Reading with Style discussion
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SU 22 Completed Tasks
10.5 N37 - Non human main characterCatalyst Gate by Megan E. O'Keefe
+10 Task
+5 Jumbo 608 pages
Task total = 15
+ 50 Bingo: First Bingo B04 I17 N37 G51 O66
Post Total: 65
Season Total: 105
Deleting entry, ineligible - (but keeping comment spacing).
Post 53 Kim wrote: "10.5 O70 Published in the 70s84, Charing Cross Road. Helene Hanff
4.0/5.0 - What a charming little book, told through a series of letters between an American writer..."
I'm sorry, Kim, but the MPE for this title is only 97 pages and does not qualify for the challenge this summer.
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
10.2 - O68 Author name does not contain the letter OAn A-List for Death (Poppy McGowan Mysteries #2) by Pamela Hart
Review
A terribly fun read! I enjoyed this second instalment better than the first book. It was easy and light to read with just enough hints on the mystery to keep you going all the way to the end. Of course, the romantic tingles between Poppy & Tol, and their solid trust in each other, kept me fully warm and happy.
The only problem I had was keeping up with the numerous characters. Even as the story is told purely from Poppy's perspective, there were moments where I had to stop and try to think who this particular character is again in relation to Poppy & others in the book.
I love that it's set in today's Sydney and enjoyed zipping about with Poppy whose innate goodness touched all those around her. I truly appreciate the safe-ness and yet, still exciting, relationship between Poppy & Tol (so many books on brokenness that this was so comforting). Overall, An A-List for Death was a very relaxing and very entertaining read.
+10 Task
+5 Review
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 25
10. 1 B1 - Title has 1 wordMariana by Susanna Kearsley
Review - It was going soo good, but the ending had to blow shit up. Poor Geoff left hanging, all alone in France.
It was a good book, I got lost in its pages and all, but not one of her best. I think I like The Winter Sea and The Rose Garden better.
The twist ending was pointless and unreasonable. It was like, "Oh Vivienne and Tom are getting married. What should we do next? Geoff and Julia! Oh, but Geoff's in France doing business for his multi-million dollar company. Well then, let's just marry her to the closest bachelor in the village! The gardener!"
I mean they would've been okay if there were actually nothing going on with Julia and Geoff. But there was!! I liked them together. He hadn't even had the "talk" with her yet. Before he left, he was jealous of his direct ancestor. "Geoff? Or Richard?" When it should've been "Geoff? Or Iain?" Come on, his best friend?!?! There was literally no spark between Julia and Iain! Other than the fact that he tends to her garden and meets in the pub, nothing! Better that he ended up with Vivien! They had more chemistry.
+10 Task
+ 5 Oldies
+ 5 Review
Task total = 20
Post total: 20
Season Total: 20
B — 1;
I —
N —
G —
O —
10.1 G50 - Author born in the '50sElegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
I really liked this one in the Maisie Dobbs series. I think I have read six Maisie books before this one, not in order, and gave each four stars. Maisie is not such a superhero in this one; her loved ones point out some tendencies and she admits that she has them and tries to make some changes. One of my favorite characters is Maisie's father, Frankie, a horse groomer who raised Maisie after her mother died. The plot in this volume (#9) involves horses, disability, and the poorer side of London as well as the high society of Maisie's boyfriend, James. A good read.
+10 Task (b. 1955 per Wikipedia)
+5 Review
Task Total: 15
Season Total:15
B
I
N
G 50
O
10.2 I18 InspirationalI've Been Thinking . . .Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life by Maria Shriver
An enjoyable and thoughtful collection of columns from the author's digital newsletter that covers many subjects for reflection. Each short piece is preceded by a quote and closed with a prayer written by Maria Shriver, except for one that was written by a priest. She writes about life, change, grief, love, empathy, family, motherhood, faith, prayer, womanhood, friendship, her father's struggle with Alzheimer's, and more. I copied some of the prayers to re-read after the book goes back to the library. 4*
+10 Task (24 users shelved it as Inspirational)
+5 Review
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 30
B
I18
N
G50
O
10.1 N31 New to me author What strange paradise
What a book! It is a pure art, with many elements and with many different characters. The author, Akkad has portrait life of a human in this present world. There is a family whose home is bombed and no government to help. That family migrates to many places just to survive. In such places, there are people who will see immigrants coming into their home, unwelcomed. There is then some government who will blame for such situation. In all of these, there will be some who wants to just help. But how can they help? They can either become unpatriotic or become inhuman; there is the struggle. Such is the life of a human in this present world.
