Clue 2015

Converses2015 Category Challenge

Afegeix-te a LibraryThing per participar.

Clue 2015

Aquest tema està marcat com "inactiu": L'últim missatge és de fa més de 90 dies. Podeu revifar-lo enviant una resposta.

1clue
set. 6, 2014, 8:58 pm

I'm planning the same simple categories I used in 2014 with the addition of a small And Others category to catch anything that doesn't fit the other categories, I've had a couple of those in 2014. I think it's ironic the only category I'm behind on in Sept 2014 is Oh! I've Been Meaning to Read That! Well, I still intend to, these are too easy to push out which is why I have to have the category in the first place!

4clue
Editat: des. 21, 2015, 11:52 pm

6clue
Editat: jul. 13, 2015, 10:38 pm

10DeltaQueen50
set. 7, 2014, 7:50 pm

Looking forward to seeing how you fill your categories in 2015. I am trying to hold off setting up my thread until I complete my 2014 challenge, and I just have about five books to go, but I must make a note to myself for next year not to save all the chunksters for the end!

11mamzel
set. 8, 2014, 4:35 pm

Keep it simple and it will stay fun! I agree with this.

12LittleTaiko
set. 10, 2014, 10:28 pm

Like your Oh, I've been meaning to read that category. Great idea!

13clue
set. 11, 2014, 9:26 pm

>12 LittleTaiko: When I first planned this category for 2014 I was thinking about classics that I had never read. Since then I have discovered there are zillions of recent titles I have meant to read (like, believe it or not, all of the Harry Potters) so it's been interesting to discover that! I think this will be a category for me forever more.

14LittleTaiko
set. 12, 2014, 11:24 am

>13 clue: - Don't feel too bad about not having read the Harry Potter books - neither have I. Someday maybe...

15-Eva-
set. 15, 2014, 1:14 am

I'm pretty much sticking to my 2014-categories as well - and I'm a bit behind this year too. :)

16lkernagh
des. 25, 2014, 2:12 pm

Lovely to see you back for another year of category reading!

17The_Hibernator
des. 29, 2014, 12:37 am

Good luck with your challenge!

18clue
des. 29, 2014, 11:16 pm

Thanks everyone, I'm excited about the new reading year!

19rabbitprincess
des. 30, 2014, 5:56 pm

The new reading year is so close! I can't believe it! Hope it's a good one for you :D

20clue
Editat: gen. 4, 2015, 7:59 pm



Completed the first book for 2015. I received The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett as a SantaThing selection and read it this afternoon, it's only 120 pages. Counts on the Bingo card in square 1, A Book Set In A Country Other Than Your Own. The country is England and the uncommon reader is Queen Elizabeth. Next is The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin who is an LT author (Square 16).

21Poquette
gen. 1, 2015, 8:05 pm

I remember reading The Uncommon Reader a few years ago. Nice start to the year!

22christina_reads
gen. 2, 2015, 12:31 pm

>20 clue: Ha! The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry was my first book of this year, and I also used it in that Bingo square! :)

23christina_reads
gen. 2, 2015, 2:34 pm

AND I just realized you're reading The Rosie Effect for the autism square, which I am reading at this very moment for the same reason! Great minds think alike. :)

24clue
gen. 2, 2015, 11:33 pm

> 23 I hope it's as good as the first one!

25clue
Editat: gen. 3, 2015, 9:14 pm



I just completed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and it covers square 18, a book by an LT author. I enjoyed this, I'm giving it a 3.5. A bit unrealistic but it has good characters and a bookstore!

26clue
Editat: gen. 18, 2015, 9:11 pm

Aquest missatge ha estat suprimit pel seu autor.

27clue
Editat: gen. 18, 2015, 9:09 pm

Aquest missatge ha estat suprimit pel seu autor.

28clue
Editat: gen. 18, 2015, 9:14 pm

29clue
gen. 18, 2015, 9:17 pm

Not sure what I'm doing wrong, text won't show below the cover above but...this is a retelling of the story of Patroclus and Achilles. Beautifully written and even though I knew the story I was spellbound.

30clue
Editat: març 9, 2015, 11:44 am



I am way behind where I intended to be at this point of the month. In fact I just finished my first February book Damage by Felix Frances. I have a house remodel taking place and I've been so distracted and busy with it that my reading time has been greatly reduced. Not only that but I had to pack and move all belongings, except for my bedroom, to storage. That included books. Lots of books. We are 4 weeks into the remodel and most of my "work" is done and I have been able the last few nights to settle down and read. Unfortunately, I didn't find this Francis book as good as usual, and they are often my go to books when I need something that doesn't require much concentration. I'm giving it a 3 because I do think it was an average read and I can count it for Bingo dog - protagonist of the opposite gender.

31SleepySheep
feb. 20, 2015, 12:28 am

I am finding myself behind this month too - February is too darn short! At least you're getting some of your bingo squares filled in :) Good luck with the remodel! I went through that last year and it does suck up all of your time, eh?

32clue
Editat: març 9, 2015, 11:41 am




I read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan which has been on my bookshelf since about 1990. I read it then and I think I read it again about 10 years ago. This month I read it again because Tan is coming to our local university the middle of this month and will make a presentation to the public. I love this book and want to get her to sign it. I'm counting it on the Bingo card for "a book you've owned for ore than one year". Hmmm how many more are on the shelf that are 25 years old?

33clue
Editat: març 10, 2015, 12:36 pm



That Part Was True by Deborah McKinlay is a charming little book, perfect for rainy day reading. Eve Petworth, a 55 year old English woman, was married at a young age, divorced shortly thereafter, and has never remarried. She is financially well off, and has been able to pursue her favorite things; gardening, cooking and reading, at her home in the English countryside. She begins a friendship through correspondence quite unintentionally when she writes a short fan letter to Jackson Cooper, the American author of a very popular detective series. Jackson has recently separated from his second wife and is facing both his 50th birthday and a midlife crises. In the first letter Eve quotes this description of eating a peach from Jack's latest book: "leaning over and holding back his green silk tie with one arm while the juice christened the shirt cuff of the other". From that they learn they share an interest in good food, in this case tree ripened fruit. Eve is an accomplished cook and Jack is learning, so they begin to share cooking tips and recipes. The letters, interspersed through the book, become a balm for both of them in their sometimes troubled lives, and in addition to expanding their knowledge of cooking they help guide each other to a happier existence. I like books that have a twist at the end, and this even has that. It also fills the Correspondence square on the bingo card.

34lkernagh
març 9, 2015, 2:33 pm

The McKinlay book sounds delightful and a lead character with the same happy pursuits I have - Gardening, cooking and reading. BB happily taken for this one!

35VivienneR
març 12, 2015, 12:36 pm

That BB hit me too! The description of eating the peach got me.

