fielding is anxious to solve the deaths of four prostitutes. Jeremy has served as Sir John's assistant since coming to his house but here for the first time he is responsible for parts of an investigation. One that turns out to be very dangerous. Alexander has created an 18th century London setting that causes the reader to smell the stench, hear the clamour, and believe the danger of the streets.
I'm using the cover for the ugly cover Bingo square. Would it encourage you to read the book or buy it? The picture on the left I believe to be a stairway leading into a river and the one on the right is the eye of a prostitute whose eyes were cut from her body.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Alpha A
BINGO: Ugly Cover
My Rating - 4.0
The Sir John Fielding Mysteries are based on an actual person. Fielding was a magistrate, blind, and the founder of Bow Street Runners, the first London police force. In the series the Fielding character is all of these things, and is also the father figure for a young ward of the court, Jeremy Procter.
This is the fourth book in the series and my favorite to this point. Fielding is anxious to solve the deaths of four prostitutes. Jeremy has served as Sir John's assistant since coming to his house but here for the first time he is responsible for parts of an investigation. One that turns out to be very dangerous. Alexander has created an 18th century London setting that causes the reader to smell the stench, hear the clamour, and believe the danger of the streets.
I'm using the cover for the ugly cover Bingo square. Would it encourage you to read the book or buy it? The picture on the left I believe to be a stairway leading into a river and the one on the right is the eye of a prostitute whose eyes were cut from her body.
48Tess_W
>45 clue: Never read a Fielding mystery, so I put #1 on my WL. That is truly an ugly cover!
49clue
3.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Three Word Title
My Rating - 4.0
My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
(I can't get a touchstone for the book to appear)
I've been a fan since I was a young teen but didn't know Streisand didn't want to be a singer, even as a child being an actor was her goal. That was a bit of a disappointment to me because I have loved her music so much and so long, and have the original LPs to prove it!
Though it's 966 pages, the book is well organized and easy to read though not so great to hold! She writes about making each of her movies and shows in detail, and devotes entire chapters to some. She also gives a chapter to her political involvement, 25-year marriage to James Brolin, and people she has known. No gossip.
I think the book is more detailed than it needs to be, but many of her fans will probably like learning how each movie or play was planned, what changes were made, her own suggestions to improve it, etc. I have wondered if it should have been written earlier, maybe 20 years ago, because a lot of people involved in her creative efforts are no longer living and may not be known to many readers. And by the way, the next time you're in a truck stop look around, when she and James are on the road in the pickup they stop at them. She loves shopping for treats there!
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Three Word Title
My Rating - 4.0
My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
(I can't get a touchstone for the book to appear)
I've been a fan since I was a young teen but didn't know Streisand didn't want to be a singer, even as a child being an actor was her goal. That was a bit of a disappointment to me because I have loved her music so much and so long, and have the original LPs to prove it!
Though it's 966 pages, the book is well organized and easy to read though not so great to hold! She writes about making each of her movies and shows in detail, and devotes entire chapters to some. She also gives a chapter to her political involvement, 25-year marriage to James Brolin, and people she has known. No gossip.
I think the book is more detailed than it needs to be, but many of her fans will probably like learning how each movie or play was planned, what changes were made, her own suggestions to improve it, etc. I have wondered if it should have been written earlier, maybe 20 years ago, because a lot of people involved in her creative efforts are no longer living and may not be known to many readers. And by the way, the next time you're in a truck stop look around, when she and James are on the road in the pickup they stop at them. She loves shopping for treats there!
50clue
4.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Friendship
My Rating - 3.5
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman 3.5*
In the fourth book in A Thursday Murder Club Mystery series it seems Osman may be preparing for the longevity of the series. Elizabeth, the informal leader of the group, is not the planner in solving this crime, instead Joyce comes into her own and uses what she has learned from Elizabeth to be the leader.
The mystery revolves around the murder of an antique dealer and a missing shipment of heroin in an antiquarian box. There are several new characters although most didn't survive the plot, but there is one in particular that may be carried forward as a member of the group. I think the story was a little cluttered but still fun.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Friendship
My Rating - 3.5
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman 3.5*
In the fourth book in A Thursday Murder Club Mystery series it seems Osman may be preparing for the longevity of the series. Elizabeth, the informal leader of the group, is not the planner in solving this crime, instead Joyce comes into her own and uses what she has learned from Elizabeth to be the leader.
The mystery revolves around the murder of an antique dealer and a missing shipment of heroin in an antiquarian box. There are several new characters although most didn't survive the plot, but there is one in particular that may be carried forward as a member of the group. I think the story was a little cluttered but still fun.
51clue
5.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT :
BINGO:
My Rating - 3.0
Lucky Thirteen by Iris hatteersley
A memoir that covers the authors life from her birth through the age of 78. A large part of her work life was with the U.S. Marshal's service. Unfortunately I didn't find it very interesting and the writing could use some improvement.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT :
BINGO:
My Rating - 3.0
Lucky Thirteen by Iris hatteersley
A memoir that covers the authors life from her birth through the age of 78. A large part of her work life was with the U.S. Marshal's service. Unfortunately I didn't find it very interesting and the writing could use some improvement.
52clue
>21 rabbitprincess:,>23 lsh63:,>24 Jackie_K:,>25 Tess_W:,>26 mysterymax:,>28 hailelib:, >29 VivienneR:,>32 hailelib:
We all seem to have a Big Book problem. I was determined to get one off the shelf in January and it's done. I read the last one to come to the shelf, 996 pages. I don't think I'll read one next month but we'll see.
