Chèli finishes 12in12 4th qtr

I'm moving on from my 3rd quarter thread here

It's time for the final thread for the 1212 challenge and status on my categories. In 2012 (since I knew that 144 wasn't attainable for me) I adjusted the challenge to a 12X12-20-12=112 books. The -20-12 was allowing 32 overlaps. If I read more than 112, that'd be okay, I wasn't required to use all my overlaps. I have only used 30 overlaps so far and once I finish the final 14 books, I will work on replacing some books used with new books.

This year I'm also trying to clear 80 books from my shelves. (this is really necessary because, no matter how much I try, I still buy/acquire more books then I read from my shelves, so books are just sitting waiting to be read.



But for 2012 I'm hoping to read mostly HISTORIES AND MYSTERIES I'm nearing 200 series started and am woefully behind on some while there are others that I would really like to try.

My theme for the year is HIGH SCHOOL.
2012 will be the 40th anniversary of my graduation and so I will honor the great education that I received (thanks to my parents).

Class schedule - Nook Books/NetGalley
These can be any books that I read on my Nook. I'm also adding NetGalley Books. Great for my overlaps.

Study Hall - Mysteries
Mysteries? I always wondered why they called it study hall because nobody ever studied.

Home Economics - crafts and home themed books
This will probably include mostly cozy mysteries.

History - USPC and background reconstruction thru 1900
I need to keep moving on the President's Challenge, so here I will be reading about the latter part of the 19th century to get me up to 1900 (cross your fingers that I don't get side tracked with another major historical topic like the Civil War which took me 2 years!)

English Lit - books set in Great Britian
I've noticed that a great number of books that I read are set in Great Britian/England/Ireland/Scotland, so they will get their own category.

Lunchtime/Leftovers - culinary or fun and game themed books or those left over from previous years' lists.
During High School, lunchtime was for food and fun - games and talking! So books in this category need to have a food or fun aspect or be leftover! Maybe some Young Adult books in here.

Foreign languages - foreign settings
Any books set outside of the USA

Speech Class - Audiobooks
I listen to books on audio so these can be just about anything (great for my overlaps!)

Homework - TBRs/ERs/ARCs
Here is where I will work on those books that are sitting on my own shelves as of 12/31/11 or new books for review

Math - 1st, 2nd, 3rd….. Series books
These books will have to meet the criteria of the next number. I will start a new series for one, read the second in a series for 2, etc. I am definitely not doing geometry, trigonometry, or calculus for this category!

Geography - Euro and 50 State challenges
I have not been making much progress on either the 50 State Challenge or European Challenge so I am setting a goal to get at least some done for each in 2012.

Extra curricular activites -LibraryThing and Book Clubs
These books will be any type of book that I read with a group, was recommended by someone at LibraryThing, part of the TIOLI Challenge, or acquired as an ER book. Basically, this is my LT category -- kind of like a club in High School.




So only to the finish line we go!

I. Class schedule - Nook Books and Net Galley
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Due or Die 9/9/12..................................................... GRADE C+
2. Book of Lost Fragrances 2/23/12............................. GRADE C- NetGalley
3. A Killer Collection 2/28/12......................................... GRADE C+ Nook
4. Dire Threads 3/10/12 ................................................GRADE C+ Nook
5. Affairs of Steak 3/23/12 ............................................GRADE B Nook overlap
6. Tempest in the Tea Leaves 3/23/12......................... GRADE C+ Nook overlap
7. Chili Con Corpses 3/26/12 .......................................GRADE C+ Nook overlap
8. Body at the Tower 4/7/12 .........................................GRADE C+ Nook overlap
9. Collateral Damage 5/12/12 ..................................... GRADE B NetGalley for review
10.The Third Coincidence 5/29/12 .................................GRADE B NetGalley for review
11. Pies and Prejudice 8/6/12........................................GRADE B- Nook
12. Organize your Corpses 8/22/12...............................GRADE B- NOOK

4 Overlaps - Final Grade B- Change may be effected if any overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
5/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - Affairs of Steak
candidates

II. Study Hall - Mysteries
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Crunch Time 1/25/12 ................................................GRADE C+ OVERLAP
2. A Fountain Filled with Blood 2/15/12........................GRADE B OVERLAP
3. Books Can Be Deceiving 2/18/12 .............................GRADE B OVERLAP
4. Silent Mercy 2/18/12 ................................................GRADE C+ OVERLAP
5. Killer Weekend 3/15/12 .........................................GRADE B OVERLAP
6. Remains to be Scene 3/31/12 ..................................GRADE C-
7. The Quick and the Thread 8/4/12.............................GRADE C+
8. A Peach of a Murder 8/14/12....................................GRADE C+
9. Candy Apple Dead 8/28/12.......................................GRADE C
10.Buttercream Bump off 9/18/12.................................GRADE B-
11.Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos9/27/12.....GRADE B
12.Just Desserts 11/16/12............................................GRADE C-

5 Overlaps - Final Grade C+ Change may be effected if any overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
8/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos

The final book in this category will be Just Desserts.

III. Home Economics - crafts and home themed books
CATEGORY COMPLETED
1. Dead Cat Bounce 1/4/12................................... GRADE C+ OVERLAP
2. Crunch Time 1/25/12.......................................... GRADE C+
3. A Crafty Killing 2/12/12....................................... GRADE C+
4. Books Can Be Deceiving 2/18/12....................... GRADE B OVERLAP
5. A Killer Collection 2/28/12................................. GRADE C+
6. Dire Threads 3/10/12......................................... GRADE C+
7. Agony of the Leaves 3/21/12............................ GRADE C OVERLAP
8. Affairs of Steak 3/23/12.................................... GRADE B
9. Tempest in the Tea Leaves 3/24/12.................. GRADE C+
10 Chili Con Corpses 3/27/12................................. GRADE C
11.Diva runs out of Thyme 3/29/12........................ GRADE B
12. Fatally Frosted 8/1/12......................................GRADE C

3 Overlap - Final Grade C+ Change may be effected if overlap is replaced at the end of the year.
6/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - Diva runs out of Thyme

IV. History - USPC and background reconstruction thru 1900
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Andrew Johnson : a biography - 1/31/12.................................. GRADE B
2.Impeached : the trial of President Andrew Johnson and the fight for Lincoln's legacy 3/18/12............................................................................... GRADE C+
3. U.S. Grant : American hero, American myth 4/20/12................. GRADE C
4. Grant 5/23/12............................................................................ GRADE A+
5. Rutherford B. Hayes 6/12/12 .......................................................GRADE D
6. Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President 7/11/12................GRADE B-
7. Alexander Graham Bell: Inventor and visionary 7/12/12 ............GRADE C+
8. The Colfax massacre and the death of Reconstruction 7/18/12..GRADE D
9. From Towpath to the White House 9/26/12.................................GRADE D
10.Frozen Thames 10/1/12..............................................................GRADE C-
11.Destiny of the republic 10/11/12................................................GRADE B
12. Empires of Light 11/11/12..........................................................GRADE B

0 Overlaps - Final Grade B-
8/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - Grant

The last 3 books in this category will be:
✔Frozen Thames
✔Destiny of the republic : a tale of madness, medicine, and the murder of a president
✔Empires of Light

V. English Lit - books set in Great Britain
Category COMPLETED

1. Forgotten Garden 2/9/12............................ GRADE B+ Overlap
2. Great Expectations 2/13/12........................ GRADE C Overlap
3. Maisie Dobbs ♫ 2/24/12.............................. GRADE C+ Overlap
4. Mr. Churchill's Secretary 2/25/12................. GRADE C+ Overlap
5. Body at the Tower 4/7/12............................ GRADE B- overlap
6. Traitor and the Tunnel 4/11/12.................... GRADE B
7. The Uncommon Reader 5/5/12......................GRADE C+
8. The Girl Below 7/22/12................................. GRADE D
9. The Wife Trap 7/28/12...................................GRADE C+
10. Reckless Bride 10/8/12................................GRADE C+
11. Princess Elizabeth's Spy 10/16/12...............GRADE B
12. The Secret Keeper 10/31/12......................GRADE B-

5 Overlaps - Final Grade B- Change may be effected if any overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
4/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - Forgotten Garden

The last 3 books in this category will be:
✔RECKLESS BRIDE
✔Princess Elizabeth's Spy
✔The Secret Keeper

VI. Lunchtime - leftovers from previous years or challenges or BOMBS
Category COMPLETED
1. A Death in Vienna 1/1/12........................................ GRADE C
2. Phantom Tollbooth 2/16/12......................................GRADE C+
3. Lord Sunday 4/4/12................................................ GRADE C+
4. Tuesdays with Morrie 4/14/12................................ GRADE B
5.The First Rule of Ten 4/19/12................................... GRADE B-
6. Fundraising the Dead 9/6/12...................................GRADE C+
7. Cleopatra: A Life♫ 9/25/12......................................GRADE B
8. We Got to Play Baseball 9/30/12............................GRADE B
9. Quarantine 10/12/12..............................................GRADE B
10. Art Forger 10/20/12...............................................GRADE C-
11. Dracula 10/25/12...................................................GRADE C+
12. Border Lord and the lady 11/6/12.........................GRADE C

