Dudes22's 12 in 12 challenge - Part 2

Well here I am in part 2. I'm trying to get to 6 in each category and then press on with up to 12; not that I'll make it to 144.




Nook: 12
Other: 75
Jan: 9
Feb: 7
Mar: 9
Apr: 7
May: 11
Jun: 13
Jul: 7
Aug: 5
Sep: 3
Oct: 6
Nov: 5
Dec: 5

Category 1: The New England Patriots
Books written by NE authors or taking place in NE

1. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova (Massachusetts)
2. Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan (Massachusetts)
3. House Rules by Jodi Picoult (New Hampshire)
4. Picture This: A Novel by Jacqueline Sheehan (Massachusetts)
5. The Entitled by Frank Deford (Connecticut)
6. New Leash on Death by Susan Conant (Massachusetts)
7. A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve

Potential Candidates:
Trying to Save Piggy Snead by John Irving (Vermont)
Property Of by Alice Hoffman (Massachusetts)
Away by Amy Bloom (Connecticut)
The Art of Uncontrolled Flight by Kim Ponders (New Hampshire)
The Red Thread: A Novel by Ann Hood (Rhode Island)

Category 2: The Pre-Game Tailgate Party
Books about food or with food in the title

1. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith
2. The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
3. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
5. Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert
6. Julia’s Chocolates by Cathy Lamb
7. Crime Brulee by Nancy Fairbanks
8. Just Desserts by Mary Daheim

Potential Cadidates:

Fannie’s Last Supper by Christopher Kimball
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Category 3: The Coach
Books of non-fiction

1. Robbing the Bees by Holley Bishop
2. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
3. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Turss
4. Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin
5. A Romance on Three Legs by Katie Hafner
6. October Sky by Homer Hickman
7. November Ever After by Craig T. Greenlee

Potential Candidates:
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Perfect Scent by Chandler Burr
Glass, Paper, Beans by Leah Hager Cohen
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet

Category 4: The Team
YA and Children’s books

1. Surprise Island by Gertrude Chandler Warner
2. The Yellow House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
3. The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
4. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
5. The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamiilo
6. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Potential Candidates:
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

Category 5: The Cheerleaders
Chick Lit and books by women authors

1. Sex and the City by Candace Busnell
2. Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell
3. Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
4. The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
5. The Garden of Happy Endings: by Barbara O'Neal
6. Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks
7. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Potential Candidates:
Sunday List of Dreams by Kris Radish

Category 6: The Refs
Books with occupations in the titles

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
2. The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri
3. The Surgeon: A Novel by Tess Gerritsen
4. The Watchman by Robert Crais
5. Hangman's Root by Susan Albert Wittig
6. The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

Potential Candidates:
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant

Category 7: The Coin Toss
ER books and others that catch my fancy or don’t fit anywhere else

1. Forgotten Country by Catherine Chung
2. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
3. A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon
4. The Maytrees by Annie Dillard
5. Behind A Mask by Louise May Alcott
6. The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay
7. A Hamptons Christmas by James Brady

Category 8: The Kick-Off
Debut novels and first in a series

1. Still Life by Louise Penny
2. The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
3. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
4. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
5. 1st to Die by James Patterson
6. Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg
7. Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris
8. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
9. Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle

Potential Candidates:
Florida Straits by Laurence Shames
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Category 9: The Kick-Off Return
Books that are next in a series

1. A Bomb in February by Evan Katy
2. Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde
3. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
4. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
6. Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
7. 2nd Chance by James Patterson
8. The September Society by Charles Finch
9. Lumby’s Bounty by Gail Fraser

Potential Candidates:
The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith

Category 10:The Huddle
It's a mystery

1. Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly
2. January Kills Me by Evan Katy
3. The Eyre Affair by Jasper FForde
4. Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson
5. June & Wallace by Lynette Hall Hampton
6. 3rd Degree by James Patterson
7. 4th of July by James Patterson

Potential Candidates:
The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver
Moving Target by Elizabeth Lowell
Charm City by Laura Lippman
The Eight by Katherine Neville

Category 11: Field Goal
Books about animals or with an animal in the title

1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
3. Wild Goose Chase by Terri Thayer
4. The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
5. 5th Horseman by James Patterson
6. Hens and Chickens by Jennifer Wixson

