The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU
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<closed thread>What are you currently reading?
Currently Reading:The Irish R.M. - Own
A Court of Wings and Ruin - Library
Year One - Audiobook
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane - Library
Magic Rises - Library
Anil's Ghost - Library
The Enchanted April - Ebook
Cold-Hearted Rake – Lisa Kleypas – 3***
Book number one in The Ravenels series. A charmingly wicked bachelor inherits an earldom, and butts heads with the late earl’s beautiful, young and head-strong widow. Sparks fly and passion overcomes sensibility and rules of propriety.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4.5*Well, another paranormal series that I got so wrapped up in that I stayed up late finishing it.
Carren (shapeshifter alpha lion) and Kate (human bad-ass magic person) take a group of their pack to Europe to protect a pregnant woman, whose father wants to kill her and the prospective father packs (two babies, two different fathers) want the first-borne to be theirs. Well, it is much more complicated than even that sentence pretends to be.
This story is about magic, love, loyalty, friends...it is about being true to oneself. It covers the "you never know who your friends truly are" with spades.
Not a story that I could let go of easily. Oh, yes...if this were in Ireland, there would also be leprechauns...as it is these mountains contain their own magical folk.
Finished:
- 4*I seem to be on a kick-ass paranormal story binge.
In this one, the female protagonist is human Made into High Fae. She is strong, loyal, and determined to punish those who harm her family ~ human or Fae. She is High Lady. Her name is Feyre.
She is mated to Rhysand, the High Lord. And, their bond makes me yearn for the same, even though I am a woman of 70+ years. Hot!
This is a story of family...birth and chosen. It is a story of doing what is right even though the cost is high. It is a story of friendship and right triumphing over evil. In other words...a magical wonderful world where all that is wrong eventually finds its end...but not without cost.
Lunch At the Piccadilly – Clyde Edgerton – 3***
The jacket blurb promised a funny romp with elderly ladies who steal a car and go on an adventure. The book however, is not nearly so fun … and funny … as the jacket blurb. Yes, there are some humorous escapades, but much more is devoted to Lil’s nephew Carl, a quiet, unassuming bachelor who can’t seem to find his way to a happy and fulfilled life. The episode with the stolen car (brief though it is) was quite funny, but the ending is rather poignant.
My full review HERE
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The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern – Lilian Jackson Braun – 3***
Book two in the “Cat Who” cozy mystery series, starring journalist James Qwilleran and his Siamese Koko. I like this series, set in an unnamed northern-midwest city. I like the way Qwill ferrets out information, and how he’s beginning to notice that his cat is quite astute. The plot is full of twists and turns, as well as a colorful assortment of characters, good and bad. Photographer Odd Bunsen is an able sidekick.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 3*I never did figure out what was Anil's ghost. This is a story of a Sri Lankan woman, an archaelogist, who returns to Sri Lanka for a Human Rights group. It is a story of several other professionals ~ archaelogist, doctor, Buddha eye painter ~ who have their own struggles in the political atmosphere to which the protagonist returns. Perhaps the ghost is within each of us as we connect with our past.
Currently Reading:
The Irish R.M. - Own
Spider Woman's Daughter - Library
Year One - Audiobook
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane - Library
The Becoming - Library
The Enchanted April - Ebook
Finished:
- 3*A delightful story of love in all seasons of life. I especially liked Lotty and Mrs. Fisher. The men who appeared late in the story were less well developed as characters and only used to reflect the changes in each of the women. A wonderful example of stories written in the 20s.
Finished:
- 4.5*What a wonderful story of China! Lisa See's writing allows me to experience, vicariously, a life I would otherwise never know. My heritage is European and early American colonial. So far from this story. Yet I am left with feelings and yearnings stirred by this book.
It is at the same time the story of Li-yan and of her daughter, Haley, adopted from China as a baby. It is the story of family...of coincidence or fate or spirit led life. It is full of knowledge and teaching about Chinese adoptions and tea. It is heartrending and heart-filling at the same time. So much.
