Lori (lkernagh) Hits her Prime in 2013! - Fourth Thread

Welcome visitors, lurkers and pretty much anyone just passing this 'fourth' thread for the challenge. If you are new and wish to get caught up on what has happened so far, my previous threads can be found here:

First Thread
Second Thread
Third Thread


"Summetime Reading" by Crystal Beshara

There is no way I will be able to read 169 books for a full 13 in 13, but I do like the idea of categories so I have come up with my own twist on the theme: 13 categories where each category, come the end of the year, is considered completed if the number of books read in that category equals a prime number.

(Personal reminder - Prime numbers are 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47...and so on, and so on)

The categories in my 2013 Prime Challenge:

1. All things GRAPHIC
2. All things NEW (published in 2012 or 2013)
3. All things EPISTOLARY
4. All things GOTHIC
5. All things FABLES and FAIRY TALES - original and retold
6. All things EUROPA
7. All things REGENCY - books set in the Regency period
8. All things PENGUIN
9. All things MITFORD
10. All things SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES
11. All things NEWSWORTHY (books that get alot of buzz - On LT, as prize contenders and winners, etc)
12. All things ON MY TBR BOOKCASE
13. All things WITH A TITLE, AUTHOR(S) AND WORDS WRITTEN - The life saving 'catch-all category'

My goal here is to try and make a dent in my TBR pile so I have chosen my categories with that end goal in mind. Descriptions of the categories along with some preliminary candidates are listed in the posts below.

1. All things GRAPHIC



It's time I joined the growing masses reading and enjoying graphic novels. I have created this category with the Sandman group read in mind, as well as my intention to dive into Bill Willingham's Fables series (reserving the right to also slot Willingham's books under the Fables and Fairy Tales category.)

BOOKS READ:
1. The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman - (review)
2. A Sickness in the Family by Denise Mina Illustrated by Antonio Fuso - (review)
3. The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman - (review)
4. Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso - (review)
5. Black Butler, Vol. 2 by Yana Toboso - (review)
6. Black Butler, Vol. 3 by Yana Toboso - (review)
7. Black Butler, Vol. 4 by Yana Toboso - (review)
8. The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country by Neil Gaiman - (review)
9. How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by The Oatmeal - (review)
10. Freaks of the Heartland by Steve Niles - (review)
11. The Sandman: Vol. 4 Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman - (review)
12. The Sandman: Vol. 5 A Game of You by Neil Gaiman - (review)
13. Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman - (review)

Candidates:
Neil Gaiman's Sandman series
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Bill Willingham's Fables series
Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis series
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Essex County by Jeff Lemire
Mike Carey's The Unwritten series
Journalism by Joe Sacco
Gloriana by Kevin Huizenga
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
The Crow by James O'Barr
Alice in Sunderland by Brian Talbot

2. All things NEW (published in 2012 or 2013)



Self explanatory. I tend to gravitate to fresh 'off the press' books and wanted a category to capture these enticing gems!

BOOKS READ:
1. Clay: A Novel by Melissa Harrison - (review)
2. Love and The Mess We're In by Stephen Marche - (review)
3. Complication by Isaac Adamson - (review)
4. The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb - (review)
5. The Anatomist's Apprentice by Tessa Harris - (review)
6. Care of Wooden Floors by Will Wiles - (review)
7. Type by Alicia Hendley - (review)
8. Basti by Intizar Husain - (review)
9. Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn - (review)
10. A Book of Tongues by Gemma Files - (review)
11. The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway - (review)
12. Engn by Simon Kewin - (review)
13. Red Dragon White Dragon by Gary Dolman - (review)

3. All things EPISTOLARY



This is a category I was planning to include in my 12 in 12 and as it just didn't happened, I have dusted off the category for the 2013 challenge.

BOOKS READ:
1. The Twitter Diaries by Georgie Thompson and Imogen Lloyd Webber- (review)
2. Lady Susan by Jane Austen - (review)
3. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple - (review)
4. Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril and Romance by Marthe Jocelyn - (review)
5. Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole - (review)
6. Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters by Mary Todd Lincoln, Justin Turner and Linda Levitt Turner - (review)

Candidates:
Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After by Patricia Wrede
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Mitfords by Charlotte Mosley
Griffin & Sabine series by Nick Bantock
Letters Home by Sylvia Plath
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia Wrede
43 Old Cemetery Road series by Kate Klise
Daddy Long Legs and Dear Enemy by Jean Webster
A Celibate Season by Carol Shields and Blanche Howard
The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker by Tobias Smollett
Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam
P.G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters by P.G. Wodehouse
Mrs. Fry's Diary by Mrs. Stephen Fry
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Henrietta's War by Joyce Dennys

4. All things GOTHIC



I am so looking forward to this category. Lots of great books out there I have never read that will fit perfectly here!

BOOKS READ:
1. Enter At Your Own Risk: Old Masters, New Voices edited by Alex Scully - (review)
2. Mrs. God by Peter Straub - (review)
3. Mistress of Blackstone Castle by Patricia Werner - (review)
4. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - (review)
5. Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart - (review)

Candidates:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafron
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart
The Monk by M.G. Lewis
Gothic Tales by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

5. All things FABLES and FAIRY TALES - original and retold



Yes, I can be a sucker for tales, fables and everything magical! Another category to try and dive into all the books out there that are a retelling in one form or another.

BOOKS READ:
1. Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge - (review)
2. Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham - (review)
3. Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham - (review)
4. Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham - (review)
5. The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter - (review)
6. Fables Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham - (review)
7. The Arabian Nights Entertainments selected and edited by Andrew Lang - (review)
8. The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers - (review)

Candidates:
Bill Willingham
Robin McKinley
Shannon Hale
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli
My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales by Kate Bernheimer
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce
The Sister Grimm series by Michael Buckley
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne Valente
Iron Hans: a Grimms' Fairy Tale by Stephen Mitchell
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

6. All things EUROPA


I am a big fan of the books published by Europa Editions. I currently have six of their books languishing on my TBR bookcase and others waiting for me at my local library. 2013 will be a year where I will try to explore the books they publish!

BOOKS READ:
1. Sorry by Gail Jones - (review)
2. Old Filth by Jane Gardam - (review)
3. UTU by Caryl Férey - (review)

Candidates (from my TBR bookcase):
Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky
A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse
Old Filth by Jane Gardam
Chourmo by Jean-Claude Izzo
Little Criminals by Gene Kerrigan
The Palestinian Lover by Selim Nassib

7. All things REGENCY - books set in or written during the British Regency period



I need a category for some tried and true escapism reading courtesy of Georgette Heyer, etc. The British Regency period is a rather tight one according to the Wikipedia article, spanning the time period from 1811 — when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, the Prince of Wales, ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent through to 1820, when the Prince Regent became George IV on the death of his father. As narrow as that time period is, I will have no problem finding books to fill this category..... I may even surprise myself and dive into one or two of Jane Austen's novels!

