TIFFIN 2018 Now until year end

Dies ist die Fortführung des Themas TIFFIN 2018 Out of the gate.

Forum75 Books Challenge for 2018

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TIFFIN 2018 Now until year end

1tiffin
Aug. 4, 2018, 10:56 am



The hawks have fledged for this year. A young one came to check out the dogs.

2tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 4, 2018, 10:35 pm

91: The Illusions of Eventide by Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition



hmmm not really sure about this one but it came as a boxed set, so onward we go.

3lauralkeet
Aug. 4, 2018, 12:49 pm

That's a gorgeous hawk, Tui!

4Caroline_McElwee
Aug. 4, 2018, 2:02 pm

What a beauty Tui.

5tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 4, 2018, 2:06 pm

>3 lauralkeet:: I'm afraid some of our birds don't think so but they are beautiful. I wish they'd dine on the grackles and starlings that clean out the feeder!
>4 Caroline_McElwee:: Thanks, Caro! I think they had two babies this year. We can hear them skreeing to each other in the woods at the back.

6Caroline_McElwee
Aug. 4, 2018, 4:05 pm

We see such a limited selection of birds in London. Even nationally, compared to Canada and the US.

7FAMeulstee
Aug. 4, 2018, 4:10 pm

Happy new thread, Tui!
That is a beautiful bird at the top :-)

8tiffin
Aug. 4, 2018, 5:25 pm

Caro, I think Cornwall has a wonderful selection of birds, judging from my photo group's pics.
Thanks, Anita!

9tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 7, 2018, 11:32 pm

92: Bound, Vol. II, by Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition



Oh crumb, this series looks like it goes on forever. I'm not sure I've got it in me to stick it out to the end. Well, I've got 1-4, so that might have to do.

10drneutron
Aug. 5, 2018, 10:07 am

Happy new thread!

11tiffin
Aug. 5, 2018, 10:11 am

Thanks, Jim! You amaze me at how you pay attention to all of us and have your finger on the pulse here.

12tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 7, 2018, 11:31 pm

93: Midnight Dynasty, Vol. III, by Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition

13tiffin
Aug. 7, 2018, 11:30 pm

94: Asunder, Vol IV, by Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition

14tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 7, 2018, 11:42 pm

There are TEN frickn' volumes in this series! V-VII comes as a boxed set. Not right now, although I might read X to see how it all ends.

15tiffin
Aug. 7, 2018, 11:42 pm

Note to self:

Vol. VI: Myths of Midwinter
Vol. VII: The Hinterland Veil
Vol. VIII: The Secrets Amongst the Cypress
Vol. IX: Within the Garden of Twilight
Vol. X: House of Dusk, House of Dawn

16tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 9, 2018, 2:45 pm

95: House of Dusk, House of Dawn, Vol. X, by Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition



If I ever want to go back and read the four books I skipped over, I've got their titles now but I doubt I will. I just got glutted on the whole thing, kind of like eating an entire Black Forest cake: a bit too rich, kind of cloying, slightly addictive (having to know how certain things were going to pan out), with too High Drama at times, and lacking in real nutritional value. I might have enjoyed it more when I was about 15 because there was a lot of true love and sex in it. ho ho

17tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 9, 2018, 1:09 am

96: The Way of an Eagle by Ethel M. Dell

Kindle edition



Somebody somewhere was writing about Ethel Dell and her romance novels of the early 1900s. I got curious about her writing because it somehow rang a bell. As I read into this book I realised that I had read it before when I was very, very young. It must have been in my grandparents' house. Anyway, an inadvertent reread many decades later.

18Caroline_McElwee
Aug. 9, 2018, 5:22 am

And a Virago, Tui!

19lauralkeet
Aug. 9, 2018, 7:14 am

>17 tiffin: that's a diversion from your more recent fare. Aside from the fun of discovering why her name rang a bell, did you enjoy the book?

20tiffin
Aug. 9, 2018, 9:45 am

That's probably where I read about her, Caro: in the Virago newsletter. Laura, I can't say that I did. Much weeping, sobbing, shaking, clutching of hands, although thankfully no vapours. A very dated book in most regards.

21lauralkeet
Aug. 9, 2018, 2:30 pm

>20 tiffin: well that's too bad. Hope your next read is better.

22tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 9, 2018, 2:42 pm

I didn't *mind* it, Laura, I just read it kind of clinically at a step removed, you know? "Enjoy" is when I get swept right into the story, suspending all disbelief.

23lauralkeet
Aug. 9, 2018, 9:00 pm

I know exactly what you mean, Tui. I've experienced that "step removed" thing too.

