VICKI'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2011

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

JANUARY
1. Robin Whiteman
Finish date: 1/1/2011
Rating: B+
A really good companion to the Brother Cadfael mystery series by Ellis Peters. Every plant mentioned in any book is listed, along with medicinal and/or culinary uses. Some lovely photos.

[Elizabeth S]

Wow! I loved the Brother Cadfael series (and all of Ellis Peters other books too). Never knew there was a companion book. Next time I read the series I'll have to get the book so I can SEE what plants I'm reading about. How fun!

by Ellis Peters

[Velvetink]

Elizabeth S wrote: "Wow! I loved the Brother Cadfael series (and all of Ellis Peters other books too). Never knew there was a companion book. Next time I read the series I'll have to get the book so I can SEE what ..."

Oh a mystery series with plants! Must look out for it.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

2. by Albert A. Bell Jr.

Finish date: 1/4/2011
Rating: B+

In 83 A.D. Smyrna, Pliny the Younger and Tacitus solve a murder mystery with the help of Luke, who wrote the third book of the Gospels. Pliny is a likeable character, and his portrayal fits with what we know of him from his letters ( Pliny the Younger). This is the first in a series.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good for you Vicki; two books done in the first week of January. You are off to a great start.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

3. by Rick Yancey

Finish date: 1/7/2011
Rating: B+

This is the second in a series about a nebbishy wannabe detective. His problem is he can't pass the PI license test, so he can't have paying clients, but he's very dogged and has a strong ethical sense. He's also very, very funny.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

It sounds good Vicki.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

4. by José Saramago

Finish date: 1/12/2011
Rating: C+

This was a sad, maybe even depressing, book. Bad things happen to Joseph, Jesus isn't particularly likeable, nor is God, and even Mary isn't very sympathetic. The only thing that saves it is Saramago's writing, which is always great.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

5. by Rick Yancey

Finish date: 1/16/2011
Rating: A

This is the third book following the adventures of would-be detective Teddy Ruzak (if only he could pass the licensing exam). As usual, it's funny and sweet, with twists and surprises.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

6. by Adrienne Mayor.

Finish date: 1/16/2011
Rating: B+

Finally a history book! A very interesting and detailed look at the life of Mithradates, one of ancient Rome's most implacable and tenacious opponents. He fancied himself the second coming of Alexander and for a while ruled most of Anatolia (modern Turkey) and the area around the Black Sea. He experimented with poisons all his life and was said to have concocted a universal antidote. There is much to admire in his life, but I just can't forgive his order to kill all the Romans and Italians in Anatolia, including women, children and slaves, on the same day in the spring of 88 BC; at least 80,000 died.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good job Vicki; you are really doing well.

['Aussie Rick']

Glad to see you had a chance to read "The Poison King", an interesting story eh!


by Adrienne Mayor

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

7. by José Saramago

Finish date: 1/22/2011
Rating: A

This is a simple story of an elephant travelling from Lisbon to Vienna in the 16th century, but it's like having the storyteller sitting with you by the fire, going off on tangents about language and royalty and many other things. This is a very amusing story told as only Saramago can.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

8. by Marion Chesney

Finish date: 1/23/2011
Rating: B+

This is a very entertaining Edwardian mystery with well-drawn characters, and it's pretty funny. I can see it as a TV series. Looking forward to reading the others in the series.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

9. by Mary Beard

Finish date: 1/24/2011
Rating: B

This is a very good overview of Rome in the first half of the first century BC, organized by topic (religion, politics, etc.) rather than chronologically. The footnotes are especially helpful, with pointers to books covering the topics this one only touches on.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

10. by Arthur Conan Doyle

Finish date: 1/24/2011
Rating: C+

I liked this, never had read any Holmes before. The stuff about Mormons was a bit over the top, though.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Vicki, perfect, you have the format down and are following the rules and guidelines.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

I am obsessive about following instructions. Of course, it's not hard.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

No it isn't but you have it down pat. Good job.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

11. Marion Chesney

Finish date: 1/26/2011
Rating: B+

This is the second in a funny, silly series of Edwardian mysteries. It's almost like Perils of Pauline - Lady Rose is first kidnapped, then sent to an insane asylum, and this is before the first murder. It all works out, of course, even though Rose is almost killed herself twice before the end.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

12. Marion Chesney

Finish date: 1/28/2011
Rating: B+

The third in a series of the adventures of Lady Rose and Captain Harry Cathcart, her fiance (of convenience only). More dead bodies, more misunderstandings between Rose and Harry. A fun read.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