BOOKS READ:
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- (review)
2. The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany - (review)
3. Frederica by Georgette Heyer - (review)

Candidates:
The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After by Patricia Wrede
Mary Balogh
Joan Wolf
Naomi Novik's Temeraire series
Tahir Shah's Timbuctoo
Kate Ross's Julian Kestrel Mysteries Series
The Ivy Lockwell series by Galen Beckett
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

8. All things PENGUIN


Awe, that darling little aquatic, flightless bird that subtly graces the spine and cover of so many books that catch my eye! Time to pay homage to the multitude of books published by the second largest trade book publisher in the world (after Random House, and no.... I don't have a category for Random House. Maybe next year.)

BOOKS READ:
1. The Little Book by Selden Edwards - (review)
2. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle - (review)

Candidates (a sample from my TBR bookcase):
Keeper of the Crystal Spring by Naomi Baltuck
The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Wars by Timothy Findley
Howard's End by E. M. Forster
Inamorata by Joseph Gangemi
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka
The Storyteller by Mario Vargas Llosha
Mr. Darwin's Shooter by Roger McDonald
Wish I Could be There by Allen Shawn

9. All things MITFORD



Another self explanatory category. I have all nine books in Jan Karon's Mitford series on my TBR bookcase and I figure this is the time to settle in and visit Midford. The fact that these are published by Penguin will make it easy to keep the books read in this category to equal a prime number!

BOOKS READ:

1. At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon - (review)

10. All things SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS, and TRILOGIES



According to LT, I have 118 series read or in progress which makes this category a must, especially for the new series that keep being brought to my attention via book bullets while reading everyone's threads! This is also a safety net for when I need to move books around from one category to another in line with Prime!

BOOKS READ:
1. A Death in the Small Hours by Charles Finch- (review)
2. F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton - (review)
3. Soulless by Gail Carriger - (review)
4. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik - (review)
5. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear - (review)
6. Changeless by Gail Carriger - (review)

Candidates (from my TBR bookcase):
Steig Larsson's Millennium Trilogy

11. All things NEWSWORTHY - books that get a lot of buzz - On LT, as prize contenders and winners, etc


A category for when I just have to find out for myself what all the fuss is about!

BOOKS READ:

1. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel - (review)
2. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - (review)
3. The Dinner by Herman Koch - (review)
4. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - (review)
5. February by Lisa Moore - (review)
6. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - (review)

12. All things ON MY TBR BOOKCASE



As of the end of August 2012, I had 250 books on my TBR bookcase waiting for my attention. Not an awful lot of books by LT standards but still, I buy books to read them, not for them to languish on the shelves and become dust collectors..... for the record, I hate dusting. Time to move these boys, even if it is to make way for new books.

BOOKS READ:
1. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka- (review)
2. The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison - (review)
3. Riding the Bus With My Sister by Rachel Simon - (review)
4. Ice Song by Kirsten Imani Kasai - (review)
5. Snow Falling On Cedars by David Guterson - (review)
6. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - (review)
7. The Alienist by Caleb Carr - (review)
8. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff - (review)

13. All things WITH A TITLE, AUTHOR(S) AND WORDS WRITTEN - The life saving 'catch-all category'



BOOKS READ:
1. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - (review)
2. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (père) - (review)

Welcome to my 'Summer' thread. Feel free to breeze through, drop by to take a load off your feet or, as per the Eagle's song Hotel California, check in and never leave. Your choice. ;-)

This thread is now open for business!

Very nice new summer thread!!! Definitely checking in, but reserve the right to check out and leave when the next one appears. :)

Lovely new summer thread! And Happy Canada Day tomorrow! :D

> 16 - Hee, hee, that is a good one! Can't very well make you stay here if the thread moves on.

> 17 - Thanks rabbitprincess! I hope you have a wonderful Canada Day!

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As you may already know or have guessed, this is a long weekend in Canada. Monday is the official Canada Day holiday. To all my fellow Canadians,

Happy Canada day :)

Happy new thread! And Happy Canada Day!

I too need to start a new thread but am dragging my feet a little as I always have picture trouble. HRO gave me some good directions, but I've always done them direct from my laptop without putting them in the junk draw first. I managed over the weekend to get them into the junk draw, but when I tried to post one to a thread message, all I got was the link and not the picture. I'm not sure if it's because I'm trying to do it from my ipad instead of the laptop, or if I'm just doping something wrong. I'm always envious of the wonderful pictures you post. Oh well - I have a long weekend starting Thursday, so maybe I'll try it then.

ETA: finally figured out the problem I was having with the pictures. Now I can migrate over to a new thread this weekend.

Happy Canada Day, Lori and, Happy New Thread!

Happy new thread!

Nice new thread and hope you enjoyed your long weekend! I liked your review of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha on your last thread. I'd like to read more Booker winners, and it sounds like this one won't disappoint.

Thanks Claire, Betty, Judy, Lori and Alicia for the Happy Canada day and happy new thread postings!

> 20 - There are times when I drag my feet about starting a new thread too! Very happy to see you have the picture problem figured out. I will be stopping by your new thread soon.... I am still getting comfortable with the new look and feel of the LT. I wasn't ready for that when I opened up the webpage this evening! So far, I like what I see. ;-)

> 23 - Hi Alicia, I really wasn't sure what to expect with Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and the ratings on LT were a little disconcerting but I really did end up liking Paddy and they way I was invited, as a reader, into his world.

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We had a great long weekend. Weather was fabulous and a relaxing time was had. I have been working on the beading of the dress I dyed last month and I am quite happy with how it has been taking shape, after a couple of false starts. I beaded while we watched a Sharpe movie marathon - six back to back episodes of Sharpe and the Napoleonic wars - and this afternoon I continued beading while listening to the audiobook Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear.

I did manages to read and throw together a quick summary of my thoughts regarding Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections over the weekend as the book was due back at the library. Comments on that book can be found below.

Book #60 - Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman
Category: - All things GRAPHIC



In keeping with my non-review format of previous Sandman volumes, here are my rambling thoughts on the various stories contained in this volume.

Fear of Falling - When I saw the atrocious artwork and colour in this first story I cringed, worried that we were back to what I hated most about Vol. 1. Thankfully, that was not to be the case and this was just weird anomaly. *Whew!* Did I pay any attention to the message of this short story, you might ask? Kind of, but that artwork..... talk about a negative distraction!

Three Septembers and a January - Very good story! Have to feel sorry for Dream and the family he has to put up with, but I guess when you are as powerful as they are, you have to find some way to amuse yourself, even if it is at the expense of mortals. I loved the inclusion of Samuel Clements here. Not sure I understand our negotiator, the King of Pain, and his story but it did start me humming the song by The Police with that same name. ;-)

Thermidor - A nice, dark tale set against the gruesome backdrop of the French Revolution. Thomas Paine in prison.... interesting. Of course, it drives me nuts that we have no idea what Dream will pay Lady Johanna Constantine to be his mortal agent for this task. I want details, Neil, details!