We all seem to have a Big Book problem. I was determined to get one off the shelf in January and it's done. I read the last one to come to the shelf, 996 pages. I don't think I'll read one next month but we'll see.
53VivienneR
>45 clue: Even with that horrid cover, I really enjoyed Person or Persons Unknown.
>52 clue: I have planned a couple of Big Books this month. We'll see how that works out in this little month.
>52 clue: I have planned a couple of Big Books this month. We'll see how that works out in this little month.
54clue
FEBRUARY
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO:
My Rating - 3.0
6. Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennet
This is the 3rd book in the enjoyable Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series. In this case the Royal family is beginning to gather at Sandringham for their annual family Christmas celebration. Before Christmas Day arrives however, the finding of a severed hand occurs very near Sandringham. At the Queen's request her assistant shows her a photograph of the hand and the Queen recognizes the signet ring the the hand is wearing.
Though this is a good mystery, I was somewhat disappointed in this one because the Queen becomes more involved in the investigation. In the previous two books she and her assistant work together piecing evidence together but the Queen stays in the background while the assistant does the leg work.
.
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO:
My Rating - 3.0
6. Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennet
This is the 3rd book in the enjoyable Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series. In this case the Royal family is beginning to gather at Sandringham for their annual family Christmas celebration. Before Christmas Day arrives however, the finding of a severed hand occurs very near Sandringham. At the Queen's request her assistant shows her a photograph of the hand and the Queen recognizes the signet ring the the hand is wearing.
Though this is a good mystery, I was somewhat disappointed in this one because the Queen becomes more involved in the investigation. In the previous two books she and her assistant work together piecing evidence together but the Queen stays in the background while the assistant does the leg work.
.
63clue
I joined Library Thing Feb 12, 2007, 17 years ago! I always look forward to Thingaversary because I make a game/project out of it. Each year for each book I read from my own library I put $3 in my mother's beautiful old teapot (I started years ago with $1). Last year I read 42 of my own. I certainly wouldn't be able to buy 17 new books at once so this works for me and allows me to continue to participate. When I started in Thingaversary I'm sure I never thought I'd be here 17 years...and more!
I start looking for cheap books both digital and paper around November and buy a few BBs, a few wishlist, etc. as I find them. This is lots of fun to me but that's just half of the project. The other half is to donate the same number of books I buy. They usually go to the library. I haven't done that yet but I have a few set aside.
Here's the list from my library and I count 15 so I must have 2 I haven't posted yet or I have a problem with my copy/paste. I'll be adding them to the list when I find the problem.
Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Parks by Conor Knighton
A Friend of Mr. Lincoln: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Remainders of the Day: A Bookshop Diary by Shaun Bythell
Guide To Beasts of East Africa by Drayson S Nicholas (currently reading)
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
The Leopard Is Loose: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Indian Horse: A Novel by Richard Wagamese
Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett (read)
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef
The Lost Van Gogh: A Novel by Jonathan Santlofer
My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young
The Bookseller of Inverness by S.G. MacLean
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman Read
The Wager by David Grann
I start looking for cheap books both digital and paper around November and buy a few BBs, a few wishlist, etc. as I find them. This is lots of fun to me but that's just half of the project. The other half is to donate the same number of books I buy. They usually go to the library. I haven't done that yet but I have a few set aside.
Here's the list from my library and I count 15 so I must have 2 I haven't posted yet or I have a problem with my copy/paste. I'll be adding them to the list when I find the problem.
Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Parks by Conor Knighton
A Friend of Mr. Lincoln: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Remainders of the Day: A Bookshop Diary by Shaun Bythell
Guide To Beasts of East Africa by Drayson S Nicholas (currently reading)
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
The Leopard Is Loose: A novel by Stephen Harrigan
Indian Horse: A Novel by Richard Wagamese
Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett (read)
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef
The Lost Van Gogh: A Novel by Jonathan Santlofer
My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young
The Bookseller of Inverness by S.G. MacLean
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman Read
The Wager by David Grann
64MissWatson
Happy Thingaversary! Enjoy your haul!
65rabbitprincess
>63 clue: That's a great way to celebrate your thingaversary! And some good books on that list. I've read the Wagamese, Osman, Grann, and Bythell. I want to read the Wassef so will be interested to hear what you think.
67lowelibrary
>58 clue: Great book choices. Happy Thingaversary
69clue
>63 clue: Really? This message showed up a total of 7 times?? All I was doing was cut and paste but my internet service was having some problems and I didn't think the message was going to show as it went up and down. It seems clear my reposting was unnecessary now! If you know anyone who has a hard time remembering what they read, just sent them here!
70clue
>65 rabbitprincess: I have a hard time walking away from books written by booksellers. I didn't know he had a new one out until I stumbled across it.
>66 MissBrangwen: I hope you enjoy that one, I really like the characters, especially her assistant.
>67 lowelibrary:, >68 mstrust: Thanks, my optimistic plan is to read 2 a month. Don't hold me to that though!
>66 MissBrangwen: I hope you enjoy that one, I really like the characters, especially her assistant.
>67 lowelibrary:, >68 mstrust: Thanks, my optimistic plan is to read 2 a month. Don't hold me to that though!
71thornton37814
I need to begin focusing on my Thingaversary haul which is coming up in about 6 weeks or so. I'm glad you found some good ones. It can be pricy for those of us who have been on LT a long time if we don't look for free and bargain books. I will purchase one pricy reference book I need for genealogy.
