Regina just likes the people in this group!

In the 2 years that I have been a part of this group I have not come anywhere near 75 books, but I really enjoy the conversations and the people who create them in this group. So I will lurk here some more this year and talk about the few books that I do manage to read. Good luck to everyone in reaching their goals for 2011.

Glad to see you joining us again for 2011, Regina!

Thanks Stasia. I was madly looking for your new thread last nite, then I went and caught up with your old thread and discovered your plans for next Sunday. Hope you have a great week of reading!

Welcome back!

Thanks, Jim. I always learn so much being a part of this group. I'm hoping to be able to go to a meet-up someday to meet some of these wonderful people! Hope you have a great year of reading.

#3: Thanks, Regina! I will try.

#1. Queen's Own Fool: a Novel of Mary Queen of Scots.
I am fascinated with Mary and was looking forward to starting this series, but I was never able to be persuaded to set aside my disbelief. The protagonist in this story starts off as a 12 year old girl who becomes the queen's fool. Almost immediately, the fool is trusted by Mary to give her sound advice, even in affairs of state. if I could have gotten past this I would have enjoyed the book, for it made the historical events leap to life. It was a very good look at the early years of Mary, when she was the queen of France and then later when she sails back to claim her title in Scotland. If only it hadn't been spoiled by the fool. Not recommended. **

#2 Lysistrata by Aristophanes
I read the Dover thrift edition of this play. It is a republication of an anonymous translation published in 1912. I wish all classics were this easy and this much fun to read. It is a somewhat raunchy comedy where the women of Athens and Sparta agree to refuse to have sex with their countrymen until they agree to a peace treaty. A very amusing concept and definitely holds up well after nearly 2500 years. A funny side note- the saying "Women, can't live with them, can't live without them" came from this play. Some sayings really have been around forever.

I read that play eons ago, but I did not remember that saying coming from it! Maybe time for a re-read, lol.

I love the title of your thread :)

Stadia, I was quite amused to find that in there. But I guess it makes sense. The men were quite frustrated with the women, literally!!!

Ireadthereforeiam, welcome to my thread. Your name is quite clever itself! Hope you are getting done all the reading that you would like.

>13 thomasandmary:....thanks :-) I'd love to be doing more reading actually (who here wouldnt?) but I get plenty of pleasure looking at my tbr pile and shuffling all of them around into a more pleasing order! And then re-shuffling :-)

#12: The men were quite frustrated with the women, literally!!!

That part I remember!

Ahh, Lysistrata. Very fun, and isn't it amazing how after all this time, the plot and humor doesn't seem dated?

Hi Regina...love the title of your thread. So honest - and true. ;-)

Have fun reshuffling your TBRs. So far this year I've acquired 14 new books. Am I crazy? I see plenty of reshuffling in my future.

Thanks for the warning about Queen's Own Fool. I haven't read this one yet, but someone I trust recommended Queen of Scots: the True Life of Mary Stuart as a good book on Mary, also a fascination of mine.

#14 oh my gosh! I have spent most of my adult life doing that. Aghhhhhh. My goal this year is not to move a book unless I am picking up to read right then and there!

#15 yeah, Stasia, that part was hard to forget! If only we could stop wars so easily these days.

#16 I know Faith, that is what took me by surprise. I would read a lot more classics if they were that easy to follow and enjoy.

#17. Hi Donna! No more shuffling TBRs. I just have to read them! Thanks for the recommendation on Mary Stuart. I'll put it on my Amazon wish list, which is different from my TBRs which are spilling off the shelves and snaking their way along the floors of every room in the house.

Yay! As a classicist, I love to see that people are reading Aristophanes and still laughing. One of my favorite plays of his - glad you enjoyed it!

Amber, thanks for visiting my thread. I went to your profile and was amused by how much we have in common! We have a border collie with the exact same face as yours, but not the lovely fur coat; ours is a short hair. I too collect children's books and lists...oh boy the lists of books around this house. So of course I have books with lists of books. My family of non-readers doesn't claim me- maybe we fell off the same truck!

#20: Excellent! I'll definitely be hanging around here this year, then, waiting to see what goodies you read!