The Hunt - Not really taken with this story, although I do like the touch of grandpa spinning his grand-daughter a tale from the old country. The artwork took a bit of a down turn with this one as well. The only redeeming bit about this otherwise ho-hum story for me was the 'thin man' who kept trying to purchase a book from our young peddler.... I thought he looked familiar! Dream's appearance in this one was a brilliant fun entrance, IMO. Interesting title of the book in question, considering the library it is supposed to reside in is a library of works never completed. Makes me want to read the one that was completed and published, even if it is a play. I have never really understood the Baba Yaga story but I think I get the just of it from this one. Nice surprise ending. I didn't see that coming, even though I should have.

August - An okay tale with some surprising bits. My classical understanding is pretty weak so I just took the story at its face value as more in keeping with more traditional story telling. I do like the artwork in August, all the attention to detail that is displayed.

Soft Places - This one didn't work for me as much as I had hoped it would, even with the appearance of Fiddler's Green. Got to love a guy that can pull literally 'anything' out from inside his coat, including cheese and pickle sandwiches *Eeew, not for me, Thanks!*.

Orpheus - Again, took this story pretty much at its face value and its tough love message by Dream. Love Death's 'home' with its more sedate, 1980's feel to it. Trip to the underworld not quite what I was expecting. Chapter Four was just grisly and I am not sure what I think about that Epilogue.

The Parliament of Rooks - Back on more familiar ground now, it was great to read a story with Gregory, Goldie, Matthew, Cain and Abel all in it. Tea time and storytelling, Neil Gaiman style.... what an experience! A fun and different kind of story but nothing brilliant or stunning about it.

Ramadan - I wanted to love this story like I love Dream's magical cloak in it, but beyond the 1001 Arabian Nights look and feel, it ended up being just a good read for me. I did enjoy the bright, colourful artwork in this one and the ending was a nice touch.

Overall, I did enjoy Gaiman's spin on some of the fables and the reflections, in keeping with the title of this volume, that occur between the pages of this one.

Decimal Rating: 4.19
4.50 - Plot Development
3.75 - Character Development
4.25 - Writing Style
4.25 - Readability
4.75 - Premise
4.25 - Imagery/Visualization
3.75 - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.75 - Originality
4.50 - Length

Star Rating: 4.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade Paperback
# of Pages: 264 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Male

Hi ikernagh, nice picture as usual :)

I've read Soulless 2 weeks ago and find it fun and untaxing as well, a little bit too much romance for my test but I rather like the sassy personnality of Miss Tarabotti not so much her self-depreciating ...
Do you intend to read the next one in the series ? I'm still on the fence on this one as I don't want to have a repeat of the mating ritual of werewolf ;)

I'm happy to see that you liked so much Temeraire, it's as much delightful in the classical reading form. The next one is interesting as we see Temeraire maturing and Laurence thinking about the whole dragon-rights thingie ...

Why didn't I think to classify L'ombre du vent as a gothic book, that's perfect !?

Happy Canada Day even if I'm a little bit late although I must confess I don't know what's the occasion ?

Hi Lori. I just caught up with your third thread and found my way here to your brand new thread. Love the picture in the first post. Also liked the photos from the Highland Games. That cannon is tiny and cute-- it doesn't look like it could do much damage.
I've added The Anatomist's Apprentice to my wish list. And also In The Night Garden.
Hope you had a festive Canada Day.

26> It's been a while since I read Soulless, but as the series goes on, there's less sex and more plot.

>28 BookLizard: Glad to know that Booklizard, I'm definetly reading the sequel then.

Okay I had time to check the meaning of the day, it's definetly the occasion to be festive :)

Ours is coming soon and is a little bit more bloody but hell we'll have fun ...

Nice opening picture for your new thread.

I do like your "non-review" format - it spawns great reviews!! :)

It looks like I have been busy neglecting my own thread! Oops!

> 26 - Nice to see you stopping by my new thread, electrice! I am still surprised how much fun Carriger's book(s) are - I just finished Changeless this afternoon and I am now stomping my feet that my local library has book three, Blameless, "On Order"! I thought I was on pretty safe ground starting the series as late as I have... looks like I will have to track down a copy of Blameless through other channels. ;-)

Temeraire was an absolute delight to read / listen to. Since I have hit the snag with the Carriger series, maybe I will venture back into Novik's series... but after I clear some other reading, first.

> 27 - Hi Kelly, welcome to my new thread! Tiny and cute are the kinds of canons I like. When we have offical ceremonies in the Inner Harbour by the legislature, the armed forces bring out the big field artillery canons to fire off, like this one:



They are more impressive in size and LOUD! Canada Day was enjoyable, even though we did have a bomb threat for the legislature during the festivities, but everything was managed just fine and the day was lovely.

> 28 - Less sex and more plot works for me!

> 29 - Glad to see you discovered the reason for celebrating Canada Day. While I can remember that it is the celebrate the anniversary of the BNA Act, I can never remember the year that darn thing was signed! Good thing we celebrate the day of the month, although it is annoying during those years when the holiday falls on a Wednesday...... ;-) For me, and probably a lot of other Canadians, it is the official kick off to the summer, kind of like Labour Day in September is the signal that summer is over.

> 30 - Thanks!

> 31 - Thanks Eva, its the only way I can tackle any attempt to summarize my thoughts on the Sandman reads, otherwise I start repeating myself about the artwork or some other aspect of the stories.

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Weekend Craft Project (Update): Time for an update on this project. I have now finished beading the dress I successfully dyed a couple of weeks back. Overall, I am very happy with the end result! Here are some "Before" and "After" shots - sorry the pictures aren't the best, I used my iPod to take the pictures because I was too lazy to hunt down my camera when I took the "Before" pictures and figured I might as well stay with the same camera for the "After" pictures.

The dress:



Neckline beading detail:



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Reading: On the reading front, I have finished listening to the audiobook Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear and pretty much flew through Changeless by Gail Carriger. Reviews coming!

Book #61 - Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear - audiobook narrated by Rita Barrington
Category: - All things SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES

At first glance, Maisie Dobbs's inaugural case as a private investigator looks dreadfully routine: Christopher Davenham, whose wife has been making unexplained weekday excursions from their London home, has employed Maisie to discover whether he is being betrayed. However, Maisie recalls the advice of her enigmatic mentor, Maurice Blanche, that "the extraordinary hides behind the camouflage of the ordinary." Events prove Maurice correct, as the trail of Davenham's wife leads Maisie to a mysterious, carefully guarded home for disabled World War I veterans—and toward a painful confrontation with her own haunting past.

