Roberta's (luvamystery65) 2015 Category Challenge "I aim to misbehave." VI

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Roberta's (luvamystery65) 2015 Category Challenge "I aim to misbehave." VI

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1luvamystery65
Editat: des. 18, 2015, 11:23 am



CHALLENGE OFFICIALLY COMPLETED!!!

I am Roberta. I live outside Houston, Texas and I love mysteries. Thanks to this incredible group and the 75 group I have come to enjoy many other genres as well.

Welcome to my 2015 Category Challenge. I was very structured last year and it was a challenge that I really wanted to make for myself. This year I want to be less structured. I will have 10 categories with 3 selections each that will count towards the completion of my challenge. In addition, I will have a bonus category where anything goes. This is to help keep track of my reading. Finally, I have a category where I can keep track of any challenges that I participate in. (This will include challenges from other groups).


2luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 12:53 pm



I set out to be good but there were too many options. Now I just aim to misbehave.

Mal Reynolds OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Mal was a former Browncoat sergeant and now is Captain of Serenity. He was raised by his mom on a ranch. Mal protects those around him while keeping himself at arms length. Sounds like a cowboy to me.

WESTERNS
1. The Revenant by Michael Punke COMPLETED
2. Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider COMPLETED
3. Pretty Deadly by Kelly Sue Deconnick COMPLETED

3luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 16, 2015, 10:48 pm



First rule of battle, little one: Don't ever let them know where you are.

Zoë Alleyne Washburne OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Zoë served under Mal in the Unification War. She still calls him sir. She is loyal and courageous. Sounds like a great soldier to me.

WAR
1. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi COMPLETED
2. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell COMPLETED
3. The Photographer by Emmanuel Guibert COMPLETED
Slaughter at Goliad by Jay A. Stout

4luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:14 pm



Oh my god! What could it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?! Oh right, that would be me. Back to work.

Hoban "Wash" Washburne OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Wash is the pilot of Serenity and the husband to Zoë. Wash grew up on a planet so polluted the stars were not visible. He became a pilot to see those stars. Sounds like a Space Pilot to me.

SCIENCE FICTION/SPACE OPERA
1. Foundation by Issac Asimov COMPLETED
2. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
3. Agent of Change by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller COMPLETED
- Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov COMPLETED
- Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov COMPLETED
- Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
- A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
- Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED
- Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughn illustrated by Fiona Staples COMPLETED

5luvamystery65
Editat: des. 11, 2015, 9:20 am



Oh I'm hearin' a lot of talk there, genius. Come on, show me what you got.

Kaywinnet Lee "Kaylee" Frye OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Kaylee is Serenity's mechanic and everyone's little sister. She sees the good in everyone. If Kaylee is in your corner then that is all you need. Sounds like a friend to me. For this category I will randomly invite someone to pick a read for me or share a read with me.

FRIEND
1. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez picked by Smiler69 COMPLETED
2. Small Mercies by Eddie Joyce picked by KatieKrug COMPLETED
3. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson picked by msf59 COMPLETED

6luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:14 pm



You know, I put on a big act, storm away in a huff. Then I fly off, wait for you to double-cross Mal, beat you to the rendezvous spot and grab the loot before you can get to it. What? You didn't see it coming?

Inara Serra - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Inara is a Companion. She contracts the use of one of Serenity's shuttles. She is beautiful, graceful, intelligent and somewhat mysterious. She is a friend to Kaylee and develops a friendship with Book as well. She loves Mal but will not act on that love. Sounds like a woman to me.

WOMEN
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen COMPLETED
2. Longbourn by Jo Baker COMPLETED
3. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth COMPLETED
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen COMPLETED

7luvamystery65
Editat: des. 18, 2015, 11:23 am



I've been out of the Abbey two days. I've beaten a law man senseless, fallen in with criminals, I watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect. I'm not even sure if I think it was wrong.

Shepherd Derrial Book - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Shepherd Book is a pastor who takes passage on Serenity. He is very mysterious and violence is not unknown to him. He struggles against violence and often questions why he is on Serenity when it is the last place a man of the cloth should be. Inara tells him maybe he is meant to be there. Sounds like a man who wants peace to me.

PEACE
1. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali COMPLETED
2. Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice and the Promise of America COMPLETED
3. The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner, narrated by Priscilla Ward COMPLETED

8luvamystery65
Editat: des. 11, 2015, 9:19 am



I don't know if she'll be all right. I don't know what they did to her. Or why. I just had to keep her safe.

Simon Tam OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Simon is a top trauma surgeon who gives everything up to rescue and hide his sister. He will even forsake the Hippocratic Oath in order to keep River safe. This man of privilege will align himself with rebels in order to gain her freedom. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

BAD MEDICINE
1. Being Mortal: medicine and what matters in the end by Atul Gawande COMPLETED
2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot COMPLETED
3. The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosner COMPLETED

9luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:16 pm



I remember everything. I remember too much. And some of it's made up, and some of it can't be quantified, and there's secrets, and...

River Tam - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

River is the younger sister of Simon Tam. She is an absolute prodigy. Simon rescues her from experiments being done on her at The Academy. River is an enigma to the crew of the Serenity. She has powers that are unexplainable. Sounds supernatural to me.

SUPERNATURAL
1. Dead Heat Alpha & Omega book 4 by Patricia Briggs COMPLETED
2. Death of an Ordinary Man by Glen Duncan COMPLETED
3. Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch COMPLETED
- Banshee Cries by (Winter Moon Anthology) by C.E. Murphy
- Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy
- Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
- Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
- Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
- Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
- Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy

10luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 11:59 am



You never heard of Reavers? ...If they take the ship, they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh and sew our skins into their clothing. And if we're very, very lucky, they'll do it in that order.

"Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!"


Reavers - OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Reavers are thought to be men who went insane and savage at the end of the 'verse. The truth is much more nefarious than that. Sounds like horror to me.

HORROR
1. The Monk by Matthew Lewis COMPLETED
2. The Trail of the Serpent by Mary Braddon COMPLETED
3. Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill COMPLETED
- The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole more of a romance than horror and very silly at that
- Locke & Key: Head Games by Joe Hill
- Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill
- Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom
- Locke & Key: Clockworks
- Locke & Key: Alpha and Omega

11luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:17 pm



This landing is gonna get pretty interesting. Define "interesting". Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die?

Serenity OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Serenity is a firefly class vessel that is old but hardy. She has decoy buoys that can mimic other ships. Many a time she has almost failed the crew but miraculously they have all survived. Sounds like a mystery to me.