36clue
març 23, 2015, 5:08 pm

I've been sitting at the hospital with my sister who has broken a hip for the 2nd time. She's doing well and will come to my house tomorrow. I took my Kindle with me the first night and thought Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West looked like something I could read and not get lost if I had to put it down frequently. This was one of those 99 cent bargains and it turned out to be well worth the price! J.B. West joined the White House staff in 1941 and became Chief Usher in 1957. He came into the White House during the Roosevelt administration and retired shortly after the Nixons moved in. The Chief Usher basically runs the home of the President. He is head of the household staff and of operations. He works closely with the First Lady planning events, projects and managing the budget. His comments about working with the First Ladies were interesting and he told some funny anecdotes about them and their husbands. Well, funny to me, but probably not so funny to him when he was trying to solve their problems or meet odd requests. It was particularly interesting to read about the transitions between the outgoing and incoming President's wives. An awkward situation some handled very well (Lady Bird Johnson) while others didn't. Written in 1973 this was apparently a big bestseller when it was published and his insight is still of interest.

37LittleTaiko
març 29, 2015, 9:27 pm

Yikes! Hope your sister is doing okay. At least she has you to help out.

38-Eva-
abr. 1, 2015, 10:26 pm

Ouch, that sounds painful. Good to hear she's doing well.

39lkernagh
abr. 2, 2015, 10:03 pm

Sorry to read about your sister's broken hip. I don't do well with things like broken bones, or hospitals.

40clue
Editat: abr. 4, 2015, 2:18 pm



>37 LittleTaiko:,>38 -Eva-:,>39 lkernagh: Thanks, she's doing well on the walker and has no pain so it's just a matter of time to heal now.

I've gotten behind with posting. I read The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins in March. It is very suspenseful. I keep wondering how the characters (those that lived) are getting on.

41clue
abr. 15, 2015, 1:47 pm



Nancy Horan based this novel on Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van De Grift Osbourne. Fanny grew up in Indiana and married Sam Osbourne when she was 17. After three years of marriage they went West so that Sam could mine for gold, but neither the mining or the marriage was successful. Eventually Fanny decided to leave Sam, an incessant womanizer, to make a new life for herself and her 3 children in Europe. There she meets the writer Robert Louis Stevenson at an artist's colony. After overcoming numerous obstacles they eventually marry and the book continues to Fanny's death at the age of 73. The unconventional lives Fanny and Robert lead made for an interesting story although I found the characters rather flat and the book longer than it needed to be.

42LittleTaiko
abr. 17, 2015, 5:40 pm

>41 clue: - Completely agree with your assessment of the book. It was overall interesting but much too long. I read this before reading Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde so that added to the enjoyment of those two books.

43clue
abr. 17, 2015, 8:22 pm

>42 LittleTaiko: I have never read Treasure Island either and want to do that soon.

44clue
Editat: abr. 19, 2015, 7:19 pm



The eighth in the Charles Lennox mystery series. I like this Victorian era series, but I had begun to almost dread reading the newest installment because although I like the characters, imo the plots were growing stale. This installment however, takes Lennox in a new direction as he gives up his seat in Parliament, and with 4 others establishes an actual investigation business, previously detection was a hobby for him. The additional characters bring different skills to the business and will provide many more plot possibilities. Now I look forward to the ninth installment due out in November.

45clue
abr. 21, 2015, 12:34 pm

I purchased Trail of Tears by Lynn Peppas at a local historical museum. I'm giving it to a fourth grader in our neighborhood but read it first. It's historically accurate, has nice illustrations, and is a good overview for a child or adult.

46clue
Editat: abr. 27, 2015, 11:23 pm



Part Swan, Part Goose: An Uncommon Memoir of Womanhood, Work, and Family by Swoosie Kurtz is exacty what it says it is. It is primarily an account of her relationship with her much loved parents and her much loved work. Her father was a WWII flying ace, a Pearl Harbor survivor and an Olympic diver. We learn Swoosie (rhymes with juicy) was named for the airplane her father flew, now in the Smithsonian. Her mother was a good partner, they seemed to have been something of a celebrity couple during the war, traveling the country together selling war bonds, etc. Margo (her mom )wrote a book, basically a journal of the war years, and there are excerpts from it throughout this book. Swoosie's memoir was published in 2014 and at that time her mother was still alive, but suffering from dementia and living with Swoosie. Her father is no longer living. I haven't seen a lot of the TV Swoosie has done, and none of the Broadway, so the book didn't mean as much to me as it would to someone her follows her career.

47lkernagh
abr. 25, 2015, 1:35 pm

Wow... somehow I had missed that there was a new Charles Lennox book out. Glad to see book 8 is an improvement over the last couple of books. I think I started to wonder about direction the stories were going when I read A Burial at Sea, but I love the Victorian era setting too much to give up on the series completely.

48clue
abr. 25, 2015, 6:10 pm

>47 lkernagh: I think Finch does a great job with the Victorian setting too. I also like the characters, and I'm hopeful this new direction pans out.

49clue
Editat: abr. 29, 2015, 8:39 pm



In Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal, Maggie Hope has come to London from the U.S. to sell her grandmother's house. The house is old, in poor condition, and no one shows an interest in buying it. So she is stuck in war time London, although the only thing she minds about that is not being able to do graduate work (mathematics) at Wellesley as she had planned. When she runs into an old school friend she acquires her first roommate, and soon has 4 more. When war against Germany is declared Maggie decides to stay in London, the city in which she was born. She doesn't remember her early life there because her parents died in a car accident when she was very young, and she was taken by her father's sister to live in the U.S. Through connections of a friend she is hired as a secretary at "Number 10." This is not the job she wants, she wants a more responsible position, and one where she can use her considerable mathematical skills. None of those jobs are given to women though, so she accepts what she can get, typing. To this point the book is well done, the characters well drawn, and the plot believable. But then it's as if another person began to write. After a short time Maggie moves into the position of Mr. Churchill's secretary and is privy to confidential information, she begins to realize something is not right with the story about her parents deaths, she is double crossed by one of her roommates, and she becomes involved in espionage in which she excels to the point that she outshines the professionals. Oh, and there's a love interest too. It's all too much, and much of it implausible. Such a disappointment after the strong start! I'm still giving it a 3 star rating because parts of it came together well, and the writing is solid but I would need more reality in the plot to give it a higher rating. I can use this on Bingo for the "centered around a major historical event" square.

50christina_reads
Editat: abr. 29, 2015, 12:11 pm

>49 clue: Oh, I'm so glad someone else was less than impressed by this book! I totally agree with you…it's too disjointed and has too many things going on. Such a disappointment for me, too, because it sounded like the kind of book I would love!

51rabbitprincess
abr. 29, 2015, 4:57 pm

I got as far as the second book in the Maggie Hope series but decided not to continue.

52clue
abr. 29, 2015, 8:40 pm

>51 rabbitprincess: I didn't know there were more, but I won't continue either.

