Christina reads the four seasons in 2021 - part 3

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Christina reads the four seasons in 2021 - part 3

1christina_reads
set. 1, 2021, 1:36 pm

Reading the Four Seasons in 2021 - Part 3


Alphonse Mucha, The Seasons series (1900)

September 1 seems like a good time for a new thread, so welcome to part 3 of my 2021 category challenge! I'm Christina, and by day I'm an editor at a nonprofit in northern Virginia. Aside from reading, my main hobbies are music -- piano, trombone, and singing -- and community theater.

I'm doing 4 categories this year with 25 (or more) books per category, and my theme (accompanied by some lovely Mucha artwork) is the four seasons:

  1. Fall: Books I acquired before 1/1/21 but haven't read yet. In other words, the books that are falling off my TBR shelves!
  2. Winter: Rereads, because winter is the perfect time to cozy up with something comforting and familiar.
  3. Spring: Books I buy, borrow, or otherwise acquire in 2021. New life = new books!
  4. Summer: Books for the BingoDOG -- a reference to the dog days of summer. :)

As always, thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

2christina_reads
Editat: nov. 29, 2021, 9:15 pm

Fall: Books I own as of 1/1/21 but haven't read yet.


Alphonse Mucha, Autumn (1896)

1. Dorothy L. Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon (7/28/11)
2. Jules Wake, Covent Garden in the Snow (12/28/20)
3. Grace Burrowes, My One and Only Duke (6/8/19)
4. Marisa de los Santos, Love Walked In (12/29/19)
5. Megan Whalen Turner, Return of the Thief (10/6/20)
6. Diana Wynne Jones, A Tale of Time City (9/14/19)
7. Robin McKinley, ed., Imaginary Lands (2/15/17)
8. Kate Noble, The Dress of the Season (11/16/20)
9. Caroline Stevermer, A Scholar of Magics (12/7/16)
10. Mimi Matthews, The Winter Companion (9/15/20)
11. Charles Finch, The Inheritance (5/7/17)
12. Jessica Brockmole, At the Edge of Summer (8/4/19)
13. Jennifer Kincheloe, The Secret Life of Anna Blanc (6/10/18)
14. Francis Duncan, So Pretty a Problem (10/5/19)
15. Ann Granger, The Companion (8/18/10)
16. D.E. Stevenson, The Four Graces (?)
17. Paulette Jiles, News of the World (7/22/17)
18. Jean-Pierre Gibrat, Flight of the Raven (8/15/17)
19. Emily June Street, The Velocipede Races (8/22/19)
20. Sharon Shinn, Troubled Waters (5/10/17)
21. Robert Barnard, Corpse in a Gilded Cage (4/17/16)
22. Frances Hardinge, Fly by Night (4/17/15)
23. Peter Lovesey, The Last Detective (4/29/17)
24. Renee Patrick, Design for Dying (8/18/18)
25. Connie Willis, Terra Incognita (10/7/18)

***COMPLETED***

3christina_reads
Editat: des. 22, 2021, 11:04 am

Winter: Rereads.


Alphonse Mucha, Winter (1896)

1. Megan Whalen Turner, The King of Attolia
2. Jude Morgan, Indiscretion
3. Graham Greene, The End of the Affair
4. Lucy Parker, Act Like It
5. Megan Whalen Turner, A Conspiracy of Kings
6. Georgette Heyer, The Talisman Ring
7. Agatha Christie, Three Act Tragedy
8. Jacques Philippe, Time for God
9. Caroline Stevermer, A College of Magics
10. Eva Ibbotson, The Morning Gift
11. Georgette Heyer, Sylvester
12. Kristan Higgins, In Your Dreams
13. Emma Mills, First & Then
14. Agatha Christie, They Came to Baghdad
15. Lauren Willig, The Other Daughter
16. Robin LaFevers, Grave Mercy
17. Julia Quinn, Just Like Heaven
18. Mhairi McFarlane, It's Not Me, It's You
19. Robyn Sisman, Just Friends
20. AJ Pearce, Dear Mrs. Bird
21. Mary Balogh, Only Enchanting
22. Jennifer Crusie, The Cinderella Deal
23. Rainbow Rowell, Landline
24. Gemma Burgess, A Girl Like You
25. Elle Pierson, Artistic License

***COMPLETED***

4christina_reads
Editat: des. 31, 2021, 9:48 pm

Spring: Books I buy, borrow, or otherwise acquire in 2021.


Alphonse Mucha, Spring (1896)

1. Amy E. Reichert, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
2. Sherry Thomas, The Hollow of Fear
3. Loretta Chase, Ten Things I Hate about the Duke
4. Rachel Bach, Heaven's Queen
5. Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow
6. Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, All the Ways We Said Goodbye
7. Kate Clayborn, Love at First
8. Mhairi McFarlane, Just Last Night
9. Mimi Matthews, A Convenient Fiction
10. Maggie Stiefvater, Mister Impossible
11. Tirzah Price, Pride and Premeditation
12. Christina Pishiris, Love Songs for Skeptics
13. Adele Buck, Acting Up
14. Beth O'Leary, The Road Trip
15. India Holton, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
16. Dawn Cook, The Decoy Princess
17. Tashie Bhuiyan, Counting Down with You
18. Melanie Dickerson, A Viscount's Proposal
19. Eliza Casey, Lady Takes the Case
20. Lucy Parker, Battle Royal
21. Annika Martin, Just Not That into Billionaires
22. Mary Balogh, The Proposal
23. Ashley Weaver, A Peculiar Combination
24. Sharon Shinn, Royal Airs
25. Elan Mastai, All Our Wrong Todays

***COMPLETED***

26. Mary Balogh, The Arrangement
27. Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis
28. Ava Reid, The Wolf and the Woodsman
29. Robin Stevens, Poison Is Not Polite
30. Sharon Shinn, Jeweled Fire
31. Katherine Center, How to Walk Away
32. Mary Balogh, The Escape
33. Naomi Novik, The Last Graduate
34. Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation
35. AJ Pearce, Yours Cheerfully
36. Evie Dunmore, Portrait of a Scotsman
37. Sharon Shinn, Unquiet Land
38. Katy Birchall, The Secret Bridesmaid
39. Jen DeLuca, Well Matched
40. Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice
41. Lia Louis, Eight Perfect Hours
42. Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride
43. Elizabeth Chatsworth, The Brass Queen
44. Dawn Cook, Princess at Sea
45. Mary Balogh, Only a Promise
46. Poppy Alexander, 25 Days 'til Christmas
47. Mavis Doriel Hay, The Santa Klaus Murder

5christina_reads
Editat: set. 1, 2021, 1:41 pm

Summer: BingoDOG.


Alphonse Mucha, Summer (1896)

1. Mavis Doriel Hay, Death on the Cherwell (set somewhere you'd like to visit = Oxford)
2. Kevin Kwan, Sex and Vanity (new-to-you author)
3. Ellis Peters, The Potter's Field (contains a love story)
4. Alan Jacobs, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (arts and recreation)
5. P.G. Wodehouse, How Right You Are, Jeeves (made you laugh)
6. Margaret Rogerson, An Enchantment of Ravens (about or contains magic)
7. Suzanne Allain, Mr. Malcolm's List (read a CAT or KIT = January AlphaKIT (M = Mr., Malcolm's))
8. Olivia Atwater, Ten Thousand Stitches (shared with 20 or fewer LT members = 10 members at time of reading)
9. Elizabeth Daly, Murders in Volume 2 (less than 200 pages = my edition has 176)
10. Connie Willis and Cynthia Felice, Light Raid (dark or light word in title)
11. Madeleine St. John, The Women in Black (character you'd like to be friends with = Magda!)
12. Paula Byrne, Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice (about history or alternate history = slavery in 18th-century England)
13. Katherine Center, Things You Save in a Fire (classical element in title = fire)
14. Intisar Khanani, Thorn (one-word title)
15. Ellery Queen, The Chinese Orange Mystery (two or more authors = Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee)
16. Charlotte Armstrong, The Unsuspected (title describes you)
17. Megan Whalen Turner, Thick as Thieves (book you heartily recommend)
18. Susanna Kearsley, The Rose Garden (about time, or time word in title = plot centers around time travel)
19. Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club (senior citizen protagonist)
20. John Rowland, Murder in the Museum (type of building in the title = museum)
21. Pat Murphy, There and Back Again (impulse read = bought it for the title!)
22. Christina Dudley, The Naturalist (Hapgoods of Bramleigh) (nature or environment = main characters are naturalists)
23. Ngaio Marsh, Death in Ecstasy (Southern Hemisphere author or setting = author is from New Zealand)
24. Uzma Jalaluddin, Hana Khan Carries On (by or about marginalized group = Muslim immigrants)
25. Rosamunde Pilcher, The Shell Seekers (suggested by another generation = my mom and grandma)

***COMPLETED***

6christina_reads
set. 1, 2021, 1:41 pm

7christina_reads
Editat: des. 31, 2021, 9:55 pm

CATs


Théophile Steinlen

I don't plan to participate in every CAT every month, but I'm sure I'll play along at least some of the time!