Amber, you won't find a large volume here, but it will probably be diverse!

Feed and water the horses...check, feed and water sheep...check...get bucket stuck on sheep's unstuck... Check, sit in front of fire getting warm and finishing book...priceless! At least until my dad comes and we have to go do his cows. Please don't come for at least half an hour.

I hope you got your wish, Regina!

Thanks Stasia, but I didn't get back to my book until last night in bed. Hope you had a good night of reading.

Here you are! Funny, I though I had started reading your thread already, but that must have been during my foggy half-2010, half-2011 days. I can't believe I'm adding Lysistrata to my TBR...

Terri, don't worry it's a very quick read. I know what you mean, I get very confused in all these threads and conversations!

#3. Real Sex: the Naked Truth about Chastity by Lauren Winner. I decided to read this book for 2 reason: first, because I had purchased it for the church library after our pastor mentioned it in a sermon, and second, because my youngest daughter, a sophomore in college, shocked me a couple of weeks ago by asking me why she should wait for sex till she got married. I was flabbergasted because I thought after all these years she knew. Besides, she has three older sisters; we've had many conversations along this line before, how did she not know why? If you have seen my profile picture you will see that I have what I believe to be 4 lovely daughters, but they do not believe it. They have been left behind in the dating game and have struggled with why and whether or not it was worth sleeping around to be able to have a boyfriend.
Anyhow, back to the book; it is a very academic book, with 157 notes. It took me a long time to get through the book because it was so academic in nature. I gleaned a lot from the book, but I'm not sure Howe many people will be patient enough to work their way through the book. I hope that my daughters will because I believe it to be very profound. To sum up her beliefs quickly, which is an injustice to all the powerful writing that she did, I would use the title of one of her chapters, " Chastity as Spiritual Discipline". As she says at the end of that chapter, " For the point of chastity is not that you turn your attention away from other people to make you more attractive to them but that you turn your attention away from sexual and romantic entanglements with other people and orient yourself toward God." Highly recommended.

#28: It looks like my local library had a copy of that one, but it is now missing. *sigh*

Your pointer worked just fine! Thx dear lady. Praying for your girls.

Thank you, Susan. It is good to hear from you again.

#4. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer
A fun, light read after the last book. Not much of a romance reader but I'll pick one up as a diversion once in a while. I really enjoyed the characters, but was troubled by something in this Heyer that I hadn't noticed in the others that I have read. Sherry, the protagonist, seemed a bit rough with his wife. There were a number of times it talked of him boxing her ears or wanting to do it, and even once when he slapped her on her cheek. I was taken aback by this and wondered if anyone else remembered that in this book and what they thought of it.

32- Yeah, I didn't like that either.
Actually, I didn't like Sherry very much at all during that book, except by the end when he seemed to have learned his lesson. I've been told that's the whole point of that book - to see the characters grow and mature by the end of the book. It was satisfying to see Sherry...and I forget that woman's name...The Incomparable or something like that? It was great to see both of them learn their lessons!

Hi, Regina! Now I've finally found your thread and caught up with you!

Thanks for the warning about Queen's Own Fool.

Angela, I figured the author was showing her characters' growth, but I really fear young girls accepting abuse in hopes that the guy they've given their heart to will change. Unfortunately, that's what this book seemed to glorify. I agree with you about the Incomparable, for that matter most of the book was enjoyable, but the slapping around part was troubling. It's good to hear from you; I'll have to go find your thread!

#5. Albrecht Durer by Ernest Raboff.
Actually a children's book, but very enjoyable for the gorgeous illustrations and information. I'm familiar with a few of Durer's pieces of art, but this was eye opening. Highly recommended.

# 6. Purple Cane Road by James Lee Burke Wanted to make sure I added this to my list. Will write more tomorrow.

It is tomorrow now. Where is the write up? :)

O.k. Smarty!!! I'll get to it. I have to go feed the animals first. Wow, somebody ate their Wheaties early today. LOL

Here's my write up: I liked it :-p

Now that I'm done playing with you stasia, I'll tell you that I wrote a little blurb about the book over on the " what we are reading mystery blurb". Don't get excited, though. You won't find anything profound there. :-).

