Christina reads her own tomes in 2014

My 2014 ROOT Challenge

Hello, all! I'm very excited to participate in my second ROOT challenge. Last year, I set myself an easy (or so I thought) goal of 20 books; but to my surprise, I just barely managed to meet that goal! So this year, I will aim to surpass my 2013 reading by just one book, for a new goal of 21 books. I will only count books that I acquired before January 1, 2014, and I won't include re-reads. E-books also don't count, since they don't take up space on my shelves. Good luck to all, and happy reading!




Books read:

1. Mary Miley, The Impersonator (acquired 11/10/13)
2. Julia Quinn, Just Like Heaven (acquired 1/1/13)
3. Chris Wooding, Retribution Falls (acquired 9/3/11)
4. Emma Newman, Between Two Thorns (acquired 4/1/13)
5. Susanna Kearsley, The Shadowy Horses (acquired 1/20/13)
6. Charlotte Mosley, ed., The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh (acquired 10/22/11)
7. Sarra Manning, Unsticky (acquired 12/16/13)
8. Lois McMaster Bujold, Young Miles (acquired 12/4/13)
9. Georgette Heyer, The Spanish Bride (acquired 4/12/08)
10. P.G. Wodehouse, The World of Jeeves (acquired 4/23/10)
11. Caprice Crane, With a Little Luck (acquired 8/20/11)
12. Hannah March, The Complaint of the Dove (acquired 10/9/13)
13. Frank Baker, Miss Hargreaves (acquired 4/8/11)
14. Polly Shulman, The Grimm Legacy (acquired 4/20/13)
15. Anne Sexton, Transformations (acquired 9/3/11)
16. Sharon Kay Penman, The Sunne in Splendour (acquired 8/8/06 or before)
17. Juliet Marillier, Blade of Fortriu (acquired 4/28/13)
18. Michael Innes, Death at the President's Lodging (acquired 9/29/13)
19. Elizabeth Wein, Rose Under Fire (acquired 9/21/13)
20. E.F. Benson, Mrs. Ames (acquired 8/6/13)
21. Ben Macintyre, Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies (acquired 6/15/13)
_____

22. M.M. Kaye, Death in the Andamans (acquired 6/24/13)
23. Tana French, In the Woods (acquired 8/16/10)
24. Georgette Heyer, A Blunt Instrument (acquired 4/21/11)
25. Julie James, Love Irresistibly (acquired 4/8/13)
26. Richard Stark, The Hunter (acquired 9/29/12)
27. Christopher Morley, The Haunted Bookshop (acquired 4/28/13)
28. D.E. Stevenson, The Young Clementina (acquired 7/4/13)
29. Charlotte Mosley, ed., In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor (acquired 4/28/13)
30. A.A. Milne, The Red House Mystery (acquired 4/13/13)
31. Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants (acquired 3/16/11)
32. Karin Lowachee, The Gaslight Dogs (acquired 5/30/10)
33. Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind (acquired 10/2/10)
34. Ada Leverson, Love's Shadow (acquired 9/25/11)
35. Shusaku Endo, Silence (acquired 4/28/13)
36. Kate Lord Brown, The Beauty Chorus (acquired 4/2/12)
37. Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens (acquired 1/14/10)
38. Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth (acquired 7/28/11)
39. Rachel Ferguson, The Brontës Went to Woolworths (acquired 10/2/10)
40. Ben H. Winters, The Last Policeman (acquired 9/28/13)
41. D.E. Stevenson, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (acquired 3/16/11)
42. Kate Ross, The Devil in Music (acquired 4/23/10)
43. Connie Willis, Miracle and Other Christmas Stories (acquired 3/14/12)

Good luck to you too, Christina!

Thanks, Connie -- same to you!

Yay Christina is back! Good luck again this year! :)

Thank you! Of course, I'll mainly be tracking my reading at the 2014 Category Challenge, but I'll be sure to post the relevant reviews here too.

Hi Christina! Good luck and happy reading!

Good Luck!

Thanks, Caroline and avanders!

Cheering you on!
Happy reading!

Just here to drop a * and to cheer you on for 2014!

LadyBookworth, thanks and same to you!

Laura, good to see you again...best of luck to you (reading and otherwise) in 2014!

Glad To see you back!

Hi Christina. Good luck with your challenge.

Thanks, cyderry and rainpebble! I have already begun my first ROOT book for the year.

Book #1: Mary Miley, The Impersonator
Date Aqcuired: November 10, 2013

Leah Randall is a talented but impoverished actress who has worked on the vaudeville circuit her whole life. During the course of one performance, she notices a strange man watching her intently. Eventually this man, Oliver Beckett, approaches her with an astonishing proposal. He tells Leah the story of his niece, Jessie Carr, heiress to a substantial fortune, who vanished from her home several years ago without a trace. Leah bears a striking resemblance to Jessie, so Oliver proposes a scheme: Leah will pose as Jessie and return "home" to claim her inheritance, which she will then split with Oliver. At first Leah wants nothing to do with it, but when she is fired from her vaudeville act and can't get other work, she eventually reconsiders. With Oliver's help, she assumes Jessie Carr's identity and travels to the Carrs' home in Oregon. But the more time she spends with the Carrs, the more she becomes determined to discover what really happened to Jessie all those years ago.

If you read that plot summary and thought, "That sounds an awful lot like Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey," well, you'd be right. The premise is exactly the same -- Miley even acknowledges that Tey's novel was the main inspiration for her own -- but I enjoyed Miley's novel in its own right. I especially liked the period details about vaudeville, speakeasies, and other highlights of life in the 1920s. There were even references to some Supreme Court cases of the era, which I appreciated as a law school survivor. I also liked Leah's narrative voice: she's plain-spoken, independent, and very aware of both her talents and her flaws. The thing is, though, Brat Farrar is still by far the superior book. Miley's novel is a bit disorganized at times, including several subplots that are more distracting than intriguing. I also hated the romantic aspect of this book; it was unbelievable and underdeveloped. I did enjoy the book overall and found it very readable, but if the premise sounds interesting to you, you should really just read the original instead!

Book #2: Julia Quinn, Just Like Heaven
Date Acquired: January 1, 2013

Lady Honoria Smythe-Smith is desperate to be married. Though she is part of a large, affectionate family, things have been very quiet in her parents' house ever since her brother Daniel fled England after seriously wounding a man in a duel. Honoria longs to start her own family and once again feel surrounded by love; and as an added bonus, once she is married, she'll no longer have to perform at the Smythe-Smiths' infamous musicales. Meanwhile, Marcus Holroyd, the Earl of Chatteris, is Daniel's best friend and has always felt more at home with the Smythe-Smiths than with his own distant family. Marcus and Honoria have always been friendly, but when a sprained ankle and a dangerous illness throw them together, they both begin to suspect that their relationship is deepening into something more.

I basically picked up this book for two reasons: 1) It shares a title with a really great Cure song, and 2) I'm a sucker for ridiculous British surnames. Fortunately, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit! Marcus is a delightful hero; he comes across as proud and brooding, but only because he feels shy and socially awkward (shades of Mr. Darcy!). And Honoria is a sweet girl with just enough humor to keep her from being insipid. Somewhat unusually for a Regency romance, most of this book doesn't take place during the London Season; rather, Honoria spends a good portion of it nursing Marcus back to health from a life-threatening fever. Some might find the sickroom scenes tedious, but to me they underscored why Marcus and Honoria make such a great pair. All in all, I'd definitely recommend this light, quick read to fans of Regency romances, and I'll probably pick up something else by Julia Quinn in the future.

I enjoy Julia Quinn's books and like the fact that the Smythe-Smith infamous musicales are a running device through them. Sometimes the heroine is actually one of the hapless musicians on stage - if she can't find some way to get out of it.

Yup, Honoria was one of the unlucky ones in this book! But I really enjoyed her conversations with her cousins during their "rehearsals" for the musicale. I think I may have liked them even more if I had read the Bridgerton series, which seems to overlap with this one somewhat.

Wow 3 books down already, congratulations on that! That's a really great start!

Thanks, Tallulah_Rose! Actually, I've only finished 2 so far, but I'm almost done with Retribution Falls, so that will make 3. I doubt I can keep up this momentum throughout the year, though!

Book #3: Chris Wooding, Retribution Falls
Date Acquired: September 3, 2011

Darian Frey is a freebooter and small-time criminal whose most treasured possession is his airship, the Ketty Jay. His so-called "crew" is disorganized and questionably competent, and they all have something to hide. Crake, a daemonist whose magical skills have made him an outcast, is crumbling under the weight of a guilty consience. Jez, the new navigator, can't let anyone know about her mysterious secret abilities. The ship's doctor, Malvery, is a drunk, and outflier pilot Harkins has been completely traumatized by the Aerium Wars. Frey and his motley collection of renegades travel around taking odd jobs, but they barely make enough money to live on. That is, until Frey is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: steal the cargo of a particular airship and receive fifty thousand ducats as payment. The offer seems too good to be true, and it is -- the target airship turns out to be carrying the heir to the Archduchy, who is killed when the Ketty Jay attacks. Now Frey and his crew are on the run, but Frey is determined to discover who set him up and why -- even if it means losing the freedom and detachment that are so precious to him.

This book, quite simply, was a ton of fun! I picked it up at a Borders going-out-of-business sale because the premise reminded me of "Firefly," and if you enjoy that type of space Western with a healthy dose of grim humor, I think you'll really enjoy this book! The plot is predictable but packed with action, and the pacing is great, but my favorite part of the book was definitely the characters. I really liked the way Frey was portrayed; he's definitely no hero -- selfish, misogynistic, irresponsible, and entitled -- but he does grow and change throughout the course of the novel. I loved the other characters too, particularly Crake and Jez, both of whom I'd like to learn a lot more about! I think one weakness of sci fi/fantasy/adventure novels is that they tend to make the characters too heroic or powerful right from the start. But in this book, nobody is a hero until (arguably) the very end; the characters actually develop throughout the book. For this reason, the book really exceeded my expectations, and I'm thrilled to discover that it's actually the first book in a series! It can be read as a stand-alone, but I will definitely be continuing to read about the Ketty Jay and its swashbuckling crew!

That does sound good! Will have to hunt it up for my SFF category.

Indeed, this looks like a real swashbuckler. Noted for forther reference. Thanks!

Hope you like it, RP! And yes, MissWatson, it swashes and buckles with the best of them! :)

That book reall sounds like fun, but I'm quite sure that it is not 100% up may alley, so I won't add it to my wishlist for now (phew).

@ 25 -- Fair enough, Tallulah_Rose! If you ever do decide to give it a try, I'll be interested to see what you think!