January
RandomCAT (LOL): P.G. Wodehouse, How Right You Are, Jeeves
GenreCAT (nonfiction): Alan Jacobs, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction
HistoryCAT (Middle Ages): Ellis Peters, The Potter's Field
AlphaKIT (P, M): Mavis Doriel Hay, Death on the Cherwell; Ellis Peters, The Potter's Field; Alan Jacobs, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction; P.G. Wodehouse, How Right You Are, Jeeves; Margaret Rogerson, An Enchantment of Ravens; Suzanne Allain, Mr. Malcolm's List; Elizabeth Daly, Murders in Volume 2; Madeleine St. John, The Women in Black
SFFKIT (book you meant to read in 2020): Margaret Rogerson, An Enchantment of Ravens
MysteryKIT (featuring water): Mavis Doriel Hay, Death on the Cherwell

February
RandomCAT (fruits and veggies): Amy E. Reichert, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
GenreCAT (memoirs, biography): Paula Byrne, Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice
HistoryCAT (1800 to present): Sherry Thomas, The Hollow of Fear; Grace Burrowes, My One and Only Duke
AlphaKIT (T, K): Katherine Center, Things You Save in a Fire; Sherry Thomas, The Hollow of Fear; Intisar Khanani, Thorn
SFFKIT (sentient things):
MysteryKIT (pastiche): Sherry Thomas, The Hollow of Fear

March
RandomCAT (surprise): Charlotte Armstrong, The Unsuspected
GenreCAT (action, adventure): Rachel Bach, Heaven's Queen
HistoryCAT (1500 to 1800): Susanna Kearsley, The Rose Garden
AlphaKIT (U, R): Rachel Bach, Heaven's Queen; Charlotte Armstrong, The Unsuspected; Susanna Kearsley, The Rose Garden
SFFKIT (Indiana Jones in space or fairyland):
MysteryKIT (locked room):


April
RandomCAT ("borrowed" from another 2021CC challenger): Megan Whalen Turner, Return of the Thief
GenreCAT (literary fiction): Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow
HistoryCAT (8th century BC to 6th century AD):
AlphaKIT (A, W): Marisa de los Santos, Love Walked In; Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow; Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, All the Ways We Said Goodbye; Megan Whalen Turner, Return of the Thief
SFFKIT (series): Megan Whalen Turner, Return of the Thief
MysteryKIT (senior citizen detective): Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club

May
RandomCAT (Monopoly): Charles Finch, The Inheritance
GenreCAT (short stories, essays): Robin McKinley, ed., Imaginary Lands
HistoryCAT (dynasties, civilizations, empires):
AlphaKIT (I, N): Mhairi McFarlane, Just Last Night; Robin McKinley, ed., Imaginary Lands; Kate Noble, The Dress of the Season; Charles Finch, The Inheritance
SFFKIT (time travel): Diana Wynne Jones, A Tale of Time City
MysteryKIT (set in Europe):

June
RandomCAT (everything old is new again): Pat Murphy, There and Back Again; Tirzah Price, Pride and Premeditation; Adele Buck, Acting Up
GenreCAT (historical fiction): Christina Dudley, The Naturalist (Hapgoods of Bramleigh); Tirzah Price, Pride and Premeditation; Jessica Brockmole, At the Edge of Summer
HistoryCAT (military, war, revolution): Jessica Brockmole, At the Edge of Summer
AlphaKIT (C, D): Christina Dudley, The Naturalist (Hapgoods of Bramleigh); Ngaio Marsh, Death in Ecstasy; Uzma Jalaluddin, Hana Khan Carries On; Christina Pishiris, Love Songs for Skeptics
SFFKIT (journey): Pat Murphy, There and Back Again
MysteryKIT (Golden Age): Ngaio Marsh, Death in Ecstasy

July
RandomCAT (summertime): Rosamunde Pilcher, The Shell Seekers
GenreCAT (romance): Beth O'Leary, The Road Trip; India Holton, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels; Tashie Bhuiyan, Counting Down with You; Melanie Dickerson, A Viscount's Proposal
HistoryCAT (social history): Jennifer Kincheloe, The Secret Life of Anna Blanc; Ann Granger, The Companion
AlphaKIT (S, O): Beth O'Leary, The Road Trip; India Holton, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels; Jennifer Kincheloe, The Secret Life of Anna Blanc; Francis Duncan, So Pretty a Problem; Rosamunde Pilcher, The Shell Seekers; D.E. Stevenson, The Four Graces
SFFKIT (historical fantasy): India Holton, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
MysteryKIT (female cops or robbers): Jennifer Kincheloe, The Secret Life of Anna Blanc; Ann Granger, The Companion

August
RandomCAT (on the road again): Paulette Jiles, News of the World
GenreCAT (poetry, drama, graphic novels): Jean-Pierre Gibrat, Flight of the Raven
HistoryCAT (your own country): Paulette Jiles, News of the World
AlphaKIT (V, J): Paulette Jiles, News of the World; Jean-Pierre Gibrat, Flight of the Raven; Emily June Street, The Velocipede Races; Annika Martin, Just Not That into Billionaires
SFFKIT (female authors): Emily June Street, The Velocipede Races; Sharon Shinn, Troubled Waters
MysteryKIT (cozies featuring animals): Eliza Casey, Lady Takes the Case

September
RandomCAT (award winner): Frances Hardinge, Fly by Night
GenreCAT (YA, children's): Frances Hardinge, Fly by Night
HistoryCAT (religion, philosophy, politics, law):
AlphaKIT (F, L): Frances Hardinge, Fly by Night; Peter Lovesey, The Last Detective; Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis
SFFKIT (near future/alternate reality): Elan Mastai, All Our Wrong Todays
MysteryKIT (mismatched detectives): Ashley Weaver, A Peculiar Combination

October
RandomCAT (character who gives): Katherine Center, How to Walk Away
GenreCAT (horror, supernatural): Ava Reid, The Wolf and the Woodsman; Naomi Novik, The Last Graduate
HistoryCAT (country or region of your choice):
AlphaKIT (H, E): Katherine Center, How to Walk Away; Mary Balogh, The Escape; Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation
*SFFKIT (creature feature): Naomi Novik, The Last Graduate
MysteryKIT (minorities or diverse protagonists): Robin Stevens, Poison Is Not Polite

November
RandomCAT (fortune and glory): Evie Dunmore, Portrait of a Scotsman
GenreCAT (SFF): Sharon Shinn, Unquiet Land; Connie Willis, Terra Incognita
HistoryCAT (events): AJ Pearce, Yours Cheerfully
AlphaKIT (B, Y): AJ Pearce, Yours Cheerfully; Katy Birchall, The Secret Bridesmaid
SFFKIT (short stories): Connie Willis, Terra Incognita
MysteryKIT (historical): Renee Patrick, Design for Dying

December
RandomCAT (seasonal reading): Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride; Poppy Alexander, 25 Days 'til Christmas; Mavis Doriel Hay, The Santa Klaus Murder
GenreCAT (mystery): Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice; Mavis Doriel Hay, The Santa Klaus Murder
HistoryCAT (adventure, exploration, discovery):
AlphaKIT (G, Q): Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride; Elizabeth Chatsworth, The Brass Queen
SFFKIT (last chance):
MysteryKIT (ancient Greece and Rome):

Year-long
AlphaKIT (X, Z):

* = I'm hosting the CAT/KIT.

8christina_reads
set. 1, 2021, 1:45 pm

Part 3 is officially open -- welcome! :)

9rabbitprincess
set. 1, 2021, 3:25 pm

Hurray, happy new thread!

10christina_reads
set. 1, 2021, 4:18 pm

>9 rabbitprincess: Thanks! I feel a bit silly posting it with nothing new to add, but I really wanted to put it up on the 1st. :) Should have an actual update in a day or two!

11DeltaQueen50
set. 1, 2021, 10:29 pm

Happy new thread, Christina! Your 4 categories are doing well by you - lots of good reads!

12NinieB
set. 2, 2021, 6:52 am

Happy new thread! You've done such a good job keeping up with the CATs and KITs!

13christina_reads
set. 2, 2021, 10:14 am

>11 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! I'm excited to be filling up my categories.

>12 NinieB: Thank you! Whenever I don't know what I'm in the mood to read next, I use the CATs and KITs for inspiration.

