The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU
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<closed thread>What are you currently reading?
The Hypnotist’s Love Story – Liane Moriarty – 4****
What an interesting and fresh take on relationships and the psychology of love. What makes us attracted to one another? What holds us together? What happens when one partner moves on, but the other hangs on – desperately, crazily, dangerously?
LINK to my review
Finished:
(audio) - 3*,
- 3*,
- 3*Reading:
A Game of Thrones
The Ten-Ounce Siesta
Starting today:
The Flanders Panel
Big Little Lies
The Mystery of the Yellow Room
The Brutal Telling
Finished:
- 3.5*Amy Snow by Tracy Rees
'Amy Snow' reads like a cross between a historical romance and a mystery. The first part of the book keeps the reader turning pages as we follow the mysterious letter trail left by Amy's dead friend. Shame that the second part is not as interesting.
- 5*The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Every day, one man wakes up in the body of one of the guests in a dilapidated country house - he must solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle by the end of the week or stay there forever and start the loop again.
The elements of fantasy do not detract from the old school whodunnit feel in the book. On the contrary, they add a spooky atmosphere to the shenanigans. I was expecting the 'revelations' at the end of the book to spoil the story and the mood, but they did not. Very well put together, a gread read with a deeper subtext.
Still Reading
Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
To Move On to
Tree and Leaf by JRR Tolkien
Gemina by Amie Kaufman
St. Peter's Fair by Ellis Peters
The Constant Princess – Philippa Gregory – 3***
Book six in her Plantagenet and Tudor series focuses on Catalina, Infanta of Spain, daughter of Queen Isabela and King Ferdinand, and known in English history as Katherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII. This was one fierce lady; intelligent, mentally and emotionally strong, an astute observer and able to plot and plan with the best of them. I was caught up in the novel at the beginning, but I found that the story seemed to bog down in details.
LINK to my review
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Angels at the Table – Debbie Macomber – 2.5***
This is a typical schmaltzy Christmas romance with more than a little humor thrown in. Some of the situations are downright ridiculous, and the angels, for all their good intentions, seem mostly inept. But it’s a fun read and everything turns out okay in the end.
LINK to my review
The Cat Who Saw Red – Lillian Jackson Braun – 3***
This is book four in a delightful cozy mystery series starring newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese - Koko and Yum Yum. This is an entertaining series with a very likeable main character who is appropriately nosy, given his journalism background. His relationship with his cats is nicely portrayed without being overly saccharine.
LINK to my review
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The Ides of March – Thornton Wilder – 2**
In this work of historical fiction, Wilder uses a combination of letters, diary entries and official documents to tell the story of the last year of Julius Caesar’s life. Now, I appreciate Wilder’s writing, and there were times in the book that I was completely engaged in the story. I was fascinated to read of the intrigue and espionage, the role of Cleopatra, etc. But on the whole … well I think I had more “fun” translating Cicero’s oration against Cataline when I studied Latin in high school (and I hated that).
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 4*Why ever did it take me so long to read this book? I love the series and Louise Penny's writing! Seems when I own book, it gets neglected.
The Search for Joyful – Benedict and Nancy Freedman – 4****
A sequel to the popular Mrs Mike , this work of historical fiction is set primarily during World War II, and follows the career of a young Cree woman – Kathy (a/k/a/ Oh-Be-Joyful’s Daughter) – as she becomes an Army nurse and finds love and her place in the world. The authors are not First Nation people, and there’s little information about how they came to write this story. I’m skeptical about the truth of what they write, and still I’m drawn into the novel. I really liked Kathy Forquet as a heroine. It’s an inspiring and hopeful story.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 4*Reading:
A Game of Thrones
The Ten-Ounce Siesta
Big Little Lies
The Mystery of the Yellow Room
A Gentleman in Moscow
Blood Work: A Tale of Medicine and Murder in the Scientific Revolution
Christmas Camp – Karen Schaler – 3***
As I read this, I kept thinking it was remarkably like a Hallmark TV movie I had seen last week. No matter, really. The movies are still fun to watch, and the schmaltzy Christmas romance books are fun to read.
LINK to my review
The Christmas Scrapbook – Philip Gulley – 3***
This little novella is book 5.5 in the Harmony series featuring Quaker minister Sam Gardner, his wife Barbara, and the Friends of the Harmony meeting house. I love the gentle stories of one man’s efforts to make a difference in his community. The results of his efforts are predictably hilarious. But also impart a lesson about faith, tolerance, love and the spirit of Christmas.
LINK to my review
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A Deal to Die For – Josie Belle – 2.5**
Book two in the Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series has Maggie opening a new resale shop in her Virginia community. This has all the elements of a successful cozy series, but the juvenile rivalry between Maggie and her nemesis Summer, just irritates me no end, and lowers the rating by half a star. Otherwise a fast, fun read.
LINK to my review
Ha, Ha! The library motivated me to read a book. Go figure!I tried to renew it a day before it was due and was told that I could not as it had other holds. So, I took a look at it and decided to read about 100 pages a day. I will finish it today and turn it in one day late. Fine 20 cents. Was worth it.
