DeltaQueen's Random Miscellaneous Challenge - Part 6
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Discussions2019 Category Challenge
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1DeltaQueen50
The year is speeding by and we are now coming into my favourite time of the year, Autumn. I love crisp apples, crunchy leaves, the slight smell of smoke in the air, shorter days with longer nights, warm drinks of cocoa and cider. Welcome, my name is Judy and I live in the suburbs of Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I love to welcome visitors to my thread to discuss books and life.
An assortment of random quotes gave me the idea of setting up some miscellaneous challenges to help me shrink my TBR pile this year. Some of these quote are from famous people while others are credited to “anonymous” and have been taken from advertisements and greeting cards. What they have in common is that they all paint a colourful picture of life and were easily adapted into category subjects.
I have been doing the Category Challenge for a good number of years and I love the loose structure this challenge gives to my reading. As always I have a goal of removing books from my shelves, but also as usual, I expect that I will be crossing myself up by all the additions I make during the year. My top priority will be reading from my own shelves and Kindle but another 2019 book goal is to continue reading books from the 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die List. I also love to participate in the various “Cats” that are established every year. Call me crazy but I’m going for 19 categories and have chosen 19 quotes to fit these categories. My plan was to read at least 8 books for most of the categories but I have pretty much reached that number already so now I will just carry on to the end of the year.
I live a quiet life, both my husband and I are retired. We enjoy going for short walks, sipping a glass of wine, reading books, and our family.
Please feel free to join in on any conversations that are going on here, the welcome mat is always out.
2019 Reading Goals
1. My own books are my top priority, this includes my shelves, my two Kindles, my audio books and to a lesser extent my library list.
2. Read books from the 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die List
3. Only participate in challenges where I already have a book that fits
2DeltaQueen50
2019 Categories
A. Armchair Travel: “To those who can dream, there is no such place as faraway.”
Anonymous
I will read 8 books set in 8 different countries
B. Book Bullets: I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Lennon-McCartney
So many of the books on my shelves and Kindle are there because of recommendations from friends here on Library Thing. I will read at least 8 books and hopefully more of these recommendations
C. One Word Titles: “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
Buddha
I will read at least 8 Books that have a one word title.
D. Love Stories: “Every love story is beautiful, but my favorite is ours.”
Anonymous
I will read 8 books that have a connection to love.
E. Reading From My Shelves: “Having too many books is not the problem. Not having enough shelving – That’s A Problem.”
Anonymous
This category will be for books that I pull from my shelves either to fulfill a challenge or simply just because I felt like reading it at this point in time.
F. Let’s Eat!: “People who love love food are always the best people.”
Julia Child
I will read at least 8 books that have an item of food or drink in the title.
G. Doing My ABCs: Okay everybody, line up in alphabetical order according to your height.”
Casey Stengel
Throughout the year I will randomly read alphabetically by author’s name. Will use these reads for the AlphaKit.
H. 1,001 Books List: “A Classic never goes out of style.”
Coca-Cola Ad
Because of a bet with my brother I have been reading on books from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die List, trying to catch up with his total. This is where I will list most of my reads from that list.
I. Series: “Happiness is finding the first good book of a series and knowing there are more to follow.”
Anonymous
In an effort to catch up in my series reading, I will read at least 8 series books.
J. Crime Stories: “Reading mysteries is recreation for intelligent minds.”
Donna Andrews
I will read at least one mystery or police procedural every month.
K. Vintage Crime: “I specialize in murders of quiet, domestic interest
Agatha Christie
I am a huge fan of the classic mysteries from the golden age of detective fiction and I will read at least 8 classic mysteries over the course of the year.
L. Out of the Past: “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”
Teddy Roosevelt
I will read at least one book a month that delves into history – as set by the Reading Through Time Group or to fit other challenges
M. Science Fiction: “If you take the shackles off your imagination, you can go anywhere with science fiction.
Lani Tupu
I will read at least 8 science fiction books over the course of the year.
N. Fantasy: “A Single Dream is More Powerful that a Thousand Realities”
J.R.R. Tolken
I will read at least 8 fantasy books over the course of the year.
O. Young At Heart: “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.”
Walt Disney
I will read 8 YA books during the year.
P. Non-Fiction: “Any truth is better than indefinite doubt”
Arthur Conan Doyle
I will read at least 8 non-fiction books during the year
Q. Library List: Libraries: “The medicine chest of the soul”
Inscribed over the door of the library at Thebes
It’s not just about my own shelves. I will also read the following from the library in an effort to reduce my very long library list.
R. Saddle Up!: Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!
John Wayne
Books about the American West and the cowboy way will be make up this category.
S. Overflow: “Sleep is good, he said, and books are better.”
George R.R. Martin
Books that don’t fit any of the above challenges, will be placed here.
A. Armchair Travel: “To those who can dream, there is no such place as faraway.”
Anonymous
I will read 8 books set in 8 different countries
B. Book Bullets: I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Lennon-McCartney
So many of the books on my shelves and Kindle are there because of recommendations from friends here on Library Thing. I will read at least 8 books and hopefully more of these recommendations
C. One Word Titles: “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
Buddha
I will read at least 8 Books that have a one word title.
D. Love Stories: “Every love story is beautiful, but my favorite is ours.”
Anonymous
I will read 8 books that have a connection to love.
E. Reading From My Shelves: “Having too many books is not the problem. Not having enough shelving – That’s A Problem.”
Anonymous
This category will be for books that I pull from my shelves either to fulfill a challenge or simply just because I felt like reading it at this point in time.
F. Let’s Eat!: “People who love love food are always the best people.”
Julia Child
I will read at least 8 books that have an item of food or drink in the title.
G. Doing My ABCs: Okay everybody, line up in alphabetical order according to your height.”
Casey Stengel
Throughout the year I will randomly read alphabetically by author’s name. Will use these reads for the AlphaKit.
H. 1,001 Books List: “A Classic never goes out of style.”
Coca-Cola Ad
Because of a bet with my brother I have been reading on books from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die List, trying to catch up with his total. This is where I will list most of my reads from that list.
I. Series: “Happiness is finding the first good book of a series and knowing there are more to follow.”
Anonymous
In an effort to catch up in my series reading, I will read at least 8 series books.
J. Crime Stories: “Reading mysteries is recreation for intelligent minds.”
Donna Andrews
I will read at least one mystery or police procedural every month.
K. Vintage Crime: “I specialize in murders of quiet, domestic interest
Agatha Christie
I am a huge fan of the classic mysteries from the golden age of detective fiction and I will read at least 8 classic mysteries over the course of the year.
L. Out of the Past: “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”
Teddy Roosevelt
I will read at least one book a month that delves into history – as set by the Reading Through Time Group or to fit other challenges
M. Science Fiction: “If you take the shackles off your imagination, you can go anywhere with science fiction.
Lani Tupu
I will read at least 8 science fiction books over the course of the year.
N. Fantasy: “A Single Dream is More Powerful that a Thousand Realities”
J.R.R. Tolken
I will read at least 8 fantasy books over the course of the year.
O. Young At Heart: “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.”
Walt Disney
I will read 8 YA books during the year.
P. Non-Fiction: “Any truth is better than indefinite doubt”
Arthur Conan Doyle
I will read at least 8 non-fiction books during the year
Q. Library List: Libraries: “The medicine chest of the soul”
Inscribed over the door of the library at Thebes
It’s not just about my own shelves. I will also read the following from the library in an effort to reduce my very long library list.
R. Saddle Up!: Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!
John Wayne
Books about the American West and the cowboy way will be make up this category.
S. Overflow: “Sleep is good, he said, and books are better.”
George R.R. Martin
Books that don’t fit any of the above challenges, will be placed here.
3DeltaQueen50
Books Read
Pages Read
Read From My Shelves
Pages Read
Read From My Shelves
4DeltaQueen50
How I Rate Books:
I am not a professional book critic nor do I consider myself to be an expert on literary standards, my reviews are based on my reaction to the book and the opinions expressed are my own personald thoughts and feelings.
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
I use decimal points to further clarify my thoughts about the book, therefore you will see books rated 3.8 to show it was better than a 3.5 but not quite a 4.0; etc. These small adjustments help me to remember how a book resonated with me.
I am not a professional book critic nor do I consider myself to be an expert on literary standards, my reviews are based on my reaction to the book and the opinions expressed are my own personald thoughts and feelings.
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
I use decimal points to further clarify my thoughts about the book, therefore you will see books rated 3.8 to show it was better than a 3.5 but not quite a 4.0; etc. These small adjustments help me to remember how a book resonated with me.
5DeltaQueen50
2019 PopSugar Challenge
01 - A book becoming a movie in 2019: The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
02 - A book that makes you nostalgic: The Complete Beatles by Steve Turner
03 - A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction): Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy by Mike Love
04 - A book you think should be turned into a movie: The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
05 - A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
06 - A book with a plant in the title or on the cover - Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor
07 - A reread of a favorite book: The Way West by A. B. Gurthrie, Jr.
08 - A book about a hobby: Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
09 - A book you meant to read in 2018: The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham
10 - A book with "pop", "sugar" or "challenge" in the title: The Sugar Pavilion by Rosalind Laker
11 - A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover: The Dress Shop of Dreams by Meena Van Praag
12 - a book inspired by mythology, legend or folklore: Zahrah The Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor
13 - A book published posthumously: I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
14 - a book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie - Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
15 - A retelling of a classic: The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines
16 - A book with a question in the title: When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson
17 - A book set on a college or university campus: Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
18 - a book about someone with a super power: Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines
19 - a book told from multiple POVs: The Sultan's Wife by Jane Johnson
20 - a book set in space: Fledgling by Sharon Lee
21 - a book by two female authors: Live Bait by P. J. Tracy
22 - A book with a title that contains "salty", "sweet", "bitter" or "spicy": The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan
23 - A book set in Scandinavia: Beartown by Fredrik Backman
24 - a book that takes place in a single day: Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney
25 - a debut novel: The Last One by Alexandra Oliva
26 - a book that's published in 2019: The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
27 - a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creatures: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien
28 - a book recommended by a celebrity you admire: H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald (Barak Obama)
29 - a book with "love" in the title - I Think I Love You by Alison Pearson
30 - a book featuring an amateur detective: The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side by Agatha Christie
31 - A book about a family: Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
32 - A book written by an author from Asia, Africa or South America: Whitefly by Abdelilah Hamdouchi
33 - A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title: Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
34 - a book that includes a wedding; Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
35 - A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter: Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer
36 - A ghost story: I Remember You by Yrsa Sigdardottir
37 - a book with a two-word title: Deep Creek by Dana Hand
38 - A novel based on a true story: Sundance by David Fuller
39 - A book revolving around a puzzle or game: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
40 - Your favorite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge: Set in Wilderness - The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Glass
Advanced:
41 - A "cli fi" book: American War by Omar El Akkad
42 - A "choose-your-own-adventure" book: My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran
43 - An "own voices" book: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
44 - Read a book during the season it is set in: Broken April by Ismail Kadare
45 - A LitRPG book: Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski
46 - A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters: Hostage Three by Nick Lake
47 & 48 - Two books that share the same title: Legend by Marie Lu & Legend by David Gemmell
49 - A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom: Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
50 - A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent: Murder At the Old Vicarage by Jill McGown
01 - A book becoming a movie in 2019: The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
02 - A book that makes you nostalgic: The Complete Beatles by Steve Turner
03 - A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction): Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy by Mike Love
04 - A book you think should be turned into a movie: The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
05 - A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
06 - A book with a plant in the title or on the cover - Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor
07 - A reread of a favorite book: The Way West by A. B. Gurthrie, Jr.
08 - A book about a hobby: Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
09 - A book you meant to read in 2018: The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham
10 - A book with "pop", "sugar" or "challenge" in the title: The Sugar Pavilion by Rosalind Laker
11 - A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover: The Dress Shop of Dreams by Meena Van Praag
12 - a book inspired by mythology, legend or folklore: Zahrah The Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor
13 - A book published posthumously: I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
14 - a book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie - Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
15 - A retelling of a classic: The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines
16 - A book with a question in the title: When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson
17 - A book set on a college or university campus: Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
18 - a book about someone with a super power: Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines
19 - a book told from multiple POVs: The Sultan's Wife by Jane Johnson
20 - a book set in space: Fledgling by Sharon Lee
21 - a book by two female authors: Live Bait by P. J. Tracy
22 - A book with a title that contains "salty", "sweet", "bitter" or "spicy": The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan
23 - A book set in Scandinavia: Beartown by Fredrik Backman
24 - a book that takes place in a single day: Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney
25 - a debut novel: The Last One by Alexandra Oliva
26 - a book that's published in 2019: The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
27 - a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creatures: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien
28 - a book recommended by a celebrity you admire: H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald (Barak Obama)
29 - a book with "love" in the title - I Think I Love You by Alison Pearson
30 - a book featuring an amateur detective: The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side by Agatha Christie
31 - A book about a family: Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
32 - A book written by an author from Asia, Africa or South America: Whitefly by Abdelilah Hamdouchi
33 - A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title: Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
34 - a book that includes a wedding; Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
35 - A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter: Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer
36 - A ghost story: I Remember You by Yrsa Sigdardottir
37 - a book with a two-word title: Deep Creek by Dana Hand
38 - A novel based on a true story: Sundance by David Fuller
39 - A book revolving around a puzzle or game: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
40 - Your favorite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge: Set in Wilderness - The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Glass
Advanced:
41 - A "cli fi" book: American War by Omar El Akkad
42 - A "choose-your-own-adventure" book: My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran
43 - An "own voices" book: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
44 - Read a book during the season it is set in: Broken April by Ismail Kadare
45 - A LitRPG book: Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski
46 - A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters: Hostage Three by Nick Lake
47 & 48 - Two books that share the same title: Legend by Marie Lu & Legend by David Gemmell
49 - A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom: Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
50 - A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent: Murder At the Old Vicarage by Jill McGown
6DeltaQueen50
A. Armchair Travel: “To those who can dream, there is no such place as faraway.”
Anonymous
I will read 8 books set in 8 different countries
Books Read
1. When the Rainbow Goddess Wept by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard - Philippines - 4.0 ★
2. The Nose by Nikolai Gogol - Russia - 4.0 ★
3. Broken April by Ismail Kadare - Albania - 3.7 ★
4. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo - Malaysia - 2.8 ★
5. Salt Houses by Hala Alyan - Middle East - 4.0 ★
6. Moon At Nine by Deborah Ellis - Iran - 4.0 ★
7. Whitefly by Abdelilah Hamdouchi - Morocco - 4.0 ★
8. Queen of Water by Laura Resau - Ecuador - 4.0 ★
9. Sapphire Skies by Belinda Alexandra - Russia - 4.0 ★
10. Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna - India - 4.0 ★
11. A Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Joukhadar - Syria - 4.2 ★
Anonymous
I will read 8 books set in 8 different countries
Books Read
1. When the Rainbow Goddess Wept by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard - Philippines - 4.0 ★
2. The Nose by Nikolai Gogol - Russia - 4.0 ★
3. Broken April by Ismail Kadare - Albania - 3.7 ★
4. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo - Malaysia - 2.8 ★
5. Salt Houses by Hala Alyan - Middle East - 4.0 ★
6. Moon At Nine by Deborah Ellis - Iran - 4.0 ★
7. Whitefly by Abdelilah Hamdouchi - Morocco - 4.0 ★
8. Queen of Water by Laura Resau - Ecuador - 4.0 ★
9. Sapphire Skies by Belinda Alexandra - Russia - 4.0 ★
10. Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna - India - 4.0 ★
11. A Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Joukhadar - Syria - 4.2 ★
7DeltaQueen50
B. Book Bullets: I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Lennon-McCartney
So many of the books on my shelves and Kindles are there because of recommendations from friends here on Library Thing. I will read at least 8 books and hopefully more of these recommendations.
Books Read
1. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - Kerry - 5.0 ★
2. Hell’s Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett - Katie - 5.0 ★
3. Logan's Run by William F. Nolan - Mamie - 3.6 ★
4. Beartown by Fredrik Backman - Chelle - 4.5 ★
5. Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney - Linda P. & Beth - 4.0 ★
6. Norwegian By Night by Derek B. Miller - Mark - 4.2 ★
7. Dark Chapter by Winnie M. Li - Kay - 5.0 ★
8. The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs - Roni - 4.2 ★
9. So Long A Letter by Mariama Ba - Beth - 4.5 ★
10. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald - Mark - 4.0 ★
11. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - Roro - 4.2 ★
Lennon-McCartney
So many of the books on my shelves and Kindles are there because of recommendations from friends here on Library Thing. I will read at least 8 books and hopefully more of these recommendations.
Books Read
1. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - Kerry - 5.0 ★
2. Hell’s Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett - Katie - 5.0 ★
3. Logan's Run by William F. Nolan - Mamie - 3.6 ★
4. Beartown by Fredrik Backman - Chelle - 4.5 ★
5. Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney - Linda P. & Beth - 4.0 ★
6. Norwegian By Night by Derek B. Miller - Mark - 4.2 ★
7. Dark Chapter by Winnie M. Li - Kay - 5.0 ★
8. The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs - Roni - 4.2 ★
9. So Long A Letter by Mariama Ba - Beth - 4.5 ★
10. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald - Mark - 4.0 ★
11. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - Roro - 4.2 ★
8DeltaQueen50
C. One Word Titles: “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
Buddha
I will read at least 8 Books that have a one word title.
Books Read
1. Coldbrook by Tim Lebbon - 3.6 ★
2. You by Caroline Kepnes - 4.0 ★
3. Firmin by Sam Savage - 4.0 ★
4. Legend by David Gemmell - 5.0 ★
5. Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor - 3.6 ★
6. Safekeeping by Karen Hesse - 3.8 ★
7. Faithless by Karen Slaughter - 3.7 ★
8. Shift Omnibus by Hugh Howey - 2.5 #9733;
9. Canyon by Tom Abrahams - 3.2 ★
10. Hauntings by Ellen Datlow - 4.0 ★
11. Rivers by Michael Farris Smith - 4.0 ★
Buddha
I will read at least 8 Books that have a one word title.
Books Read
1. Coldbrook by Tim Lebbon - 3.6 ★
2. You by Caroline Kepnes - 4.0 ★
3. Firmin by Sam Savage - 4.0 ★
4. Legend by David Gemmell - 5.0 ★
5. Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor - 3.6 ★
6. Safekeeping by Karen Hesse - 3.8 ★
7. Faithless by Karen Slaughter - 3.7 ★
8. Shift Omnibus by Hugh Howey - 2.5 #9733;
9. Canyon by Tom Abrahams - 3.2 ★
10. Hauntings by Ellen Datlow - 4.0 ★
11. Rivers by Michael Farris Smith - 4.0 ★
9DeltaQueen50
D. Love Stories: “Every love story is beautiful, but my favorite is ours.”
Anonymous
I will read 8 books that have a connection to love.
Books Read
1. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 3.8 ★
2. I Think I Love You by Alison Pearson - 3.3 ★
3. Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber - 4.0 ★
4. My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran - 2.0 ★
5. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde - 4.0 ★
6. Love By the Morning Star by Laura L. Sullivan - 3.1 ★
7. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson - 4.0 ★
8. From Penvarris With Love by Rosemary Aitken - 3.4 ★
9. The Girl With the Persian Shawl by Elizabeth Mansfield - 3.8 ★
10. The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick - 4.0 ★
Anonymous
I will read 8 books that have a connection to love.
Books Read
1. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 3.8 ★
2. I Think I Love You by Alison Pearson - 3.3 ★
3. Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber - 4.0 ★
4. My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran - 2.0 ★
5. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde - 4.0 ★
6. Love By the Morning Star by Laura L. Sullivan - 3.1 ★
7. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson - 4.0 ★
8. From Penvarris With Love by Rosemary Aitken - 3.4 ★
9. The Girl With the Persian Shawl by Elizabeth Mansfield - 3.8 ★
10. The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick - 4.0 ★
10DeltaQueen50
E. Reading From My Shelves: “Having too many books is not the problem. Not having enough shelving – That’s A Problem.”
Anonoymous
This category will be for books that I pull from my shelves either to fulfill a challenge or simply just because I felt like reading it at this point in time.
Books Read
1. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson - 5.0 ★
2. Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman - 4.2 ★
3. Celebrations At Thrush Green by Miss Read - 3.3 ★
4. Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin - 4.5 ★
5. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman - 4.1 ★
6. The Moor by Sam Haysom - 3.7 ★
7. Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson - 3.2 ★
8. The Souvenir by Patricia Carlon - 4.0 ★
9. Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig - 3.6 ★
10. Hostage Three by Nick Lake - 4.0 ★
11. Wolf Willow by Wallace Stenger - 4.2 ★
12. Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese - 4.5 ★
13. I Remember You by Yrsa Sigdardottir - 4.5 ★
14. China Dolls by Lisa See - 3.2 ★
Anonoymous
This category will be for books that I pull from my shelves either to fulfill a challenge or simply just because I felt like reading it at this point in time.
Books Read
1. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson - 5.0 ★
2. Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman - 4.2 ★
3. Celebrations At Thrush Green by Miss Read - 3.3 ★
4. Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin - 4.5 ★
5. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman - 4.1 ★
6. The Moor by Sam Haysom - 3.7 ★
7. Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson - 3.2 ★
8. The Souvenir by Patricia Carlon - 4.0 ★
9. Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig - 3.6 ★
10. Hostage Three by Nick Lake - 4.0 ★
11. Wolf Willow by Wallace Stenger - 4.2 ★
12. Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese - 4.5 ★
13. I Remember You by Yrsa Sigdardottir - 4.5 ★
14. China Dolls by Lisa See - 3.2 ★
11DeltaQueen50
F. Let’s Eat!: “People who love love food are always the best people.”
Julia Child
I will read at least 8 books that have an item of food or drink in the title.
Books Read
1. At The Sign of the Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper - 3.6 ★
2. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley - 3.7 ★
3. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See - 4.3 ★
4. The Sugar Pavilion by Rosalind Laker - 4.0 ★
5. A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde - 3.4 ★
6. The Corn Maiden and Other Nightmares by Joyce Carol Oates - 4.5 ★
7. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - 5.0 ★
8. Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott - 3.3 ★
9. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka - 3.8 ★
10. The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther - 3.6 ★
Julia Child
I will read at least 8 books that have an item of food or drink in the title.
Books Read
1. At The Sign of the Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper - 3.6 ★
2. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley - 3.7 ★
3. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See - 4.3 ★
4. The Sugar Pavilion by Rosalind Laker - 4.0 ★
5. A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde - 3.4 ★
6. The Corn Maiden and Other Nightmares by Joyce Carol Oates - 4.5 ★
7. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - 5.0 ★
8. Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott - 3.3 ★
9. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka - 3.8 ★
10. The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther - 3.6 ★
12DeltaQueen50
G. Doing My ABCs: "Okay everybody, line up in alphabetical order according to your height.”
Casey Stengel
Throughout the year I will randomly read alphabetically by author’s name. Will match my reads to the AlphaKit monthly letters.
Books Read
1. A - American War by Omar El Akkad - 3.8 ★
2. B - His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet - 4.2 ★
3. C - His Monkey Wife by John Collier - 2.0 ★
4. D - The Divine Wind by Garry Disher - 4.0 ★
5. E
6. F - Dead Lovely by Helen Fitzgerald - 4.3 ★
7. G - A Small Weeping by Alex Grey - 4.0 ★
8. H - Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer - 3.5 ★
9. I - The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason - 4.0 ★
10. J - The Sultan's Wife by Jane Johnson - 4.5 ★
11. K - At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon - 4.0 ★
12. L - Legend by Marie Lu - 3.7 ★
13. M - The Delivery Man by Joe McGuinniss Jr. - 2.5 ★
14. N - Collusion by Stuart Neville - 4.5 ★
15. O - Zahrah The Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor - 4.0 ★
16. P - Lost And Found by Carolyn Parkhurst - 4.0 ★
17. Q - The Alice Network by Kate Quinn - 3.7 ★
18. R
19. S - The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak - 4.2 ★
20. T - When the Wind Blows by Derek Tangye - 3.5 ★
21. U - The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown - 3.6 ★
22. V - Oushata Massacre by Robert Vaughan - 3.2 ★
23. W - Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse - 3.4 ★
24. X - Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork - 4.2 ★
25. Y - Black Chalk by Christopher Yates - 2.5 ★
26. Z - The Sandbox by David Zimmerman - 3.4 ★
Casey Stengel
Throughout the year I will randomly read alphabetically by author’s name. Will match my reads to the AlphaKit monthly letters.