Potential Candidates:
Ape House by Sara Gruen
Goat Song by Brad Kessler
Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
Antonia Saw the Oryx First by Maria Thomas

Category 12: The Super Bowl
Books that have won awards

1. March by Geraldine Brooks - Pulitzer for fiction 2006
2. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - Newbery Award 2010
3. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - Newbery Award 1963
4. The Hours: A Novel by Michael Cunningham - Pulitzer for fiction 1999
5. Amy & Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout - LA Times 1999 Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction
6. Juliet in August by Dianne Warren - Canada's Govenor General's Award 2010
7. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - Booker Prize 2000
8. Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron - Edgar Award 1993

Potential Candidates:
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
Bel Canto by Ann Patachett
Ironweed by William Kennedy
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

2012 TIOLI Challenge:

Jan: Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly
(character: Benjamin January)
January Kills Me by Evan Katy
Feb: A Bomb in February by Evan Katy
Mar: March by Geraldine Brooks
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
Apr: Wings by Aprilynne Pike
May: The Maytrees by Annie Dillard
Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott
Jun: June & Wallace by Lynette Hall Hampton
Jul: 4th of July by James Patterson
Aug: Juliet in August by Dianne Warren
Sep: The September Society by Charles Finch
Oct: October Sky by Homer Hickman
Nov: November Ever After by Craig T Greenlee
Dec: A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve

Well I still need to add my pictures, but that's for another day.

Looks good! Just waving hi so I can find you again.

Thanks Katie - I need to wait for a chance with my husband's laptop to add my photos. I ind it too hard with my iPad.

I'll bet!!! I've got dial up, so I usually go to the library to mess with photos. I'm sure they'll look great.

Hi Betty, congrats on the new thread. You seem to be progessing nicely with your challenge, you are filling your categories fairly evenly which is something I like to do so I don't get bogged down with having to read one type of book toward the end of the challenge.

I know I'll never reach 144 - I read 75 last year which I'm hoping to pass. So trying to get to 6 or 7 in each was a place to start. I could fill a couple very easily, but am trying to keep it balanced for now. I might have had a better chance at 144 if I'd retired in Mar which was my plan, but things didn't work out that way.

HI, Betty! Nice new thread here. You're doing quite well with the challenge.

Book 64: Hangman's Root by SUsan Wittig ALbert
Category 6: The Refs
Books with occupations in the titles

I've been in a funk over work and nothing I was reading was holding my interest, so I decided to find something lighter and faster to read. This is the 3rd in the China Bayles light, cozy mystery series. This time it's animal experimentation and university grants that have China once again looking for a murderer.

I just received my May ER book which will be next up and luckily also a light read.

I haven't gotten my pictures moved over yet, because I was waiting for my husband's laptop which is easier still for me than my Ipad, and he managed to crack the screen so we wait for repairs.

Sympathetic 'ouch' for the cracked screen.

Only took a day to have replaced, but it served him right - he was always picking it up by the screen part. Now he knows (I hope),

Silly man! Hope your work funk improves.

Book 65: The Garden of Happy Endings by Barbara O'Neal
Category 5: The Cheerleaders
Chick Lit and books by women authors

When a horrific murder happens to one of the members of her church, Elsa, a Unity minister, questions her faith even as she tries to help her congregation heal. After a number of months, she decides to take a leave of absence and return to her hometown to rest and try to decide if she will remain a minister. There she reunites with Joaquin, who was once her fiancé until he decided to become a priest and now ministers at the local Catholic church. Soon she’s involved with the church soup kitchen and trying to start a community garden even while she still struggles with her faith.

I really enjoyed the writing style of the author and look forward to reading more of her books. I got this as an ER book.

The Garden of Happy Endings sounds like an odd book. At first I thought it was a variation of a convent mystery, but it sounds like healing/faith is the focus, not an investigation. I've only seen one other book like this When Dad Killed Mom which was about the kids healing and finding new families after the tragedy of the murder.

Yeah - maybe I didn't write that very well. It's not anything about the murder. I can't seem to put coherent thoughts together lately, never mind write them down. Look at some of the other reviews - they're way better than mine. I'm just falling so far behind that I needed to get some books read logged in before it takes me all day. I'm pretty sure the next one isn't going to be much better.

