rabbitprincess gets to the ROOT of the matter in 2013

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rabbitprincess gets to the ROOT of the matter in 2013

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1rabbitprincess
Modifié : Août 23, 2013, 8:59 pm

The rabbitprincess TBR is growing faster than vegetable marrows.



In 2013 we'll be digging up 50 books off the shelf. No age constraints, although books already on the shelf prior to 1 January 2013 will be given higher priority.




And in an effort to revisit some oldies but goodies, Operation Going Through the Stacks (Stalks?) is under way.


2rabbitprincess
Modifié : Déc 28, 2013, 12:55 am

2013 Reading List

Italics = books off the shelf. Bold = Favourite book of the month. Parenthetical notes will indicate audio, rereads, and other relevant information.

January
1. Translations, by Brian Friel
2. Pars vite et reviens tard, by Fred Vargas
3. Where Eagles Dare, by Alistair MacLean
4. Appaloosa, by Robert B. Parker
5. Three Bits of Fry and Laurie, by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
6. The Year of the Flood, by Margaret Atwood
7. When Christ and His Saints Slept, by Sharon Kay Penman
8. Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need, by Dave Barry
9. Small Island, by Andrea Levy
10. Taken at the Flood, by Agatha Christie
11. Holmes on the Range, by Steve Hockensmith
12. Oxford Guide to Plain English, by Martin Cutts
13. Blood Rain, by Michael Dibdin
14. Something Fresh, by P.G. Wodehouse

February
15. Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, by Mary Roach
16. The Penguin Book of Gaslight Crime, ed. Michael Sims
17. Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn (play)
18. A Study in Scarlet, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
19. Before the Poison, by Peter Robinson
20. The Mystery of the Blue Train, by Agatha Christie
21. Found in Translation: How Language Shapes Our Lives and Transforms the World, by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche
22. All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
23. Holidays on Ice, by David Sedaris
24. The Beatles Graphic, by Hervé Bourhis
25. The Body on Mount Royal, by David Montrose

March
26. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
27. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York, by Deborah Blum
28. The Man with the Golden Gun, by Ian Fleming
29. A Trick of the Light, by Louise Penny
30. The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien (reread)
31. Season of Darkness, by Maureen Jennings
32. A Dustbin of Milligan, by Spike Milligan
33. Breaking the Code, by Hugh Whitemore (play)
34. The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter, by Malcolm Mackay
35. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (reread)
36. Doors Open, by Ian Rankin
37. Player One, by Douglas Coupland

April
38. Whispers Under Ground, by Ben Aaronovitch
39. Othello, by William Shakespeare
40. Starter for Ten, by David Nicholls
41. Ask the Pilot: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel, by Patrick Smith
42. August: Osage County, by Tracy Letts
43. Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs, by Ken Jennings (reread)
44. Let It Bleed, by Ian Rankin
45. Until the Night, by Giles Blunt
46. Where the Bodies are Buried, by Christopher Brookmyre
47. Time and Chance, by Sharon Kay Penman
48. Bryant and May on the Loose, by Christopher Fowler

May
49. Don't Look Back, by Karin Fossum
50. Late Nights on Air, by Elizabeth Hay
51. The Sign of Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
52. Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch
53. Trust Your Eyes, by Linwood Barclay
54. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

June
55. Stuart: A Life Backwards, by Alexander Masters
56. Steps to the Empty Throne, by Nigel Tranter
57. Athabasca, by Alistair MacLean
58. The Bull from the Sea, by Mary Renault
59. Mr. Churchill's Secretary, by Susan Elia MacNeal
60. A Scientific Romance, by Ronald Wright (reread)
61. Dave Barry's Money Secrets: Like, Why is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?, by Dave Barry
62. Fools Die on Friday, by A.A. Fair
63. Hide and Seek, by Ian Rankin

July
64. Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry
65. The Scientific Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case with Science and Forensics, by James F. O'Brien
66. Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowell
67. The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
68. The Victoria Vanishes, by Christopher Fowler
69. Moranthology, by Caitlin Moran
70. Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin, by Terrance Dicks
71. Two Generals, by Scott Chantler
72. 66 Degrees North, by Michael Ridpath
73. Death at Buckingham Palace, by C.C. Benison (reread)
74. How to Be a Woman, by Caitlin Moran
75. The Man on the Balcony, by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
76. Seven Rivers of Canada, by Hugh MacLennan
77. Prisoner of the Daleks, by Trevor Baxendale (ebook)
78. Basil of Baker Street, by Eve Titus

August
79. Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean
80. The Making of Music, by James Naughtie (audio)
81. The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sherlock Holmes (reread)
82. Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch, by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain
83. Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne
84. Speaking from Among the Bones, by Alan Bradley (ebook)
85. Princess Elizabeth's Spy, by Susan Elia MacNeal
86. Devil's Brood, by Sharon Kay Penman
87. When the Devil Drives, by Christopher Brookmyre
88. The Interpreter's Handbook, by Jean Herbert
89. The Underground Man, by Ross Macdonald
90. How a Gunman Says Goodbye, by Malcolm MacKay
91. Watchman, by Ian Rankin
92. The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman (ebook)
93. Cold Granite, by Stuart MacBride

September
94. The Global English Style Guide: Writing Clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Market, by John R. Kohl
95. Atlantic, by Simon Winchester
96. Enigma, by Robert Harris
97. The Understudy, by David Nicholls
98. Hope, by Len Deighton
99. The Very Last Gambado, by Jonathan Gash (abandoned)
100. Rites of Passage, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 1)
101. The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found, by Mary Beard
102. This House is Nuts!: Surviving the Absurdities of Everyday Life, by Linwood Barclay

October
103. Close Quarters, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 2)
104. Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, by Mary Roach
105. Attention All Passengers: The Airlines' Dangerous Descent -- and How to Reclaim Our Skies, by William J. McGee (ebook)
106. Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup
107. Standing in Another Man's Grave, by Ian Rankin
108. Fire Down Below, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 3)
109. Sherlock Holmes and the Treasure Train, by Frank Thomas
110. Am I the Only Sane One Working Here?: 101 Solutions for Surviving Office Insanity, by Albert J. Bernstein (ebook)
111. The Daughter of Time, by Josephine Tey
112. Long Time No See, by Ed McBain
113. A Long Way Down, by Nick Hornby
114. Coraline, by Neil Gaiman
115. The Dark Crusader, by Alistair MacLean
116. Doctor Who: The Wheel of Ice, by Stephen Baxter
117. Doctor Who: The Angel's Kiss: A Melody Malone Mystery, by Melody Malone and Justin Richards (audio)
118. Artists in Crime, by Ngaio Marsh
119. A Body Surrounded by Water, by Eric Wright
120. Les quatre guerres de 1812, by D. Peter MacLeod

November
121. Redshirts, by John Scalzi
122. Shooting Victoria: Madness, Mayhem, and the Rebirth of the British Monarchy, by Paul Thomas Murphy
123. Unbound, by Julie Kaewert
124. Straphanger: Saving Our Cities and Ourselves from the Automobile, by Taras Grescoe (ebook)
125. Moon Over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch
126. Past Reason Hated, by Peter Robinson
127. Lionheart, by Sharon Kay Penman
128. Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion, by Malcolm Hulke
129. The Hollow Man, by Oliver Harris
130. Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey
131. Enter a Murderer, by Ngaio Marsh
132. Rooster: The True Story of Rooster Cogburn, the Man Who Inspired True Grit, by Brett Cogburn
133. Yesterday the Children Were Dancing, by Gratien Gélinas
134. Eleven Pipers Piping, by C.C. Benison

December
135. Miss Montreal, by Howard Shrier
136. The Hanging Shed, by Gordon Ferris
137. Is That a Fish in Your Ear?: Translation and the Meaning of Everything, by David Bellos
138. Summer Falls and Other Stories, by Amelia Williams
139. Father Knows Zilch: A Guide for Dumbfounded Dads, by Linwood Barclay
140. Laidlaw, by William McIlvanney
141. Rumpole at Christmas, by John Mortimer
142. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot, by Craig Ferguson
143. Dying Light, by Stuart MacBride
144. One Day, by David Nicholls
145. Charity, by Len Deighton

Books not counted toward the yearly total for whatever reason
- 14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-covered Box: A Dilbert Collection by Scott Adams
- Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race, by Jon Stewart
- DK Eyewitness Travel: Scotland
- The Ploughman's Lunch and the Miser's Feast, by Brian Yarvin
- Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops, by Jen Campbell
- London: The Biography, by Peter Ackroyd (finally calling time on after nine months)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: The Official Movie Guide, by Brian Sibley
- October 1970, by Louis Hamelin (unfinished and won't bother rating)
- Frozen in Time: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II, by Mitchell Zuckoff (ebook) (unfinished)
- Goodbye California, by Alistair Maclean (unfinished)

3cyderry
Déc 3, 2012, 9:52 pm

Good luck with both your goals! Love the OP picture.

4rabbitprincess
Déc 3, 2012, 10:32 pm

Thanks, cyderry! I love Curse of the Were-Rabbit :D The BF took me to see it in theatres, knowing full well that I would be squealing for basically the whole thing. Claymation bunnies = SO CUTE.

5FAMeulstee
Déc 31, 2012, 6:37 am

Happy readings to you rabbitprincess, may 2013 be filled with good books

Anita

6susanj67
Jan 1, 2013, 11:58 am

I love the picture at the top too :-) Good luck with the challenge!

7rabbitprincess
Jan 1, 2013, 12:07 pm

>5 FAMeulstee:: Thanks, Anita! :D

>6 susanj67:: Thanks! I love that movie :)

8lkernagh
Jan 1, 2013, 3:30 pm

Here to cheer you on with your ROOT reading!

9connie53
Jan 1, 2013, 3:54 pm

Starred... and ROOTing for you

10rabbitprincess
Jan 1, 2013, 4:50 pm

Thanks, folks! :)

11rabbitprincess
Jan 6, 2013, 8:17 pm

Finally read my first ROOT so will update on the two books I've read so far this year!

1. Translations, by Brian Friel
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

A short but very thought-provoking play about a small Irish village in the early 1830s, where a group of English surveyors is mapping and Anglicizing all the names of towns and other landmarks. Despite being entirely in English, the play convincingly illustrates the rhythms of Irish Gaelic as spoken by the villagers (the interpretation scenes are quite funny). Worth a read if you have Irish ancestry or are interested in what happens when cultures collide.

2. Pars vite et reviens tard, by Fred Vargas
ROOT 1 OF 50
Source: Friends of Library and Archives Canada book sale
Rating: 4/5

A modern-day town crier inadvertently becomes the messenger heralding a new wave of plague in Paris. As in, THE plague. La peste. The Black Death. Commissaire Adamsberg is on the case; this is exactly the sort of thing he likes to investigate. The story took a while to build up but my patience was amply rewarded with a very thrilling second half. Apparently it was also made into a film, which I have requested from the library and look forward to watching.