14christina_reads
set. 3, 2021, 9:34 am



Book #86: Ashley Weaver, A Peculiar Combination
CATs: Mystery (mismatched detectives)
Bingo: none

In this World War II mystery, safecracker Ellie McDonnell is caught stealing jewelry; but instead of arresting her, her captor, Major Ramsey, offers her a deal. Ramsey is with British intelligence, and he needs Ellie’s expertise to break into the safe of a suspected German spy. But when Ellie and Ramsey discover the suspect dead and the contents of the safe missing, they must team up to find what was stolen and uncover the murderer. This is a fun book that combines mystery, period detail, and a hint of romance. It’s not life-changing, but I found it a solid, enjoyable read. The main mystery is solved, but since this is a series opener, there are a lot of loose ends, including a love triangle and a mystery involving Ellie’s dead mother. I’m definitely intrigued enough to read the next book when it comes out!

15VictoriaPL
Editat: set. 4, 2021, 11:34 am

>14 christina_reads: interesting! I like how you described it. I think being a mystery first is why I enjoyed Fatherland so much. I've never really thought of the distinction.

16christina_reads
set. 5, 2021, 11:29 am

>15 VictoriaPL: I feel like a lot of books are categorized as mysteries, but the mystery is not as interesting as the characters, setting, historical period, etc. I don't always mind that -- if the other elements of the book are compelling, I can forgive a subpar mystery. But I do also enjoy "mystery first" mysteries!

17christina_reads
set. 7, 2021, 2:48 pm



Book #87: Sharon Shinn, Royal Airs
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Rafe Adova lives in the slums of Chialto, the capital city of Welce, where he makes a precarious living by playing cards. A chance encounter with Princess Josetta, however, changes his destiny. As Rafe and Josetta get to know each other better, they fall in love; but the intrigues of Chialto’s court and the mystery of Rafe’s identity may keep them apart. I found this sequel to Troubled Waters somewhat disappointing, mostly because the main characters are so dull. Rafe is a charming card sharp for approximately one chapter, and then he becomes a boring nonentity. Josetta’s main traits are disliking court life and being a saintly do-gooder (she runs a homeless shelter in the slums). However, the book picks up with some exciting plot toward the end, and there are many interesting secondary characters (as well as the welcome return of the main players from the first book). So I’ll continue with the series even though this book fell a bit flat.

18VictoriaPL
set. 8, 2021, 9:48 am

>17 christina_reads: I usually find second or middle books a struggle.

19christina_reads
set. 8, 2021, 10:31 am

>18 VictoriaPL: Definitely! Sophomore slump is a real thing. But book 3 in the series looks like it'll be more interesting, so I'm optimistic!

20christina_reads
Editat: set. 14, 2021, 12:15 pm



Book #88: Frances Hardinge, Fly by Night
CATs: Random (award winner = 2006 Branford Boase Award); Genre (YA); Alpha (F = Frances, Fly)
Bingo: none

In this quirky, somewhat dark fantasy novel, 12-year-old Mosca Mye runs away from her village and teams up with wordsmith/con man Eponymous Clent. The two of them get caught in a vast web of political intrigue, with factions including a mad duke, a slew of would-be monarchs, some sinister and powerful guilds, and the fanatical Birdcatchers. This book seemed like it would be right up my alley — the summary had me at “Eponymous Clent” — but I actually found it a somewhat difficult read. It was hard to keep track of the various factions, who was in league with whom, the good guys vs. the bad guys…and of course, all that kept changing as the story went on! Everything does eventually come together, so the book ends on a high note, but overall I didn’t like it as much as I was expecting to.

21hailelib
set. 14, 2021, 12:17 pm

>14 christina_reads:

A Peculiar Combination sounds interesting and my local library has it.

22christina_reads
set. 14, 2021, 12:19 pm

>21 hailelib: I think it's the kind of book where you'll enjoy it if you like the premise, so I would recommend it! (Not sure I'd pay hardcover prices for it, but the library is a good way to go!)

23Tess_W
set. 14, 2021, 12:53 pm

I'm taking a hit on A Peculiar Combination, also!

24christina_reads
set. 14, 2021, 3:07 pm

>23 Tess_W: Hope you enjoy it, Tess!

25christina_reads
set. 15, 2021, 2:32 pm



Book #89: Mhairi McFarlane, It’s Not Me, It’s You
CATs: none
Bingo: none

When Delia proposes to her boyfriend of 10 years, she is shocked to learn that he’s been cheating on her for several months. Heartbroken, she moves out of their shared home and decides to stay with her BFF in London. There she has to navigate a new job with a sketchy boss, as well as deal with the grumpy (yet handsome) journalist who wants to take down said boss. I’ve read and enjoyed this book before, and I think it holds up pretty well upon re-reading. But as with all McFarlane’s novels, it’s not a particularly light read; Delia’s breakup and complicated feelings toward her ex are painfully realistic. The second half of the book is more enjoyable, and it definitely ends on a positive note, but there is quite a bit of misery to get through first. If you’re up for a weightier “chick lit” novel, though, I’d definitely recommend this one!

26RidgewayGirl
set. 15, 2021, 5:39 pm

>25 christina_reads: I really enjoy McFarlane's novels. She does such a good job of creating emotions that are earned, if that makes sense.

27christina_reads
set. 15, 2021, 8:07 pm

>26 RidgewayGirl: I agree! In this book, every one of Delia's emotions and reactions regarding the breakup rang true for me. Even though some of her choices were frustrating, I could totally understand why she was making them.

28christina_reads
set. 21, 2021, 10:02 am



Book #90: Elan Mastai, All Our Wrong Todays
CATs: SFF (near future/alternate reality)
Bingo: none

It’s 2016, and in Tom Barren’s world, it’s the glorious future imagined by 1950s science fiction: there are jetpacks and hover cars, not to mention completely realistic sex robots. But Tom is miserable — his mother recently died, his genius father hates him, and he’s just permanently lost the woman he loves. As the book’s cover copy says, “What do you do when you’re heartbroken and have a time machine? Something stupid.” This book is very clever, and I simultaneously enjoyed its cleverness and found it annoying. The novel tries to be a fun futuristic romp while also examining serious philosophical questions such as: If you travel back in time and alter reality so that billions of people who would have been born now aren’t, how morally guilty are you? I found the book most interesting when it grapples with these big questions, but it never really resolves them. Instead, the denouement is just a lot of dizzying time-travel hijinks that I couldn’t follow and didn’t really care about. So, full points to this one for a unique reading experience, but it didn’t entirely work for me.

29christina_reads
set. 23, 2021, 11:03 am



Book #91: Mary Balogh, The Arrangement
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Vincent Hunt, Viscount Darleigh, is blind as a result of wounds sustained in the Napoleonic Wars. His large, loving family is determined to take care of him, but he feels smothered by their constant concern. When they start pressuring him to marry, it’s the last straw: Vincent runs away to get some distance and time to think. During this time, he meets Sophia Fry, a poor young woman whose family neglects her and cruelly refers to her as “the Mouse.” To rescue her from an untenable situation, Vincent offers marriage but proposes that they can separate after a year if they want to. Of course, we all know that’s not going to happen! I liked this book; both Vincent and Sophia are endearing characters, and I enjoyed their shared sense of humor. There aren’t really any external obstacles to their relationship, but they each have some realistic baggage that makes them guarded with each other at first. Overall, this one was an improvement on The Proposal, and I look forward to continuing with the Survivors’ Club series.

30christina_reads
set. 23, 2021, 11:05 am



Book #92: Robyn Sisman, Just Friends
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Freya and Jack don’t have much in common: she’s a hard-edged, career-driven art dealer, while he’s an affable, easygoing writer. But they’ve been good friends for years, so when Freya gets dumped and needs a place to stay, Jack offers his guest room. The more time they spend together, the more frustrating — and attractive — they find each other. But both of them are afraid of what might happen if their relationship changes. I’ve read this book a few times, and while I recognize it’s not particularly great or groundbreaking (and is now amusingly dated to the late ‘90s), I have a nostalgic fondness for it. Even though I wasn’t super impressed this time around (and I already knew what was going to happen!), I still stayed up way too late to finish the book. So I think that means I’ll keep it on my shelves for now, and fans of chick lit from this era may also enjoy it.

31VictoriaPL
set. 23, 2021, 3:20 pm

>30 christina_reads: it is nice to have a dependable comfort read around.

32christina_reads
set. 23, 2021, 4:24 pm

>31 VictoriaPL: True! I think that, because this is one of the first "chick lit" books I ever read, it has stuck with me even though it's not especially amazing. Oh well, sometimes we just like what we like!

33christina_reads
set. 27, 2021, 11:42 am



Book #93: Peter Lovesey, The Last Detective
CATs: Alpha (L = Lovesey, Last)
Bingo: none

When the body of an unknown woman is recovered from a lake near Bath, Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond is on the case. Diamond is an old-school detective who distrusts newfangled (in 1991) technology such as computers, DNA evidence, and microwaves. He’s also on thin ice with his department after a formal inquiry into his behavior toward a suspect in a previous case. When the dead woman is identified and the police arrest their chief suspect, Diamond thinks they’ve got the wrong person, but he’ll have to continue investigating solo to find the real killer. I thought this book was just fine. The mystery itself was interesting (although I didn’t really buy the solution), and I liked how the novel incorporates first-person narratives from a couple of the suspects. But I found Diamond an obnoxious character, and I don’t particularly want to read any more books that feature him. So, I’m glad I finally read this one so that I can take it off my shelves.

