CBL hears the Sound of Music Part 3

I've exceeded my challenge goals in all of my categories. Since my previous thread was taking too long to load, I'm going to use this thread to track my December reading. Unusually for me, I'm behind on reviews. Stay tuned for reviews of:

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing by Megan Smolenyak
Christmas in Absaroka County by Craig Johnson
Out of the Silence by Terry Waite

Happy new mini-thread!

Re Mexico Set, it took me so long to read all nine books in the Bernard Samson series that I think I need to reread the first trilogy. Also, I read them pre-LT. My favourite of the whole series is Spy Sinker.

>2 rabbitprincess: Thanks, RP! I am glad I have a better one to look forward to! I'm sure I'll continue the series at some point.

Happy new thread! I wish you joy of your free reading!

>4 MissWatson: Thanks!

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Lila is the brilliant friend of the book's narrator, Elena. Perhaps “frenemy” would be a more accurate description of Lila. The girls are as much rivals as friends. They both excel in school, but Elena must work at her studies while learning comes easily to Lila. As the girls become young women, their peers in their poor Naples neighborhood become more significant in their lives. Their paths diverge at high school when Elena continues her studies while Lila must drop out and enter the family shoemaking business. Eventually, both girls will have to choose between staying in the neighborhood and negotiating a position within its hierarchy or escaping its confines.

This is one of the few audiobooks I've tried that hasn't worked well for me because of the format. There were too many characters to easily keep track of, and most characters had at least one nickname. If that wasn't enough, the narrator seemingly couldn't decide how to pronounce Lila's name. Most of the time it was “LEE-la”, but she threw in the occasional “LIE-la”. I'll try the second book in print and see if it works better for me.

3.5 stars

Next up in audio: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing by Megan Smolenyak

Megan Smolenyak takes readers behind the scenes in many of the genealogical cases she has researched for television, magazines, newspapers, and federal and local governmental agencies. The cases she researches are high interest, with subjects including celebrities, politicians, and other notable persons. When it comes to describing her methodology, Smolenyak mostly sticks to generalities, making me wonder if she considers her research methods to be trade secrets. Her methodology sometimes seems unorthodox, but this may be due to the nature of her assignments. She often works under tight deadlines, which would make it difficult to conduct the reasonably exhaustive research required by the Genealogical Proof Standard. Cautiously recommended.

3.5 stars

Happy new thread and happy mini-thread, a good way to wind up the reading year!

>8 VivienneR: Thanks Vivienne!

Christmas in Absaroka County by Craig Johnson

Christmas in Absaroka County is a collection of four short stories featuring Wyoming sheriff Walt Longmire and his daughter, Cady. The stories are bittersweet, reflecting a sadness and loneliness that too many people experience during the holiday season. The first story is set shortly after Walt's wife's death, when the daily routines of life (like personal hygiene and dressing) are more than Walt can manage in his grief. The second story also gives readers another glimpse of Walt's deceased wife, Martha. Troubled souls come to Walt for help because they see in him a fellow wounded spirit. Recommended for all series fans.

4 stars

Out of the Silence: Memories, Poems, Reflections by Terry Waite

In the final decades of his life, humanitarian Terry Waite reflects on his experiences and relationships through poetry. Each poem is preceded by a short prose narrative that puts it into the context of Waite's life. Waite spent nearly five years as a hostage in Lebanon, and he seems to have become acclimated to solitude while in captivity. Solitude is a recurring theme in this collection of poems. Waite has earned worldwide respect for his survival through five years of captivity and for his many years of humanitarian work. Through poetry, he is able to share the wisdom he gained through the painful passages in his life.

The prose portion of this book was primarily written while Waite was on a retreat in New Zealand. Black and white drawings by Jenny Coles enhance Waite's poetry and prose. This collection would make a thoughtful gift for someone with an interest in humanitarianism, the events of the late 20th century, or New Zealand.