53clue
Editat: des. 27, 2015, 1:16 pm



Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole is an epistolary novel. The book begins when an American college student writes a fan letter to a poet living on the isle of Skye. It is the first fan letter she has received and her reply establishes a correspondence between the two that will continue for several years, through friendship, romance and war. There are other letters important to the plot, particularly letters written years later by the poet's daughter. I'm not as taken with this book as many reviewers are, I found the plot advancement uneven and periods of the letters just plain boring. The overall plot was interesting, if a bit messy, but because this is a first novel I'll be interested in what this author does next.

54lkernagh
maig 8, 2015, 9:17 am

Sounds like your experience of Letters from Skye is similar to mine.

55clue
maig 8, 2015, 7:36 pm

>54 lkernagh: I'm glad to have someone agree with me, so many think it's a 4 read. I think the friend that recommended it to me would give it 4.5 if not 5! I'm not seein' it though.

56clue
Editat: des. 27, 2015, 1:19 pm



It was a stormy, rainy (9 in. in 2 days) weekend and once I satisfied a volunteer commitment Sat afternoon I pretty much stayed in. The tornado siren kept sounding Sun morning and sleep was pretty much out of the picture so I grabbed a cozy and read until there was a break in the clouds, which came close to coinciding with the end of the book. A friend had passed along the first 5 books in the Tea Shop Mystery last year and I had not even started them so this was a good time. Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs takes place in Charleston, S.C. The tea shop owner, Theodosia, gets caught up in the death of a local developer after her employee becomes a suspect. The mystery is not strong but both the writing and the sense of place are done well. I'll continue with the 2nd in the series and see how it goes, my hunch is they will get stronger as the series progresses.

57lkernagh
maig 12, 2015, 9:35 pm

Curling up with a cozy when the weather is stormy outside sounds perfect to me. Glad to read that your sleep was only disrupted by the tornado siren and not by a visit from the weather dervish itself.

58LittleTaiko
maig 14, 2015, 10:39 pm

Happy that the really bad stuff missed you. At least you had a perfect excuse to curl up and read.

59clue
Editat: maig 16, 2015, 7:40 pm

Mamma Mia, Americans "Invade" Italy was written by Stephanie Chance, the owner of Decorate Ornate in Dallas. After her customers began to show an interest in going along on European buying trips Chance started leading tours to Italy. This book is primarily anecdotes of 14 years of travel with her customers. The description of the book promises "hilarious, hair-raising" stories but many of the stories are unflattering to her customers and some are just crass. It's clear Chance loves Italy and is knowledgeable enough to write a very good book. This isn't it.

60clue
Editat: maig 20, 2015, 12:58 pm



Read for the Bingo square "author shares an ancestor's first name"

I don't think I had ever read Nora Roberts (or J.D. Robb). I don't read many romance novels, but in this case I liked the Irish setting and that the protagonist was a glass artist.

61clue
Editat: maig 22, 2015, 8:31 pm



The Spymistress is the third book Chiaverini has written based on actual women living during the Civil War era. I have liked them all but this may be my favorite. Based on the life of Elizabeth Van Lew, it takes place in Lew's hometown of Richmond, Virginia, the city that became the capitol of the Confederacy. When the book begins Lew is a 42 year old spinster living with her mother, brother, sister-in-law, and 2 nieces. They live in a fine home in the most exclusive area of the city and are part of Richmond's elite society. Lew and her family did not support the Confederacy although her sister-in- law did. When Virginia seceded from the Union Van Lew felt compelled to become involved in "clandestine combat" in support of President Lincoln. She began in a small way, visiting prisoners of war in prison, taking them food, books and medical supplies. As time went by she went deeper and deeper into the support network, eventually becoming a secret leader among the Union supporters in and around the city. When she became recognized as a trusted source for information out of Richmond, she risks her life by secretly communicating with General Grant himself. The fact that her sister-in-law and neighbors are "spying" on her makes the story all the more exciting. Chiaverini makes the great danger Van Lew puts herself in very believable and caused my heart to skip a few beats from time to time! I didn't know Van Lew's story but I can vouch that in terms of the war, the book is historically sound as well.

62clue
maig 24, 2015, 10:19 pm



The fourth in the Flavia de Luce novels. Flavia is an 11 year old who has a talent for chemistry and, having 2 older sisters, a particular interest in poisons. The story begins with Flavia's father, Colonel de Luce, telling the family that they are at the end of the road financially. Consequently, he has decided to let a well known movie producer film at the house, although he insisted that the family be able to stay during filming. A celebrated actor plays the primary roll in the movie but is murdered before the filming even gets started. Inspector Hewitt solves the murder eventually of course, but certainly not without Flavia's help. I love this series and the characters. In the first book Flavia was much too precocious but Bradley has a handle on her now.

63mamzel
maig 25, 2015, 3:01 pm

I recently read the latest Flavia book. I hope you will continue with the series. Some readers didn't appreciate the change of location but I liked how she was able to get closer to her mother and enjoy a little freedom away from said sisters. She has more adventures in her future, I'm sure.

64LittleTaiko
maig 25, 2015, 3:43 pm

>61 clue: - Have you read Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy? Elizabeth is one of the women profiled in the book and her story is quite fascinating. I'm going to have to add The Spymistress to my wishlist.

65clue
maig 25, 2015, 8:22 pm

>64 LittleTaiko: I have Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy but haven't started it yet. I met the author in January and was impressed with her. I don't think I'll get to it until July but I do look forward to it. I also have been given a copy of Sisters of Shiloh and I'll read it too although no one I know personally has liked it a lot.

66LittleTaiko
maig 25, 2015, 8:38 pm

>65 clue: - hope you like it, though if you're like me, Belle and Rose will give you fits. Emma is a favorite and I want to read more about her. Have added the Sisters book to my wishlist.

67clue
Editat: maig 28, 2015, 12:22 am



Although I've seen a few of the Kurt Wallander police procedural episodes on TV I had never read any of the books. I need another series like I need a hole in my head, but I did have this book, Faceless Killers, the first in the series, in my teetering TBR pile so I "needed" to read it. The story begins with a double murder, an old couple on a remote farm are brutally killed, and there is little evidence to point the police to a suspect. One of the things I like about the plot is that there isn't a quick, easy, unrealistic solution. There is instead an investigation that takes months and several wrong turns before the killers are apprehended. The Wallander character is believable, he's the imperfect cop that eats too much, drinks too much, and is in a bad temper too often. The secondary characters were, for the most part, undeveloped but maybe as the series progresses they acquire more depth. I'll definitely continue the series. Somehow. Sometime. This will fill the Bingo square for a translated book (Swedish).

68clue
Editat: juny 6, 2015, 10:54 pm

Aquest missatge ha estat suprimit pel seu autor.

69clue
Editat: des. 27, 2015, 1:27 pm



The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen is a fun read where Chick Lit meets magical realism. The protagonist, Josey Cirrini, calls herself a sorry excuse for a Southern Belle and she is. At 27 she lives with her mother and hides away food in a secret space in her closet, rarely going out alone. But when she opens her closet door one morning, she finds more than sweets hidden away. Inside is Della Lee Baker, a local waitress who has seen her share of trouble in the past. When Della Lee decides to become Josey's "fairy godmother" and help her (well, really push her) to change her life, all kinds of unusual and unexpected things happen. Beach season will soon be on us and this would be a good beach read

70DeltaQueen50
juny 1, 2015, 3:44 pm

I enjoy Sarah Addison Allen's books and Sugar Queen is my favorite. You are so right in recommending them as great beach reads. After the dour Kurt Wallender you probably appreciated the sweetness and light.