MYSTERY
1. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø COMPLETED
2. The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen COMPLETED
3. The Bookseller by Mark Pryor COMPLETED

12luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:17 pm



Chain of Command: It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in command here.

Jayne Cobb OFFICIALLY COMPLETED

Jayne is a mercenary on board Serenity. He appears to be loyal to the highest bidder but he is honest about his priorities. He is rude and crude. He is an accidental hero to the town of Canton. Hidden beneath his brash exterior there is intelligence and his mama loves him. Sounds very interesting to me. (This is my bonus anything goes category. I'll list anything I read that falls outside any of the other categories)

INTERESTING
1. The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson COMPLETED
2. The Martian by Andy Weir COMPLETED
3. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith COMPLETED
- The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye
- Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction illustrated by Chip Zdarsky

13luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 12:01 pm



"Are you Alliance? "Am I a lion?"

The Alliance

The Alliance, formally known as the Union of Allied Planets, is a corporate government. The crew of Serenity try to steer clear of Alliance and their planets but have run into trouble with them along the way. They are formal in their tracking of the lives of their citizens. Sounds like group or planned reading to me. (I will use this category to track my group and CAT reading.)

Jane Austen year long read

Jan-Feb -- Pride and Prejudice COMPLETED
Mar-Apr -- Mansfield Park COMPLETED
May-Jun -- Sense and Sensibility
Jul-Aug -- Emma
Sep-Oct -- Northanger Abbey
Nov-Dec -- Persuasion

Navajo Mystery(Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee)/Walt Longmire Project

January - The Blessing Way COMPLETED
February - The Cold Dish COMPLETED
March - Dance Hall of the Dead COMPLETED
April - Death Without Company COMPLETED
May - Listening Woman COMPLETED
June - Kindness Goes Unpunished COMPLETED
July - People of Darkness
August - Another Man's Moccasins
September - The Dark Wind
October - The Dark Horse
November - The Ghostway
December - Junkyard Dogs

14luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 9, 2015, 9:57 am

Author's Gallery (This is my version of a Rogues Gallery)

I must include a photo of one of my absolute favorites, Jussi Adler-Olsen when he was here at Murder By The Book in May 2013.



I will share his spotlight with Kevin Hearne who was also at MBTB June 2014.



Must include Anne Bishop and Patricia Briggs. They were at MBTB March 2015



Charlaine Harris at MBTB May 6, 2015



Ace Atkins with Lyndsay Faye at MBTB May 23, 2015



The absolutely delightful Mark Pryor at MBTB June 13, 2015



Once again with the absolutely delightful Mark Pryor to the right and the soon to be read by me Harry Hunsicker on the left at MBTB September 13, 2015



With the very funny Jim Butcher at MBTB October 4, 2015. The young lady next to him is artist and cartographer Priscilla Spencer. She did the maps for his previous Codex Alera series and a map for one of the Iron Druid books.



Orhan Pamuk signing at MATCH, Midtown Art and Theater Center Houston on November 5, 2015.

15luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 12:03 pm



BOOKS READ IN 2015

January
1. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold
2. The Photograph by Penelope Lively
3. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
4. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
5. Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
6. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø
7. Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
8. The Martian by Andy Weir *
9. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
10. The Monk by Matthew Lewis
11. The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers
February
12. The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
13. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen *
14. Death of an Ordinary Man by Glen Duncan
15. Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
16. The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
March
17. Longbourn by Jo Baker
18. Banshee Cries by C.E. Murphy
19. Foundation by Isaac Asimov
20. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
21. Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy
22. Trail of the Serpent by Mary Braddon *
23. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
April
24. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
25. Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
26. Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast
27. Wildlife by Richard Ford
28. Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
29. Locke & Key: Head Games by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
30. Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
31. Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
32. Locke & Key: Clockwork by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
33. Locke & Key: Alpha and Omega by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
34. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
35. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold
36. Washington Square by Henry James
37. The Bloody Chamber and other stories by Angela Carter
38. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
39. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
40. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
41. Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich
May
42. A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
43. Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold
44. Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
45. Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
46. Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
47. Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy
48. Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
49. Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
50. The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen
51. The Fatal Flame by Lyndsay Faye
52. Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman
53. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
54. Outrage at Blanco by Bill Crider
June
55. Ring by Koji Suzuki
56. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
57. Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction, illustrated by Chip Zdarsky
58. White Night by Jim Butcher
59. The Bookseller by Mark Pryor
60. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
61. A Bride's Story, Volume 1 by Kaoru Mori
62. Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
63. A Bride's Story, Volume 2 by Kaoru Mori
64. A Bride's Story, Volume 3 by Kaoru Mori
July
65. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
66. The Crypt Thief by Mark Pryor
67. Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland

16luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 9, 2015, 9:59 am

Dog Gallery



My Freddy gone but not forgotten.



Bruce, Nova and Téa

17luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 9, 2015, 9:41 am

For November I'm going to concentrate mainly on Non-Fiction. If I haven't finished my Halloween NF, The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosen, I will continue it into November. Then I will tackle:

Sacred Ground by Eboo Patel COMPLETED
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande COMPLETED
How We Do Harm by Otis Webb Brawley
Homage to Catelonia by George Orwell

I'd like to get to but I won't tackle them all:
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
As She Lay Sleeping by Mark Pryor
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

I'll start The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda on Thanksgiving and read this through the holidays and new year.

18luvamystery65
nov. 5, 2015, 12:18 pm

To finish off my Western Category I read Pretty Deadly Volume 1: The Shrike by Kelly Sue Deconnick and illustrated by Emma Rios. This is a Western/Fantasy combination. It was a little difficult to follow at first but as the story progressed I became more engrossed. The art is beautiful and now I am curious as to what happens next. Volume 1 contains issues 1-5.

I just completed the audio of Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. What an incredible book about aging, terminal illness and what it means to die in our society. I highly recommend this book. It doesn't just talk about the problems but offers some alternatives while stating clearly that there is never a clear cut and easy answer. The subject matter is difficult but at the forefront is dignity and defining what matters most at every stage.

19mamzel
nov. 5, 2015, 12:36 pm

Looking at your categories makes me want to do a Firefly binge weekend! It's the only TV series for which I bought the entire series on CD.

20msf59
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 12:56 pm

Sweet Thursday, Ro! Happy New Thread! I can NOT see your topper.

I agree, with you, that Being Mortal is an excellent read. Everyone should read it!

You might also like my current, NF: The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience. It's tough going at times but quite compelling.

21jnwelch
nov. 5, 2015, 1:05 pm

Congratulations on the new thread, Roberta! I unfortunately can't see your topper either.