10 - task
5 - review
Total = 15
10.6-I19-1st name=IsabelThe One Hundred Nights of Hero: A Graphic Novel by Isabel Greenberg
This is a clever graphic novel which presents a new creation myth AND uses the Scheherazade device of relating multiple fantastic tales. Here, two women who secretly love each other must survive a cruel challenge devised by two men to test the faithfulness of one of them. The partner of the threatened woman, Hero, is the one who fends off the would-be suitor by diverting him with stories...most of which deal with sisters outwitting cruelties. 4 stars
Task=10
Review=5
Task Total= 15
Grand Total=100
B7; B8
I19; I22
N38; N42
G
O
10.5 O62 On another RwS Member's shelf (Rebekah)Who the Hell Is Pansy O'Hara?: The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Books. Jenny Bond
4.0/5.0 - Besides reading books, I love reading about books, their authors and their readers. I love to know why people read or write a certain book, what makes them tick. This book does just that. It is laid out chronologically, starting with Fiction (Pride and Prejudice) in 1813 and closing that category with The Da Vinci Code in 2003. It then goes on to Nonfiction, from The English Dictionary in 1755, to A Brief History of Time in 1988, but with other interesting entries that include Emily Post's book on etiquette, and Sir Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship. I have read many of the books, but reading more of the background on the authors, the times they lived and wrote in, and their influences makes for interesting reading!
+10 - task
+ 5 - review
Post total: 15
Season total: 75
B:
I: 17
N: 31
G: 56
O: 62; 71
10.1 I18 - InspirationalThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
This is a charming and meaningful little book. I’m not one for those ‘rah-rah’ self help books that try to build you up by telling you how great you are. However, apparently, I am one for beautifully drawn, and produced, gentle books that remind you how great you are (even if life can be difficult). I loved the wise animals, but the mole is the best! Who knew moles were humorous, and love cake! This book would make a lovely gift. 5*
10 task
5 review
_____
15
Running total: 15
10.2 i26 - InternationalPersepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
This memoir done as a graphic novel was interesting, but didn’t really reach me on an emotional level. I think I was expecting more grittiness or awareness. Satrapi was a child when the Shah was deposed, the extremists took power and Iran and Iraq began warring. Because of that she lacks the insight into the political machinations and what was really happening to the Iranian people. I think the narrative would have benefited from some reflection by Satrapi as an adult. The drawings are simple but effective. 3*
10 task
5 review
______
15
Running total: 30
10.3 i27 main character is a private eyeThe Devil's Novice by Ellis Peters
Once again, I listened to the audiobook narrated/read by Vanessa Benjamin. She does a very good job, and I enjoy her characterizations. In this instalment of Cadfael (#8) a novice is accepted, but he seems to have a mystery swirling around him. This instalment has Brother Mark in it, and even though it is a minor role I enjoyed his part. The civil war is in the political machination stage, and that seething mess has quite an impact on the story. I still really enjoy this series, it is an excellent one to delve into from time to time. 4.5*
10 task
5 review
5 oldie
_____
20
Running total: 50
10.1 - O68 - No "O" in Author NameNever Too Late by Sally Rigby
+10 task
Task total: 10
Grand total: 10
B
I
N
G
O68
10.4 i16 author name does not contain the letter 'i'The Man in the Wooden Hat by Jane Gardam
This is the second novel in the “Old Filth’ trilogy. This time we get to know Betty, Old Filth’s wife and view their relationship through her lens. Gardam writes about a very interesting group of people and time. All of the main characters have been through WW2, and many have grown up as expats and had very different experiences from those that lived in England. These experiences inform their life decisions, and that is definitely the case with Betty. I enjoyed the story and I particularly appreciated Gardam’s ability to give a real sense of place – no matter what place Betty and Old Filth happen to be. 4*