71-Eva-
juny 2, 2015, 11:00 pm

I've still not read anything by Sarah Addison Allen, but Sugar Queen is on the list, for sure!

72clue
juny 3, 2015, 5:52 pm

>71 -Eva-: I'll bet you'll like it, I can't believe I let it sit on my TBR for years, not months!

73clue
Editat: juny 6, 2015, 11:36 pm



EnglishmanTerry Darlington has written 3 books about the adventures he and his wife Monica have had on their narrow boat, the Phyllis May. After sailing the canals in England and France they decide to ship the Phyllis May to the U.S. and sail the Intra Costal Waterway, an 1100 mile trip from Virginia to the Gulf of Mexico. The Phyllis May, at 60 feet long and less than 7 feet wide, is totally unsuited for the trip, traveling at no more than 6 miles an hour. The trip will take a year and will require the help of professional pilots when sailing in the open sea or across large bays. Terry gives us snippets of their experiences with a very dry wit. The writing style is more like a compilation of notes rather than a travelogue. It took me awhile to get into it but after the first 30 pages or so reading it was easier, though I don't like the style. I was not very familiar with the Intra Costal Waterway so I enjoyed it from that perspective. Reviewers have given it 4 stars both on LT and Amazon but I feel generous giving it a 3 because of the style of writing which has no depth or reflection.

74clue
juny 8, 2015, 10:43 pm



The 8th in the Hamish Macbeth series (only 24 to go!) made good weekend reading. This is not my favorite in the series, not enough drama in solving the mystery for me. It's Hamish I read these for though and he was his sweet, funny self.

75clue
Editat: juny 24, 2015, 10:14 pm



I have tried unsuccessfully to write a review of Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League. There is so much to it I can't seem to do it justice. So, here's the description from Amazon. 4.5 stars from me.

Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League is a brilliant reimagining and republication of Jonathan Odell’s debut novel, The View from Delphi. Set in pre-Civil Rights Mississippi, and inspired by his Mississippi childhood, Odell tells the story of two young mothers, Hazel and Vida – one wealthy and white and the other poor and black – who have only two things in common: the devastating loss of their children, and a deep and abiding loathing for one another. Embittered and distrusting, Vida is harassed by Delphi’s racist sheriff and haunted by the son she lost to the world. Hazel, too, has lost a son and can’t keep a grip on her fractured life. After drunkenly crashing her car into a manger scene while gunning for the baby Jesus, Hazel is sedated and bed-ridden. Hazel’s husband hires Vida to keep tabs on his unpredictable wife and to care for his sole surviving son. Forced to spend time together with no one else to rely on, the two women find they have more in common than they thought, and together they turn the town on its head. It is the story of a town, a people, and a culture on the verge of a great change that begins with small things, like unexpected friendship.

76clue
Editat: juny 28, 2015, 8:12 am



Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear is the third book in the Masie Dobbs mystery series and my favorite so far. Masie, psychologist and investigator as well as a former nurse during the Great War, is juggling three cases and has personal challenges to meet as well. Two investigations are for families wanting more information about the deaths and final resting places of young men killed in the Great War. The third comes by request of Detective Stratton of Scotland Yard. He needs help with a young teen who is accused of killing her pimp but will not speak. As part of the war related investigations Maisie makes her first return to France and the location of the field hospital where she worked during the war. The place she was badly injured and the doctor she loved received irreparable brain injury. As she goes about her work she becomes involved in two accidents. Are they really accidents or does someone wish her harm? There are a lot of threads to the story but they give it depth and the author handles them well. This is a series to continue for sure!

77LittleTaiko
juny 28, 2015, 9:22 pm

>75 clue: - you have me hooked with this one. On the wishlist it goes.

78clue
Editat: jul. 2, 2015, 9:11 am

>77 LittleTaiko: This is one of my favorite series, I look forward to the next one.

Tea Time For The Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith is number 8 in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series. I can identify with Mma Ramotswe when she becomes sentimental about her little white van. Even Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, the best mechanic in Botswana, can't save it, and it goes to the junk yard. Mma also investigates a football team that may have a traitor since they suddenly began losing matches. Mma Makutsi, with the big glasses and bad skin, worries that her fiance, the owner of the Double Comfort Furniture Store may be falling under the influence of a beautiful, immoral woman he has hired to sell beds. While this wasn't one of the strongest books in the series, it's always fun to take a break in Botswana.

79clue
Editat: jul. 7, 2015, 12:35 pm



At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen is an historical novel that includes Scottish myth, romance and mystery. Madeline Hyde (Maddie), a young Philadelphia socialite, follows her husband Ellis and good friend Hank to Scotland to search for the Loch Ness monster. The fact that they have to travel on a merchant ship that is part of a convoy during WWII is an indication of the foolishness of the expedition. In fact, the purpose of the search is not so much to capture the monster, but to return Ellis to the good graces of his father who thinks it's cowardice rather than color blindness that has kept Ellis from enlisting in the military. The Colonel had searched for the monster himself after WWI but was publicly accused of falsifying photos of it. Ellis is sure that once he snaps a few of his own pictures he will reestablish the respect his father lost and at the same time reinstate his own relationship with his father. The three eventually arrive in a remote Scottish village that is struggling with the deprivation and horror of war. They find one small inn that can take them in and the search for the monster begins for Ellis and Hank. Maddie on the other hand begins a search for herself as she begins to recognize conceit, deception and ruthlessness in her husband.

Gruen's characters, particularly the young women who work in the inn, are very well done and believable. The only exception is Ellis. As the story progresses and we begin to truly realize the depth of his shortcomings, he becomes an almost cartoon like malevolent character. Still, I was intrigued with the story, the time and place were very well done and I sacrificed doing housework to finish the last chapters! I'm giving it a 4 rating.

80clue
Editat: jul. 19, 2015, 7:23 pm



The Vintner's Daughter by Kristen Harnisch begins in France's Loire Valley in 1896. Sara Thibault and her sister Lydia decide to flee France after an act of violence against them. Their father had recently died and the family vineyard had been sold to pay debts. After arriving in New York Sara learns about Napa Valley and it's suitability for growing grapes. She is determined to become a vintner herself, though women are not welcome in that profession. Soon she is on her way across the country with very little money, but with a wealth of knowledge about growing grapes and making wine. She begins her new life by living in a tent on a river with Chinese vineyard workers. Working alongside them in a large vineyard she is surprised to learn the vineyard is being temporarily managed by a women with a name she recognizes. Aurora Thierry is a well known agriculturist, one that Sara has read and admired. She and Aurora become friends and Aurora's contacts give Sara the opportunity to live her dreams. In addition to Sara's professional struggles, there is also a murder and a romance.