Finished:
- 4.5*Oh, my. Some scenes in this book are hot and steamy. Some are full of battle violence. But, many are full of life, learning to become who one is, and making new friends without limits on love. This story is full of LGBTQ issues and feelings...of duty and responsibilities and of freely given service. I thought of Ukraine and Russian aggression. I held my Leather friends and chosen family in my heart as I read. I found the joy in learning new things and becoming more capable and relishing new and scary experiences.
When a book can mix and mingle the fantasy of the story with the reality of one's life and uplift and encourage...it is a wonder of a book.
Currently Reading:
The Irish R.M. - Own
Spider Woman's Daughter - Library
Year One - Audiobook
Visitation - Library
Elementary, She Read - Ebook
Finished:
- 4*I have read almost all, if not all, of the Tony Hillerman stories. This is the debut novel of his daughter, Anne Hillerman. She has picked up the Leaphorn & Chee series and continued with those well-beloved characters. And, she did well. Chee and Manuelito are well fleshed out as a husband and wife team...as well as fellow Navajo policemen. I especially liked Manuelito's struggles with her mother, her sister, and her promise to Leaphorn. Chee also had the struggle with his discarded and long unused native ways and his relationship with Leaphorn. I liked the resolution of each. It felt authentic to the character. Well done, Ms. Hillerman.
Currently Reading:The Irish R.M. - Own
Year One - Audiobook
Visitation - Library
Elementary, She Read - Ebook
The Tea Rose - Library
My Name Is Mary Sutter - Library
A Tyranny of Petticoats - Library
Z for Zachariah - Library
Finished:
- 4.5*This book mirrors COVID. It is a story of a pandemic that kills billions of people, of some people who are immune, and of some that develop magical powers. It is about prejudice against those not like us, about acceptance of differences, about hate and love, and about the power of good and evil. This story challenges the reader to accept, to adapt, to choose love over hate and good over evil. It is a story for now.
The icing on the cake is that it is about US...now...today, and it still gives hope for a better future.
PS...It took me 18 days to get through this because I saved the audiobook for times I was in my car...until today. I just had to finish it at the expense of the books I am also reading. If it had been a book in my hands, it would have been an overnight read. That good.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets Of the Universe – Benjamin Alire Sáenz – 4****
This is a coming-of-age story featuring two Mexican-American teens trying to figure out their place in the world. I enjoyed this book and felt connected to these boys and their struggles. I’m way past that stage of life, but I remember the pain of not feeling like I fit in, the joy of finally having a good friend, the fumblings and push/pull of early romantic encounters. And I loved Ari and Dante, their reliance on one another and their growing relationship.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 3*Well, this book does not have a happy ending...unless you count the fact that everyone lives a happy ending. This is definitely a dystopian book...and is based on a nuclear war that makes most of the world radioactive as well as killing off most of life. It is not a hopeful book per se, although it carries the hope that somewhere someone else might have lived. A bit of a downer in that hate and fear still destroy the world and that no where is safe. Quite a negative viewpoint of humanity.
Started: Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World - Audiobook
Finished:
- 2.5*I kinda liked this book, but then again it was hard for me to follow. I did understand that the story or vignettes were focused on a particular piece of property in Germany. All the descriptions occurred there. However, each sub-story was confusing and hard for me to relate to the other sub-stories. It felt disjointed...and piecemeal...and lost. Perhaps that is the feeling the author was hoping for as it is partially set around WW2 and events during that time. I did like some of the repetitive techniques the author used in some of the sub-stories. It definitely created a certain feeling.
Finished:
- 3*Interesting history of coffee and tea, the effects on our bodies, and the addictive properties.
Lady Clementine – Marie Benedict – 3.5***
This work of historical fiction focuses on Lady Clementine Churchill, the woman beside (not behind) the man, Winston Churchill. Lady Clementine emerges from the pages as a strong woman, with the courage of her convictions and easily able to stand up to (and for) the man in her life, helping Winston Churchill achieve the successes for which he is so well known.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*A cozy mystery about a bookseller (Gemma), who c0-owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. So, of course, the story evolves around a mysterious magazine found hidden on the shelves, a family heirloom, an inheritance contested, and two murders. Gemma, the bookseller, spends most of the story trying to solve the who-dun-it as she is the chief suspect.
