Delta Queen's 2014 Reading - Part Eight

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Delta Queen's 2014 Reading - Part Eight

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1DeltaQueen50
Déc 2, 2014, 10:51 pm

Wow, where did this year go. Here it is the beginning of December already and we are winding our reading year down. I am hoping to reach 200 books this year which means I have to read another thirteen this month to reach my goal.

Christmas is coming and I love these old magazine covers that highlight the season.

2DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 10:53 pm

Tickers

2014 Books Read




2014 Pages Read




2014 Books Read From My Shelves

My goal is to read at least 84 books off my shelves this year. Goal met and raised to 100.


3DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 10:54 pm

How I Rate Books:

2.0 ★: I must have been dragged, kicking and screaming, to finish this one!

2.5 ★: Below Average but I finished the book for one reason or another.

3.0 ★: Average, a solid read that I finished but can't promise to remember

3.5 ★: Above Average, there's room for improvement but I liked this well enough to pick up another book by this author.

4.0 ★: A very good read and I enjoyed my time spent with this story

4.5 ★: An excellent read, a book I will remember and recommend

5.0 ★: Sheer perfection, the right book at the right time for me

4DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 10:58 pm

2014 BOOKS READ

JANUARY


1. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold (324 pages) - 4.2 ★
2. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (541 pages) - 4.5 ★
3. Ru by Kim Thuy (141 pages) - 4.2 ★
4. A Cat In The Window by Derek Tangye (142 pages} - 3.5 ★
5. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (170 Pages) - 4.0 ★
6. One of Ours by Willa Cather (326 pages) - 4.1 ★
7. The Food of Love by Anthony Capella (310 pages) - 3.3 ★
8. The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout (320 pages) - 3.4 ★
9. The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy by Elizabeth Aston (353 pages) - 2.8 ★
10. Haven: The Dramatic Story of 1,000 World War II Refugees And How They Came To America by Ruth Gruber (295 pages) - 4.2 ★
11. The Tall Men by Will Henry (228 pages) - 4.0 ★
12. The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell (175 pages) - 5.0 ★
13. The Vizard Mask by Diana Norman (705 pages) - 4.2 ★
14. The Passage by Justin Cronin (879 pages) - 4.6 ★
15. Hart of Empire by Saul David (337 pages) - 3.1 ★

FEBRUARY

16. The Short Life & Long Times of Mrs. Beeton by Kathryn Hughes (428 pages) - 2.8 ★
17. Mourn Not Your Dead by Deborah Crombie (310 pages) - 4.0 ★
18. Victory by Susan Cooper (186 pages) - 3.3 ★
19. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson (290 pages) - 4.2 ★
20. Beaufort by Ron Leshem (368 pages) - 4.2 ★
21. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (400 pages) - 5.0 ★
22. The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney (256 pages) - 4.3 ★
23. My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (166 pages) - 3.9 ★
24. Mornings In Jenin by Susan Abulhawa (352 pages) - 4.7 ★
25. Never Somewhere Else by Alex Gray (308 pages) - 3.8 ★
26. Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold (464 pages) - 5.0 ★
27. Dreams of Joy by Lisa See (349 pages) - 4.5 ★
28. Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry (469 pages) - 3.7 ★
29. Sand Daughter by Sarah Bryant (471 pages) - 2.4 ★

5DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:03 pm

BOOKS READ IN 2014

MARCH

30. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (336 pages) - 4.2 ★
31. Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (150 pages) - 3.6 ★
32. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (228 pages) - 3.7 ★
33. Saving Cascadia by John J. Nance (360 pages) - 3.0 ★
34. Citrus County by John Brandon (248 pages) - 2.0 ★
35. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (635 pages) - 4.8 ★
36. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (323 pages) - 4.0 ★
37. The Jewel In the Crown by Paul Scott (518 pages) - 4.2 ★
38. The Remains of Company D by James Carl Nelson (324 pages) - 4.1 ★
39. The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (320 pages) - 4.2 ★
40. Daughter of Kura by Debra Austin (302 pages) - 3.4 ★
41. The Death Cure by James Dashner (336 pages) - 3.0 ★
42. Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard (338 pages) - 4.0 ★
43. Layer Cake by J. J. Connolly (309 pages) - 4.2 ★
44. Dear Enemy by Jean Webster (224 pages) - 4.0 ★
45. The Fallen Sparrow by Dorothy B. Hughes (200 pages) - 3.7 ★
46. Railroad Schemes by Cecelia Holland (271 pages) - 4.0 ★
47. Battles At Thrush Green by Miss Read (222 pages) - 4.0 ★
48. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (294 pages) - 4.1 ★

APRIL

49. The Overloaded Ark by Gerald Durrell (303 pages) - 3.7 ★
50. Poetry By Heart Compiled by Liz Attenborough (128 pages) - 3.4 ★
51. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (336 pages) - 4.1 ★
52. The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen (416 pages) - 4.2 ★
53. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang (520 pages) - 3.8 ★
54. World Made By Hand by James Kunstler (317 pages) - 4.0 ★
55. Cowgirl Poetry Compliled by Virginia Bennett (191 pages) - 3.8 ★
56. The Mountains of Mourning by Lois McMaster Bujold (112 pages) - 4.2 ★
57. Bloody Jack; Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer (301 pages) - 4.5 ★
58. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol (304 pages) - 3.2 ★
59. Me and the Boys by Ellen Recknor - (416 pages) - 4.3 ★
60. Lovely Green Eyes by Arnost Lustig (256 pages) - 4.0 ★
61. Hurting Distance by Sophie Hannah (408 pages) - 4.5 ★
62. The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary Hawley Jarman (352 pages) - 4.1 ★
63. The Sacrifice by Charlie Higson (456 pages) - 4.2 ★
64. The Bat by Jo Nesbo (425 pages) - 3.7 ★

6DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:07 pm

BOOKS READ IN 2014

MAY

65. The Lost Girls: Three Friends, Four Continents by Jennifer Baggett, Holly Corbett & Amanda Pressner (536 pages) - 3.7 ★
66. Not Yet Drown'd by Peg Kingman (424 pages) - 3.8 ★
67. The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan (349 pages) - 3.4 ★
68. To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey (256 pages) - 4.3 ★
69. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (345 pages) - 4.0 ★
70. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (116 pages) - 5.0 ★
71. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (468 pages) - 5.0 ★
72. The Day of the Scorpion by Paul Scott (475 pages) - 4.0 ★
73. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (66 pages) - 4.1 ★
74. Lily Nevada by Cecelia Holland (224 pages) - 2.7 ★
75. Amelia's Navigator by James Knepton (65 pages) - 3.0 ★
76. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (593 pages) - 4.5 ★
77. Truth, Dare, Kill by Gordon Ferris (272 pages) - 3.3 ★
78. The Deserter by Paul Almond (266 pages) - 4.0 ★
79. Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham (222 pages) - 4.1 ★
80. Room by Emma Donoghue (415 Pages) - 5.0 ★
81. The Siege by Helen Dunmore (291 pages) - 4.2 ★

JUNE

82. Voices by Arnaldur Indridason (344 pages) - 3.4 ★
83. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (464 pages) - 4.1 ★
84. Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers (272 pages) - 4.1 ★
85. Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer (380 pages) - 3.3 ★
86. Sand Queen by Helen Benedict (312 pages) - 4.2 ★
87. The Picasso Scam by Stuart Pawson (310 pages) - 4.0 ★
88. Summer of the Drums by T.V. Olsen (178 pages) - 2.8 ★
89. Zombies vs Unicorns by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black (415 pages) - 4.2 ★
90. In Praise of Hatred by Khaled Khalifa (296 pages) - 2.0 ★
91. Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith (537 pages) - 3.3 ★
92. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin (264 pages) - 4.1 ★
93. Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguie (198 pages) - 2.7 ★
94. The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott (304 pages) - 3.6 ★
95. The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer (304 pages) - 4.5 ★
96. Remains of the Dead by Iain McKinnon (319 pages) - 3.5 ★
97. The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham (386 pages) - 3.6 ★
98. A Curse As Dark As Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce (400 pages) - 4.0 ★

7DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:10 pm

BOOKS READ IN 2014

July


99. On The Island by Tracy Garvis Graves (336 pages) - 4.1 ★
100. More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl (304 pages) - 3.7 ★
101. The Wilderness Family by Kobie Kruger (381 pages) - 4.3 ★
102. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (302 pages) - 4.1 ★
103. Daughter of War by Marsha Forchuk Srypuch (210 pages) - 4.0 ★
104. The Towers of Silence by Paul Scott (423 pages) - 3.8 ★
105. No Horizon Is So Far by Liv Arnesen (272 pages) - 3.8 ★
106. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (273 pages) - 4.3 ★
107. The Way To Minack by Derek Tangye (192 pages) - 3.3 ★
108. Borderlands by Brian McGilloway (300 pages) - 3.8 ★
109. Ride The Pink Horse by Dorothy B. Hughes (208 pages) - 3.5 ★
110. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie (614 pages) - 4.3 ★
111. Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart (110 pages) - 3.8 ★
112. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (256 pages) - 4.5 ★
113. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (880 pages) - 4.3 ★
114. The Asphalt Jungle by W.R. Burnett (224 pages) - 3.4 ★
115. The Only Life That Mattered by James Nelson (414 pages) - 4.4 ★
116. Dead Tomorrow by Peter James (662 pages) - 3.9 ★
117. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (201 pages) - 4.3 ★