Book #4: Emma Newman, Between Two Thorns
Date Acquired: April 1, 2013

This novel follows three different characters as their stories intertwine in a fantastical world. First there's Sam, a middle-aged drunkard with marital problems who find himself running afoul of powerful creatures that he never knew existed. Then there's Cathy, the daughter of a noble family in the Nether, a world that mirrors our own world (known to those in the Nether as Mundanus). Folk in the Nether are patronized by various Fae overlords, so they have access to magic -- but they are also beholden to the dangerous, capricious Fae. Cathy desperately wants to escape her life in the Nether and has been studying at Cambridge in Mundanus, but eventually her family and her Fae patron catch up with her. And finally, there is Max, an Arbiter whose job is to protect mundanes from Fae interference. But something is wrong with the Arbiters in Bath and London, and it just might be connected to a Fae-based power struggle in the Nether.

I think my summary of the plot is pretty confusing; but to be fair, the book itself is pretty confusing too! If you like a lot of world-building, you'll probably find a lot to enjoy. The Nether is essentially a world that is connected to the Fae (although its inhabitants are all humans), and it has the general atmosphere of 18th- or 19th-century England. Cathy is desperate to escape to Mundanus because she doesn't want to be forced into an arranged marriage and become some man's property. I found her story easiest to follow, and therefore I enjoyed it the most, although I think Cathy is a bit of a Mary Sue. Max is a more interesting character -- I liked the idea that Arbiters' souls are disconnected from their bodies so that they can remain emotionless and therefore uncorruptible. Nonetheless, I'm still not entirely clear on what Arbiters do, and obviously there is much more to be revealed in the sequels. In fact, my biggest complaint with the book is that it's really just a setup for the subsequent books; none of the storylines are really resolved. Still, I liked the world-building enough that I will probably give the next book a chance.

Book #5: Susanna Kearsley, The Shadowy Horses
Date Acquired: January 20, 2013

Verity Grey is a young archaeologist who has recently quit her job at the British Museum and is looking for freelance work. Her former colleague (and ex-boyfriend) Adrian tells her about a potential job in the coastal town of Eyemouth, Scotland, but he is vague about the details. Nevertheless, Verity is intrigued enough to travel to Eyemouth for an interview. There she learns that the head of the expedition, wealthy archaeologist Peter Quinnell, is hoping to find traces of the Ninth Roman Legion, which appeared in Britain in the second century A.D. and then vanished from history. Verity is excited to be part of such a potentially major find -- until she learns that Quinnell has no tangible evidence that the Ninth ever passed through Eyemouth. Rather, he is basing his expedition on the word of an eight-year-old boy who is said to have the second sight. Verity is extremely skeptical at first; but the longer she spends in Eyemouth, the more she becomes convinced that something supernatural is at work.

I was surprised to discover that, unlike many of Susanna Kearsley's other novels, this book is not a work of historical fiction; all the action takes place in the present day. Aside from that, however, The Shadowy Horses definitely has a similar feel to Kearsley's other books. There is a young, intellectual heroine who is fascinated by history; a story in the present that closely parallels a story in the past; various supernatural elements (in this case, a ghost!); and a romance. These are all things that generally appeal to me in books, but once again, I found myself unable to get emotionally involved with this novel. There is just something about Kearsley's writing that keeps me at a distance; though her books (including this one) are very readable, I'm never on the edge of my seat, dying to know what will happen next. A lack of dramatic tension, perhaps? Anyway, I did enjoy this book -- the bits about archaeology were especially fascinating, though probably a bit outdated now -- but it wasn't anything more than a pleasant read for me.

I read Kearsley's The Shadowy Horses last year and really enjoyed it. I loved Robbie and the closeness of his family), but I definitely know what you mean.

While I felt connected to The Shadowy Horses, when I read Kearsley's The Firebird soon after, with many of the same characters, I felt decidedly kept at a distance and had trouble truly engaging with what I had hoped would be a fascinating story. Especially since I was really interested in the main character's ability to sense an object's history by touching it (how utterly fascinating!) and I've had a yen to travel to St. Petersburg... but while it was a nice enough way to pass the time, I didn't get as involved as I wanted to...

Hope you enjoy your next read more!

Wow, you are really moving along!

Caramellunacy, you hit the nail on the head -- I just seem to have trouble engaging with Kearsley's books! I'm glad you enjoyed The Shadowy Horses more than I did...I will steer clear of The Firebird, though!

@ 30 -- Thanks, Connie! I am definitely planning to read a lot of books from my shelves this year. Hopefully I won't have any trouble exceeding my ROOT goal!

Book #6: Charlotte Mosley, ed., The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh
Date Acquired: October 22, 2011

"I want to write a sad story of a man who gave up drink and hated all his chums. It is me." -- Evelyn Waugh, 12 November 1944.

Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh were two of the most popular and respected authors of the early and mid-20th century; they were also lifelong friends who kept up a correspondence lasting more than two decades. This book is a collection of their letters to each other, which are full of jokes, literary allusions, and most of all gossip. They each had a very pointed, satirical sense of humor that was frequently directed at members of their own social set -- and quite often at each other. In many ways they couldn't be more different: Waugh was very conservative, old-fashioned, and staunchly Roman Catholic, while Mitford was a spiritually indifferent socialist living as an expatriate in Paris. But their correspondence reveals that they understood one another and shared a deep, affectionate friendship. Through their discussions of current events, important people, and of course books (both their own and other people's), Mitford and Waugh's letters provide a unique window into their age.

It's taken me a long time to write this review, because how can one "review" a collection of letters that weren't (necessarily) meant to be public? All I can say is that I enjoyed reading them. I've read a few books by each of these authors -- Mitford's The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, Waugh's Brideshead Revisited and A Handful of Dust -- but otherwise I didn't know much about either of them. I do think some level of familiarity with their work is helpful, but you definitely don't have to be an expert in order to enjoy these letters. They're often hilarious (how I shrieked, as Nancy would say) and also have some interesting discussions about literature. I want to read more of their books now! Of course, their chatter about mutual friends and acquaintances was hard to follow, although the editor did a fairly good job of identifying people in footnotes; but I still enjoyed this collection overall. If you're interested in early- and mid-20th-century literature, this might be a good book to seek out.

Book #7: Sarra Manning, Unsticky
Date Acquired: December 16, 2013

Grace Reeves has always known that she wanted to work in fashion, but her big dreams have been replaced by bitter reality. At 23 years old, all she has to show for herself is an unfinished degree, a terrible job that barely pays enough to live on, an abusive boss, and a mountain of credit card debt. In short, Grace is stuck and can't seem to find a way to change things. But that all changes when a wealthy older man named Vaughn presents her with a shocking offer: He wants her to become his mistress. He will give her a monthly sum and an additional clothing allowance; in return, she must be at his beck and call, accompanying him to various social events and making herself available...in every way. At first Grace is shocked and repulsed, but eventually she rationalizes that she can't turn down so much money, especially when she already finds Vaughn attractive. But as they embark on their "arrangement," Grace and Vaughn both find themselves changing in ways they never thought possible.

I finished this book several days ago, but I still find myself processing it, which is not something that usually happens to me with chick lit! At first glance, this is a Cinderella story, but it's a very dark, complex take on that idea. I'm still not sure how I feel about Grace and Vaughn's relationship. It can certainly be seen as unhealthy or even abusive: Vaughn is very controlling, and while he is never physically violent with Grace, he tends to treat her as an object he's bought and paid for. On the other hand, as we learn later in the novel, Vaughn does have reasons for being the way he is. Both he and Grace are very flawed characters who have extremely low self-worth. I admire what Manning did here, which was take two damaged, unlovable people and show them learning to love each other. This is definitely not a feel-good romance, but it feels more realistic than many books in the genre. It's also a very addictive read! So I'd definitely recommend it as a thought-provoking look at love and romance, but be aware that many aspects of this novel are uncomfortable, to say the least.

The premise reminds me of the movie "Pretty Woman".

@ 35 -- It's funny...after I read Unsticky, I saw that other reviewers had compared it to "Pretty Woman," and I was startled because that comparison hadn't even occurred to me! You're right, of course; the premise is the same. But this book takes the idea in a very different (and less fairy-tale-esque) direction!

Congrats on more roots!

Interesting how sometimes the overall premise is just like something known and familiar, but when you know the nitty gritty details, the comparison just floats over the ol head... ;). Happens to me all the time!

Book #8: Lois McMaster Bujold, Young Miles
Date Acquired: December 4, 2013

This omnibus of two novels and a novella tells the story of Miles Vorkosigan's first adventures. In The Warrior's Apprentice, Miles has just flunked out of the Imperial Academy, where he'd hoped to distinguish himself like his father, the Prime Minister of Barrayar. Instead, he consoles himself by going on a mission to help his bodyguard's daughter (and secret love), Elena. Of course, things quickly go wrong, and he finds himself at the head of a troop of space mercenaries. In The Mountains of Mourning, Miles is sent to a remote Barrayaran village to investigate the murder of a deformed child, a case that has special meaning for him. And in The Vor Game, Miles rejoins his army of mercenaries after a simple intelligence-gathering mission goes awry -- with Gregor, the Emperor of Barrayar, in tow. Miles just can't seem to stay out of trouble; but his brilliant strategic mind always keeps him one step ahead of his enemies.

I read the two books about Miles' parents, Shards of Honor and Barrayar, several years ago and really liked them. So I'm glad I finally picked up these next books about the beginning of Miles' career. I liked all three stories a lot, mostly because Miles is such a wonderfully entertaining character. In these books he's often immature, and he still has a lot of growing up to do; but he does start to change for the better when he encounters some of the harsh realities of being a commander. Miles has a tendency to bluff his way from one situaton to the next, and he eventually learns that this approach often has dangerous consequences for his subordinates. I think the weak link in this omnibus is the first half of The Vor Game; not much happens that's relevant to the later plot, and there is also a loose end with a corpse in a drainpipe that I wish had been more developed. But overall, I really enjoyed these books and would recommend them to anyone who likes space opera. I look forward to reading more about Miles and his adventures!

Excellent review! Are you participating in the year-long Vorkosigan read? I am signed up, but haven't been able to keep up with things enough to get over there much, as much as I'd love to talk Vorkosigan with others.

@ 39 -- Merryann, I've been keeping up with the Vorkosigan group read threads, but I probably won't get the chance to read any more books from the series this year. Please do drop by anytime, even if it's just for a few of the books!

Thanks Christina. I am glad it's a year-long thing as I certainly do want to get back to it. :)

Book #9: Georgette Heyer, The Spanish Bride
Date Acquired: April 12, 2008

Brigade-Major Harry Smith is a Rifleman in Wellington's army, fighting Napoleon's forces in Spain and Portugal. He participates in the Siege of Badajos, a long and drawn-out battle that results in plunder, rape, and violence when the allied British and Portuguese soldiers finally conquer the town. As Harry tries to maintain order and discipline, he is approached by two Spanish women who are seeking protection from the carnage within the city. As soon as he lays eyes on the younger of the women, Juana, he falls instantly in love with her, and she with him. Against the advice of Harry's comrades, they marry immediately, and Juana accompanies her husband throughout the rest of the Peninsular campaign. As she "follows the drum" and experiences life as a soldier, she demonstrates the courage and fiery temperament that make her a perfect match for Harry. Together, the Smiths witness history as they eventually see Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo.

