Lillie's 2023 Independent Challenge

[Lillie]

Book #124 The English Understand Wool 4 stars ebook

Short novella about a 17 year girl who has lived a very privileged life to all of a sudden deal with something so large that it upends her life. She is then contracted to write a book about the experience and that's when I really started enjoying it. She's a clever young lady and made me laugh out loud. I'll be honest, I had no idea what and where this story was going, I picked to read it because of the cover.

* will put up my end of the month wrap up as soon as I finish Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village (which should be shortly)

[Lillie]

A little late but end of month wrap up for June:

22 books total - 15 audiobooks, 7 print books, 1 ebook

Most Fun: - absolute joy reading this, I'm going to liken it to an illustrated dictionary. Very tongue in cheek. If you enjoy reading mysteries set in English villages, this is a must. Book #125 print book

Worst: I think this was a case of lost in translation

Most Disappointing: I keep hoping she'll put out a fun beach book again

Pretty good month of reading:
13-4 stars, 6-3.5 stars, 2-2.5 stars 1-2 star

[Lillie]

Book #126 (read in June) Love & Saffron 4 stars audiobook

An epistolary novel between a young woman and an older woman which first started discussing recipes and it grows to include their private journeys. It's a gentle story that shows us the lives of women in the US in the 1960s on the West Coast. It explores food diversity, racial relationships, infertility and death. Lovely book.

Book #127 The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections 1 star print book

Ok, I haven't come across very many absolute horrible books this year but this was it. I hated everyone, Leisl Weiss, the protagonist, is so freaking spineless! The people around her were the just the worst. Can cross the author off of my auto buy list. Not a great way to start off July.

Book #128 The Book Eaters 3.5 stars audiobook

Very unexpected. I thought I was getting a book like The Eyre Affair but it ended up being a different take on vampires. Fun book. Not sure if there'll be a sequel but I'm there for it.

[Michelle]

Glad you liked the Book Eaters. It was a weird book but I did enjoy it. I would check out a sequel too.

[Lillie]

Book #129 Spice Road 4 stars audiobook

Fantasy isn't my number one genre but this one hit the spot. It was a fun ya book overall so I ignored some of the teen angst stuff, some of the know it all attitudes. There's a djinn, magic, assassin plots, and lots of adventure. It's the first in a trilogy and I'll be back for the next two.

Book #130 The Road to Roswell 2 stars print book

I can safely say that I've never been this bored with a car trip book before. An alien kidnaps a woman who has traveled to Roswell for her bff's wedding. A road trip ensues. Why? Idk. Some more people are kidnapped along the route. Why? Again, Idk. I'm sad cause I generally like Connie Willis books. Oh well.

[Lillie]

Michelle wrote: "Glad you liked the Book Eaters. It was a weird book but I did enjoy it. I would check out a sequel too."

I'm still thinking about this book. I do hope the author pens a sequel.

[Michelle]

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Glad you liked the Book Eaters. It was a weird book but I did enjoy it. I would check out a sequel too."

I'm still thinking about this book. I do hope the author pens a sequel."

Same. It was one of those books that just doesn't fit a mold or go the way you expected but leaves you thinking about it from so many different angles. Sorry to hear that you didn't like The Road to Roswell. I was looking forward to that one. Now I will probably just skip it.

[Lillie]

Michelle wrote: "Same. It was one of those books that just doesn't fit a mold or go the way you expected but leaves you thinking about it from so many different angles. Sorry to hear that you didn't like The Road to Roswell. I was looking forward to that one. Now I will probably just skip it."

I'd hate to put you off of The Road Roswell. It could've been that I was expecting a lot more action based on the way it was set up than there was. Looking at the reviews, it looks like many found it to be amusing and more engaging than I did.