August

118. Shift by Jennifer Bradbury (256 pages) - 3.7 ★
119. Teacher, Teacher by Jack Sheffield (278 pages) - 3.4 ★
120. The Under Dog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie (224 pages) - 3.3 ★
121. Nineteen Seventy-Seven by David Peace (350 pages) - 3.9 ★
122. The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy (416 pages) - 3.6 ★
123. Still Midnight by Denise Mina (352 pages) - 3.5 ★
124. By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan (357 pages) - 3.8 ★
125. Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson (303 pages) - 3.3 ★
126. Regeneration by Pat Barker (250 pages) - 5.0 ★
127. Darkside by Belinda Bauer (445 pages) - 4.2 ★
128. The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (190 pages) - 4.5 ★
129. Blood Kin by Henry Chappell (299 pages) - 5.0 ★
130. The Mushroom Man by Stuart Pawson (315 pages) - 4.0 ★
131. Three Singles to Adventure by Gerald Durrell (189 pages) - 3.4 ★
132. Boiling A Frog by Christopher Brookmyre (402 pages) - 3.9 ★
133. The Information Officer by Mark Mills (276 pages) - 4.1 ★
134. The High Divide by Lin Enger (332 pages) - 4.2 ★
135. Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen (332 pages) - 3.6 ★

8DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:12 pm

BOOKS READ IN 2014

September


136. Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick (218 pages) - 4.2 ★
137. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig (441 pages) - 3.7 ★
138. A Division of the Spoils by Paul Scott (608 pages) - 4.2 ★
139. Cress by Marissa Meyer (548 pages) - 4.5 ★
140. The Complaints by Ian Rankin (452 pages) - 4.1 ★
141. House of a Thousand Candles by Meredith Nicholson (244 pages) - 3.4 ★
142. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra (379 pages) - 5.0 ★
143. Shooting in the Dark by John Baker (392 pages) - 4.2 ★
144. The Long Glasgow Kiss by Craig Russell (419 pages) - 3.4 ★
145. The Son by Philipp Meyer (576 pages) - 4.0 ★
146. Who Shot the Water Buffalo? by Ken Babbs (315 pages) - 3.7 ★
147. Lost In The Barrens by Farley Mowat (244 pages) - 4.1 ★
148. Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (109 pages) - 3.7 ★
149. Living Proof by John Harvey (280 pages) - 4.1 ★
150. Dispatches by Michael Herr (262 pages) - 4.2 ★
151. Liar by Jan Burke (385 pages) - 4.0 ★
152. The Cipher Garden by Martin Edwards (343 pages) - 3.2 ★

October

153. Love By Design by Rosalie Ash (187 pages) - 2.0 ★
154. The Last Summer of the Camperdowns (383 pages) - 3.5 ★
155. Lost In The Amazon by Stephen Kirkpatrick (230 pages) - 3.2 ★
156. The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin (426 pages) - 3.7 ★
157. Child of Dandelions by Shenaaz Nanji (215 pages) - 4.1 ★
158. The Queen of Four Kingdoms by HRH Princess Michael of Kent (443 pages) - 4.2 ★
159. Blood of the Wicked by Leighton Gage (328 pages) - 4.2 ★
160. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute (285 pages) - 4.5 ★
161. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton (370 pages) - 4.0 ★
162. In The Shadow Of The Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (315 pages) - 4.1 ★
163. The Foundling by Georgette Heyer (439 pages) - 4.2 ★
164. Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill (244 pages) - 4.0 ★
165. Pynter Bender by Jacob Ross (464 pages) - 3.0 ★
166. The Edge of Eden by Helen Benedict (336 pages) - 4.1 ★
167. The African Queen by C.S. Forester (190 pages) - 4.5 ★
168. Requiem Mass by Elizabeth Corley (437 pages) - 3.3 ★

9DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 30, 2014, 12:37 pm

BOOKS READ IN 2014

November


169. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie (694 pages) - 4.5 ★
170. Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas (292 pages) - 3.3 ★
171. The Dead of Night by John Marsden (264 pages) - 4.0 ★
172. Brimstone by Robert B. Parker (293 pages) - 4.0 ★
173. I Don't Want To Kill You by Dan Wells (320 pages) - 2.8 ★
174. Horde by Ann Aguirre (418 pages) - 4.0 ★
175. Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner (402 pages) - 3.9 ★
176. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (560 pages) - 3.3 ★
177. Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (277 pages) - 4.0 ★
178. Push Start by Alan Savage (115 pages) - 2.0 ★
179. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (175 pages) - 3.4 ★
180. The Concubine's Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland (362 Pages) - 3.8 ★
181. Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S.G. Browne (310 pages) - 3.8 ★
182. The Remedy For Love by Bill Roorbach (311 pages) - 3.9 ★
183. The September Society by Charles Finch (372 pages) - 3.0 ★
184. Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener (384 pages) - 4.0 ★
185. An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor (464 pages) - 4.0 ★

December

186. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (324 pages) - 3.8 ★
187. The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer (288 pages) - 3.3 ★
188. You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs (206 pages) - 4.1 ★
189. Snowfall In Burracombe by Lilian Harry (320 pages) - 4.0 ★
190. Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey (334 pages) - 4.0 ★
191. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie (188 pages) - 3.8 ★
192. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson (177 pages) - 4.5 ★
193. Devil's Peak by Deon Meyer (409 Pages) - 4.1 ★
194. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba (320 pages) - 4.0 ★
195. The End of the Drive by Louis L'Amour (272 pages) - 3.5 ★
196. The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson (368 pages) - 4.3 ★
197. The Frog Earl by Carola Dunn (198 pages) - 3.9 ★
198. Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein (320 pages) - 4.0 ★
199. Return to Thrush Green by Miss Read (256 pages) - 4.2 ★
200. Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer (488 pages) - 3.8 ★
201. Comfort and Joy by India Knight (229 pages) - 3.8 ★
202. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (222 pages) - 3.7 ★

10DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:15 pm

11DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:17 pm

Books Purchased in 2014

January


1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Ashes by Ilsa Bick
3. Shadows: The Ashes Trilogy by Ilsa Bick
4. Monsters: The Ashes Trilogy by Ilsa Bick
5. American On Purpose by Craig Ferguson
6. Shadows in the Grass by Beverley Harper
7. Footprints of Lion by Beverley Harper
8. Think of a Number by John Verdon
9. Hawk Quest by Robert Lyndon
10. The Bone Garden by Kate Ellis
11. Prey To All by Natasha Cooper
12. A Hidden Affair by Pam Jenoff
13. Scapegallows by Carol Birch
14. The Moon In the Water by Pamela Belle
15. Wintercombe by Pamela Belle
16. Clean Cut by Lynda La Plante
17. Creeping Ivy by Natasha Cooper
18. Die A Little by Megan Abbott
19. The Funeral Boat by Kate Ellis
20. A Few Acres of Snow by Robert Leckie
21. O Pioneers by Willa Cather
22. Song of the Lark by Willa Cather
23. Fault Lines by Natasha Cooper

February

24. Daughters of the River Huong by Uyen Nichole Duong
25. Fields of Grief by Giles Blunt
26. The Officer's Lover by Pam Jenoff
27. Whispers In Autumn by Trisha Leigh
28. Winter Omens by Trisha Leigh
29. Betrayals in Spring by Trisha Leigh
30. Summer Ruins by Trisha Leigh
31. Bloody Harvests by Richard Kunzmann
32. Salamander Cotton by Richard Kunzman
33. Into the Far Mountains by Fred Grove
34. Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George
35. The Ladies Maid by Dilly Court
36. Reality Check by Peter Abrahams
37. Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
38. Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
39. The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin
40. A Gift Upon the Shore by M.K. Wren
41. God's Own Country by Ross Raisin
42. War Story by Derek Robinson
43. The Getaway by Jim Thompson
44. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
45. Thunder God by Paul Watkins
46. The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary Hawley Jarman
47. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (Bingo)
48. The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marion Keyes
49. Tamarack by William Kent Krueger

12DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:35 pm

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

March


50. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
51. Middlemere by Judith Lennox
52. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
53. Broken Harbour by Tana French (Bingo)
54. At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon
55. Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
56. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
57. Witchlight by Susan Fletcher
58. Night Crossing by Robert Ryan
59. Twilight of Empire by Allan Eckert
60. Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
61. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
62. Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd
63. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
64. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
64. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
65. The Troop by Nick Cutter (Bingo)
66. City of Thieves by David Benioff
67. Amelia's Navigator by James Knepton
68. On The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves (Bingo)
69. What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
70. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (ARC)
71. The Murder Wall by Mari Hannah
72. Settled Blood by Mari Hannah
73. Little Girl Lost by Brian McGilloway
74. Gallows Lane by Brian McGilloway
75. Cold In the Earth by Aline Templeton
76. The Darkness and the Deep by Aline Templeton
77. Lying Dead by Aline Templeton
78. Teacher, Teacher by Jack Sheffield
79. Mister Teacher by Jack Sheffield
80. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos (Bingo)
81. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
82. The Man In the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

April

83. Cemetary Lake by Paul Cleave (Bingo)
84. The Rainbow and the Rose by Nevil Shute
85. The Ghost Door by Pat Barker
86. The Eye In the Door by Pat Barker
87. Pastoral by Nevil Shute
88. The Chains of Fate by Pamela Belle
89. Sand Omnibus by Hugh Howey
90. Shift by Jennifer Bradbury (Bingo)
91. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
92. The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan
93. The Bear by Claire Cameron (Bingo)
94. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold
95. Herald of Joy by Pamela Belle
96. The Twelve by Justin Cronin (Bingo)
97. Push Start by Alan Savage
98. The Terrorists of Irustan by Louise Marley (Bingo)
99. Second Star by Dana Stabenow
100. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow
101. Caribbean Chemistry by Christopher Vanier (Bingo)
102. The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
103. The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann
104. The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope by Rhonda Riley
105. English Creek by Ivan Doig (Bingo)
106. Who Shot the Water Buffalo? by Ken Babbs
107. Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer (Bingo)
108. Under the Jolly Roger by L.A. Meyer

13DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:22 pm

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

May


109. High Rising by Angela Thirkell
110. Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene
111. Sons of Texas by Elmer Kelton
112. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold
113. The Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold
114. A Curse As Dark As Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
115. Sea Witch by Helen Hollick
116. Pirate Code by Helen Hollick
117. Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives Edited by Sarah Weinman - Bingo Book
118. The Golden Scales by Parker Bilal
119. Blackman's Coffin by Mark de Castrique
120. The Fitzgerald Ruse by Mark de Castrique
121. Blood on the Moon by James Ellroy
122. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith - Bingo Book
123. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
124. The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri
125. Mortal by Andrea Badenoch
126. The Judas Heart by Ingrid Black
127. To a Native Shore by Valerie Anand
129. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin
130. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K Le Guin
131. The Farthest Shore by Ursula K Le Guin
132. The Best of Sisters by Dilly Court
133. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh
134. Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguie
135. Love By Design by Rosalie Ash
136. The Brandons by Angela Thirkell
137. Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill
138. The Damascened Blade by Barbara Cleverly
139. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
140. Beauty by Robin McKinley
141. Ash by Malinda Lo
142. Death Message by Mark Billingham

June

143. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt - Bingo Book
144. Red Hill by Jamie McGuire - Bingo Book
145. Soul Catcher by Michael White
146. The Mike Hammer Collection - Vol.1 by Mickey Spillane
147. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
148. The Clocks by Agatha Christie
149. The Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard by Arthur Conan Doyle
150. Cloudy in the West by Elmer Kelton
151. Dead Water by Ann Cleeves
152. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout
153. Buried by Mark Billingham - 6th Thingaversary
154. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers - 6th Thingaversary
155. The Cartographer of No Man's Land by P.S. Duffy - 6th Thingaversary
156. The Orenda by Joseph Boyden - 6th Thingaversary
157. The Foundling by Georgette Heyer
158. Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
159. Dare Me by Megan Abbott
160. The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson
161. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
162. Tiger Claw by Shauna Singh Baldwin - 6th Thingaversary
163. Grave Mercy by Robin Lefevers
164. Dark Triumph by Robin Lefevers
165. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
166. The hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris
167. Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood (Bingo)
168. Playing with the Moon by Eliza Graham
169. A Gentle Ax by R. N. Morris
170. A Vengeful Longing by R. N. Morris
171. A Razor Wrapped in Silk by R. N. Morris
172. The Cleansing Flames by R. N. Morris
173. X-Isle by Steve Augarde (Bingo)
174. First Frost by James Henry - 6th Thingaversary
175. Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear (Bingo)
176. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (Bingo)
177. The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
178. Speak for the Dead by Margaret Yorke
179. The Price of Guilt by Margaret Yorke
180. The Grifters by Jim Thompson
181. After Dark, My Sweet by Jim Thompson
182. The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman
183. Something Is Going to Fall Like Rain by Ros Wynne-Jones (Bingo)
184. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Bingo)

14DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:26 pm

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

July


185. The Information Officer by Mark Mills
186. Funeral Music by Morag Joss
187. A Girl of Her Time by Margaret Kaine
188. Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley
189. First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung
190. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
191. On the Beach by Nevil Shute
192. The Chequer Board by Nevil Shute
194. In the Teeth of Evidence Dorothy L. Sayers
195. Last Reminder by Stuart Pawson
196. Suspect by Michael Robotham
197. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
198. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
199. Into The Shadows by Shirley Wells
200. A Darker Side by Shirley Wells
201. Where Petals Fall by Shirley Wells
202. Gus Openshaw's Whale Killing Journal by Keith Thompson
203. The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden
204. The Yard Dog by Sheldon Russell
205. The Underdog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
206. Weddings in Burracombe by Lilian Harry
207. The Skeleton Room by Kate Ellis
208. Freedom's Land by Anna Jacobs
209. Sacrifice by S.J. Bolton
210. The Forbidden Daughter by Shobhan Bantwal
211. A Finer End by Deborah Crombie
212. The African Queen by C.S. Forester
213. Frozen Moment by Camilla Ceder

August

214. The High Window by Raymond Chandler
215. Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty
216. The House Girl by Tara Conklin
217. An Irish Country Wedding by Patrick Taylor
218. The Yard by Alex Grecian
219. Longbourn by Jo Baker
220. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
221. Dead man's Folly by Agatha Christie
222. The Captain's Daughter by Leah Fleming
223. The Fast One by Paul Cain
224. Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer
225. The Glass Key by Dashiel Hammett
226. She Rises by Kate Worsley
227. The King's Last Song by Geoff Ryman
228. The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi
229. Pirates! by Celia Rees
230. Friends At Thrush Green by Miss Read
231. The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton Disclafani
232. The Silent History by Eli Horowitz
233. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
234. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
235. Before Versailles by Karleen Koen
236. The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry
237. Dark Flight by Lin Anderson
238. Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham
239. Tide of Death by Pauline Rowson
240. Deadly Waters by Pauline Rowson
241. The Suffocating Sea by Pauline Rowson
242. Lime Street Blues by Maureen Lee
243. Easy Kill by Lin Anderson
244. A Killing Frost by John Marsden
245. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
246. Darkness, Be My Friend by John Marsden
247. Close to the Bone by Stuart MacBride
248. The Fallen by Charlie Higson

15DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:29 pm

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

September


249. Beyond Reach by Graham Hurley
250. The Blackhouse by Peter May
251. Invasive Species by Joseph Wallace
252. Still Water by John Harvey
253. Borrowed Light by Graham Hurley
254. Pacific Glory by P.T. Deutermann
255. The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
256. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
257. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
258. The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
259. The Judas Sheep by Stuart Pawson
260. Deadly Friends by Stuart Pawson
261. The Queen of Four Kingdoms by HRH Princess Michael of Kent
262. The Leaving of Liverpool by Lyn Andrews
263. Friends Forever by Lyn Andrews
264. Wedding Tiers by Trisha Ashley
265. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
266. Shame by Karin Alvtegen
267. The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan
268. ella minnow pea by Mark Dunn
269. Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
270. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
271. Crown of Roses by Valerie Anand
272. A Mersey Duet by Anne Baker
273. The Blue Note by Charlotte Bingham
274. Do the Creepy Thing by Graham Joyce
275. Molokai by Alan Brennert
276. Wilderness Empire by Allan W. Eckert
277. Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow
278. Gap Creek by Robert Morgan
279. Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner
280. The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson
281. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
282. Three Miles by Robert Dinsdale
283. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
284. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
285. The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen
286. Silesian Station by David Downing
287. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
288. Easter Island by Jennifer Vanderbes
289. The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
290. The Clouds Beneath the Sun by Mackenzie Ford
291. Sharpe's Tiger by Bernard Cornwell
292. Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman
293. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin
294. Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster
295. The Stowaway by Karen Hesse
296. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
297. Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley
298. Silent Scream by Lynda La Plante
299. Blind Fury by Lynda La Plante

October

300. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley
301. Now You May Weep by Deborah Crombie
302. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
303. The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
304. Into The Forest by Jean Hegland
305. American Tabloid by James Ellroy
306. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
307. Shaka: The Story of a Zulu King by Alex Coutts
308. The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones
309. The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
310. Beyond Mombasa by Frank Coates
311. Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland
312. The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville
313. Belle by Lesley Pearse
314. What The Heart Keeps by Rosalind Laker
315. My Swordhand Is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
316. Blood Red, Snow White by Marcus Sedgwick
317. Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle
318. The Sugar Pavilion by Rosalind Laker
319. The Secret Daughter by Catherine King
320. African Dawn by Tony Park
321. Broken Jewel by David Robbins
322. Lavender Lady by Carola Dunn
323. Buried Strangers by Leighton Gage
324. The Ravenscar Dynasty by Barbara Taylor Bradford
325. Heirs of Ravenscar by Barbara Taylor Bradford
326. Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford
327. The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick
328. The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory
329. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
330. The Black Tower by Louis Bayard
331. Rasputin's Daughter by Robert Alexander
332. Enemies of the Heart by Rebecca Dean
333. The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean
334. Gatty's Tale by Kevin Crossley-Holland
335. Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff
336. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
337. Gone by Mo Hayder
338. Poppet by Mo Hayder
339. Daughters of Eden by Charlott Bingham
340. The Thread That Binds The Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
341. Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill
342. Hostage Three by Nick Lake
343. Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
344. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (audio)
345. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (audio)

16DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 12, 2014, 4:19 pm

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

November


346. The Captive Wife by Fiona Kidman
347. Comfort & Joy by India Knight
348. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
349. Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse (audio)
350. Life After Life by Jill McCorkle
351. The Marines of Autumn by James Brady
352. Brothers In Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold
353. Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham
354. The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie
355. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge
356. Dark Star by Alan Furst
357. The Pink Suit by Nicole Mary Kelby
358, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
359. Persuasion by Jane Austen
360. The March by E.L. Doctorow
361. Black Roses by Jane Thynne

December

362. Clandestine by James Ellroy
363. Down Among the Dead Men by Geraldine Evans
364. Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood
365. The Dead Sit Round In a Ring by David Lawrence
366. Nothing Like The Night by David Lawrence
367. Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel
368. The Year At Thrush Green by Miss Read
369. Leaving Cheyenne by Larry McMurtry
370. Lizzie Borden by Anglela Carter
371. The Big Four by Agatha Christie
372. Stamboul Train by Graham Greene
373. Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff
374. Dunger by Joy Cowley
375. Cold by John Smolens
376. Outside the White Lines by Chris Simms
377. Killing the Beasts by Chris Simms
378. Shifting Skin by Chris Simms
379. Little Exiles by Robert Dinsdale

17DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 2, 2014, 11:31 pm

Currently Reading



Snowfall In Burracombe by Lilian Harry
You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs

18ronincats
Déc 2, 2014, 11:06 pm

Wow, you need a lot of space to start out a thread!