There is a previous love interest who is a cop and a best friend who is the Watson to Gemma's investigations. And, of course, lots of red herrings.
I especially liked the fact that, although Gemma is very observant and frequently deduces correctly, she also makes many errors in her deductions. It makes her feel just a bit more human.
Another new series for me to pursue.
Currently Reading:
The Irish R.M. - Own
The Tea Rose - Library
My Name Is Mary Sutter - Library
A Tyranny of Petticoats - Library
Cold Magic - Library
The Water Dancer - Audiobook
The Bone Witch - Library
Lizzie & Dante – Mary Bly – 3***
This romance features a tragically ill heroine who is a Shakespeare scholar vacationing on the island of Elba, an understanding handsome Italian chef and his precocious 12-year-old daughter, plus a supporting cast of movie stars, gay friends, and no-nonsense acquaintances. There are some twists and turns, because the path to happiness is never a straight one, and I thought the author was trying a bit too hard to force the reader to tears, but I still enjoyed the book. And I LOVED all the food references.
My full review HERE
Starting: Bermuda Grass - ebookI know...lots of books in progress for me and different forms (ebook, audiobook, book). I am in a lot of reading groups. And some genres are more candy than others. However, the genres for what I am reading now, in all forms, are my favorites: Historical Fiction and Fantasy. Plus 2 of the books are short stories.
Finished:
- 4*One of my favorite genres. I must admit that the world building was a bit slow for me, but I did enjoy the character development. And, the idea of cold magic was new to me...a magic that took away...that diminished. I will certainly continue to follow this series just to see how it develops. An interesting concept.
Currently Reading:
The Irish R.M. - Own
The Tea Rose - Library
My Name Is Mary Sutter - Library
A Tyranny of Petticoats - Library
The Water Dancer - Audiobook
The Bone Witch - Library
Bermuda Grass - ebook
Finished:
- 3*This is a series of stories based on historical facts with women as the center of the story. Each one figures as the main character doing something that was either unusual for a woman of her time and/or finding her own strength in a new way. It spans across the USA from 1710 to 1968. Each story is followed by a brief description of the historical fact upon which that particular story is based.
I found the variety wonderful as was the different takes on a woman's society-busting role. I enjoyed this adventure.
Finished:
- 4*The story of a woman, who wants to be a surgeon, but finds that the traditional medical school route is closed to her. It takes the Civil war to help her achieve her dream, but it costs her much ~ a twin sister, a love, and estrangement from her mother.
It is a story with many facets of a strong woman who dared to dream of the impossible and the choices she had to make over and over to achieve her dream. It feels real. It describes the reality of war and death without glorifying it. It is a gritty story that finds a way to triumph despite it all.
Started: Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage - LibraryCurrently have 8 books in progress, but I expect to complete 5 of them by tomorrow.
Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz
I bought this book when I was in Egypt in January and liking it. I have read some of her Elizabeth Peters books.
Say Nothing – Patrick Radden Keefe – 4****
I confess that while I had heard of “The Troubles” I had never really studied the causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland, nor did I closely follow the politics at play. I’m so glad that my F2F book club chose this book, because I learned about not only the conflict portrayed, but perhaps a little about how a young person becomes radicalized and how festering dissatisfaction can turn from angry rhetoric to acts of terrorism. Keefe is an accomplished investigative journalist, and he certainly did his homework here.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*Definitely a different sort of ass-kicking female paranormal story. This is a story of a young woman who finds a power growing in her that is not at all her idea...nor does it make her fit in with others, even those of her paranormal persuasion. She has doubts and is full of rebellion. She creates horrible issues for others, yet she cares deeply about some of those around her.