12rabbitprincess
Modifié : Jan 11, 2013, 9:26 pm

Two ROOTS and a not-ROOT. This own-shelf read, other read pattern is working fairly well :)

3. Where Eagles Dare, by Alistair MacLean
ROOT 2 of 50
Source: Russell Books, Victoria (BC), July 2012
Rating: 3/5

A thrilling read in places, but the movie is better. Having watched the movie first, I found it easier to visualize the main characters; simply insert Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood and things become one heck of a lot more interesting. Burton is tasked with leading a group of secret agents on a mission to rescue a US general who has been captured and taken to a remote Alpine fortress. This general knows everything about the Allies' planned invasion of France, so it is imperative that he be pulled out before he talks. Lots of pulse-pounding action sequences and plenty of explosions. Not as much in the way of advanced feminism -- the main female spy is all moony over Richard Burton and quite insufferable as a result, despite being a competent spy -- but the movie makes her more bearable.

4. Appaloosa, by Robert B. Parker
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A nice easy read to fit in my Westerns category over at the 2013 Category Challenge. This is apparently the first of a series starring marshal Virgil Cole and his deputy, Everett Hitch, who narrates the book. It's very dialogue-heavy, plenty of dry humour and evenly paced. Exactly what I expected of it and wanted to read at the time.

5. Three Bits of Fry and Laurie, by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
ROOT 3 of 50
Source: Russell Books, Victoria (BC), July 2012
Rating: 4/5

Read upon request for the Go Review That Book! group, this was an excellent choice for bedside reading. Nothing like going off to sleep with Fry and Laurie's witticisms and wordplay whirling around my head. My particular favourites of theirs are the Spies sketches, where Hugh plays Tony Murchison and Stephen plays his boss, Control. The deliberately stilted, polite dialogue always makes me laugh. Some of the more topical UK-related jokes might have gone over my head, but the gist of them certainly got through. Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of Fry or Laurie.

13Robertgreaves
Modifié : Jan 12, 2013, 6:05 pm

>11 rabbitprincess: I've read one Fred Vargas novel, The Three Evangelists, and loved it. A great mystery and the three evangelists had me chuckling all the way through. I've got the first Adamsberg novel in my pile.

14rabbitprincess
Jan 12, 2013, 7:40 pm

>13 Robertgreaves:: The evangelists make an appearance in Pars vite et reviens tard -- Adamsberg consults them for information about the medieval episodes of plague -- and they were indeed very funny. Will have to look for The Three Evangelists as well!

15Ameise1
Jan 13, 2013, 4:53 am

I love Varga's stories and Have Mercy on Us All (Chief Inspector Adamsberg Mysteries) is one of the best :-)

16rabbitprincess
Jan 13, 2013, 10:06 am

>15 Ameise1:: It's certainly my favourite of the two I've read so far! I'm considering reading it again, but in English so I can compare the translation with the source text ;) I also liked Sous les vents de Neptune because the characters go to Canada.

17LittleTaiko
Jan 14, 2013, 3:01 pm

Love the Wallace & Gromit picture! Good luck on your challenge.

18rabbitprincess
Jan 16, 2013, 9:19 pm

Thanks, LittleTaiko! The movie is a firm favourite in our household (as my username would probably indicate).

On a roll with ROOTs! This is my fourth one.

6. The Year of the Flood, by Margaret Atwood
ROOT 4 of 50
Source: BMV, Toronto, August 2011
Rating: 4.5/5

An excellent second installment in the "MaddAddam" trilogy, where Margaret Atwood paints an eerily plausible picture of a dystopia where corporations run the world and a plague destroys most of humanity. This book runs parallel in time to the previous installment, Oryx and Crake, and focuses on two women, Toby and Ren, who have survived the plague and must now find out how many others remain, and how long they can expect to live. The women were part of a sect called God's Gardeners, whose hymns and sermons open each chapter. This was a very rich, fascinating book and now I want to reread Oryx and Crake. (You can read them separately with no major loss of understanding, but combined the books are sure to pack a powerful punch.)

19Robertgreaves
Jan 16, 2013, 9:43 pm

I didn't know there was a sequel to Oryx and Crake. Added to wishlist. I have Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad on my Kobo.

20susanj67
Jan 17, 2013, 5:18 am

You are on a roll! I need to get back to mine. Darn those shiny new library books :-)

21Tanglewood
Jan 17, 2013, 5:34 am

>18 rabbitprincess: I really do need to get to my copy of Oryx and Crake. This is the second time this week I've seen a glowing review for this series!

>19 Robertgreaves: I thought her Penelopiad was interesting but not one of her stronger works.

22Ameise1
Jan 17, 2013, 8:30 am

@ 18
The year of the Flood is on my reading list (local library). After your review I should give it priority. Oryx and Crake I've already read.

23raidergirl3
Jan 17, 2013, 12:07 pm

It's only a little thing, but I loved how she included St Terry Fox and St David Suziki. Such a nice touch. I have Oryx and Crake and was always a little leary of reading it, but I did love The Year of the Flood.

24rabbitprincess
Jan 17, 2013, 4:59 pm

Howdy visitors! Thanks for stopping by.

>19 Robertgreaves:, 21: The Penelopiad is on my "if I'm at the library and happen to think of it and it's there, I'll borrow it" list.

>20 susanj67:: Yeah, so far 2/3 of my reading this year has been ROOT books! That's not going to last :)

>22 Ameise1:: Hope you like it! It took me a chapter or two to get used to the sermons and hymns (mainly the sermons), but Toby's and Ren's stories were immediately absorbing.

>23 raidergirl3:: That must have been a lot of fun for her to come up with all of those saints. I also liked St Farley Mowat (of Wolves) and St Rachel Carson.

25rabbitprincess
Jan 20, 2013, 8:07 pm

A non-ROOT and a ROOT. The non-ROOT did almost feel like it was *growing* roots, it was so big :P

7. When Christ and His Saints Slept, by Sharon Kay Penman
Source: library
Rating: 4.5/5

Borrowed this through interlibrary loan (which I am so glad exists) for the group read over in the Category Challenge group. It was incredibly rich and fascinating. Only 746 pages but enough material for a thousand. It covers the "anarchy" period in the early 1100s when Henry I of England died and the succession to his throne was disputed. He wanted his daughter, Maude, to have the throne, but his nephew Stephen took the crown instead. Both sides receive their share of blame and credit where such is due, and there's also enough humour to liven up the proceedings a bit. Looking forward to the next installment.

8. Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need, by Dave Barry
ROOT 5 of 50
Source: Books on View, Victoria BC, July 2012
Rating: 3.5/5

In comparison to Dave's other books, this one is perhaps not quite as funny, but it's still pretty entertaining. My favourite part was the "Practical (insert language) phrases"; the fake French phrases in particular had me laughing so hard I cried. Worth collecting for the completist, but his best travel book in my mind is Dave Barry Does Japan.

26rabbitprincess
Jan 24, 2013, 9:27 pm

9. Small Island, by Andrea Levy
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

This book follows two couples: Hortense and Gilbert, recent immigrants to England from Jamaica; and Queenie and Bernard, who were born in England. The bulk of the story takes place during and a few years after the Second World War, with flashbacks to everyone's childhoods. Each character had a distinctive voice and, while the problems the characters face are serious, there is still humour and affection to be found. Recommended if you're interested. The miniseries is good too, but the book is better.

10. Taken at the Flood, by Agatha Christie
ROOT 6 OF 50
Source: the Big Box o'Christies from my grandparents
Rating: 3.5/5

This book also takes place just after the Second World War. The wealthy, childless Gordon Cloade is killed in the Blitz and, unfortunately for the relatives who depend on him, he had married just before his death and not made a new will. So everything passed to her. One would suspect that murder is on the agenda, and indeed, murder comes to pass... but it's not his wife who's killed. What is going on?

I liked the setting and the fact that I didn't guess whodunnit (I actually yelled at the book when Poirot revealed the clues), but the last page had an unexpected sour note that I couldn't overlook, so I finished the book more irritated than I had expected. Still, the rest of the story is good and recommended if you like Agatha.

27raidergirl3
Jan 24, 2013, 9:30 pm

I am halfway through Small Island right now. I'm quite enjoying it.

28rabbitprincess
Jan 24, 2013, 9:56 pm

Yay! Glad to hear it :)

29lkernagh
Jan 25, 2013, 9:09 pm

Nice progress reading your ROOTs! Small Island was a really good read.... I had no idea there was a miniseries. Happy to learn the book is better.

30rabbitprincess
Jan 25, 2013, 10:30 pm

The miniseries is actually a fairly faithful adaptation of the book, but the chronological shifts were easier to handle in print than on screen. Also, it had Benedict Cumberbatch in it, which may or may not be the reason I watched in the first place...

31kelsiface
Jan 27, 2013, 3:11 am

Totally a legitimate reason to watch something in my opinion. :)

32rabbitprincess
Jan 27, 2013, 11:29 am

He certainly has a knack for picking interesting projects!

33cyderry
Jan 29, 2013, 9:39 am

You're doing great!

34rabbitprincess
Modifié : Jan 31, 2013, 9:53 pm

>33 cyderry:: Thanks! :)

11. Holmes on the Range, by Steve Hockensmith
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

A light, amusing mystery with a Western twist. I think it could have done with some trimming -- the pace sagged a bit in the middle -- but the characters of Old Red and Big Red Amlingmeyer were very entertaining. I'd read more in the series if I stumbled upon them at the library.

12. Oxford Guide to Plain English, by Martin Cutts
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

An excellent resource for anyone writing and editing in English. This book covers grammar/spelling/punctuation conventions, strategies for breaking up un-plain English, and adapting your texts to different plain language audiences. Some of the advice is more relevant to UK readers, but for the most part it's fairly universal.

13. Blood Rain, by Michael Dibdin
ROOT 7 OF 50
Source: Waterstones Trafalgar Square, London, UK
Rating: 2.5/5

In retrospect I should have read this one *after* reading the book that immediately precedes it; the events may have made more sense and I may have had more emotional attachment to the characters involved (particularly Zen's daughter). The last third is pretty good but the rest of it sags in places. Don't start the series with this one!

35rabbitprincess
Modifié : Jan 31, 2013, 9:53 pm

January recap: 7 ROOTs pulled.

Pars vite et reviens tard, by Fred Vargas
Where Eagles Dare, by Alistair MacLean
Three Bits of Fry and Laurie, by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
The Year of the Flood, by Margaret Atwood
Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need, by Dave Barry
Taken at the Flood, by Agatha Christie
Blood Rain, by Michael Dibdin

Book of the month: The Year of the Flood, by Margaret Atwood (hard to choose though!)

36rabbitprincess
Fév 7, 2013, 6:03 pm

Quick thoughts on three non-ROOTs and my first February ROOT.

14. Something Fresh, by P.G. Wodehouse
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

The first installment in the Blandings series. On multiple occasions I found myself exclaiming aloud at the book as the comical misunderstandings unfolded. Fun, but I think I need to read more before they become as beloved to me as Jeeves and Wooster.

15. Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, by Mary Roach
ROOT 8 of 50
Source: Chapters
Rating: 4.5/5

Mary Roach has done it again. In this book she explores, in sometimes revolting but always fascinating detail, the nitty-gritty of life in space. She asks the questions many of us might have but would feel indelicate asking, and thank goodness she does. If you like space travel or are planning to become a space tourist, definitely read this one.

16. The Penguin Book of Gaslight Crime, ed. Michael Sims
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

A light and fun collection of stories involving the con men and criminals that were contemporaries of Sherlock Holmes (i.e. they worked during the same period). Some well-known figures, such as Raffles, rub shoulders with the protagonists of stories by authors better known for other works, such as Sinclair Lewis. Great introductions for each story, too. Well worth a read.

17. Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

Picked this one up from the library after hearing the BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3 adaptation (featuring none other than Benedict Cumberbatch as Heisenberg). It revolves around Niels Bohr, his wife Margrethe, and Werner Heisenberg, as they inhabit the afterlife and try to figure out why Heisenberg came to visit Bohr in Copenhagen in 1941, during the Second World War. Part physics, part philosophy, fully thought-provoking. Excellent postscript by the playwright as well. Not much happens, though, so if you like plays with action you may want to look elsewhere.

37tloeffler
Fév 9, 2013, 8:27 pm

LOVE "the Big Box o'Christies!" Nearly fell off the chair laughing...

38rabbitprincess
Fév 9, 2013, 9:43 pm

I'm actually not sure how many there were in the box, but because they were thin paperbacks there sure seemed to be a lot! The best part is that many of them are the Fontana editions from the 60s and 70s, which had some really weird covers.

39rabbitprincess
Fév 17, 2013, 11:35 am

18. Sherlock: A Study in Scarlet, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
ROOT 9 of 50
Source: Xmas present 2012
Rating: 4/5

Despite being somewhat familiar with the Holmes canon, I'd never actually read this story. I guess my penchant for reading series out of order started at a relatively young age ;) I really enjoyed it -- it's clever, funny and everything one would expect of a Holmes story. And I especially like my copy, which is done up as a tie-in to the BBC series.

19. Before the Poison, by Peter Robinson
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

A very good stand-alone novel from the author of the Inspector Banks series. There's a WW2 story and a modern-day story, and as usual the WW2 story is better. Recommended if you're looking to try the author out without having to invest in the entire Banks series.

20. The Mystery of the Blue Train, by Agatha Christie
ROOT 10 of 50
Source: the Big Box o'Christies
Rating: 2/5

I'm not sure whether I was just in the wrong mood or what, but I found this story irritating and slow. It felt as though the wheels were spinning more than usual. Perhaps one that would improve with adaptation to TV, like They Do It With Mirrors.

40rabbitprincess
Fév 24, 2013, 4:50 pm

21. Found in Translation: How Language Shapes Our Lives and Transforms the World, by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

If you like language and enjoy reading about "lost in translation" sort of stories (mainly where comical English is concerned), then you want to pick this book up. It explains how prevalent translation and interpretation are in society and describes the many areas in which bilingual or multilingual people can find themselves some very handy and rewarding work. It's a good book to read in chunks but can also be read in one sitting if you are so inclined.

22. All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
Source: library
Rating: 4.5/5

We watched the 1979 movie of this book in a high school history class, but the book is much more memorable. The main theme is the wasted youth and potential -- many of the German soldiers sent to war are barely out of their teens and have nothing to return to, if they survive. The war will force them to witness unspeakable acts of carnage and horror, and when they return to civilian life it will be nearly impossible for them to adjust and get their lost time back. Very moving and well worth a read.

23. Holidays on Ice, by David Sedaris
ROOT 11 of 50
Source: Christmas gift 2010
Rating: 3/5

I've decided I prefer Sedaris's essays to his fiction. Two of the fiction pieces in this collection went on too long and were kind of cringeworthy by the end -- excessively disagreeable characters or awkward situations can sometimes be too much for me. But his essay about being a SantaLand elf at Macy's and his other pieces about Christmas or the holidays in general are worth reading if you enjoy his work.

41kelsiface
Fév 24, 2013, 7:39 pm

Glad to hear that Found in Translation is enjoyable! I had been thinking about possibly giving it to a translator friend of mine (but ultimately decided it may be a bit too much like work to be a fun gift), but maybe I'll have to pick it up for myself at some point. Patrick Cox did a nice interview with Nataly Kelly on his podcast The World in Words a while back, if you're interested.

42rabbitprincess
Fév 24, 2013, 8:13 pm

>41 kelsiface:: Ooh, thanks for the link! I've scrolled through some of the other posts and it looks like a very interesting blog indeed. I hope you like Found in Translation -- maybe you can lend it to your translator friend when you're finished with it ;) For what it's worth, I'm a translator myself and didn't think of the book as work at all!

43kelsiface
Fév 25, 2013, 10:10 am

Good to know! Back onto the list of potential gifts it goes, then. :)

44rabbitprincess
Fév 26, 2013, 9:41 pm

Great! :)

Since it is highly unlikely I'll finish any ROOTS by the end of Thursday I'll do a recap now.

February ROOTS: 4

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, by Mary Roach
A Study in Scarlet, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Mystery of the Blue Train, by Agatha Christie
Holidays on Ice, by David Sedaris

Total ROOTS: 11

Book of the month for February: Packing for Mars, by Mary Roach

45raidergirl3
Fév 26, 2013, 10:33 pm

I've read one Roach, Stiff, and quite enjoyed it. Packing for Mars looks so good - I saw her interviewed on The Daily Show last year about it.

Quality v quantity!

46rabbitprincess
Fév 28, 2013, 9:37 pm

>45 raidergirl3:: If you liked Stiff, you'll probably like Packing for Mars as well. The gross bits in both books are about the same level ;)

Speaking of quality, my latest two books, non-ROOTS, were very good indeed.

24. The Beatles Graphic, by Hervé Bourhis
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A colourful, vibrant, personal, fresh and fun look at the history of the Fab Four. Originally written in French, this tells the story of the Beatles from their childhoods to the present day. Well worth a read for hardcore Beatles fans -- have their albums on hand though because this will definitely prompt some marathon listening sessions!

25. The Body on Mount Royal, by David Montrose
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

I picked this up solely based on the title. A hard-boiled detective novel set in Montreal? Yes please!! And overall I enjoyed it. I'm not sure that the detective and his cronies could actually drink as much as they do without sustaining serious alcohol poisoning, but the story itself was nicely told, the pacing was even and I was kept guessing even after I'd tried to predict whodunnit. I'd definitely read another one of Montrose's books.

47rabbitprincess
Mar 10, 2013, 11:31 am

Three books read in March so far, one being a ROOT. But I'm in the middle of two more ROOTs so stay tuned!

26. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
ROOT 12 of 50
Source: Chapters, Xmas gift card purchase
Rating: 4.5/5

I bought and read this book in anticipation of BBC Radio 4's forthcoming adaptation, in which my current favourite actor is playing the Angel Islington (although the rest of the cast is pretty darn good too!). After visiting London last year I have a weakness for books involving that fair city, and this book is the perfect "hit" of London-y goodness that I was after.

27. The Poisoner's Handbook, by Deborah Blum
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A very interesting account of the development of forensic science in NYC in the 1920s and 30s. Each chapter discusses a different chemical and its effects on the human body, along with the historical context in which these chemicals were developed and used. It was especially interesting to read about Prohibition and the arms race between the government and the bootleggers. Worth reading if you like mysteries set in the early days of forensic science or if you like medical history.

28. The Man with the Golden Gun, by Ian Fleming
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

I tried to watch the movie of this book but couldn't get more than a third of the way through because of the silliness. Fortunately, the book is much less silly, with a more straightforward plot (for a Bond book) than the movie did. If you didn't like the movie, try the book instead.

48rabbitprincess
Mar 16, 2013, 11:16 am

Two more ROOTS uprooted!

29. A Trick of the Light, by Louise Penny
ROOT 13 of 50
Source: Munro's Books, Victoria BC, Jul 2012
Rating: 3.5/5

Now I'm almost all caught up with the Armand Gamache series (the latest, The Beautiful Mystery, will be read just as soon as I obtain a trade paperback copy). This book is set in Quebec's art scene as well as Three Pines, and the murder is a catalyst for further revelations about a few of the Three Pines residents' personal lives, leading them to confront situations and come to realizations they may not have thought necessary before. If you're just coming to the series, read at least Bury Your Dead first.

30. The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien
ROOT 14 of 50
Source: Chapters, 75th anniversary box set
Rating: 3/5

I finally finished this book! Two other times I tried to read it and both times I got stalled about halfway through. I don't remember where exactly but probably somewhere in the Sam and Frodo section, because that part dragged this time too. It may have been easier to bear if the contents of the two parts had been told in alternating chapters. But I enjoyed the parts with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, and also the scene with Merry and Pippin when they meet up with the others at Isengard. It was difficult for me to compare the book with the movie because I have a limited Middle-Earth capacity in my brain -- only so much sticks at a time -- but both are good.

I read this book on its own and not as part of a series read, thinking that may have also been part of the problem before, but now I think I might reread the other books in the trilogy eventually.

49rabbitprincess
Mar 23, 2013, 3:02 pm

Has it really been only a week since I updated this thread? Guess so. Here we go!

31. Season of Darkness, by Maureen Jennings
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A good start to a new series by Jennings, whose other major series is the Murdoch Mysteries (now playing on CBC). This one is set during the Second World War in rural England, Shropshire to be precise. Detective Tom Tyler must investigate the murder of a Land Army girl and deal with life in England at the time of the Battle of Britain. Good historical details and the book moves along nicely. Will pick up the second in the series, Beware This Boy.

32. A Dustbin of Milligan, by Spike Milligan
ROOT 15 of 50
Source: Russell Books, Victoria, BC
Rating: 3/5

Read and reviewed for Go Review That Book. A certainly interesting assortment of letters, poems, stories and sketches from the pen of Goon Show actor and accomplished war memoirist Milligan, but perhaps not the place to start out with him. Try out one of his memoirs or listen to a few episodes of The Goon Show to get a feel for his humour first.

33. Breaking the Code, by Hugh Whitemore
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

Picked this up on the recommendation of the 2013 Category Challenge group. It's about the life and times of Alan Turing, codebreaker extraordinaire and the father of computer science. Derek Jacobi was in the original production and that would have been a great show. It may help to know the basics of Turing's life before reading this, but pretty good overall.

34. The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter, by Malcolm MacKay
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

My mother wanted to read this book because it is billed as the first in the "Glasgow Underworld" trilogy and she is planning a trip to Scotland (including Glasgow). I read it first to vet it for her. I can't say I'd recommend it as an example of local colour, because there is virtually no description of the cityscape. Apart from people's names and the occasional insertion of Scottish dialect, the story could almost have happened anywhere. Fortunately the story itself was pretty good so I will continue with the trilogy on that basis.

35. Sherlock: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
ROOT 16 of 50
Source: Christmas present 2012
Rating: 4/5

I've read enough of these stories to consider this a reread (although I'm not sure whether my parents' SH collection is this exact one or just a repackaging of some of the tales). The ones I remembered best, A Scandal in Bohemia and The Adventure of the Speckled Band, were my favourites, but I also liked The Five Orange Pips, and the others in varying degrees. A classic collection.