19Kassilem
Déc 2, 2014, 11:08 pm

Happy new thread!

20DeltaQueen50
Déc 2, 2014, 11:33 pm

>18 ronincats: I know, Roni. I promised myself that I would list every book that I bought this year - and you can believe me, I won't be doing that again! It doesn't seem to have helped me curb my book buying at all.

>19 Kassilem: Thanks Melissa!

21susanj67
Déc 3, 2014, 6:02 am

Happy new thread, Judy! You are very close to your 200! I'm on 174 so I don't think I'll make 200 but I was aiming for 150 so technically I could just watch TV for the rest of the month :-)

22msf59
Déc 3, 2014, 6:53 am

Happy New Thread, Judy! Hope the week is going well.

23scaifea
Déc 3, 2014, 7:17 am

Happy New Thread, Judy! Wow, 200 - you can do it!!

24Carmenere
Déc 3, 2014, 7:30 am

Happy new thread, Judy! Yikes! Did you really purchase 372 books this year?! Oh you lucky girl. Are they Kindles? If not where do you keep them all?

25katiekrug
Déc 3, 2014, 9:14 am

Happy new thread, Judy! Love the cover of that Burroughs book :)

26drachenbraut23
Déc 3, 2014, 9:29 am

Happy new thread Judy. LOL - have to agree with Roni! You need a huge amount of space to start your thread.

I am sorry to hear that they had to cancel your husband's surgery, but hopefully he well be seen by a cardiologist shortly to see why he has got this irregularity. However, better they picked it up before the surgery, rather than during.

Wish you a wonderful midweek :)

27jnwelch
Déc 3, 2014, 11:01 am

What Bianca said, Judy. Happy New Thread, and I hope you get helpful news on your husband's condition.

28Familyhistorian
Déc 3, 2014, 5:32 pm

That is a lot of books bought but then it looks like you read lots and lots - 200 is quite a goal1 Happy new thread.

29BLBera
Déc 3, 2014, 6:22 pm

Hi Judy - Nice new thread. I like seeing the books people bought; I don't feel so guilty for the 100+ (only) -- and I still have more books than I'll be able to read in my lifetime. I hope you and yours are feeling better and getting the health issues sorted out before the holidays.

30DeltaQueen50
Déc 3, 2014, 10:52 pm

I was able to get out for a nice walk today as the weather was sunny and mild. I walked along the dike and admired the view of the mountains which clearly stood out today. Tomorrow I am going to go with my elder daughter for some Christmas shopping.

>21 susanj67: As much as the thought of curling up with a quilt and the TV sounds appealing, I somehow doubt you would be happy doing only that for very long, Susan.

>22 msf59: Hi Mark, yes, the week is going well, our cold snap has broken, although I think they are predicting some snow for tomorrow. Best of all, I am reading up a storm!

>23 scaifea: Hi Amber, yes, I think I will be able to break the 200 mark. But I have a one or two chunksters coming up that will slow me down a bit.

>24 Carmenere: Lynda, the books I have bought this year are both for the Kindle and regular books. I have bookshelves scattered all over the house but believe me they are bulging. One of my projects planned for after Christmas is to reorganize my shelves and try to tidy up somewhat.

>25 katiekrug: Katie, that cover makes me giggle every time I look at it. It's the reason I picked up the book, which turned out to be much more than a light-hearted look at Christmas. (Review follows)

>26 drachenbraut23: Thanks, Bianca. We just heard today from the hospital and he has an appointment on the 12th which is when they will be starting to monitor his heart. I would think we won't hear of any result now until after Christmas.

>27 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe.

>28 Familyhistorian: I think I got a little carried away with book buying this year, Meg. I am definitely going to try and rein it in a bit next year (if I can). On the other hand it is nice to always have lots of choices of reading material.

>29 BLBera: Hi Beth, we are both feeling pretty good which is the main thing. I do feel bad that hubby's back gives him so much pain, he is much better at handling this constant pain than I would be, that's for sure.

31DeltaQueen50
Déc 3, 2014, 10:54 pm

188. You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs - 4.1 ★
TIOLI #2: Read A Book About Christmas




You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs is a collection of Christmas essays that range from exceedingly funny to mind-blowingly sad. I was practically in tears after reading the second to last essay entitled “The Best and Only Everything”, and then the last story, for me the gem of the collection, “Silent Night” ended the book on a perfect note. This was not the book I thought it was going to be, but a much more meaningful and deeper reading experience.

The stories run the gamut from abrasively funny, to cynically sentimental, yet instead of an anti-Christmas book, I felt quite warm and fuzzy after I turned the last page. These are certainly not your typical Christmas stories as You Better Not Cry is full of disasters and bad decisions and I think there will be some people put off by his darkness, yet his writing is beautifully descriptive and whether he is writing about his confusion over Santa Claus or his own sexuality, this book comes across as both witty and honest.

32luvamystery65
Déc 4, 2014, 11:45 am

>31 DeltaQueen50: The menace strikes again! Off to go look for You Better Not Cry right now!

33jolerie
Déc 4, 2014, 12:17 pm

Happy new thread, Judy! Looks like you are starting off the holiday reading with a bang. I realized my December line-up is all serious, tough subjects! I need to try to sneak in some light hearted ones to balance things out.
Hope the walking has been going well for you. I got a cold earlier this week so my treadmilling has been derailed for the time being.

34countrylife
Déc 4, 2014, 5:57 pm

Guess how far behind I've been on reading LT threads? I JUST finished reading 124 posts from your previous thread where, many, many posts back, I learned about your heart attacks, and then your husband's delayed surgery. In this season of thankfulness for our blessings, I am thankful that your problem was diagnosed and that the stent worked. And that your husband's doctors are taking a conservative route to make sure all is well with him before proceeding. Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.

35DeltaQueen50
Déc 5, 2014, 12:55 pm

>32 luvamystery65: I hope you enjoy You Better Not Cry. Ro.

>33 jolerie: I have now got a couple of Christmas-y books under my belt and yesterday had a successful day of Christmas shopping. So now I can steer away from Christmas and read some of my other books that I have lined up for this month. I will save a couple of Christmas books for later in the month. I have been trying to either get outside for a walk or spend some time on the treadmill, I do prefer to get out if I can. I think I need to have my hubby move the treadmill so that I can walk and watch TV.

>34 countrylife: Thank you so much for your thoughtful message, Cindy.

36DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 5, 2014, 12:57 pm

189. Snowfall in Burracombe by Lilian Harry - 4.0 ★
December RandomCat: Wish Upon A Star
TIOLI #2: Read A Book About Christmas




The Burracombe series by Lilian Harry have been comfort reads for me. Snowfall in Burracombe is the seventh book in the series about an English village and it’s inhabitants during the 1950’s. This book is set in December of 1953 and is appropriately about the festive season. There are romances and tragedies as well as the simple day to day routines of this quiet rural village. Of course the scenes depicting the various villagers celebrating Christmas were my favourite as they brought back memories from my own childhood.

There is some darkness brewing on the horizon as there are secrets being kept, a scandal brewing that could have serious consequences and important life changing decisions that need to be made. After seven books, I feel as if I know these characters so well, but it is a bit of a challenge to reacquaint myself with some thirty residents. This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order as there are many different plotlines to follow.

I did love the Christmas scenes and I felt very much like I was visiting with old friends and getting caught up with all the gossip. I look forward to the next installment.

37DeltaQueen50
Déc 5, 2014, 1:11 pm

Currently Reading



The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey

38thornton37814
Déc 5, 2014, 8:19 pm

>36 DeltaQueen50: Oh - I've never heard of that series. It sounds like my cup of tea.

39Storeetllr
Déc 6, 2014, 1:06 am

>1 DeltaQueen50: Love the covers! Such fun!

From your last thread, yet another bullet got me with the Lady Georgiana novel, which I've already requested from the library. Also the Pfeffer Life As We Know It series, notwithstanding your lack of enjoyment of the last book.

40DeltaQueen50
Déc 6, 2014, 1:25 pm

>38 thornton37814: As a fellow fan of Miss Read's books, I think you would really enjoy the Burracombe series, Lori. More romance than Miss Read, but overall a nice read about times gone by.

>39 Storeetllr: Have fun with Her Royal Spyness, Mary. And I did really like the Pfeffer series through the first three books, this last book just asked me to accept something that I found very difficult to believe.

41thornton37814
Déc 6, 2014, 7:49 pm

>40 DeltaQueen50: When I read the description of the first book in the series, it reminded me of Miss Read. I'm glad to hear they are similar. I don't mind a touch of romance.

42ronincats
Déc 6, 2014, 10:20 pm

So, Her Royal Spyness is waiting for me at my local library branch.