0 Overlap - Final Grade C+
5/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - Cleopatra: A Life

The last 4 books in this category will be:
✔Art Forger
✔Border Lord and the lady
✔Dracula
✔Quarantine

VII. Foreign languages - foreign settings
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. A Death in Vienna 1/1/12.......................... GRADE C OVERLAP
2. The Orchid Affair 1/7/12.............................GRADE C+ ♫ OVERLAP
3. Trick of the Light 2/2/12........................... GRADE A- OVERLAP
4. Count of Monte Cristo 2/4/12....................GRADE B OVERLAP
5. Book of Lost Fragrances 2/23/12.............. GRADE C- NetGalley
6. The Princess and the Bear 3/4/12............. GRADE B
7. The Sheen on the Silk 3/28/12.................. GRADE C- ♫ OVERLAP
8. The Elegance of the Hedgehog 4/12/12....GRADE D+ ♫
9. The Atlantis Code 4/24/12..........................GRADE C
10. Traveling with Pomegranates...................GRADE B
11. A Queen's Vow 8/12/12............................GRADE B-
12. The Balkan Escape 6/12/12.......................GRADE C

5 Overlaps - Final Grade B- Change may be effected if any overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
4/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - The Princess and the Bear

VIII. Speech Class - Audiobooks
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Hunger Games 4/7/12 ............................................GRADE A-
2. The Necromancer 4/30/12...................................... GRADE C+
3. To Darkness to Death ♫ 5/10/12........................... GRADE B
4. Burn ♫ 5/28/12 ..................................................... GRADE C
5. All Mortal Flesh ♫ 5/31/12...................................... GRADE C+
6. Tongues of Serpents ♫ 7/15/12.............................GRADE C+
7. Death Comes to Pemberley♫8/23/12.......................GRADE C
8. The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain ♫......GRADE C 9/3/12
9. Willful Behaviour ♫ 9/9/12.........................................GRADE B-
10.Cleopatra: A Life♫ 9/25/12.......................................GRADE B
11. Devil's Food Cake Murder 10/14/12.........................GRADE C-
12. The Thirteenth Tale 11/3/12....................................GRADE A-

The last 2 books in this category will be:
✔13th tale ♫
✔Devils Food Cake Murder ♫

0 Overlaps - Final Grade B- Change may be effected if any overlaps are moved at the end of the year.
7/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - The Thirteenth Tale

IX. Homework - TBRs/BOMBS
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. The Orchid Affair 1/7/12 ...........................GRADE C+ ♫
2. Silent Mercy 2/18/12 ................................GRADE C+ ♫
3. Maisie Dobbs ♫ 2/24/12...........................GRADE C+ Overlap
4. A Killer Plot 3/3/12 ....................................GRADE B OVERLAP
5. Out Of The Deep I Cry ♫ 3/14/12...............GRADE C+
6. Diva runs out of Thyme..............................GRADE D+ Overlap.
7. Remains to Be Scene 3/31/12................... GRADE D+ overlap
8. Beekeeping for Beginners 4/28/12............GRADE C
9. Murder with Puffins 4/30/12..................... GRADE C+
10. Gone to Ground 7/14/12.........................GRADE B
11. Summer Breeze 8/19/12..........................GRADE C
12. The Inn at Rose harbor 9/1/12................GRADE B

4 Overlaps - Final Grade C+ Change may be effected if any overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
9/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - The Inn at Rose Harbor

X. Math - 1st,2nd, 3rd….. Series books or titles with numbers
CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Dead Cat Bounce 1/4/12.....................................GRADE C+
2. A Fountain Filled with Blood 2/15/12...................GRADE B
3. Out Of The Deep I Cry ♫ 3/14/12 .......................GRADE C+
4. Murder Most Frothy 4/23/12 ................................GRADE C+
5. The Warlock 4/30/12.............................................GRADE C
6. Superior Saturday 4/2/12 ....................................GRADE C
7. Trick of the Light 2/2/12 .....................................GRADE A- OVERLAP
8. Evil in Carnations 9/14/12.....................................GRADE B
9. Embroidered Truths 9/17/12..................................GRADE C
10.A Sea of Troubles 8/16/12.................................GRADE C
11.Pirate King 5/5/12 ..............................................GRADE C+
12. Uniform Justice 10/20/12....................................GRADE C+

1 Overlaps - Final Grade C+ Change may be effected if any overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
12/12 were original candidates. Great planning!
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - A Trick of the Light

XI. Geography - euro and 50 state challenges
Category COMPLETED

1. The Help - 1/18/12 Mississippi..........................GRADE C
2. Killer Weekend 3/14/12 IDAHO..........................GRADE B
3. Sprinkle with Murder 6/2/12 ARIZONA.................GRADE B
4. Shakespeare's Landlord 6/5/12 ARKANSAS.........GRADE C
5. Summer of Fire 6/10/12 WYOMING ................... GRADE B-
6. The Balkan Escape 6/12/12 BULGARIA ............. GRADE C
7. Contrary Blues 6/17/12 WEST VIRGINIA.............GRADE B-
8. Calamity Jayne 6/20/12 IOWA ...........................GRADE B-
9. True Justice 7/3/12 DELAWARE...........................GRADE B
10. Jar City 7/30/12 ICELAND..................................GRADE B-
11. The 19th Wife 8/25/12 UTAH.............................GRADE C-
12. The Winter Palace 8/14/12..................................GRADE D+

NO Overlaps - Final Grade B-
6/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - True Justice

XII. Extra curricular activites -LibraryThing - ERs, member recommendations / Group Reads
CATEGORY COMPLETED
1. The Help - 1/18/12 ..............................GRADE C overlap MCC LILIES Book Group
2. The Count of Monte Cristo.................. GRADE B OVERLAP Highly Rated Book Group - LT - 1st Quarter
3. Forgotten Garden.................................GRADE B+ OVERLAP MCC Lilies Book Group
4. Great Expectations 2/13/12.................GRADE C Overlap 12 in 12 group read
5. Phantom Tollbooth 2/16/12.................GRADE C+ Overlap recommended by tututhefirst shared read TIOLI
6. Mr. Churchill's Secretary 2/25/12.........GRADE C+ Overlap LT ER book shared read TIOLI
7. Killer Plot 3/3/12..................................GRADE B OVERLAP LT Rec by Tututhefirst
8. Agony of the Leaves 3/21/12..............GRADE C TIOLI GROUP
9.The Sheen on the Silk 3/28/12 ............GRADE C- ♫ MCC Lilies Book Group
10. The Postmistress 5/6/12...................GRADE C+ MCC Lilies Book Group
11. Wolf Hall 6/23/12..............................GRADE C- 12 in 12 group read
12. The Enchanted April............................Grade B- ♫ MCC Lilies Book Group

7 Overlaps - Final Grade C+ Change may be effected if overlaps are replaced at the end of the year.
6/12 were original candidates.
FAVORITE OF THE CATEGORY - The Forgotten Garden

The countdown has begun! only 14 more to get to the finish line!

Hi Cheli. Checking out your 4th quarter thread. 14 books left to read.... that is great! You will finish that with no problems. ;-)

Challenge Book #131

Title: Frozen Thames ★★½
Author: Helen Humphries
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subject: frozen river
Setting: London England
Main Characters: none
Series: no
Dates Read: October 1
Number of pages: 181
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: History Class

This book is a collection of very short stories surrounding the 40 times that the River Thames froze over and allowed for activities to actually take place on the river.

It was slightly entertaining but seemed to get repetitive toward the end. I can see where it could have been better if the small stories had been expanded. Not recommended.

I was a very disappointed in this book. It was so beautiful from the outside, but inside, it lacked the depth of stories that I was looking forward to.

#16 I'd thought about reading that one. I think your sister included it in her choices for my "books chosen by friends" category. That does sound disappointing.

I'll have to look for that baseball book you mentioned late on your last thread.

If I remember, you're an O's fan, right? Glad to see that they made the playoffs. The Nationals, too.

We Got to Play Baseball is right up your alley. All the different stories were so entertaining, especially as a baseball fan, hearing the stories from the players themselves. I was surprised you hadn't read it yet.

We'll I've officially signed up for the 2013 Category Challenge. Here is my thread.

http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?topic=142925

Challenge Book #132

Title: Reckless Bride ★★★½
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Genre: Romance
Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage
Setting: Germany, Italy, England
Main Characters: Rafe Carstairs, Loretta Michelmarch, Hassan, Esme Lady Congreve
Series: #4 Black Cobra Quartet
Dates Read: October 2 - October 4
Number of pages: 464
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my shelves
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: English Lit

The final book of the Black Cobra Quartet finds Rafe Carstairs traveling from India to England carrying the original document of damaging evidence which will identify the Black Cobra. Rafe has decided to take the river route through Austria and Germany but finds that he has inadvertently endangered Loretta and her great-Aunt Esme and so is forced to include them in the plans to get to England. Pretending that he and his man, Hassan, are guide and bodyguard they proceed over the Danube and Rhine rivers. During their travels love and danger envelope them.