Books Read
1. A - American War by Omar El Akkad - 3.8 ★
2. B - His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet - 4.2 ★
3. C - His Monkey Wife by John Collier - 2.0 ★
4. D - The Divine Wind by Garry Disher - 4.0 ★
5. E
6. F - Dead Lovely by Helen Fitzgerald - 4.3 ★
7. G - A Small Weeping by Alex Grey - 4.0 ★
8. H - Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer - 3.5 ★
9. I - The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason - 4.0 ★
10. J - The Sultan's Wife by Jane Johnson - 4.5 ★
11. K - At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon - 4.0 ★
12. L - Legend by Marie Lu - 3.7 ★
13. M - The Delivery Man by Joe McGuinniss Jr. - 2.5 ★
14. N - Collusion by Stuart Neville - 4.5 ★
15. O - Zahrah The Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor - 4.0 ★
16. P - Lost And Found by Carolyn Parkhurst - 4.0 ★
17. Q - The Alice Network by Kate Quinn - 3.7 ★
18. R
19. S - The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak - 4.2 ★
20. T - When the Wind Blows by Derek Tangye - 3.5 ★
21. U - The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown - 3.6 ★
22. V - Oushata Massacre by Robert Vaughan - 3.2 ★
23. W - Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse - 3.4 ★
24. X - Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork - 4.2 ★
25. Y - Black Chalk by Christopher Yates - 2.5 ★
26. Z - The Sandbox by David Zimmerman - 3.4 ★
13DeltaQueen50
H. 1,001 Books List: “A Classic never goes out of style.”
Coca-Cola Ad
Due to an on-going bet with my brother I have been reading books from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die List, trying to catch up with his total. This is where I will list most of my reads from that list.
Books Read
1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - 4.5 ★
2. The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien - 4.2 ★
3. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - 4.0 ★
4. The Double by Jose Saramago - 3.8 ★
5. Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes - 4.0 ★
6. Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro - 4.2 ★
7. House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - 4.2 ★
8. Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis - 2.5 ★
9. Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man by James Joyce - 3.0 ★
10. The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood - 4.5 ★
11. Adam Bede by George Eliot - 4.0 ★
12. The Quiet American by Graham Greene - 4.1 ★
13. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole - 3.4 ★
14. The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor - 2.0 ★
15. Kieron Smith, Boy by James Kelman - 3.3 ★
16. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding - 4.0 ★
17. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee - 4.1 ★
18. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams - 4.0 ★
19. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe - 3.5 ★
20. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan - 3.6 ★
21. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 4.0 ★
22. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - 5.0 ★
Coca-Cola Ad
Due to an on-going bet with my brother I have been reading books from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die List, trying to catch up with his total. This is where I will list most of my reads from that list.
Books Read
1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - 4.5 ★
2. The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien - 4.2 ★
3. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - 4.0 ★
4. The Double by Jose Saramago - 3.8 ★
5. Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes - 4.0 ★
6. Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro - 4.2 ★
7. House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - 4.2 ★
8. Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis - 2.5 ★
9. Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man by James Joyce - 3.0 ★
10. The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood - 4.5 ★
11. Adam Bede by George Eliot - 4.0 ★
12. The Quiet American by Graham Greene - 4.1 ★
13. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole - 3.4 ★
14. The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor - 2.0 ★
15. Kieron Smith, Boy by James Kelman - 3.3 ★
16. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding - 4.0 ★
17. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee - 4.1 ★
18. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams - 4.0 ★
19. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe - 3.5 ★
20. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan - 3.6 ★
21. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 4.0 ★
22. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - 5.0 ★
14DeltaQueen50
I. Series: “Happiness is finding the first good book of a series and knowing there are more to follow.”
Anonymous
In an effort to catch up in my series reading, I will read at least 8 series books. I expect the SeriesCat will help me in making my reading choices.
Books Read
1. Excursion to Tindari (5) by Andrea Camilleri - 4.0 ★
2. Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer - 4.5 ★
3. The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham - 4.3 ★
4. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson - 5.0 ★
5. The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey - 4.1 ★
6. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo - 4.2 ★
7. A Finer End by Deborah Crombie - 4.0 ★
8. Cold in Hand by John Harvey - 4.3 ★
9. The Point of Rescue by Sophie Hannah - 4.3 ★
10. Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French - 4.5 ★
11. The Red Road by Denise Mina- 4.2 ★
Anonymous
In an effort to catch up in my series reading, I will read at least 8 series books. I expect the SeriesCat will help me in making my reading choices.
Books Read
1. Excursion to Tindari (5) by Andrea Camilleri - 4.0 ★
2. Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer - 4.5 ★
3. The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham - 4.3 ★
4. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson - 5.0 ★
5. The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey - 4.1 ★
6. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo - 4.2 ★
7. A Finer End by Deborah Crombie - 4.0 ★
8. Cold in Hand by John Harvey - 4.3 ★
9. The Point of Rescue by Sophie Hannah - 4.3 ★
10. Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French - 4.5 ★
11. The Red Road by Denise Mina- 4.2 ★
15DeltaQueen50
J. Crime Stories: “Reading mysteries is recreation for intelligent minds.”
Donna Andrews
I will read at least one mystery or police procedural every month.
Crime Stories
1. See How Small by Scott Blackwood - 3.8 ★
2. The Yard Dog by Sheldon Russell - 3.4 ★
3. Farewell My Lovely by Raymond Chandler - 4.2 ★
4. Kiss Her Goodbye by Allan Guthrie - 3.8 ★
5. Waltz Into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich - 4.2 ★
6. Live Bait by P. J. Tracy - 4.5 ★
7. Murder At The Old Vicarage by Jill McGown - 3.8 ★
8. When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum - 4.5 ★
9. Under A Silent Moon by Elizabeth Haynes - 3.7 ★
10. You Bet Your Life by Stuart Kaminsky - 4.0 ★
11. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - 4.2 ★
Donna Andrews
I will read at least one mystery or police procedural every month.
Crime Stories
1. See How Small by Scott Blackwood - 3.8 ★
2. The Yard Dog by Sheldon Russell - 3.4 ★
3. Farewell My Lovely by Raymond Chandler - 4.2 ★
4. Kiss Her Goodbye by Allan Guthrie - 3.8 ★
5. Waltz Into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich - 4.2 ★
6. Live Bait by P. J. Tracy - 4.5 ★
7. Murder At The Old Vicarage by Jill McGown - 3.8 ★
8. When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum - 4.5 ★
9. Under A Silent Moon by Elizabeth Haynes - 3.7 ★
10. You Bet Your Life by Stuart Kaminsky - 4.0 ★
11. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - 4.2 ★
16DeltaQueen50
K. Vintage Crime: “I specialize in murders of quiet, domestic interest
Agatha Christie
I am a huge fan of the classic mysteries from the golden age of detective fiction and I will read at least 8 classic mysteries over the course of the year.
Books Read
1. The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie - 3.8 ★
2. The Private Wound by Nicholas Blake - 3.4 ★
3. The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham - 3.8 ★
4. Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - 4.0 ★
5. The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh - 3.5 ★
6. The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side by Agatha Christie - 3.8 ★
7. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers - 5.0 ★
8. Rose's Last Summer by Margaret Millar - 3.3 ★
9. The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories by Agatha Christie - 3.7 ★
Agatha Christie
I am a huge fan of the classic mysteries from the golden age of detective fiction and I will read at least 8 classic mysteries over the course of the year.
Books Read
1. The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie - 3.8 ★
2. The Private Wound by Nicholas Blake - 3.4 ★
3. The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham - 3.8 ★
4. Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - 4.0 ★
5. The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh - 3.5 ★
6. The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side by Agatha Christie - 3.8 ★
7. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers - 5.0 ★
8. Rose's Last Summer by Margaret Millar - 3.3 ★
9. The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories by Agatha Christie - 3.7 ★
17DeltaQueen50
L. Out of the Past: “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”
Teddy Roosevelt
I enjoy historical fiction and will use this category for my Reading Thru Time choices or any other historical stories that don't fit elsewhere.
Books Read
1. The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks - 4.2 ★
2. The Colour by Rose Tremain - 4.5 ★
3. Footprints - Secret lives At Bletchley Park by Philomena Liggins - 2.0 ★
4. An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon - 4.3 ★
5. The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - 3.0 ★
6. Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley - 3.8 ★
7. Stone Spring by Stephen Baxter - 4.0 ★
8. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather - 4.5 ★
9. The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies - 3.3 ★
10. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis - 3.0 ★
11. Little Exiles by Robert Dinsdale - 3.8 ★
Teddy Roosevelt
I enjoy historical fiction and will use this category for my Reading Thru Time choices or any other historical stories that don't fit elsewhere.
Books Read
1. The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks - 4.2 ★
2. The Colour by Rose Tremain - 4.5 ★
3. Footprints - Secret lives At Bletchley Park by Philomena Liggins - 2.0 ★
4. An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon - 4.3 ★
5. The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - 3.0 ★
6. Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley - 3.8 ★
7. Stone Spring by Stephen Baxter - 4.0 ★
8. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather - 4.5 ★
9. The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies - 3.3 ★
10. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis - 3.0 ★
11. Little Exiles by Robert Dinsdale - 3.8 ★
18DeltaQueen50
M. Science Fiction: “If you take the shackles off your imagination, you can go anywhere with science fiction.
Lani Tupu
I will read at least 8 science fiction books over the course of the year.
Books Read
1. City by Clifford D. Simak - 3.4 ★
2. Mordacious by Sara Lyons Fleming - 4.3 ★
3. The Final Six by Alexandra Monir - 4.0 ★
4. Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines - 3.7 ★
5. The Last One by Alexandra Oliva - 4.0 ★
6. Micro by Michael Crichton & Richard Preston - 2.0 ★
7. The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz - 4.0 ★
8. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold - 4.2 ★
9. Fledgling by Sharon Lee - 4.0 ★
10. The Book of Flora by Meg Elison - 3.0 ★
Lani Tupu
I will read at least 8 science fiction books over the course of the year.
Books Read
1. City by Clifford D. Simak - 3.4 ★
2. Mordacious by Sara Lyons Fleming - 4.3 ★
3. The Final Six by Alexandra Monir - 4.0 ★
4. Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines - 3.7 ★
5. The Last One by Alexandra Oliva - 4.0 ★
6. Micro by Michael Crichton & Richard Preston - 2.0 ★
7. The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz - 4.0 ★
8. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold - 4.2 ★
9. Fledgling by Sharon Lee - 4.0 ★
10. The Book of Flora by Meg Elison - 3.0 ★
19DeltaQueen50
N. Fantasy: “A Single Dream is More Powerful that a Thousand Realities”
J.R.R. Tolken
I will read at least 8 fantasy books over the course of the year.
Books Read
1. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner - 4.1 ★
2. The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines - 4.2 ★
3. Half A War by Joe Abercrombie - 4.5 ★
4. The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien - 4.2 ★
5. The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien - 4.5 ★
6. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski - 4.0 ★
7. The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien - 5.0 ★
8. Autumn Princess, Dragon Child by Lian Hearn - 4.2 ★
9. Beauty by Robin McKinley - 4.2 ★
10. Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn - 4.0 ★
11. Drawn Away by Holly Bennett - 4.0 ★
12. Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke - 4.2 ★
13. The Tengu's Game of Go by Lian Hearn - 4.0 ★
J.R.R. Tolken
I will read at least 8 fantasy books over the course of the year.
Books Read
1. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner - 4.1 ★
2. The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines - 4.2 ★
3. Half A War by Joe Abercrombie - 4.5 ★
4. The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien - 4.2 ★
5. The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien - 4.5 ★
6. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski - 4.0 ★
7. The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien - 5.0 ★
8. Autumn Princess, Dragon Child by Lian Hearn - 4.2 ★
9. Beauty by Robin McKinley - 4.2 ★
10. Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn - 4.0 ★
11. Drawn Away by Holly Bennett - 4.0 ★
12. Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke - 4.2 ★
13. The Tengu's Game of Go by Lian Hearn - 4.0 ★
20DeltaQueen50
O. Young At Heart: “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.”
Walt Disney
I will read at least 8 YA books during the year.
Books Read
1. The Other Side of Dawn by John Marsden - 4.0 ★
2. Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott - 3.7 ★
3. The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson - 4.0 ★
4. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan - 4.5 ★
5. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter - 3.6 ★
6. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin - 4.0 ★
7. Walkabout by James Vance Marshall - 4.5 ★
8. Origin by Jessica Khoury - 3.7 ★
9. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker - 3.6 ★
10. The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan - 4.0 ★
11. The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt - 4.2 ★
Walt Disney
I will read at least 8 YA books during the year.
Books Read
1. The Other Side of Dawn by John Marsden - 4.0 ★
2. Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott - 3.7 ★
3. The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson - 4.0 ★
4. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan - 4.5 ★
5. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter - 3.6 ★
6. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin - 4.0 ★
7. Walkabout by James Vance Marshall - 4.5 ★
8. Origin by Jessica Khoury - 3.7 ★
9. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker - 3.6 ★
10. The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan - 4.0 ★
11. The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt - 4.2 ★
21DeltaQueen50
P. Non-Fiction: “Any truth is better than indefinite doubt”
Arthur Conan Doyle
I will read at least 8 non-fiction books during the year
Books Read
1. The Profession of Violence by John Pearson - 3.7 ★
2. Dove by Robin L. Graham - 3.0 ★
3. The Complete Beatles by Steve Turner - 5.0 ★
4. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara - 4.0 ★
5. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann - 4.0 ★
6. Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence - 3.7 ★
7. Code Girls by Liza Mundy - 4.2 ★
8. Blue Highways: A Journey Into America by William Least Heat-Moon - 4.5 ★
9. Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy by Mike Love
10. Jackie's Girl by Kathy McKeon - 3.7 ★
Arthur Conan Doyle
I will read at least 8 non-fiction books during the year
Books Read
1. The Profession of Violence by John Pearson - 3.7 ★
2. Dove by Robin L. Graham - 3.0 ★
3. The Complete Beatles by Steve Turner - 5.0 ★
4. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara - 4.0 ★
5. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann - 4.0 ★
6. Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence - 3.7 ★
7. Code Girls by Liza Mundy - 4.2 ★
8. Blue Highways: A Journey Into America by William Least Heat-Moon - 4.5 ★
9. Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy by Mike Love
10. Jackie's Girl by Kathy McKeon - 3.7 ★
22DeltaQueen50
Q. Library List: Libraries: “The medicine chest of the soul”
Inscribed over the door of the library at Thebes
It’s not just about my own shelves. I will also read the following from the library in an effort to reduce my very long library list.
Books Read
1. A New Day by Beryl Matthews - 3.3 ★
2. The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh - 4.0 ★
3. The Dress Shop of Dreams by Meena Van Praag - 3.6 ★
4. Buffalo Trail by Jeff Guinn - 4.2 ★
5. Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell - 4.2 ★
6. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon - 4.1 ★
7. The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor by R. Kirkman and J. Bonansinga - 4.0 ★
8. Closed Doors by Lisa O'Donnell - 4.2 ★
9. The Magdalen Girls by V. S. Alexander - 3.2 ★
10. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers - 4.2 ★
11. Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook - 3.7 ★
12. Threatened by Eliot Schrefer - 4.0 ★
Inscribed over the door of the library at Thebes
It’s not just about my own shelves. I will also read the following from the library in an effort to reduce my very long library list.
Books Read
1. A New Day by Beryl Matthews - 3.3 ★
2. The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh - 4.0 ★
3. The Dress Shop of Dreams by Meena Van Praag - 3.6 ★
4. Buffalo Trail by Jeff Guinn - 4.2 ★
5. Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell - 4.2 ★
6. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon - 4.1 ★
7. The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor by R. Kirkman and J. Bonansinga - 4.0 ★
8. Closed Doors by Lisa O'Donnell - 4.2 ★
9. The Magdalen Girls by V. S. Alexander - 3.2 ★
10. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers - 4.2 ★
11. Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook - 3.7 ★
12. Threatened by Eliot Schrefer - 4.0 ★
23DeltaQueen50
R. Saddle Up! - “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!”
John Wayne
Books about the American West and the cowboy way will be make up this category.
Books Read
1. Deep Creek by Dana Hand - 4.2 ★
2. Sundance by David Fuller - 4.0 ★
3. Glorious by Jeff Guinn - 4.5 ★
4. The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles - 4.5 ★
5. The Hide Hunters by Lewis B. Patten - 3.6 ★
6. The Way West by A. B. Guthrie - 5.0 ★
7. Huck Out West by Robert Coover - 4.2 ★
8. The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Gloss - 4.2 ★
9. Silver City by Jeff Guinn - 3.7 ★
10. The Vengeance of Mothers by Jim Fergus - 4.1 ★
John Wayne
Books about the American West and the cowboy way will be make up this category.
Books Read
1. Deep Creek by Dana Hand - 4.2 ★
2. Sundance by David Fuller - 4.0 ★
3. Glorious by Jeff Guinn - 4.5 ★
4. The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles - 4.5 ★
5. The Hide Hunters by Lewis B. Patten - 3.6 ★
6. The Way West by A. B. Guthrie - 5.0 ★
7. Huck Out West by Robert Coover - 4.2 ★
8. The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Gloss - 4.2 ★
9. Silver City by Jeff Guinn - 3.7 ★
10. The Vengeance of Mothers by Jim Fergus - 4.1 ★
24DeltaQueen50
S. Overflow: “Sleep is good, he said, and books are better.”
George R.R. Martin
Just in case I don't have enough books to read, any that don't fit the above categories will reside here.
Books Read
1. Three Graphic Novels: Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu, Step Aside, Pops by Kate Beaton, Sabrina by Nick Drnaso
2. The Walking Dead Volume 28: A Certain Doom
The Walking Dead Volume 29: Lines We Cross
The Walking Dead Volume 30: New World Order
3. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Brie Indigo - 4.2 ★
George R.R. Martin
Just in case I don't have enough books to read, any that don't fit the above categories will reside here.
Books Read
1. Three Graphic Novels: Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu, Step Aside, Pops by Kate Beaton, Sabrina by Nick Drnaso
2. The Walking Dead Volume 28: A Certain Doom
The Walking Dead Volume 29: Lines We Cross
The Walking Dead Volume 30: New World Order
3. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Brie Indigo - 4.2 ★
25DeltaQueen50
2019 Reading Plans
January:
February:
March: Hosting the SeriesCat: A Series Book by a Favorite Author
April: Hosting the Reading Through Time Monthly Theme
Hosting the ScaredyKit: Modern Horror /Thrillers
Group Read: The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
May: Hosting the CalendarCat
Group Read of Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers
June: Group Read of Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King
July: Starting the Group Read of Tom Jones
August: Group Read of Tom Jones
September: Group Read of Tom Jones
October: Hosting the TBRCat
November: Hosting the RandomCat
December: Hosting the SFFFKit: Reader's Choice
January:
February:
March: Hosting the SeriesCat: A Series Book by a Favorite Author
April: Hosting the Reading Through Time Monthly Theme
Hosting the ScaredyKit: Modern Horror /Thrillers
Group Read: The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
May: Hosting the CalendarCat
Group Read of Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers
June: Group Read of Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King
July: Starting the Group Read of Tom Jones
August: Group Read of Tom Jones
September: Group Read of Tom Jones
October: Hosting the TBRCat
November: Hosting the RandomCat
December: Hosting the SFFFKit: Reader's Choice
26DeltaQueen50
My Random Miscellaneous Thought for Thread #6:
27DeltaQueen50
Since I messed up my numbers, I decided to update and post my:
"Books For A Century" Part I
1900: The Wonderful World of Oz by L. Frank Baum
1901: Kim by Rudyard Kipling
1902: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
1903: Betty Zane by Zane Grey
1904: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
1905: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
1906: The House of a Thousand Candles by Meredith Nicholson
1907: The Lady of the Decoration by Frances Little
1908: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
1909: Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery
1910: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
1911: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
1912: Tarzan of the Apes by William S. Burroughs
1913: Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
1914: Penrod by Booth Tarkington
1915: Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery
1916: Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton
1917: Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
1918: My Antonia by Willa Cather
1919: My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
1920: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
1921: The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
1922: The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim
1923: Whose Body? By Dorothy Sayers
1924: So Big by Edna Ferber
1925: The Vanishing American by Zane Grey
1926: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1927: Unnatural Death by Dorothy Sayers
1928: Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence
1929: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
1930: Cimarron by Edna Ferber
1931: The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
1932: The Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer
1933: Lost Horizon by James Hilton
1934: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
1935: The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
1936: Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
1937: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
1938: Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
1939: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
1940: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
1941: Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes
1942: Laura by Vera Caspary
1943: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
1944: Dragonwyck by Anya Seton
1945: Animal Farm by George Orwell
1946: Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey
1947: The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
1948: The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer
1949: The Way West by A.B. Guthrie
1950: A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
1951: From Here to Eternity by James Jones
1952: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
1953: Battlecry by Leon Uris
1954: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
1955: The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
1956: Peyton Place by Grace Metalious
1957: April Lady by Georgette Heyer
1958: Exodus by Leon Uris
1959: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
"Books For A Century" Part I
1900: The Wonderful World of Oz by L. Frank Baum
1901: Kim by Rudyard Kipling
1902: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
1903: Betty Zane by Zane Grey
1904: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
1905: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
1906: The House of a Thousand Candles by Meredith Nicholson
1907: The Lady of the Decoration by Frances Little
1908: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
1909: Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery
1910: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
1911: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
1912: Tarzan of the Apes by William S. Burroughs
1913: Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
1914: Penrod by Booth Tarkington
1915: Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery
1916: Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton
1917: Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
1918: My Antonia by Willa Cather
1919: My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
1920: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
1921: The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
1922: The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim
1923: Whose Body? By Dorothy Sayers
1924: So Big by Edna Ferber
1925: The Vanishing American by Zane Grey
1926: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1927: Unnatural Death by Dorothy Sayers
1928: Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence
1929: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
1930: Cimarron by Edna Ferber
1931: The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
1932: The Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer
1933: Lost Horizon by James Hilton
1934: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
1935: The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
1936: Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
1937: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
1938: Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
1939: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
1940: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
1941: Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes
1942: Laura by Vera Caspary
1943: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
1944: Dragonwyck by Anya Seton
1945: Animal Farm by George Orwell
1946: Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey
1947: The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
1948: The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer
1949: The Way West by A.B. Guthrie
1950: A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
1951: From Here to Eternity by James Jones
1952: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
1953: Battlecry by Leon Uris
1954: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
1955: The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
1956: Peyton Place by Grace Metalious
1957: April Lady by Georgette Heyer
1958: Exodus by Leon Uris
1959: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
28DeltaQueen50
Books of a Century Part II
1960: To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
1961: Mila 18 by Leon Uris
1962: The Thin Red Line by James Jones
1963: The Collector by John Fowles
1964: Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
1965: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
1966: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
1967: Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
1968: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
1969: The Godfather by Mario Puzo
1970: Deliverance by James Dickey
1971: The Winds of War by Herman Wouk
1972: Watership Down by Richard Adams
1973: All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Heriot
1974: Centennial by James Mitchener
1975: Shogun by James Clavell
1976: Roots by Alex Haley, Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice
1977: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
1978: War & Remembrance by Herman Wouk
1979: Ghost Story by Peter Straub
1980: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel
1981: The Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
1982: Master of the Moor by Ruth Rendell
1983: The Sunne In Splendor by Sharon Kay Penman
1984 The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub
1985: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
1986: The Autobiography of Henry VIII with Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret
George
1987: Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
1988: Dances With Wolves by Michael Blake
1989: A Time To Kill by John Grisham
1990: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
1991: The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
1992: A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
1993: Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
1994: The Alienist by Caleb Carr
1995: The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
1996: Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
1997: The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
1998: Stardust by Neil Gaiman
1999: In A Dry Season by Peter Robinson
1960: To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
1961: Mila 18 by Leon Uris
1962: The Thin Red Line by James Jones
1963: The Collector by John Fowles
1964: Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
1965: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
1966: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
1967: Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
1968: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
1969: The Godfather by Mario Puzo
1970: Deliverance by James Dickey
1971: The Winds of War by Herman Wouk
1972: Watership Down by Richard Adams
1973: All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Heriot
1974: Centennial by James Mitchener
1975: Shogun by James Clavell
1976: Roots by Alex Haley, Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice
1977: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
1978: War & Remembrance by Herman Wouk
1979: Ghost Story by Peter Straub
1980: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel
1981: The Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
1982: Master of the Moor by Ruth Rendell
1983: The Sunne In Splendor by Sharon Kay Penman
1984 The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub
1985: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
1986: The Autobiography of Henry VIII with Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret
George
1987: Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
1988: Dances With Wolves by Michael Blake
1989: A Time To Kill by John Grisham
1990: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
1991: The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
1992: A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
1993: Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
1994: The Alienist by Caleb Carr
1995: The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
1996: Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
1997: The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
1998: Stardust by Neil Gaiman
1999: In A Dry Season by Peter Robinson
29DeltaQueen50
The Books of This Century
2000: The Red Breast by Joe Nesbo
2001: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
2002: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
2003: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
2004: The Walking Dead Vol 1: Days Gone Bye
2005: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, March by Geraldine Brooks
2006: World War Z: A Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
2007: In the Woods by Tana French
2008: Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
2009: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
2010: Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
2011: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh
2012: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2013: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
2014: The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
2015: Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
2016: Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
2017: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
2018: The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor
2019: The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
2000: The Red Breast by Joe Nesbo
2001: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
2002: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
2003: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
2004: The Walking Dead Vol 1: Days Gone Bye
2005: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, March by Geraldine Brooks
2006: World War Z: A Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
2007: In the Woods by Tana French
2008: Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
2009: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
2010: Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
2011: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh
2012: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2013: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
2014: The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
2015: Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
2016: Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
2017: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
2018: The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor
2019: The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
32BLBera
Happy new thread, Judy. You seem to be doing well with your challenges. Have you decided on a theme for next year yet?
