VivienneR grasps at the ROOTS

My resolution this year was to try and reduce my TBR pile - this sounds exactly like the place to achieve my goal! I'm only going to commit to 50, after all, there are so many books that haven't arrived in my house yet. However, I will only count the ones I have in my possession as of January 1, 2013.




1. The Gates of Hell by Paul Doherty
2. Alexander the Great by Jacob Abbott
3. Watching the Dark by Peter Robinson
4. The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle
5. Safe House by Chris Ewan
6. Small Memories by José Saramago
7. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
8. No going back to Moldova by Anna Robertson
9. The Secret of Spandau by Peter Lovesey
10. Andorra by Peter Cameron
11. The Elusive Mrs Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
12. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
13. Emotionally Weird by Kate Atkinson
14. The Garden Party and other stories by Katherine Mansfield
15. The Heir by Vita Sackville-West
16. Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith
17. Mister Roger and Me by Marie-Renée Lavoie
18. Foxhunt by Baron Bertie Denham
19. In the South Seas by Robert Louis Stevenson
20. Death of a Sunday Writer by Eric Wright
21. The Trembling of a Leaf by W. Somerset Maugham
22. Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood
23. The Sibyl in Her Grave by Sarah L. Caudwell
25. The Rising of the Moon by Gladys Mitchell
26. Stray Bullets by Robert Rotenberg
27. Oxford Proof by Veronica Stallwood
28. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.
29. Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
30. Into thin air by Jon Krakauer
31. For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming
32. The Information Officer by Mark Mills
33. The Collected Short Stories by Jean Rhys
34. Nell's war : remembering the blitz by Ben Wicks
35. A Victim Must be Found by Howard Engel
36. Priests and Prelates : the Daily Telegraph Clerical Obituaries by Trevor Beeson
37. Accordian Crimes by E. Annie Proulx
38. The Lay of the Land by Richard Ford
39. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
40. Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Benison
41. A brief history of life in Victorian Britain : a social history of Queen Victoria's reign by Mike Paterson
42. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
43. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
44. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
45. The Short Stories of Saki by Saki
46. The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
47. A Rumpole Christmas by John Mortimer
48. The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
49. The Case of the Missing Bronte by Robert Barnard
50. The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin
51. Busy Body by M. C. Beaton
52. A Killer's Christmas in Wales by Elizabeth j. Duncan
53. Dancing with Statues by Caroline Doherty de Novoa
54. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie

1. The Gates of Hell by Paul Doherty
An account of Alexander taking Halicarnassus with a murder mystery thrown in. The story is atmospheric, dramatic and exciting. What makes it so interesting is that the story is about historic figures that have become legendary. The murder mystery fits in very well with the accurate battle description of 334BC.

2. Alexander the Great by Jacob Abbott
I read Abbott's book in conjunction with Doherty's to get some sort of feeling for the times and the person. Abbott's manner is plain, easily understood and informative without going into too much detail. It would be a perfect book to introduce Alexander in schools. I enjoyed both very much.

Both of these were read for my Endless Europe challenge that I'm just finishing up.

3. Watching the Dark by Peter Robinson
Robinson is a master storyteller who has created excellent characters, complex yet coherent plots, and a style that is difficult to fault. Inspector Banks and Annie Cabot are professional and likeable. This book introduces a new investigator from Professional Standards, a polished "icy" blonde, Joanna Passero. She accompanies Banks to Estonia to investigate the murder of a police officer that appears to be linked to an old investigation of an English girl who went missing in Estonia. It was interesting to get to know something about Estonia, a place of which we hear little. All round, an excellent read, with lots of twists and turns. Highly recommended.

4. The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle
Like all of Mayle's yarns, this was such a fun read. A multi-million dollar wine collection is stolen from an LA connoisseur and the investigation moves to France. The exquisite French food and wine described throughout the story was tantalizing even to this long-time vegetarian teetotaller!

Great progress, Vivienne!

Thanks Susan. At this rate 50 might seem a low commitment but all the books to finish the Endless Europe challenge are on my TBR list so they'll probably be read soon.

Welcome Vivienne, you're really doing great!

Thanks Connie. I see you are doing well too. What a friendly group this is.

Yes we are! I think so too.

