Renee’s Comments (group member since Feb 03, 2014)

Renee’s comments from the The Reading Challenge Group group.

I’m excited to get started! I’ve been working my way through Eternal by Lisa Scottoline, Historical Fiction, set in Mussolini’s Italy. And, Normal Women: Nine Hundred Years of Making History―Unveiling the Untold Stories of Women Who Shaped England from 1066 to Modern Times by Philippa Gregory, a history of women’s place in the public through the centuries. Finally, I just the call that Stanley Tucci’s memoir, Taste: My Life Through Food.

I finished Convergence and Dragonslayer which were highly entertaining but much more Fantasy/Supernatural than Thriller, despite the number of bullets employed.

Next up is The Rules of Magic which tells the backstory on the aunties from Practical Magic, which I read several years ago so I know I really enjoy the way Alice Hoffman tells a story.

Cindy (BKind2Books) wrote: "Also finished The Vampire's Mail Order Bride - a light rom-com set in a town where it's Halloween all the time."

I read the first 7-ish of this series. (They were free on Audible at the time.) Very cute and fun!

I’ve finished Clown Town, part of the Slough House series by Mick Herron. Great series, but probably especially great if you’ve lived in Great Britain. I known some of the allusions went over my head. Lots of dark humor and desperate situations. Not a series to be entered unless you’re ready to deal with the death of major characters.

Also read this month: Changes, part of the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. Terrific Urban Fantasy series with lots of monsters and clever snappy dialogue. Although #12 in the series, as the title suggests, this book represents a change in the narrative arc.

Next, I’ve started another Urban Fantasy series by Craig Alanson called Convergence. Notable for Duke, the talking dog, who is sharing brain-space with a wizard from the past… who has done almost no talking so far. Really enjoying it so far and I expect to continue with the whole series.

P. S. None of these are stand-alone books.

I’ve been making my way through Mick Herron’s Slough House series. Cleverly written espionage/thrillers. I’m up to the newest release called Clown Town.

Brenda wrote: "I keep seeing recommendations for All Systems Red. Renee's suggestion for this month moved it up on my list. I really enjoyed it and will be reading more. Thanks, Renee!"

You are very welcome, Brenda. A series too good to keep to oneself!
In fact, I’ve reread Fugitive Telemetry for the challenge. Next up, Exit Strategy!

I’m going to throw in a couple of fun recommendations for this genre. I have so thoroughly enjoyed both that they are on repeat on my reread list.

- The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. There are lists for both publication dates and chronology. I literally stumbled on the series by reading a book smack in the middle, which I enjoyed but recognized that there were “inside” jokes going over my head. I would recommend either starting with Shards of Honor (begins the saga with Cordelia, mother of Miles, meeting what will become his father) or The Warrior's Apprentice (Miles at the beginning of his “career”), then continuing chronologically. Shards of Honor is a bit slower in pace but the rest of the series is a rush. Excellent in plot, pacing, character development, and clever dialogue.

- The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. I have not seen the Apple TV interpretation, so I can’t speak to how well the novels/novellas have been interpreted for the screen, but the books are brilliant. Again, plot, pace, clever dialogue. Definitely worth a look/listen.

I’ve been rereading Murderbot this year, so I’ll probably read System Collapse this month for this challenge.

I finished Nettle & Bone. It’s not so much a retelling of a specific fairytale, as it is a fairytale with elements of those you heard as a child.

I’ve been toying with a reread of Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates for a while. So I might break down and actually crack it open.

I’m also thinking about Nettle & Bone simply because it took the Hugo in 2023.

Or I might indulge in my beloved Lois McMaster Bujold because I think there’s at least one new Penric novel out there, and I might need them.

But was really fun being privy to the conversations that Benedict has envisioned for them.

P. S. The queens of crime in The Queens of Crime include: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Emma Orczy, and Margery Allingham. They become friends while solving a murder together. :)

Finished The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict. It was a lot of fun for someone who loves those cozy golden age novels.

I finished The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell. It was an interesting and dangerous trip to Renaissance Italy.

I’m going to take the opportunity to pick up Wodehouse’s The Coming Of Bill, which is a bit different than the Wodehouse with which I’m familiar. Not far away, but has a different flavor.

Oooo. Adding that one to the ever-expanding TBR pile. It looks amazing.

Such a great book! I’ve read it twice. One as a young person and again as a retiree. Excellent both times, but I noticed very different things and connected with different characters.

Rosemarie wrote: "I read The Four Just Men with another group a few years ago as the discussion leader. The book is a dud. Good thing it's short!"

Finished and I must agree with you. My review: Meh.

Now starting The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. A reread but always a pleasure.

I’m still enjoying The Mysterious Mr. Quin but I only listen when I’m in the car… which is much less often now that I’m retired.

I’m three chapters in and I’m already pinging between falling asleep and chafing at the way it’s written. I’m trying to figure out how it made th Crime Writers Top 100 list.

I’ve been working my way through The Mysterious Mr. Quin, which I’m enjoying very much.

And I just started The Four Just Men by Edgar Wallace… but I suspect I’m going to be disappointed with it. The premise is just so odd.

Renee wrote: "Finished Gambit. It was a good introduction into the Nero Wolf series I enjoyed the voice of Archie Goodwin as Wolf’s secretary/gumshoe.

Starting [book:The Laughing Policeman|927672..."

Finished. Scandinavian thrillers are in a class of their own. They are completely absorbing and unnerving at the same time.