I been online all morning so far. The snow hit the shore and it's really bad down there it's on it's way up her but hasn't gotten to us yet. I keep hoping it will skip us but don't think it will. I'm doing 144 books in 2010. I signed up for it should be interesting. I need something to get me back into better monthly counts.
Now I should get offline so I can get at least 100 books this year done. I think now with a connection I've been spending alittle too much time online.
Still reading the same books but hope to be getting though some this weekend.

I thought I was going to read The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, but the library math isn't favorable so I'm returning it unread tomorrow.

Instead I'm readingThe Coral Thiefabout a very intellectual woman thief in Napoleonic Era France. I'm enjoying it a great deal.

JF:nothing but hope to finish a holiday book soon
NR: Said holiday book Santa Baby by Lisa Jackson, Elaine Coffman, Kylie Adams & Lisa Plumley (only on second story but if I'm stuck in tomorrow I'm reading all day snow is expected ugh maybe we will be lucky and it will pass us this year), still reading well haven't picked it up in days Push by Sapphire and had started The fourth Angel by Suzanne Chazin. 94 books total for the year so far can I make 100 or more. Still hoping. I think it's 5 for the month so far. Gifts are wrapped, well mostly bagged this year. We have to start talking Determination lists, starting new book journals and other end of the year stuff soon. I'm thinking about totally changing my DLs for 2010 I didn't do too good this year. I'm working on a idea if I can find the books I want then I'll post them.

Sandi:
At least for me, a really violent audio seems a bit less intense. Creepy to listen to though. It seems some books and tv shows are going in the direction that more violence is better and the more horrific and graphic is showing more and more in prime time or in books that may have been milder before.
Company of Liars looks intriguing!



Sandi wrote: "Just started Mind Prey on audio. Brutal start to the book. Am not sure it might not end up being a bit too graphic for me. This series has always just skirted to the edge of too muc...
Also reading Company of Liars, a historical set during the start of the Black Plague in England, and am finding it very enjoyable so far. "

Teresa:
Your and my quibble about Cody McFadyen 's The Shadow Man were essentially the same!

Teresa in Ohio wrote: " I sent you an email about the quibble : ) ."

Ann wrote: "Teresa:
Gail recommended this author a few years ago and I read and liked both Cody McFadyen books. I didn't write up specifics on The Face of Death but did on [book:..."

I sent you an email about the quibble : )

Just started Mind Prey on audio. Brutal start to the book. Am not sure it might not end up being a bit too graphic for me. This series has always just skirted to the edge of too much but never quite gone over before.

Also reading Company of Liars, a historical set during the start of the Black Plague in England, and am finding it very enjoyable so far.

Teresa:
Gail recommended this author a few years ago and I read and liked both Cody McFadyen books. I didn't write up specifics on The Face of Death but did on Shadow Man and had a small procedural quibble myself.

Teresa in Ohio wrote: " Shadow Man &The Face of Death Not sure if others have discovered this author but I just did and read both books in the same week, something I never do for series. These w..."

Shadow Man&The Face of DeathNot sure if others have discovered this author but I just did and read both books in the same week, something I never do for series. These would be 5 star books except I have one very tiny minute issue with something that doesnt really affect the plot. and the second I have a very very minute tiny problem with the killer, again doesnt affect the book .

They are serial killers but these guys are true evil in both books. Smoky is the agent in charge and comes with a lot of baggage to the job, but she is superior in her role. And the author writes well developed characters and many times the 2nd book isnt as good as the first. In this case it is just as strong if not just a tad bit better.

Marcy:
Robert Hicks is a local author. I had read and loved his first The Widow of the South which is about Carrie McGavock, mistress of Carnton, a local 19th century plantation home (Franklin TN) and site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War (November 30, 1864). Hicks is on the board of this historic monument. http://www.carnton.org/widow.htm
I was lucky enough to have A Separate Country signed at the Southern Fesival of Books in October and listen to a most interesting talk from the author. I could listen to him for days.

Marcy wrote: "Ann wrote: "I hadn't heard of A Separate Country until your review here. The reviews on Amazon are equally positive, with many mentions of the beautiful language as well as interesting story. I'll have to add it to my TBR list which is already too long (lol). "

Ann wrote: "JF A Separate Country
a very good book, I loved the New Orleans setting; the time frame (1870's and recollections of previous events); the characters who revealed their hopes, dream..."