72clue
>71 thornton37814: I hope you have fun choosing!
73christina_reads
Happy Thingaversary! I love the idea of setting aside some money for each book you read from your shelves. I may try to do something similar, and save up the money for something special!
74clue
>73 christina_reads: The trick is to remember you have it. I didn't have Covid but I did have serious brain fog and totally forgot about book savings for some reason I can't explain. When I was dusting the teapot much later I opened it up and there was money! I suppose that's one positive about growing older, you have some good surprises!
75VivienneR
Happy Thingaversary! Great haul of books. I love the unique ways we long-time LTers have to celebrate.
76DeltaQueen50
A very happy Thingaversary!
77clue
Thanks to everyone for the Thingversary good wishes, I look forward to it every year.
>71 thornton37814: Yes, part of the fun for me is to get books I actually want at a reduced price at Thingaversary. As you well know new book prices have risen. However, the new Barbara Streisand biography was priced at $42 I think it was, but everywhere I saw it for sale there was a reduced price of about $10. My neighbor gave me a copy of Kristin Hannah's new book The Women and the retail price was $30 but the actual selling price was $17.98 (Amazon is $19.19). This is apparently new strategy in publishing, at least for some novels.
>71 thornton37814: Yes, part of the fun for me is to get books I actually want at a reduced price at Thingaversary. As you well know new book prices have risen. However, the new Barbara Streisand biography was priced at $42 I think it was, but everywhere I saw it for sale there was a reduced price of about $10. My neighbor gave me a copy of Kristin Hannah's new book The Women and the retail price was $30 but the actual selling price was $17.98 (Amazon is $19.19). This is apparently new strategy in publishing, at least for some novels.
78clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Three Word Title
My Rating - 4.0
7. The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli
The author is an American art historian who has written this book based on women who became involved in saving thousands of priceless masterpieces from destruction during WWII. Most of the book takes place in Florence, Italy where treasured art in the Uffizi Galleries needed removal and relocation. The two primary women characters, a German photographer and an American stenographer, risked their lives recording each piece and where it was taken, sometimes traveling with the treasures.
Altough I knew about the effort to save art during the war, I was not aware that women were involved or that the effort was so very large and dangerous. Shortly after I finished reading, my local newspaper carried a front page syndicated article on the unacknowledged contributions women had made to this massive effort. It's acknowledgement long, long overdue.
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Three Word Title
My Rating - 4.0
7. The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli
The author is an American art historian who has written this book based on women who became involved in saving thousands of priceless masterpieces from destruction during WWII. Most of the book takes place in Florence, Italy where treasured art in the Uffizi Galleries needed removal and relocation. The two primary women characters, a German photographer and an American stenographer, risked their lives recording each piece and where it was taken, sometimes traveling with the treasures.
Altough I knew about the effort to save art during the war, I was not aware that women were involved or that the effort was so very large and dangerous. Shortly after I finished reading, my local newspaper carried a front page syndicated article on the unacknowledged contributions women had made to this massive effort. It's acknowledgement long, long overdue.
79clue
Origin - Library
CAT/KIT :
BINGO:
My Rating - 4.0
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
I've been meaning to read this for years and I'm so glad I finally got to it. I've only read a few Poirot titles and I think it is certainly the best of those. Many readers who have read more than I often remark that it is one of her best and perhaps the best. The story is intriguing and twists and turns keep the reader involved. Poirot comes out of retirement for this one and his new assistant is the doctor in the village where he now lives. And no, I didn't know what was coming!
CAT/KIT :
BINGO:
My Rating - 4.0
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
I've been meaning to read this for years and I'm so glad I finally got to it. I've only read a few Poirot titles and I think it is certainly the best of those. Many readers who have read more than I often remark that it is one of her best and perhaps the best. The story is intriguing and twists and turns keep the reader involved. Poirot comes out of retirement for this one and his new assistant is the doctor in the village where he now lives. And no, I didn't know what was coming!
81clue
>80 dudes22: I liked it and learned from it. There are times when the rescurers were moving from place to place that I got confused, but other than that I don't have any complaints.
83clue
Origin - Library
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Multiple Countries
My Rating - 3.5
Look For Me There by Luke Russert
This book is difficult for me to write about because the author didn't write what I expected to read. He is the son of Tim Russert the immensely popular and successful television journalist. I had read Tim's book about his father, Big Russ and Me, and thought Luke's book would be in the same vein. Instead Luke's book is not about his father, but about his father's unexpected death and the effect of it on his only child.
At the time of Tim's death Luke, who had worked 8 years for NBC News, was a young star in the world of network journalism himself, so it was a surprise and a symptom of a downward spiral when he walked away from that envious life. Hoping to help her son find his feet, his mother suggested he might take a trip. He decided to do that, and took off on a travel odyssey that spanned 3.5 years and covered more than 60 countries!
At first I found Luke hard to like. It's obvious by his remarks that he knows he is very privileged, but he dosen't seem to truly understand the meaning of that. Many readers have commented that he is whiney and an unjustified complainer. Well, sometimes he did come across that way to me too and I had to push myself to read on. In the end, I wasn't sorry I finished it. Another complaint I've read in comments about the book is that he was constantly mentioning his Catholicism, but I think his faith is an integral part of him, and I never considered him preachy or offending.