13. Marion Chesney

Finish date: 1/31/2011
Rating: B

This is the last in a series of four Edwardian mysteries. The required happy ending for Rose and Harry, and Daisy and Becket, was a bit abrupt, but getting there was a fun time.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

FEBRUARY

14. Robert Harris

Finish date: 2/11/2011
Rating: C

This appears to be the middle part of a trilogy about Cicero, of which was the first. I liked that one a lot better. This one covers the Catiline conspiracy, the Bona Dea scandal, and Clodius hounding Cicero out of Rome. This is the fourth fictional treatment of the Cataline affair that I've read, and is the least interesting. Also I think he's way too hard on Caesar, making him almost evil.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

15. Conor Fitzgerald

Finish date: 2/14/2011
Rating: B+

This is a really interesting police procedural set in Rome. It's pretty long, but never drags. We meet all sorts of interesting characters - politicians, criminals, animal rights activists, police and lawyers. And they're all sort of tied together in shady ways. It's also pretty funny in places. I'm looking forward to the next one, which is implied by the subtitle "A Commissario Alec Blume Novel".

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

16. Jane Austen

Finish date: 2/24/2011
Rating: B

I've seen both the movie and TV versions of this book at least twice each, so there weren't any surprises, but it was very enjoyable. Her depictions of the characters are really specific, which is why her books translate so well to the screen. I'm glad, though, I didn't live in this era, even as a wealthy woman. There seems so little to do except have long and intricate conversations.

[Elizabeth S]

Vicki wrote: "...There seems so little to do except have long and intricate conversations. "

How well put that is. Not to mention the joys of flush toilets, although that issue is seldom discussed in Austen's books. :)

[Velvetink]

Elizabeth S wrote: "Vicki wrote: "...There seems so little to do except have long and intricate conversations. "

How well put that is. Not to mention the joys of flush toilets, although that issue is seldom discusse..."

There's a tv series (BBC I think) called "Lost in Austen" - my daughter was watching it last year - it's quite good, funny even..making Austen more accessible to young people today - there were plumbing issues raised as well as any number of issues that women today wouldn't stand for.

[Elizabeth S]

Cool! I'll have to watch for that.

[Velvetink]

Elizabeth, here's the wiki link for info about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_...

It's on DVD now and I'm pretty sure if you search on youtube you can find segments of it.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

17. Lawrence Block

Finish date: 2/27/2011
Rating: C+

I read some of the Burglar series years ago, and this one has been sitting on my shelf for a long time. It was fun because the dialog is so good. The "case" turns out to be like one of Bogart's movies and it ends like another one (I won't spoil it by saying which ones). The solution to the crime is a bit disappointing, but overall it was worth reading.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

MARCH

18. John Mortimer

Finish date: 3/4/2011
Rating: B

We finally learn the details of Rumpole's famous case, which he won "alone and without a leader." We also find out how he wound up with his wife Hilda, although that's not quite a satisfying. An important read for Rumpole fans.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

19. Rex Stout

Finish date: 3/7/2011
Rating: B+

This is the first Nero Wolfe mystery, but it feels like he's been writing them for years. You get a vivid picture of Wolfe, Archie, the house they live in, and the other characters. And the solution to the mystery is quite satisfying. I had forgotten how enjoyable these books are.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

20. Adrian Goldsworthy

Finish date: 3/9/2011
Rating: B

This is a good and detailed discussion of the events between the death of Marcus Aurelius and the "retirement" of the last Western Roman emperor Romulus Augustulus (love that name). Unfortunately, this is a period of history I'm not that fond of - so many uprisings, invasions and civil wars. Even so, it was worthwhile reading.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

21. Rick Yancey

Finish date: 3/11/2011
Rating: B-

I don't quite know what to say about this one. I love this series and Teddy Ruzak is one of my favorite characters. But right after an account of one of the funniest dinner parties ever comes two horrifyingly violent incidents that really upset me. I'm hoping the series continues but I don't know if it can regain the light-heartedness of the first three books.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

22. Vikram Seth

Finish date: 3/15/2011
Rating: B+

Reading a modern novel completely in verse was a very interesting experience, although I don't think I'd want to read many more. Sometimes I hardly noticed the rhyme scheme and other times I focussed on it, but it was never obtrusive. The story was a good one, interveaving the lives of a few friends and lovers. And even though I've lived in the Bay Area for 40 years, it took me quite a while to figure out that Lungless Labs=Livermore Labs.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

23. David Sedaris

Finish date: 3/15/2011
Rating: A+

Very funny stories about animals with human foibles. Also an extremely quick read.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

24. Stacy Schiff

Finish date: 3/17/2011
Rating: A-

I enjoyed this book a lot. She pulled together details from a lot of sources. I was particularly interested in what Cleopatra did after the battle was lost at Actium. Apparently she had lots of plans, which all fell through.

[Alisa]

Vicki wrote: "24. Stacy Schiff

Finish date: 3/17/2011
Rating: A-

I enjoyed this book a lot. She pulled together details f..."

Have this on my to-read list and have heard great things about it from several sources. Glad to see your review. I'll have to move it up on my list!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Vicki wrote: "24. Stacy Schiff

Finish date: 3/17/2011
Rating: A-

I enjoyed this book a lot. She pulled together details f..."

Was actually just looking at this book recently.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

25. Jane Austen

Finish date: 3/19/2011
Rating: A

This book has one of the best opening sentences of all time - "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." The characters are very well drawn and the dialog is excellent. I did find Darcy's change of attitude a bit sudden and surprising from what we had been shown of him so far but it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book.

[Elizabeth S]

Vicki wrote: "25. Jane Austen

Finish date: 3/19/2011
Rating: A

This book has one of the best opening sentences of all time..."

Very true on the opening sentence. It is one of my favorite openings, and sets up the book so perfectly. Was this your first time reading P&P?

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

Elizabeth, I'm not sure if this is the first or second time for P&P. It's certainly a book you can read more than once. It's hard to disentangle the books from the movies/TV shows in my memory.

[Elizabeth S]

Vicki wrote: "Elizabeth, I'm not sure if this is the first or second time for P&P. It's certainly a book you can read more than once. It's hard to disentangle the books from the movies/TV shows in my memory."

Very true. Unless you really get to know either the book or the movie/TVshow before getting into the other, it is hard to ever clearly differentiate. Not to mention there are so many versions of P&P out there.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

26. Rex Stout

Finish date: 3/24/2011
Rating: B+
Genre: Detective fiction

This is my second time through the Nero Wolfe oeuvre and I am definitely enjoying it. I can never figure out whodunit but the solution is always logical. In each of the first two books, there's a twist at the end; it will be interesting to see if that continues. Plus in this one, Wolfe leaves the house!!

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

27. Jane Austen

Finish date: 3/31/2011
Rating: B+
Genre: Fiction

Now that I've read all 6 of Austen's books, I'm struck by the variety of characters she portrays. Even the heroines of the books have different personalities. As for this one, I have to say that the heroine's love interest, Edward Ferrars, is pretty boring. I guess he just clicked with Elinore. And I always wonder how these people passed their time - no jobs, servants to do the cleaning and cooking. Apparently much time was spent in conversation, the rules of which you learned as you were growing up, I guess.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

APRIL

28. Rex Stout

Finish date: 4/5/2011
Rating: B+
Genre: Detective fiction

This one had a very intricate plot, going back about 40 years to the Wild West. I didn't figure out who the murderer was, but I hardly ever do. Lots of snappy dialog as always.

[Elizabeth S]

Are you working your way through the Wolfe's in order? I did that a few years ago. It was fun. My brother doesn't like the Nero Wolfe books because Wolfe bugs him. Personally, I think the Archie character is so fun it is all worth it. I think Archie is extremely intelligent and clever, and he and Wolfe complement each other so well.

(and many others in the series) by Rex Stout

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

Yes, Elizabeth, I plan to read them in order. I read all of them years ago (I still have all the books), but they are such fun I thought I'd alternate "serious" fiction with Wolfe. I like both Archie and Wolfe. There was a good TV series a few years ago that did several of the books. Here's the Netflix link -
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Ner...

[Elizabeth S]

I thought I recognized the first two in the series. I really enjoyed my read-through. I only own about a dozen of them, but I plan to gradually collect them all.

I'm not a netflix member, so the link didn't work for me. I'm guessing you are talking about the TV series from about 10 years ago. That was shortly before I read my first Nero Wolfe book, and I never saw the series. My mother thoroughly enjoyed the older TV series from the early 80s and was extremely disappointed when it was canceled. She never wanted to watch the newer series because the 80's version was too perfect.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

29. Karen Joy Fowler

Finish date: 4/7/2011
Rating: C+
Genre: Fiction

I was hoping to get more discussion of Austen's books than was portrayed in the book. The characters and their back-stories were interesting, though. And the movie that was made from the book was also good.