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2024 Independent Challenge
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Pat's 2024 Independent Challenge
Mid-July: 9 books finished so far this month.1) Don't Look Now . A collection of short stories by the author of Rebecca. All the stories have a creepy element with an unexpected ending. 4 stars
2) Bring Up the Bodies (Thomas Cromwell #2). Winner of the Booker Prize in 2012 along with nominations for many other prizes, Mantel’s second book about Cromwell continues the story of Cromwell’s dealings with Henry VIII. After fighting to get rid of his first wife to marry Anne Boleyn, Henry is tired of her (and she has not managed to produce him a son), so now Cromwell must use his talents to prove accusations against Anne. Mantel’s writing can be difficult yet once I got into its flow, I found it captivating. 4 stars
3) Poster Girls Historical fiction based on the Shell Assembly Plant which was built in Charlotte, NC during WWII. Maggie Slone has moved to Charlotte from Boston to be near her husband’s family while he is at war. Not wanting to totally depend on her in-laws, she gets a job at the plant though she does need her mother-in-law to help take care of her young twin daughters. Dropping off some books at the library, Maggie meets Kora Bell, whose husband is also in the war. Though Maggie is white and Kora, black, through their shared love of books, they become unlikely friends during the days of Jim Crow. Some interesting history about Charlotte that I was unaware of though I’ve lived her for over 30 years. Ritchie does a good job of showing the trials women went through during the war and what they did for themselves and their families as well as illustrating the racial tensions and misunderstandings that inevitably existed between neighbors and co-workers. 4 stars
4) West With GiraffesIn 1938, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, a victim of the Dust Bowl, is just trying to survive. He is staying with a cousin on the east coast when a hurricane hits, and Woody is homeless again. When his path crosses with two giraffes (who also survived the hurricane), he knows he wants to follow them. Based on the true story of the first giraffes to arrive at the San Diego Zoo, the story follows Woody and the giraffes as they cross the U.S. in an effort to keep the giraffes safe and healthy. I found this interesting because giraffes! But, it was mostly just okay for me. I never warmed up to the Woody’s character and not sure I was supposed to. 3 stars
5) Same Time Next Summer Sam and her doctor fiancé, Jack, have come to her family’s beach house on Long Island. Sam is anxious to show this side of her family to Jack; their laid-back side. Jack doesn’t do laid-back, so is not as impressed as Sam would like. However, he’s willing to check out a wedding venue there since it means so much to Sam. Sam’s plans for a relaxing few days at her childhood beach are quickly ruined when she finds out Wyatt, the boy who broke her heart when she was 17, is also in town. Can Sam lay things to rest with Wyatt? On top of that, Sam might be getting fired from her job in Manhattan. And she can’t decide if that’s a bad thing or not. My second book by Monaghan and I really enjoyed them both. 4 stars
6) The Night Hawks (Ruth Galloway #14) The Ruth Galloway series is one I have enjoyed through these 14 books. Relationship dynamics are a bit strange, and I probably wouldn’t be friends with any of these characters but I enjoy reading about them and the murders they solve. Ruth is a forensic archaeologist who is often consulted by Nelson, a chief inspector, and usually finds herself in danger in some way or other. In this one, Ruth is called in when a group of metal detectorists looking for treasure find a body along with a hoard of what could be Bronze Age weapons. The body is not ancient, however, and when an apparent murder/suicide happens at a nearby farm, there doesn’t seem to be a connection; at first. 4 stars
7) Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food A group of essays centering around Hood’s life with food. Each comes with at least one recipe. Hood was raised in an Italian American family where her grandmother and mother were constantly cooking and keeping the family well-fed. Though she forged her own path, she never quite forgot her roots. No matter what life threw her, she always had cooking and sharing food to get through life’s toughest times. 4 stars
8) The Hearts of Horses Martha Lessen leaves her home to look for work “gentling” or taming horses. That she’s a girl in 1917, riding off alone and doing a job not many men could do, puts her in a unique category. But, it’s wartime and many young men have had to leave their homes, so women are often doing work they haven’t always been allowed to do. A rancher, George Bliss, decides to take a chance on Martha and when she proves her worth, he offers to tell other ranchers about her. So, Martha with her love and talent for horses, is kept busy that winter and slowly becomes a part of this new community. 3 stars
9) The Library Book On April 29, 1986, a fire started in the Los Angeles Public Library. The fire reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was over, 400,000 books were gone and 700,000 were damaged. Though investigators spent much time and energy trying to discover the cause, over thirty years later, it is still unknown who or what started the fire. Besides covering the fire itself, Orlean tells of the history of this particular library, her own love of libraries, and some of the colorful characters that made up the Los Angeles Public Library. 4 stars
I also read about half of Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder. Really wanted to like this but have given it up for now. Be interested to hear if anyone else has read this.
Hope you are all reading where it's cool!
I liked Bring up the Bodies better than Wolf Hall. I'm not sure why. Maybe I got used to the writing style? I love the Los Angeles Public Library, but I don't remember the fire. I thought The Library Book was very interesting. 9 books? You're doing great!!