Finished:
- 5*
Two Little Girls in Blue – Mary Higgins Clark – 3***
This is a fast-paced thriller with a building sense of suspense. The reader is always in on the crime, knowing the identity of the kidnappers and even the “secretive” Pied Piper long before the characters catch on. But the changing points of view, keeps the novel moving forward and helps maintain that sense of suspense.
LINK to my review
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius – Dave Eggers – 1*
A huge disappointment. I’d read another book by Eggers and enjoyed it. It’s clear that Eggers is intelligent. Obviously, the circumstances that resulted in his guardianship of his baby brother were tragic, and every older sibling’s nightmare. But I found Eggers self-absorbed, immature, irresponsible and totally lacking in any insight. The most entertaining part was the preface, copyright and acknowledgements.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 4*,
- 4*,
- 4*,
- 3*, The Mystery of the Yellow Room - 3*Still Reading:
A Game of Thrones
The Ten-Ounce Siesta
Starting:
Q Is For Quarry
Midnight Crossroad
The Christmas Hirelings
Sworn to Silence
The Lost Symbol
The Invisible Bridge
Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell – 3.5***
Oh, the teenage angst of young adulthood! Been there, done that … don’t want to relive it. And yet, I found myself really engaged in this story. There were times when I thought Rowell had thrown too many wrenches into the mix. Still, Rowell kept the story moving forward, and gave us a heroine to root for.
LINK to my review
Delicious! – Ruth Reichl – 3.5***
I’ve read several of Reichl’s memoirs and really enjoyed them. Now she’s taken a turn at writing a novel. This is part romance, part coming-of-age, part mystery. I enjoyed the story and was caught up in the intrigue. Reichl really shines when she is writing about food. I can practically taste the cheeses, smell the spices, and feel the warmth of steam rising from a simmering pot. All-in-all, I found it enjoyable and entertaining. A great beach read.
LINK to my review
- 4*Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid
The latest instalment in one of my favourite romance series. Shame the series is coming to a close, as we are slowly but surely running out of Winston siblings to talk about. This book centred on the dark and brooding vet in the family, Roscoe. I did prefer the previous book in the series with Cletus Winston being such a different and interesting character, but there is plenty to like in this slice of romance, including tense thriller-like moments as the Winston brothers' father makes an unwelcome reappearance.
- 4*The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman.
A good start to this series that mixes historical and paranormal action and romance. I was particularly appreciative of the amount of period details within the storytelling. Lady Helen has to choose between a dangerous life as a demon killer or becoming the respectable wife of an aristocrat. There are quite a few nice plot twists along the way. All very entertaining. I can't wait to read the follow-up.
- 3*St. Peter's Fair by Ellis Peters
I only gave this book three stars because I was able to guess quite early on who was the villain of the piece. However, I find Ellis Peters' writing style entertaining and immersive. A great read nonetheless.
Still reading:
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
Tree and Leaf by JRR Tolkien
Gemina by Amie Kaufman
To move on to:
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
Vicious by VE Schwab
The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-wise Cat by James Bowen
The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by McKenzi Lee
Read/No Review
Into the Storm
Finished:
- 4*,
- 4*,
- 4*Still Reading:
A Game of Thrones
The Ten-Ounce Siesta
The Lost Symbol
The Invisible Bridge
Q Is For Quarry
Starting:
Christmas Caramel Murder
Bleachers
Educated
Love Potion Number 10 – Betsy Woodman – 3***
Book two in the Jana Bibi Adventures series. Jana and Mr Ganguly’s fame grows, making him the target of a bird-napping plot. Woodman populates the fictional hill town with an array of colorful characters, and really gives one a flavor of the 1960s culture of India. Just charming.
LINK to my review
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Eats, Shoots & Leaves – Lynne Truss – 4****
Well this was the perfect work for me to satisfy a challenge to read a “geek-reed” book. There were more than a few moments when I felt Truss was channeling the good Sisters at Ursuline Academy who first tried to drum those rules into my head. Truss writes with a delightfully irreverent style, and yet still conveys the seriousness of her purpose. It was a fast, enjoyable read, and I think I learned (or re-learned) a few things.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 3*,
- 4*,
- 4*,
- 4*,
- 4*Still Reading:
A Game of Thrones
The Lost Symbol
The Invisible Bridge
Educated
The Dog Who Knew Too Much – Spencer Quinn – 3.5***
Book four in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. I find looking at the mystery and the events that unfold through Chet’s eyes simply delightful and fun. Quinn has managed to give him a personality that befits a dog. He’s easily distracted by food or squirrels, given to taking things too literally (still looking for that wild goose they’re supposed to be chasing), loyal to a fault, and courageous.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 4*Still Reading:
A Game of Thrones
The Invisible Bridge
Educated
Starting:
The Lost Art of Gratitude
Twilight
Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery – Jenny Cogan – 3***
This is a fun chick-lit romance with some over-the-top coincidences and new-adult drama. Not much of a spoiler to say that it all works out with a fairytale HEA ending. I didn’t realize it was a series when I picked it up, and I don’t really feel that I was missing all that much for not having begun with book one. Have to say I really appreciated the recipes at the end – especially the hot chocolate!