This review is based on an electronic advance readers copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

3.5 stars

Happy December free reading! I can't imagine keeping track of all of Ferrante's characters in an audiobook! I was sometimes confused reading on paper--usually when i'd spent a few days away from the book. They get more complex and more compelling as they proceed, so do try the next one in paper form!

>12 RidgewayGirl: Thanks! I will definitely try the next one in paper. It's available in ebook format in Overdrive, but I think paper might work better for me. I can see myself wanting to go back to earlier sections to refresh my memory about the characters.

>12 RidgewayGirl: One of my friends in her 70s laughingly says that if she doesn't keep notes she can't keep up with characters anymore. I realized if I was going to get the full benefit of Ferrante's book I was going to have to do that too! I didn't like doing it but I kept everybody straight.

>14 clue: I'll have to remember that. The ebook might work for me if I take notes!

I was hoping to have December "free reading," but it's not looking that way. Envious.... :)

Most years, I finish in November, as I did this year. I've been doing a mini challenge. Just recently acquired books (purchase or borrowed from the library) and also Christmas-related books.

>17 lindapanzo: Hmm, if I set a challenge for myself to only read new purchases and library books, I'll bet my tbr would instantly become very attractive.

>16 -Eva-: Oddly it doesn't feel terribly free to me since I'm filling it with books for challenges like the GeoCAT, DeweyCAT, etc.

>17 lindapanzo: Recent acquisitions and Christmas books sounds like a perfect plan for December!

>18 RidgewayGirl: Of course it would! Isn't that how it always works?!

Taking the morning afternoon playing catch-up on all the threads in the group and have enjoyed getting caught up with all of your reading. Old Filth has a special place in my heart so glad to see it was such a wonderful read for you.

Taking a BB for Lotions, potions and Deadly Elixirs - that one looks fascinating, even with the spelling and grammar errors! Also, great review of Do Not Say We Have Nothing.

Continue to love the Adrian pictures - he is such a sweet dog!

As I mentioned over on Lori's thread, very disturbing that you had to experience the fire and tornado warnings.

>20 lkernagh: Hi Lori! It's so good to see you active in the threads again. Although I wasn't affected either physically or financially by the fires in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, it had an emotional impact. That's where we've always gone to "play". Many of my earliest and happiest memories are of day trips to Gatlinburg with my family. We always spent a day there when we had relatives visiting.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers during the holidays. The first holiday season after the loss of a loved one is particularly hard.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Carrie. Looking forward to catching up with you in the New Year.

You've had some great books in your mini-challenge. I remember when Terry Waite was captured in Lebanon, and will add this to my wishlist. Craig Johnson's book looks good too.

Wishing you and Adrian a Merry Christmas. I look forward to sharing your reading in 2017.

>22 DeltaQueen50: Thanks Judy! You can count on it!

>23 VivienneR: Thanks Vivienne! Merry Christmas to you as well.

I think you'll appreciate Terry Waite's book. He reflects on his captivity n manny of the poems and essays.

Happy Christmas, Carrie! I hope you find time to read today.

>25 RidgewayGirl: Thanks, Kay! I will have plenty of time to read today. My brother is sick, probably from something he ate. He didn't eat at the family Christmas gathering last night, and he had a fever. He wouldn't let my SIL call a doctor last night, but he agreed to it early this morning. The doctor saw him in his room and left him with an antibiotic and a medicine for fever and pain. No need to go anywhere or do anything! I haven't been out of the hotel today except to visit the convenience store across the street to buy water.

I am home from my Mexican Christmas trip. I didn't get as much reading time as I had on my last trip to Mexico, but that's OK. I finished Middlemarch, a book I started in April and was determined to finish by the end of the year. I also read The Highwayman, a Walt Longmire novella. I read about half of a historical mystery, Anything But Civil. I really liked the first book in this series, and this sophomore effort is a disappointment.

