Delta Queen's 2014 Reading - Part Seven

Welcome to my 7th thread. Autumn is here, the leaves are falling and there is a slight tang of smoke in the air from bonfires.

I have successfully concluded by major reading challenge of the year (The 2014 Category Challenge) and look forward to these last three months and simply picking books that appeal to me at the moment. Of course I still have a few challenges running that I hope to get some books read for, my Commonwealth Challenge, Mark's ACC, and the Reading Through Time Challenges.

I like to read a wide variety of books and I'm always ready to discuss books, reading or just about anything else that comes up.

Continuing with my vintage magazine covers that I have been using this year, here are some that celebrate the autumn.

Tickers

2014 Books Read




2014 Pages Read




2014 Books Read From My Shelves

My goal is to read at least 84 books off my shelves this year. Goal met and raised to 100.

How I Rate Books:

2.0 ★: I must have been dragged, kicking and screaming, to finish this one!

2.5 ★: Below Average but I finished the book for one reason or another.

3.0 ★: Average, a solid read that I finished but can't promise to remember

3.5 ★: Above Average, there's room for improvement but I liked this well enough to pick up another book by this author.

4.0 ★: A very good read and I enjoyed my time spent with this story

4.5 ★: An excellent read, a book I will remember and recommend

5.0 ★: Sheer perfection, the right book at the right time for me

2014 BOOKS READ

JANUARY

1. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold (324 pages) - 4.2 ★
2. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (541 pages) - 4.5 ★
3. Ru by Kim Thuy (141 pages) - 4.2 ★
4. A Cat In The Window by Derek Tangye (142 pages} - 3.5 ★
5. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (170 Pages) - 4.0 ★
6. One of Ours by Willa Cather (326 pages) - 4.1 ★
7. The Food of Love by Anthony Capella (310 pages) - 3.3 ★
8. The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout (320 pages) - 3.4 ★
9. The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy by Elizabeth Aston (353 pages) - 2.8 ★
10. Haven: The Dramatic Story of 1,000 World War II Refugees And How They Came To America by Ruth Gruber (295 pages) - 4.2 ★
11. The Tall Men by Will Henry (228 pages) - 4.0 ★
12. The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell (175 pages) - 5.0 ★
13. The Vizard Mask by Diana Norman (705 pages) - 4.2 ★
14. The Passage by Justin Cronin (879 pages) - 4.6 ★
15. Hart of Empire by Saul David (337 pages) - 3.1 ★

FEBRUARY

16. The Short Life & Long Times of Mrs. Beeton by Kathryn Hughes (428 pages) - 2.8 ★
17. Mourn Not Your Dead by Deborah Crombie (310 pages) - 4.0 ★
18. Victory by Susan Cooper (186 pages) - 3.3 ★
19. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson (290 pages) - 4.2 ★
20. Beaufort by Ron Leshem (368 pages) - 4.2 ★
21. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (400 pages) - 5.0 ★
22. The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney (256 pages) - 4.3 ★
23. My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (166 pages) - 3.9 ★
24. Mornings In Jenin by Susan Abulhawa (352 pages) - 4.7 ★
25. Never Somewhere Else by Alex Gray (308 pages) - 3.8 ★
26. Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold (464 pages) - 5.0 ★
27. Dreams of Joy by Lisa See (349 pages) - 4.5 ★
28. Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry (469 pages) - 3.7 ★
29. Sand Daughter by Sarah Bryant (471 pages) - 2.4 ★

BOOKS READ IN 2014

MARCH

30. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (336 pages) - 4.2 ★
31. Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (150 pages) - 3.6 ★
32. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (228 pages) - 3.7 ★
33. Saving Cascadia by John J. Nance (360 pages) - 3.0 ★
34. Citrus County by John Brandon (248 pages) - 2.0 ★
35. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (635 pages) - 4.8 ★
36. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (323 pages) - 4.0 ★
37. The Jewel In the Crown by Paul Scott (518 pages) - 4.2 ★
38. The Remains of Company D by James Carl Nelson (324 pages) - 4.1 ★
39. The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (320 pages) - 4.2 ★
40. Daughter of Kura by Debra Austin (302 pages) - 3.4 ★
41. The Death Cure by James Dashner (336 pages) - 3.0 ★
42. Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard (338 pages) - 4.0 ★
43. Layer Cake by J. J. Connolly (309 pages) - 4.2 ★
44. Dear Enemy by Jean Webster (224 pages) - 4.0 ★
45. The Fallen Sparrow by Dorothy B. Hughes (200 pages) - 3.7 ★
46. Railroad Schemes by Cecelia Holland (271 pages) - 4.0 ★
47. Battles At Thrush Green by Miss Read (222 pages) - 4.0 ★
48. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (294 pages) - 4.1 ★

APRIL

49. The Overloaded Ark by Gerald Durrell (303 pages) - 3.7 ★
50. Poetry By Heart Compiled by Liz Attenborough (128 pages) - 3.4 ★
51. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (336 pages) - 4.1 ★
52. The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen (416 pages) - 4.2 ★
53. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang (520 pages) - 3.8 ★
54. World Made By Hand by James Kunstler (317 pages) - 4.0 ★
55. Cowgirl Poetry Compliled by Virginia Bennett (191 pages) - 3.8 ★
56. The Mountains of Mourning by Lois McMaster Bujold (112 pages) - 4.2 ★
57. Bloody Jack; Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer (301 pages) - 4.5 ★
58. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol (304 pages) - 3.2 ★
59. Me and the Boys by Ellen Recknor - (416 pages) - 4.3 ★
60. Lovely Green Eyes by Arnost Lustig (256 pages) - 4.0 ★
61. Hurting Distance by Sophie Hannah (408 pages) - 4.5 ★
62. The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary Hawley Jarman (352 pages) - 4.1 ★
63. The Sacrifice by Charlie Higson (456 pages) - 4.2 ★
64. The Bat by Jo Nesbo (425 pages) - 3.7 ★

BOOKS READ IN 2014

MAY

65. The Lost Girls: Three Friends, Four Continents by Jennifer Baggett, Holly Corbett & Amanda Pressner (536 pages) - 3.7 ★
66. Not Yet Drown'd by Peg Kingman (424 pages) - 3.8 ★
67. The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan (349 pages) - 3.4 ★
68. To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey (256 pages) - 4.3 ★
69. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (345 pages) - 4.0 ★
70. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (116 pages) - 5.0 ★
71. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (468 pages) - 5.0 ★
72. The Day of the Scorpion by Paul Scott (475 pages) - 4.0 ★
73. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (66 pages) - 4.1 ★
74. Lily Nevada by Cecelia Holland (224 pages) - 2.7 ★
75. Amelia's Navigator by James Knepton (65 pages) - 3.0 ★
76. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (593 pages) - 4.5 ★
77. Truth, Dare, Kill by Gordon Ferris (272 pages) - 3.3 ★
78. The Deserter by Paul Almond (266 pages) - 4.0 ★
79. Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham (222 pages) - 4.1 ★
80. Room by Emma Donoghue (415 Pages) - 5.0 ★
81. The Siege by Helen Dunmore (291 pages) - 4.2 ★

JUNE

82. Voices by Arnaldur Indridason (344 pages) - 3.4 ★
83. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (464 pages) - 4.1 ★
84. Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers (272 pages) - 4.1 ★
85. Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer (380 pages) - 3.3 ★
86. Sand Queen by Helen Benedict (312 pages) - 4.2 ★
87. The Picasso Scam by Stuart Pawson (310 pages) - 4.0 ★
88. Summer of the Drums by T.V. Olsen (178 pages) - 2.8 ★
89. Zombies vs Unicorns by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black (415 pages) - 4.2 ★
90. In Praise of Hatred by Khaled Khalifa (296 pages) - 2.0 ★
91. Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith (537 pages) - 3.3 ★
92. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin (264 pages) - 4.1 ★
93. Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguie (198 pages) - 2.7 ★
94. The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott (304 pages) - 3.6 ★
95. The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer (304 pages) - 4.5 ★
96. Remains of the Dead by Iain McKinnon (319 pages) - 3.5 ★
97. The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham (386 pages) - 3.6 ★
98. A Curse As Dark As Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce (400 pages) - 4.0 ★

BOOKS READ IN 2014

July

99. On The Island by Tracy Garvis Graves (336 pages) - 4.1 ★
100. More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl (304 pages) - 3.7 ★
101. The Wilderness Family by Kobie Kruger (381 pages) - 4.3 ★
102. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (302 pages) - 4.1 ★
103. Daughter of War by Marsha Forchuk Srypuch (210 pages) - 4.0 ★
104. The Towers of Silence by Paul Scott (423 pages) - 3.8 ★
105. No Horizon Is So Far by Liv Arnesen (272 pages) - 3.8 ★
106. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (273 pages) - 4.3 ★
107. The Way To Minack by Derek Tangye (192 pages) - 3.3 ★
108. Borderlands by Brian McGilloway (300 pages) - 3.8 ★
109. Ride The Pink Horse by Dorothy B. Hughes (208 pages) - 3.5 ★
110. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie (614 pages) - 4.3 ★
111. Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart (110 pages) - 3.8 ★
112. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (256 pages) - 4.5 ★
113. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (880 pages) - 4.3 ★
114. The Asphalt Jungle by W.R. Burnett (224 pages) - 3.4 ★
115. The Only Life That Mattered by James Nelson (414 pages) - 4.4 ★
116. Dead Tomorrow by Peter James (662 pages) - 3.9 ★
117. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (201 pages) - 4.3 ★

August

118. Shift by Jennifer Bradbury (256 pages) - 3.7 ★
119. Teacher, Teacher by Jack Sheffield (278 pages) - 3.4 ★
120. The Under Dog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie (224 pages) - 3.3 ★
121. Nineteen Seventy-Seven by David Peace (350 pages) - 3.9 ★
122. The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy (416 pages) - 3.6 ★
123. Still Midnight by Denise Mina (352 pages) - 3.5 ★
124. By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan (357 pages) - 3.8 ★
125. Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson (303 pages) - 3.3 ★
126. Regeneration by Pat Barker (250 pages) - 5.0 ★
127. Darkside by Belinda Bauer (445 pages) - 4.2 ★
128. The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (190 pages) - 4.5 ★
129. Blood Kin by Henry Chappell (299 pages) - 5.0 ★
130. The Mushroom Man by Stuart Pawson (315 pages) - 4.0 ★
131. Three Singles to Adventure by Gerald Durrell (189 pages) - 3.4 ★
132. Boiling A Frog by Christopher Brookmyre (402 pages) - 3.9 ★
133. The Information Officer by Mark Mills (276 pages) - 4.1 ★
134. The High Divide by Lin Enger (332 pages) - 4.2 ★
135. Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen (332 pages) - 3.6 ★

BOOKS READ IN 2014

September

136. Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick (218 pages) - 4.2 ★
137. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig (441 pages) - 3.7 ★
138. A Division of the Spoils by Paul Scott (608 pages) - 4.2 ★
139. Cress by Marissa Meyer (548 pages) - 4.5 ★
140. The Complaints by Ian Rankin (452 pages) - 4.1 ★
141. House of a Thousand Candles by Meredith Nicholson (244 pages) - 3.4 ★
142. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra (379 pages) - 5.0 ★
143. Shooting in the Dark by John Baker (392 pages) - 4.2 ★
144. The Long Glasgow Kiss by Craig Russell (419 pages) - 3.4 ★
145. The Son by Philipp Meyer (576 pages) - 4.0 ★
146. Who Shot the Water Buffalo? by Ken Babbs (315 pages) - 3.7 ★
147. Lost In The Barrens by Farley Mowat (244 pages) - 4.1 ★
148. Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (109 pages) - 3.7 ★
149. Living Proof by John Harvey (280 pages) - 4.1 ★
150. Dispatches by Michael Herr (262 pages) - 4.2 ★
151. Liar by Jan Burke (385 pages) - 4.0 ★
152. The Cipher Garden by Martin Edwards (343 pages) - 3.2 ★

October

153. Love By Design by Rosalie Ash (187 pages) - 2.0 ★
154. The Last Summer of the Camperdowns (383 pages) - 3.5 ★
155. Lost In The Amazon by Stephen Kirkpatrick (230 pages) - 3.2 ★
156. The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin (426 pages) - 3.7 ★
157. Child of Dandelions by Shenaaz Nanji (215 pages) - 4.1 ★
158. The Queen of Four Kingdoms by HRH Princess Michael of Kent (443 pages) - 4.2 ★
159. Blood of the Wicked by Leighton Gage (328 pages) - 4.2 ★
160. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute (285 pages) - 4.5 ★
161. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton (370 pages) - 4.0 ★
162. In The Shadow Of The Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (315 pages) - 4.1 ★
163. The Foundling by Georgette Heyer (439 pages) - 4.2 ★
164. Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill (244 pages) - 4.0 ★
165. Pynter Bender by Jacob Ross (464 pages) - 3.0 ★
166. The Edge of Eden by Helen Benedict (336 pages) - 4.1 ★
167. The African Queen by C.S. Forester (190 pages) - 4.5 ★
168. Requiem Mass by Elizabeth Corley (437 pages) - 3.3 ★

BOOKS READ IN 2014

November

169. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie (694 pages) - 4.5 ★
170. Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas (292 pages) - 3.3 ★
171. The Dead of Night by John Marsden (264 pages) - 4.0 ★
172. Brimstone by Robert B. Parker (293 pages) - 4.0 ★
173. I Don't Want To Kill You by Dan Wells (320 pages) - 2.8 ★
174. Horde by Ann Aguirre (418 pages) - 4.0 ★
175. Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner (402 pages) - 3.9 ★
176. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (560 pages) - 3.3 ★
177. Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (277 pages) - 4.0 ★
178. Push Start by Alan Savage (115 pages) - 2.0 ★
179. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (175 pages) - 3.4 ★
180. The Concubine's Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland (362 Pages) - 3.8 ★
181. Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S.G. Browne (310 pages) - 3.8 ★
182. The Remedy For Love by Bill Roorbach (311 pages) - 3.9 ★
183. The September Society by Charles Finch (372 pages) - 3.0 ★
184. Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener (384 pages) - 4.0 ★
185. An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor (464 pages) - 4.0 ★