It was fun to finally see that the Black Cobra would be apprehended and who it turned out to be. The reunion of the other characters from the first three installments was the perfect ending.

Challenge Book #133

Title: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President ★★★★
Author: Candice Mallard
Genre: Biography
Subject: Assassination, medical advancements, inventions
Setting: Washington, D.C.
Main Characters: James Garfield, Charles Gaiteau, Dr. Bliss
Series: no
Dates Read: October 1 - October 9
Number of pages: 432
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, audio MCL
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: History Class

James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States was unique in that he was the only preacher to have held this office. Unfortunately, he was shot in the back by an insane office seeker and though he could have survived these wounds in modern day, the level of medical care that he received at the time was the cause of his eventual death.

What was amazing about the man was that he never sought nor wanted to be President. Rival political factions (0ne for Grant and one for Sen. Blaine of Maine) were fighting for the Republican nomination and when they wouldn't given in, Garfield was the alternative candidate selected.

After Garfield was shot, several notable people were involved with his care - one the first licensed black doctor in the District of Columbia as well as Alexander Graham Bell who invented a metal detector for the specific reason to try to locate the bullet that was still in the President.

Comparison of the advancements that Bell was working toward and the antiquated medical treatment provided were both shocking and sickening. It is truly disappointed that a man of Garfield's character and demeanor was shot down before he was permitted to help those that would have benefited from his policies.

What his death did accomplish, however, was a reunification of the citizens throughout the United States.

This book was powerful in its storytelling as well as its story.

Challenge Book #134

Title: Quarantine ★★★★
Author: John Smolens
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subject: Epidemic
Setting: Newburyport ,Mass
Main Characters: Leander Hatch, Gilles Wiggins, Enoch Sumner, Miranda Sumner
Series: no
Dates Read: October 5 - October 12
Number of pages: 384
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, NetGalley
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class, Lunch

So often as a reader, we are presented in historical fiction unspecified details of how life was at the time. However, in this book set in Early American historical times (1796), we have exactly the opposite. The reader is awarded a tale of the decimating conditions that surround the small harbor town of Newburyport, MA when a ship arrives carrying an epidemic which swiftly spreads to the population when those quarantined on board the ship escape.

The story is told through the experiences of two main characters - Dr. Gilles Wiggins, the town physician who initiates the quarantine, and Leander Hatch, a young man who looses his entire family to the "fever". These two characters, so different in their backgrounds and yet so alike in their principles, show how good people can overcome any adversity presented to them.

This was a powerful story which had a few slow spots in the narration but the characters and the ordeal carried it through.

Challenge Book #135

Title: Devil's Food Cake Murder ★★★½
Author: Joanne Fluke
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Subject: mistaken identity, stolen goods
Setting: Lake Eden , MN
Main Characters: Hannah Swensen, Norman Rhodes, Grandma Knudson
Series: yes, #14 Hannah Swensen mysteries
Dates Read: October 12 - October 14
Number of pages: 302
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public library
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Speech Class

Hannah Swensen is one of my favorite characters but that may be coming to an end because of her contradictory behavior. Hannah can come to all kinds of conclusions when it comes to her business and her impromptu investigations, but when it comes to her lovelife, she is completely incapable of making a decision.

This mystery was fun and some of the events that are included, hopefully will carry the series forward, but that is questionable. Love the recipes.

>23 cyderry: That's the next one on my list, Cheli. I saw that several people were disappointed with this one, and so I haven't been in a rush to read it. Hannah really does need to make up her mind! I know who I think she should choose...

Ivy,

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, and I think that there is a change coming.

Challenge Book #136

Title: Princess Eizabeth's Spy ★★★★
Author: Susan Elia MacNeal
Genre: Mystery
Subject: espionage, decoding
Setting: Germany, England
Main Characters: Maggie Hope, Princess Elizabeth, Churchill, Mark Fraine, Hugh Thompson
Series: #2 Maggie Hope Mysteries
Dates Read: October 14 - October 16
Number of pages: 345
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, ER my shelves
Category for 12 in 12 challenge: English Lit

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERAZATION: 4
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4

Maggie Hope, transferred from #10 Downing St and the position of Mr. Churchill's Secretary (book #1) to MI5 and training for undercover missions, finds her shortcomings are not acceptable and flunks out of the "spy" school not because of her brain but that she has no brawn. She is given the domestic assignment of protecting Princess Elizabeth from a possible kidnapping plot. She shows up at Windsor Castle as the new Maths tutor and after a few minor issues develops a rapport with the future queen and her younger sister.

As a "servant" she is privy to numerous issues that lead to danger and intrigue as well revelations that she may have preferred not to know. The writing is crisp and exciting and draws the reader further and further into the plot, until you are afraid to read more and yet you can't stop. A great sequel to the introductory book, only making the reader want MORE!

Challenge Book #137

TITLE: The Art Forger ★★★
AUTHOR: B.A. Shapiro
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: Art theft, reproductions, painting style
SETTING: Boston, MA
CHARACTERS: Claire Roth, Aiden Markel
DATE READ: October 5 - October 9
NO. OF PAGES: 355
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, LT ER
CATEGORY: LUNCH

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERAZATION: 2
TOPICS: 2
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3
ADDICTIVENESS: 2
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3

Average = 2.75 rounded to 3 stars - more areas 3 and above

This book tells the story of a young female artist who is persuaded to copy a painting by Degas that was stolen in a highly publicized theft from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990. I found the chronicle of Claire Roth's efforts to not only reproduce this painting but also to find and return the lost art slow and uninspiring until very late in the book. The tangled threads of three different time periods and viewpoints did not make this a book that drew me further into the intrigue but made me question why I was spending the time reading it. The characters were unlikeable and stereotypical (starving artist, snooty museum curators/gallery owners), the plot too convoluted. Maybe an art student would enjoy it because of all the details conveyed relating to the process of painting but for the ordinary reader, not something I would recommend.

I love your rating system Cheli! Addictiveness and Originality are things I look for in a book but never thought to build into my rating system.

Lately, I've been trying to be more consistent in my rating instead of just a feeling about how many stars I wanted to award, I wanted to be able to see why I wanted to give the stars, so I looked around and found a rating system and with a few modifications, I'm now trying it out. The system makes me think more about why I did or didn't like a book and I found it easier to write my review.

here's the explanations, just in case you're interested:

Plot - How good was the plot and structure?
Characterization - How well-formed were the characters?
Topics - Did this book bring to your attention/suggest anything new, keep the reader entertained?
Style - Was this a well-written book?
Originality - Has this been done before?
Addictiveness - How easy was it to put down?
Ownership - Keeper?Recommend
Threshold Quality - Did this book hook you into a genre, author, or series?

I'm always interested in these rating systems. I just rated a book 3*, so I tried rating it on your system and came up with 2.7. That might actually be a more accurate assessment of the book, but I did mostly enjoy it and I only give ratings below 3 for books I don't like.

I'm still trying to come up with one that's workable for me. I like yours. Do you weight any of the factors or just make everything equal?

Do you weight any of the factors or just make everything equal?

I'm not sure how you mean "weight". Do you mean, for instance, is Plot more important than Originality therefore counting more toward the stars? If yes, than my answer is no, each area is separate and then all the ratings are averaged to get the total. Then I round up or down as whether there are more areas high or low.

If that's not what you mean, can you be more specific?

In further explanation, each area has a question for each rating.
For Example:

Ownership-Keeper?Recommend
5 = Will share but want it back!
4 = I will definitely talk about this one!
3 = Willing to pass on.
2 = Enjoyable but not taking up my space. I'll give it away
1 = Definitely not holding on to this one. Can't get it out fast enough!

So I can actually answer the questions, and get my rating with a little bit of consistency.

That's what I meant.

Cheli, I hope you don't mind but I have taken a copy of your rating system in the hopes that it will help me in formulating a system for myself. I have been toying with ideas/systems to help in my assessment of my reads as up to now I have been going on gut instinct.

Judy, if you PM me your e-mail, I'll send you the whole thing.
I'm willing to share because I know how I've struggled with some of my ratings.

Challenge Book #138

TITLE: Uniform Justice ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: blackmail, threats, coverups, military schools
SETTING: Venice, Italy
CHARACTERS: Comnmissario Guido Brunetti
DATE READ: October 15 - October 20
NO. OF PAGES: 286
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, audio stockpile
CATEGORY: Math Class

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3
ADDICTIVENESS: 3
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.25


This Commissario Brunetti chronicle tells of the discovery of young teenage boy found hanging at a military school, an apparent suicide. However, as Guido investigates he finds that the family of the victim has been continually threatened due to the father's political activities. Was the death a hazing gone bad, a payback to the father, or more sinister?

Donna Leon's storytelling always manages to captivate me while telling of some social problem in a mesmerizing locale. Definitely another good tale in this series.

This sounds familiar. I think I may have read it rivht after we went to italy but before I realized that this was a series and then never went back thread any others. I may even have one or two n my shelves. Maybe I'll try a couple more. I did love Venice.