Ooh, I'm really behind on the Banks mysteries. Watching the Dark goes on the catch-up list!

Also, welcome aboard!

Thanks for the welcome rabbitprincess, nice to see you here. I'm looking forward to seeing what Robinson has in store for the new character.

5. Safe House by Chris Ewan
When he wakes up in hospital after a motor cycle crash, Rob Hale is told the woman he was riding with doesn't exist. In this thriller mystery no one is what they seem, or what they claim to be. Is there anyone to be trusted?

This book is set on the Isle of Man, famous for the TT motor cycle race. An excellent book, great characters, it was hard to put down. It hasn't been on my TBR shelf for long, but long enough for the beginnings guilt to be forming.

6. Small Memories by José Saramago

Small Memories is a slim volume of Saramago's nostalgic recollections of his youth and family in the village of Azinhaga and in Lisbon. Some memories occur to him as he writes, which creates the pleasant sense of a conversation. The style is simple and frank. His memories of poverty and undemonstrative family relationships are particularly poignant. I want to return to the past and hug this child.

My Albania read for the Europe Endless challenge was The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman. It is the first in the series and introduces Mrs Pollifax not only to the reader but to the CIA. It is a very entertaining, light, spy story yet provides lots of information about the political state of the times between America, Russia, China and the Balkans. This was a lot of fun.

isn't Mrs. P a hoot?

A hoot, that's the perfect description!

Another Europe Endless read: No going back to Moldova by Anna Robertson. A charming and fascinating autobiography. Robertson, born in 1905, recounts her childhood in Moldova and growing up in the early part of the 20th century as borders shifted like sand, leaving her family regarded as "foreigners" in their home country. This is a knowledgable and interesting work that provides historical details that are not often available in one book, and certainly not with Robertson's appealing style.

The Secret of Spandau by Peter Lovesey looked like it would be an interesting mystery, but it was disappointing. The real-life story of Rudolf Hess parachuting into Scotland in 1941 with a story of wanting to end the war, was intriguing. Lovesey's story was, frankly, boring. Only two stars for this one.

Andorra by Peter Cameron is a very atmospheric story. The crisp, correct language, just on the threshold of stilted, creates the feeling that one's frail dream is about to be disrupted, for the reader knows there are details being withheld, but what are they? This is a beautifully written story with a surprising twist at the end. I will watch for more books by Cameron.

Only one more country to visit in my Europe Endless challenge.

The Elusive Mrs Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman was the last book for my Europe Endless challenge. Unrealistic, but a lot of fun. A good choice to finish the challenge.

Now I'm off to start the Commonwealth challenge. I'm hoping that will clear a lot of Roots off the shelf!

The hype got to me at last! The Sisters Brothers is now off the shelf. It was entertaining, I liked the writing style, but I think most people liked it more than I did.

After considering how I usually rate books, I have reduced The Sisters Brothers from 4 stars to 3.5. According to my rating method, 4 stars would call for a recommendation to author/genre fans and even though it is entertaining, this isn't a book I would recommend. So

Help! Can anyone tell me how to post an image from my junk drawer into a post?

After following information from other threads, I have the html {img src="URL_HERE"} (using pointy brackets) but when I "copy image address" from the image in the junk drawer, all I get is a long line of numbers/letters, no actual URL. I've tried replacing URL_HERE with that and also tried copying and pasting the URL from the Safari page. Neither works.

Where is the image? Is it on a web site? I think it needs to be a web page to have a URL. Is there a way to upload a pic from your computer? I'm not sure. To get a URL, you may have to upload to a photo site, like photobucket. Others more knowledgable may correct me...

Oh wait. What is a junk drawer? I thought it was a picture of your junk drawer. ha,
nevermind me.

Ha, that's a good one! I wouldn't want to show anyone my junk drawer, never mind take a picture of it!

I thought the junk drawer would be more convenient than photobucket.

http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/HelpThing:Html_tips#Inserting_Images

Maybe this will help?

I've gone through the wiki page and it seems straightforward. However, when I copy the image address it is not a URL that gets pasted in the html. I've also tried copying and pasting the URL from the top of the browser page.

I've reached the stage where I don't care anymore about posting images, but I hate to be defeated.

Emotionally Weird by Kate Atkinson. It has all the ingredients, but for me, this one just didn't have the typical Atkinson charm.