>26 DeltaQueen50: Love it.
>26 DeltaQueen50: Love it.
35DeltaQueen50
>31 katiekrug: Not at all, Katie. I was just adding some filler to cover the empty spaces.
>32 BLBera: You know me too well, Beth. I do have a couple of ideas percolating in my head for next years challenge. :)
>33 NinieB: I hope I can provide those bullets!
>32 BLBera: You know me too well, Beth. I do have a couple of ideas percolating in my head for next years challenge. :)
>33 NinieB: I hope I can provide those bullets!
36DeltaQueen50
>34 EBT1002: Hi Ellen and thanks. :)
37BLBera
>35 DeltaQueen50: I knew it!
38msf59
Happy Sunday, Judy. Happy New Thread. Back from vacay and trying to catch up a bit on LT. Easy, to fall far behind. It sounds like those books are treating you well.
39DeltaQueen50
>37 BLBera: :)
>38 msf59: Welcome back, Mark. I am still trying to totally catch up after being away, it takes some time to get around to everyone.
>38 msf59: Welcome back, Mark. I am still trying to totally catch up after being away, it takes some time to get around to everyone.
40jnwelch
Happy New Thread, Judy! I love all the quotes. I just read the Dame Agatha one out loud to my wife.
Like you, I've been focusing on reading my tbr shelf books this year. I was so successful that there was room for the 20 or so books I bought on our trip to London (the two of us came back with 44 total). Oh well.
Like you, I've been focusing on reading my tbr shelf books this year. I was so successful that there was room for the 20 or so books I bought on our trip to London (the two of us came back with 44 total). Oh well.
41DeltaQueen50
>40 jnwelch: Hi Joe, I'd say 44 books means you had a very successful trip! I like that quote of Christies's - it makes me think of all the Miss Marple mysteries.
42DeltaQueen50
183. The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies - 3.3 ★
Category: Out of the Past
September CalendarCat: Birthstone in Title
September TIOLI #4: Rolling Challenge Based on Harvest Moon
The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies is a historical romance that is set in Ceylon during 1935. This author knows about growing up in a British Colony as she herself was born and raised in Malaya during the last years of the British Empire. Her details and research cannot be faulted here she provides some interesting information on the flora and fauna of this exotic island. The story is rather typical for this type of book, the main character, Louisa Reeve, is living in a bubble, very much in love with her handsome husband and totally unaware that he is addicted to gambling and is seeing another woman, in fact, he has had a child with this other woman.
When tragedy strikes, Louisa must brace herself and learn to pick up the pieces. She discovers that her partner hasn’t been the picture perfect fellow that she thought he was. Although suffering grief and shock, she is determined to get answers. Also she finds herself being threatened by strange men who are demanding she make good on her husbands’ debts.
The bulk of the book has Louisa learning to trust and find love again as she develops her business and learns to come to terms with her past. Even though the book is quite lengthy I did find that the ending felt rushed. After building the suspense slowly over the course of some 350 pages, everything is revealed and worked out quickly which didn’t ring true to me. I would have liked the plot to have been a little more developed and the characters to have been a little more believable in their actions.
Category: Out of the Past
September CalendarCat: Birthstone in Title
September TIOLI #4: Rolling Challenge Based on Harvest Moon
The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies is a historical romance that is set in Ceylon during 1935. This author knows about growing up in a British Colony as she herself was born and raised in Malaya during the last years of the British Empire. Her details and research cannot be faulted here she provides some interesting information on the flora and fauna of this exotic island. The story is rather typical for this type of book, the main character, Louisa Reeve, is living in a bubble, very much in love with her handsome husband and totally unaware that he is addicted to gambling and is seeing another woman, in fact, he has had a child with this other woman.
When tragedy strikes, Louisa must brace herself and learn to pick up the pieces. She discovers that her partner hasn’t been the picture perfect fellow that she thought he was. Although suffering grief and shock, she is determined to get answers. Also she finds herself being threatened by strange men who are demanding she make good on her husbands’ debts.
The bulk of the book has Louisa learning to trust and find love again as she develops her business and learns to come to terms with her past. Even though the book is quite lengthy I did find that the ending felt rushed. After building the suspense slowly over the course of some 350 pages, everything is revealed and worked out quickly which didn’t ring true to me. I would have liked the plot to have been a little more developed and the characters to have been a little more believable in their actions.
43luvamystery65
Howdy Judy! Loved the thought in >26 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for hosting the group read of Tom Jones. I was hesitant at first, but grew to love the adventures of Tom and Sophia.
46DeltaQueen50
>43 luvamystery65: Hi Ro, I had the same feelings about Tom Jones. I thought it was going to be a slog to get through that massive book but it turned into a great listening experience, I thought it was quite funny and I loved the characters.
>44 dudes22: Hi Betty, I have pretty much reached most of my reading goals for the year so the next few months will be a bonus!
>45 mstrust: Autumn is my favorite time of the year, but I have to admit I am having a hard time letting go of summer this year. I went away on my trip in sandals and short sleeves but came home and needed socks and long sleeves right away.
>44 dudes22: Hi Betty, I have pretty much reached most of my reading goals for the year so the next few months will be a bonus!
>45 mstrust: Autumn is my favorite time of the year, but I have to admit I am having a hard time letting go of summer this year. I went away on my trip in sandals and short sleeves but came home and needed socks and long sleeves right away.
47Tess_W
>46 DeltaQueen50: I agree with you about Tom Jones, I listened and read and it wasn't the slog I thought it was going to be!
48DeltaQueen50
>47 Tess_W: I think most everyone who participated in the group read were surprised that they enjoyed Tom Jones more than they expected or maybe the ones who didn't have just quietly dropped out. I love group reads of these older, massive books, it really encourages me to stick with them.
49DeltaQueen50
184. Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - 4.0 ★
Category: Science Fiction
2019 PopSugar Challenge: Set in Space
September SFFFKit: Series
September TIOLI #10: Title Starts With A Letter From "Having Fun With TIOLI"
Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Millar is a coming-of-age tale set partly in the academian world of Delgado, one of the Liaden Universe’s premier institutions of higher learning. It took me a little reading to become immersed in this setting and to be comfortable with these new characters after mostly reading about Clan Korval conflicts starring the fablous foursome of Val Con, Miri, Shan and Priscilla.
Theo Waitley as introduced here is a clumsy, awkward teenage who is being raised in a strict academic setting. It isn’t until she accompanies her mother on a trip to the planet Melchiza that she develops her abilities and that it is her destiny to become a starship pilot. While her parents spend most of the novel investigating a conspiracy involving fraud, Theo tries to understand what is expected of her and what she wants for herself.
By the end of the book I had a better understanding of the connections that are being made here. I suspect that I started this section of the series slightly out of order, but the connection to Clan Korval is now apparent. Fledgling is a character driven space opera with an interesting blend of adolescent and adult perspectives, and I am now quite eager to spend more time with Theo in the future.
Category: Science Fiction
2019 PopSugar Challenge: Set in Space
September SFFFKit: Series
September TIOLI #10: Title Starts With A Letter From "Having Fun With TIOLI"
Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Millar is a coming-of-age tale set partly in the academian world of Delgado, one of the Liaden Universe’s premier institutions of higher learning. It took me a little reading to become immersed in this setting and to be comfortable with these new characters after mostly reading about Clan Korval conflicts starring the fablous foursome of Val Con, Miri, Shan and Priscilla.
Theo Waitley as introduced here is a clumsy, awkward teenage who is being raised in a strict academic setting. It isn’t until she accompanies her mother on a trip to the planet Melchiza that she develops her abilities and that it is her destiny to become a starship pilot. While her parents spend most of the novel investigating a conspiracy involving fraud, Theo tries to understand what is expected of her and what she wants for herself.
By the end of the book I had a better understanding of the connections that are being made here. I suspect that I started this section of the series slightly out of order, but the connection to Clan Korval is now apparent. Fledgling is a character driven space opera with an interesting blend of adolescent and adult perspectives, and I am now quite eager to spend more time with Theo in the future.
50Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Judy. I know what you mean about getting around to the threads after being away. I'm not doing well with that. Have fun with your bonus reading time.
51DeltaQueen50
>50 Familyhistorian: I am just barely caught up and we are off to Parksville for a few days. After that my husband is coming home while I head down to Victoria to spend a week or so with my Mom. I'm not complaining - it's great to get away but computer time is limited and so I will be falling behind again.
52DeltaQueen50
185. Canyon by Tom Abrahams - 3.2 ★
Category: One Word Titles
September TIOLI #5: Book has a Striking Opening Sentence
I am more than slightly embarrassed to admit that not only am I reading The Traveller series by Tom Abrahams, I am sort of enjoying it as well. Canyon is the second book in this dystopian series and the violence and bloodshed is ramped up from the first book. I think over 20 people were brutally killed in just the first chapter!
This dystopian story is pure escapism, set some 12 years after a plague called The Scourge has killed two-thirds of the world’s population. The state of Texas has been walled off from the rest of the continent as a drug cartel controls most of it. These cartel members are deadly, depraved men who show no mercy to the weak. The main character, ex-soldier Marcus Battle, has gotten involved because he decided to help a woman and her son escape.
The story is very fast moving with plenty of gratuitous violence, but has little in the way of character development. The characters are thrown into ever worsening situations and must fight for survival. There are flashback scenes showing how Marcus went “over and beyond” to save the life of a fellow soldier, and yes, these flashbacks are connected to the current story line in a very obvious twist. Canyon provided me with a lively and short escape read for those times when I need to step away from more serious reading.
Category: One Word Titles
September TIOLI #5: Book has a Striking Opening Sentence
I am more than slightly embarrassed to admit that not only am I reading The Traveller series by Tom Abrahams, I am sort of enjoying it as well. Canyon is the second book in this dystopian series and the violence and bloodshed is ramped up from the first book. I think over 20 people were brutally killed in just the first chapter!
This dystopian story is pure escapism, set some 12 years after a plague called The Scourge has killed two-thirds of the world’s population. The state of Texas has been walled off from the rest of the continent as a drug cartel controls most of it. These cartel members are deadly, depraved men who show no mercy to the weak. The main character, ex-soldier Marcus Battle, has gotten involved because he decided to help a woman and her son escape.
The story is very fast moving with plenty of gratuitous violence, but has little in the way of character development. The characters are thrown into ever worsening situations and must fight for survival. There are flashback scenes showing how Marcus went “over and beyond” to save the life of a fellow soldier, and yes, these flashbacks are connected to the current story line in a very obvious twist. Canyon provided me with a lively and short escape read for those times when I need to step away from more serious reading.
53DeltaQueen50
186. Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott - 3.3 ★
Category: Let's Eat!
September TIOLI #4: Rolling Challenge Based on 'Harvest Moon'
Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott is the second and concluding book in her Fire and Flood story. In this book the contenders must race across an ocean and a mountain to reach the end of the race and receive the cure for their deadly sick relative. All the surviving characters from the first book are here, continuing to race against each other, even as they form friendships and even learn to love to each other.
After horrendous incidents in the ocean and over a barren mountain, the group of contenders that we have been following have made a pledge. That once they finish the race, they will work tirelessly to expose what is happening here and shut down the possibility of any future races. Accompanied by their animal partners called Pandoras, they work together to finish the quest only to find more heartache and despair awaits them.
When I reached the end of the book, I quickly checked to see if there was a third book that would continue the story and perhaps bring about a more satisfactory ending but no, as far as I can see, this second book is the conclusion. I was willing to accept a lot of unreal things in this story as I enjoyed the excitement and action that both books provided, but this rather open ending has really thrown me for a loop. A fun survival read but with an unsatisfactory ending.
Category: Let's Eat!
September TIOLI #4: Rolling Challenge Based on 'Harvest Moon'
Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott is the second and concluding book in her Fire and Flood story. In this book the contenders must race across an ocean and a mountain to reach the end of the race and receive the cure for their deadly sick relative. All the surviving characters from the first book are here, continuing to race against each other, even as they form friendships and even learn to love to each other.
After horrendous incidents in the ocean and over a barren mountain, the group of contenders that we have been following have made a pledge. That once they finish the race, they will work tirelessly to expose what is happening here and shut down the possibility of any future races. Accompanied by their animal partners called Pandoras, they work together to finish the quest only to find more heartache and despair awaits them.
When I reached the end of the book, I quickly checked to see if there was a third book that would continue the story and perhaps bring about a more satisfactory ending but no, as far as I can see, this second book is the conclusion. I was willing to accept a lot of unreal things in this story as I enjoyed the excitement and action that both books provided, but this rather open ending has really thrown me for a loop. A fun survival read but with an unsatisfactory ending.
54VivienneR
>51 DeltaQueen50: Happy new thread, Judy! And have a great time on the island. If you fall behind it will just give the rest of us a chance to catch up on your reading.
55DeltaQueen50
Thanks, Vivienne. I am looking forward to spending some time with my family.
56DeltaQueen50
187. I Remember You by Yrsa Sigdardottir - 4.5 ★
Category: From My Shelves
September ScaredyKit: Ghosts
2019 PopSugar Challenge: Ghost Story
September TIOLI #10: Title Starts With A Letter Found in "Having Fun With TIOLI"
Good ghost stories are hard to find so I am very happy to be able to recommend I Remember You by Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Building on separate stories that involve missing children, she develops her story slowly and keeps the chills coming.
The book consists of two separate plot lines which are presented in alternate chapters. In the first one, three friends take themselves off to a remote, isolated and abandoned fishing village in order to renovate a house that they wish to turn into a guest house for hikers coming into the area. They are thwarted at every turn by ever threatening appearances of a ghostly boy. All too soon it becomes apparent that this boy means them harm. Meanwhile a young doctor is grieving the mysterious disappearance of his own son while at the same time learning of another young boy who disappeared over forty years ago. These are both intense and frightening story lines that the author brings together into one cohesive finish.
I Remember You is a dark story of children disappearing, of bullying, simmering malice and revenge. It’s been awhile since a ghost story has actually managed to frighten me but this multilayered tale certainly managed that and was delightfully creepy and atmospheric as well.
Category: From My Shelves
September ScaredyKit: Ghosts
2019 PopSugar Challenge: Ghost Story
September TIOLI #10: Title Starts With A Letter Found in "Having Fun With TIOLI"
Good ghost stories are hard to find so I am very happy to be able to recommend I Remember You by Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Building on separate stories that involve missing children, she develops her story slowly and keeps the chills coming.
The book consists of two separate plot lines which are presented in alternate chapters. In the first one, three friends take themselves off to a remote, isolated and abandoned fishing village in order to renovate a house that they wish to turn into a guest house for hikers coming into the area. They are thwarted at every turn by ever threatening appearances of a ghostly boy. All too soon it becomes apparent that this boy means them harm. Meanwhile a young doctor is grieving the mysterious disappearance of his own son while at the same time learning of another young boy who disappeared over forty years ago. These are both intense and frightening story lines that the author brings together into one cohesive finish.
I Remember You is a dark story of children disappearing, of bullying, simmering malice and revenge. It’s been awhile since a ghost story has actually managed to frighten me but this multilayered tale certainly managed that and was delightfully creepy and atmospheric as well.
57Tess_W
>56 DeltaQueen50: Oh, that sounds creepy. A BB for me!
58Familyhistorian
Enjoy your travels, Judy!
60DeltaQueen50
>57 Tess_W: I hope you get the right amount of chills from I Remember You, Tess.
>58 Familyhistorian: & >59 ronincats: Thanks Meg and Roni, we are leaving shortly to catch the ferry to the island.
>58 Familyhistorian: & >59 ronincats: Thanks Meg and Roni, we are leaving shortly to catch the ferry to the island.
61DeltaQueen50
188. The Book of Flora by Meg Elison - 3.0 ★
Category: Science Fiction
September TIOLI #2: Book Was Published in 2019
The Book of Flora is the third book in author Meg Elison’s post-apocalyptic series entitled ‘The Road to Nowhere’. This book continues the story of Flora, whom we met in the last book. Flora is trans-gender who identifies with being a female and often finds that she doesn’t fit in or isn’t accepted in many places. The author continues her exploration of male/female identification and sexual identities as Flora reminiscences about her life and how she came to the island of Bambritch and is now awaiting the arrival of an invading army.
Overall this was my least favourite of the three books, I found there was less story and more emphasis on the author’s own exploration of fluid sexuality and reproduction issues. While some of this was very interesting, there was so much of this that the story suffered. My other problem with the book was the ending. What I expected to be a dramatic ending to this trilogy ended up falling flat and leaving the story unresolved and lacking a clear focus.
Unfortunately, The Book of Flora was a weak ending to a trilogy that really started out with a bang. I would recommend that people read the first book, The Book of the Unnamed Midwife but as a stand alone and not bother with the other two books.
Category: Science Fiction
September TIOLI #2: Book Was Published in 2019
The Book of Flora is the third book in author Meg Elison’s post-apocalyptic series entitled ‘The Road to Nowhere’. This book continues the story of Flora, whom we met in the last book. Flora is trans-gender who identifies with being a female and often finds that she doesn’t fit in or isn’t accepted in many places. The author continues her exploration of male/female identification and sexual identities as Flora reminiscences about her life and how she came to the island of Bambritch and is now awaiting the arrival of an invading army.
Overall this was my least favourite of the three books, I found there was less story and more emphasis on the author’s own exploration of fluid sexuality and reproduction issues. While some of this was very interesting, there was so much of this that the story suffered. My other problem with the book was the ending. What I expected to be a dramatic ending to this trilogy ended up falling flat and leaving the story unresolved and lacking a clear focus.
Unfortunately, The Book of Flora was a weak ending to a trilogy that really started out with a bang. I would recommend that people read the first book, The Book of the Unnamed Midwife but as a stand alone and not bother with the other two books.
62DeltaQueen50
It was a beautiful, sunny day yesterday with a definite autumn feel and we got to the cottage early enough that we had time to drive up to a nearby provincial park and go for a walk.
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park (not my picture)
It was cool enough in the evening that a fire was welcome and I even managed to finish a book!
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park (not my picture)
It was cool enough in the evening that a fire was welcome and I even managed to finish a book!
63DeltaQueen50
189. Drawn Away by Holly Bennett - 4.0 ★
Category: Fantasy
October CalendarCat: Knock-offs, Tributes & Parodies
Drawn Away by author Canadian Holly Bennett is a YA urban fantasy story that plays upon the Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Match Girl story. In modern day Ontario, Jack slips into walking nightmares where he meets the little match girl. He realizes he is talking to her ghost but doesn’t know how to stop these visitations. Klara, the match girl, is trapped between the living and the dead. Alone and lonely, she wants to keep Jack with her forever and tries to bind him to her with a small matchstick doll. Jack’s girlfriend, Lucy has also been able to see visions of the match girl so together Jack and Lucy try to discover how to break the spell and release the hold this ghost has over the living boy.
This story takes a dark subject matter and blends it with the themes of loneliness, and trying to fit in to create an interesting story. Having Jack being a type one diabetic and showing the control that he needs to have in his day-to-day life, added to the strength and believably of the character. Lucy also had to deal with some important issues such as the death of her father and learning to build upon her relationship with her mother. Klara, was rather sympathetic as the ghost who no longer wanted to be alone.
Drawn Away gives us a unique twist to the classic and rather creepy Hans Christian Andersen in a quick and easy read that manages to deal with some important issues. I think this book would appeal to most young readers of twelve to fourteen years.
A big thank you to Lori (Ikernaugh) for sending me her copy of this book.
Category: Fantasy
October CalendarCat: Knock-offs, Tributes & Parodies
Drawn Away by author Canadian Holly Bennett is a YA urban fantasy story that plays upon the Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Match Girl story. In modern day Ontario, Jack slips into walking nightmares where he meets the little match girl. He realizes he is talking to her ghost but doesn’t know how to stop these visitations. Klara, the match girl, is trapped between the living and the dead. Alone and lonely, she wants to keep Jack with her forever and tries to bind him to her with a small matchstick doll. Jack’s girlfriend, Lucy has also been able to see visions of the match girl so together Jack and Lucy try to discover how to break the spell and release the hold this ghost has over the living boy.
This story takes a dark subject matter and blends it with the themes of loneliness, and trying to fit in to create an interesting story. Having Jack being a type one diabetic and showing the control that he needs to have in his day-to-day life, added to the strength and believably of the character. Lucy also had to deal with some important issues such as the death of her father and learning to build upon her relationship with her mother. Klara, was rather sympathetic as the ghost who no longer wanted to be alone.
Drawn Away gives us a unique twist to the classic and rather creepy Hans Christian Andersen in a quick and easy read that manages to deal with some important issues. I think this book would appeal to most young readers of twelve to fourteen years.
A big thank you to Lori (Ikernaugh) for sending me her copy of this book.
64RidgewayGirl
Sounds like your trip was perfect! Have the leaves started to change way up there?
65DeltaQueen50
Another nice day today so we went for a short walk on the beach. Then we went to the village of Qualicum for lunch and wouldn't you know it - there was a bookstore! I picked up the following:
The Wolf Border by Sarah Hall
I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea
Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie
Spent the afternoon finishing off my current book.