A children's book on art is probably my speed -- great rec.

I haven't read Friday's Child as far as I know. that would bother me too...

eta I meant to say: I love and agree with the title of your thread!! :)

Thanks Susan, nice to hear from you. I think you would like the art book. I am a new fan of Durer, thanks to that book. Happy reading.

Regina

I'm compiling a list of birthdays of our group members. If you haven't done so already, would you mind stopping by this thread and posting yours.

Thanks.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

#7. How to NEVER Look Fat Again by Charla Krupp. I picked this up off the display at the library and was very glad that I did. Although not the type of book I usually pick, I found this to be extremely informative and helpful. It is not a diet book at all, but more a primer about clothing and how styles make the body appear. I put it to good use this weekend as my daughter came home from college and had borrowed her roommate's oversized sweater. I was able to help her see that the sweater wasn't helping her to hide anything, but was just making her look big all over. Highly recommended for any woman as it teaches a lot about dressing our bodies.

#8. The Telling by Beverly Lewis
Not much to say about this one. Listened to it on car rides and was not particularly impressed. Standard Christian fiction fare.

Regina

I'm going to see if my local library has a copy of How to Never Look Fat Again.

Mine doesn't. :(

Hope you find it Linda. That's too bad Susan, as it was very helpful. I only wish I had read it years ago before I went out in public in some of my outfits! LOL

Regina

I know you did not highly rate The Queen's Own Fool, but I'm enjoying it tremendously.

I like Yolen's books and her writing. I've read a lot about Mary Queen of Scots and thus while the character of the fool may not be all that believable, still, the book is well researched.

Thanks for mentioning this one!

Linda, I agree with you wholeheartedly. The history was great, just couldn't get past the premise of the fool.

Regina, I agree with you, Jane Yolen did get carried away with the liberties of the fool.

#8 The Duel: the Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr
The most famous duel in American history makes for some very compelling reading, but this book started way before the duel and was fascinating. Beginning with childhoods that saw them orphaned at a young age, St. George. Leads the reader through the many similar and impressive details of Hamilton's and Burr's lives. Children's non-fiction books are such a good way to find out the important details, or as the officer used to say on Dragnet, "just the facts ma'am, just the facts". Highly recommended.

#9 The Wisdom of Narnia
A small, gift book type of book, this was just a compilation of some of the more notable quotes from the Narnia books. Someone donated it to the church library and since I am a Narnia fan I gave it a look. Nothing new or remarkable here. Solely intended for those familiar with the Lewis books.

Hi Regina! The Duel sounds great - adding it to the wishlist!

#10. The Boy Who Drew Birds by Jacqueline Davies.
Beautiful science book covering the process of banding birds that Audubon began, along with his early years of discovering his love of birds and devotion to drawing them.

#11.Baby Brains by Simon James
This is a fun spoof of over-ambitious parents pushing their child to geniosity (my own word). Baby Brains becomes a genius like no other, so the parents have succeeded in their purpose until outer space reveals something most parents already know. Recommended.

#12. The Busy Body Book by Lizzy Rockwell
Basic health book for early elementary students that is clear, colorful and very well done. Lots ofmuseful information with loads of complimentary illustrations. This is the type of book I would have loved my girls to read when we were homeschooling and what schools should be using instead of dry textbooks!

Hi Regina! Baby Brains sounds like such an interesting book! What genre would you consider it to be?

I'm so sorry. That was an important bit of information that I omitted! It is a picture book, so if you're looking for a quick read.....LOL

My daughters are ganging up on me about my stacks of books around the house, so I'm going to quickly list what I have read and get back to more reading!

#13. Stealing Bradford by Melody Carlson
Teen Christian fiction. Good for it's genre. Second in a series of self-absorbed teen girls in a boarding house. Touches on cyber-bullying. Recommended for teens.

#14. The First Rule byRobert Crais
Excellent action-packed story featuring Joe Pike who is normally Elvis Cole's side kick. Fine addition to a top notch series. Highly recommended.