10 task
5 review
_____
15
Running total: 65
10.2 - O71 - First Book in a SeriesA Question of Despair by Maureen Carter
+10 task
Task total: 10
Grand total: 20
B
I
N
G
O68; 71
10.5 i29 MPE Page count 200-299Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation by Kyo Maclear
Now this is the kind of memoir I like. It is more like a diary of contemplation, rather than I did this, then I did that style of memoir. Maclear was feeling anxious and creatively stuck because of increasing family obligations (due to her elderly father’s illness). She realized she needed to bring stillness, and a bit of joy into her life. She contacted a musician who was/is a birder and spent a year finding those two things by going out on birding expeditions with him. There are many things to like about this book – the use of language, the thoughtfulness, the meanderings, appreciation for the small moments, the ‘city’ birds, and the fact that they are birding in Toronto (so, for me, the familiar). 4.5*
10 task
5 review
______
15
50 Bingo #1 = i column: 16, 18, 26, 27, 29
_____
65
Running total: 130
owned books used: 2/5
10.1 B7 - Best books - rating 4.0+Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
I listened to this audiobook with my ten-year-old daughter. She is really enjoying this series and was ready to move on to Book 3 immediately upon finishing this installment. I think I liked Heist Society a little bit more because the idea of teenage art thieves was new and funny. Here, the main character is trying to be the art thief avenger by stealing art that was taken by the Nazis and returning it to the original owners/owners' family. I didn't buy this "redemption" and liked better the idea that they were just pure thieves.
Also, there's a small romance thread here that never felt necessary or developed. I'd rather these just be a group of friends than have the budding romance lurking in the story.
That said, the book was entertaining and the narrator did a fine job keeping the story moving along.
+10 Task (Rating 4.13)
+5 Review
Task total: 15
Grand total: 15
10.9 N-38 NICKEL: first letter of title is found Last Ordersby Graham Swift
+10 task
+5 1997 or earlier - publication date 1996
Post total: 15
Season total: 165
10.10 O-71 One: First book in a seriesDune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1
by Brian Herbert
I devoured the Dune series of books as a young mother seeking an escape. I have played both strategic board games in my later years. I love this story and the new graphic novel editions do it justice. Like the original novel, the story is set in three parts, each of those parts will have its own graphic novel volume. Volume 2, Muad’Dib is due out August 9, 2022. I can not wait.
+10 task
+5 review
+50 Second Bingo: B1, I21, N38, G47, O71
Post total: 65
Season total: 230
10.1 O68 Author name does not contain the letter OWhereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
+10 Task
Task total = 10
Post Total: 10
Season Total: 10
10.2 N42 New release: pub'd in 2021 or 2022The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian
+10 Task
Task total = 10
Post Total: 10
Season Total: 20
10.3 I29 Page count 200-299The Man Who Broke Capitalism: How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America—and How to Undo His Legacy by David Gelles
The title tells you exactly what David Gelles thinks about Jack Welch, the legendary CEO of GE. Welch was the first CEO to adopt Friedman's theory that corporations should only be run for the monetary advantage of shareholders. Gelles explains how Welch hit the quarterly earnings expectations for GE for years and how his acolytes applied his methods in other corporations. It is a grim picture. Fortunately, Gelles also gives us some ideas on how US corporations might find a better path forward.
The reader does a creditable job.