34christina_reads
set. 27, 2021, 11:44 am



Book #94: Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis
CATs: Alpha (L = Love)
Bingo: none

PhD student Olive Smith needs to convince her best friend that she’s on a date (a totally farfetched premise, but just go with it), so she panics and kisses the first guy she sees. Unfortunately, that just happens to be Dr. Adam Carlsen, one of Stanford’s most prestigious professors and a known jerk. Olive is mortified, but Adam is oddly calm about the whole situation; and when she needs to keep up the charade that they’re dating, he agrees to be her fake boyfriend. Soon Olive is falling for him, but she fears her feelings are one-sided. I’m a sucker for the fake relationship trope, so I was primed to enjoy this book, and overall I really did! Olive is relatable, Adam is dreamy, and their interactions (particularly at the beginning of the book) are adorable. I wasn’t totally satisfied by the ending; I wanted more of Adam’s perspective, and in general I wanted them both to communicate better. But I still devoured this book in one sitting, and I think fans of contemporary romance will really enjoy it!

(N.B. I’d give it a 3/5 on the steaminess scale; there’s one pretty graphic sex scene.)

35christina_reads
set. 30, 2021, 9:32 am

September recap

This month absolutely flew by for me . . . seriously, where did September go? But I’m super excited for the cooler fall weather — and even more excited that some of my activities from the before times, such as choir and band, are starting up again! It’s so nice to be interacting with other humans in person on a regular basis. Reading-wise, I’m on track to complete my challenge; I just need to read two more books that I owned prior to this year, plus six rereads. If only I didn’t keep getting distracted by shiny new library books! Anyway, here’s what I read this month:

Books read in September:
1. Ashley Weaver, A Peculiar Combination
2. Sharon Shinn, Royal Airs
3. Frances Hardinge, Fly by Night
4. Mhairi McFarlane, It’s Not Me, It’s You
5. Elan Mastai, All Our Wrong Todays
6. Mary Balogh, The Arrangement
7. Robyn Sisman, Just Friends
8. Peter Lovesey, The Last Detective
9. Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis

Favorite book of the month:
Nothing really stands out to me, but I did tear through The Love Hypothesis in a single day, so in terms of sheer enjoyment, I think it’s the winner.

Dishonorable mention:
I didn’t hate Royal Airs, but it was a letdown compared to the first book in the series.

CATs completed:
RandomCAT (award winner): Fly by Night won the Branford Boase Award in 2006.
GenreCAT (YA, children's): Fly by Night is marketed as YA.
AlphaKIT (F, L): *Frances Hardinge, *Fly by Night; Peter *Lovesey, The *Last Detective; Ali Hazelwood, The *Love Hypothesis
SFFKIT (near future/alternate reality): The plot of All Our Wrong Todays centers around an alternate reality created through time travel.
MysteryKIT (mismatched detectives): In A Peculiar Combination, a thief teams up with a British intelligence agent to solve a murder, and their personalities frequently clash.

Books acquired in September:
Mary Balogh, Only Beloved
Elan Mastai, All Our Wrong Todays (already read)
Allison Montclair, The Right Sort of Man
Patrick Dennis, Auntie Mame
Mary Balogh, Only a Promise

36christina_reads
oct. 8, 2021, 10:46 am



Book #95: Ava Reid, The Wolf and the Woodsman
CATs: Genre (horror, supernatural = gods, monsters, mythological creatures, plus a fair amount of gore)
Bingo: none

Évike is the only girl in her village with no magic, which makes her an easy target when the fearsome Woodsmen arrive to collect their annual tribute of a young girl to take to the capital. On their journey, Évike encounters many perils and becomes closer to the captain of the Woodsmen, even though his Christian(ish) religion makes her pagan ways abhorrent to him. Once in the capital, Évike is caught up in political turmoil as a fanatical claimant to the throne seeks to remove all Jews (or the in-world equivalents) and pagans from his domain. This book was billed as being similar to The Bear and the Nightingale and Spinning Silver, but in my opinion, it’s a sloppier, angstier, more YA-feeling version of those books. The world-building is interesting but sort of half-baked, and some plot points are left dangling (like Évike’s relationship with her father and his world). Overall, I found it disappointing, and I’d strongly recommend the Arden or Novik books instead.

37christina_reads
oct. 12, 2021, 10:42 am



Book #96: Robin Stevens, Poison Is Not Polite (aka Arsenic for Tea)
CATs: Mystery (minorities or diverse protagonists = narrator is from Hong Kong)
Bingo: none

Hazel Wong and her best friend Daisy Wells encounter another mystery while visiting Daisy’s country home over the Easter holiday. Various other houseguests arrive, including Mr. Curtis, an odious “friend” of Daisy’s mother’s. Hazel and Daisy are convinced he’s up to no good, and they decide the Detective Society must investigate. But when he suddenly dies after drinking a cup of tea, the girls realize they may have another murder to solve. I quite enjoyed this novel; Hazel is an endearing narrator and protagonist, and her “outsider” perspective on Daisy’s upper-class English family yields a lot of fun moments. The mystery plot is less successful; it’s not fair play, and the solution is not very satisfying. But it’s also surprisingly morally ambiguous for a middle-grade book, which I found interesting. So I liked this one overall and will probably continue with the series at some point.

38christina_reads
oct. 15, 2021, 1:53 pm



Book #97: Sharon Shinn, Jeweled Fire
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This book picks up right where Royal Airs left off: Princess Corene has departed Welce for the neighboring nation of Malinqua, where she hopes to make a marriage alliance with one of the three potential heirs. But as she navigates the treacherous court with the help of her loyal bodyguard, Foley, she discovers a sinister plot against herself and the other potential brides-to-be. This book was a definite improvement over Royal Airs; Corene is a flawed but fascinating heroine, the plot is full of political intrigue, and there’s a brand-new setting and new characters to explore. Because of that, we don’t see many of the characters from previous books, but we still hear a fair amount about them. Overall, I enjoyed this one and look forward to picking up the fourth and final book in the series.

39christina_reads
oct. 15, 2021, 1:55 pm



Book #98: Katherine Center, How to Walk Away
CATs: Random (character who gives = physical therapist); Alpha (H = How)
Bingo: none

Margaret is about to start living the life she’s always wanted: she’ll shortly be starting a high-powered job, and her boyfriend Chip just proposed. But everything changes when a tragic accident sends her to the hospital with an injured spinal cord, and the doctors aren’t sure if she’ll ever walk again. As Margaret tries to cope with her new reality, her relationships with her family and with Chip also change, for better and for worse. As with Things You Save in a Fire, I found this book very addictive and compelling. Margaret’s experience feels true to life, and the book doesn’t sugarcoat her emotional or physical difficulties. There’s a lovely romance that keeps things from getting too bleak, and the ending is uplifting but not unrealistically so (except for the too-sweet epilogue). I’ll definitely search out more books by this author!

40christina_reads
oct. 19, 2021, 10:17 am



Book #99: Mary Balogh, The Escape
CATs: Alpha (E = Escape)
Bingo: none

Book 3 of the Survivors’ Club series focuses on Sir Benedict Harper, who sustained extensive injuries to his legs in the Napoleonic Wars and was told he’d never walk again. After years of grit and perseverance, Ben can walk for short distances and with the aid of canes, but he’ll never return to the military career he loved. At a loose end, he meets the widowed Samantha McKay and agrees to be her escort as she flees from her controlling in-laws. They are attracted to each other but don’t see a future together, so they agree to a brief, no-strings affair — but of course, their growing feelings for each other complicate their relationship. So far, this series just keeps getting better, and I think Ben and Samantha are my favorite couple yet. Still, I’m not sure I’ll remember very much about the book in a few weeks, so it’s probably not a keeper.

My edition of this book also contains a short story/novella, The Suitor. It tells the story of Philippa Dean, the young woman who is presented to Viscount Darleigh as a potential bride at the beginning of The Arrangement. Darleigh perceived her as irritating and dimwitted, but The Suitor tells the story from her point of view — and gives her a happy ending of her own. This story did nothing for me; it’s so short that I didn’t have time to get invested in the romance or characters. It’s definitely skippable even if you’re normally a series completist.

41pamelad
oct. 20, 2021, 4:22 pm

>40 christina_reads: I liked The Escape and am now reading the last one, Only Beloved which, like The Arrangement, is a bit on the saccharine side, but no accessible library had it and I had to buy it, so will definitely finish. Apparently it contains a happy ever after epilogue for the whole series, in which I expect everyone to have produced offspring. Perhaps George will be canonised.