>53 thomasandmary: In reference to The Duel: when I was little, I remember reading a children's biography called Theodosia: Daughter of Aaron Burr (wow--wasn't really expecting a Touchstone to pop up) and it went over a lot of the interesting parallel history of Jefferson and Burr. It really stuck with me and I've had a soft spot for Burr ever since. Now you've gotten me interested in The Duel.

Anne, welcome to my thread! Since you already have some background on Burr, I think you will enjoy this book even more than the average reader. These were amazing and fascinating men.

#15. Artist in Overalls: the Life of Grant Wood by John Duggleby
An appealing look at the life and art of Grant Wood. Of course the painting American Gothic is famous world wide, but there is so much more to see and know of Grant's work. Meant for chidren, although all ages would enjoy. Highly recommended.

#16. Buster by Denise Fleming
Bright, clear pictures make this simple story of a dog adjusting to life after a kitten is added to the family a pure delight. The book describes the illustrations as being created by pouring colored cotton fiber through hand-cut stencils. Lots of good things going on in this little picture book that you won't want to miss! Highly recommended.

#17. Actual Size by SteveJenkins
Another book made outstanding through its illustrations.

#18. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
Part romance novel, part murder mystery, this was a quick read done as part of my clearing of the shelves challenge. It wasn't awful, but I probably won't be trying any Picoult books again.

#19. The Joys of Reading by Burton Rascoe
This is an older book and most of what is in it is found in other more well-written tomes.

#20. Come a Stranger by Cynthia Voigt
I did not read this book in the order the series runs and perhaps that was a mistake. I have read the first book, Homecoming and was very impressed by it. This book, however, did not move me. I plan to read others in the series and hopefully that will help me to appreciate Mina's story more.

Regina - I read Homecoming years ago, but haven't read any of the others in the series. I'll be interested to hear what you think of them. Like you, I really liked Homecoming.

I am very behind on threads, Regina, what with a 6-week absence. I hope I can keep up with you the rest of the year though!

>70 porch_reader: Amy, I probably need to go back and reread Homecoming before I try the rest in the series. Although I'm tempted to pick up Jackaroo first, which is another older Voigt that I remember loving when I read it. Thanks for stopping by!

>71 alcottacre: Stasia,it's so good to hear from you again. Sure missed you around these parts. March is always a bad month for me and then it's time for me to get my garden going, so I don't have any hope of catching up until fall :-(. I haven't forgot about the Real Sex book that I offered you. If my girls don't want to read it when they come home from college next month then I'll be sending it your way. Blessings!

Well, I hope we see you around at least a bit before the fall!

#21. Tailor-made bride by Karen Witemeyer
Bought this for the church library and had read a good review of it, so I gave it a try. One of the better written Christian fiction books that I have tried. It was a little overdramatic at times, but I did enjoy the characters. Recommended for church libraries.

#22. Dark Blue by Melody Carlson
Another purchase for the church library. Good teen fiction, which is very hard to find. Frustrated with this author's series though as she always leaves you hanging a little until the next book. Carlson's books are not sugar-coated, as this one dealt with depression and a minor character's suicide. Recommended.

#23. Quiet as a Nun by Antonia Fraser
Interesting mystery dealing with a convent and issues of poverty. Thought some of it was confusing and at times a little preachy on the social justice issues, but the mystery was well done.

#75: Catey owns that series. I wonder if she will let me borrow it? Hmm. . .

#76: I have only read that one in the series. You remind me that I need to pick it back up again.

I thought exactly the same as you regarding Come a Stranger by Cynthia Voigt. Absolutely loved The Homecoming, but didn't really care for the sequel.

#24. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Children's book for the 8-12 yr-old crowd. Entertaining story, very reminiscent of early to mid 20th century children's books.

Chinquapin, thanks for stopping by my thread. Glad to hear that you felt the same way about that series. Love the picture of the Irish Setter on your profile!

#79: I enjoyed both The Penderwicks books that I read, Regina. I hope you get to The Penderwicks on Gardam Street eventually too.

Hi, Regina! One of the libraries in our system has Quiet as a Nun, so perhaps I'll try it sometime. (I see it's the first in a series . . . oh, no, not another series!)