I hadn't heard of A Separate Country until your review here. The reviews on Amazon are equally positive, with many mentions of the beautiful language as well as interesting story. I'll have to add it to my TBR list which is already too long (lol).

JF A Separate Country
a very good book, I loved the New Orleans setting; the time frame (1870's and recollections of previous events); the characters who revealed their hopes, dreams, foibles and agonies and the voices portrayed by three separate narrators for Gen John Bell Hood (CSA), his wife Anna Marie and Eli Griffin. Each voice brought a sense of depth and understanding to the events and the time after the devastating Civil War Battle of Franklin in 1864 ..just a few miles from where I live.

J/F: and
N/R: and

JF: The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell
NR: The Last song by Nicholas sparks
The Going out of Style book I don't have much more to read but it's on the side until I finish the library books. So I'll get back to that then. Blackberry house I don't know what I'm going to do about. I might put that aside for the time being the book club was last night at least that was what the orginal email from borders said. Never got a reminder this week so don't know what is up with that. Jennifer always sends a reminder. So don't know if I'll still continue or put it aside for the time being. I might see if I can find any holiday books around that I know I had someplace.

Merrilee:
The size of Under the Dome A Novel is daunting, and exciting! It makes the 754 pages of my current re-read of Breaking Dawn seem short! .. and definitel not as heavy weight-wise or word-wise. I look forward to it!

Merrilee in AZ wrote: "NR Under the Dome by Stephen King. This book is just HUGE. I am enjoying it but don't know if I will get it finished before its due back at the library"

JF Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods

NR Under the Dome by Stephen King. This book is just HUGE. I am enjoying it but don't know if I will get it finished before its due back at the library

Donnajo wrote: "So far I still don't know and I read 70 pages. But I'll let you know what I think when I finished if I stick with it that long. Today I'm in the mood for books I can zip though and I keep putting..."

I understand Donnajo. Thanks! :)

j/f: i, alex cross by james patterson
n/r: secrets of eden by chris bohjalian

So far I still don't know and I read 70 pages. But I'll let you know what I think when I finished if I stick with it that long. Today I'm in the mood for books I can zip though and I keep putting down and picking up different books so far. Nothing seems to grab me.

Donnajo wrote: "JF: Get A Clue by Jill Shalvis
NR: Going Out in Style by Chloe Green (A Very Fashionable Mystery, cozy, hc had forever it seems)
Black Birdbird House by Alice Hoffman (almost done with 3rd..."

Let me know what you think of Going Out in Style~
this sounds interesting! :)

JF: Get A Clue by Jill Shalvis
NR: Going Out in Style by Chloe Green (A Very Fashionable Mystery, cozy, hc had forever it seems)
Black Birdbird House by Alice Hoffman (almost done with 3rd short story wonder if I'll ever get though this book in time for the book club on the 3rd it is one strange book)
Push by Sapphire (finally up to chapter two. Big chapters and it's hard to take too much of this book at a time)
Next up grabbed hc of Lost & Found by Jayne Ann Krentz (had this book forever it seems)

Meredith:
I have loved all of the Maisie Dobbs books -- she is a favorite character of mine too, and I also like the setting and time period. (post WWI Britain) Enjoy!

Meredith wrote: "Just Finished Maisie Dobbs
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Will definitely continue with this series.."

NR: Get A clue by Jill Shalvis. I'm thinking it's time to start a mystery or thriller. Still reading the book club Alice Hoffman short story book. Still only read 2 stories. It just doesn't call me like my other books. Haven't touched a DL in awhile either. Wonder if I'll decide to just move those all over for next year and add a few or just keep trying to get those in. Well maybe I can still get in 1 or 2 by the end of the year.

Just Finished Maisie Dobbs
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Will definitely continue with this series,

Now /reading Laced by Carol Higgins Clark

JF
Locked in the latest Sharon McCone by Marcia Muller - I enjoyed it, but it was really tiny chapters, some only a page with different POV's per chapter. It moved the story along but not really my favorite style. I liked the chapters where we were "in Sharon's head" best.
JF
Homer's Odyssey a Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat this was more than a sweet story about a blind cat and his adventures. Mom and I enjoyed reading it together. I found it to be inspirational, hard not to be inspired by such a gutsy little cat!