> 23 - Not sure I can help with your posting image problem but I will try by posting the steps I take when I post an image. I use FireFox as my browser so not sure if this will work with your browser.

I go into my junk drawer gallery and click on the picture that I want to post. Once it opens as its own webpage, I move my cursor over the picture, right click and then select "Copy Image Location". I then paste the copied URL into the HTML code {img src="URL_HERE"} replacing {} with

Hope that helps!

with what?

I think probably the left/right-facing brackets, like this one: >. They disappear in pairs!

I posted my problem to Talk about LibraryThing and christiguc was able to give me the help I needed.

For some reason when I copied image location only part of it was being copied. By telling me what the URL should read, I was able to find and copy it. Originally I dragged the image from the book's main page to my desktop before adding it to the junk drawer. The image is still on my desktop so I hit "get info" and found the "where from" field is the exact URL I'm looking for.

Here it is:



One Blood by Graeme Kent is a mystery set in the Solomon Islands for my Commonwealth challenge.

Thanks to all for your help.

After much playing around, I found an easier way to post covers.



The Garden Party and other stories by Katherine Mansfield is one of my favourite books this year. I love the writing and will be adding Mansfield to my favourite authors. Fortunately, I have more on the shelf by Mansfield.

Bonus: Not only a ROOT but it fills the New Zealand category in my Commonwealth challenge.

Sorry! I keep forgetting the pointy brackets disappear like that. Glad to see that you were able to get the problem solved!

It got pretty complicated - even to try to explain where I was having the problem. And now that I look back at my explanation in #33, it puts me to sleep. However, once I found out what I was supposed to be copying, then I was able to play around and find a much easier way to achieve it! Whew!

I didn't know pointy brackets in pairs disappear. Another lesson learned.

The Heir by Vita Sackville-West

I particularly love the way Vita Sackville-West writes. I can become immersed in her horticultural books even though there is no chance that I will ever be able to use the information. The Heir is a short book, written, according to Sackville-West "in 1922, or it might be 1921". Nearly 30 years later, Martin Secker asked her if it might be reprinted. She worried that it was too sentimental, too slight. Thankfully, it has remained available, and reprinted once more, very beautifully, by Hesperus.

When an elderly relative died, leaving her considerable property to her heir, Mr. Chase, a diffident insurance agent, he initially deems the place without charm, impractical. In fact, the only thing to do is to go along with the advice of solicitors and sell. However, in the weeks prior to the sale, he becomes quite endeared to the house, his aunt's greyhound, the peacocks in the garden, even the rank moat. I raced through the story to end the suspense. How could it possibly go well for Mr Chase? For the farmer tenants?

Although the story was inspired by another house entirely, Sackville-West must have thought of it often when she acquired the almost derelict Sissinghurst Castle a few years later.

Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith was my choice for Botswana in the Commonwealth challenge. I enjoyed it just as much as the others in the series.

Mister Roger and Me by Marie-Renée Lavoie

This is a wonderful book filled with a wide range of emotions. It was moving, touching, poignant, happy, sad, funny. All portraying the joy and difficulties of growing up. Eight year-old Héléne claims to be ten so that she can get a job delivering newspapers. Her hero is a cartoon character, Oscar, and her new best friend is the old guy next door who smokes, swears and drinks beer - and becomes her protector. The story is set in Quebec around the 1980s.

I wish my French was good enough to read this in the original language. I have a feeling it would get the full 5 stars. An excellent book that I can recommend highly.

You are doing fine, Vivienne.

Foxhunt by Baron Bertie Denham

Peopled by aristocracy, politicians, and peers from the House of Lords. The plot mirrors the foxhunt - an unappealing topic that spoils what might have been not a bad mystery. Knowledge of the British parliamentary system would help the reader understand the implications of plot details. Only 2.5 stars for this one but at least it got it off the shelf.

In the South Seas by Robert Louis Stevenson
Stevenson sailed in the south Pacific in the late 1880s. In the South Seas describes many of the islands he visited around this time. It is interesting to read about 19th century opinions and attitudes to the people of the South Seas, particularly Stevenson's opinions. In 1890 Stevenson and his wife Fanny bought a large tract of land in the Samoan island of Upolu where they lived until his death in 1894. His ability to describe the people, the land, and sailing conditions of what was at that time a remote, unfamiliar region, is unmatched.