December

186. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (324 pages) - 3.8 ★
187. The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer (288 pages) - 3.3 ★

And because this is the month of Halloween:

Books Purchased in 2014

January

1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Ashes by Ilsa Bick
3. Shadows: The Ashes Trilogy by Ilsa Bick
4. Monsters: The Ashes Trilogy by Ilsa Bick
5. American On Purpose by Craig Ferguson
6. Shadows in the Grass by Beverley Harper
7. Footprints of Lion by Beverley Harper
8. Think of a Number by John Verdon
9. Hawk Quest by Robert Lyndon
10. The Bone Garden by Kate Ellis
11. Prey To All by Natasha Cooper
12. A Hidden Affair by Pam Jenoff
13. Scapegallows by Carol Birch
14. The Moon In the Water by Pamela Belle
15. Wintercombe by Pamela Belle
16. Clean Cut by Lynda La Plante
17. Creeping Ivy by Natasha Cooper
18. Die A Little by Megan Abbott
19. The Funeral Boat by Kate Ellis
20. A Few Acres of Snow by Robert Leckie
21. O Pioneers by Willa Cather
22. Song of the Lark by Willa Cather
23. Fault Lines by Natasha Cooper

February

24. Daughters of the River Huong by Uyen Nichole Duong
25. Fields of Grief by Giles Blunt
26. The Officer's Lover by Pam Jenoff
27. Whispers In Autumn by Trisha Leigh
28. Winter Omens by Trisha Leigh
29. Betrayals in Spring by Trisha Leigh
30. Summer Ruins by Trisha Leigh
31. Bloody Harvests by Richard Kunzmann
32. Salamander Cotton by Richard Kunzman
33. Into the Far Mountains by Fred Grove
34. Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George
35. The Ladies Maid by Dilly Court
36. Reality Check by Peter Abrahams
37. Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
38. Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
39. The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin
40. A Gift Upon the Shore by M.K. Wren
41. God's Own Country by Ross Raisin
42. War Story by Derek Robinson
43. The Getaway by Jim Thompson
44. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
45. Thunder God by Paul Watkins
46. The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary Hawley Jarman
47. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (Bingo)
48. The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marion Keyes
49. Tamarack by William Kent Krueger

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

March

50. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
51. Middlemere by Judith Lennox
52. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
53. Broken Harbour by Tana French (Bingo)
54. At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon
55. Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
56. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
57. Witchlight by Susan Fletcher
58. Night Crossing by Robert Ryan
59. Twilight of Empire by Allan Eckert
60. Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
61. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
62. Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd
63. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
64. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
64. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
65. The Troop by Nick Cutter (Bingo)
66. City of Thieves by David Benioff
67. Amelia's Navigator by James Knepton
68. On The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves (Bingo)
69. What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
70. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (ARC)
71. The Murder Wall by Mari Hannah
72. Settled Blood by Mari Hannah
73. Little Girl Lost by Brian McGilloway
74. Gallows Lane by Brian McGilloway
75. Cold In the Earth by Aline Templeton
76. The Darkness and the Deep by Aline Templeton
77. Lying Dead by Aline Templeton
78. Teacher, Teacher by Jack Sheffield
79. Mister Teacher by Jack Sheffield
80. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos (Bingo)
81. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
82. The Man In the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

April

83. Cemetary Lake by Paul Cleave (Bingo)
84. The Rainbow and the Rose by Nevil Shute
85. The Ghost Door by Pat Barker
86. The Eye In the Door by Pat Barker
87. Pastoral by Nevil Shute
88. The Chains of Fate by Pamela Belle
89. Sand Omnibus by Hugh Howey
90. Shift by Jennifer Bradbury (Bingo)
91. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
92. The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan
93. The Bear by Claire Cameron (Bingo)
94. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold
95. Herald of Joy by Pamela Belle
96. The Twelve by Justin Cronin (Bingo)
97. Push Start by Alan Savage
98. The Terrorists of Irustan by Louise Marley (Bingo)
99. Second Star by Dana Stabenow
100. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow
101. Caribbean Chemistry by Christopher Vanier (Bingo)
102. The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
103. The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann
104. The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope by Rhonda Riley
105. English Creek by Ivan Doig (Bingo)
106. Who Shot the Water Buffalo? by Ken Babbs
107. Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer (Bingo)
108. Under the Jolly Roger by L.A. Meyer

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

May

109. High Rising by Angela Thirkell
110. Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene
111. Sons of Texas by Elmer Kelton
112. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold
113. The Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold
114. A Curse As Dark As Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
115. Sea Witch by Helen Hollick
116. Pirate Code by Helen Hollick
117. Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives Edited by Sarah Weinman - Bingo Book
118. The Golden Scales by Parker Bilal
119. Blackman's Coffin by Mark de Castrique
120. The Fitzgerald Ruse by Mark de Castrique
121. Blood on the Moon by James Ellroy
122. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith - Bingo Book
123. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
124. The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri
125. Mortal by Andrea Badenoch
126. The Judas Heart by Ingrid Black
127. To a Native Shore by Valerie Anand
129. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin
130. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K Le Guin
131. The Farthest Shore by Ursula K Le Guin
132. The Best of Sisters by Dilly Court
133. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh
134. Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguie
135. Love By Design by Rosalie Ash
136. The Brandons by Angela Thirkell
137. Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill
138. The Damascened Blade by Barbara Cleverly
139. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
140. Beauty by Robin McKinley
141. Ash by Malinda Lo
142. Death Message by Mark Billingham

June

143. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt - Bingo Book
144. Red Hill by Jamie McGuire - Bingo Book
145. Soul Catcher by Michael White
146. The Mike Hammer Collection - Vol.1 by Mickey Spillane
147. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
148. The Clocks by Agatha Christie
149. The Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard by Arthur Conan Doyle
150. Cloudy in the West by Elmer Kelton
151. Dead Water by Ann Cleeves
152. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout
153. Buried by Mark Billingham - 6th Thingaversary
154. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers - 6th Thingaversary
155. The Cartographer of No Man's Land by P.S. Duffy - 6th Thingaversary
156. The Orenda by Joseph Boyden - 6th Thingaversary
157. The Foundling by Georgette Heyer
158. Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
159. Dare Me by Megan Abbott
160. The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson
161. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
162. Tiger Claw by Shauna Singh Baldwin - 6th Thingaversary
163. Grave Mercy by Robin Lefevers
164. Dark Triumph by Robin Lefevers
165. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
166. The hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris
167. Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood (Bingo)
168. Playing with the Moon by Eliza Graham
169. A Gentle Ax by R. N. Morris
170. A Vengeful Longing by R. N. Morris
171. A Razor Wrapped in Silk by R. N. Morris
172. The Cleansing Flames by R. N. Morris
173. X-Isle by Steve Augarde (Bingo)
174. First Frost by James Henry - 6th Thingaversary
175. Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear (Bingo)
176. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (Bingo)
177. The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
178. Speak for the Dead by Margaret Yorke
179. The Price of Guilt by Margaret Yorke
180. The Grifters by Jim Thompson
181. After Dark, My Sweet by Jim Thompson
182. The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman
183. Something Is Going to Fall Like Rain by Ros Wynne-Jones (Bingo)
184. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Bingo)

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

July

185. The Information Officer by Mark Mills
186. Funeral Music by Morag Joss
187. A Girl of Her Time by Margaret Kaine
188. Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley
189. First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung
190. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
191. On the Beach by Nevil Shute
192. The Chequer Board by Nevil Shute
194. In the Teeth of Evidence Dorothy L. Sayers
195. Last Reminder by Stuart Pawson
196. Suspect by Michael Robotham
197. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
198. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
199. Into The Shadows by Shirley Wells
200. A Darker Side by Shirley Wells
201. Where Petals Fall by Shirley Wells
202. Gus Openshaw's Whale Killing Journal by Keith Thompson
203. The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden
204. The Yard Dog by Sheldon Russell
205. The Underdog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
206. Weddings in Burracombe by Lilian Harry
207. The Skeleton Room by Kate Ellis
208. Freedom's Land by Anna Jacobs
209. Sacrifice by S.J. Bolton
210. The Forbidden Daughter by Shobhan Bantwal
211. A Finer End by Deborah Crombie
212. The African Queen by C.S. Forester
213. Frozen Moment by Camilla Ceder

August

214. The High Window by Raymond Chandler
215. Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty
216. The House Girl by Tara Conklin
217. An Irish Country Wedding by Patrick Taylor
218. The Yard by Alex Grecian
219. Longbourn by Jo Baker
220. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
221. Dead man's Folly by Agatha Christie
222. The Captain's Daughter by Leah Fleming
223. The Fast One by Paul Cain
224. Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer
225. The Glass Key by Dashiel Hammett
226. She Rises by Kate Worsley
227. The King's Last Song by Geoff Ryman
228. The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi
229. Pirates! by Celia Rees
230. Friends At Thrush Green by Miss Read
231. The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton Disclafani
232. The Silent History by Eli Horowitz
233. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
234. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
235. Before Versailles by Karleen Koen
236. The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry
237. Dark Flight by Lin Anderson
238. Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham
239. Tide of Death by Pauline Rowson
240. Deadly Waters by Pauline Rowson
241. The Suffocating Sea by Pauline Rowson
242. Lime Street Blues by Maureen Lee
243. Easy Kill by Lin Anderson
244. A Killing Frost by John Marsden
245. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
246. Darkness, Be My Friend by John Marsden
247. Close to the Bone by Stuart MacBride
248. The Fallen by Charlie Higson

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

September

249. Beyond Reach by Graham Hurley
250. The Blackhouse by Peter May
251. Invasive Species by Joseph Wallace
252. Still Water by John Harvey
253. Borrowed Light by Graham Hurley
254. Pacific Glory by P.T. Deutermann
255. The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
256. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
257. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
258. The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
259. The Judas Sheep by Stuart Pawson
260. Deadly Friends by Stuart Pawson
261. The Queen of Four Kingdoms by HRH Princess Michael of Kent
262. The Leaving of Liverpool by Lyn Andrews
263. Friends Forever by Lyn Andrews
264. Wedding Tiers by Trisha Ashley
265. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
266. Shame by Karin Alvtegen
267. The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan
268. ella minnow pea by Mark Dunn
269. Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
270. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
271. Crown of Roses by Valerie Anand
272. A Mersey Duet by Anne Baker
273. The Blue Note by Charlotte Bingham
274. Do the Creepy Thing by Graham Joyce
275. Molokai by Alan Brennert
276. Wilderness Empire by Allan W. Eckert
277. Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow
278. Gap Creek by Robert Morgan
279. Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner
280. The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson
281. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
282. Three Miles by Robert Dinsdale
283. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
284. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
285. The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen
286. Silesian Station by David Downing
287. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
288. Easter Island by Jennifer Vanderbes
289. The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
290. The Clouds Beneath the Sun by Mackenzie Ford
291. Sharpe's Tiger by Bernard Cornwell
292. Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman
293. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin
294. Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster
295. The Stowaway by Karen Hesse
296. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
297. Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley
298. Silent Scream by Lynda La Plante
299. Blind Fury by Lynda La Plante

October

300. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley
301. Now You May Weep by Deborah Crombie
302. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
303. The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
304. Into The Forest by Jean Hegland
305. American Tabloid by James Ellroy
306. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
307. Shaka: The Story of a Zulu King by Alex Coutts
308. The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones
309. The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
310. Beyond Mombasa by Frank Coates
311. Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland
312. The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville
313. Belle by Lesley Pearse
314. What The Heart Keeps by Rosalind Laker
315. My Swordhand Is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
316. Blood Red, Snow White by Marcus Sedgwick
317. Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle
318. The Sugar Pavilion by Rosalind Laker
319. The Secret Daughter by Catherine King
320. African Dawn by Tony Park
321. Broken Jewel by David Robbins
322. Lavender Lady by Carola Dunn
323. Buried Strangers by Leighton Gage
324. The Ravenscar Dynasty by Barbara Taylor Bradford
325. Heirs of Ravenscar by Barbara Taylor Bradford
326. Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford
327. The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick
328. The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory
329. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
330. The Black Tower by Louis Bayard
331. Rasputin's Daughter by Robert Alexander
332. Enemies of the Heart by Rebecca Dean
333. The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean
334. Gatty's Tale by Kevin Crossley-Holland
335. Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff
336. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
337. Gone by Mo Hayder
338. Poppet by Mo Hayder
339. Daughters of Eden by Charlott Bingham
340. The Thread That Binds The Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
341. Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill
342. Hostage Three by Nick Lake
343. Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
344. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (audio)
345. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (audio)

Books Purchased in 2014 (con't)

November

346. The Captive Wife by Fiona Kidman
347. Comfort & Joy by India Knight
348. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
349. Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse (audio)
350. Life After Life by Jill McCorkle
351. The Marines of Autumn by James Brady
352. Brothers In Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold
353. Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham
354. The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie
355. The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge
356. Dark Star by Alan Furst
357. The Pink Suit by Nicole Mary Kelby
358, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
359. Persuasion by Jane Austen
360. The March by E.L. Doctorow
361. Black Roses by Jane Thynne

December

362. Clandestine by James Ellroy
363. Down Among the Dead Men by Geraldine Evans
364. Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood
365. The Dead Sit Round In a Ring by David Lawrence
366. Nothing Like The Night by David Lawrence
367. Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel
368. The Year At Thrush Green by Miss Read
369. Leaving Cheyenne by Larry McMurtry
370. Lizzie Borden by Anglela Carter
371. The Big Four by Agatha Christie
372. Stamboul Train by Graham Greene

159. Blood of the Wicked by Leighton Gage - 4.2 ★
October GeoCat: South America
October MysteryCat: Global Crime & Mysteries
TIOLI #2: Blood on the Cover



Blood of the Wicked by Leighton Gage is the first book in the series featuring Chief Inspector Mario Silva of the Federal Police of Brazil. This is a book that reached out and totally grabbed me. A murder mystery wrapped in a layered, well written novel that shines a light on the plight of the poor and landless against the rich and landed. Involving priests, corrupt officials, political activists and journalists this was a roller coaster ride that informed as well as thrilled.