Book 66: Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb
Category 2: The Pre-Game Tailgate Party
Books about food or with food in the title

Julia’s Chocolates is at its heart a story of abuse; physical, mental, and emotional and how a group of women help each other recover from it. Julia runs from her physically abusive fiancé on their wedding day, leaving her wedding dress hanging from a tree. She runs to her aunt in Oregon, who has tried to help Julia since she was a child being abused by her mother and her mother’s boyfriends. There she meets friends of her aunts, who each have their own issues that they are dealing with.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I look forward to reading more of her books.

I can't believe I've only finished 3 books this month and it's already almost the end. I'm hoping to spend much of the weekend reading and hope to finish a few more.

Nothing wrong with your review - I got that the murder set things into motion, but the murder wasn't the focus of the book. It's just soooo unusual. & I love the image of a wedding dress hanging in a tree.

I've had a really slow reading month, too.

30 - that's cool because my latest ER book is one of hers. It doesn't have chocolates in it though...

Book 67: Juliet in August by Dianne Warren
Category 12: The Super Bowl
Books that have won awards

Juliet in August won Canada's prestigious Governor General's Award in 2010 with an original title of
"Cool Water"

The story takes place over the course of one day in the town of Juliet, Saskatchewan a small Canadian town. It tells the stories of various people who live in the town almost reading like a series of short stories. All of them intersect in various ways. I enjoyed it very much.

>34 Yells: - I have a couple more of hers still in the TBR and hope to get to at least one of them next year.

I've been keeping an eye out for Cool Water and haven't been able to find it. Good to know that it's also called Juliet in August.

It was an ER a month or two ago which is when it came to my attention. I read it on my Nook and it doesn't have a "lend me' button, otherwise I'd offer it to you.

ETA: I got the impression that the name was changed when it was published in the US. Probably why you couldn't find it.

Book 68: A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano by Katie Hafner
Category 3: The Coach
Books of non-fiction

Glenn Gould was a classical Canadian pianist known particularly for his interpretations of music by Bach. During the height of his career, he became extremely attached to a Steinway piano known as CD 318. This book tells the story of how he came to be so attached to it. But it's much more than that. There's quite a bit about the history of the Steinway piano company; how pianos are made, what makes one sound and feel different from another, how artists are accomodated. There's also a lot about the man who was his principal tuner for the piano and other people who were instrumental in Steinway becoming the most famous piano company of the time. There was quite a lot of information packed into this relatively small book.

I'm not sure how I came to have this book; I suspect it was from a library sale before I was marking that in my library. I don't play (although I wish I did) and I hadn't heard of Glenn Gould before I read this. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I did.

OMG - Glenn Gould is an odd one. I first heard him in a writing class that was put on by a poet/musician - and she had us describe his playing, which is strange. Really. Forgive me, but it almost sounds mentally ill to me, and I thought that before the teacher started telling us about him. Have you listened to him? Compared the same piece to another pianist? He used to dip his hands in scorching hot water before playing. "Obsessive" is certainly a word I would use to describe him, and I haven't even read your book. Does it have much about his life in it also? The book sounds interesting.

Oh yes - there's a lot about his life including the hand soaking thing. I'm meaning to go on ITunes and see if I can find any of his stuff to listen to, but haven't had a chance yet. He was definitely somewhat odd, but apparently very well know and respected for his playing.

ETA: There's even a lot about how he used to hum when he played and how had it was for the producers of his records to edit that out.

He has a cult following. - LOL!!! Didn't know he hummed! A lot of the jazz pianists do that, and the producers don't edit it out. Listen to Keith Jarrett - especially the one that was a tribute to Miles Davis - Bye bye birdy. Mingus was a jazz cellist, and he sort of talked to himself - it was hard to tell if he meant the audience to hear him or not.

Here it is Sep 11 and I ahven't finished one book this month yet. Not sure why. I have an ER that I thought would be a fast read and one I've been working on since last month some time. (Although no one else has posted a review yet for the ER book, so maybe it's not just me.) And now that football season has begun, there goes a chunk of Sun reading time.

I really just stopped by to say that I've posted my thread to 2013. It's not very imaginative, but I think it will get the job done.

Katie - I have a couple of Keith Jarrett CDs - I'll have to take another listen and see if I can hear it.

