Cozy Mysteries discussion
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When You’re Not Reading a Cozy
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The Twits by Roald Dahl — Did not like this one as much as others by him.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney — Fun, quick read. I can see why this series appeals to kids as much as it does.
Here is my 4.72 rounded to 5 stars review of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sangu Mandanna brings warmth, diversity, and humor to a magical realism novel with romance, danger, and suspense. This is a wonderfully executed story with extraordinary and diverse characters and a setting that came alive. My only quibble is that I wanted more suspense in the novel.
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This also crosses off another PopSugar prompt, as the original short story won the Hugo Award (it was then later published in novel form). That means I am now 42/50 — only eight prompts left, and I am working on another right now.
And a bit of coincidence — both my last two books and the one I’m currently reading are told in a series of journal entries.
PamG wrote: "For each element of the book that I've selected, I rate it from 1 to 5 in .25 increments. That is weighted as 75% of my rating. Then I have a rating of Enjoyment (fiction) / Learning, etc (nonfiction) that is weighted as 25% of my rating. The spreadsheet then calculates the overall rating. Does that make sense?"Thank you, It totally makes sense. (Except for the weighting, it's the same way we rated our employees daily, which were then tallied together for their overall evaluations.)
Now this has me thinking about attributes for the books I read! Currently, I mainly rate based on my enjoyment of the read, taking into account how much I liked or disliked the story and/or characters, trying not to let careless editing sway me too much (Though, I admit I have dropped down if it's truly horrible and distracting to the read.)
I love working with Excel. Depending on my mood, I might create a database spreadsheet for my cozy reading (at least to start). Hmmm.
Haha! Thanks for the explanation Pam - sounds like too much work for me though :)
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Read the Lana Dash series Bad Bridesmaids. They're all short, fun reads about five women in Vegas for a bachelorette weekend. Stories include a second-chance romance and a friends-to-lovers romance, but the others are insta-loves. The sixth book (02b) involves a woman they cross with in Vegas. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees (2.5-4 stars).
*01 Hot Mess
*02a Party Princess
*02b One Night Only
*03 Maid of Dishonor
*04 Dancing Diva
*05 Runaway Bride
NOTE: book 02b is a BookFunnel freebie for signing up for the author's newsletter
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I'm reading
This is my fourth Agatha Christie book.
Brenda wrote: "Haha! Thanks for the explanation Pam - sounds like too much work for me though :)"It actually only takes seconds to fill in the information for each book and have it calculate the over-all rating. Of course, setting up the spreadsheet took a little more time than that, but it still only took a few minutes. That was mainly spent deciding which attributes I wanted to include in the calculation. Once it's set up, it's a snap.
Karen wrote: "PamG wrote: "For each element of the book that I've selected, I rate it from 1 to 5 in .25 increments. That is weighted as 75% of my rating. Then I have a rating of Enjoyment (fiction) / Learning, ..."I'm glad it makes sense. Previously, I rated books similar to you, but I would waffle when I felt a book was part way between stars. This takes out that waffling and makes it clear to me.
Here is my 3.66 rounded to 4 stars review of Requiem
by David Hodges:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Requiem by David Hodges has since been retitled Revenge on the Levels. It is the second book in the Kate Hamblin Mystery Series. This police procedural is well-done and the author’s experience as a former superintendent with the Thames Valley Police gives it authenticity and results in a realistic read. The plot is dynamic, with lots of suspense incorporated into the police investigation.
Here is my 3.56 rounded to 4 stars review of Court of the Vampire Queen
by Katee Robert:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a steamy / spicy reverse harem paranormal romance that tackles some deeper themes if one reads it in its entirety.
PamG wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Haha! Thanks for the explanation Pam - sounds like too much work for me though :)"It actually only takes seconds to fill in the information for each book and have it calculate the ..."
I'm glad you're happy with it Pam :)
Starting out the week with a historical PI mystery
Stardust Trail by J. R. Sanders https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks for answering the questions, Pam. I was among those wondering how you came up with your fractions of fractions of ratings. I'm an accountant, so I spend much of my day working in Excel, and I can verify how helpful of a tool it came be, especially once you've set up the file/calculations the way you want it to be.
Mark wrote: "Thanks for answering the questions, Pam. I was among those wondering how you came up with your fractions of fractions of ratings. I'm an accountant, so I spend much of my day working in Excel, and ..."You're welcome, Mark. I started out as an accountant, but I retired as an IT director. I've been using spreadsheets, etc. for many years.
Back again and I will be trying to post more often.Currently reading an ARC of Die Around Sundown by Mark Pryor which is now on sale. It's a really good WWII mystery that takes place in occupied Paris. Not too dark or heavy a read. I'm finally listening to The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I cannot imagine actually reading this book as opposed to listening to it. It reminds me of my reaction to The Midnight Library and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, good but a beast to get through.
