The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU
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<closed thread>What are you currently reading?
Kiss Of Pride – Sandra Hill – 2.5**
Oh my stars! This is so bad it’s good. I had no idea that Vampire Viking Angels are a thing, but I think I’m glad they are. Despite the dreadfully awful writing and the ridiculous plot, this was still fun. It was a fast-paced, quick read that entertained.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*,
- 4.5*,
- 4*I give 5* for books that impact my life somehow. However, Murder in Belgravia was so well-written that it deserves more than the 4* that I usually give for books I enjoy.
The Boston Girl – Anita Diamant – 5*****
85-year-old Addie Baum is interviewed by her “favorite” granddaughter for a project. She focuses on her youth in the early 20th century, from age 15 to about age 30. I just loved this book. I loved Addie – feisty, intelligent, curious, determined, adventurous, compassionate. She’s a loyal friend and confidante. She’s also practical about her decisions, but still willing to take a risk. I was completely mesmerized by her storytelling.
My full review HERE
A Minute to Midnight – David Baldacci – 3***
Book 2 in the Atlee Pine mystery series has the FBI agent forced to take a “vacation” which she elects to spend back in her childhood hometown of Andersonville, Georgia. Fast-paced and with plenty of twists and action to keep the reader turning pages. It’s almost too much action, especially when Baldacci combines the cold case with a new serial killer in town.
My full review HERE
Dumplin’ – Julie Murphy – 3.5***
I grew up in Texas and am very familiar with the small-town beauty pageant hysteria. I really liked the story arc about Will’s efforts regarding the pageant and how she inspires other girls who don’t fit the standard “beauty-queen” stereotype to step up as well. I also liked how Murphy explored the mother/daughter and friend relationships. I was a somewhat unhappy with the romance aspect; I was really disappointed in how Dumplin’ managed her conflict, but then she’s a teenager.
My full review HERE
Finishing:
- 4*This book started very slowly for me, and I anticipated only giving it 3*. However, as the story progressed, it got much more interesting and I kept reading wanting more.
In progress:
River Bodies - Kindle
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie - Library
Blue Dahlia - Library
The Second Chair - Own
Ella Minnow Pea – Mark Dunn – 5***** and a ❤
A novel told in letters about an island nation off the coast of South Carolina where the residents pride themselves on their literacy. And then a tile falls off a monument and their exalted leaders declare that letter is no longer to be used. What’s one little letter? There are 25 others. But as more letter tiles fall, restrictions – and penalties – become more onerous. And the citizens of Nollop realize their nation is being ruined by those in charge.
My full review HERE
The Island of Sea Women – Lisa See – 4****
See’s work of historical fiction is set on the Korean island of Jeju, and follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from different backgrounds who become friends. Both begin to apprentice to the women of the island in their unique all-female diving collective. I really liked this work, both for what I learned about this culture, and for the exploration of female relationships – jealousies, secrets, confidences shared, and misunderstanding that cause seemingly irreparable rifts.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 3*,
- 4*,
- 4*Currently Reading:
Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin - Library
Murder on the SS Rosa - Kindle
The Second Chair - Own
River Bodies - Kindle
Blue Dahlia - Library
The Only Woman In the Room – Marie Benedict – 3.5***
Hedy Lamarr was a movie star in the 1930s-50s, known for her ethereal beauty. She was also a highly intelligent, self-taught scientist and inventor. I knew some of this before reading the book, but still found it fascinating and engaging.
My full review HERE
starting "Ghost Hunting: The Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society"
Finished:
- 3.5*I can't say that I enjoyed this book, but I did find it interesting. BTW, turns out that there is no proof that the Nazis made lamp shades or bound books in human skin. Nope, it was the medical profession years earlier than WWII.
Arguing With Idiots – Glenn Beck – 1*
I’d never heard of Glenn Beck, but apparently, he has a popular radio show. Now that I’ve heard of him, I’ll be sure to never listen to his show. My major problem with this was that, while Beck may have some coherent and well-researched responses to many issues, he chose to over-exaggerate the opposition – i.e. calling anyone who voices an opposing viewpoint an idiot.