As far as mysteries go, this one is a slightly different breed of character. We start off with an interesting premise: A single woman setting up a private investigator business on her own in 1920's London, England. Granted, she has been mentored into the profession and has a well connected 'supporter' who seamlessly manages to send clients Maisie's way as well as any material support she may require. The story develops in a nice, even-keeled approach, taking time to acclimatize the reader to the setting as characters are introduced and the plot develops, with all the makings of a charming historical fiction piece.

As I was settling into the mystery, Winspear decide to shelve the mystery, just as it was getting good, to delve into Maisie Dobbs' personal background in extensive detail, resulting in a story that is a disjointed composite mystery/ historical fiction. As much as I enjoyed Winspear's re-creation of a turbulent era fraught by war, spending more than half of the book - or at least that is what it seemed like to me - focusing on Maisies' background and character development outside of the mystery, was rather jarring, especially as Winspear does eventually go back to the mystery. I am not a fan of these types of overly long digressions, even if they do provide background support for part of the mystery. I am also not a fan of the method of disclosing some of the pertinent information at the end of the mystery, as an 'after the fact' drawing room discussion.

Overall, Winspear has created an interesting character in Maisie Dobbs and she does present a strength for writing solid historical fiction pieces with comfortable characters and an easy flowing plot, but I found the mystery element to be weak and pretty much devoid of any level of suspense. I will continue with the series, mainly because I found it very easy to listen to while working on a craft project.

Decimal Rating: 3.69
3.25 - Plot Development
3.50 - Character Development
3.75 - Writing Style
4.00 - Readability
3.50 - Premise
4.25 - Imagery/Visualization
3.75 - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.75 - Originality
3.50 - Length

Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Downloadable audiobook
# of Pages: 320 pages (10 hours, 1 minute listening time)
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Female

Book #62 - Changeless by Gail Carriger
Category: - All things SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES



Picking up a number of months after book one in the series, Soulless, left off, we find good old feisty Alexia once again involved in a case of supernatural weirdness. This time, through unknown means, the supernatural of London are suddenly stripped of their 'supernaturalness' - vampires and werewolves find themselves trapped in their human forms and the ghostly elements of the affected region of London have 'disappeared'. When Lord Maccon takes off to Scotland on sudden urgent business, Alexia decides to involve herself in investigating the matter.

Happily, this story continues to showcase the entertaining cast of characters I enjoyed from book one: Alexia's love interest Lord Maccon Earl of Woolsey, the intelligent and dependable Professor Lyall, the ever delightful Lord Akeldama and Alexia's rather vacant and not overly observant friend Ivy. Armed with a new parasol filled with 007-style gadgetry, traveling by dirigible and communicating across distances using an aethographic transmitter, book two in Carriger's Parasol Protectorate continues to amuse me. Not as good as book one - this one has some slow bits that made the story drag, the mystery really wasn't much of a mystery, I still had troubles visualizing the aethographic transmitter (even with all the description provided) and yes, some of the dialogue and antics were just roll the eyes 'over the top' silliness - but it was a fun story to unwind with.

Sadly, I forgot to heed the warnings mentioned here on LT about the cliffhanger ending, so I don't have book three, Blameless readily at hand to continue reading. Because I like to start a series long after the first couple of books have been published imagine my shock and horror when I discovered that my local library has Blameless On Order!..... Ack!...... Not happy about that! *Whimpers*.... *Grumbles* Looks like I will be taking a break from this series after all, which is probably for the best since I do have other books that I really should be getting to. *Pouts*

Overall, another entertaining romp through Carriger's alternate history Victorian England and a good bit of fun escapism reading. My advice: Heed the warnings about the cliff hanger and plan your reading accordingly.

Decimal Rating: 3.31
2.75 - Plot Development
3.25 - Character Development
3.25 - Writing Style
3.50 - Readability
3.50 - Premise
3.25 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.75 - Originality
3.25 - Length

Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: e-book
# of Pages: 400 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Female

Next Up: The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway as my 'read at home' book and Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart as my purse read.

Good job on the dress - no wonder you haven't been posting. I do think I like the lace the same color as the dress with only the beading standing out.

I finally found a copy of Masie Dobbs and may read it later this year. I think someone else mentioned the fact that she spent a lot of time on background. But maybe the others will be more cohesive.

Lori & Betty, the first Maisie Dobbs is the only one in the series that spends that much time on Maisie's background. The rest of the books stick much more closely to the investigation. However, this background is the foundation for Maisie's character development throughout the series. I think there is one other book where Maisie goes back to France as part of an investigation and it stirs up memories from the war, but I don't think it's as big a digression from the mystery plot as the back story is in the first book.

Nice work on the dress! It looks like it was a fun project.

Ooh artillery cannon! And the dress looks fantastic!

Great work on the dress - looks like you bought a new one similar to the old! :)

Agreeing with your thoughts on Maisie Dobbs, but, like Carrie points out, I have been assured that the following installments lean more toward proper whodunits.

I can see why you love that dress. Great job on the beading.

Lovely work on the dress! I also appreciated your review of Maisie Dobbs. This is a series I've been thinking of trying, and like you, I like listening to audiobooks while working on crafts (mainly knitting for me), so a book that's good for that situation is always welcome. :)

> 35 to 40 - Thanks Betty, Carrie, rabbitprincess, Eva, BookLizard and Paulina! I am really happy with how the dress turned out. Next project is to use some of the left over beads and create some bead jewelry. I need to think about how I want to do that.

> 35 - Thanks Betty! It was the faded lace that convinced me I needed to smarten the dress up a bit... that and I wasn't really a fan of the original bead work. Maisie Dobbs is a good read and thankfully Carrie mentions in her post that the digression in book one isn't a common occurrence in the series.

> 36 - Good to know the further books in the series fit closer to the mystery novel structure. I did like the WWI part of Maisie Dobbs, it just seems to come across as two books in one, which probably isn't a bad thing! ;-) I am looking forward to seeing how Maisie develops in the future stories.

> 37 - Yes, artillery cannon! I get to hear and see those going off on a somewhat regular basis. The picture in post #32 is one the local newspaper took during one of the Throne Speeches.

> 38 - It can be hard to judge a series based on the first book. So many writers seem to struggle with what they are going to focus the first book on and it looks like Winspear tried to reach some kind of compromise / balance.

> 40 - Paulina, Maisie Dobbs is great audiobook material. It is one of those "listen with one ear while concentrating on something else" kind of story that didn't have me rewinding to replay a piece of information that almost flew past me.

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Forgot to report my latest book acquisition:



Mechanique by Genevieve Valentine. Yes, Pete and Claire, you have both convinced me with your reviews that this is a goodie worth reading. Happily, I found a copy - yes, one copy only - available for purchase in my favorite used bookstore on Friday during my lunch break, so I grabbed it. ;-)

Nice acquisition! They got me with that bookbullet too - a dangerous team, those two. :)

Hope you enjoy it!

oo I am now nervously hoping you will like it after I gushed :)

> 42 - They got me with that bookbullet too - a dangerous team, those two. :) Agreed! ;-)

> 43 and 44 - No worries, I will be very surprised if I discover I don't like it!