I sure agree with you re Being Mortal. I'll be interested in your reactions to Between the World and Me, which is quite thought-provoking.

22Crazymamie
nov. 5, 2015, 1:06 pm

Snagging a seat on your newest thread, Roberta! Hoping that Thursday is kind to you.

23katiekrug
nov. 5, 2015, 1:28 pm

Happy new thread, Ro!

24luvamystery65
nov. 5, 2015, 1:29 pm

>19 mamzel: Firefly never gets old to binge watch Mamzel.

>20 msf59: Thanks Mark. I fixed the topper. Your current NF sounds very good.

>21 jnwelch: Joe I thought I had fixed the topper but I fixed it on the previous thread. Go figure. I read the first part already but I put it aside to finish the Gawande and Eboo Patel's Sacred Ground which started a bit slow but has really picked up.

>22 Crazymamie: There is always a seat for you here Mamie.

25luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:49 pm

>23 katiekrug: KAK! I'm happy to see you here. I've been lurking on your thread but I've been too boring to contribute. ;-)

ETA: I hadn't lurked in a couple of days and I'm saddened to hear that it was layoff time at your company yesterday. I haven't had to go through that in a very, very long time. Unfortunately in hospital based nursing you can't keep them around long enough. Lots of burnout.

26luvamystery65
nov. 5, 2015, 1:34 pm

So I got a package in the mail from the one and only fabulous Judy (DeltaQueen50). It was The Girl With All the Gifts by Mike Carey and Blacklands by Belinda Bauer. Both books sound deliciously creepy. Right up my alley!

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness Judy.

27Crazymamie
nov. 5, 2015, 1:45 pm

Oh! Blacklands! I loved that one - you're in for some good reading, Ro!

28luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 1:47 pm

>27 Crazymamie: Mamie it sounds so very good. I want to finish my category reading this month so I can enjoy some creepiness for Christmas! Yes, I do know I'm a sickity sick sicko. Apparently, Judy does too!

29Crazymamie
nov. 5, 2015, 2:05 pm

You can add me to that list. I adore creepiness.

30katiekrug
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 2:20 pm

Blacklands is excellent!

ETA: Thanks for your kind words. It sucks and I just want to go home.

31Roro8
nov. 5, 2015, 4:23 pm

>26 luvamystery65:, how nice to get a couple of books in the mail. I have also read Being Mortal and thought it was an excellent read, especially as I am a nurse (like you) and work with older people all the time.

32johnsimpson
nov. 5, 2015, 4:57 pm

Hi Roberta, nice new thread my dear. Hope all is well with you my dear, sending love and hugs from over the pond.

33DeltaQueen50
nov. 5, 2015, 5:22 pm

Lovely new thread, Ro. I'm glad your package arrived. I hope you love Blacklands and if you do, it's just the first in an on-going series! Belinda Bauer has become one of my favorite authors over the last year or so. I knew you know of my love of zombie books and since I loved The Girl The With All the Gifts, I thought you might like it as well.

Hope you're having a great Thursday!

34rabbitprincess
nov. 5, 2015, 5:35 pm

Happy new thread, Roberta! I love the "hall of fame" gallery with your author photos! :)

35msf59
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 6:00 pm

I saw a good Audible deal on Half-Resurrection Blues. I've heard good things about this urban fantasy series. And for 4 bucks you can't beat it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFKHOX0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&a...

36lkernagh
nov. 5, 2015, 9:17 pm

Happy new thread, Roberta! I now have a serious desire to re-watch my copy of Serenity, which is not a bad thing. ;-)

>14 luvamystery65: - Excellent author gallery!

37LittleTaiko
nov. 5, 2015, 9:38 pm

My book club just picked Being Mortal and Between the World and Me for part of our 2016 reads. Happy to see positive reviews for one. Looking forward to your thoughts on the other.

38ronincats
nov. 5, 2015, 9:59 pm

Wonderful new thread, RO!

39BookLizard
nov. 5, 2015, 11:13 pm

17> I have Furiously Happy borrowed from the library. I don't usually read nonfiction, so I'm hoping I like it.

40johnsimpson
nov. 6, 2015, 5:06 pm

Hi Roberta, wishing you a happy weekend my dear.

41mathgirl40
nov. 6, 2015, 10:08 pm

Happy new thread! Lovely author's gallery.

42-Eva-
nov. 7, 2015, 7:20 pm

Happy new thread!! I have a couple of Atul Gawande's books on Mt. TBR and a couple of spots for non-fiction left on the challenge.... Hmm... :)

43luvamystery65
nov. 9, 2015, 9:47 am

>29 Crazymamie: I approve!

>30 katiekrug: Another recommendation. Katie, I'm glad you had a nicer weekend than your week.

>31 Roro8: I am giving a copy of Being Mortal to my niece Martha that is graduating nursing school next month.

>32 johnsimpson: The Father of the bride! Thanks for dropping by John. Love and hugs to you and Karen.

>33 DeltaQueen50: A series! I should have know that our Series and Sequels host would get me on another series. ;-) I'm excited about The Girl with all the Gifts Judy.

>34 rabbitprincess: Thanks RP! Looking forward to the Murder Mystery Christmas thread next month.

>35 msf59: Mark I missed that sale. Oh well.

44luvamystery65
nov. 9, 2015, 9:52 am

>36 lkernagh: Serenity is such a great movie. Thanks re my author gallery. I'm pretty proud of it. I need to add Orhan Pamuk to it although it was a Q&A/reading and my book was presigned, I was happy to sneak a photo in. I do hope I get a decent photo of Neil Gaiman.

>37 LittleTaiko: I know you will love Being Mortal. I am looking forward to settling in with Between the World and Me very soon.

>38 ronincats: Thanks Ro!

>39 BookLizard: I read her first book and if this book is anything like it, (I hear it's better) then this should be a good read for you.

>40 johnsimpson: Thank you again John

>41 mathgirl40: Thanks!

>42 -Eva-: Definitely bump Gawande up the TBR mountain Eva!

45luvamystery65
Editat: nov. 9, 2015, 10:10 am

I finished Eboo Patel's Sacred Ground: pluralism, prejudice and the promise of America. It started out slow but picked up momentum. The subject, interfaith cooperation is very relevant today, not only in America but throughout the world. The book gave me much to think about in response to comments from family members that I love but say things that make me cringe. I also was led to pick up The Faith Club by Ranya Idiby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner. The audio is available via Hoopla so I am listening to this right now.

