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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
An intriguing thriller set in the Indian Himalayas, my review of Death in Shangri-La by Yigal Zur
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A little gem of a book, The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Both Christmas and post-WWI France feature in Aussie author Jackie French’s novella With Love from Miss Lily: A Christmas Story. Not so much sugar and spice - more like Spanish Flu and a surprising bit of intrigue!
3.5>4★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I became very fond of “reincarnated” Virgil Wander and the varied characters in Leif Enger’s excellent new novel.
4.5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am reading +
and enjoying it so far. Not too far in yet.
My 4 star review of The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Cat Who Saw Red – Lillian Jackson Braun – 3***
This is book four in a delightful cozy mystery series starring newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese - Koko and Yum Yum. This is an entertaining series with a very likeable main character who is appropriately nosy, given his journalism background. His relationship with his cats is nicely portrayed without being overly saccharine.
LINK to my review
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The Ides of March – Thornton Wilder – 2**
In this work of historical fiction, Wilder uses a combination of letters, diary entries and official documents to tell the story of the last year of Julius Caesar’s life. Now, I appreciate Wilder’s writing, and there were times in the book that I was completely engaged in the story. I was fascinated to read of the intrigue and espionage, the role of Cleopatra, etc. But on the whole … well I think I had more “fun” translating Cicero’s oration against Cataline when I studied Latin in high school (and I hated that).
LINK to my review
The Search for Joyful – Benedict and Nancy Freedman – 4****
A sequel to the popular Mrs Mike , this work of historical fiction is set primarily during World War II, and follows the career of a young Cree woman – Kathy (a/k/a/ Oh-Be-Joyful’s Daughter) – as she becomes an Army nurse and finds love and her place in the world. The authors are not First Nation people, and there’s little information about how they came to write this story. I’m skeptical about the truth of what they write, and still I’m drawn into the novel. I really liked Kathy Forquet as a heroine. It’s an inspiring and hopeful story.
LINK to my review
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Christmas Camp – Karen Schaler – 3***
As I read this, I kept thinking it was remarkably like a Hallmark TV movie I had seen last week. No matter, really. The movies are still fun to watch, and the schmaltzy Christmas romance books are fun to read.
LINK to my review
I don't normally read horror, but gee, I'm glad I read this one.The Anomaly by Michael Rutger
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Elizabethan history and mystery is such good, page-turning fun in A Famine of Horses, the first in a series by P.F. Chisholm. Looking forward to some more buckling of swashes!
5★ Link to my review of A Famine of HorsesThen to contemporary Queensland and a prize-winning debut novel The Yellow House by talented young Aussie author Emily O'Grady. She's one to watch.
3.5★ Link to my review of The Yellow House
Ghost Busting Mystery by Daisy Pettles is corny humour and a quick, light "detective" story.
3★ Link to my review with several quirky quotes
The Christmas Scrapbook – Philip Gulley – 3***
This little novella is book 5.5 in the Harmony series featuring Quaker minister Sam Gardner, his wife Barbara, and the Friends of the Harmony meeting house. I love the gentle stories of one man’s efforts to make a difference in his community. The results of his efforts are predictably hilarious. But also impart a lesson about faith, tolerance, love and the spirit of Christmas.
LINK to my review
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A Deal to Die For – Josie Belle – 2.5**
Book two in the Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series has Maggie opening a new resale shop in her Virginia community. This has all the elements of a successful cozy series, but the juvenile rivalry between Maggie and her nemesis Summer, just irritates me no end, and lowers the rating by half a star. Otherwise a fast, fun read.
LINK to my review
Finished Christine which was so good and a bit different than the movie. Now I'm back to one of my favorite Russian detectives, Arkady Renko. Red Square by Martin Cruz Smith
Gregg Hurwitz's Hellbent is the third in the Orphan X (Nowhere Man) series. This is my favourite so far.
4.5★ Link to my review
Two Little Girls in Blue – Mary Higgins Clark – 3***
This is a fast-paced thriller with a building sense of suspense. The reader is always in on the crime, knowing the identity of the kidnappers and even the “secretive” Pied Piper long before the characters catch on. But the changing points of view, keeps the novel moving forward and helps maintain that sense of suspense.
LINK to my review
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A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius – Dave Eggers – 1*
A huge disappointment. I’d read another book by Eggers and enjoyed it. It’s clear that Eggers is intelligent. Obviously, the circumstances that resulted in his guardianship of his baby brother were tragic, and every older sibling’s nightmare. But I found Eggers self-absorbed, immature, irresponsible and totally lacking in any insight. The most entertaining part was the preface, copyright and acknowledgements.
LINK to my review
This one was a blast!My 4.5 star review of Pulling Strings by Nick DeWolf
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell – 3.5***
Oh, the teenage angst of young adulthood! Been there, done that … don’t want to relive it. And yet, I found myself really engaged in this story. There were times when I thought Rowell had thrown too many wrenches into the mix. Still, Rowell kept the story moving forward, and gave us a heroine to root for.
LINK to my review
Delicious! – Ruth Reichl – 3.5***
I’ve read several of Reichl’s memoirs and really enjoyed them. Now she’s taken a turn at writing a novel. This is part romance, part coming-of-age, part mystery. I enjoyed the story and was caught up in the intrigue. Reichl really shines when she is writing about food. I can practically taste the cheeses, smell the spices, and feel the warmth of steam rising from a simmering pot. All-in-all, I found it enjoyable and entertaining. A great beach read.