+10 task 272 pages
+5 review
Task total: 15
Season total: 45
10.8 I16 no “o” in authorThe Hunger by Alma Katsu
This started out with a lot of promise, but it fizzled. This book wanted to be too many things and lost focus. The elements of horror were all there, the setup was there, but then it failed to commit. There were too many ideas competing, a huge cast of characters and a million storylines, and flashes back into even more story which, why? It got muddled, and boring. Every time the tension would pick up, it would be spoiled by a flashback or a pivot to a different character. I lost patience with it all. Fans of dark historical fiction might find this interesting, but it was not for me.
+10 task
+ 5 review
Task total = 15
Season total = 170
B:
I: 16
N: 45
G: 59
O:
10.1 - I28, If, if, ifThe End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
+10 Task
Task total = 10
Season total = 10
B:
I: 28
N:
G:
O:
10.2 - O61, Opposite words in titleAlways Never by Jordi Lafebre
+10 Task
Task total = 10
Season total = 20
B:
I: 28
N:
G:
O: 61
10.2 I17 - Title Word Ends in -ingAn Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
This book was given to me by a family member who pulled it from her shelves. I'm not sure if she had read it or not when she passed it to me.
This book is everything that Followers wanted to be but couldn't quite manage. It's a fun story with an engaging if frustrating narrator that takes on a scathing critique of social media and the way that it impacts its stars. Here, we have a drifting twenty-something who finds a cool sculpture on the sidewalk in New York and makes a YouTube video about it. The video goes viral when it turns out that the sculpture isn't just in New York but has suddenly appeared in a few dozen cities all over the world. Turns out, weird aliens. Ones who don't talk or directly interact really and whose intentions are entirely obscure.
So, a slightly over the top plot. But well written and well timed enough to keep me engaged and strongly interested in what happens next. So much so that I may have to search out the sequel to this even though I hadn't really planned to.
The narrator for the audiobook was lively and sold the first person narration. I recommend this book in that format because it really fits with the online/social media personality vibe.
+10 Task
+5 Review
Task total: 15
Grand total: 30
15.11 I16 Author name does not contain the letter I.The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
+15 task
+5 1997 or earlier publication date 1962
Post total: 20
Season total: 250
10.3- N34 : NebulaAnnihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Winner of Best Novel in 2014
Post: 10
Season total: 30
B- B4
I-I24
N-N34
G
O
15.11 B11, Rooting for the Bad GuyMacbeth by William Shakespeare
I was so looking forward to finally going to the Utah Shakespearean Festival this year--they do a great job in a gorgeous location and I've loved every production I've seen there. Sadly, I am not enticed by any of their offerings this year so I'll indulge in a "festival" of my own and read plays I'd actually want to see performed.
I started my "festival" with Macbeth. It's been quite a while since I've revisited this story and was impressed with the picture of human psychology we get here--the way that power (or the promise of power) can warp and twist an otherwise noble mind. I listened to the Arkangel production and it was exceptional. (As always, the witches were my favorite.)
+15 Task
+5 Review
+5 Oldies, 1606
Task total: 25
Season total: 275
B 9, 11, 12
I 16, 17
N 35, 38
G 52, 56
O 61, 74
15.12 I18, InspirationalThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
I was going to read this one last summer, but I didn't get my library hold until September 1st...glad I got a chance to revisit it.
The pictures were *gorgeous*, the writing (as in: the calligraphy) was beautiful...the words themselves? Often they were trite, hackneyed Instagram fodder on the level of a cat hanging from a branch with a "Hang in There" caption; other times, they were truly inspirational and heartwarming. Of course, the mole and his obsession with cake was always delightful. I agree with Valerie that this would make a great gift--wish I would have read it before my niece's graduation because it would have been the perfect grad gift.