I am a huge fan of Georgette Heyer's Regency romances, but I found that I had to approach this book with entirely different expectations. Although the novel features two young, passionate lovers, it is much more about military history than it is about romance. Harry and Juana Smith were actual historical figures, and Heyer got most of her information from Harry's journals, as well as from other comtemporary accounts including Wellington's own dispatches. As a result, there is a lot of great historical detail in the book, but not a lot of plot or character development. While Harry and Juana are very vivid characters, their journey is not the focus of the book. I think the trick to enjoying The Spanish Bride is viewing it as a work of military history with a few romantic touches. If you approach it that way, you'll find it very readable and entertaining. But if you go into it expecting a tale of romance and suspense with the Napoleonic Wars as a backdrop, you'll find it extremely dull! So overall, I'd recommend this book if you're interested in the time period, but you have to adjust your expectations.

Great review of The Spanish Bride. This book has been in my TBR pile for a long time but I have never read it. I love Heyer's romances, am less fond of her mysteries but I wasn't sure what one of her historic novels would be like. I think it was that fear that stopped me from reading The Spanish Bride. After your review I think that I will have the right mindset once I actually read the book. Thanks for the review, Christina.

@ 43 -- Thanks, Familyhistorian! Hope you enjoy the book if/when you do decide to read it.

Book #10: P.G. Wodehouse, The World of Jeeves
Date Acquired: April 23, 2010

This book is an omnibus of short stories describing the adventures of Bertie Wooster, an amiable but dim aristocrat in early 20th-century England, and Jeeves, the consummate gentleman's gentleman. Bertie is a friendly soul who just wants to be left alone to enjoy himself. Unfortunately, he has plenty of friends and relatives who are continually making demands on him, both financially and emotionally. His terrifying Aunt Agatha holds him in contempt, yet she is constantly trying to "improve" him and set him up with equally terrifying young females. His friend Bingo Little is always falling desperately in love with some girl or other, and for some reason he always approaches Bertie for help. Though Bertie is not overburdened with brains, he has a generous heart and usually wants to help. Good thing he has Jeeves, whose gravity and intelligence always manage to get Bertie and his friends out of whatever scrapes they're in.

What can I say about Jeeves and Wooster that the entire world hasn't said already? Wodehouse has a very specific style and brand of humor, and literally nobody does it better than he does. Bertie's narrative voice is an utter joy to read, showcasing his own lack of intelligence but also satirizing the pretentious language of some popular fiction at the time. Strangely enough, his friends and family all think of him as the village idiot, but he's probably smarter than most of his friends -- definitely wiser than poor Bingo, for example! And the interplay between Bertie and Jeeves is wonderful; Jeeves always appears completely respectful and subservient, yet he dominates Bertie mercilessly (for his own good, of course!). I definitely recommend the story "Bertie Changes His Mind," which is narrated by Jeeves and demonstrates how skillfully he is able to manipulate his employer. My one caveat is that you should pace yourself while reading this book, because the stories are all very similar and could become tedious after a while. But I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys British humor and wants a good belly laugh!

Book #11: Caprice Crane, With a Little Luck
Date Acquired: August 20, 2011

Classic rock DJ Beryl "Berry" Lambert claims she doesn't believe in luck; but thanks to her gambling-addict father, she has a superstition for almost every occasion. She wears a horseshoe necklace at all times, is appalled when someone opens an umbrella indoors, and believes bad luck comes in threes. So when perpetually single Berry goes on two promising first dates that both end in disaster, she's convinced that her next boyfriend will be equally unlucky. But then she meets Ryan Riley, a successful "relationship expert" who works at her radio station, and their on-air squabbling soon takes a flirtatious turn. Ryan seems like the perfect guy -- witty, handsome, and tolerant of Berry's superstitious quirks -- but she is convinced that he'll eventually reveal himself as bad-luck boyfriend number three. Is Berry doomed to be perpetually unlucky in love, or will she meet her match at last?

Ever since I read and really liked Crane's first novel, Stupid and Contagious, I've been hoping to enjoy her subsequent books just as much, but I've always been disappointed. Sadly, With a Little Luck is no exception; it's a decently-written chick lit novel, but that's about all I can say for it. Maybe part of the problem was that I couldn't relate to Berry at all. Her belief in random superstitions is just so extreme, and while it's understandable that she would have baggage given her past, she seems determined to sabotage every good thing in her life. I also didn't particularly warm to Ryan, who is a fairly two-dimensional character throughout the book. I couldn't figure out what makes him tick or why he's interested in Berry at all. Even as a person who loves fluffy romance, I still have to believe that the hero and heroine would fall for each other, and that just wasn't the case here. If you're a chick lit fan, you could do worse, but you could also do a lot better.

>44 christina_reads: the World of Jeeves sounds fun... I've never read any Jeeves and Wooster... I feel so left out of the entire world... ;)

avanders, Jeeves & Wooster are great! I'd definitely recommend tracking down some of the stories if you need a good laugh!

will do - any "first dive" recommendations?

I think you can probably jump in anywhere, honestly...there's basically no character development or serializaiton of the storylines. I think the short stories were written before the full-length novels, so I'd suggest starting with them.

cool, thanks :)

Book #12: Hannah March, The Complaint of the Dove
Date Acquired: October 9, 2013

In 1760s England, private tutor Robert Fairfax is charged with escorting his pupil, Matthew Hemsley, to London for a bit of town polish. But Fairfax is apprehensive: how can he introduce Matthew to the worldly, sophisticated atmosphere of London while at the same time protecting him from bad influences? Unfortunately, during their very first trip to the theater, Matthew instantly falls in love with the beautiful and popular actress Lucy Dove. Though she is a sweet and talented girl, her profession is most unsuitable, so Fairfax hopes that Matthew's infatuation is only temporary. But Matthew gets into even bigger trouble when Lucy is murdered shortly afterwards, and he is found at the crime scene under very suspicious circumstances. When Matthew is actually arrested for the murder, Fairfax knows it is his duty to clear his pupil's name -- which means launching an investigation to discover the real killer.

I discovered this series by accident at a library book sale where the second and third books were available for 25 cents each, so of course I had to track down the first book as well! I was intrigued by the concept of a Georgian mystery, since I haven't seen many novels set in that era (especially compared to the much more popular 19th century!). Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately, given the magnitude of my TBR list already), I've discovered a new mystery series to enjoy! I loved the period detail: the crush of theatergoers more interested in each other than in what's happening onstage; the elaborate wigs, patches, and high heels worn by aristocratic men and women alike; the rudimentary knowledge of medicine, including the ingestion of mercury as a cure for venereal disease. It's a fascinating time period, and March really brings the era to life. I also liked Robert Fairfax as a sleuth, and I look forward to seeing how his complex character will develop in subsequent books. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries!

The Fairfax mysteries sound intriguing. I don't think that I have read any mysteries from the Georgian period.

Book #13: Frank Baker, Miss Hargreaves
Date Acquired: April 8, 2011

When Norman Huntley and his friend Henry are on holiday in Ireland, they decide on a whim to visit the exceedingly ugly church of the village of Lusk. As their tour guide rhapsodizes about the church's history, he mentions one of its former clerics. Intending to make a joke at the tour guide's expense, Norman pretends to have heard of this cleric from a (fictional) common acquaintance, Miss Constance Hargreaves. He immediately -- with assistance from Henry, who plays along -- invents an entire personality and history for Miss Hargreaves, and after a while, the two young men almost believe she is real. But nothing can prepare Norman for the shock of discovering that a woman calling herself Miss Hargreaves is coming to visit him, and she is completely identical to the made-up description he and Henry had concocted! Miss Hargreaves soon embarrasses Norman with her eccentricities, and he begins to wish he could get rid of her -- but how can he do so? And if he is really responsible for her existence, should he?

When I first picked up this book, I expected it to be a light, fluffy comedic tale, similar to most of the other early-20th-century British fiction I've read. I mean, the synopsis almost sounds like something out of P.G. Wodehouse! But while this book does have its comic moments -- like everything that comes out of Norman's father's mouth! -- it's actually much more serious than it sounds. Norman's reaction to learning that he has (presumably) created another human being runs the gamut from shock to amusement to horror. He's often quite cruel to Miss Hargreaves when she doesn't show him the love and respect he feels are his due. In this sense, I think Baker was making a point about the dangers of playing God: Norman created Miss Hargreaves and is therefore in some sense responsible for her, but he is too proud and impatient and flawed to fulfill his responsbilities. Overall, this is an odd little book that raises some fairly serious philosophical questions. Recommended if the premise sounds interesting to you!

Interesting sounding book! I would probably feel too sorry for Miss Hargreaves to enjoy reading it, but it sure does sound good.

>54 Merryann: Miss Hargreaves is definitely pitiable at times -- especially because it's often unclear whether she's aware of her situation or not.

Book #14: Polly Shulman, The Grimm Legacy
Date Acquired: April 20, 2013

High-school student Elizabeth Rew is feeling lonely: her new stepmother is taking up most of her father's time, and she's just transferred to a new school where she doesn't have any friends. So when her history teacher suggests that she get a job with the New York Circulating Material Repository, she looks forward to the new experience. The Repository is a lending library for objects, including famous historical artifacts like Marie Antoinette's wig; but Elizabeth soon discovers that there are even more important objects to be found. Specifically, the Grimm Collection houses fairytale items with magical properties, including flying carpets and seven-league boots. As Elizabeth explores the wonders of the Grimm Collection, she also befriends her fellow employees, including popular Marc, beautiful Anjali, and standoffish Aaron. When some of the magical items go missing, it's up to Elizabeth and her newfound friends to discover who is stealing from the Grimm Collection -- before they become the thief's next victims.

A few years ago I read Polly Shulman's other book, Enthusiasm, and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me quite as well. I absolutely loved the premise -- what if you could actually borrow the magic mirror from Snow White or Aladdin's lamp? -- and many of the details related to this concept worked very well. I especially liked the idea that borrowers had to leave a "deposit" for the items, which could be something like their sense of direction, their singing voice, or their firstborn child. The problem with the book is that it's geared toward a very young audience. I don't have a problem with YA in general, and I've read many excellent books in the genre, but this one really felt like YA or even juvenile fiction. If I'd read the book at age 11, I probably would have loved it, but as an adult, I found it far too simplistic. There were also a few plot points that weren't fully fleshed out, such as Elizabeth's relationships with her dad and stepmom. Overall, the book is a decent read, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really OK with juvenile or YA fiction.

>56 christina_reads:, Nice review! I think I own this book but am not sure. I stuck it on my wishlist to remember...it will be interesting to see, when I get around to reading it, whether my opinion is the same as yours.