I know I've heard Keith Jarrett humming along on some of his CD's and records that I have in my collection. I think it's on the live concert album I have of his where it's really pronounced.

Keith Jarrett is a pretty uninhibited player. :) I don't think he can help the humming.

I'll swing by 2013 and say hi. I've given up on imaginative categories, at least for now. Focus is on categories I like that will give my reading a nice breadth.

As for no books finished yet this month, it's only week 2 - and sometimes ER books slow me down because once in awhile I'm just not into them, and since you have to write a review, the critical brain needs to be on when you read. So I start avoiding reading without thinking "I'm not really into that book." If it weren't an ER book, I might read it faster/less carefully or drop it. That said, I love ER books. Some of my best reads this year were through the ER program. The one I liked the least was through it too. The good outweigh the bad by far though.

And football - it just demands to be watched sometimes.

I think you're right Katie - I never thought about it being "reading with my critical brain" that might be slowing me down. I am constantly thinking about whether this or that works and what I'm going to write for my review. I've had a few really good ER books this year too. This one seems to be in the middle. I'm almost done and then I'm going to read my TIOLI book for this month.

good luck with it!!! I'm really looking forward to my next ER book - Louise Marley - I've met her a few times at WisCon and she's very nice. My first year, she let me crash her table in the restaurant so I'd have company. & she's a great writer too, and ex opera singer.

Book 69: Hens and Chickens by Jennifer Wixson
Category 11: Field Goal
Books about animals or with an animal in the title

Rebecca and Lila are the last two people left in the marketing department of a Boston corporate office. And when Rebecca is let go, Lila decides to quit too. Since Lila has no idea what she wants to do, she posts her situation on her Twitter account and gets an answer from a follower in Maine suggesting that she think about moving to Sovereign, Maine to a house located nearby and raise chickens. Lila suggests to Rebecca that they make a trip to decide if this was something they might want to do and soon they’ve decided to buy the house and move to Maine and start an egg business.

I was hoping for a book similar to Gail Fraiser’s Lumby series or the Jan Karon Mitford series, but this was less successful than those although similar in storyline – the small town group of people and their stories. The first few chapters were rather choppy as the author tried to set up the background and characters. She also had a habit of stepping outside the story and speaking directly to the reader which I found interrupted the flow of the story. Only in the last few chapters is it revealed that this disembodied voice is actually one of the inhabitants of Sovereign. I thought it was an awkward way to bring this character into the book. There are more books planned in this series; we’ll have to wait and see if they improve.

This was my ER book for Aug.

Oh, I know I wouldn't have liked Hens and Chickens. Glad you won that ER book and not me. ;)

Book 70: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Category 12: The Super Bowl
Books that have won awards

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood won the Booker Prize in 2000

I've read on LT many recommendations for books by Margaret Atwood and have had this on the shelves for a while so thought I'd try it since it fit into one of my categories this year. I liked her writing a lot and can see why this was a prize winner. But I found the story on the depressing side; made me sad. Still I'll probably read another book of hers as the writing was so good.

Book 71: The September Society by Charles Finch
Category 9: The Kick-Off Return
Books that are next in a series

This second book in the Charles Lenox series is as enjoyable as the first. Lenox is a sleuth in Victorian England and I really enjoy the pace the mysteries take as a result of not having modern conveniences. Communication is by note or telegram and travel is by horse and/or carriage or train. No DNA or fingerprints and in this book the introduction of bullet analysis is just beginning. I'm going to have to look for the 3rd book so I can continue next year.

I totally agree with your comment about the book being strengthened by not having modern conveniences. The September Society goes on the WL! I like historic mysteries usually.

I really like Charles Finch's books. I'm current with the series right now, but I believe a new book, A Death in the Small Hours, is coming soon!

I am also looking forward to Finch's new book when it comes out!

Book 72: Bread Alone by Judith R Hendricks
Category 5: The Cheerleaders
Chick Lit and books by women authors

When Wynter Morrison is dumped by her husband of seven years, she runs away to Seattle and gets a job baking bread. Although somewhat typical of chick lit, I enjoyed the style of writing. Some of the dialogue sections were quite amusing. I'll probably read more of her books and I understand there is a sequel to this.