50rabbitprincess
Mar 31, 2013, 10:24 am

36. Doors Open, by Ian Rankin
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A highly entertaining stand-alone novel from Rankin. This centres on Mike Mackenzie and his plans to "liberate" some artwork in storage at the National Gallery of Scotland. It's a fun heist caper that will have you wanting to book a flight to Edinburgh immediately.

37. Player One: What is to Become of Us, by Douglas Coupland
ROOT 17 of 50
Source: World's Biggest Bookstore, Toronto
Rating: 3.5/5

This is Douglas Coupland's contribution to the CBC Massey Lectures and explores what it means to be human, the implications of technological change, and the fate of our species. Told as "a novel in five hours", it's a good platform for discussing these ideas and is best read in chunks (one hour at a time). Recommended for Coupland fans, and the audio version would be good since he reads the book himself.

51rabbitprincess
Modifié : Mar 31, 2013, 10:53 pm

March recap: 6 ROOTS

Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
A Trick of the Light, by Louise Penny
The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Dustbin of Milligan, by Spike Milligan
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Player One, by Douglas Coupland

Total ROOTS: 17

Book of the month: Neverwhere

Not doing too badly but need to keep up the pace!

52connie53
Avr 1, 2013, 6:11 am

Good job, Rabbitprincess.

53rabbitprincess
Avr 11, 2013, 9:51 pm

Thanks, Connie!

April books so far:

38. Whispers Under Ground, by Ben Aaronovitch
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

This is the third installment in the Peter Grant series, the first one I read and certainly not my last. Peter is a constable with the Metropolitan Police and also happens to be an apprentice wizard. I enjoyed the dynamic between Peter and the other members of his unit as well as his narrative voice -- and the fact that the main mystery focuses on a body found in the London Underground (specifically Baker Street Tube station) was a bonus.

39. Othello, by William Shakespeare
ROOT 18 of 50
Source: BF's parents
Rating: not rated

I couldn't get past Act 2 in this one. I'd probably prefer to see this play on stage.

40. Starter for Ten, by David Nicholls
ROOT 19 of 50
Source: Chapters
Rating: 4.5/5

I loved this book to pieces. Brian Jackson, a young working-class gent from Essex, wins a place at the University of Bristol, where he hopes to join the quiz team and compete on the fabled University Challenge. Brian's voice is endearing, the other characters leap to life off the page, and I lost count of how many times I had to stifle giggles on the bus. The movie is great too!

54rabbitprincess
Modifié : Avr 21, 2013, 11:07 am

More April books... I'm reading more library books at the moment. May will be a very good ROOTS month.

41. Ask the Pilot: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel, by Patrick Smith
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

Patrick Smith is an airline pilot and writes an occasional column for Salon.com, answering readers' questions about air travel. His aim is to provide clear, jargon-free explanations of how airplanes fly and what causes turbulence, as well as to describe what life is like in the cockpit. This is a good book to dip into if you're an occasional or nervous flyer, and if you read only one chapter, make it the one about the exploding toilet.

42. August: Osage County, by Tracy Letts
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

I read this because it has been made into a movie *cough*featuring Benedict Cumberbatch*cough* that is due to be released at the end of 2013. It's Letts' debut play and focuses on the fallout when Beverly Weston, the patriarch of an Oklahoma family, disappears one day, leaving his wife behind. His three daughters, sister-in-law and their families all come home to figure out what happened and deal with the aftermath. It's a tense, crackling play that should appeal to those who like stories about intra-family feuds and buried secrets (perhaps like A Spot of Bother, but darker).

43. Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs, by Ken Jennings
ROOT 20 of 50
Going Through the Stacks book #5 (verdict: keep)
Source: Xmas gift
Rating: 4/5

In high school and university I was a big Jeopardy! fan and also played trivia, so this book, by 75-game Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings, was a slam-dunk Christmas present for me. Jennings uses his experience on the show to frame an overall look at the world of trivia, from quiz books to Quiz Show, pub trivia to University Challenge (and other university-level trivia organizations). He's a very funny writer, with plenty of self-deprecation and curiosity about the world. It makes a good non-fiction companion to Starter for Ten.

44. Let It Bleed, by Ian Rankin
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

Another Rankin, which begins with a bang as Rebus and his boss, Lauderdale, are embarking on a high-speed chase that ends in a horrific accident on the Forth Bridge. Their quarry was involved in a kidnapping, which Rebus continues to investigate. His path eventually leads him into the upper echelons of Scottish politics and civil service, even as he's being ordered off the case. I love these books for their evocation of Edinburgh and for Rebus himself. They're quick but substantial reads, and every time I read one I think "Why don't I read these more often?"

I also read and reviewed a British cookbook, The Ploughman's Lunch and the Miser's Feast, at the request of the Go Review That Book! group, but I am not counting it in my "official" total (although I did count it in my category challenge, since I'd written a review).

55LittleTaiko
Avr 22, 2013, 10:40 am

Did not know that Cumberbatch was going to be in the movie version - do you know which charcacter he is playing? Saw the play a couple of years ago and would be interested in the movie.

I have Brainiac somewhere in my TBR pile at home. Sounds like I should try and get to it fairly soon based on your review!

56rabbitprincess
Avr 22, 2013, 5:54 pm

>55 LittleTaiko:: He's playing "Little" Charles Aiken, son of Mattie Fae and nephew of Beverly. It should be an interesting movie.

Apparently Jennings has written two other books since releasing Brainiac; I am particularly keen on reading Because I Said So!.

57rabbitprincess
Avr 28, 2013, 1:52 pm

April recap: 3 ROOTs

Othello, by William Shakespeare
Starter for Ten, by David Nicholls
Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs, by Ken Jennings

Total ROOTs: 20

Book of the month: Starter for Ten, by David Nicholls

Lots of library books this month -- trying to clear out the backlog before going on vacation. May will be a good month for ROOTs.

58LittleTaiko
Avr 29, 2013, 2:22 pm

I'm having a similar problem this month as I've ended up reading more library books than planned. I am convinced that my library likes to torment me - all my hold requests seem to show up at the same time. :)

59rabbitprincess
Avr 29, 2013, 5:57 pm

And if you can place holds on items through the online catalogue, it's all too easy to accumulate a whole bunch of them! I'm pretty good with spacing out books but sometimes I get a bunch of movies at once.

60rabbitprincess
Modifié : Mai 23, 2013, 9:38 am

On vacation but have had time to read four Roots so far.

Don't Look Back, by Karin Fossum
Late Nights on Air, by Elizabeth Hay
The Sign of Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch

Edit May 22: And another one: Trust Your Eyes, by Linwood Barclay

61rabbitprincess
Modifié : Mai 25, 2013, 1:53 pm

Catching up on my April reads -- none of these are ROOTS. However, all of the books I've read in May are ROOTS, so stay tuned.

45. Until the Night, by Giles Blunt
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

I liked this installment of the John Cardinal series better than its predecessor, Crime Machine, but could have done with fewer or no sex-club scenes. Fortunately they were easy enough to skip over without missing out on crucial plot points, and the plot thread about the Arctic research station was fascinating.

46. Where the Bodies are Buried, by Christopher Brookmyre
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

Took me a while to start reading this one but I really enjoyed it. Much more Glasgow flavour than the other Glasgow-based mystery I read. Apparently this book is more serious than his usual fare but there were still plenty of chuckle-worthy comments in the narration and character descriptions. Will probably read the next one, When the Devil Drives.

47. Time and Chance, by Sharon Kay Penman
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

Found this one harder going than the first book, perhaps there was rather a lot of childbirth going on and that's not something I enjoy reading about at length. Poor Eleanor! Yikes. She is my favourite character in the two Penmans we've read so far this year, her and Hywel, son of Owain Gwynedd. In my internal movie of the book, Eleanor is Elizabeth Taylor and Hywel is Mr Croup from the TV adaptation of Neverwhere (because that is the actor's first name). Looking forward to the third installment.

48. Bryant and May on the Loose, by Christopher Fowler
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

Bryant and May are always reliable entertainment. Turns out the last book I read of theirs was the one that comes right after this one, so I had some unintentional foreshadowing (especially the hole in the warehouse floor!). Better to read this one once you've started the series.

62rabbitprincess
Mai 25, 2013, 7:46 pm

Now for the May reads, finally. All of these are ROOTS, and all of the books I am currently reading are ROOTS as well. Gotta love vacations.

49. Don't Look Back, by Karin Fossum
ROOT 21 of 50
Source: Knotanew Bookstore, Peterborough, ON
Rating: 3/5

Read for the 2013 Category Challenge group Random CAT challenge (May edition). It was quick, a nice introduction to Inspector Sejer, and very skillful shifting of scenes that kept me questioning what was really going on.

50. Late Nights on Air, by Elizabeth Hay
ROOT 22 of 50
Source: Xmas gift
Rating: 3.5/5

I intended to read this in April for the 2013 CC Group Awards CAT, but it ended up being finished in May. I enjoyed the parts about life at a Northern radio station and the view of the Northwest Territories, but the "had they but known" moments in the narration became irritating after a while. Would have been four stars had they not been present.

51. The Sign of Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
ROOT 23 of 50
Source: Xmas gift
Rating: 4/5

One of my friends read this recently as part of a major Sherlock binge (we were having a marathon of the TV series and she wanted to brush up on the canon) and said it was pretty strange and awkward in some cultural aspects. Thus forewarned, I was able to take the awkwardness in stride. But really, Watson, could you be a bit less patronizing about your future wife's ability to deal with shocking events? *eyeroll*

52. Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch
ROOT 24 of 50
Source: Chapters bargain bin
Rating: 4/5

This book set some kind of record in our household: I managed to tear through it in about two days, then my mum immediately borrowed it and finished it in very short order as well. She found it a bit rushed and confusing in places, while I had read Book 3 in the series and was at least more familiar with the characters. But we both agreed that Peter was a great character and it was very funny and easy to read. Bonus: we were in London at the time and actually went by a couple of very key places in the book.

53. Trust Your Eyes, by Linwood Barclay
ROOT 25 of 50
Source: Chapters, part of an online gift-card spree
Rating: 4.5/5

Another excellent Linwood Barclay thriller. I felt like this one was more low-key in its suspense, like Too Close to Home (or at least like how I remember Too Close to Home), while his previous book, The Accident, was a more explosive, compulsive page-turner. Ray Kilbride makes a likeable narrator and there is plenty of humour and a touch of sweetness to balance out the suspense.

63connie53
Modifié : Mai 26, 2013, 12:06 pm

I love Linwood Barclay! But the book you've read and The Accident are not yet translated. The last one is due in about a week so I will have to preorder that one. ;-))

64rabbitprincess
Mai 26, 2013, 12:25 pm

Would the most recent one be the translation of Never Look Away? That one was really good, very fast-paced like The Accident. I should read it again, though; I read it so fast I can't remember much about it ;)

65connie53
Mai 26, 2013, 12:58 pm

Yes, that's the one. There are 4 books translated into Dutch and I've read them all.