>57 Merryann: I'll be interested to see your thoughts if you end up ROOTing it out this year! :)

Book #15: Anne Sexton, Transformations
Date Acquired: September 3, 2011

This book is a collection of poetry, and I don't really know how to review it, or even whether "reviewing" is appropriate for something that is supposed to strike you in a fundamental, visceral way. The poems are all re-imaginings of fairy tales as told by the Brothers Grimm, and Sexton uses the old stories to shed light on modern themes and concerns. For example, here's the end of "Cinderella":

Cinderella and the prince
lived, they say, happily ever after,
like two dolls in a museum case
never bothered by diapers or dust,
never arguing over the timing of an egg,
never telling the same story twice,
never getting a middle-aged spread,
their darling smiles pasted on for eternity.
Regular Bobbsey Twins.
That story.

The stories are all set in that quasi-medieval fairytale past, which is interestingly juxtaposed with some very modern language. When the witch in "Hansel and Gretel" is cooked in the oven, "Her blood began to boil up / like Coca-Cola." When the prince in "Cinderella" tries the glass slipper on every maiden in the kingdom, the narrator observes, "The prince was getting tired. / He began to feel like a shoe salesman."

All in all, this collection didn't make a huge impact on me, but I would recommend it to people who like poetry and fairy tales. I'd definitely like to read more of Anne Sexton's work!

Book #16: Sharon Kay Penman, The Sunne in Splendour
Date Acquired: on or before August 8, 2006

When most people think of Richard III, they picture a hunchbacked villain who was obsessed with being king and who murdered the princes in the Tower as a result. But in this novel, the last Plantagenet king is portrayed in a very different light: Richard (or Dickon, as most characters call him) is noble and loyal to a fault, and these good traits are ultimately what cause his downfall. The novel begins with Dickon's childhood, when his father, the Duke of York, is killed in the war against the Lancastrian Henry VI. Dickon's oldest brother Edward subsequently takes his father's place in leading the Yorkist faction against Henry; eventually, he is crowned as Edward IV, and Dickon becomes one of his most trusted advisers and most skilled battle commanders. But as Edward obtains more and more power, Dickon becomes disillusioned with his brother's morally questionable choices, and the struggle of brother against brother mirrors the broader conflict between York and Lancaster.

As always, in this book Sharon Kay Penman manages to bring the Middle Ages to life. I always enjoy her vivid descriptions of daily life during this period, as well as her depictions of medieval religion, warfare, and politics. This book in particular is a fascinating political study, showing that the cutthroat nature of modern politics is rooted in a long tradition. I also like the fact that this novel approaches Richard III from a countercultural perspective. While I don't know enough about the subject to judge whether Penman's interpretation is justified, it makes sense to me that Henry Tudor (who acceded to the throne after Richard's death) would want to do everything in his power to discredit his predecessor. It's always important to remember that history is written by the victors! All in all, I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Richard III, the War of the Roses, or the Middle Ages in general.

Book #17: Juliet Marillier, Blade of Fortriu
Date Acquired: April 28, 2013

In this sequel to The Dark Mirror, King Bridei of the Priteni believes his mission is to eradicate the Gaels and their Christian religion from his lands. He is a strong king, brave in battle and devout in his allegiance to the old gods, so he's the ideal person to unite the Priteni against this outside threat. Bridei is planning a big move against the Gaels, but in order to succeed, he needs the help of a foreign chieftain named Alpin. Bridei therefore proposes to offer his royal hostage, Ana, to Alpin as a bride, hoping this will ensure his loyalty. Ana longs to marry for love, but she knows she has no choice in the matter. She sets out for Alpin's lands in the company of Faolan, Bridei's most trusted bodyguard, spy, and assassin. As Ana and Faolan travel together, their relationship deepens, but she is already promised to Alpin. And when she finally arrives at Alpin's court, Ana discovers a shocking secret that will have drastic implications for both Bridei's campaign and her own heart.

Much like its predecessor, The Dark Mirror, this book is very slow-paced, and I had trouble getting into it as a result. I find the world of this series fascinating; it's based on historical facts (the Priteni were real, and Bridei really was their king for a time), but Marillier weaves many fantastical elements into the setting. Half the novel focuses on Ana's story, while the other half follows Bridei's campaign against the Gaels. Personally, I was much more interested in Ana's story, especially since I always enjoy a little romance with my fantasy! Interestingly, the story seems very predictable at first, but it eventually veers into an unexpected direction. I wasn't entirely pleased with the resolution of Ana's story, but it does provide some interesting avenues to explore in the final book of the trilogy. I'll definitely be reading The Well of Shades to see how everything turns out, but I don't think this series is Marillier's best work. Try her Sevenwaters books instead!

Hm, I might have to pick up The Sunne in Splendour! I was just at a bookstore today and saw what looked like a newly republished edition.

>62 rabbitprincess: Definitely worth it, in my opinion!

>60 christina_reads: I have added The Sunne in Splendour to my ever growing list of books to look for.

>64 Familyhistorian: -- It's a good one; hope you enjoy it!

Wow! You are almost done! Good job!

Thanks! Now I just need to catch up on reviews...

wow is right! 20/21 already! Congrats!

Thanks, avanders! I'm on my 21st ROOT now...hope to finish it within the next few days!

Very good job, Christina!

Thanks, Connie! :)

Ugh, I've fallen so far behind on reviews! I'm hoping to catch up in the next few days, though. In the meantime, here's one:

Book #18: Michael Innes, Death at the President's Lodging
Date Acquired: September 29, 2013

This first installment of the Inspector Appleby series is a classic locked-room mystery set in the fictional St. Anthony's college, where its president, Dr. Umpleby, has just been murdered. Because of the prominence of the victim, Inspector Appleby is summoned from Scotland Yard to assist the local police. He soon learns that the layout of the college would have made it impossible for someone without a key to access the scene of the crime. Therefore, suspicion centers around the other fellows of the college, most of whom either had a key or could easily obtain one. As Appleby begins his investigation, he notices strong tensions among these men and uncovers various professional rivalries. He also begins to realize that the case is cluttered with many side issues and diversions. But as he sifts the relevant facts from the distractions, Appleby eventually reaches a conclusion as bizarre as it is shocking.

I've now read two mysteries by Michael Innes, and what I've learned is that I love his solutions, but I'm not terribly fond of how he gets there! In most mysteries that I read, there's not a lot of irrelevant information; every fact the detective discovers is a clue. In this book, on the other hand, much of what Appleby discovers isn't relevant to the solution of the murder. This is certainly more realistic than, say, a Poirot mystery, but it made the reading experience more difficult for me. I also didn't like the relative lack of character delineation. It's been less than a month since I read this book, and already I couldn't tell you the main suspects' names! Nobody (including Appleby) has much personality, so the murder is more like a logic puzzle than a dramatic event involving actual human beings. All that said, I really did love the solution to this one, which got downright farcical in places! So overall, I'm glad I read this book, but I doubt I'll get sucked into the rest of the series -- which is probably a good thing!

Me too! :P
The Innes book sounds interesting... I can see why your critiques would be bothersome... It all leaves me curious, all the same! :)

>73 avanders: A lot of people really love the Innes books, so I'd say give him a try! In addition to Death at the President's Lodging, I've also read Hamlet, Revenge!, which is book 2 in the series. I think I may have preferred it to book 1, although it has many of the same problems.

Maybe I'll find it at the library book sale... I'll add it to my list ;)

Book #19: Elizabeth Wein, Rose Under Fire
Date Acquired: September 21, 2013

Rose Justice is an American pilot who has just come to England to help with the war effort. Though women aren't allowed to fly planes in combat, she is able to get a job with the Women's Air Transport Auxiliary ferrying planes back and forth within Allied territory. At first Rose sees her work as a grand adventure, a fascinating change from her sheltered upbringing. But her life is instantly, horribly changed when she is captured by the Germans in the middle of a routine flight from France to England. She is immediately arrested and transported to the women's concentration camp at Ravensbrück. There Rose confronts the hideous realities of this war for the first time, including the brutal scientific experiments performed on a group of young women known as "rabbits." But depsite the horrific treatment Rose endures, she forges close bonds with a small group of fellow prisoners and somehow manages to hold onto hope.

This companion novel to Code Name Verity is equally powerful and moving, although it struck me in a very different way. I loved CNV for its suspense, its elements of espionage, and its intense portrayal of friendship. This book is not as suspenseful; we know from the start of Rose's narrative about Ravensbrück that she is remembering her experiences after she has escaped. It's also not as personal (if that's the word I want) because while Rose forms incredibly close bonds with her fellow prisoners, the emphasis is less on individual relationships and more on the experience of Ravensbrück as a whole. Neverthless, this book did strike me on a very deep personal level. It's easy to become a little desensitized to the atrocities committed by the Nazis, simply because we've heard about them so many times, but this book certainly made them vivid for me. The most horrifying thing is that similar atrocities are still occurring in parts of the world today. So this is not an easy read, but I think it's a very important one.

Book #20: E.F. Benson, Mrs. Ames
Date Acquired: August 6, 2013

This novel is a precisely drawn satire of life in an English village in the early 20th century. Mrs. Ames has been the leader of society in Riseborough for many years, due partly to her commanding presence and partly to her distant familial connection with a nobleman. The other residents of Riseborough both admire and resent her for her position, and many of the local gossips would be glad to see her fail in some way. So when a (relatively speaking) new arrival, Mrs. Evans, begins to set herself up as Mrs. Ames' social rival, the entire town waits with bated breath to see whether their queen will be dethroned. Meanwhile, both Mrs. Ames and Mrs. Evans dimly begin to realize that their lives are unfulfilling, but their search for deeper meaning takes them down drastically different paths, one of which may lead to scandal and heartbreak.

I expected this book to be nothing more than a light, witty comedy of manners -- which it is, but it also took a more serious turn than I anticipated. The various social machinations of the ladies of Riseborough are very funny; there's a particularly wonderful scene in which Mrs. Evans hosts a masquerade ball and several ladies (tragically, yet hilariously) show up wearing the same costume. But for me, the more compelling story was Mrs. Ames' slow realization that her dreary, respectable life isn't making her happy. It's only when she begins to identify with a cause greater than herself that she actually finds contentment -- even at the moment when all her respectability and social standing is taken away. So oddly enough, this comedy of manners turns into a coming-of-age story, and I found it a surprisingly thought-provoking read.

Book 21: Ben Macintyre, Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies
Date Acquired: June 15, 2013

Seventy years ago, the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy and began the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe. Many circumstances contributed to the success of the D-Day invasion, but one of the most important factors was the campaign of disinformation being fed to the Germans by a network of double agents whose sole purpose was to convince the Abwehr that the Allies would be landing at Calais rather than Normandy. Had these agents failed, the Germans would have concentrated their forces at Normandy, most likely stopping the Allied invasion in its tracks. This book tells the stories of the individual double agents involved in this task, including Serbian playboy Dusko Popov ("Tricycle"), Peruvian socialite Elvira Chaudoir ("Bronx"), and Polish nationalist Roman Czerniawski ("Valentine"). Ultimately, Macintyre makes a convincing case for the proposition that the Allies would never have won the war on the battlefields had they not already won the intelligence war.