43DeltaQueen50
Déc 6, 2014, 11:43 pm

>41 thornton37814: I hope you are able to track down this series, Lori.

>42 ronincats: Roni, I hope you enjoy Her Royal Spyness!

44DeltaQueen50
Déc 6, 2014, 11:43 pm

190. Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey - 4.0 ★
December GeoCat: Sub-Saharan Africa
Commonwealth Challenge: Ghana
TIOLI #5: Book Title Has A Noun That is Found in the Title of a Christmas Carrol




Set in the African country of Ghana, Children of the Street is the second Inspector Darko Dawson mystery by Kwei Quartey. There is a flood of homeless, poor children that are coming to the city of Accra from all parts of the country in search of a better life. Unfortunately some of these children are turning up murdered and mutilated and Inspector Dawson and his team are trying to find out who is behind these murders.

This is an interesting series, set as it is in the country of Ghana. The main character, Darko Dawson is a caring, committed man in a job that is very difficult, and he has his moments where the sheer futility overcomes him but overall he is a man to admire.

There is a third book to this series and I certainly plan to get my hands on it at some point. I hope the author continues on with this series as he writes mysteries that are full of twists and suspense while still imparting information about his native country.

45katiekrug
Déc 7, 2014, 1:17 pm

Just checking in, Judy. The Kwei Quartey myseteries sound interesting - I will have to check if my library has them.

Happy Sunday to you!

46DeltaQueen50
Déc 7, 2014, 11:16 pm

>45 katiekrug: Hi Katie. I think you will enjoy the Kwei Quartey books, he writes with a very strong sense of place. Spent most of my day with Agatha Christie although I did take a few breaks to ride the bike.

47DeltaQueen50
Déc 7, 2014, 11:17 pm

191. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie - 3.8 ★
December MysteryCat: Cozy Mysteries
TIOLI #14: A Book That Fits the LT Bingo Card - A Book With A Mystery




The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie, originally published in 1961, is a tale of murder by black magic. This is the authors’ take on the supernatural and she has included séances, witches and an old 15th century inn called The Pale Horse. The novel is a stand alone although one of her reoccurring characters, Ariadne Oliver is featured and other characters from previous books also make an appearance. I recognized the vicar and his wife from The Moving Finger and Colonel Despard from Cards on the Table.

The main character, Mark Easterbrook stumbles into a reference that The Pale Horse is a place of evil, and that, along with a list of names that turn out to belong to people who have recently died starts him and a friend, Ginger, on an investigation. Meanwhile, from a slightly different angle, the police are also taking an interest due to a recent murder of a priest.

I found this appropriately chilling and original and enjoyed it very much. The author starts her story slowly, but as the pages turn, she amps up the tension and moves her story along quickly. Typically there were a few red herrings along the way and an interesting twist at the end which made The Pale Horse a very satisfactory read.

48DeltaQueen50
Déc 7, 2014, 11:29 pm

Currently Reading



Devil's Peak by Deon Meyer
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson

49msf59
Déc 8, 2014, 7:31 am

Hi Judy! Hope you had a nice weekend. I LOVED both your current reads. Great choices and I am looking forward to your thoughts on both of them.

50souloftherose
Déc 8, 2014, 2:41 pm

Happy new thread Judy!

>47 DeltaQueen50: That cover of The Pale Horse is quite creepy...

51jnwelch
Déc 8, 2014, 2:51 pm

Nice review of The Pale Horse, Judy. I liked that one, too. If you like your Christie with some whispers of the supernatural, The Mysterious Mr. Quin is another good one.

52DeltaQueen50
Déc 8, 2014, 11:36 pm

Another day of Christmas shopping and I am going again tomorrow with my younger daughter. Hopefully I will then be done with the shopping! My grandson was here for dinner and telling me about the book he is reading for English - it's To Kill A Mockingbird - one of my all time favorites. Somehow I got the impression he isn't over the moon about it.

>49 msf59: Mark, I do believe I have your name noted as having recommended both my current reads!

>50 souloftherose: Hi Heather. It is a creepy cover and not very accurate either. No sign of shrunken heads in the book at all!

>51 jnwelch: Taking note of The Mysterious Mr. Quin, Joe. My plan is to eventually read all of Agatha Christie's books and I am having fun working through her body of work.

53tymfos
Déc 9, 2014, 11:05 am

Judy, your great review of The Pale Horse had me scurrying to our library's webpage to check if it's in our catalog -- yes, we have it! One book bullet hits the mark!

54lkernagh
Déc 9, 2014, 10:52 pm

Checking out the new thread, Judy. You have been having quite the busy time of it so far this month. Good plan on braving the stores early. I have noticed that I seem to be finished shopping and most other Christmasy kind of chores earlier and earlier each year = more free time for me when the holidays hit. ;-)

55Familyhistorian
Déc 9, 2014, 11:59 pm

>52 DeltaQueen50: Ah Christmas shopping, that is one way of getting your walking in!

56humouress
Déc 10, 2014, 4:33 am

Hi Judy. Finally, belatedly checking in to your new thread.

Off to check on some book bullets from your previous thread ... *sigh* why do I do this to myself? I know what it's going to be like coming here ... ;0)

57DeltaQueen50
Déc 10, 2014, 3:43 pm

Christmas shopping really tired me out yesterday! I slept in this morning and finally rolled out of bed around nine o'clock! The good news is that I am pretty much finished except for a few things that I can pick up locally. Now I can relax and enjoy the holidays.

>53 tymfos: I am finding, Terri, that I really enjoy the stand-alones that Agatha Christie wrote. i loved Why Didn't They Ask Evans and Endless Night. The stand-alones are new to me as well, when I read Agatha Christie many years ago, I mostly concentrated on Hercule Poirot.

>54 lkernagh: I love to get the shopping done, Lori. That's the one part of Christmas that I don't enjoy. Now I can get to the fun part, the wrapping which I love.

>55 Familyhistorian: I think shopping tires me out more than just about anything. I think it's more than the walking, it's the talking (I was with my daughter), and the mental workout of planning etc., plus all the other senses that play such a large part of shopping.

>56 humouress: Hi Nina - **waves**

58DeltaQueen50
Déc 10, 2014, 3:45 pm

192. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson - 4.5 ★
December American Author Challenge
TIOLI #16: Bah Humbug! Read A Book That Is Nothing To Do With Christmas




Montana 1948 by Larry Watson chronicles the events in a small Montana town, and in particular, the effects these events had on one family. As told through the eyes of the only child in the family, David, we learn of his quiet, inward looking father, sheriff of the town and his morally upright but loving mother. They are all part of the Hayden family who were a power source in the county. People looked up to and respected the Haydens, his rancher grandfather who had spent previous years himself as the sheriff, his war hero uncle, the local doctor and his father. Another important character was Marie Little Soldier, the Sioux housekeeper, and the catalyst of the events that were to change this family forever.

This is a story that I felt viscerally, the author writes simply and from the heart. As the plot develops I felt David’s loss of innocence as his small town life of fishing, riding and hunting changes when racism, betrayal and violence come into it. His own identity and strong family ties are shattered. He is telling the story as an adult, looking back upon that summer, but the reader intimately feels the child’s confusion and anguish.

Larry Watson’s writing reminds me in many ways of both Ivan Doig and Kent Haruf. These men write with a western viewpoint. Their writing is rich, meditative and stripped of any extra unneeded words, cutting right into the soul of the story. Montana 1948 tells a powerful, candid and emotionally charged story in under 200 pages. I admire both the writing and the story.

59thornton37814
Déc 10, 2014, 3:51 pm

>58 DeltaQueen50: All the positive reviews of Montana 1948 are making me rethink which Larry Watson book I want to read. When I go to the library this weekend, I guess that I'll look at it (if they have it) and the one I had picked and decide which one goes home with me. I'll definitely only have a chance to read one or the other.

60BLBera
Déc 10, 2014, 8:23 pm

Hi Judy - It sounds like you are fully immersed in the holiday spirit. The Kwei Quartey series sounds interesting - I think I would enjoy the setting.

61DeltaQueen50
Déc 11, 2014, 12:02 am

>59 thornton37814: Lori, I don't what other Larry Watson you are considering, but I have read Let Him Go and it was a five star read for me. Montana 1948 came close to five stars but I agree with what Katie (katiekrug) said in her review, the characters needed to be fleshed out a little more. I don't think you can go wrong with this author.

>60 BLBera: Beth, I love the fact that there are so many mysteries set in different countries that are available to us these days. It's great to be able to get your crime fix while learning about different cultures.

62msf59
Modifié : Déc 11, 2014, 7:06 am

Fantastic review of Montana 1948, Judy!! Your thoughts come closest to my own and I LOVE it. Hope you get lots of Thumbs! Could you post this over on the Watson AAC thread? Just so we could share the love.

And I am sure you will love Justice.

63thornton37814
Déc 11, 2014, 9:43 am

>61 DeltaQueen50: The other one I had down was White Crosses.

64DeltaQueen50
Déc 11, 2014, 12:58 pm

>62 msf59: I am on my way over to the AAC thread right now to post my review, Mark. Larry Watson was the perfect author to end your 2014 AAC with.

>63 thornton37814: White Crosses sounds interesting, Lori, after reading three Larry Watson books, I am planning on eventually reading everything he has written.