66rabbitprincess
Juin 1, 2013, 9:17 am

May recap:

A ROOTS-only month for me! Hurray! This counterbalances the fact that it was also my least productive reading month. I was on vacation for a good chunk of the month so not much time for reading.

ROOTS read: 6

Don't Look Back, by Karin Fossum
Late Nights on Air, by Elizabeth Hay
The Sign of Four, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch
Trust Your Eyes, by Linwood Barclay
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Total ROOTS: 26

Book of the Month: Trust Your Eyes

67raidergirl3
Juin 1, 2013, 9:35 am

I've never had a bad Linwood Barclay read! He writes great thrillers.

68connie53
Juin 1, 2013, 9:44 am

The same here!

69rabbitprincess
Juin 8, 2013, 7:21 pm

>67 raidergirl3:, 68: And apparently there's another one coming: A Tap on the Window, due out in August. Yay! Can't wait.

Forgot to mention my last May read, so may as well do that and start off June (finally).

54. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
ROOT 26 of 50
Source: WHSmith Argyle Street, Glasgow
Rating: 4/5

Once again another entertaining set of stories about S. Holmes and J. Watson. This collection includes "The Final Problem", whose impact is somewhat lessened these days, although I imagine it was quite the shock when it was first published. These stories do take a bit of concentration for me to get into, but they're worth the effort and will surely reward rereading.

55. Stuart: A Life Backwards, by Alexander Masters
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

The biography of Stuart Shorter, an ex-homeless man and drug addict in Cambridge, and an examination of what led him down the path of dependency and violence. Alexander Masters tells his story with equal doses of humour and affectionate exasperation, interviewing Stuart's relatives, delving into newspaper records and recording his own conversations with Stuart. If you're interested in social justice issues, this may be one to check out.

70rabbitprincess
Juin 16, 2013, 10:12 am

All of my other books this month have been ROOTS, despite falling back on my usual library-borrowing-binge habits.

56. Steps to the Empty Throne, by Nigel Tranter
ROOT 27 of 50
Source: Moffat Books, Moffat, Scotland
Rating: 3.5/5

This is the first volume in the "Robert the Bruce" trilogy, which I purchased as a set from this particular used-book store. It basically met my expectations and now I want to read a non-fiction account of the period (in addition to continuing with the trilogy).

57. Athabasca, by Alistair MacLean
ROOT 28 of 50
Source: Library book sale
Rating: 2/5

The second half of this book was pretty thrilling, and the whole book gets bonus points for being set in Canada, but it starts off really slowly with lots of info-dumpy expository dialogue and is a bit predictable in places. This one goes back to the library-book-sale circuit.

58. The Bull from the Sea, by Mary Renault
ROOT 29 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 3.5/5

One of the many old books I inherited/adopted from my grandma, this is the second of two novels chronicling the life of Theseus. I thought I knew the story of his life, but evidently there was a lot I'd forgotten. Very well told, it caused a few tears in places. Now to go find the first of the two novels, The King Must Die.

71Robertgreaves
Juin 16, 2013, 10:00 pm

Have you read The King Must Die before? It's much better than The Bull From the Sea.

72rabbitprincess
Juin 16, 2013, 10:21 pm

>71 Robertgreaves:: Not yet, but I may hunt it up at the library soon. In the meantime I might read another Greek mythology book to get back into that world -- haven't read about it in a long while and re-entry with The Bull from the Sea was a bit bumpy.

73rabbitprincess
Juin 23, 2013, 7:25 pm

59. Mr. Churchill's Secretary, by Susan Elia MacNeal
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

Another library book that met my expectations: a light, entertaining read set in WW2 London. Will probably read the next one.

60. A Scientific Romance, by Ronald Wright
ROOT 30 of 50
Source: probably Chapters (bought it for school)
Rating: 5/5

This was a reread of a book I studied in university. It takes place in a future England and Scotland, and now that I've actually been to most of the places shown in the book, it was that much easier to imagine. And even though some aspects of the future seem dated (if that makes any sense), it's still a very powerful book.

74rabbitprincess
Juin 25, 2013, 10:14 pm

61. Dave Barry's Money Secrets, by Dave Barry
ROOT 31 of 50
Source: Books on View, Victoria, BC
Rating: 3.5/5

Basically what you'd expect from Dave on the subject of finance. Lots of picture-based jokes in this one, which he used to do more of in the past, or at least that's my impression from my memories of the Dave canon.

75rabbitprincess
Juin 30, 2013, 7:45 pm

62. Fools Die on Friday, by A.A. Fair
ROOT 32 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 2/5

Meh. A mystery that was predictable at times and had a somewhat irritating protagonist. I have another Fair book that I'll read but both of them will likely be passed on.

63. Hide and Seek, by Ian Rankin
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

Can't get enough Rankin; this is my third one this year. Finished it in just two days' worth of bus reading.

76rabbitprincess
Juin 30, 2013, 7:55 pm

June recap: 6 ROOTS pulled.

Steps to the Empty Throne, by Nigel Tranter
Athabasca, by Alistair MacLean
The Bull from the Sea, by Mary Renault
A Scientific Romance, by Ronald Wright (reread)
Dave Barry's Money Secrets: Like, Why is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?, by Dave Barry
Fools Die on Friday, by A.A. Fair

Total ROOTS: 32

Book of the Month: Stuart: A Life Backwards, by Alexander Masters
Best ROOT book: A Scientific Romance, by Ronald Wright

77rabbitprincess
Juil 6, 2013, 11:51 am

Three books in July so far and only one ROOT, although I am plugging away at another one today.

64. Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry
Source: library
Rating: 5/5

Fantastic! A rich, fascinating glimpse into life on the cattle drive in the Old West. Even if you don't like Westerns, the characters might just persuade you to give this one a go.

65. The Scientific Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case with Science and Forensics, by James F. O'Brien
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

Probably best if you've read the Holmes stories before reading this one, otherwise you may be spoilered. Although really that is perhaps to be expected with a title like "Cracking the Case" -- discussion of the solutions to Holmes's cases will be paramount. Still, very interesting.

66. Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowell
ROOT 33 of 50
Source: Xmas gift
Rating: 4/5

An in-depth look at the locations and history surrounding the three presidential assassinations: Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. I learned a fair bit and now have to move Candice Millard's Destiny of the Republic further up the "request from library" list!

78rabbitprincess
Juil 14, 2013, 12:50 pm

67. The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
ROOT 34 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 4/5

Can't believe I never read this as a kid, but now I've finally rectified that. Badger was my favourite character. I did have to wonder though about the size and scale of the animals when they encountered humans.

68. The Victoria Vanishes, by Christopher Fowler
Source: library
Rating: 2.5/5

My least favourite of the Bryant and May series, which is a shame because so much of it revolved around the traditional pub (yay, pubs!). Still, the characters themselves were enjoyable.

69. Moranthology, by Caitlin Moran
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A very enjoyable collection of columns. How could I not like someone who geeks out over Sherlock and Doctor Who? Looking forward to reading her other book, How to Be a Woman.

70. Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin, by Terrance Dicks
ROOT 35 of 50
Source: Dragan Tail Books, Ottawa, ON
Rating: 4/5

This is a thrilling Fourth Doctor adventure novelized from the TV show. The overly ceremonial Time Lords were worth a chuckle, and the battle between the Doctor and the assassin had me turning the pages in record time.

71. Two Generals, by Scott Chantler
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A very well-done graphic memoir about Chantler's grandfather, Law, and his best friend, Jack, as they fought in WW2. It's touching and chilling and funny in places, and the artwork is excellent at describing shock, boredom and other moments when time stands still.

79riverwillow
Juil 27, 2013, 5:33 am

You asked about The Watchers: A Secret History of the Reign of Elizabeth I, which I really do recommend as it takes an interesting approach.

Also, I see you're a fan of Linwood Barclay. he's one of the writers on my list to check out, can you recommend a good one to start with?

80rabbitprincess
Juil 27, 2013, 11:04 am

Great! The library has it so I'll make a note to request it soon.

Re Barclay, No Time for Goodbye is probably a good place to start if you want more of a puzzle-y type of thriller. For breathless, page-turning excitement on a weekend at the cottage, The Accident would fit the bill. And if you like Hitchcock with a side of conspiracy theory, then Trust Your Eyes would do the job. And Too Close to Home has ended up staying in my mind far longer than I expected. But he is a very reliable writer so even his just-OK books are still worth the time.

My all-time favourite Barclay is probably his memoir, Last Resort, which talks about his teenage years in cottage-country Ontario, helping his parents run a holiday trailer park. It's a bit hard to find but AbeBooks has a few copies and I believe it was also released as an ebook a couple of years ago. But for that one it probably helped that I was familiar with his work as a columnist for The Toronto Star; he was kind of like Dave Barry in that he would write about his family life and current affairs with a humourous slant.

He also has an older series starring unlikely detective Zack Walker (starting with Bad Move), but I'd probably start with his stand-alone thrillers. Hope that helps! :)

81rabbitprincess
Modifié : Août 19, 2013, 6:02 pm

More updating!

72. 66 North, by Michael Ridpath
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

The second in Ridpath's Fire and Ice series, set in Iceland. Interesting present-day story about the financial collapse, and the protagonist's past storyline made me immediately add the next book to the TBR.

73. Death at Buckingham Palace, by C.C. Benison (reread)
ROOT 36 of 50
Going Through the Stacks book #6
Source: probably bought by my parents
Rating: 4/5

I reread this after selecting it for a fellow Category Challenge participant's "books picked by others" category. I love this series about a Canadian housemaid and the Queen solving mysteries. Have to reread the others soon.

74. How to Be a Woman, by Caitlin Moran
Source: library
Rating: 5/5

This is definitely my book of the month and will probably be one of the highlights of the year. I have never agreed so much with a book in my life. Very, very enjoyable. Will have to get my own copy.

75. The Man on the Balcony, by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
ROOT 37 of 50
Source: A Novel Idea, Kingston, ON
Rating: 2.5/5

I'm reading the Martin Beck series in order and found this one had more momentum than the second book but was not as enjoyable as the first book. Of course I was probably not going to be terribly enthusiastic about a book involving a string of child murders. Read for completeness.

76. Seven Rivers of Canada, by Hugh MacLennan
ROOT 38 of 50
Source: BMV, Toronto, ON
Rating: 4/5

An interesting look at seven major rivers in Canada: the Mackenzie, the St. Lawrence, the Ottawa, the Red, the Saskatchewan, the Fraser and the St. John. MacLennan wrote in the early 1960s, so much has probably changed since then, but if you like tales of the wilderness and exploration, you may want to check this out.

77. Prisoner of the Daleks, by Trevor Baxendale (ebook)
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 3/5

I decided to test out the library's Overdrive app on my iPad by borrowing a Doctor Who ebook; also, I like to encourage their purchasing of such books in the first place. The book itself was serviceable and quite thrilling by the end, although one should really not use the word "realized" as a replacement for "said".

82rabbitprincess
Juil 31, 2013, 9:42 pm

July recap: 6 ROOTS pulled.

Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowell
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin, by Terrance Dicks
Death at Buckingham Palace, by C.C. Benison
The Man on the Balcony, by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
Seven Rivers of Canada, by Hugh MacLennan

Total ROOTS: 38

Book of the month: How to Be a Woman, by Caitlin Moran
Best ROOT book of the month: Hm they were pretty much all enjoyable but I think I'm going to have to go with my reread of Death at Buckingham Palace.

83riverwillow
Août 3, 2013, 7:00 am

Have added No Time for Goodbye to my wishlist, but it may have to wait for a while as a friend has just lent me some books by Fred Vargas, which I see you've read in the original French - am very jealous - and I'm told I should enjoy them. Should I be worried that I've added more books to my tbr mountain than I've actually read so far this year?

84rabbitprincess
Août 3, 2013, 9:48 am

I'd say that's a fairly common problem around here ;) Hope you enjoy the Barclay and the Vargas! I do like reading Vargas in French because I'm trying to improve my second-language reading skills. The only thing is I read so slowly in Fr that I need to buy the books instead of borrowing them from the library. Fortunately local library sales are good for picking up secondhand copies.

85rabbitprincess
Modifié : Août 30, 2013, 8:15 pm

A very long update ahoy! One last book for July and all of the books I've read so far in August.

78. Basil of Baker Street, by Eve Titus
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

I read this because the characters were the inspiration for the greatly underrated The Great Mouse Detective. It's definitely a children's book, although it may seem a bit dated to all but the youngest of children these days.

79. Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean
ROOT 39 of 50
Source: Lothlorien, Moffat, Scotland
Rating: 4/5

A return to form for MacLean, easily ranking with The Guns of Navarone in best-of lists of his work. If you like your Cold War served extra cold within the claustrophobic confines of a submarine, or appreciate the structure of a traditional country-house mystery, pick up a copy of this book.

80. The Making of Music, by James Naughtie (audio)
ROOT 40 of 50
Source: CDs
Rating: 3/5

A very, very exhaustive look at the history of music over the past millennium or thereabouts. Very helpful to hear the actual music being discussed, and adding contemporary accounts brought an interesting perspective.

81. The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (I nearly typed "Sherlock Holmes")
ROOT 41 of 50
Source: Xmas gift
Rating: 4/5

My second-favourite Holmes, after "The Speckled Band". The descriptions of Dartmoor and environs at night are absolutely chilling, and even though I'd read the book multiple times before AND seen the Wishbone version, I was still kept guessing a bit at the end.

82. Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch, by "Jessica Fletcher" and Donald Bain
ROOT 42 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 1.5/5

This is a "Murder, She Wrote" book, which I read because I enjoyed the show. However, the book, which is told in first person, does not sound anything like I imagine Jessica Fletcher, so I found myself being much more nitpicky and critical than I was expecting to be. The extra half star is for the stuff about airplanes (and also I was able to finish the book, which despite being irritating was very quick).

83. Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne
ROOT 43 of 50
Going Through the Stacks #7
Source: no idea, had it since I was a kid
Rating: 4/5

A belated reread for July's "Random CAT", which had a travel theme. It was surprising how much of the book came back to me as I read, despite not having read the book in years. I also laughed out loud at a sassy translator's note toward the end of the book about the peculiarity of "all the clocks in London" striking the time at the very same moment. A very good book, although stressful if you are like me and don't like being late for things :P

84. Speaking from Among the Bones, by Alan Bradley
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 5/5

I polished this off over the weekend and is my second favourite in the Flavia de Luce series (after the first book). An interesting mystery and surprising developments in the life of the Buckshaw inhabitants. I found myself having to remove dust from my eye much more often than I had anticipated -- Flavia has definitely earned herself a place in my affections.

86riverwillow
Août 14, 2013, 12:47 pm

I'm so glad you loved Speaking from Among the Bones as this is one of my favourite reads of the year so far and that ending left me desperate for the next book to come out.

87rabbitprincess
Août 14, 2013, 5:31 pm

I know eh! What a perfect last sentence. I'm already in the queue at the library for book #6 :)

88rabbitprincess
Août 23, 2013, 9:20 pm

A bit more catching up to do.

85. Princess Elizabeth's Spy, by Susan Elia MacNeal
Source: library
Rating: 2.5/5

Spies sent to protect the Princess during wartime are supposed to be able to shut off their emotions and get on with the job. In that respect, Maggie Hope is not a successful guard; she spends most of the book alternating between crying over her missing-presumed-dead fiancé and delivering angry rebukes to all the sexist men she encounters. Irritating.

86. Devil's Brood, by Sharon Kay Penman
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

The final installment of the Henry II/Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy is a good one, in which we see the fallout when their ambitious children start squabbling among themselves and rebelling against their father, who is loath to release the reins of power. Could be read on its own if you wanted.

87. When the Devil Drives, by Christopher Brookmyre
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

I really enjoy this series, which is based in Glasgow and features two excellent female protagonists: Jasmine Sharp, a budding private investigator, and Catherine MacLeod, a detective with the Glasgow police. This one has a few more downright chilling moments than its predecessor, which was a treat, and while I briefly lost track of what was going on I still greatly enjoyed the ride.

88. The Interpreter's Handbook, by Jean Herbert
ROOT 44 of 50
Source: one of my coworkers
Rating: 3/5

This is more useful as a historical curiosity than as a reference manual; it was published about 50 years ago and so does not delve much into technology. Its prescriptive and self-contradictory tone may also discourage beginning interpreters -- better to read this if you're already an interpreter or have no intention of becoming one ;)

89. The Underground Man, by Ross Macdonald
ROOT 45 of 50
Source: Patrick McGahern Books, Ottawa
Rating: 4/5

Another good Archer novel. The plot was deliciously convoluted and I had great fun reading this over the past week on the bus. Perhaps a good second novel to read in the series (the first should probably be The Chill or The Galton Case).

89rabbitprincess
Août 30, 2013, 8:12 pm

Finishing off the month with a batch of non-ROOTs.

90. How a Gunman Says Goodbye, by Malcolm MacKay
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this one more than its predecessor, The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter, because I knew what to expect: good underworld story, not so much local colour (this is the "Glasgow Trilogy"). Lives up to its blurb of "devastating and heartbreaking."

91. Watchman, by Ian Rankin
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

Ian Rankin's early spy novel, reprinted with an intro by Rankin. An interesting work for fans; you can see the beginnings of his voice here, particularly the excellent place descriptions. The beetle thing was weird though.

92. The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 3.5/5

An interesting look at the events leading up to and including the first month of WW1. I read this for the group read over at the 2013 Category Challenge Group and got most of the way through. With non-fiction I sometimes reach a saturation point, and with this one I was able to read up to Chapter 16 (of 23, so not too bad).

93. Cold Granite, by Stuart MacBride
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

The first in the Logan McRae series has a very grim string of child murders, but the interactions and personalities of Aberdeen's finest went a long way toward leavening the grimness. Now I'm hooked on another series...

90rabbitprincess
Août 30, 2013, 8:14 pm

August recap: 7 ROOTs pulled.

Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean
The Making of Music, by James Naughtie (audio)
The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sherlock Holmes (reread)
Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch, by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain
Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne
The Interpreter's Handbook, by Jean Herbert
The Underground Man, by Ross Macdonald

Total ROOTs: 45

Book of the month: Speaking from Among the Bones, by Alan Bradley
Best ROOT book of the month: Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean

91rabbitprincess
Sep 17, 2013, 8:05 pm

How is it already halfway through September? I've read only two ROOTS so far but am counting a third because I am abandoning it and getting it off my shelves!

94. The Global English Style Guide: Writing Clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Market, by John R. Kohl
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A very good resource for budding technical writers and translators alike, or anyone who wants to write clearly and effectively.

95. Atlantic: The Biography of an Ocean, by Simon Winchester
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

Great framing structure. My favourite chapter was the one about naval warfare, specifically the nautical terminology.

96. Enigma, by Robert Harris
ROOT 46 of 50
Source: Imperial War Museum London
Rating: 3.5/5

I liked the second half better than the first half. Would really like to see the movie and visit Bletchley Park.

97. The Understudy, by David Nicholls
ROOT 47 of 50
Source: BMV, Toronto
Rating: 4/5

Started reading this one immediately after purchasing it (last week) and finished it in a day and a half. Very funny, very breezy but still a lot going on.

98. Hope, by Len Deighton
Source: borrowed from parents
Rating: 3/5

Took me a while to finish this one. It was a slow start, picked up in the middle, then petered out a bit at the end. I'll be reading the final volume of the trilogy (Charity), but not for a while.

99. The Very Last Gambado, by Jonathan Gash
ROOT 48 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 1/5

If I'd finished, this would have been a 1.5-star, because I liked the idea of the plot. However, the narrative voice was really irritating and circular, constantly explaining what had just been said and tossing around all sorts of antique-speak as well. Would probably make a better TV episode (and would at least have the bonus of Ian McShane).

92VivienneR
Modifié : Sep 19, 2013, 9:34 pm

Thanks rabbitprincess, I'm putting Enigma on my wishlist right away. I find the whole topic fascinating - Bletchley, Turing, the codes and the times. Have you seen the series Bletchley? I think it was on PBS.

93VivienneR
Sep 19, 2013, 9:36 pm

Sorry, that should have read The Bletchley Circle (tv Mystery series). Repeats begin tonight, probably too late now if you are in the east.

94rabbitprincess
Sep 19, 2013, 10:47 pm

I heard about that series but didn't get a chance to watch it. Hoping the library will pick it up for me to request.

95rabbitprincess
Sep 24, 2013, 10:00 pm

I'm currently reading an omnibus edition of To the Ends of the Earth, by William Golding. As I did with my omnibus edition of Parade's End last year, I'm going to count each volume as a separate ROOT.

100. Rites of Passage, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 1)
ROOT 49 of 50
Source: Abebooks
Rating: 4.5/5 (for this volume)

This book chronicles some of the adventures of Edmund Talbot, a young English gentleman who is going to Australia to start a position with the governor of New South Wales. Edmund keeps a journal for the amusement of his godfather, who got him the position with the governor. His narration is very funny; he's very observant but also rather self-unaware, so the reader sometimes gets a chuckle at his expense. The ending felt kind of abrupt, even though it ended at a good point story-wise. Maybe I was influenced by knowing that there were two additional volumes. I'm not sure how it would have been received when it was first published....although it did win the Booker Prize. I've already started Vol. 2 and it's good so far.

96connie53
Sep 25, 2013, 9:50 am

As I did with my omnibus edition of Parade's End last year, I'm going to count each volume as a separate ROOT.

That's what I do also.

97rabbitprincess
Sep 29, 2013, 10:46 am

If I didn't, it would take forever to count those editions!

One non-ROOT and one ROOT, and I've reached my target for the year. Will continue adding to the group total.

101. The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found, by Mary Beard
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

A very good look at the world of Pompeii, covering all aspects of life in the city and discussing what the site looked like when it was first excavated and how it looks today. The "Further Reading" section at the back is extensive and should keep most Pompeii enthusiasts busy for a while.