Reading Update:
With three books actively on the go right now - Arabian Nights, Nine Coaches Waiting and The River of No Return, I won't have another book finished until some time this weekend.

Loving Arabian Nights and wondering why I have never read it before now.

Nine Coaches Waiting is drawing me in at a steady pace that I like and doesn't feel as dated as I thought it would.

The River of No Return is proving to be a bit of a slog for me and I am hoping the story manages to pick up the pace as I continue reading, I am but a little concerned it might not considering I have already read 162 pages in this 452 page book.

The Arabian Nights is very much part of my childhood - I had (actually still have) a fantastic set that I got from my grandparents. Such fantastic stories!

> 47 - The Arabian Nights were very much a part of my other half's childhood too. Me, I was too busy reading Aesop's, Grimm's, Trixie Belden books and the like. Luckily, we are never to old to go back and read some of the books we didn't read when we were younger! ;-)

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I hope everyone has had an enjoyable weekend. July has been perfect weather-wise in this part of the world so a lot of outdoor activities have been on the agenda lately. This weekend was also spent tackling a long over due computer project: getting my Windows based computer to work properly with iTunes and sync with my iPod touch. For the past year, I have been using our laptop to manage any file transfers between the computer and the iPod, but I have been pestering my other half that we really need to get the software working properly on my computer so that I am not stranded when he needs to travel with the laptop. My iPod is wi-fi and while I can download e-books directly to it, audiobooks need to be downloaded to a computer and then transferred over. Saturday night we were finally able to figure out that our firewall doesn't like the apple stuff and refuses to 'see' it. Well, I was so excited that we were able to figure this out (and come up with a work around that doesn't compromise the firewall security) that I spend about 4 hours on Sunday cleaning my computer, deleting old files I no longer wanted or needed, transferring over my files from the laptop and then backed up all my keeper files to a memory stick - something I have been putting off for about a year now. Everything works perfectly now and if the computer were to crash tomorrow, I don't care because everything is safely backed up. That was my 'productive' weekend. ;-)

Oh, I also managed to finish two more books.... reviews below.

Book #63 - The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway
Category: - All things NEW

“You are now a member of the Guild. There is no return.” Two hundred years after he was about to die on a Napoleonic battlefield, Nick Falcott, soldier and aristocrat, wakes up in a hospital bed in modern London. The Guild, an entity that controls time travel, showers him with life's advantages. But Nick yearns for home and for one brown-eyed girl, lost now down the centuries. Then the Guild asks him to break its own rule. It needs Nick to go back to 1815 to fight the Guild’s enemies and to find something called the Talisman.

In 1815, Julia Percy mourns the death of her beloved grandfather, an earl who could play with time. On his deathbed he whispers in her ear: “Pretend!” Pretend what? When Nick returns home as if from the dead, older than he should be and battle scarred, Julia begins to suspect that her very life depends upon the secrets Grandfather never told her. Soon enough Julia and Nick are caught up in an adventure that stretches up and down the river of time. As their knowledge of the Guild and their feelings for each other grow, the fate of the future itself is hanging in the balance.

Published in 2013, I really liked the premise for Ridgway's debut novel. Sadly, it failed horribly for me in the delivery. While I can appreciate that one needs to set the stage for the reader and provide background on the characters, I don't think it needs to be repeated on a regular basis throughout the story. The plot took forever to build - I was past the 300 page mark before the story started to move beyond setting the stage - but sadly it kept stalling on the repeated information or other annoying digressions. If I had to read one more time about the Talisman, I think I would have screamed. Detailed descriptions can be a great asset to a story, when executed without an excess of descriptive words. Sadly, Ridgway seems to be of the school of thought of "Why use just one well chosen word or phrase when a string of descriptive words can be used?" Example:

"The sound of their laughter was like a tune he had once loved but had forgotten. The weight of an arm over his shoulder, the gentle humor of a lewd joke, the good wishes passed on from someone who couldn't be there. The smells soothed: beeswax, tobacco, leather, booze, musk, and cologne. The sounds delighted: bass, baritone, and tenor voices; glasses clinking, cards shuffling; dice clicking, fire cracking. This was the very perfection of good living, good drinking, good feeling."

While I expected Nick to be a bit adrift after 10 years spend in the 21st century, having adopting modern day slang and social customs, I really didn't need to see the actual 19th century characters only making token observances of social customs and graces of 1815 England.

I am probably being a bit harsh in my review of this one. The premise holds promise of an entertaining tale and I did like the references of time travel being akin to traveling the ebbs and flows of a river:

"This River of Time. It seems to flow in one direction, steadily, inexorably. But there are countercurrents and eddies. Ultimately, and in the big picture, it doesn't matter; the river flows to the sea. Those who know the river, and who use it, know that it moves in complex ways, ways that we can use and even change. Our very bodies swimming in the river alter its flow. But we cannot change it for long, and we cannot change the ultimate truth: The river will run to the sea."

I also liked the idea of a future period, "the Pale", the time travelers are unable to travel forward to. "Mr. Mibbs" really had the potential to drive the story at a sweeping pace and I wish Ridgway had made better use of this fascinating, mysterious character. All my perseverance in reading this one finally paid off around the 400 page mark when the real action begins and the story finally starts to feel like a true Regency adventure. Why Ridgway wrote such a dull, anticlimactic ending I will never know. *sighs*

This story could have been a fantastic read if the editors had take a firm hand, cut some 200 pages of text and tightened up the storyline. One can only hope that if Ridgway writes another story, the editors take a firmer hand in the creation of the finished product. Others may find this one an enjoyable story to read, I just got frustrated with it.

Decimal Rating: 2.78
2.50 - Plot Development
2.75 - Character Development
3.00 - Writing Style
3.50 - Readability
3.25 - Premise
3.00 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.25 - Originality
1.00 - Length

Star Rating: 3.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Hard cover
# of Pages: 464 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Female

Book #64 - Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart
Category: - All things GOTHIC

When lovely Linda Martin first arrives at Château Valmy as an English governess to the nine-year-old Count Philippe de Valmy, the opulence and history surrounding her seems like a wondrous, ecstatic dream. But a palpable terror is crouching in the shadows. Philippe's uncle, Leon de Valmy, is the epitome of charm, yet dynamic and arrogant—his paralysis little hindrance as he moves noiselessly in his wheelchair from room to room. Only his son Raoul, a handsome, sardonic man who drives himself and his car with equally reckless abandon, seems able to stand up to him. To Linda, Raoul is an enigma—though irresistibly attracted to him, she senses some dark twist in his nature. When an accident deep in the woods nearly kills Linda's innocent charge, she begins to wonder if someone has deadly plans for the young count.