65DeltaQueen50
Déc 12, 2014, 5:45 pm

193. Devil's Peak by Deon Meyer - 4.1 ★
December Geo-Cat: Sub-Saharan (South Africa Focus)
TIOLI #14: Book That Fits LT Bingo Card - Set On A Different Continent




Devil’s Peak by Deon Meyer is an excellent thriller. Set in South Africa, I found the book got off to a slow start with three separate narrators, a young woman making a confession to a minister, a distraught man deciding on revenge after his son is shot in a robbery, and a drunken police detective who is on the edge of losing everything to the drink. It took awhile for me to keep the voices separate and around the time I finally did, this part of the book was over and the next part was straight forward story told mostly from the police detective’s viewpoint. I knew these three narrations would converge and when they did, the story popped and took off on a roller coaster ride.

This is the first of a series featuring DI Benny Griessel and I can tell you that I will be on the look out for the rest of this series. The author pushes all the right buttons and delivers a first class thriller. One note of warning however, between the assegai wielding vigilante and the Columbian drug kingpins, this story holds a great deal of violence and so may be a little too dark for some readers. However, if you like your crime to be in-your-face and somewhat bloody, with a sharp and perceptive storyline this South African crime series may be of some interest to you.

66humouress
Déc 12, 2014, 8:21 pm

You maybe pleased to know I'm now reading Her Royal Spyness, thanks to you.

67PaulCranswick
Déc 12, 2014, 10:58 pm

>65 DeltaQueen50: Glad to see you enjoyed Devil's Peak, Judy. Benita recommended the series to me and it is really good.

See you have seven to go to meet your 200 goal. I am fairly sure you'll do it.

Have a great weekend. xx

68EBT1002
Déc 13, 2014, 3:23 am

Oh good, another who enjoyed Devil's Peak. I need to consider getting my paws on some of her other works.

200 books. I'm impressed, Judy! I will easily make it to 80 this year but 200. That's incomprehensible. Maybe after I retire....

69DeltaQueen50
Déc 14, 2014, 1:41 pm

>66 humouress: I hope you enjoy it, Nina!

>67 PaulCranswick: I did enjoy Devil's Peak, Paul and now I have another series to follow!
I think I will make the 200, which is a lot of books, but there are so many, many more that I want to read and new ones popping up all the time! It's a neverending quest.

>68 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, as I say, it's a never ending quest to read all the new books we hear about here, not to mention getting back to series that we have already started. For more reading time I definitely recommend retirement - of course you have to be able to ignore the household chores that are calling out to be done!

70DeltaQueen50
Déc 14, 2014, 1:43 pm

194. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba - 4.0 ★
December GeoCat: Sub-Saharan Africa
Commonwealth Challenge: Malawi
TIOLI #5: Book Title Has A Noun That Is Also Found in the Title of a Christmas Carol




This book was one that brought me joy. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba tells his story of how, growing up in the drought-ridden, poor country of Malawi, he dreamed of one day building a windmill like the ones he read about. His goal was to bring electricity and water to his village. He planned on studying and learning what he needed to at school, but that plan was cut short when his parents could not afford the tuition fee and he was needed at home to help forge for food to stave off starvation.

William held onto his dream and with the use of old science textbooks, scrap metal and bits he could find, he managed to cobble together a workable windmill that provided enough energy for four lights, eventually a second machine was assembled that became a water pump. This boy who was called “crazy” by many achieved his dreams and became an inspiration to others.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is so much more than an instruction guide to building windmills. This story is a vivid memoir of this unusual young man who grew up in extremely difficult conditions and found a way to bring freedom along with power to his village.

71thornton37814
Déc 14, 2014, 3:07 pm

>64 DeltaQueen50: I ended up getting Montana 1948 because White Crosses was not on the shelf.

72saraslibrary
Déc 14, 2014, 3:15 pm

Wow! You're a super-fast reader. :) I saw you read Room in May, and I'm glad to see you liked it, too. I'm trying to finish it up before the end of this year. (knock on wood)

73DeltaQueen50
Déc 14, 2014, 4:20 pm

>71 thornton37814: I hope you like Montana 1948, Lori.

>72 saraslibrary: Sara, I loved Room and I do believe it will be on my list of top reads for 2014. I thought she captured the voice of the child perfectly.

74msf59
Déc 14, 2014, 4:39 pm

Happy Sunday, Judy! I am so glad you loved Devil's Peak. It is a terrific crime novel. I also loved The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and I should have warbled about it more, after I read it.

Hope you are having a great day!

75ronincats
Déc 14, 2014, 10:08 pm

Finished Her Royal Spyness today and totally enjoyed it, Judy!

76saraslibrary
Déc 15, 2014, 12:36 am

>73 DeltaQueen50: I think Room'll probably make one of my more memorable reads for 2014, too. :) And absolutely on Donoghue capturing "the voice of the child perfectly." It was a little distracting for me at first (some of the sentences didn't make sense), but once I got used to it, it's what made the book so engaging and has kept me reading. Written from the mother's p.o.v., I don't think it would've been as good.

77jnwelch
Modifié : Déc 15, 2014, 12:38 pm

>70 DeltaQueen50: Oh, what a nice surprise to see your thoughtful and positive review of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Judy. I love that book. What a remarkable man, what a remarkable story, and how well told. One of my all-time favorites.

Thumb from moi. Glad you enjoyed it.

78DeltaQueen50
Déc 15, 2014, 6:33 pm

>74 msf59: Hi Mark, I have been in reading heaven with the last three books that I have read. Deon Meyer has become an author that I want to read more of soon.

>75 ronincats: I'm glad to hear that, Roni. It's the type of book that probably depends a lot on the reader's mood, but I found it a very fun read.

>76 saraslibrary: Another thing I find interesting about Emma Donoghue is the variety of what she writes about. I have read Room, Slammerkin and Life Mask by her so far and all were quite different from each other. I particularly liked Room and Slammerkin. I am looking forward to getting my hands on her latest, Frog Music.

>77 jnwelch: Thanks Joe. It's great to read a book set in Africa where the final outcome is one of hope and triumph over conditions, all too often things are so very bleak on that continent.

79saraslibrary
Déc 15, 2014, 6:47 pm

>78 DeltaQueen50: I never really paid much attention to Emma Donoghue's books until you listed those titles (well, I did have a coworker who recommended Hood to me). That is quite the variety! I would've never pegged her as a historical writer, but I'd love to see if they're as engaging as Room. Thanks. :) Best of luck finding a copy of Frog Music!

80jolerie
Modifié : Déc 15, 2014, 9:30 pm

Judy and Sara, I read Frog Music earlier this year and in fine Donoghue style, it does not disappoint. The lady can spin a story! :)

81DeltaQueen50
Déc 15, 2014, 11:51 pm

>79 saraslibrary: & >80 jolerie: The lady can spin a story! Valerie has nailed it!

82DeltaQueen50
Déc 15, 2014, 11:53 pm

195. The End of the Drive by Louis L'Amour - 3.5 ★
TIOLI #11: A Word In the Title That Implys An End or Finality




The End of the Drive is collection of western short stories, penned by Louis L’Amour. These stories were varied and I liked some a lot more than others, but overall a nice collection of stories all told in his straight forward, slightly formulistic manner.

The opening story was a variation on a familiar theme, and got the book off to a good start as a young man learns a valuable life lesson from his father. Another story that stood out for me was “ Desperate Men”, a story about prisoners who escape from Yuma Territorial Prison and embark on a gruelling trek across the desert, in as much danger from each other as from the elements. There is one longer novella in the collection, an exciting tale called Rustler Roundup, about neighbour turning against neighbour when their suspicions are aroused as to who is behind the cattle rustling in the area.

No surprises here but an interesting collection of western stories that involve courage, resolve and honour as once again Louis L’Amour builds upon the code of the Old West.

83Carmenere
Déc 16, 2014, 7:43 am

Morning, Judy! I love Louis L'Amour and just added EotD to my wishlist. Montana 1948 has been on my wishlist for quite some time. Devil's Peak looks good too, onto the list. Honestly, your thread just keeps on giving and giving book bullets.

84DeltaQueen50
Déc 16, 2014, 5:04 pm

>83 Carmenere: Hi Lynda, well, it is the season to give so I guess I am doing my part!

85qebo
Déc 16, 2014, 5:28 pm

>70 DeltaQueen50: Ooh, I have this one. Keep meaning to get to it. Now plopped onto the January stack. Not that my track record of sticking to the plan is so great.

86saraslibrary
Déc 16, 2014, 6:01 pm

>80 jolerie: & >81 DeltaQueen50: Good to know. Thank you! :)

87DeltaQueen50
Déc 17, 2014, 1:26 pm

>85 qebo: I am a definite planner, my favorite thing to do is paw through my books and make lists of what I will read during the following month. I usually stick with my plans, but every now and again I get pulled in a different direction.

88DeltaQueen50
Déc 17, 2014, 1:26 pm

196. The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson - 4.3 ★
Reading Through Time Quarterly Theme: 1900 - 1913
TIOLI #5: Book Title Has a Noun Found in the Title of a Christmas Carol




The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson is set during the Belle Époque period when Paris was considered to be the center of arts, learning and fine living. The story is about three young women, Maud Heighton is an Englishwoman in Paris to study art. She is so devoted to her studies that she would rather starve than miss a class. Tanya Koltsolva is a wealthy young Russian who is also studying art, although her family is encouraging her to find a rich husband, she likes to toy with the idea of making her own way in life. Finally, Yvette, a young girl from the slums of Paris who works as a model at both the art school and with various artists. Street-smart Yvette has a generous nature and often helps others that need a guiding hand.

As we follow these young women over the course of the winter of 1909/10, we are drawn into a story of fraud, murder and revenge. The plot is deceptively simple, yet with a few added twists and turns it keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The author used actual history to help shape the story, as the fictional art school was based on a real one and the actual flooding of Paris in January 1910 is an important component of the plot.