I really didn't want to count two GNs for my War category but I absolutely loved Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi so that is staying. With the recent bombings of MSF hospitals in Afghanistan and Yemen I am led to read The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert. It was a GN, Safe Area Goražde, that led me to create the category in the first place so I do believe it is fitting.

46BookLizard
nov. 10, 2015, 3:25 pm

44> Reading and enjoying Furiously Happy now. Already downloaded Let's Pretend this Never Happened from Overdrive.

47-Eva-
nov. 10, 2015, 5:52 pm

I had The Photographer home from the library last Christmas holiday, but never got to it - thanks for the reminder, I'll try to take it home this year too (and actually get it read...). Persepolis is beautiful!

48luvamystery65
nov. 17, 2015, 10:20 pm

>46 BookLizard: Please let me know how you like Let's Pretend This Never Happened!

>47 -Eva-: I finished The Photographer and it was incredible. I found the parts related to the treatment of horses and donkeys (or was it mules?) very difficult. It was so heartbreaking but I persevered and continued on. What a journey they made.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I finished Homage to Catalonia! It was good but for some reason this was the poor book that kept getting set aside for anything and everything. It is done and with it my WAR category is complete!

49johnsimpson
nov. 18, 2015, 6:43 am

Hi Roberta, just passing by my dear. Love and hugs.

50jnwelch
nov. 18, 2015, 11:25 am

Me, too, Roberta. *waves*

51DeltaQueen50
nov. 18, 2015, 7:24 pm

You've really covered a lot of ground with your non-fiction reading, Ro! I suspect that when December rolls around you will be ready for some much lighter fare.

52luvamystery65
nov. 18, 2015, 7:43 pm

>49 johnsimpson: Love and hugs John

>50 jnwelch: *waves* at Joe!

>51 DeltaQueen50: I have loved my NF reading this month and the two Inter-Faith books have been so timely. I will definitely be ready for lighter fare and I look forward to the annual Christmas Murder Mystery thread that Rabbitprincess host.

53BookLizard
nov. 19, 2015, 8:10 pm

48> Loved Furiously Happy. Some parts were so funny. Some parts were extra weird - (the whole book is weird, but that's what's great about it). Some parts hit a little too close to home.

Read just a little bit of Let's Pretend This Never Happened - I have too many other books on my plate, so I want to take time to savor it.

54Ameise1
nov. 21, 2015, 7:19 am

Hi Roberta, I finally find time to do some weekend greetings. Wishing you a most lovely weekend.

55-Eva-
nov. 23, 2015, 10:40 pm

"related to the treatment of horses and donkeys (or was it mules?) very difficult"
Uh-oh, that doesn't bode well for me - I don't do well with anything bad about animals. :(

56luvamystery65
nov. 24, 2015, 7:50 pm

>55 -Eva-: It was a very small part of the story and it's what actually happened. It was/is? a part of the culture. I had to put it aside for a day and then return. As I said, it is a small part of the story but it is a true story. It's also an important story so I forged ahead and read it.

57luvamystery65
nov. 24, 2015, 8:03 pm

>53 BookLizard: Her first book is funny and very weird. That is her style. Have you read her blog?

>54 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara.

58rabbitprincess
nov. 24, 2015, 8:55 pm

Roberta, would you want to read Broken Harbour sometime in December? Let me know! :)

59luvamystery65
nov. 24, 2015, 9:56 pm

>58 rabbitprincess: That sounds like a great idea to me RP!

60-Eva-
nov. 24, 2015, 10:42 pm

>56 luvamystery65:
Thanks - good to know!

61rabbitprincess
nov. 25, 2015, 5:24 pm

>59 luvamystery65: Hurray! I'm in the middle of an omnibus at the moment but could be ready to start by mid-next week.

62DeltaQueen50
nov. 25, 2015, 10:27 pm

Happy Thanksgiving, Ro, hope you have a lovely holiday.

63BookLizard
nov. 25, 2015, 10:33 pm

57> I've seen her blog, but it's overwhelming.

64msf59
nov. 26, 2015, 9:10 am

Happy Thanksgiving, Ro! I hope you don't have to work. Fingers crossed.

I LOVED Broken Harbour. It might be my 2nd favorite in the series, after her debut. Great stuff.

65jnwelch
nov. 26, 2015, 9:55 am

Happy Thanksgiving, Roberta!

66johnsimpson
nov. 26, 2015, 3:47 pm

Happy Thanksgiving Roberta my dear, sending love and hugs.

67EBT1002
nov. 28, 2015, 1:47 am

Yay! I have found you! Well, more like you found me wandering all lost and confused on your 2016 planning thread. Thanks for posting the link.

Ooh, talk of Broken Harbor reminds me that I need to read Faithful Place so that I can also get to that one. I don't have a copy of FP so that keeps delaying me. Library, Ellen. Library.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Ro!

68rabbitprincess
nov. 28, 2015, 9:19 am

Meant to stop by with this yesterday: https://www.librarything.com/topic/206112

69luvamystery65
nov. 28, 2015, 9:31 am

>60 -Eva-: :-)

>61 rabbitprincess: No rush. I'll be ready.

>62 DeltaQueen50: Thank you Judy.

>63 BookLizard: It is overwhelming!

>64 msf59: I did work Mark, but that's okay. Working holidays comes with the territory when you work in a hospital. I'm off Christmas so woohoo!

70luvamystery65
nov. 28, 2015, 9:33 am

>65 jnwelch: Thanks Joe!

>66 johnsimpson: Thank you John. My best to you and Karen.

>67 EBT1002: I am perpetually confused Ellen. I LOVED Faithful Place and I suspect you will too.

>68 rabbitprincess: Now what could that link be?

71luvamystery65
nov. 28, 2015, 9:38 am

For those that love a little murder with their Christmas be sure to follow the link in post >68 rabbitprincess: for the Christmas Murder Mystery/Gift Books Read

Here is a little blurb for you:
Welcome to the third edition of the Christmas Murder Mystery thread. If you’d like a break from the holiday grind, stop by this thread and rest a while with a possibly hilariously titled Christmas mystery.

But we’re not just about Christmas mysteries here on the Christmas mystery group read! Do you have Christmas gifts from LAST year that remain unread? Now’s your opportunity to put a dent in them before you get another batch this year. (And this includes books you bought with Christmas gift cards.)

I love this thread and thank you RP for once again hosting this.

72rabbitprincess
nov. 28, 2015, 10:24 am

>71 luvamystery65: I should also add that Christmas books in general are welcome, as are books you received as gifts many years ago (not just last year). Whatever gets you into (or helps you escape from) the holiday spirit!