Now that I'm home with a laptop instead of an iPad Mini or smartphone, I can post a few photos from my trip. These are all from yesterday's bus tour to Chichen Itza. We stopped at the cenote on the way.

>29 VivienneR: Thanks Vivienne!

Red-Handed in Romanee-Conti by Jean-Pierre Alaux & Noel Balen; translated by Sally Pane

In this installment of a long-running series, wine consultant Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile are working with a Burgundy vineyard. Upon their arrival, they learn of the murder of a grape picker on a neighboring estate. Since they've solved other murders, they're naturally curious about this one. Maybe too curious, since Benjamin soon becomes the prime suspect in the murder. He'll have to solve the murder to clear his own name. In a secondary plot line focuses on Benjamin's aging father in London, who is beginning to show signs of dementia.

The mystery plot is no more than a vehicle for information about vineyards and wine-making. Weather is a focus in this novel. Storms and hail threaten to ruin the current year's harvest. The estate employs a female winemaker, which it seems is still unusual enough in the 21st century to be remarkable.

I was disappointed with the mystery plot. Benjamin's investigation is disorganized, and his behavior evidences a lack of discipline and focus. You don't get to be one of the top experts in a field by going off on tangents that aren't any of your business. Time is money, as they say. The dialogue is unnatural, but it's hard to say if the problem lies with the writing or with the English translation. Not recommended.

This review is based on an electronic advance readers copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

1.5 stars

A Christmas Escape by Anne Perry

Recently-widowed Charles Latterly arrives on the island of Stromboli for the Christmas season. His fellow guests in the small hotel are all British, and it's soon apparent that there are tensions among them. Most of the other guests were already acquainted before their arrival at the Italian hotel and it seems they brought their rivalries and disagreements with them. The teenaged Candace is the one bright spot for Charles. Candace is still young enough to speak her mind without restraint, and Charles' shock and alarm at her frank assessments of their fellow guests is tempered with admiration for her spirit. The tension comes to a head as the island's volcano comes to life, and Charles and his fellow guests must flee for their lives while wondering which one of them is a murderer.

Anne Perry's historical crime novels focus on motive and psychology. They can be excellent when she hits it just right. When she doesn't hit it right, they become too melodramatic. This novella is heavy with melodrama. Recommended only for series completists.

2 stars

Welcome home from Mexico, Carrie.

>33 RidgewayGirl: Thanks! I enjoyed the trip, but I'm glad to have a few days at home before going back to work.

And to unpack and enjoy Adrian's company, too, I'd imagine.

>35 RidgewayGirl: That's a given! Adrian was glad to be back at home Wednesday night. He spent the evening exploring every room in the house and pulling out and playing with each of his toys.

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
GeoCAT
DeweyCAT

A couple of decades after first setting foot in Great Britain and preparing to move his family to the U.S., Bill Bryson spent several weeks traveling from one end of the island to the other. Some places on his itinerary were familiar and dear, while he hadn't set foot in others since his arrival some twenty years earlier. First impressions and other memories intermingle with the contemporary travel narrative. Bryson's affection for his adopted country is apparent. The humor is as much at his own expense as at the expense of others. I felt a particular kinship with Bryson as another American who made a home in Great Britain as a young adult. Both natives of Great Britain and Anglophiles will find a lot to like here.

4 stars

Middlemarch by George Eliot

Middlemarch is, as much as anything, a domestic novel illustrating the importance of marriage. The decision to marry, to entrust one's future and well-being to another person, is not to be taken lightly. In a desire to be useful to a man of letters, beautiful young Dorothea Brooke ties herself to a melancholy and jealous man who is unworthy of her devotion. Dr. Lydgate rashly chooses a wife based on physical attractiveness rather than depth of character and lives to regret his decision. Both Dorothea and Lydgate find a measure of peace by submitting their own desires to those of their mates, without receiving much in return. Mary Garth proves to be as shrewd as she is pretty. Both Mary and her suitor are fully aware of his shortcomings, and their partnership enables him to succeed where he would otherwise have failed. George Eliot's keen insight into human nature makes this character-driven novel feel as fresh as a contemporary novel. Highly recommended.