Terri, that book stands alone very well. I did not know it was part of a series; when you finish reading the book it's not like you are compelled to read what follows. I appreciate that because finishing a book but not feeling like it's a complete story drives me crazy! Hope you enjoy it.

#25. Cecile by Mary Casanova
Told by a 12 year-old girl who ends up in the court of Louis IV, otherwise known as the sungod. Part of the American Girls 'Girls of Many Lands' series. A very compelling historical fiction that was an easy, quick read. I'm interested to see what else this author has written as her research and style were both excellent. Recommended

#26. Say Yes by Audrey Couloumbis
#27. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Two excellent children's books; both dealing with the heart-ache of abandonment, but in very different ways.

I have not read Because of Winn Dixie yet, but the other 3 DiCamillo books I have read have all been very good or excellent, so I will have to give it a shot.

Stasia, I think you'll like it. I'll have to try the other DiCamillo books!

I am sure I will like it too, Regina. It is just a matter of getting to the book!

#28. Moffats by Eleanor Estes
Good, old-fashioned fun. Well deserving of it's reputation as a classic. The chapter where Jane is hiding from the policeman captures childhood so perfectly. Actually, much of the book really brought back memories, not so much of events, but of feelings from childhood. Highly recommended.

#89: I will have to give that one a try. My local library has it, so I will get to it some time in the next century :)

Stasia, if you end up with any grandchildren you can read it aloud to them! That's why I continue to read children's books. I'm working on the reading list for the grandchildren that I'm not to sure Im going to end up having! But at least I'm enjoying the books. It's nice to hear from you. Hope you are well.

I have 6 grandchildren already, but none of them live close unfortunately.

Hope you are well too, Regina!

Sorry, I thought you just had your two daughters and I didn't think they had children yet...as they say in soccer, my bad.

No problem, Regina. I have 4 older stepchildren, all of whom have children.

#29. Deep Green Color Me Jealous by Melody Carlson
This is the second book in this series and I am becoming more of a fan of Carlson. She does an excellent job of getting to the heart of teen angst and in a non-preachy way, revealing the heart of God for these characters. Recommended.

Good to see that the second book is better than the first. I forgot to ask Catey if she does indeed have these books. Thanks for the reminder!

#30. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.
CeeCee quite simply lives a crazy life. Her father has essentially left her and her mother, and her mother is far beyond a few bricks shy of a load. After a life changing disaster, CeeCee's aunt from Savannah, Georgia comes north to "save" CeeCee. Just as she lovingly saves old glorious homes of the city from the wrecking ball, this aunt throws herself into seeing that CeeCee is restored. This story is loaded with memorable female characters and heavy on the charm. There are wonderful, humorous anecdotes to go along with this coming of age story. Highly recommended.

#31. Money Hungry by Sharon Flake
Wrote comments about this on my "saving my house" thread. In short, highly recommended.

#32. Mercy Watson Fights Crime by Kate DiCamillo
Picked this up at the library based on the author. Mercy is a pig that lives in the Watson's home, not barn, home. Having helped my daughters raise numerous pigs for 4H, I couldn't help but take a liking to Mercy. Written as a beginning chapter book, this series is light entertainment and humorously illustrated.. Highly recommended for the newly-reading group.

#97: That book is already in the BlackHole and has been for quite a while now. One day I may actually read it.

#98: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Regina.

#99: I have read several of DiCamillo's books now and have not been disappointed in any of them. I think I will stay away from the Mercy Watson series though.

Stasia, thanks for stopping by and please forgive me for not being able to visit lately. I am only on LT most of the time now to keep track of what I've read. We have been working ourselves to utter weariness on the farm, so my time has been very limited. It's raining now, so I have a chance to get on here quickly and then try to work inside on what looks like a house that's been bombed! Take care and hope you are having an enjoyable summer of reading.

33. Bearstone by Will Hobbs A coming of age story of a bitter American Indian boy. Not my cup of tea. But it gets removed my shelf, thus making room for the books on the floor!

#101: No problem! I certainly understand how real life gets in the way of both books and LT.

#102: it gets removed my shelf, thus making room for the books on the floor!

Good way to look at it!

#34. Gadget War by Betsy Duffey
A thin chapter book for children moving out of the easy-reader books, this was just an ok story. If it wasn't so thin I probably wouldn't have finished it.