73Berly
nov. 30, 2015, 1:49 am

Hi Roberta--Love all your MBTB pictures up top--wow!! Great authors. I am totally jealous. So, I have fallen off the book wagon the past two months. My small attempt at redemption is I started watching the Walt Longmire Series on TV--pretty good!!

74EBT1002
des. 1, 2015, 9:43 am

Hey Roberta. I don't have any books that qualify sitting about on the shelf but I'll probably lurk on the >68 rabbitprincess: thread just for fun. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up getting hit by a blue book bullet (ya think?).

It is the first day of December. I hope this month brings many joys to you and yours.

75luvamystery65
des. 4, 2015, 9:44 am

>72 rabbitprincess: I love the idea of an expanded challenge. It certainly makes it more Christmas themed than just Christmas murder mysteries. Of course you know I love mysteries! ;-)

>73 Berly: Kim!!! Thank you. I love my photos too! I saw Neil Gaiman last month but there was no photos! I need to figure out what to post up there to commemorate the event though. That one was a bucket list event.

>74 EBT1002: Ellen! Thanks for the hopes of joy. The Christmas thread is one I look forward to all year and it is a great one to lurk and get ideas from.

76luvamystery65
des. 4, 2015, 9:59 am

Category Challenge update:

I am currently finishing up The Anatomy Murders by Lisa Rosen to complete my Bad Medicine- Simon Tam category.
I started The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali to complete my Peace - Shepherd Book category.
I also started on audio Small Mercies by Eddie Joyce to complete my Friends - Kaylee Frye category. This one was picked for me by KAK, Katie Krug!

I finished Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson for my Navajo Tribal Police/Longmire yearlong read. I still need to go back and finish up a Hillerman to be caught up.

I have Persuasion on audio narrated by Juliet Stevenson that I am partially through for the year long Jane Austen read. I put it aside for Small Mercies but I'll get back to it and Juliet Stevenson is a lovely narrator to end the year with.

When I complete above I will listen to Side Jobs and read some Liaden Universe short stories.

77katiekrug
des. 4, 2015, 10:16 am

I hope you like Small Mercies!

78luvamystery65
des. 4, 2015, 10:44 am

>77 katiekrug: I had to wait forever for the audio but it came in this morning. Perfect timing as I finished my Longmire audio last night. I like the narrator so far so that bodes well.

79luvamystery65
des. 4, 2015, 11:22 am

I gained 4 pounds over the last 4 weeks. Not good as I am trying to lose weight and the holidays are in full swing. I see a wellness counselor at work. It's free so I take advantage. It's like a private Weight Watchers without the fee and processed food shilling. I've seen her for a year already and man is that girl trouble. She challenged me to not buy any books if I gained weight and only buy X amount of books if I lost weight. Does she know me or what? Me and my big mouth! What did I take her to my last meeting? A copy of Being Mortal!

This plan may actually motivate me.

80LisaMorr
des. 4, 2015, 11:34 am

>79 luvamystery65: Hi Roberta - your last post made me laugh; might be something I need to consider as well - can only buy X books if I've lost Y pounds....
Hmmm, doesn't sound like any fun though.

81luvamystery65
des. 4, 2015, 2:24 pm

>80 LisaMorr: Not fun but hopefully productive. I'm glad you laughed. I laughed too and then I cried. :P

82Roro8
des. 4, 2015, 3:05 pm

I think Christmas season has got to be the worst time to try and lose weight. You should be very impressed with yourself if you can manage to do that Ro.

I like the idea of that Christmas mystery thing including books that you've received as gifts in previous Christmas seasons. I got about 5 books last Christmas and I think I have only read 1! I obviously should be over on that thread reading the other four. The only thing is, I popped into the library a couple of days ago and picked up about 8 interesting looking books (which I will never be able to read in the allocated 3 weeks).

83susanj67
des. 5, 2015, 6:36 am

>79 luvamystery65: Roberta, that sounds alarming! Rationing books? It makes you realise just how strange the non-LT world is :-))

Yay for time off at Christmas! I'm taking the three days in between Christmas and New Year, so no Christmas Reading Extravaganza for me this year, but I'll do my best with the time I have.

84Ameise1
des. 5, 2015, 7:39 am

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Roberta.

85EBT1002
Editat: des. 5, 2015, 10:59 am

Well, with the Christmas thread in mind, I purchased Mystery in White this week and I'll try to shoehorn it in this month. :-)

>79 luvamystery65: I have been failing badly at my little weight-loss effort, too. Maybe rationing books would provide the motivation! We're eating a more healthy diet in response to P's rather frightening blood pressure a few weeks ago, but I have not been as good at getting myself moving. Maybe I can think of something that is not about weight but about moving: Like, I only get to buy a book for every 10 times I've made it to the gym..... Heh.

86DeltaQueen50
Editat: des. 5, 2015, 6:10 pm

Linking weight loss and book buying is cruel but, I suspect, a highly successful method. Perhaps I will take a longer look at it come January!

ETA: Hooray for being allmost finished with your Challenge!

87luvamystery65
des. 5, 2015, 6:32 pm

>82 Roro8: I did lose weight my final year in nursing school and as you very well know that is a VERY busy and stressful time. I am trying to think about that to motivate myself right now.

Library books are so tempting!

>83 susanj67: She knew just where to get me Susan! Clever little devil she is. Boo on no Christmas reading extravaganza but do enjoy your time off.

>84 Ameise1: I love those luminaries.

>85 EBT1002: Ellen I hope you join us with Mystery in White. These Golden Age mysteries are perfect for the holidays.

I do like the idea of also purchasing books for effort at exercising. I struggle to motivate myself in this area so I will bring this up next month. Thanks for the idea.

>86 DeltaQueen50: It is cruel for us Judy, but I am hoping it will motivate me.

88rabbitprincess
des. 6, 2015, 5:36 pm

I'm planning to start Broken Harbour tomorrow! Got bogged down in the Plantagenets this week and have now decided I want to actually finish other books this month :P

89luvamystery65
des. 6, 2015, 8:11 pm

>88 rabbitprincess: I'll probably start on Wednesday. I've got to finish Anatomy Murders in print and I'm listening to Small Mercies on audio via Overdrive. Once I start Broken Harbour I will probably read/listen.

90jnwelch
des. 8, 2015, 10:06 am

Persuasion! I love that book. I've got the annotated version up soon for reading.