Death of a Sunday Writer by Eric Wright
No bloody murder in this one, but a very likeable sleuth who has inherited her cousin's detective agency in Toronto. Was he murdered? What did he know? Are his notes fact or fiction? I quite enjoyed this one that has been on my tbr shelf for a long time.

The Trembling of a Leaf by W. Somerset Maugham
Although I've read this one many years ago, this edition has been on the tbr shelf for a while. Maugham is one of my favourite authors. This collection of short stories is just as good as the first time around. My favourite quote comes from the missionary's wife in the story Rain and is in regard to dancing: "However, I'm thankful to God that we stamped it out, and I don't think I'm wrong in saying that no one has danced in our district for eight years."

Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood
An excellent mystery starring Phryne Fisher. Light, yet having a serious side, and just a twist of feminism.

The Sibyl in Her Grave by Sarah L. Caudwell
I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery involving legal complexities, the difficulties of getting renovations completed, and village life. Caudwell's skill with language is unmatched.

The Rising of the Moon by Gladys Mitchell
I was telling a friend about this book and she asked "An Enid Blyton?" Maybe that's why I liked it so much. This golden age mystery was like a cross between Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie - with better character development. Bradley certainly had a knack for including children as complete characters with defined personalities. The two brothers are very likeable sleuths and Mrs Bradley is adorable. Lots of fun.

Still going strong, Vivienne. Half way there!

The Rising of the Moon sounds really interesting! Will have to keep an eye out for it at the library.

>47 connie53:: Connie, I just got this one in on time for the 6 months mark with about one hour to spare. Whew!

>48 rabbitprincess:: I'll be looking out for more Gladys Mitchell too. Unbelievably, this was my first.

Stray Bullets by Robert Rotenberg
Another excellent legal mystery set in Toronto from this Canadian lawyer-turned-author.

My one negative observation (not a criticism of the book) is that I find it disconcerting that guilt - or innocence - may be determined by just how clever your lawyer is, not by one's actual guilt or innocence.

Just added Oxford Proof by Veronica Stallwood for July. This is the first time I have posted details from my iPad, and I'm not yet adept at copying and pasting my review. 3.5 stars.

A five-star read:



Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
Wonderful! Not sure who is the greater genius - Alan Bradley or Flavia de Luce!

I just finished that one myself and agree with your assessment!

>rabbitprincess, I noticed that there is another in the series due in 2014. I've already added it to my wishlist!

Consecutive winners! I love it when that happens.



Into thin air by Jon Krakauer
A personal account of the harrowing climb of Everest that had tragic results for many. Krakauer is an excellent writer who is able to describe the technical, political, economic points as well as the personal heart of the matter. An exceptional story, well-written, highly recommended.

For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming
The last story in this James Bond collection, "The Hildebrand Rarity", is set in the Seychelles, which fits that category in my Commonwealth challenge. As a teenager, I was a big fan of Fleming and first read this book back then. It was still enjoyable this time around, even though I had to overlook some attitudes that were acceptable when it was written. It would probably have earned four stars from me once upon a time, this time only three. However, like any James Bond tale, it was fun.

The Information Officer by Mark Mills

Max Chadwick's job is to provide information and maintain morale on the strategic island of Malta during WWII. When the murder of a woman is linked to a British serviceman Max has to handle it very carefully to avoid an even greater conflict. Evidence suggests the murderer is a submariner. That Chadwick is having an affair with the wife of the submarine captain, adds complications.

This is an excellent portrayal of Malta at the height of the bombardment and how it figures in the strategy of the war in the Mediterranean. The mystery won't keep you on the edge of your seat, but it is a decent tale involving military/civilian relations spiced up with affairs of the heart.

My goodness, I have completely fallen off the wagon! No ROOTs pulled since the beginning of last month. I've no excuse. And all the books in my current pile are new. Here's hoping for next month and next year.

Nell's war : remembering the blitz by Ben Wicks
A depiction of conditions that Wicks' mother experienced in London during the Blitz of WWII told through articles and anecdotes. Not as memorable as No time to wave goodbye but nevertheless a good portrayal of political and personal circumstances of the time.