24laytonwoman3rd
Bearbeitet: Aug. 10, 2018, 10:41 am

"Much weeping, sobbing, shaking, clutching of hands, although thankfully no vapours. " That made me chuckle. And I'm going to stop by this thread first thing every day just to see that magnificent young creature at the top. We've had a red-tail living nearby for several years...see it hunting or just watching everything from the top of a dead tree across the road. This summer, it has ventured much closer, even coming right into our yard a couple weeks ago. I haven't notice a diminishment in the songbird population---I think there are enough small rodents about to feed it well. But that reminds me of one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems:

The slippery green frog
that went to his death
in the heron's pink throat
was my small brother,

and the heron
with the white plumes
like a crown on his head
who is washing now his great sword-beak
in the shining pond
is my tall thin brother.

My heart dresses in black
and dances.

Some reviewer called the title of that poem ("After Reading Lucretius, I Go to the Pond") pompous, and the heron image trite. To me the whole is as pointed as that heron's beak, and the feeling is very like a haiku without the form.

25tiffin
Aug. 10, 2018, 11:19 am

As you know, I love Mary Oliver's poetry. I have never read a single ounce of pomposity in any of her poems. Perhaps that reviewer is both pompous and trite, so reads through that glass darkly.

26laytonwoman3rd
Aug. 10, 2018, 11:23 am

>25 tiffin: Yes, I had that thought myself. Poetry is so personal --I say if a poem works for anyone, it works. Of course, that means the reviewer's opinion is also valid, I suppose.

27tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 12, 2018, 12:12 pm

97: Dead Blossoms, The Third Geisha by Richard Monaco

Kindle edition



I enjoyed this. Lots of blood and guts and lopping off of heads, so if you don't like that sort of thing it won't appeal. I found the clash of several cultures at a time of upheavel in Japan very interesting. The character of Tazeko the Noh actor, ronin, ninja, poet, drunk, was well done, as were many of the secondary characters.

28tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 17, 2018, 10:35 pm

98: Flotsam, Book One of Peridot Shift by R.J. Theodore

Kindle edition



Good steam punk science fiction hybrid but darn oh darn the second book isn't out yet. When I hit a good series, I want to roar right through it.

29tiffin
Aug. 17, 2018, 10:40 pm

99: Innocence Lost, Ghostspeakers Chronicles Book I, by Patty Jansen

Kindle edition



Catching my interest!

30tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 17, 2018, 10:47 pm

100: Willow Witch, Ghostspeakers Chronicles Book II, by Patty Jansen

Kindle edition



31tiffin
Aug. 17, 2018, 10:45 pm

101: The Idiot King, Ghostspeakers Chronicles Book III, by Patty Jansen

Kindle edition



Pretty good so far.

32tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 19, 2018, 12:24 am

102: Fire Wizard, Ghostspeakers Chronicles book IV, by Patty Jansen No touchstone.

Kindle edition



It's getting better with each book.

33tiffin
Bearbeitet: Feb. 4, 2019, 5:52 pm

103: The Dragon Prince, Ghostspeakers Chronicles Book V, by Patty Jansen

Kindle edition



Dragons as in Chinese dragons, not Arthurian ones. On to book six!

34tiffin
Aug. 19, 2018, 1:05 pm

104: The Necromancer's Daughter, Ghostspeakers Chronicles Book VI, by Patty Jansen

Kindle edition



Well that was fun!

35tiffin
Aug. 22, 2018, 8:13 pm

105: Turmoil in Zion by George Bellairs

Kindle edition



I hadn't read any of this author's mysteries before. I quite like his droll style.

36tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 23, 2018, 5:59 pm

106: Death Sends for the Doctor by George Bellairs

Kindle edition

37tiffin
Aug. 24, 2018, 12:12 am

107: Murder Makes Mistakes by George Bellairs

Kindle edition



Bellairs has written lots of 'em and I can get them for free with Amazon unlimited!

38Caroline_McElwee
Aug. 24, 2018, 8:59 am

Daren't risk Amazon unlimited with my already groaning shelves, of which I have only read a quarter!

39tiffin
Aug. 24, 2018, 9:25 am

I only use it for Kindle books, Caro.

40Caroline_McElwee
Aug. 24, 2018, 9:55 am

Yes, don't need any more free kindle books either Tui ha!

41tiffin
Aug. 24, 2018, 10:26 am

Okay then, Caro! hahahahaha

42tiffin
Aug. 24, 2018, 8:07 pm

108: Death of a Tin God by George Bellairs

Kindle edition

43tiffin
Bearbeitet: Aug. 31, 2018, 10:25 pm

109: The Secret Orchard of Roger Ackerley, A Recollection by Diane Petre

Slightly Foxed Editions No. 33



A poignant, sad, and yet compelling read about a man who had two families from the perspective of a child of the second hidden illegitimate family.

44Caroline_McElwee
Sept. 1, 2018, 3:55 am

I haven't got to that one yet Tui.