This series overall is just so...Italian. I really don't know how to describe it. Some of the books are better than other, that's to be expected, but overall, I just love to pick one up and settle in for a good read. I've read the first 12 now, and there are 10 left and I'm looking forward to every one of them.

So far I have - yes - 2- on the TBR (#1&3) So - only 20 to go. That's doable. Guess I'll have to start hunting some library sales.

Challenge Book #139

TITLE: Dracula ★★★½
AUTHOR: Bram Stoker
GENRE: Classic
SUBJECT: vampires
SETTING: Transylvania, Romania London, England
CHARACTERS: Count Dracula, Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker, Van Helsing, John Seward, Quincey Morris, Arthur Holmwood
DATE READ: October 17 - October 25
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Lunch

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2
Average 3.5


I have a hard time with classics, I don't like books with vampires, so why then did I enjoy the 1897 classic novel about the vampire to top all vampires, Count Dracula? I won't go into the plot, I'm sure that there are many descriptions that are far better than I could write, but I will try to explain my feelings about this book.

First, I have to say that I've never watched the movie so I had no idea of the tale that would be related, so I was enveloped into the story at the very beginning, travelling through what is described as a beautiful land but with residents that are frightened of something, but no idea what.

The story was captivating, how this group came together to defeat this evil creature and save the lives of women and children that were threatened. However, the characters were, IMO, a little two dimensional and the style was a little difficult to follow in a few areas, but overall, I liked the story being told in their diaries and letters. At the time of the original publication, I would imagine that Victorian England was scandalized by the behavior of Dracula and his victims, because even though there may have been discussions of folklore related to vampires, I doubt there were few books telling the tales.

So for me this classic was a winner. But don't think that I will be searching or reading more vampire literature, I think I've had my fill.

Great review, Cheli, especially considering that you have no love of vampires. I found Dracula to be a very readable classic, and although it dragged at little in the middle for me, I was glad to have finally read this classic Vampire tale.

Challenge Book #140

TITLE: The Secret Keeper ★★★½
AUTHOR: Kate Morton
GENRE: fiction
SUBJECT: second chances, parental secrets
SETTING: England
CHARACTERS: Dorothy Nicolson, Vivien Jenkins, Laurel Nicolson, Gerry Nicolson, Jimmy Metcalfe
DATE READ: October 21 - October 31
NO. OF PAGES: 463
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, ARC from publisher for review
CATEGORY: English Lit

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.5
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.5
OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.625

This is the story Dorothy Nicolson, mother of five, and her survival during and after WWII. The framework of the tale is divided into three time frames - 1941, 1961, 2011. 1941 has Dorothy falling in love, making friends while living in London during the Blitz. Her entire family has already died during air attacks, and she has to find a job and place to live.

Fast forward twenty years later and you see Dorothy with 4 little girls and Baby Gerry on her hip, when a strange man comes to call. Eldest daughter, Laurel, hiding in the tree house, sees the encounter when her mother kills the man. After speaking with the police, Dorothy tells Laurel, not to ever talk about it again.

Fast forward another 50 years and Laurel, now a successful actress, returns home for her mother's 90th birthday and her impending death. But now Laurel wants answers about that afternoon in 1961, and so she begins to reconstruct her mother's life and what caused her to act the way she did.

The story was fascinating and even though the time frames kept switching back and forth (something that normally drives me crazy), in this book, it works. The characters are rich and full-blown, grabbing your empathy, loving the good ones, hating the bad ones, wanting to knock some sense into the manipulated ones, and wishing you could tell the whiners to just get over it.

There were a few minor items that I felt were left unresolved or overlooked, but this was so engrossing it really didn't detract from the story. I have read one other book by this author and enjoyed it as well, so the third book that I have of hers, has just moved up on my TBR pile.

I would like to thank Atria Books Galley Alley at Simon & Schuster for sending me this book to read and review.

OCTOBER RECAP
October had several issues so I didn't manage to finish my 12 in 12 challenge but I only have 4 more books to read to reach the finish line so November will definitely do it. Then I will be able to read just about whatever I want to for the rest of the year, which really means finishing up my books that need reviews so I can start 2013 with a clean slate.

October: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 0 new: 4 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Princess Elizabeth's Spy
The worst of the month - Frozen Thames

Here's what I read this month:

Frozen Thames ★★½
Destiny of the republic : a tale of madness, medicine, and the murder of a president ♫ ★★★★
Reckless Bride ★★★½
Devils Food Cake Murder ♫ ★★★½
DRACULA ★★★½
Quarantine ★★★¾
Uniform Justice ♫ ★★★
Art Forger ★★★
Princess Elizabeth's Spy ★★★★
Secret Keeper ★★★¾


I. 1. Class schedule - Nook Books/Net galley 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
4 overlaps

II. Study Hall - Mysteries 11/12

III. Home Economics - crafts and home themed books 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
3 overlaps

IV. History - USPC and background reconstruction thru 1900 11/12
Frozen Thames
Destiny of the republic : a tale of madness, medicine, and the murder of a president ♫

V. English Lit - mysteries set in Great Britian 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
2 overlaps

Reckless Bride
Princess Elizabeth's Spy
Secret Keeper

VI. Lunch - leftovers, culinary and game themed books 11/12
Quarantine
Art Forger
Dracula

VII. Foreign languages - foreign settings 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlap

VIII. Speech Class - Audiobooks 11/12
Devils Food Cake Murder ♫

IX. Homework - TBRs 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
6 overlaps


X. Math - 1st,2nd, 3rd….. Series books 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
NO OVERLAPS

Uniform Justice ♫

XI. Geography - euro and 50 state challenges 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlaps

XII. Extra curricular activites - group reads or recommended by LTers 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlaps

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
2 books History
0 book Health
0 book memoirs
Fiction:
Novels: 1
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery:5
Historical Fiction: 1
Classic: 1

Books for next month: These are all I need to finish my 12 in 12 Challenge!

Thirteenth tale ♫
Border Lord and the lady @
Empires of Light
Pleasures of Men
Joy for Beginners
Fixer Upper
Doctored evidence
The Chester A Arthur Conspiracy
Just Desserts
Design for murder @

Oh my *bleep*.... you got your hands on a copy of The Secret Keeper. Soooooo Jealous!!!!! I am looking forward to that one and as you can probably guess, I am happy to see your review of it Cheli!

.... oh, and before I forget, nice progress with your challenge!

Lori,
I saw an ad to request an ARC of Secret Keeper back in June and sent my name in. I didn't think I won, but in August I got a message from the publisher saying it was delayed but that they would send it to me as soon as it was ready. I was stunned but really glad I got it. This was only the second book of Kate Morton's that I read - both this year - and I really liked them both. A friend lent me The House in Riverton and I'll probably read it early in 2013 if I don't squeeze it in in 2012.

I have 2 of hers on my TBR and keep swearing I'll get to them. Maybe this is the push I need to move them up.

Betty,
Definitely, you need to move them up!
Kate Morton's style seems to be the flashback/time changes. Normally, that kind of freaks me out, I have trouble keeping track, but she does it so well, that it didn't bother me in either book. They are a real treat.

I'm jealous, too! Kate Morton is one of my favorite young writers... glad to know that you enjoyed this one...

I'm off on vacation tomorrow and I've just finished a book, so maybe I'll look them over and take one for the plane. Don't think there'll be a lot of reading time on this one, but there's still the airport and plane ride. Some authors do the flashback thing well - can't say I care or not. I've got a book on my nook I'm hoping to read for this month's TIOLI, but I prefer a book for the plane.

Usually, I don't like time shifts/flashbacks but Ms. Morton does them so well that they really don't bother me. I read Audrey Niffenegger's Time Traveler's Wife and it was difficult but the story hooked me, but her other book Her Fearful Symmetry I didn't like because the shifts were hard to adjust to. Ms. Morton seems to have a real knack of making the shifts almost seamless as if it was right for the story to go in that order - back and forth and back again.

I've heard that before about HFS so I haven't rushed out to get it. I managed a few pages of House at Riverton last night before bed and it looks like it will be a good book. I at least like the writing style so far. And when I was checking my thread for this year, I noticed that I had it on my list of potentials for this year so that works.

>50 cyderry: "Done well" is the key, I think. I didn't like Her Fearful Symmetry either, for several reasons. I have put The Secret Keeper on my priority wishlist.

I think my sister, the LT lurker, is reading Kate Morton.

Challenge Book #141

TITLE: The Thirteenth Tale ★★★★¼
AUTHOR: Diane Setterfield
GENRE: gothic fiction
SUBJECT: twins, family relationships, dependencies
SETTING: Yorkshire, England
CHARACTERS: Vida Winter, Margaret Lea, Adeline March, Emmeline March, Aurelius Love, Hester Barrow
DATE READ: October 27 - November 3
NO. OF PAGES: 509
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpile
CATEGORY: Speech Class

PLOT: 4.5
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.5
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 4.5
ORIGINALITY: 4.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 4.13

Vida Winter, a renowned storyteller, is finally ready to tell her own story truthfully. She has told previous biographers different stories but now that she knows she is dying, she hires Margaret Lea to come to her private estate to listen and record her story. There are conditions - she cannot ask any questions and must work on Ms. Winter's timetable. But once she starts talking, there's no turning back.

