Anika’s Comments (group member since Dec 25, 2011)

Anika’s comments from the Reading with Style group.

20.9 Translator

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

It's nice to finally read the beginning of the Peter Wimsey mysteries--I hate reading things out of order; luckily, these all seem to fare well as stand-alones.
You'd think with a name like "Lord Peter Wimsey" that the character would be somewhat like Bertie Wooster from the Jeeves novels--a tad hapless, a little helpless, and nothing much upstairs but fluff. You'd be wrong. Yes, Peter concerns himself with the pomp and fluff of the upper crust, but lurking underneath is a bright and able mind with a bent on solving a mystery.
While Peter is a great character, I think my faves are Bunter, his valet, and his mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver.
While this installment wasn't my favorite (the letter at the end from the killer explaining everything seemed like such a cop out! It ruined the whole book for me), I'll probably pick up more of this series in the future.

+20 Task
+10 Review
+15 Combo: 10.4, 9-letter title; 20.1, pub. 1923; 20.10

Task total: 45
Season total: 1380

Valerie wrote: "From Anika's review today:

'Maybe I'm just too old to enjoy fantasy any more :-( "


OMG, Anika - you're giving me high blood pressure (ha, ha not for real, just metaphorically). I am pretty sure ..."

I think you’re right—I just wasn’t in the right headspace or it wasn’t the right book for me at the right time, because I know I still love fantasy as long as it’s artfully crafted (see: LotR, most anything by Seanan Maguire, everything from The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo, or the Saga graphic novel series)…
When I wrote that review I think I was maybe being a little harsh/defeatist. I can’t quit fantasy altogether, maybe I just need to be more discerning? Though it had an average of 4+ stars…hmph. Maybe I’ll base my future fantasy reading based on the reviews of RwSers that I trust! <3

Val—I really think we’re about the same age, so I hope the blood pressure spike isn’t too serious ;-D

Elizabeth! I know fantasy isn’t your thing, but the thing I love most about RwS is the way I am nudged to read things that I wouldn’t EVER normally pick up…you might be surprised if you picked up the right book ;-)

10.8 The Threes

The Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith

This had all the hallmarks of a fun and fluffy book--nothing of real substance, just plain fun, should have been easy to read in a day...yet it took me weeks :-/
The premise: two sisters with magical powers in Victorian London find themselves on a hunt for a serial killer. Should have been great--but it LAGGED so much through the middle that I had to force myself to keep going. In addition to the painful pacing, I didn't really connect with any of the characters, I was only mildly interested in what was going to happen, and there is no possible way I'm going to pick up the second installment. It's a shame, because I raced through the first fifty pages, intrigued with the magic and the potential it represented and I love serial killer-y stuff. I wanted to love it...instead it was a bummer. Maybe I'm just too old to enjoy fantasy any more :-(

+10 Task
+10 Review
+5 Combo: 20.10

Task total: 25
Season total: 1335

20.2 Biography?

Henry VIII by William Shakespeare

Phew! That's done. I've been avoiding the histories for the longest time (previously, I'd only ever read Richard III) but decided it was now or never. I'm glad I read them in such quick succession and in order--the relationships between characters, the intrigues and machinations, and the political rivalries made far more sense than if I'd just gone into each play blind.
There have been some surprises in these plays (I had no idea that Joan of Arc was ever in a Shakespearean play!) and some great lines ("Now is the winter of our discontent," "I do not ask you much/ I beg cold comfort; and you are so strait/ And so ingrateful, you deny me that"), and some obvious pandering to the crown with the finale of this play: the baptism of Elizabeth, complete with fairy-godmother-like predictions of her greatness, her virtue and honor, her goodness, and power.
I'm glad to have finished this series of ten plays, but doubt I'll ever revisit them (unless it's to actually WATCH a production...in which case, I'm doubly glad to have read them in order because I'd feel rather lost otherwise).