+15 Task
+5 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 295
B 9, 11, 12
I 16, 17, 18
N 35, 38
G 52, 56
O 61, 74
Task I16 Author name does not contan the letter "I"The Siege of Washington: The Untold Story of the Twelve Days That Shook the Union (2011) by John Lockwood and Charles Lockwood [973.731]
Review: This narrative non-fiction book is about Washington, D. C. (my hometown) April 14, 1861 to April 25, 1861. Those days are significant because they are the days immediately following the surrender to the Confederates of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, thus starting the American Civil War. Both Union and Confederate believed that the first target of the Confederates should/would be Washington, D. C.. Virginia was a Confederate State, and Maryland had significant numbers of Confederate sympathizers. Each day gets its own chapter. There exists extensive journals and memoirs of this time, and our authors take full advantage of the source material. The authors use the source materials to tell what the strategists were thinking, what the average person was thinking, what the prospective soldiers were thinking, and what famous people were thinking (like Clara Burton).
Many details are similar to this one:
p. 143: “In his haste to leave Washington for Richmond, [Robert E.] Lee left an unpaid balance of 37 cents for repair of his saddle bags at the Lutz leather goods shop at 392 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.”
Readers will find this book either fascinating or tedious due to the details included. I’m somewhat in the middle, finding bits very interesting, and other bits as tedious. Three stars.
+10 Task
+05 Review
Task Total: 10 + 05 = 15
Grand Total: 00 + 15 = 15
B:
I: 16
N:
G:
O:
15.13 N43, Title Has Three WordsLong Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds
The Rules
1: No crying
2: No snitching
3: Get revenge
Will was playing basketball with friends on the court. His brother and his girlfriend stopped by on their way home. Shots were fired. Everyone hits the ground. When the shots stopped, everyone got up--except his brother, Shawn. Shawn was hit. Shawn died.
That night, Will found Shawn's gun and swore to get revenge. The next morning, he takes the elevator down the seven floors to exit his building to find the shooter and exact his revenge. On every floor, someone joins him in the elevator to help him see the useless cycle of violence and try to convince him to break it.
The art added so much to the story, I'm glad I read it in graphic novel form rather than the original novel, though maybe one day I'll find my way back to the novel itself. 5 stars.
+15 Task
+5 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 315
B 9, 11, 12
I 16, 17, 18
N 35,38, 43
G 52, 56
O 61, 74
15.14 G53, Group Reads! (On RwS Bookshelf)Reputation by Lex Croucher
I really wanted to read this one when it was first chosen as a group read, but I couldn't get my hands on it anywhere. Since then, my library finally obtained a copy and I got to enjoy the romp that was Reputation!
Mix one part Mean Girls with one part Bridgerton, add a pinch of Jane Austen (as long as that pinch contains a bit of Darcy, a fair amount of Harriet Smith, and an unadvised walk in the rain), sprinkle in some illicit "snuff" and you end up with a delightful, irreverent, thoroughly enjoyable story. I can't remember who chose this for the group read, but KUDOS! Well chosen and thank you for the recommendation!
+15 Task
+5 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 335
B 9, 11, 12
I 16, 17, 18
N 35, 38, 43
G 52, 53, 56
O 61, 74
15.15 O63, "ORPHAN"A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Next stop on my personal "Shakespearean festival": Athens for the wily midsummer romp. While the confusion of lovers is worth a chuckle (or an eye roll) and the mischief in fairyland is entertaining enough, the best part of Midsummer's Night is the play within a play: the humor is punchy, the cast and rehearsals are hilariously ridiculous, the script is comedic gold, and the commentary by the audience is so nuanced that I catch something different each time I read this play. What a nice break from the heavy tragedy which kicked off my "festival."
+15 Task
+5 Oldies, 1590
+5 Review
+50 Third Bingo: B11, I18, N43, G53, O63
Task total: 75
Season total: 410
B 9, 11, 12
I 16, 17, 18
N 35, 38, 43
G 52, 53, 56
O 61, 63, 74
10.6 G48 Title has Go, Going, Gone, Grow, Growing, GrownNewspaper, Pennies, Cardboard, and Eggs--For Growing a Better Garden: More than 400 New, Fun, and Ingenious Ideas to Keep Your Garden Growing Great All Season Long. Roger Yepsen
4.0/5.0 - A summer doesn't go by without me reading a new gardening book. This one, from Rodale Press, gave me a dozen new ideas to try, from making a spray from tansy or garlic scapes to use on cabbage worms, to instructions on how to smoke some of my peppers for chipoltes, and using sweet woodruff at the base of our trees (to cut down on weeds) to reusing the winter protection framework for summer bean trellising. Time to go try out some of those new ideas!