Book 73: October Sky by Homer Hickman
Category 3: The Coach
Books of non-fiction

Homer Hickman's memoir was originally titles Rocket Boys but the title of this one is from the movie that was made from this book. Homer Hickman grew up in the coal country of West Virginia. When Sputnik was launched by the Russians, his interest in space and rockets began. This book tells of his mostly high school days and how he and his friends gradually found out how to make rockets go higher and higher.

When October Sky came out I had a little bit of a grudge against it because I really liked the name Rocket Boys. Then I read somewhere that it's an anagram and felt better about it.
Did you enjoy it? If so, I recommend The Coalwood Way.

I never noticed that. Cool!

I never realized that either. I have The Coalwood Way on my shelf. Will get to it eventually.

Book 74: The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen
Category 6: The Refs
Books with occupations in the titles

This is the 2nd in the Jane Rizzolli series of a female homicide detective in Boston, MA. (And - yes - the TV series is based on these books) In this book, a series of murders of couples begins the book. The husband is made to watch his wife being raped before he is killed and then the killer takes the wife with him and kills her later. Jane's nemesis from book one also returns in this book. And Gabrielle Dean from the FBI makes his first appearance as does Dr. Isles the medical examiner.

I like these books. The story moves along very quickly and I feel great moving another book off my shelves to make room for something else. I might even try to fit in book 3 before the end of the year.

ETA: spelling

I have to say that I'm finding the ads for the movie "Cloud Atlas" very intriguing. And since many here have mentioned how good the book is, I'm thinking of putting it on my nook before we go on vacation in a couple of weeks.

Book 75: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Category 4: The Team
YA and Children’s books

This is the first in a series about a group of 4 children who are chosen to help Mr Benedict fight an evil man who plans to take over the world with a mysterious machine that he has invented. While still being full of fun and adventures, there are subtle moral lessons (help your friends, tell the truth). I look forward to reading more.

Book 76: Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg
Category 8: The Kick-Off
Debut novels and first in a series

Durable Goods is a slim novel; the first book Elizabeth Berg wrote and the first in the Katie Nash series. Katie Nash is 12 years old, lives in Texas on a military base, her mother is dead, and her father is occasionally abusive to her and her sister Diane. She misses her mother and sometimes lies underneath her bed where she talks to her mother. She is trying to figure out what life is about.

I found I was quickly drawn into the story and it was a quick read.

I didn't realize this was part of a series when I started it, and I have the other two books on the shelves and may try to read them before this year is over .

Book 76 levels me off at 6 books per category with a couple of extras. I read 75 last year so everything's gravy now. I'm not going to try and be equal in each category; I'm just going to read and shove them in where ever they fit. (But no more than 12 in any category). I just made 144 my goal so I'd have lots of room at the end - once I realized that I wasn't going to retire this year, I knew I'd never make it.

At 6 books per category you have bet me (with room to spare as it is only October). That is a great accomplishment, IMO!

I find I have to keep increasing how fast/much I read to keep up (yeah right!) with all the new, interesting books that get mentioned here. And I'll still never catch up.

@ 64 -- Well done! I gave up on my 144-book challenge a while ago, but I may actually hit 6 books per category as well. Works for me! :)

Congrats!!! You've read a lot of books! & yes, The Mysterious Benedict Society sounds like something I should look into.

Christina - When I originally set up my challenge for 12, I was hoping to retire in March, and so I thought I might possibly be able to read 144. But, I didn't so I won't.

Katie - I will probably read some more of them.

Book 77: Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris
Category 8: The Kick-Off
Debut novels and first in a series

The is the first in a cozy mystery series about a /landscaper/gardener who finds the remains of a baby while working on a project for the local historical society. This sets off a search for who had the baby and also involves the disappearance many years ago of a Mexican girl who was working in the area. Couple of twist and turns and a little romance (of course). There were a few things that I found a little annoying, but a good book overall and I'll probably continue with the series.

Hunkering down here and waiting for the hurricane. Hubby left to take a look at the waves at the beach. I don't work on Mondays anyway, so I would have been home. But instead of doing errands today, I might just get a cup of tea and a book and veg out for the day.

Stay safe and dry! Your latest box arrived today--entirely dry. Are your books up off the ground? Have you stocked up on candles and tea? Your husband isn't going to actually go in the water is he?