This book gives a wealth of fascinating detail about the six men and women who acted as double agents in Britain, allegedly spying for Germany but really working for the Allies. I was shocked to learn that British intelligence had actually discovered and turned every German agent in Britain at the time! Because of this, the Allies were able to present a unified message to the Germans, subtlely directing their attention away from Normandy and toward other possible invasion sites. Some of the specific stories in the book prove once again that truth is stranger than fiction: for example, Dusko Popov thrived on creating networks of sub-agents that were entirely fictional, yet he retained the Abwehr's complete trust. I also loved the fact that these double agents were handled in Britain by the Twenty Committee, so named because the Roman numeral for 20 is XX, or "double cross." In short, if you're interested in true stories of WWII-era espionage, Ben Macintyre is your man!

Yay! Ben Macintyre is great. He has a new one out soon about Kim Philby.

>79 rabbitprincess: Ooh, that should be interesting! Philby is mentioned a couple times in Double Cross, along with Anthony Blunt, but only peripherally. I'd love to read something about the Cambridge Five!

Book #22: M.M. Kaye, Death in the Andamans
Date Acquired: June 24, 2013

Caroline Ophelia Phoebe Elizabeth Randal, known to her friends as Copper, is staying with school chum Valerie on the tiny island of Ross in the Andaman Islands. The vast majority of the population is Burmese, but there is a small British community on the island as well, and Copper and Val naturally form part of this society. At first Copper views the island as a paradise, especially when compared to her rather dreary life in London; and the most upsetting aspect of her visit so far is her feelings for Nick Tarrent, a visiting naval officer who is friends with Valerie's fiancé. But everything changes one fateful day when a terrible storm leads to widespread destruction on the island, and one of the British plantation owners is found dead. His death is assumed to be accidental until another visiting officer, who happens to be a doctor, suspects foul play. Then the doctor himself is murdered, and it slowly dawns on Copper and the others that the murderer has to be one of them -- the storm has cut off all access from the outside world. Can Copper and her friends unmask the murderer before he or she kills again?

I've finally read the last of M.M. Kaye's "Death in…" books, and I'm sorry to have reached the end of them. They all essentially follow the same formula -- young woman visits exotic location, falls in love, and becomes involved with a murder -- but it's a formula that appeals to me, so I don't mind! This book did a wonderful job describing the setting, which is unsurprising, since Kaye actually lived in the Andamans for a while and even experienced a storm like the one in the book! The fact that Copper and her friends were completely cut off from the outside world produced the proper atmosphere of creepy suspense; I was reminded at times of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I didn't particularly like the fact that there was a lot of head-hopping in the book, from Copper to Val to Nick to various other characters. I also thought the solution of the mystery came out of nowhere. While the plot does hang together, I wasn't terribly satisfied by the revelation of the murderer, as many other suspects could just as easily have committed the murders for the same reason. Overall, though, I enjoyed this book and am sad that I don't have any more M.M. Kaye mysteries to look forward to!

Book #23: Tana French, In the Woods
Date Acquired: August 16, 2010

Detective Rob Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox, are two up-and-coming detectives on the Dublin Murder Squad. But Ryan is hiding a secret about his past: his real name is Adam Ryan, and when he was 12 years old, his two best friends vanished in the woods of Knocknaree without a trace. Ryan was even with them at the time, but he has no memory of what happened to them -- or why they disappeared while he was found. Ryan has apparently done a good job of recovering from this trauma and moving on with his life, but he is deeply shaken when he and Cassie are assigned to another case in Knocknaree, where a young girl has been murdered. As Ryan returns to his hometown and is confronted with memories he didn't even know he had, he wonders whether the girl's murder is connected to his own past. Ultimately, Ryan knows that this case will have deep personal importance for him -- but will it make his career or destroy it?

I'm having a hard time collecting my thoughts on this book. At first I thought I wasn't going to like it at all -- in fact, I almost gave up after the flowery prologue -- but eventually I got completely sucked in. The strongest aspect of the book, for me, was the relationship between Ryan and Cassie. Ryan isn't a particularly likable character, but the bond between him and Cassie is so strong that you can't help feeling he must be a pretty good guy after all. The way this relationship evolves and changes throughout the book kept me riveted. The novel's narrative structure also creates a lot of suspense: Ryan is the narrator, and he says right from the start that he tells lies. So I was constantly wondering whether he was lying about certain things, and I became really invested in both mysteries as a result. That said, the book's ending drove me a little crazy: some things made me sad, others frustrated me, and others I actually liked a lot. So I'm still undecided about this book; but I am glad I read it, and I will certainly be reading The Likeness at some point as well!

>82 christina_reads: that books keeping coming up in my circles... I'm definitely going to have to read it one of these days!

>83 avanders: I should say that In the Woods is not my usual type of book AT ALL, but I still found it very compelling. So I'd say it's worth a try!

Book #24: Georgette Heyer, A Blunt Instrument
Date Acquired: April 21, 2011

When wealthy Englishman Ernest Fletcher is found in his study with his head bashed in, his relatives and neighbors are shocked. Ernest was well-liked and seemingly had no enemies, so why would anyone want to kill him? But as Superintendent Hannasyde and Sergeant Hemingway investigate the case, they soon uncover several motives. First there's Neville Fletcher, the dead man's nephew and heir to his fairly large fortune. Then there is Helen North, who has a secret involving Ernest that she doesn't want anybody -- especially her husband -- to know about. Or the culprit could be Abraham Budd, a businessman who was complicit in some of Ernest's shady financial dealings. But as the police collect motives and unearth secrets, they become more and more puzzled by the conflciting testimony about what actually happened on the night of the murder. And when a second victim appears, Hannasyde and Hemingway know they will have to act fast to catch a partiuclarly elusive killer.

In general I prefer Heyer's romances to her mysteries, but I really enjoyed this book! There are some wonderful characters in this one: the vague, mischievous Neville, who is much sharper than he appears; the blunt, monocle-wearing Sally Drew, who writes detective novels; Constable Glass, the Bible-quoting policeman; and the impatient, down-to-earth Sergeant Hemingway. The dialogue is witty and sparkling, as usual, and I loved the romance(s) that emerged throughout the course of the book. The mystery itself is also a bit more substantial than in some of Heyer's other books, and I was surprised by the Christie-esque twist that revealed the murderer's identity. Overall, if you're interested in trying Heyer's mysteries, I think this is a really good place to start! (Hannasyde and Hemingway are recurring characters in her mysteries, but the books absolutely do not have to be read in order.) I'm reading these mysteries in chronological order, so I'll be interested to see whether they get even better as they go on!

Book #25: Julie James, Love Irresistibly
Date Acquired: April 8, 2013

Brooke Parker is a smart, tough-as-nails lawyer with a very demanding job. As general counsel of an up-and-coming food & beverage provider, she works long hours doing everything from drafting employment contracts to wining and dining new clients. As a result, Brooke has no time to spend on other aspects of her life, especially not a relationship. Meanwhile, Cade Morgan is a former college football star who now works as a federal prosecutor after sustaining a career-ending injury. He dates a variety of women but doesn't like to get serious with anyone. But when an investigation of a corrupt politician brings Cade and Brooke together, sparks immediately fly between them. At first, they seem to be on the same page, both wanting nothing more than a casual fling. But as they spend more time together, Brooke and Cade start to develop genuine feelings for one another. Will they be brave enough to go beyond the superficial and really commit to each other?

Julie James is the author who convinced me that not all romance novels are terrible, and she's been on my auto-buy list for a long time. But for some reason, I wasn't terribly fond of this book. It's certainly a fun, quick read with a lot of good points. For example, I liked the fact that there were no contrived obstacles or Big Misunderstandings keeping Brooke and Cade apart; their hesitations seemed genuine and realistic. I also loved Brooke's friend Ford (give him his own book, please!) and Cade's FBI buddies. They may be there for sequel fodder, but they're also fun characters in their own right. However, I just couldn't get invested in the romance betwen Brooke and Cade. Maybe it's because they're both annoyingly perfect, with supermodel good looks and prestigious, high-paying jobs. Even though they each have a backstory that provides them with a smidgeon of depth, they just seemed like generic hot people to me. That said, I haven't given up on Julie James and will definitely be reading her next book!

Hrm, two perfect people trying to figure out if they should form a perfect relationship? Yeah, sounds kinda annoying...
Though I'm intrigued by the fact that this author has convinced you that not all romance novels are terrible.... perhaps I'll give her a shot one of these days.. :)

>87 avanders: Romance novels have a bad reputation, some of which is deserved, but some of which is completely unfair! I've read some really well-written and entertaining romance novels...you just have to wade through a lot of junk. But the same is true of lots of other genres (sci fi, fantasy, mysteries, etc.)! For what it's worth, the first Julie James book I read was Practice Makes Perfect, which I loved for the banter between the hero and heroine.

That's true... maybe i'm just more experienced in the other genres, so picking up better books comes easier... and the bad apples that make their way in are fewer and further in between.. :)

Thanks for that referral!

>89 avanders: You're welcome! I will be interested to see what you think of it, or any other romance novel, if/when you try one. :)

Book #26: Richard Stark, The Hunter
Date Acquired: September 29, 2012

This book introduces Parker, a criminal whose combination of street smarts and brute force has enabled him to live comfortably on the proceeds from his thefts. But his life is fundamentally disrupted when a job goes awry and one of his partners double-crosses him. Now Parker is consumed with thoughts of revenge, and he'll do anything to catch up with Mal Resnick, the man who stole both his money and his wife. Parker uses a variety of tactics, including intimidation and murder, to track Mal down; meanwhile, Mal learns that Parker is on his trail and tries desperately to escape his clutches. Parker's task is made more complicated by the fact that Mal is a memeber of an extremely influential crime syndicate called the Outfit, and the Outfit isn't inclined to let Parker have his way. In order to exact his revenge, Parker must eventually go up against the whole organization; but will killing Mal sign his own death warrant?

While I enjoy the occasional film noir or con movie, I don't tend to like the noir genre in book form. I tend to prefer my mysteries a little less violent, with a more clearly defined moral code (i.e., the killer is the bad guy). This book has a very cynical tone and a protagonist with few, if any, redeeming qualities. Frankly, I found Parker horrifying, especially in his violent treatment of women and his casual approach to killing anyone who gets in his way. Yet I actually ended up enjoying this book! I liked the writing style, which doesn't waste any words and gets straight to the point. I also really enjoyed watching the story unfold: the book alternates from Parker's story in the present to the story of the job that went wrong. Additionally, it was fascinating to see how Parker's situation changes throughout the novel, as his quest for vengeance against one man turns into a war against the entire Outfit. If I'm ever in the mood for a darker mystery, I may even continue with this series!

Practice Makes Perfect is my favorite Julie James as well - I laughed so hard at some of their courtroom shenanigans and the general banterousness (-I liked Just the Sexiest Man Alive, too...)

>92 Caramellunacy: Agree! The banter -- so cute! I especially loved the hero's brief discussion of Pride and Prejudice with one of his buddies...I can't get through that scene without cracking up!