After Luke made what he thought would be the last trip, he moved to San Francisco where his mother's family had a home and where he decided to stay and write this book. Once started though, he decided he needed one more trip! This time to the Holy Land. Off he went on what became a very meaningful experience and combined with counseling, brought him around to laying down the burden of his father's legacy, giving him the freedom to follow his own path. That path will likely lead to more travel experiences culminating in writing about them. The chapters in this book about various countries he visited were interesting and I'll look for his next one and give it a try whenever that may be.
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Multiple Countries
My Rating - 3.5
Look For Me There by Luke Russert
This book is difficult for me to write about because the author didn't write what I expected to read. He is the son of Tim Russert the immensely popular and successful television journalist. I had read Tim's book about his father, Big Russ and Me, and thought Luke's book would be in the same vein. Instead Luke's book is not about his father, but about his father's unexpected death and the effect of it on his only child.
At the time of Tim's death Luke, who had worked 8 years for NBC News, was a young star in the world of network journalism himself, so it was a surprise and a symptom of a downward spiral when he walked away from that envious life. Hoping to help her son find his feet, his mother suggested he might take a trip. He decided to do that, and took off on a travel odyssey that spanned 3.5 years and covered more than 60 countries!
At first I found Luke hard to like. It's obvious by his remarks that he knows he is very privileged, but he dosen't seem to truly understand the meaning of that. Many readers have commented that he is whiney and an unjustified complainer. Well, sometimes he did come across that way to me too and I had to push myself to read on. In the end, I wasn't sorry I finished it. Another complaint I've read in comments about the book is that he was constantly mentioning his Catholicism, but I think his faith is an integral part of him, and I never considered him preachy or offending.
After Luke made what he thought would be the last trip, he moved to San Francisco where his mother's family had a home and where he decided to stay and write this book. Once started though, he decided he needed one more trip! This time to the Holy Land. Off he went on what became a very meaningful experience and combined with counseling, brought him around to laying down the burden of his father's legacy, giving him the freedom to follow his own path. That path will likely lead to more travel experiences culminating in writing about them. The chapters in this book about various countries he visited were interesting and I'll look for his next one and give it a try whenever that may be.
84Helenliz
Love the incentive to read and collect money for your thingaversary.
Mine falls near my birthday, so I use that as an excuse to buy a pile of books. I will admit to not buying as many as I've been here. I've got more than enough unread already!
Mine falls near my birthday, so I use that as an excuse to buy a pile of books. I will admit to not buying as many as I've been here. I've got more than enough unread already!
85clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Random Cat, Calendar Cat
BINGO: City (Oklahoma City)
My Rating - 3.0
8. The Leopard is Loose by Stephen Harrigan
Grady McClarty, 70, is asked by the Oklahoma Historical Society for an oral account of the escape of a leopard from the Oklahoma City zoo in the 1950s. Instead McClarty writes a remeniscence, as if he were telling the story as the five year old he was when the escape took place.
Grady, his six year old brother Danny, his mother, and two uncles all lived in seperate apartments adjacent to his grandparents house. The reminiscence is not just about the wild animal's escape and the terror it caused within the city, but also about his family members attempts to put the war years and experiences behind them, and learn how to continue toward the lives they once expected before grief, psycholgical scars, and recognition of racial injustice became part of them.
This quiet book will appeal most to those who like the 1950s time setting. The family does a lot together including going to church, eating together, and the uncles take the boys to the zoo every Sunday afternoon. There is a romance for the boy's mom but it's quietly done. There were times I was a little frustrated by areas that seemed to drag and occassionally the 5 year old voice seemed older. I thought descriptions of the time were good and believe me, the description of young men piled into the beds of pickup trucks with rifles in all hands for leopard hunting was very believable as was most behavior.
CAT/KIT : Random Cat, Calendar Cat
BINGO: City (Oklahoma City)
My Rating - 3.0
8. The Leopard is Loose by Stephen Harrigan
Grady McClarty, 70, is asked by the Oklahoma Historical Society for an oral account of the escape of a leopard from the Oklahoma City zoo in the 1950s. Instead McClarty writes a remeniscence, as if he were telling the story as the five year old he was when the escape took place.
Grady, his six year old brother Danny, his mother, and two uncles all lived in seperate apartments adjacent to his grandparents house. The reminiscence is not just about the wild animal's escape and the terror it caused within the city, but also about his family members attempts to put the war years and experiences behind them, and learn how to continue toward the lives they once expected before grief, psycholgical scars, and recognition of racial injustice became part of them.
This quiet book will appeal most to those who like the 1950s time setting. The family does a lot together including going to church, eating together, and the uncles take the boys to the zoo every Sunday afternoon. There is a romance for the boy's mom but it's quietly done. There were times I was a little frustrated by areas that seemed to drag and occassionally the 5 year old voice seemed older. I thought descriptions of the time were good and believe me, the description of young men piled into the beds of pickup trucks with rifles in all hands for leopard hunting was very believable as was most behavior.
86DeltaQueen50
I am putting The Leopard is Loose on my Kindle Unlimited list, I have read The Gates of the Alamo by him a number of years ago and really liked it.
87clue
>86 DeltaQueen50: I hope you like it when you get to it. This is the only book by him I've read but I'll read more. I've got Remember Ben Clayton in the TBR but by reviews I'd say the Alamo book is his most popular. Years ago I used to read his pieces in Texas Monthly magazine.
88clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Alpha H
BINGO: Bestseller
My Rating - 3.5
Other: Big Book 464 pages
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The author brings much deserved attention to the women who served in the VietNam war in this novel. The plot addresses both Frankie's war experience and her experience after returning to the U.S.