I hope you're not in a flood zone. Looks like there will be a lot of rain from this one!

A cup of tea and a book sounds like a great way to ride out the storm Betty!

Stay safe and surrounded by books, Betty.

Kay - Glad the boxes arrived safe and dry. We have a generator so I just use candles for ambiance. No he doesn't go in - just wants to watch the waves.

Mamzel - We're not technically in a flood zone although we're not that far from the water.

Lori - Yes it was

Judy - Thanks!

The governor has decided that non-essential state employees don't have to show up for work today - so another day off! Once it gets light here, I think I might try to go to the post office later depending on how it looks out.

So glad you weathered the storm successfully.

Yes, glad you're safe!

Book 78: Lumby's Bounty by Gail Fraser
Category 9: The Kick-Off Return
Books that are next in a series

This is the 3rd in the Lumby series. It centers around a hot air balloon festival. Similar to the others.

I'm off on vacation tomorrow. Hoping to get some reading in while I'm gone. I've got my TIOLI book on my nook and am going to take House at Riverton based on Cheli's recommendtion of a Kate Morton book she just finished. It was on my potential list this year, so now's as good a time as any to fit it in.

Book 79: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Category 8: The Kick-Off
Debut novels and first in a series

When Grace, who is nearing the end of her life, receives a letter from a director who is making a film about Riverton, it awakens memories of her life there as a housemaid. She decides to make a tape for her grandson about what life was like and what happened there. The story alternates between the past and the present and the events that shaped Grace's life.

When Cheli (cyderry) enthused about the writing of Kate Morton in her review of The Secret Keeper, I remembered that I had two of her books in my TBR, one of which was on the potential list for my debut novel category. That was enough to convince me to move it up and I took it on vacation last week for the plane ride. I enjoyed the book quite a bit and look forward to her next book in my TBR. So thanks Cheli - great recommendation.

I, too, have two books by Kate Morton on my TBR. I'm saving them for when I need a good historical read.

Funny.... I also have two books by Kate Morton on my TBR bookcase - in my case, The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden. I really liked The Distant Hours and look forward to reading her other books.

Those are the two I have!

I have her on my wish list/TBR list. We have some of them at the university library, but the rest are at the public library, I think. I need to figure out who has the first one and start reading. Did someone say they are stand-alones? If so, I won't have to worry about reading them in order.

> 83 - Tooo funny!

> 84 - Lori, It is my understanding - based on fantasticfiction's website - that Morton's books are stand alone novels.

I too have The Forgotten Garden as the second one on my shelf and will probably read it next year. And add any others not already on my wish list.

I've had The Forgotten Garden patiently waiting since the day I first got my Kindle. Must get to it!

Book 80: Crime Brulee by Nancy Fairbanks
Category 2: The Pre-Game Tailgate Party
Books about food or with food in the title

This is a new-to-me cozy mystery. Carolyn Blue is in New Orleans with her husband who is attending a scientists' convention. After years at home raising her children, she's gotten an advance to write a book about dining in New Orleans based on an article she wrote for a local newspaper which was picked up by other newspapers in the chain. Three other couples from their student days are also going to be there and Carolyn has arranged a special dinner for them before the conference starts. One of her friends has a fight with her husband, storms out to the ladies room and then disappears. Except no one but Carolyn thinks she is missing.

Although I was a little put off by the writing style for the first few pages, I quickly came around and thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are wonderful descriptions of food and some recipes for New Orleans favorites. There were a few parts to the mystery that were funny and a few times where you (ok - I) wanted to reach through the book and give her a shake for being so dense. Just what a cozy should be.

The book made me want to rush out and plan a vacation back to NO. Beignets, cafe au lait, mufallettas, crawfish, Jackson Square.... I'm hoping the rest of the series takes me to other food-loving places.

>80 dudes22: Glad you enjoyed The House at Riverton, Betty! I'm a big fan of Kate Morton and I really enjoyed her first 3 books; I'm planning to read the new one, The Secret Keeper, next year.

>84 thornton37814: The first 3 of Kate Morton's books are totally stand alone, and I'm assuming the new one is also.

To all my friends here on LT - I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving with family, friends, good food, and good reading. And - maybe - a little football.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving Betty!