Carol:
Re The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Ok I am good with that - I like to discover things like this on my own too. Thanks!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Ann, I now have a better idea of where it's going, but I think I won't say more because it was fun not knowing and I don't want to spoil it for others. I encourage anyone up for an adventure to give it a try..."

j/f: hardball by sara paretsky
n/r: i, alex cross by james patterson

Ann, I now have a better idea of where it's going, but I think I won't say more because it was fun not knowing and I don't want to spoil it for others. I encourage anyone up for an adventure to give it a try.

Ann wrote: "Carol:
Very intriguing! I look forward to hearing more about The Angel's Game

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "NR: The Angel's Game
This book was recommended the friend who recommended The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's got a curious plot line and I'm not sure where it's going to lead. I would say it's sort of a cross Great Expectations and The Thirteenth Tale How is that for a tease? ...."

Carol:
Very intriguing! I look forward to hearing more about The Angel's Game

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "NR: The Angel's Game
This book was recommended the friend who recommended The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's got a curious plot line and I'm not sure where it's going to lead. I would say it's sort of a cross Great Expectations and The Thirteenth Tale How is that for a tease? .."

Sherry wrote: "i'll be interested to hear what you think when you finish. ..."

I'll report back (re: The Angel's Game. I'm listening to it so how quickly I move through it is limited by when I can listen. It's just hit a confusing/slow patch but I'm curious as to where it is heading and what kind of book this is (mystery? suspense? drama?) so I'm hooked.

I've had Shadow of the Wind (if that is the book by the author Ruiz or something like that) forever it seems because I bought it at a garage sale for 25 cents. I haven't read it yet.
So far in Blackbird House I finished the 1st story and it seems good so far. Need to start the second story today or I'll never have the book finished by dec 2nd.

that explains the mysterious comment I read in a review somewhere about not knowing whether this was a sequel or a prequel. I'm on p. 130 and enjoying it, so I'm not going to sweat it. Did you read The Shadow of the Wind, Sherry?

i did read shadow of the wind and liked it very much. the liliths read the angel's game last m0nth but my library copy didn't come in on time so i still haven't read it. the group was mixed as to whether they liked it or not. i'll be interested to hear what you think when you finish.

Sherry wrote: "not to put a damper on your reading experience, BUT<g> i THINK the angels game is the sequel to shadow of the wind The Shadow of the Wind. i haven't read it but many of the same characters are in both books.
how are you liking it? ..."

that explains the mysterious comment I read in a review somewhere about not knowing whether this was a sequel or a prequel. I'm on p. 130 and enjoying it, so I'm not going to sweat it. Did you read The Shadow of the Wind, Sherry?
-------
edit: here's the author's comment from Amazon: "...Some readers often ask me if The Angel’s Game is a prequel or a sequel. The answer is: none of these things, and all of the above. Essentially The Angel’s Game is a new book, a stand-alone story that you can fully enjoy and understand on its own. But if you have already read The Shadow of the Wind, or you decide to read it afterwards, you’ll find new meanings and connections that I hope will enhance your experience with these characters and their adventures." Spoken like an author determined to encourage both RIO's and UOOOR's!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "NR: The Angel's Game

This book was recommended the friend who recommended The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's got a curious plot line and I'm not sure where it's..."

not to put a damper on your reading experience, BUT<g> i THINK the angels game is the sequel to shadow of the wind The Shadow of the Wind. i haven't read it but many of the same characters are in both books.
how are you liking it?

NR: The Angel's Game

This book was recommended the friend who recommended The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's got a curious plot line and I'm not sure where it's going to lead. I would say it's sort of a cross Great Expectations and The Thirteenth Tale How is that for a tease?

JF: by Diana Killian

NR: by Debbie Macomber & by Amy Huntley.

JF 9 Dragons by Michael Connelly. It was really good, I had a hard time putting it down. I'm wondering what the next Bosch book will be like.

NR Kindred in Death by JD Robb

I think I only read one of Hoffman's books and it was a young adult one with Mermaids or something I think. I read a few pages of the first story this morning and it seems like a good book so far. From what the email said even though Jennifer the one who picks the books didn't send out emails because of some type of problems she must have mentioned it at the last meeting because she referred to it being the book they discussed that she thought they would be doing. There seems to be so many names in what I read so far I think it might be a good idea to take notes if I end up going to the book club I won't remember half the names. Especially when it's short stories. But so far I'm taking each story and not thinking about going when the time comes. I'll see if I finish the book and what the weather is like.

Donnajo wrote: It's Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman which is short stories which I usually aren't crazy about but I'm giving them a try.
..."

dj-
i read blackbird house when it first was released. it is short stories but if i remember correctly (and i might not with my memory..lol) the stories are connected. i really liked it, but i like all of hoffman's books so i am a bit prejudiced.