>64 RidgewayGirl: Kay, we don't get a lot of color from our forests here, being on the coast we have a lot of evergreens but there are alders and maples and they do turn yellow and rust. And yes, they have changed and are falling so I got to scuff through the fallen leaves yesterday.
The Wolf Border by Sarah Hall
I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea
Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie
Spent the afternoon finishing off my current book.
>64 RidgewayGirl: Kay, we don't get a lot of color from our forests here, being on the coast we have a lot of evergreens but there are alders and maples and they do turn yellow and rust. And yes, they have changed and are falling so I got to scuff through the fallen leaves yesterday.
66DeltaQueen50
190. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams - 4.0 ★
Category: 1,001 Books List
October SFFFKit: Comedy
October TIOLI #7: A 4 Letter or More Word Is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency was described by it’s author, Douglas Adams as a “thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic’. It is also one of the reasons this author has proved to be one of most beloved and successful science fiction authors of all time.
Don’t get me wrong, this book is weird. But it is also quite funny and luckily, for me, the humor made the weirdness work. The writing was inventive, original and clever, and the author never spares anyone or anything from his wisecracks. He takes great enjoyment in pointing out the ridiculous and leaves the reader pondering whether the book is about silly people doing serious things or serious people doing silly things.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency was first published in 1987 and has obviously stood the test of time. While overall I preferred the space opera comedy that was The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this was an engaging, quirky and highly quotable read.
Category: 1,001 Books List
October SFFFKit: Comedy
October TIOLI #7: A 4 Letter or More Word Is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency was described by it’s author, Douglas Adams as a “thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic’. It is also one of the reasons this author has proved to be one of most beloved and successful science fiction authors of all time.
Don’t get me wrong, this book is weird. But it is also quite funny and luckily, for me, the humor made the weirdness work. The writing was inventive, original and clever, and the author never spares anyone or anything from his wisecracks. He takes great enjoyment in pointing out the ridiculous and leaves the reader pondering whether the book is about silly people doing serious things or serious people doing silly things.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency was first published in 1987 and has obviously stood the test of time. While overall I preferred the space opera comedy that was The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this was an engaging, quirky and highly quotable read.
67Jackie_K
>66 DeltaQueen50: I think I gave Dirk Gently the same rating as you. I really enjoyed it, but I must admit that I didn't quite buy the Electric Monk.
68DeltaQueen50
>67 Jackie_K: The Electric Monk made me think of a 1960's music group!
69DeltaQueen50
I am now in Victoria visiting my Mom. I sent the laptop home with my husband so my computer access is limited here, but I will check in from time to time. Weather appears to be rather dreary here today, but we have no plans other than to sit around and catch up so weather doesn't matter.
70DeltaQueen50
191. You Bet Your Life by Stuart Kaminsky - 4.0 ★
Category: Crime Stories
October SeriesCat: Historical Series
October TIOLI #2: Read Your Favorite Genre
You Bet Your Life by Stuart Kaminisky is the third entry in his series featuring Toby Peters, a 1940s private detective who is under contract to MGM studios in Hollywood. Although this one was my least favourite of the three that I have read so far, probably because the setting was 1940s Chicago instead of Hollywood, it was still a fun read.
Toby is instructed to look into payment of gambling debts that the Chicago Mob are demanding from Chico Marx, even though Chico swears that these are not his debts. Even with Toby suffering from the flu throughout most of the book he is able to untwist this mob rip-off story with lots of humor and action. The addition of the Marx Brothers to the story went a long way toward my reader satisfaction, but the appearance of some other famous names of the times – Al Capone, Richard J. Daley and Ian Fleming for example, didn’t particularly ring true.
I will certainly be continuing on with this series as I enjoy these quick moving, clever mysteries set in the 1940s.
Category: Crime Stories
October SeriesCat: Historical Series
October TIOLI #2: Read Your Favorite Genre
You Bet Your Life by Stuart Kaminisky is the third entry in his series featuring Toby Peters, a 1940s private detective who is under contract to MGM studios in Hollywood. Although this one was my least favourite of the three that I have read so far, probably because the setting was 1940s Chicago instead of Hollywood, it was still a fun read.
Toby is instructed to look into payment of gambling debts that the Chicago Mob are demanding from Chico Marx, even though Chico swears that these are not his debts. Even with Toby suffering from the flu throughout most of the book he is able to untwist this mob rip-off story with lots of humor and action. The addition of the Marx Brothers to the story went a long way toward my reader satisfaction, but the appearance of some other famous names of the times – Al Capone, Richard J. Daley and Ian Fleming for example, didn’t particularly ring true.
I will certainly be continuing on with this series as I enjoy these quick moving, clever mysteries set in the 1940s.
71DeltaQueen50
192. Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna - 4.0 ★
Category: Armchair Travel - India
October TBRCat: Eyecatching Cover
October TIOLI #14: ISBN includes one set of the following numbers 10 13 19 44
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna is a story of India based on a love triangle between the beautiful, spirited Devi, the intelligent, quiet Devanna, and the manly tiger killer, Manchu. The story is set in and around the author’s own birthplace in South West India, the district of Coorg.
Devi and Devanna were close childhood friends, but at the age of 10 Devi met Devanna’s cousin, a young man being hailed as a hero for killing a tiger. Devi declared that this young man would be her future husband and she never wavered from that idea. Devanna on the other hand was desperately in love with Devi and in the heat of betrayal and disappointment he forces the issue and thus condemns all three of them to a bitter and disappointing life.
While the bulk of the story line deals with the passions and failures of love, there is a lot more to this book. The district of Coorg is described with it’s jungles, mountains and coffee plantations along with the age-old customs of the clans and relations with European settlers. The book covers six decades and many historical events, but it is the heartbreak and regret of the three tortured people at the heart of the book that sets the tone.
Tiger Hills was an ambitious saga and although at times it seemed to verge into melodrama, this multi-generational story held my attention with it’s vivid cultural details, exotic setting and interesting characters.
Category: Armchair Travel - India
October TBRCat: Eyecatching Cover
October TIOLI #14: ISBN includes one set of the following numbers 10 13 19 44
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna is a story of India based on a love triangle between the beautiful, spirited Devi, the intelligent, quiet Devanna, and the manly tiger killer, Manchu. The story is set in and around the author’s own birthplace in South West India, the district of Coorg.
Devi and Devanna were close childhood friends, but at the age of 10 Devi met Devanna’s cousin, a young man being hailed as a hero for killing a tiger. Devi declared that this young man would be her future husband and she never wavered from that idea. Devanna on the other hand was desperately in love with Devi and in the heat of betrayal and disappointment he forces the issue and thus condemns all three of them to a bitter and disappointing life.
While the bulk of the story line deals with the passions and failures of love, there is a lot more to this book. The district of Coorg is described with it’s jungles, mountains and coffee plantations along with the age-old customs of the clans and relations with European settlers. The book covers six decades and many historical events, but it is the heartbreak and regret of the three tortured people at the heart of the book that sets the tone.
Tiger Hills was an ambitious saga and although at times it seemed to verge into melodrama, this multi-generational story held my attention with it’s vivid cultural details, exotic setting and interesting characters.
72Tess_W
>71 DeltaQueen50: a BB for me!
73Familyhistorian
Have a wonderful visit with your mum, Judy. The Kaminsky series looks interesting. I like detective books set in the '40s and there about.
74mstrust
Dropping in to say hi now that we're back home.
It was overcast and cold nearly every day in Vancouver and rained on and off for five days. It was fantastic!
It was overcast and cold nearly every day in Vancouver and rained on and off for five days. It was fantastic!
75BLBera
Nice book haul, Judy. I really enjoyed The Wolf Border.
>61 DeltaQueen50: Good to know. I have The Book of the Unnamed Midwife on my shelf. I will stop after that one.
>61 DeltaQueen50: Good to know. I have The Book of the Unnamed Midwife on my shelf. I will stop after that one.
76DeltaQueen50
I am home and ready to catch up and first up is setting up November's RandomCat thread. After I do that I will be back to catch up here.
78DeltaQueen50
As always when I am visiting my family I had a great time but with all the visiting I didn't get to as many of the book that I took as I had planned. We did got book shopping one day and I picked up a few books, mostly ones from the 1,001 Books Lists:
Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Sea by John Banville
The Gathering by Anne Enright
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
I also brought home the following that my sister and brother had previously read:
The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
Love Like Blood Mark Billingham
and three more fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski that are part of the Witcher series
The Tower of Swallows
The Lady of the Lake
Season of Storms
Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Sea by John Banville
The Gathering by Anne Enright
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
I also brought home the following that my sister and brother had previously read:
The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
Love Like Blood Mark Billingham
and three more fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski that are part of the Witcher series
The Tower of Swallows
The Lady of the Lake
Season of Storms
79DeltaQueen50
>72 Tess_W: Hi Tess. I hoe you enjoy Tiger Hills when you get to it.
>73 Familyhistorian: Meg, I love that series by Stuart Kaminsky, he blends his hardboiled stories with a little 1940's noir, adds in some top Hollywood characters that make the books a fun read.
>74 mstrust: Jennifer, I'm a little bit sorry that you had such rainy weather although I understand why it was a nice change for you. Other than a few sunny days last week, we've had a very dull autumn so far.
>75 BLBera: Ha, I probably got the book bullet for The Wolf Border from you, Beth! I'm looking forward to it.
>73 Familyhistorian: Meg, I love that series by Stuart Kaminsky, he blends his hardboiled stories with a little 1940's noir, adds in some top Hollywood characters that make the books a fun read.
>74 mstrust: Jennifer, I'm a little bit sorry that you had such rainy weather although I understand why it was a nice change for you. Other than a few sunny days last week, we've had a very dull autumn so far.
>75 BLBera: Ha, I probably got the book bullet for The Wolf Border from you, Beth! I'm looking forward to it.
80DeltaQueen50
193. Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French - 4.5 ★
Category: Series
October TIOLI #9: Morphy's Challenge - A Book That Features a Character from Charlie Brown
Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French is the third book in their Frieda Klein series and although Frieda is no longer officially working with DCI Karlsson, she finds herself connected to his latest case when the body of a homemaker and mother is found beaten to death in her own home. The victim’s three children are having a difficult time when their mother’s secrets are slowly being revealed. Frieda finds herself in the position of being both advocate and caregiver for these youngsters.
As in all Frieda Klein stories, there are various story lines, including the on-going stalking of Frieda by Dean Reeve and the hunt for a serial killer. The plot lines are interwoven into a richly detailed and satisfying thriller that examines not only the “who” but also the “why” behind the crimes. Frieda, with her stubborn ways and obsessive traits, is a fascinating character to read about and I am looking forward to continuing on with this series.
Category: Series
October TIOLI #9: Morphy's Challenge - A Book That Features a Character from Charlie Brown
Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French is the third book in their Frieda Klein series and although Frieda is no longer officially working with DCI Karlsson, she finds herself connected to his latest case when the body of a homemaker and mother is found beaten to death in her own home. The victim’s three children are having a difficult time when their mother’s secrets are slowly being revealed. Frieda finds herself in the position of being both advocate and caregiver for these youngsters.
As in all Frieda Klein stories, there are various story lines, including the on-going stalking of Frieda by Dean Reeve and the hunt for a serial killer. The plot lines are interwoven into a richly detailed and satisfying thriller that examines not only the “who” but also the “why” behind the crimes. Frieda, with her stubborn ways and obsessive traits, is a fascinating character to read about and I am looking forward to continuing on with this series.
81DeltaQueen50
194. Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke - 4.2 ★
Category: Fantasy
October CalendarCat: Halloween
October ScaredyKit: Creatures
October TIOLI #3: Title Word Relates to Halloween
Slasher Girls & Monster Boys is an anthology of YA horror that is a creepy, fun read. The stories are by 14 of the best authors in today’s YA fiction and include Jonathan Maberry, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu and Nova Ren Suma. Each author has been inspired by other stories, film or television to create these tales that give the readers the thrills and chills we are looking for in October.
As in most anthologies, I definitely preferred some stories over others, but I suspect this comes down to personal choice as they are all appropriately gruesome, disturbing and eerie in various ways. My particular favorites were “The Birds of Azalea Street” by Nova Ren Suma and “In the Forest Dark and Deep” by Carrie Ryan, but I heartily recommend this collection to all horror story lovers.
Category: Fantasy
October CalendarCat: Halloween
October ScaredyKit: Creatures
October TIOLI #3: Title Word Relates to Halloween
Slasher Girls & Monster Boys is an anthology of YA horror that is a creepy, fun read. The stories are by 14 of the best authors in today’s YA fiction and include Jonathan Maberry, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu and Nova Ren Suma. Each author has been inspired by other stories, film or television to create these tales that give the readers the thrills and chills we are looking for in October.
As in most anthologies, I definitely preferred some stories over others, but I suspect this comes down to personal choice as they are all appropriately gruesome, disturbing and eerie in various ways. My particular favorites were “The Birds of Azalea Street” by Nova Ren Suma and “In the Forest Dark and Deep” by Carrie Ryan, but I heartily recommend this collection to all horror story lovers.
82DeltaQueen50
195. When the Wind Blows by Derek Tangye - 3.5 ★
Category: Doing my ABCs
October AlphaKit: T
October TIOLI #7: A 4 Letter or More Word Embedded in the Author's Last Name
When the Winds Blow by Derek Tangye is one of his Minack chronicles that details his life on a Cornish cliff-side daffodil farm. He and his wife, Jeanne, enjoy the simple life surrounded by nature and their own collections of pets. This particular book focuses on their cats Oliver and Ambrose as well as their donkeys.
I find these simple stories great comfort reads whether the author is philosophizing about why this couple thrived in this rustic environment or simply describing a leisurely stroll about their property observing the natural world. Their pets which included cats, donkeys, geese, gulls and other animal visitors all have distinct personalities and the author has charming memories of them all.
Category: Doing my ABCs
October AlphaKit: T
October TIOLI #7: A 4 Letter or More Word Embedded in the Author's Last Name
When the Winds Blow by Derek Tangye is one of his Minack chronicles that details his life on a Cornish cliff-side daffodil farm. He and his wife, Jeanne, enjoy the simple life surrounded by nature and their own collections of pets. This particular book focuses on their cats Oliver and Ambrose as well as their donkeys.
I find these simple stories great comfort reads whether the author is philosophizing about why this couple thrived in this rustic environment or simply describing a leisurely stroll about their property observing the natural world. Their pets which included cats, donkeys, geese, gulls and other animal visitors all have distinct personalities and the author has charming memories of them all.
83msf59
Welcome Home, Judy. I hope you had a wonderful time. I am sure you will get caught up on your reading.
84DeltaQueen50
>83 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Now that I am home and writing reviews, I can see that I did get a fair amount of reading done after all! :)
85DeltaQueen50
196. A Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Joukhadar - 4.2 ★
Category: Armchair Travel
October Reading Through Time: Loss
October TIOLI #12: Historical Fiction Where a Character Travels to Different Countries
It took me quite some time to totally become engrossed in A Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Joukhadar but once I did, this became a book that I couldn’t put down. There are two plot lines to follow in this book, one about a contemporary girl called Nour whose mother moves the family back to Syria from America after the death of her father. All too soon bombs are dropping on their city and their house is destroyed and the family is suddenly homeless, searching for a safe place. Nour comforts herself by remembering a story that her father used to tell her and this story becomes the second narrative. This story is about a girl called Rawiya in the twelfth century who disguises herself as a boy and becomes apprenticed to a mapmaker charting trade routes.
Nour’s and Rawiya’s stories become entwined as both girls travelled very similar trails through Jordan, Egypt, Libya and Algeria. Nour also disguises herself as a boy for safety’s sake, and both girls face cold, hunger and frequent bureaucracy. While Rawiya’s story is more of an adventure, Nour’s is the harrowing story of a refugee.
A Map of Salt and Stars is a remarkable debut novel. This coming of age story is enhanced by Nour’s synesthesia which brings an added richness to the descriptions. While both girls have to make hard choices and sacrifices, I was much more invested in the contemporary story but I do wish that the book had included a map that showed exactly where these girls travelled.
Category: Armchair Travel
October Reading Through Time: Loss
October TIOLI #12: Historical Fiction Where a Character Travels to Different Countries
It took me quite some time to totally become engrossed in A Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Joukhadar but once I did, this became a book that I couldn’t put down. There are two plot lines to follow in this book, one about a contemporary girl called Nour whose mother moves the family back to Syria from America after the death of her father. All too soon bombs are dropping on their city and their house is destroyed and the family is suddenly homeless, searching for a safe place. Nour comforts herself by remembering a story that her father used to tell her and this story becomes the second narrative. This story is about a girl called Rawiya in the twelfth century who disguises herself as a boy and becomes apprenticed to a mapmaker charting trade routes.
Nour’s and Rawiya’s stories become entwined as both girls travelled very similar trails through Jordan, Egypt, Libya and Algeria. Nour also disguises herself as a boy for safety’s sake, and both girls face cold, hunger and frequent bureaucracy. While Rawiya’s story is more of an adventure, Nour’s is the harrowing story of a refugee.
A Map of Salt and Stars is a remarkable debut novel. This coming of age story is enhanced by Nour’s synesthesia which brings an added richness to the descriptions. While both girls have to make hard choices and sacrifices, I was much more invested in the contemporary story but I do wish that the book had included a map that showed exactly where these girls travelled.
86DeltaQueen50
197. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe - 3.5 ★
Category: 1,001 Books List
October 1,001 Group Challenge: Halloween
October TIOLI #13: Someone Dies During the Course of This Book
Edgar Allan Poe is considered to be one of the masters of short horror fiction and The Fall of the House of Usher, originally published in 1839, is a classic example of his skill. In about 40 pages this story touches on many Gothic elements such as a haunted house, a mysterious illness, a cursed family along with death and entombment. The author creates an atmospheric and creepy story that builds to its macabre finish as the narrator reveals the sinister and grotesque details that bring about the end of the Usher family.
Category: 1,001 Books List
October 1,001 Group Challenge: Halloween
October TIOLI #13: Someone Dies During the Course of This Book
Edgar Allan Poe is considered to be one of the masters of short horror fiction and The Fall of the House of Usher, originally published in 1839, is a classic example of his skill. In about 40 pages this story touches on many Gothic elements such as a haunted house, a mysterious illness, a cursed family along with death and entombment. The author creates an atmospheric and creepy story that builds to its macabre finish as the narrator reveals the sinister and grotesque details that bring about the end of the Usher family.
87RidgewayGirl
Excellent review of A Map of Salt and Stars, Judy. I'll keep my eye out for a copy.
88DeltaQueen50
>87 RidgewayGirl: Thanks, Kay. I hope you enjoy the book.
89DeltaQueen50
198. The Girl With the Persian Shawl by Elizabeth Mansfield - 3.8 ★
Category: Love Stories
October CalendarCat: Oct. 11th - International Day of the "Girl"
October TIOLI #7: A 4 or More Letter Word is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
The Girl with the Persian Shawl by Elizabeth Mansfield is a mild-mannered Regency Romance that relies on the main character’s misconceptions to move the story along. Kate has resigned herself at twenty-four to remaining single, but when she meets the dashing Harry, Lord Ainsworth, she feels an immediate attraction.
Casual gossip has Lord Ainsworth pegged as a rake who trifles with women’s affections so she tries to stay clear of him but this proves impossible when her cousin becomes betrothed to his best friend. There is a lot of coupling and uncoupling as Kate’s beautiful but fickle cousin falls first for one man than another, but eventually all the couples sort themselves out in time for a happy ending.
The Girl with the Persian Shawl is a charming story with plenty of romantic twists and turns although I found most of these twists quite predictable. I understand that not every author of this genre can be Georgette Heyer, but when it comes to Regency Romances, she is still the best at delivering the goods.
Category: Love Stories
October CalendarCat: Oct. 11th - International Day of the "Girl"
October TIOLI #7: A 4 or More Letter Word is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
The Girl with the Persian Shawl by Elizabeth Mansfield is a mild-mannered Regency Romance that relies on the main character’s misconceptions to move the story along. Kate has resigned herself at twenty-four to remaining single, but when she meets the dashing Harry, Lord Ainsworth, she feels an immediate attraction.
Casual gossip has Lord Ainsworth pegged as a rake who trifles with women’s affections so she tries to stay clear of him but this proves impossible when her cousin becomes betrothed to his best friend. There is a lot of coupling and uncoupling as Kate’s beautiful but fickle cousin falls first for one man than another, but eventually all the couples sort themselves out in time for a happy ending.
The Girl with the Persian Shawl is a charming story with plenty of romantic twists and turns although I found most of these twists quite predictable. I understand that not every author of this genre can be Georgette Heyer, but when it comes to Regency Romances, she is still the best at delivering the goods.
90dudes22
>80 DeltaQueen50: - Just curious, Judy - how did that book have a Charlie Brown character in it?
91VivienneR
Welcome back, Judy! Glad you had a good time on the island.
I really have to get to Nicci French and Sarah Hall soon. As well as a return to some of Derek Tangye's lovely stories.
I really have to get to Nicci French and Sarah Hall soon. As well as a return to some of Derek Tangye's lovely stories.
92DeltaQueen50
>90 dudes22: Betty, I was surprised and happy to find out that one of the earlier versions of the Charlie Brown comic strip had a character called Frieda who was a little girl and apparently was much nicer to Charlie Brown than Lucy.
>91 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne. I am alternating my computer time with all the chores that haven't been done for quite some time. So far I have caught up on my laundry and grocery shopping. I think I have pretty much read all of Derek Tangye's books but luckily I have a few more Frieda Klein books to go.
>91 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne. I am alternating my computer time with all the chores that haven't been done for quite some time. So far I have caught up on my laundry and grocery shopping. I think I have pretty much read all of Derek Tangye's books but luckily I have a few more Frieda Klein books to go.
93dudes22
Oh yeah - she was the one with "naturally curling hair". Said as she patted it. I think she's in the Christmas cartoon.
94DeltaQueen50
199. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka - 3.8 ★
Category: Let's Eat
October TBRCat: Eye-Catching Cover
October TIOLI #14: Books ISBN contains at least one set of the following numbers - 10 13 19 44
The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka is a multi-generational story about a Sri Lankan family that resides in Malaysia. The book opens in the 1920s with Lakshmi, the beloved daughter who is married at fifteen to Ayah, a 37 year old rich widower who lives in Malaysia. When Lakshmi arrives in Malaysia she learns that this man is far from rich, but he is a decent man who allows Lakshmi to take control of the finances and the household. They go on to have six children and for the most part are contented until the Japanese invade in 1941.
After the war years the family is changed. The father withdraws into himself and Lakshmi falls into fits of rage and lashes out at those she loves. The story follows the children as they grow, marry and have children of their own, but this family seems to experience one tragedy after another. Each chapter is told by a different family member right down to the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren.
The Rice Mother is the author’s debut novel and at times this saga of domestic turmoil seems overly ambitious and the writing becomes flowery and heavy but the descriptions of the mixed Malayan culture, customs, religion and culinary delights kept me engaged.
Category: Let's Eat
October TBRCat: Eye-Catching Cover
October TIOLI #14: Books ISBN contains at least one set of the following numbers - 10 13 19 44
The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka is a multi-generational story about a Sri Lankan family that resides in Malaysia. The book opens in the 1920s with Lakshmi, the beloved daughter who is married at fifteen to Ayah, a 37 year old rich widower who lives in Malaysia. When Lakshmi arrives in Malaysia she learns that this man is far from rich, but he is a decent man who allows Lakshmi to take control of the finances and the household. They go on to have six children and for the most part are contented until the Japanese invade in 1941.
After the war years the family is changed. The father withdraws into himself and Lakshmi falls into fits of rage and lashes out at those she loves. The story follows the children as they grow, marry and have children of their own, but this family seems to experience one tragedy after another. Each chapter is told by a different family member right down to the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren.