#104: Another one I can safely skip!

#35. Perilous Road by William O. Steele
A Newbery honor book by an excellent author, which tells the story of young Chris Brabson of Tennessee. Chris is a loyal confederate and loathes the Yankees. His world is turned upside down when his brother joins the Union army. Outstanding historical fiction and highly recommended.

#106: I will look for that one!

Stasia, I think you would enjoy this one.

I did not read the missed threads (bad me). But I still wanted to drop by and say you were in my thoughts today and hence my prayers as well.

Susan, I know what you mean about the missed threads! It's good to hear from you. I've been lurking this summer but no time for writing. Hope everything is going well for your move. Thank you for stopping by here and God bless.

#36. Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
This is an outstanding children's biography. Bass Reeves was a name that I had heard, but knew nothing of him. This book is as good as it gets in the way children's history should be done. Bass was a remarkable person and the author and illustrator have put together a work of art in bringing his story to children.

#37. That Book Woman by Heather Henson
It was my lucky day at the library when I came across the previous book and this one; another fine example of bringing history alive for children. This story is about the pack horse librarians who did remarkable work in delivering books in the Appalachian Mountains to impoverished families. While the author's writing is commendable, it is the illustrating by David Small that truly make this book memorable. It will not be surprising when Mr. Small receives a lifetime achievement award for the body of work that he has done in children's literature.

#111/112: Another couple for me to add to the BlackHole!

Stasia, the good thing about most of my reads that you like is that they are picture books and you'll have them finished in the blink of an eye! ;-)

#114: That will help make up for some lengthy tomes, I am sure :)

#38. Torch Red by Melody Carlson
I have mixed emotions on this one. It is from the church library and contains quite a bit of sexual innuendo. As a matter of fact, I didn't expect to be learning things I didn't know that were going on sexually, but I did. I asked my 26 year old daughter if she had heard about it, but she hadn't, while my 23 year old had heard of these behaviors. Ms Carlson has done an outstanding job so far in this series in dealing with current teenage issues, but I think she went too far in this volume. The story rings very true as a teenage girl struggles with the fact that she is the only virgin left that she knows of at her high school. Raising 4 daughters, I know how hard this is to deal with as girls who choose abstinence are left sitting on the sidelines. The storyline and resolution were excellent, but I believe the author went too far and contributes to the desensitization of sexuality in our culture with this book.

#39. To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey.
No ambivalence on this one, absolutely loved it! When the famous American photographer Leslie Searle disappears Detective-inspector Alan Grant is called in to get to the bottom of this mystery. The back of the book says it best," Josephine Tey is considered one of the greatest mystery writers of all time".

#40. The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
Written in the 1960s this story is still as powerful today as it was the day it was published. Alfred is a boy that is lost in the ghetto and lost in life. He is literally a raft being pushed along by the rapids in his life. That is, until he walks up a flight of stairs to check out a boxing gym. Not only was this a great story but it was also a great look at what athletics in it's purity could do for young people. These characters will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.

#117: That one is next up for me in the series, I think. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much, Regina.

#118: I will have to see if my local library has that one. Thanks for the recommendation!

>118 thomasandmary: looks like one to try out!

Megan,
I think you'll enjoy it. It was published in 1967 and is still in print. For a YA book to have that kind of staying power says something, in my humble opinion.

#41. Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
I am profoundly disappointed in this book. I find it hard to believe that this is the same author who wrote two of my favorite YA books, Speak andFever 1793. Since I have nothing nice to say, I will leave it at that.

Sorry your last book was a disappointment, Regina. I guess most authors turn out a clunker eventually.

Onward to better things, yes? (hopefully!) ;)

Terri,
Nice to hear from you. I'm in the middle of a P.D. James book,so unless she turned out a clunker this should be a great read! Hope you are having a pleasant day of reading.

#42. Skull Beneath the Skin by P.D. James
this is a Cordelia Gray mystery, and the second one in which gray is the detective. Adam Dalgliesh is mentioned, but he does not make an appearance in this story. A famous, but washed up actress is going to put on a play at a remote island theatre. Cordelia is asked by the woman's husband to spend the weekend with her and protect her, as she has been receiving threatening notes. This story comes with a marvelous cast of characters and as always Ms James keeps a number of story threads racing throughout. Highly recommended.