LINK to my review
Other Voices, Other Rooms – Truman Capote – 3.5***
Capote’s debut novel is a semiautobiographical coming-of-age story. It’s a classic Southern Gothic novel, full of ghosts, haints, superstitions, secrets and closed off rooms. Joel is isolated not only by the remote location, but by the lack of connection with these people. He is confused and cautious, and his loneliness and despair are palpable. Capote’s writing is wonderfully atmospheric. Still, at times, much like Joel, I felt lost in unfamiliar surroundings.
LINK to my review
Carnegie’s Maid – Marie Benedict – 3***
Irish immigrant Clara Kelly comes to America in hopes of finding employment so that she can send money home to her impoverished family. She winds up as a lady’s maid in the Carnegie family’s Pittsburgh mansion. I was intrigued by the story and quickly caught up in the tale of this intelligent, resourceful, determined and diligent young lady. I did think it was somewhat repetitious, but still enjoyed this historical fiction that takes a few facts and weaves a compelling story to help explain them.
LINK to my review
- 5*The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
This is a book I could not literally put down: a true page-turner.
I thought the second instalment in the 'Winternight Trilogy' was even better than the first one: the pace was quicker, the tension between characters higher. The writer also kept us very cleverly guessing at some of the characters until the end. I am not even talking about the poesy and the fantastic seeping through the mythos as the plot unfolds. My type of fantasy book. I can't wait to read the third and final instalment.
I am so happy every time I see someone reading through this series. I'm so excited for you!! It's now a top favorite for me, hands down.Laure wrote: "
- 5*The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
This is a book I could not literally put down: a true page-turner.
I thought the second ins..."
The Hamilton Affair – Elizabeth Cobbs – 4****
Cobbs is an historian, who also occasionally writes a work of historical fiction. The story unfolds in alternating perspectives: Alexander and Eliza each get a turn at relating events. In this way we get some insight into each character’s background, guiding principles, joys, sorrows and desires. While Cobbs’ sympathies were clearly with Hamilton, she did not shy away from pointing out his faults. I really appreciated how she developed Eliza’s strong character. I was interested and engaged from beginning to end.
LINK to my review
Carrying Albert Home – Homer Hickam – 3***
Subtitle: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator. I loved listening to the stories my father, mother, aunts and uncles would tell of “the old days” and adventures they had had. So, I was predisposed to like this tale of the author’s parents and a great adventure they embarked upon without any plan other than to “carry Albert home.” I found it fun and enjoyable, but gosh, Elsie got on my nerves.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 4*,
- 3*,
- 3*,
- 5*Reading:
The Stalker
Literary Murder
Moon Called
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Finished:
- 4*,
- 4*Reading:
Literary Murder
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
City of Shadows
Becoming
Winter Solstice – Rosamunde Pilcher – 3***
Five very different people, ranging in age from teen-aged to mid-sixties, converge on a Scottish cottage just before Christmas. The novel changes perspective with each chapter so the reader gets to know the characters slowly, learning what is important to each as they go about their lives. It’s a charmingly told story, and I grew to love these characters. It reminds me of Maeve Binchy’s books. This is the first book by Pilcher that I’ve read; it won’t be the last.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 4*,
- 4*Reading:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Becoming
Remembrance
When Mourning Comes
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents – Julia Álvarez – 4****
The García family flees the Dominican Republic for the United States amid political unrest. This is a wonderfully entertaining look at the immigrant experience and at the strong family ties that see these sisters (and their parents) through a tumultuous adolescence and young adulthood. The use of multiple narrators and non-linear time line, however, made for an uneven reading experience. But I looked on it as indicative of the immigrant experience: looking back fondly on the home left behind, while facing the future bravely and with enthusiasm.
LINK to my review
They Came to Baghdad – Agatha Christie – 4****
Recently out of a job, Victoria Jones decides to follow the young man she just met to Baghdad and new opportunities. She’s a plucky heroine, able to think quickly, adapt to new situations, and spin a believable yarn (okay, she’s a talented liar). All this serves her well when she stumbles into the middle of a major international spy ring. A fun romp of an adventure.
LINK to my review
Finished:
- 3.5*,
- 4*,
- 3.5*Reading:
Becoming
The Artist
The Virgin Blue
The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel
Starting soon (next day or so):
The Martian
You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness
Her Royal Spyness
The Gift of Rain
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
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I, Alex Cross (other topics)
Fox & I (other topics)
On Gold Mountain: The 100-Year Odyssey of a Chinese-American Family (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Gill Paul (other topics)Elizabeth Peters (other topics)
Rainbow Rowell (other topics)
Liam Moiser (other topics)
Barbara Mertz (other topics)
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Reading:
The Woman in White - audio
A Game of Thrones
The Ten-Ounce Siesta
A Partisan's Daughter
Hardly Ever Otherwise