The Rice Mother is the author’s debut novel and at times this saga of domestic turmoil seems overly ambitious and the writing becomes flowery and heavy but the descriptions of the mixed Malayan culture, customs, religion and culinary delights kept me engaged.
96DeltaQueen50
>95 ronincats: Hi Roni! I am trying to catch up on LT and on all my house chores. When we first went to the Island it was quite overcast and chilly but last week we had a few really gorgeous days of sunshine and mild weather. I am disappointed in our Fall weather this year, usually October has lots of sunny weather - but not this year. :(
97DeltaQueen50
200. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald - 4.0 ★
Category: Book Bullets - Mark
1,001 Books List
2019 PopSugar Challenge: A Book Recommended by a Celebrity You Admire - Barak Obama
October TIOLI #7: A 4 or More Letter Word is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
One of the newest additions to the 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die List, H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald is more of a memoir than a novel. Yet this book is a beautiful and poetic story of her challenging relationship with a goshawk called Mabel and how she dealt with her grief over her father’s death.
Macdonald was no stranger to falconry, having previously trained sparrowhawks and falcons, but the goshawk is a larger, more temperamental bird who require endless patience and forbearance. Her world narrowed to training this remarkable creature and along with descriptions of her and Mabel’s achievements, we also learn of two remarkable men who influenced her life greatly. One was her father, a news photographer, whose sudden death put her in a downward tailspin and the other was author T. H. White, the author of The Once and Future King, who also had a goshawk and eventually wrote a book entitled The Goshawk. The author’s in-depth analysis of the troubled White helped her identify some of her own problems.
H is for Hawk is an introspective memoir that exposes the author’s inner pain, but it also is a book written by a survivor who eventually learns how to overcome her emotional distress and regain her life. I found this book to be a fascinating blend of a memoir and a nature study.
Category: Book Bullets - Mark
1,001 Books List
2019 PopSugar Challenge: A Book Recommended by a Celebrity You Admire - Barak Obama
October TIOLI #7: A 4 or More Letter Word is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
One of the newest additions to the 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die List, H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald is more of a memoir than a novel. Yet this book is a beautiful and poetic story of her challenging relationship with a goshawk called Mabel and how she dealt with her grief over her father’s death.
Macdonald was no stranger to falconry, having previously trained sparrowhawks and falcons, but the goshawk is a larger, more temperamental bird who require endless patience and forbearance. Her world narrowed to training this remarkable creature and along with descriptions of her and Mabel’s achievements, we also learn of two remarkable men who influenced her life greatly. One was her father, a news photographer, whose sudden death put her in a downward tailspin and the other was author T. H. White, the author of The Once and Future King, who also had a goshawk and eventually wrote a book entitled The Goshawk. The author’s in-depth analysis of the troubled White helped her identify some of her own problems.
H is for Hawk is an introspective memoir that exposes the author’s inner pain, but it also is a book written by a survivor who eventually learns how to overcome her emotional distress and regain her life. I found this book to be a fascinating blend of a memoir and a nature study.
98jnwelch
Good review of H is For Hawk, Judy. I liked that one a lot, too.
99thornton37814
>97 DeltaQueen50: That one is already on my TBR list.
100Familyhistorian
Looks like you did a lot of reading while you were away, Judy. Congratulations on reading 200 books! Are you staying put for a while?
101dudes22
>97 DeltaQueen50: - This was already on my radar as a friend recommended it (last year?/the year before?) and I just haven't gotten to it yet. Guess I'll need to move it up.
102dudes22
>97 DeltaQueen50: - This was recommended to me by a friend (last year?/the year before?) and I haven't gotten to it yet. Guess I need to move it up.
ETA: I looked and I added it to my recommended list back in Mar, 2017. So many books...
ETA: I looked and I added it to my recommended list back in Mar, 2017. So many books...
103BLBera
>78 DeltaQueen50: Nice book haul, Judy. Do you have room on your shelves?
>85 DeltaQueen50: This sounds excellent; onto my WL it goes. I think my library has a copy.
>85 DeltaQueen50: This sounds excellent; onto my WL it goes. I think my library has a copy.
104DeltaQueen50
>98 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. Another BB from the ever reliable, Mark!
>99 thornton37814: Lori, H is for Hawk has been on my list for quite some time - the usual story - so many books I want to read!
>100 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, I felt like I wasn't reading much when I was away, but now I see actually got through quite a few. I'm experiencing a flare up of arthritis in my knee right now so I will definitely be staying put for awhile. At least I have plenty of books to keep me company!
>101 dudes22: Betty, I would say that 90% of my reading is from recommendations from friends - and most of them are fellow LTers. This site is such a great source to learn about books that I might never hear of otherwise. And fellow book readers understand why it takes so long to actually get to a recommended book as they often have the same problem.
>103 BLBera: Hi Beth, my shelves look pretty messy right now, with books stacked in front of each other and piles placed here and there but I love coming into this room and being surrounded by books!
The Map of Salt and Stars really touched me, especially as I had difficulty with it at first and almost gve up on it.
>99 thornton37814: Lori, H is for Hawk has been on my list for quite some time - the usual story - so many books I want to read!
>100 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, I felt like I wasn't reading much when I was away, but now I see actually got through quite a few. I'm experiencing a flare up of arthritis in my knee right now so I will definitely be staying put for awhile. At least I have plenty of books to keep me company!
>101 dudes22: Betty, I would say that 90% of my reading is from recommendations from friends - and most of them are fellow LTers. This site is such a great source to learn about books that I might never hear of otherwise. And fellow book readers understand why it takes so long to actually get to a recommended book as they often have the same problem.
>103 BLBera: Hi Beth, my shelves look pretty messy right now, with books stacked in front of each other and piles placed here and there but I love coming into this room and being surrounded by books!
The Map of Salt and Stars really touched me, especially as I had difficulty with it at first and almost gve up on it.
105DeltaQueen50
201. The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan - 4.0 ★
Category: Young At Heart
2019 PopSugar Challenge: Book Title Includes at Least One of the Following - Bitter, Salty, Sweet or Spicy
October TIOLI #8: A Leaf or Leaves is either a Title Word or Pictured on the Cover
In The Bitter Side of Sweet, author Tara Sullivan tells the story of three children who escape virtual slavery as they break away from the Ivory Coast cacao farm where they have been forced to work. Amadou and his younger brother, Seydou have been in captivity for two years but the newcomer, a female, Khadija helps to provide the spark that ignites Amadou to get them all away safely.
This is a disturbing story, set as it is in modern times. Countless children are being held in these farms, providing cheap labor in order to provide an ingredient that the rest of the world considers a treat. The two boys were tricked into coming to the farm, they were told it was seasonal work, but once there, they were forced into meeting quotas, being beaten, deprived food and locked into a shed every night.
The Bitter Side of Sweet is an excellent YA survival story. This emotional story imparts a lot of facts about the harvesting and processing of chocolate without interrupting the flow of the narrative. It certainly makes one think about the cost of this indulgence. The Bitter Side of Sweet is a fast moving, interesting and moving story.
Category: Young At Heart
2019 PopSugar Challenge: Book Title Includes at Least One of the Following - Bitter, Salty, Sweet or Spicy
October TIOLI #8: A Leaf or Leaves is either a Title Word or Pictured on the Cover
In The Bitter Side of Sweet, author Tara Sullivan tells the story of three children who escape virtual slavery as they break away from the Ivory Coast cacao farm where they have been forced to work. Amadou and his younger brother, Seydou have been in captivity for two years but the newcomer, a female, Khadija helps to provide the spark that ignites Amadou to get them all away safely.
This is a disturbing story, set as it is in modern times. Countless children are being held in these farms, providing cheap labor in order to provide an ingredient that the rest of the world considers a treat. The two boys were tricked into coming to the farm, they were told it was seasonal work, but once there, they were forced into meeting quotas, being beaten, deprived food and locked into a shed every night.
The Bitter Side of Sweet is an excellent YA survival story. This emotional story imparts a lot of facts about the harvesting and processing of chocolate without interrupting the flow of the narrative. It certainly makes one think about the cost of this indulgence. The Bitter Side of Sweet is a fast moving, interesting and moving story.
106hailelib
I think I'll give H is for Hawk a try.
107DeltaQueen50
> I hope you enjoy H is for Hawk, Trisha.
108DeltaQueen50
202. Silver City by Jeff Guinn - 3.7 ★
Category: Saddle Up!
October TIOLI #1: Cover Shows At Least One Person Not Standing
Silver City by Jeff Guinn is the final book in a western trilogy. During all three books, the main character, Cash McLendon has been on the run from the brutal Killer Boots Brautigan who has been set in his trail in order to capture him and return him to his ex-father-in-law who holds him responsible for the death of his daughter. In this book we have the final confrontation.
With the author’s fine eye for authentic detail, he includes both Ike Clanton and Geronimo into the story and gives the readers an exciting chase through the Arizona desert. I enjoyed all three of these western novels but would have to say that I found this last one the weakest. The story didn’t have the depth or scope of the other two books, it was predictable so didn’t pull me in as the other two did. I would definitely recommend this trilogy, but as they are basically one continuous story, suggest one definitely reads them in order.
Category: Saddle Up!
October TIOLI #1: Cover Shows At Least One Person Not Standing
Silver City by Jeff Guinn is the final book in a western trilogy. During all three books, the main character, Cash McLendon has been on the run from the brutal Killer Boots Brautigan who has been set in his trail in order to capture him and return him to his ex-father-in-law who holds him responsible for the death of his daughter. In this book we have the final confrontation.
With the author’s fine eye for authentic detail, he includes both Ike Clanton and Geronimo into the story and gives the readers an exciting chase through the Arizona desert. I enjoyed all three of these western novels but would have to say that I found this last one the weakest. The story didn’t have the depth or scope of the other two books, it was predictable so didn’t pull me in as the other two did. I would definitely recommend this trilogy, but as they are basically one continuous story, suggest one definitely reads them in order.
109clue
>108 DeltaQueen50: I haven't read any of Jeff Guinn so I'm adding him to my list. I checked our library catalog and I'm surprised to see the range of books he's written, supposing they are all by the same Jeff Guinn. I think the first I'll take a look at is Santa's North Pole Cookbook, a collection of recipes from his Christmas travels.
I already have his most recent book on my list, The Vagabonds: Henry Ford and Thomas Edison's Ten-Year Road Trip. It was published in July.
I already have his most recent book on my list, The Vagabonds: Henry Ford and Thomas Edison's Ten-Year Road Trip. It was published in July.
110pammab
>105 DeltaQueen50: I'm caught by your review of The Bitter Side of Sweet -- though is it true that most chocolate is harvested by people in semi-slavery? If so, I've been entirely unaware, and I'll have to start looking for brands that know and control their supply chain well...
111DeltaQueen50
>108 DeltaQueen50: Jeff Guinn is quite a prolific writer both in non-fiction and fiction. Other than this western trilogy, I've read his non-fiction book, Go Down Together which was about American gangsters Bonnie and Clyde and was excellent.
>109 clue: According to the author, Tara Sullivan, 40% of all chocolate comes from Africa and in particular, the Ivory Coast, and many of these farms are using virtual child slaves. Many of the large chocolate companies know of this but don't do much to eliminate the practice as it keeps the price of chocolate down. There are fair trade plantations mostly in the Caribbean but she suggests that more needs to be done in the way of educating the public. Of course both education and economics need to be improved in the actual countries that are allowing this to happen as well.
>109 clue: According to the author, Tara Sullivan, 40% of all chocolate comes from Africa and in particular, the Ivory Coast, and many of these farms are using virtual child slaves. Many of the large chocolate companies know of this but don't do much to eliminate the practice as it keeps the price of chocolate down. There are fair trade plantations mostly in the Caribbean but she suggests that more needs to be done in the way of educating the public. Of course both education and economics need to be improved in the actual countries that are allowing this to happen as well.
112msf59
>97 DeltaQueen50: Hooray for H is for Hawk, Judy. Glad you finally got to it and I am glad I had some influence in, you picking it up. The only thing missing, is the additional star. Grins...That was a 5 star read for me!
113DeltaQueen50
>112 msf59: Ha! I am dealing with some arthritis issues right now, Mark, so that is making me crabby enough to hold back on giving out 5 stars!
114rabbitprincess
>109 clue: Yay, more non-fiction by Guinn! I haven't read him in a long time but LOVED his Bonnie and Clyde book.
115DeltaQueen50
I spent a great part of the day at the hospital today. My arthritis in my right knee has flared up and I am pretty much crippled. The x-ray showed a great deal of deterioration so I will probably have to go on the list for a new knee joint. For now they sent me home with three prednisone pills which we are hoping will get me back on my feet. One of the hardest things for me to do right now is sit in front of my computer, so I won't be around too much in the next few days. At least all that time at the hospital allowed me to finish another book!
116DeltaQueen50
203. A Small Weeping by Alex Grey - 4.0 ★
Category: Doing My ABCs
October AlphaKit: G
October TIOLI #2: Read a Favorite Genre
A Small Weeping by Alex Grey is the second book in her police procedural series set in Glasgow, Scotland. This book opens with a murdered prostitute found in a Glasgow train station. The main character DCI Lorimer and his team are investigating this murder when a second one occurs this one a young nurse in a care home. Both bodies are arranged in an identical ritualistic manner yet Lorimer’s psychiatric profiler Dr. Solomon Brightman isn’t convinced they are hunting for only one murderer.
This was an interesting procedural that is set in Glasgow but includes a side trip to the island of Lewis. Lorimer and Brightman make an interesting team. Lorimer is extremely immersed in his job which doesn’t leave much time for a private life, and in this book, we learn more about his wife and how she copes with such an absent husband. Brightman is getting involved in a relationship with Dr. Rosie Fergusson, a forensic pathologist. These relationships help to gather the reader’s interest in the lives of these characters but the author doesn’t skimp on the dark side and delivers a gripping suspenseful story.
Category: Doing My ABCs
October AlphaKit: G
October TIOLI #2: Read a Favorite Genre
A Small Weeping by Alex Grey is the second book in her police procedural series set in Glasgow, Scotland. This book opens with a murdered prostitute found in a Glasgow train station. The main character DCI Lorimer and his team are investigating this murder when a second one occurs this one a young nurse in a care home. Both bodies are arranged in an identical ritualistic manner yet Lorimer’s psychiatric profiler Dr. Solomon Brightman isn’t convinced they are hunting for only one murderer.
This was an interesting procedural that is set in Glasgow but includes a side trip to the island of Lewis. Lorimer and Brightman make an interesting team. Lorimer is extremely immersed in his job which doesn’t leave much time for a private life, and in this book, we learn more about his wife and how she copes with such an absent husband. Brightman is getting involved in a relationship with Dr. Rosie Fergusson, a forensic pathologist. These relationships help to gather the reader’s interest in the lives of these characters but the author doesn’t skimp on the dark side and delivers a gripping suspenseful story.
117MissWatson
>115 DeltaQueen50: I'm sorry to hear this. Best wishes for the pills to work!
118Tess_W
>115 DeltaQueen50: Sorry to hear about the knee. I've had two "new" knees and the process is arduous but well worth the outcome. Hang in there!
119katiekrug
I'm sorry you are in pain, Judy, and hobbled by the arthritis. I hope the meds give you some relief pronto!
121jnwelch
Adding my sympathy about the bum knee, Judy. I've had both hips replaced - if it comes to that for you and that knee, I join Tess in saying it's worth it.
122hailelib
Hope the pills are working soon. Prednisone usually does the trick for me for a rather different problem. At least knees are fixable if one is willing to go through the process and the recovery.
123DeltaQueen50
>117 MissWatson:, >118 Tess_W:, >119 katiekrug:, >120 mstrust: >121 jnwelch:, & >122 hailelib: Thank you all so much for caring. The pills are working. I've taken two so far and can see a huge improvement. I have one left to take tomorrow. My fear is that I won't be totally recovered and will then need to go searching for more prednisone. My GP is on maternity leave and won't be back till the end of November. Her office at first had her patients covered but for the last few months we've been on our own, having to get our prescriptions filled at walk-in clinics. I don't know if a walk-in clinic will agree to give me any more prednisone so I may have to go back to the hospital - and that takes hours! I have visions of myself as a drug-craved maniac begging everyone for some prednisone!
Anyway, I am slowly seeing improvement and I have been reading. My husband has stepped in and is doing pretty much everything else. I did manage to make a big pot of soup yesterday and we have leftovers for dinner tonight which makes things easier.
Anyway, I am slowly seeing improvement and I have been reading. My husband has stepped in and is doing pretty much everything else. I did manage to make a big pot of soup yesterday and we have leftovers for dinner tonight which makes things easier.
124DeltaQueen50
204. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers - 4.2 ★
Category: Library List
October TIOLI #7: A 4 or More Letter Word is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
In Record of a Spaceborn Few, author Becky Chambers examines the humanity of life in the future as she zeros in on five particular people who live in the Exodus Fleet, mankind’s last refuge. Having been accepted by the galactic community, the thousands that have stayed and live on board their ships that orbit around a distant sun have by necessity adopted new cultures, philosophies and laws.
All of the main characters are found aboard the ‘Asteria’, one of the hundreds of spacecraft comprising the Exodus Fleet; a flotilla of generation ships that escaped from earth before it became totally inhospitable. The book opens with a disaster as a neighbouring ship falls apart before their eyes and the rest of the story is how each person comes to terms with what happened and how they plan to move ahead in the future.
Record of a Spaceborn Few isn’t an action packed story filled with adventure and daring events. Instead it is a quiet tale of compassion and sensitivity. It’s focus is on it’s characters and their situations which includes a young teenager, an older archivist, a newcomer, a working mother, and a caretaker who assists the dead on their final journey. Record of a Spaceborn Few is a moving story about what it means to be human and how that humanity will be used or changed when we meet new species and live in new circumstances far in the future.
Category: Library List
October TIOLI #7: A 4 or More Letter Word is Embedded in the Author's Last Name
In Record of a Spaceborn Few, author Becky Chambers examines the humanity of life in the future as she zeros in on five particular people who live in the Exodus Fleet, mankind’s last refuge. Having been accepted by the galactic community, the thousands that have stayed and live on board their ships that orbit around a distant sun have by necessity adopted new cultures, philosophies and laws.
All of the main characters are found aboard the ‘Asteria’, one of the hundreds of spacecraft comprising the Exodus Fleet; a flotilla of generation ships that escaped from earth before it became totally inhospitable. The book opens with a disaster as a neighbouring ship falls apart before their eyes and the rest of the story is how each person comes to terms with what happened and how they plan to move ahead in the future.
Record of a Spaceborn Few isn’t an action packed story filled with adventure and daring events. Instead it is a quiet tale of compassion and sensitivity. It’s focus is on it’s characters and their situations which includes a young teenager, an older archivist, a newcomer, a working mother, and a caretaker who assists the dead on their final journey. Record of a Spaceborn Few is a moving story about what it means to be human and how that humanity will be used or changed when we meet new species and live in new circumstances far in the future.
125ronincats
Wow, thought for a moment there you were going to need that walker caddy soonest! Glad the prednisone is helping, but long term, both my mom and sister have gotten new knees and that surgery does work wonders. Just ask Reba, who just walked across half of England a month ago!!
126Jackie_K
I'm sorry to hear about your knee, Judy - I hope it can be sorted out soon, and if you need another prescription that it's not too arduous to get it.
127jnwelch
>124 DeltaQueen50:. Yes! Good review, Judy. This one renewed my faith in Becky Chambers.
I’m glad the Prednisone is working, and fingers crossed that it isn’t too much of a hassle to get more if you need it. 🤞🤞
I’m glad the Prednisone is working, and fingers crossed that it isn’t too much of a hassle to get more if you need it. 🤞🤞
128DeltaQueen50
I was quite disappointed today that even as I took my last pill, I didn't much improvement. Tomorrow being Sunday, I will have to sit and see how things progress. On Monday, my husband has a medical appointment some distance away from home so we will probably not be able to go looking for more prednisone until Tuesday. I guess even though this came on overnight, it's going to be a slow journey back.
>125 ronincats: Roni, as much as I don't want to have to be dependant on a walker, I have a feeling that I will probably end up with one! I will then certainly be in the market for one of your gorgeous walker caddys then!
>126 Jackie_K: Thanks, Jackie.
>127 jnwelch: I wonder if Becky Chambers is going to continue writing stories for her Wayfarers Series or if she will be going in a new direction? I have loved all three of her books so far. Thanks, Joe, for the crossed fingers.
>125 ronincats: Roni, as much as I don't want to have to be dependant on a walker, I have a feeling that I will probably end up with one! I will then certainly be in the market for one of your gorgeous walker caddys then!
>126 Jackie_K: Thanks, Jackie.
>127 jnwelch: I wonder if Becky Chambers is going to continue writing stories for her Wayfarers Series or if she will be going in a new direction? I have loved all three of her books so far. Thanks, Joe, for the crossed fingers.
129DeltaQueen50
205. The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt - 4.2 ★
Category: Young At Heart
October TIOLI #9: Morphy's Challenge - Adam's Family - Wednesday in Title
Newbery Honor Book, The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt is a funny and poignant coming of age tale. The story is about the misadventures of Long Island, New York seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood during his turbulent academic year of 1967-68.
Threaded amongst mentions of the Vietnam War, the upcoming political elections, the assassinations of both Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, we learn of Holling’s personal traumas as he travels through Grade 7. First he is convinced that his teacher hates him and is making it her project to ruin his life. But as the year progresses, Holling grows from an angst filled pre-teen in a wiser, more self-aware person. The story is touching, insightful and funny.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Wednesday Wars finding it hilarious, heartfelt and historically accurate. I grew up in this time period and felt right at home with Holling and his friends in this is story about being in seventh grade and learning about yourself and the world around you.
Category: Young At Heart
October TIOLI #9: Morphy's Challenge - Adam's Family - Wednesday in Title
Newbery Honor Book, The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt is a funny and poignant coming of age tale. The story is about the misadventures of Long Island, New York seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood during his turbulent academic year of 1967-68.
Threaded amongst mentions of the Vietnam War, the upcoming political elections, the assassinations of both Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, we learn of Holling’s personal traumas as he travels through Grade 7. First he is convinced that his teacher hates him and is making it her project to ruin his life. But as the year progresses, Holling grows from an angst filled pre-teen in a wiser, more self-aware person. The story is touching, insightful and funny.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Wednesday Wars finding it hilarious, heartfelt and historically accurate. I grew up in this time period and felt right at home with Holling and his friends in this is story about being in seventh grade and learning about yourself and the world around you.
130dudes22
Sorry to hear about your knee, Judy. I hope you can find something for the pain until you can get it fixed. Have you thought about trying acupuncture? Don't know much about the Canadian medical system, but I know people who've had good results.
131msf59
Hi, Judy. I am sorry to hear about your pain issues. I hope you get some relief soon and I hope it isn't keeping you from the books.
132clue
Sorry for the knee situation, Judy, I know the pain can be excruciating because my sister had trouble in both knees. One of the things you might ask the orthopedist about is exercise, particularly an exercise bicycle if you don't mind using one. My sister wanted to avoid surgery as long as possible and her Dr. recommended she exercise her knees in that way and see if it helped. In her case it did and she prolonged surgery for a couple of years.
I decided to get an exercise bicycle for myself and I think it has done me some good although I have not had pain to the extent that you do. If I use it pretty much every day I don't have any pain but when I don't my right knee begins to talk to me and doesn't feel as strong as usual. I've been traveling for almost three weeks and although we were walking a lot the knee began hurting. I started back on the bicycle a week ago and I'm pain free again. Another tip the Dr. gave my sister is to walk upstairs (when it is not painful) but not downstairs due to the pressure on the knee, I had never heard that before and I don't really know if it is the right thing to do but I'm doing it!
Hopefully you will find something outside of surgery that will work for you!