This is a first novel with some rough spots though it isn't a bad read. One of my pet peeves in historical novels is for the characters to use expressions or vocabulary that wouldn't have been used at that time and there are a few of those here. Another problem for me is that too much of the plot rests on unlikely circumstances. Still the overall concept is interesting and I learned things I didn't know about vineyards and growing grapes.

81clue
jul. 21, 2015, 8:39 pm



Ella Minnow Pea is the name of a girl living on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop is not part of the U.S., but rather a sovereign state. Nevin Nollop, for whom the island is named, is the person who wrote "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog", that immortal sentence using all 26 letters of the alphabet.

The island's Council becomes so devoted to Nevin Nollop that they begin to ban certain letters of the alphabet when those tiles fall from Nollop's memorial statue. They are sure that by the letter falling Nollop is showing his displeasure for that letter from the great beyond. But that is just the beginning of the Council's meddling, and before long Nollop becomes a totalitarian state with severe punishment for those that use one of the banned letters in speech or writing. Ella is horrified at what is taking place and decides to fight back when many others fear taking action.

This has been on my "to read" list for several years and I'm glad Bingo Dog pushed me into finally reading it! A funny satire about the misguided use of power that sometimes made me wonder why I was laughing.

82lkernagh
jul. 21, 2015, 9:29 pm

I really enjoyed my read of Ella Minnow Pea when I read it a few years back. Happy to see you enjoyed it as well.

83clue
Editat: jul. 25, 2015, 12:00 am



I've only read a few in the Poirot series though I've followed the PBS serial faithfully. When I have read one of the books it hasn't been in order though I'd like to do that. Dead Man's Folly falls late in the series and I liked it the least of those I've read. Here Sir George and Lady Stubbs host a village fete and the idea of a mock murder mystery surfaces. A popular mystery writer, Ariadne Oliver, is asked to write the script. In the weeks prior to the fete something seems amiss to Oliver though she isn't sure what. She asks her friend Hercule Poirot to assist. Oliver's instinct is correct, a murder, possibly two, does occur during the fete. Weeks after the death Poirot manages to assemble the clues and realizes there was more afoot than he or the police thought.

This was not a satisfying mystery to me. It felt as if solving the crime was written first and then the characters created and the story written to fit the end. In a series of this length I would expect some to be weaker than others and even though I didn't care for it, I'll continue reading Poirot because those that are good are really good.

84clue
Editat: jul. 28, 2015, 12:43 pm



Blind Rage is true crime, written by a friend of mine, Anita Paddock. Anita is a published writer, but has previously written fiction. When she retired from being a branch library manager she decided to take this story on. The crime took place in her home town and she knew the family involved. I understand why it's been on her mind for so many years, it's a riveting story.

The Park family owned the newspaper in Van Buren, Arkansas for 50 years. Hugh was well-connected politically and Ruie Ann was a teacher and local historian. They had a son teachers described as brilliant and had adopted a shy, pretty daughter. They built what some called a "showplace" home high on a bluff overlooking the Arkansas River. The marriage however, was not a good one, and it ended in divorce. Ruie Ann became bitter and ever more proud of her son and ever more demanding of her daughter. The son, Sam Hugh, should have become the finest of lawyers, but his promising career came crashing down due to his fondness for young boys, alcohol and drugs. The daughter, Linda, graduated from college, married an attorney and moved away. In 1981 Ruie Ann was found murdered. Police found no evidence and no one failed a lie detector test. Why was the killer so hard to find?

85clue
Editat: ag. 9, 2015, 6:20 pm



Gunpowder and Cinnamon is a pirate adventure for adults, the story begins with captain Mad Hannah Mabbot and her crew killing Lord Ramsey, a major shareholder in Pendleton Trading Company, at his home. Ramsey was having dinner when his estate was invaded by the pirates. During the rampage Mad Hannah became distracted by the aroma of the food being served, and after sampling it spared the chef's life...but kidnapped him! My kind of girl that Hannah! Wedgwood was told he would cook an excellent meal every Sunday night for the captain or be thrown overboard. His ingenuity in creating a meal from mealy flour and spoiled fruits is great fun to read. And the fact that he is forced to eat the meal with Captain Hannah adds spice (no pun intended) to each week's, well, interesting, meal. But it is a pirate ship after all and eating Sunday dinner is not the only adventure. There's the plundering and killing and beatings as well. Eventually we learn that Captain Hannah, like those saloon girls with golden hearts, has a few principles and a passion to stop the opium trade and consequent ruin of Chinese society.

This is fun reading and great for those periods when our reading choices begin to seem routine.

86clue
ag. 9, 2015, 11:18 am



The fourth book in the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series has Darla and the black cat (Hamlet) leaving New York and going to Florida. They have been invited to a big cat show because Hamlet has become a YouTube sensation. During the show a murder takes place and Hamlet is kidnapped.

87DeltaQueen50
ag. 9, 2015, 1:51 pm

I've had Gunpowder and Cinnamon on my wishlist for some time now, sounds like a fun read.

88lkernagh
ag. 9, 2015, 2:52 pm

>85 clue: - That one goes on the future reading list!

89Chrischi_HH
ag. 12, 2015, 10:28 am

>85 clue: This sounds like fun and goes on my BB list!

90mysterymax
ag. 12, 2015, 12:00 pm

>85 clue: Ditto

91clue
ag. 16, 2015, 5:46 pm

>87 DeltaQueen50: >88 lkernagh: >89 Chrischi_HH: >90 mysterymax:

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. I think he has another novel so I've got to check that out too.

92clue
Editat: ag. 16, 2015, 6:13 pm



Speaking Among The Bones by Alan Bradley is the 6th title in the Flavia de Luce mystery series. As always in Bradley's books the path from murder to murderer is tangled, but Flavia, an 11 year old self taught chemist, figures out who has killed the church organist using her considerable scientific skills. And her considerable nosiness. There is a subplot whereby the tomb the organist was placed in shares space with a de Luce who has been dead for centuries, and who was buried with a large diamond. It is found, when opening the tomb and finding the organist's body, that the diamond is missing as well. Bradley walks a fine line with Flavia, she's a great character, but sometimes he lets her amusing personality become too precocious. In this book I think he crossed the line a bit. It was fine through most of the book but at the end Flavia gives her investigation results in rather a snarky way to Inspector Hewitt, a recurring character that I like as well. The police investigation had not gone well so Flavia was grandstanding to say the least. I much prefer Flavia complementing the police investigation instead of making the investigations competition. Still, I like this series a lot and would continue it even if there wasn't a terrific cliffhanger at the end of 6.