102. This House is Nuts!: Surviving the Absurdities of Everyday Life, by Linwood Barclay
ROOT 50 of 50 -- GOAL REACHED
Source: Abebooks
Rating: 4/5

Before Linwood Barclay became a best-selling thriller writer, he was a columnist with the Toronto Star. He wrote three times a week about everyday life and current events, sort of like Dave Barry except without as many references to exploding toilets. This is a collection of family-life columns and they are quite amusing. I particularly liked the one where saying goodbye to one's guests is more of a process than an act -- he could have been writing about my family! And because these were written in the 1990s, reading them is like opening a time capsule. Very fun, easy to read in bits and pieces before bed.

98MissWatson
Sep 30, 2013, 4:57 am

Congratulations!

99Robertgreaves
Sep 30, 2013, 10:04 am

Congratulations. Well done.

100majkia
Sep 30, 2013, 12:43 pm

huzzah!

101connie53
Sep 30, 2013, 12:59 pm

Congrats! Very well done.

102rabbitprincess
Modifié : Sep 30, 2013, 6:28 pm

Thanks, all! :) And a happy International Translation Day, as Robert mentioned on his thread.

September recap: 5 ROOTS pulled.

Enigma, by Robert Harris
The Understudy, by David Nicholls
The Very Last Gambado, by Jonathan Gash (abandoned)
Rites of Passage, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 1)
This House is Nuts!: Surviving the Absurdities of Everyday Life, by Linwood Barclay

Total ROOTS: 50 (goal reached)

Book of the month: Rites of Passage, by William Golding

103Ameise1
Oct 1, 2013, 11:36 am


Well done!!!

104dudes22
Oct 1, 2013, 3:14 pm

Good job! Still lots of reading time left this year.

105rabbitprincess
Oct 1, 2013, 5:56 pm

Thank you both! Yep, plenty of reading time left. Hoping Oct will be more productive than Sep, because I won't be on vacation so much. (I don't read as much on vacation -- what's up with that??)

106MissWatson
Oct 2, 2013, 2:50 am

Well, I'm usually on vacation with friends and family and we spend the time catching up with each other – so there's less reading time. Maybe it's the same with you?

107LittleTaiko
Oct 2, 2013, 8:01 am

Congratulations!!!'

108rabbitprincess
Oct 2, 2013, 9:27 pm

>106 MissWatson:: Very true. That's probably it. Also for some reason my parents' TV is a much worse influence than the TV at my place.

>107 LittleTaiko:: Thanks! :D

109melonbrawl
Oct 3, 2013, 4:25 pm

Yay rabbitprincess! Shiny new crowns for all the bunnies!

110rabbitprincess
Oct 3, 2013, 6:04 pm

One adorable image search later...

111melonbrawl
Oct 3, 2013, 10:22 pm

Magnificent! (And what service! :)

112rabbitprincess
Modifié : Oct 17, 2013, 6:59 pm

Any excuse to go looking for cute bunny photos :)

So apparently I haven't updated this with any of my October books... Here goes!

103. Close Quarters, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 2)
ROOT 51 of 50
Source: Abebooks
Rating: 3.5/5
Like most second volumes of trilogies, this one suffered a bit in comparison to the first volume. The narrator himself comments that there isn't as strong a narrative for him to focus on. But his tales of courtship and mishaps at sea are entertaining nonetheless; this is worth reading for the characters.

104. Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, by Mary Roach
Source: library
Rating: 4/5
By turns fascinating, hilarious and gross, Mary Roach's book about the digestive system is recommended for those interested in the squishier bits of science. Make sure you have someone else in the house when you're reading, so that you can regale them with anecdotes and interesting facts. "Did you know that we generate a new stomach lining every three days? Did you know that a cow's rumen is about the size of a 30-gallon garbage can?" If you liked the ickier bits of Packing for Mars, you'll definitely like this one.

105. Attention All Passengers: The Airlines' Dangerous Descent -- and How to Reclaim Our Skies, by William J. McGee
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 3/5
If you're peeved by the conditions of modern flying -- the crammed cabins, harried flight attendants, indignities of the security screening process -- this book sympathizes wholeheartedly and tells you exactly how the friendly skies became unfriendly. It's mostly about the US, but I imagine some of the problems brought up here are present to a degree in most places. The chapters are linked but can be read separately, like a series of magazine articles (the author writes for Consumer Reports).

106. Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup
Source: library
Rating: 5/5
The shocking but true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man resident of New York who is abducted and sold into slavery in Louisiana, and then spends twelve years trying to get back home. It is plain-spoken with precisely chosen details that really bring his plight home to the reader. Definitely worth a read, especially for students of US history. The movie adaptation looks to be just as powerful.

107. Standing in Another Man's Grave, by Ian Rankin
Source: library
Rating: 4/5
I saw this in the Express Collection and couldn't pass it up. Rebus is in fine form in this one, and I loved the fact that they toured the Highlands and northern Scotland. Having just been there myself, I could imagine it very clearly. The final quarter of the investigation, however, was a bit unsatisfying. Still, looking forward to the next book.

108. Fire Down Below, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 3)
ROOT 52 of 50
Source: Abebooks
Rating: 4/5
The conclusion to the trilogy leaves me with mixed feelings. I really enjoyed most of it, but the end kind of felt like the end of the movie version of The Return of the King; you keep thinking that THIS chapter will be the end, it makes sense, you're prepared to let it go, and then nope, there's another chapter. But the main story was very exciting and adorable in parts, and I am sad to let these characters go so it was a success overall.

109. Sherlock Holmes and the Treasure Train, by Frank Thomas
ROOT 53 of 50
Going Through the Stacks Book 8

Source: adopted from grandparents
Rating: 2/5
This Holmes pastiche had a rather convoluted plot, although I'm not sure whether that is due to the author or its setting in the world of high finance. Also, I am sure Watson would not refer to Holmes as "the sleuth" in print. That was an irritating tic. Overall this is the sort of book you borrow from the lending library at a resort: quick and rather forgettable.

113rabbitprincess
Modifié : Oct 18, 2013, 6:13 pm

110. Am I the Only Sane One Working Here?: 101 Solutions for Surviving Office Insanity, by Albert J. Bernstein
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 2/5

I don't think this book is designed for reading in extended sittings. The tone grated after a while and I think there were too many scenarios to explore in any depth. Good title though.

111. The Daughter of Time, by Josephine Tey
Source: borrowed from parents
Rating: 4/5

My mum left out her Josephine Tey novels for me to borrow whenever I visit. Managed to finish this one in a couple of days. It was just the ticket for whatever vague historical mystery mood I was in at the time. I'd be interested to see how much of Grant's "investigation" of Richard III has been subsequently validated.

112. Long Time No See, by Ed McBain
Source: Friends of the Library book sale hosted by Mountain Orchards, September 2012
Rating: 4/5

A Go Review That Book! selection. I'm hard pressed to think of a fictional murder victim who leapt off the page in as lively a manner as Jimmy Harris did in this book. The investigation was really interesting, the pacing good, and the solution both unexpected and totally clear once revealed. Also, I'm glad the book was not as weird as the back cover made it sound.

113. A Long Way Down, by Nick Hornby
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

Four people attempting to commit suicide on New Year's Eve end up forming a ragtag support group of sorts. Each tells their share of the story, although Martin probably gets the most airtime. Light in tone but with some weighty issues being discussed. Recommended if you like David Nicholls.

114. Coraline, by Neil Gaiman
ROOT 54 of 50
Source: Chapters gift card
Rating: 4/5

A nice creepy story for Halloween, although I think the movie is actually creepier than the book. Both are recommended.

114rabbitprincess
Oct 27, 2013, 5:27 pm

Two ROOTS, two non-ROOTS, two Dr Who, two not-Dr-Who.

115. The Dark Crusader, by Alistair MacLean
ROOT 55 of 50
Source: OPL book sale
Rating: 3.5/5

Set in the South Pacific, this is a story about eight defence scientists who have mysteriously disappeared after responding to job postings involving relocation to Australia. The ninth defence scientist is also a spy, and is sent to solve the mystery. Fairly grinding and bleak, but realistic. Not as good as The Guns of Navarone, but better than Where Eagles Dare.

116. Doctor Who: The Wheel of Ice, by Stephen Baxter
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

I approve of new Second Doctor novels on principle; so many of his TV episodes were lost that it seems only fair to give him extra book adventures. This one is interesting but should be read in as close to a single sitting as possible, to preserve the momentum. Fans of Jamie will likely be pleased with his resourcefulness in this one.

117. Doctor Who: The Angel's Kiss: A Melody Malone Mystery, by Melody Malone and Justin Richards
ROOT 56 of 50
Source: audiobook on CD
Rating: 3/5

Two stars for plot -- this felt very slight and bare-bones -- and an extra star for Alex Kingston's narration. Really, she would have been the only logical choice. Definitely get the audio if you're planning to read this.

118. Artists in Crime, by Ngaio Marsh
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

Easily my favourite Alleyn novel. This is the one where he first meets Agatha Troy, and it is very cute. I also like Alleyn's mum. Oh yeah and the mystery is pretty good too.

115MissWatson
Oct 28, 2013, 7:31 am

Alistair MacLean? His books are still around? I once had a complete collection (I think) but when they started to fall apart, I didn't replace them. Really liked his style, though. My first encounter with English (self-deprecating) humour. I think I'll go and re-read the favourite bits...

116rabbitprincess
Oct 28, 2013, 6:23 pm

Indeed they are! Or at least I've had luck with finding them secondhand. I think a bunch of them have also been reprinted fairly recently. I have a paperback edition of Goodbye California with a copyright date of 2009.

117MissWatson
Oct 29, 2013, 4:34 am

Thank you for that info! I notice there are some titles that I don't remember, so I must have missed some when somebody else started writing with his name on the book (as in Alistair MacLean's Unaco). One more author on my list...why do I have to be a completist?

118rabbitprincess
Oct 31, 2013, 10:10 pm

You're welcome! If it helps, I am a MacLean completist as well (although I am inclined to skip the ones that aren't actually written by him, just borrowing his name).

****

October recap: 9 ROOTS pulled

Close Quarters, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 2)
Fire Down Below, by William Golding (To the Ends of the Earth, Vol. 3)
Sherlock Holmes and the Treasure Train, by Frank Thomas
Long Time No See, by Ed McBain
Coraline, by Neil Gaiman
The Dark Crusader, by Alistair MacLean
Doctor Who: The Angel's Kiss: A Melody Malone Mystery, by Melody Malone and Justin Richards
A Body Surrounded by Water, by Eric Wright
Les quatre guerres de 1812, by D. Peter MacLeod

There seems to be something wonky with my math, because my ticker and my ongoing summaries say I am at 58 ROOTS, but I had 50 ROOTS at the end of September. And last time I checked, 50 + 9 = 59. Oh well! I will figure it out later.