Lea wrote: "I liked Bring up the Bodies better than Wolf Hall. I'm not sure why. Maybe I got used to the writing style? I love the Los Angeles Public Library, but I don't remember the fire. I thought The Libra..."I think I liked them both this second time through. I haven't read The Mirror & the Light yet. Just getting it started.
I'm sure reading about the history of a library you're familiar with made it even more interesting.
Happy Reading!
Patricia wrote: "West With GiraffesIn 1938, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, a victim of the Dust Bowl, is just trying to survive. He is staying with a cousin on the east coast when a hurricane hits, and Woody is homeless again. When his path crosses with two giraffes (who also survived the hurricane), he knows he wants to follow them. Based on the true story of the first giraffes to arrive at the San Diego Zoo, the story follows Woody and the giraffes as they cross the U.S. in an effort to keep the giraffes safe and healthy. I found this interesting because giraffes! But, it was mostly just okay for me. I never warmed up to the Woody’s character and not sure I was supposed to. 3 stars"This one is on my TBR, because...giraffes, of course. A lot of my GR friends had similar comments about it, so I'll wait for a time when I'll be ok with an ok book. For now, I need a really, really good one ;-)
Ioana wrote: "Patricia wrote: "West With GiraffesIn 1938, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, a victim of the Dust Bowl, is just trying to survive. He is staying with a cousin on the east coast when a hurricane hits, and Woo..."There were some people in a historical fiction group that just really loved it, but it was definitely harder for me. (I actually feel that way a lot in that group. What they like I usually don't and vice-versa).
You know those good ones are out there!
Mod
1) Don't Look Now . A collection of short stories by the author of Rebecca. All the stories have a creepy element with a..."
Great update Patricia. I have both, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies physical copies, on my shelf. I need to read them. I really love HF, even though I read a lot of horror and fantasy.
Kudos on all of your progress
Finished 6 more books this month (I may finish another tonight, but wanted to go ahead and post), bringing my total to 15 for the month.10) My Life in France In the later years of her life, Julia Child shared her early life in France with her husband, Paul’s, nephew, giving us a close-up look of the woman who brought French cooking to America as well as being a forerunner of the now popular cooking shows. Child first came to France in 1948 with her husband, Paul, a diplomat for the U.S. Paul Child had lived in France and could speak French, but Julia could neither speak French nor knew anything about the country or culture. With her boundless enthusiasm, Julia began to get to know her new country by going to the marketplace and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu. The rest as they say, is history. I enjoyed hearing about Julia’s experiences in her own words as well as letters from family and friends. 4 stars
11) James (audio) A re-telling of Mark Twain’ s Huckleberry Finn, this is the story of the slave, Jim, who decides to run when he hears he is to be sold. The young Huck Finn decides to fake his death to escape his abusive father. Not knowing the other is running, they find each other on Jackson Island, and their flight from danger begins. Everett follows Twain’s story in many ways, but in this one, we see the intelligence of Jim and what he does to hide that from white men. A couple of other twists occur, making this a great one for book clubs. 4 stars
12) The Cartographers Nell Young has always been fascinated with cartography and wants to do nothing else. Not so surprising since her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a well-known cartographer with a highly esteemed position with the New York Public Library. But, some years ago, Dr. Young fired his daughter from her job at the NYPL and made sure she would never work again in the field. Nell never learned why her father became so enraged over her finding of a cheap gas station highway map. And now, Dr. Young has been found dead in his office. When Nell finds the supposedly worthless map hidden in his desk, she has to investigate. What she finds leads her into danger and into a strange world where maps have secrets. I greatly enjoyed this fantasy where different worlds and secrets collide. 5 stars
13) Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #1) Lila moves back home after a terrible break-up to help save her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant. She briefly takes back up with a high school boyfriend, but his job as a food critic (heavy on the critic) causes problems for her aunt’s restaurant as well as almost every other restaurant in town. When he dies after eating at their restaurant, both Lila and her aunt are quickly under suspicion of murder. When the police treat her as the only suspect, Lila begins to do her own investigating. 4 stars
14) Clara Reads Proust ). Clara is a hairdresser at Cindy Coiffure. Her job is okay for now, but she wonders if she couldn’t be doing more. When a customer leaves behind the first volume of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, Clara puts it away but when the customer never returns, she ends up picking it up and reading it. Clara becomes engrossed in a new world and suddenly cannot stop reading. How the book (and subsequent volumes) changes her life makes for a charming read. This is the only book by Carlier translated into English. I hope more of his books will be translated soon. 4 stars
15) What You Wish For (audio) Katherine Center is becoming one of my go-to authors when I want an entertaining romance, yet they are not shallow or fluffy. Just characters going through stuff and eventually finding love. In this one, Sam is a school librarian who is happy with her job. When the school announces the name of the new principal, Sam is not sure if she should be excited or dismayed. Duncan Carpenter is a name from her past, a fellow teacher from another school, an unrequited crush. But when Duncan shows up and begins immediately to establish new and more rigid rules, she wonders if her memory is faulty because this is not the fun and unpredictable Duncan she remembers.
I always want to read the books you've read, after listening to the way you describe them. Especially James. And The Cartographers. And What You Wish For. And basically the others too. :-) :-) :-)
Rosie's Kitchen series is directly responsible for my trying, and loving, Ube everything. :D
Mod
Great month! I read My Life in France many years ago, and liked it a lot. Such a smart and fun woman, I love Julia Child.James is on my TBR, and I wonder if I should re-read Huckleberry Finn first. I've read that as a child, so I really don't remember much. What do you think?
Lea wrote: "I always want to read the books you've read, after listening to the way you describe them. Especially James. And The Cartographers. And What You Wish For. And basically the others too. :-) :-) :-)"Guess I'm doing a pretty good job of describing! Hope you get to at least some of them!
Linette wrote: "Rosie's Kitchen series is directly responsible for my trying, and loving, Ube everything. :D"I have not tried that (or heard of it before). I guess I need to give it a go. Have you read the whole series?
Bill wrote: "The Julia Childs book sounds interesting. They are all new to me."It was interesting, Bill. My husband & I have been watching "Julia" on Max, which seems to mostly based on the book.
Ioana wrote: "Great month! I read My Life in France many years ago, and liked it a lot. Such a smart and fun woman, I love Julia Child.James is on my TBR, and I wonder if I should re-read Huckleberry Finn first..."
I didn't & it's been quite awhile since I read it. So, not necessary, but it could be fun if you like making comparisons.
Mod
10) My Life in France In the later years of her ..."
Great update, as always, Patricia.
The Cartographers looks interesting. I may need to check that out. 👀👀
Alondra wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Finished 6 more books this month (I may finish another tonight, but wanted to go ahead and post), bringing my total to 15 for the month.10) My Life in France In the la..."
Hope you enjoy! Her new book looks good too.
Mid-August update: Finished seven books this month (including a couple of long ones!)1) Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey #12) From a mystery series written back in the 1930’s, Harriet Vane, a graduate of Shrewsbury College, Oxford and now a popular mystery writer, is going back to attend the annual Gaudy celebration after ten years. While there, Harriet receives a poison pen letter, but goes back home thinking little of it. When other malicious and vandalous acts occur, Harriet is asked to come back to help them find out who is behind them, wanting to avoid calling in the police. Though Harriet agrees, she feels in over her head and eventually asks her friend, Lord Peter Wimsey for help. This mystery is told through many philosophical conversations and engaging wit. Several in my book club it found too long and wordy, but others (including myself) enjoyed the entertaining dialogue and the chance to improve our vocabulary. 4 stars
2) The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration (audio—Robin Miles). From 1915-1970, an exodus of almost six million black people left the South for a better life in the northern and western parts of the U.S. Wilkerson chose three very different people from different decades to illustrate the whys and hows of this migration. Ida Mae Gladney left sharecropping in Mississippi in 1937 and moved to Chicago. George Starling left Florida in 1945 for Harlem. A medical doctor, Robert Foster, left Louisiana in 1953 for California. Their struggles and successes and the changes these moves brought for their families has been well documented by Wilkerson with personal interviews and research. I listened to this on audio and though it got a bit long, I enjoyed it overall. Very interesting look at an important part of U.S. history. 4 stars
3) Finding Margaret Fuller In 1836, Margaret Fuller was invited by Ralph Waldo Emerson to come to his home and meet his friends who will become known as the Transcendentalists. Fuller becomes close friends with Emerson as well as Thoreau, and eventually Nathaniel Hawthorne. She also meets the Alcott family and enjoys the company of their three young daughters including Louisa May. Fuller forges her own path through her writings and begins to host a women-only literary salon. Horace Greeley hires her to write for his newspaper, and soon sends her to Europe where she becomes the first female foreign correspondent. She also falls in love with Italy and a particular Italian noble. A fascinating, though tragic, tale of a woman who made history in many ways yet is rarely heard of today. 4 stars
4) The Redemption of Galen Pike I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked up this book of short stories, and I think that’s a good way to go. A great mix of stories with unexpected and entertaining endings by a Welsh writer. 4 stars
5) These Silent Woods For eight years, Cooper has been living with his daughter, Finch, in total isolation in a cabin in the Appalachian woods. They do have one neighbor who knows Cooper’s secret, so do Cooper doesn’t trust him and doesn’t appreciate the way Scotland keeps an obvious eye on the two of them. Finch adores him, but since she knows only Scotland, Cooper, and the owner of the cabin, Jake, Finch’s approval doesn’t impress Cooper. Jake comes every year to bring them supplies, but one year he doesn’t show up. Cooper has some decisions to make. He knows he can’t stay there forever or keep Finch from the real world much longer. Though I was exasperated with Cooper and his decisions at times, overall, I enjoyed this one, especially the ending. 5 stars
6) The Summer Wives Told in three timelines, Miranda Schuyler returns to Winthrop island in 1969, now a famous actress in hiding. She first arrived on the island in 1951 where her mother was preparing to marry Hugh Fisher, a prominent member of the island society. Miranda and her new stepsister, Isobel, enjoy all that society has to offer, but Miranda is also drawn to a member of the working class, a lobsterman, Joseph. Isobel also has a secret relationship with Joseph and seems very protective of him. The third timeline involves Hugh Fisher and another member of the Portuguese working class when Hugh was still a young man. I found the characters and the mystery engaging and, overall, enjoyed the book. However, I had questions about the ending which brought the book down to 3 stars for me.
7) The Missing American (Emma Djan Investigation #1). (goodreads win) Gordon Tilson spent a few years in Ghana when he was younger; met a woman there and married her. After a happy marriage, his wife dies and now Gordon is looking for comfort in an online community. He meets and becomes attracted to a Ghanaian widow. When his son, Derek, discovers his father has sent money to this widow, he is alarmed, but Gordon is smitten and refuses to heed his son’s warnings. In fact, he goes to Ghana to meet this woman. Meanwhile Emma Djan is working through the police ranks with dreams of becoming a detective. When her plans are derailed, she finds another job with a detective agency. When Gordon goes missing, and his son comes to look for him, Emma and her boss have their work cut out for them investigating corruption at Ghana’s highest levels. 4 stars
Mod
Bill wrote: "I plan to catch up on my Dorothy Sayers before the end of the year. I've yet to try my Kwei Quartey books. You're having a great month so far."Hope you get to them, Bill. I'll look forward to your reviews!
Finished 5 more books in August giving me a total of 12 for the month.8) The Ink Black Heart (Cormoran Strike #6) Edie Ledwell, the co-creator of a popular online game, The Ink Black Heart, is being bullied online by a figure going by the name Anomie. She comes to private detective Robin Ellacott for help, but Robin decides the agency just doesn’t have the time to deal with this. A few days later, Robin reads of Edie’s murder and knows she and her partner, Cormoran Strike have to find out the identity of Anomie and solve this murder. The many characters and the online chats caused me some confusion, but the personalities of Robin and Strike continued to entertain and helped to keep my interest in this behemoth of a book. 4 stars
9) I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons Dragon catcher/exterminator Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax (please just call him Robert) has inherited the job from his father but his dream is to become a prince’s valet. He’s actually rather fond of some dragons. When he is called in to clean up the very infested castle of the king (whose daughter is desperate to impress a prince), the job leads to him meeting the prince’s valet. The valet needs a favor; a big favor concerning a dragon. Can Robert use this to his advantage? I loved these characters, and the way they came together to face their challenges. 5 stars
10) Vacationland A family drama set in Maine during the summer. Louisa comes to her parents’ home in Maine with her three children (who are just the best characters!) needing to finish her book and full of resentment over her husband’s seeming lack of commitment. Her father, a well-respected judge, is now suffering with Alzheimer's, and her mother is trying to keep everything together. Kristie has also come to Maine following the death of her mother, trying to find answers concerning her past. Most family dramas seem to involve adult children, which is fine, but I greatly enjoyed hearing the voices of these three: Matty (age 12), Abigail (10), and Claire (7). Their wisdom, perspective, and charm added depth to the book and made even the darkest moments lighter. 5 stars
11) The Woman in the Library Okay, this was different. Four people are quietly studying at the Boston Public Library when a woman’s scream breaks the silence. The four end up talking to each other and become a strange group of friends. When (eventually) a woman’s murdered body is found under a table, they begin to do their own investigating to try and find out what happened that day. Could one of them be the murderer? Was it just a coincidence that they were all there that day? A story within a story as at the end of each chapter, a letter is written to whoever is writing this story, giving advice and making comments on the story. 4 stars
12) The Golden Tresses of the Dead The tenth book in the Flavia de Luce series. If you haven’t met Flavia before, I suggest you go back and read the whole series. You won’t be disappointed. This one opens at the wedding of Flavia’s sister, Ophelia. A beautiful wedding in a small English town in the 1950’s. Beautiful until Ophelia cuts into her wedding cake and screams. Not being your average 12-year old, Flavia is intrigued rather than alarmed and quickly takes charge of the situation. With the help of Dogger, estate gardener and expert in many things, Flavia begins an investigation which, of course, will eventually include murder. 4 stars
Now, for some fall reading!
Patricia!! I've been waiting forever for a new Flavia de Luce book and, thanks to you, I looked it up and the newest one comes out tomorrow. I'm so excited!Anyway, back to you, lol, looks like it was a great reading month. I keep going back and forth on reading The Ink Black Heart because of its size, over a thousand pages, and some other issues. But you may have convinced me though I may need to wait till my reading slump is in the rear view mirror.
I also enjoyed The Woman in the Library. Thought the author did a great job.
Happy reading in September
Lillie wrote: "Patricia!! I've been waiting forever for a new Flavia de Luce book and, thanks to you, I looked it up and the newest one comes out tomorrow. I'm so excited!Anyway, back to you, lol, looks like it..."
You know I had heard that the tenth book was to be the last Flavia book, so pleasantly surprised to hear about the new one.
I did read Ink Black Heart over several weeks. Have it as an ebook and just read a few chapters here & there. I think already being familiar with the main characters helps with that.
My first book by Sulari Gentill--I will definitely be looking into some of her others.
Happy Reading!
Mod
8) The Ink Black Heart (Cormoran Strike #6) Edie Ledwell, the co-creator of a popular online game, The Ink Bla..."
Great update, Patricia.
I'm am way behind on the Cormoran Strike series; but what else is new?
The Woman in the Library sounds fun, I might just add it; because what is one more book??
Edit: I already added it!!! 😂😂🥴
Alondra wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Finished 5 more books in August giving me a total of 12 for the month.8) The Ink Black Heart (Cormoran Strike #6) Edie Ledwell, the co-creator of a popular online ..."
Ha! Hope you enjoy it, Alondra. It is different!
Mid-September update: I've read 6 books so far this month.1) Slow Horses I began watching the series this book is based on and decided I needed to go back and read the book. A lot is going on in this book, so I’m glad I did. Slough House, based in London, is where MI5 spies are sent when they have somehow disgraced themselves. They are looked down as the lowest of the low, and they will do anything to get back their jobs and reputations. River Cartwright is one such person. Not only does he believe he was set up to fail, but his grandfather was a highly respected member of MI5, and some believe that’s the only reason he wasn’t totally kicked out. When a young man is kidnapped off the streets, his abductors use a live broadcast to announce that he will be beheaded. Who is behind this and if they can be found in time turns into a job for not only MI5, but also the Slow Horses. Though, of course, none of them can trust the other. 4 stars
2) The Overnight Guest A great book if you like to read of family massacres, children being traumatized, and psychopaths. Not my cup of tea. However, several in my book club enjoyed its fast pace. 2 stars
3) The Five-Star Weekend (audio—Erin Bennett). Hollis Shaw’s seemingly perfect life comes crashing down when her husband is killed in a car crash. Trying to find a way to heal, she hears of what woman called a “Five-Star Weekend”. She invited friends from different phases of her life for a special weekend together. So, Hollis decides to invite her friend from childhood, one from her twenties, her thirties, and one more recent for a weekend together at her house in Nantucket. The friends come together and do have a special time, but not exactly as Hollis had envisioned. I listened to this on audio which I can highly recommend. 4 stars
4) Lady Tan’s Circle of Women Historical novel inspired by the story of a woman physician in 15th century China. Though women of elite families were mostly kept inside and hidden away, Tan Yunxian’s grandparents see the value of having women being able to help other women. Tan’s grandmother is one of the few female doctors in China and she is determined to teach Tan what she knows and for her to go to even greater learning and usage. When Tan is married and sent to live with her husband’s family, she soon learns that her mother-in-law (she who must be obeyed) does not share her grandmother’s views. But, in a household full of females (mostly concubines), Tan’s knowledge and experience quickly prove useful. Though some of this reading (foot-binding in particular) is difficult, overall, I found the story fascinating and enjoyed learning of a time and place I know little about.
5) Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly Fired from her New York publishing job, recently divorced, and with little left of her dreams, Esme returns to her home in Asheville where her grandfather, George, and her estranged mother, Robyn, are struggling to keep their lakeside resort from going under. Her grandfather has hired a chef, Dawes, who had been traveling around in a camper. He is a good chef, but can he be trusted? Esme agrees to help her mother try and bring the resort back to life, but she will continue to look for a job that will get her back to New York City. The relationships, both messy and otherwise, are what makes this book for me. I enjoyed the North Carolina setting as well as the cooking and quilting aspects. 4 stars
6) Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant I read this book some years ago though I don’t remember my thoughts on it then. Anne Tyler is a writer I often enjoy though her characters and settings can seem a bit bleak as is the case here. When Pearl’s salesman husband doesn’t come home from one of his trips, Pearl tries to carry on raising her three children as if he will return any day. As in most families, the three children are very different—trouble-making Cody, star student Jenny, and easy-going and anxious to please Ezra. Good writing but don’t expect to feel good about this family. 3.5 stars
Mod
1) Slow Horses I began watching the series this book is based on and decided I needed to go back and read the book. A lot ..."
I watched the first episode of Slow Horses... The book sounds very interesting.
Bill wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Mid-September update: I've read 6 books so far this month.1) Slow Horses I began watching the series this book is based on and decided I needed to go back and read..."
If you need another series to start, I think this is a good one. :)
I've been enjoying the nice weather we're having and not spending much time at my computer, but I did finish 5 more books in September. 7) The Most Fun We Ever Had Family drama in which four adult daughters--whose parents seem to have the perfect marriage—bring love, hate, jealousy, comedy, and drama to the table. The story goes back and forth in time from when Marilyn and David fell madly in love to the present day when an unexpected member of the family shows up--bringing tension, love, and forgiveness. The four daughters have different personalities and different goals, but their ties are strong. I loved the story itself as well as the way the family dynamics played out. 5 stars
8) Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere In a series of essays, Guthrie shares her personal story of experiencing God’s love in simple and practical ways. 4 stars
9) Clear Based on the Scottish Clearances of the 1840’s—where whole communities were driven off their land for their landowners to raise sheep (more profitable)—John, a minister desperate for money, is sent to evict the last occupant of an island north of Scotland. Of course, nothing goes according to plan. A quiet story of compassion among strangers. 3 stars
10) Lonesome Dove I’ve been reading this Pulitzer winner (fiction in 1986), since January as a slow read with an online group. McMurty is an awesome writer who knows how to create memorable characters. Former Texas Rangers, now running a ranch where they break and sell horses, decide to make a cattle drive to Montana where the grass is green and land abundant. At times hilarious and others heart-breaking, these wannabe cowboys are ones you will cheer for through all 858 pages. 5 stars
11) A Quiet Life Three people who are all dealing with personal tragedies, come together in unexpected ways. Chuck has recently lost his wife and is trying to decide if he should go to Hilton Head for the winter where he and his wife had been going for several years. Ella is delivering newspapers and working in a bridal shop trying to make ends meet as she anxiously waits to hear news of her missing five-year old daughter, taken by her ex-husband. Kirsten has delayed her dreams of being a veterinarian and is working at an animal shelter after the sudden death of her father. Though this is obviously a sad book in many ways, it is the way friends and strangers come together to give hope that make this a wonderful book. 4 stars
A little past the halfway point of October and I've finished 7 books.1) The Nature of Disappearing My second book by Grant, and I hope she writes another soon. Emelyn works as a fishing and hunting guide in Idaho. When she receives a call that is cut off from her best friend from her past, Janessa, she thinks little of it, as they haven’t spoken in years. Then her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, shows up claiming Janessa is missing and only she can help him find him. Though Emelyn knows she shouldn’t trust Tyler after what he did to her, she is worried about Janessa and knows no one is a better tracker than she is. So, against her better judgment, she goes off with Tyler into the Idaho wilderness. 4.5 stars
2) Zero Days For the most part, I have enjoyed Ware’s books. This one is a bit different, more of a suspense rather than her usual “lock-door” type. Jack and her husband, Gabe are penetration specialists. (If you’re unfamiliar with this, you’ll learn as I did as you read the book). One night, an assignment goes wrong, and Jack finds herself answering questions at a police station. When she finally gets home, Gabe has been horribly murdered. When Jack finds herself a suspect, she goes on the run, determined to find out who killed Gabe and why. 4 stars
3) Exiles . (Aaron Falk #3) Another mystery and by another of my favorite writers, Australian Jane Harper. During a busy festival, a baby is found alone in her pram. Her mother, Kim, is never found. A year later, Kim’s family and friends are gathering to celebrate the naming of godparents for another baby. Aaron Falk has been asked to be the godfather, so he’s come from his home to be part of the celebration. Falk had been visiting the wine country the year before and knew all about the missing Kim. But, now, as he spends more time with the family and their friends, he wonders why she was never found and if someone knows more than they’re saying. 5 stars
4) Sisters of Fortune One of my favorite historical mystery series is Huber’s Lady Darby series, so I picked this up in spite of not being overly interested in reading another book about the Titantic. This was based on the true story of the Fortune family though told with a little literary license. Three daughters—Alice, Flora, and Mabel—are traveling with their parents. They have visited Egypt and are now returning to their home in Canada. All three have dreams and wishes that don’t always line up with that of their parents. But, the coming disaster will change everything. 3 stars
5) She and Her Cat: Stories (translated from the Japanese) Connected short stories which all feature a woman and her cat. All the women (as well as the cats) have different problems to deal with, but somehow, their pets—even when not first welcomed—give them comfort. 3 stars
6) A God in Ruins This is a “companion” piece (as Atkinson puts it) to Life After Life rather than a sequel. I greatly enjoyed Life after Life, but this one was more difficult for me, mostly because I didn’t like reading about Teddy’s daughter, Viola. She was the worst. Still, I enjoy Atkinson’s writing overall, I liked it. Even after reading Life After Life, the ending still surprised me. 4 stars
7) Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond Audio. I don’t read many celebrity memoirs. I’ve started quite a few and not gotten very far, the one exception being Born a Crime (highly recommend). But, Happy Days was one of my favorite shows back in my youth, so I decided to try this one. Read by the author, Winkler tells of his difficult childhood, his desire to be an actor, and his path to making it as well as what came after. An added bonus were parts read by his wife of 40 some years, Stacy. 3 stars
Yes, I felt much the same way you describe about A God in Ruins and Being Henry. The suspense/mystery books sounds very interesting. Hope the rest of October is great too! :-)
Lea wrote: "Yes, I felt much the same way you describe about A God in Ruins and Being Henry. The suspense/mystery books sounds very interesting. Hope the rest of October is great too! :-)"Thanks, Lea! Hope your October (reading) is great as well!
Patricia wrote: "7) Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond Audio. I don’t read many celebrity memoirs. I’ve started quite a few and not gotten very far, the one exception being Born a Crime (highly recommend). But, Happy Days was one of my favorite shows back in my youth, so I decided to try this one. Read by the author, Winkler tells of his difficult childhood, his desire to be an actor, and his path to making it as well as what came after. An added bonus were parts read by his wife of 40 some years, Stacy. 3 starsStarted the audiobook but then time just seemed to run out. I have the physical book now and it's just sitting there staring at me. I think several people have read it and have felt the same way as you. And from what I remember, I thought it was a good read, not great. But it's on my challenge so it will be read by the end of the year, lol
Lillie wrote: "Patricia wrote: "7) Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond Audio. I don’t read many celebrity memoirs. I’ve started quite a few and not gotten very far, the one exception being Born a Crime (highly..."It's a pretty easy read, so I'm sure you'll get through it without any problem. Especially as you have gotten it started. Enjoy!
Finished 5 more books in October for a total of 12.8) Divine Rivals The first of two books (which I believe could have been one book) of fantasy where two gods are at war and have dragged the humans into it. Iris and Roman (two humans) are rival journalists who also share a magical connection which is not immediately apparent. When Iris decides to become a war correspondent in a cover to look for her missing brother, Roman is not far behind. Is he trying to show Iris up again or does he have other motives? Why would he leave his wealthy family and new job behind? I enjoyed the story overall, but it is definitely incomplete. Ready to read the sequel. 4 stars
9) The Backyard Bird Chronicles Tan began birdwatching by tracking, feeding, and drawing the birds in her own backyard. She shares her observations as well as her drawings as the world of birds gives her comfort as well as insights into this other world. 4 stars
10) Death at High Tide (Island Sisters Mystery #1). After Evie’s husband dies suddenly, a note is found suggesting Evie may now own a hotel on the Isles of Scilly. Evie’s sister, Margot, decides they should go and check it out. The hotel is not exactly what they were expecting and getting on and off the island is no easy task. Murder ensues and Margot and Evie find themselves trapped both on the island and in the middle of disturbing circumstances. 3 stars
11) Owl Sense Darlington has a fascination with owls and decides to learn more about the ones who live in her native England, but her quests soon take her to other countries as well. Each chapter focuses on a specific owl and tells how she was able to find them with the help of experts around the world. Although, I’ve only been able to see a Barred Owl in the wild, I loved reading about these other owls and what they meant to Darlington and her family. 4 stars
12) Goodnight Tokyo Taking place over several nights between the hours of 1 and 4:30 a.m., this collection of “intersecting short stories” tells the story of several characters who work during the night in Tokyo. Their lives intersect in unexpected ways. 3 stars
I've finished 9 books so far in November.1) Mother-Daughter Murder Night Read this with a book club. I enjoyed it though a few others found it tedious. When Lana Rubicon’s husband left her with a small daughter, she reinvented herself as a powerful business woman. At the peak of her career, she finds she has cancer, so reaches out to her daughter, Beth, for help. Her daughter left years ago when she found herself pregnant and her mother unwilling to help her. In spite of their differences and ongoing tensions, she agrees to take her mother in. When Beth’s daughter, Jack, comes upon a dead body while leading a group of kayakers and the police all but accuse her of being involved, Lana finds new purpose in trying to discover what happened. All three become involved in what becomes more than one suspicious death and a fight over some valuable land. 4 stars
2) Long Bright River I lived in this Philadelphia neighborhood some 30 years ago, so had a special interest in reading this. Very sad how far down it has fallen. Two sisters who have been raised by their grandmother because of their mother’s overdose, go in different directions. Mickey works for the police, but Kacey walks the streets in the grip of her addiction. When Kacey goes missing, Mickey does all she can find her. When a young girl is found murdered, and soon another, Mickey’s quest becomes all the more desperate. 5 stars
3) Luke 1–13: The Year of the Lord’s Favour I have read several of Davis’s commentaries now, and have found them all to be readable and instructive. 4 stars
4) Florida I have tried to read a couple of Groff’s novels, but have been unsuccessful. After enjoying this group of short stories, I may try again. 4 stars
5) Part of Your World (audio: Julia Whelan & Zachary Webber) Alexis Montgomery is a doctor from a long line of doctors. When she meets Daniel Grant, she knows their relationship can’t go anywhere because they are opposites in every way, and she knows her family and friends would never accept him. But, she can’t deny that what began as fun and a way to escape her stress-filled life as well as her ex, is now turning into a full fledged love affair. She has to break it off with Daniel, but can she do it? 3 stars
6) The Frozen River In Maine, 1789. Martha Ballard, a local midwife, is called in to examine a body found frozen in the ice. She recognizes the man has someone who has caused trouble to many in town, including being accused of rape. Martha knows everyone in town and is privy to most of their secrets. Over the next several months, she testifies as to the cause of death (though a new doctor from Harvard disagrees with her) as well as being a witness of another man accused of rape, a prominent judge. Ballard is based on a real midwife of that time who kept a diary that has been preserved. Lawhon does an excellent job of telling her story, making the time and place come alive. I read this with a book group and everyone loved it. 5 stars
7) The Spellshop A cozy fantasy that probably could be considered young adult. Kiela has never enjoyed working with people, so staying holed up as a librarian in the Great Library of Alyssium is her dream job. But, when a revolution begins and the library is on fire, Kiela and her assistant, Caz (a spider plant brought to life) grabbed what books they can and flee to Kiela’s childhood home on a remote island. To Kiela’s dismay, she now needs to deal with people including her overly helpful (and handsome) neighbor. She soon realizes she needs to try some magic to help both herself and her neighbors. Unfortunately, magic is outlawed and it’s not long before she finds herself, and the town, in danger. 4 stars
8) Almost Family drama at its worst. Sophy Chase is with her new lover when she gets a call that her almost ex-husband, Will, is dead. Sophy takes off at once for the Massachusetts island where she left her husband, never planning to return. Now, she must deal with the details of her husband’s death, her twin stepdaughters and their not so charming mother. In the meantime, her lover’s ten-year old daughter goes missing and possibly is trying to find Sophy. And, oh, yes, no one seems to know what happened to Will’s dog. 3 stars
9) We'll Prescribe You a Cat The Nakagyo Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people needing help. But, the help they receive is not what they’re expecting. After telling the doctor their problems, he always prescribes a cat. They’re given a cat with strict instructions and told to return the cat in 10 days. Though the patients are never too sure of this type of medical treatment, they do what they’re told and learn a lot about themselves and those around them through these cats. Told as connecting short stories, are a charming and calming read. 3 stars
9 books! You're killing it Patricia.
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1) Mother-Daughter Murder Night Read this with a book club. I enjoyed it though a few others found it tedious. When Lana Rubicon’s husband ..."
You're having a great month, Patricia. I'm looking forward to reading The Spellshop.
Bill wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I've finished 9 books so far in November.1) Mother-Daughter Murder Night Read this with a book club. I enjoyed it though a few others found it tedious. When Lana R..."
Thanks, Bill! You should enjoy it.
Lea wrote: "I loved Long Bright River too. You did great in the first half of November! :-)"Thanks, Lea!
Karol wrote: "I'm glad you liked The Frozen River - I really enjoyed that one, too!"Thanks! It was great. Need to read her backlist.
I finished 6 more books this month, giving me a total of 15 for the month.10) The Good Part In her twenties, Lucy is becoming frustrated with her life and wishes she could just get to the “good part”. Be careful what you wish for. I went into this not knowing exactly what it was about, and I highly recommend you do the same. A bit of magical realism, which I generally enjoy, and I loved the characters, including a seven-year old who was wise without being obnoxious. 5 stars
11) The Sea Garden ) Jess won an award for her painting and is going to Devon to receive it. Kate, whose late husband sponsored the award, has invited to stay. As Jess gets to know some of Kate’s friends, she learns that her grandparents were from this area and there are connections, she never knew about. I half listened to this on audio, but found it confusing as to who was speaking. The narrator never made any indication that the speaker had changed. Overall, I enjoyed this English family drama (as I have other of Willett’s books), but don’t recommend the audio. 4 stars
12) Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment #2) The second part of a duology which I would have liked to have been one book, but I read the two close together, so it was fine. I won’t say much to avoid spoilers for the first book, but if you’ve read the first book, I found this a satisfying sequel and look forward to reading more books by Ross. 4 stars
13) The Sequel I read a The Plotcouple of reviews and heard at least one podcaster say they liked The Sequel better than The Plot, and I would have to agree. I will say, though, that I tried the audio with and couldn’t get into it, so I didn’t even try audio this time. Again, not much I can say without spoilers for the first book. Definitely read The Plot first and if you don’t mind a lot of crazy, read The Sequel. 4 stars
14) Devil's Brood (Plantagenets #3) Sharon Kay Penman. Penman does a wonderful job of depicting these characters--their flaws, their struggles, and their interactions. I don't know if any other family could provide such drama and it's all based on truth! I often wonder how England itself survived and became such a world force with leaders like these. Another sign of a good historical fiction writer is when I'm distressed when one dies--especially tragically. I mean, I already know it's coming (and it happened hundreds of years ago!), but I'm still disturbed. Highly recommend this series and any of her books. 5 stars
15) A Corpse at St Andrews Chapel (Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #2) Mel Starr. When Alan, the beadle of the manor of Bampton is found dead with his throat cut out, a wolf is suspected to be the culprit. However, no one has heard a wolf around, Master Hugh is suspicious. During his investigation, he finds other strange activities going on in the dark of night. I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the first, but will still continue the series. 3 stars
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Alondra wrote: "Great job, Patricia. Kudos on all of your progress!!"Thanks, Alondra!
I'm glad you enjoyed The Sequel. Maybe I should have read it instead of listened to it on audio. Anyway, also glad to see that you loved Devil's Brood...and of course...I enjoyed reading Ruthless Vows with you. Happy reading for December! :-)
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Thanks, Lillie! We just have to accept sometimes that not every book is for us. We had a similar discussion in my book club today. Someone mentioned how much they didn't like the Anthony Horowitz book we read a few months ago. Well, I love all his books, so just couldn't understand that!
Happy July reading to you as well!