A Victim Must be Found by Howard Engel
I was halfway through this when I realized I'd already read it, so off it goes to another reader. Not one of Engel's best, but ok.

Priests and Prelates : the Daily Telegraph Clerical Obituaries by Trevor Beeson
My husband thought this was a very odd book for an ardent atheist to purchase. The reason I chose it was for the obituary of the Very Reverend Jack Shearer, dean of St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, who was the curate of the church I attended as a child (I still own the prayer book he gave to me many decades ago). He became known for the immense amounts of money raised for charities as well as his peacemaking activities in Northern Ireland, bringing together worshippers regardless of persuasion. This is a selection of a couple of dozen obituaries, from a collection of about 500 that, although not attributed to him, are mostly written by Beeson. As Beeson sees it, neither sainthood nor an entry in the obituary column requires perfection. The book is in turn fascinating, heart-rending, shocking, entertaining. So although this was an odd purchase, it was an excellent choice and one I will go back to often. Very readable.

"Mr Dean', called out a lady of uncertain years as I entered Winchester Cathedral one afternoon in March 1987, "do you realise that you have been insulted in this morning's Daily Telegraph? The obituary of your predecessor describes him as 'the last of the gentleman Deans'. What do they suppose you are?" I thought it best not to enlighten her as to the authorship of the offending description.

Accordian Crimes by E. Annie Proulx
I just couldn't connect with this one. Maybe because the accordian is my least favourite instrument that I just couldn't develop an interest or maybe because it was long-winded. Disappointing.

The Lay of the Land by Richard Ford
Another miss! Half-way through this book I realized it wasn't registering with me. I don't often abandon a book midstream but this one is a perfect candidate. Maybe it was because I haven't read the previous two books in the series, or maybe it was just dull. Whatever the reason, it was putting me to sleep. Two stars might be a bit generous, but I'll give Ford the benefit of the doubt for the unread half.

Discouraging to get two not so good books following each other. Better luck with your next book, vivienne

Thanks Connie. I'm in the middle of several good books right now so yes, my next one should be a winner! My problem could be that I've got too many books going at the same time :) I'm losing focus.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
An odd story that tells of a project that is preposterous, even hare-brained, yet is tinged with realism, albeit absurd. It was funny, romantic, and entertaining. I will keep a lookout for more by this author.

Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Benison
Not a bad mystery. The first in a series with Father Tom Christmas, or Vicar, as he prefers to be called. After the murder of his wife, he and his young daughter move to a village to live a quieter, safer life. However, as anyone who reads mysteries can attest, English villages are never safe.

At last I think I might be on the home stretch to my target. If I manage to avoid all those lovely new shiny books, I might ... just ... make ... it ...

A brief history of life in Victorian Britain : a social history of Queen Victoria's reign by Mike Paterson
Although a lot of the information in this book is generally known, it is ideal as a light read as it describes many facets of Victorian life without going into great depth. Even so, there was still plenty of information that was interesting. I particularly enjoyed the instructions for enthusiasts of the bicycling craze:

Hold the handle with the left hand and place the other on the seat. Now take a few running steps, and when the right foot is on the ground give a hop with that foot, and at the same time place the left foot on the step, throwing your right leg over on to the seat. Nothing but a good running hop will give you time to adjust your toe on the step as it is moving. It requires a certain amount of strength and agility."

I'm glad I learned in a later era.

Me too!

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
An entertaining fantasy/mystery using the city of London and its rivers as a backdrop. It is funny, fast-moving and the rookie policeman in the main role is so endearing. An excellent debut novel from Aaronovitch, but I wish the north American publication had retained the British title and cover Rivers of London.

Rivers of London is such fun! I'm reading the second book, Moon Over Soho, right now. I love Peter Grant's narration and wish he and Inspector Nightingale were real.

Yes, I think Peter Grant must be the new literary heart-throb.

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
I was convinced by the rave reviews of others to give Louise Penny a second chance after I found Dead Cold disappointing. Sadly, I was just as disappointed with The Brutal Telling. Creepy even in August, Three Pines and its unbalanced residents just do not appeal.

This actually got two books off my shelf as I donated Bury Your Dead by the same author. I can't see myself ever reading it. Apologies to all the Penny fans out there!