93clue
Editat: ag. 18, 2015, 1:57 pm



I'm glad I read Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. Like many other readers I wasn't sure I wanted to, and only decided to give it a try after I heard one of her friends say "it is after all the book she wanted to write". Now that I've read it I don't know why I was so reluctant. It is not Mockingbird rewritten. The characters have the same names but are at different stages in their lives and seem like totally different characters to me so none of the characters of Mockingbird were ruined. We find out that Atticus, though a good man, isn't perfect. When Jean Louise faces that reality she says, "she welcomed him silently to the human race." That's pretty much the gist of the book. Like many first novels it has it faults, the pacing is pretty rough. It reads like it was written by an unknown writer rather than an icon. In other words, HL gets pretty much the same treatment with this novel that Atticus did, neither are incapable of mistakes, though they both have done good for their world.

94mamzel
ag. 18, 2015, 6:34 pm

>93 clue: Well put!

95mysterymax
ag. 19, 2015, 7:58 am

Well said.

96clue
Editat: ag. 30, 2015, 8:08 pm




The English Breakfast Murder by Laura Childs, the fourth in the Tea Shop Mystery series. This series has the winning combination of a Charleston, S.C. setting, a lovely tea shop, and characters I wish I could know. The tea shop owner, Theodosia Browning, was lucky enough to tempt Drayton Connely, near retirement from long time employment at a fine hotel, to come to the shop as blend master. Drayton, a sophisticated charmer, grew up in China, and is an expert on teas of the world. And then there is Haley, the young impetuous but talented baker, who turns out beautiful and tasty treats that complement the teas Drayton selects each day for their customers. Like all cozy protagonists, Theodosia has the uncanny ability to stumble upon murders although in this case it was a body floating in the sea that Theodosia spotted one night while volunteering for the Turtle Protection League. Although the ending was a bit weak it was fun to read. Given the opportunity, I'd be an Indigo Tea Shop customer!

97clue
Editat: ag. 30, 2015, 9:44 pm



I've had reading Penelope Fitzgerald on my list of things to read for a long time. Lively, one of England's best known writers, has won both the Booker and the Carnegie Prize (children's books). The Bookshop is her 2nd book and not recognized as her best although I did like it. Florence Green, a middle-aged widow living in a seaside village, began to wonder "whether she hadn't a duty to make it clear to herself, and possibly to others, that she existed in her own right". That thinking lead her to purchase a long vacant property, the Old House, so that she might establish a book store, the village's first. Word soon got around of her intentions, and for the first time she was invited to a party at the most prestigious home in town. It wasn't an invitation in support of her excellent idea however, but rather so that she might receive an order from the General's wife to leave off buying the property. The Mrs. has plans to install an art center in the building and didn't see that the building standing vacant for 15 years was any reason for Mrs. Green to think she could buy it. So begins Mrs. Green's adventure dealing with not only the General's wife but also irate shopkeepers, naysayers and small town politics. The adventure continues for three years ending in both victory and defeat.

98mamzel
set. 1, 2015, 1:49 pm

>93 clue: Did you hear the news that a third manuscript had been found? I couldn't get excited about it and I just found this article about it.

99clue
set. 1, 2015, 7:19 pm

>98 mamzel: I had heard it and couldn't believe it! Thanks for the article, I hope it dies here but probably won't.

100thornton37814
set. 4, 2015, 9:40 pm

>96 clue: I always bemoan the fact that there is no real life Indigo Tea Shop (or anything close to it) in the historic district in Charleston when I'm down there.

101clue
Editat: des. 16, 2015, 10:46 am



I'm trying to at least advance in series reading this month, I can't say that I'll catch up though. Just finished Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy, fourth in the White House Chef Mystery. The White House kitchen is a fun setting for a mystery though Ollie, WH Executive Chef, is usually in hot water outside the WH. In this case she and the newly sworn in President's son are kidnapped by terrorists. And they only have crackers and water to eat!

102clue
Editat: set. 8, 2015, 1:53 pm



Whoops, I see I failed to post this one. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson is the 2nd in the Jackson Brodie series. Brodie, having inherited 2 million dollars, has given up his PI business and is free to travel to Edinburgh with his girlfriend, Julia. At over 400 pages, this plot extends over just 4 days during the festival. After seeing a man attached as a victim of road rage in the heavy festival traffic, Jackson's inner cop comes out, and he gets caught up in several related mysteries. The plot is a bit convoluted for my taste, but Atkinson's writing is so good I didn't even consider putting it down, and look forward to the next Brodie adventure.

103clue
Editat: des. 1, 2015, 5:06 pm



The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny is number 8 in the Inspector Gamache series and one I especially liked. A monk is found dead, clearly murdered, in a monastery in a very remote part of Quebec. The Inspector and Beauvoir go to investigate. The monastery has only 24 monks, they are cloistered, silent and their religious life is dominated by chanting. Each of the monks has been chosen in large part for his voice and how it meshes with the other monks. While each has a superior voice, together they are extraordinary. Although reclusive and in great measure unknown to the world for generations, they go public with a recording of Gregorian chants that becomes popular throughout the world. Now the monks are split on whether to release a 2nd recording. Money is much needed for repairs to the monastery but the first recording brought unwanted attention from the outside world. Gamache and Beauvoir have to know if this rift is the basis for the murder and who would be so passionate about stopping the new recording that he would kill the choir master to prevent it. The investigation, Beauvoir's continuing recovery from prescription drugs, and a visit from Gamache's much despised boss, swirl around and around until all stop in unexpected places.

104clue
Editat: set. 22, 2015, 11:33 pm



Messenger of Truth is number 4 in the Masie Dobbs mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear. In this installment Maisie is asked by one of her former classmates at Girton to investigate the death of her artist brother. His death was caused by a fall from a scaffolding during the hanging of a one man show, but what caused the fall? Inspector Stratton rules it's a mishap, but the artist's sister is not sure. This is not my favorite in the series but still good, Winspear has created a great character in Maisie.

105clue
Editat: set. 23, 2015, 9:58 am



Find The Good is another feel good book about life/living in small town Alaska by Heather Lende. The author of If You Lived Here I'd Know Your Name, Lende is the local obituary writer in Haines, Alaska. Her obits are not hastily pieced together lists of survivors and work history, they are instead crafted portraits of people that are written only after she has interviewed family and friends. Her mission is to find the good in each person, especially when she doesn't think there can be any. After mining the lives of people for over 20 years she knows there always is.

106clue
Editat: set. 27, 2015, 1:56 pm



Completed Quietly in Their Sleep by Donna Leon from the Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery series. A nun comes to the police after 5 unexpected deaths have taken place in the nursing home where she works. As Brunetti investigates it seems nothing illegal has taken place. Then the young Sister is the victim of a hit and run accident and the inspector has to determine if that was an accident or part of something larger.

107clue
Editat: nov. 7, 2015, 6:58 pm



Completed Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas. The book is based on a true event, an avalanche that occurred in a small Colorado mining town in 1920. Nine small children were caught in the snow as it pummeled down the mountain, covering the road, and them, as they walked home from school. The book begins with profiles of Swandyke residents including a Civil War Veteran, estranged sisters, the wife of the mine supervisor and the town's one black resident. Each is affected by the tragedy in a different way, and Dallas does a great job with the emotions of the characters and the changes the tragedy made in their lives.

