Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

Just finished . Real change of pace for me and I loved it.

Jennifer wrote: I'm listening to Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking on audio.

LOL, how ironic.

Kathy wrote: I'm going to try reading my ebooks in alphabetical order. I just started The Amun Chamber

That's a good idea. Otherwise, I'm soooo far behind on my Kindle books, and I just couldn't figure out a good place to get started on them.

Pamela wrote: I'm ready to begin reading 'Still Alice,' one woman's account of the descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Fascinating book. I gave it 5 stars. Hope you like it too.

I'm currently reading . I liked the first in the Women's Murder Club series, and this one is even better.

Also started , a time-travel romance. So far it's just OK.

Iamabibliophile wrote: "Fanficfan44 wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I'm ready to begin reading 'Still Alice,' one woman's account of the descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease."

I have seen that book, but I could never read..."


Years ago I heard a theory that one of the causes was actually too much limitation of cholesterol, since it's apparently a big component of the brain, and Alzheimer's didn't start getting a whole lot of prominence until the late 70s/early 80s, after cholesterol became the demon spawn of food. Might be worth looking into..... I know I eat my eggs!!

Boy that would be good news, since I've never 'not' eaten anything because someone said it was bad for me. I made the decision in my 20's not to eat anything that came out of a lab (I do miss my Swiss Cake Rolls) but eggs, salt, caffeine, butter - I'm all good! lol...

I finished . Hated it!

I'm alternating between The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe, The Dog Next Door: And Other Stories of the Dogs We Love and Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America, and enjoying them all :)

The covers for the first two are so much fun, I have to share them here:

  

I just finished Countdown City, the second book in The Last Policeman trilogy. Excellent read!

Jennifer wrote: "Iamabibliophile wrote: "Fanficfan44 wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I'm ready to begin reading 'Still Alice,' one woman's account of the descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease."

I have seen that book..."

I watched a documentary recently that basically said a lot of the hoopla about cholesterol is a smoke screen by the medical industry 'cause they get to make up al these crazy drugs, but it was just one p.o.v. so it's hard to say. In my experience, with as much as science and the medical community goes back and forth on what's good and bad for you (butter or margarine?) it seems the only thing that remains relatively constant is the more natural something is (i.e. the less processed) the better it is for you in the long run. So real sugar, fresh fruit (even with a certain amount of pesticides), real milk and butter, etc, are better for you than all these highly processed fats. At least, that's what I'll stick with until I solidly know better :)

Barb wrote: "I'm alternating between The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe, The Dog Next Door: And Other Stories of the Dogs We Love and Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America, and enjoying..."

I'm a sucker for a cute dog on the cover!

Me too, Melodie! We used to have a golden retriever, and we miss his very gentle soul, so when I see a book with a golden on the cover, I *have to read it :)

I love book covers with dogs too. But I hate it when the dog isn't really part of the story. False advertising!

LOL Dogs are definitely part of this one, so no worries there :)

I'm reading . I love the Robin Hood legend.

I'm reading , so far a rather enjoyable young adult fantasy.

Im reading The Wanderer by Robyn Carr, first book in her new series! Love it!

Barb wrote: "I'm alternating between The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe, The Dog Next Door: And Other Stories of the Dogs We Love and Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America, and enjoying..."

Barb, How do you like ?
I think that book sounds so good! =)

I'm about halfway through it and, although it's a bit predictable, I'm enjoying it. It's a good summer read, but I do wish she had included recipes for some of the foods that sound soooo delicious in the story LOL I'm hoping to finish it tonight, since I have the house to myself (except for Daughter's kitten!), and I don't have to set an alarm for work tomorrow :)

I just finished reading . Really good book for those of you who like young adult/sci fi or both as I do.

Melissa and anyone else who was asking about it: I finished The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe, and really liked it. It is a rather predictable story, and I wanted to slap a couple of the characters, but the story wouldn't have been what it was without those characters being who they were.

I'd recommend it if you're looking for an entertaining summer feel-good story :)

Just finished Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood . It was amazing.

for my One Drink Minimum Book Club

I'm reading Silk Parachute, a series of ten personal essays by John McPhee. I really enjoy his writing, he's telling you stories from his life.

Currently I'm reading Off the Grid by P.J. Tracy. It's a crime novel set in Minneapolis and so far I've been enjoying it.

Olivia wrote: "Currently I'm reading Off the Grid by P.J. Tracy. It's a crime novel set in Minneapolis and so far I've been enjoying it."

The Monkeewrench gang books are great!

I am reading and rereading Agatha Christie's Poirot novels. I love these books and always uncover something new each I pick one of them up. I am currently rereading Murder on the Orient Express, which is one of my favorites.

Melodie wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Currently I'm reading Off the Grid by P.J. Tracy. It's a crime novel set in Minneapolis and so far I've been enjoying it."

The Monkeewrench gang books are great!"