+20 Task
+10 Canon
+10 Review
+5 Combo, 10.4 9-letter title

Task total: 45
Season total: 1310

20.2 Biography?

Richard III by William Shakespeare

+20 Task
+10 Canon
+5 Combo, 10.4 10-letter title

Task total: 35
Season total: 1265

Kate S wrote: "Anika wrote: "I was just perusing the Readerboard to gauge about where I'm at and saw that my total there was higher than I should have according to my records. By my tally, as of Jan 12/Post 460 (..."

Thank you for clearing that up for me! It was making me crazy that my numbers weren't adding up right <3

20.2 Biography?

King Henry VI, Part 3 by William Shakespeare

+20 Task
+10 Canon

Task total: 30
Season total: 1160

10.8 The Threes

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

I hadn't ever heard of this book until I put a different book on hold at the library and this was suggested as something I might enjoy in the meantime...
I don't know if "enjoy" is the right word for how I feel about this book, but I was certainly rapt--it was hard to put down, even when I was extremely disturbed.
I felt like the author took a slew of disturbing themes that have been floating around in the news/media over the past few years--Jeffrey Epstein, Trump's blatant misogyny, the repeal of Roe and women losing even more say in their own healthcare, the polygamist documentary Keep Sweet, the NEXIVM cult, secret societies (a la Eyes Wide Shut)--and distilled it all into this book.
Shay graduated college almost ten years ago and has never looked back. One of her college roommates--and one of her closest friends--hanged herself their senior year. Now another of her college roommates--and her best friend, with whom she'd lost contact--has returned to campus and hanged herself as well.
She finds this out poolside in her tony Dallas home while listening to a podcast hosted by her long-lost childhood friend.
Together, they return to upstate New York to investigate.
Soon enough, Shay finds herself down a rabbit hole that is nothing short of shocking.
I still don't quite know what to think about this one...the characters were well-drawn (except for her husband, who was a total cypher), the mystery was obvious from the beginning but gets so buried in detail that you almost forget that there was a mystery to solve in the first place, the themes were strong but unnerving. There are very few people I know who I'd feel comfortable recommending this to, but I'm not mad that I read it...

+10 Task
+10 Review
+5 Combo: 20.10

Task total: 25
Season total: 1130

20.10 Mystery

A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie

Oh how I love that Jane Marple...this fifth installment in the series (and Dame Christie's 50th novel!) was an absolute delight.
I no longer even attempt to guess who the culprit is...I merely allow Christie to lead me through the story and enjoy the ride.
The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are intrigued and delighted by a notice in the local gazette: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.’ Everyone shows up at the appointed time and place to take part in the "festivities"..and are stunned when a death ends up taking place.
As with all other Marple mysteries, I'm a little disappointed that Jane doesn't show up until a good 100 pages into the action--but that allows the stage to be set and for the reader to familiarize themselves with the new characters and relationships before she comes in to work her magic. Can't wait to get my hands (or, rather, ears: this one, read by Emilia Fox was wonderfully done) on book six.

+20 Task
+10 Aged
+10 Review
+5 Combo: 20.1--pub. 1950

Task total: 45
Season total: 1105

20.2 Biography

King Henry VI, Part 2 by William Shakespeare

+20 Task
+10 Canon
+5 Jumbo (MPE edition 507 pages)

Task total: 35
Season total: 1060

10.5 Journey

Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man, and Their Journey Across America by Britt Collins