The Short Stories of Saki by Saki

This has been on my shelves for a while. It was my first Saki and I had no idea I would enjoy it so much or I wouldn't have waited so long. Beautiful acerbic humour that brings a surprise smile. Saki can be likened to a cross between Wodehouse and Oscar Wilde although that description might be a shade too flattering. Very enjoyable.

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
A sweet old-fashioned story written in the late 19th century. The preparation the impoverished Ruggles' children had to endure before attending the affluent Carol Bird's Christmas party was so funny that it added a couple of stars to my rating.

A Rumpole Christmas by John Mortimer

Classic Rumpole short stories. As far as Horace Rumpole is concerned Christmas is fine as long as he has his usual quota of Chateau Thames Embankment and maybe a steak and kidney pudding. Hilda has an idea for a healthy change: Christmas at a spa.

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

Some Christmas mysteries simply don't cut it. Instead, this one by Rhys Bowen has raised the bar. The plot was completely implausible, just the way a cozy mystery should be. It was rounded off with lots of English village merriment at a large twelve-day house party in the 1930s. A little shot of romance thrown in to accompany the mistletoe. I've been saving this one and it lived up to my expectations. Very enjoyable.

I might just make it to my goal. Only another two and I'm there! Whew!

Of course you can make it! Just a little push!

Thanks for the encouragement MissWatson. I would hate to fail at this point.

Just go for it!

OK Connie! I'll do that!

The Case of the Missing Bronte by Robert Barnard
Barnard, who died September 2013, was a university lecturer and later chair of the Bronte Society. He drew on his extensive knowledge of the Brontes as well the characters of some eccentric academics in this tale. There are some interesting snippets about the Bronte sisters that explain why even potential manuscripts are sought-after and valuable. I enjoyed the witty lampooning of academics, some of whom I am sure I have met at one or more of the three universities where I have either studied or worked! I enjoyed this mystery although I deducted a half star for an unsatisfying end.

The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin
This one became a chore to finish. I probably would have abandoned it except for wanting to complete my ROOT challenge. Now I know Crispin is not for me, I've also cleared my tbr shelf of two others: Frequent Hearses and Glimpses of the Moon although I won't count them here.

Ta Da! And that one makes the goal. Just in time.

You would have had a few more days, Vivienne! But Hurrah for you! Congrats.

Hurray! Congratulations on meeting your goal!

Thank you! I have already filled the space on the shelves with shiny new books!

And now on with the Christmas cozies...

Well done!!!

Thank you! And congratulations on your success too! You have done really well.

Congratulations! Enjoy the shiny new ones!

Thank you MissWatson. The shiny new ones are hard to resist.

Busy Body by M. C. Beaton
Agatha Raisin has become just a little less aggressive. A fun, fast read for Christmas that introduces a new detective on the payroll.

A Killer's Christmas in Wales by Elizabeth j. Duncan
A pretty typical Christmas cozy, nothing special.

Dancing with Statues by Caroline Doherty de Novoa

Miguel, a lawyer from Colombia, is one of a team in Northern Ireland seeking the truth about specific events from "the Troubles" as part of the peace process. When Laura was a teenager, her mother committed suicide soon after the horrendous bomb attack now being investigated by Miguel. While delving into the past other secrets are revealed. Although this book could be classified as a romance, it is no sappy love story, but tale of mysteries and secrets uncovered and the eventual recovery of those involved. Miguel is an endearing, cheerful character, while Laura is more serious and introverted - I felt like shaking her sometimes before remembering all that she had come through. The story was an interesting mix of revisiting the past and of how those events can affect the relationships of today. It is a satisfying story told without sentimentality.

The title is taken from a scene in the book where Miguel dances with Laura among the group of 18 foot high metal sculptures known as "Let the Dance Begin". The sculptures, by Maurice Harron, are in Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland on what was once the site of a border crossing checkpoint.

Wow, Vivienne, that sounds really interesting. And I love the picture of the sculptures

Connie, yes it was interesting. Sometimes I wonder how picking over tragedies can help but I guess it is done internationally nowadays, presumably with success. Aren't the sculptures wonderful? And at 6 metres tall, they must be an impressive sight.

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie

This was a re-read but I'm going to count it here as it was on my shelf. Wonderful. The best seasonal reading so far.