I decided to get an exercise bicycle for myself and I think it has done me some good although I have not had pain to the extent that you do. If I use it pretty much every day I don't have any pain but when I don't my right knee begins to talk to me and doesn't feel as strong as usual. I've been traveling for almost three weeks and although we were walking a lot the knee began hurting. I started back on the bicycle a week ago and I'm pain free again. Another tip the Dr. gave my sister is to walk upstairs (when it is not painful) but not downstairs due to the pressure on the knee, I had never heard that before and I don't really know if it is the right thing to do but I'm doing it!
Hopefully you will find something outside of surgery that will work for you!
133Tess_W
>128 DeltaQueen50: Those are good exercises if there is cartilage remaining. However, no exercise is going to work if the knee is bone on bone--been there, done that! Also, prednisone is a short term deal (at least in the U.S.) They won't prescribe it more than once or twice because they say it lowers the body immune system and causes weight gain because it is salt-retentive....at least that's what my Dr. told me. I hope you do find some relief!
134Familyhistorian
I hope that your knee improves, Judy, and that you are able to get back to doing all you are used to.
135DeltaQueen50
>130 dudes22: Thanks, Betty. Today was a little better than yesterday but I think I am still going to have to try and find a clinic that will extend my prescription. I haven't given much thought about any treatment as it came about so suddenly. I am hoping that I can get the pain under control and then see what my options are.
>131 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Thank heavens for my books right now as I am spending most of time either reading or watching tv. I take breaks and hobble around the apartment to try and keep the knee flexible.
>132 clue: We do have an exercise bike and I will be giving it a try as soon as I can. I know from my own experiences that going up stairs is far easier than the pressure of coming down stairs.
>133 Tess_W: Getting another amount of prednisone is a concern for me, I am hoping that one of the walk-in clinics in the area will give me enough for another couple of days. What I really need is for my regular GP to come back from maternity leave so that she can refer me to an orthopedist.
>134 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg.
>131 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Thank heavens for my books right now as I am spending most of time either reading or watching tv. I take breaks and hobble around the apartment to try and keep the knee flexible.
>132 clue: We do have an exercise bike and I will be giving it a try as soon as I can. I know from my own experiences that going up stairs is far easier than the pressure of coming down stairs.
>133 Tess_W: Getting another amount of prednisone is a concern for me, I am hoping that one of the walk-in clinics in the area will give me enough for another couple of days. What I really need is for my regular GP to come back from maternity leave so that she can refer me to an orthopedist.
>134 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg.
136DeltaQueen50
206. Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook - 3.7 ★
Category: Library List
October TIOLI #15: Book Cover Reminds You That it is Autumn
Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook is a beautifully written, haunting story about a devastating event that changes the life of more than one family. A little girl goes missing while under the care of a sixteen year old boy, and many believe that this boy is the one to be held accountable. Unfortunately even his parents have their suspicions.
The on-going police investigation and the anguish of both families is explored but there was something very familiar about this story that actually had me checking to see whether I had already read the book. I hadn’t but I think the plot line was similar to some other books that I had previously read.
Red Leaves examines a horrendous crime and as the pages turn we can see the pressures that both families feel. All is finally revealed in the final chapter but the destruction of these families brought about by accusations, suspicions and lack of communication is firmly in place by then. An interesting, somewhat bleak story.
Category: Library List
October TIOLI #15: Book Cover Reminds You That it is Autumn
Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook is a beautifully written, haunting story about a devastating event that changes the life of more than one family. A little girl goes missing while under the care of a sixteen year old boy, and many believe that this boy is the one to be held accountable. Unfortunately even his parents have their suspicions.
The on-going police investigation and the anguish of both families is explored but there was something very familiar about this story that actually had me checking to see whether I had already read the book. I hadn’t but I think the plot line was similar to some other books that I had previously read.
Red Leaves examines a horrendous crime and as the pages turn we can see the pressures that both families feel. All is finally revealed in the final chapter but the destruction of these families brought about by accusations, suspicions and lack of communication is firmly in place by then. An interesting, somewhat bleak story.
137DeltaQueen50
207. Hauntings edited by Ellen Datlow - 4.0 ★
Category: One Word Titles
October CalendarCat: Halloween
October TIOLI #3: A Title Word Relates to Halloween
Although short stories are not my favorite genre, this collection of horror stories was the perfect read for this time of year. This is a collection of stories that have appeared in print previously and were chosen by editor Ellen Datlow for this anthology. There are 24 stories in Hauntings, and for me, some worked better than others.
I particularly enjoyed reading the Joyce Carol Oates story, “Haunted” and Neil Gaiman’s, “Closing Time”. Also a story by David Morrell called “Nothing will Hurt You” gave me a shiver or two. Authors such as Kelly Link, Connie Willis and Peter Straub have contributed to this collection.
The stories are ghostly and dark, evoking plenty of discomfort and tension. The ghostly stories of Hauntings range from downright creepy to the slightly strange and are a great lead-up to Halloween.
Category: One Word Titles
October CalendarCat: Halloween
October TIOLI #3: A Title Word Relates to Halloween
Although short stories are not my favorite genre, this collection of horror stories was the perfect read for this time of year. This is a collection of stories that have appeared in print previously and were chosen by editor Ellen Datlow for this anthology. There are 24 stories in Hauntings, and for me, some worked better than others.
I particularly enjoyed reading the Joyce Carol Oates story, “Haunted” and Neil Gaiman’s, “Closing Time”. Also a story by David Morrell called “Nothing will Hurt You” gave me a shiver or two. Authors such as Kelly Link, Connie Willis and Peter Straub have contributed to this collection.
The stories are ghostly and dark, evoking plenty of discomfort and tension. The ghostly stories of Hauntings range from downright creepy to the slightly strange and are a great lead-up to Halloween.
138mstrust
Very Halloween-ish! I like short stories and I really like Link and Gaiman, so I guess I'll have to look for this one.
139VivienneR
Just dropping in to sympathize with your knee problems, Judy. I hope you get the problem taken care of soon. It's no fun not being able to do all you want to do.
140DeltaQueen50
>138 mstrust: Definitely a good book to pick up around Halloween time!
>139 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne. My GP is coming back to work around the middle of November and I have an appointment on the 19th. I didn't go and seek out more prednisone as I am seeing a little improvement. It's two steps forward one day and one step back the next - not sure if I will ever get back to where I was before this hit me.
>139 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne. My GP is coming back to work around the middle of November and I have an appointment on the 19th. I didn't go and seek out more prednisone as I am seeing a little improvement. It's two steps forward one day and one step back the next - not sure if I will ever get back to where I was before this hit me.
141BLBera
>124 DeltaQueen50: I really liked the first Becky Chambers book I read. I keep meaning to pick up more books by her. This sounds good.
Knees!
Knees!
142DeltaQueen50
208. The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther - 3.6 ★
Category: Let's Eat!
November TIOLI #7: I Am Thankful For
The Saffron Kitchen is the debut novel of author Yasmin Crowther. It is a family story that follows both a mother and a daughter, the first as she faces her trauma and finds peace in her beloved country of Iran, the other as she comes to an understanding about her mother and their difficult relationship.
Maryam Mazar was born and raised in a small village in Iran, but for the last forty years has been living in a suburb of London. Her life is comfortable and secure but when an event triggers her memory of an event that caused her to run away from Iran, she realizes that in order to heal, she must return to Iran. She basically leaves her husband and her daughter, who has also just suffered a traumatic event and returns to face her past. While daughter Sara, and husband Edward feel abandoned and confused, Maryam feels reborn. Only when Sara herself travels to Iran and confronts her mother’s past can the two women begin to heal their relationship.
This was an interesting story about culture, family and identity. Personally I never quite reached an understanding of Maryam so didn’t have a lot of sympathy for her. Parts of the story were very compelling while others felt a little flat. The author’s descriptions of Iran are evocative but the actual story left many questions unanswered.
Category: Let's Eat!
November TIOLI #7: I Am Thankful For
The Saffron Kitchen is the debut novel of author Yasmin Crowther. It is a family story that follows both a mother and a daughter, the first as she faces her trauma and finds peace in her beloved country of Iran, the other as she comes to an understanding about her mother and their difficult relationship.
Maryam Mazar was born and raised in a small village in Iran, but for the last forty years has been living in a suburb of London. Her life is comfortable and secure but when an event triggers her memory of an event that caused her to run away from Iran, she realizes that in order to heal, she must return to Iran. She basically leaves her husband and her daughter, who has also just suffered a traumatic event and returns to face her past. While daughter Sara, and husband Edward feel abandoned and confused, Maryam feels reborn. Only when Sara herself travels to Iran and confronts her mother’s past can the two women begin to heal their relationship.
This was an interesting story about culture, family and identity. Personally I never quite reached an understanding of Maryam so didn’t have a lot of sympathy for her. Parts of the story were very compelling while others felt a little flat. The author’s descriptions of Iran are evocative but the actual story left many questions unanswered.
143dudes22
>142 DeltaQueen50: - I have this in my piles of unread books. But I think it my stay there a while longer.
144DeltaQueen50
>143 dudes22: I was a little disappointed in The Saffron Kitchen, Betty, I guess I was expecting something different that what it is. I will be interested in what you think of it when you get to it.
145DeltaQueen50
209. Threatened by Eliot Schrefer - 4.0 ★
Category: Library List
November TIOLI #14: Rolling Challenge Based on "Grateful"
Threatened by Eliot Schrefer is the second book in his Ape Quartet, this one set deep in the jungles of Gabon. Each book centers around a different species of ape, and in this one the focus is on chimpanzees. The main character, Luc, is a thirteen year old AIDS-orphaned child of the slums who is hired by a researcher from the National Geographic Society to accompany him deep into the jungle in order to study these amazing apes.
The author’s research is impeccable and while this story didn’t quite seem as believable as the first, this story of a young street boy searching for a family and a home was touching and compelling. As both Luc and the orphaned chimpanzees that he meets learn to trust and accept one another, Luc discovers a purpose and direction for his life.
The author is combining his interest in conservation and education with adventure in these books. His descriptions of the primitive, natural world that Luc finds himself in are fascinating. Threatened is a YA book with both substance and heart.
Category: Library List
November TIOLI #14: Rolling Challenge Based on "Grateful"
Threatened by Eliot Schrefer is the second book in his Ape Quartet, this one set deep in the jungles of Gabon. Each book centers around a different species of ape, and in this one the focus is on chimpanzees. The main character, Luc, is a thirteen year old AIDS-orphaned child of the slums who is hired by a researcher from the National Geographic Society to accompany him deep into the jungle in order to study these amazing apes.
The author’s research is impeccable and while this story didn’t quite seem as believable as the first, this story of a young street boy searching for a family and a home was touching and compelling. As both Luc and the orphaned chimpanzees that he meets learn to trust and accept one another, Luc discovers a purpose and direction for his life.
The author is combining his interest in conservation and education with adventure in these books. His descriptions of the primitive, natural world that Luc finds himself in are fascinating. Threatened is a YA book with both substance and heart.
146JayneCM
>145 DeltaQueen50: This series sounds interesting. My son loves animals and it sounds like a good story as well.
147DeltaQueen50
>145 DeltaQueen50: These books are excellent adventure stories. There are four books in the series with each one a separate story so they don't need to be read in order. The first is called Endangered and is about Bonobo apes, Threatened features Chimpanzees, Rescued is about Orangutans, and in the last book, Gorillas are the stars of Orphaned.
148lkernagh
Taking the day to get caught up with threads.
>63 DeltaQueen50: - Happy to see you enjoyed the Bennett read!
So sorry to learn that you have had an arthritis flare up. Not good, and that you GP is away, even worse. ;-(
Wishing you relief while you wait for your appointment.
>63 DeltaQueen50: - Happy to see you enjoyed the Bennett read!
So sorry to learn that you have had an arthritis flare up. Not good, and that you GP is away, even worse. ;-(
Wishing you relief while you wait for your appointment.
149DeltaQueen50
>148 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori. Great to see you back on LT.
150DeltaQueen50
210. The Vengeance of Mothers by Jim Fergus - 4.1 ★
Category: Saddle Up!
November TBRCat: Received As A Gift
November TIOLI #16: Birthstone Challenge - a Orange/Yellow Cover
The Vengeance of Mothers by Jim Fergus is a sequel to his One Thousand White Women. This book is set in the 1880s and immediately follows the events of the first book. The story unfolds through the alternating journals of the Irish twins, Meggie and Susie, who were characters in the first book, and introduces Molly McGill, a white woman who is part of the second allotment of women sent West to marry Cheyenne warriors. Before these women even arrive at their destination, the government has cancelled the program and has decided to implement a program of extermination to deal with their “Indian” problem.
The women of the second allotment are taken prisoner by the Sioux but eventually are given over to the Cheyenne who are trying to recover from a massacre that occurred the previous winter. While Meggie and Susie are survivors of that massacre, they are now craving revenge on the army. Molly doesn’t want to fight, but she has fallen in love with a Cheyenne warrior and so becomes involved in the events leading up to The Battle of the Little Bighorn.
I absolutely loved the first book and so perhaps my expectations were a little too high as I ended up being a little disappointed with The Vengeance of Mothers for a couple of reasons. Although the details are historically accurate, the journal entries became rather repetitive and stiff. Also the ending of this book was extremely abrupt and left everyone’s story unresolved. I have since learned that there will be third book added to this saga which will hopefully provide the closure that we need. Although this “White Bride Program” never happened, the author is able to take this improbable story-line and turn out a believable and exciting story.
Category: Saddle Up!
November TBRCat: Received As A Gift
November TIOLI #16: Birthstone Challenge - a Orange/Yellow Cover
The Vengeance of Mothers by Jim Fergus is a sequel to his One Thousand White Women. This book is set in the 1880s and immediately follows the events of the first book. The story unfolds through the alternating journals of the Irish twins, Meggie and Susie, who were characters in the first book, and introduces Molly McGill, a white woman who is part of the second allotment of women sent West to marry Cheyenne warriors. Before these women even arrive at their destination, the government has cancelled the program and has decided to implement a program of extermination to deal with their “Indian” problem.
The women of the second allotment are taken prisoner by the Sioux but eventually are given over to the Cheyenne who are trying to recover from a massacre that occurred the previous winter. While Meggie and Susie are survivors of that massacre, they are now craving revenge on the army. Molly doesn’t want to fight, but she has fallen in love with a Cheyenne warrior and so becomes involved in the events leading up to The Battle of the Little Bighorn.
I absolutely loved the first book and so perhaps my expectations were a little too high as I ended up being a little disappointed with The Vengeance of Mothers for a couple of reasons. Although the details are historically accurate, the journal entries became rather repetitive and stiff. Also the ending of this book was extremely abrupt and left everyone’s story unresolved. I have since learned that there will be third book added to this saga which will hopefully provide the closure that we need. Although this “White Bride Program” never happened, the author is able to take this improbable story-line and turn out a believable and exciting story.
151dudes22
>150 DeltaQueen50: - OK - not quite as excited as I was to read this. Although 4.1* is still good enough to not put it aside either. I'll probably take it south next winter and read it then.
152clue
>150 DeltaQueen50: I bought this exactly a year ago and thought I'd read it right away. I planned it for a CAT but when I started it I decided it was the wrong book for that time, I just couldn't get into it. I'll try it again and I'm sure I'll like it but as you said, I may be expecting too much.
153DeltaQueen50
>151 dudes22: I still really enjoyed the book, Betty, but it didn't excite me in the same way that the original one did. I sure hope the author brings out the final volume soon, the ending of this second book was a total cliffhanger!
>152 clue: I had a little difficulty getting into the book at first as well. I kept at it and eventually I got caught up in the story but there was something rather stilted about the writing. Still, I am going to be on the look-out for the last book - I need closure!!
>152 clue: I had a little difficulty getting into the book at first as well. I kept at it and eventually I got caught up in the story but there was something rather stilted about the writing. Still, I am going to be on the look-out for the last book - I need closure!!
154DeltaQueen50
211. Rivers by Michael Farris Smith - 4.0 ★
Category: One Word Titles
November TIOLI #7: I Am Thankful For
Rivers by Michael Farris Smith is a science fiction story about the changing climate. When a series of ever more intense storms causes widespread devastation along the gulf Coast, the U.S. Government concedes ninety miles to nature and sets a line. Above the line there is safety and the laws of the United States of America. Below the line there is a lawless land lashed by storms, where supplies are short, life is cheap and the strong rule the weak.
The main character, Cohen, has stayed below the line as he mourns the loss of his wife and unborn child, but one day on his way home from getting supplies he is attacked and left for dead. When he finally reaches his home, it has been ransacked. He sets out to reclaim all that is his and instead discovers a commune of women who are being held against their will. By rescuing them perhaps he can reconnect with his own humanity once again.
The author has written a book that tackles some issues that the world is currently facing. In Rivers he writes about the effects of global warming while still delivering a tense, well written story. Part meditative and part thriller, this is a story that is timely and engaging although I would warn that the story can become quite brutal and violent.
Category: One Word Titles
November TIOLI #7: I Am Thankful For
Rivers by Michael Farris Smith is a science fiction story about the changing climate. When a series of ever more intense storms causes widespread devastation along the gulf Coast, the U.S. Government concedes ninety miles to nature and sets a line. Above the line there is safety and the laws of the United States of America. Below the line there is a lawless land lashed by storms, where supplies are short, life is cheap and the strong rule the weak.
The main character, Cohen, has stayed below the line as he mourns the loss of his wife and unborn child, but one day on his way home from getting supplies he is attacked and left for dead. When he finally reaches his home, it has been ransacked. He sets out to reclaim all that is his and instead discovers a commune of women who are being held against their will. By rescuing them perhaps he can reconnect with his own humanity once again.
The author has written a book that tackles some issues that the world is currently facing. In Rivers he writes about the effects of global warming while still delivering a tense, well written story. Part meditative and part thriller, this is a story that is timely and engaging although I would warn that the story can become quite brutal and violent.
155pammab
Good luck with your knee, Judy. I have my fingers crossed for you.
>124 DeltaQueen50: Very nice review of Record of a Spaceborn Few.
>124 DeltaQueen50: Very nice review of Record of a Spaceborn Few.
156DeltaQueen50
>155 pammab: Thanks so much. I am hobbling around with a cane and taking Tylenol Arthritis pills to keep the pain managable. I am counting the days until I have my appointment with my doctor on the 19th. To make matters even more interesting, my husband has been scheduled for a new knee joint for February 2020. I am hoping there is something they can do to keep me on my feet until after his surgery.
157JayneCM
>157 JayneCM: Oh no, hope this all works out for you and the doctor can provide some relief.
158DeltaQueen50
>157 JayneCM: Thanks, Jayne.
159DeltaQueen50
212. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan - 3.6 ★
Category: 1,001 Books List
November 1,001 Challenge Read: A Book Made Into a Film
November TIOLI #1: A Book That is Approx. 1 cm Thick
Originally published in 1978, The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan is a short and decidedly bleak story about a family in which both the father and mother pass away. The four children decide to conceal the death of their mother, so that they will not be separated. They place her body in a trunk and cement it over.
I can’t complain about this author’s writing which is pitch perfect, his subject matter on the other hand was not to my taste involving as it did masturbation and sibling sex. There were plenty of "yuck" moments sprinkled throughout the text. After the death of the mother, I simply wanted an adult to step in and take over as both the house and the children continued to deteriorate.
The Cement Garden will certainly never make the list of my favorite books, but I could appreciate that it was an easy read, that the story moved along quickly and that although disturbing, this short and riveting story will be one that I long remember.
Category: 1,001 Books List
November 1,001 Challenge Read: A Book Made Into a Film
November TIOLI #1: A Book That is Approx. 1 cm Thick
Originally published in 1978, The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan is a short and decidedly bleak story about a family in which both the father and mother pass away. The four children decide to conceal the death of their mother, so that they will not be separated. They place her body in a trunk and cement it over.
I can’t complain about this author’s writing which is pitch perfect, his subject matter on the other hand was not to my taste involving as it did masturbation and sibling sex. There were plenty of "yuck" moments sprinkled throughout the text. After the death of the mother, I simply wanted an adult to step in and take over as both the house and the children continued to deteriorate.
The Cement Garden will certainly never make the list of my favorite books, but I could appreciate that it was an easy read, that the story moved along quickly and that although disturbing, this short and riveting story will be one that I long remember.
160katiekrug
>159 DeltaQueen50: - I saw you had listed this on the TIOLI wiki, Judy, and I put it on my pile of possible reads for this month. We'll see if I get to it!
161DeltaQueen50
>160 katiekrug: Oh, I hope you get to it, Katie. I would love to hear what you think of it.
162JayneCM
>159 DeltaQueen50: It sounds fascinating. A bit Flowers In The Attic maybe? For those of us who were teenagers in the 80s and had a V.C. Andrews obsession! Yes, I have to admit it! That, and 80s horror. I will have to find a copy.
But I agree with you about not necessarily wanting to watch a movie version!
But I agree with you about not necessarily wanting to watch a movie version!
163DeltaQueen50
>162 JayneCM: Oh my, I read one of the Flowers in the Attic books way back when and I have to admit I absolutely hated it. So claustraphobic and dark. The Cement Garden is also very dark so it could remind you of FitA but I definitely liked this one better.
164JayneCM
>163 DeltaQueen50: FitA was in my school library, as were all the Stephen Kings I read back then - not sure what my parents would have thought of me accessing books like that!
165mstrust
>159 DeltaQueen50: Just a few months ago, I watched maybe forty minutes of a British movie from the late 60's/ early 70's about a group of young siblings who care for their mother until she dies, then hide her death and try to go about her business so they won't be separated. It wasn't a horror story at all, the children were all kind. I can't remember the title, but Pamela Franklin was in it and the boy who played "Oliver!".
166JayneCM
>165 mstrust: It sounds similar, but pretty sure that movie was Our Mother's House, based on the book of the same name by Julian Gloag.
167DeltaQueen50
>165 mstrust: & >166 JayneCM: I think this theme of children concealing the death of their parent(s) is more common that I thought! The British film of The Cement Garden was made in 1993 and stars Charlotte Gainboroug, and Andrew Robertson as the two older siblings.
168Familyhistorian
Too bad that you have to wait for your doctor to get back to work to have your knee taken care of, Judy. I hope that the cortisone shot will let you get back to normal.
169Carmenere
Hey Judy, I also hope your knee issue is resolved soon. I hope some therapy is prescribed along with the cortisone. Personally, with my frozen shoulders, I would not have had the discipline to do the exercises on my own. If not for the guidance of good therapists the cortisone infection would have been less effective.
McEwan is one of my favorite authors still I've yet to read The Cement Garden. Sounds a bit strange but, then again, McEwan has some out of the ordinary books.
McEwan is one of my favorite authors still I've yet to read The Cement Garden. Sounds a bit strange but, then again, McEwan has some out of the ordinary books.
170hailelib
I hope your knee isn’t giving you too much trouble today. I’m thankful every day for joints that cause me very little trouble.
171mstrust
>166 JayneCM: That's it!
172DeltaQueen50
>168 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I hope they will give me a cortisone shot, they wouldn't at the hospital since I take blood thinners but my husband was given one after he went off his blood thinners for a few days beforehand and I would certainly be willing to do the same.
>169 Carmenere: Lynda, I am willing to do just about anything in order to get my legs under me as I know once my husband has his operation in February, he's going to need some personal care. I just want to get myself up and going so we can get him through his operation and then worry about me.
>170 hailelib: Thanks, Trish.
>169 Carmenere: Lynda, I am willing to do just about anything in order to get my legs under me as I know once my husband has his operation in February, he's going to need some personal care. I just want to get myself up and going so we can get him through his operation and then worry about me.
>170 hailelib: Thanks, Trish.