I felt that the story would have benefited from tighter editing as at times it seemed to drift. However, her beautifully written, detailed descriptions of the city of Paris was outstanding. From the highest echelons of society to the shanties of Montmartre the author gifted the reader with a vivid sense of place. The Paris Winter is a book that I will long remember due to its setting, atmosphere and mood.

89jolerie
Déc 17, 2014, 3:43 pm

Sounds like another one I'd like. Thanks, Judy! :)

90DeltaQueen50
Déc 17, 2014, 6:53 pm

>89 jolerie: It takes a while to really get going, Valerie, but once it does is exciting, and her descriptions of Paris really set the scene. :)

91countrylife
Déc 18, 2014, 8:28 am

Great review of Montana 1948. That's the title I chose, as well, and your perfectly captured thoughts reflect my feelings, too.

Glad to see that The Paris Winter was a hit with you. My copy just became available at the library, so I hope to be able to complete it yet this month.

92DeltaQueen50
Déc 18, 2014, 4:08 pm

>91 countrylife: Thanks, Cindy. Larry Watson is definitely an author that resonates with me. Also, I think you will enjoy The Paris Winter when you get to it.

93DeltaQueen50
Déc 18, 2014, 4:16 pm

Spent yesterday afternoon at the hospital while my husband had various medical tests, he will find out in January whether or not they will proceed with the operation on his back. I am off to the hospital myself tomorrow for some blood tests and then in January I am scheduled for a stress test and they are also going to put me on a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. Our life seems to be revolving around doctors and hospitals these days! The good thing about sitting in waiting rooms is that I am getting lots of reading time.

With only 5 or so books left to read for the year, I have been thinking about which books I will choose as my top reads of 2014. As of right now, I think they would be the following (in no particular order):

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

I also really enjoyed the Raj Quartet by Paul Scott and the First Law fantasy series by Joe Abercrombie.

94msf59
Déc 18, 2014, 6:26 pm

That is a good list, Judy! I have not read the Woodrell but LOVED the other 4.

95DeltaQueen50
Déc 18, 2014, 10:24 pm

>94 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I have only read two Woodrells so far but my plan is to eventually read everything by this guy.

96DeltaQueen50
Déc 18, 2014, 10:25 pm

197. The Frog Earl by Carola Dunn - 3.9 ★
Reading Through Time Monthly Theme: Regency Period
TIOLI #16: Bah Humbug! A Book That Has Nothing To Do With Christmas




The Frog Earl by Carola Dunn is a regency romance that I didn‘t have very expectations of, yet it turn out to be a very fun read. Simon Hurst had a promising career in the navy but gave that up when his older brother died and he became the Earl of Derwent and the heir to his father’s title. Unfortunately Simon is a little rough around the edge, he doesn’t follow the latest fashion or manners. He is slightly stocky in appearance and it isn’t long before he is laughably called the Frog Earl. Feeling humiliated he decides to retire to the country. Of course both his fortune and his title are highly desirable, but Simon wants to find a wife who will love him as he is.

While out riding Simon stumbles upon the beautiful Lakshmi Lassiter, known as Mimi, the daughter of a British Army Colonel and an Indian Princess. She has dropped her gold bracelet into the pond and believing Simon to be a lackey of some sort asks him to fetch it for her. He extracts a promise of three things from her, including a kiss which she readily agrees to, but once her bracelet is safely upon her wrist, she reneges on her promise.

Yes, The Frog Earl is a reworking of the fairytale about The Princess and the Frog. Although this regency romp wasn’t quite up to the standards of Georgette Heyer, it was still a pretty good read being both sweetly romantic and knowing not to take itself too seriously. An entertaining read.

97DeltaQueen50
Déc 20, 2014, 3:34 pm

198. Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein - 4.0 ★
TIOLI #1: Use Three Consecutive Letters From the Name Madeline




Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein is the second book in his crime series that features Danny Boyle and John Ceepak. Danny is the narrator, young and likeable, the story unfolds through his eyes. As a part-time summer cop, he works with Detective John Ceepak and together they keep both the beach and the boardwalk at Sea Haven, a New Jersey beach town, safe for the tourists and locals alike. Danny has grown up in Sea Haven, his friends are there and he appears to be in transition from party boy to responsible adult. He couldn’t have a better role model than John Ceepak. Unfortunately it appears that Danny has left at least one enemy in his wake.

Whether it’s rescuing a wheelchair bound kid from bullies or solving a serious crime, John Ceepak always goes by his code of honor. As a previous solider he is loyal to a fault, always there to help Danny, back him up in tricky situations and impart some life lessons along the way. John Ceepak reminds me of the cartoon character of Dudley Do-Right, but the witty, perceptive way in which he is presented raises this book above cartoon level.

Mad Mouse is very much like the carnival ride it is named after. A wild ride with both a quick pace to the plot and the dialogue. Sheer entertainment with lots of twists and turns, this book was a fun read. However there is more to this book than laughs, it has a dark side with violence and murder as well. A different and well presented series and it’s obvious the author enjoys his time spent in Sea Haven as much as his readers do.

98DeltaQueen50
Déc 22, 2014, 5:07 pm

199. Return To Thrush Green by Miss Read - 4.2 ★
TIOLI #6: A Color or Shade of Color Is In the Title




Dora Saint who published under the name of Miss Read wrote many nostalgic books about British country life and rural villages. In her books she paints wonderful pictures of thatched cottages, village greens and well tended gardens. In Return to Thrush Green, she bring her readers back to the small village called Thrush Green and updates us on the comings and goings of the inhabitants.

This is a world where everyone knows everyone’s business and has an opinion whether they are the local vicar or the neighbourhood busybody. The drama usually circles around village affairs from how to tidy up the local cemetery to raising money for repairs to the village school. There is a timelessness abut her books, and although they don’t entirely ignore modern times, they seem to exist in a vacuum all their own.

Return to Thrush Green is a simple, heart-felt, comfort read that was gratefully picked up during the hustle and bustle of this holiday season.

99rosalita
Déc 23, 2014, 5:31 pm

Judy, I hope all of your and your husband's medical tests come back with big thumbs-up written all over them. I love the John Ceepak series, and I think I would even if Bruce Springsteen's music didn't feature so prominently. :-)

100DeltaQueen50
Déc 23, 2014, 5:59 pm

>99 rosalita: Hi Julia, I thought of you when I was reading Mad Mouse every time Bruce Springsteen's music and lyrics were used.

**********

We are pretty much ready for Christmas here. The family will be coming here for opening presents and brunch. We are going to my elder daughter's place for Christmas dinner. I am heading over to Victoria on Boxing Day to spend some time with my Mom and the rest of the family, and will be back after the New Year. I look forward to catching up with everyone's new thread then.

I just finished my 200th book of the year, and although this wasn't a totally stellar read, it was fun and light which made it perfect for this time of year. Looks like I will get a few more in before the year is over.

101DeltaQueen50
Déc 23, 2014, 5:59 pm

200. Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer - 3.8 ★
TIOLI #6: Book Title Contains a Color or a Shade of a Color




Although I personally didn’t enjoy The Curse of the Blue Tattoo as much as the first Jacky Faber book, I have no doubt that if I was eleven or twelve, I would be totally swept away by this book. Even at my advanced age, I was still quite taken by Jacky and her trials.

After being discovered to be a girl, Jacky is put off the Dolphin and is sent to a young lady’s school in Boston. Jacky soon realizes just how far she is from being the “lady” that Jamie, the love of her life, wishes her to be. Of course, being Jacky, she is soon involved in a number of adventures as she goes about helping friends and setting wrongs to right. Although the plot was a familiar one and the characters very predictable, one can’t help but find this a fun read. Jacky is a fearless, ardent young person and she makes me long to join her “Dread Sisterhood”.

Curse of the Blue Tattoo is book number two in L.A. Meyer’s rollicking adventure series featuring the perfectly imperfect Jacky Faber. I am planning on passing these books along to my granddaughter when she is eleven, and I am sure she will fall in love with Jacky as well.

102DeltaQueen50
Déc 23, 2014, 6:12 pm

Currently Reading



Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Comfort and Joy by India Knight

103ronincats
Déc 23, 2014, 10:13 pm

Judy, I am going to have to try the Jackie Faber series at some point!

It's Chrismas Eve's eve, and so I am starting the rounds of wishing my 75er friends the merriest of Christmases or whatever the solstice celebration of their choice is.

104saraslibrary
Déc 23, 2014, 10:14 pm

105BLBera
Déc 24, 2014, 8:10 am

Merry Christmas, Judy.

106Carmenere
Déc 24, 2014, 8:16 am


Merry Christmas, Judy!

107scaifea
Déc 24, 2014, 11:20 am

Happy, Happy Christmas to you and yours, Judy!

108qebo
Déc 24, 2014, 11:43 am


Happy Holidays!

109jolerie
Modifié : Déc 25, 2014, 1:21 pm

From our family to yours!

110DeltaQueen50
Déc 24, 2014, 1:37 pm

I am about to start my rounds but if I miss anyone, please know that I wish all the best of the season to everyone. I have a lot to do today in the way of baking and cooking, but the cleaning is all done and the more I get done today, the less I have to do tomorrow!

I am planning on opening my Secret 75er Santa gifts tonight and I can't wait to see what titles I've received!

111Kassilem
Déc 24, 2014, 2:12 pm

Happy Holidays!

112susanj67
Déc 24, 2014, 2:22 pm

Judy, happy Christmas and all the best for 2015, and I hope you enjoy your time in Victoria.