Her powerful story is compelling, mesmerizing, with twists and turns that make the reader stop, turn around, say what was that, and then just continue to plunge forward seeking more. Just as Margaret searches for answers without being able to ask any questions, the reader follows along the path of the tale wondering when the truths will be revealed, all the details discovered which will finally tell all. And then the end, so startling, unexpected, the reader staggers under the final disclosures.

I don't know what else to say. At the very beginning I wasn't excited but the more I got into the story, the more I couldn't put it down. Just as I thought I was at a place where my mind could take a breather, wham, I was hit with another revelation that knocked me for a loop. Highly recommended - completely captivating.

It is rumored that Setterfield will have a second book soon. Although I haven't seen anything to confirm the rumors, I am still excited at the thought of a new book!

So happy to see you were as captivated with The Thirteenth Tale as I was!

..... so, where is that next book..... *stamps feet impatiently*

I loved the book when I read it too. I just checked Fantasticfiction and they don't show another book yet. Rats!

Challenge Book #142/112

TITLE: The Border Lord and the Lady ★★★
AUTHOR: Bertrice Small
GENRE: Historical Romance
SUBJECT: border wars, fealty, clans
SETTING: Scotland
CHARACTERS: Cicely Bowen, Ian Douglas, Kier Douglas, James I, Queen Joan
DATE READ: November 3 - November 4
NO. OF PAGES: 421
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my shelves
CATEGORY: Lunch

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 2.5
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 2.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 3
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3
Average 2.9

I have been reading the books written by Bertrice Small for over a decade and look forward to each new one as it comes out. However, this book, the 4th in her Border Chronicles series, fell a bit flat IMO. There weren't the usually steamy sex scenes sprinkled throughout and the story was a bit bland. It was still good fun, but just not her usual quality.

Challenge Book #143

TITLE: Empires of Light ★★★★
AUTHOR: Jill Jonnes
GENRE: Non-Fiction
SUBJECT: electricity
SETTING: USA
CHARACTERS: Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, George Westinghouse
DATE READ: November 3 - November 11
NO. OF PAGES: 370
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public library
CATEGORY: History Class

PLOT:...................................4
CHARACTERIZATION:...........4
TOPICS:...............................4
STYLE:..................................4
ORIGINALITY:.......................3.5
ADDICTIVENESS:..................3.5
OWNERSHIP:........................4
THRESHOLD QUALITY:..........3.5
Average.................................................3.81

Electricity - something that is much in the news lately thanks to Superstorm Sandy and the impact of power outages in the Northeast, but over one hundred years ago, during the final decades of the 19th century, three visionaries fought over the world and how it should be electrified.

The most famous was, of course, Thomas Edison, and with his invention of the incandescent light bulb, he jumped to the forefront. Most people, if asked will name Edison as the chief person responsible for the electricity that we know today, however, Edison was insistent on the DC (direct current) version of electricity whereas Nikola Tesla, a Serb immigrant, and one-time Edison employee, devised an AC(alternating current) generator and along with George Westinghouse championed the AC current we know today.

Edison was the darling of the media because of previous inventions (phonograph, stock ticker, vote recorder) and his creation the incandescent light bulb, while Westinghouse was content to sit in the background - his inventions of the railroad air brakes and automatic signaling systems increased safety but weren't glamorous. Westinghouse worked to improve products stating "My ambition is to give as many persons as possible an opportunity to earn money by their own efforts." He was a man for the labor forces - giving higher wages, ½ day Saturdays, disability benefits, and pensions.

Westinghouse invented the first transformer which allowed Alternating Current service for smaller, wider areas while Edison's DC company could not handle anything that was not within a short distance of the power plant. Yet Edison was furious that Westinghouse was cutting in on his action. Edison expected that the entire electrical empire should belong to him.

Edison fought ruthlessly against the advancement of the DC current contingent even attempting to discredit its safety by having NY state use it for their death penalty executions.

However, the Westinghouse Electric Company was successful in showing the benefits of the AC when they were awarded two much sought after contracts - the lighting of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and the Niagara Falls Power plant (in conjunction with N. Tesla). Each of these projects was a major prize for Westinghouse, and an insult to GE (Edison had already been bought out).

But as much as Westinghouse armed with Tesla's patents was able to electrify larger areas, he still had to deal with money men and several times in the last decades of the century he was put into difficult financial positions. Once, to stave off the company floundering, Tesla agreed to forgo royalties (estimates of $17.5 Million in his lifetime) for his patents so that the Westinghouse Electric Co. would stay afloat and continue to champion the Alternating Current path. Employees of the Westinghouse comp
anies also donated $600,000 to help with the payments.

In the Panic of 1907 when national banking and finance had a meltdown, Westinghouse was forced to file for bankruptcy even though the companies were profitable. European expansion had drained his cash and he was unable to pay certain loans. He lost control of Westinghouse Electric and his spirit was broken. But his vision for the betterment of all, not just the elite continued and thrived to this day.

"Today's civilization is full of people who have not the slightest notion of the character or the poetry of night, who have never seen night. Electricity allowed a greater regimentation of life, ripping away the natural rhythms of time and season. The quieting of work and home as the natural light disappeared no longer existed, nor did families gather about the hearth for heat and light." "19th century human experience was first-hand, in-person, intimate, authentic...With electricity came a veritable cornucopia of possible new experiences....many of them are experienced secondhand."

The alternating current envisioned by Tesla and put into reality by Westinghouse has made it possible for the amazing advancements through the 20th and into the 21st century. But there is still the requirement of power lines and current reaching the equipment which will give us light and heat. The next invention needed is a machine which prevents power failures so that those who are hit by massive storms can still have the benefits of electricity. Who will be the Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse of the 21st century?

Empires of Light looks good. That is the kind of non-fiction book that I would gravitate to so I am really happy you brought this one to my attention. Great review Cheli!

It does sound interesting.

I'm torn...

My last book is The Pleasures of Men and I've started it but it's just not grabbing me. I haven't reached the 100 page mark where I feel i can legitimately abandon it, I can hardly make it to chapter 3. Tell me I can move on, please.

Cheli, I have a hard time abandoning books, but when I want to and don't, I rarely (maybe never!) end up thinking it was worth my time to finish it. And I don't really regret having abandoned the ones that I have quit reading -- even when I see that other people really like it. There are too many really good books, and even just okay books, to spend time reading the ones you don't like.

I agree with Ivy -- move on! You can always come back to it some other time if you feel compelled to try again.

If the next five pages don't hook you, why continue struggling? Maybe it's time to move to the next one.

Cheli, don't waste time with something you don't like.

I've abandoned TWO this month, after almost a year of not doing that. I've got too many books I am eager to read, to bang my head against a wall with something I'm not enjoying.

I just abandoned one today - life is too short!

Okay, the bookmark has come out at page 47. I'm nearly halfway through the next one yeah! thanks everybody, maybe I'll try it again later.

Good for you! There are way too many books out there to waste time with something not grabbing you. Glad you moved on to something better.

Glad to see you abandoned a book that just wasn't doing it for you!

I abandoned one earlier this week. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one giving up on books this week!

Challenge Book #144

TITLE: Just Desserts ★★½
AUTHOR: Mary Daheim
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: bigamy, blackmail, jealousy
SETTING: Seattle, WA
CHARACTERS: Judith McMonigle, Joe Flynn, Renie Jones, Otto Brodie, Oriana Brodie,
DATE READ: November 1 - November 16
NO. OF PAGES: 208
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Study Hall

PLOT:..............................................2
CHARACTERIZATION:......................2.5
TOPICS:..........................................2
STYLE:.............................................3
ORIGINALITY:..................................2
ADDICTIVENESS:.............................2.5
OWNERSHIP:...................................3
THRESHOLD QUALITY:......................2
Average...........................................................2.38

This book was a typical locked door mystery. The murder occurs at the B&B owned by Judith McMonigle when the Brodie family checks in because their own house is being fumigated. For fun step-mom Oriana, decides to hire a fortune teller who ends up dead.

Good premise, but way too many characters with little development who were never sufficiently identified as to how they related to each other, poor police interaction and IMO, below par writing. That said I enjoyed it but doubt I'll pick up the next one anytime soon.

I HAVE NOW COMPLETED MY 12 IN 12 CHALLENGE INCLUDING ONLY 30 OVERLAPS (I ALLOWED MYSELF 32 =20+12) I WILL TRY TO REPLACE SOME OF THE OVERLAPS IN THE REMAINING 6 WEEKS OF 2012.

Congrats on the finish!

Yahoo on completing your challenge Cheli!

Yay, congratulations!

Ditto!!!

Hooray! You did it!

Woo Hoo!

Congrats on finishing, Cheli. Hurray for you!!