My full review HERE
Song Of the Lion – Anne Hillerman – 3.5***
This is book # 21 in the Leaphorn & Chee mystery series, set on the Navajo nation in Arizona and New Mexico. A car bombing in a high school parking lot begins the action, which focuses on the mediator for a dispute over a major development at the Grand Canyon. Hillerman matches her late father’s skill at plotting and character development. I love Officer Bernadette Manuelito who is a strong female lead. I read this out of order, but didn’t feel lost; still I think it’s a series that begs to be read in order.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*,
- 3*,
- 4*Currently reading:
Murder on the SS Rosa - Kindle
The Second Chair - Own
River Bodies - Kindle
Escape – Caroline Jessop with Laura Palmer – 3.5***
Carolyn Jessop was only eighteen when she was coerced into an arranged marriage with a high-ranking member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Merril Jessop was thirty-two years her senior and already had three wives, but polygamy is a way of life for the FLDS. Despite her indoctrination into the belief system, she felt she simply had to escape … with all eight of her children in tow. It’s a fascinating and harrowing tale.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 3*,
- 3.5*Currently Reading:
River Bodies
Eragon
The Valley of Amazement
Night Moves
From Doon With Death
The Twenty-One Balloons – William Pène du Bois – 4****
This is a classic of children’s literature, for which du Bois was awarded the Newbery Medal. It’s a fantastical adventure story featuring Professor William Waterman Sherman, who leaves San Francisco on Aug 15, 1883, in a balloon, with the intention of going across the Pacific Ocean and enjoying some solitude. He wasn’t counting on Krakatoa’s explosive eruption, however… The illustrations (also by du Bois) provide a visual representation to go along with some of the detailed descriptions of the various inventions.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*,
- 3*,
- 4*Currently Reading:
Eragon - Own
The Valley of Amazement - Own
The Window at the White Cat - Hoopla ebook
Finished Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society and starting The Nine Lives of Christmas
Started: The White Woman on the Green Bicycle - Library
The Silence of Bones - Kindle
Murder On The Menu - Kindle
Just finished Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington and Hannibal's Oath: The Life and Wars of Rome's Greatest Enemy - both very good.Starting up
Women & Children First
Fool's Errand
God of Vengeance
The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission That Changed Our Understanding of Madness
Simon the Fiddler – Paulette Jiles – 4****
Set in Texas at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the reconstruction period, Jiles follows Simon Boudlin and his band of iterant musicians as they try to stay alive and out of trouble, and as Simon tries to win the heart of Doris, an indentured immigrant Irish lass. Simon is a marvelous character: intelligent, quick witted, resourceful, and determined. I love the way Jiles crafts her novels. While the plot focuses on the characters and their reactions to events happening around them, the atmosphere is enhanced by her descriptions of the landscape, the food, and culture of the times.
My full review HERE
Ashfall – Mike Millens – 3.5***
As post-apocalyptic novels go, I found this one is pretty interesting, engaging and compelling. I was quickly drawn in by Alex and his situation. But the book really came alive when he meets up with Darla. I want to read more about HER!
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*,
- 3*,
- 4*,
- 3*,
- 4*Currently Reading:
Eragon - Own
The Valley of Amazement - Own
Murder On The Menu - Kindle
Starting:
The Death of Mrs. Westaway - Library
Fives and Twenty-Fives - Library
Daisy Jones And the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid – 3***
A book within a book, that purportedly tells the story of a famous rock band of the 1970s, told as an “oral history.” It’s a love story, a history of the 1970s rock scene, a coming of age story, and a story of how addiction steals the best parts of our lives. I didn’t like the main characters. And as for plot – it just didn’t seem to be going anywhere, or at least not anywhere I wanted to go. And then I got to the ending and my breath was taken away. Those last twenty pages made me bump the rating up from 2 to 3 stars.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 2*,
- 4*That 2* rating (rare, for me) is due to the poor editing and writing that felt like it was more aimed at a not so very sophisticated teen reader. The story was good, but the book should have been better edited prior to publication even as a free book...and someone should have had the writer re-work some of those repetitive sentences!