4 stars

The Highwayman by Craig Johnson

Modern legend Sheriff Walt Longmire and his friend Henry Standing Bear confront a legend who haunts the Wind River Canyon in this novella. Rosey Wayman of the Wyoming Highway Patrol has recently transferred to the Canyon. Rosey has been hearing officer needs assistance calls from Bobby Womack, a Native American highway patrolman who was killed in the canyon 30 years ago. Rosey's boss hasn't been able to find any evidence to corroborate Rosey's story, so he turns to Walt Longmire for assistance. Walt has had his share of supernatural experiences, so he is sympathetic to Rosey's plight. Walt is convinced that there is a rational explanation for the things that have been happening to Rosey. He and Henry just have to find it.

The strong sense of place and the well-rounded secondary characters both contribute to the success of this novella. This would work as a good introduction to the Walt Longmire series since it will work as a standalone, unlike the regular novels in the series that build upon prior installments. There are a few references that will communicate more to readers who are familiar with the series, but these are kept to a minimum. This may be my favorite among all of the short stories and novellas in this series.

4 stars

Anything But Civil by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Secretary Hattie Davish has recently been hired by former employer Sir Arthur Windom-Greene, who is researching Civil War history for a book he plans to write. Sir Arthur has rented a house in Galena, Illinois, in order to interview retired General Cornelius Starrett. Starrett's son, Captain Henry Starrett, is also a Civil War veteran. Captain Starrett's return to Galena triggers a chain of events that end in murder. Hattie has successfully solved a murder before, and she's going to have to do it again when someone close to her is arrested for the murder.

I had read and enjoyed the first book in this series so I was eagerly looking forward to this one. It was a disappointment. The dialogue is unnatural, and Hattie and the secondary characters are driven by emotion rather than reason. A good detective story should bring order out of chaos, and chaos has free reign in this book. I won't be looking for any more books in this series.

1 star

Murder at Teatime edited by Cynthia Manson

Although short stories aren't my favorite format for crime/mystery fiction, I like to read the occasional anthology. I've discovered a few authors I enjoy that way. Most of the authors in this collection were already well known to me – Margery Allingham, Dorothy Sayers, Michael Innes, Christianna Brand, Ruth Rendell. The biggest surprise to me is a story by P. G. Wodehouse. I had no idea he wrote any crime/mystery pieces. His “Strychnine in the Soup,” Dorothy Sayers' “The Necklace of Pearls,” and E. C. Bentley's “The Ministering Angel” are among the better stories in this volume. This collection will appeal to fans of classic British mysteries.

3.5 stars

December Recap

Physical books owned: 3
Physical books borrowed: 2
Ebooks owned: 2
Ebooks borrowed: 3
Audiobooks borrowed: 1
ARCs: 2

Best of the month: Middlemarch by George Eliot
Worst of the month: Anything But Civil by Anna Loan-Wilsey

I'll wrap up 2016 with the end-of-year meme:

Describe yourself: Sweet Tooth

Describe how you feel: Quiet as a Nun

Describe where you currently live: Crooked House

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?: Land of Marvels

Your favorite form of transportation: Three Men in a Boat

Your best friend is: The Reluctant Detective

You and your friends are: Trespassers in Time: Genealogists and Microhistorians

What’s the weather like?: Blue Lightning

You fear: A Serpent's Tooth

What is the best advice you have to give?: Don't Throw It to Mo!

Thought for the day: Do Not Say We Have Nothing

How I would like to die: The Richest Woman in America

My soul’s present condition: Saint Maybe

Strychnine in the Soup is a great story. I read it in the collection Wodehouse on Crime.

>44 rabbitprincess: There's a Wodehouse crime collection?! Sounds like a must-have to me. Onto the wishlist it goes!