She is a young and inexperienced nurse when she arrives in Nam, but she builds skills quickly in an Evacuation hospital where the wounded are first brought. I thought this part of the book was very well done and was compelled to keep reading once I started.
I wasn't as engaged with the second part. The intention of the author was to show how difficult it was for vets to assimilate back into their own country, but in my opinon it wasn't written with the depth to cause the reader to feel the pain. As you can see I'm rating a little lower than most because of that.
I'm a few years younger than Frankie and I'm sure many LT readers are around that same age. We don't need the reminder, but I'd like for younger readers to get an accurate understanding of what so many of those vets, female or male, and their families lived through, or tried to.
CAT/KIT : Alpha H
BINGO: Bestseller
My Rating - 3.5
Other: Big Book 464 pages
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The author brings much deserved attention to the women who served in the VietNam war in this novel. The plot addresses both Frankie's war experience and her experience after returning to the U.S.
She is a young and inexperienced nurse when she arrives in Nam, but she builds skills quickly in an Evacuation hospital where the wounded are first brought. I thought this part of the book was very well done and was compelled to keep reading once I started.
I wasn't as engaged with the second part. The intention of the author was to show how difficult it was for vets to assimilate back into their own country, but in my opinon it wasn't written with the depth to cause the reader to feel the pain. As you can see I'm rating a little lower than most because of that.
I'm a few years younger than Frankie and I'm sure many LT readers are around that same age. We don't need the reminder, but I'd like for younger readers to get an accurate understanding of what so many of those vets, female or male, and their families lived through, or tried to.
89thornton37814
>88 clue: I have a good friend locally who served as a nurse in the Vietnam War. I wonder if she's read the book and what she thinks of it.
90clue
>89 thornton37814: Yes, that would be very interesting to know. I know two women who served in VietNam but neither were nurses.
91clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Alpha R
BINGO:
My Rating - 4.0
Other:
8. Coronation Year byJennifer Robson
I enjoyed this very much. It begins in January, 1953 and ends in November of the same year. It follows the lives of a small hotel owner in London, her boaders and guests. The hotel hasn't done well since the war began and Edie, who inherited the hotel as a young adult after the war, is struggling to keep it open. When she learns the Queen's coronation procession will pass The Blue Lion, owned by her family since the 17th century, she is estatic, knowing it may be her last chance to save her beloved home.
A good story, with engaging characters, it's one of those books that's especially good when its time to rest, relax and read.
CAT/KIT : Alpha R
BINGO:
My Rating - 4.0
Other:
8. Coronation Year byJennifer Robson
I enjoyed this very much. It begins in January, 1953 and ends in November of the same year. It follows the lives of a small hotel owner in London, her boaders and guests. The hotel hasn't done well since the war began and Edie, who inherited the hotel as a young adult after the war, is struggling to keep it open. When she learns the Queen's coronation procession will pass The Blue Lion, owned by her family since the 17th century, she is estatic, knowing it may be her last chance to save her beloved home.
A good story, with engaging characters, it's one of those books that's especially good when its time to rest, relax and read.
92VivienneR
>88 clue: I have that on my library list but there is such a long list of holds that it will be a long time before it's available.
93clue
>92 VivienneR: I was the same way, I think I was number 83 when a friend called and asked me if I wanted her copy. I'm going to take it to book club and let them pass it around too. There has been a lot in the news about the first edition being 1 million copies!
94hailelib
>88 clue: I have put in on my library list but don’t expect it to be available anytime soon.
95clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Food, Cooking
My Rating - 3.5
Other: Reread
9. Maman's Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan
This book is a reread from 2017. My original comments and rating still stand:
After reading Bijan's first novel The Last Days of Café Leila, I looked forward to her earlier memoir and have not been disappointed. Bijan's family was on vacation in Spain when they got the call saying it wasn't safe for them to return to Iran. In 1978 they left Spain and came to America, settling in California.
Starting over, particularly when it wasn't expected, was difficult for Bijan's parents especially her father. He was not fluent in English and was never able to pass the exams necessary for an American medical license. Her mother, fluent in English, was able to begin nursing in a hospital quickly. Eventually her father would return to Iran periodically to work. Because her mother had been active in politics it wasn't safe for her to return.
Not surprisingly Bijan's father's dream for her was a career in medicine. She tried but soon found it wasn't for her. Instead, greatly disappointing her father, she became a Cordon Bleu trained chef, studying under the famed Madame Brassart in Paris. After returning to California she worked in several restuarants, eventually opening her own award-winning bistro.
Bijan writes with great passion causing the reader to care about her and her family. At the end of each chapter she includes Iranian and Iranian/American recipes, some of them her mother's.
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Food, Cooking
My Rating - 3.5
Other: Reread
9. Maman's Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan
This book is a reread from 2017. My original comments and rating still stand:
After reading Bijan's first novel The Last Days of Café Leila, I looked forward to her earlier memoir and have not been disappointed. Bijan's family was on vacation in Spain when they got the call saying it wasn't safe for them to return to Iran. In 1978 they left Spain and came to America, settling in California.
Starting over, particularly when it wasn't expected, was difficult for Bijan's parents especially her father. He was not fluent in English and was never able to pass the exams necessary for an American medical license. Her mother, fluent in English, was able to begin nursing in a hospital quickly. Eventually her father would return to Iran periodically to work. Because her mother had been active in politics it wasn't safe for her to return.