108clue
Editat: oct. 4, 2015, 10:13 pm



The phenomenally successful Charlaine Harris is from Arkansas as am I, and I've meant to read Dead until Dark for years. As it turned out I read the first 40 or so pages, read the last 20 or so and scanned the pages in between. This is so not my cup of tea. I'm not going to rate it because so many people really enjoy the series and in this case my opinion of the book is influenced by personal taste.

109clue
Editat: des. 1, 2015, 5:05 pm



The Drummond Girls: A Story of Fierce Friendship Beyond Time and Chance by Mardi Link is about the friendship of eight women who came to know each other when they worked together as waitresses in the early 1990s. When one of them became engaged they decided to celebrate with a weekend trip to a very remote, very small island, and since then have taken the same trip every year. Now the eldest, Beverly, has dementia at the age of 65, and on the most recent trip they had to tell her about all of the past trips because she can't remember them. In the hands of a skillful writer this might have been a good book, but the author, one of the Drummond girls herself, doesn't create any depth in the story or in the women, so the book isn't much more than a recitation of events that aren't particularly interesting.

110-Eva-
oct. 10, 2015, 8:59 pm

>108 clue:
It got a 1-star rating from me.

111clue
Editat: gen. 3, 2016, 10:22 am



The booklover in you will love The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. Jean Perdue considers himself a literary apothecary. He prescribes books for whatever ails his customers, dispensing them from his book barge on the Seine. Mr. Perdue however, is ailing himself, suffering from a heartbreak that is over 20 years old. After reading a letter that has been left unread for all of those years, he impulsively takes up anchor and heads for the South of France, the home of his lost love. Accompanied by a harassed young author who is suffering from all that fame brings, they travel from town to town dispensing books and collecting adventures and colorful characters as they go.

I wish I could give this book 5 stars, but because it's written with a dose of melodrama and occasional pretentiousness I can't. It gets 3 stars from me and in some places I'd give it less, but the overall plot and the characters are enough for me to be glad I read it and able to rate it as a bit above average.

112DeltaQueen50
oct. 15, 2015, 3:37 pm

It's certainly not easy to resist that title and so, I have added it to my wishlist. :)

113mathgirl40
oct. 16, 2015, 9:58 pm

>103 clue: Nice review of The Beautiful Mystery. I really liked that one too. The next one in the series is possibly my favourite, so I hope you'll enjoy that one when you get to it.

114clue
Editat: nov. 7, 2015, 6:57 pm



So aggravating, I somehow deleted a long review as I was meaning to post it. Grrrr! I'm beat, so I'll just say now this was a 4 star read, and I'll tell why later.

115LittleTaiko
oct. 21, 2015, 9:43 pm

>114 clue: - How frustrating for you! Looking forward to reading your review as that is a book I loved.

116-Eva-
oct. 23, 2015, 1:57 pm

>114 clue:
Oh no, I've done that too. It's annoying! Hope you can get in the right groove to recreate.

117clue
Editat: nov. 7, 2015, 7:01 pm



Foreign Correspondence by Geraldine Brooks was published in 1997 before she became a well known and highly respected novelist. Initially Brooks was a journalist, beginning her career as a reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Later she worked for The Wall Street Journal covering the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. As a child growing up in Sydney, Australia, Brooks dreamed about far away places and looked forward to traveling the world. Her dreams were aided and abetted by correspondence with international pen pals. She and her pen friend from the U.S. exchanged letters for the longest period of time, 15 years. The basis of this book is her quest as an adult to track down each of the pen pals whose letters she still had, curious to see if they were living the adult life of their adolescent dreams. Though her adult quest was good reading, it was the ordinary childhood in a middle class neighborhood in Australia that I enjoyed the best.

118lkernagh
oct. 24, 2015, 10:24 pm

Oh, I do love stumbling across the "before they were famous" books. Foreign Correspondence sound worthy of a search through the second hand bookstores in my neck of the woods.

119clue
Editat: nov. 7, 2015, 7:02 pm



The Valley of Fear by Sir Author Conan Doyle is written in 2 parts. The first is the traditional mystery, it takes place in England and Holmes solves it handily. The second is the backstory and it takes place in the US with neither Watson or Holmes involved. I see that some other readers didn't like this format but I did and consider it one of the best Doyle's I've read.

120clue
Editat: des. 1, 2015, 5:02 pm



I've finished Home By Nightfall, the new book in the Charles Lennox series, the ninth, and I'm pleased to say it may be the best. Between books 8 and 9 Lennox's sister-in-law, Edmund's wife, has died rather suddenly and Edmund is plunged into sorrow. He has gone from London to the family estate while Parliament is adjourned and Charles is very worried about his older brother being alone at the remote family home. Although Charles has obligations at both the detective agency and at home, he decides to leave London and stay with Edmund. Jane, Charles' wife, is involved in a charity event and stays behind with their young daughter Sophie. As any mystery reader would suspect, a murder takes place in the village near the Lennox estate while Charles is there and not only does he get involved in solving it, Edmund shows a surprising interest in the investigation as well. At the same time, there is a frantic investigation in process in London too. Before Lennox left a much heralded German pianist disappeared immediately after arriving in his dressing room after a performance. Lennox's partners take on the unofficial investigation in his absence but surprisingly, Scotland Yard enlists their former partner and competitor, LeMaire, to officially aid the Yard in the investigation.

Both of the mysteries are interesting and Finch does a great job showing Lennox's frustration, when he is in "the county" he feels guilty about his absence in London but when he makes short trips back he feels guilty for leaving Edmund. The crux of this mystery is not the mysteries, although they are fine, it's the relationship between the brothers that enriches the book. To be honest, Finch shows a skill with these characters that surprises and delights me. I look forward to whatever he writes next.

121LittleTaiko
nov. 17, 2015, 7:21 pm

>120 clue: - I thought the author's name sounded familiar, low and behold I have his first book on my TBR shelf. Sounds like I should get to it sooner rather than later!

122clue
nov. 18, 2015, 5:57 pm

>It's one of my favorite series although I can't say I liked them all as much as this one. Great characters and I always look forward to seeing what is going on with them.

123clue
Editat: des. 1, 2015, 5:03 pm



I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson was first published in 1940 and was the bestselling nonfiction book of that year. As a teenager Martin Johnson became interested in photography and launched a career as a traveling portrait photographer, selling portraits for 1 penny. His parents thought the difficulty of traveling with no money and drumming up business would quell his restless spirit and cause him to appreciate the family jewelry business. While his venture wasn't the success he hoped for, the jewelry business still didn't hold his interest after he came back home. When he read that the famous writer Jack London was looking for a cook to accompany his crew on a 2 year sail around the world Martin immediately applied. And then tried to learn to cook. Out of 200 applicants London chose this unlikely candidate to fill the vacant spot. The Snark adventure lasted 2 years and although the trip was cancelled due to London's health before it completed the trip around the globe, Martin was hooked on adventure. After marrying Osa, they traveled to the Hebrides and Solomon Islands with Martin photographing native people and animals along the way. Throughout their marriage they were on one adventure after another, eventually making a 3 year trip to Africa, the first of 4 such trips. Martin's photography of native people and animals around the world, along with the stories of the true adventures he and Osa experienced made them famous. Martin died in an airplane crash in 1937 in California and Osa was badly injured. Over the next 20 years she continued to write both fiction and nonfiction books about people and animals around the world.