+10 - task
+ 5 - review
Post total: 15
Season total: 90
B:
I: 17
N: 31
G: 48; 56
O: 62; 71
10.7-I21-First letter in INFLOWFairytales for Lost Children by Diriye Osman
This short book contains 11 stories. I expect, but I don't know, that most of the stories are mostly about real events that happened to the author. Characters escape war-torn Somalia...as did the author with his family. Characters endure living as refugees in Kenya...as did the author. Characters move to London as did the author... and central to many of the stories are characters who are gay or transgender...as is the author. That's quite a ride...and I enjoyed being brought into this world. Different, brash, honest and interesting.
Task=10
Review=5
Task Total= 15
Grand Total=115
B7; B8
I19; I21; I22
N38; N42
G
O
15.16 N39, MPE page count 300-399Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo
Oh my goodness...even if you're not a fan of the genre, I would HIGHLY recommend getting your hands on this graphic novel!
Cressy-la-Valois, 1933: Julien and Francois first meet at a piano competition where Francois stuns the crowd with his otherworldly skill, yet Julien wins. It begins a lifelong rivalry--at least on Julien's end.
1997: Adeline, an intern at Le Monde, is sent to interview Julien, who is now old and crochety and notorious for turning reporters away at the door. She is able to recognize a recording Julien is listening to--a recording of Francois--so he decides to tell her his whole story...
The art was lovely, the story was stunning, and I highly recommend it. 5 brilliantly shining stars.
+15 Task
+5 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 430
B 9, 11, 12
I 16, 17, 18
N 35, 38, 39, 43
G 52, 53, 56
O 61, 63, 74
10.3 - B2 Title has 2+ B'sThis Book Betrays My Brother by Kagiso Lesego Molope
+10 Task
Post Total: 10
Season Total: 35
10.1 B6 BEARDS: First letter of title is found in "beards"An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
First letter = A
Review:
I am going to start this review by stating that I do not often pick up short story collections. Despite that, this book was short and a group read selection for one of my GR groups. And, when I got it from the library, I found that it is a small book also, thus a quick read.
Imagine my surprise when I met Maud! What a delightfully, creative, problem-solver of an elderly woman. I wouldn't choose her method of solving my own issues in life, but I did admire her gumption and determination to protect her home and her lifestyle. I even think I would have enjoyed knowing her, albeit from a distance.
I did feel a bit cheated by the ending which was two stories about the same event from different points of view. I think the author was undecided whether to end the series at the first book or continue it. Since there is a book #2, she voted in the end to continue it.
By the way, each story was printed in a variety of years...so Maud was growing on her writer!
+10 Task
+ 5 Review
Total Task Points: 15
Season Points: 15
B - 6
I
N
G
O
10.2 I27 Main character is a Private Eye (not a police detective)Painted Ladies by Robert B. Parker
Spenser is a private investigator.
Review:
This is a typical Spenser story with his life revolving around his lady (Susan) and a request for help. He is hired as a body guard by a museum representative/professor of art during a ransom pay. The body he was to guard is killed by an explosive. Spenser is determined to get to the reason for killing this seemingly inoffensive man.
I kept wondering as I was reading the story and meeting the various characters about the title. It wasn't until the end that I figured it all out.
Enjoyable story, even without the sidekick Hawk.
+10 Task
+5 Review
Total Task Points: 15
Season Points: 30
B - 6
I - 27
N
G
O
10.3 G58 Ghosts! (or other paranormal)Night Broken by Patricia Briggs
MPG Fantasy>Paranormal 690 users
MPG Paranormal>Vampires 407 users
MPG Paranormal>Shapeshifters 337 users
MPG Romance>Paranormal Romance 335 users
Review:
OMG! This series is like candy to me. I start reading it with the idea that it will be read over a series of days and, before I know it, I have finished the book!