91luvamystery65
des. 11, 2015, 9:33 am

>90 jnwelch: Joe I really want to get the Belknap Harvard Press annotated version of Persuasion.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I've two more of my categories, by finishing The Anatomy Murders and Small Mercies. The Anatomy Murders was a bit dry and all over the place. Small Mercies was a really good story about one Staten Island family's journey through life and the aftermath of 9/11. Scott Aiello was an excellent narrator.

I am still reading Mystery in White and The Yoga Sutras of Patenjali. I am starting Broken Harbour by Tana French on audio/print as it's my shared read with Rabbitprincess.

92msf59
des. 11, 2015, 11:54 am

Ooh, Broken Harbor! Boy, did I love that one. Enjoy, Ro!

93rabbitprincess
des. 11, 2015, 5:54 pm

>91 luvamystery65: Yaaay! I've been reading it on the bus this week and am restricting it to the bus, to make it last longer. Really good :)

94luvamystery65
des. 11, 2015, 7:26 pm

>92 msf59: So far I like it!

>93 rabbitprincess: So good....

95Ameise1
des. 12, 2015, 7:05 am

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Roberta.

96luvamystery65
des. 14, 2015, 1:15 pm

>95 Ameise1: So beautiful Barbara. Thank you.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I really can't let the year end without visiting Spenser. It would be a crime. So, although I have a million books/audios going, I started Walking Shadow by Robert B. Parker. It is Spenser #21

97luvamystery65
des. 18, 2015, 11:27 am



I finished The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and with it I have officially completed my 2015 Category Challenge!

A large portion of the book went right over my head but this is not a work to be read once, understood and done with it. I think I'll look for someone to tutor me the next time I tackle it.

98luvamystery65
des. 18, 2015, 11:29 am

I am currently listening to Broken Harbor by Tana French and I'm loving it. I'm reading Spenser 21, Walking Shadow and I'm trying to finish up my Hillerman read that I was supposed to read in November.

99msf59
des. 18, 2015, 11:55 am

Happy Friday, Ro! Glad you are enjoying Broken Harbor. It is such a twisty, fun ride.

100ronincats
des. 18, 2015, 12:17 pm

Congratulations, Ro, on completing your Category Challenge!! Hurrah!

101jnwelch
des. 18, 2015, 12:20 pm

I enjoyed Walking Shadow, Roberta. Hope you have a good time with it. I think I've read all the Hillermans, but I should try that Tana French. I've seen nothing but positive comments about it.

102BookLizard
des. 18, 2015, 12:33 pm

Congratulations on finishing your challenge . . . with weeks to spare!

103mamzel
des. 18, 2015, 2:44 pm


104DeltaQueen50
des. 18, 2015, 4:54 pm

Woo Hoo! Congratulations on completing your Challenge, Roberta, and especially with such a challenging book!

105katiekrug
des. 18, 2015, 6:49 pm

Way to go, Ro!!

106luvamystery65
des. 19, 2015, 12:12 am

>99 msf59: I'm just starting chapter 10 and Kennedy is so cocky thinking he's got this. I know it isn't so! She is wicked! Tana French that is.

>100 ronincats: Thank you Ro!

>101 jnwelch: That Spenser Joe! Yes, you should try French!

>102 BookLizard: Thanks!

>103 mamzel: Merci!

>104 DeltaQueen50: *blushes* I sure hope Book Depository Santa sends you a little something sweet Judy. I'm sure he will. ;-)

>105 katiekrug: Thank you KAK!!!!

>105 katiekrug: Katie I can't describe how much I enjoyed Small Mercies by Eddie Joyce. It came to me at a time when I lost my uncle prior to Thanksgiving and I just lost my Granny this past Sunday. It's a book that makes you look at loss and choices so much. Lots of family for the good and the bad. So very real. Thank you for recommending that one.

107katiekrug
des. 19, 2015, 12:17 am

I'm so glad you liked it, but so sorry about your uncle and Granny, Ro. You've had a lot on your plate - I hope you are getting some time off around the holidays and can take care of *you* for a bit. xoxo

108luvamystery65
des. 19, 2015, 12:25 am

>107 katiekrug: I'm a bit maudlin tonight due to some tequila, but I have some amazing friends. My mom's caregiver is working full time for me again and helping me with my aunt which frees me up to go home for my Granny's funeral. My Granny took me in when I was 15 and one regret I have is that I didn't stay longer with her instead of moving back to my mother. Hindsight is 20/20. She was good to me but life has been good to me and helped me meet every obstacle in some way or another. I am off for Christmas and I plan to spend it with some favorite cousins and enjoy myself as best as I can. I work NY eve and NY day so that should keep me out of trouble. ;-)

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas KAK and safe travel mercies for you and The Wayne!

109ronincats
des. 19, 2015, 12:30 am

So sorry to hear abou tyour family losses. It's been a hard year for a number of us here, hasn't it?

110luvamystery65
des. 19, 2015, 12:36 am

>109 ronincats: Yes Ro it has been hard. Loss is getting old. I imagine that as we get older it is harder, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love all the memories of the good times. I know you have had a rough year too, but you have personified grace under pressure. Let's keep hanging on my friend.

111Ameise1
des. 19, 2015, 8:35 am

Sorry to hear about your losses, Ro. Thinking of you and wishing you a relaxed weekend.

112BookLizard
des. 19, 2015, 10:33 am

So sorry to hear about your Granny. I know from personal experience how hard it is to lose a loved one right before the holidays. As I'm sure you've heard before, it will get easier in time, but it's true. As strange as it may sound, it can (eventually) be a bit of a blessing. I'd miss my father anyway around the holidays, but this way I don't have to feel the inevitable pang of his loss in June or July. I just miss him a little bit every day.

113AHS-Wolfy
des. 19, 2015, 11:06 am

>97 luvamystery65: Congrats on completing your challenge!

>106 luvamystery65: Sad to hear of your losses.

114MissWatson
des. 19, 2015, 4:35 pm

Congratulations on finishing your challenge and my condolences for your loss.

115johnsimpson
des. 19, 2015, 4:42 pm

Roberta, so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandma my dear, our thoughts and prayers are with at this sad time. Sending love and hugs to you from the both of us.

116rabbitprincess
des. 19, 2015, 8:14 pm

I am so sorry to hear about your granny.

117LisaMorr
des. 19, 2015, 8:35 pm

I'm sorry for your loss Roberta.

118rosalita
Editat: des. 24, 2015, 11:12 am

I'm sending you warm wishes on the loss of your Granny, Roberta, and also congratulations on wrapping up your very challenging challenge!

I don't know to what extent you celebrate Christmas, but I hope the rest of your 2015 if full of peace and joy, regardless. Thank you for being one of my best friends on LT. I hope 2016 is the year we finally meet.

