lindapanzo's 2014 reading--3rd inning

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lindapanzo's 2014 reading--3rd inning

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1lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 29, 2014, 12:14 am

Welcome to my work-in-progress 2014 thread!!




I spend a lot of my free time listening to satellite radio, both at home and in the car. Mostly what I listen to are songs from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, what I think of as songs from my school years.

I’ve chosen 14 categories, each with a song from my “school years” era to represent that category and I'm hoping to read 10 books in each category. Also hope to allow myself 14 overlaps AND actually use those overlaps in 2014.

Note that, for 2014, I'm allowing myself more mystery-related categories.

This is always subject to change, of course!!

MY 2014 CATEGORIES:

1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack: Books that are the First in a Series--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
2. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen: Books that are Next in a Series--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
3. Brand New Key by Melanie: Books that are the Most Recent in a Series--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
4. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy by the Ohio Express: Food-Related Fiction--Read 8 out of 8 --CATEGORY COMPLETED
5. Trying to Get the Feeling Again by Barry Manilow: Abandoned Mystery Series (ones that I last read before 1/1/11)--Read 8 out of 8--
6. Even More Next in the Series--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
7. American Pie by Don McLean: Novels (I’m thinking nonmysteries here)—this is my all-time favorite song but it does tend to go on while telling the story, the way some novels do--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
8. Walk Right In by the Rooftop Singers: Kindle Singles--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
9. In the Winter by Janis Ian: Cold--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
10. We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel: Nonfiction (with an emphasis on 20th century)--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
11. Go Cubs Go by Steve Goodman: Baseball Books--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
12. Free Ride by the Edgar Winter Group: Books I Obtained at No Charge--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
13. Old Friends by Simon & Garfunkel: Actual Books Off My Actual Shelves--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED
14. Simply Irresistible by Robert Palmer: Overflow—Books That I Can’t Get Enough Of (aka Overflow)--Read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

2lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 23, 2014, 12:13 pm

Category #1: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack: Books that are the First in a Series--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

Pretty self explanatory. I don't know exactly how many mystery series I'm reading, but there's always room for more!!

1. A Dangerous Talent by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins--finished on 12/28/13
2. Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton--finished on 1/29/14
3. New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith--finished on 7/20/14
4. Murder on the Iditarod Trail by Sue Henry--finished on 8/11/14
5. Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross--finished on 9/7/14
6. The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry--finished on 9/25/14
7. Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy--finished on 11/11/14
8. Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene--finished on 11/22/14

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:
--Murder and Marinara by Rosie Genova
--A Bespoke Murder by Edward Marston

3lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 1:51 pm

Category #2: Another One Bites the Dust by Queen: Books that are Next in a Series--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

I could have 14 categories relating to next in the series, but I'll limit myself to one category and try to cleverly work the rest into another category, somewhere.

1. Urn Burial by Kerry Greenwood--finished on 12/31/13
2. Too Many Women by Rex Stout--finished on 1/11/14
3. A Cruise to Die For by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins--finished on 2/10/14
4. Raisins and Almonds by Kerry Greenwood--finished on 4/20/14
5. An Impartial Witness by Charles Todd--finished on 5/16/14
6. Dead, White, and Blue by Carolyn Hart--finished on 6/22/14
7. Murder in the Ball Park by Robert Goldsborough--finished on 7/8/14
8. Shadows on a Maine Christmas by Lea Wait--finished on 10/1/14

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:
--Never Forgotten by Terri Reid

4lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 1:50 pm

Category #3: Brand New Key by Melanie: Books that are the Most Recent in a Series--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

I've got dozens of series in which I'm completely up to date and eager to read the newest release. Here's where I'll put them.

1. How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny--finished on 12/24/13
2. Shadows of Death by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 1/7/14
3. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich--finished on 2/4/14
4. The Drowning Spool by Monica Ferris--finished on 2/17/14
5. The Prime Minister's Secret Agent by Susan Elia MacNeal--finished on 7/10/14
6. Dead Lil' Hustler by Victoria Houston--finished on 7/31/14
7. Day of Vengeance by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 8/6/14
8. The Long Way Home by Louise Penny--finished on 9/13/14

5lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Sept. 5, 2014, 5:07 pm

Category #4: Yummy, Yummy, Yummy (I've Got Love in My Tummy) by the Ohio Express: Food-Related Fiction--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

Food-related fiction, focusing mostly on mysteries, was my favorite category in 2013 so I had to bring it back for an encore.

1. Sweet Suspects by Jessica Beck--finished on 12/21/13
2. Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs--finished on 3/6/14
3. Death by the Dozen by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 3/25/14
4. A Killer Cake by Jessica Beck--finished on 3/29/14
5. A Roux of Revenge by Connie Archer--finished on 4/14/14
6. Deep Fried Homicide by Jessica Beck--finished on 8/9/14
7. Custard Crime by Jessica Beck--finished on 8/31/14
8. Lemon Larceny by Jessica Beck--finished on 9/4/14

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:
--donut shop mysteries 15
--classic diner series

6lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 15, 2014, 12:34 am

Category #5: Trying to Get the Feeling Again by Barry Manilow: Abandoned Mystery Series (ones that I last read before 1/1/11)--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Mourn Not Your Dead by Deborah Crombie--finished on 2/22/14 (last read this series in 2009)
2. Pride and Predator by Sally Wright--finished on 4/25/14 (last read this series in 1999)
3. Deadlock by Sara Paretsky--finished on 5/8/14
4. A Touch of Frost by R.D. Wingfield--finished on 5/26/14
5. The Tomb That Ruth Built by Troy Soos--finished on 5/28/14 (last read this series in 1999)
6. B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton--finished on 10/11/14 (last read this series in 1995)
7. Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy L. Sayers and Jill Paton Walsh--finished on 10/19/14
8. C Is for Corpse by Sue Grafton--finished on 11/14/14

Here's a new category for me. My challenge is to find a number of mystery series I used to love but, for whatever reason, I haven't read in years.

I've defined abandoned as one I haven't read in 3 years. Realizing that, once I read a book in an abandoned series, it's no longer abandoned, I'm letting myself read multiple books in what was an abandoned series, if I want to.

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:
--Wings of Fire by Charles Todd (last read in 1997)
--Sally Wright
--William Kent Krueger books
--Deborah Crombie books
--Ian Rankin books
--Agatha Raisin series
--Diane Mott Davidson
--Maureen Jennings
--Alpine series from Mary Daheim

7lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 29, 2014, 12:14 am

Category #6: Even More Next in the Series--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill--finished on 10/7/14
2. French Pastry Murder by Leslie Meier--finished on 10/28/14
3. Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney--finished on 11/1/14
4. Death Before Wicket by Kerry Greenwood--finished on 11/7/14
5. A New York Christmas by Anne Perry--finished on 11/9/14
6. A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy L. Sayers--finished on 11/18/14
7. The Laws of Murder by Charles Finch--finished on 11/27/14
8. Bad Bites by Jessica Beck--finished on 11/28/14

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:

8lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Sept. 22, 2014, 2:33 pm

Category #7: American Pie by Don McLean: Novels--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. 1. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather--finished on 1/4/14
2. Bleak House by Charles Dickens--finished on 1/25/14
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth--finished on 3/3/14
4. An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor--finished on 3/23/14
5. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy--finished on 4/3/14
6. Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas--finished on 5/4/14
7. A Light in the Window by Jan Karon--finished on 6/2/14
8. Torn Away by Jennifer Brown--finished on 9/21/14

I’m thinking nonmysteries here. American Pie is my all-time favorite song but it does tend to go on and on (for 7 minutes, I think) while telling the story, the way some novels do.