When a Catholic Bishop arrives to dedicate a new church in the city of Cascatas and is immediately murdered, Chief Inspector Mario Silva is sent to investigate. Silva and his team arrive at a time of political unrest in the area as first a local agitator and his family are horribly murdered, than in apparent retaliation, a wealthy landowners son goes missing. Meanwhile a group of poor farmers have taken over a portion of an estate and are trying to draw attention to the conditions they are having to live in. Trying to figure out if all these cases are connected has Silva desperately trying to fit the pieces together.

In Blood of the Wicked there are more than enough bad guys, but there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest and I haven’t felt such hatred for a villain in a long time. I truly wanted this guy to not only be exposed but for him to come to a bad end as well. The story contains torture, rape, corruption, murder and violence and as such, would not be suitable for everyone. This is a tale of retribution, revenge and ultimately justice and, as a first book in a series, Blood of the Wicked had me riveted and now wanting to see what comes next after such an emotionally charged debut.

Happy new thread, Judy!

I enjoy seeing the new magazine covers when you start a new thread, Judy. Your books read and bought are very impressive. The books bought make me feel like my own haul is piddly in comparison - well, maybe it would be if I read at the same pace that you do.

Happy new thread, Judy! I really love that middle magazine cover up top!

Happy New thread, Judy! Hooray, for Part 7!

Lovely new thead, Judy!

I actually saw a turned leaf on Saturday!

Happy New Thread!

Happy new thread, Judy! Your magazine covers give it a lovely autumnal feel.

Happy New Thread, Judy! I love the Fall theme up top!

Happy New Thread Judy, I'm encouraged to see I'm not the only one who starts out her threads with some 15 posts or more. I end up using those 'administrative' sections quite a lot on a daily basis, to they are certainly not wasted space! Happy 'free' reading for the rest of the year...

Happy New Thread, Judy - What a lot of reading you've done! Blood of the Wicked sounds good. Sigh.

Good morning to everyone. Today is Thanksgiving Day here in Canada, although we celebrated at the elder daughters' with a family dinner last night. My younger daughter went to the Island to spend the weekend with my 93 year old Mom which I know she appreciated. Today my grandson is coming over for dinner and I am cooking a small turkey. Since he is a chocoholic instead of pumpkin pie I am making a fudge pudding for dessert.

>18 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>19 Familyhistorian: I am actually rather scaring myself, Meg. I have never tracked my book purchases before and I probably won't do so again! I have gone a little crazy this year, I think the Kindle has to take a lot of the blame, it's just too darn easy to look up a book and see it's at a reduced price and decided to buy it right then and there instead of waiting. I do like to have a large TBR with lots of choices though!

>20 Crazymamie: I love that one as well, Mamie. Gosh, I remember when it seemed like the world stood still as it was World Series Time! Even up here in Canada I had teachers who brought their transistor radio to class in order to listen to the "Big" game!

>21 msf59: Hooray is right, Mark, but it's Part Seven! ;)

>22 ronincats: LOL Roni, we certainly don't get the colors that they get in other parts of the country, but I have seen a yellow or red leaf here and there as well. It's always a race here to see whether we get any color before the rains and winds come and blow all the leaves down.

>23 SandDune: Thanks Rhian.

>24 susanj67: Susan, here on the west coast of Canada we don't get the bright autumn or the cold winters that the eastern part of the country gets, I miss the autumn colors but am quite happy to pass on the snow!

>25 scaifea: Amber, I know you, like me, love the Fall. Even your name matches the Fall season!

>26 Smiler69: Believe me, Ilana, I am definitely not going to be showing my book purchases in list style next year, instead I'll scatter them throughout my threads. That will eliminate at least 6 opening posts! I am a planner and compulsive list maker however so I am sure there will still be a few lists that I won't be able to eliminate.

>27 BLBera: Beth, I really liked Blood of the Wicked and it was one of those happy finds waiting patiently on the Kindle. I don't actually remember purchasing it, so it may very well have been a daily deal. Anyway I now have to go out and get the next one!

Oops, Judy. Lucky 7!!

Hope you've enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend, Judy. Happy new thread!!

159 books this year, so far...looks like it's been a great reading year for you.

Coming in under the wire to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Fudge Pudding?! I'll be right over...

Happy new thread, Judy! It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Yes, fudge pudding caught my attention.

Happy new thread! :)

Today my elder daughter and I went to a local nursery and happens to have a little boutique attached to it that sells clothes that my daughter usually loves. Sure enough she fell in love with a number of things and picked up a gorgeous sweater coat and a nice grey top that she can wear to meetings. I came away with a number of Christmas ideas for her. Then when I got home it was like Christmas for me with 6 packages of books on the doorstep.

>30 lindapanzo: Thanks Linda, I have had an excellent reading year, not just in numbers either as I have read some really great books this year. This last weekend I have been switching back and forth between Nevil Shute's Pied Piper and Edith Wharton's Custom of the Country - both a very good.

>31 katiekrug: Thanks Katie, I am a big fan of any holiday where eating is involved!

>32 scaifea: Super easy recipe, Amber. It's one with a cake-like topping and a fudgy sauce that forms underneath. Really good served warm with whipped cream.

>33 lkernagh: I did Lori, and from your thread over at the Category Challenge, I saw that you did, too!

>34 BLBera: Beth, the pudding was a big success with my grandson as he decided he should start dinner with a helping of dessert and then went back and had another helping later!

>35 Kassilem: Thanks, Melissa!

160. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute - 4.5 ★
Joint Read with RabbitPrincess
TIOLI #4: A Book That Is Older Than Me



My admiration for Nevil Shute rises after each of his books that I read. I thought Pied Piper was a wonderful story that captured not only the fear and confusion of finding oneself trapped behind enemy lines with no certainty of reaching home but also the frustrations and joys of travelling with children. John Howard needed to get away and chooses the wrong time to go on a fishing vacation in France. When the war news turns bleaker and he is preparing to return to England, he is approached by an English woman whose husband is working for the League of Nations in Switzerland. They have decided to remain in Switzerland but as many feel the Germans will invade, she asks Mr. Howard if her two children could accompany him back to England. Thinking he will only be taking a straight forward train and boat journey he agrees to escort the children.

Circumstances turn grim for this little group as the Germans overrun France much quicker than anyone expected and Howard finds himself and the children cut off from escape. Also they appear to be picking up more children as they travel. Eventually he goes to the home of people that he met on a previous trip to France and the daughter of this family, Nichole, agrees to accompany him to the coast and help him and the children find a fisherman with a boat to get them over the English Channel.

This is a story to give one faith in the goodness of humanity. The characters are ordinary people that are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to save these children. Howard himself is a seventy year old man with a gentleness and decency that shines through every situation, his handing of the children is truly heart-warming. The children come across very real, caring more about play and food and not really understanding about the war. There is an uplifting moment when Howard discovers that there is a connection with Nichole that he didn’t know about, yet even with this type of sentimental event, the book never feels contrived.

Pied Piper is both an exciting and believable story of courage and compassion in the face of danger and uncertainty and I loved it.

>37 DeltaQueen50: - that sounds like a good one, Judy! I'm not familiar with that title, though I do know of (but have not yet read) Shute...

Pied Piper sounds interesting. I have never heard of that book by Shute before.

>38 katiekrug: & >39 Familyhistorian: I highly recommend Pied Piper it's a great story, a little sentimental perhaps but it made an excellent contrast to The Custom of the Country and the nasty Undine! I also like the fact that it's not a very long book, my copy was 285 pages, so it was a quick read.

>36 DeltaQueen50: Whoa, whoa, whoa. How can you tease with that description of the pudding and say it's super easy and then not hand the recipe over?! You're going to make me beg, aren't you?

Happy new thread Judy and belated Thanksgiving wishes!

>41 scaifea: Fudge Pudding Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons baking cocoa - divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons melted butter or margerine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cups hot water

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons of the cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread in an ungreased 9 inch square baking dish. Combine the brown sugar and the remaining cocoa and sprinkle over the batter. (I usually sift the cocoa to avoid lumps) Pour hot water over all, do not stir. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 35 mins. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream.

It cooks into a fudgy dense cake-like layer with a thick fudge sauce underneath. Really needs the whip cream to bring it to dessert perfection. ;)

>42 souloftherose: Thanks, Heather. :)

>43 DeltaQueen50: Oh, excellent! Thanks so much!

>45 scaifea: You are most welcome, Amber. I hope you enjoy it.

161. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton - 4.0 ★
American Author Challenge
TIOLI #4: A Book That Is Older Than Me



The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton tells the story of Undine Spragg, a Midwestern girl who attempts to scale the heights of New York City society. Undine is one of the most unique characters I have come across. Beautiful, selfish, and ignorant. She is terribly spoiled and seems incapable of understanding the consequences of her actions. She has no empathy and leaves a wake of damaged lives behind her. She repulsed me with her nastiness, yet I had to read on and find out what she was going to do next.

As we follow Undine through first one husband and then another, I kept waiting for her to learn a life lesson or two, but instead she always seems to think that her wishes must come first, that money should always be available to her and that her beauty entitled her to anything she wanted. Undine always seems to get what she wanted, but she also was quickly dissatisfied. Motherhood did nothing either mature her and I felt very sorry for her son, Paul. Wharton never wavered in keeping Undine true to her vision, even at the end of the book, the reader is given a glimpse of Undine that allows us to know that she will never be satisfied with the status quo.

Wharton delivers her story beautifully and uses her wit and insight to give us a sharp look at upper crust society as the nouveau riche come up against the old guard. I enjoyed this book immensely and will keep Undine Spragg on the memory shelf alongside of Scarlett O’Hara and Becky Sharp.

Currently Reading:



In The Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
The Foundling by Georgette Heyer

>47 DeltaQueen50: I am so glad you were satisfied with The Custom of the Country. I am starting my copy in a few days, as soon as I finish my Murakami.

I hope you enjoy In The Shadow of the Banyan. I remember liking that one quite a bit.

How neat is this? You've got TWO reviews on the hot list today!

Hi Judy, that's a good review of The Custom of the Country. I've really fallen off the wagon as far as reviews go lately, not sure what's up with that, but I'm sure they'll all come out surging eventually, which is what usually tends to happen.

>49 msf59: Mark, I am so glad that I was able to fit The Custom of the Country into my reading this month. The main character is one that will certainly go down as one of the most memorable characters I have read about. I am looking forward to reading some more by Edith Wharton.

>50 countrylife: Wow is right, Cindy! I sure hope my reviews encourage people to give either of these books a try, as they were both excellent in their own way.

>51 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana. It has become such a habit for me to write my thoughts about my last read that I would be lost without doing it. I don't really consider what I write a review as such, just some general feelings about how the book struck me. I don't spent a lot of time on writing them and sometimes I am embarrassed when I look back and catch spelling errors.

Judy I lost your 75 thread and hadn't realized because I've been following you over in the 2014 Challenge group. Any other thread I'm behind on? ;-)

>53 luvamystery65: It can get very confusing at times when people have multiple threads! I know I often think I have commented on someones 75 thread and realize that it was their Category Challenge thread or vice versa. I'm happy to hear from you no matter what thread we're on!

162. In The Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner - 4.1 ★
October RandomCat: Recommended by an LT Member
October Reading Through Time: 1970's
TIOLI #5: The Letters S & T Are In The Title



Set in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime In The Shadow of the Banyan describes a seven year old child’s confusion and terror as her life of privilege is torn away and she and her family are turned out of their home and into a world of fanaticism and violence. Not understanding that her family, as minor royalty, would come in for special interrogation, Raami reveals her fathers true name to the soldiers and then lives with the guilt she feels as he is taken away and never seen again. This was just the first of the tragedies that this young girl lived through.

Raami and her mother are moved about by the revolutionaries and set to work at many back-breaking tasks, barely kept alive on starvation rations, they remain committed to each other and the memory of their loved ones. She dreams of her father, of the poetry and life lessons he gave her while her mother is a tower of strength and inner fortitude that I found incredible. When the opportunity comes Raami’s mother ensures their escape through Thailand and eventually to the United States and makes true her promise that she and her child will live a better life someday.

I did feel that the lyrical writing and poetical phrasing created a barrier between myself and the characters. Ultimately this is a book that features brutality and violence, the atrocities that were committed by the Khmer Rouge are well documented but I felt the writing softened the effect somewhat. I believe the author’s ultimate purpose was for this book to tribute her mother, pay homage to her lost family and show how resiliency and courage brought them through this dark period in their lives.

Belated wishes for your new thread and Thanksgiving!

>56 humouress: Thanks Nina.

I have come down with a flu and am feeling pretty miserable. Can hardly even concentrate on reading. I have been napping a lot and watching hours of Food Network. Hope to feel better soon and get back to my regular schedule.

So sorry to hear you are not well, Judy. Get well soon!

Hope you feel better soon, Judy.

After reading your Edith Wharton review, I'm adding that one to my TBR list.

Boo to the flu!! I hope you recover quickly, Judy! Sending healing vibes...

Feel better soon.

*waving* at Judy!

I hope you are feeling better very soon.

Get well soon Judy. Nothing like flu to get a person down. Lots of liquids and plenty of sleep should get you better. Hope you're well enough to keep reading, which should help keep the spirits up at least! Hugs (from afar, obviously!)

Thanks to everyone for keeping my thread alive, I am feeling quite a bit better today and can see light at the end of the tunnel. As one can only watch food shows for so long on TV, I have been reading quite a bit over the last three days and now I have to catch up here, but I am going to have to do it slowly as my energy level still seems to be very low.

I appreciate all the visits, good wishes and distant hugs!

163. The Foundling by Georgette Heyer - 4.2 ★
TIOLI #6: A Work of Historical Fiction Published Before 1950



The Foundling by Georgette Heyer is less of a historical romance and much more of a comedy of errors with foundlings, runaway schoolboys, an incognito duke, kidnappers and assorted ruffians and more that a few concerned relatives charging about. The Duke of Sale has been cosseted and looked after by servants and family for his whole life. He is now coming into his majority and instead of handing the reins to him, everyone still seems to feel the need to protect him. His future wife has been picked out for him, and even though he has always been very fond of Harriet, he doesn’t feel great love for her. Breaking free of his traces, the duke goes off as a plain Mr. Rufford, on a quest to help a cousin out of a fix. Amid much mayhem and confusion, the duke learns not only to assert himself but that there are times when it is advantageous to be the Duke of Sale and to have a loving family to surround him. Most importantly of all, he and Harriet discover that love is blossoming between them and that they are meant to be together.