Book #27: Christopher Morley, The Haunted Bookshop
Date Acquired: April 28, 2013

In this sequel to Parnassus on Wheels, bibliophile Roger Mifflin has temporarily abandoned his traveling bookstore for a more permanent location on Gissing Street in Brooklyn. He calls his store the Haunted Bookshop, claiming that it is "haunted" by the ghosts of great literature. One day a young salesman named Aubrey Gilbert enters the store, hoping to persuade Roger to advertise with his firm; instead, the two men have an intense discussion that leaves Aubrey with a newfound appreciation for literature. When Aubrey returns to the shop a few days later, he is immediately smitten with Titania Chapman, the beguiling new shopgirl. But as he starts to visit the store more regularly, he notices something strange: an old and rather obscure volume keeps disappearing from the Haunted Bookshop and then re-appearing without warning. Is there a literary-minded thief frequenting the bookstore, or is something more sinister at work?

This is one of those cozy little books that take you back to a simpler time, and I found it absolutely charming! Roger Mifflin's enthusiasm for books is infectious, and the novel is full of his musings on literature, both in general and about specific books. Unfortunately, I didn't recognize most of the titles he mentioned, presumably because they've gone out of fashion (and print!) since the book was published in 1919. But this is definitely the type of book that reminds me of the huge number of books in the world that I still haven't read! The mystery plot is clever, though very slight and easy to guess (and very much a product of its time). I also liked the central characters, especially Aubrey, who makes a lot of endearing mistakes in his quest to solve the mystery and win Titania's heart. All in all, I finished this book wishing that I could stop by the Haunted Bookshop for dinner and a literary discussion with these characters.

>94 christina_reads: Whoa!! I didn't know anyone else who owned that book until just now! ;)
Also, good to know it's a sequel :P Now I've got to get Parnassus on Wheels, ey?

>95 avanders: I got it at a library sale last year! :) And yes, Parnassus on Wheels is very charming and fun as well. Obviously it's not necessary to read it before The Haunted Bookshop, but it's definitely nice to read both at some point!

I also got it at a library sale!!
Thanks for the heads up.. Will look into it :)

Haunted Bookshop was a book club choice a few years back for me, and I just loved it! I gobbled up Parnassus as soon as I could after that! Glad that you liked the book/s so much too!

Does one of these books come before the other? I thought I saw a list that had Parnasus first, but I'm wondering if that was just publication date or if they are even related. I have The Haunted Bookshop in my TBR but was holding it til I read Parnasus, which I just checked and is available at the library so I might swing by there later today and pick it up.

bought Parnassus on Wheels on kindle last night :)

>99 dudes22: The books are related, and Parnassus on Wheels takes place first chronologically (and was published first). So if you are a stickler for reading series in order, I'd read Parnassus before The Haunted Bookshop. But THB can also be read as a stand-alone; you definitely don't have to read Parnassus to understand what's going on.

Congratulations on surpassing your goal! What a great bunch of reading you've been doing!
>78 christina_reads: Double Cross is one for my wishlist.

>102 Merryann: Thank you! And I hope you enjoy Double Cross!

Congrats on achieving and surpassing your rooting goal!

>104 Tess_W: Thanks! :) Despite the relatively low goal, I'm kind of thrilled I was able to do it so early in the year!

Happy reading, Christina!

>106 connie53: Thanks, Connie -- same to you!

Book #28: D.E. Stevenson, The Young Clementina
Date Acquired: July 4, 2013

Charlotte Dean can’t remember a time when she wasn’t in love with Garth Wisdon, her childhood playmate and next-door neighbor. Although Charlotte is merely the daughter of the local vicar, while Garth is the heir to a large estate, she grows up confident that they will marry someday. As they reach adulthood, Garth seems to reciprocate her feelings, but their love is arrested by the outbreak of World War I. Garth goes off to fight in the war, and when he returns, Charlotte no longer recognizes the man she once knew. The new Garth is angry and cynical and seems to hold her in contempt. Nevertheless, she is still overwhelmed with shock when he quickly becomes engaged to her younger sister, Kitty. Now Charlotte is living in a shabby flat in London, where she has little contact with Garth and Kitty. But a tragic turn of events brings them both back into her life — along with their strange, shy daughter, Clementina — and Charlotte must make a decision that could alter the entire course of her life.

I’m so glad Sourcebooks is reprinting the novels of D.E. Stevenson, because I’ve really enjoyed all the ones I’ve read so far! This book is a bit more somber than her Miss Buncle series, but it’s still a nice, leisurely, and ultimately sweet read. I was expecting the central storyline to be a romance, but really the book is much more about Charlotte’s growth as she is forced out of her comfort zone. In the beginning, it’s a bit difficult to feel much sympathy for her because she accepts her sister’s betrayal so passively. But as she emerges from her solitary cocoon and starts to cultivate friendships, she becomes a much stronger person who is capable of standing on her own two feet. On the other hand, I never felt much sympathy for Garth, even after he explained his actions; in my opinion, everything he suffered throughout the novel was his own stupid fault! But overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to people who like slower-paced, old-fashioned books with a contemplative feel.

Book #29: Charlotte Mosley, ed., In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor
Date Acquired: April 28, 2013

Deborah Devonshire began life as the youngest of the (in)famous Mitford sisters, but she unexpectedly became the duchess of Devonshire when her husband, Andrew Cavendish, inherited the duchy from his brother. Patrick Leigh Fermor was a travel writer who became a war hero by kidnapping the commanding German officer on the Nazi-occupied island of Crete. (The movie "Ill Met by Moonlight" is a fictionalized account of his experience.) The two first met when Deborah was still a young debutante, but they eventually formed a deep friendship, as well as a correspondence that would last for more than half a century. Although "darling Paddy" and "darling Debo" lived through many political upheavals and personal tragedies, their letters to each other always remained upbeat, humorous, and cheerful.

I usually find nonfiction very slow going, but this book was a pleasure to read. Both "Debo" and "Paddy" wrote in a lively conversational style that's very easy to read, and I felt truly immersed in their day-to-day lives. Patrick often wrote about the various exotic places he visited, including the little town in Greece where he and his wife eventually settled. Deborah largely stayed on the Devonshire estates in England and Ireland, where she waxed poetic about sheep breeding and various fox-hunting excursions. The book also provides some fascinating insights into the psychology of the British upper classes: for example, Deborah mentions, with the utmost casualness, dining with President Kennedy several times. Though there's not much in-depth discussion of the historical events through which they lived, anyone who is interested in reading a firsthand account of the 20th century should pick up this book! I'd also recommend it for fans of the Mitfords or early 20th-century British literature in general.

Sounds like a wonderful read!

>110 Tess_W: Definitely worth a read if you like reading correspondence!

Book #30: A.A. Milne, The Red House Mystery
Date Acquired: April 13, 2013

In the time-honored tradition of the classic British mystery, a house party goes terribly awry when one of the guests is murdered and the host disappears. Mark Ablett, owner of the Red House, enjoys collecting people around him, so the house party includes such diverse characters as his private secretary, a military man, an actress, and several idle young people. The party appears to be going well until Ablett learns that his brother, the black sheep of the family who had been living in Australia, will be visiting the Red House for an unspecified but sinister reason. When Robert is inevitably murdered, Mark is nowhere to be found. Is he the murderer, or did someone else in the house party do the deed? Young man-about-town Antony Gillingham just happens to arrive on the scene at a pivotal moment, so he decides to try his skill as an amateur detective; but ultimately he discovers that the solution to the mystery is far more tragic than amusing.

When I came across this book a few years ago, I was delighted to discover that the creator of Winnie the Pooh had written a mystery story! It follows many conventions of the classic Golden Age mystery -- such as being "fair," with all clues presented to the reader as the detective discovers them -- but it turned out to be a bit darker and sadder than I was expecting. Tony discovers the murderer's identity fairly early in the book, so the bulk of the mystery lies in discovering how and why the deed was done. And the thing is, I found the murderer very sympathetic! So I was disappointed that this character turned out to be the guilty party. Also, unlike many mysteries from this period, this book doesn't contain much humor, nor are there any subplots to lighten the mood of suspense and doom. Tony's sidekick provides a few funny moments, but otherwise the tone remains pretty dark. Finally, Tony's character isn't developed very much, which disappointed me; he seemed really interesting, and I would have liked to know more about his backstory. The book is still worth reading if you enjoy Golden Age mysteries, but I have to admit, it wasn't my favorite.

Book #31: Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants
Date Acquired: March 16, 2011

Jacob Jankowski is an old man in his 90s living out the remainder of his days in a nursing home. His children rarely come to visit, and he's both lonely and frustrated by nursing home life. But when the circus comes to town one day, it triggers Jacob's memories of his youth and the years he spent with the Benzini Brothers Greatest Show on Earth. In the 1930s, Jacob was a promising veterinary student who was about to join his father's practice; but after his parents' tragic death, the practice had to be sold to pay the family debts. Bereft and with nowhere to go, Jacob hopped a train that turned out to belong to a traveling circus; and because of his veterinary skills, the ruthless circus owner decided to keep him around. At the circus Jacob met a variety of new people, including a sarcastic dwarf, a mercurial animal trainer, and the trainer's beautiful but trapped wife. Eventually his involvement with the circus would trigger a series of shocking and catastrophic events.

I remember that when this book first came out, a lot of my friends were raving about it, convinced that I'd absolutely love it. Unfortunately, I didn't have that experience...maybe I'm missing something, but this book just didn't resonate with me. I really enjoyed the setting; circus life in Depression-era America was fascinating, and I liked the photos of real historical circuses that preceded each chapter. It's truly amazing to think about the amount of work (and food!) it took to keep the circus going! But I wasn't that nuts about the plot or characters in this book. The main story is the romance between Jacob and Marlena, a performer who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. But while her menacing husband is an interesting (albeit repulsive), larger-than-life character, Marlena herself seems very bland, with no defining qualities other than her beauty and her misery. I also didn't find Jacob particularly interesting; he acts like a stock character rather than an individual. Overall, the book is worth reading if you're interested in the setting, but in my opinion it doesn't live up to the hype.

Book #32: Karin Lowachee, The Gaslight Dogs
Date Acquired: May 30, 2010

Sjenn is a member of the Aniw, a nation of hunter-gatherers that lives in the distant, icy North. She is also the ankago, or spirit walker, of her tribe: Through her Dog, the "little spirit" that lives in her body, she is able to communicate with her ancestors and relay their wisdom to her people. When she calls forth her Dog, her human body lies unconscious and unprotected, but her Dog form cannot be killed by human weapons. Because of this mysterious power, Sjenn is kidnapped by the Kabliw, a Southern race that has recently made contact with her people. General Fawle, a powerful military leader of the Kabliw, wants to learn more about Sjenn's power so that he can harness it for his own ends. But his son, Captain Jarrett Fawle, wants nothing to do with the Aniw woman or her mysterious powers, which seem to him like demon magic. Despite Jarrett's resistance, however, his fate soon becomes bound with Sjenn's, as the two of them try to unlock the secrets of her Dog without letting its power get into the wrong hands.