#43. Forget-Me-Not by Shari MacDonald
Just a mediocre Christian romance. The only reason I bothered to read it was that the protagonist was a gardener and I thought I might pick up some tips. Needless to say, I didn't. Not recommended.

#125 - Can you believe I've never read anything by P. D. James? That sounds like a good one!

#125, 127 I've never read PD James, either. I've added this series to the wishlist.

Although, after thinking again for a moment, I think maybe I have read an Adam Dalgliesh book once - it sounds very familiar. I have no idea what the title would have been - he was called out to a remote convent, or college, or church or something when someone was killed. I wonder why I never when on with them - I remember liking the book I'm thinking of.

Flying by to add that Ive never done a PD James either.....

I would try her, then!

I've never tried P.D. James either. Skull Beneath the Skin sounds tempting.

Porch_reader, Sandy, Megan, Mary Beth, and Ren, thanks for your comments. I think you will all be very glad to have discovered this author. I came upon her years ago while watching Masterpiece Mystery! They have produced a considerable body of her work, but I believe it has all been the Adam Dalgliesh detective stories. I'm anxious to hear what you think of the book when you get a chance to read it!

#44. Faithful Place by Tana French
This is the third in a series set in Ireland. I need to get all three books side by side to clear up some questions I have about the series. One interesting aspect about the series is that each mystery revolves around a very personal issue for each detective. In this story the detective is dragged back to his hometown, which he has avoided for over 20 years, to determine what to do about a suitcase that has been discovered in the chimney of a dilapidated house. The suitcase belonged to his girlfriend and contained the belongings she had packed to run away with him. Only she never showed up to meet him, and he, believing himself ditched, left town alone. Ms French's stories are always intense and well plotted. I finished this days ago and I still can't stop thinking about the characters. The reader becomes so psychologically intwined with the characters that one feels like they are a part of their life. Any one of her books would be highly recommended by me, but as movies they would be rated R for language.

#128 he was called out to a remote convent, or college, or church or something when someone was killed. I wonder why I never when on with them - I remember liking the book I'm thinking of. That may have been Death in Holy Orders, which is set in a remote theological college.

#134 After reading some of the reviews for Death in Holy Orders, I think that might have been the one I read. Number 11 in the series, it's no wonder I felt like I was missing a few things. Thanks for "finding" it for me!

#45. Growltiger's Last Stand. By T.S.Elliot
The poetry is clever and the illustrations are entertaining,but I just don't see a child enjoying this book.

#46. The Starplace by Vicki Grove
Good book, but not great. A look back at racism and bigotry in the 1960s, however certain aspects were unrealistic.

#47. Rain Gods by James Lee Burke
Did not find the story very believable, considering all the chances that the monstrous villain had to kill people in this story,and yet he didn't. There was a strong cast of characters, but the plot was very weak.

#48. The Field of the Dogs by Katherine Paterson
Yet another book that stretches credulity. This author has a lifetime of award-winning books, but this isn't one of them.

#49. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman
I had seen this done on PBS many years ago, so I was already familiar with the story. However, I did not realize what a SHORT story it was. Since this is a modern classic there is nothing that I can add to what has already been said, but my reaction to the writing was amazement at what she was able to say in so few words. *****

#50. All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg
too tired to write at this time, but this book is fabulous. Five out of five stars!

Merry Christmas, Regina! Glad to see that your last book was a winner!

mistletoe smooches!

Terri and Richard, thank you for the holiday greetings. I hope the holidays are wonderful for all the special people here on LT! And thank you for blessing me by your presence on my thread. I'm sorry I am not able to devote as much time as I would like here, but it is so good to see friends stop by!

Have a happy new year, Regina!

Terri' thank you for your kind wishes. I hope the new year will be a blessed one for you.

Regina, do you have a thread set up in the 2012 group yet?

No, not yet, but ironically I just left a message on your thread! I will set up 2012 later today. Thank you for the reminder.