Georgette Heyer fills this book with some great characters that were a lot of fun to read about. From school boy Tom who finds trouble wherever he goes, to the totally empty-headed foundling, Belinda, even the villain of the piece, Mr. Liversedge was an interesting, fully drawn rogue. The relationship between the duke and his betrothed was mature, believable and, I found, quite heart warming.

A coming-of-age story that is full of humor and adventure, Georgette Heyer has another winner with The Foundling.

164. Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill - 4.0 ★
October MysteryCat: Global Mysteries
October Reading Through Time: 1970's
TIOLI #1: A Type of Bird Mentioned In the Narrative



I am still very much enjoying the Dr. Siri series by Colin Cotterill of which Thirty-Three Teeth is the second book. Continuing on with his story of the reluctant seventy year old national coroner set in 1977 Laos after the communist take-over, this book finds Dr. Siri less reluctant about having to work as the corner and coming to terms with playing host for an ancient shaman’s spirit.

Three mysteries are touched upon in this book and there is a lot of spiritual activity. I felt perhaps this aspect was a little overdone, but the author still implants plenty of humour and keeps his settings interesting and informative. Along with the pragmatic Dr. Siri there is a great cast of supporting characters that help to flesh out the story and his writing style is witty, sharp and ironic.

These books are not classic whodunits in any way, relying less on mystery solving and more on descriptions of Dr. Siri’s day-to-day activities and the strange things that happen around him. Extremely entertaining, I relish my time spend with Dr. Siri and his cronies.

I love the Dr. Siri series so much and plan to reread it again and again (already I've reread one or two of them, not necessarily in order).

The Foundling sounds like a good one!

Hope you are feeling better!

Hi Judy! I've copied your fudge pudding cake recipe! Mmmm, all the chocolaty goodness!!

Wonderful new thread Judy. I also copied your fudge pudding cake recipe as it sounds incredible mouthwatering!

>67 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary, I am feeling better but have now developed a horrible cough that will probably keep me on the sidelines for a few days. I don't feel comfortable coughing and spluttering all over people in public. Both Georgette Heyer and the Dr. Siri series were perfect book to read when feeling under the weather.

>68 Carmenere: Hi Lynda. I hope you enjoy the fudgy goodness!

>69 drachenbraut23: Hi Bianca, enjoy the pudding!

165. Pynter Bender by Jacob Ross - 3.0 ★
Commonwealth Challenge: Grenada
TIOLI #3: Read A Book About Colonialism



Pynter Bender by Jacob Ross is a coming-of-age story set in the cane fields of Grenada. Although born blind, his eyes are healed by a village mystic when he is ten and he becomes acutely aware of the beauty around him. He is raised mostly by women as the one constant in his life is that the men leave. With a life of back-breaking work in the cane fields for 94 cents a day, it isn’t surprising that most men slip away looking for something different. The women that form Pynter’s family are a close knit group of aunts and cousins, but it is when his uncle Birdie returns home after one of his spells in prison that Pynter begins to understand that there is a world beyond these women and the cane fields. Pynter lives in turbulent times and when he finds himself fleeing marauding soldiers and hiding in the canes it brings him to the realization that he can no longer ignore the violence that is happening on his beloved island and he may have to become another man who leaves.

Parallel to Pynter’s story this is also the story of Grenada. Originally a French colony, it was captured by the British in 1763 and held as a British Colony until 1974. Pynter Bender is set during the 1960’s, pre-independence. This was a time of unrest and uncertainty as islanders were struggling within the confines of virtual serfdom. This was a time, when in order to control the population, curfews were set and people who broke the curfew were shot.

Rather than a straight forward novel, this story is told in a series of stories and personally I found it rather difficult to follow. It took me half the book to work out the relationships between the many characters. Another thing I found confusing was that some characters who seemed of importance would just disappear off the pages while new characters were constantly being introduced. The author does tell his story beautifully but unfortunately I found it felt awkward and disjointed.

Currently Reading



The Edge of Eden by Helen Benedict
The African Queen by C.S. Forester

Hi Judy - I'm glad you're feeling better. What a lot of reading you have done. I'm trying to resist starting another series, but I've heard so many good things about Dr. Siri, that I may give in and try it.

Heyer is fun. I try to read one a year. I read many of hers when I was in my teens, and the ones I've reread recently hold up pretty well.

I'm so glad to hear that you're better, Judy!

Hooray for Dr. Siri! Gotta love him! I have read the first 8.

Hope the week is going well, Judy!

>73 BLBera: You should definitely give Dr. Siri a try, Beth. I love the humor and find these books are great palate cleansers between longer more involved stories.

>74 scaifea: Small steps, Amber. I have been left with a very nasty cough and now hubby has come down with the flu. Of course, his is much worse than mine was and he needs constant nursing!

>75 msf59: Hooray is right, Mark. Dr. Siri makes me feel happy and was a perfect read when I wasn't feeling 100 percent.

166. The Edge of Eden by Helen Benedict - 4.1 ★
Commonwealth Challenge: The Seychelles
TIOLI #12: Another Book by an Author Whose Last Book You Loved



Edge of Eden by Helen Benedict cast a spell over me with it’s oppressive edginess. This is the story of the disintegration of a family over the course of a year spent in paradise on the Seychelles. It is also a vivid account of the dark side of Eden and the negative effect of colonialism. It appears to be a book that gets very mixed reviews, many hated it, some loved it. I come down on the love side.

This is a family that was in trouble long before they reached the shores of the Seychelles, but things have a habit of developing quickly in the tropics. As she sees her family falling apart, the eight year old elder daughter, Zara turns to island magic called “grigri” to try and cure what she sees as the problem. Both horrifying and funny, I haven’t read a book that delves so interestingly into the dark side of a child’s mind in a long time. Zara is definitely a very scary little girl but eventually you start to see various sides to her and she is easily the most engaging character in the story.

This is far from a perfect book, at times it was rather messy with too many storylines, some confusing resolutions and many characters that verged on being stereotypes, such as the lecherous governor, the drunken clique of British wives, the voluptuous native girls. Still, I enjoyed the read, learned a bit of about the native flora and fauna and overall still find Helen Benedict an author that I am very interested in.

I love the Dr. Siri series, too. I've read . . . hmm . . . have to see where I left off . . .

Glad you're feeling better, Judy!

>78 tymfos: Thanks Terri. I have the next couple of Dr. Siri books on my shelf, ready for when I need a guaranteed good read. :)

>76 DeltaQueen50: Oh no! Not the dreaded man-flu?!

I have owned the first book in the Dr. Siri series forever. I really must get to it one of these days!

>80 humouress: Exactly, Nina! A full blown, woe-is-me, no-one has ever been sicker case. ;)

>81 alcottacre: These books are perfect when you want a quick and humorous read, Stasia, yet they are not lacking in content or story.

167. The African Queen by C.S. Forester - 4.5 ★
Commonwealth Challenge: Tanzania
TIOLI #4: Read A Book Older Than You



The African Queen by C.S. Forester is a book that I have long wanted to read. Originally published in 1935, this is a memorial WW I story that takes part in a remote corner of the world. German East Africa comprised what is now known as Burundi, Rwanda and part of Tanganyika (now known as Tanzania). At the opening of the book the Germans have come to the mission of Rose and her brother Samuel and stripped the place of food and animals. The native people are conscripted and marched away, leaving Rose and her sick brother alone. Samuel succumbs to a fever but keeping Rose from being totally alone, Charlie Allnut, fleeing downriver from the Germans in a derelict boat called The African Queen arrives.

Rose and Charlie bury Samuel and head off down the Ulanga River in the African Queen. He is thinking of hiding from the Germans in a remote backwater, while she is burning to strike a blow for England against Germany. Nothing will answer but that they travel down the perilous river and blow the German gun-boat that guards Lake Tanganyika, called Lake Wittelsbach in this book, to kingdom come. As they travel together, feelings arise and their mutual admiration of each other soon grows into love. As Rose is a forceful, determined woman she soon takes the place of leader and Charlie becomes her faithful, admiring assistant.

Rose and Charlie are a wonderful pair of mis-matched people. Together they pilot the African Queen towards their goal. As Charlie puts it, “We’ve come along under steam, an’ we’ve paddled, an’ we’ve pushed, an’ we’ve pulled the ole boat along with our hands.“ The author brings these two unique characters to life and through them sets a wonderful story in motion. One of my favorite reads of the year.

I have decided to give up on one of my current reads as I just can't get into the story. So Sunshine by Robin McKinley is going to be a DNF and i have picked up Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie instead.

I wholeheartedly support your decision Judy. With so many great books waiting on the endless bookpiles, at one point I decided there was no point in punishing myself by sticking to a book that was not working for me just... well, for no reason other than to finish it. Seemed kind of pointless. Hope you enjoy your next book.

>85 Smiler69: I don't why it is so difficult for me to abandon a book, must be the completist in me. I have over 900 books to read in my TBR on on my Kindle so letting one or two go shouldn't be so difficult for me!

168. Requiem Mass by Elizabeth Corley - 3.3 ★
TIOLI #2: Blood on Cover of the Book



Requiem Mass by Elizabeth Corley was a mass of contradictions for me. I quite liked the story but had to overlook some parts that stretched my imagination to the breaking point. I also liked the characters, especially the main one, DCI Andrew Fenwick, and would be interested in continuing to read about his life. The book was long for a mystery, being over 400 pages, but it read quickly and certainly kept my attention. The story is about revenge and was quite the thriller.

A few things however, that I found hard to believe made it difficult to take the book seriously. Obviously set in the days before computers were widely used in crime investigations, there were still many items that were difficult to swallow. For example, at one point the investigative team were interviewing current and ex-school teachers and pupils and no one remembered or brought up the tragic falling-from-the-cliffs death of a schoolgirl (a close friend of the current victim) even though it happened twenty years ago. I also found that the elaborately detailed plan that the killer used to abduct his first victim included more than a few incidents of sheer luck, such as his intended victim reading the classified ads and applying for the job that he was advertising. Also, the fact that the disappearance of this young wife and mother was not investigated further and was simply accepted as a voluntary disappearance even though her husband was loudly calling for a police investigation just struck me as wrong.

This is the first book in a series, and I do have the second on my shelves so I will continue on with the next one, but the stories will have to get tighter and the details a little more believable before I commit to the whole series.

>84 DeltaQueen50: I see that abandoned book you mentioned. I haven't ever read anything by McKinley. I know one of the other librarians on our staff likes her stuff, but she has quite different tastes than I do so I haven't really been tempted to pick up any of her works to read.

If a book doesn't work for you, it doesn't work. I do like Sunshine, even though it is very different from every other Robin McKinley book, but know it can't appeal to everyone.

>88 thornton37814: & >89 ronincats: It's hard to know whether it was the book itself or whether it was just me simply coming off such an excellent read with The African Queen, both Sunshine and Requiem Mass were hard for me to get into. That's another reason I turned to Joe Abercrombie's Last Argument of Kings since it's the third book in a trilogy that I have been really enjoying.

Hi Judy! Thanks for visiting and not forgetting about my poor neglected thread..haha!
I haven't been able to keep on top on any of the threads but your name is often found on the HOT reviews list or I'll see your ratings on various books and that sort of keeps me in the loop of all the excellent books you've been reading. ;)

>91 jolerie: Hi Valerie, it's great to see you posting! I well remember running around after two little ones and I know how both your time and energy are consumed by them. Of course, getting paid in hugs and kisses makes it all worth while!

Hi Judy! Great review of In the Shadow of the Banyan as well as some of your other reads. I'm impressed that you're up to 168 books with two months to go. Are you aiming for 200?

I wish I had noticed the TIOLI "blood on the cover" -- I haven't been tracking the TIOLI challenges (just too overwhelmed with work and life) but that is a fun one.

I hope you're doing well!

>76 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy, just catching up on your thread. Hope you are over the flu and cough and that your nursing duties are on the wane. I had to laugh when I read, "Of course, his is much worse than mine was and he needs constant nursing!" Isn't that always the case?

>93 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, I have to admit I have impressed myself with my reading this year. I didn't quite make 200 last year, falling 10 short, but there is a good chance I will reach it this year. Not a planned goal, but something to strive for. I am still as hooked as ever on the TIOLI Challenges, it's such a fun way to sort and choose my reading for the month.

>94 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. The cold and cough is pretty much a thing of the past. And hubby, bless his soul, was up and running very quickly. Amazing when he was so sure he was dying only to have him up and at it in two days! Must have been my superior nursing. ;)

>96 DeltaQueen50: Mm hum - back from death's door, must have been the superior nursing LOL. Glad to hear you are feeling better, Judy.

>97 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg.

Well I may not have read any scary books for Halloween this year, but I just two of my audio credits for We Have Always Lived in the Castle and The Haunting of Hill House both by Shirley Jackson. I read both these books many years ago and remember being rather frightened by The Haunting of Hill House.

Glad everyone there is feeling better, Judy!

>100 ronincats: Hi Roni, another book that arrived at the door today is The Thread That Binds the Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman, it will fit perfectly into one of the sub-challenges of the Category Challenge next year.

Feel like joining in Judy? http://www.librarything.com/topic/182420#4902314

>102 Smiler69: Sounds like fun, Ilana. I'm on my way over!

Judy I snagged We have always lived in the castle yesterday. Whoo!

>104 luvamystery65: It's a lot of fun, and creepy too Roberta, hope you enjoy it. That was a great deal and I would have jumped on it if I didn't own it already.

Hi Judy, thanks for jumping into my little challenge and making such a much recommended selection!

>104 luvamystery65: Roberta, I discovered Shirley Jackson when I was in my twenties and remember grabbing both those books from the library. I know I loved them but after all this time I really don't remember the details of the stories at all. I am looking forward to re-reading them, and wonder if I will be able to hold out on them until next Halloween!