I can't bring myself to unsubscribe to those little volumes (though I don't get the periodical now), so four a year land on the mat.

45tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 6, 2018, 1:25 am

I just get the ones I can't resist, Caro. They have all been wonderful so far.

46tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 6, 2018, 1:27 am

110: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling

Bloomsbury edition, hardbound



I was checking out something as a result of the series of HP movies on tv when before I knew it I had reread the whole thing.

47lauralkeet
Sept. 6, 2018, 6:48 am

That sounds like a pleasant diversion. Did you manage to check out whatever it was that made you reach for the book in the first place?

48tiffin
Sept. 6, 2018, 9:44 am

I did, Laura, thanks.

49tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 15, 2018, 12:39 am

111: Radiant by Karina Sumner-Smith

Kindle edition



Quirky and interesting.

50tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 20, 2018, 10:44 pm

112: Defiant: Towers Trilogy Book Two, by Karina Sumner-Smith

Kindle edition



A bit repetitive at times but I'm captivated by the story itself.

51tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 20, 2018, 10:47 pm

113: Towers Fall: Towers Trilogy Book Three, by Karina Sumner-Smith

Kindle edition



Again, a bit on the repetitive side but a very imaginative story which kept my interest fairly well.

52tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 25, 2018, 2:19 pm

114: Edinburgh Dusk by Carole Lawrence

Kindle edition



I'm really enjoying this series set in Edinburgh. Inspector Ian Hamilton is the prototype for Sherlock Holmes, with Arthur Conan Doyle appearing as a medical student and, in this book, becoming a friend of Hamilton's. The eye for detail, the dogged persistance, the awkward social interface with others is all Holmes, so we are meant to deduce that Doyle is studying his friend while secretly writing the Sherlock Holmes stories.

This one was just released so it will be a while before book three appears but I do look forward to it.

53tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 25, 2018, 2:23 pm

115: Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

Kindle edition



Here's another series I'm enjoying. Cormorant Strike and his assistant Robin continue to interest and amuse as they tackle another mystery. Such a long wait between books!

54Caroline_McElwee
Sept. 25, 2018, 3:37 pm

She's a busy lady Tui. I haven't read the books, but I do enjoy the tv dramatisations. Have they reached Canada yet?

55lauralkeet
Sept. 26, 2018, 6:48 am

>53 tiffin: well look at you, jumping on the new book right away! I'm in the library queue but they have lots of copies so hopefully it won't take too long.

56tiffin
Sept. 26, 2018, 11:05 am

The Joy of Kindle-ing, Laura. I'm buying very few books now because of space and retirement limitations, so the Kindle has been a goddess-send.

57tiffin
Bearbeitet: Sept. 26, 2018, 8:23 pm

116: The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes

Kindle edition



An Australian quirky.

58Caroline_McElwee
Sept. 27, 2018, 6:40 am

Love the cover...

59tiffin
Bearbeitet: Okt. 4, 2018, 11:37 am

117: In the Heat of the Moment by Viveca Sten

Kindle edition



Another Sandhamn murder mystery set on an island in Sweden. Next one out in January, I think. I really enjoy these--like the characters involved.

60tiffin
Okt. 4, 2018, 11:42 am

118: The Queen's Bastard: A Novel of Elizabeth I and Arthur Dudley by Robin Maxwell

Kindle edition



It was ok.

61laytonwoman3rd
Okt. 4, 2018, 12:02 pm

>60 tiffin: Oh, pooh. I had my eye on that one, and thought it might be better than OK.

62tiffin
Okt. 4, 2018, 4:46 pm

Oh Linda, sorry. It's just that I've read so much of this story. I guess it would take someone like Mantel to transport me.

63tiffin
Bearbeitet: Nov. 15, 2018, 1:07 am

119: Life and Death of Harriet Frean by May Sinclair

Kindle edition



A quick but good read.

64tiffin
Nov. 20, 2018, 10:54 am

I have got behind with listing things. I'll try to mop up a bit.

65tiffin
Bearbeitet: Nov. 20, 2018, 10:57 am

120: Unf*k Yourself: Get out of your head and into your life by Gary John Bishop

Kindle edition



A bit simplistic at times. A fast read.

66tiffin
Bearbeitet: Nov. 20, 2018, 11:01 am

121: The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

Kindle edition



This did not hold my interest. I put it down a few times because I found myself disliking the main character, Baru Cormorant. I wouldn't recommend it.

67Caroline_McElwee
Bearbeitet: Nov. 20, 2018, 1:25 pm

There are some unsympatheric characters I can tolerate, but I'm with you if I really dislike them Tui.

68richardderus
Nov. 20, 2018, 1:43 pm

I'm so pleased you enjoy the Swedish cozy Sandhamn books!