42christina_reads
oct. 20, 2021, 4:26 pm

>41 pamelad: LOL at your predictions for the epilogue -- I wouldn't be a bit surprised! Balogh's romances are often very predictable, but sometimes that's just what I'm looking for. :) I'm continuing with the series in order for now, so I probably won't get to Only Beloved until early 2022.

43christina_reads
oct. 27, 2021, 11:22 am



Book #100: Naomi Novik, The Last Graduate
CATs: Genre (horror, supernatural); SFF (creature feature)
Bingo: none

It’s El’s senior year, and despite being stuck in a magic school full of creatures that are trying to kill her, things are looking pretty good. She has an alliance lined up for graduation, she has friends, and she even has a (maybe, sort of) boyfriend. But then the Scholomance starts making El’s life even more miserable than usual, and it seems to be singling her out. Is it trying to kill her, or turn her into the dark sorceress she’s supposedly destined to become? Or is it sending a different message entirely? I loved the first book in this series, and this installment is just as entertaining and exciting. There’s still a ton of exposition and world-building, which seems a bit strange for the second book in a series, but it’s leavened by El’s delightfully grumpy voice. The ending is arguably a huge cliffhanger, and I’m dying to find out what happens next! Fans of A Deadly Education won’t be disappointed by this sequel.

44christina_reads
nov. 1, 2021, 10:51 am



Book #101: Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation
CATs: Alpha (H = Henry, E = Emily) - I read this in October
Bingo: none

Poppy and Alex used to be BFFs who took exciting vacations together every summer. But they haven’t really spoken since their ill-fated trip to Croatia two years ago. Now Poppy hopes to rekindle their friendship, so she invites him on one last summer trip. But to move forward, both she and Alex will have to be honest about their feelings and what they truly want. Emily Henry has gotten a lot of good buzz, and I can see why. This is a really well-written, entertaining contemporary romance with some first-class banter. The friends-to-lovers trope isn’t always my favorite, because I wonder why they won’t just act on their feelings, but in this case I understood what was keeping Poppy and Alex apart. They love each other but want very different things out of life. The resolution to that conflict felt a bit pat, but I didn’t mind too much because I just wanted them to be together already! Definitely recommended for fans of this trope, and I’m putting Beach Read on my TBR immediately.

45christina_reads
nov. 1, 2021, 11:13 am

October recap

Last month I was so excited that my normal pre-pandemic activities (choir, band, etc.) were starting back up again. This month, it’s all been a bit overwhelming! I feel like I’ve gone from 0 to 100 with no preparation. My band is already rehearsing Christmas music…which I love, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also scary how quickly time is flying. Perhaps as a result, I didn’t read very much this month. I did reach my yearly goal of 100 books, but I still haven’t filled all my categories, so that will be my focus for the next two months. Anyway, on to the books!

Books read in October:
1. Ava Reid, The Wolf and the Woodsman
2. Robin Stevens, Poison Is Not Polite
3. Sharon Shinn, Jeweled Fire
4. Katherine Center, How to Walk Away
5. Mary Balogh, The Escape
6. Naomi Novik, The Last Graduate
7. Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation

Favorite book of the month: I loved The Last Graduate and am waiting impatiently for the next installment to come out!

Dishonorable mention: The Wolf and the Woodsman was okay but a bit disappointing. It didn’t live up to the Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik comparisons.

CATs completed:
Random (character who gives): One of the main characters in How to Walk Away is a physical therapist.
Genre (horror, supernatural): The Wolf and the Woodsman contains gods, monsters, and mythological entities, as well as some horror in the form of gore. The Last Graduate takes place in a magical school that’s not quite in the real world, and it contains evil creatures that are trying to kill the students.
Alpha (H, E): Katherine Center, *How to Walk Away; Mary Balogh, The *Escape; *Emily *Henry, People We Meet on Vacation
SFF (creature feature): As mentioned, The Last Graduate contains a variety of evil supernatural creatures.
Mystery (minorities or diverse protagonists): The narrator and co-sleuth of Poison Is Not Polite is from Hong Kong.

Books acquired in October:
Tessa Arlen, Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders
Richard Hull, The Murder of My Aunt
Frances Lockridge, Death on the Aisle

46rabbitprincess
nov. 1, 2021, 4:44 pm

>45 christina_reads: Eeeeek Christmas music already! I'm not ready!

47christina_reads
nov. 1, 2021, 4:58 pm

>46 rabbitprincess: Haha, I sympathize! On the other hand, I'm already starting to buy holiday gifts for people...it feels like the mad dash to the end of the year has definitely begun!

48christina_reads
nov. 5, 2021, 10:51 am



Book #102: AJ Pearce, Dear Mrs. Bird
CATs: none
Bingo: none

It’s 1940, and Emmeline Lake dreams of becoming a war correspondent. But when she finally gets a job in journalism, it’s to edit Mrs. Bird’s advice column at Woman’s Friend magazine. Mrs. Bird won’t respond to any letters that mention “unpleasantness,” but Emmy thinks these women ought to be helped. Surely answering a few letters herself can’t hurt. . . . I loved this book the first time I read it, and I enjoyed it a lot this time too. Emmy is a spunky heroine with a delightful voice, and the novel is mostly uplifting despite moments of genuine tragedy and heartbreak. The overall vibe is similar to that of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, so if you liked that book, you'll enjoy this one too. I’m really glad I reread it and am now eager to start the sequel, Yours Cheerfully.

49clue
nov. 5, 2021, 12:27 pm

>48 christina_reads: I've had this on my shelf a long time and I really think one of the reasons I haven't read it is the cover art is dark! I don't like admitting I've so easily influenced...your bright color cover makes it look so much better to me though. Must get to it!

50christina_reads
nov. 5, 2021, 4:02 pm

>49 clue: Despite the adage, we all judge books by their covers. But I do think the bright cover of my edition matches the overall tone of the book. Some sad stuff happens, of course -- par for the course with World War II novels -- but overall I think it's on the lighter side.

51Tess_W
nov. 6, 2021, 6:47 am

>48 christina_reads: You have hit me with a BB!

52threadnsong
nov. 7, 2021, 7:47 pm

Hello Christina! Have been reading a lot more than I've been spending time on LT, so happy November! Glad to see you are back at your hobbies and isn't playing music with other people fun?? I so missed it! And like you, I'm catching up on Christmas music for a couple of upcoming shows. Seems odd when the leaves are just turning, but there you have it.

Congrats on 100 books so far, and have a great reading rest of your year!

53christina_reads
nov. 8, 2021, 9:36 am

>51 Tess_W: Hope you enjoy the book!

>52 threadnsong: Thanks for stopping by! I agree, it's great to be making music with other people again. But it does have me thinking ahead to the holidays...I've already bought a fair amount of Christmas presents! I love the holiday season, but I hope I can slow down a bit and enjoy the fall as well.

54christina_reads
nov. 9, 2021, 6:00 pm



Book #103: AJ Pearce, Yours Cheerfully
CATs: History (events = World War II); Alpha (Y = Yours)
Bingo: none

Despite World War II raging on, things are looking up for Emmy Lake. She’s in love, she and Bunty are friends again, and her work at Woman’s Friend has just gotten a lot more interesting. The British government wants more women to get involved in war work and is asking the press to promote this agenda. But when Emmy talks to some of the female factory workers, she’s dismayed by the obstacles they face, especially the lack of child care during work hours. Emmy is determined to help, but will her efforts do more harm than good? This is another charmer from AJ Pearce, and fans of Dear Mrs. Bird should enjoy it. I do think this one’s a bit more lightweight and less impactful than the first book, but if a third installment is planned, I’ll definitely seek it out!

55christina_reads
nov. 15, 2021, 11:48 am



Book #104: Evie Dunmore, Portrait of a Scotsman
CATs: Random (fortune and glory = heroine wants to be an artist)
Bingo: none

Harriet Greenfield is a sheltered upper-class girl and aspiring painter who dreams of marrying a kind Mr. Bingley type. Instead she finds herself in a compromising position with Lucian Blackstone, a brooding Scot with a shady past and a terrible reputation. When the two are forced to marry, they reluctantly recognize a mutual attraction, but Harriet doesn’t trust Lucian, and Lucian only wants Harriet to further his own ambitions. I enjoyed this book while reading it, but upon reflection I think it’s just okay. Lucian is a pretty standard tortured, brooding hero, and Harriet is spoiled and obnoxious. The book was a bit too steamy for me, though obviously others’ mileage will vary, and I also felt the narrative got tediously preachy about the plight of women and laborers. On the other hand, I thought the portrayal of an inter-class marriage was realistic and well done. So, this wasn’t the book for me, but I’ll still probably read the next installment of the series when it comes out.

