R16: Team #1 ~ One and Done

[Victoria]

phew, so glad March is finally over!

I am reading shelved 79 times as detective. I actually started it before checking to see if it was shelved there, but was pretty confident it would be, which it was (obviously) :)

[Eldarwen]

Ghost Story is an interesting one :-)

[Allison Ann]

I'm three behind you on . It's a slow start so far, but I often find myself struggling through the first 100 pages or so in Dresden and then reading the rest in one sitting. :D

[Victoria]

That's only three behind? I feel like I'm really dragging out this series because I thought Small Favors was much earlier since it's been so long. Well, it looks like I read it early last year, which isn't too long ago, but I've read a lot of books in between and not sure why I'm not speeding through this series.

Hope you enjoy Small Favors :) I really liked that one (or so my review tells - useful having those as a reminder). And I feel like I really started to fall in love with the series around book 9 or 10. The previous books were really good - which is why I kept reading them, but I think these later ones have really brought the series up a notch.

[Victoria]

Eldarwen wrote: "Ghost Story is an interesting one :-)"

ahh, but is interesting a good thing?! lol
I'm really enjoying it so far, though I haven't read much. And I decided to get the audiobook for this one, which is a good thing since I'm really curious to know how things work out (view spoiler)[with him being dead and everything (hide spoiler)] and I'm sometimes a really terrible reader and can't help myself from flipping ahead to find out.

[Allison Ann]

Victoria wrote: "That's only three behind? I feel like I'm really dragging out this series because I thought Small Favors was much earlier since it's been so long. Well, it looks like I read it early last year, whi..."

I thought the first few Dresden were good but I fell in love with Sue the dinosaur (whatever # that one was). Before that Harry was just too black and white for me. I like my heroes with shades of gray, more interesting.

[Eldarwen]

Hmm, Harry never was all that black and white for me, especially not with the shit-magnet he seems to be wearing around his neck, but I may also have been distracted by everything else that was going on in the books.

This is one of the few books/series where I had a lot of audio going because James Marsters as Harry just fit, for me anyway (I think we had this conversation before haha).

Book 12 was pack-full of action and sometimes I didn't know where the heck my head was, but that ending... wow! Never thought I'd cry with a Dresden book but that one had me in tears.

Victoria, yes, I was wondering about that, too, but it was that particular thing that made Ghost Story interesting for me. It was... different.

[Allison Ann]

Completion Post

Week: Four
Shelf: Detective
How The Book Fits: Shelved 90 times as detective


Book: Small Favor
Author: Jim Butcher
Date Read: 4/02/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Dresden the series gets better and better, Dresden the character gets better and better too. The series is definitely formulaic but Butcher is the type of author who you can't get too comfortable about, not everyone you care about is going to survive his attention. I generally find the beginning of his books slow, but at a certain point he pulls me in and I can't put it down until the book is over. There's a high fantasy vibe although the the setting is solid UF, and Harry Dresden is a high fantasy hero. And someone breaks my heart every single time - this time it was Charity calling Harry family.

Such an enjoyable series, highly recommended (especially starting around book 5). This said, if Butcher ever kills Mouse he is dead to me.

[Eldarwen]

Ah yes, Charity and Harry... not always a love-love relationship, or so it seems :-)

[Allison Ann]

I kind of want to read the next few books immediately so I can see what your spoiler is. But I need to read some coloured covers first. :D

[Eldarwen]

Hahahah ;-)

I'm reading a yellow cover just now to get one out of the way fast before I'm diving into The House of Silk for the detective shelf.

[Tatenisha]

Completion Post:

Week: Four
Shelf: Detective
How it fits: Shelved 4 times

Date Read: 4/1/18
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
Anita has been offered a job to raise an over 200 year old zombie. She refuses only to realize that someone has raised an man eating zombie. She is assisting the police and meets a voodoo priestess and makes an enemy. Anita learns that power can come in many forms and she will be tested to use her strengths.
This series hooks you with the smart mouth of Anita who does not know when to keep her mouth shut. She makes enemies everywhere but also makes unlikely allies. Anita is growing and so is her power and it will be interesting to see where she goes with it.

[Eldarwen]

Sounds like you might have a new series to read, Tatenisha! :-)

[Allison Ann]

Shelf call tonight. Come on ...... Magic Users or Demons for three in a row. :D

[Eldarwen]

I'm all for either one of those!! :-)

My detective book is slow reading if interesting so it'll be a few more days before I'm done with it. But since we're otherwise on top of things, and Bingo is still a while away yet, it's all good.