Merrilee in AZ wrote: "JF The Professional by Parker. A very quick read, snappy dialog as usual. I'm not bothered by Susan the way some of you are. I did get a little tired of how beautiful she is lol...."

See?!??!?? :-)

Well If I ever finish Push I'll be happy to pass it along to anyone that wants it next. I went to the library today to drop of bookpage newspaper that I got for one of the ladies there (trying to get it in my library but so far haven't heard anything so I keep dropping my copy after I finish it off)and picked up a Elizabeth Adler book but just realized when I went to start it that's it's second book of a series. Oh well I guess it will go back unread. I might have the first one unread someplace around here. Well guess it's back to reading what I have which is the Brockmann book plus I picked up the book at Borders today for the Dec. book group. It's Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman which is short stories which I usually aren't crazy about but I'm giving them a try.

Donnajo wrote: "JF: The Man in the Mask by Jayne Ann Krentz (yesterday) and The cowboy and the Lady by Diana Palmer (today)
NR: Push by Sapphire and Harvard's Education by Suzanne Brockmann

"

NR: True Compass by Ted Kennedy
Plan on reading Push after this.
Seems I'm in the mood right now for non fiction.

JF The Professional by Parker. A very quick read, snappy dialog as usual. I'm not bothered by Susan the way some of you are. I did get a little tired of how beautiful she is lol.

NR 9 Dragons by Connelly

I tried to post yesterday when I got home but it wouldn't go though so will try again. Went to the shore, got in walks. Didn't want to come home yesterday it was high in the 60's and even went outside without a jacket for awhile it was so warm. Got in walks both days saturday it rained on our way back and got totally wet thought the rain was stopped for the day. Walked on the beach on saturday it's in bad shape it's more than 1/2 gone. They say if no storms come for 2 months the sand will come back. We've had at least 4 noreastern's so far so it's not good. The wooden things that were hidden are now showing on the beach. And they say it's worst now than before they did the replensisment. I didn't get to read any of Push and only read a few pages of the Suzanne Brockmann. It's hard when we got down to do everything we want too. It's always running out for something or walking or talking to people.

JF
Hardball (thanks anyway Sherry!) I was finally able to finish this VERY good book. Hard Ball is a thoughtful study of a Civil Rights era cold case involving members of VI's family and with political implications today that turned deadly. VI's investigation turns into a rush against time and corruption to stop the killing, forty years later.
NR
new audio A Separate Country found this one at the library today, a happy surprise. I have a signed copy from the Southern Festival of Books, but am happy to listen to it now rather than wait to get to it. I enjoyed Robert Hick's previous book, The Widow of the South

Ann wrote: "Sherry:
I am going to try very hard to finish Hard Ball this weekend. Who needs sleep? ;)
Thanks a bunch, I'll let you know if I am not successful.

Sherry wrote: "when i finish hardball, i'd..."

okie dokie, ann! good luck!

Sherry:
I am going to try very hard to finish Hard Ball this weekend. Who needs sleep? ;)
Thanks a bunch, I'll let you know if I am not successful.

Sherry wrote: "when i finish hardball, i'd be happy to send it to you. i won it from good reads.
as for gabaldon, i am ready for another because she left SO much up in the air and way too many loose ends. made me quite mad, actually..lol "

Ann wrote: "Sherry:
I am still reading Hardball until the library police take it away. I may have to switch to reading my own books for a while the way I am missing due dates.
Just curious, r..."

ann-
when i finish hardball, i'd be happy to send it to you. i won it from good reads.
as for gabaldon, i am ready for another because she left SO much up in the air and way too many loose ends. made me quite mad, actually..lol
plus the character percy beauchamp was in the book a lot and i figured that i had forgotten who he was.. found out from other reviews that he's a recurring character in the lord john books which i don't read.

Sherry:
I am still reading Hardball until the library police take it away. I may have to switch to reading my own books for a while the way I am missing due dates.
Just curious, re: An Echo in the Bone now that you finished it, are you ready for another one? I was when I read A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Sherry wrote: "f/f (finally finished): an echo in the bone by diana gabaldon
An Echo in the Bone

n/r: hardball by sara paretsky Hardball "

f/f (finally finished): an echo in the bone by diana gabaldon
An Echo in the Bone

n/r: hardball by sara paretsky Hardball