Congratulations! Also thanks for the encouragement to not put off Kate Morton. I really enjoyed The House at Riverton which I read while n vacation. I have one more of hers on my shelf which I will save for next year some time.

Congratulations, Cheli!

Congrats on completing your challenge.

Congrats!

First overlap replacement

TITLE: The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook ★★★
AUTHOR: Dinah Bucholz
GENRE: cookbook
SUBJECT: wizard recipes
DATE READ: November 16
NO. OF PAGES: 22
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Class Schedule

Just a short little cookbook that was filled with imaginary recipes for the wizards of the world, some might even appeal to muggles.

Second Overlap Replacement

TITLE: Sketch Me if you Can ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Sharon Pape
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: ghosts, unsolved cases
SETTING: Suffolk County New York
CHARACTERS: Aurora (Rory) McCain, Zeke Drummond, Vince Conti
DATE READ: November 16 - November 18
NO. OF PAGES: 218
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Nook Stockpile
CATEGORY: Class Schedule

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3.5
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.8

Rory McCain, a police sketch artist, has inherited her uncle's PI agency and his renovated home. When she moves in, she is also presented with the resident ghost, Zeke Drummond who insists that he help her when she decides to work on one of the cases that was left open by her uncle's sudden death.

This was a great start for a new cozy mystery series - the two major characters are well-written and the story had the clues interwoven quite cleverly. Definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

Sounds like a modern Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Do you think there might be a paranormal romance in their cards?

There wasn't any inkling in that direction. I got the impression it was going to be more a big brother type relationship.

Third Overlap Replacement

TITLE: Doctored evidence ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: blackmail, reclusiveness
SETTING: Venice, Italy
CHARACTERS: Commissario Brunetti, Maria Battestini, Signorina Elettra, Inspector Vianello, Signora Gismondi
DATE READ: November 20 - November 23
NO. OF PAGES: 321
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: No, Public Library
CATEGORY: Speech Class

PLOT:...............................4
CHARACTERIZATION:........4
TOPICS:............................3.5
STYLE:...............................4
ORIGINALITY:....................3
ADDICTIVENESS:...............3.5
OWNERSHIP:.....................3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY:........3.5
Average......................................................3.63

Commissario Brunetti has taken a holiday and when he returns he finds that Lt Scarpa has overseen a murder and closed the case without apparent due diligence. So when Brunetti is confronted with a witness whose evidence Scarpa ignores, Guido sets out to clear the reputation of the alleged killer and find the true culprit.

The clues in this mystery were well-hidden and the characters involved were not necessarily like-able but did appear as they needed to be. I really liked this installment, maybe one of my favorites.

Fourth Overlap Replacement

TITLE: The Hangman ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Louise Penny
GENRE: Mystery/Novella
SUBJECT: Revenge
SETTING: Three Pines, Canada
CHARACTERS: Armand Gamache, Jean Guy Beauvoir
DATE READ: 11/23/2012
NO. OF PAGES: 73
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, Kindle for PC
CATEGORY: Class Schedule

PLOT:.....................................4
CHARACTERIZATION:..............4
TOPICS:..................................3.5
STYLE:....................................4
ORIGINALITY:.........................3
ADDICTIVENESS:....................3.5
OWNERSHIP:..........................3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.............3.5
Average....................................................................3.6

In this short story Inspector Gamache is summon to the area of Three Pines because a body has been found hanging in the woods, an apparent suicide. But Gamache thinks otherwise. No identification on the body doesn't stop the police, his effects have been found in at the nearby B&B.

Investigation into the victim's history reveals motive as well as direction to the killer.

A fascinating short story that held all the same ingredients of Penny's full-length novels but not all the complexities.

Fifth Overlap Replacement

TITLE: The Great Bridge ★★★¾
AUTHOR: David McCullough
GENRE: History
SUBJECT: Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge
SETTING: New York, NY
CHARACTERS: Washington Roebling, Emily Roebling,
DATE READ: November 21 - November 25
NO. OF PAGES: 608
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, public library
CATEGORY: History Class

PLOT:...............................................4
CHARACTERIZATION:........................3.5
TOPICS:...........................................4
STYLE:..............................................4
ORIGINALITY:...................................4
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................3.5
OWNERSHIP:....................................3
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.......................4
Average......................................................................3.75

The Brooklyn Bridge - just the words conjure up the image of a stately icon with twinkling lights and a spider-like web of cables. But it is so much more. The Brooklyn Bridge completed in 1883 replaced nearly all the dozens of ferries that had been used to transport goods and people from Brooklyn into New York City. At the time of its construction Brooklyn was not part of the city, but due to the connection and constant traffic eventually Brooklyn became one of the 5 boroughs of the city.

The construction was the greatest of its day but not without its difficulties. The caissons built for the massive spans resulted in 12 deaths due to "caissons disease" or what we now call the bends. Men worked deep below the river in areas using compressed air and without knowledge of the effects, no decompression was used for the workers. In fact, the General Engineer, Washington Roebling, suffered from the debilitating effects of the bends for over 30 years and because of it, he was unable to be present at the open ceremonies or be the first to cross the bridge (his wife had that honor).

This book is an engaging chronicle of the efforts of Washington Roebling and the men who struggled to create and build this masterpiece of engineering. The author makes it seem like a love story as well as a documentation of a building of a Landmark.

6th Overlap replacement

TITLE: Rumpole Misbehaves ★★½
AUTHOR: John Mortimer
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: British Legal system
SETTING: London, UK
CHARACTERS: Horace Rumpole
DATE READ: November 25
NO. OF PAGES: 183
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Public Library
CATEGORY: English Lit

PLOT:................................................2
CHARACTERIZATION:........................3
TOPICS:............................................2.5
STYLE:..............................................3
ORIGINALITY:...................................3
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................2
OWNERSHIP:....................................2
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.......................2
Average...........................................................2.44

Thus book is a short collection of anecdotes surrounding the main character, Horace Rumpole, an irascible British barrister (lawyer) who listens to no one and does his own thing but is a very competent defense attorney.

I read these books (actually audio versions) with my husband who loves Rumpole. Personally, I can take him or leave, but they are quick and somewhat entertaining.

7th Overlap Replacement

TITLE: Fixer Upper ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Mary Kay Andrews
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: self-assertion, family, political corruption
SETTING: Guthrie GA
CHARACTERS: Dempsey Killebrew, T Carter Berryhill III, Carter Berryhill, Ella Kate
DATE READ: November 9 - November 27
NO. OF PAGES: 680
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Public Library Large Print
CATEGORY: Extra curricular activites

PLOT:..........................................3.5
CHARACTERIZATION:..................3.5
TOPICS:......................................3.5
STYLE:.........................................4
ORIGINALITY:..............................3.5
ADDICTIVENESS:.........................4
OWNERSHIP:...............................4
THRESHOLD QUALITY:..................4
Average.....................................................................3.75


Dempsey Killebrew, Georgetown Law grad, has been caught up in a DC scandal at the lobbyist where she was employed. Fired and without means to get a good job for the near future, Dempsey heads to her father's ancestral home (he just inherited) to hide out and make the house ready for sale. Her arrival in the small town of Guthrie GA is not met with applause (not that she was expected it but she didn't expect hostility either.)

While nursing her wounds, she is tracked down and threatened by the FBI to cooperate in a sting to catch the head of the lobby (her old boss) and a dirty congressman. At the same time, the house needs not just a coat of paint but major renovations which don't make an irascible elderly cousin/squatter very happy.

The book was fun and entertaining and caused some very heated discussion at my book club.

@ 92 -- I'm curious -- what caused the heated discussion?

Yes - do tell!

ETA- Unless it involves spoilers..

No spoilers - there were different opinions about the main character and her abilities and choices. Some people felt she was too flighty and others were happy to see the personal growth throughout. There were a lot of different issues that were touched upon in the book - not full force but at least brought to the forefront that the main character was hit with and had to learn to adapt to.