Book 81: Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron
Category 12: The Super Bowl
Books that have won awards

Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1993

I've seen many positive reviews of the books in this series here on LT and now I'm a convert to the Deborah Knott series. A North Carolina lawyer, Deborah decides to run for a judges position in the local elections. In addition to that part of the story, a girl that she used to babysit, comes and asks her to try and find out who murdered her mother 18 years ago. The tongue-in-cheek humor in the book gave me lots to smile about..."did Denna think I maybe only scored a 380 on my SATs"... and I found it comical that she had to leave somewhere and go find a phone to call the sheriff. There were a few twists right at the end that I didn't see coming.

Book 82: November Ever After By Craig T. Greenlee
Category 3: The Coach
Books of non-fiction

Everything I knew about the Marshall football plane crash in November, 1970, I knew from the movie "We are Marshall". Mr Greenlee was a member of the 68 and 69 football teams before deciding to stop playing in 1970 although he was still attending Marshall when the place crash occurred. He wanted to write a book to explain everything that was happening at Marshall U around those years and what happened afterwards. Although some of it was very interesting and informative, I found a lot of it disjointed and confusing. Perhaps someone with a better knowledge of Marshall football would get more from the book than I did.

:) I love Deborah!

>92 dudes22: Glad you enjoyed Bootlegger's Daughter!

The next one of hers I have is #8 so I need to see about getting #2-7.

I love to read disaster books and it's disappointing to hear that the book on the Marshall football plane crash isn't better.

I'll have to check out whether there's a better book out there. In 2013, I'd like to get to a few more disaster books than I did in 2012.

I'm disappointed to hear that the Marshall book wasn't better. I would be interested in reading about that crash and its aftermath.

One of these days, I'll get to Bootlegger's Daughter!

Maybe someone who was more familiar with Marshall football would have gotten more out of it than I did. Large numbers of names and dates just confused me.

Large numbers of names and dates just confused me.

Definitely not the book for me, then!

Book 83: Just Desserts by Mary Daheim
Category 2: The Pre-Game Tailgate Party
Books about food or with food in the title

First in a cozy series about murder at a bed-and-breakfast. A family comes to stay at the B&B while their house is being fumigated. The wife hires a fortune teller and the husband is going to announce changes to his will. The fortune teller ends up dead, there's a big snow storm that keeps everyone there, and the police aren't figuring it out so the owner of the B&B and her cousin have to do it. Sort of like the game "Clue" or a "Murder on the Orient Express". Lots of complicated relationships and red herrings but everything is figured out in the end.

Not sure how this series will continue. Will people keep dying at the B&B? I wouldn't want to stay there if they did. Will keep reading just to see what else comes along.

My Gosh - there's a lot of reading to do on LT this time of year. Setting up new threads, trying to decide which ones you'll follow next year, best and worst books of the year decisions - there's almost no time to read. (Bake, wrap, decorate, entertain.... )

You do have to wonder why people would want to stay at their B & B when there have been so many murders there!

Well this was only the first book, so I'm not sure that all the murders will be at the B&B. I'll wait till I get to book 2 to see what happens. Unless you know something I don't....?

Book 84: A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve
Category 1: The New England Patriots
Books written by NE authors or taking place in NE

This book is a reread for me from before I was on LT. I picked it for the Dec TIOLI challenge.

Seven friend from high school meet twenty-seven years later at a B&B in the Berkshires to celebrate the marriage of two of them. Bill and Bridget were high school sweethearts but Bill ends up breaking Bridget's heart and marries someone else. When they meet at the 25th reunion, they realize that they still have feelings and Bill leaves his wife for Bridget who has cancer and may not have much longer to live.

During the weekend many stories of the old days are told and feelings are relived. The author detail descriptions draw you into the book.

There's a lot more, but it's Christmas and I'm busy and just wanted to get this down before I forget.

When I picked my theme for this year, the Pats were on the hunt toward the Super Bowl. Alas - it was not to be. But our season this year seems to be rolling along and there have been some great games. (Beating 11-1 Houston last week was awesome.) The Providence Journal yesterday said this in one of their articles:

"New England has already locked up the AFC East title. The Patriots are one game ahead of Baltimore and, for all intents and purposes, one game ahead of Denver for the No. 2 seed in the AFC." Now here's the head shaking part
"(Because NE beat the 10-3 Broncos but lost to the 9-3 Ravens, the 10-3 Patriots hold the tiebreaker against one but not the other. Because they beat the 9-4 Colts, too, they're effectively two games up in that head-to-head race."