113SandDune
Déc 24, 2014, 3:18 pm

Judy - have a great Christmas and new year.

114DeltaQueen50
Déc 24, 2014, 4:51 pm

Thanks Melissa, Susan and Rhian.

I should be at work with preparations but I came back to add one more book and then of course, I can't help but get caught up in the threads!

115DeltaQueen50
Déc 24, 2014, 4:52 pm

201. Comfort and Joy by India Knight - 3.8 ★
TIOLI #4: Both Red and Green On the Cover




Comfort and Joy by India Knight would be classified as chick-lit. But for me there was a little more to it, as it wasn’t a straight forward girl meets boy love story. This was, in fact, a love story about a family and by family, I don’t mean the traditional mother-father-child family, but rather a huge conglomeration of people who are connected to each other in various ways. The common denominator to this family is the love they have for each other.

Covering three Christmases, the reader follows Clara’s life and how each Christmas is affected by the growths and changes in her life. Starting when she is forty, there is a lot of humour, some emotional truths, a few hard hitting facts and a warm holiday feeling that made this book a lovely Christmas read.

If you like your Christmas stories a little on the bawdy side, Comfort and Joy would make a great addition to your Christmas book list.

116msf59
Modifié : Déc 24, 2014, 7:08 pm



I hope you have a great holiday season, Judy! Happy Reading!

117ChelleBearss
Déc 24, 2014, 8:30 pm

Merry Christmas Judy!

118Familyhistorian
Déc 24, 2014, 9:54 pm

I hope you have a Happy Holiday Season - lovely that you get to spend it with family and friends. The weather sounds like it will be great for getting out and walking off all that Christmas feasting as well!

119lkernagh
Déc 24, 2014, 11:25 pm

>88 DeltaQueen50: - I am such a sucker for books set in Belle Époque period. Adding The Paris Winter to my future reading list.

I have enjoyed following your reading and pretty much everything else posted here in 2014. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and all the best in 2015!

120rosalita
Déc 25, 2014, 11:40 am

Merry Christmas to you, Judy.

121drachenbraut23
Déc 25, 2014, 11:46 am



A wonderful Christmas to you and your family, Judy!

122drneutron
Déc 26, 2014, 7:13 pm

123PaulCranswick
Déc 27, 2014, 12:24 am



Dear Guru, have a wonderful festive season. xx

124countrylife
Déc 27, 2014, 10:44 am

Judy, I'm looking forward to following your thread in 2015. You always get me with more than your share of book bullets.

125tymfos
Déc 27, 2014, 3:57 pm

Hi, Judy! Hope your holiday season is going well. Sorry for all the medical issues you and your hubby are having. I'm glad to see you're enjoying the John Ceepak books. I look forward to your review of the Tey that you're reading. I'm reading one now, too, A Shilling for Candles.

126DeltaQueen50
Déc 27, 2014, 8:24 pm

I had a senior moment today and when I went to sign in to Library Thing I couldn't remember my password! Just went totally blank. I had to reset my password in order to sign in. Must remember to write the new one down.

I had a lovely Christmas and now I am over at my Mom's in Victoria. We had a family dinner last night and I got to see my grand-nephew who is now 10 months old. He is adorable.

Thank you everyone for dropping by with holiday wishes. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is enjoying the holiday season. I must get over to the 2015 threads. I was thinking of not having a thread next year, but there is so much going on here next year, that I may have one and just try to visit a little less. I will wait until I am home again in January to set one up.

I do see that the January TIOLI Thread is up and now I must get over there and start to sort out my January reading.

127EBT1002
Déc 28, 2014, 9:12 pm

Congrats on 200, Judy, and all the very best wishes for 2015!

128jolerie
Déc 28, 2014, 9:18 pm

I do hope you decide to start a 2015 thread Judy. You would be sorely missed otherwise, but I understand totally about balance. More lurking is perfectly alright as well. ;)

129jnwelch
Déc 29, 2014, 2:13 pm

Happy Holidays, Judy! I join in hoping you continue with a 2015 thread. You'd be sorely missed otherwise!

130thornton37814
Déc 29, 2014, 10:22 pm

>98 DeltaQueen50: Miss Read books are always fun.

I didn't manage to make my rounds at Christmas, but I do wish you a Happy New Year!

131Familyhistorian
Déc 29, 2014, 11:06 pm

Hi, Judy I want to add my voice to the chorus looking forward to a 2015 thread from you.

132jennyifer24
Déc 30, 2014, 12:38 am

>101 DeltaQueen50: I just finished #11...what a ride! Can't wait to check in and see what you think of them as you keep reading. I have to track down the last one now :-)

Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Happy reading in 2015!!

133souloftherose
Déc 30, 2014, 7:15 am

Belated Christmas wishes and a happy New Year Judy.

134DeltaQueen50
Modifié : Déc 30, 2014, 11:49 am

>127 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I sure hope 2015 will be a good year for us all.

>128 jolerie: I am pretty sure that I will have a thread here, Valerie, as long as I am able to ensure that I devote some part of my day to exercise I should be fine.

>129 jnwelch: Hi Joe. I sure hope you had a great holiday.

>130 thornton37814: Hi Lori (who I now know is my Secret Santa!) I am wishing you a Happy New Year as well.

>131 Familyhistorian: I already have a thread set up for the 2015 Category Challenge, but I am pretty sure that I will be around the 75ers as well.

>132 jennyifer24: Happy holidays to you, Jennyifer. I think I have hooked my sister on the "Bloody Jack" series as well. They are fun reading and I hope I am able to fit book number 3 in this year.

>133 souloftherose: Thanks, Heather. The same is wished for you as well.

135DeltaQueen50
Déc 30, 2014, 12:37 pm

202. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey - 3.7 ★
TIOLI #9: Book Title Has a Musical Reference




The Daughter of Time was a very different book for Josephine Tey, having much more of a historical slant than her usual fare. It was however a well presented case for Richard III’s innocence in the murder of the two princes in the tower.

As Alan Grant lies in hospital, he finds himself drawn into investigating the facts behind the assumption that Richard was the guilty party and in doing so, turned up enough evidence that causes one to wonder why this wasn’t thoroughly examined before. History, it seems, is often written by the ones who gain the power and in this case, Henry Tudor seemed to be the one manipulating how these murders were viewed.

Personally I have always thought that Richard was perhaps the scapegoat, and it seems to me that the one who had the most to gain was Henry Tudor, especially as he happened to be married to Edward IV’s daughter who stood in line to inherit right behind her two brothers.

Overall I found The Daughter of Time to be an engrossing read, although not as intriguing as most of her books are. She obviously felt strongly that this was a mistake that needed to be addressed, but unfortunately direct proof in this case has been absorbed by time and without documentation of some sort all that remains is speculation.

136Familyhistorian
Déc 30, 2014, 10:24 pm

>135 DeltaQueen50: The Daughter of Time was my introduction to Tey. I have read more of her books since and I agree that they are a lot more lively. It was almost like reading a different author! I found her arguments about Richard III quite persuasive and think I enjoyed The Daughter of Time the most of any of her books.

137lunacat
Déc 31, 2014, 9:02 am

138The_Hibernator
Déc 31, 2014, 7:00 pm

Happy New Year Judy!

139ronincats
Déc 31, 2014, 10:46 pm

Making my final swing through the threads, Judy. See you on the other side!

140PaulCranswick
Déc 31, 2014, 11:26 pm

Dear Guru,



Happy New Year from your friend in Kuala Lumpur

141Storeetllr
Jan 1, 2015, 2:19 am



Happy New Year, Judy!

142drachenbraut23
Jan 1, 2015, 8:44 am

Happy New Year, Judy!

143DeltaQueen50
Jan 2, 2015, 12:56 pm

Happy New Year everyone! I am still away from home but plan on getting back on Monday. I will be so far behind on LT that it will probably take me awhile to catch up with everyone. My reading has also slowed down with my time being spent in visiting and I've become addicted to a golf game on my brother's Playstation 4, and we are spending hours doing that!

>136 Familyhistorian: The Daughter of Time is a very different type of book than Tey usually writes and must have come as a surprise to some. Thankfully I love reading about history as much as I love mysteries so this was an interesting book for me. Also I have always rather suspected that Richard was a scrapegoat for the Tudors.

>137 lunacat: >138 The_Hibernator: >139 ronincats: >140 PaulCranswick: >141 Storeetllr: Thank you so much for the good wishes, I will be catching up with everyone next week, but I do hope everyone is reading a good book and enjoying the new year!

144jnwelch
Jan 2, 2015, 2:18 pm

Happy New Year, Judy! Safe travels.

145scaifea
Jan 2, 2015, 5:51 pm

Happy to hear that you're having a good time visiting and wishing you safe travels back home!

146tymfos
Modifié : Jan 3, 2015, 4:08 pm

HI, Judy! I hope you have a thread on the 75 Challenge for 2015. My plan is to simplify and cut down on posts and challenges, but still have a thread on the 75.

I just finished my second Alan Grant mystery by Tey, and wasn't overwhelmed by either, but The Daughter of Time seems almost universally loved, and I look forward to getting to that one.

147susiesharp
Jan 7, 2015, 6:15 pm

Judy, I can't find your 2015 Challenge can you post it here so I can star it! Thanks

148msf59
Jan 7, 2015, 8:07 pm

Hope you are back home safe and sound, Judy! We missed seeing you around. I hope you have a whole stack of books to talk about!

149luvamystery65
Jan 7, 2015, 8:11 pm

Judy's 2015 Category Challenge thread link

https://www.librarything.com/topic/180714