56christina_reads
nov. 22, 2021, 2:40 pm



Book #105: Sharon Shinn, Unquiet Land
CATs: Genre (SFF = fantasy)
Bingo: none

Leah Frothen has spent the past five years spying for Welce in a foreign land—and recovering from some traumatic life events. Now she’s returned to find (and possibly claim) the daughter she left behind, but her spying days are not quite behind her. Welce is in the midst of some tricky negotiations with a neighboring country, and Leah must befriend the foreign delegation in order to gain useful information. But what she learns is deeply disturbing, especially when it might affect her newfound relationship with her daughter. I liked this book fine, but I do think the series has run its course. Leah is a likable enough heroine, and I enjoyed her character arc and her romance (though both began in the previous book, Jeweled Fire). The plot was pretty dull, however, and I thought everything with the daughter was simplistic and contrived. Overall, a decent but unexceptional read.

57christina_reads
nov. 22, 2021, 2:44 pm



Book #106: Katy Birchall, The Secret Bridesmaid
CATs: Alpha (B = Birchall, Bridesmaid)
Bingo: none

Sophie Breeze has made a career out of being the perfect bridesmaid: she’s hired to pose as a friend of the bride and unobtrusively organize all the wedding arrangements. When the mother of a famous socialite hires her, Sophie is thrilled to be involved with such a high-profile event. But the bride, Lady Cordelia, is notoriously difficult and resists her every step of the way. Can Sophie work her magic and befriend the hostile Lady Cordelia, or will the bride’s petty antics force her to quit? This is a fun, breezy book that I enjoyed quite a bit. It’s entirely predictable, but I liked the book’s emphasis on female friendship (although there is a charming romance in the background as well). I also related to Sophie and enjoyed her character arc, as she learns to set boundaries and stick up for herself. Recommended for fans of the genre, and I’ll look out for more books by this author.

58christina_reads
Editat: nov. 30, 2021, 3:38 pm

November recap

It’s just now the end of November, but I’ve already been in Christmas mode for a couple weeks at least! Shopping, wrapping, decorating, writing cards . . . I’ve been embracing them all far too early. But on the plus side, now I’m nearly done, which hopefully means I’ll have a relaxing December. In reading news, I finally finished my “fall” category (books I owned before 1/1/21), so now I just have to complete three re-reads to finish my challenge. I’ve already surpassed my goal of 100 books for the year, and I’m now hoping to reach 120. We’ll see how December goes! In the meantime, on to November’s stats:

Books read in November:
1. AJ Pearce, Dear Mrs. Bird
2. AJ Pearce, Yours Cheerfully
3. Evie Dunmore, Portrait of a Scotsman
4. Sharon Shinn, Unquiet Land
5. Katy Birchall, The Secret Bridesmaid
6. Renee Patrick, Design for Dying
7. Connie Willis, Terra Incognita
8. Mary Balogh, Only Enchanting
9. Jennifer Crusie, The Cinderella Deal

Favorite book of the month:
I enjoyed all the novellas in Terra Incognita, but Remake was the standout — I loved it!

Dishonorable mention:
Portrait of a Scotsman had its ups and downs, but ultimately I liked it less than I was hoping to.

CATs completed:
RandomCAT (fortune and glory): The heroine of Portrait of a Scotsman wants to be an artist, as did I (briefly) when I was a child. Luckily I changed my mind, as I have no talent in the visual arts!
GenreCAT (SFF): Unquiet Land is a fantasy novel, and Terra Incognita is science fiction.
HistoryCAT (events): Yours Cheerfully takes place during World War II.
AlphaKIT (B, Y): AJ Pearce, *Yours Cheerfully; Katy *Birchall, The Secret *Bridesmaid
SFFKIT (short stories): Terra Incognita is a collection of three novellas.
MysteryKIT (historical): Design for Dying is set in 1930s Hollywood.

Books acquired in November:
Philip Pullman, The Tiger in the Well
Philip Pullman, The Tin Princess
Jennieke Cohen, Dangerous Alliance (e-book) (gift)
Kerry Winfrey, Waiting for Tom Hanks (e-book)
Mavis Doriel Hay, The Santa Klaus Murder (e-book)
Georgia Toffolo, Meet Me in London (e-book)

59christina_reads
nov. 30, 2021, 3:37 pm

Looks like Barnes & Noble has some good e-book deals going on now! I just picked up Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerri Winfrey, The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Doriel Hay, and Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo for $1.99 apiece.

60christina_reads
nov. 30, 2021, 5:26 pm



Book #107: Renee Patrick, Design for Dying
CATs: Mystery (historical = set in 1930s Hollywood)
Bingo: none

It’s 1937, and beauty queen Lillian Frost dreams of working in the movies, but for now she’s employed at a department store in Los Angeles. When a former friend and roommate, struggling actress Ruby Carroll, is found dead, Lillian is caught up in the murder investigation — especially when she realizes that Ruby’s corpse is wearing a Paramount movie costume. In the course of her sleuthing, she meets several Hollywood personalities, including soon-to-be-famous costume designer Edith Head, who helps her solve the mystery. If you like historical mysteries, I think this is a good one. Lillian’s voice is sharp and colorful, much like the dialogue of a 1930s film. The Hollywood cameos are a bit contrived, but cinephiles may enjoy all the references. Overall, I liked the book enough to continue with the series at some point.

61christina_reads
nov. 30, 2021, 5:31 pm



Book #108: Connie Willis, Terra Incognita
CATs: Genre (SFF = science fiction); SFF (short stories/novellas)
Bingo: none

This book is a collection of three previously published novellas. In Uncharted Territory, a group of explorers surveys a newly discovered planet, while they also navigate the complexities of sex and love in human (and alien) relationships. In Remake, a man falls for a woman whose ambition is to dance in the movies, even though (in this alternate yet eerily prescient reality) no one makes live-action movies anymore, let alone musicals, and everything is done with CGI. And in D.A., a young woman is admitted to a prestigious and extremely competitive academy in outer space, which is strange since she didn’t even apply. I enjoyed all three of these novellas, but for me Remake is the standout. It’s romantic and melancholy, heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful. If you’re a lover of classic movies and Fred Astaire, it’s a must-read!

62christina_reads
nov. 30, 2021, 5:32 pm



Book #109: Mary Balogh, Only Enchanting
CATs: none
Bingo: none

This is my favorite book in the Survivors’ Club series, at least so far. The hero is Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby, whose flippant social persona masks several emotional wounds, not to mention a serious head injury sustained in battle. When he encounters the seemingly staid young widow Agnes Keeping, he is unexpectedly enchanted. Meanwhile, she falls for him immediately but is afraid of her own passionate feelings. There’s a slight mystery plot as well, since Flavian’s injury has left him with some memory gaps that he and Agnes must fill in. I adore a clever hero who pretends to be an empty-headed fop — I blame this on reading The Scarlet Pimpernel at an impressionable age — and Agnes is a strong, clever woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. Unlike the other Survivors’ Club novels I’ve read, I plan to hold onto this one for a while.

63christina_reads
nov. 30, 2021, 5:33 pm



Book #110: Jennifer Crusie, The Cinderella Deal
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Daisy Flattery is a warm, chaotic, free-spirited artist. Lincoln Blaise is a calm, organized, uptight college professor. They’re neighbors but have rarely interacted since they instinctively dislike one another. But now Linc needs a fiancée in order to land his dream job, and Daisy desperately needs the money he’s offering, so they agree to fake a relationship. But this is a romance, so of course real feelings develop. I really liked this book the first time I read it, and I found it just as enjoyable the second time. I think Daisy would annoy me tremendously in real life (I’m definitely more of a Lincoln), but in the end I loved her because Linc did. I also appreciated the fact that love didn’t magically solve all their problems. Recommended for fans of the premise, and I’m definitely keeping this one on my shelves!

64pamelad
des. 1, 2021, 4:51 pm

>62 christina_reads: I also liked Flavian and Agnes and have enjoyed every book in the series except for The Arrangement, but that might be because I had read too many, too quickly.

A book I liked with a clever hero pretending to be not just an empty-headed fop but thicker than a brick, was Sherry Thomas's His at Night.

65christina_reads
des. 1, 2021, 5:03 pm

>64 pamelad: I actually already bought His at Night for that very reason! I'm looking forward to reading it. :)

66christina_reads
des. 6, 2021, 11:10 am



Book #111: Rainbow Rowell, Landline
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Georgie is a TV writer, and her husband Neal is a stay-at-home dad to their two daughters. The family is planning to go to Omaha for Christmas to visit Neal’s mom — but then Georgie gets the career opportunity of a lifetime. She has to stay in LA and write, but Neal is angry about this and decides to go to Omaha with the kids anyway. At first Georgie isn’t worried; she and Neal have had similar fights before. But now he isn’t picking up his phone, and Georgie’s family thinks that maybe Neal has actually left her. Are they right, and if so, can Georgie fix it?