119msf59
Editat: des. 20, 2015, 8:06 am

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Granny, Ro! Gentle hugs to my pal.

Hopefully, you are being perfectly distracted with the Dublin Squad.

120lkernagh
des. 22, 2015, 1:54 pm

Finally managed to work my way over here to get caught up with things in your world, Roberta.

>79 luvamystery65: - This time of year can be brutal to weight management. Good luck with your goals! I have found that my metabolism has drastically slowed down over the past 5 years so I struggle a little bit with managing my weight. I have found that having one bowl of matcha a day has helped rev my metabolism a bit, especially as I gave up caffeine 5 years ago.

Congratulations on completing your category challenge! *WHOOT!*

Sorry to read about the loss of your Granny. {{{Hugs}}}

121ronincats
des. 23, 2015, 3:30 pm



For my Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/Holiday image this year (we are so diverse!), I've chosen this photograph by local photographer Mark Lenoce of the pier at Pacific Beach to express my holiday wishes to you: Peace on Earth and Good Will toward All!

122luvamystery65
des. 23, 2015, 9:15 pm

>111 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara. I went home for the weekend for my Granny's wake and funeral was Monday. It was nice seeing everyone.

>112 BookLizard: I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose a parent over the holidays. It was hard enough losing my Mom in September. I do suppose having it hit you all at once would be a mixed blessing. I'm sorry for your loss and thank you so very much for kindness. It has been nice having you as an LT friend and I love your book recommendations. I hope to "see" you more in the upcoming year.

>113 AHS-Wolfy: Thank you so much Dave.

>114 MissWatson: Thank you Birgit.

>115 johnsimpson: Thank you John. My love to you and Karen.

123luvamystery65
des. 23, 2015, 9:19 pm

>116 rabbitprincess: Thank you RP.

>117 LisaMorr: Lisa you are very kind. Can't wait to hear all about your Christmas cruise. My granny loved to go on cruises and there were so many photos of her on them. She took a few Christmas ones too.

>118 rosalita: Thank you sister. I appreciate you.

>119 msf59: Thank you Mark. Re: Broken Harbor OMG!!!

>120 lkernagh: Thank you Lori. I managed to lose five pounds before I went to Laredo for my Granny's funeral. Now let's see how I do over the next few days. Tomorrow and Christmas Day are going to be for enjoying myself, but then I hit the salads again. Weigh in is on the 29th.

>121 ronincats: How gorgeous Ro! Merry Christmas to you.

124luvamystery65
des. 23, 2015, 9:29 pm

I finished Saga Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan. The story really jumped all over the place and it was fast paced. There were quite a lot of characters but it payed off in the end. I really can't wait to see where he goes with this series. I like it A LOT. Fiona Staples is brilliant.

I also finished Broken Harbor by Tana French. I listened to it and was able to finish it on my return trip. Wow. Tana French really outdid herself. I think this one is my favorite so far. I liked Faithful Place because the story drew me in but this time French made me like Kennedy when I couldn't stand him in the previous book. I really can't say the same for Frank Mackey in Faithful Place.

Finishing up Fun Home and Walking Shadow. Still need to get one more Hillerman in before January! Bad Roberta!!!

125msf59
des. 23, 2015, 9:51 pm

Hi, Ro! I just picked up Saga 5, along with the latest Sweet Tooth. And I just finished Bitch Planet, which I am happy to report, is just your cuppa.

Glad you loved Broken Harbor. It is a terrific mystery.

126luvamystery65
des. 23, 2015, 10:08 pm

>125 msf59: Mark I really loved Kelly Sue Deconnick's Pretty Deadly so I think you are right about Bitch Planet being my cuppa. I just realized that she is married to Matt Fraction. Cool.

127msf59
des. 23, 2015, 10:14 pm

I did not know that Deconnick was married to Fraction. That is cool. BTW- When is the next Sex Criminals coming out?

128luvamystery65
des. 23, 2015, 10:23 pm

>127 msf59: Volume 3 of Sex Criminals is coming out January 13th.

129msf59
des. 23, 2015, 10:26 pm

Yippee!!

130johnsimpson
des. 24, 2015, 8:15 am

Hi Roberta, sending Christmas greetings to you my dear and sending love and hugs from both Karen and I.

131rosalita
des. 24, 2015, 11:15 am

>124 luvamystery65: I totally agree with your comments on Broken Harbor, Ro (as usual; we generally see eye-to-eye on books). I have read and liked the next in the series, The Secret Place, but Broken Harbor and Faithful Place are still my favorites. Hard for me to choose between those two.

132lkernagh
des. 24, 2015, 11:22 am


133EBT1002
des. 24, 2015, 12:18 pm



Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas, Roberta!

134katiekrug
des. 24, 2015, 2:09 pm



Warm wishes for a magical holiday season, Ro!

135DeltaQueen50
des. 24, 2015, 2:31 pm

Merry Christmas, Roberta. I am wishing you a peaceful holiday and an upcoming year that is full of happiness and health (and the odd shenanigan). ;)

136rabbitprincess
des. 24, 2015, 3:45 pm

Glad to hear you enjoyed Broken Harbour! It was interesting to see things from Scorcher's perspective.

137luvamystery65
des. 24, 2015, 4:13 pm



Merry Christmas

138lyzard
des. 24, 2015, 5:01 pm



Best wishes for the holiday season, Roberta!

139rabbitprincess
des. 24, 2015, 6:10 pm

Thinking of you and sending best wishes for the holidays.

140msf59
Editat: des. 24, 2015, 6:15 pm

141BookLizard
des. 25, 2015, 1:10 pm



Thanks for being my book buddy. Happy New Year!

142Berly
des. 26, 2015, 3:53 pm


143luvamystery65
des. 26, 2015, 9:11 pm

OMG I forgot how much I missed Spenser and his smart ass silver tongue. Let me mention how annoying Robert B. Parker writes women and he thinks Susan is so smart, but she is the most annoying of all. Sorry Mrs. Robert B. Parker because I think he modeled Susan after you. I did miss him and I'm glad I'm reading a Spenser this year, even though I waited until the last minute. The blondes are the dumbest aren't they?

^Not in RL but in Spenser's world!

144rosalita
des. 26, 2015, 9:13 pm

Ha! I always love your thoughts on Spenser, Roberta, because I remember having the same reactions when I read those books. Is this still the theater one? Walking Shadow, was it?

145luvamystery65
Editat: des. 26, 2015, 9:17 pm

>129 msf59: Whoop Mark! Now if HPL will get their copy ordered soon, I'll be happy.