While at work and away from home for weeks at a time, I miss my husband but positively pine for my cats. I think that's why I find myself reading so many cat-centric books during my time on the aircraft. I stumbled upon this one and decided to read a few pages to see if I'd like it...and couldn't put it down until I'd devoured the whole thing.
Written by a journalist, the writing and narrative hooked me right off the bat. This is the unlikely story of a lost cat, a homeless man who saves her, and the home and family who are desperately seeking her return. "Groundscore" Mike was living on the streets of Portland when, one rainy night, he found a cat who'd been battered and beaten and looked near death. He nursed the cat back to health and the two became inseparable. As winter edged its way into Oregon, Groundscore and Tabor (as he'd so named the cat) hitched their way to California, then on to Idaho and Montana. Ten months of crazy adventures ensue.
Back in Portland, Ron Buss is absolutely distraught at the loss of his cat, Mata. His sorrow leads him into a consuming depression and desperation, consulting several "animal psychics" ("Keep Portland Weird" has never felt more on-point :-D ). Ten months after her disappearance, he gets a call from a vet's office saying that Mata had been found.
This madcap adventure story (all true!) was quite the rollercoaster, though I think the biggest takeaway I had was how hard life on the streets is when you have no support, no resources, and no way out and how very much an animal companion can change your life.

+10 Task
+10 Review
+15 Combo: 10.4--6-letter title, 20.2, 20.7--885 ratings

Task total: 35
Season total: 1025

I was just perusing the Readerboard to gauge about where I'm at and saw that my total there was higher than I should have according to my records. By my tally, as of Jan 12/Post 460 (my last post before today's) I should only be at 990. While the point boost looks lovely, I don't want to cheat by not mentioning the discrepancy!

10.1 Series

Henry VI, Part 1 by William Shakespeare

+10, War of the Roses series (of which I‘ve read the final part in a previous season)
+10 Canon
+5 Combo, 10.4

Task total: 25
Season total: 985

20.2 Biography?

Henry V by William Shakespeare

+20 Task
+10 Canon
+5 Combo, 10.4

Task total: 35
Season total: 960

15.10 AO, Round 2

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost

+30 Task, C-T

Task total: 30
Completion bonus: 100
Season total: 985

20.2 Biography?

Henry IV, Part 2 by William Shakespeare

+20 Task
+10 Canon
+5 Combo 10.4 (Kate! Thanks for the combo points for Part 1!)

Task total: 35
Season total: 855

20.6 Industry

Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

I insanely loved Marra's debut, The Constellation of Vital Phenomena. I've been waiting a hot minute (i.e.: NINE years) for his next novel--he came out with a short story collection which was great, but I *needed* something bigger--well, I got bigger!
This epic novel addresses war, love, politics, race, and so much more, all swarming around the sets of Mercury Pictures, a floundering Hollywood studio which churns out B-movies with decidedly anti-fascist messaging in a time when that wasn't so popular (the original America First era, before Pearl Harbor) and a magnet for refugees fleeing the fire burning through Europe.
The characters were beautifully drawn, the story masterfully woven, the language lovely and at times transcendent, and I'm sad to think that it might be another nine years before I get another novel from this talented author.

+20 Task
+10 Review

Task total: 30
Season total: 815

20.2 Biography?

King Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare

+20 Task
+10 Canon

Task total: 30
Season total: 785

**Side note: I've NEVER heard this play referred to as "King Henry IV, Part 1" but always simply "Henry IV, Part 1". Very annoying, this pretender of a title. Just had to vent, that's all. ;-)

20.7 Ratings

The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year by Linda Raedisch

I do love a good Christmas book at this time of year and have read some rather terrible ones in the past, but also stumbled upon a few gems that I revisit when the snow starts falling and the Christmas songs blare from every radio station. This book falls in the latter category. In this one, we not only travel around the world but through history to delve into origin stories I'd never encountered before: the holly and the ivy (which I'd only heard in a carol, had no idea what it was all about), the story behind mistletoe (I didn't realize the Mistletoe Bride story was a commonly told, fairy tale-like thing...I read Jeanette Winterson's version in her book and thought it purely original, didn't know the tradition behind it), the ancient Norse influence (beyond "Yul" and Sleipnir's eight legs becoming eight flying reindeer), and so much more. I think this is another one I'll revisit annually.

+20 Task, 785 ratings
+10 Review

Task total: 30
Season total: 755

15.9 AO, Round 2

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad

+25 Task, O-D

Task total: 25
Season total: 725