This book was a reread for me, and I both enjoyed it and found it frustrating. Rowell is a terrific writer, and I feel like she really nails the nuances of Georgie and Neal’s relationship, all the ups and downs of a marriage more than 15 years in. (Of course, as an unmarried person, I’m just guessing here, haha.) But both Georgie and Neal are tremendously unlikable at times; Neal is a terrible communicator, and Georgie is selfish, both in her marriage and in her work relationships. Also, I wanted more resolution in the end; we never learn what happens with Georgie’s work opportunity, and the conflict between her and Neal seems more smoothed-over than actually solved. I find myself wanting a sequel!

67christina_reads
des. 8, 2021, 10:20 am



Book #112: Jen DeLuca, Well Matched
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Single mom April has always kept herself to herself, but like everyone else in Willow Creek, MD, she knows Mitch Malone. He’s friends with everybody, not to mention the town eye candy, particularly when he dons his kilt (and little else) for the annual Renaissance Faire. Now Mitch needs a date for a family event and asks April to be his fake girlfriend. She agrees reluctantly — and is horrified to develop real feelings for the charming, nine-years-younger Mitch. I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, particularly for the Ren Faire setting, so it’s disappointing that we don’t really get any Faire action until more than halfway through the book. I also wanted more of the fake-dating plot, but it only lasts for a chapter or two before April and Mitch hop into bed. I still found this a pleasant read overall — April’s snark is fun, and Mitch is a sweetheart — but it’s probably my least favorite book in the series.

68hailelib
des. 8, 2021, 6:34 pm

Just popping in to say hello, but I may look for the Connie Willis book.

69christina_reads
des. 9, 2021, 10:39 am

>68 hailelib: Hi back! :) Hope you enjoy the Connie Willis if you decide to pick it up. I'm a huge fan of hers, so I'm not entirely objective at this point!

70christina_reads
des. 9, 2021, 2:18 pm

I've succumbed to temptation and set up my 2022 challenge thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/337381. Feel free to come and visit me over there -- although I should probably keep focusing on my 2021 challenge for now!

71christina_reads
des. 14, 2021, 11:00 pm



Book #113: Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice
CATs: Genre (mystery)
Bingo: none

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron are on the case again when Elizabeth’s ex-colleague and ex-husband, Douglas, comes to her for help. There’s £20 million in diamonds missing, and the criminal to whom they “belong” blames Douglas for their disappearance. So the Thursday Murder Club decides to help by hiding Douglas and trying to find the diamonds themselves. Meanwhile, Ibrahim is mugged, and the others want revenge. Local police Chris and Donna help out while also attempting to take down a drug dealer.

The first book in this series was a delight, and I enjoyed this one at least as much, if not more — the plot seems to hang together a little better, despite the many (perhaps too many) different storylines. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud lines and a few poignant moments, and I loved spending time with these characters again. I want to be Joyce when I grow up! Highly recommended if you enjoy light mysteries with a lot of plot, though you should definitely read The Thursday Murder Club first.

72christina_reads
des. 20, 2021, 4:18 pm



Book #114: Lia Louis, Eight Perfect Hours
CATs: none
Bingo: none

When Noelle is stranded in a snowstorm with Sam for several hours, they share an unexpectedly deep connection. Then they keep bumping into each other, which feels like fate. But they’re both involved with other people, and Noelle is also dealing with some past baggage and family problems. Are they two ships passing, or are they destined to be together? This is a pleasant enough chick lit novel, but it made very little impression on me. I’m not really a fan of the “we’re in love because it’s fate” concept, and Noelle and Sam’s relationship just wasn’t that interesting to me. Sam in particular seems like a standard Ideal Guy without much actual personality. I’m disappointed because I really liked Louis’s previous book, Dear Emmie Blue. But unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this one.

73christina_reads
des. 20, 2021, 4:19 pm



Book #115: Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride
CATs: Random (seasonal = winter); Alpha (G = Gracie)
Bingo: none

Freddy Monkton-Coombes doesn’t want to get married and studiously avoids respectable young ladies, but at the request of his best friend he takes the Chance sisters under his wing. Damaris Chance is beautiful, aloof, and independent, and she also has no interest in matrimony. But when Freddy needs a fake fiancée to appease his disapproving parents, Damaris agrees to help him in return for the deed to a cottage. The more time they spend together, the more they discover an inconvenient mutual attraction. This was my first book by Anne Gracie, but it won’t be my last! The plot is nothing unusual for a Regency romance (well, except for the heroine’s extremely melodramatic past), but I really loved both Damaris and Freddy, and I could see what made them right for each other. There’s quite a bit of good dialogue and banter, too, which always helps! This is book 2 in a series, but I was able to follow along just fine, and I’m interested in reading the other books now. Here’s hoping I’ve found a new historical romance author to enjoy!

74christina_reads
des. 20, 2021, 11:17 pm



Book #116: Elizabeth Chatsworth, The Brass Queen
CATs: Alpha (Q = Queen)
Bingo: none

A debutante/arms dealer and a cowboy/secret agent team up to rescue a group of kidnapped scientists in this light steampunk romp. The blurb compares it to series such as Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate and Genevieve Cogman's Invisible Library, and I'd say those comparisons are pretty fair; if you enjoy those series, you'll probably like The Brass Queen too. It's almost too insubstantial, and I admit I skimmed most of the sci-fi world-building stuff. But it kept me turning the pages and was a welcome distraction from some real-life stress, so I'd recommend it for fans of the genre.

75pamelad
des. 21, 2021, 2:32 pm

>73 christina_reads: I'm weaning myself off romances, but have put this on hold just in case I need a dose in four week's time. I quite liked the first in the series, The Autumn Bride.

76christina_reads
des. 21, 2021, 3:02 pm

>75 pamelad: I should probably do the same, as romance is all I seem to read these days! But selfishly, I will miss your romance reviews. Hope to see at least a few next year! :) And glad to know you liked The Autumn Bride -- I really do want to try more by Gracie!

77Tanya-dogearedcopy
des. 21, 2021, 7:06 pm

>76 christina_reads: Coincidentally, I too have been dialing back on my intake of Romances! At one point, my ratio was something like 2:1 (Romances vs non-Romance). I'm not sorry in that Romances got me through "Broken Reading Brain Syndrome"; but I feel pretty read-out in the genre right now. That said, I always read your reviews and take note when I see something that might appeal. I don't think I'll be eliminating Romances from my reading diet, just consuming them in more moderation. :-)

78christina_reads
des. 22, 2021, 9:19 am

>77 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I think Broken Reading Brain Syndrome has been a real thing this year! I know I've been gravitating to romance because it's light and predictable and there's going to be a happy ending. A great antidote to life!

79christina_reads
des. 22, 2021, 9:46 am



Book #117: Gemma Burgess, A Girl Like You
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Abigail has just ended a long-term relationship, and she has no idea how to navigate the dating world. After a couple first-date disasters, she turns to her flatmate, Robert, for help. As she follows his advice, she gains confidence and even meets someone she’s excited about. But when the right guy comes along, will she be able to move past her dating "rules" and embrace a genuine relationship? This British chick lit novel is predictable and also quite dated: there are no dating apps, and Abigail meets men by going out to bars and clubs, which seems shockingly quaint now. But I still enjoyed it a lot — it’s funny, Abigail and her friends are likable, and I was charmed by the romance. Recommended if you enjoy this type of book!

80christina_reads
des. 22, 2021, 11:19 am



Book #118: Elle Pierson, Artistic License
CATs: none
Bingo: none

Art student Sophy meets security guard Mick when a bomb goes off at the art museum where she's studying and he's working. They're immediately attracted to one another and slowly become close. But Sophy is extremely introverted and solitary by nature, and she's afraid of opening up herself to the demands of a relationship. Meanwhile, Mick is deeply insecure about his "ugly" looks and carries some emotional baggage. This contemporary romance is fine but a bit disjointed; I wanted it to be longer so that the characters and plot could be more fleshed out. This is Lucy Parker's first published romance (under a pseudonym, of course), and it's definitely less polished than her later work. I think the bones of a good novel are here, but I wanted more from it.

And with that, I've officially completed my 2021 challenge by finishing up my Winter/Rereads category! Now I just need to figure out what books I should take to my parents' house for Christmas. Too many choices can be paralyzing!

81DeltaQueen50
des. 22, 2021, 1:54 pm

Congratulations on completing your 2021 Challenge! Onwards to 2022 ...

82christina_reads
des. 22, 2021, 2:18 pm

>81 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! And yes indeed, I'm already planning my January reads!

83clue
des. 22, 2021, 8:04 pm

>78 christina_reads: I've definately had BRBS. I haven't read many romances but have read light mysteries and other comfort reads in greater numbers than usual. I think I may be approaching normal and I'm looking forward to returning to reading books that are above 250 pages!

84MissWatson
des. 23, 2021, 2:32 am

>80 christina_reads: Congratulations on finishing your challenge!

85christina_reads
des. 23, 2021, 10:49 am

>83 clue: My tolerance for long books has really decreased as well, although I'm hoping to do better in 2022!