>105 Smiler69: You're welcome, Ilana. I hope you enjoy A Town Called Alice as much as I did.

169. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie - 4.5 ★
TIOLI #17: A Book Leftover From a Previous Reading Commitment



Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie is the final volume of his First Law Trilogy and this was a excellent ending to this adventurous, bloodthirsty, and extremely riveting story. All the various storylines are merged and resolved bringing both moments of immense satisfaction and a few exclamations of surprise. Of course when I say resolved, I don’t mean that everything has been neatly tied up with a pretty bow. This is not the kind of story that ends neatly or even necessarily happily.

First and foremost the characters that people these books are some of the most sharply drawn, and uniquely original ones that I have read about. The author digs beneath the surface and gives his characters a balance and purpose behind their deeds. The reader comes to know the evil, twisted Glokta, but also gets to see the inside of the man, what formed him, what causes him to act and why. Far from being repulsed by his dark deeds, we understand and at times even root for him. Every character springs from the page, fully formed, well rounded and complete. From the main character of Logen Ninefingers, to secondary ones like Ardee West, each one complete, original and multi-sided.

The answers as to who lives and who dies, who is the ultimate winner and who is pulling all the strings are revealed in this breathtaking, bloody tale of action and intrigue. Last Argument of Kings is an excellently crafted, deeply plotted conclusion to this epic fantasy trilogy.

I am hoping to focus a lot of my November reading on series and trilogies. The above book completes one of the many trilogies I have on-going and although I did this type of reading in September, I still have many series that could use my attention.

Currently Reading



Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
The Dead of Night by John Marsden

>106 DeltaQueen50: Well there is the Horror Challenge that you can visit as you please.

https://www.librarything.com/groups/horror1

>109 luvamystery65: - LOL, Roberta, I am trying to avoid taking on any more challenges!

170. Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas - 3.3 ★
November RandomCat: May Day! May Day!
November Reading Through Time: Disasters
TIOLI #4: Author's Career Has Spanned More Than 15 Years



First and foremost I read Sandra Dallas because she is such a great storyteller. In Whiter Than Snow she tells the story of a small mining town in Colorado where, on an April day in 1920, an avalanche roars down the mountain and across the road where nine schoolchildren are on their way home. As the anxious people start to dig, the reader is taken on a backward journey into the lives of each of the mothers and fathers that are so desperately hoping that their children will be saved.

These back stories are varied and include estranged sisters, a troubled civil war veteran, a prostitute, a wife of the mine manager and a black man. Unfortunately, I felt the characters were a little contrived and the stories weren’t as fresh or original as I would have liked. It was very clear from the first chapter that only some of the children would survive and my curiosity was aroused to see which family would see their loved one restored.

I would say Whiter Than Snow was a solid story, but I have learned to expect a little more from this author, so I felt this one wasn’t equal to her best work. This is a story of love, redemption, and forgiveness but somehow I didn’t quite feel the sense of connection and empathy that I usually do with this author’s characters.

171. The Dead of Night by John Marsden - 4.0 ★
November GeoCat: Australia and Oceania
TIOLI #16: A Dystopia



The Dead of Night by John Marsden is the second in his Tomorrow Series and it’s taken me far too long to return to this series. I read the first one a couple of years ago and was quite taken with it’s realistically depicted story of invasion and guerrilla warfare as seen through the eyes of a teenager as her country, obviously Australia, is invaded.

In this outing, the little group has dwindled to six. They are still taking refuge in the remote bush area called Hell with occasional trips to the outskirts of their town to pick up supplies and information. Things are slowly changing as the enemy is gaining a strong foothold in the country and on one trip for supplies they are surprised to see colonists are being brought in and given homes and land to cultivate. Still defiant and wanting to stay free, they undertake a couple of expeditions to thwart the enemy and also one to check the next inhabited valley over to see what the conditions are like there.

These stories are full of action, yet to me, still seems authentic. Ellie and her friends are first and foremost trying to survive and make sense out of what is happening. There are moral choices and facing up to great loss, as they realize that their freedom will come with a terrible cost. The group dynamics are interesting as natural leaders emerge and each member’s strengths and weaknesses are exposed. I look forward to the next book and seeing what this group next decides to do.

They are still taking refuge in the remote bush area called Hell

Sounds like Australia... :)

>113 lyzard: I am really enjoying the YA series and luckily the author includes a glossary of Australian terms cause I would be totally at sea over some of the terms they use. I am having a lot of fun with these books.

I have been AWOL for a few days and I have had the most trying week of my life. I hadn't been feeling well for some time, but thought it was acid reflux. I went to my family doctor, got some pills for relief and was sent for some tests, including an ECG. That was on a Friday. I had a horrible weekend and by the Sunday night the pain had changed to chest pain. Still trying to hang on I left it for another day but on the Monday night I experienced worsening pain and my husband took me into the hospital. I was having recurrent heart attacks. My local hospital was able to relieve the pain and then shipped me off the one of the area's major hospitals when I underwent an angiogram. They were able to find a blockage and put in a stent. After a few days recovery I am now back at home and on the road to recovery.

I don't usually talk a lot about my health but I am now going to have to consider a certain amount of life change and part of that change will entail less time spent sitting in front of the computer. I am planning to still be a very active member on LT, but have to make room for more exercise and less sitting.

The funniest moment of the week was when I asked my husband to bring me in some books. He kept showing up at the hospital with books I had already read! I couldn't believe that he couldn't find, in a house with over 900 unread books, a couple for me to read! He finally arrived with a new-to-me book but it turned out the book he brought was one that I had planned to read next year for my 2015 challenge. He shook his head and said he didn't know that my reading was so complicated! Luckily my daughter was able to go up to the house and find my pile of current reads and from then on I was kept well supplied with reading material.

I am supposed to be resting right now, so I had better go and do that. I will be back in a couple of days and start the catching up process!

Oh how I love those opening images of magazine covers! How did we get so far away from the beauty of the seasons, to covers that are about self absorbed actors/actresses?

Happy Fall, from my house to yours:

Holy crap - I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, but very glad they were able to catch it in time and treat you so that hopefully it was simply a reminder to look after yourself better, and not anything worse.

Also glad you got some decent reading material. I can't imagine anything worse than being trapped in hospital with nothing to read.

Judy, I'm glad your husband insisted on taking you in and that they were able to catch and alleviate the problem. Fully understand about less LT time - maybe some audio books while walking? They seem to be the only thing that motivate me to get out and do it :-)

Wow Judy. I am so glad that your husband took quick action and that you were able to get your blockage cleared with a stent. They have come so far with minor invasive therapy. Whoop for your doctors! I'm glad you have decided to take better care of yourself. Lots of rest and right now and then on with the lifestyle changes. Hugs to you and sending you all my best and healing thoughts.

Judy - I hope you are feeling better. Great that you didn't need open heart surgery. Maybe you'll have to do books on tape as you exercise...

Hello Judy,

echoing Roberta there. So glad that everything went quite smooth with the stent, even so that you waited quite some time to be seen at the hospital. Please take care of yourself and please ensure enough rest and as Roberta said, once you recovered slowly change your lifestyle.
All the best wishes and take care.

Hi Judy, sorry to hear about your health issues and a good thing that you went into the hospital. Adding exercise to your life style sounds like a good idea and it helps that the area we live in is great for walking all year long.

>115 DeltaQueen50: - I am glad you went to the hospital and they were able to diagnose and come up with a solution but still, WOW, one never really expects something like that to happen to them, not when the telltale signs are what we equate to a more minor ailment. Glad to see that you are now on the road to recovery, Judy!

Oh, Judy, I'm sorry to hear about your rotten week! But I'm very happy to hear that you're on the way to recovering. I selfishly hope not to see any less of you here, but also understand that you need to make some lifestyle changes, and I'll be cheering you on all the way.

from >123 lkernagh: "not when the telltale signs are what we equate to a more minor ailment"

Most women feel the minor symptoms of a heart attack versus the huge vice like chest pain that men typically experience. The red dress campaign was started to educate the public about this.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/...

Also, if you are diabetic and you have chest pain DON'T ever ignore it.

Judy, as a former cardiothoracic ICU nurse let me say again, I'm thrilled the doctor was able to stent you. Coronary bypass is not for wimps.

>125 luvamystery65: - Good information to know, Roberta. My experience of any cardiac concerns are limited to what friends have talked about. Our family does not have any history of heart attacks, or other diagnosed cardiac concerns. None of my relatives have had coronary bypass surgery or had stents so I would probably think I was experiencing indigestion or some other internal issue when it might be something more important.

Thanks for providing the link!

Oh Judy, that sounds like a pretty scary week. Glad they caught the problem in good time, and also that we'll still be able to benefit from your presence here, though also relieved you'll be taking yourself in hand to make sure to stay healthy and keep the cardiac problems at bay.

I'm sure our reading habits must seem complicated to non-LT users, especially once you throw in the challenges and whatnot!

Hope you feel all better very soon!

Oh dear, Judy, I am SO glad that this was caught and fixed before too much damage was done!

ETA You've motivated me to do something I've been talking about doing for a long time. There are programs that will tell you to take a break from your computer, and I looked them up and found one for my Mac. Here's the names of a bunch you could check out. The Mac one I downloaded (free) was "Time Out". For Windows, there are a bunch: Big Stretch Reminder, Breaker, EVO, PC Work Break, Workrave. Most of these schedule a 10 minute break for every 50 minutes at the computer, but they are adjustable. I definitely need to be reminded to get up and stretch and move around regularly.

Judy, so sorry to hear about your health issues. Glad that they were able to resolve things without major surgery.

Judy, what a scary week for you. I'm so glad they could fix the blockage during the angiogram. It's so amazing what they can do now, isn't it?

Maybe we all need a bag labelled "emergency books" in the coat cupboard or somewhere easy to get to, and then we could just say "Bring my emergency books"!

Thanks to Roberta for posting that link - how terrible it is that women's heart problems get so little publicity when they can be so serious. Heart disease runs on my father's side of the family so I'm glad I know now what to look for.

Hi Judy! Just checking in. Sounds like you had a scary time. Hope the worst is behind you, my friend. You do, whatever is necessary. We will be right here, when you need us. Gentle hugs!

Sorry to hear about your health difficulties. At least your husband tried. I'm glad your daughter knew more about where you kept your "current stash." I usually get rid of the books that I have read. I've got some on a bookcase that I kept, but I will probably never read most of them again and will probably get rid of them at some point just in my "downsizing" adventure.

>115 DeltaQueen50: Judy, so sorry to hear about your health scare. I hope you are resting and healing up.

I did laugh over your story about your husband and the books.

>130 susanj67: I love the emergency books idea!

Oh, Judy! What a scary time you've had, but so so happy to know the problem was caught in time and the doctors were able to fix it. Also glad you finally got some books to read. (Not having anything to read while recuperating is almost scarier than the health problem.) Anyway, just rest as long as you need to feel better. I'm sure we'll all keep your thread going until you feel well enough to jump back in.

Sending healing vibes. {{{Judy}}}

Judy, that must have been a such a sudden scare for you and the family. Glad to hear that you were able to see someone and gotten it diagnosed and treated fast. Hope you are now resting and recovering. Everything else can and will wait!

I had to chuckle at your husband being unable to find a book you haven't read. Only the people in this awesome group seem to understand the neurotic nature of how we choose our next reads....it's a complicated matter indeed. ;)

Take care my friend!

Thank you to everyone for dropping by with such good wishes and thoughts. I am taking it easy and planning for some life changes. I know I have to cut back on time spent sitting in front of the computer and since 90 percent of that time is spent here on LT, that means some cutting of LT time as well. I have already set up my 2015 thread and made commitments for next year over at the Category Challenge so I think what I will do is not have a thread on the 75 Group next year. I will, of course, drop by and keep in touch with those who are not over at the Category Challenge, but eliminating my thread will save quite a lot of time.

>116 Whisper1: Thanks for coming by Linda, Happy Fall to you too!

>117 lunacat: Thanks for your good wishes, and yes, I went through a very bleak 24 hours at one point with no reading material, felt like torture!

>118 katiekrug: Katie, I can see that audio books are going to become an important reading source in the future. My husband has re-set up the treadmill and I can't imagine a better time for audio books than while on that!

>119 luvamystery65: & >125 luvamystery65: Roberta, the symptoms listed in the warning are all exactly what I experienced! Thank heaven we went when we did. It's amazing how simple the procedure ended up being and that I didn't need major surgery. I am lucky that they only found one blockage and that a stent could be used. Thanks for the hugs!

>120 BLBera: I don't care if I read a little less but since reading is as important to me as breathing, Beth, I will find a way to make it work. Audio books I am sure will be part of the plan.

>121 drachenbraut23: I saw my family doctor today and he also advised making the changes slowly. I guess if you rush into everything, you get bored or tired of it quickly and revert. So the plan is to introduce the changes slowly and work them into my daily routine. One of the best things is that my youngest daughter is a nurse and she spent a lot of time at the hospital with me and was able to interpret the medical lingo and make a lot of things less scary.

>122 Familyhistorian: We are so lucky that there are very few days that we can't get outside and walk. I do have a treadmill, but definitely prefer to walk outside in the fresh air. We have a few hills around here but my street is pretty flat and I am supposed to start by walking up and down my street until I feel ready to take longer walks.

>123 lkernagh: Lori, I really blame myself for waiting as long as I did. I knew that heartburn could be a sign of something far more serious, but just didn't think it could happen to me. Once I started taking the medication for heartburn, the pain changed more into the easily recognizable symptoms and then I knew for certain that I was in trouble!

>124 scaifea: Amber, although I won't maintain a thread here next year, I hope to still visit on a weekly (or so) basis and keep in touch. Plus I will have a thread over on the 2015 Category Challenge and I will post a link to that before year end.

>127 Smiler69: Thanks so much, Ilana. Yes, the look on my husband's face when he finally brought me a new book only to be told it couldn't be read until January as it was going toward the HistoryCat - well, I'm sure you can imagine his confusion. It was funny that here I am with over 900 unread books and the one he grabbed was one I was planning for next year!