[Tatenisha]

Yes, I am getting into this quirky series.

[Allison Ann]

Yay, SCORE!!!!

Shelf #5 ~ 4/4/18: Demons
DIRECT LINK - https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Eldarwen]

Niiice :-)

I think I already know what I want to read for that one, but I'll browse the shelf again anyway because I just love doing that!

[Eldarwen]

It'll be a toss-up between and for me for this shelf.

[Allison Ann]

I'm thinking I'll read , but I may still change my mind.

[Tatenisha]

Selection:
Shelf: Demons
Shelved: 19 Times

[Allison Ann]

I am in the wrong mood for my chosen book, but I will soldier on. :D

[Eldarwen]

I'm still on my detective book. It's surprisingly slow reading for an interesting book. I read and read and think I've managed at least 40 pages, and then it's barely 15. I'm slooooowly but steadily approaching the half-way mark.

And then I think I'm going to switch to my demon book in hopes of that being a little faster.

[Victoria]

Completion Post

Week: Four
Shelf: Detective
How The Book Fits: Shelved 79 times as detective


Book: Ghost Story
Author: Jim Butcher
Date Read: 06 April
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
(view spoiler)[
Another great Dresden book!

***Some spoilers for the end of Changes since this book picks up right where the last one ended***


This book picks up 6 months after the last one where Harry died after being shot and now his ghost comes back to solve his murder/help save his friends. I really enjoyed the set up of Harry being a ghost; because while he still has power, he is severely limited in what he can/cannot do and has to learn a new set of magic rules to function as a ghost. I liked this because he wasn't able to simply jump into a situation and blast away saving day, instead he has to relay a lot more on others. I mean, he still did the former, but there were limits. And because of this I felt we got to see some of the side characters shine a bit more - such as: Molly, Butters, Mortimer, and Daniel Carpenter (love that family).

In addition to Harry trying to figure out who killed him, the primary story focuses around an evil guy controlling dark spirits and causing mayhem/attacking Harry's friends. I liked it, but was a little disappointed because I wanted to know more about what was happening in the world.

After the Red Court was killed in the last book the world went into chaos and every evil preternatural gang began to fight for power. Murphy and the rest of Harry's friends spent the last months fighting to protect the citizens of Chicago, even teaming up with Marcone, and I found myself more interested in that storyline than the 'ghost' one we mainly followed. I'm sure later books will delve more into it, but I wanted a bit more in this one especially since the last short story in Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files was such a great introduction into the current state of the world. And going off of that story (forgot the name), I think I'd like more than just Dresden's POV. That short story followed Murphy in the aftermath of Dresden's death and was awesome! While I love Dresden and his humor, it's getting a little stale and I'd just love to follow other characters more often.

I was mostly curious as to how the book would end, with Dresden being dead and all, and was satisfied, but not completely surprised with the ending. I didn't predict it, exactly, but I was pretty close.

Lastly, I listened to this one on audio and James Marsters provided a great narration.
(hide spoiler)]

I thought I'd put the whole thing under a spoiler tag since there are some spoilers for the previous book and didn't want Allison to see it. SO DON'T LOOK!

[Victoria]

Eldarwen wrote: "I'm still on my detective book. It's surprisingly slow reading for an interesting book. I read and read and think I've managed at least 40 pages, and then it's barely 15. I'm slooooowly but steadil..."

Good luck with your detective book! Hope it speeds up!

And I haven't even looked for a demon book yet...

[Eldarwen]

Aaaah Harry :-))

And yes, Allison, please please do NOT look at that spoiler. It will ruin book 12 for you otherwise!

[Eldarwen]

Victoria wrote: "Good luck with your detective book! Hope it speeds up!

And I haven't even looked for a demon book yet... "

Thanks! :-)

If you need a recommendation for demons ->
I read that recently after having ignored it for ages on my shelf and it was amazing! Long and lots of things going on but it's a really good story!

[Allison Ann]

I'm going to switch my demons book, my original choice is going to take awhile to read. So instead I'm picking - shelved 24 times as demons.

[Victoria]

Eldarwen wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Good luck with your detective book! Hope it speeds up!

And I haven't even looked for a demon book yet... "

Thanks! :-)

If you need a recommendation for demons -> [bookcover:The ..."

Thanks for the rec! I've been meaning to check out that series and this may just be the perfect time to start!