Not surprisingly Bijan's father's dream for her was a career in medicine. She tried but soon found it wasn't for her. Instead, greatly disappointing her father, she became a Cordon Bleu trained chef, studying under the famed Madame Brassart in Paris. After returning to California she worked in several restuarants, eventually opening her own award-winning bistro.
Bijan writes with great passion causing the reader to care about her and her family. At the end of each chapter she includes Iranian and Iranian/American recipes, some of them her mother's.
97clue
>96 MissBrangwen: I've read three of her books and this is my favorite although I did like The Gown. The other one I don't remember very well.
98clue
Origin - Library
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Published in '24
My Rating - 4.0
Other:
10. The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan (This is a new book and apparently isn't in touchstones yet)
Based on an actual event during WWII, Ryan has written about the relocation of a bombed library to the safety of the underground. It's here that people gather every night and Juliet Lansdown, the library's new deputy director, wants to help lift spirits by offering good books to read and by keeping their neighberhood library open. Once they are up and running the uses for the library grow. The characters, both library staff, and those from the neighborhood, are well done and have varied backgrounds and circumstances.
Very enjoyable!
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Published in '24
My Rating - 4.0
Other:
10. The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan (This is a new book and apparently isn't in touchstones yet)
Based on an actual event during WWII, Ryan has written about the relocation of a bombed library to the safety of the underground. It's here that people gather every night and Juliet Lansdown, the library's new deputy director, wants to help lift spirits by offering good books to read and by keeping their neighberhood library open. Once they are up and running the uses for the library grow. The characters, both library staff, and those from the neighborhood, are well done and have varied backgrounds and circumstances.
Very enjoyable!
99clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Water
My Rating - 4
Other: Book club
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
The Wager, purchased by the Royal Navy in 1740, shipwrecked over 280 years ago during war with Spain. Grann spent six years researching the Wager's history including traveling to the island where the tragedy took place. But as the title tells us, there is far more to the story than a ship going aground. Grann recounts all of the events, those caused by nature and those caused by men, step-by-step making the eventful story easy to follow.
According to several internet sources, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio acquired film rights to the book in 2022.
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Water
My Rating - 4
Other: Book club
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
The Wager, purchased by the Royal Navy in 1740, shipwrecked over 280 years ago during war with Spain. Grann spent six years researching the Wager's history including traveling to the island where the tragedy took place. But as the title tells us, there is far more to the story than a ship going aground. Grann recounts all of the events, those caused by nature and those caused by men, step-by-step making the eventful story easy to follow.
According to several internet sources, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio acquired film rights to the book in 2022.
100thornton37814
>99 clue: I held that one in my hand this week as we transferred it from the leased books section to the general stacks. I might eventually get around to reading it, but I don't know. There are so many books and so little time.
101mstrust
I want to read that one. I don't know if the events come close to The Batavia, another infamous shipwreck/murder case, but I love a good shipwreck story.
102clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Art)
BINGO: Warrior
My Rating - 4.5
Other:
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
Shortly after WWI Lamar Clayton, a well known West Texas rancher, contacts the famous sculptor "Gill" Gilheaney about the possibility of a sculpture of his son who was killed in France during the war. When the two men meet they don't like each other but the job is offered to Gilheaney and he accepts.
The truth is that both men are searching for more than they admit of this piece of art. Gilheaney recently learned the best of his public sculptures had been damaged beyound repair during a riot. In his sixties, he knows he has limited time to find a suitable subject that can be as meaningful as the sculpture that once defined his career.
Clayton and his son Ben had developed a contentious relationship causing Ben to enlist. Clayton didn't see him off when he boarded the train that would take him to his death nor did he talk to him the night before. Because the opportunity to talk will never come, he wants the piece to convey all that should have been said about and to his boy.
This story is powerful, complex, and emotional, with other characters helping explain the weaknesses and behaviors of both men. It isn't always easy to read, particularly those pages telling about Ben's death, and while there is no happy ending tied up with string, the ending is satisfying. The book won both the Spur Award and the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Novel of 2012.
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Art)
BINGO: Warrior
My Rating - 4.5
Other:
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
Shortly after WWI Lamar Clayton, a well known West Texas rancher, contacts the famous sculptor "Gill" Gilheaney about the possibility of a sculpture of his son who was killed in France during the war. When the two men meet they don't like each other but the job is offered to Gilheaney and he accepts.
The truth is that both men are searching for more than they admit of this piece of art. Gilheaney recently learned the best of his public sculptures had been damaged beyound repair during a riot. In his sixties, he knows he has limited time to find a suitable subject that can be as meaningful as the sculpture that once defined his career.
Clayton and his son Ben had developed a contentious relationship causing Ben to enlist. Clayton didn't see him off when he boarded the train that would take him to his death nor did he talk to him the night before. Because the opportunity to talk will never come, he wants the piece to convey all that should have been said about and to his boy.
This story is powerful, complex, and emotional, with other characters helping explain the weaknesses and behaviors of both men. It isn't always easy to read, particularly those pages telling about Ben's death, and while there is no happy ending tied up with string, the ending is satisfying. The book won both the Spur Award and the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Novel of 2012.
103clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Garden Visitors)
BINGO: No
My Rating - 4.5
Other:
Foxgloves and Hedgehog Days by Daniel Blajan 4.5*
This small memoir gives a lot of pleasure. The author moved from the city to a small country village and tells of his delight (mostly) beginning a garden and becoming familar with the wildlife. He loves all of it, even if whatever is growing or visiting his home is considered a pest by other gardeners. He occassionally writes something that is laugh-out-loud funny. This is one of the most enjoyable "my life in a garden" books I've read.
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Garden Visitors)
BINGO: No
My Rating - 4.5
Other:
Foxgloves and Hedgehog Days by Daniel Blajan 4.5*
This small memoir gives a lot of pleasure. The author moved from the city to a small country village and tells of his delight (mostly) beginning a garden and becoming familar with the wildlife. He loves all of it, even if whatever is growing or visiting his home is considered a pest by other gardeners. He occassionally writes something that is laugh-out-loud funny. This is one of the most enjoyable "my life in a garden" books I've read.
104clue
Origin - Shelf (Read for Rosalita)
CAT/KIT : Calendar CAT (Derby)
BINGO: No
My Rating - 3.0
Under Orders by Dick Francis
A mystery revolving around he death of a jockey. Like most of his books, I enjoy reading them but don't always remember them clearly. I find them relaxing.
CAT/KIT : Calendar CAT (Derby)
BINGO: No
My Rating - 3.0
Under Orders by Dick Francis
A mystery revolving around he death of a jockey. Like most of his books, I enjoy reading them but don't always remember them clearly. I find them relaxing.
106clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Diary
My Rating - 3.5
Remainder of the Day by Shaun Bythell
Shaun Bythell is a bookstore owner in a small town in Scotland and this is his diary of 2016. The bookshop diaries (this is the second) are kept for each business day in the year. He includes how many online orders were received, how many of those could be found, what the till was for the day, and how many customers came into the store. We also get stories about unusual customers, particular books, and of visits he makes to the homes of people wanting to sell libraries. Less interesting to me are comments about his friends and outside activities.
The first diary recorded the previous year so having read them both I like knowing how this likeable fellow is getting on. In the Epilogue he catches us up with personal changes but one change he doesn't mention, though is evident, is his financial situation is much better after publishing 4 bestselling books! Good for him!
CAT/KIT :
BINGO: Diary
My Rating - 3.5
Remainder of the Day by Shaun Bythell
Shaun Bythell is a bookstore owner in a small town in Scotland and this is his diary of 2016. The bookshop diaries (this is the second) are kept for each business day in the year. He includes how many online orders were received, how many of those could be found, what the till was for the day, and how many customers came into the store. We also get stories about unusual customers, particular books, and of visits he makes to the homes of people wanting to sell libraries. Less interesting to me are comments about his friends and outside activities.
The first diary recorded the previous year so having read them both I like knowing how this likeable fellow is getting on. In the Epilogue he catches us up with personal changes but one change he doesn't mention, though is evident, is his financial situation is much better after publishing 4 bestselling books! Good for him!
107KeithChaffee
>105 clue: Like most of his books, I enjoy reading them but don't always remember them clearly. I find them relaxing.
Oh, I think that's the point for some highly prolific series authors (including some who I enjoy very much). The individual stories aren't supposed to be too memorable or distinctive; they're just meant to return you to the same comfortable style and milieu that you've enjoyed before. And if that mild, vague sameness means that the books are more easily re-readable because you can never quite remember if you read this one already or not, well, what author would complain about that?
Oh, I think that's the point for some highly prolific series authors (including some who I enjoy very much). The individual stories aren't supposed to be too memorable or distinctive; they're just meant to return you to the same comfortable style and milieu that you've enjoyed before. And if that mild, vague sameness means that the books are more easily re-readable because you can never quite remember if you read this one already or not, well, what author would complain about that?
108clue
>107 KeithChaffee: Agreed. There's a lot to be said for a book that brings comfort and a break from the real world few hours.
109clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: No
My Rating - 4.0
Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray
This is a novelization of the remarkable life of Francis Perkins (1880-1965). In early adulthood, after witnessing the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company where 146 people died, she lead the charge for safer working conditions in factories and later for the establishment of a minimum wage. After decades of successful advocacy she served as the Secretary of Labor under President Roosevelt, becoming the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet where she developed a plan for Social Security, and many other important programs and policies, many still in place.
The author wrote that Perkins left behind a large number of papers regarding her business life but very little about her personal life. That was Dray's impetus for writing this 500 page novel. While the basics are known about her marriage and motherhood, Dray has imagined the conflicts and challenges between her work and family life.
I was aware of Francis Perkins and some of her accomplishments but learned more by reading this. Although its a long book I think it was worth my time. To me the writing isn't up to the standard Dray has set in her earlier books I have read. It particulary fell short when she was writing about the family life. The father and daughter were closer to being props to the story than people Francis loved.
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: No
My Rating - 4.0
Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray
This is a novelization of the remarkable life of Francis Perkins (1880-1965). In early adulthood, after witnessing the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company where 146 people died, she lead the charge for safer working conditions in factories and later for the establishment of a minimum wage. After decades of successful advocacy she served as the Secretary of Labor under President Roosevelt, becoming the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet where she developed a plan for Social Security, and many other important programs and policies, many still in place.
The author wrote that Perkins left behind a large number of papers regarding her business life but very little about her personal life. That was Dray's impetus for writing this 500 page novel. While the basics are known about her marriage and motherhood, Dray has imagined the conflicts and challenges between her work and family life.