Read it quickly like you tend to read the newspaper and you say - huh? I know what they mean, but, really, that's the clearest you could make it? Ok I'm done with that. Back to books.

I know what they mean, but, really, that's the clearest you could make it?

I think that a lot lately as I read news items.

My SO spent last night proofreading a paper written by an engineer. We don't all value writing in a clear and concise way and many have not the slightest idea of how to do so. I suspect the hapless author of the news article has an exhaustive knowledge of football, but may not be able to clearly explain it. It adds to the fun, doesn't it?

I'm going to have to find my copy of A Wedding in December. I've had it long enough and should just read it, already.

It moves right along; shouldn't take you very long.

Book 85: Homicide in Hardcover by kate Carlisle
Category 8: The Kick-Off
Debut novels and first in a series

This is the first in a cozy serires about Brooklyn Wainwright. She is a book conservator and restorer who finds her mentor murdered on the opening night of a prestigious exhibit of a book collection. They had been estranged for 6 months since she had decided to leave his mentorship and open her own business. But they reunite at the exhibit so finding him dead only a little while later has her determined to find out who killed him and why. Is the Faust that he was working on really cursed?

I liked this one. There's enough humor in it and if it's a little outrageous that's part of the charm of cozies.

Book 86: A Hamptons Christmas by James Brady
Category 7: Coin Toss
ER books and others that catch my fancy or don’t fit anywhere else

I was a bit put off by the author's style of writing at the beginning of the book - I found it choppy and not very linear and wasn't sure I even wanted to continue. But I got used to the style and the story was actually pretty good. A ten year-old girl travels from her convent school in Switzerland to the Hamptons thinking she would show up at Martha Stewart's house to spend Christmas with her. Unfortunately for her, Martha is not in the Hamptons. The family of the narrator takes her in and a Christmas story starts.

Hi Betty, I'm just stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas. I don't expect I'll be getting much time on the computer the next couple of days and then I will be off visiting my Mom. See you over on 2013 Challenge in the New Year.

Hi Betty - Stopping by to wish you a happy holiday season and all the best in the new year!

To all my friends here on LT:

Happy holidays, Betty. Wishing you time to read this season!

Book 87: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Category 5: The Cheerleaders
Chick Lit and books by women authors

Sarah Addison Allen writes delightful, mystical books - the perfect recipe for this time of year. This book revolves around 2 girls. Emily has come back to Mullaby, NC to live with a grandfather she didn't know existed until her mother died recently. Julia came back almost 18 months ago when her father died to sell his restaurant and return to Baltimore to continue her life. When she discovered how much debt there was on the restaurant and his house, she sold the house to apply to the debt and then decided to try and increase business at the restaurant and live as frugally as possible for 2 years paying off the debt until she had enough equity to sell.

Emily wants to find out why her mother left town and never returned. What event is everyone alluding to that they won't tell her about. And Julia wants to come to terms with what happened in her past that forced her to leave.

The author starts dropping hints at the beginning, drawing the reader in just a little at a time until the story picks up speed and heads for the ending.

Now, I haven't mentioned the magic, but it's there - trust me on this.....

Well unless I decide to do some kind of summary, I'm done for this year. I don't know what made me think I'd get 144 books read this year - oh yeah- I was supposed to retire - not. I did mange to get 87 read which is 12 more than I read in 2011, so that's a good thing. And I had a good time doing the TIOLI challenge here. But I'm anxious to move on into 13. I've already posted my best and worst reads on the appropriate threads, so I'll see you all over in 13.

...waves...

87 is nothing to sneeze - congrats!

See you over in the 2013 Challenge. I already have your thread there starred.

Congratulations on surpassing your 2011 progress! I didn't finish my 12 in 12 goal either, but there's always the 2013 challenge! :)

Betty - I'm catching up. I had to smile at the description of the book where the 10 year old Swiss girl wanted to visit Martha Stewart for Christmas. I wonder what Martha would have done if she'd been home and the girl showed up on her doorstep? (I just hope that the girl wouldn't be too hurt.)