173DeltaQueen50
213. The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak - 4.2 ★
Category: Doing My ABCs
November AlphaKit: S
November Reading Through Time: Marginalized People
November TBRCat: Received as a Gift
November TIOLI #2: A City is Named in the Title
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak is a spirited and impressive story of an Istanbul family whose mixed heritage reflects the complexity of modern Turkish society. The narrative follows two girls and their families, one Turkish, one Armenian-American, and how their histories interweave. Asya Kazanci is the nineteen year old bastard daughter who is raised by her Turkish family in Istanbul. In America, Armanoush “Amy” Tchakhmakhchian’s life rotates between time with her mother, Rose and her Turkish stepfather Mustafa in Arizona and her father Barsham and his large Armenian family in San Francisco.
While Asya tends to be rather surly, she spends her time listening to Johnny Cash records and meeting with a group of older, cynical political outcasts at the Cafe Kundera. She calls her mother “Auntie” and has no idea who her father is. Meanwhile in America, Armanoush is struggling to understand herself and wanting to discover what it means to be Armenian. She travels to Istanbul and spends time with her step-father’s family, the Kazanci.
There is so much covered in this book that it is difficult to describe. The history of the 1915 Armenian genocide plays a part but what I will long remember in this book are the vivid characters and the family story that is told in a colorful manner. Food plays a very important part of this book, from chapter titles to the detailed descriptions of Turkish, Armenian and American food.
The Bastard of Istanbul is a challenging and insightful story about family secrets and culture identity that runs the gamut of emotions from sad to happy, serious to funny and delivers a story with equal amounts of entertainment and information.
I wish to thank LT member BLBera for sending me this wonderful book, thanks Beth!
Category: Doing My ABCs
November AlphaKit: S
November Reading Through Time: Marginalized People
November TBRCat: Received as a Gift
November TIOLI #2: A City is Named in the Title
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak is a spirited and impressive story of an Istanbul family whose mixed heritage reflects the complexity of modern Turkish society. The narrative follows two girls and their families, one Turkish, one Armenian-American, and how their histories interweave. Asya Kazanci is the nineteen year old bastard daughter who is raised by her Turkish family in Istanbul. In America, Armanoush “Amy” Tchakhmakhchian’s life rotates between time with her mother, Rose and her Turkish stepfather Mustafa in Arizona and her father Barsham and his large Armenian family in San Francisco.
While Asya tends to be rather surly, she spends her time listening to Johnny Cash records and meeting with a group of older, cynical political outcasts at the Cafe Kundera. She calls her mother “Auntie” and has no idea who her father is. Meanwhile in America, Armanoush is struggling to understand herself and wanting to discover what it means to be Armenian. She travels to Istanbul and spends time with her step-father’s family, the Kazanci.
There is so much covered in this book that it is difficult to describe. The history of the 1915 Armenian genocide plays a part but what I will long remember in this book are the vivid characters and the family story that is told in a colorful manner. Food plays a very important part of this book, from chapter titles to the detailed descriptions of Turkish, Armenian and American food.
The Bastard of Istanbul is a challenging and insightful story about family secrets and culture identity that runs the gamut of emotions from sad to happy, serious to funny and delivers a story with equal amounts of entertainment and information.
I wish to thank LT member BLBera for sending me this wonderful book, thanks Beth!
174msf59
Happy Friday, Judy. I hope you are moving around, a bit better, my friend. I am glad to see you still focusing on the books.
BTW- If you are in the mood for some fine true crime, check out People Who Eat Darkness. It has been very impressive, also dark and disturbing.
BTW- If you are in the mood for some fine true crime, check out People Who Eat Darkness. It has been very impressive, also dark and disturbing.
175msf59
>173 DeltaQueen50: Ooh, I just read my first Shafak, her latest, and I want to read the rest of her work. A fine writer. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one.
176DeltaQueen50
>174 msf59: >175 msf59: Hi Mark. I'm struggling along with my knee but, of course, I am still focusing on the books! People Who Eat Darkness sounds very interesting - onto the wishlist it goes! After reading one, I will be on the lookout for more books by Elif Shafak.
177DeltaQueen50
214. Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates - 3.5 ★
Category: Doing My ABCs
November AlphaKit: Y
November TIOLI #12: Title Includes a Childhood Toy
Although touted as compulsively readable, I found Black Chalk by Christoper J. Yates a struggle. This story is told in flashbacks fourteen years after six university students agree to play an elaborate game of dares with escalating consequences. The book started slowly and it took me a while to figure out what exactly I was reading about. I was hoping for a book filled with suspense but for me the story fell flat.
I forced myself to keep reading when I should have given up. I kept hoping that the ending would redeem the story, but no, it did not. The ingredients to this book look good on paper – college, games, friends, mysterious death, but unfortunately the final result was a total miss.
Category: Doing My ABCs
November AlphaKit: Y
November TIOLI #12: Title Includes a Childhood Toy
Although touted as compulsively readable, I found Black Chalk by Christoper J. Yates a struggle. This story is told in flashbacks fourteen years after six university students agree to play an elaborate game of dares with escalating consequences. The book started slowly and it took me a while to figure out what exactly I was reading about. I was hoping for a book filled with suspense but for me the story fell flat.
I forced myself to keep reading when I should have given up. I kept hoping that the ending would redeem the story, but no, it did not. The ingredients to this book look good on paper – college, games, friends, mysterious death, but unfortunately the final result was a total miss.
178BLBera
>173 DeltaQueen50: You are welcome, Judy. I'm glad you liked it.
I hope your knee gets better without any drastic measures -- or maybe they could give both you and your husband new ones at the same time. :)
I hope your knee gets better without any drastic measures -- or maybe they could give both you and your husband new ones at the same time. :)
179DeltaQueen50
>178 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. I doubt if both of us getting a new knee at the same time would work, unless our daughters would be willing to come and wait on us hand and foot for awhile!
180dudes22
>179 DeltaQueen50: - You might be surprised. The lady across the street just got a new knee and she was home the same day and outside doing her steps with a therapist the next day. I'm amazed at how quickly people get back to normal these days.
181DeltaQueen50
>180 dudes22: Betty, I am so hoping that my husband has a quick recovery - he doesn't do well with being laid up.
182DeltaQueen50
215. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis - 3.0 ★
Category: Out of the Past
November RandomCat: Childhood Memories
November TIOLI #12: Title Contains a Childhood Toy
A popular format in books these days appears to be that of telling a story through two timelines. In The Dollhouse we are switched back and forth between 1952 and 2016. The main focal point in these two stories is the well-known Barbizon Hotel and the women who lived there. In 2016 we have Rose, a journalist who is planning on a story featuring some of the older ladies who have lived in the Barbizon since it was a woman’s residence. Rose story is also about her romantic relationship that has imploded and how she moves on. The flashback story, follows one of the older ladies who still resides at the Barbizon, Darby came to New York in 1952 in order to train as a secretary but she was involved in the mysterious death of a maid who had befriended Darby and drew her into the underground world of jazz clubs and drugs.
While there is a certain amount of tension and mystery to the story, I was left a little underwhelmed by the book. The author delivers with the setting and the historical details, but the characters never really came to life for me. The book lacked emotional depth and the writing did little to draw the reader into the story.
The Dollhouse is author Fiona Davis’ debut novel so I tried to not be too judgmental about the flaws. Her story idea had merit so my hope is that in subsequent books her delivery improves.
Category: Out of the Past
November RandomCat: Childhood Memories
November TIOLI #12: Title Contains a Childhood Toy
A popular format in books these days appears to be that of telling a story through two timelines. In The Dollhouse we are switched back and forth between 1952 and 2016. The main focal point in these two stories is the well-known Barbizon Hotel and the women who lived there. In 2016 we have Rose, a journalist who is planning on a story featuring some of the older ladies who have lived in the Barbizon since it was a woman’s residence. Rose story is also about her romantic relationship that has imploded and how she moves on. The flashback story, follows one of the older ladies who still resides at the Barbizon, Darby came to New York in 1952 in order to train as a secretary but she was involved in the mysterious death of a maid who had befriended Darby and drew her into the underground world of jazz clubs and drugs.
While there is a certain amount of tension and mystery to the story, I was left a little underwhelmed by the book. The author delivers with the setting and the historical details, but the characters never really came to life for me. The book lacked emotional depth and the writing did little to draw the reader into the story.
The Dollhouse is author Fiona Davis’ debut novel so I tried to not be too judgmental about the flaws. Her story idea had merit so my hope is that in subsequent books her delivery improves.
183jnwelch
Hi, Judy. I somehow missed that your husband has an operation coming in February - and it sounds like it's a knee replacement? You're smart to try to avoid being laid up at the same time; I hope it all works out for you both.
The Bastard of Istanbul sounds like a good one. Way back when I dated an Armenian girl, and that's the first time I found out about the Armenian genocide. It's not something that gets talked about a lot here, is it. We've got Elif Shafak's Booker nominee, so that'll be the first of hers that I'll read.
The Bastard of Istanbul sounds like a good one. Way back when I dated an Armenian girl, and that's the first time I found out about the Armenian genocide. It's not something that gets talked about a lot here, is it. We've got Elif Shafak's Booker nominee, so that'll be the first of hers that I'll read.
184DeltaQueen50
>183 jnwelch: Hi Joe, yes, I guess both my husband and I are wearing out our joints at the same time! The Armenian genocide is something I would like to read more about. Apparently, Turkey has yet to acknowledge that this actually happened and many people in Turkey know nothing about it. For some reason it didn't seem to resonate with the rest of the world at the time so little was reported.
185Familyhistorian
Looks like you had two not so good reads in a row, Judy. I hope your reads improve and you find some relief for your knee.
186DeltaQueen50
>185 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I have just finished Sense & Sensibility which I did enjoy and I have two other books on the go that are keeping me entertained which is a relief as you are right, I didn't particularly enjoy those last two that I reviewed.
187DeltaQueen50
216. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 4.0 ★
Category: 1,001 Books List
November TIOLI #4: Finish an Interrupted Book
Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austin’s first published novel. It is an enjoyable novel of manners and romance concerning two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The sisters encounter many obstacles on their path to true love. Elinor, the older of the sisters, is ruled by sense, she is not given to shows of emotion; Marianne, on the other hand, thrives on her emotions and grand dramatic expressions.
As the book is told mostly through Elinor’s perspective and we are privy to her innermost thoughts, I found her the more sympathetic of the two sisters. Marianne grew on me as she went through heartbreak and illness, maturing into a stronger, less selfish person. The caring relationship between the two sisters was a highlight of the book. Both sisters’ romantic prospects take numerous twists and turns as the girls navigate a society where marriage is the goal and money and manners can hide a person’s true nature.
As with all Jane Austen’s works there is a lot to absorb. The book is full of well drawn, descriptive characters who flesh out the story and the time period. The author’s subtle wit and wordy eloquence deliver a charming story that certainly stands the test of time.
Category: 1,001 Books List
November TIOLI #4: Finish an Interrupted Book
Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austin’s first published novel. It is an enjoyable novel of manners and romance concerning two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The sisters encounter many obstacles on their path to true love. Elinor, the older of the sisters, is ruled by sense, she is not given to shows of emotion; Marianne, on the other hand, thrives on her emotions and grand dramatic expressions.
As the book is told mostly through Elinor’s perspective and we are privy to her innermost thoughts, I found her the more sympathetic of the two sisters. Marianne grew on me as she went through heartbreak and illness, maturing into a stronger, less selfish person. The caring relationship between the two sisters was a highlight of the book. Both sisters’ romantic prospects take numerous twists and turns as the girls navigate a society where marriage is the goal and money and manners can hide a person’s true nature.
As with all Jane Austen’s works there is a lot to absorb. The book is full of well drawn, descriptive characters who flesh out the story and the time period. The author’s subtle wit and wordy eloquence deliver a charming story that certainly stands the test of time.
188christina_reads
>187 DeltaQueen50: Always love to see a positive review of an Austen book! If you haven't seen the Emma Thompson adaptation, it's lovely as well.
189katiekrug
>187 DeltaQueen50: - S&S is my second least favorite Austen, but I still like it :)
190DeltaQueen50
>188 christina_reads: Christina, I have seen the Emma Thompson/Kate Winslet film adaptation and I totally pictured those actors as the characters. It was picturing Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars that helped me overcome my dislike of that character. I was totally smitten by Colonel Brandon from the get-go!
>189 katiekrug: Katie, I would chose Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion as my two favorite Austen novels, but really I have enjoyed them all.
>189 katiekrug: Katie, I would chose Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion as my two favorite Austen novels, but really I have enjoyed them all.
191JayneCM
>190 DeltaQueen50: I think that version of S&S is my favourite adaptation of them all, even beating Colin Firth in the white shirt! I just love Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson is fabulous.
192VivienneR
I'm trying to catch up. You have some good books listed above. I'm a fan of Ian McEwan but The Cement Garden looks very unappealing!
Did you get a chance to read Indian Horse by Wagamese? I just started it yesterday. Brilliant, but heartbreaking.
Did you get a chance to read Indian Horse by Wagamese? I just started it yesterday. Brilliant, but heartbreaking.
193DeltaQueen50
>191 JayneCM: Hmmm... Alan Rickman vs. Colin Firth - what a way to go!!!
>192 VivienneR: Vivienne, I read Indian Horse last year, it was my first Wagamese and I was totally blown away. I love that book!
>192 VivienneR: Vivienne, I read Indian Horse last year, it was my first Wagamese and I was totally blown away. I love that book!
194ronincats
Just coming by to sympathize with your immobility, Judy. What a hassle! I hope your doctor will be able to help you when returned. Are you getting some good reading done? And Alan Rickman vs. Colin Firth is a VERY hard one--can't I just have both?
195DeltaQueen50
Thanks, Roni. My knee seems to have taken a turn for the worse the last couple of days, it could be because of the weather which is cold and very rainy. I finally get to see my doctor next Tuesday and I am trying not to expect too much but I am hoping she can help with the pain. I expect she will refer me on to a orthopedic doctor and I know that is going to take some wait time. I am reading - in fact, without my books I would be going crazy. And yes - ding, ding, ding - one each of Colin Firth and Alan Rickman is the correct answer!
196DeltaQueen50
217. The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick - 4.0 ★
Category: Love Stories
November TIOLI #9: Book is set in Western Europe
The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick is set in the mid-12th century during the civil war for possession of the English throne. The feud between Stephen de Blois and his cousin Empress Mathilda is ravaging the country. Dispossessed knight, Oliver Pascal happens upon the site of a particularly bloody massacre and rescues the two survivors, Richard, the 10 year old bastard son of the old king, and Catrin, the strong willed and comely young widow who looks after him. They are taken to Bristol and put in the care of Earl Robert of Gloucester who is allied with Mathilda. Oliver and Catrin fall in love but face many difficulties and battles before finding their happy ending.
Filled with rogue knights and lusty ladies, with lots of blood shed and vows of honor and virtue, this medieval tale is a fun blend of accurate period details and captivating story. Elizabeth Chadwick is an author that I can rely on to deliver appealing characters, intriguing stories, and consistently correct historical facts. Although rather predictable, The Love Knot was a big, juicy and enjoyable escape read, exactly what I was looking for at this time.
Category: Love Stories
November TIOLI #9: Book is set in Western Europe
The Love Knot by Elizabeth Chadwick is set in the mid-12th century during the civil war for possession of the English throne. The feud between Stephen de Blois and his cousin Empress Mathilda is ravaging the country. Dispossessed knight, Oliver Pascal happens upon the site of a particularly bloody massacre and rescues the two survivors, Richard, the 10 year old bastard son of the old king, and Catrin, the strong willed and comely young widow who looks after him. They are taken to Bristol and put in the care of Earl Robert of Gloucester who is allied with Mathilda. Oliver and Catrin fall in love but face many difficulties and battles before finding their happy ending.
Filled with rogue knights and lusty ladies, with lots of blood shed and vows of honor and virtue, this medieval tale is a fun blend of accurate period details and captivating story. Elizabeth Chadwick is an author that I can rely on to deliver appealing characters, intriguing stories, and consistently correct historical facts. Although rather predictable, The Love Knot was a big, juicy and enjoyable escape read, exactly what I was looking for at this time.
197JayneCM
>194 ronincats: >195 DeltaQueen50: Definitely - one of each!
Hop you get some relief from your pain soon.
Hop you get some relief from your pain soon.
198DeltaQueen50
218. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - 4.2 ★
Category: Crime Stories
November TIOLI #18: Author's First Name is Felix or Lars
Until I completed the book, I didn’t know that the author of The Hypnotist is a Swedish husband/wife combination that publish under the name of Lars Kepler. This is the first book in their series that features Detective Joona Linna of the Swedish National Crime Police. It is a very dark story filled with violent and brutal crimes, opening with an entire family being savagely murdered. The one surviving witness, the teenage son, is barely clinging to life but the strong willed D.I. Joona Linna persuades Erik Bark, a trauma physician to hypnotize the boy. As Dr. Bark had given up hypnotizing his patients some 10 years ago, this act becomes the focus of the book and opens up a number of plot-lines.
The Hypnotist delivers plenty of twists and turns as it transforms from a simple "whodunit” into a very compelling and multi-layered story. Although at over 500 pages, the book is a little long, once the reader is fully immersed, the excellent pacing and complexity of the plot will keep you glued to the pages. I am looking forward to continuing on with this series.
Category: Crime Stories
November TIOLI #18: Author's First Name is Felix or Lars
Until I completed the book, I didn’t know that the author of The Hypnotist is a Swedish husband/wife combination that publish under the name of Lars Kepler. This is the first book in their series that features Detective Joona Linna of the Swedish National Crime Police. It is a very dark story filled with violent and brutal crimes, opening with an entire family being savagely murdered. The one surviving witness, the teenage son, is barely clinging to life but the strong willed D.I. Joona Linna persuades Erik Bark, a trauma physician to hypnotize the boy. As Dr. Bark had given up hypnotizing his patients some 10 years ago, this act becomes the focus of the book and opens up a number of plot-lines.
The Hypnotist delivers plenty of twists and turns as it transforms from a simple "whodunit” into a very compelling and multi-layered story. Although at over 500 pages, the book is a little long, once the reader is fully immersed, the excellent pacing and complexity of the plot will keep you glued to the pages. I am looking forward to continuing on with this series.
199msf59
Happy Saturday, Judy. Sorry, to hear about your continuing knee issues, but I am sure glad to hear your books are giving you comfort.
200MissWatson
>198 DeltaQueen50: I just watched the TV version of this, starring Mikael Persbrandt as Erik Barg. Scary!
201mathgirl40
>187 DeltaQueen50: Nice review. I love all of Austen's books and count me as another huge fan of the Ang Lee adaptation of S&S. All of the actors were great, but Alan Rickman's performance is the one I liked best of all.
202BLBera
I've never read anything by Chadwick, Judy, but it sounds like she writes solid historical fiction, which I love.
The Hypnotist sounds good. Off to check to see if my library has a copy...
The Hypnotist sounds good. Off to check to see if my library has a copy...
203jnwelch
Good review of Sense and Sensibility, Judy. I'd put Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion at the top of my favorites list, too. But I did enjoy S & S.
204DeltaQueen50
Well, I finally get to see my own doctor tomorrow. I know I shouldn't expect any miracles but I am sure hoping that she can give me something to help with the pain. I expect she will also be sending me along to a orthapedic doctor but for now I need something that will get me back on my feet and able to get about.
>199 msf59: Thanks, Mark, the books are helping a lot and as we are deep in the planning of next years Category Challenge, that is keeping me busy as well.
>200 MissWatson: The Hypnotist certainly managed to scare me as well. I notice you use Barg as the last name while the translation used Bark, but I think Barg actually sounds looks better.
>201 mathgirl40: I agree, Alan Rickman gave an excellent performance as Colonel Brandon.
>202 BLBera: I've been a fan of Elizabeth Chadwick's for some time, Beth, her historical novels pretty much always include a love story, but she stays true to the period and the history.
>203 jnwelch: There is something so comfortating about reading Jane Austen, I guess it's because even if you haven't read the book before, you can't help but be somewhat familiar with it from tv and film adaptations.
>199 msf59: Thanks, Mark, the books are helping a lot and as we are deep in the planning of next years Category Challenge, that is keeping me busy as well.
>200 MissWatson: The Hypnotist certainly managed to scare me as well. I notice you use Barg as the last name while the translation used Bark, but I think Barg actually sounds looks better.
>201 mathgirl40: I agree, Alan Rickman gave an excellent performance as Colonel Brandon.
>202 BLBera: I've been a fan of Elizabeth Chadwick's for some time, Beth, her historical novels pretty much always include a love story, but she stays true to the period and the history.
>203 jnwelch: There is something so comfortating about reading Jane Austen, I guess it's because even if you haven't read the book before, you can't help but be somewhat familiar with it from tv and film adaptations.
205MissWatson
>204 DeltaQueen50: Well, that's how my TV guide spells it, but the German translation of the book also has Bark. It's an interesting concept to have a husband and wife team as authors. One to keep in mind for borrowing from my sister's public library during the holidays...
207Familyhistorian
Good luck with your doctor's appointment, Judy. I hope she offers some solutions.
You got me with a BB for The Hypnotist and I was searching my library for a book by Chadwich when I came up with The Incredible Mrs Chadwick: The Most Notorious Woman of Her Age so I guess I can thank you for that one too!
You got me with a BB for The Hypnotist and I was searching my library for a book by Chadwich when I came up with The Incredible Mrs Chadwick: The Most Notorious Woman of Her Age so I guess I can thank you for that one too!
208DeltaQueen50
>205 MissWatson: I really liked The Hypnotist and hope to get more of these books. Another husband and wife writing team that I love is Nicci French.
>206 ronincats: I guess I am now playing the waiting game. My doctor decided that I will probably need an injection to help me shake this off and since she doesn't do joint injections, she called a doctor that has a practice quite close to me and he agreed to see me. Now I just have to wait for them to call and set up the time. I am not getting a cortosone shot since I am on blood thinners, but instead something else that I couldn't pronouce. My doctor says this should work better than cortisone and last longer. Bring it on!
>207 Familyhistorian: Your welcome - I think! I hope you enjoy it. :)
>206 ronincats: I guess I am now playing the waiting game. My doctor decided that I will probably need an injection to help me shake this off and since she doesn't do joint injections, she called a doctor that has a practice quite close to me and he agreed to see me. Now I just have to wait for them to call and set up the time. I am not getting a cortosone shot since I am on blood thinners, but instead something else that I couldn't pronouce. My doctor says this should work better than cortisone and last longer. Bring it on!
>207 Familyhistorian: Your welcome - I think! I hope you enjoy it. :)
210DeltaQueen50
>209 hailelib: Thanks. :)
211DeltaQueen50
219. China Dolls by Lisa See - 3.2 ★
Category: From My Shelves
November RandomCat: Childhood Memories
November TIOLI #12: Title Contains a Childhood Toy
China Dolls by Lisa See is set against the backdrop of Chinese American nightclubs and their performers during the 1940s. We are introduced to three Asian-American girls who work as dancers in these nightclubs and dream of becoming stars. Unfortunately the onset of World War II changes things dramatically for all of them.
The point-of-view shifts equally between the three main characters as Grace, Helen and Ruby meet each other, connect as friends, work and live together and eventually fall out over lies and secrets. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to believe that these particular girls would ever bond together so I never felt all that invested in their relationship. There was however a great deal of period detail and local color that was fascinating. The author caught the 1940s accurately through her descriptions of the music, personalities, fashion and slang of the day. With the backdrop of the Forbidden City nightclub in San Francisco as well as the Chop-Suey Circuit, the author gives us a vivid and rich portrayal of conditions that Chinese-American entertainers faced.
While China Dolls is not destined to become one of my favorite Lisa See novels, it was an interesting and educating read. Although this novel was a bit of a miss for me, I certainly look forward to reading more from this author who has previously delivered some excellent books.