I bought this book when it first came out in 2010, largely because of the interesting premise and setting. The world of the novel is a pretty clear parallel to European colonization of the New World; indeed, Sjenn and her people are explicitly based on the Inuit nation. I also thought the system of magic sounded interesting and different from anything I'd seen before. The book moves at a glacial pace (no pun intended), but the writing is lovely and unique, so I didn't mind settling in for a slower read. I also found both Sjenn and Jarrett to be very interesting characters, although neither one was developed in a lot of depth. The book doesn't technically end on a cliffhanger, but there is definitely a lot more to the story. So I would be really interested to read a sequel…except that a sequel doesn't exist! Apparently the author didn't have a multi-book contract, and I guess her publisher decided to pull the plug after the first book was released. As a result, I'm incredibly frustrated, because I think this story had a lot of potential as a series! But unfortunately, I don't think the book stands very well on its own, so I'm not sure I would recommend it.

Boo. That's always so sad when a book's promise let's us down :(

>115 avanders: I know! The worst thing, to me, is that I would have liked this book a lot more if it had sequels! It needs a sequel in order to reach its full potential! Sadly, there's just not one. :(

Hmm, interesting.. will there definitely not be one? (I know nothing about the series :))

>117 avanders: Well, The Gaslight Dogs came out in 2010, and there's no word of a sequel as yet, so I would think there just isn't going to be one. Of course, some authors do wait several years before writing sequels to their books, so I guess anything's possible!

You're probably right, but here's hoping!

>119 avanders: Haha, love it!

Book #33: Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind (trans. Lucia Graves)
Date Acquired: October 2, 2010

When Daniel Sempere is ten years old, his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books for the first time. There he must choose one book that calls to him, and it will be his job to protect it forever. Daniel chooses a novel called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax, unaware that this simple decision will alter the entire course of his life. Daniel reads the book and loves it, so he tries to find other novels by Carax, only to discover that there are none. Someone is systematically destroying every copy of every book Julián Carax ever wrote, and he is calling himself Laín Coubert, one of Carax's names for the devil. As Daniel comes of age in mid-20th-century Barcelona, he makes it his mission to discover who is destroying Carax's books and why. His quest leads him to a long-buried secret involving friendship, passion, madness, and true love. But the more deeply Daniel digs into Carax's mysterious background, the more he discovers parallels to his own life, and the more danger he finds himself in.

This is one of those books that just didn't grab me, for some reason. I found myself able to put it down for days at a time, and when I finally did power through it, my mind kept wandering. But I don't quite understand why, becasue I honestly liked a lot of things about this book! First of all, I'm now dying to visit Barcelona because of the vivid descriptions of its streets, neighborhoods, and restaurants. I also enjoyed the almost Dickensian depictions of the secondary characters, like this one: "His mouth was glued to a half-smoked cigar that seemed to grow out of his mustache. It was hard to tell whether he was asleep or awake, because he breathed like most people snore." The plot is fairly melodramatic, but it's undeniably interesting and full of event. Maybe I was a bit put off by the staggering number of coincidences connecting Daniel's story to Carax's, or maybe I didn't like the portrayal of the female characters (who are basically nothing more than male fantasies). Ultimately, I just didn't connect that much to the story or characters, so it was an effort for me to finish the book.

Book #34: Ada Leverson, Love's Shadow
Date Acquired: September 25, 2011

Edith Ottley, a pretty and intelligent young woman, has begun to be bored with her life. Her husband Bruce is pompous, condescending, and unaware of his intellectual inferiority to his wife. Edith's only solace is the companionship of her friend Hyacinth Verney, a young heiress who is living a dashing and unconventional life in London. Hyacinth has just begun to explore the possibility of getting married, and she is strongly attracted to the handsome but aloof Cecil Reeve. But Cecil, in turn, is hopelessly in love with a widow ten years his senior, although she doesn't return his affections. In short, this novel is a comedy of manners about a social circle in which everyone is in love with the wrong person. Amidst all their tangled romances and unrequited loves, can any of the characters find true happiness?

I read this novel a couple weeks ago, and I find that I don't have much to say about it now. The book is quite witty in places, and some of the situations and characters strongly reminded me of Jane Austen. (Bruce Ottley, for example, is a slightly more sympathetic Mr. Collins if ever there was one -- which makes me wonder why Edith married him in the first place!) But this book never really goes below the surface or allows the reader to sympathize with any of the characters. All the conflicts in the book came across as trivial to me, and in the end I didn't much care how all the various romances resolved. If you enjoy stylish, witty comedies of manners, you'll find something to enjoy in this novel; but if you need a strong plot or sympathetic characters, you'll end up feeling frustrated, as I did.

Book #35: Shusaku Endo, Silence (trans. William Johnston)
Date Acquired: April 28, 2013

This novel is set in 17th-century Japan, at a time when Christianity has been outlawed, and Christians are imprisoned and tortured so that they will renounce their faith. Nevertheless, various missionary groups from Europe, both Catholic and Protestant, continue to arrive in Japan in hopes of spreading the Christian religion there. One such missionary is Sebastian Rodrigues, a Portuguese priest who believes that God is calling him to minister to His church in Japan. Rodrigues also hopes to find his former teacher and mentor, Father Ferreira, who is rumored to have renounced Christianity and adopted a traditional Japanese lifestyle. When Rodrigues arrives in Japan, his enthusiasm for his mission slowly declines as he sees Christian peasants being tortured and executed for their faith. For the first time, he experiences serious doubts in the face of God's silence: If He exists, why does He allow his faithful disciples to suffer? As Rodrigues struggles with this question, he must eventually decide whether his faith is truly worth defending at any cost.

This book is laser-focused on a single issue: God's silence in the face of suffering, and the implications of that for a person of faith. If this is an issue that interests you at all, I would definitely recommend this book! The writing style is sparse and direct, enhancing the nature of the stark choice that confronts Sebastian Rodrigues. The character's struggle really rang true for me, and there are certainly no easy answers in this book. For me the most compelling character was Kichijiro, the Japanese guide who shelters Father Rodrigues and his companions but later betrays them. He is a weak, pathetic, utterly despicable character, yet Rodrigues comments that "Christ did not die for the good and beautiful. It is easy enough to die for the good and beautiful; the hard thing is to die for the miserable and corrupt...." In sum, this book isn't a particularly fun or quick read, but I think it's an important one for anyone interested in questions of faith or in the clash between Western religion and Eastern culture.

Hi Christina, just waving and reading your reviews!

Thanks for stopping by, Connie!

Hi Christina, and Silence is going on my TBR list!

>126 Tess_W: Ooh, I hope you enjoy it!

Book #36: Kate Lord Brown, The Beauty Chorus
Date Acquired: April 2, 2012

This novel centers around three female pilots who join the Air Transport Auxiliary, ferrying planes back and forth between Allied bases during World War II. Evie Chase is a headstrong young debutante who enjoys her life of privilege but wants to "do her bit" for the war effort -- and escape from her odious stepmother. Stella Grainger is struggling with being separated from her baby boy, whom she's sent to her husband's parents in Ireland. And Megan Jones, a 17-year-old Welsh girl, wants nothing more than to keep her family's farm running and to marry her sweetheart, Bill. These three young women couldn't be more different, but when they join the ATA and become roommates, they form an extremely close bond. Together they deal with the challenges of flying different aircraft, the discrimination they face for being women in a man's world, and the joys and sorrows of wartime love affairs. But despite their strength and determination, they can never quite escape the brutal realities of war.

This is a book I really wanted to love. The story has so much going for it -- WWII, female pilots, romance, and even a little espionage! -- but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The biggest problem for me was the clunky writing style; for example, on one occasion, the author drops a character name into the story before introducing that character. I had to flip backward to make sure I hadn't somehow missed his entrance, but in fact, it was just a confusing way to introduce the new character. There's also a lot of head-hopping in the book; not only does the point of view shift between the three girls (which would be understandable), but there are random paragraphs from the perspectives of their suitors and various other minor characters. Finally, while I liked the main characters in theory, they never really rose above clichés. For example, Evie is a typical HF heroine: incredibly beautiful, naturally talented as a flyer, and implausibly far ahead of her time. Overall, while the book certainly wasn't a slog, I can't say I'd recommend it either.

I just realized that based on my current reading plan for the rest of 2014, I will double my original ROOT goal! I had planned to ROOT out 21 books, but it looks like I'll have read 42 by the end of the year! :)

Awesome! And Thanks for helping out with the *group* ROOT goal by so much! ;)

"Awesome" from me too!

Nice!! :D

That's great!

>130 avanders: >131 connie53: >132 rabbitprincess: >133 dudes22: Thanks, all! :) I probably should have set myself a bigger goal to begin with…but at least this way I can help out the group as a whole!

Book #37: Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens
Date Acquired: January 14, 2010

Since the beginning of the world, the forces of good and evil have been preparing for battle, and now Armageddon is imminent. The Four Horsepersons of the Apocalypse roam the earth, the Antichrist is about to be born, and the end times are at hand. But angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley aren't terribly enthusiastic about the upcoming war and ensuing destruction of Earth. In fact, they've both become rather fond of the planet and the foolish humans who populate it. So unbeknownst to their superiors, they strike a truce: neither one of them will attempt to influence the newborn Antichrist in their favor. Little do they know that, thanks to a mix-up at the hospital, they've focused their efforts on the wrong baby! Meanwhile, the Antichrist grows up as a perfectly normal human boy called Adam Young, who knows nothing about his special destiny. But as the signs of the end times become harder to ignore, Aziraphale and Crowley must race against time to prevent Adam from unwittingly using his powers to destroy the world.

This book is a delightful romp through the Book of Revelation and common cultural perceptions regarding the end of the world. It truly has something for everyone, from demons to witchfinders to psychics to aliens, and I lost count of the jokes that made me laugh out loud! I loved the fact that Famine (one of the Horsepersons) was a diet guru, and that one of Crowley's most notable Hellish accomplishments was the M25 motorway surrounding London. The book's plot is rather sprawling, and I wasn't a big fan of every storyline (didn't care too much about Anathema Device, for example, although I loved Newton Pulsifer -- the name alone!). But then again, who cares about plot when there's such brilliant silliness to enjoy? I do think this book would be best enjoyed by people who are at least somewhat familiar with the Book of Revelation, because otherwise you won't get all the jokes! But I honestly think that anyone who enjoys British humor will find this book hugely entertaining.

>135 christina_reads: Ooh, glad you enjoyed it! I loved it too :)

>136 avanders: It was a lot of fun! And a good read for Halloween, in my opinion. :)

oh yes, I can see that! :)

Book #38: Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth
Date Acquired: July 28, 2011

This classic children's book tells the story of a bored little boy named Milo who comes home one day to find a mysterious package in his bedroom. The package turns out to be a toy tollbooth, and when he assembles it and drives through in his little electric car, he is transported to a new world. Milo visits a variety of unusual places, including the hostile cities of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and the island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping). He also receives an important mission: to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason from where they are imprisoned in a castle in the air. Along the way, Milo encounters many dangers, including the land of Illusion, the Doldrums, and the demons of Ignorance. Luckily, with the help of his friends Tock and Humbug, he is finally able to rescue the princesses and restore them to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Ultimately, he learns that his "boring" life is actually more interesting than he ever imagined.

For some reason, I never read this beloved children's classic when I was growing up. If I had read it around age 7 or 8, it probably would have been one of my favorite books. But even as an adult reading it for the first time, I found a lot to enjoy and admire. I'm a sucker for puns and wordplay, and this book is chock-full of it, from the watchdog with a clock for a body to King Azaz of Dictionopolis. There's also a hint of satire, as when the Humbug explains that several family members have occupied prominent positions in history; for example, many kings have been Humbugs. The book is quite didactic, though, which I wasn't expecting. Nearly every creature and situation Milo encounters is designed to teach him (and the book's young readers) a lesson. I did find these constant "teaching moments" a little tedious, but luckily the book has a lot of whimsy to make up for them. Overall, I definitely think this is a great book for children, but if you missed it as a kid, it's not too late to enjoy it as an adult!

I'm glad you enjoyed the book. All 5 of my grandchildren have read it and it's on my TBR list!

>139 christina_reads: ooooh, one of my all-time favorites!

>140 Tess_W: Oh, it's a lot of fun! Hope you enjoy it. :)

>141 avanders: Haha, so many people have told me that! I'm sure I would say the same if I'd read it for the first time as a child.

Book #39: Rachel Ferguson, The Brontës Went to Woolworths
Date Acquired: October 2, 2010

This book follows the fortunes of three sisters: Katrine is an actress, Deirdre is a journalist, and Sheil is still in the schoolroom. All three girls have very rich imaginations, and they have populated their world with a host of ficitonal friends, some of whom are based on real people. When the girls' mother acts as a juror in the courtroom of Judge Toddington, the sisters immediately adopt him and his wife into their circle of imaginary friends. They affectionately nickname him "Toddy" and concoct a wealth of details about his life, from the state of his marriage to his favorite foods. But their world of make-believe collides with reality when Deirdre actually meets Judge Toddington's wife at a charity event. As she and her sisters get to know Toddy in real life, will they be able to cope with the shattering of their illusions? Are they bound to be disappointed by the flesh-and-blood Toddingtons? And what would Toddy and his wife say if they knew the truth?

This is a strange little book, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, Deirdre and her sisters are a lot of fun, and their flights of fancy are as entertaining as they are ridiculous. I often got confused about what was actually fantasy versus reality -- but then again, I think that's the point. I also loved the actual characters of Judge Toddington and his wife, as distinct from the girls' fictional narrative about them. They are both very kind people who actually want to become friends with the girls, and when they realize that they are stepping into a pre-existing narrative, they do their best not to disturb the girls' fun. On the other hand, I couldn't help being a little put off by the girls themselves. The reader is clearly supposed to sympathize with their flights of fancy, but I couldn't help identifying a little bit with Sheil's governess, who is shocked by the magnitude of their fantasy world. These girls are not practical, and they live a wildly sheltered life; I found them quite irritating at times. Still, the book is very charming overall, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the premise.

Book #40: Ben H. Winters, The Last Policeman
Date Acquired: September 28, 2013

Hank Palace, a police detective in Concord, New Hampshire, is investigating the death of a man who was found hanged in a McDonald's bathroom. His fellow police officers are certain it's a suicide, and with good reason: an asteroid is hurtling towards Earth, and collision is both certain and imminent. As a result, suicides are on the rise, along with a variety of other behaviors. Some people are "bucket listers," quitting their jobs to chase their lifelong dreams while they still can. Some people turn to religion, others to drugs. In these circumstances, one more dead man -- especially one who appears to have hanged himself -- doesn't matter very much to the police. But Hank suspects that there's something wrong about this suicide, and he's determined to discover what really happened. He uncovers several more mysteries in his investigation, including a hidden cache of drugs and a beautiful woman who knows more than she's saying. But the biggest obstacle of all is the widespread indifference to his quest. If the end of the world is imminent, does one potential murder even matter?

This novel is an interesting combination of two popular genres, the police procedural and the apocalyptic novel, and I think it's a fairly successful one. Hank Palace is a dry, unintentionally funny narrator who manages to retain some of his ideals despite the cynicism of his surroundings. Even though he knows that life is about to change forever (assuming life will continue at all after the asteroid hits), he remains devoted to his job. But the world of this novel is even more interesting than its narrator. I think the various reactions of people in the book to the impending catastrophe are very plausible. And the details Hank lets slip about the new role of government are as realistic as they are chilling. In this world, every crime is punishable by death or life imprisonment. There is no habeas corpus, so anyone suspected of lawbreaking is condemned without trial. The US Constitution is still the law of the land, but it's impossible to enforce -- and most government officials and police officers don't really care. Overall, I was fascinated by the setting of this novel and will eventually continue with the series to see what hapepns.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Christina!

Thanks, Connie -- same to you! :)

Hi Christina, you almost doubled your ROOT goal, how wonderful is that! All the best for the holidays!

>147 MissWatson: Thanks! Obviously I aimed a bit too low this year. Have a merry Christmas and a great holiday!

Book #41: D.E. Stevenson, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Date Acquired: March 16, 2011

This novel purports to be the diary of Hester Christie, a young army wife who must juggle her responsibilities to her family, to the regiment, and to the society in which she lives. Lively and popular, Hester has many demands on her time, including mandatory socializing with several disagreeable officers' wives. But her perpetually busy life becomes even more chaotic when her husband, Tim, is transferred to a regiment in Scotland. Hester is sorry to leave but tries to make the best of it, although it means she will be lonely and friendless while Tim is busy with army duties. However, she soon makes a few friends and is even invited to spend time in the country with one of them. In these beautiful surroundings, with congenial company, Hester becomes more reconciled to her new life -- and finds plenty of ways to occupy her time, including assisting several young lovers. Little does she realize, of course, that one of the men she meets is interested in her!

When I want a light, charming comfort read, D.E. Stevenson always fits the bill, and this book is no exception. It's an interesting mixture of slice-of-life with comedy of manners, as Hester can't help poking fun at some of her less congenial acquaintances. I thoroughly enjoyed her narrative voice and found her a very likeable character. The biggest flaw in the book, in my opinion, is her husband Tim. He's not "on page" terribly often, and while it's obvious that Hester loves him very much, she also can't help noticing his little foibles. So I was a bit lukewarm on their relationship, especially when Hester's other suitor, Major Morley, is so much more interesting! Morley actually plays a fairly large role in the book, as he is Tim's fellow officer and ends up visiting Hester's hostess in the Scottish countryside. He has an air of cynicism but is also quite sweet to Hester, and I couldn't help wishing that she was single (and less oblivious) so that they could get together! But aside from that, I enjoyed the book and would be interested in reading the sequels, though I think they might be out of print now.

>150 avanders: Merry Christmas to you too!

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Christina.

A belated Merry Christmas to you, Christina, and a wish for an outrageously wonderful 2015!

Book #42: Kate Ross, The Devil in Music
Date Acquired: April 23, 2010

This final installment of the Julian Kestrel series moves from England to Italy, as Julian encounters a five-year-old mystery while traveling on the Continent. Lodovico Malvezzi, a powerful Milanese nobleman, was murdered in 1821, but because of the unstable political situation at the time, the local officials covered up the true cause of his death. Now, in 1825, the truth has finally come out, and the police are once more searching for Lodovico's killer. The most likely suspect is a young tenor called Orfeo, whom Lodovico had been training for a career in opera and who disappeared shortly after the murder. But Lodovico had kept the singer's real name a secret, and no one can give a clear description of him to the police. Meanwhile, Julian suspects that Orfeo may not be the guilty party, and he begins to investigate Lodovico's family, including his fascinating young widow, Beatrice, and his politically involved brother, Carlo. He soon discovers several motives for Lodovico's murder -- but secrets from Julian's own past will emerge before he can unmask the killer.

As previously mentioned, this is the last book in the Julian Kestrel series, and I'm heartbroken to have come to the end of it! I absolutely love historical fiction, mysteries, and anything set in the Regency period, so this series is really the perfect fit for me. Plus, I'm a sucker for a dandy who is more than he appears to be, which is definitely the case with Julian! That said, I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book specifically. The different setting was interesting, and I enjoyed the little bits of background about Italian politics and opera that permeate the book. I also liked the resolution of the mystery, although certain aspects of it were very predictable. The book's pacing is also a little slow, and the focus of the book is much more on Julian's character development than on the plot. While I was glad to see some more exploration of his character, it didn't altogether satisfy me. I think my issue is the romance between Julian and Beatrice, which just didn't ring true for me. Still, this is a good book in a great series, and I really wish there were more Julian Kestrel mysteries!

Book #43: Connie Willis, Miracle and Other Christmas Stories
Date Acquired: March 14, 2012

This collection of holiday-themed short stories is, in essence, Connie Willis' love letter to Christmas. In the introduction she professes her great love for all aspects of the season, and that love is very evident in the eight stories collected here. In "Miracle," a young woman discovers her heart's true desire with the help of "Miracle on 34th Street," "It's a Wonderful Life," and the Spirit of Christmas Present. In "Newsletter," a woman notices that everyone around her is suddenly acting kind and polite. Is it because of the Christmas spirit, or something more sinister? (Hint: the latter.) And in my personal favorite story, "Inn," an alto in the church choir lets a homeless couple into the church, only to discover that it's Mary and Joseph, lost in space and time on their way to Bethlehem. The genres in this collection range from romantic comedy to murder mystery, but each story deals with expectations that are turned upside-down, unexplained mysteries, and more than a few miracles.

I'm a big fan of Connie Willis, so I had high expectations for this collection, but I was still pleasantly surprised by how much I loved these stories. I knew I was in for a fun ride when Willis contended that "Miracle on 34th Street" is the best Christmas movie ever made, in defiance of the many lovers of "It's a Wonderful Life." I also loved the speculative edge to these stories, which really emphasized the wonder of Christmas to me. I mentioned that "Inn" is my favorite story in the bunch, and it's because Willis managed to re-present the first Christmas story in a new way. It's easy for that story to become familiar, comfortable, and even dull; but "Inn" reminded me that it's actually a shocking tale in many ways. My one quibble with the collection is that Willis claimed all her stories would have happy endings, but at least two of them ("In Coppelius's Toyshop" and "Cat's Paw") are quite dark! Nevertheless, I loved this book and think it's a perfect December read!

Phew, I'm finally caught up with my reviews for this challenge! And since I won't be reading any more ROOTs in 2014, I'll just say Happy New Year and best of luck to those who are continuing with the challenge in 2015!


(Image from here.)

Happy new year, Christina!