>128 ronincats: Those programs sound like a great idea, Roni. I have an exercise bike right behind me as I sit on the computer so I should set the timer and then spend some time cycling!

>129 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian.

>130 susanj67: Susan, a bag of emergency books sounds like a great idea. I could stuff it with Agatha Christies' and a few comfort reads and I would be all set. Of course I am hoping not to need that bag for some time!

>131 msf59: Thanks Mark, I will take all the hugs I can get! I will definitely be browsing your threads for audio recs!

>132 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori. The strange thing is that I keep very few already completed books around. I think he stumbled across a pile that is waiting to be taken over to my family next time I visit and brought those in.

>133 souloftherose: Thanks, Heather. Yes, I am definitely picking up on Susan's idea and putting together an emergency bag. :)

>134 Storeetllr: I can tell you, Mary, me not having any books to read isn't a pretty sight!

>135 jolerie: You are so right, Valerie. I hadn't really thought about it, but I do have a number of piles stashed all over the house, set aside for various challenges. I am a planner by nature and pull my current reads down off the shelf a month in advance and keep them in a separate pile so the poor guy really didn't have a chance.

********

I have managed to read a couple of books over the last week and will come back later and report on them. Thank you all again for caring and sending me such great thoughts.

I have just written a couple of quick thoughts about my two most recent reads.

172. Brimstone by Robert B. Parker - 4.0 ★
TIOLI #4: Author's Career Spanned At Least 15 Years



I am still enjoying my visits with Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch in Robert Parker’s western series. Brimstone is the third book and it maintains the fun, excitement and entertainment level of this series. The relationship between the two main characters, their conversations and the unquestioning loyalty that lies between them makes these books some of the best “buddy” stories I have ever read.

The plot is pretty typical of these stories, the two lawmen come in and clean up a town, in this case a saloon owner and a fanatical preacher are going head to head. Virgil has managed to track down his wayward wife, Allie but it remains to be seen if she really has changed and will be able to settle into married life. I am looking forward to the next book already!

173. I Don't Want To Kill You by Dan Wells - 2.8 ★
TIOLI #6: Title Starts With a One Letter Word



I started Dan Well’s YA series about John Cleaver, a possible budding serial killer with high hopes. I was taken aback by the strange twist that the first book took, but the humor kept me invested and so I continued on with the second book. Now in the third, I Don’t Want to Kill You, I do believe that I have had enough of this saga and will not be reading on. I found little humor or story interest and felt only relief when I finished the book.

I am so happy that they caught it in time so it was a minor-ish surgery rather than something more dire.

Because of the story about your husband bringing you the wrong books, I made sure to tell MrMorphy which books to bring me in case of emergency, "Library books from the second shelf of the living room bookshelves, any book from the first shelf, or any book from the library sale bags unless it is from a series and not the first book. Oh, and fill my Kindle with any books in my book directory."

Judy, so glad that they were able to fix things before it got out of hand.

I hear you about more exercise and less computer time. I've been trying that with the 10,000 steps program. Even though I rarely hit that number each day, I'm more mindful of how much/how little I'm doing.

>140 Morphidae: LOL Morphy! If there's an emergency, you think he's going to be able to remember all that? Better label the shelves and put sticky notes on the bag and Kindle.

>142 Storeetllr: Yes, he will actually. While not as big a book person as I am, he is a reader. Plus he's the one who puts the library books on the shelf, puts my ebooks on my laptop and bugs me to read the books in the bags!

>143 Morphidae: Well, all I can say, then, is SCORE! If I could find a man like MrM, I might reconsider my decision to stay single for the duration. :)

Hi, Judy! Sorry to have hijacked your thread like that. Back to you ~ hope all is going well and you are feeling better and better with every passing day and that your exercise program is getting off to a great start.

BTW, how's the weather where you are? Here it's all icy wind, snow and below freezing temps. (5F is today's forecasted HIGH! Unbelievable.) Thank goodness I don't have to go out in it, though I am running low on bird pellets and coffee, two essentials.

>144 Storeetllr: Oh, he has his bad points. He smokes, drinks tons of coffee, has horrible teeth and won't go see a dentist, has depression and won't see a doctor/therapist, spends far too much time on the computer, etc. I'm just lucky that the good points outweigh the bad!

>140 Morphidae: Thanks, Morphy. I will be glad when we get my husbands' surgery completed and can put November behind us! I suspect you feel much the same way. It's been a tough month for a few LTers!

>141 lindapanzo: Linda, I am trying to move around a little more than I did, but right now I don't seem to have a lot of energy and I need my naps. Hopefully this will pass and I can jump into a little more activity. I see my cardiologist next week and will be going over my lifestyle plans with him.

>144 Storeetllr: Mary, we are having a cold spell right now. But the skies are a bright blue and the sun is shining so as long as one dresses warmly, it's actually very nice outside. We get very little snow here, so I won't have any weather excuses, people here are able to get out and walk year round.

>145 Morphidae: Yep, that's pretty much all you ask for in a husband - that his good points outweigh the bad. Oh, and that he is willing to overlook our (very few) bad points as well! Someone suggested that I should have an emergency bag of assorted books packed, just in case, and so I am putting together a bunch of Agatha Christie mysteries along with some comfort reads so in the unlikely event that I need someone to bring me books, they are packed and ready to go!

174. Horde by Ann Aguirre - 4.0 ★
TIOLI #16: Read A Dystopia



Picking up right where the second book left off, Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan are off on a mission to find help for the beleaguered town of Salvation as thousands of murderous mutants have attacked and are determined to wipe it out. From here the book builds to an epic conclusion that completes Deuce’s story and bring the Razorland Trilogy to a satisfactory end.

I have really enjoyed this YA Dystopian trilogy, the author told an interesting, mostly believable story that drew me in. The first book started with basic survival and escape, but by the time of the third book, Horde, the story had evolved into a world survival situation. I believed in the final solution and although most of this book was non-stop action, the fact that a peaceful resolution was worked out made for a realistic and credible ending.

Although the trilogy has been dark and violent, in this third book, it was gratifying to see the main characters grow weary of the brutality and fighting. The ending that included both tolerance and understanding was a great way to close the story and at the same time, give the characters a hope for the future.

Hahaha..you got me at Read a dystopia! I'm such a sucker. :)

>146 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Your emergency book bag reminds me that I had a second bag packed and sitting right next to my hospital bag when I was pregnant - and it was full of books, of course! Ha!

Ack! Judy, I've just read about your recent health issue and I'm so happy that you didn't put it off any longer. You are so right, exercise is so important. I hope your health care provider has recommended some venues to do so safely until you're fit as a fiddle.

It's so funny, how your husband couldn't pick out unread books for you to read during your hospital stay and the emergency bag is a great idea!

Hugs!!!

>146 DeltaQueen50: Bad points? I don't have any bad points! *cough*

>148 jolerie: I have really enjoyed this trilogy, Valerie. The first book is called Enclave and I would say anyone who is a fan of the Hunger Games would enjoy these books as well.

>149 scaifea: Amber, even though it was over 40 years ago now, I remember packing books for my maternity visits to the hospital as well. Books are always the first thing to be packed around here. :)

>150 Carmenere: I have an appointment at the Cardio Clinic next week, Lynda and I am sure they will be going over both exercise and diet ideas. Somehow I doubt they will consider chocolate as a necessary food item! :(

>151 Morphidae: Well, of course we all know that we are perfect, Morphy! I meant all the other wives. ;)

I know I've been talking about cutting back on my LT time, but I have jumped into both Mark's AAC and Paul's BAC. However, I am going to limit myself to reading authors that are already on my TBR, and how I am going to squeeze them into my Category Challenge remains a mystery but I will work something out!

Here are my plans at this point:

The British Author Challenge

January: A Stitch in Time by Penelope Lively
February: The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
March: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne DuMaurier
April: Lizzie Borden by Angela Carter
May:
June: The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge
July:
August: The Stamboul Train by Graham Greene
September:
October: The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore
November: Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd
December: Something Fresh by P G Wodehouse

The American Author Challenge

January: Carson McCullers: Collected Stories of Carson McCullers*
February: Henry James - The Turn of the Screw
March: Richard Ford
April: Louise Erdrich
May: Sinclair Lewis
June: Wallace Stegner - Crossing To Safety
July: Ursula Le Guin - The Tombs of Atuan
August: Larry McMurtry - Leaving Cheyenne
September: Flannery O’Connor
October: Ray Bradbury - Dandelion Wine
November: Barbara Kingsolver
December: E.L. Doctorow - The March

* I will most likely only read one or two stories like Member of the Wedding or The Ballad of the Sad Cafe.

Hi Judy! I have fallen behind in thread reading so I'm just now learning of your recent health scare. I'm glad that the stent is working for you. Since I knew that you had come through the procedure OK, I was able to laugh at your description of your husband and your books. Poor fellow! When my mother was in and out of the hospital with little warning I kept a "bag of things to do" filled with magazines, puzzles, and a couple of books. I could grab it and go at short notice.

>154 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie. I can laugh about my bookless state now, too. At the time I was feeling a little desperate as there was a distinct lack of reading material at the hospital. It's a very strange feeling for an avid reader to be without a book.

175. Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner - 3.9 ★
Reading Through Time Quarterly Theme: 1900 - 1913
TIOLI #9: Read A Book About Homesteading



Sarah’s Quilt is a sequel to These Is My Words, the story of Sarah Prine and her family as they homestead in the territory of Arizona. This second book opens in April of 1906, and find a widowed Sarah still living on her ranch and very much involved in her family’s affairs. This is the beginning of a difficult summer for the family, there is a drought that has lasted almost three years at this point, her good friend and neighbour, Rudolfo Maldonado has made it clear that he would like to marry Sarah and she must decide if she is ready for that kind of relationship again. One branch of the family lives in San Francisco and when the devastating earthquake hits, Sarah and her father-in-law travel to California to be of assistance. A young man shows up claiming to be the son of Ernest, her long missing brother, it soon becomes clear that he means to stay and make a claim on the ranch. Her mother is showing more and more signs of senility and her beloved sister-in-law is experiencing a difficult pregnancy.

The fictional character of Sarah Prine is based on the author’s great grandmother, and one of my all time favourite characters. This is a truly interesting story set in the Arizona Territory during a time of change. Horses were giving way to the new horseless carriages, gas lighting and sewer systems were being installed in the cities of Phoenix and Tucson and the author has caught this feeling of growth and change in her story of this one family’s life over the course of a few months time in 1906.

Although I didn’t love this story as much as the first book, I am glad that I was able to revisit Sarah and see how her life evolved. I know there is one more book in the trilogy, which I may pick up at some point, but for now I am content that her middle years found her productive, peaceful and looking forward to the future.

Hello Judy,

nothing to contribute on the reading front, therefore just wishing you a wonderful weekend. Glad to hear that your are steadily getting better.
Loved the conversations about the book bag. LOL - Nope, for situations like that - I do use my kindle. I think my family would kill me if I would ask them to bring a bag of books LOL.

>157 drachenbraut23: Hi Bianca. It's funny I never even considered asking my husband to bring in my Kindle. I think I was concerned that it could go missing so easily. It certainly would have been easier for him to do that than to try and sort through my books!

>152 DeltaQueen50: Somehow I doubt they will consider chocolate as a necessary food item! Here is your friendly nurse friend with the good news!

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040601/dark-chocolate-day-keeps-doctor-away

I can concur with that medical advice, no problem! Hope your recovery is proceeding apace, Judy!

>159 luvamystery65: Well, that is certainly a step in the right direction. I only wish I loved dark chocolate the way I do milk chocolate. But any chocolate is better than none!

>160 ronincats: I am doing well, Roni. I would like to see my energy levels come up some more, but I do feel good.

176. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - 3.3 ★
November GeoCat: Australia
TIOLI #14: Title Contains a Noun/Object From a Children's Nursery Rhyme or Hand Game



The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton had many of the ingredients that I look for in a juicy read. Troubled women, interesting relationships between the aforementioned women, wonderful settings like the romantic Cornish coast, a tantalizing mystery that included a tumble down cottage and a secret garden. I should have been in reading heaven, but instead at times I found myself struggling to finish the book.

I do seem a little off with my reading right now, and so I am not going to post my thoughts to the books’ page as I fear my quibbles are more to do with me than the book. I think part of my problem was that I found the character of Nell rather cold and unlikable. As she was the center of the book, not caring about her meant that I always felt a sense of detachment from the story.

This is a monumental effort from the author, she has created a multi-layered, generational story of a family and it’s secrets. I actually thought there would be a bigger punch when the final reveal came, but for me, there were no surprises as I had worked out what had happened long before the end of the book. Overall, I found The Forgotten Garden to be an oddly-plotted but lushly written story that held both spell-binding moments but unfortunately also some mind-numbing ones as well. I will certainly pick up another book by this author as I believe she shows a great deal of promise.

Sorry TFG didn't work for you, Judy! This one is on my shelf as well so I'll be curious to see what my reaction to it will be since Kate Morton is one of my go-to authors when I want to be lost in a real good story!

>163 jolerie: Good morning, Valerie. I could see the bones of a really good read in TFG, but it just didn't draw me in the way I wanted. I will definitely try something else by her as I usually love the type of story that she tells.

177. Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery - 4.0 ★
TIOLI #4: Author's Career Spanned More Than 15 Years



Anne of Ingleside captured the charm that had been missing in the last couple of Anne books for me. From the opening pages that described a picnic that Anne shared with her friend Diana while on a trip home to Green Gables, to her joy at returning home to her husband and children, this was a fitting goodbye to the young Anne as she slips into a gracious middle age.

The focus of this book is on her family. Anne’s children are an assorted group from the two older boys, down-to-earth Jem and dreamer Walter, the twins Nan and Di, youngest son Shirley and the baby, Marilla, named after Anne’s beloved foster mother. The wonderful housekeeper, Susan rounds out the family and is an important member to both the adults and the children. As the seasons turn and time passes we get a bird’s eye view of their home called Ingleside and the happiness, laughter and love contained in that home. Of course, there are sad times as well, the death of a loved pet, the difficulties of an extended visit of an older, crabby great-aunt, a child’s fear when a parent becomes ill.