NOVEMBER RECAP
I completed my 12 in 12 challenge as well as a few good books while traveling to visit my grandchildren at the holidays. I'm 2/3 through a second 75 challenge (not that I think I'll complete that but I does amaze me that I'm so far along again.) The last month of the year is here and though I'm busy with holiday preparations and party planning, I'll still be reading and a very leisurely pace. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

November: 5 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 0 new: 0 ARC - 1 books.
Best of the Month: Empires of Light
The worst of the month - Rumpole Misbehaves

Here's what I read this month:

Thirteenth tale ♫ ★★★¾
Border Lord and the lady ★★★
Empires of Light ★★★★
Just Desserts ★★½
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook ★★★
Sketch Me If You Can ★★★¾
Doctored evidence ★★★
The Hangman ★★★¾
Great Bridge ★★★¾
Rumpole Misbehaves ★★½
Fixer Upper ★★★¾

I. 1. Class schedule - Nook Books/Net galley 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
4 overlaps

II. Study Hall - Mysteries 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlaps
Just Desserts
III. Home Economics - crafts and home themed books 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
3 overlaps

IV. History - USPC and background reconstruction thru 1900 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
0 overlaps
Empires of Light

V. English Lit - mysteries set in Great Britian 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
2 overlaps

VI. Lunch - leftovers, culinary and game themed books 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
1 overlaps
Border Lord and the lady

VII. Foreign languages - foreign settings 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlap

VIII. Speech Class - Audiobooks 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
0 Overlaps
Thirteenth tale ♫

IX. Homework - TBRs 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
6 overlaps


X. Math - 1st,2nd, 3rd….. Series books 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
NO OVERLAPS


XI. Geography - euro and 50 state challenges 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlaps

XII. Extra curricular activites - group reads or recommended by LTers 12/12
CATEGORY COMPLETED
5 overlaps

Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
2 books History
1 book Health
0 book memoirs
Fiction:
Novels: 1
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery:6
Historical Fiction: 1
Classic: 0

Books for next month: Holiday books abound!
The Orchid Murder
Too Many Murders: A Carmine Delmonico Novel
The Aluminum Christmas Tree: A Novel
The Christmas Homecoming
the Christmas Star
Being Santa Claus: What I Learned about the True Meaning of Christmas
The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society
The Don't Sweat Guide to Holidays
A Christmas Journey
The Chester A Arthur Conspiracy
75 Simple Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

Congratulations for completing your challenge. Well done! Enjoy your holidays!

Congratulations!

It looks like you have some good books lined up to read between holiday activities.

Congratulations!

8th Overlap Replacement

TITLE: 500 Appetizers ★★½
AUTHOR: Susannah Blake
GENRE: Cookbook
SUBJECT: recipes
DATE READ: December 5
NO. OF PAGES: 282
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, new cookbook
CATEGORY: Home Ec


I bought this book because I was planning a party and wanted to make some new appetizers but after going through all the recipes, nothing seemed right. The recipes were either too odd as to their ingredients, too spicy for everyone to enjoy, or too difficult to make in large quantities. May a small dinner party would be good for some of these, but not a party.

9th Overlap Replacement

TITLE: The Orchid Murder ★★★★
AUTHOR: Christine Hunt
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: civil judgment, legal malpractice
SETTING: Minneapolos, MN
CHARACTERS: Norm Wartnick, Jerry Snider, Joe Friedberg
DATE READ: November 25 - December 6
NO. OF PAGES: 360
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, NetGalley
CATEGORY: Class Schedule

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.5
TOPICS: 3.5
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.88

I'm not exactly sure how to describe this fascinating book.
It wasn't what I expected, but it was riveting just the same. I thought from the title and description that it was going to be the typical murder mystery and in the end we find out who did it. Nope, this was a murder mystery but we never found out who the killer was. Why? because it was a true story and it centered around a man who was never convicted of a crime but was sued in civil court for the wrongful death of the victim. So, you think, okay, OJ was convicted of wrongful death. But this guy didn't do it and with a totally incompetent attorney, the judgment against him destroyed his life and livelihood.

That's the setup and the book takes the reader through the process of suing his attorney for legal malpractice. It was fascinating, a little dry but I learned a great deal about the legal process and what is expected from a lawyer's representation.

10th Overlap Replacement

TITLE: Too Many Murders: A Carmine Delmonico Novel ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Colleen McCullough
GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: mass murder
SETTING: Holloman, CT
CHARACTERS: Carmine Delmonico, Abe Goldberg, Corey Marshall, Dr. Erica Davenport,
DATE READ: December 2 - December 7
NO. OF PAGES: 384
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, audio stockpille
CATEGORY: Study Hall

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 4
TOPICS: 3.5
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.5
OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.5
Average 3.6


Holloman CT, a small university town, is overwhelmed with a dozen murders in one 24 hour period on April 3, 1967. There doesn't seem to be any kind of connection - the victims range from the CEO of a major conglomerate to an 18 month old Down Syndrome baby. None of the victims is killed in the same manner, but Carmine Delmonico, the head of the homicide division in the town is sure there has to be a connection.

The investigation into each death and eventual connections, draws Delmonico and others into a dangerous and threatening situations. The reader is taken on a roller coaster ride of questions and answers that eventually lead to a satisfactory conclusion.

11th Overlap replacement

TITLE: A Christmas Homecoming ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: Dracula
SETTING: Whitby, England UK
CHARACTERS: Caroline Fielding, Joshua Fielding, Alice Netheridge
DATE READ: December 7 - December 9
NO. OF PAGES: 224
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Nook purchase 2012
CATEGORY: Extra curricular activities

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.5
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 3.5
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 4
Average 3.75

Anne Perry, well-known mystery writer pens a Christmas mystery every year centering around a minor character from one of her series. This Christmas novella finds us with Caroline and Joshua Fielding, the mother and stepfather of Charlotte Pitt.

Joshua and actor has been invited to Whitby to perform a play written by a potential backer's young daughter. The play is an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. A major snowstorm dumps feet of snow in the area and the occupants of the Netheridge home are trapped right before Christmas. Need rehearsal, this causes no issues until a stranger who had also been stranded at the house, is found murdered with a stake through his heart.

What fun this mystery was especially since I was reading this for my December book club and in October we had read Dracula. It was so fun to see Dracula from another vantage point.

12th overlap replacement

TITLE: Being Santa Claus: What I Learned about the True Meaning of Christmas ★★★½
AUTHOR: Sal Lizard
GENRE: Memoir
SUBJECT: Professional Santas
SETTING: USA
CHARACTERS: Santa
DATE READ: December 10 - December 11
NO. OF PAGES: 228
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, Nook purchase 2012
CATEGORY: Class Schedule

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 4
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 4
ORIGINALITY: 3.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2.5
Average 3.56

The holidays are here and getting into the spirit means what better book could be read than the memoirs of "Santa".

This was a lighthearted and heartwarming story of how one man who had the natural appearance of Santa Claus took on the job and the persona of the jolly man himself. Loads of fun and one that I will probably re-read every year just for the spirit of Santa!

13th overlap replacement

TITLE: The Aluminum Christmas Tree: A Novel ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Thomas Davis
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: memories
SETTING: South, USA
CHARACTERS: Mildred Jackson, Jim Jackson, Caleb Smith, Joyce Smith
DATE READ: December 11 - December 13
NO. OF PAGES: 228
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes,Gift from a friend
CATEGORY: Lunch

PLOT: 3.5 CHARACTERIZATION: 3 TOPICS: 3 ORIGINALITY: 3 STYLE: 3 ADDICTIVENESS: 3 OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3
Average 3.13

Mildred Jackson is preparing to move out of the home that she shared with her late husband Jim, and the packing brings a whole set of memories, both good and bad flooding to the surface topped off by the Aluminum Christmas Tree.

So many of us sit and reminisce around the holidays, so what better trigger for those memories than a specific Christmas tree. The story that was told in this book was of a couple who battled through hard times and shared those as well as the good.

I want to thank my friend whisper1 (Linda) for sending this book to me. One that may become a perennial favorite.

I'm in just the mood today to add this to my wihslist. One of these years, I'll get a chance to read Christmas books at Christmas.

One of these years, I'll get a chance to read Christmas books at Christmas.

;-)

14th Overlap replacement

TITLE: A Christmas Promise ★★★
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: friendship, drug trade
SETTING: London, England, UK
CHARACTERS: Gracie Phipps, Minnie Maude Mudway, Mr. Balthasar,
DATE READ: December 10 - December 14
NO. OF PAGES: 208
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: No, Public Library
CATEGORY: Extra curricular activities

PLOT: 3
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3
STYLE: 3.5
ORIGINALITY: 3
ADDICTIVENESS: 3
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3
Average 3.1

Gracie Phipps, a young girl living in the poorer section of London befriends an 8 year old who is wandering the streets searching for her lost donkey. The child fears that her donkey will not find his way home and that she must track him down.

Their adventures take them into the seedier parts of the city but throughout the friendship forged between the two young girls aids them to their unusual conclusion.

15th overlap replacement

TITLE: A Christmas Odyssey ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: redemption, prodigal's return, searching
SETTING: London, England, UK
CHARACTERS: Henry Rathbone, Squeaky Robinson Dr. Crow, Lucien Wentworth
DATE READ: December 15 - December 17
NO. OF PAGES: 208
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: No, Public Library
CATEGORY: Extra curricular activities

PLOT: 3.5
CHARACTERIZATION: 3.5
TOPICS: 3.5
STYLE: 3.5
ORIGINALITY: 3
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 3.5
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 3.5
Average 3.50

Henry Rathbone is entreated by a friend to find his son,Lucien, who has fallen into depravity and is lost in the dregs of London. With help from acquaintances of his own son, Henry dives into the London underground for his quest.

The adventures of all lead to an expected conclusion but still satisfactory.

I am looking forward to reading Anne Perry's Christmas books in 2013 during the year long group read so happy to see I am safe to choose any (or all) of her Christmas books for some enjoyable/satisfactory reading!

Have a Merry Christmas, Cheli.

I already stopped by your thread in the 75 group but wanted to say here that I am looking forward to following your reading over on the 2013 challenge, Cheli! Merry Christmas!