Currently Reading:
Eragon - Own
The Valley of Amazement - Own
Flash And Bones – Kathy Reichs – 3***
Book # 14 in the very popular Temperance Brennan mystery series, featuring the forensic anthropologist who splits her time between Quebec and North Carolina. Reichs is great at plotting intricate mysteries and this is no exception. There are plenty of twists and turns, old and new murders to consider, red herrings and suspects galore. My main problem with the series is that Tempe manages to get herself into serious trouble, but is always rescued by a conveniently handy big, strong man.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*,
- 4*Currently Reading:
Eragon - Owned
Death Remembers
Elizabeth Is Missing - Kindle
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher - Overdue library book
Two Sisters - Audible
Just finished Fool's Errand, Sailing to Sarantiumnow reading: The Tournament. American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road and The Last Brother
Under the Mercy Trees – Heather Newton – 3.5***
Oh, what a tangled web we weave… There are so many things going on, so many secrets, so many betrayals. We have people consumed by alcohol (and/or drugs), mean-spirited control freaks, unfaithful spouses, guilty consciences, mental (and physical) illness and abject loneliness that comes with keeping all that bottled up. I’m exhausted by the effort required by these characters to hide so much and still co-exist in such tight quarters. This is Newton’s only novel; I wish there were more for me to read.
My full review HERE
Finished:
- 4*This was a nice mix of suspense and paranormal with the last being a Native American spirit. It also contained some history of the Pueblo peoples.
- 3*
Elevation – Stephen King – 4****
This was a delightful novella with an unusual plot device, but that focuses on human kindness and respect. King gives us a lesson on what it means to be a good neighbor, and how to support one another despite our differences. I like the way that they slowly come to know one another and resolve their conflicts. My edition also included a bonus short story, “Laurie” about a widower and his new puppy, which was a nice break from King’s well-known horror genre.
My full review HERE
Just finished The Tournament-awfulAmerican Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road -excellent
Next up:
Fool Moon
The Last Brother
Fortune and Glory
Expect to finish today:
- 4* (thoroughly enjoyed this adventure!),
- 4* (interesting cozy mystery), 
- 4* (sometimes this is too dark for me, but the writing keeps me going)Currently Reading:
Elizabeth Is Missing - Kindle
Glad One: Crazy is a Relative Term - Kindle
The Good Son - Inter-library loan
Two Sisters - audiobook
Expect to finish today:
- 4* (1 hr to go)Currently Reading:
Elizabeth Is Missing - Kindle
Glad One: Crazy is a Relative Term - Kindle
The Good Son - Inter-library loan
Strawberry Shortcake Murder - library
A Superior Death - library
The Innocence of Father Brown - Library ebook
Dance Hall Of the Dead – Tony Hillerman – 3***
Book two in Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn series, set on the Navajo nation of southwest United States. I love Joe Leaphorn as a character, and the way he deliberates before taking action. I also appreciate learning a bit of Native-American culture with each mystery. Definitely a series I’ll continue reading.
My full review HERE
Finishing today:
- 4*Reading:
Elizabeth Is Missing - Kindle
Strawberry Shortcake Murder - Library
The Innocence of Father Brown - Library ebook
The Hollow - Library
Mother Earth Father Sky - Own
Also started: The Thursday Murder Club - Library New Book - return in 2 weeks.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland -and- Through the Looking Glass – Lewis Carroll – 3***
Believe or not, I had never read this classic of children’s literature before. Oh, I knew the basics of the story. I certainly understand why this story is so beloved by so many legions of children. There is absurdity, fun word play, unusual situations, talking animals, and a slew of outlandish characters. Still, I think I just may be too old to really appreciate it. I just couldn’t let my imagination run wild and enjoy it
My full review HERE
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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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Christmas Cow Bells – Mollie Cox Bryan – 3***
First in a new cozy mystery series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and featuring artisanal cheese maker Brynn MacAllister. This was just delightful. I love the basic premise of a micro-dairy farmer who is trying to make her way in a new community, but facing difficulties from traditionalists who do not want any change. I’m not really an animal lover, but I did really love the animal characters: Petunia, Buttermilk, Marigold and Freckles. I look forward to reading more of this series.
My full review HERE