69tiffin
Dez. 10, 2018, 10:22 pm

122: Miss Landon & Aubranael by Charlotte English

Kindle edition



Light and fast. Faeryland fare for those who avoid it.

70tiffin
Bearbeitet: Dez. 12, 2018, 10:14 am

123: All the Tomorrows by Nillu Nasser

Kindle edition



A sad little book. No happy endings here.

71richardderus
Dez. 15, 2018, 12:13 am

>69 tiffin: Duly warned off.

>70 tiffin: See above.

Happy Advent, Tui!

72tiffin
Dez. 16, 2018, 10:39 am

Thanks, Richard. I actually kind of liked the 122nd read but then I'm quite at home in faeryland, having visited there often since childhood.

73richardderus
Dez. 16, 2018, 11:12 am

I will not be the one crowding you in the Customs queue. Would you like to pack you a picnic basket for the trip?

74tiffin
Dez. 16, 2018, 12:14 pm

A thing wisely done, as you can't eat the food of the Fey!

75richardderus
Dez. 16, 2018, 12:57 pm

Heh.

76tiffin
Dez. 18, 2018, 12:38 am

124: The 53rd Card by Virginia Weiss

Kindle edition



It's a first novel, so it has those patches where it talks too much at the reader as first novels sometimes do. That aside, I was interested to see where she was going with the story. Not really my cuppa in the end.

77richardderus
Dez. 18, 2018, 7:55 am

>76 tiffin: "And impelled to the remotest regions of faith and doubt, Emma discovers a place beyond both—a place the reader just might recognize as home."

...soooo many ways that could go wrong...on balance, I wish you bonne chance with her future endeavors.

78tiffin
Dez. 18, 2018, 9:52 am

Although she teetered at the top of several cliffs in her arguments with Satan, Weiss did pull Emma, her main character, through in the end. It was a good and evil story played out with characters like Satan, Kuan Yin, several Sanskrit gods, as well as pimps, drug dealers, and a good cop. There was a nice twist when everything finally came to light but you had to slog through a bit to get there. It wasn't a terribly bad first novel but it isn't a story-telling style that compels me to visit again.

79richardderus
Dez. 19, 2018, 11:31 am

>78 tiffin: That's a fair assessment of payoff-vs-effort. Still not impelled to take it on myownself. But I was never intended to be the audience.

80richardderus
Dez. 21, 2018, 9:47 am

Find the Light—Reflect the Light—Be the Light

Happy Yule 2018!

81Ameise1
Dez. 24, 2018, 8:08 am

82Caroline_McElwee
Dez. 24, 2018, 11:49 am

To Tui, Merry Christmas. May the new year bring health, joy and new adventures.

Here is something for your Christmas tree.

83tiffin
Dez. 24, 2018, 12:50 pm

Thanks so much Richard, Barbara, and Caro. Lovely to have some Christmas spirit here!

84cushlareads
Dez. 24, 2018, 2:50 pm

Merry Christmas, Tui! (I know it's Christmas Eve up there. But it'll be Christmas before you know it.) Hope you have a lovely day.

85tiffin
Dez. 24, 2018, 10:41 pm

Thanks, Cush! And to you, down there.

86LizzieD
Dez. 24, 2018, 11:37 pm

Merry Christmas, dear Tui! No pretty picture, but a sincere wish for good time with your lads!

87PaulCranswick
Dez. 25, 2018, 5:01 am



Happy holidays, Tui

88kidzdoc
Dez. 25, 2018, 7:06 am



Merry Christmas from Philadelphia, Tui!

89tiffin
Dez. 29, 2018, 10:43 pm

125: The Rise of Io by Wesley Chu

Kindle edition



I really enjoyed this. On to book 2!

90tiffin
Dez. 29, 2018, 10:44 pm

Thanks Peggy, Paul, and Darryl. We had our Christmas a bit late this year, so I'm only catching this now. I hope you had good Christmases as well. It's nearly the new year!

91thornton37814
Dez. 31, 2018, 12:43 pm

92tiffin
Feb. 1, 2021, 7:15 pm

BOOKS READ FOR 2018
*These reads are from 3.0 to 4.5 unless otherwise specified*

115: Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
116: The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes
117: In the Heat of the Moment by Viveca Sten
118: The Queen's Bastard: A Novel of Elizabeth I and Arthur Dudley by Robin Maxwell
119: Life and Death of Harriet Frean by May Sinclair
120: Unf*k Yourself: Get out of your head and into your life by Gary John Bishop
121: The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (did not enjoy this)
122: Miss Landon & Aubranael by Charlotte English
123: All the Tomorrows by Nillu Nasser
124: The 53rd Card by Virginia Weiss
125: The Rise of Io by Wesley Chu