Category: From My Shelves
November RandomCat: Childhood Memories
November TIOLI #12: Title Contains a Childhood Toy
China Dolls by Lisa See is set against the backdrop of Chinese American nightclubs and their performers during the 1940s. We are introduced to three Asian-American girls who work as dancers in these nightclubs and dream of becoming stars. Unfortunately the onset of World War II changes things dramatically for all of them.
The point-of-view shifts equally between the three main characters as Grace, Helen and Ruby meet each other, connect as friends, work and live together and eventually fall out over lies and secrets. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to believe that these particular girls would ever bond together so I never felt all that invested in their relationship. There was however a great deal of period detail and local color that was fascinating. The author caught the 1940s accurately through her descriptions of the music, personalities, fashion and slang of the day. With the backdrop of the Forbidden City nightclub in San Francisco as well as the Chop-Suey Circuit, the author gives us a vivid and rich portrayal of conditions that Chinese-American entertainers faced.
While China Dolls is not destined to become one of my favorite Lisa See novels, it was an interesting and educating read. Although this novel was a bit of a miss for me, I certainly look forward to reading more from this author who has previously delivered some excellent books.
212dudes22
I haven't been here for a few days, but hope you can get that shot soon. Also Charles Todd is another team - mother and son.
213DeltaQueen50
>212 dudes22: I am still waiting to here from the doctor but trying to be patient.
214DeltaQueen50
220. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - 5.0 ★
Category: 1,001 Books List
November 1,001 Group Read
November 1,001 Challenge Read: A Book That Has Been Adapted to Other Formats
November TIOLI #10: Author has a Sibling Who is Also in the Creative Arts
I was totally spellbound by The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the second and final novel of Anne Bronte. This Victorian story opens in a rural community that has it’s focus on the newest arrival, a young widow, Helen Graham, who has taken up the tenancy at Wildfell Hall with her young son. As the community tried to unravel the truth behind Helen’s background, malicious gossip and innuendo arises accusing her of being an immoral woman. A local gentleman farmer, Gilbert Markham, finds himself becoming more enamoured by the widow and although they have obviously formed an attachment, he is frustrated by her resistance to his romantic advances and torn by jealousy. When she finally allows him to read about her life from her diary her troubled past is revealed.
Helen’s previous life had been ruled by her alcoholic adulterous husband who made her life a living hell and seemed bent on teaching her son to follow in his debauchery. The book gives the reader a clear look at Victorian sensibilities, and although extremely shocking at the time of publication, has been lauded over the years for exposing the hypocrisy of hiding away scandals for appearance sake. I cannot imagine trying to live up to the ridge code of behaviour that was applied to Victorian women.
I loved this story and grew to admire Helen immensely. Gilbert, on the other hand, although far better than her husband, was not my idea of the perfect man as he exhibited a childish, petulant side with a wicked temper. The story is told in an epistolary manner as Gilbert writes to a friend and then the pages of Helen’s diary. I got totally caught up in this revealing early feminist novel that was quite simply an exquisite read.
Category: 1,001 Books List
November 1,001 Group Read
November 1,001 Challenge Read: A Book That Has Been Adapted to Other Formats
November TIOLI #10: Author has a Sibling Who is Also in the Creative Arts
I was totally spellbound by The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the second and final novel of Anne Bronte. This Victorian story opens in a rural community that has it’s focus on the newest arrival, a young widow, Helen Graham, who has taken up the tenancy at Wildfell Hall with her young son. As the community tried to unravel the truth behind Helen’s background, malicious gossip and innuendo arises accusing her of being an immoral woman. A local gentleman farmer, Gilbert Markham, finds himself becoming more enamoured by the widow and although they have obviously formed an attachment, he is frustrated by her resistance to his romantic advances and torn by jealousy. When she finally allows him to read about her life from her diary her troubled past is revealed.
Helen’s previous life had been ruled by her alcoholic adulterous husband who made her life a living hell and seemed bent on teaching her son to follow in his debauchery. The book gives the reader a clear look at Victorian sensibilities, and although extremely shocking at the time of publication, has been lauded over the years for exposing the hypocrisy of hiding away scandals for appearance sake. I cannot imagine trying to live up to the ridge code of behaviour that was applied to Victorian women.
I loved this story and grew to admire Helen immensely. Gilbert, on the other hand, although far better than her husband, was not my idea of the perfect man as he exhibited a childish, petulant side with a wicked temper. The story is told in an epistolary manner as Gilbert writes to a friend and then the pages of Helen’s diary. I got totally caught up in this revealing early feminist novel that was quite simply an exquisite read.
215Jackie_K
>214 DeltaQueen50: I'm keen to read this - I'm not great with classics, but I must admit I preferred Anne's Agnes Grey to any of the books I'd read by her sisters.
216RidgewayGirl
I love The Tenant of Wildfell Hall so very much. It's my favorite Brontë novel and it's perfect. I love how the heroine is so unapologetically prickly and unfriendly. I love the portrayal of Huntingdon, who is just so terrible, but also compelling. It's just fantastic.
217DeltaQueen50
> 215 I think you will like The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Jackie. I enjoyed Agnes Grey but loved this later one.
>216 RidgewayGirl: Kay, I was totally caught up in this story. I loved Helen and grew to admire her as well. I am so happy that I am a western woman who lives now as opposed to then when women's options were so limited.
>216 RidgewayGirl: Kay, I was totally caught up in this story. I loved Helen and grew to admire her as well. I am so happy that I am a western woman who lives now as opposed to then when women's options were so limited.
218MissWatson
>220 MissWatson: May I also shamelessly plug the BBC version of this novel which first put it on my radar? Starring a marvellous Tara Fitzgerald, Rupert Graves as Huntingdon, and Toby Stephens as Gilbert (looking exactly like his mother as a young woman, which was a bit disconcerting).
219JayneCM
>218 MissWatson: I had to Google it - I did not know he was Maggie Smith's son. You learn something new every day! I am happy to watch any BBC series of a classic book. I cannot think of any that I have not liked.
220MissWatson
>219 JayneCM: I didn't know either, but the resemblance was so striking that I looked him up.
221JayneCM
>220 MissWatson: Definitely! Having just watched Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, I can certainly see the resemblance. And wasn't he a fabulous Rochester?!
222DeltaQueen50
>218 MissWatson: & >219 JayneCM: I Googled him to find out who his mother is as well. I think he's very good looking.
223DeltaQueen50
221. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - 4.2 ★
Category: Book Bullet - Roro
November TIOLI #9: Set in Western Europe
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the debut novel of Gail Honeyman and deals with the issues of being different, being lonely and learning to like yourself. Although at times the story verged on being a little too sweet, the author wisely added enough serious issues to keep the sweetness from swamping the story.
Eleanor is odd, she is that person who everyone knows is different but as the story develops we realize that she has many reasons for being socially inept. Although intelligent and educated, her interactions with others are awkward. Luckily, she meets the wonderful Raymond, the IT guy at her work and the friendship they develop is heartwarming. After falling into a clinical depression, Eleanor is sent to a therapist and working with her, she is finally able to discuss the trauma of her early life.
Eleanor Oliphant was an excellent read that I found both charming and hopeful. I appreciated that the relationship that developed between Eleanor and Raymond stayed in the “friend zone” as she needed to learn more about herself and what she wants from life before embarking on a romance. This is a book where readers finds themselves cheering on the main character and nothing could be better than by the end of the book, Eleanor Oliphant was indeed, on her way to being completely fine.
Category: Book Bullet - Roro
November TIOLI #9: Set in Western Europe
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the debut novel of Gail Honeyman and deals with the issues of being different, being lonely and learning to like yourself. Although at times the story verged on being a little too sweet, the author wisely added enough serious issues to keep the sweetness from swamping the story.
Eleanor is odd, she is that person who everyone knows is different but as the story develops we realize that she has many reasons for being socially inept. Although intelligent and educated, her interactions with others are awkward. Luckily, she meets the wonderful Raymond, the IT guy at her work and the friendship they develop is heartwarming. After falling into a clinical depression, Eleanor is sent to a therapist and working with her, she is finally able to discuss the trauma of her early life.
Eleanor Oliphant was an excellent read that I found both charming and hopeful. I appreciated that the relationship that developed between Eleanor and Raymond stayed in the “friend zone” as she needed to learn more about herself and what she wants from life before embarking on a romance. This is a book where readers finds themselves cheering on the main character and nothing could be better than by the end of the book, Eleanor Oliphant was indeed, on her way to being completely fine.
224clue
>214 DeltaQueen50: I'm so glad to be reminded of this book, I read it long ago when I was in college. I'm sure it would be more meaningful to me now than it was then although I remember liking it.
225Tess_W
>223 DeltaQueen50: On my TBR pile, need to get to it!
226MissWatson
>221 JayneCM: Oh yes!
227msf59
Happy Sunday, Judy. I really enjoyed a couple of Lisa See's earlier books, but she seems to have fallen off, in recent years. Too bad. Hooray for Eleanor Oliphant, though! I hope you are having a good weekend.
228BLBera
i haven't read anything by Lisa See although I have a couple of her books on my shelves. Maybe next year?
While I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant, I didn't love it as much as you did.
I keep meaning to reread The Tenant of Wildfell Hall; I was in high school the first time I read it, so that was a while ago. I haven't read Agnes Grey, so it sounds like I have some Brontë to look forward to.
While I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant, I didn't love it as much as you did.
I keep meaning to reread The Tenant of Wildfell Hall; I was in high school the first time I read it, so that was a while ago. I haven't read Agnes Grey, so it sounds like I have some Brontë to look forward to.
229jnwelch
Nice review of Eleanor Oliphant, Judy. What an unusual and good book. At the beginning I wondered whether I'd be able to hang in there with the difficult Eleanor for a whole book. I'm glad I did.
230DeltaQueen50
>224 clue: I was surprised at how much I liked The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, there seems to be no rhyme or reason why some books just reach out and grab you. This one goes down as a firm favorite.
>225 Tess_W: "Eleanor Oliphant" is a perfect book to read when you are looking for a pleasant escape read. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
>227 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Lisa See has certainly not duplicated the perfection that was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan but I still mostly enjoy her stories.
>228 BLBera: I hope of of the Lisa See books you have is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Beth. That is her best. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a group read over at the 1,001 Books Group and got varied reviews. I think I liked it more than anyone else. I would be interested in what you thought of it.
>229 jnwelch: LOL, she was rather difficult to feel connected to at the beginning of the book, wasn't she.
>225 Tess_W: "Eleanor Oliphant" is a perfect book to read when you are looking for a pleasant escape read. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
>227 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Lisa See has certainly not duplicated the perfection that was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan but I still mostly enjoy her stories.
>228 BLBera: I hope of of the Lisa See books you have is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Beth. That is her best. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a group read over at the 1,001 Books Group and got varied reviews. I think I liked it more than anyone else. I would be interested in what you thought of it.
>229 jnwelch: LOL, she was rather difficult to feel connected to at the beginning of the book, wasn't she.
231lkernagh
Fabulous review of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (which I haven't read) and Eleanor Oliphant (which I did love). I join the others in hoping that you get to see the referral doctor soon for the injection.
232DeltaQueen50
>231 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori.
233DeltaQueen50
222. The Red Road by Denise Mina - 4.2 ★
Category: Series
November SeriesCat: Female Protagonist
November TIOLI #9: Book set in Western Europe
The Red Road by Denise Mina is the 4th book in her Alex Morrow series, a series which just keeps getting better as it goes along. In each book we learn a little more about Alex and what makes her tick. In this book, events that happened on a night in 1997 are brought to the forefront of Alex’s current investigation when fingerprints taken at the scene of a murder impossibly implicate a man who is currently in prison. This fact has Alex backtracking to find out how the wrong fingerprints could be on file.
Denise Mina excels in writing stories that lead her readers into the dark side of life. We are placed inside these characters heads and often find ourselves wondering what we would do in the same circumstances. On that night in 1997, which just happened to be the same night that Princess Diana died, a 14 year old girl has killed but her lawyer has launched a plan that will change the course of justice, and make her obligated to him for life.
There are a number of threads that need to be followed and braided together in this story and at all times we, the reader, are a few steps ahead of Alex Morrow as she sorts through these apparently unconnected cases. Eventually Alex must make some tough choices that could eventually affect her own career.
The Red Road was an excellent entry and I am looking forward to the next book.
Category: Series
November SeriesCat: Female Protagonist
November TIOLI #9: Book set in Western Europe
The Red Road by Denise Mina is the 4th book in her Alex Morrow series, a series which just keeps getting better as it goes along. In each book we learn a little more about Alex and what makes her tick. In this book, events that happened on a night in 1997 are brought to the forefront of Alex’s current investigation when fingerprints taken at the scene of a murder impossibly implicate a man who is currently in prison. This fact has Alex backtracking to find out how the wrong fingerprints could be on file.
Denise Mina excels in writing stories that lead her readers into the dark side of life. We are placed inside these characters heads and often find ourselves wondering what we would do in the same circumstances. On that night in 1997, which just happened to be the same night that Princess Diana died, a 14 year old girl has killed but her lawyer has launched a plan that will change the course of justice, and make her obligated to him for life.
There are a number of threads that need to be followed and braided together in this story and at all times we, the reader, are a few steps ahead of Alex Morrow as she sorts through these apparently unconnected cases. Eventually Alex must make some tough choices that could eventually affect her own career.
The Red Road was an excellent entry and I am looking forward to the next book.
234dudes22
>233 DeltaQueen50: - I've only read the first one so far, but I'm looking forward to reading the next one - hopefully next year.
235RidgewayGirl
>233 DeltaQueen50: One thing I really enjoyed about this series is how Alex changes as the series progresses, and not to grow more cynical.
236rabbitprincess
>233 DeltaQueen50: I think that one is my favourite in the Alex Morrow series, although they are all good!
237VivienneR
>233 DeltaQueen50: I was about to add this to my wishlist when I realized I read it back in 2014. Sadly, I've read all the Alex Morrow series. I love Denise Mina.
I hope you get some good treatment for your knee, Judy. Even if you can still sit around reading, it doesn't compare to doing whatever you want. I'm wishing you all the best.
I hope you get some good treatment for your knee, Judy. Even if you can still sit around reading, it doesn't compare to doing whatever you want. I'm wishing you all the best.
238Familyhistorian
I’ve just read the first Alex Morrow book and thought it was great. It’s heartening to know that they continue to be excellent.
239DeltaQueen50
>234 dudes22: For me, they just kept getting better, Betty. :)
>235 RidgewayGirl: She has evolved from the first book, both circumstances in her life and her job have, and continue to, shape her.
>236 rabbitprincess: In The Red Road the author certainly played upon the sympathies of the reader as child abuse, police corruption, and family ethics all play a part. This was a great story that really made me think and is certainly my favorite of the series so far.
>237 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne. It always seems that if something is going to go wrong for me it does. Since I hadn't heard anything in a week, I called my doctor's office and was assured that they had sent a request to the specialist on the 19th. I waited a couple more days and since I still hadn't heard anything, I called the specialist's office to see how long it was going to be. They said they never received a fax - so yesterday, I recalled my doctor's office and they were going to re-send the fax so once again I am playing the waiting game. I am going to recall the specialist this afternoon and double check that they did finally receive the fax.
>238 Familyhistorian: It's a great series!
>235 RidgewayGirl: She has evolved from the first book, both circumstances in her life and her job have, and continue to, shape her.
>236 rabbitprincess: In The Red Road the author certainly played upon the sympathies of the reader as child abuse, police corruption, and family ethics all play a part. This was a great story that really made me think and is certainly my favorite of the series so far.
>237 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne. It always seems that if something is going to go wrong for me it does. Since I hadn't heard anything in a week, I called my doctor's office and was assured that they had sent a request to the specialist on the 19th. I waited a couple more days and since I still hadn't heard anything, I called the specialist's office to see how long it was going to be. They said they never received a fax - so yesterday, I recalled my doctor's office and they were going to re-send the fax so once again I am playing the waiting game. I am going to recall the specialist this afternoon and double check that they did finally receive the fax.
>238 Familyhistorian: It's a great series!
240DeltaQueen50
223. The Tengu's Game of Go by Lian Hearn - 4.0 ★
Category: Fantasy
November TIOLI #12: Title Contains a Childhood Toy
The Tengu’s Game of Go by Lian Hearn is the fourth and final instalment in her "Tales of the Shikanoko", a series of adventure fantasies set in a mythical medieval Japan. The stories are filled with warriors, magicians, demons and spirits as a small group of heroes ensure that destiny has it’s way to determine who will be the emperor to bring peace and prosperity to this strange land.
The deities are using this land as their game board, placing and moving the pieces about using politics, economy, force and magic to determine the final outcome. The hidden emperor, Yoshi, does not want to give up his simple life as a wandering acrobat to become the emperor. But once the evil overlord has him in his clutches and is planning on executing him, the remaining heroes gather, and, trusting in their right, move to save Yoshi and prove to the people who the proper emperor should be.
This fourth volume brings together all the loose threads and binds them into a satisfactory conclusion and while there is happiness for some, others face a darker ending. These stories are very well written and fast paced with plenty of violence, melodrama and magic. The author’s world building is excellent and I am going to miss visiting this mythical country. Having previously read this author’s Tale of the Otori, I was pleased at how the author connected these two different series together.
Category: Fantasy
November TIOLI #12: Title Contains a Childhood Toy
The Tengu’s Game of Go by Lian Hearn is the fourth and final instalment in her "Tales of the Shikanoko", a series of adventure fantasies set in a mythical medieval Japan. The stories are filled with warriors, magicians, demons and spirits as a small group of heroes ensure that destiny has it’s way to determine who will be the emperor to bring peace and prosperity to this strange land.
The deities are using this land as their game board, placing and moving the pieces about using politics, economy, force and magic to determine the final outcome. The hidden emperor, Yoshi, does not want to give up his simple life as a wandering acrobat to become the emperor. But once the evil overlord has him in his clutches and is planning on executing him, the remaining heroes gather, and, trusting in their right, move to save Yoshi and prove to the people who the proper emperor should be.
This fourth volume brings together all the loose threads and binds them into a satisfactory conclusion and while there is happiness for some, others face a darker ending. These stories are very well written and fast paced with plenty of violence, melodrama and magic. The author’s world building is excellent and I am going to miss visiting this mythical country. Having previously read this author’s Tale of the Otori, I was pleased at how the author connected these two different series together.
241JayneCM
>239 DeltaQueen50: That is so annoying! I tend to not ring to check as I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and not hassle them. But then when things like that happen, I would regret it as I could have started the process a lot earlier if I had only asked! I hope they can get you an appointment soon.
242RidgewayGirl
>239 DeltaQueen50: Sometimes you have to be just a little pushy to keep things moving! Hoping they pick up their pace for you.
243DeltaQueen50
>239 DeltaQueen50: Once the fax was resent things definitely picked up speed and now I am going in about an hour to see the specialist and get a needle in my knee joint. This is not covered by our insurance so it's costing me about $600.00 so I sure hope it works.
>242 RidgewayGirl: I am so glad that I finally phoned just to check, if I hadn't I would be waiting and nothing would be happening!
>242 RidgewayGirl: I am so glad that I finally phoned just to check, if I hadn't I would be waiting and nothing would be happening!
244DeltaQueen50
224. Little Exiles by Robert Dinsdale - 3.8 ★
Category: Out of the Past
November CalendarCat: Universal Children's Day
November TIOLI #14: Rolling Challenge Based on "Grateful"
Although convict transportation to Australia had ceased by the 1860’s, Britain sanctioned the exportation of another kind of human cargo, that of unwanted or disadvantaged children. The reasoning behind this was ostensibly to give these children an opportunity to create a better life for themselves, but in reality, these children were little better than slave labour. In Little Exiles, author Robert Dinsdale tells the story of a few of these children.
Jon’s father didn’t return from World War II and his mother had three children and financial difficulties as well as health concerns, eventually she left her son in the care of the Children’s Crusade Society. Peter and George had similar stories and also ended up being taken into care. Within months they found themselves being shipped to Australia and while the older boys, Peter among them, were parcelled out to farms as labourers, Jon and George were sent to a remote desert mission in Western Australia. Here a life of hard labour and abuse of all kinds awaited them.
Little Exiles is a heartbreaking story, particularly as one knows that it is based on actual events. These children lost all control over their lives and many were told the lie that their parents had died so they also suffered loss of identity and sense of belonging as well. The story is harrowing but telling the story through Jon’s young eyes made the story lack clarity for me. He did not always have the words to describe what was happening and this in turn pulled me from the story as I puzzled out what Jon was trying to say but overall this fictionalized account of the forced migration of thousands of British children made for a very poignant read.
Category: Out of the Past
November CalendarCat: Universal Children's Day
November TIOLI #14: Rolling Challenge Based on "Grateful"
Although convict transportation to Australia had ceased by the 1860’s, Britain sanctioned the exportation of another kind of human cargo, that of unwanted or disadvantaged children. The reasoning behind this was ostensibly to give these children an opportunity to create a better life for themselves, but in reality, these children were little better than slave labour. In Little Exiles, author Robert Dinsdale tells the story of a few of these children.
Jon’s father didn’t return from World War II and his mother had three children and financial difficulties as well as health concerns, eventually she left her son in the care of the Children’s Crusade Society. Peter and George had similar stories and also ended up being taken into care. Within months they found themselves being shipped to Australia and while the older boys, Peter among them, were parcelled out to farms as labourers, Jon and George were sent to a remote desert mission in Western Australia. Here a life of hard labour and abuse of all kinds awaited them.
Little Exiles is a heartbreaking story, particularly as one knows that it is based on actual events. These children lost all control over their lives and many were told the lie that their parents had died so they also suffered loss of identity and sense of belonging as well. The story is harrowing but telling the story through Jon’s young eyes made the story lack clarity for me. He did not always have the words to describe what was happening and this in turn pulled me from the story as I puzzled out what Jon was trying to say but overall this fictionalized account of the forced migration of thousands of British children made for a very poignant read.
245dudes22
>244 DeltaQueen50: - Sounds similar to Orphan Train which was based on actual events where children were sent to the Western US on trains to strangers who were "adopting" them.
246DeltaQueen50
>245 dudes22: Yes, it was similar to Orphan Train and again shows how the disadvantaged can be used so horribly. Britain, Australia and other countries that were involved in this program - including Canada, have apologized - but I don't know if any compensations were paid out.
247DeltaQueen50
I've been poked and prodded, had fluid drained from my knee and given a cortosone shot and had some kind of acid injected. Now I wait and hopefully within a week I will start to see steady improvement. I go back to this doctor in two weeks. The only concern seems to be that it could be a loose piece of cartiledge that has folded over on itself and then would need surgery. The good news is that they don't think I actually need the joint replaced. My fingers are crossed that this works!
248clue
The good news is that they don't think I actually need the joint replaced
That's great, hope the shot does the trick!
That's great, hope the shot does the trick!
251DeltaQueen50
>248 clue: Thanks, I am trying not to be too optimistic but I can definitely feel an improvement.
>249 Jackie_K: Thanks, Jackie. I don't feel much in the way of pain anymore, just a numbness.
>250 dudes22: Thanks, Betty. It was great to hear that he didn't think I would need to have the knee replaced.
>249 Jackie_K: Thanks, Jackie. I don't feel much in the way of pain anymore, just a numbness.
>250 dudes22: Thanks, Betty. It was great to hear that he didn't think I would need to have the knee replaced.
252DeltaQueen50
I've set up my final thread for 2019 please come and join me.
253jnwelch
Sorry to hear about the fax fiasco, but good for you for following up and getting in there. No need for a replacement is huge! I hope the draining and shot do well by you, and the cartilage isn't an issue.
254DeltaQueen50
>253 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. It's the second day since I saw the doctor and my knee is definitely feeling better. The best thing is that I am pain free and finally feeling quite hopeful.
Ce sujet est poursuivi sur DeltaQueen's Random Miscellaneous Challenge - Part 7.