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:

--Turbulence by Giles Foden

9lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Aug. 31, 2014, 10:08 pm

Category #8: Walk Right In by the Rooftop Singers: Kindle Singles--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

A short song. Walk right in, sit right down, and read a Kindle single in its entirety in one sitting.

1. Pick-Off Play by Troy Soos--finished on 6/1/14
2. I Murdered My Library by Linda Grant--finished on 7/14/14
3. Eddie and the Gun Girl by Mark Kram, Jr.--finished on 7/22/14
4. The Spirit of '76: From Politics to Technology, the Year America Went Rock & Roll by David Browne--finished on 8/7/14
5. At The Captain's Table: Life on a Luxury Liner by Hugh Thomson--finished on 8/17/14
6. Why We Fly: The Meaning of Travel in a Hyperconnected Age by Evan Rail--finished on 8/26/14
7. The Girl in Room Fourteen by Carol Drinkwater--finished on 8/28/14
8. Cloud Racers by Adam L. Penenberg--finished on 8/31/14

10lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Aug. 31, 2014, 10:08 pm

Category #9: In the Winter by Janis Ian: Cold--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

This is a somewhat creative category for me. I intend to fill it with Christmas books, books about winter or with winter in the title, books about snow, avalanches, or those featuring cold weather, or perhaps even hockey.

1. The History of the Snowman by Bob Eckstein--finished on 12/15/13
2. In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story by David McCullough--finished on 12/15/13
3. Christmas Carol Murder by Leslie Meier--finished on 12/18/13
4. Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson--finished on 12/22/13
5. Farthest North: America's First Arctic Hero and His Horrible, Wonderful Voyage to the Frozen Top of the World by Todd Balf--finished on 12/29/13
6. Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas--finished on 5/4/14
7. A Touch of Frost by R.D. Wingfield--finished on 5/26/14
8. Murder on the Iditarod Trail by Sue Henry--finished on 8/11/14

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:
--Snow Falling on Cedars
--Smilla's Sense of Snow
--Christmas books
--Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub
--A Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
--A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
--A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans
--The Frozen Thames
--Snow by Orhan Pamuk
--Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places by Bill Streever
--Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff
--Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich
--The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam

11lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 6, 2014, 12:51 pm

Category #10: We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel: Nonfiction (with an emphasis on 20th century)--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Everything Was Better in America: Print Culture in the Great Depression by David Welky--finished on 2/2/14
2. Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser Busch and America's Kings of Beers--finished on 2/7/14
3. Wilson by A. Scott Berg--finished on 3/16/14 (overlap with free book category)
4. When the Sirens Were Silent by Mike Smith--finished on 4/26/14
5. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Finks--finished on 5/23/14
6. March 1939: Before the Madness by Terry Frei--finished on 9/11/14
7. Working for the Royals by Brian Hoey--finished on 10/30/14
8. On Shaky Ground by Norma Hayes Bagnall--finished on 11/5/14

In this song, Billy Joel lists a number of 20th century events. No doubt I'll be reading about some of those, though I plan to focus on the years after World War 1, the Great Depression, and possibly some books on World War 2.

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:

-The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
--December 1941 by Craig Shirley
--Those Angry Days by Lynne Olsen

12lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Aug. 31, 2014, 10:09 pm

Category #11: Go Cubs Go by Steve Goodman: Baseball Books--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. The Baseball Codes by Jason Turbow--finished on 2/13/14
2. The Victory Season by Robert Weintraub--finished on 3/2/14
3. A Nice Little Place on the North Side by George Will--finished on 3/17/14 (overlap with free book category)
4. Ball Four by Jim Bouton--finished on 4/8/14
5. They Called Me God: The Best Umpire Who Ever Lived by Doug Harvey--finished on 5/17/14
6. Eddie and the Gun Girl by Mark Kram, Jr.--finished on 7/22/14
7. Red Sox vs. Yankees: The Great Rivalry by Harvey Frommer--finished on 7/20/14
8. Mudville Madness by Jonathan Weeks--finished on 8/25/14


At Wrigley Field, we sing this song when the Cubs win. However, it's been around since, I believe, the late 70s, as sung by diehard Cubs fan, Steve Goodman. He also did A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request but I think Go Cubs Go is more upbeat.

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:
--Throwback by Jason Kendall

13lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 12, 2014, 11:43 am

Category #12: Free Ride by the Edgar Winter Group: Books I Obtained at No Charge--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Ten Lords A-Leaping by C.C. Benison--finished on 1/18/14 (obtained via LT's ER program)
2. Wilson by A. Scott Berg--finished on 3/16/14 (obtained via LT's ER program--overlap with my nonfiction category)
3. A Nice Little Place on the North Side by George Will--finished on 3/17/14 (obtained via Net Galley--overlap with baseball category)
4. Red Sox vs. Yankees: The Great Rivalry by Harvey Frommer--finished on 7/20/14 (obtained via ER)
5. Mudville Madness by Jonathan Weeks--finished on 8/25/14 (obtained via ER)
6. March 1939: Before the Madness by Terry Frei--finished on 9/11/14 (obtained via ER)
7. The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell (obtained via library e-book)--finished on 10/15/14
8. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami (obtained via library e-book--finished on 10/21/14

My intention is to read books that I got via ER, Net Galley, or ones that were somehow given to me. If need be, I'll round it out with library books.

14lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 23, 2014, 12:14 pm

Category #13: Old Friends by Simon & Garfunkel: Actual Books Off My Actual Shelves--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

1. Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 2/9/14
2. Deadlock by Sara Paretsky--finished on 5/8/14
3. How Hockey Explains Canada by Paul Henderson--finished on 8/22/14
4. Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy L. Sayers and Jill Paton Walsh--finished on 10/19/14
5. Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy--finished on 11/11/14
6. C Is for Corpse by Sue Grafton--finished on 11/14/14
7. A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy L. Sayers--finished on 11/18/14
8. Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene--finished on 11/22/14

POSSIBLES INCLUDE:

15lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 10, 2014, 3:30 pm

Category #14: Simply Irresistible by Robert Palmer: Overflow—Books That I Can’t Get Enough Of--read 8 out of 8--CATEGORY COMPLETED

After I finish any of the other categories, any extras will fit in here.

1. How Hockey Explains Canada by Paul Henderson--finished on 8/22/14 (would've gone into the Cold category)
2. The Mouth That Roared by Dallas Green--finished on 8/28/14 (would've gone in the baseball category)
3. Ken Burns: The Kindle Singles Interview by Tom Roston--finished on 9/11/14 (would've gone into the Kindle singles category)
4. The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell (would've gone into the novels category)--finished on 10/15/14
5. The Doctor Will See You Shortly by Jonathan Black--finished on 10/19/14 (would've gone into the Kindle singles category)
6. Where Nobody Knows Your Name by John Feinstein--finished on 10/25/14
7. Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare--finished on 11/3/14
8. A New York Christmas by Anne Perry--finished on 11/9/14

16-Eva-
Sept. 1, 2014, 7:33 pm

Happy new thread!!! How nice you got to see LauraBrook! Hope they're doing OK!

17mamzel
Sept. 2, 2014, 3:58 pm

Nice new thread to finish out the year!

18lindapanzo
Sept. 5, 2014, 5:08 pm

Lemon Larceny by Jessica Beck--finished on 9/5/14

This 15th and most recent book in the donut shop cozy mystery series is a bit better than the other recent short ones. Suzanne Hart, the donut shop owner, is away in another town, along with her mother, investigating the death of her Aunt Jean. Aunt Jean tripped and fell down the stairs and everyone thinks it's an accident but Jean herself had suspicions, which she voiced in her diary.

An interesting premise, a cozy investigation with a different than usual pairing.

19lindapanzo
Sept. 5, 2014, 5:09 pm

Thanks, always fun to start a new thread, isn't it?

I finished my fourth category with several others close to finishing.

I'm on pto from yesterday through Tuesday and hope to get a lot of reading done.

20lindapanzo
Sept. 7, 2014, 9:15 pm

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann. B. Ross--finished on 9/7/14

This is a charming southern novel, with some mystery elements. The first in the series. Miss Julia is recently widowed and, along with all of his money, her late husband of 44 years, a pillar of the church and business community, also apparently left behind an illegitimate son.

This has a colorful cast of characters and I'm eager to read on in this delightful series.

21cbl_tn
Sept. 7, 2014, 9:55 pm

I love Miss Julia! The series keeps getting better. Some of my favorite characters aren't in the first book.

22lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Sept. 11, 2014, 12:16 pm

March 1939: Before the Madness by Terry Frei--finished on 9/11/14

March Madness and all the hoopla surrounding the annual national college basketball championship tournament had to start somewhere and this book beautifully chronicles the early days of the tournament, focusing on the the first national championship tournament winner, the Oregon Webfoots, who won the inaugural tournament in 1939.

Besides unearthing a lot of interesting information about the games and the players on that championship team, the author also weaves in current events leading up to World War 2, as well as interesting facts about the state of the game at that time. For instance, this was soon after the rule providing for a center court jump ball after each basket was eliminated. Also, James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was still alive and attended the tournament on the Northwestern University campus in Chicagoland.

Also of interest were the parts addressing the rivalry between this national championship tournament and the "national invitation tournament" now called the NIT which began in the previous year and focused more on East Coast teams.

This is a very interesting book, even for the non-basketball fan, one that I would recommend.

23thornton37814
Sept. 11, 2014, 11:06 pm

>22 lindapanzo: I see we reviewed that one similarly.

24lindapanzo
Sept. 12, 2014, 1:46 pm

Ken Burns: The Kindle Singles Interview by Tom Roston--finished on 9/11/14

In anticipation of the new Ken Burns' documentary (starts this Sunday!!) on the Roosevelts, I wanted to read this interview with Burns. Very interesting and informative interview on his life and his work.

25cyderry
Sept. 13, 2014, 12:12 am

I've got the Roosevelts set to record just in case I miss it!

26lindapanzo
Sept. 13, 2014, 12:22 am

I'll be watching The Roosevelt's instead of the Bears game.

Hoping I finish the new Louise Penny before then or else I won't want to watch anything.

27lindapanzo
Sept. 14, 2014, 11:42 am

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny--finished on 9/13/14

Wow!! Just wow. That's about all I can say about the newest installment in Louise Penny's long-running Armand Gamache series set in Quebec. I took my time reading it because I wanted to savor it and didn't want it to end.

In this one, Gamache is retired and living in Three Pines with his wife, Reinie Marie, enjoying a peaceful existence when fellow villager, Clara, tells him that her husband, Peter, was to return to her one year after he left but didn't do so.

With Clara in the lead, and assisted by her friend, Myrna, as well as Gamache and Jean-Guy (with occasional assists from Reinie Marie and Ruth the poet), there's a sort of professional/amateur investigation as to where Peter could've gone. Great insights into the art world and what drives artists.

Because it was more of an amateur investigation, albeit assisted by professionals, this book had a somewhat different feel than other books in the series. Gamache and Jean-Guy could provide information on where Peter went during the past year but artistic insights were essential.

Once again, one of my favorites of the year and, if I think about it, quite possibly my favorite book in this outstanding series, so far. Highly, highly recommended!!

28lindapanzo
Sept. 14, 2014, 11:44 am

Five categories finished with 9 to go. Also, 29 books, including overlaps, til I finish the challenge.

29cbl_tn
Sept. 14, 2014, 12:14 pm

I haven't been as excited about the latest Louise Penny as usual because I've never liked Peter. In fact, this is the first time in years that I haven't pre-ordered the hardcover and received it on the release date. I'll get to it eventually, maybe sooner rather than later since you and others who've read it have praised it so much.

30lindapanzo
Sept. 14, 2014, 12:45 pm

You should read it soon, Carrie. I'd bet that you like it.

I like the new interaction feelings between Gamache and the Three Pines villagers. Interested to see where she takes the series from here.

31dudes22
Sept. 14, 2014, 5:03 pm

I'm only through book 3 on the Penny series, so I've been skipping what people have to say about the later books, just in case there's something I'd rather not know ahead of time.

32cyderry
Sept. 14, 2014, 10:31 pm

Carrie, Peter isn't one of my favorite of the Three Pines characters either, but I have so much faith in Ms. Penny's talent, I even believe that Peter will end up being redeemable .

33lindapanzo
Sept. 14, 2014, 10:47 pm

After watching part 1 of The Roosevelt's tonight, I realized I haven't read much about Teddy and definitely want to read part 2 of the Eleanor bio and much much more about FDR.

Pulling out my copy of the David McCullough book on TR.

34cyderry
Sept. 15, 2014, 5:51 pm

I watched last night too.
I'm finishing McKinley and plan to start TR with Mornings on Horseback and the Big Burn.

35sjmccreary
Sept. 15, 2014, 6:02 pm

darn - I missed it. I need to go check the listings to see if it's being repeated any time.

36lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Sept. 15, 2014, 6:19 pm

I've started Mornings on Horseback but it won't be an exclusive book so it'll probably take me awhile to read it.

We have a monthly dinner out with friends and so I'll miss tonight's episode of The Roosevelts. However, a helpful co-worker just told me that it's repeated immediately afterward. Since I tend to go to sleep about midnight or so, the timing is perfect for me (10 pm to midnight on the repeat).

Sandy, I think it's available on demand.

In my own news, our 10,000 steps program at work started officially today. Since I got my fitbit two weeks ago, my largest number of steps in a given day was 5,600. I lead a really sedentary life, sitting at a desk all day, driving to work etc, and really need to walk more. Anyway, on this the first official day, I'm at 5,700 steps so far with more than 6 hours to go.

Besides my own health improvement, I want to walk enough steps to be entered in the drawing for the mini iPad. I would need to average about 6,400 steps each day for the next 10 weeks. That'll be quite a challenge for me.

Besides the Theodore Roosevelt book, I'm also reading an Alisa Craig (Charlotte Macleod writing as Alisa Craig, which is an old series set in Canada. I'm reading A Pint of Murder. On it's face, I ought to love it but I can't quite put my finger on what it is that bugs me about this one. I'm about a quarter of the way through it and doubt I'll get much reading in tonight, between dinner out and watching the late The Roosevelts.

37sjmccreary
Sept. 15, 2014, 6:18 pm

Thanks, Linda, I'll check for that.

Good luck on the 10,000 steps program. Your natural competitiveness alone will cause you to be in the running for the drawing! It sounds like you're off to a good start on Day 1.

38lindapanzo
Sept. 15, 2014, 6:34 pm

>36 lindapanzo: Thanks, Sandy. This is quite a challenge for me. Up until about the early 1990's, I worked out regularly. Played on sports teams etc. Overall, very athletic until my botched surgery hit and I've never been the same since.

But, between an athletic friend at work and a couple of other active friends, I'll have lots of incentive. They won't hound me but they're already sharing in my (limited) early success.

39LittleTaiko
Sept. 16, 2014, 11:43 am

>36 lindapanzo: - Good luck on the 10,000 step challenge! Pretty soon, you'll find yourself walking around your house just to get in those extra steps to meet your goal. At least, that's what I have found myself doing sometimes towards the end of the day when I only need a couple hundred more steps. :)

40lindapanzo
Sept. 16, 2014, 11:58 am

>39 LittleTaiko: That already happened once. I was about 150 steps short of a nice round number so I walked around a bit.

I note, too, that once I get home, I don't put on many steps at all. I'd get up and walk around at the commercials but there are none for The Roosevelts.

Yesterday was my personal best. At least since I got the Fit Bit. Almost 7,200 steps. I was pooped by the end of the day, though. Since my "baseline average" was about 2,800, I am aiming this week to average 5,600.

As for reading, I've put A Pint of Murder on the "did not finish" list. Just can't get into it.

41LauraBrook
Sept. 22, 2014, 5:11 pm

Congrats on your step success, Linda! A fitbit is on my short list of things to buy, and as the weather is finally not hot or humid any more (thank you, weather goddess!) I'm working on making myself get out for a short walk every day. I've always wondered how many steps I take and calories I burn doing massage, let alone during my library job. Here's hoping I have a decent amount and won't have to walk around at home just to log steps too often.

Mom says thank you again for the bag of books. She loved Dead Lil Hustler and one of those cozies, and she's about halfway through Farm Fresh Murder right now.

42lindapanzo
Sept. 22, 2014, 6:08 pm

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown--finished on 9/21/14

I don't typically read YA books but this was a Missouri Readers selection and, since a tornado figures prominently into this novel, I thought I'd give it a shot. Excellent YA book!!

What does it mean to lose everything? Jersey, a high school girl, is caught in the basement of her family's home when a major tornado hits her town. She loses her possessions and the family members she loves. Her stepfather sends her to a small Missouri town to live with her biological father and his family. To say that Jersey does not cope well would be an understatement.

How to put the pieces of a shattered life back together are addressed wonderfully in this thought-provoking book.

43lindapanzo
Sept. 22, 2014, 6:10 pm

>41 LauraBrook: Laura, I do so little walking that I felt like I had to do this and, even with my first efforts, feel somewhat better already. Lots more energy.

During my first week, I substantially improved on my baseline number of steps (increased by about 1,800 steps per day), though I fell a bit short of my goal.

I've been trying to take at least one "walk" a day sometimes more, if I can. My biggest thing is that I'm parking far away from things and not as close as I possibly can. I bet I've added 1,000 steps a day just doing that, if not more.

44sjmccreary
Sept. 23, 2014, 10:12 am

>43 lindapanzo: It sounds like you had a good first week! And impressive that you can already tell a difference. A few years ago I bought a cheap pedometer and tried to keep track of my steps. I don't think it was very accurate, but it did make me more aware of how much I was walking. According to that thing, by parking at the end of the parking lot where ever I went in my weekly routine, I added an average of 200-300 steps per day. And I still park far away - which drives my family nuts.

Is your fitbit the kind that monitors your sleep, too? Some friends of ours got those last year and I've been interested ever since. I haven't been sleeping as well the last couple of years as I used to and worry about sleep apnea. Doc's not concerned by anything I've told him, so it would be nice to have confirmation that everything's OK or evidence to show him that maybe it's not. Friends told us that you can set a wake-up alarm and it will wake you at approximately the time you set, but at the proper point in your sleep cycle so that you wake up quickly and easily. Sounds very nice.

45lindapanzo
Sept. 23, 2014, 11:58 am

>44 sjmccreary: Sandy, the kind that monitors sleep is a wrist unit. I've heard that they fall off pretty easily and, since I'm a good sleeper, not to mention they cost double, I did not get one of those. (I think it's a Fitbit One.)

I got a Fitbit Zip which measures steps and, based on my height and weight, distance and calories burned, approx. Anyway, this one can attach to my bra or to my pants.

At work, if I park in the closest spot, it's probably 200 steps from car to desk. If I park at the farthest away point in the same lot, it's probably 800 steps and, if I take the driveway past the pond and go around and into the building via the other door, it's probably 1,200 steps. The closest restroom at work is exactly 100 steps each way for me but, if I go to the next closest one, it's about 250 steps each way.

46sjmccreary
Sept. 23, 2014, 12:43 pm

We're having dinner with our friends tonight, so I'll ask if they're still using the fitbits. When I checked the website, I saw the ones like yours that clip on. That would be kind of better than something on your arm - getting in the way at work. I like that you've counted the steps to and from your desk! I did that, too. It was 850 steps from the door of the building to my desk. Parking was iffy - the lot was always full so I just had to take what I could get - sometimes close, sometimes very far. But when I parked at the back of the lot at the grocery story and the library and Target - places where I had a choice - it really didn't add that much to my total.

47lindapanzo
Sept. 23, 2014, 12:54 pm

I'm even walking over to friends' desks, instead of emailing, where possible. My Cardinals fan friend, with whom I've been discussing their magic number (aka Pirates elimination number), is about 60 steps away. Heh.

Since she is my biggest walking supporter, I've actually been making quick visits more often.

This morning I had my longest walk yet, about 35 to 40 mins.

48sjmccreary
Sept. 23, 2014, 1:05 pm

Higher goal for week #2?

49lindapanzo
Sept. 23, 2014, 1:21 pm

>48 sjmccreary: Absolutely. My "baseline" was 2,750 per day and my first week goal was 5,500 per day. I was at only 4,585 average per day for the first official week.

This week, aiming for 5,500. I know that I'm going to have a bad day or two and so, realistically, most days ought to be aiming to have more like 6,500 per day.

50lindapanzo
Sept. 23, 2014, 3:24 pm

Oops, sorry Sandy. I stand corrected. Fitbit One is like my Zip only it measures sleep. It is not a wristband thingy.

51sjmccreary
Sept. 23, 2014, 3:49 pm

Oh? How does it attach to you while you're sleeping? The one my friend showed me was a wrist-band. I thought they were all that way until I saw the one you got.

52lindapanzo
Sept. 23, 2014, 5:56 pm

Mission accomplished!! 10,101 steps so far today.

53cyderry
Sept. 23, 2014, 10:14 pm

Good job! I wish my back would let me walk. :-(

54lindapanzo
Sept. 23, 2014, 10:29 pm

>53 cyderry: I keep hoping my knees continue to let me walk. 11K today!!

Busy, busy day at work tomorrow. 4K--5K might be more do-able.

55LittleTaiko
Sept. 23, 2014, 10:35 pm

>52 lindapanzo: - great job!!

56LauraBrook
Sept. 23, 2014, 10:53 pm

Way to go, Linda!!!

57sjmccreary
Sept. 24, 2014, 12:04 am

WOW! :-)

58lindapanzo
Sept. 24, 2014, 3:07 pm

Thanks, Stacy, Laura, and Sandy. Yesterday was a great walking day.

Today, I'm incredibly swamped at work. I managed to walk to the ladies room but that's been about it. Hope to get outside for a few minutes before the next barrage of work hits. Argh.

59thornton37814
Sept. 24, 2014, 4:02 pm

I probably ought to check out that new health app on my iPhone. I think there is a step counter on it.

60lindapanzo
Sept. 25, 2014, 5:57 pm

The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry--finished on 9/25/14

I've long loved Anne Perry's other series featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. I'd tried this first William Monk book a few times but never got past him leaving the hospital. This time, I did and I could not put this book down!! I absolutely loved it!!

Once again, it's set in Victoria era London. Inspector Monk wakes up in the hospital after an accident with no memory of himself, his name, his situation, his occupation, his family, or friends. Nothing!!

It makes for interesting reading to see how he tries to solve a case when he can't remember what he'd already learned.

Great, albeit cerebral, mystery featuring a whole bundle of memorable characters. I'm definitely looking forward to reading on in this series.

61sjmccreary
Sept. 26, 2014, 9:46 am

You know, that's an author I've never read. I ought to give her a try sometime. Is this book a good place to start?

62cyderry
Sept. 26, 2014, 10:42 am

This was the first Anne Perry I ever read and the first audio book. It got me hooked on both! I have two left in the 20 for this series and I'm hoping be be all caught sometime in 2015 so that I can work on the Pitt and WWI series.
Perry very much reminds me of Donna Leon in the Monk series - she chooses a social evil and weaves the mystery around that.

63lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 1:53 pm

>62 cyderry: I'm hoping to get further in both the Monk series and the Pitt series. Also read the newest Christmas novella, too, of course.

I've started the first World War 1 series book but have never warmed up to that one.

64lindapanzo
Okt. 1, 2014, 1:54 pm

Shadows on a Maine Christmas by Lea Wait--finished on 10/1/14

I love the Maggie Summers Antique Print cozy mystery series and I especially love Christmas mysteries so this 7th installment in the series was one I was especially eager to read. It did not disappoint. One thing I love about this series is that it's definitely a cozy but it's not syrupy or overly sweet. Maggie normally doesn't do stupid things that sleuths in cozies usually do.

The setting, Christmas in Maine, seemed idyllic. Lots of small-town goings on for the holidays. Crime seemed far, far away. Maggie was visiting the love of her life, Will, and his Aunt Nettie, an elderly woman he is taking care of, for the holidays. She's hoping to decide whether they work things out, in terms of their futures together. Besides their antiques connection, she works at a college in New Jersey and he lives in Maine. She wants to adopt a child or two and he doesn't want kids.

Real life has a way of intervening as secrets from the past crop up.

It started to put me into a holiday mood. Loved it!!

65lindapanzo
Okt. 1, 2014, 1:55 pm

I've now completed 7 of my 14 categories!! This leaves me with 26 books (including overlaps) to finish the challenge.

A couple of good reading months and I know I can do it!!

66christina_reads
Okt. 1, 2014, 4:29 pm

>65 lindapanzo: I have 25 books left to go! We can BOTH do it! :)

67lindapanzo
Okt. 1, 2014, 4:41 pm

>66 christina_reads: Absolutely!! We can do it.

I have a couple of overlaps in mind so I'm figuring about 22 books in order to finish.

68dudes22
Okt. 1, 2014, 9:25 pm

I have 23 - let's read, read read!

69cyderry
Okt. 1, 2014, 9:47 pm

I have 24 to go!

70LauraBrook
Okt. 3, 2014, 1:18 pm

OMG, all of you can do it! Now forget jobs, kids, responsibilities, and just read read read! ;)

71thornton37814
Okt. 3, 2014, 9:44 pm

>64 lindapanzo: I'm about ready for some Christmas books (including mysteries) myself. I'm behind on that series though so I doubt I'll try that one this year.

72lindapanzo
Okt. 3, 2014, 9:47 pm

I'm hoping to spend October reading actual books off my actual shelves. See how that turns out. Then, in November, take stock and see what I need to finish this challenge.

73lindapanzo
Okt. 7, 2014, 2:30 pm

Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill--finished on 10/7/14

This is the second Dr. Siri mystery. Siri is the national coroner of Laos in the early stages of Communism during the 1970's. It was an interesting time and the author includes a cast of somewhat interesting characters.

This is an exotic mystery (with plenty of supernatural elements) that begs to be read at a leisurely pace. I enjoyed it but probably won't read the third one for quite some time.

74lindapanzo
Okt. 7, 2014, 2:31 pm

25 books to go!! Probably less, with duplicates.

I envision myself finishing around Thanksgiving, this year. That'll give me a few weeks til I start the 2015 challenge on December 15th.

75dudes22
Okt. 8, 2014, 7:27 am

>73 lindapanzo: - I'm almost finished with this myself and enjoying it quite a bit.

76lindapanzo
Okt. 12, 2014, 9:08 pm

>75 dudes22: Glad you're liking it. I'll probably carry on with this series, but not right away.

77lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Okt. 12, 2014, 9:09 pm

B Is for Burglar by Sue Grafton--finished on 10/11/14

I enjoyed this second book from Sue Grafton. Dated, of course, as it was written in the early 1980s. Kinsey, the PI, was searching for a missing woman.

Lots to keep my interest and encourage me to continue with this series sooner, rather than later. Before this, the last Grafton I read was in 1995.

78lkernagh
Okt. 13, 2014, 4:45 pm

I do love the Grafton books. Agreed that they are dated, making them kind of a nostalgic read for me. ;-)

79lindapanzo
Okt. 13, 2014, 5:11 pm

>78 lkernagh: I laughed where Kinsey cautioned about how easy it is to find things out about people. Oh those pre-Internet days...

80lkernagh
Okt. 13, 2014, 8:38 pm

LOL, not the same as now, that is for sure!

81lindapanzo
Okt. 15, 2014, 9:25 pm

The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell--finished on 10/15/14

I liked, but did not love, this short little novel about an explosion at a local dance hall in Missouri in 1929, which killed 42 people. It took me forever to get into it but, once I did, it wasn't bad.

Much of it focuses on the maid, Alma Dunahew, whose sister died at that dance hall that night, as well as her telling of the story to her young grandson, Alek, to whom she told the story many years later.

To me, the book seemed disjointed and skipped around in time and narrator. Again, once I got used to it, it wasn't bad. The writing itself is spare, but gorgeous.

82lindapanzo
Okt. 19, 2014, 9:17 pm

Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy L. Sayers and Jill Paton Walsh--finished on 10/19/14

I absolutely devoured (and loved) the Lord Peter Wimsey novels from Dorothy L. Sayers, though I think I've overlooked the short story collections. Nonetheless, I had a copy of Jill Paton Walsh's series continuation on my shelves for years. So glad I finally got around to it.

Thoroughly enjoyable, though slow-paced, cleverly-plotted mystery. Lord Peter and Harriet are married and it's fun to see how that works out. The real world of 1930's England also intrudes.

Now I'm eager to read more of these continuation books!!

83lindapanzo
Okt. 20, 2014, 2:06 pm

The Doctor Will See You Shortly by Jonathan Black--finished on 10/19/14

Interesting little Kindle single about how our time is wasted and the companies that help us deal with those time wasters, such as waiting on the phone.

84lindapanzo
Okt. 22, 2014, 3:47 pm

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami--finished on 10/21/14

This literary novel is way, way outside of my usual comfort zone. It's a literary novel, written by a Japanese author. The kind of book I almost never read.

Even though I thought the main character was way too detached and that there wasn't much of a plot, I liked it. I liked the author's writing style. It's a calm, quiet, surprisingly quick read.

I''ll probably check out more by this author.

85lindapanzo
Okt. 26, 2014, 1:04 am

Where Nobody Knows Your Name by John Feinstein--finished on 10/25/14

I enjoyed this book about life in baseball's minor leagues, particularly in the highest level of the minors, Triple A. There were a lot of interesting stories and the author really brought the players, such as ex major leaguer, Scott Podsednik, an old favorite of mine, the managers, an umpire, and other personnel, to life.

I devoured the first half of the book. Thought it was excellent.

The problem...starting about halfway through, every story sounded the same. I couldn't keep a lot of the players straight but then realized it hardly mattered since the story was the same.

I had high hopes for this one. I like the author's writing style and the book was informative. Just too repetitious.

86lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 10, 2014, 3:40 pm

REMAINING BOOKS TO FINISH MY CHALLENGE...give or take a few.

I'm so glad to be at this point!!

1. C Is for Corpse by Sue Grafton--READING
2. Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy--READING
3. Working for the Royals by Brian Hoey--DONE
4. On Shaky Ground--DONE
5. A New York Christmas--DONE
6. Death Before Wicket by Kerry Greenwood--DONE
7. Eggs in a Casket by Laura Childs
8. Lethal Letters by Ellery Adams
9. Brief Encounters by Dick Cavett
10. Nine Lives to Die by Rita Mae Brown
11. A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh
12. Once Upon a Winter's Eve--DONE
13. The French Pastry Murder by Leslie Meier--DONE
14. Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney--DONE

87-Eva-
Okt. 26, 2014, 10:57 pm

>85 lindapanzo:
Loving the title - great play on the "Cheers" theme!

88lindapanzo
Okt. 27, 2014, 12:45 pm

>87 -Eva-: I liked that, too.

There's a TV commercial that cleverly plays on the Cheers theme. Have you seen it? I think it must be for a car with great gas mileage or something. They're in a gas station and playing the Cheers theme. Everybody knows the one guy but no one knows the guy who gets the great gas mileage. I think he buys a bottle of water or a candy bar or something.

89mamzel
Okt. 27, 2014, 1:24 pm

>88 lindapanzo: I've seen that one and thought it was pretty clever.

90lindapanzo
Okt. 28, 2014, 5:30 pm

>89 mamzel: I've always been one who actually likes to follow commercials and tend to appreciate a good one.

91lindapanzo
Okt. 28, 2014, 5:30 pm

French Pastry Murder by Leslie Meier--finished on 10/28/14

I absolutely love this long-running series (this is the 21st installment) featuring reporter, Lucy Stone. It's ultra-cozy but, somehow, doesn't always feel that cozy. Once again, Lucy, her husband, and their friends venture far from Tinker's Cove, Maine.

This time, Lucy and her friends won a trip to Paris, which also happenes to be where Lucy's daughter is working. Before too long, they get wrapped up in a murder and international intrigue.

It sounds silly but it comes down exactly how a bunch of American tourists would get caught in things.

Always a lot of fun to get reacquainted with literary friends.

92mamzel
Okt. 28, 2014, 5:56 pm

I've already forgotten where I learned about this one (I found it this morning) but it's appropriate both for this site and the season:
IKEA

93thornton37814
Okt. 28, 2014, 10:13 pm

>91 lindapanzo: I occasionally read the Lucy Stone books but I haven't read one in a long while.

94lindapanzo
Okt. 30, 2014, 6:21 pm

Lori, I've been pretty much reading them regularly ever since the beginning. In fact, I think I got the first one through the Mystery Guild, back when it had an alternate title.

95lindapanzo
Okt. 30, 2014, 6:21 pm

Working for the Royals by Brian Hoey--finished on 10/30/14

This is an interesting little Kindle single about who does what at Buckingham Palace. Lots of stories and colorful background about who's got the Queen's ear and about events involving the royal family over the years.

96rabbitprincess
Okt. 30, 2014, 6:54 pm

Haha before I read the summary I definitely thought Working for the Royals was about Kansas City! But the actual subject matter is interesting too ;)

97lindapanzo
Okt. 30, 2014, 8:35 pm

>96 rabbitprincess: Haha, I didn't even think of that, though I have read In the Ballpark, about folks who work in ballparks. I can see why you'd think that, though.

98sjmccreary
Okt. 30, 2014, 9:29 pm

>96 rabbitprincess: That's what I thought when I saw the title, too!

99lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Okt. 31, 2014, 2:31 pm

Still getting a chuckle about working for K.C. Royals. My friend's stepson is now working for his second NFL team on computer/internet stuff and I'll hear a bit about that but that's as close as I've gotten to working for a team.

I think I have 13 books left to read and 11 of those are mysteries. The other two include the Missouri Readers book which is short and an ER book that's about 300 pages. Definitely something I can do in a month.

100sjmccreary
Okt. 31, 2014, 8:56 pm

Read, read like the wind, Linda!

101lindapanzo
Okt. 31, 2014, 9:38 pm

I'm going downtown tomorrow for the Daniel Woodrell Heartland Award presentation and lecture (for The Maid's Version). Though it's a longer walk once I get to the Loop, I'm taking the commuter train (not the el) and so I should be able to get some reading in. I'll probably take my pb copy of C Is for Corpse.

On Sunday, no Bears game and no Packers game but we are meeting my cousin and uncle for Sunday dinner at our favorite Polish restaurant. I'll have to get some reading in after that, I hope.

102-Eva-
Nov. 1, 2014, 7:04 pm

>88 lindapanzo:
I've not seen it (I gave up cable a couple of years ago and have seen very few commercials since then) - do you know which brand it was for so I can find it online?

>92 mamzel:
So great!!

103lindapanzo
Nov. 1, 2014, 7:06 pm

>102 -Eva-: It's for the Chevy Cruse Diesel.

Feeling a bit bleh today but not too sick to watch the Blackhawks or read.

104-Eva-
Nov. 1, 2014, 7:19 pm

Haha! I like that!

A bleh you can read through is the best kind. :)

105lindapanzo
Nov. 2, 2014, 9:24 am

Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney--finished on 11/1/14

I really love this Grey Whale Inn series set in Maine. It's a long-running series so each installment feels like I'm getting together with old friends.

This one has an overly complex plot featuring young love, drug dealing, an old-time puzzle, and lots of cooking and baking.

MacInerney's books are always a treat!!

106lindapanzo
Nov. 3, 2014, 9:15 pm

Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare--finished on 11/3/14

This is a rare one for me, a romance novella. Set in the early 1800s. Steamy. Loved it

107lindapanzo
Nov. 6, 2014, 2:03 pm

On Shaky Ground by Norma Hayes Bagnall--finished on 11/5/14

There's a bit of interesting info in this Missouri Heritage series book about the early 19th century New Madrid earthquakes but these New Reader books are hard for me to judge. Still, I'm glad I read it.

I recall the one and only time I was near New Madrid. We were driving from Chicagoland down to Tunica, MS. As we drove past New Madrid, we were all keeping our fingers crossed that there'd be no earthquakes while we were there. When we were far enough past it, we stopped for lunch in Blytheville, Ark, which, as I learned, was actually the epi-center.

Another thing I learned is that this wasn't a single earthquake but a number of them, over several months. The parts about how far away it was felt were interesting, as well as the fact that, if something were to happen today, Memphis would be harder hit than St Louis.

I would love to read a full-length book about this topic but, until I do, this'll have to suffice.

108lindapanzo
Nov. 6, 2014, 2:04 pm

Ten books to go!! Give or take a book.

Lately, I've been starting a lot of books but not necessarily finishing them. Yesterday, I started the 10th Phryne Fisher Australian mystery, Death Before Wicket. Love this series and I was a bit concerned I wouldn't like this one because of the cricket but, so far, so good.

109lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 8, 2014, 4:25 pm

Death Before Wicket by Kerry Greenwood--finished on 11/7/14

I absolutely love the Phyrne Fisher series set in 1920's Australia. Though she lives in Melbourne, in this 10th installment, Phyrne and her maid, Dot, travel to Sydney.

This one's an academic mystery with lots of cricket talk and lots of black magic.

Always fun and a bit steamy. Love it.

110lindapanzo
Nov. 10, 2014, 3:40 pm

A New York Christmas by Anne Perry--finished on 11/9/14

I enjoy these annual little Christmas novellas from Anne Perry and this 12th one was no exception.

Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte, (I'm not that far along in that series) travels across the Atlantic with a well-to-do young woman who is marrying in New York City. Jemima is accused of murdering the young woman's mother, who'd abandoned the soon-to-be-bride as a young woman, and Jemima needs to clear her name.

A nice sense of turn-of-the-century New York City at the holidays.
Edit | More

111lindapanzo
Nov. 10, 2014, 3:41 pm

Seven books to go!!

112mamzel
Nov. 12, 2014, 2:23 pm

>109 lindapanzo: I have thoroughly enjoyed the TV series. They are showing it on one of our PBS stations. The actress is marvelous and has the most amazing cheekbones!

113lindapanzo
Nov. 12, 2014, 2:36 pm

>112 mamzel: I've seen a few, though I've been trying to hold off until I read the books.

I've finished another one--comments in a minute. With careful planning, I'm down to 5 books to go!!

114lindapanzo
Nov. 12, 2014, 2:37 pm

Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy--finished on 11/11/14

I thought for sure I'd love this first in the manor house series from Julie Hyzy. I love her White House chef series, after all.

No, this Grace Wheaton/manor house series was just ok, in my book. The "everything but the kitchen sink" plot was way, way too much for me.

I liked it well enough, I think, to give the second one a try. There's potential here, certainly.

115dudes22
Nov. 13, 2014, 4:50 am

Unless the first one is awful, I usually read at least the first two in a new series - especially cozies. It seems the first book has to take up so much time and page to introduce most of the characters and background information that the story isn't as good. I haven't tried this new series yet so no opinion on that.

116lindapanzo
Nov. 13, 2014, 8:58 pm

>115 dudes22: I usually make my mind up pretty quickly but, if in doubt, by all means, I ought to read the first two. The first one many times is different from later books.

117thornton37814
Nov. 14, 2014, 12:42 pm

>114 lindapanzo: I have had that book "to read" for a long time. I actually just spotted it this morning and thought, "I should read this soon." Then I read your review. I think that's why it's still waiting to be read. I remember other people commenting they didn't like that series as well as the White House chef series.

118lindapanzo
Nov. 14, 2014, 1:40 pm

>117 thornton37814: I suspect, based on something that happened in the book, that the second book might be better. I hope so. If I don't like the second one, then I'd quit the series.

My current read is Sue Grafton's C Is for Corpse. About two-thirds of the way through it and I like it. I've got a long way to go in this series, obviously.

119lindapanzo
Nov. 15, 2014, 12:32 am

C Is for Corpse by Sue Grafton--finished on 11/14/14

With each passing book, I'm liking these Sue Grafton books more and more. In this one, well-to-do young Bobby Callahan is nearly killed in a car accident. He doesn't have much of a memory but thinks someone tried to kill him and he wants Kinsey to investigate, which she continues to do, even after he's no longer around.

Chomping at the bit to move on with this series.

120lkernagh
Nov. 15, 2014, 9:21 am

Glad to see I am not the only one that finds the Kinsey Millhone series a good one to pass the time with. ;-)

121lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Nov. 18, 2014, 5:56 pm

>120 lkernagh: I always had the impression that these Sue Grafton books were darker and more violent than they are. I've been pleasantly surprised that they're not.

Four books to go to finish the challenge. Mu current selections include...

1. A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh (continuation of Lord Peter Wimsey series)--COMPLETED
2. Wicked Weaves by Jim and Joyce Lavene
3. The Laws of Murder by Charles Finch (the latest Charles Lenox book)
4. Lethal Letters by Ellery Adams

122cyderry
Nov. 15, 2014, 10:43 pm

I don't know about you but with everything else in life going on, I'm losing steam in the challenge - 10 to go for me.

123lindapanzo
Nov. 15, 2014, 11:21 pm

Cheli, I'm losing steam too do I'm trying for overlaps as much as possible.

Also considering broader categories next year.

124DeltaQueen50
Nov. 16, 2014, 2:20 pm

Come on ladies, you can do it. You are both so close to the finish line!

125LittleTaiko
Nov. 16, 2014, 8:01 pm

Chiming in with encouragement - you can do it!!!

126lindapanzo
Nov. 16, 2014, 11:55 pm

The updated Peter Wimsey book is close to 400 pages. I'm about a third into it. Not much reading today but I did get to see a fabulous hockey game tonight as my Blackhawks trounced Dallas 6-2. We had a fun section of people too which makes all the difference.

Anyway my last three books are more like 250-300 pages each.

Time to put my iphone away and read!!

127lindapanzo
Nov. 18, 2014, 6:02 pm

A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy L. Sayers--finished on 11/18/14

This is the second of the continuation of the Lord Peter Wimsey series, set during the early years of World War 2. While Lord Peter is off on a secret wartime mission, his wife, Harriet Vane, is living in a small village, at Talboys, caring for her two young sons and a pair of nieces and a nephew. When a murder is done during a dry run air raid drill, Lady Peter is enlisted to try to help solve it.

It beautifully brings the WW2 homefront in England to life. The deprivations and the uncertainty. It would be an excellent book even without the mysteries, I believe.

I was eager to read the next one, soon, but I note that the third of the continuation books goes back in time.

This one may well be my favorite mystery of the year. Not the best, certainly, but for the combination of mystery and the bringing to life of an interesting period in history, I think it's top notch.

128lindapanzo
Nov. 18, 2014, 6:03 pm

Three to go!!

Hmmm, do I go with the Kindle mystery, a paperback mystery I own, or the library mystery I just checked out.

129cbl_tn
Nov. 18, 2014, 6:39 pm

>127 lindapanzo: I have that one unread in my TBR stash. I think I've had it about 10 years. Your comments may finally motivate me to read it very soon!

130thornton37814
Nov. 18, 2014, 7:21 pm

>128 lindapanzo: That's a tough choice. I'd probably go with the library mystery if I thought I might not get a chance to finish it by the due date.

131lindapanzo
Nov. 19, 2014, 6:08 pm

>130 thornton37814: I have a lot of time on the library book so I went with the shorter pb, of which I oddly have two copies.

So far, it's ok. I've read other books by the authors in other series. I'm reading Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene. It's the first in the Renaissance Faire series.

132lindapanzo
Nov. 20, 2014, 1:14 pm

Ack, I'm closing in on half through Wicked Weaves. OK might be the best I can say about it. I should've looked at the LT rating. I don't avoid a book with a low rating but it's often telling. The 30 or so people who've read it give it a 2.53 average. I think that'll be about right.

A Renaissance Faire mystery could be interesting. This, sadly, is not that great. I'll finish it though, unless it picks up, I'll probably not read further.

133sjmccreary
Nov. 20, 2014, 4:46 pm

I remember reading a thread once, a couple of years ago, where - talking about LT ratings - someone stated that 3.3 is neutral. Anything below that is bad - higher than that is better. So, 2.53 sounds terrible!

134lindapanzo
Nov. 23, 2014, 12:09 pm

>133 sjmccreary: That's good to know, Sandy. For TIOLI once, there was a challenge about reading something with a certain number of points from the person's own average. I think mine was a bit higher...something in the 3.7 range. It seems to me that there's a way on LT to determine this.

135lindapanzo
Nov. 23, 2014, 12:09 pm

Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene--finished on 11/22/14

This is the first in the Renaissance Faire cozy mystery series. Naturally, it takes place at a summertime Renaissance Faire.

Not much of a mystery. Didn't care much for the characters. However, the book's redeeming feature is interesting info about Renaissance Faire's.

Maybe someday I'll read the second one. Not planning on it though.

136lindapanzo
Nov. 23, 2014, 12:15 pm

13 out of 14 categories completed!!

2 books to go!!

Hoping to finish by Thanksgiving.

I'll be starting my library book, the new Charles Finch mystery, The Laws of Murder.

137christina_reads
Nov. 24, 2014, 3:38 pm

>136 lindapanzo: Ooh, hope you like The Laws of Murder -- I really enjoyed it!

138lindapanzo
Nov. 24, 2014, 9:24 pm

>137 christina_reads: I'm really liking it. Wish I had more time to read it though.

139lindapanzo
Nov. 27, 2014, 7:06 pm

The Laws of Murder by Charles Finch--finished on 11/27/14

Love this series, set in late 1800s England, involving well-to-do detective and once-time member of Parliament, Charles Lenox.

In this latest installment, Lenox, Dallington, and two others start their own detective agency. It's not going well and when they have to start investigating the death of a friend.

One of my favorite series and this one didn't disappoint!!

140lindapanzo
Nov. 27, 2014, 7:08 pm

One book to go til I finish!!

I'd hoped to finish my 2014 category challenge by Thanksgiving. Instead, I'm starting my final book on Thanksgiving evening. Oh well, I'll be done soon, probably before November ends.

I think I'm going with Bad Bites by Jessica Beck, the 16th donut shop mystery book.

141lindapanzo
Nov. 29, 2014, 12:17 am

Bad Bites by Jessica Beck--finished on 11/28/14

This is the 16th book in the donut shop mystery series. At one time, it was among my favorites. I like it but this was probably the worst in the bunch.

The town's librarian is murdered on the day he retired. Suzanne, and her friend Grace, as usual, get involved in the investigation. However, it's totally implausible to me that a trained cop would allow himself and all his suspects to go to a remote mountain hotel to isolate, and interrogate, the suspects with amateurs and other non-suspects around.

If the reader can get past that, it's not a bad mystery.

142lindapanzo
Nov. 29, 2014, 12:18 am

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

I've finished my challenge.

From now, til December 14th, I'll read whatever. Then, on December 15th, my books will count towards the 2015 category challenge.

143lkernagh
Nov. 29, 2014, 12:25 am

Congratulations!

144dudes22
Nov. 29, 2014, 5:46 am

Congratulations on finishing! And as to your last book - sometimes (most times) with cozies, you just have to suspend belief anyway. I'm only a little way into that series, but if there are 16, it must be a deadly town to live in :)

145cbl_tn
Nov. 29, 2014, 7:52 am

Congrats on finishing your challenge!

146rabbitprincess
Nov. 29, 2014, 8:40 am

Congratulations! :D

147DeltaQueen50
Nov. 29, 2014, 1:03 pm

Woo Hoo! Congratulations on completing your Challenge, Linda. Enjoy your free reading time.

148AHS-Wolfy
Nov. 29, 2014, 4:08 pm

Congrats on completing your challenge!

149LauraBrook
Nov. 29, 2014, 5:11 pm

Congratulations, Linda! I hope you've got some fun books ahead for the next couple of weeks. :)

150sjmccreary
Nov. 29, 2014, 5:18 pm

Congratulations!

151-Eva-
Nov. 29, 2014, 6:20 pm

Congrats on finishing! And, yey for free reading! :)

152lindapanzo
Nov. 29, 2014, 8:16 pm

Thanks for all the good wishes. My first "free" reading, completed this afternoon, was a Christmas-related novella. I'm also planning to tackle a number of my overdue ER books and, if possible, the two I'm waiting for.

Sandy, I'll also be starting Egan's Rats for Missouri Readers, too, probably later this week.

153LittleTaiko
Nov. 29, 2014, 8:17 pm

Congratulations!!!! Enjoy your December reading!

154cyderry
Nov. 30, 2014, 12:21 pm

Nice finish, my friend!

155sjmccreary
Nov. 30, 2014, 9:50 pm

>152 lindapanzo: OK - I'll pick that one up next. Probably later this week.

156MissWatson
Dez. 1, 2014, 8:23 am

Have fun with the free reading!

157mysterymax
Dez. 8, 2014, 9:17 pm

Nice going!

158lindapanzo
Dez. 12, 2014, 7:45 pm

Thanks. I've got a busy weekend ahead and it's unlikely I'll finish anything I'm reading and so, most likely, my current reads, hockey great Gordie Howe's memoirs and the cozy, Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds likely will be my first reads for the 2015 category challenge. Anything I finish starting on 12/15 or later counts for that challenge.

So, please join me over at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/179926