>84 MissWatson: Thank you!

86threadnsong
des. 23, 2021, 6:55 pm

Wow! Congratulations on finishing your challenge! Way to go, Christina.

87hailelib
des. 23, 2021, 9:51 pm

Congratulations on finishing your challenge!

May 2022 bring some good books your way.

88christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 5:48 pm

>86 threadnsong: >87 hailelib: Thank you both!

Happy New Year, everyone! I've been absent from LT for about a week, visiting my family for Christmas, so now I have a lot of catching up to do! I've got a few more reviews to post, and then I'll do my December and end-of-year recaps. I'm hoping to finish all that tonight so that I can start focusing on my 2022 challenge tomorrow! And of course, I want to catch up on everyone else's threads, but that part may take a bit longer...

89christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 5:52 pm



Book #119: Dawn Cook, Princess at Sea
CATs: none
Bingo: none

***Warning: Spoilers for The Decoy Princess***

Decoy princess Tess has helped her "sister," the true princess, reclaim the throne of Costenopolie. Now she's been appointed ambassador to a neighboring kingdom, but on the journey out, her ship is captured by pirates, and she and her sister are both held for ransom. To escape, Tess must use all her ingenuity, as well as the magical powers she's just beginning to understand. She must also choose between two suitors, card sharp Duncan and captain of the guard Jeck. This was a fun, entertaining fantasy novel, but it's not a keeper for me. I was glad to see the love triangle resolved, though the book still feels open-ended enough for a sequel. Since this one was published back in 2006, however, that seems unlikely.

90christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 6:04 pm



Book #120: Mary Balogh, Only a Promise
CATs: none
Bingo: none

The fifth installment of the Survivors' Club series focuses on Ralph Stockwood, who is tormented with guilt because he encouraged his three best friends to fight in the Napoleonic Wars; they all died while he survived. As a result, he has completely shut down emotionally and believes himself incapable of love, though as the heir to a dukedom it's his duty to marry and produce an heir. His godmother's companion, Chloe Muirhead, proposes a marriage of convenience, since he needs a wife and he's her only chance of a husband. I enjoyed this book a lot but find I don't have much to say about it. Only Enchanting is still my favorite in the series so far, but this one is definitely worthwhile if you enjoy Regency romance.

91christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 7:16 pm



Book #121: Poppy Alexander, 25 Days 'til Christmas
CATs: Random (seasonal = Christmas)
Bingo: none

Single mom Kate has been struggling ever since her husband's death four years ago. She works a terrible job for low pay, her son Jack may have special educational needs, and her mother-in-law is slowly succumbing to dementia in an expensive assisted living facility. Attempting to focus on the positive, Kate decides to do one special Christmas thing with Jack every day in the month leading up to Christmas. Along the way she connects with the handsome and sensitive Daniel, but will she be able to take a chance on love again? I hoped this would be a cute Christmas romance, but it's just so dreary; both Kate and Daniel are pretty miserable until the very end of the book, and it's not fun to see Kate getting constantly beaten down by life. If you're looking for an upbeat holiday read, this is not the one!

92christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 7:27 pm



Book #122: Mavis Doriel Hay, The Santa Klaus Murder
CATs: Random (seasonal = Christmas); Genre (mystery)
Bingo: none

This is a standard English country house murder with a Christmas twist: the family patriarch has arranged for one of his guests to pose as "Santa Klaus," but the patriarch is then killed during the festivities. Was the man dressed as Saint Nick the murderer? Suspicion abounds, especially when a second Santa suit is found. I liked this book fine; I enjoy the author's writing style, and the mystery is fair play, although the murderer doesn't get a huge amount of page time. My biggest complaint is that none of the characters were particularly likable or interesting, so reading the book was like being stuck in a house with a lot of mildly unpleasant people. I did like the novel overall, though, and it was a fun seasonal read.

93NinieB
gen. 1, 2022, 7:41 pm

>92 christina_reads: Nice review. I had a similar reaction.

94christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 7:46 pm

>93 NinieB: I've read three books by this author and have felt pretty much the same about all of them -- well written, decent mysteries, but nothing particularly special or appealing about them.

95christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 7:49 pm

December recap

Happy New Year, everyone! The end of December was both delightful and hectic for me — I went to visit my parents, as did my brother and his family. They’ve got four boys, the oldest of whom is 5, so needless to say, the holiday was pretty chaotic! But I loved getting some quality time with my nephews, not to mention my parents, brother, and sister-in-law. I just arrived home yesterday, so I’m still getting caught up with everything here, including LT! But here’s what I ended up reading in the final month of 2021:

Books read in December:
1. Rainbow Rowell, Landline
2. Jen DeLuca, Well Matched
3. Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice
4. Lia Louis, Eight Perfect Hours
5. Anne Gracie, The Winter Bride
6. Elizabeth Chatsworth, The Brass Queen
7. Gemma Burgess, A Girl Like You
8. Elle Pierson, Artistic License
9. Dawn Cook, Princess at Sea
10. Mary Balogh, Only a Promise
11. Poppy Alexander, 25 Days ’til Christmas
12. Mavis Dories Hay, The Santa Klaus Murder

I just realized that I’ve come full circle with my 2021 reading…my first book of the year, Death on the Cherwell, was also by Mavis Doriel Hay!

Favorite book of the month:
I adored The Man Who Died Twice, possibly even more than the first book in the series! Can’t wait to see what Joyce, Ibrahim, Elizabeth, and Ron get up to next. Honorable mention to The Winter Bride, which has made me eager to read more by Anne Gracie.

Dishonorable mention:
I wanted 25 Days ’til Christmas to be a lot more fun and less depressing than it was.

CATs completed:
RandomCAT (seasonal reading): The Winter Bride has “winter” in the title and is set during that season, with a few references to Christmas. And both 25 Days ’til Christmas and The Santa Klaus Murder are explicitly Christmas-themed.
GenreCAT (mystery): The Man Who Died Twice and The Santa Klaus Murder are both mysteries.
AlphaKIT (G, Q): Anne *Gracie, The Winter Bride; Elizabeth Chatsworth, The Brass *Queen

Books acquired in December:
Kristin Burchell, Court of Venom (Early Reviewer win)
Poppy Alexander, 25 Days ’til Christmas (gift) (already read)
Jean Meltzer, The Matzah Ball (gift)
Erin Beaty, The Traitor’s Kiss (gift)
Maureen Johnson, Truly Devious (gift)
Sophie Cousens, This Time Next Year (gift)
Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village (gift)
Lois McMaster Bujold, Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
Anne Gracie, The Autumn Bride
Jane Ashford, Married to a Perfect Stranger
Lee Child, Killing Floor (gift)

96christina_reads
gen. 1, 2022, 8:55 pm

YEAR-END RECAP

Books read: 122 (compared with 140 in 2020, 106 in 2019, and 69 in 2018)

Average books read per month: 10.17 (compared with 11.67 in 2020, 8.83 in 2019, and 5.75 in 2018)

Books acquired: 98 (compared with 66 in 2020, 88 in 2019, and 92 in 2018). Not ideal, but I’ve already read many of my new acquisitions and have even gotten rid of several of them. Next year I'll try to keep track of outgoing as well as incoming books, so that I can see the net gain or loss.

Top 10 books of the year:
In the order in which I read them...

1. Dorothy L. Sayers, Busman’s Honeymoon — A satisfying Golden Age mystery and the long-awaited consummation of Peter and Harriet’s relationship.

2. Madeleine St. John, The Women in Black — A gently ironic book centering female relationships, set in an Australian department store in the 1950s. I foresee this becoming a frequent comfort read for me.

3. Charlotte Armstrong, The Unsuspected — An American vintage mystery with a somewhat bonkers plot that nevertheless kept me on the edge of my seat.

4. Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow — Beautifully written historical fiction observing the changes in Russia throughout the 20th century through the eyes of a former count under house arrest in the Metropol Hotel.

5. Megan Whalen Turner, Return of the Thief — A glorious ending to a glorious series.

6. Caroline Stevermer, A Scholar of Magics — A fantasy of manners set in Edwardian England with a delightfully pragmatic heroine. It’s a sequel to the equally enjoyable A College of Magics, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

7. India Holton, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels — A gleefully ahistorical steampunk romp with pirates, assassins, Brontë references, and dick jokes. I can’t wait for the sequel!

8. Paulette Jiles, News of the World — A sparse, elegant tale of an unlikely friendship forged in the Wild West of the 1870s.

9. Connie Willis, Remake — A novella that combines romance, sci-fi, and classic movies to heartbreaking yet brilliant effect.

10. Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice — Just as much delightful fun as The Thursday Murder Club, but with a more coherent plot. I want to be Joyce when I grow up!

Overall, I'm quite pleased with my 2021 reading year and am looking forward to seeing what 2022 will bring! Please join me at my 2022 challenge thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/337381. Hope to see you all there!