LINK to my review
One for kids and one for grown-ups.Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag, by Gayle E. Pitman, shows kids how Gilbert did a Dorothy-Oz move from Kansas to San Francisco, where he was an activist for all the sparkly kids like himself.
My review, with illustrations, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Many readers have loved All That is Lost Between Us by Aussie author Sara Foster. I could have done without all the “teaching opportunities”.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers by Kerri Turner
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Started Red Square and Never Let Me Go but I don't seem to be in a reading mood. Been getting caught up on the TV programs I missed because I was in a reading mood for the last couple of weeks. This weekend, hopefully, will be for reading.
My 4 star review of the Gothic horror mystery The Corset by Laura Purcell
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A couple of great reads!The Lost Man by Aussie author Jane Harper is a terrific standalone Outback story and mystery.
My review of The Lost ManA new favourite author is the late Lucia Berlin. Her much acclaimed A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories is full of unforgettable stories and characters. Loved it!
My review of A Manual for Cleaning Women
Love Potion Number 10 – Betsy Woodman – 3***
Book two in the Jana Bibi Adventures series. Jana and Mr Ganguly’s fame grows, making him the target of a bird-napping plot. Woodman populates the fictional hill town with an array of colorful characters, and really gives one a flavor of the 1960s culture of India. Just charming.
LINK to my review
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Eats, Shoots & Leaves – Lynne Truss – 4****
Well this was the perfect work for me to satisfy a challenge to read a “geek-reed” book. There were more than a few moments when I felt Truss was channeling the good Sisters at Ursuline Academy who first tried to drum those rules into my head. Truss writes with a delightfully irreverent style, and yet still conveys the seriousness of her purpose. It was a fast, enjoyable read, and I think I learned (or re-learned) a few things.
LINK to my review
An excellent thriller, my 4 star review of Crooked Street by Brian Freeman
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is such a fun series and an easy way to absorb history.A Season of Knives by P.F. Chisholm is the second time we meet swashbuckling Sir Robert Carey on the Scottish border in Elizabethan England. Love it!
5★ My review
I just finished
and am now starting
.
I am currently reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation.
I am also almost finished with Romantic Outlaws.
I am enjoying both, but Romantic Outlaws is especially good!
Aussie Author Kerry Greenwood takes us to Melbourne to introduce the naughty, clever, stunning Miss Phryne Fisher in Cocaine Blues, the first of a long and popular cosy mystery series. TV viewers know her from Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
4.5★ Link to my review
A powerful book about the plight of women in Pakistan.Out of the Silence by Owen Mullen
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Dog Who Knew Too Much – Spencer Quinn – 3.5***
Book four in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. I find looking at the mystery and the events that unfold through Chet’s eyes simply delightful and fun. Quinn has managed to give him a personality that befits a dog. He’s easily distracted by food or squirrels, given to taking things too literally (still looking for that wild goose they’re supposed to be chasing), loyal to a fault, and courageous.
LINK to my review
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Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery – Jenny Cogan – 3***
This is a fun chick-lit romance with some over-the-top coincidences and new-adult drama. Not much of a spoiler to say that it all works out with a fairytale HEA ending. I didn’t realize it was a series when I picked it up, and I don’t really feel that I was missing all that much for not having begun with book one. Have to say I really appreciated the recipes at the end – especially the hot chocolate!
LINK to my review
Finished: The Stoning of Soraya M.: A True Story by Freidoune SahebjamMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If you liked "Where's Wally" and the tiny details in the Richard Scarry children's books, or those great little cartoon tourist maps with all the landmarks, I bet you'd enjoy Egypt Magnified: With a 3x Magnifying Glass. History made fun. Just delightful!
5★ Link to my review with pictures(I apologise that sometimes pictures don't show in the app.)
My 3 star review of Village of the Lost Girls by Agustín Martínez
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Aussie author Peggy Frew has a new novel out soon, Islands, and the cover says it all. Individually or grouped, we're islands (as is one of the settings, Phillip Island).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas
I've started The Disappearance of Adèle Bedeau by Graeme Macrae Burnet. I thoroughly enjoyed His Bloody Project by this author and am hoping this one will be as good. Fingers crossed!
My 3 star review of The Homestead on the River by Rosie Mackenzie
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Never Let Me Go which was a disappointment but I also finished Red Square which was terrific. Broke my mood of not feeling like reading and now I'm reading Turtles All the Way Down and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
Does My Head Look Big in This? is a Young Adult book that I'd be happy to recommend even for some pre-teens. Aussie author Randa Abdel-Fattah writes about an Aussie Muslim teenager wanting to wear a hijab to school in spite of her parents' worries. YIKES! 
3.5~4★ Link to my review with some pictures
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The Next Best Book Club
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The Constant Princess – Philippa Gregory – 3***
Book six in her Plantagenet and Tudor series focuses on Catalina, Infanta of Spain, daughter of Queen Isabela and King Ferdinand, and known in English history as Katherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII. This was one fierce lady; intelligent, mentally and emotionally strong, an astute observer and able to plot and plan with the best of them. I was caught up in the novel at the beginning, but I found that the story seemed to bog down in details.
LINK to my review
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Angels at the Table – Debbie Macomber – 2.5***
This is a typical schmaltzy Christmas romance with more than a little humor thrown in. Some of the situations are downright ridiculous, and the angels, for all their good intentions, seem mostly inept. But it’s a fun read and everything turns out okay in the end.
LINK to my review