124DeltaQueen50
nov. 18, 2015, 11:55 pm

>123 clue: Years ago I found I Married Adventure in a box of books in my grandparents attic. I think I was around thirteen and it made quite and impression on me and I still can vividly recall the story.

125clue
Editat: des. 1, 2015, 5:03 pm



Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) is the best so far in the Cormoran Strike novels. The plot is a bit complicated with three men from Strike's past suspects in serial murders and mutilation of young women but Galbraith does a good job tying the threads all together at the end. The characters of Strike and Robin continue to be engaging and Galbraith continues to give the reader insights into them. Robin's fiancé is not as well drawn and I wonder if Galbraith is doing that intentionally for some reason I can't think of. It just seems odd that he remains so shadowy. Still, this is a fine, though gritty read, and I'm truly amazed at J.K. Rowling's abilities.

126clue
nov. 28, 2015, 11:44 pm

>124 DeltaQueen50: I understand why it was so memorable, both the adventures and the Johnsons were incredible.

127clue
Editat: des. 2, 2015, 1:59 pm



Fonduing Fathers by Julie Hyzy is the 6th in the White House chef mystery series. Most of this one takes place outside the White House kitchen. Ollie learns from her mother that her father, who died when Ollie was two, was shot on the street and the killer never found. Ollie begins trying to piece the circumstances of her father's life at the time together. Help comes in the form of her Secret Service boyfriend. A good mystery, this is the best in the series so far IMO.

128mamzel
Editat: des. 2, 2015, 11:31 am

You might like to check the spelling of the title. It affects the touchstone. ;-)

129clue
des. 2, 2015, 1:57 pm

Oh, thanks! I caught myself typing it wrong other places but let this one get by me.

130clue
des. 2, 2015, 1:58 pm

>128 mamzel: Thanks, I caught myself typing it wrong in another place, it's hard to make my fingers type it the way it's supposed to be!

131brodiew2
Editat: des. 2, 2015, 4:23 pm

I love the cover art on the Jazz Age and Golden Age fiction and mysteries you listed above. I just don't know if the books themselves would hold my interest. I've been toying with listening to a Maisie Dobbs mystery for ages.

132clue
Editat: des. 16, 2015, 10:47 am



I can't believe I had never read Little House on the Prairie but somehow I just never had. What a great story!

133clue
des. 16, 2015, 10:44 am



Since so many have read this I won't say more than that it lives up to it's reputation in imo. I gave it 4.5 stars. Just a precaution to those that haven't read it that it takes place during WWII, and at least for me isn't one that is easy to shrug off, I'll be thinking of it for days.

134lkernagh
des. 21, 2015, 7:58 am

The Little House series was my favorite childhood reading! Glad to see you loved it.

135clue
Editat: des. 24, 2015, 1:23 pm



I'm often disappointed in Christmas books but I'm giving Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini 4 stars. There are two story lines, one contemporary and one historical that takes place between 1860 and 1864. The historical story is about Henry Wordsworth Longfellow and why he wrote the poem I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day in 1863. In the contemporary storyline a children's choir is practicing and performing the poem (it was set to music in 1872) for Christmas Eve mass. There are troubled characters at the rehersals including the choir director who has been told she will lose her paying teaching job due to budget cuts, the pianist who is secretly in love with her, the mother of two children in the choir whose husband has become lost in Afghanistan, a newly widowed wife of a popular Senator, and a young priest who has become estranged from his brother. Chiaverini brings all of these characters together and their problems to resolution in a satisfying way. In the historical storyline Longfellow is grieving due to the death of his wife, and the fact that his eldest but young son has joined the army. The Civil War plays a major part in the historical story and causes it to be more serious than the contempoary, but it ends on a note of hope for both Longfellow's family and his country.

136mamzel
des. 22, 2015, 12:20 pm

>133 clue: I really loved this book and recommend it to my students as an example of hard lives in other days.

137clue
des. 22, 2015, 8:33 pm

> Oh, it's a good one for that! I took a class called The Novel when I was in high school, I don't remember how many novels we read but each was set in a different country. One of them was How Green Was My Valley and it made a life long impression on me. I think this could do the same to a young person and that could only be a good thing.

138lkernagh
des. 23, 2015, 11:17 pm

>135 clue: - I love books that have two story lines, one historical and one contemporary. I will be keeping an eye out for a copy of Christmas Bells.

139clue
Editat: des. 28, 2015, 10:15 am



Maud's Line by Margaret Verble takes place in 1928 in the former Cherokee Territory (Northeastern Oklahoma). When the book opens Maud, her brother Lovely, and their father Mustard, all live in a ramshackle house a few miles from Fort Gibson. Of Cherokee heritage, Maud's mother had received the land allotment when Cherokee Territory was eliminated prior to Oklahoma statehood. Maud's relatives live on the neighboring "poor farms" through allotment as well.

Maud is an intelligent and attractive young woman living in a house with no running water or electricity, dreaming over the Sears catalog of a finer way of life away from the hardscrabble farm. Mr. Singer, a wealthy older man living within walking distance, fuels Maud's dreams by loaning her books from his extensive library.

One morning after Lovely and Mustard have gone to work Maud sees a wagon with a blue canvas coming down the road. (It was a pretty blue, deeper than the color of the sky and brighter than a heron, a better blue, something new). It was not only the blue that was new, so was the driver, Wakefield Booker, summertime peddler and wintertime teacher in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is from this meeting Venable launches the plot that will cover the next year of Maud's life. Over the year she will experience profound sorrow, the continued daily hardship of a poor existence, loving support from relatives in the same circumstances and the chance for a better future.

I know the history of the people and of the place where Maud lived. I am not of Indian heritage, my ancestors were those that migrated into Western Arkansas (a river's width from Cherokee and Choctaw Territories) enticed by cheap/free land in the 1850s. Venable doesn't live in this area but her ancestors do, and she has written a believable account of a young woman's life during that period and place in our country's history. I don't know if the author plans a sequel but I'd like to have one to know what happens to Maud as her life, and I hope her fortunes, go forward. I received this book as an Early Reviewer but I'm late getting to it, publication date was July. 4 stars.

140-Eva-
des. 27, 2015, 4:07 pm

>125 clue:
I'm next in line at the library for Career of Evil and it looks like I'll have a great time reading!

141clue
des. 28, 2015, 10:14 am

>I hope you like it Eva. I'm already anxious for the next one!