I read this one as part of a group read. Billed as being a suspense, Gothic Romance, this story took me back to the guilty pleasure reading of my teenage years of reading Phyllis A. Whitney and to a lesser extent (and minus the gothic elements), M.M. Kaye: A story with a feisty, young heroine; a rich, titled family with a past; a beautiful estate (or in this case, the Château Valmy, the family home for a number of generations); gossipy villagers, a remote location; a sinister mystery brewing and of course, a romantic interest for our young heroine. I am new to Mary Stewart's works and I really like how she is able to build the suspense and never let it drop, carrying on to the very last page. I also like how this story, first published in 1958, does not feel dated in any way. It is atmospherically Gothic. Even Château Valmy is showing its age and lack of resources to maintain the beautiful home. The hallways seem to echo with secrets. I also loved how every room seems to have a fireplace, with a warm fire in the evenings to try and hold back the chill of the night air and the chilly feelings of the story. Of course, what I really like about this story is how Stewart is able to build the romance part of the story without having the characters act overly sappy or have the romance take over the plot. The romance stays in the wings, coming out when required but never upstaging the suspenseful mystery, the true star of the story. Given the 1950's publication date of the story, the male leads aren't perfect, but they are in keeping with the story and the hero image of the time period.

I like how this book is showing on Amazon as a 'Rediscovered classics'. ;-) Overall, this was the perfect summer read for me with a great plot, solid character development and a steady building suspense that kept me reading. I will be keeping an eye out for more Mary Stewart books to enjoy.

Decimal Rating: 4.19
4.50 - Plot Development
4.00 - Character Development
4.00 - Writing Style
4.50 - Readability
4.50 - Premise
4.25 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.50 - Originality
4.25 - Length

Star Rating: 4.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Paperback
# of Pages: 317 pages
Source: My Library
Male/Female Author: Female

Hurray for productive computer weekends! I am also looking forward to reading Nine Coaches Waiting -- will probably start sometime this week. Too hot to do anything other than sit inside and read!

>48 lkernagh: I was too busy reading Aesop's, Grimm's, Trixie Belden books and the like.

Did you live at my house when we were younger? I don't remember seeing you there, but those are definitely the books I was reading, too!

> 51 - Thanks Rabbitprincess, I agree, hurray for productive computer weekends! ;-) Looking forward to seeing what you think of Nine Coaches Waiting.

> 52 - LOL, Carrie... I don't think I was living at your house when we were younger, but if you saw me monopolizing the record player to play the 'soundtrack - were they even called soundtracks back then? - of "Babes in Toyland" until I wore the record out, then I probably did live at your house. *giggles* You do realize this post has lead me to find a certain movie on-line here just waiting for me to sit down and watch. ;-)

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Currently Reading:

Andrew Lang's version of The Arabian Nights
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

I guess you weren't there after all! The records we played over and over were Mickey and the Beanstalk, Peter and the Wolf, and a Brady Bunch album.

Would you believe I've never seen Babes in Toyland! Now I'm going to have to watch it too!

Great review of the river of no return the problems you had with it sound like they could have been fixed by a good editor!

Thanks for your review of The River of No Return, Lori! It has been on my TBR list for a little while, but I feel very comfortable removing it now!

Oh how I wish you lived closer and could come fix my computer, iPad, laptop, etc. I've never even thought about having a backup to doing my iPad on the laptop. Will need to discuss this with hubby, I guess.

> 54 - *giggles* I guess not! I watched part of Babes in Toyland last night and I still love it!

> 55 - Thanks Pete. I agree, a good editor would have been able to produce a great product out of the material provided.

> 56 - Hi Christina, I really wanted to like The River of No Return more than I did, but it was the 450+ pages that killed me. I might have been more forgiving of the issues in a much shorter story or novella. Of course, in a shorter novel, repetions are less likely to crop up. ;-)

> 57 - Oh, Betty, if it is any concilation, it did take us over a year to figure out what the problem was. My other half is the computer techie but I am the methodical tester - "If A + B + C doesn't work, try A + B + D and see if something happens" - and that is pretty much how we 'discovered', for lack of a better word, our solution. I don't know much about iPads but with the way technology is going these days, I want back-up plans when system "A" fails, or disappears. Good luck with the fixes.

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I have been doing some reading that I won't (okay, "might not") be adding to this challenge, even though it would fit into my "All things WITH A TITLE, AUTHOR(S) AND WORDS WRITTEN" category. I have been following for some time the Apple e-book lawsuit in the US around price fixing. Last week the judge found Apple guilty of colluding with five of the big six major book publishers in a scheme designed to inflate prices of e-books.

For anyone who finds this type of reading interesting, or if you are interested in the timeline of events, the judicial opinion can be accessed here: http://sdnyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/12-Civ.-02826-US-v.-Apple-Opinion...

I should mention that the 160 page judicial opinion reads like a great non-fiction read that goes into some detail about the development of e-book readers and the e-book market in general, compared with more traditional paper publishing. It is not some dry legal opinion. I am currently at page 72 and really drop jaw stunned at what the publishers and Apple thought they could get away with. Gripping, page turning stuff!

I'll be interested to hear your 'review' of the Apple opinion! I've always been baffled by the high price of ebooks, but I don't know that I'm up for 160 pages of an explanation : /

LOL! I skimmed it and found quite a few wonderful statements - reads like a mob trial, it does!!

Happy Sunday everyone! Summer weather continues here on the west coast, and I feel for everyone that is experiencing extreme weather (heat, rain, etc). I have started a new beading project - this time a necklace and earring set - that is occupying some of my time when I am not outdoors. Reading continues but at a slower pace than usual.

> 59 - Hi Alicia, not sure about a review but I have pulled together a summary of what occurred - the 'whys' and the 'hows' of the situation. Maybe it will entice you to read the opinion? ;-)

> 60 - It does has the marks of being a mob trial.... replace e-books with racketeering and the case could be the same!

-----------------------

Below is my summary of the events laid out in the judicial opinion, explaining why there was suddenly a large increase in the price of e-books in the US in 2010:

The case against Apple tells how Apple and five publishing companies (Hatchette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Group and Simon & Shuster) tried to change Amazon's $9.99 e-book price system. The publishers did not like Amazon selling e-books at their low price, in particular books considered "New York Times Bestsellers" because they felt it was not sustainable. They felt that the e-book pricing would eat away at the hardcover sales through brick-and-mortar stores, threatening the entire business model and the publishers needed to kill Amazon's pricing before it became a de facto standard.

When Apple came into the picture, the publishers were already engaging in a practice known as 'windowing' where they would deliberately withhold new release e-books from the market so that readers only had access to the higher prices hard cover books. With the approaching announcement of the iPad in January of 2010, Apple was interested in being able to launch the iBookstore (like the iTunes store) for e-books. Apple approached the publishers with the iBookstore idea and let the publishers know that Apple was willing to work with them to raise e-book prices from Amazon's $9.99 pricing, up to $12.99 or even $14.99. The idea: To have the publishers move away from their current wholesale model - where they receive a designated wholesale price for each book sold, regardless of the sale price of the book - to an agency model where the publisher sets the retail price and the retailer must sell the book at the price set by the publisher. Apple and the publishers agreed to do this. Apple saw the benefit to Apple for this approach in that publishers could set their prices for e-books sold through Apple's iBookstore structured so that the publishers could not price the e-books any higher than the same books being sold by their agents. Apple wanted a guarantee that books sold through the iBookstore would be no more expensive than book sold anywhere else, while also allowing Apple to benefit from the same royalty scheme already in place for iTunes.... Apple was to receive 30% of the sale price of each book sold through the iBookstore. Apple wanted the iBookstore to be a rousing success, without having to compete on price. To ensure that the publishers didn't raise e-book prices sky-high, Apple put in place price tier caps on certain categories of books (New Titles and NYT Bestsellers) that could not be exceeded by the publishers. Apple also put a clause in the agency agreement with the publishers that would guarantee e-books sold through the iBookstore would be sold for the lowest retail price in the marketplace. The fact that publishers were willing to agree to an agency model that provided them with a lower profit return on the sale of an e-book speaks to how badly they wanted to raise the price of e-books.

What really drove the process was that all of Apple's negotiations with the publishers occurred within less than 8 weeks of the planned announcement of the iPad and the opening of the iBookstore. Apple approached the publishers with a solution and took total control of the negotiations with a "you snooze, you lose" hard nose approach to closing business deals, convincing the publishers that they needed Apple more than Apple needed the publishers, which is true because Apple had no qualms about scraping the iBookstore if they didn't have enough of the big publishers signed up in time for the iPad announcement. HarperCollins, one of the holds outs, finally bowed to pressure and signed what it felt was a "terrible" deal for it and its authors within days of the announcement occurring. Random House was the only publisher to not sign the agreement in time for the announcement. Apple had to pressure Random House months after the launch of the iPad and the iBookstore to join the iBookstore.

The onus was now on the publishers to change all of their retailers, including Amazon, from the wholesale model to the agency model. Of course, Amazon was not willing to cede control over e-book pricing to the publishers - seriously, who would give that kind of control to a supplier? - and did not want to change from a wholesale arrangement to an agency arrangement with the publishers. Amazon quickly learned that it didn't have much of a choice when threats of deep windowing of new titles was leveraged by the publishers. Amazon then did what any business would have done.... it sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, complaining about the simultaneous demands for agency agreements from the publishers who had signed with Apple. Because of the relationship the publishers now had with one another, Amazon hands were tied in any attempts to negotiate specific terms with any one publisher. Each publisher knew what the others were being offered by Amazon.

What is scary is that Apple was right... without the price tier caps they had build into the agency agreement, the publishers most likely would have driven e-book prices even higher than they did. Apparently when the iBookstore opened, 91% of New titles, and 99% of NYT Bestseller titles sold through the iBookstore were priced within 1% of the price caps set.

Book #65 - Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Category: - All things NEWSWORTHY

'What if we had a chance to do it again and again,' Teddy said, 'until we finally did get it right? Wouldn't that be wonderful?'

The above quote pretty much sums up the premise of this story for me. Not sure about the wonderful part, but definitely the chance to do it again and again. Beautifully, evocatively written, Atkinson takes the reader on a journey through multiple time periods and alternate timelines, following the life (and possible alternate timeline lives) of Ursula Todd. From her snowy winter day birth in 1910, through two world wars and into the 1960's,the reader embarks on a rather haphazard journey told through the voice of a rather unreliable narrator. The reader is left questioning what is fact and what is fiction, what is real and what is dream. The quest itself is undefined, beyond the quote posted above. The journey is one of harrowing beauty, filled with characters that seem to represent a cross section of individuals of the time period. Atkinson leaves no stone unturned as she makes use of fine details - a dog cowering in a doorway, a dress blowing in the breeze, a walk to the railway station, a baby born - to connect otherwise unconnected stories together, creating possibilities out of thin air.

Some have seen this as a book about reincarnation, but I don't see that. The traveling soul in question in this story does not begin a new life in a new body. While Ursula possesses the sixth sense of experiencing 'deja vu' it is more a story of 'what ifs' - how much does /can one's life change as an outcome of an event? - than reincarnation. Atkinson's story presents an interesting picture examination of what might occur if an event or events occur differently. It also raised the important point that some events seem destined to occur, regardless of what path brought you to it.

Overall, a truly wonderful read, for the war experience perspectives if anything but a bit long-winded for me.

Decimal Rating: 4.31
4.00 - Plot Development
5.00 - Character Development
4.25 - Writing Style
4.25 - Readability
4.50 - Premise
4.75 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
4.25 - Originality
3.50 - Length

Star Rating: 4.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: e-book
# of Pages: 544 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Female

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Next Up: UTU by Caryl Ferey, and continuing to read (and enjoy) Andrew Lang's version of Arabian Nights.

Catching up on threads and stopping by to say hello!

> 63 - Hi Lori!

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Thanks to Cindy for creating an "Off the Shelf in August" thread, I will be reading only books on my TBR bookshelf for the August and may carry that into September. I am falling behind on my ROOTS reading and really need to stop being enticed by all of the books on offer at my local library. So, I have 8 days left to finish reading the library books I currently have checked out - or at least the ones with the long wait lists. ;-)

Book #66 - UTU by Caryl Férey - translated from the French by Howard Curtis
Category: - All things EUROPA

'Paul Osbourne is spiraling out of control. Full of drugs and booze and self-hate, he has washed up in Sydney, where he has a walk-up in Kings Cross, a bad case of sunstroke, and an even worse reputation at the local bars. But now his former boss from the Auckland City Police Department has tracked him down and wants Osbourne back on the job. Jack Fitzgerald, a former colleague and Osbourne's only real friend on the force, has committed suicide in the middle of an important investigation. And despite his current state, Paul Osbourne, once a tenacious detective, is the only one qualified to take over the investigation.

An expert in Maori culture, Osbourne retraces his dead friend's steps into a world of occult mystery, tribal discontent, billion-dollar backroom deals, and political corruption in a search for the truth about Jack Fitzgerald."

Billed by the publishers as part of their "World Noir" category of books, I found myself drawn into the dark, gritty, unflinching story. Osbourne is anything but likeable as a character. He is rude, obnoxious and travels with an overnight bag filled with drug paraphernalia - speed, opium, grass, cocaine, acid, PCP, amphetamines, morphine, ecstasy and even some heroin - not clothing and toiletries like a 'normal' human being. Osbourne also suffers from periods of blackouts - probably caused by the ongoing chemical cocktail he subjects his body to - which makes discovering what is going on even trickier, when Osbourne comes to in settings that would disconcert if not totally freak out most people. The story is somewhat sparse on scenery descriptions, but more than makes up for it by carrying and maintaining an overpowering feeling of negative emotions. Dark, troubling emotions. Nasty emotions. The plot is well managed and I really appreciated how Osbourne would, from time to time, tally all of the evidence like a checklist, to see what was missing or what didn't add up. That helped me as much as it helped him! The reason I read this one was for the Maori angle of the story. The explanations of Maori culture, and the reason behind the choice of "Utu", a Maori term for revenge, as the title gives this otherwise run of the mill Noir crime story a different angle for me to appreciate the story from. Some of the Maori language used through out the story left me a little confused (not all was translated for the reader) but that wasn't a hindrance to following the story.