Book of the month: Twelve Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup
Best ROOT book: Coraline, by Neil Gaiman

119rabbitprincess
Modifié : Nov 10, 2013, 11:19 am

Quick update on my November books so far. Re my counting in the previous post, I wonder if #59 would be London: The Biography, which I did finally give up on but didn't officially record as "read". Anyway I guess I won't worry about the cumulative total for Nov/Dec.

On to the books.

121. Redshirts, by John Scalzi
ROOT 59 of 50
Source: Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Rating: 4.5/5

Read for the November Awards CAT over at the 2013 Category Challenge. Very, very funny. Caused laughter on public transit. If you like Star Trek or the movie Galaxy Quest, you will probably like this one.

122. Shooting Victoria: Madness, Mayhem, and the Rebirth of the British Monarchy, by Paul Thomas Murphy
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

Can't remember how I heard about this, but it ended up being a very interesting history of Victoria's would-be assassins and of her reign as a whole. Keep a scorecard handy, though; there are so many people and details being discussed that it can be easy to lose track of who is who.

123. Unbound, by Julie Kaewert
ROOT 60 of 50
Going Through the Stacks Book #9
Source: Prime Crime Books, Ottawa
Rating: 2.5/5

I first read this series in high school. Rereading it now, I see my younger self was a lot more patient with excessive adverbs and repetitious explaining of the mystery to everyone the protagonist meets. Keeping this series for sentimental reasons and the fact that I now appreciate the London setting a lot more, having been there myself.

124. Straphanger: Saving Our Cities and Ourselves from the Automobile, by Taras Grescoe
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

This book is as smoothly paced as high-speed rail and as entertaining as a leisurely bus ride. Grescoe visits cities around the world to study what is being done right in terms of public transit, surprising success stories, and areas that could stand to be improved. He explores a variety of transit modes and examines what works and what doesn't in each city, since there is no one-size-fits-all transit system. Very pertinent today; well worth reading.

120rabbitprincess
Modifié : Nov 12, 2013, 9:04 pm

Wow, apparently I missed out on recording ROOTS 57 and 58. And my ROOT count might actually be accurate after all! I have no idea what I'm doing :P

119. A Body Surrounded by Water, by Eric Wright
ROOT 57 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 3.5/5

Toronto cop Charlie Salter solves a mystery while vacationing in PEI. A nice little time capsule in its way, and my edition has a very neat cover.

120. Les quatre guerres de 1812, by D. Peter MacLeod
ROOT 58 of 50
Source: Canadian War Museum, Ottawa
Rating: 3/5

A good summary of the recent War Museum exhibition on the four perspectives of the War of 1812: the British, the Americans, the "Canadians" (Canada wasn't born yet) and the Native Americans.

121dudes22
Nov 13, 2013, 6:53 am

Sometimes it's hard to keep track of where you are and which threads you need to post to - happens to me all the time.

122rabbitprincess
Modifié : Nov 24, 2013, 12:42 pm

>121 dudes22:: Indeed! And then there are the posting droughts, one of which I am rectifying right now ;)

125. Moon Over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch
ROOT 61 of 50
Source: Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Rating: 4/5

Peter Grant is always an entertaining fellow and I enjoy following his exploits. Recommended within the context of the series.

126. Past Reason Hated, by Peter Robinson
ROOT 62 of 50
Source: apparently the Ottawa library book sale
Rating: 3.5/5

This book focuses on a murder that takes place at Christmas. Strangely, it helped me get into the holiday spirit a bit.

127. Lionheart, by Sharon Kay Penman
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

A very interesting look at the Third Crusade. Since most of my Richard I knowledge comes from Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, it was good to have a firsthand perspective of his exploits.

128. Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion, by Malcolm Hulke
ROOT 63 of 50
Source: Lothlorien, Moffat, Scotland
Rating: 2.5/5

Does what it says on the tin. The tone is a bit uneven -- it starts off with a drunk guy being abandoned to the invading dinosaurs and then later on provides patronizing explanations of the terms "copper's nark" and "stool pigeon". So who's the intended audience? The story is also a bit predictable, but I imagine the filmed version is great fun.

129. The Hollow Man, by Oliver Harris
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

A very tangled but for the most part reasonably paced thriller. I definitely could not have imagined how it turned out. I read this primarily for the London setting and was satisfied on that score. It would probably make a good PBS/BBC miniseries.

123rabbitprincess
Nov 30, 2013, 3:33 pm

Last of my November books.

130. Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey
ROOT 64 of 50
Source: EVM
Rating: 2.5/5

Probably a case of "wrong book, wrong time" (even though I read this for a group read that I'd been looking forward to...). Lost interest about halfway through and looked up the ending on Wikipedia. Still going to read other Zane Greys but am kind of sad that this is his best-known one.

131. Enter a Murderer, by Ngaio Marsh
Source: library
Rating: 2.5/5

I thought I'd read this one before and decided to read it again. Not sure whether I did, because my record-keeping of books read prior to joining book cataloguing websites was spotty. I liked the theatre aspect of this but the story plodded along.

132. Rooster: The Life and Times of Rooster Cogburn, the Man Who Inspired True Grit, by Brett Cogburn
Source: library
Rating: 3/5

Written by the real-life Rooster Cogburn's great-grandson, this is very interesting, if short. But on the other hand it is not excessively padded.

133. Yesterday the Children Were Dancing, by Gratien Gélinas
ROOT 65 of 50
Source: a secondhand book sale of some kind
Rating: 2/5

Definitely a product of its time (the mid-1960s, specifically 1967). The characters in this play spoke in excessive amounts of cliché; not sure whether the original French or the translation is to blame.

134. Eleven Pipers Piping, by C.C. Benison
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

I didn't get along well with the first installment in this series, Twelve Drummers Drumming, but I am happy to report that this second volume is much better. Now that most of the backstory has been dealt with in the first book, we can get down to the business of solving murders. Also, I was predisposed to like a mystery involving a Burns Supper. Will definitely continue with the series now.

124rabbitprincess
Modifié : Nov 30, 2013, 3:41 pm

November recap: 7 ROOTS pulled.

Redshirts, by John Scalzi
Unbound, by Julie Kaewert
Moon Over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch
Past Reason Hated, by Peter Robinson
Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion, by Malcolm Hulke
Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey
Yesterday the Children Were Dancing, by Gratien Gélinas

According to the ticker I'm at 65, and after last month's wonky math I am not about to try again. Maybe in December I'll do a final tally.

Book of the month: Redshirts, by John Scalzi (which is also a ROOT so yay!)

I expect the first half of December will be a bit slow on the ROOT front as I try to finish off library books before going home for Christmas, but we'll see.

125rabbitprincess
Déc 14, 2013, 4:09 pm

As predicted, December has been very slow on the ROOT front. Just finished my first one of the month today! I'm trying to get through a library backlog before Christmas. So here's what I've read so far in December:

135. Miss Montreal, by Howard Shrier
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

I love mysteries set in Montreal, and this one is no exception. The protagonist, PI Jonah Geller, is a likeable narrator, and his descriptions of the city and rapport with Dante Ryan, his crime-solving partner in this book (his regular partner is on leave), make for an enjoyable read. Fourth in the series but easy to read if you haven't read any other installments.

136. The Hanging Shed, by Gordon Ferris
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

After hearing about the horrific helicopter crash in Glasgow at the end of November, I sought solace in fiction. This is an excellent evocation of post-WW2 Glasgow, featuring cop-turned-soldier-turned-journalist Douglas Brodie, who is called home to help an old friend clear his name before he faces the gallows for murder. First in a series that I am definitely continuing with.

137. Is That a Fish in Your Ear?: Translation and the Meaning of Everything, by David Bellos
Source: library
Rating: 4/5

A very interesting book about some more theoretical and philosophical aspects of translation. I'd recommend it for translators and interpreters in particular. Some of the ideas discussed were things I hadn't thought about since university days! Also, great title.

138. Summer Falls and Other Stories, by Amelia Williams
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

This is a collection of three stories that tie into Series 7 (new chronology) of Doctor Who. The first is a Famous Five-style adventure, the second features PI Melody Malone (based extensively on the character of River Song), and the third features the "Paternoster Gang" of Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax. I'd already read the Melody Malone story in audio and preferred it in that format, and the other two I liked equally but for different reasons. Recommended if you like Doctor Who.

139. Father Knows Zilch: A Guide for Dumbfounded Dads, by Linwood Barclay
ROOT 66 of 50
Source: Abebooks
Rating: 4/5

Barclay is now best known as a thriller writer, but he started out as a newspaper columnist in the vein of Dave Barry. This book, which I had to get from Abebooks as it's no longer in print, would probably appeal to fans of Barry's "Babies and Other Hazards of Sex" and the "Guide to Guys". It was an enjoyable bedside-table book.

126rabbitprincess
Déc 25, 2013, 8:57 am

Merry Christmas and season's greetings to the ROOT group! I hope you get lots of lovely new candidates for next year's challenge ;)



I did not make this but quite liked it!

And I finished a ROOT yesterday so will be posting a review in the next couple of days.

127rabbitprincess
Déc 28, 2013, 1:04 am

Quick-fire summaries of my most recent books. Most of them are library books.

Laidlaw, by William McIlvanney
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 4/5

The granddaddy of Tartan Noir, this is the first in a series set in Glasgow, Scotland, in the 1970s. Loved it and would not object to owning a copy.

Rumpole at Christmas, by John Mortimer
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

A nice light collection of short stories, perfect for the lead-up to the holidays.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot, by Craig Ferguson
Source: library, via Overdrive
Rating: 4/5

Very honest and funny memoir by the host of the Late Late Show. I read this mainly for the bits about Peter Capaldi but found all of it interesting. Might get a copy before seeing him in person in January!

Dying Light, by Stuart MacBride
Source: library
Rating: 3.5/5

Definitely grimmer than the first book in this series. I was queasy at a few points. Made for an interesting contrast with genteel Rumpole!

One Day, by David Nicholls
ROOT 67 of 50
Source: World's Biggest Bookstore, Toronto
Rating: 4.5/5

A very enjoyable book. Romantic and funny but didn't feel like a stereotypical romantic comedy.

Charity, by Len Deighton
Source: borrowed from parents
Rating: 2.5/5

Finally the Bernard Samson saga concludes. I could probably have done without reading it, but the completist in me wanted to see it through.

Goodbye California, by Alistair Maclean (abandoned)
ROOT 68 of 50
Source: BMV, Toronto
Rating: 1/5

Couldn't finish this one. Liked the premise, did not like the huge passages of explanatory dialogue clogging up the story.

128rabbitprincess
Déc 30, 2013, 8:43 pm

Probably not going to finish any more ROOTS this year (in the middle of two fairly hefty volumes), so here is the December recap. Not as good as other months -- I was bingeing on library books to clear the decks before going home for Christmas.

December ROOTS pulled: 3

Father Knows Zilch: A Guide for Dumbfounded Dads, by Linwood Barclay
One Day, by David Nicholls
Goodbye California, by Alistair MacLean

Fortunately, One Day ended up being my Book of the Month, so there is that.

Total ROOTS pulled: 68

See you in 2014!

129karspeak
Déc 31, 2013, 3:24 am

Happy New Year!!