Karen M - I listened to The Time Traveler's Wife almost 10 years ago. I remember that the different narrators really helped with the different POVs. It was an excellent book!
Zermeena wrote: "Karen M - I listened to The Time Traveler's Wife almost 10 years ago. I remember that the different narrators really helped with the different POVs. It was an excellent book!"I'm at 91% and I hope to finish it today so I can move on to something shorter. Of course, my tablet and phone both needed a charge just at the wrong moment but that's why I'm online right now!
Listening to Open Season by C.J. Box. I've wanted to read this series for years. I have so many series going already but what the heck one more won't really make a difference. I'll just have to live forever to get through my always growing TBR list/shelves.
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I’ve had that one in Mount TBR for ages, since reading Blue Heaven almost a decade ago. Some day... All we need are a few of the Norse goddess Idun’s apples of immortality. 🙄
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The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan, first book in the Magnus Chase series. I can’t believe I’ve put off reading this one so long! 500 pages, but the adventure seemed to take no time at all. Also applies to the PopSugar Challenge, a #BookTok recommendation. Seven prompts left!
I then decided to read the companion book, For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds. Short, fast read.
Here is my 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review of A Burning Obsession
by Mike Omer:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the third and final book in the Abby Mullen crime thriller series. The author knows how to build suspense, develop characters, add action and atmosphere, and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Karen M wrote: "Listening to Open Season by C.J. Box. I've wanted to read this series for years. I have so many series going already but what the heck one more won't really make a dif..."I had that series in Mt TBR for years, too, and finally started it a year or two ago. Although it means adding one more series to the list, I'm glad I did -- the books are really good. I learn a bit about some of the wildlife with each book too, which is always an added bonus. Hope you like Joe Pickett as much as I do :)
My review for
The Secrets of Palmerston House by Phillipa Nefri Clarkhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank you Brenda for adding to my TBR mountain!I read Peaceful Heart: The Buddhist Practice of Patience. The Buddhist practice of patience is not what we typically think of as patience. I learned a lot from this book and got some good tips on dealing with difficult people. As well as learning to recognize the pain I feel when I don't get what
I want and more importantly when I get what I don't want.
Zermeena wrote: "Thank you Brenda for adding to my TBR mountain!I read Peaceful Heart: The Buddhist Practice of Patience. The Buddhist practice of patience is not what we typically think of as pat..."
Haha! You're very welcome Zermeena!
Brenda wrote: "My review for The Secrets of Palmerston House by Phillipa Nefri Clarkhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3..."
Good deal that I happened to have the first book of this series on the tbr; I thought I was going to be buying another book tonight! 😂
That's great Meg! It's an excellent series :)
Finishing out the week with
"V" is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read
A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie IrwinReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.41 rounded to 3 stars review of Moving Target
by Maggie Clare: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the fourth book in the Tactical Solutions International Romantic Suspense series. It is entertaining with some suspense and action, a great start, and a good ending. However, after the first chapter, the pacing slowed significantly for five or so chapters.
I finished Death of a Red Heroine
by Qiu Xiaolong last night. I didn't really enjoy it and won't be reading any more in the series.
I've finally gotten around to listening to the second book of two by Alice Hoffman, The Book of Magic. It's good but I enjoyed the first one more, Practical Magic but it might be because now Sally's girls are adults and there are alot more characters to keep straight.I am reading one that I recevied from Scene of The Crime, The Bad Angel Brothers by Paul Theroux. Haven't read enough yet to form an opinion.
Brenda wrote: "My review for 
The Lawson Sisters by Janet Goverhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
For once my library has an Aussie author book that you recommended. I'm looking forward to reading it!
Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of Killers of a Certain Age
by Deanna Raybourn. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deanna Raybourn brings friendship, humor, danger, and action to this suspenseful thriller featuring four assassins who worked for an international clandestine organization for forty years. They're ready to retire and the company has given hem an all-expenses paid cruise to celebrate. Naturally, things don't go as planned. This story captivated me from the first page with extraordinary characters, travel, brilliant world-building, and exciting scenes interspersed with wit and humor.
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Cozy Mysteries
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PamG wrote: "My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars..."
~and~
Brenda wrote: "Pam I'm curious. How do you work out your rating for your books?"
For each element of the book that I've selected, I rate it from 1 to 5 in .25 increments. That is weighted as 75% of my rating. Then I have a rating of Enjoyment (fiction) / Learning, etc (nonfiction) that is weighted as 25% of my rating. The spreadsheet then calculates the overall rating. Does that make sense?
Ditto Brenda's question.
I noticed a few or your rece..."