Yes! It's one of my favorite series, I just wish the authors would write faster LOL

I seem to be on a "dog book" trend lately. I've recently read and enjoyed A Dog's Journey and The Dog Next Door: And Other Stories of the Dogs We Love, and now I'm about to start Dogtripping: 35 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure. I love the dogs in the window at the top of the RV, they look like they're really loving life :)

     

Having reread Ken Follett's EYE OF THE NEEDLE and KEY TO REBECCA, I decided to change pace and picked up Patchett's new book. It's the story of doctors hired by a research company to discover drugs in the Brazilian Amazon jungle. One doctor, crotchety but determined and brilliant, has made an earthshaking discovery and is on her way to discovering a drug that will alter history. But she prefers research to communication, and the company has no idea what's going on. They dispatch doc #2 to find her. Two weeks after the fact, crotchety doc communicates that doc #2 died of a fever. Doctor #3 is a colleague of doc #2, who is a husband and father of three. Doc #3 decides she must go to the Amazon and learn the circumstances of her friend's death. She promises the drug company she'll report the exact status of crotchety's research.
What I found interesting about Patchett's book, in addition to her detailed, pictorial descriptions of the Amazon jungle--flora,fauna, researchers and tribes--rendered in beautiful language, was her use of mystery writing techniques: she starts strong with an attention grabber; she builds tension throughout the book; she even incorporates sci-fi and fantasy into the premise of the book; and she produces twists at the end. Talk about mixing genres.
There's no doubt: mystery genre techniques are alive, well and embedded in other literature.Has anyone else read a "non-mystery" that uses mystery writing techniques to make the book better?
Next, I'm grabbing the first book in Ken Follet's Century Trilogy, FALL OF GIANTS. Can't wait to start.

Nancy G. West
Aggie Mundeen Mysteries
FIT TO BE DEAD - Lefty Award Nominee 2013 for Best Humorous mystery http://tinyurl.com/bgl4zbc
DANG NEAR DEAD - Aggie's second romantic mystery caper http://tinyurl.com/am975kk
NINE DAYS TO EVIL - Prequel to Aggie Mundeen mysteries. The story that started it all. http://tinyurl.com/a9aswr9

I just started Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about her life and escape from the secret world of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult. I was surprised to find out that the Duggars, the family known for their "19 and Counting" are members of this sect.

Just finished The Light in the Ruins and it was outstanding!

Jane wrote: "Just finished The Light in the Ruins and it was outstanding!"

Glad to hear that because I just bought it.

Just started Robert B. Parker's Lullaby . Not ordinarily a fan of the concept of a new author trying to perpetuate a franchise when its originator dies, particularly when the character is as iconic as Spenser, and even more particularly when said iconic character is one of my three all-time favorites. That said, I'm 30 pages in and the voice is there. We may have a winner.

Sallee wrote: "I just started Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about her life and escape from the secret world of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult. I was surprised to find out that the Duggars, the family k..."

I would be careful with your comments...labeling the Duggars as part of a cult. Last thing you want to accidentally get embroiled in is a religious debate.

Now I'm off to find that book. :)

Jennifer wrote: "Just started Robert B. Parker's Lullaby . Not ordinarily a fan of the concept of a new author trying to perpetuate a franchise when its originator di..."

I read this when it came out and liked it quite a bit. Wasn't as crazy about the one that came out this year, but I think that due more to the fact that Hawk didn't even make a cameo in it.

I am glad to hear that others like it. I have read all, the Spenser novels prior to Parker's death but was reluctant to continue with the ones. Going to give them a try.

Reading and

Capable of Murder

Sallee wrote: "I just started Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about her life and escape from the secret world of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult. I was surprised to find out that the Duggars, the family k..."

Every religious group has at one time or another been labeled or referred to as a cult or cult-like. Just by mere definition alone the following of set "rules" or "principals" that are ritualistic in nature can throw each and every one of us into that category. Something as simple as going to church every Sunday is in and of itself a ritual. Just an observation...and I am not a fundamentalist.

I'm currently reading Casual Lies-A Triple Crown Adventure by Shelley Lee Riley

Michelle wrote: "Every religious group has at one time or another been labeled or referred to as a cult or cult-like. Just by mere definition alone the following of set "rules" or "principals" that are ritualistic ..."

Agreed.

Michelle wrote: "Sallee wrote: "I just started Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about her life and escape from the secret world of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult. I was surprised to find out that the Duggar..."

Iamabibliophile wrote: "Sallee wrote: "I just started Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about her life and escape from the secret world of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult. I was surprised to find out that the Duggar..."

Sallee wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Sallee wrote: "I just started Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about her life and escape from the secret world of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult. I was surprised to find ou..."

On Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about the Independent Fundamental Baptists, I was only relaying information presented in the book about the Duggar family of 19 and Counting. I do not know if they agree with this group's teachings or not. I think people need to read this book in order to make up their own minds if they feel it is a cult or not. Where the Duggar family fits in with this group..well, that is the question.

Sallee wrote: "On Jocelyn R. Zichterman's memoir about the Independent Fundamental Baptists, I was only relaying information presented in the book about the Duggar family of 19 and Counting. I do not know if they..."

I got a copy of this book after you mentioned it. Stuff like this fascinates me.

I am starting to read Mary Jo Buttafuoco's book, "Getting It Through My Thick Skull, Why I Stayed, What I Learned and What Millions of People Involved with Sociopaths Need to Know. This sounded interesting and as the title denotes, I would like to know why she stayed so long.

I just finished Getting it Through My thick Skull by MaryJo Buttafocu and am currently reading My Way by Paul Anka. I find these entertaining and interesting even if not well written. I like hearing the inside story.