16th overlap replacement

TITLE: The Christmas Star ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Ace Collins
GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: youthful rebellion, heroes
SETTING: Ash Flat AR
CHARACTERS: Jimmy Reed, Marge Reed, Robert Reed, Calvin Jenkins
DATE READ: December 18 - December 19
NO. OF PAGES: 228
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, ARC
CATEGORY: Homework

PLOT:................................3.5
CHARACTERIZATION:.........3.5
TOPICS:.............................3.5
STYLE:...............................3.5
ORIGINALITY:....................2.5
ADDICTIVENESS:...............3
OWNERSHIP:.....................3
THRESHOLD QUALITY:........2.5
Average..............................................3.13

Jimmy Reed is angry, his father, during the war died while earning the Congressional Medal of Honor, and now his mother wants to remind him by hanging the medal on the tree as the star.

But Jimmy is in a rebellious strange that is getting him into a bunch of trouble - trouble that residents in town see as tarnishing his father's memory.

As Jimmy learns more and more about his father, he realizes that he needs to make changes and take responsibility for his actions.

This book has fell good mood to it - just right for the holidays.

17th overlap replacement

TITLE: A Christmas Visitor ★★★
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
SUBJECT: honor, fraud, forgery
SETTING: England, UK
CHARACTERS: Henry Rathbone
DATE READ: December 13 - December 20
NO. OF PAGES: 192
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: no, OD Public Library
CATEGORY: Foreign Languages

PLOT:...................................................3.5
CHARACTERIZATION:............................3
TOPICS:...............................................3
STYLE:..................................................3.5
ORIGINALITY:.......................................3
ADDICTIVENESS:..................................3
OWNERSHIP:.......................................3
THRESHOLD QUALITY:..........................3
Average...........................................................................3.13

Another of Anne Perry's Christmas novellas centers around Henry Rathbone's efforts to clear the name of his friend Judah Dreghorn, who has died suddenly in what appears to be an accident but is discovered to be murder.

This was an interesting rendition of a postmortem revelation of a character who has done wrong but without knowledge of the injustice until the very end.

18th Overlap replacement

TITLE: The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society ★★★
AUTHOR: Darian Gee
GENRE: fiction
SUBJECT: memories
SETTING: Avalon, IL
CHARACTERS: Bettie Shelton, Yvonne Tate, Isabel Kidd
DATE READ: December 20 - December 26
NO. OF PAGES: 405
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes,ER
CATEGORY: Lunch

PLOT:.......................................3.5
CHARACTERIZATION:................3
TOPICS:....................................2.5
STYLE:......................................3
ORIGINALITY:............................2.5
ADDICTIVENESS:......................3
OWNERSHIP:............................3
THRESHOLD QUALITY:...............2.5
Average.......................................................2.88

Bettie Shelton, president of the Avalon Scrapbooking Society, takes an interest in everyone's life in Avalon IL. She will order people who are not interested in participating in scrapbooking to come to meetings, host meetings, pick up supplies.

Other characters in this novel, are somewhat one dimensional or placed in the scenario for a specific purpose. The Tea shop which hosts several events has an owner and manager that also kowtow to Bettie's demands while at the same time as they are handling their own emotional issues. But Bettie is the central character who supposedly ties everyone together but the connection often falls short.

When I started this book I saw many similarities between this book and Laura Childs Tea Shoppe mysteries and Scrapbooking mysteries. However, the comparison is not favorable to ALSS. There is no flow that takes the reader from one character's tale and back again even though Bettie is the link. The relationships appear very disjointed and contrived.

That's too bad. I enjoyed her first book Friendship Bread which I got as an ER book. I'll have to think about this one, I guess.

19th Overlap replacement

TITLE: The Christmas Dog ★★★
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
GENRE: fiction
SUBJECT: forgiveness, neighbors

CHARACTERS: Betty, Avery, Jack
DATE READ: December 29 - December 30
NO. OF PAGES: 133
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes,Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Class Schedule

PLOT: 3.5
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 3
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 2.5
ADDICTIVENESS: 3
OWNERSHIP: 3
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2.5
Average 2.94

Betty is an elderly widow, living in the same neighborhood for years, but things are changing. Old friends are dying or moving away and new neighbors are not very neighborly. Add to that a stray dog that frequents her backyard and her favorite dogwood, and Betty is not happy.

Enter Betty's missing granddaughter and you have the scenario of a young woman making friends with the nasty neighbor and also falling for the stray dog.

It was entertaining but not very emotion grabbing. Just a cute story.

DECEMBER RECAP
December was a month filled with Holiday readings - the 12 books read were used for overlap replacements in the 12 in 12 challenge. Ever since joining LT, I've always been hurrying to finish my challenges in December but this year I finished early and was able to just sit back and read a bundle of Christmas books. What fun!

December: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 4 new: 2 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Orchid Murder
The worst of the month - 500 Appetizers
Here's what I read this month:

500 Appetizers ★★½
Orchid Murder ★★★★
Too Many Murders: A Carmine Delmonico Novel ★★★★
The Christmas Homecoming ★★★★
Being Santa Claus: What I Learned about the True Meaning of Christmas ★★★½
The Aluminum Christmas Tree: A Novel ★★★½
A Christmas PROMISE ★★★½
A Christmas Odyssey ★★★¼
A Christmas Star ★★★¼
A Christmas Visitor ★★★¼
The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society ★★★
The Christmas Dog ★★★



Genre Summary

Nonfiction:
2 books History
1 book Health
0 book memoirs
Fiction:
Novels: 2
Youth/Children: 0
Mystery:6
Historical Fiction: 1
Classic: 0

Shortly, 2012 will be a memory, so it's time to look back at the books of 2012 and recap how those books were appreciated(?).

January: 2 pre-owned : 4 borrowed : 0 ARC - 6 books.
Best of the Month: Crunch Time
February: 5 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 1 new: 1 ARC - 13 books.
Best of the Month: Trick of the Light and Forgotten Garden
The worst of the month - Great Expectations
March: 4 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 2 new: 2 ARC - 13 books.
Best of the Month: Diva runs out of Thyme just barely squeaked by Affairs of Steak
Least Favorite of the Month: Remains to be Scene
April: 4 pre-owned: 9 borrowed: 0 new: 2 ARC - 15 books.
Best of the Month: Hunger Games
Least Favorite of the Month: Elegance of the Hedgehog
May: 0 pre-owned:8 borrowed: 0 new: 1 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Grant
The worst of the month - Burn
June: 2 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 1 new: 0 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Sprinkle with Murder
The worst of the month - Rutherford B. Hayes
JULY: 1 pre-owned: 8 borrowed: 0 new: 2 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: True Justice
The worst of the month - The Colfax massacre
August: 4 pre-owned: 3 borrowed: 1 new: 4 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Organize Your Corpses
The worst of the month - Winter Palace
September: 4 pre-owned: 5 borrowed: 2 new: 1 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Cleopatra: A Life (Hard decision so many to choose from)
The worst of the month - From the tow-path to the White House
October: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 0 new: 4 ARC - 9 books.
Best of the Month: Princess Elizabeth's Spy
The worst of the month - Frozen Thames
November: 5 pre-owned: 6 borrowed: 0 new: 0 ARC - 11 books.
Best of the Month: Empires of Light
The worst of the month - Rumpole Misbehaves
December: 2 pre-owned: 4 borrowed: 4 new: 2 ARC - 12 books.
Best of the Month: Orchid Murder
The worst of the month - 500 Appetizers


Favorites of 2012:
Grant
Trick of the Light
Forgotten Garden - Best of the 2012
Hunger Games
Diva Runs out of Time
Cleopatra: A Life
Queen Elizabeth's Spy
The Inn at Rose Harbor: A Novel
Destiny of the Republic
Orchid Murder

Rutherford Birchard Hayes: The Life and Death of Rutherford B. Hayes Worst of 2012


Yearly total
Books Read - Owned 64 (Pages: 21,654)
Books Read - Borrowed 24 (Pages: 7,530)
Audio Books heard - 45 (Pages:17,959 492¼hours)

Total Completed
49 books, 45 audio books, 39 e-books - 47,143 pages
114 fiction; 19 nonfiction
10 New books
81 Pre-Owned
27 borrowed (library and friends/family)
15 for review - 7 ARCs/8 ERs

Challenge progress
75 book Challenge 133/75
12 in 12 Challenge completed with only 11 overlaps of 32 allowed
50 State Challenge 41/51 + DC
Endless European Challenge 16/49
96/80 BOMBS

New Books acquired
37 Books purchased - $180 (Tim - 2/$30) - 10 READ
25 Books won (ER, ARC, GIVEAWAYS, Netgalleys) in 2012 - 15 READ
106 Books received for no cost

29 new ARDs - 15 read
139 new e-books - 10 read.....................28 on top of selection list for 2013

So to all who have visited and shared my ramblings in 2012,

Wow! Those are some pretty detailed details!

Phew, impressive reading list! Glad you liked The Forgotten Garden so much, as it's on my TBR shelves.

That's a good year end wrap-up. I'm glad you enjoyed your free reading time.