I personally believe that L.M. Montgomery excels in her writing of children. Yes, the story is old-fashioned and sentimental and these children are perhaps a little too good for total believability but she captures the essence of young hopes and dreams effortlessly. I very much enjoyed her descriptive writing of nature, seasonal changes and the society of rural Prince Edward Island. Anne of Ingleside both soothed and captivated me and certainly deserves it’s place on my shelf of best loved books.

I'm just now reading of your health issues. Please take care of yourself, Judy!

If I remember correctly, I think it's you I have to thank for introducing me to the series by Brian McGilloway. I just finished Borderlands, and plan to continue the series.

>166 tymfos: Thanks Terri, I am feeling good and making sure I get in a walk every day and I am breaking up my computer time with a ride on the stationary bike. I'm glad that you liked Borderlands, I thought the setting was very interesting and I am looking forward to continuing on with the series as well.

178. Push Start by Alan Savage - 2.0 ★
November GeoCat: Australia



Push Start by Alan Savage was a Kindle deal that lives up to the old adage you get what you pay for. Two young men finish high school and decide to take a road trip and explore Australia. The story details their adventure with some descriptions of scenery and the people they met on the road, but mostly this was a journal of how they searched for jobs so that they would have money to keep their ancient Volkswagon van on the road. They had to be constantly cobbling repairs, pour in gallons of oil, and ensure that they never drive on dirt roads which clogged the engine or drive over certain speeds which would overheat the engine. The title of the book refers to how they got started every day.

Incidents about their unreliable transportation seemed to take over much of the book but occasionally there would be a story about some interesting fellow travellers that they met in the various campgrounds, or a description of a scenic spot that kept me turning the pages. I never really worried about their vehicle problems as it was very clear that these boys were from the suburbs of Melbourne and had only to call on their parents to be instantly rescued. These boys still had a great deal of maturing to do as they were very easily influenced to go off on a drinking spree or spend their money gambling so it was no surprise that eventually they couldn’t afford to fix their vehicle and found themselves having to hitchhike.

I really have nothing to say about Push Start that would recommend it to other readers. I was expecting much more of a travelogue and instead got a story about a couple of silly boys who still had a lot of life lessons to learn.

** Please note that the book didn't have a cover so I download the above picture.

Thanks for taking one for the team, Judy! ;)

>169 jolerie: You are very welcome, Valerie. I was just saying over on my other thread that if I wanted to hear about idiot 18 year olds, I could just ask my sister what's new with my knuckle-head nephew!

179. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood - 3.4 ★
November GeoCat: Australia
November MysteryCat: Historical Mysteries
TIOLI #4: Author's Career Spanned More That 15 Years



Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood is the first in her Phryne Fisher series. After solving a case of high society theft, Phryne is approached by a concerned father who would like her to journey to Australia and check on his daughter who he feels is in trouble. Phryne arrives in Melbourne and immediately is involved in locating a seedy abortionist, tracking cocaine dealers and investigating a case of apparent poisoning.

As the first book in the series, the mysteries were not as important as setting the scene and introducing the characters. This is a very visual book, and 1920’s Melbourne comes to life with richly drawn settings, clothes and food. Phryne herself is wildly exuberant and displays a strong passion for life. She takes control of most situations and I found her to be someone that I enjoyed reading about. It is obvious that the author thoroughly enjoys writing about the roaring twenties and her exciting flapper character.

These will be great books to turn to when I need some light-hearted adventure and glamour.

Many years ago, I read the first couple Phryne Fisher mysteries. Thought they were ok. Then, last year I think it was, I picked this series up again and I absolutely love these. I've been reading one every 4 to 6 weeks or so.

>169 jolerie: Hahahahaha! Love it!

At Richard's recommendation, we watched a number of the TV episodes based on the Phryne Fisher mysteries on Netflix and really enjoyed them. Now you've got me wanting to try the books. Onto the tbr the first one goes.

>172 lindapanzo: I can see that I will be reading these for the next few years, Linda. I like Phryne and love all the descriptions the author gives, the mysteries are secondary to my enjoyment.

>174 jnwelch: I can see that these would adapt very well to TV, Joe. I will try to track them down, hopefully they are on Netflicks.

>175 DeltaQueen50: They should be available there. I think you'll get a kick out of the acting. And the clothes Phryne wears! Quite glamorous.

>175 DeltaQueen50: - My local library has the "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" on DVD so if the shows are not available on Netflix, hopefully your library has the DVDs.

>176 jnwelch: & 177 I shall certainly plan to track them down, the books are full of descriptions of gorgeous outfits so I can imagine acting seeing her costumes would be fantastic.

Judy, I like your plan to only do the AAC and British challenge authors you have on your TBR list aready. I've given myself permission to do that this year with the AAC, mainly using book I had on my own shelf and a couple I really wanted to read from our local library. It's a sensible approach, especially when you need to pace yourself somewhat.

I'm still not sure if I'll do the Category Challenge next year, but if I do I will have a small goal for each category.

I'm just finding out about the British challenge . . . hmm . . .

>179 tymfos: Hi Terri. I am such a sucker for Challenges. I am committed up to my eyeballs next year what with the 15 Categories in the Category Challenge, the side challenges of the three Cats and the Bingo and now the British and American Author Challenges. There is also an Australian/New Zealand Author Challenge that I have been trying to stay away from as that interests me as well. I just can't fit them all in!

180. The Concubine's Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland - 3.8 ★
November MysteryCat: Historical Mystery
TIOLI #5: Embedded Word In Title



The Concubine’s Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland is the fourth book in her series set in 17th century Japan. I find these books are an interesting way to learn of this exotic land. The book opens with Sano Ichiro’s wedding which is interrupted as he is needed by the Shogun to investigate the death of a concubine.

Sano’s marriage is off to a rocky start as his new bride, Reiko, makes clear her desire to be involved in his work. While he believes his role is to protect his wife and shield her from life‘s unpleasant side, as the case develops he comes to a better understanding of how little power or independence women have. By allowing his wife some leeway, he is also able to open doors in the investigation that were closed to him.

As Sano conducts his investigation he becomes deeply involved in the daily life of the Shogun’s court, with jealous retainers trying to increase their influence, rigid samurai who cling to the traditional ways, and courtiers who involve themselves in any number of petty quarrels and sexual liasons. Of course, his long time rival, Chamberlain Yanagisawa sees this as an opportunity to discredit him and bring about his downfall.

I enjoy reading about this time period and the author includes rich historical details, great characters and some very twisted political schemes that enhanced the mystery.

181. Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S.G. Browne - 3.8 ★
TIOLI #12: One Plural Word in Title



In Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament by S.G. Browne we are introduced to Andy, a recently reanimated corpse. He and his undead friends attend a Zombie Self Help Group as they try to come to terms with their new lifestyle and find a purpose and reason for their existence. Andy died in a horrific car accident that also took his wife. He reanimated but she remained dead. His closest friend now is Rita who committed suicide only to find herself having to live out her life as an “undead". There are many rules and regulations to being a zombie, and if they step out of line they are gathered up by the SPCA and held until a guardian pays a fine, upon which they are released into the guardian’s custody. Andy lives in his parents wine cellar in the basement, his mother tries to find common ground with him, but his father is simply disgusted.

Things start to change when Andy accepts the offer of food from a new zombie acquaintance. Supposedly a jar of venison, this meat taste delicious and leaves him craving more. As he and his friends eat more of this marvellous meat, they notice some changes occurring. They are healing, Andy’s speech is rapidly improving and then, one day first Rita and then Andy realize that their hearts have started up. Of course they soon realize that what they are eating is human flesh.

At times both funny and thoughtful, Breathers: a Zombie’s Lament, is an original look at zombies. I admit to feeling a good deal of sympathy for Andy, even as I cringed and snickered at the black humour. A different, unique read that was good enough that I can even forgive the author for putting me off BBQ Ribs.

Hi Judy,
great to see that you are gradually feeling better and that you find the time to read. Great review on Breathers: a Zombie's Lament for some reason, when I saw it before it didn't really appeal to me. However, your review actually made me curious now. So, off it goes onto my WL.

Hi Judy - I hope the recovery continues to go well. I love the cover on Cocaine Blues - it sounds like a fun series.

>174 jnwelch: Joe, we get both WTTW and Milwaukee's PBS. I think Milwaukee shows the Phryne Fisher mysteries but Chicago does not. While I prefer the books, the TV show is beautifully done.

The 2nd series of "Miss Fisher Mysteries" is a recent addition to Netflix streaming here in the U.S. I've watched several episodes in the last couple of weeks. I'm trying not to rush through them too quickly!

Dear Guru - The reading continues apace here flu or no flu. Have a lovely weekend.

>115 DeltaQueen50:: Oh my, Judy, I am so sorry to hear about your health woes. I have gotten so far behind on LT… I understand your wanting to make some life changes. I'll look for your category thread for 2015 and affix my star! I hope you are feeling well these days. Those stents are wonderful things from what I've heard.

>138 DeltaQueen50:: I had no idea that Robt. B. Parker had written a western series. I'm taking a break from Spenser but do plan to finish those books someday. They make me smile.

As always, I enjoy your reviews. I'm also glad that you will be taking part in both Mark's and Paul's respective challenges. I am toying with the idea of alternating between the two. It will give me more choices without the book pressure of keeping up with two challenges each month. I am anticipating less reading and LT time next year as my grandma duties (and pleasures!) increase.

I had a wonderful day yesterday as the weather was sunny and mild. My grandchildren and I went for a long walk and enjoyed the sunshine. They were so good over the weekend that we were sorry to send them off to school this morning and back to their parents.

>183 drachenbraut23: I hope you enjoy Breathers, Bianca, when you get to it. I found it a nice change to read something that was from the zombie's point of view.

>184 BLBera: I love the covers they use on the Kerry Greenwood books, Beth. And as an added plus, the character shown exactly matches the description of Phryne Fisher. It drives me crazy when a cover will have a beautiful blonde on it but the main character has dark hair!

>185 lindapanzo: I am hoping to get a few Phryne Fisher books under my belt before I go looking for the series, Linda. I am pleased to hear that they are well done, as the books are so visual, it will be nice to see how they are interpreted.

>186 cbl_tn: I haven't checked yet, Carrie, but Canadian Netflicks is often much slower to get programs, but I am hoping they either have it or will get it. We just got "Gilmour Girls" which will probably be my next binge program.

>187 PaulCranswick: I saw over on your thread, Paul, that you are reading up a storm. Nothing like the end of the year looming to get us going! I am hoping to reach 200 books read which will be quite an accomplishment for me.

>188 Donna828: Donna, the heart issues are certainly a wake up call for me. Got to make a little more time in my life for activities that require some movement, but that should still leave me plenty of time for reading and LT and of course, grandchildren! I love Robert Parker's western series, I always picture Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen and Renee Zellweger as the main characters as they played the parts in the movie based on the first book, Appaloosa. I am looking forward to both the Author Challenges next year and clearing a lot of books from my shelves.

182. The Remedy For Love by Bill Roorbach - 3.8 ★
Early Review Program
November RandomCat: Mayday! Mayday!
TIOLI #15: The Title Contains a Traditional Thanksgiving Ingredient, Although Not Necessarily a Food Item



Just before a big storm hits, Eric, a small town Maine lawyer is in the line-up for checkout at the grocery store. In front of him is a scruffy young woman who looks to be homeless and down on her luck. Before too long he has paid for her shortfall, driven her to her cabin in the woods, chopped wood for her, donated his groceries as he can see she doesn’t have enough to survive being snowed in during the duration of the storm. By the time he leaves, the winds are howling and the snow is mounting up. He barely manages to
hike back through the woods to the main road. His car has been towed. With nowhere to go, he returns to the cabin.

What follows is an intense, claustrophobic few days as these two strangers are snowed in together. The cabin is extremely rustic with no plumbing and only a wood stove for heat. Both the floor and the walls have cracks that allow the snow to drift in. The young woman, Danielle has many secrets and tells many untruths. Eric slowly uncovers the lies, peels back the layers and in the process of doing so, unburdens his own troubles and reveals a great part of himself to her.

Extremely readable, this was a hard book to put down, I read this book in gulps, completely absorbed in both the depth of the character study and the hazard that they were in. I felt rather like an interloper between these two damaged characters as they search for and perhaps find a new path in their lives. I found The Remedy For Love to be both a lyrical exploration of the nature of love and an absorbing story about both physical and mental survival.

Hi Judy! Good review of The Remedy For Love. I have also an ER copy, that I plan on getting to soon. I met Roorbach, at Booktopia Petoskey. He was like a middle-aged, hippie, high school teacher. LOL. Funny and engaging. I also have a signed copy of Life Among Giants, that I haven't read yet. Bad Mark!

>191 msf59: Mark, I thought A Remedy For Love was a very intense and interesting book. Perhaps a little too claustrophobic, I really felt like I was peeping in on some very intimate moments. It's difficult to get to all the books that one wants to, there's always something new coming up to grab my attention away from the stacks.

Hi Judy! How is the treadmill going? I thought of you today when I was on mine. :)
Finished my very first audiobook on it and boy did I feel proud on both counts!

I will have to find your thread on the Challenge group if you aren't going to be with us next year. Will definitely miss your awesome reviews... :(

>193 jolerie: Hi Valerie, yesterday I did a lot of walking, but not on the treadmill. When I saw your message though I was inspired to immediately jump on the stationary bike for awhile. Today is rainy and dreary so I will definitely be doing my walking on the treadmill. I hope to still be here on the 75er threads visiting everyone next year, and I can provide you with a link to my Category Challenge thread.

Judy, I just noticed that you read a Laura Joh Rowland. For 2015, I'd like to read more about Asia or books (mysteries?) set in Asia. Laura Joh Rowland and Sujata Massey are tops on the list, as to mysteries anyway.

We had about 4 inches of snow yesterday so I worked from home. It's amazing how few steps I take in that situation. I need to walk around the block a time or two today to make up for it, I think.

Hi Linda, the Laura Joh Rowland books set in 17th century Japan are very well done. She delivers a pretty good mystery and, I believe, very accurate history. I'd say this series is well worth looking into. I haven't read anything by Sujata Massey so I will be watching to see what you think of her work.