[Eldarwen]

@Allison, sure thing!

@Victoria, you're welcome! If you do pick it up, I hope you enjoy it! :-)

[Allison Ann]

Thanks Victoria, I appreciate the consideration. :) I'm definitely going to try and make some room for Dresden in my reading schedule, try and catch up to you.

Completion Post

Week: Five
Shelf: Demons
How The Book Fits: Shelved 24 times as demons


Book: Blood Price
Author: Tanya Huff
Date Read: 4/08/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: A good, stolid start to a UF series. I particularly like older mysteries that predate all our fancy technology. How much more interesting a PI who goes out and talks to people and looks for clues than one that sits at a desk and googles everything. Vicki even uses an encyclopedia - so retro. :D An interesting paranormal mystery, good background and characters, a setting I am somewhat familiar with, interesting vampire flashbacks and scope for further stories. There's definitely the possibility of a love triangle, which I hate, but for now there is no romance, just a touch of lust and lots of friendship. My favourite.

[Allison Ann]

Are they ever going to fix Goodreads? I hate that I can't enter books that I have read properly.

[Eldarwen]

Do you really want an answer to that question? ;-)

[Allison Ann]

I'd love an answer from GR. I don't expect one though. :D

[Eldarwen]

I'm now 59% through my detective book. I AM going to finish it before the next shelf call. Yes, I am. Yes, I am! ;-)

[Tatenisha]

Completion Post
Week: Five
Shelf: Demons
Fits: Shelved 19 times



Book: Tall, Dark & Heartless
Author: R.L. Mathewson
Date Read: 4/10/18
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Caine has only ever really cared about Danni and he broke off their friendship to protect her. He has given her what he said he would never give anyone in order to save her life.
The book takes you on a roller coaster ride that you do not want to get off. This book if full of humor, danger and the craziness of this dysfunctional/functional crazy mixed up family.

[Victoria]

Couldn’t get a hold of a print copy of the Painted/Warded Man so I’m going to get the audio instead. I just need to finish my current book, have about 2 hours left, but I’m busy visiting Belgium at the moment to finish... I’ll try later today

[Eldarwen]

No stress! Enjoy your trip :-)

[Allison Ann]

Have a fantastic vacation Victoria! Have some fries for me. :D

[Tatenisha]

Shelf #6 ~ 11/4/18: Shifters
DIRECT LINK -https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Eldarwen]

Had an impromptu dinner last night so my detective book's still not done hahaha ;-)

I have about 70 pages left so I'll definitely finish today.

[Eldarwen]

Probably going to read for the shifters shelf. About time I continue with that series!

[Allison Ann]

Just finished a shifters book and I can only take so much alpha-maleness in a row. :D So I will pick a book tomorrow after I decompress.

[Eldarwen]

Lol yes that can be a bit exhausting after a while ;-)

[Allison Ann]

What did you have for your dinner last night Eldarwen? I like talking food almost as much as books. :D

[Eldarwen]

We went to an Italian place and there were several things that looked good, so in the end I decided to go for something that's always a good choice for those who have a hard time picking ;-)
"Tris di pasta" - 3 different kinds of pasta on a plate and this dish varied a little from the usual trend, but only a little. There were Penne Napoli, Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto and a piece of Lasagna. Quite good!

Food and books! Good combination! :-D

[Allison Ann]

Italian - I love pasta and hate tomato sauce. :D Always a tough one for me. But I do so enjoy when anyone else does the cooking because it happens so rarely.

Selection Post

by Charlaine Harris
Shelves 152 times as shifters

Fingers crossed the shifters in this book stay true to form and don't piss me off like the majority of them do. :D

[Eldarwen]

It's been too long since I read them so I can't remember, but if it's the one I think it is, there isn't a major amount of alpha maleness that clogs up the pages.

[Eldarwen]

Completion Post
Detective
Book: The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

How it fits: tagged 111 times as "detective"
Date Read: April 12th 2018
Rating: 3 stars
Review
This was definitely an interesting read. Some things were pretty obvious, at least from a reader's point of view, but other things had me puzzling until of course the revelation at the end made me wonder why certain things had not come to me sooner. The convoluted plot fits together nicely and it was great to see the famous detective in a bit of a pickle at some point.

Unfortunately, it took me ages getting through this book. I spent a lot of time reading and reading and reading and still not turning a lot of pages. It was a very odd experience.

[Eldarwen]

And Detective stamp has finally been requested! :-)