[Lillie]

Book #131 Bad Summer People 4 stars audiobook

This is the definition of a good beach read by me. So much bad behavior from a crowd that think themselves above the rest of us mere mortals (or as someone on tiktok calls us, the poor people). With affairs, gossiping, beaches, a dead body and so many suspects, this one was a fun book. Think "Housewife of" reality shows in book format.

Book #132 Mrs. Jeffries in the Nick of Time 3.5 stars audiobook

An adventure with Mrs Jeffries and the rest of her staff solving another murder along side their employer, Inspector Witherspoon. I do wonder, however, when he'll find out that they're helping him.

[Lillie]

Mid July wrap up: 6 books - 4 audiobooks, 2 print

Most fun book:
Most boring book:
Worst book:

Ratings broken down: 2 - 4 stars, 2 - 3.5 stars, 1 - 2 star, 1 - 1 star

Reading that one star at the beginning of this month really threw me and led to reading less than usual. Hopefully, I'm back now.

Listening to
Reading
On Deck

[Lillie]

Book #133 Terminal Freeze 3 stars audiobook

Second of this series and I’m enjoying, what I would consider, light horror in it. I can totally see a movie going on in my head as I read these books. This time we’re in Alaska, in the snow, where a frozen creature has been found. The ice has slowly melted, the creature is missing and dead bodies start showing up. Entertaining.

Book #134 The Poisoner's Ring 3.5 stars audiobook

Kelley Armstrong has started another series with interesting premise. The first one I read (Rockton) by her was set in the wilds of the Yukon, a small town where people with no other choice but to disappear, go to. Nobody but the board members of that town (who don’t live there) know the real reasons. Murders take place and a newly invited towns person, a former detective, uses her expertise to solve them. Lots of adventure in those.
This second series is about a detective who’s been sent back to 1869 and has somehow switched bodies with a parlormaid. She’s ended up in the household of an undertaker. There’s a murder and they solve it together. I’m interested to see how this series progresses.

[Lillie]

Quick reviews because I managed to read/listen to 9 books since I last posted.

Book #135 & Book #143
4 stars audiobooks

Continuing the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and throughly enjoying them. The narrator for the series is very engaging

Book #136 A Very Typical Family 3.5 stars audiobook

A featured book by my libraries this past month. Guess they pick one book every month to focus on. A family drama about a young woman who is "responsible" for putting her siblings behind bars a decade ago. Her mother recently passed and has left her children her house if they spend a bit of time together. A good beach read.

Book #137 Book #139 Book #140 3 stars audiobook

A new-to-me murder mystery series set in Ireland. Siobhán is trying to keep her family together after her parents' fatal car crash. She runs a family owned cafe and gets mixed up in investigating murders. Cute. My library seems to have the whole series, so I'll add it to the other series I'm listening to (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency & Mrs Jeffries).

Book #138 A Little History of Religion 2.5 stars print

Though I'm not a religious person, I do enjoy learning the history of how religions came about. This had a few gems but overall I was bored and it took me quite a while to finish.

Book #139 No Strangers Here: A Riveting Irish Mystery 3 stars audiobook

Thought this was part of previous series but it looks like the author is writing a new series and this is the first book. Very different in feel to the "Irish Village" series. It's a bit darker. I liked it and will follow up when the next book is at the library.

Book #142 Play the Fool 4 stars audiobook

Katie works at a dead end job after failing in just about everything else and has one friend. Who turns up dead. This is rock bottom for Katie and she goes headlong into solving her murder. Is it completely believable? Nope. Did I roll my eyes at some of her actions? Yup. Are there over the top parts? Yup. But did I enjoy reading this? Yup. Looks like this is the author's first novel. I'll be keeping an eye out for her next one.

Currently reading (and hoping to finish tonight)

[Bill, Moderator]

You are moving right along. I have to get back to Precious Ramotswe. Loved that series.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Lillie wrote: "Quick reviews because I managed to read/listen to 9 books since I last posted.

Book #135 & Book #143 [bookcover:The Double Comfort Safari ..."

This is a really fun series. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Lillie]

Thanks Bill & Alondra. It really is a fantastic series.

[Lillie]

Book #143 The Double Comfort Safari Club 4 stars audiobook

In this installment of the series, Rhuti Radiphuti, Mma Makutsi's fiance, faces a life changing accident while Mma Makutsi and Mma Ramotswe go to a safari camp to find the recipient of an inheritance. Just a magical series.

Book #144 The Third Gate 2.5 stars audiobook

Third book in the Jeremy Logan series. Jeremy Logan is an investigator of strange phenomena. This time he is in a newly found an Egyptian crypt. Idk, it was ok but I'm thinking that this series isn't for me.

[Lillie]

So, I know that we've passed the middle of August but I never put a wrap up for July.

July wrap up: 18 books read (16 audiobooks, 2 print)

Best Books:
Best Series: The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Worst Book:

[Lillie]

Book #145 A Mirror Mended 2.5 stars audio book

2nd in the fairytale stories series, honestly, I couldn't remember what the first one had been about until about 1/2 way through the novella and I think I read it in January. Zinnia Gray, a "former" Sleeping Beauty, slips in and out of other fairytales and rescues princess. This time she runs into a stepmother of a Snow White and, together, they fall into another story. It was ok.

Book #146 Maureen 2.5 stars audiobook

The third book in the Harold Fry series. I loved the first one, liked the second one and now we have the third one, which was just alright. Luckily, it was a novella so I didn't have to endure it for too long, lol. This time, it was about Harold's wife and her journey.

Book #147 Part of Your World 3.5 stars audiobook

Every once in a while I really enjoy reading a romance, these days I tend to like the ones with humor. Found the author on tiktok from her videos about her dogs Stuntman Mike, Tess, Magwai and Bitty Smalls. If you haven't seen them, I highly recommend it. Was happy to find her books have humor and heart.

[Lillie]

Book #148 This Side of Murder 3.5 stars audiobook

A new-to-me mystery series set in London after WWI. Verity Kent has been trying to get over the death of her husband when she's invited to weekend party on an island. She finds that most of the guests were in her husband's regiment. Then one by one, they start getting murdered. But that's not the biggest surprise.

Book #149 Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings 3 stars audiobook

It's finally time for Betsy and Smythe's wedding but, of course, there's a murder that needs solving before that happens. Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household help Inspector Gerald Witherspoon help with the investigation.

Book #150 The Infinite Miles 2 stars print

Such a fun and interesting concept, a young woman whose bff disappeared several years, finally finds out what's happened to her. This book had time travel and aliens and it should've been fun and entertaining. uUnfortunately, it was not. Oh well.

[Lillie]

Books #151 & #155 3.5 stars audiobooks

Books 2 & 3 with Verity Kent. Don't really want to say too much because it might spoil the first book. Liking this series.

Book #152 Death and Croissants 3 stars audiobook

Another new-to-me series and quite possibly the only one I read from this series because my library doesn't have the rest of it. Set in France, a British man who runs a b&b gets reluctantly involved in a possible murder. A little slapstickish, imo, but still fun.

[Lillie]

Book #153 Murder in an Irish Pub 3 stars audiobook

Siobhán O'Sullivan newly in the Garda works for her boyfriend, Macdara Flannery in a small Irish village. This time, while a poker tournament is held, the poker champion is found dead. And there are plenty of suspects.

Book #154 The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party 4 stars audiobook

Another wonderful entry in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series

Book #156 The Tenant 3.5 stars audiobook

Another new-to-me series set in Denmark with Copenhagen detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner. They're assigned to a brutal murder of a young woman whose face is carved with patterns. To further complicate things, it seems as though the murder is based on the book the young woman's landlady is writing.

[Lillie]

Book #157 Legends & Lattes 4.5 stars audiobook

What a fun book! And whoever came up with "cozy fantasy", is quite right. Viv, an ogre, moves to a new town to open up a coffee shop, something this town has never heard of. Along the way she makes connections with several people (Cal, Tandri, and Thimble) who help her in making her dreams come true. And they help her when her past catches up to her. Can't wait till the next one comes out.

Book #158 Killing MoonThe Killing Moon 5 stars print

Harry Hole! Need I say anymore? I loved falling into Harry's world again. He's still reeling from the shocking events from the previous novel, Knife. It doesn't help that he's fallen off the wagon again, gotten involved in a situation in Los Angeles and the police are still not happy with him. Pure Harry chaos.

Book #159 Yours Truly 3.5 stars audiobook

Dr. Briana was a secondary character in Part of Your World and now has her own romance. Again humor is a big part of the book even while tackling bigger issues of anxiety, infidelity and the emotions surrounding organ donation. I'll definitely be picking up her other books.

[Lillie]

Mid-August wrap up: 15 books read (13 audiobooks, 2 print)

Best Book:
2nd Best Book:
Most Disappointing Book:
Worst Book:

Books to be read:
Print Books:

Ebook:

Audiobooks:

On Hold:

[Lillie]

Book #160 Murder in an Irish Cottage 3 stars audiobook

#5 in the Irish Village mystery series. This series is on my it's good, not great mystery series. I keep coming back because it's an easy listen. Already have the next one queued up for when I need a palate cleanser.

Book #161 The Taiga Syndrome 3 stars print

I don't even know. The whole thing is so surreal. Reminded me of the feeling of reading Fever Dream a number of years ago and though I liked this better, it doesn't mean I really understood it any better. I mean I got the gist but it felt like I wasn't quite on the same frequency as the book. I liken it to when you can hear song on the radio but not very clearly.

[Lillie]

Book #162 Hard Reboot 3 stars print

Fun sci-fi novella about a junior researcher who goes to Old Earth for a fact-finding mission. Once there, she encounters giant manned robots, robot battles, criminal enterprise, and a little bit of love. A palate cleanser.

Book #163 Remarkably Bright Creatures 4.5 stars audiobook

This one was the right book at the right time. I really enjoyed it. We follow Tova, a widow and the mother of a son who disappeared decades before, who works as a cleaner in an aquarium. There she interacts with Marcellus, the octopus. We also follow Ethan, the market owner and Cameron, who has come to town to find his father. The chapters alternate between the 4 (mainly Tova, Marcellus and Cameron) and by the end of the book, I was feeling all kinds of feelings.

Book #164 How to Order the Universe 2 stars audiobook

So again, this is another book/novella that is written in a way that I just don't connect with. Someone in a review called this type of writing as "dreamscape" and, yeah, this tracks. Oh well.

[Lillie]

Book #165 Night of the Living Rez 4 stars audiobook

A series of stories that follows David's life on Maine's Native Penobscot Nation. The fact that it's not told chronologically draws you in, wants to make you stay to hear about what happened, why and how it fits. There's so much pain, loss and grief, dark at times but every once in a while humor seeps in.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Lillie wrote: "Mid-August wrap up: 15 books read (13 audiobooks, 2 print)

Best Book:
2nd Best Book:
Most Disappointing Book: [bookcover:Mau..."

Great wrap up Lillie!

I love Harry Hole, and have no expectations that he will get back on the wagon and stay. Poor Harry.

I added Legends & Lattes after so many folks in this group loved it. It looks weird, but I am game. LOL

[Lillie]

Alondra wrote: "I love Harry Hole, and have no expectations that he will get back on the wagon and stay. Poor Harry.

I added Legends & Lattes after so many folks in this group loved it. It looks weird, but I am game. LOL"

I don't what it is about Harry Hole but I love reading his adventures. Nesbø writes him so well.

Yes, read Legends & Lattes! I can't wait till the next one comes out later this year.

[Lillie]

Books read at the end of August:

Book #166 Mrs. Jeffries Speaks Her Mind 3.5 stars audiobook

Charming series but really needs to be read in order to get the full impact. I continue to enjoy the interactions between the household staff and friends.

Book #167 How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water 4 stars audiobook

Cara Romero, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, has lost her factory job and has to go to a job counselor. There she uses her job counselor as a counselor and tells her all about her life. We find out about her different relationships (with her sister, her son, her neighbors). Her stories drew me in, made me smile, laugh and even got a bit teary eyed. My first time reading this author but not the last.

Book #168 The Butterfly House 3 stars

Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner are partners in the Copenhagen police. In this outing Anette is out on maternity and not coping well so decides to investigate on her own the case of the deaths in the hospital. Same one her partner, Jeppe, is officially looking into. Good mystery.

[Lillie]

Here we are already in week of 2 of September and I'm trying to catch up on posting here. Why has life been so busy lately, lol.

August wrap-up: 24 books read

Best book: Runners up:

Quite good: Made me laugh (romances):

Most disappointing: Eh:

Worst book:

The rest were good books. Overall mostly 3 stars and above.

[Lillie]

September has started out strong with the series I've been following.

Book #169 The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection 4 stars audiobook

Book #170 The Harbor 3 stars audiobook

Book #171 Murder at an Irish Christmas 3 stars audiobook

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Lillie wrote: "I don't what it is about Harry Hole but I love reading his adventures. Nesbø writes him so well. ..."

I've always said that the Harrys' are complex characters. Harry Dresden; Harry Bosch, Harry Hole and Harry Potter. All complex, fighting inner demons and losing their way for a time. They all feel an incredible need to embrace the darkness within, but fight it.

[Alissa]

Damn Lillie you are killing it!!

[Lillie]

Alondra wrote: "I've always said that the Harrys' are complex characters. Harry Dresden; Harry Bosch, Harry Hole and Harry Potter. All complex, fighting inner demons and losing their way for a time. They all feel an incredible need to embrace the darkness within, but fight it.."

I really need to start the Dresden and Bosch series. Unfortunately, I think I'm in the minority opinion on Potter. I'm not a fan. But I did read all 7 books just to be sure, lol

[Lillie]

Alissa wrote: "Damn Lillie you are killing it!!"

Thanks Alissa :) Overall, this has been a pretty good reading year.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Lillie wrote: "Alondra wrote: "I've always said that the Harrys' are complex characters. Harry Dresden; Harry Bosch, Harry Hole and Harry Potter. All complex, fighting inner demons and losing their way for a time..."

😂😂😂

[Lillie]

Books #172 & 173 Poppy Harmon Investigates Poppy Harmon and the Hung Jury 3.5 stars audiobooks

Fun new-to-me series set in Palm Springs, CA where all the old Hollywood stars live. Poppy Harmon is a "retired" actress, known for one tv show ages ago, who is recently widowed. Upon her husband's death, she finds out that he spent all their money and she's left penniless. She has to find a new profession and decides on being a detective. I found myself doubting the start and then eventually falling for the characters. Definitely a good palate cleanser.

Book # 174 The Deep Sky 4.5 stars print

This is my kind of book. It's a mystery-science fiction. An elite group of young adults are sent off in a space ship to find new world. Shortly after waking up from hibernating for 10 years, they deal with a bomb that's been detonated by a crew member. Who is it? Why did they try to sabotage the mission? Asuka, an alternate pick, is chosen by the captain to investigate. There's AI, there are factions, and the navigating of various relationships. Along with that, in alternating chapters, we learn about Asuka's past and her relationship with her mother. Surprisingly solid read as this is a debut novel. Will be looking for author's future works.

[Lillie]

Here we are mid-October and I've totally fallen behind on updating this page. Mid September onward I've been busy with life, moving son to college, empty nesting, etc. Still haven't figured out stuff and am adjusting. Books have been on the back burner as has this page.

The last several books I read in September were:
#175 & #179 Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer Poppy Harmon and the Backstabbing Bachelor both 3 stars audiobooks
I think that's it for this series so far. It's a fun little series and I've enjoyed listening to it.

#176 The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon 4 stars audiobook
Still enjoying the interactions of the various characters of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. If you haven't picked them up, I highly recommend them

#177 The Diamond Eye 3.5 stars audiobook

Over the years I've read so many WWII novels that I became oversaturated with them so I tend to shy away from most novels set in that time period. This one was a book club selection so I did read it. And I'm glad I did. Came from a totally different perspective than I'm used to reading, a Russian one, a woman assassin at that. Would recommend.

#178 Murder in Mesopotamia 4 stars audiobook

Have read the book and seen the movie before and this was still very good. Agatha Christie is an author I love to revisit and I enjoy her stories in different formats. Comfort reads for sure.

#180 Lost in the Moment and Found 4 stars audiobook

The next installment of Wayward Children, #8, I really enjoyed this lighter story, at least after the reason she runs away. The author does give a trigger warning, read her warning. The last few novellas in the series, though good, were so dark. I needed a bit of light and this worked.

[Lillie]

Wrap Up of September: 12 books read (11 audiobooks, 1 print)

Best Book:
2nd Best Book:

Didn't have any bad books. Pretty solid month. Lowest rating were some 3*s.

[Lillie]

Book #181 The Lies of the Ajungo 3.5 stars print

A young male teen starts off a journey to find water for his mother and for the rest of his city. What he finds out there is a conspiracy of sorts. A short novella that looks to be the beginning of a series. I'd love to see where this is headed.

Book #182 The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café 3.5 stars audiobook

First time in the long series that I found it lacking slightly. I would've loved less Mma Makutsi and more Mma Ramotswe.

Book #183 The Last Devil to Die 4 stars audiobook

Next installment of the Thursday Murder Club. I did have to suspend some belief as I listened to it but then I decided I didn't care and wasn't going to be nitpicky and just enjoy it. There's definitely some sadness in this one so be prepared but I guess it couldn't have gone any other way.

Book #184 Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead 3 stars audiobook

#28 in the series and you do have to suspend belief in this series as well. Can't believe that the Inspector hasn't caught on yet. But, ignoring that, I do enjoy the way the characters work together to solve the various mysteries.

[Lillie]

Book #185 Double Sin and Other Stories 3 stars audiobook

Short stories, sometimes too short by Agatha Christie. Some feature Miss Marple, others feature Poirot. I liked them alright. Honestly, they were the right size to consume at this moment in time.

Book #186 Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains 4.5 stars print

Fantastic! Who knew that I would find a book about animals we deem pests to be so fascinating. Thought the author did a great job threading the commonality throughout the book, humans and our actions/reactions. Though a completely different topic, it reminded me of in the way the book was presented. Loved that book too.

Book #187 Murder and Mamon 3.5 stars audiobook

Fun entry to the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series. I like the dynamic of the various characters. The mystery was alright as well :)

Book #188 The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie 3 stars print

This book took me forever because I'm not a non-fiction reader. But it was interesting because I do enjoy the murder mystery genre and the Agatha Christie tie in to the book. Would I recommend this? If you're interested in forensic science, definitely.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

#188!?? Great job, Lillie!!!

[Michelle]

I'm on hold for Thursday Murder #4. Glad to see you liked it. Congrats on a great month.

[Lillie]

Alondra wrote: "#188!?? Great job, Lillie!!!"

Thanks Alondra! Audiobooks have been a game changer for sure

[Lillie]

Michelle wrote: "I'm on hold for Thursday Murder #4. Glad to see you liked it. Congrats on a great month."

Oh, I hope you like the new one. I'm not a critical reviewer at all, it's all emotionally based. Do I like a story, a plot line? Am I annoyed by those things or the characters? Idk, I figure I'm a reader for the pure enjoyment (or for nonfiction, it's about what knowledge I pick up) and this series is enjoyable for me.

[Michelle]

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'm on hold for Thursday Murder #4. Glad to see you liked it. Congrats on a great month."

Oh, I hope you like the new one. I'm not a critical reviewer at all, it's all emotionally..."

I feel sure I will like it Lillie. I have enjoyed the rest of the series. They are so much fun. I guess I'm an emotional reader too!

[Lillie]

End of October (super late): Ended up reading a total of 12 books (8 audio and 4 print)

I haven't been very good at updating for either October or November at all. End of Oct we adopted a new rescue and she's been keeping us on our toes. She's a little terrier mutt, a little over a year, was a street dog & us super energetic. So lots of training is going to have to take place (both the dog and us!). We had our other babies for about a decade each and by the end there wasn't a lot of walking going on.

On to the update for Oct: Books #181-188 were reviewed previously.

Book #189 A Pretty Deceit 3.5 stars print

The fourth in the Verity Kent series that I started in audiobook format. Verity is a former spy (view spoiler)[ and a former widow whose husband comes back from the "dead" (hide spoiler)] who investigates murders on the one hand and is involved in trying to uncover, what she believes, is a traitorous scheme. Have the next one queued up to go.

Book #190 Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe 3.5 stars audiobook

I liked it, the author took us on a ride around our solar system via an imaginary spaceship. Science dumbed down for me :) If you like thinking/reading about the stars and planets, I'd recommend this. I will have to listen to it again or maybe borrow the physical book to get a bit more out of it.

Book #191 & 192 Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Strawberry Shortcake Murder 3 stars audiobooks

A new to me cozy mystery series set in a small town bakery in Minnesoty. Hannah Swensen seems to stubble on dead bodies and investigates each one with the help of her family and friends. Lots of recipes included. Overall it's pretty ok save for some dated viewpoints (misogynistic) and a precocious 4/5 year old niece. Did some eye rolling for both of those things.

Best book of October: I liked it so much, I'm getting a copy of it for my son. He's interested in ecology and this one really gets into how these animals have affected the area they're in.

Worst book? If I had to choose, it'd be and that's probably because of my own expectations. I want sciencee but not too sciencee, lol

[Lillie]

Mid November update: 14 books read (11 audiobooks/3 print)

Love audiobooks, especially now that I'm taking multiple walks per week.

Mystery series #1
Books #195, 196, 204 the Hannah Swensen mysteries (all 3 stars & audiobooks)
Blueberry Muffin Murder Lemon Meringue Pie Murder Fudge Cupcake Murder

Mystery series #2
Books # 199, 201
Brownies and Broomsticks Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti

Another bakery cozy series but this time set in Savannah, Georgia and it involves a coven of witches.

Book #207 Murder at the Book Club 3 stars audiobook

Love the premise of this book but there one too many characters to keep track of and it couldn't make up it's mind whether it was a cozy or a police procedural. It wasn't a bad mystery. I'll probably read the next one. Read for rl book club.

Continuing series

Book #197 The Raging Storm 4.5 stars print

I love Ann Cleeves mysteries. This is third in the Two Rivers series with Det Insp Matthew Venn. A celebrity from a little town is found murdered and Matthew and his officers are sent to go and investigate it. Ms. Cleeves knows how to write characters so well.

Book #198 Some of Us Are Looking 3.5 stars audiobook

Second in the County Kerry mystery series, this again involves Guarda Chris Henderson and Dr. Dimpna Wilde who's come home to run her dad's vet clinic after he's had to retire because of dementia. Enjoyed the mystery, the negative is the strained relationship between Dimpna and her grown son. I hope their issue is resolved quickly otherwise I may stop reading this series.

Book #205 The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine 4 stars audiobook

I have no idea what I'll move onto after this series No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency has been such a solid series. I've really enjoyed all the characters and watching them grow. This #16 of 24 books, so still a little bit of time.

Book #206 Mrs. Jeffries and the Mistletoe Mix-Up 3.5 stars audiobook

Another long time mystery series that I've been reading mostly for the characters and their interactions. It's like a fuzzy old pair of slippers, kind of like Midsomer Murders, you know what you're getting and that's just fine.

Book #208 A Second Chance 3.5 stars print

The third in the Chronicles of St Mary's time travel series. What a roller coaster of likes and dislikes. Throughly enjoyed our foray into Troy, disliked the Leon relationship aspect. Wasn't sure I'd be back for book 4 until the neat little twist at the end and now I need to know where it's going. I wonder if I would've liked it more if I had read them back to back. So, do I wait till next year to read the next one or just jump into it now and ignore my reading list? Decisions, decisions

[Lillie]

Pt 2

Book #200 An American Sunrise 3.5 stars audiobook

I picked 4 poetry books to read this year and this was the third one finished. I listened to the audiobook because the author narrated it. I don't know much about poetry except what I was taught at school decades ago, I expected more rhythm. What we got was little snippets of history, which was wonderful. I wonder what I would've seen if I'd read the print version.

Book #202 Where Hope Comes From: Poems of Resilience, Healing and Light 4 stars audiobook

Last of my poetry picks for the year. And I'm glad I ended on this one. Again, it didn't match what I thought poetry was (is "supposed to be" in my mind) but I enjoyed the topic. It's one of the only books I've read that talked about the pandemic.

Book #203 The Island of Missing Trees 4 stars print

3 storylines interwoven together and the most interesting one was from the fig tree's perspective. One storyline is of Kostas and Defne, a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, 2 young teens who fall in love despite coming from different sides of the conflict on the island of Cyprus. The second is from their daughter's perspective in present day England. Very moving story throughout.

Wrap up of mid-Nov:
Best book:
Runner up:
Again, I don't have a worst book so far this month.

As far as my challenge goes for 2023, I have 7 books left to read. That should give me enough time to comb through my lists to set up a challenge for next year. Debating restructuring overall challenge. We'll see, lol

[Lillie]

November wrap up: 22 books read (17 audiobook/5 print) for a total of 216 to date

Best book:
Runner up:
3rd best:
Most disappointing:

Continued my mystery book listening with:
Books #209 & 211 3 stars audiobooks

I like this series especially since I can listen to them without paying attention too closely regarding the mysteries. It's good walking material.

Books #210 & 212 3.5* audiobooks

Better mysteries and added in are things left over from WWII for both Verity Kent and her husband. I do have to pay closer attention with this series but I love how there's a primary mystery and then a continuing mystery that carries on throughout the series.

Last mystery: Book #213 3* audiobook

First in a new series of a 52 year old widowed lady in 1850 London who investigates various things for society. I liked it. Will be reading the next one.

Book #214 3.5* print

Reminded me a little bit of Elizabeth Acevado in the almost musicality of the writing. A little harder to get used to, and maybe this would've resolved if I had listened to it, the first person plural (we, our). It was a chorus of voices sharing their experiences with us. Will definitely look for the author's future work.

Book #215 2.5 stars print

I wish I had loved this as many others have. Was so looking forward to it, heard a lot about it but wanted to wait a couple of years before diving into it. The most disappointing part of the story was the world building. I felt like I was in a fog most of the time. I understand that the story is through the eyes of Klara, a new being in the world but I suppose I need it laid out for me. Oh, well.

Book #216 4.5 stars audiobook

Last book of November and woohoo! Took a bit of a break after the last read and was kind of eh about starting this one. Honestly, I read The City of Brass when it first came out and I was underwhelmed but thought I'd try it as an audiobook. Perfect format. Overall this was a fun, fun book. We have pirates, a kidnapped rich girl, LGBTQ representation, magical beings, all set in the Middle East. My only wish is that I wish I'd waited till all the books came out before I started, lol.