>130 johnsimpson: Thank you John. I hope your holidays have been lovely.

>131 rosalita: Julia we totally agree on books 99.9% of the time and our .01% is usually, pishaw! Whatevs! ;-) I am thinking I need to get to Secret Place soon because Frank's daughter plays a part in it and Frank's family actually annoyed me more than he did. That is saying A LOT!!!

>132 lkernagh: Lori, >133 EBT1002: Ellen, >134 katiekrug: KAK, >135 DeltaQueen50: Judy, >139 rabbitprincess: RP thank you so much!

146luvamystery65
des. 26, 2015, 9:21 pm

>136 rabbitprincess: I really did like Scorcher's perspective. Having relatives with mental illness really stretches your perspective of normal. It explains his behavior in Faithful Place I really grew to like him or have a sympathy for him I suppose. Frank, on the other hand, where I had some sympathy for him, he was still an ass and his family for the most part are jerks, except the one sister I kind of liked. Sorry if I sound harsh. :/

>138 lyzard: >140 msf59: >141 BookLizard: >142 Berly: Thanks!

147luvamystery65
des. 26, 2015, 9:29 pm

>141 BookLizard: You are such a doll. I really have enjoyed your input over the last two years. I don't know that we are exactly alike in RL but I think you would be someone I would go out of my way to be friends with. Thanks for all your input.

>144 rosalita: Julia it is the theater one! Yes! I miss our Spenser rants. Well at least mine. I love the two series we are reading now but because they are broken up we don't get that sense of flow like we did with Spenser. Especially since Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn also broke up the Hillerman series and we were reading about 3 protaganist this year. Not quite the same. I did have a bit of the same reaction about how stupid Walt Longmire's people were treating him. I couldn't really express it because the books were broken up by the Hillerman reads. Then when Walt went undercover in the county he was born and raised in, I went to the dark side and said, "Walt, you are an idiot but I love you anyways!" LOL!

Oh how I miss our rants! Kim and Mamie had some doozies too. Donna a bit, but she is much more ladylike than I am. ;-)

Oh, sister I can't wait to meet you in RL. Send me your address please! I have a little something to send you.

148-Eva-
des. 27, 2015, 5:40 pm

Sorry to hear you lost your Granny. Grief is the price we pay for love, as someone bright once said. Hope you had a nice Christmas anyway.

149jnwelch
des. 28, 2015, 1:12 pm

Happy Holidays, Roberta!

Saga Volume 5 and Fun Home were both excellent, weren't they? Now Mark has me interested in Bitch Planet. If you haven't read the Rat Queens GNs, I suspect you'd get a kick out of them. I sure did.

150luvamystery65
des. 28, 2015, 8:43 pm

I finished Walking Shadow, Spenser book #21. It felt good to spend time with Spenser and Hawk again. Even Susan was tolerable in this book. I love Pearl and my main tolerance for Susan is that she spoils Pearl rotten. Loved Vinnie in this one too. Correction in post >143 luvamystery65: about the dumb blondes, this time she was a brunette but other than hair color same old wacko bimbo.

I read Fun Home and Blue is the Warmest Color. The coloring and drawing on Blue was exquisite but I felt the end of the story was rushed with a big gaping hole in their life story. Such a huge difference with how the story was told through the rest of it.

>149 jnwelch: Joe Bitch Planet is on its way from the library and I can't wait. I was perusing Hoopla and they have Rat Queens so I will definitely squeeze it in soon. I am currently reading Velvet, Vol 1 per your previous recommendation. It is definitely a throw back spy story with a twist isn't it? They don't have Vol 2 on Hoopla yet but I suppose it's a matter of time. They just posted Saga Vol 5 recently so I will just have to be patient.

151jnwelch
des. 29, 2015, 1:07 pm

>150 luvamystery65: What a blast you must be having with the GNs, Roberta! All of those topnotch. Yeah, I love the throwback spy noir feel of Velvet. Rat Queens is a hoot, as you'll see, and that Saga series is the best to come out in a heck of a long time.

I liked Fun Home, too, although it didn't knock me on my keister the way it has some folks. We plan to see the musical in NY in the spring. I may take a pass on Blue is the Warmest Color. I've been reading those kind of mixed reactions to it. I've got Bitch Planet heading my way, and I'm trying to get the library to cough up Roller Girl and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. I'm a bit back in the queue for those last two, so I'm being patient.

152luvamystery65
des. 29, 2015, 6:52 pm

>151 jnwelch: Joe you are giving me so many GN book bullets!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I've finished The Ghostway by Tony Hillerman, narrated by George Guidall. With this one I am officially wrapping up this thread. Here is the links to my 2016 threads.

2016 Category Challenge Opposites Attract Challenge

Roberta's back! 2016 75 Books Challenge

153rosalita
des. 29, 2015, 7:46 pm

Ro, I have been thinking about you and your Spenser/Susan analysis today because one of the books my SantaThing Santa got me was In Pursuit of Spenser, a bunch of essays by other mystery writers commenting on Robert B. Parker and his creation of Spenser. There is an entire essay devoted to "Why do readers hate Susan Silverman?" but several of the other essays also make note of how polarizing a character she is.

I wish I could figure out how to send this to you when I'm done, but it's an ebook. Do you have an e-reader, by chance?

154-Eva-
des. 29, 2015, 7:47 pm

Happy wrap-up! See you on the "other side." :)

155luvamystery65
des. 29, 2015, 8:59 pm

>153 rosalita: I have a Kindle Julia. I'll PM you about this because I have a little post-Christmas something for you!

>154 -Eva-: Thank you Queen of the Challenge Group! ;-)

156-Eva-
des. 29, 2015, 9:49 pm

>155 luvamystery65:
Thanks. Not sure if that's a compliment or not... :)

157Storeetllr
des. 31, 2015, 6:44 pm

Happy New Year, Ro! Here's wishing you another year of good friends, good times and good friends!

158msf59
des. 31, 2015, 7:19 pm

Happy New Year, Ro! We are just going over to friends tonight, for fun, games and tasty beverages.

Are you working?

159ronincats
des. 31, 2015, 9:12 pm

See you on the "other side"!

160luvamystery65
gen. 1, 2016, 8:39 am

>156 -Eva-: Completely meant as a compliment!

>157 Storeetllr: Thank you Mary!

>158 msf59: Yes I worked yesterday and I'm at work already today. Happy New Year.

>159 ronincats: Happy New year Ro! See you on the new threads!

162LisaMorr
gen. 5, 2016, 6:25 pm

One more post? A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!