As the weather gets worse, it is really hard to think about getting outside to walk. It must be really bad where you live as walking in snow can be dangerous. I spent some time on the treadmill today as it was cold and rainy outside, but I know I definitely feel better when I get myself outside into the fresh air.

183. The September Society by Charles Finch - 3.0 ★
November MysteryCat: Historical Mystery
TIOLI #5: Title Has At Least One Embedded Word



The September Society by Charles Finch is his second book in his historical mystery series set in Victorian England. Unfortunately, I found this book rather tedious and felt that the book could have been easily shortened by at least 70 pages.

At first I enjoyed the Oxford setting and all the information about the university that was passed along, but as the book moved along, I would have rather the author worked more on advancing and strengthening the plot which was quite weak.

There was however some advancement in the main character, Charles Lennox’s, life which may prove to bring an added interest in later books and I will probably give this series another try in the future as I both like the main characters and the Victorian atmosphere.

>197 DeltaQueen50: Sorry you didn't like this one. I absolutely love this series and read the new one as soon as it comes out, more or less.

If I'm remembering right, this was my least favorite. Finch definitely changes things up with his main characters, sometimes a little too much.

I'm reading the brand new Finch right now, The Laws of Murder. Hope you'll give it a chance again, someday.

Good reviews, Judy. No BBs for me, though. Earlier this year, I read A Beautiful Blue Death, the first in the Lennox series and, while I didn't hate it, I didn't find it all that compelling so haven't felt moved to read the next one yet, though I'm glad to know the series gets better as it goes on (good to know, Linda!). I'm glad to know your thoughts on the second one, though, so when I do get to it, I won't be too disappointed.

I have to say that I love the Anne Perry books, also set in England at about the same time. I actually like the Finch books a bit more, though course there aren't as many Finch books.

I just added the first of the Laura Joh Rowland series as it sounds like something I might well enjoy.

I have the first of the Finch books on my wishlist. I think I'll still give 'em a go at some point, but thanks for the heads-up on plotting!

>200 lindapanzo: I've read some of the Anne Perry books quite awhile ago and then I tried one of her Christmas books last year and found it didn't really work for me. I do remember preferring Anne Perry's William Monk series over her Thomas Pitt one.

>201 lunacat: I hope you enjoy the Sano Ichiro series, Jenny.

>202 drneutron: From what I understand, the second book is the weakest of the series, so I have high hopes for the rest of the Lennox series.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Judy!

>204 drachenbraut23: Thank you so much, Bianca, although as a Canadian we celebrated Thanksgiving in October. :)

Well, today didn't go exactly as planned. My husband was scheduled for back surgery and my elder daughter drove us this morning to the hospital that is over an hour and half away. Everything went smoothly until they took him into the actual operating room and then they discovered an irregularity in his heartbeat and so decided to cancel the surgery until he has a consultation with a cardiologist. This has come up on previous occasions and he has been told this isn't anything too serious, but now we are left wondering.

All that waiting around at the hospital did result in my reading a fairly thick book today.

184. Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener - 4.0 ★
Commonwealth Challenge: Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Oceania
TIOLI #5: Embedded Word In Title



Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener is a Pulitzer winning collection of stories that are an account of World War II in the Pacific and are based loosely on the author’s own wartime experiences. The stories, narrated from a single perspective, show both the racial and social strictures that were in effect in the 1940’s. Some of the stories are funny and point out our human frailties while others weave a spell binding story of struggle and tragedy. This isn’t the feel-good musical that was developed from the book, although the characters from that musical do appear in a few of the stories. Instead these stores tell of life and death in a tropical paradise.

The author paints a vivid picture of both the days of boredom and the endless waiting that soldiers have to endure, along with the work, planning and logistics that went into keeping the American armed forces moving forward through the islands. I found this book to be an absorbing commentary on the American war effort in the Pacific Theatre.

Along with the striking descriptions of the beauty of these coral islands with their white beaches and green palm trees, the author provides the reader with interesting, unique characters. Some you will love, some you will hate, some are a product of their time while others are well ahead of their time. Along with American military personnel the author introduces a number of natives and gives the reader a glimpse of their lifestyle and what they thought of the Japanese, the Americans, and the war. All the characters are unforgettable and bring the reader to a greater understanding of the American psyche during the 1940’s, and in particular the can-do style of Americans serving far away from home.

Sorry to hear of your husband's medical issues, Judy. I hope they get sorted out soon, and all will be well.

Hi Judy - I hope your husband doesn't have a serious problem. I remember loving Tales of the South Pacific when I read it years ago. Your comments make me want to revisit it.

Sorry to hear about the hospital hiccups, Judy. Good thing you had a thick book with you. Always be prepared. Thinking of you and your husband and hope that everything health wise works out!

>206 DeltaQueen50: You have my sympathies. It's awful when you get almost to the point of surgery and then they cancel on you. It totally sucks. *hugs*

Judy, that happened to my father while he was in the prep room. The anesthesiologist was the one who postponed the surgery until a cardiologist had signed off on it. The delay is rough when you're mentally and physically prepared for the surgery. I hope you're able to get the surgery rescheduled without any more unexpected glitches.

>208 tymfos: Thanks Terri. :)

>209 BLBera: You don't see much Michener around these days, yet he was so popular in the 60's and 70's. Tales of the South Pacific was his first book and was well worth the read.

>210 jolerie: Thanks Valerie. Yes, I almost grabbed an Agatha Christie to take with me but opted for the Michener instead. Thank heavens I did as the Christie wouldn't have lasted the whole day!

>211 Morphidae: I was torn, Morphy, part of me was relieved that they were not going to take a chance and part of me was sorry as he has waited such a long time for this surgery and is living in constant pain.

>212 cbl_tn: That is exactly what happened, Carrie. They want my husband to wear a harness that moniters the heart but luckily they are sending a requisition over to our local hospital as Eagle Ridge, the hospital where they were going to do the operation is a 2 hour drive away.

Judy

How are you feeling? Better? What a scare!!!! I affirm your decision to take better care of yourself. I hope your holiday was as lovely as you!

Hi Linda, I am feeling better. This was a wake up call for me to start taking better care of myself. Today is definitely going to be a treadmill day as we woke up to an icy, snowy day. As these kinds of conditions bring everything to a complete standstill around here, I will have to really think about whether or not I am going to venture out to the library - but - those books are calling my name ...

185. An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor - 4.0 ★
TIOLI #5: Title Has An Embedded Word



The fifth book in his Irish Country series, An Irish Country Courtship brings the story back to the Northern Irish village of Ballybucklebo in the days immediately after the New Year of 1965 has been rung in. A romantic let-down has Dr. Barry Laverty wondering if this village is really where he wants to be. He has six months left before he becomes a full partner and is going to use that time to decide where he sees himself in the future. Meanwhile Dr. Fingal O’Reilly is becoming ever closer to Kitty O’Hallorhan. Kinky, the housekeeper is feeling a little threatened by Kitty’s presence and the two women need to work out their individual territories.

Strewn throughout the book are details of the day-to-day medical care the doctors provide to the community, and as always, there an abundance of humor and life lessons that are taught and absorbed by both villagers and doctors alike. One of the main storylines sees the doctors expose an elaborate scheme that Councilman Bertie Bishop has devised to fleece some of the villagers out of their share of a racehorse.

These light-hearted books are guaranteed to bring on a smile or two as this is a captivating series that entertains as it warms the cockles of your heart.

Judy, so sorry to hear about the delay and health concerns. I know what you mean about having to make some lifestyle changes! Here, too!

Hi Judy, sorry to hear about all of the health woes between you and your husband. I was surprised to read that his surgery will be done at Eagle Ridge. That hospital is in my neighbourhood. I would much rather recuperate from surgery there than at many of the other hospitals in the area.

Happy Sunday, Judy! I have never read the Irish Country series, although I've wanted to. LTers seem to love these books. I started Fourth of July Creek. WOW! This is just my cuppa!

Hey Judy. Just thought I would stop in and lots is going on here.

First things first: Yikes about the irregular heartbeat. I hope they figure out what that's about and that it turns out to be one of the not-so-irregular irregular heartbeats (I have one of those). My fingers are crossed for you and the DH.

I'm unfamiliar with the Irish Country series but it looks like a good thing to have on the bedside table when insomnia strikes. I will look for the first in the series.

Might you make the 200 mark this year?

I'm sorry to hear about the delay in your husband's surgery, Judy. I hope things get cleared up for him soon!

Happy Monday and happy first of December to everyone, I am having trouble getting going this morning so I think a second cup of coffee and a little time on LT is in order.

>217 ronincats: We've been having a cold snap here, Roni, too much ice outside to allow easy walking so I have been relying on the treadmill and the stationary bike for the last few days. I'd rather be out in the fresh air, but I know I need to do this.

>218 Familyhistorian: Eagle Ridge reminds me very much of our neighbourhood hospital here in Delta, about the same age and not too big. The operation is done there, I believe, as it is close to where the doctor lives and as he is supposed to be the best at this type of surgery, Eagle Ridge is where we have to go. Driving home through rush hour traffic on Friday was a nightmare, getting across the Queenbourgh and then the Alex Fraser Bridges took over an hour!

>219 msf59: There you go paving the way for my reading again, Mark! Fourth of July Creek is on my wishlist so I'll be watching to see what you think of it. So far, it sounds like you are liking it!

>220 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, yes, November has been a month of medical woes for us. My husband has had this irregular heartbeat for some time and has already gone through most of the tests. The last time, they decided that it's an arrhythmia caused by stress, too much caffine, or over exercising and not something to be overly concerned about. Of course now they want him to go through all the same tests again before (or if) they consent to the surgery.

I have noticed that I am only 15 books away from breaking 200 this year and so, yes, I am hoping to do that. I have about 18 books that I would like to read this month, knowing full well that I probably won't get to all of them, but 15 should be doable.

>221 scaifea: I am of mixed feelings about him having the surgery now, Amber. I would like to see him in less pain but I don't want him to be put in danger. I am hoping they are very certain of everything before they decide to go ahead with the surgery. I am glad that everything has been put off until after Christmas.

186. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen - 3.8 ★
December MysteryCat: Cozy Mysteries
TIOLI #14: Book Fits the LT Bingo Card - First In A Series



Fresh, fun and lively. These are all words that I would use to describe Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen, the first in her series featuring Lady Georgiana, daughter of the Duke of Glen Garry and Rannoch, and thirty-fourth in line to the English throne. Being a minor royal means there are certain appearances that must be kept up, and a ‘common’ job would be frowned upon.

Even so the penniless Georgie is determined to make her own way in the world and avoid at all costs an arranged marriage to some minor, fish-faced European prince. With high humor and many missteps Georgie sets out to do just that. Of course she hadn’t counted on the body that turned up in her bathtub or the fact that the Queen would like her to spy on Mrs. Wallis Simpson. It soon becomes obvious that someone has a taste for murder and Georgie is the intended victim.

The main character is quite appealing and fun to read about. The love interest is the darkly handsome Darcy who is both Irish and Catholic (which brings it’s own set of problems). The mystery is a little thin, but being the first book in the series, the emphasis was mainly on setting the scene and introducing the characters. This series will be the perfect choice when I am in the mood for a light adventure with romantic highlights.

The Lady Georgina books are light and fun and I have enjoyed most of them. There is one that I found so highly improbable that it was annoying but the series picks up from there.

Okay, that's it. I've read too many good reviews of Her Royal Spyness. I'm off to order it from the library.

>224 Familyhistorian: Oh do tell, Meg! Which one was the annoying one?

>225 Morphidae: I think you will like the series, Morphy. They are very light reading and good for a giggle or two.

187. The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer - 3.2 ★
TIOLI #16: Bah humbug! Book Has Nothing To Do With Christmas



Although originally meant to be a trilogy, The Shade of the Moon is the fourth book in Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life As We Know It series. It’s been four years since the moon was knocked out of it’s orbit and closer to earth, and people are now settling down to a grim survival.

I was rather disappointed with this book as I had enjoyed the previous three books in the series but I felt the author took the story in a very different direction with this book. We are expected to believe that after a scant four years, some people have developed a feeling of superiority and entitlement simply because they are the ones that live in the safe enclave.

Jon Evans and his family have come to the safe town of Sexton, and the family decided that his step-mother Lisa and her young son, along with Jon would use the slips that allowed them to live inside the enclave. Jon, because of his soccer ability is living a life of privilege because he is a star on the team, but he is all too aware that one misstep could find him thrown out and having to join the rest of his family in the poor town of White Birch. People that live in White Birch are called grubbers and work as domestics or in the greenhouses raising food.

I found it impossible to buy into this storyline. I can’t imagine a society would develop so quickly where basic human rights and equality would be so overlooked. The Evans family has been interesting to follow up to this point but the strong and independent members I am used to reading about were difficult to recognize in this book.

Oh I hate it when that happens where an author really should have written a completely new book instead of continuing a series that would have ended well on it's own already...
I have the first 3 books on my TBR mountain but maybe I'll just pretend that she didn't write a 4th book?? Oh, but the completist in me is rebelling....arrrggg! :)

Book Bullet! I just put Her Royal Spyness on hold at the library, Judy.

>228 jolerie: Yes, I wish the author could have stopped at three books. Even though there were somethings left hanging, I would rather that then this book. I did really like the first three books though, Val, so there is that.

>229 ronincats: I hope you have fun with HRS, Roni.

>226 DeltaQueen50: The rescue in Royal Flush was too far fetched for me but the book was good up to that point.

I have some great vintage magazine covers for the Christmas period so I am going to go ahead and set up one last thread for the year.

I have A Royal Pain in Mt. TBR but I haven't managed to get to it yet, even though I really liked Her Royal Spyness.

>233 cbl_tn: I certainly know how that it, Carrie. I have so many series on the go that it's hard to get to them in any sort of timely fashion!

Hi Judy; I've been away from LT for a while & hurriedly catching up. So sorry to hear about your health and your husband's. Very glad to see you pulled through okay.

Only an LTer would think the worst part of her worst week was not having the right book to read, or pack an emergency bag - of books :0D