The characters are mostly shape-shifters and fae, but don't let that stop you from investigating this series. It includes Mercy (shape-shifter coyote, Native American heritage), Adam (her mate and shape-shifter wolf, works in security) and their pack, which includes a variety of mixed individuals. The characters are all complex individuals with jobs and hopes and dreams and dislikes and emotional hurts. And, all are trying to live in the society that surrounds them. This series might be a fantasy in that shapeshifters do not exist in our world, but it has a lot to say about human interactions with each other.
And, like I said above, these books are like candy for me...I get so involved that I read until I am done. There are only 5 more in the series for me (total 13). I will need to partial them out over the rest of the year!
+10 Task
+5 Review
Total Task Points: 15
Season Points: 45
B - 6
I - 27
N
G - 58
O
10.4 G59 GYPSUM: First letter of title is found in "gypsum"Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews
First letter = M
Review:
Cute, cozy mystery set on an island in New England. Unlike many cozy mysteries, the supporting cast were not really people I would have liked to know...which means that this was one cozy mystery where I did not fall in love with the surroundings or people. Cute...but not truly the warm fuzzy group of people I would have liked to have met.
+10 Task
+5 Review
Total Task Points: 15
Season Points: 60
B - 6
I - 27
N
G - 58, 59
O
10.5 O67 Owned book: get it off your shelf!The Art of Forgetting by Camille Pagán
I have had this book on my TBR as an owned book since June 25, 2011.
Review:
Off and on for years I have intended to read this book, but never seemed to have gotten past the planning - to - read stage with it. Partly because the books I own seem to frequently get pushed aside for the many books I borrow from the library that have dates for return that give them priority. I am glad that this book finally made it into my reading pile.
Unlike the cover, this book is not really about a ballerina...only someone who once loved to dance the ballet. Instead this book is about traumatic brain injury and the effects on those who love one that has suffered from such an injury.
Marissa was the beta personality to her best friend Julia's alpha one. That is until Julia was hit by a car and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
This is the story of the friendship between the two of them, and of the many ways Marissa had to grow apart from Julia to find herself before being able to reconnect with her best friend.
I ended up loving this book. It had much to say to me about remembering the past with its lopsided memories and learning to forgive and to forget and move on with confidence. Very glad I finally got this wonderful book read. Well worth the time.
+10 Task
+5 Review
Total Task Points: 15
Season Points: 75
B - 6
I - 27
N
G - 58, 59
O - 67
10.7 G50 Author born in the 50s, any centuryMercedes Lackey was born on June 24, 1950.
Arrow's Flight. Mercedes Lackey
4.0/5.0 - Talia's story continues in this book. She has completed her training as a Herald and goes with her mentor, Kris, on the circuit as an internship. It seems that she has more to learn to control her gift, and she grows into it throughout the book. While there isn't a lot of action in the book, it does advance our understanding of this important character.
+10 - task
+ 5 - review
Post total: 15
Season total: 105
B:
I: 17
N: 31
G: 48; 50; 56
O: 62; 71
Anika wrote: "15.4 G53, Group Reads! (On RwS Bookshelf)Reputation by Lex Croucher
I really wanted to read this one when it was first chosen as a group read, but I couldn't ge..."
So glad you enjoyed it, Anika. It was written by the daughter of a friend of mine.
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Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie M. Liu
Wow. The storyline is much different than my most recent reads - lots of stuff is going down and there is very little exposition. The main threads of the story are clear by the end of book 1, but I appreciate how they unfolded organically, the confidence of the writing. And the art - the art is stunning. I read this on a larger tablet and kept zooming in to take in all the detail. I’d like to add this to my physical collection.
+10 task
+ 5 review
Task total = 15
Season total = 155
B:
I:
N: 45
G: 59
O: