Christina rocks the 2014 category challenge - Part 4

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Christina rocks the 2014 category challenge - Part 4

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1christina_reads
Okt. 1, 2014, 8:44 am

Welcome to the fourth and final thread of my 2014 Category Challenge! Here are Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. I've got 25 books left and 3 months to read them in, so I'm confident that I will finish by the end of 2014. The end is in sight! :)




2christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 8:46 am

1. You're My Best Friend - Queen (listen)
A Jeeves & Wooster omnibus. I think they are totally best buddies.



1. P.G. Wodehouse -- The World of Jeeves

***COMPLETE***

3christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 8:46 am

2. Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes (listen)
Letters.



1. Charlotte Mosley, ed. -- The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh
2. Charlotte Mosley, ed. -- In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor

***COMPLETE***

4christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 6, 2014, 11:11 pm

3. The Kids Are Alright - The Who (listen)
Children's classics that I somehow never read. What were my parents thinking?



1. Lois Lowry -- The Giver
2. Norton Juster -- The Phantom Tollbooth
3. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry -- The Little Prince

***COMPLETE***

5christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 30, 2014, 9:21 pm

4. Over the Hills and Far Away - Led Zeppelin (listen)
I haven't read Tolkien in several years at this point, and I need my LOTR fix!



1. The Hobbit
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. The Two Towers
4. The Return of the King

***COMPLETE***

6christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Nov. 27, 2014, 10:35 pm

5. London Calling - The Clash (listen)
Books published by the Bloomsbury Group. Bloomsbury is in London, so it works, right?



1. Frank Baker -- Miss Hargreaves
2. E.F. Benson -- Mrs. Ames
3. Ada Leverson -- Love's Shadow
4. Rachel Ferguson -- The Brontës Went to Woolworths
5. D.E. Stevenson -- Mrs. Tim of the Regiment

***COMPLETE***

7christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 11, 2014, 11:22 pm

6. Golden Years - David Bowie (listen)
Mysteries published before 1960, a.k.a. the Golden Age! This category will accommodate the annual Vintage Mystery Challenge at My Reader's Block.



1. Rex Stout -- Fer-de-Lance
2. Michael Innes -- Death at the President's Lodging
3. Georgette Heyer -- A Blunt Instrument
4. Christopher Morley -- The Haunted Bookshop
5. A.A. Milne -- The Red House Mystery
6. Ethel Lina White -- The Lady Vanishes

***COMPLETE***

8christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Nov. 9, 2014, 5:32 pm

7. Blitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones (listen)
Books about or set during World War II.



1. D.E. Stevenson -- The Two Mrs. Abbotts
2. Kathryn Miller Haines -- The Girl Is Murder
3. Elizabeth Wein -- Rose Under Fire
4. Ben Macintyre -- Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies
5. Jo Walton -- Farthing
6. Kate Lord Brown -- The Beauty Chorus
7. Anthony Doerr -- All the Light We Cannot See

***COMPLETE***

9christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 24, 2014, 1:00 pm

8. Mr. Roboto - Styx (listen)
Sci fi, speculative fiction, dystopias, etc.



1. Chris Wooding -- Retribution Falls
2. Max Barry -- Lexicon
3. Lois McMaster Bujold -- Young Miles
4. Diana Peterfreund -- Across a Star-Swept Sea
5. Chris Wooding -- The Black Lung Captain
6. Philip K. Dick -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
7. Ben H. Winters -- The Last Policeman
8. Connie Willis -- Miracle and Other Christmas Stories

***COMPLETE***

10christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 10:07 am

9. Private Eyes - Hall and Oates (listen)
More mysteries. I certainly can't limit myself to ONE mystery category!



1. Mary Miley -- The Impersonator
2. Ellis Peters -- The Raven in the Foregate
3. Hannah March -- The Complaint of the Dove
4. Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö -- Roseanna
5. Elizabeth Peters -- Borrower of the Night
6. Tana French -- In the Woods
7. Rhys Bowen -- Naughty in Nice
8. Richard Stark -- The Hunter
9. Ashley Weaver -- Murder at the Brightwell

***COMPLETE***

11christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 10:07 am

10. Got to Get You into My Life - The Beatles (listen)
Books published in 2014. This was a category I really missed having in 2013!



1. Alan Bradley -- The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches
2. Katie Heaney -- Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date
3. Sarah Addison Allen -- Lost Lake
4. Elizabeth Blackwell -- While Beauty Slept
5. Lauren Owen -- The Quick
6. B.J. Novak -- One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories
7. Kristan Higgins -- Waiting on You
8. Jean Kwok -- Mambo in Chinatown
9. William Ritter -- Jackaby
10. Morgan Matson -- Since You've Been Gone

***COMPLETE***

12christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 31, 2014, 8:51 am

11. Magic Man - Heart (listen)
Fantasy, including sword & sorcery, urban fantasy, paranormal creatures, magical powers, etc.



1. Emma Newman -- Between Two Thorns
2. Susanna Kearsley -- The Shadowy Horses
3. Polly Shulman -- The Grimm Legacy
4. Anne Sexton -- Transformations
5. Juliet Marillier -- Blade of Fortriu
6. Robin LaFevers -- Mortal Heart
7. Karin Lowachee -- The Gaslight Dogs
8. Seanan McGuire -- The Winter Long
9. Sylvia Izzo Hunter -- The Midnight Queen
10. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett -- Good Omens
11. Maggie Stiefvater -- Blue Lily, Lily Blue

***COMPLETE***

13christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 12, 2014, 2:37 pm

12. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen (listen)
Books set outside the U.S. and U.K. This category will accommodate the 2014 GeoCAT.



1. Elizabeth Hay -- Late Nights on Air
2. Matt Beynon Rees -- A Grave in Gaza
3. Lorna Goodison -- By Love Possessed: Stories
4. Ismail Kadare -- Broken April
5. Timeri N. Murari -- The Taliban Cricket Club
6. M.M. Kaye -- Death in the Andamans
7. Maria Semple -- Where'd You Go, Bernadette
8. Carlos Ruiz Zafón -- The Shadow of the Wind
9. Shusaku Endo -- Silence
10. Roberto Ampuero -- The Neruda Case
11. Graeme Simsion, The Rosie Project
12. Chinua Achebe -- No Longer at Ease

***COMPLETE***

14christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Nov. 18, 2014, 8:19 pm

13. Fell in Love with a Girl - The White Stripes (listen)
Romance and chick lit.



1. Julia Quinn -- Just Like Heaven
2. Katherine Reay -- Dear Mr. Knightley
3. Sarra Manning -- Unsticky
4. Caprice Crane -- With a Little Luck
5. Julie James -- Love Irresistibly
6. Rainbow Rowell -- Landline
7. Shannon Stacey -- Exclusively Yours
8. Stephanie Perkins -- Isla and the Happily Ever After
9. Sandy Hall -- A Little Something Different
10. Kristan Higgins -- In Your Dreams
11. Stephanie Perkins, ed. -- My True Love Gave to Me
12. Rose Lerner -- In for a Penny
13. Jennifer Crusie -- Trust Me on This

***COMPLETE***

15christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 17, 2014, 11:00 am

14. Reelin' in the Years - Steely Dan (listen)
Historical fiction. This can also include books with parallel storylines, as long as one of them is historical.



1. Georgette Heyer -- The Spanish Bride
2. Kate Quinn -- Mistress of Rome
3. Sharon Kay Penman -- The Sunne in Splendour
4. Jessica Brockmole -- Letters from Skye
5. Lauren Willig -- That Summer
6. Caryl Brahms & S.J. Simon -- No Bed for Bacon
7. Baroness Orczy -- I Will Repay
8. Sara Gruen -- Water for Elephants
9. Jennifer Robson -- Somewhere in France
10. Lauren Willig -- The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
11. Diane Setterfield -- Bellman & Black
12. Charles Finch -- The Laws of Murder
13. Rhys Bowen -- The Twelve Clues of Christmas
14. Kate Ross -- The Devil in Music

***COMPLETE***

16christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 12, 2014, 2:38 pm

Bonus: CATs in the Cradle - Harry Chapin (listen)
My picks for the 2014 Random, Geography, and Mystery CATs will go here. I probably won't do every CAT every month, but I'll try to participate as much as I can!



January
RandomCAT (Janus): The Impersonator by Mary Miley, Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman
GeoCAT (US, Canada): The Impersonator by Mary Miley, Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay, Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay, Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout
MysteryCAT (detective novels): Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout

February
RandomCAT (children's lit): The Giver by Lois Lowry
GeoCAT (Middle East, North Africa): A Grave in Gaza by Matt Beynon Rees
MysteryCAT (series): The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley, A Grave in Gaza by Matt Beynon Rees

March
RandomCAT (birds): The Raven in the Foregate by Ellis Peters, The Complaint of the Dove by Hannah March
GeoCAT (Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean): By Love Possessed: Stories by Lorna Goodison
MysteryCAT (children's, YA): The Girl Is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines

April
RandomCAT (poetry): Transformations by Anne Sexton
GeoCAT (Eastern Europe): Broken April by Ismail Kadare
MysteryCAT (Nordic): Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö

May
RandomCAT (motherhood): Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole
GeoCAT (South Asia): The Taliban Cricket Club by Timeri N. Murari
MysteryCAT (classic, Golden Age): Death at the President's Lodging by Michael Innes

June
RandomCAT (roses): That Summer by Lauren Willig
GeoCAT (islands, bodies of water): Death in the Andamans by M.M. Kaye
MysteryCAT (police procedurals): In the Woods by Tana French

July
RandomCAT (books on books): The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
GeoCAT (polar regions): Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
MysteryCAT (noir, hardboiled): The Hunter by Richard Stark

August
RandomCAT (back to school): Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins, A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
GeoCAT (Western Europe): The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne, Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins, Farthing by Jo Walton, Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson
MysteryCAT (British): The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne, Farthing by Jo Walton

September
RandomCAT (Toronto International Film Festival): Murder at the Brightwell by Ashley Weaver
GeoCAT (East Asia): Silence by Shusaku Endo
MysteryCAT (book-themed): The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

October
RandomCAT (book bullet): The Lady Vanishes by Ethel Lina White
GeoCAT (South America): The Neruda Case by Roberto Ampuero
MysteryCAT (global): The Neruda Case by Roberto Ampuero

November
RandomCAT (disasters): The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters
GeoCAT (Australia, Oceania): The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
MysteryCAT (historical): The Laws of Murder by Charles Finch

December
RandomCAT (childhood wishes): The Devil in Music by Kate Ross
GeoCAT (Sub-Saharan Africa): No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe
MysteryCAT (cozies): The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

17christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Okt. 1, 2014, 11:15 am

September recap:

I can't believe we're in the last quarter of 2014! Once again, I'm behind on reviews, but here's what I read in September:

1. Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind -- "Born to Run" 8 of 12
2. Lauren Willig, The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla -- "Reelin' in the Years" 10 of 14
3. Mallory Ortberg, Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters -- a non-challenge read
4. Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? -- "Mr. Roboto" 6 of 8
5. Ada Leverson, Love's Shadow -- "London Calling" 3 of 5
6. Ashley Weaver, Murder at the Brightwell -- "Private Eyes" 9 of 9
7. Shusaku Endo, Silence -- "Born to Run" 9 of 12
8. Margaret C. Sullivan, Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Book Covers -- a non-challenge read
9. Seanan McGuire, The Winter Long -- "Magic Man" 8 of 11
10. Sylvia Izzo Hunter, The Midnight Queen -- "Magic Man" 9 of 11

Total # pages: TBA

Favorite book of the month: I really enjoyed The Midnight Queen, which combines a Regency-esque setting with magic and romance!

Least favorite: Silence was probably the most difficult book for me to get through, but I still found the philosophical ideas fascinating, so I'm glad I read it.

Onward to the last quarter of the year! And merry October, everyone! :)

18mamzel
Okt. 1, 2014, 11:19 am

October - I know, right??

May you finish out the year with a splash!

19mstrust
Okt. 1, 2014, 11:26 am

Happy New Thread! I wish you some 5 star reads this month.

20christina_reads
Okt. 1, 2014, 12:04 pm

>18 mamzel: Thanks! Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. :)

>19 mstrust: Thanks -- I hope so!

21DeltaQueen50
Okt. 1, 2014, 6:23 pm

Last quarter of 2014! OMG where did the time go? Enjoy your last quarter and the books you choose to read, Christina.

22lkernagh
Okt. 1, 2014, 11:14 pm

Happy new thread and Happy October, Christina!

23cammykitty
Okt. 2, 2014, 12:48 am

That Chrysalis monarch caterpillar brings back memories. Looking forward to seeing the new thread!

24christina_reads
Okt. 2, 2014, 10:03 am

>21 DeltaQueen50: >22 lkernagh: >23 cammykitty: Thanks for stopping by, everyone! :)

25christina_reads
Okt. 2, 2014, 10:22 am

Book #76: Ada Leverson, Love's Shadow
Category: London Calling (3/5)
CATs: none

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.

26mstrust
Okt. 2, 2014, 12:11 pm

I got that one a few years ago as a ER. It's witty and light. I thought Bruce Ottley was really funny, with everything going over his head, but there isn't much of a plot.

27christina_reads
Okt. 2, 2014, 2:57 pm

>26 mstrust: Bruce is a funny character, but all his ridiculous pronouncements just made me feel really bad for Edith! She deserves a lot better. :(

28christina_reads
Okt. 2, 2014, 3:25 pm

Book #77: Ashley Weaver, Murder at the Brightwell
Category: Private Eyes (9/9)
CATs: Random (TIFF: set in 1930s England, like "The King's Speech") -- I read this in September

Amory Ames and her husband Milo are having marital difficulties. They met just a few years ago and married quickly after a whirlwind romance. But now Milo is spending most of his time in various fashionable European cities -- and gaining quite a reputation as a playboy -- while Amory sits at home. Then one day Amory receives a visit from Gil Trent, a longtime friend and former fiancé, who needs her help: Gil's sister has just gotten engaged to a thoroughly unsuitable man, and Gil hopes that Amory can persuade her not to go through with the wedding. Intrigued by Gil's reappearance in her life, and angry at her husband, Amory agrees to help. She accompanies Gil to the fashionable Brightwell hotel, where Gil's sister, her fiancé, and a small group of friends have gathered. But Amory gets more than she bargained for when the fiancé is murdered, and the culprit must be someone she knows....

This is one of those books that you'll enjoy if the summary sounds interesting to you. I really like traditional English mysteries set in the first half of the 20th century, and this novel is a solid addition to that tradition. Amory is a likeable narrator and protagonist, and even though her amateur sleuthing seems a bit unnecessary (given the presence of a competent police inspector on the case), at least she's not obnoxious or too stupid to live. The mystery plot is reasonably satisfying; it's not particularly original or shocking, but the killer's identity did surprise me. There's a strong romantic subplot in the novel as well, as Amory must choose between Gil and Milo. I'm a fan of romance in my fiction, so I enjoyed this plotline, although I was never really in any doubt about whom Amory would choose. All in all, I enjoyed the book and would certainly read a sequel if one materializes.

N.B. I received an ARC of this novel at Book Expo America. The US publication date, per Amazon, is October 14.

29Roro8
Okt. 2, 2014, 4:31 pm

>28 christina_reads: you made me smile with this last review. I love your comment that Amory's not "too stupid to live". Excellent description, as some characters definitely do seem too stupid for real life.

Congrats on the third thread.

30christina_reads
Okt. 2, 2014, 5:05 pm

>29 Roro8: Haha, thanks! "Too stupid to live" or "TSTL" is a label that I've seen several times in book reviews, often referring to an amateur sleuth who needlessly (stupidly) puts him- or herself in danger. My impression is that TSTL characters are quite common in certain types of mysteries!

31cbl_tn
Okt. 2, 2014, 5:21 pm

>28 christina_reads: I've seen other reviews and blurbs about that book but I've been on the fence about adding it to my TBR/wishlist. I'm more likely to pick it up knowing that the main character isn't TSTL. :)

32Roro8
Okt. 2, 2014, 6:10 pm

>30 christina_reads:. Well there you go. I haven't ever seen it before. I just thought you were really witty ;-)

33nittnut
Okt. 2, 2014, 9:39 pm

Happy new thread. :) I will have to take a peek at The Midnight Queen. I like the sound of it - and a favorite of the month among so many is a good rec.

34christina_reads
Okt. 3, 2014, 9:51 am

>31 cbl_tn: I'd say it's worth reading if you like the genre, although I don't know that I'd pay full hardcover price for it!

>32 Roro8: Haha, well, I AM terribly witty, of course...just not original in this case. ;)

>33 nittnut: I really did like The Midnight Queen! It was an unplanned purchase, and it turned out to be a good one. Hopefully I'll be able to post a full review within the next couple days (still playing catch-up right now!).

35cbl_tn
Okt. 3, 2014, 10:48 am

I'd either borrow it from the library or wait for the paperback edition.

36christina_reads
Okt. 3, 2014, 1:25 pm

>35 cbl_tn: Both good options. :)

37christina_reads
Okt. 3, 2014, 1:51 pm

Book #78: Shusaku Endo, Silence (trans. William Johnston)
Category: Born to Run (9/12)
CATs: Geo (East Asia: set in Japan) -- I read this in September

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.

38-Eva-
Okt. 4, 2014, 9:26 pm

Happy new thread! Can't believe it's already October!

39christina_reads
Okt. 6, 2014, 9:52 am

>38 -Eva-: Thanks for stopping by, Eva!

40christina_reads
Okt. 6, 2014, 10:17 am

Book #79: Seanan McGuire, The Winter Long
Category: Magic Man (8/11)
CATs: none

***Warning: SPOILERS for previous books in this series!***

Things finally seem to be looking up for October Daye. Now that the malevolent, usurping Queen of the Mists has been dethroned and the true queen reinstated, Toby's biggest problem is having to dress up for court functions. But of course, this pleasant state of affairs can't last, as Toby learns when Simon Torquill -- the man whose spell once turned her into a fish for 14 years -- suddenly re-enters her life. Shockingly, he doesn't seem to want to harm Toby this time; in fact, he claims that he's only trying to protect her from another, more powerful enemy. Toby knows she can't trust Simon, but the more she investigates his allegations, the more it seems he's actually telling the truth. Someone from Toby's past is out to get her, and it's the last person she would ever expect. Can Toby once again protect her loved ones, defeat the bad guys, and live to fight another day?

Seanan McGuire actually wrote a little intro to this book in which she said, "Everything I have done with October's world to this point has been for the sake of getting here." And indeed, this book is a game-changer for the series, shedding a whole new light on the events of previous books. I love the fact that McGuire has plotted this series so meticulously, and it really shows in this installment. Now I want to go back and re-read the entire series, so I can pick up on all the little clues I missed the first time around! So plot-wise, I really loved this book, and I'm very intrigued to see what's next for Toby and the gang. At the same time, though, I'm a little nervous about the future of this series. With every new installment, it seems that the stakes get higher and higher, and Toby becomes more and more important in her Fae world. In the first few books, she seemed refreshingly ordinary, but now it seems that she's some kind of Chosen One, which is a trope that often bugs me in fantasy novels. I'm definitely still hooked on the series for now, but I hope that I will still be enthusiastic after future installments!

41christina_reads
Okt. 6, 2014, 11:51 am

Book #80: Sylvia Izzo Hunter, The Midnight Queen
Category: Magic Man (9/11)
CATs: none

Gray Marshall is a promising student of magick at Oxford's prestigious Merlin College, but his life changes instantly when an ill-fated midnight expedition results in the death of one of his classmates. Although Gray had nothing to do with the violence that resulted in this tragedy, he soon learns that everyone is blaming him. His tutor, Professor Appius Callender, whisks him off to the professor's country house as punishment for his supposed misdeeds. At first Gray is miserable there; his magickal powers seem to have deserted him, and he is forced to work in the professor's gardens all day. But then he meets Sophie, the professor's kind and intelligent daughter, and he soon discovers there is more to her than meets the eye. As Gray and Sophie become closer, they begin to uncover shocking secrets about Sophie's family, as well as a conspiracy that threatens not only Gray but the entire kingdom of Britain.

I hardly ever buy books on impulse anymore; usually I'll only shell out money for an author or series I already know I like. But this book jumped out at me because of its beautiful cover, and then the lure of a Regency-era fantasy with romance totally sold me! Overall, I'm glad I took the plunge in buying this book, because I really enjoyed it. Gray is a very endearing hero: studious, shy, and hardworking, with a stutter that appears when he's nervous. He's well matched in Sophie, a heroine who is strong without being abrasive and forward-thinking without being anachronistic. The book moves fairly slowly, which might bother some readers, and I also felt that the plot was a bit scattered. For example, Gray frequently mentions his various siblings, but only one of them is even "on page" in this book, so I was a bit confused and distracted by the other sibling references. Still, I suppose these loose ends and tangents might be resolved in a sequel; if one should materialize, I'll definitely be seeking it out!

42christina_reads
Okt. 12, 2014, 4:02 pm

This weekend was my library's semi-annual sale! Of course I had to go both yesterday and today. :) Overall, I spent $19 on the following 15 books:



Nicholas Blake, A Question of Proof — This is the first Nigel Strangeways mystery…I already had the second one, but I couldn't read it until I found this one!

Elizabeth Daly, Evidence of Things Seen — I like the look of this vintage mystery (first published in 1943), which seems to involve murder and ghosts. Unfortunately, it appears to be the middle of a series, but I’m hoping it can stand on its own!

Theresa Tomlinson, The Forestwife Trilogy — I’ve been wanting to read these books FOREVER, but I believe they’re out of print; either that, or they’re just REALLY hard to find!

Helen Humphreys, Coventry — I love a good World War II novel, and I’ve heard good things about this one.

Celine Kiernan, The Poison Throne — I THINK this might already be on my TBR list? Not sure, but I couldn’t resist the cover and the interesting summary! I’m even prepared to overlook the fact that the heroine’s name is Wynter.

Phil & Kaja Foglio, Agatha H. and the Airship City — This one looks like a fun steampunk romp, and the tagline totally sold me: “Adventure! Romance! Mad Science!” I mean, right?

Poul Anderson, Three Hearts and Three Lions — Ever since The High Crusade, I’m always on the lookout for cheap Poul Anderson!

David Howarth, 1066: The Year of the Conquest — I’ve already read this book, but now I have my own copy! :)

Martha Wells, The Wizard Hunters; The Ships of Air; The Gate of Gods — At some point I read and liked a Martha Wells book, and this entire trilogy was 75 cents, so why not?

E.C. Bentley, Trent’s Last Case — I’m pretty sure I read a good review of this recently, and I’m always in the market for a good mystery! Despite its title, this is actually the FIRST Philip Trent case.

P.D. James, Talking About Detective Fiction — I actually haven’t been impressed with the few P.D. James books I’ve read, but she is a big name in the mystery genre, and I have no doubt she has some interesting and articulate things to say about it.

Dorothy L. Sayers & Jill Paton Walsh, Thrones, Dominations; The Attenbury Emeralds — I’m slowly building my collection of the Lord Peter Wimsey (and Harriet Vane) novels, and even though these weren’t written entirely by Sayers, I think they still count!

43-Eva-
Okt. 12, 2014, 9:41 pm

Love library-sales! Always nice when you get to carry off big bags without having ruined the month's finances! :)

44rabbitprincess
Okt. 12, 2014, 11:21 pm

Niiiice! Will be staying tuned for your reviews of the Helen Humphreys and the PD James in particular!

45mstrust
Okt. 13, 2014, 12:06 am

Excellent work!

46RidgewayGirl
Okt. 13, 2014, 2:12 am

Nice haul! Book sales are my Achilles' heel when it comes to reducing the TBR, but they are so much fun.

47dudes22
Okt. 13, 2014, 7:29 am

I'm usually soooo bad at library sales - there's always so much interesting stuff. Ours is in 2 weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.

48lkernagh
Okt. 13, 2014, 5:38 pm

>42 christina_reads: - Interesting selection of books! I love book spines. You have caught my eye with The Forestwife Trilogy and The Poison Throne. Coventry is a great WWII book - really captures time and place - and now that I have read your summary thoughts, I have also added Agatha H. and the Airship City to my potential future reading list. Your book hauls are not supposed to be so dangerous, Christina. ;-)

49christina_reads
Okt. 14, 2014, 9:00 am

>43 -Eva-: Haha yeah, I had to make sure I left my credit cards at home and brought only a small amount of cash with me!

>44 rabbitprincess: Thanks! I'm looking forward to reading them...may even get to the Humphreys this year. :)

>45 mstrust: Why thank you! :)

>46 RidgewayGirl: I know what you mean, but I'm just accepting the fact that my TBR pile will never be reduced to zero. I'm not sure I'd know what to do with myself if it did!

>47 dudes22: Ooh, hope you have fun at your book sale!

>48 lkernagh: Haha, sorry (not sorry)! I'm glad to hear you liked Coventry...now I have even more incentive to read it!

50RidgewayGirl
Okt. 14, 2014, 9:24 am

A TBR of zero is a thing to be feared! May we never reach that unhappy day.

51christina_reads
Okt. 14, 2014, 9:32 am

52christina_reads
Okt. 15, 2014, 3:17 pm

Book #81: Roberto Ampuero, The Neruda Case (trans. Carolina De Robertis)
Category: Born to Run (10/12)
CATs: Geo (South America: set partially in Chile); Mystery (global: set in Chile, Mexico, Cuba, East Germany)

Cayetano Brulé, one of the most respected private investigators in Valparaíso, is on his way to meet a prospective client when he stops at a restaurant for lunch. When he opens the menu, he sees a photograph of Pablo Neruda and immediately recalls his first case as a detective, in which his client was the Nobel laureate himself. Suddenly it's 1973, and Cayetano (a Cuban by birth) is somewhat adrift in his adopted homeland of Chile. At a political party with his wife, Cayetano meets Neruda for the first time, and they soon strike up a conversation. Later, Neruda invites Cayetano to his home and makes a surprising request: he wants Cayetano to find a missing person, a doctor whom Neruda knew many years ago. Cayetano's search takes him to Mexico City, Havana, and even East Berlin, and he eventually learns that Neruda's desire to find the doctor is not as straightforward as it seems. Meanwhile, Chile is also experiencing a period of upheaval, as Salvador Allende's Marxist government is succeeded by the dictatorship of Pinochet.

This novel attempts to do many different things, with mixed results. As a mystery, I think it falls flat; there is no real urgency to Cayetano's search, and the results of his investigation ultimately don't matter very much to the story. The book is more successful at painting a portrait of Pablo Neruda at the end of his life. I feel like I got a sense of his personality and his importance to Chile as a political figure. Best of all, this book does a wonderful job of depicting the political situation in Chile at the time and relating it to the wider issue of global politics. It's no coincidence that Cayetano mostly visits Communist countries, in an era dominated by the Cold War and the ideological conflicts between socialism and capitalism. The novel is definitely not neutral on this subject; both Cayetano and Neruda favor Allende's government, while Cayetano condemns his wife's more radical Communism. Overall, I was fascinated by the setting much more than I was by the story. So I'm glad I read this book, but I won't be seeking out any more installments of the series.

53christina_reads
Okt. 15, 2014, 3:52 pm

Book #82: Kristan Higgins, In Your Dreams
Category: Fell in Love with a Girl (10/13)
CATs: none

Emmaline Neal is one of three police officers in the tiny town of Manningsport, New York. She's a tough, no-nonsense woman who knows her way around a Taser, but she's also dealing with the fallout of a broken heart. Her first love is about to marry the shrew he dumped Emmaline for -- and even worse, he's invited her to the wedding! Emmaline knows she can't go alone, so she reluctantly asks Jack Holland to be her date. Jack is friendly, popular, and drop-dead gorgeous, and he can't say no to a damsel in distress. Em is aware that she's definitely not Jack's type, so she's determined to keep her distance. But after a little wedding-related humiliation and a few glasses of wine, her practical resolutions fly out the window. After one amazing night together, Em tries to fight her growing feelings for Jack -- even though he actually seems to be interested in her, too. But Jack is dealing with his own problems, including the sudden reappearance of his dainty ex-wife, who is not-so-subtly trying to get him back. Will Jack and Em be able to overcome their respective pasts and finally find happiness together?

As a Kristan Higgins fan, I've been reading and enjoying each new book that comes out, but I have to say that this is definitely my favorite of her recent books! Jack and Em both feel like real people to me, and they each have very specific baggage that prevents them from immediately falling into each other's arms. I also -- contrary to my expectation! -- really liked the presence of the Evil Ex in this book. Having an ex-lover resurface is often a tedious, contrived obstacle to keep the hero and heroine apart; but in this book, the presence of Jack's ex illuminates certain aspects of his character that show why he works with Emmaline. Here, the Evil Ex isn't actually evil, but she is very needy and can be selfish. By contrast, Jack and Em are both giving people who are willing to sacrifice a lot for the people they love. I do have a few issues with the ending of the book, though; everything seems to work out a little too perfectly. For example, even Emmaline's ex is redeemed in the end, which I don't think was necessary. But even despite the magically perfect ending, I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance!

54christina_reads
Okt. 16, 2014, 2:58 pm

Book #83: Ethel Lina White, The Lady Vanishes
Category: Golden Years (6/6)
CATs: Random (book bullet: hit by JonHutchings)

Iris Carr is a privileged young Englishwoman enjoying a holiday somewhere in Europe with a large group of friends. But when her crowd is ready to leave, Iris decides to stay an extra day and enjoy the beauties of the mountains by herself. When she boards the train to go home, she is immediately isolated from the other passengers because she doesn't speak the native language. So when a talkative English spinster named Miss Froy introduces herself, Iris is glad to have the company, even though Miss Froy is rather a bore. After a long chat, Iris takes a nap in her compartment; but when she wakes up, Miss Froy is gone! Eventually she begins to worry, so she finds a young Englisman to act as interpreter and ask the other passengers where Miss Froy went. To Iris' shock, they all claim not to remember Miss Froy and say Iris must be imagining things. Iris knows she didn't imagine Miss Froy, but without any evidence to the contrary, how can she be sure? And if the lady does exist, why won't anyone admit to seeing her?

Recently I watched Alfred Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes" and really enjoyed it, but I had no idea it was based on a book! I'm glad I discovered the novel, though, because with all due deference to Hitchcock, the book is better. While the movie is a somewhat straightforward thriller, the book has more psychological tension because it keeps you in the dark about Iris' mental state for much longer. Are the other passengers involved in some sort of unlikely but sinister conspiracy, meaning that she and Miss Froy are both in danger? Or, perhaps even worse, is Iris having a mental breakdown and imagining the whole thing? Either way, she's trapped in a nightmarish situation, and the book does an excellent job of heightening this tension. I also think the book's ending is better than the movie's; while the film ends with a dramatic shootout, the novel has a much more subtle conclusion. So I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who likes psychological thrillers, especially if you've seen or plan to see the movie!

55rabbitprincess
Okt. 16, 2014, 5:39 pm

>54 christina_reads: That one's on my to-read list! I've seen the original Hitchcock movie and a recent remake that was made last year. The original, as you might expect, was better. I did like Stephanie Cole as one of the disapproving elderly ladies, though. She was the reason I decided to watch the remake (and the original).

56inge87
Okt. 16, 2014, 9:25 pm

>54 christina_reads: The Lady Vanishes sounds interesting, I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

57nittnut
Okt. 16, 2014, 11:28 pm

Ooh another Hitchock movie from a book! I just read Strangers on a Train and had a similar response. The book was way more intense than the film. I am still not sure I loved it, but it was an experience. :)

58christina_reads
Okt. 17, 2014, 10:13 am

>55 rabbitprincess: My copy of the book actually has a movie tie-in cover featuring Elliott Gould and Cybill Shepherd...though I still can't understand why anyone would ever remake a Hitchcock movie! That said, I am slightly curious about the most recent remake that you mentioned.

>56 inge87: Both the book and the movie are worth checking out! I had to buy the novel from AbeBooks, but I watched the movie on Netflix streaming.

>57 nittnut: I definitely want to read (and see) Strangers on a Train! The book usually is better, isn't it?

59christina_reads
Okt. 17, 2014, 12:40 pm

Book #84: Diane Setterfield, Bellman & Black
Category: Reelin' in the Years (11/14)
CATs: none

This atmospheric novel tells the story of William Bellman, who makes one decision in childhood that will alter the entire course of his life. When he is ten years old, he and a few friends are playing in the field near their village, and they see a rook on a far-off tree branch. Will bets his friends that he can hit the bird with his slingshot, and to everyone's astonishment, he actually does it. Will and his friends soon forget the incident, but from then on, rooks become a touchstone and a bad omen for William Bellman. As he gets older, he becomes more and more successful: first he get a job at his uncle's mill, then rises through the ranks until he eventually runs it. He marries and has children, and he begins to make a very comfortable living. But when an illness sweeps through the village and takes most of William's family, he will do anything to save his remaining daughter -- including making a desperate deal with the mysterious Mr. Black. William's encounter with Black leads him to an entirely different business venture, one that eventually threatens to consume him.

I absolutely loved Diane Setterfield's debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale, so I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, I'm coming away from it with mixed feelings. The writing style is just as rich and gorgeous as I remember, and I found myself reading very quickly despite the slow-moving plot. I also admire the novel's atmosphere of suspense; it has a wonderfully autumnal, sinister quality, despite the fact that not a lot of scary stuff actually happens. In fact, that may be my biggest problem with the book: there's this great buildup of tension throughout the novel, but in the end there's no payoff. The interludes about rooks -- and William's encounters with them throughout the book -- are meant to heighten the suspense, I think, but I didn't really understand their role in the story. Frankly, I was a bit confused about the story as a whole; I was expecting a Faustian narrative in which William essentially sells his soul for success, but that's not really what happens. In short, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be taking away from this book -- but I'm definitely not giving up on Setterfield yet!

60lkernagh
Okt. 17, 2014, 10:06 pm

>58 christina_reads: - Ha, I was baffled by your post about the movie tie-in featuring Elliott Gould and Cybill Shepherd until my mind figured out that I was confusing Elliott Gould with Sam Elliott...... All I could see in my mind was The Yellow Rose of Texas. ;-)

>59 christina_reads: - Your review of Bellman & Black seems to match the general consensus of a number of reader reviews I have encountered while pass through various threads. I will probably get around to reading it some day, but I think it will happen after I have let my fond memories of The Thirteenth Tale fade a little more.

61BookLizard
Okt. 19, 2014, 12:38 am

So far behind on your thread . . .

How did you like Jane Austen Cover to Cover? I was thinking of getting it for my friend for Christmas.

I'm currently "rereading" The Thirteenth Tale on audiobook. I forgot how much of Margaret's story we get at the start since Vida Winter's story is what lingers in memory.

62christina_reads
Okt. 19, 2014, 8:51 am

>61 BookLizard: I liked Jane Austen Cover to Cover a lot! It would definitely make a great gift for an Austen fan. As for The Thirteenth Tale, I actually don't remember much of the story at all! I just remember how much I enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere of the novel.

63christina_reads
Okt. 21, 2014, 11:59 am

>60 lkernagh: And see, I don't know who Sam Elliott is, but I was very confused about why Ross and Monica's dad from "Friends" was in "The Lady Vanishes"! As for Bellman & Black, I think it's a good idea to try not to compare it to The Thirteenth Tale too much. It will only end in disappointment!

64christina_reads
Okt. 22, 2014, 11:54 am

Book #85: Kate Lord Brown, The Beauty Chorus
Category: Blitzkrieg Bop (6/7)
CATs: none

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.

65mamzel
Okt. 22, 2014, 12:22 pm

If you would like to give that topic another go, I highly recommend Code Name Verity. It has all of the things you like - WWII, female pilots, romance, and even a little espionage!

66christina_reads
Okt. 22, 2014, 3:44 pm

>65 mamzel: LOVED Code Name Verity! LOVED IT. If you come across anything in a similar vein, please do let me know! :)

67mamzel
Okt. 22, 2014, 4:19 pm

Did you also read the kinda sequel, Rose Under Fire?

68christina_reads
Okt. 23, 2014, 9:51 am

>67 mamzel: Yup! I didn't have quite the same gut reaction to it as I did to CNV, but I found it very powerful in a different way.

69christina_reads
Okt. 29, 2014, 3:12 pm

Book #86: Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens
Category: Magic Man (10/11)
CATs: none

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.

70AHS-Wolfy
Okt. 29, 2014, 7:47 pm

>69 christina_reads: It's been much too long since I read that book and can remember nothing about it at all. Perhaps a re-read should be in order.

71christina_reads
Okt. 30, 2014, 12:00 pm

>70 AHS-Wolfy: Yes, definitely time for a re-read!

72Roro8
Okt. 30, 2014, 6:42 pm

I think I might need to check out Code Name Verity! On the wish list it goes.

73christina_reads
Okt. 31, 2014, 8:50 am

>72 Roro8: I highly, highly recommend it! It's a bit slow at the start, but once it gets going…

74mamzel
Okt. 31, 2014, 10:47 am

>73 christina_reads: ...and the ending! Oh, the ending!!

75christina_reads
Okt. 31, 2014, 11:09 am

76christina_reads
Nov. 1, 2014, 2:59 pm

October recap:

Well, much as I love October, it turned out to be a rough month for me this year! Lots of traveling and tough times at work made it hard for me to stay on track, and now I'm a book behind where I wanted to be. But that's really not so bad, in the scheme of things! :) And I did manage to read the following eight books:

1. Roberto Ampuero, The Neruda Case -- "Born to Run" 10 of 12
2. Kristan Higgins, In Your Dreams -- "Fell in Love with a Girl" 10 of 13
3. Ethel Lina White, The Lady Vanishes -- "Golden Years" 6 of 6
4. Diane Setterfield, Bellman & Black -- "Reelin' in the Years" 11 of 14
5. Kate Lord Brown, The Beauty Chorus -- "Blitzkrieg Bop" 6 of 7
6. Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens -- "Magic Man" 10 of 11
7. Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth -- "The Kids Are Alright" 2 of 3
8. Maggie Stiefvater, Blue Lily, Lily Blue -- "Magic Man" 11 of 11

Total # pages: 2,794 (grand total: 31,422)

Favorite book of the month: Blue Lily, Lily Blue -- Like the rest of the series, this book totally sucked me in! I love the world and characters that Stiefvater has created…now I just have to (somehow) wait another year for the final installment!

Least favorite: I really wasn't a fan of The Beauty Chorus -- loved the basic story, but it really needed to be in the hands of a different author.

So now there are two months left in this challenge, and I have 17 books left to read. I know I can do it if I stay focused!

77DeltaQueen50
Nov. 1, 2014, 3:01 pm

I'll be here to join in on rooting you on Christina!

78christina_reads
Nov. 1, 2014, 3:09 pm

>77 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. :)

79Roro8
Nov. 1, 2014, 3:15 pm

>76 christina_reads: I think you have done well to read 8 books in a month you were so busy in. I'm sure you can reach your goal (Maybe pick a couple of short books ;-)

80christina_reads
Nov. 1, 2014, 3:59 pm

>79 Roro8: Thank you! Haha yeah, I do have a few short ones on the list...

81-Eva-
Nov. 1, 2014, 7:57 pm

>69 christina_reads:
I don't think there's a limit to how many times I can reread that one - so, so great!

82lkernagh
Nov. 2, 2014, 1:13 am

I will be here to cheer your on!

83christina_reads
Nov. 2, 2014, 2:18 pm

>81 -Eva-: I suspect it will be the same for me!

>82 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori! :)

84christina_reads
Nov. 3, 2014, 2:24 pm

So has anyone watched the BBC production of Death Comes to Pemberley? It just aired on Masterpiece Mystery in the US. I DVR-ed it but haven't gotten around to watching it yet. I wasn't a huge fan of the book, honestly...but I must admit to being very curious about the adaptation!

85DeltaQueen50
Nov. 3, 2014, 7:02 pm

I DVR'd it as well and haven't watched it yet. I haven't read the book and probably won't so it will be interesting to see who (if any) like it better - those that read the book or those who didn't. I will get back to you.

86mstrust
Nov. 4, 2014, 9:53 am

I too have it DVR'd but haven't watched yet. I read the book last year, and while I really like the Dalgliesh series, the Pemberley book had me wishing it was shorter.

87christina_reads
Nov. 4, 2014, 10:05 am

>86 mstrust: Shorter would have been better, I agree! I just remember thinking that the mystery was kinda boring and that Darcy and Lizzy needed to interact more in the book. But I hear Lizzy has a much more prominent role in the miniseries, so I'm looking forward to that! Also, I am very intrigued to see Matthew Rhys as Mr. Darcy...not exactly who I picture in the role, but he's phenomenal in "The Americans"! So we shall see.

88christina_reads
Nov. 6, 2014, 10:05 am

So I watched "Death Comes to Pemberley" last night and liked it! I thought Matthew Rhys did a great job as Mr. Darcy...he does repressed/angry so well, and he also brought a bit of vulnerability to the role. Also loved Matthew Goode as Wickham, who actually managed to make the character (somewhat, kind of, a little bit) likable! And the actress who played Lydia was perfection. So basically, the only things I didn't like about the adaptation were the same things I didn't like about the book -- the mystery's solution comes out of nowhere, and Colonel Fitzwilliam is transformed into a jerkface.

89mstrust
Nov. 6, 2014, 10:08 am

I watched the first half yesterday and agree with you about the actors. Lydia was perfect. I did think the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy seemed too cold, but that's really my only complaint so far.

90mathgirl40
Nov. 9, 2014, 9:27 am

>88 christina_reads: I was curious about Death Comes to Pemberley when it first came out, as I'm a P.D. James fan, but I hadn't gotten around to it because of the mixed reviews. Maybe I'll try the film adaptation first. It sounds worthwhile.

91christina_reads
Nov. 9, 2014, 5:31 pm

>89 mstrust: Fair point about Lizzy and Darcy's relationship. They do interact a bit more in Part 2, as I recall.

>90 mathgirl40: I'm definitely glad I watched the TV adaptation, even though I wasn't nuts about the book. Lots of beautiful scenery in and around Pemberley, at the very least!

92christina_reads
Nov. 17, 2014, 8:33 pm

I just realized that I'm down to my last 10 books for this challenge! So even though I'm incredibly behind on reviews (still need to write 9…), I am going to focus on the good news! :)

93mstrust
Nov. 17, 2014, 8:38 pm

>91 christina_reads: After I watched the second part, then things became clearer about their relationship. I'd read the book about a year before, so I must have forgotten most of it. Anyway, it was a good show.
>92 christina_reads: Congratulations!

94BookLizard
Nov. 17, 2014, 8:53 pm

92> You can do it!! I have 41 left, which is impossible, but I'm going to try to finish as many categories as I can.

95lkernagh
Nov. 18, 2014, 9:30 am

I'm down to my last 10 books for this challenge!

Yay! You can do it, Christina!

96christina_reads
Nov. 18, 2014, 12:01 pm

>93 mstrust: Thanks!

>94 BookLizard: Good luck to you! Even if you don't manage to read 41 more books (children's books, maybe?), I'm sure you will be able to finish at least a few more categories! :)

>95 lkernagh: Thanks -- I'm looking forward to the finish line!

97BookLizard
Nov. 18, 2014, 12:42 pm

96> Thanks! 9 of them are going to be Children/YA. A few in the other categories will be YA.

98ELiz_M
Nov. 18, 2014, 8:47 pm

>92 christina_reads: Well, now I don't feel quite as bad for being 11 reviews behind...

99cammykitty
Nov. 18, 2014, 8:56 pm

Agnes Nutter told me to stop by and say hi. ;)

100christina_reads
Nov. 19, 2014, 9:53 am

>98 ELiz_M: Oh, I'm right there with you now! It's so easy for them to pile up...

>99 cammykitty: Haha, love it!

101christina_reads
Nov. 30, 2014, 11:52 pm

November recap:

November was a mixed bag for me…I read a lot but reviewed NOTHING, and now I'm a whopping 11 reviews behind! So I'm sorry I haven't yet shared my thoughts on any of these November reads:

1. Rachel Ferguson, The Brontës Went to Woolworths -- "London Calling" 4 of 5
2. Graeme Simsion, The Rosie Project -- "Born to Run" 11 of 12
3. Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See -- "Blitzkrieg Bop" 7 of 7
4. Stephanie Perkins, ed., My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories -- "Fell in Love with a Girl" 11 of 13
5. Ben H. Winters, The Last Policeman -- "Mr. Roboto" 7 of 8
6. Rose Lerner, In for a Penny -- "Fell in Love with a Girl" 12 of 13
7. Charles Finch, The Laws of Murder -- "Reelin' in the Years" 12 of 14
8. Jennifer Crusie, Trust Me on This -- "Fell in Love with a Girl" 13 of 13
9. D.E. Stevenson, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment -- "London Calling" 5 of 5
10. Rainbow Rowell, Attachments -- reread!
11. Georgette Heyer, The Corinthian -- reread!

Total # pages: 2,869 (grand total: 34,291)

Favorite book of the month: I have to go with The Rosie Project -- I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy!

Least favorite: Trust Me on This -- the key word is GOOD romantic comedy. This one was just too paint-by-numbers and had flat, boring characters.

So it's on to December and the last month of my challenge! I have 8 books left to read, which seems very do-able, and I'm looking forward to some free reading after that!

102lkernagh
Dez. 1, 2014, 11:33 am

Looks like November was a good reading month!

103christina_reads
Dez. 1, 2014, 2:00 pm

>102 lkernagh: It definitely was, Lori! I flew to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, so I was able to get in some good reading time on the plane. :)

104christina_reads
Dez. 1, 2014, 2:21 pm

Book #87: Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth
Category: The Kids Are Alright (2/3)
CATs: none

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!

105mstrust
Dez. 1, 2014, 2:59 pm

I read that one as an adult too, and had about the same opinion of it as you did. I wish I'd read it as a kid also, as it's such a fun, witty book.

106AHS-Wolfy
Dez. 1, 2014, 5:52 pm

but if you missed it as a kid, it's not too late to enjoy it as an adult!

Good to hear as it's on my tbr and I've never read it before.

107Tanya-dogearedcopy
Dez. 1, 2014, 11:58 pm

The other day my daughter attended the dramatized & updated version of The Phantom Tollbooth but didn't really "get" it as she hadn't read the book! I wasn't much help either as it somehow slipped between the cracks of my own childhood. So, this afternoon, I went and bought a copy for her for Christmas (I'll read it after she does) ;-)

Other childhood mainstays that eluded me included A Wrinkle in Time (by Madeline L'Engle) and The Giver (by Lois Lowry.) I think I was a little busy reading every dog book I could get my hands on (Big Red series by Jim Kjelgaard) and Nancy Drew mysteries :-)

108BookLizard
Dez. 2, 2014, 10:12 am

104 & 107> I listened to the audiobooks for both The Phantom Tollbooth and A Wrinkle in Time. The Phantom Tollbooth was good, but I bet it would have been better to read it. A Wrinkle in Time was not so good even though it was read by the author. I remember I liked it as a child, but in the audiobook, Meg was a whiny brat.

109christina_reads
Dez. 2, 2014, 11:31 am

>105 mstrust: I definitely think that if I'd read it as a kid, it would be one of my all-time favorites!

>106 AHS-Wolfy: It's a fun read -- and very short, which is always a plus. :)

>107 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I didn't realize that The Phantom Tollbooth had been dramatized! It sounds interesting, although I'm not sure how well the book would translate. Hope you and your daughter both enjoy it!

>108 BookLizard: I think The Phantom Tollbooth is worth reading in hard copy, if only for the charming illustrations! I have only the vaguest memory of A Wrinkle in Time, but I remember that the "It" thing really freaked me out! Might have to try that one again, but I'll be sure to avoid the audiobook.

110christina_reads
Dez. 2, 2014, 11:55 am

Book #88: Maggie Stiefvater, Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Category: Magic Man (11/11)
CATs: none

***Warning: SPOILERS for previous books in the series!***

Blue Sargent and the Raven Boys are approaching the end of their quest to find the long-lost Welsh king Owen Glendower. But as always, there are complications. First of all, Blue's mother is missing, and the cryptic note she left behind says only that she is "underground." Is she one step ahead of them in the search for Glendower, or has she gotten involved in something more sinister? Then there's the fact that Colin Greenmantle, the person who hired the Gray Man to kidnap Ronan in The Dream Thieves, is in town -- and he's the boys' new Latin teacher. Worst of all, when Blue and the boys finally locate the cave where Glendower rests, they realize that their troubles are only just beginning. For there is more than one entity dwelling in this cave, and some things are better left asleep...

As a fan of the previous books in the Raven Cycle, I pretty much devoured this installment. I think it might be my favorite book yet in the series, because it's finally starting to pull together the various plot threads and character relationships that have been simmering since the first book. More secrets are revealed, the plot continues to twist and turn, and various characters' motivations are slowly uncovered. I really like the fact that Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah have become this inseparable unit now. In the first two books, there was a lot of tension between various members of the group, with everyone trying to figure out whom to trust. But in this book, they have finally accepted each other and decided to work together. I also love how certain characters (Blue and Adam in particular) are thinking about their futures: Even if they do manage to find Glendower, what happens then? So I'm very excited to see how things will turn out, and I can't wait for the release of the fourth and final book next year!

111christina_reads
Dez. 2, 2014, 3:32 pm

Book #89: Rachel Ferguson, The Brontës Went to Woolworths
Category: London Calling (4/5)
CATs: none

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.

112mstrust
Dez. 2, 2014, 3:55 pm

I'm only about 20 pages into this right now, but I read your review because it's so unclear to me when the narrative is talking about something real or a fantasy. It's sort of like being dropped into a conversation that's very deep and involved and you're not sure what's going on for several minutes.

113christina_reads
Dez. 2, 2014, 5:29 pm

>112 mstrust: Yeah, it's definitely confusing sometimes! I think that's part of why I got annoyed with the characters sometimes; they just expect you to KNOW when they're pretending and when they're not. They have a very exclusive world, and the readers are outsiders.

114mathgirl40
Dez. 3, 2014, 8:48 pm

Looks like you had a great November, and I look forward to your reviews! I'm always behind on my own reviews, too. I get too distracted reading other people's reviews to do my own. :)

115cammykitty
Dez. 3, 2014, 11:12 pm

Ha! The Brontes went to Woolworths sounds fun to me, but hey, I've got a simple solution. When Toddy1 doesn't match Toddy 2, you just tell yourself they are twins with the same name. No biggy really!

116christina_reads
Dez. 4, 2014, 9:49 am

>114 mathgirl40: Thanks! I'm slowly but surely catching up...but like you, I tend to spend more time reading other people's threads (or just reading books)!

>115 cammykitty: Haha, I love it! My mind has gone to a very science-fiction place now. :)

117christina_reads
Dez. 4, 2014, 10:33 am

Book #90: Graeme Simsion, The Rosie Project
Category: Born to Run (11/12)
CATs: Geo (Oceania: set in Australia -- I read this in November)

Professor Don Tillman is a brilliant geneticist, but his professional success is offset by his lack of luck in the romance department. Attacking this problem with all the force of his logical brain, Don comes up with the Wife Project: a questionnaire for prospective mates designed to weed out undesirable or incompatible qualities. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this does not go well...but then Don meets Rosie. Rosie is the exact opposite of the woman described by the questionnaire: she's disorganized, spontaneous, and perpetually late. She also needs Don's help to find her biological father, whom she has never met. Interested in her problem, Don agrees to participate in the Rosie Project. But the more time he spends with her, the more he begins to rethink his list of strict requirements for the ideal woman. He also re-examines his own life and discovers some surprising things about himself -- including the fact that he just might have a chance at love after all.

This book was a huge hit when it came out last year, and I can absolutely see why! It's a charming romantic comedy about two people who couldn't be more wrong for each other -- except, of course, they're exactly right. Don is a great protagonist and narrator, and he's unique for a romantic hero in that he has Asperger syndrome. I can't speak to whether the author's portrayal of a person with Asperger's is authentic, but it rang true to me. I like that the book shows both the benefits and drawbacks to having a brain that works differently from most people's. Don approaches the world in a very logical, structured fashion, which makes him a great scientist. But by the same token, he doesn't always pick up on social cues or body language, which makes his courtship of Rosie difficult. Rosie herself didn't make as much of an impression on me; she's a quirky free spirit who doesn't really rise above stereotype. But I loved the book for Don's unique voice and for the sheer sweetness and humor of the love story. This is definitely one of my top reads of the year!

118christina_reads
Dez. 4, 2014, 2:51 pm

Book #91: Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See
Category: Blitzkrieg Bop (7/7)
CATs: none

This sprawling novel tells the stories of two children growing up on opposite sides of World War II. Marie-Laure lives in Paris with her father, who is a locksmith working for the Museum of Natural History. She has been blind since the age of six, so her father has built a tiny replica of the city for her to memorize. But Marie-Laure is uprooted from these familiar surroundings when the Germans invade Paris and she has to flee to her great-uncle's house on Saint-Malo. Meanwhile, Werner is a German orphan whose knack for fixing radios changes the course of his life. Instead of being doomed to a life of coal mining, he is chosen to attend a school where he will be trained as a Hitler Youth. Werner soon learns that the school is grueling and brutal, a place where weakness is mercilessly punished. But his desire to become a scientist, combined with fear for his own safety, keeps him silent. Werner's story eventually converges with Marie-Laure's in 1944, when the Germans are trying to hold Saint-Malo against an Allied invasion.

I was eager to read this novel after seeing several rave reviews, but unfortunately I have mixed feelings about it. I didn't particularly like the novel's structure, which constantly moves between Werner's story and Marie-Laure's, as well as jumping back and forth in time. Every time I got invested in one storyline, the book would jump to something else, which was frustrating. Also, there's not a whole lot of plot in the book; it's more a very detailed depiction of everyday life on both sides of WWII. That's interesting in its own right, but I often became impatient with the meticulous descriptive language, especially when it came at the expense of the story. On the other hand, I'm very impressed with the character of Werner in this book. It's easy (and justifiably so) to paint the Nazis as pure villains, but Werner manages to be a complex character whose motives are usually better than his actions. It helps that both he and Marie-Laure are children throughout most of the book, which makes them more sympathetic. Overall, I do think the novel is worth reading, but I'm glad I got it from the library rather than buying it.

119japaul22
Dez. 4, 2014, 8:13 pm

>118 christina_reads: I've been on the fence about reading this. The premise doesn't appeal to me for some reason, but I've seen so many 5 star reviews that I feel like I should read it. Your review feels like it's giving me permission to skip it. I have it on hold at the library (I think I'm still number 50 or so) but I'll wait and see if I'm in the mood for it and what my other reading at the moment is before committing to it.

120christina_reads
Dez. 5, 2014, 10:59 am

>119 japaul22: I think your plan sounds good. I love novels set during World War II, so I was excited about the premise, and it still didn't wow me. But I'm definitely in the minority, so who knows, maybe you'll love it!

121christina_reads
Dez. 5, 2014, 2:45 pm

Book #92: Stephanie Perkins, ed., My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Category: Fell in Love with a Girl (11/13)
CATs: none

This anthology of holiday romances contains stories from some of the biggest names in YA right now, including Rainbow Rowell, Kelly Link, Jenny Han, David Levithan, and editrix Stephanie Perkins. All twelve stories involve a romance and a winter holiday, but each one is different. There are Christmas stories and Chanukah stories, real-life settings and fantasy worlds, characters who find love and characters who find themselves. Rainbow Rowell's "Midnights" tracks the friendship of Mags and Noel over the course of several New Year's Eves, until the night their relationship changes forever. Jenny Han's "Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me" is narrated by the only human who lives at the North Pole. Myra McEntire's "Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus" involves a bad boy, a preacher's daughter, and a Christmas pageant gone horribly awry. The variety of stories in this collection guarantees that any lover of the winter holidays will find something in it to enjoy.

Short story collections are usually hit-or-miss for me, but because of the impressive list of contributors to this book, I was hoping for more "hits" than I got. I would say I quite liked about half the stories, with Rowell's "Midnights" being my favorite by far. By spreading the story over several years, I really got a sense of the depth of Mags and Noel's relationship, and the climactic scene was pitch-perfect. By contrast, I felt like a lot of the stories actually needed to be full novels in order to make a real impact. For example, "The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor had lovely writing and an interesting world, but because the story is so short, there wasn't really enough room to develop that world. I was also underwhelmed by Stephanie Perkins' story, which surprised me because I love her novels! But again, I think the issue is that she didn't really have enough space to develop her characters and make me care about them. As I said, I did like about half the stories, and I'll be checking out more work by some of these authors (Kelly Link and Kiersten White in particular), but this is not a must-read collection.

122christina_reads
Dez. 8, 2014, 10:16 am

Did anyone watch the premiere of "The Librarians" last night? I haven't seen it yet, but it's on my DVR. It sounds entertaining, but it also sounds kind of (exactly) like "Warehouse 13," so I'm not sure it's worth watching. (I liked "Warehouse 13" but don't need to see a copy!) Any thoughts?

123casvelyn
Dez. 8, 2014, 10:27 am

> 122 I don't have cable, but if it's online, I'm watching it tonight. I'll let you know how it goes!

124mamzel
Dez. 8, 2014, 12:17 pm

I found it enjoyable but not quite riveting. I was easily distracted. I do love how the action heroes are librarians, though!

125casvelyn
Dez. 8, 2014, 7:12 pm

>122 christina_reads: TNT didn't put it on their website. :( I'll watch it another time if they put it online. Sad day.

126christina_reads
Dez. 9, 2014, 9:51 am

>124 mamzel: Thanks for your feedback! It'll probably help to go into this with the right expectations. :)

>125 casvelyn: Bummer! Maybe it'll be available on demand, or on Hulu or something?

127casvelyn
Dez. 9, 2014, 12:24 pm

>126 christina_reads: The first episode is free on iTunes, but the download was going to take 4 hours, so I cancelled it. I couldn't find it on Hulu. Hopefully it'll be on Netflix this summer.

128-Eva-
Dez. 9, 2014, 11:59 pm

>127 casvelyn:
It's up now: http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/the-librarians.html
I haven't watched it yet myself, but I went and bookmarked the page.

129christina_reads
Dez. 10, 2014, 10:07 am

Watched "The Librarians" last night and liked it! On the one hand, it's EXACTLY THE SAME premise as "Warehouse 13," which irritates me. On the other hand, it's a lot of fun to watch! The action sequences (especially the ones involving Rebecca Romijn) are fairly awful, but the dialogue is pretty good -- I laughed aloud several times. The cast is also very likeable, and the characters already have a fairly good rapport. Is this great television? No. Will I be watching next Sunday? Yes!

130majkia
Dez. 10, 2014, 10:44 am

I love Christian Kane in Leverage, so I'm looking forward to seeing it. We DVR'd it but haven't gotten to it yet. And I loved the movies.

131christina_reads
Dez. 10, 2014, 12:01 pm

>130 majkia: I haven't seen the movies, but they sound like they'd be lots of fun!

132christina_reads
Dez. 10, 2014, 12:28 pm

Book #93: Ben H. Winters, The Last Policeman
Category: Mr. Roboto (7/8)
CATs: Random (disasters -- I read this in November)

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.

133casvelyn
Dez. 10, 2014, 5:22 pm

134christina_reads
Dez. 11, 2014, 10:35 am

Book #94: Rose Lerner, In for a Penny
Category: Fell in Love with a Girl (12/13)
CATs: none

The young Lord Nevinstoke, known to his friends as Nev, loves nothing more than a good time, whether it's drinking with his friends or dallying with his mistress. But when his father dies unexpectedly, Nev suddenly inherits the responsibility of being head of the family, as well as a mountain of crushing debt. With a large estate to repair and no money for the task, his only choice is to marry a rich woman, and heiress Penelope Brown fits the bill nicely. Since Penelope's father is a tradesman, she is not of Nev's class, but her money seems a fair trade for his title. Nev and Penelope marry quickly, but despite their growing attraction to each other, they encounter many obstacles. Nev's estate is in even worse shape than he thought, and he has no knowledge of business matters. His tenants have grown increasingly discontented as the estate has become less prosperous. And meanwhile, Penelope feels uprooted from everything familiar and thrust into a place where she doesn't belong. Will Nev and Penelope be able to solve these problems and finally find happiness together?

I enjoy a good Regency romance every once in a while, and I'd read that this one is the next best thing to Georgette Heyer. I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do think the book is very well written and often entertaining. I enjoy the "marriage of convenience turns into something more" trope, so I was predisposed to like the plot, and I also liked both Nev and Penelope as characters. Specifically, I was a big fan of how Nev grows and changes throughout the book. He starts out as a careless young man -- albeit a likable one -- who lives entirely for pleasure. But when he is confronted with his responsibilities for the first time, he takes them seriously and tries to learn all he can. I also sympathized with Penelope quite a bit, as she experiences a lot of insecurity when she marries "above" herself. I did get annoyed at all the misunderstandings between her and Nev, though; every time it seemed like they were finally on the same page, one of them would second-guess the relationship for no good reason. There was also a lot more, ahem, "romance" than I was expecting. But overall, as Regency romances go, this is a fairly enjoyable one.

135christina_reads
Dez. 11, 2014, 3:22 pm

Book #95: Charles Finch, The Laws of Murder
Category: Reelin' in the Years (12/14)
CATs: Mystery (historical: set in 1876 -- I read this in November)

***Warning: Slight spoilers for previous books in the series.***

Victorian gentleman Charles Lenox has given up his seat in Parliament to return to his true vocation as a detective. He's even started a detective agency with his friend John Dallington, former rival Polly Buchanan, and a talented Frenchman called LeMaire. Though the business is new, Lenox is confident that it will succeed; but a streak of bad publicity in the London newspapers causes trouble for the fledgling enterprise. Just when Lenox is considering throwing in the towel, however, an unexpected murder forces the police to seek out his services -- for the victim is none other than Inspector Jenkins of Scotland Yard. Moreover, Jenkins' body was found outside the town house of the Marquess of Wakefield, one of London's most hardened (yet so far uncatchable) criminals. Was Jenkins investigating Wakefield when he met his death? Was Wakefield himself the killer? Lenox and his fellow detectives are on the case, but the conspiracy they uncover is more shocking than they ever could have imagined.

I like this series a lot, and this book is another good installment; but I have to confess, one month later, it's hard for me to remember much about it! I do recall thinking that the mystery was a little predictable, but there were certainly enough twists and turns to keep me interested. The book also takes time to check in with the various secondary characters who comprise Lenox's world, which I appreciated -- although I would have liked to see even more of McConnell, Lady Jane, and the others! I also think it was a smart move to make Lenox part of a detective agency, as this introduces some new characters and relationships into the mix. The agency also illustrates some interesting areas of blindness in Lenox, especially regarding class. When the business begins to fail, Lenox is upset, but he is never in danger of experiencing real financial hardship. Some of his colleagues, however, depend on the agency for their livelihood, and this doesn't occur to Lenox initially. So I appreciate that we got a little character growth in this installment, and I look forward to the next book!

136lkernagh
Dez. 11, 2014, 10:36 pm

one month later, it's hard for me to remember much about it!

LOL! Even though I have read all of the Charles Lennox books up to this one - which I am looking forward to reading! - the stories just kind of blur in my mind. Not memorable but a good read is how I like to think about these books.

137christina_reads
Dez. 12, 2014, 12:33 am

>136 lkernagh: "Not memorable but a good read" is the perfect description!

138christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 12, 2014, 5:04 pm

Book #96: Jennifer Crusie, Trust Me on This
Category: Fell in Love with a Girl (13/13)
CATs: none

Reporter Dennie Banks has just stumbled upon a story that could make her career: A renowned professor and marriage expert is about to get a divorce. Dennie learns that the professor will be attending a popular literature conference, so Dennie gets herself a ticket also, hoping to meet the professor there and pitch her story. Meanwhile, Alec Prentice is a government agent specializing in fraud prevention. Currently he's on the trail of Brian Bond, a con man who's been running a real estate scam for years. Alec learns that Bond will be at the same conference looking for his next victim, so Alec goes undercover to catch him in the act. Bond always works with a woman, so when Alec walks into the hotel bar and sees him talking to a beautiful brunette, he assumes that she's Bond's partner. Of course, the woman is actually Dennie, who was merely making polite chitchat with Bond. As both Alec and Dennie try to focus on their missions, they become increasingly distracted by their mutual attraction. But will their career ambitions get in the way of romance?

I've read and enjoyed some of Crusie's books in the past, and this one was billed as a screwball comedy, so I was hoping to like it a lot more than I did. There's nothing particularly wrong with the book, but there's just nothing original or interesting about it either. I couldn't really relate to Alec or Dennie, both perfect physical specimens whose intelligence is frequently mentioned but never actually shown. Their relationship seems to be based entirely on physical attraction, and neither character really changes in the course of the novel. The "comedy" aspect of the book also fell very flat to me; frankly, the witty banter just wasn't that witty. The basic plot is fun and might make a decent movie, but it's too flimsy to sustain an entire novel. I suppose the novel does touch on some deeper themes, such as the potential conflict between career ambitions and romantic relationships, but it doesn't really say anything innovative about the issue. Overall, even as a fan of romantic comedies, I'd say skip this one.

139nittnut
Dez. 15, 2014, 1:26 pm

Moved house and got behind! Getting up to date. Awesome to see your list of books to read for the year dwindle down.

>108 BookLizard: I am intrigued that Meg was whiny in the author's narration. Says something about how she personally viewed Meg's character. I never saw her as whiny, except maybe briefly after Charles Wallace gets taken over...

Must go figure out how many books I have left. Unfortunately, I think one is a NF chunkster that is packed in a box somewhere. Probably gonna write that one off. LOL.

140BookLizard
Dez. 15, 2014, 8:59 pm

139> I was trying to figure out if I didn't think Meg was whiny when I read it as a kid because I was a kid myself. I might have to read a few pages of the book to find out.

141christina_reads
Dez. 17, 2014, 10:59 am

>139 nittnut: It's exciting to be so close to the finish line! :)

>140 BookLizard: Y'all are convincing me that I should give A Wrinkle in Time another chance...I want to settle the "whiny or not" debate for myself! :)

142nittnut
Dez. 18, 2014, 5:14 pm

>140 BookLizard:, >141 christina_reads: I am afraid I am going to have to give it a quick re-read as well.

143christina_reads
Dez. 19, 2014, 2:09 pm

Book #97: D.E. Stevenson, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Category: London Calling (5/5)
CATs: none

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.

144Tanya-dogearedcopy
Dez. 19, 2014, 3:29 pm

Seriously? I cannot believe this. It's December 19 and you've hit me with a BB this late in the year! It's like one of those stories where the about-to-be-retired cop goes out on one last call; and then bam! :-D

I see that this one is available as an e-book;but I'll certainly keep my eye out for the others in the second-hand markets :-)

145DeltaQueen50
Dez. 19, 2014, 4:03 pm

It would have been a book bullet for me as well, but luckily I have Mrs. Tim of the Regiment on my Kindle! I also have a couple of the "Buncle" books as well. I better get around to actually reading this author!

146christina_reads
Dez. 22, 2014, 9:43 am

>144 Tanya-dogearedcopy: Haha, sorry! (Except not really, because D.E. Stevenson is lovely and you should read her!) Your analogy definitely made me think of Hercule Poirot, always taking on "one last case." And now I want to read some Agatha Christie... :)

>145 DeltaQueen50: Definitely, Judy! Miss Buncle's Book is probably my favorite of hers so far.

147lkernagh
Dez. 24, 2014, 6:16 pm

>143 christina_reads: - Good old D.E. Stevenson. Trust her to have a nugget or two kicking around waiting for some unsuspecting reader to pick up and discover. ;-)

Stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2015, Christina!

148nittnut
Dez. 24, 2014, 7:01 pm

149DeltaQueen50
Dez. 24, 2014, 8:01 pm

Have a wonderful Christmas, Christina.

150rabbitprincess
Dez. 24, 2014, 9:12 pm

Merry Christmas, Christina! Thanks for all the book bullets ;)

151cammykitty
Dez. 24, 2014, 9:33 pm

I got book 2 of The Last Policeman as an ER novel and liked it. Good review. I still want to know how long he can draw the series out, seeing that the end of the world is imminent!

Merry Xmas!!!

152mstrust
Dez. 24, 2014, 11:26 pm

Have a Merry Christmas!

153dudes22
Dez. 25, 2014, 6:08 am

Merry Christmas and a Happy reading New Year!

154RidgewayGirl
Dez. 25, 2014, 12:01 pm

Happy Holidays, Christina. Wishing you a few quiet hours of reading time.

155christina_reads
Dez. 25, 2014, 12:50 pm

Thanks, everyone, for the holiday wishes!


glitter-graphics.com

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good book! ;)

156inge87
Dez. 25, 2014, 4:08 pm



Merry Christmas!

157christina_reads
Bearbeitet: Dez. 30, 2014, 11:43 am

I'm *thisclose* to finishing my challenge -- only 150 pages to go in The Return of the King -- but in the meantime, I saw this on Lori's thread and just had to steal it for myself! Answer the following questions with the titles of books you read in 2014:

Describe yourself: A Little Something Different (Sandy Hall)

Describe how you feel: In Tearing Haste (Charlotte Mosley, ed.) - lots of end-of-year stress

Describe where you currently live: In the Woods (Tana French) - not actually true at all

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Across a Star-Swept Sea (Diana Peterfreund)

Your favorite form of transportation: The Shadowy Horses (Susanna Kearsley) - I have only ridden a horse once in my life, but this was the only title that even remotely fit

Your best friend is: The Giver (Lois Lowry)

You and your friends are: Naughty in Nice (Rhys Bowen) - we like to travel and goof off :)

What’s the weather like: The Winter Long (Seanan McGuire)

You fear: Double Cross (Ben Macintyre)

What is the best advice you have to give: Trust Me on This (Jennifer Crusie)

Thought for the day: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Philip K. Dick)

How I would like to die: While Beauty Slept (Elizabeth Blackwell) - or, more accurately, while *I* sleep

My soul’s present condition: All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr)

158lkernagh
Dez. 30, 2014, 1:57 pm

Great answers and I have faith that you will finish your last book before the big clock strikes midnight and we cross over to 2015!

159christina_reads
Dez. 30, 2014, 3:15 pm

>158 lkernagh: Thanks! It will be a close shave. :)

160christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 9:54 am

Book #98: Rhys Bowen, The Twelve Clues of Christmas
Category: Reelin' in the Years (13/14)
CATs: Mystery (cozy)

'Tis the season to be jolly, but Lady Georgiana Rannoch is anticipating a bleak, joyless Christmas at her brother's estate in Scotland. Her sister-in-law Fig has made it abundantly clear that Georgie is an unwelcome burden, so Georgie begins to search for a way to escape for the holidays. Finally, the perfect solution lands in her lap: she is offered a job as social hostess for a large house party at an English country estate. Georgie jumps at the chance to get away from Fig (and make a little money in the process), especially when she learns that her mother will also be staying in the neighborhood. When Georgie arrives at the estate, she discovers that her employer is trying to stage the perfect English Christmas for a diverse group of paying guests. But the seemingly idyllic country village is soon plagued by a string of suspicious deaths. All of them appear to be accidents, but Georgie suspects that they could be murders. But what do the dead people have in common, and who in the village would be clever and ruthless enough to kill them?

I enjoyed this latest installment of the Royal Spyness series. It has all the fluffy fun of previous books, but the mystery is a bit more substantial compared to some of Georgie's earlier adventures. I've always liked the series for its frothy tone and historical trappings, especially Georgie's run-ins with real historial figures (for example, Noel Coward makes an appearance in this book!). But historically, the mystery plots themselves have been relatively weak. This one was more complex, with several different plot threads that all tied together in the end. Georgie's personal life also progresses a bit in this installment, as she and Darcy finally profess their love for each other and begin to talk about marriage. I always want more Darcy in these books...he seems to come in for the sole purpose of ruthlessly kissing Georgie in corridors, but there are hints that he's also involved in some sort of espionage. I'd love him to marry Georgie and take her along on his adventures! The series seems due for some sort of shake-up, and I'm interested to see whether the status quo will change in future installments.

161christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 10:36 am

Book #99: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince (trans. Katherine Woods)
Category: The Kids Are Alright (3/3)
CATs: none

After trying to review this book in my usual way, I've given it up as a lost cause. So I will just say that this classic children's fable about a stranded pilot and a little boy from another planet is a wonderful read, for adults as well as for children. It's full of allegories and lessons for attentive readers, from the folly of greed to the power of friendship. I'm sorry I never read this as a child, but I still found it incredibly touching and moving -- the perfect book for a winter's evening!

162christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 12:03 pm

Book #100: Chinua Achebe, No Longer at Ease
Category: Born to Run (12/12)
CATs: Geo (Sub-Saharan Africa: set in Nigeria)

This novel, published in 1960, follows the fortunes of Obi Okonkwo, a young Nigerian man who was educated in England and has now returned to work in the Nigerian civil service. In the first chapter, it is revealed that Obi is on trial for accepting a bribe; subsequent chapters go back in time to explain how this situation came about. When Obi first comes back from England, he is idealistic and relatively innocent. When he sees the widespread bribery and corruption in the Nigerian government, he is disgusted and indignantly refuses the first bribe offered to him. However, he soon finds himself caught between several conflicting responsibilities. A group of prominent members of his hometown financed his education, and he is obligated to pay back the money they invested in him. His impoverished family also needs money, especially when his mother falls ill. And all of Nigerian society expects him to maintain a certain standard of living now that he has a profitable government job. Obi's predicament mirrors the problems of Nigeria as a whole, as it struggles to achieve independence and find its own identity.

I had to read Achebe's Things Fall Apart several times in school, and while I started out disliking it, I eventually warmed up to it. This book is a sequel of sorts, as Obi is the grandson of Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart, and some of the same themes are present. Both books deal with the interaction of European and Nigerian culture in a very nuanced way, showing both the positive and negative consequences of such interaction. And in both books, the protagonist is caught in an untenable position between the old ways and the new. Obi is a Nigerian through and through, but his English education makes him something of an alien among his own people. He deplores the Nigerian custom of bribing government officials but recognizes the role the British ruling class has played in this corruption. The novel is ultimately about Nigeria's identity crisis as well as Obi's, as the country moves toward independence. The novel's ending leaves the question open: how can Nigeria move forward from the negative aspects of its past while still retaining what is good?

163hailelib
Dez. 31, 2014, 12:28 pm

Happy New Years!

164christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 12:30 pm

>163 hailelib: Thanks, and same to you!

165christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 12:51 pm

Book #101: Kate Ross, The Devil in Music
Category: Reelin' in the Years (14/14)
CATs: Random (Wish Upon a Star)

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!

166christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 4:58 pm

Book #102: Connie Willis, Miracle and Other Christmas Stories
Category: Mr. Roboto (8/8)
CATs: none

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!

167christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 5:21 pm

Books #103-105: J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
Category: Over the Hills and Far Away (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
CATs: none

For my final three books of the challenge, I re-read The Lord of the Rings for the first time in about 7 years. I've always considered it to be one of my favorite books, and I think that assessment still holds true. Fellowship was a bit of a slog for me this time...it just takes so long for the story to get going! Tolkien certainly does like his digressions into Elvish poetry and ancient lore. But once the hobbits met up with Strider at Bree, I was hooked on the story once again. The latter two books just flew by, and I was especially struck this time by the fitting nature of the ending. Even though (spoiler alert!) the good guys win and the Ring is destroyed, it's not a perfect happily-ever-after ending. The power of the Elves is diminished, Saruman works his evil ways in the Shire, and ultimately Frodo is never really able to go back to the way things were. That last chapter at the Grey Havens always makes me cry! So anyway, I'm glad I gave myself a category for LOTR this year, and I'm glad I saved it for the end of my challenge. It was a great way to end my 2014 reading!

168rabbitprincess
Dez. 31, 2014, 5:26 pm

I'm impressed that you got through the second half of Two Towers! That's always the part of LOTR that kills me.

169christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 5:40 pm

>168 rabbitprincess: Haha I know what you mean! The Frodo/Sam/Gollum stuff is a bit dull, especially compared to all the awesomeness of Rohan and Isengard and whatnot. (I really love all the stuff in Rohan, in both the book and the movie!) But for some reason I had more patience with Frodo and Sam this time around; it was even a bit jarring to go back to the battles in the first section of Return of the King!

170christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 10:05 pm

December recap:

I finished my last book for 2014 Category Challenge yesterday, so I'm just in time to write my final monthly recap! Here's what I read in December to complete my challenge:

1. Rhys Bowen, The Twelve Clues of Christmas -- "Reelin' in the Years" 13 of 14
2. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince -- "The Kids Are Alright" 3 of 3
3. Chinua Achebe, No Longer at Ease -- "Born to Run" 12 of 12
4. Kate Ross, The Devil in Music -- "Reelin' in the Years" 14 of 14
5. Connie Willis, Miracle and Other Christmas Stories -- "Mr. Roboto" 8 of 8
6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring -- "Over the Hills and Far Away" 2 of 4
7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers -- "Over the Hills and Far Away" 3 of 4
8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King -- "Over the Hills and Far Away" 4 of 4

Total # pages: 2,344 (grand total: 36,635)

Favorite book of the month: All of them were enjoyable reads, but I have to go with Miracle and Other Christmas Stories, which was unexpectedly wonderful!

Least favorite: None!

Now I just have to write my challenge wrap-up post, and then I'll be ready for 2015! :)

171christina_reads
Dez. 31, 2014, 10:43 pm

YEAR-END RECAP:

I completed my 2014 Category Challenge! I read a total of 117 books this year, of which 105 counted toward the challenge. Counting those 105 challenge books only, I read a total of 36,635 pages -- an average of 349 pages per book.

Here are my favorite books of the year, in the order in which I read them:

1. Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding -- "Firefly"-esque science fiction about a rebellious airship captain and his motley crew. Tons of fun and thrilling heroics!

2. The Giver by Lois Lowry -- A children's classic that peels back the layers of its seemingly utopian setting, ever so slowly and carefully, to reveal the chilling truth.

3. One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak -- A collection of darkly comic short stories that made me laugh and wince at the same time.

4. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson -- The perfect YA summer read, including friendship, romance, ice cream, and a sense of endless possibility.

5. No Bed for Bacon by Caryl Brahms & S.J. Simon -- Hilarious send-up of all things Elizabethan, with the most hilarious jokes about non-standard spelling you'll ever read!

6. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett -- Never has the Apocalypse been so funny.

7. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater -- A beautifully written installment of the Raven Cycle that finally begins to gather the various plot lines that have been running throughout the series.

8. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion -- Charming romantic comedy with an unusual twist: the hero and narrator has Aspergers.

9. The Devil in Music by Kate Ross -- The last Julian Kestrel mystery, set in 1825 Milan. A good (though tragically incomplete) ending to a great series!

10. Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis -- Fantastic collection of Christmas stories with a speculative edge that really brings home the wonder of the season.

And with that, I officially declare my 2014 Category Challenge complete. Onward to 2015!


(Image from here.)

172ELiz_M
Jan. 1, 2015, 8:51 am



Congratulations on the timely finish and Happy 2015!

173AHS-Wolfy
Jan. 1, 2015, 11:02 am

Congrats on completing your challenge!

174christina_reads
Jan. 1, 2015, 2:01 pm

175lkernagh
Jan. 1, 2015, 5:41 pm

Congratulations on completing your challenge!

I can totally see Firefly fans enjoying Retribution Falls. Great Stuff, that!

176-Eva-
Jan. 1, 2015, 11:19 pm

Congrats on finishing!! And have a very happy new year!

177christina_reads
Jan. 2, 2015, 11:19 am

>175 lkernagh: Agreed -- anything that reminds me of "Firefly" is automatically great!

>176 -Eva-: Thanks, Eva, and same to you!