The story is told in her voice for most of the book. Inserts in italics at the end of chapters are the present time and relate the interaction between the asha and the bard. The rest of the book is her memoir, so to speak. How she got to this point in her life.
The book ends with the beginning of a journey, one it appears to put things right but one, I'm afraid, might go amiss. Definitely will have to get the next book to find out where this story goes.
Currently Reading:The Irish R.M. - Own
The Tea Rose - Library
The Water Dancer - Audiobook
Bermuda Grass - ebook
March - Library
Finished:
- 3*A cute story of red herrings and a disastrous love for both the protagonist and the cop, Bill, that mix together with unerring hijinks to the end. I did wonder and had almost figured out the murderer, although I had not gotten the whole story correct.
Finished:
- 3.5*Interesting premise. A rebellious teen is sent away to spend the summer with her uncle, during which she learns to be a grim reaper. Most of the book was fun. The only moment that really hit hard was when she was forced to reap her own sister...her twin. The feelings seemed real throughout the book. Her confusion over why she was so different and could not fit in...and then finding a group who did accept her and a place she belonged.
I enjoyed this book and its take on death. The characters felt real and they dealt with all the usual teen feelings of insecurity and growing pains.
This I Know – Eldonna Edwards – 3***
I picked this up while trolling my public library’s shelves. I was a bit skeptical, but saw an author blurb from Lesley Kagen, so thought I give this a go. I was quickly immersed in the story and eager to see how things would work out for the eleven-year-old heroine. The setting is a small town in Michigan in the late 1960s. Grace is a typical pre-teen in many respects, but she has a special gift she calls “the Knowing” of which her preacher father does not approve. There is a mystery involving a child predator, which subplot comes and goes, and was really unnecessary IMHO. Still, a satisfying, enjoyable read.
My full review HERE
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A Madness of Sunshine – Nalini Singh – 3***
Nalini Singh is known for her romantic fantasy books, but this is her debut adult detective mystery. The setting is a remote town on the West Coast of New Zealand, populated primarily by indigenous Maori. I really liked this mystery thriller, with several layers of intrigue. Detective Will Gallagher is a great character, with flaws and some darkness in his past … he is, after all, a big-city Detective now assigned to a small town in the middle of nowhere. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I didn’t see the ending coming. I hope Singh will write another mystery featuring Will.
My full review HERE
Starting: Catering to Nobody
Immaculate Reception
The Wasp Factory
Finished:
- 3*First, this was a book of stories rather than a novel. And, to be fair, I do not usually enjoy stories.
What kept me reading was the fact that it was set in Ireland. What made it hard for me was the fact that it was set in Ireland with words I did not know and places I did not know. To someone more familiar with the land, it might have had more of a connection.
There is a lot of fox hunting and lots of characters that would have been fun to meet as well as some memorable moments, but overall this book did not engage my interest enough to make me look forward to the next story.
Finished:
- 4*It never fails to amaze me how, at times, in my reading choice I seem to select several books set in the same time or the same place.
I recently finished My Name Is Mary Sutter, which is set around Washington DC at the start of the Civil War. It focused on the medical care of those wounded both on the battlefield and their care in DC hospitals.
This book is in the same time but carries the story into the South as the federal troops move from the battles around Washington through Virginia and further south. Yet the protagonist, Mr. March, is a chaplain, abolitionist, teacher and part of the Underground Railroad. The story moves from his idealistic vision of freedom for slaves to his troubled conscience of the evil all men do. He is burdened with a sense of failure to serve those he would have helped.
Through his thoughts and letters we learn of his family of LITTLE WOMEN fame. Yep, the same. And how he would spare them the realities of life he is seeing and facing.
Then, in the second half of the book, we learn of his wife's fears and thoughts and are given to understand how little she knew of him or he of her.
It is a well-written story of hard times, of hard lives and choices, and yet so very much the same issues that all relationships must face in their own times.