I was aware of Francis Perkins and some of her accomplishments but learned more by reading this. Although its a long book I think it was worth my time. To me the writing isn't up to the standard Dray has set in her earlier books I have read. It particulary fell short when she was writing about the family life. The father and daughter were closer to being props to the story than people Francis loved.
110clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : Alpha P
BINGO: No
My Rating - 3.5
Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney
Molly and her mother are asked by Aunt Violet to come to England to help with the family bookshop. Once they get involved, Molly has some good ideas to bring more customers into the store. The first author appearance she plans does that very thing, but ends up tragically when a woman Voilet knows is found dead in the back garden and she becomes a suspect.
All of the elements we expect from a cozy mystery are here and although the plot is predictable, I liked it enough to continue with the second book in this series.
CAT/KIT : Alpha P
BINGO: No
My Rating - 3.5
Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney
Molly and her mother are asked by Aunt Violet to come to England to help with the family bookshop. Once they get involved, Molly has some good ideas to bring more customers into the store. The first author appearance she plans does that very thing, but ends up tragically when a woman Voilet knows is found dead in the back garden and she becomes a suspect.
All of the elements we expect from a cozy mystery are here and although the plot is predictable, I liked it enough to continue with the second book in this series.
112clue
Origin - Shelf
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Warrior
My Rating - 4.5
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
In 1920 Lamar Clayton, a well known West Texas rancher, contacts the famous sculptor "Gill" Gilheaney about the possibility of a sculpture of his son who was killed in France during WWI. When the two men meet they don't like each other but the job is offered to Gilheaney and he accepts.
The truth is that both men are searching for more than they admit of this piece of art. Gilheaney recently learned the best of his public sculptures had been damaged beyound repair during a riot. In his sixties with arthritic hands he knows he has limited time to find a suitable subject that can be as meaningful as the sculpture that once defined his career.
Clayton and his son Ben had developed a contentious relationship causing Ben to enlist. Clayton didn't see him off when he boarded the train that would take him to his death nor did he talk to him the night before. Because the opportunity to talk will never come, he wants the piece to convey all that should have been said about and to his boy.
This story is powerful, complex, and poignant with other characters helping explain the weaknesses and behaviors of both men. It isn't always easy to read, particularly those pages telling about Ben's death, and while there is no happy ending there is one that feels right. The book won both the Spur Award and the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Novel of 2012.
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO: Warrior
My Rating - 4.5
Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan
In 1920 Lamar Clayton, a well known West Texas rancher, contacts the famous sculptor "Gill" Gilheaney about the possibility of a sculpture of his son who was killed in France during WWI. When the two men meet they don't like each other but the job is offered to Gilheaney and he accepts.
The truth is that both men are searching for more than they admit of this piece of art. Gilheaney recently learned the best of his public sculptures had been damaged beyound repair during a riot. In his sixties with arthritic hands he knows he has limited time to find a suitable subject that can be as meaningful as the sculpture that once defined his career.
Clayton and his son Ben had developed a contentious relationship causing Ben to enlist. Clayton didn't see him off when he boarded the train that would take him to his death nor did he talk to him the night before. Because the opportunity to talk will never come, he wants the piece to convey all that should have been said about and to his boy.
This story is powerful, complex, and poignant with other characters helping explain the weaknesses and behaviors of both men. It isn't always easy to read, particularly those pages telling about Ben's death, and while there is no happy ending there is one that feels right. The book won both the Spur Award and the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Novel of 2012.
113clue
Origin - >Library
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO:
My Rating - 3.5
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
What I liked about Ruth Reichl's new novel is the realistic setting of 1980's Paris and characters who are known from the city's recent past. Food and wine talk flows throughout the book and having been written by the former editor of Gourmet magazine and resturant critic Reichl, it will probably be of interest to foodies, though I personally tired of it.
The plot is mundane, just a new take on a young stuggling woman meets rich man theme, but the desciptions of Paris neighborhoods and street scenes as well as the overall feel of the book kept me reading. In the early chapters there is a section that made me think of Sarah Addison Allen's writing and from time to time I was also reminded of Woody Allen's movie Midnight in Paris, though here there are chefs in place of the writers. Overall a good weekend read.
CAT/KIT : No
BINGO:
My Rating - 3.5
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
What I liked about Ruth Reichl's new novel is the realistic setting of 1980's Paris and characters who are known from the city's recent past. Food and wine talk flows throughout the book and having been written by the former editor of Gourmet magazine and resturant critic Reichl, it will probably be of interest to foodies, though I personally tired of it.
The plot is mundane, just a new take on a young stuggling woman meets rich man theme, but the desciptions of Paris neighborhoods and street scenes as well as the overall feel of the book kept me reading. In the early chapters there is a section that made me think of Sarah Addison Allen's writing and from time to time I was also reminded of Woody Allen's movie Midnight in Paris, though here there are chefs in place of the writers. Overall a good weekend read.
114clue
Origin: Shelf
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Initials - L)
BINGO:
My Rating - 2.5
Eight Hundred Grapes by Lara Dave
A family in which every family member (all adults) is going through change or needs to. The protagonist was immature and unlikeable as were most of the characters. I previously read Dave's The Last Thing He Told Me and I did liked that but this wasn't for me.
CAT/KIT : Random Kit (Initials - L)
BINGO:
My Rating - 2.5
Eight Hundred Grapes by Lara Dave
A family in which every family member (all adults) is going through change or needs to. The protagonist was immature and unlikeable as were most of the characters. I previously read Dave's The Last Thing He Told Me and I did liked that but this wasn't for me.