The Warmth of Other Suns – Isabel Wilkerson – 4****
Subtitle: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration. I had heard of Wilkerson’s masterful social history, but had just never gotten around to reading it … until now. One thing I really appreciate about this work is how Wilkerson focuses on three individuals to illustrate the scope of the Great Migration. It was informative and interesting, and I definitely learned some things I had not known before.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 3*A quick and easy cozy read. The author does a good job of giving her main characters flesh and bone. Goldy, Arch, and Marla are all people who would be interesting to know, and I can imagine sitting in the local cafe, while sipping coffee, and watching each of them as they lived their lives.
Yes, there are some rough edges in this story. Some of the emotions of the side characters are hard to believe fully. But, overall, it is an interesting and engaging story.
Currently Reading:The Tea Rose - Library
The Water Dancer - Audiobook
Bermuda Grass - ebook
Immaculate Reception - Library
The Wasp Factory - Library
Finished:
- 4*I must admit that I did not think this mystery would be as good as another that I had recently read set also in Bermuda, but I was wrong.
Not only was there a murder, a sabotaged new golf course, but also a kidnapping. There were lots of suspects also from the hotel manager to the irate father to the lover.
And, I did not figure it out. Like the author intended, I vacillated between suspects and was surprised by the outcome. A nicely done cozy style mystery.
Finished:
- 2*This book was read for a gothic challenge...and, it certainly is dark and horrific. Even though I have read gothic works that I liked, this was not one of them.
I never connected to the protagonist other than to guess the birth gender. None of the elements described in the story were scary to me. No, each was just a horrific insight into a disturbed mind...not an element that led to a desire to keep reading at all.
There are better gothic stories out there. There are better horror stories out there. This is not either. It is a look into a diseased mind and makes me wonder more about the author's mental health that anything.
I should have continued to avoid this book as I have for years. I read it only for the challenge and to get it off my list. If not for the challenge and my own horror at DNF'g a book, I found have quit on this one. Not my cup of tea at all.
Finished:
- 4*Although I enjoyed the characters and story of this book, it is not the usual culinary cozy read in that it did not contain recipes or the description of food prepared for much of the story. No, this is more the story of the relationships of each character and some long ago Catholic mysteries with a few current deaths thrown in.
I did enjoy the mystery and the discoveries, even if I did not come away with recipes to try.
Precious And Grace – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book # 17 in the hugely popular “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series, has Mma Precious Ramotswe and her “co-director” Mma Grace Makutsi at loggerheads once again over updating office practices vs relying on tried and true methods. I love this series. I enjoy spending time with these people, though I rather missed Mr J L B Matekoni who barely appears in this episode. Mma Ramotswe can always be relied upon to consider carefully the underlying motives and various options for dealing with any problem. While Mma Makutsi is frequently the one to rush forward, perhaps jumping to the wrong conclusion, or arriving at the right answer but for the wrong reason!
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4.5*What a wonderfully elegant gripping tale!
It has all the elements of an adventure...poverty, murder, starvation, escape, a new start, new loves, new family, re-found old loves, and salvation. I mean, what could go wrong? Then put those elements in the hands of a talented storyteller and the world fades and the story becomes all.
I loved it.
Currently Reading:
The Water Dancer - Audiobook
Silent Scream - Library
Five - Library
Trent's Last Case - Ebook
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Opposite of Everyone (other topics)Small Wonder (other topics)
I, Alex Cross (other topics)
Fox & I (other topics)
On Gold Mountain: The 100-Year Odyssey of a Chinese-American Family (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Gill Paul (other topics)Elizabeth Peters (other topics)
Rainbow Rowell (other topics)
Liam Moiser (other topics)
Barbara Mertz (other topics)
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Although I enjoyed this book, I was a bit dismayed at the naiveté of Rin. Perhaps that was because she was an orphan, perhaps it was the pull of power for someone who never had power over her life, or perhaps it was her age and idealism for her life. The author toys with love as a reason, but I think there were other forces more powerful for why she was so naive.
At the end of this book, she is convinced, or trying to convince herself, that she controls the powers of the gods. I wonder. Perhaps this will become clearer in the next book. Personally I think she is still being naive.