I should probably mention that according to LT, UTU is book two in the Jack Fitzgerald series, book one being Haka. I have not been able to find Haka translated into the English language anywhere, but I think it is safe to say that the two books are probably only connected by the New Zealand Noir crime setting and reference to the character Jack Fitzgerald.... kind of hard to have a two book series if your main character is dead before book two even starts.

Overall, a solid read that I flew through, considering the page count, and I will be on the lookout for more English translations of Férey's works.

Decimal Rating: 3.72
4.50 - Plot Development
4.00 - Character Development
3.50 - Writing Style
3.50 - Readability
3.75 - Premise
3.00 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.50 - Originality
4.00 - Length

Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 416 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Male

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Next Up: Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole, and continuing to read (and enjoy) Andrew Lang's version of Arabian Nights.

Ooh, World Noir - sounds fantastic. I have one of the books on their list, Minotaur, on Mt. TBR, but I hadn't caught on that it could be described as noir - guess I'll have to dig it out of the piles sooner rather than later!

.... and I am now adding Minotaur to my future reading list! ;-)

You're welcome? :)

good review, making a note of Utu!

Just catching up with your thread and enjoyed very much your excellent reviews of Nine Coaches Waiting and Life After Life. There's been a lot of talk about the Atkinson book, including surprise from some that it wasn't on yesterday's Booker list. I've always meant to read Mary Stewart but have never gotten around to it.

Thanks too for the detailed explanation of why ebook prices went up. That was very informative.

De-lurking to say I just recently read Changeless and quite enjoyed it. I will try to remember to get Blameless with book #3!

Good on you for finishing The River of No Return...I tossed it on the DNF pile. :) Glad to hear you enjoyed Life After Life, though I certainly agree that Atkinson tends to write overly long books. I love them, though, extra words and all!

Hi Everyone! I am still enjoying this lovely summer we are having in my part of the world. I hope everyone else is having beautiful weather.

> 69 - Thanks, Claire!

> 70 - Hi Paulina, I really enjoyed Life after Life and was also a bit surprised that it didn't make the Booker List. I know the rather hopscotch nature of Atkinson's story can be a bit frustrating to read - and I still haven't figured out the significance of some of the section titles - but it strikes me as more of an Bailey's/Orange Prize novel then a Booker prize novel. I know one probably can't say that a prize is more geared towards a certain type of story but I beg to differ on that point. ;-)

> 71 - Hi, Tina! Nice to see you de-lurking! I can be a notorious lurker at times, usually when life is just too busy and I only manage to grab snatches of time for LT. I am looking forward to reading Blameless.... Carriger's books are such perfect summer escapism reading material!

> 72 - Hi HRO, I am very happy to learn that I was not the only one frustrated by The River of No Return! Atkinson does have a way with the written word and her characters are perfect to visualize. While I still have no desire to read her Jackson Brodie books - I did watch the TV movies/series of Case Histories staring Jason Issacs - I will probably pick up another non-Jackson Brodie book by the author for reading.

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On the reading front, I finished Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole earlier this week and can highly recommend it for anyone that likes a good war-time romance story with a lot of heart, feeling and turbulence. Review posted below. Currently enjoying Frederica by Georgette Heyer, another fun bit of fluff summer reading and the last book in my local library pile. I should be finished this one later today and then it will be two months of only reading books off my TBR bookcase.

Book #67 - Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole
Category: - All things EPISTOLARY



Two generations of Dunn women. Two world wars. A secret. A family torn apart.

June, 1940. When Margaret's mother Elspeth disappears without warning from their Edinburgh apartment following an air raid that rocked their neighbourhood and revealed a cache of letters Elspeth had hidden in the wall, Margaret's only clue to Elspeth's possible whereabouts is a single letter from that cache of hidden letters. A letter dated October 31, 1915 from an American named Davey to a girl named "Sue". Margaret has no idea who "Sue" is or where her mother has gone to but she is determined to learn what she can of this secret her mother has kept from her for all these years.

Focusing on the letters between Elspeth, a young married poet living in a crofters cottage on the Isle of Skye, and David Graham, a young American who first writes to Elspeth a fan letter after reading a slim volume of her published poems, this story was a treat to read. If you are like me and love to be swept along by a war-time love story, Brockmole's debut novel is one of captivating beauty and poignancy. For me, it's as though Brockmole channeled the sparkling epistolary style of Helene Hanff (think 84, Charing Cross Road) and the poignant lyrical story-telling of Helen Humphreys (think Coventry or The Lost Garden) and in the process has produced her own page turning war-time love story. Some may compare this to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - a story I read when it came out back in 2008 - but I think Letters from Skye is the stronger story of the two and, for me anyways, it will stay with me far longer than Guernsey did.

This is a tough one to write a review for without giving away any of the story that is to unfold so I won't bother to say anything more than that the characters are well drawn with realistic hopes, dreams and fears and that Brockmole has done a great job in capturing the emotional strength a letter can convey from sender to recipient.

Well worth reading and a perfect summer read, IMO!

Decimal Rating: 4.13
4.25 - Plot Development
4.50 - Character Development
4.00 - Writing Style
4.50 - Readability
3.75 - Premise
4.25 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
4.00 - Originality
3.75 - Length

Star Rating: 4.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Hard cover
# of Pages: 304 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Female

Book #68 - Frederica by Georgette Heyer
Category: - All things REGENCY

When Frederica brings her younger siblings to London determined to secure a brilliant marriage for her beautiful sister, she seeks out their distant cousin the Marquis of Alverstoke. Lovely, competent, and refreshingly straightforward, Frederica makes such a strong impression that to his own amazement, the Marquis agrees to help launch them all into society. Normally wary of his family, which includes two overbearing sisters and innumerable favor-seekers, Lord Alverstoke does his best to keep his distance. But with his enterprising - and altogether entertaining - country cousins getting into one scrape after another right on his doorstep, before he knows it the Marquis finds himself dangerously embroiled…

This was a fun, quaint read but for some reason, it doesn't hold up to my mind's memory of Heyer's stories. We have all the trappings of a regency romance - strong-willed female lead (Frederica), a titled and moneyed male lead (Lord Alverstoke), London high society with its gossips (Alverstoke's sisters and friends of the ton) and some mishaps and adventures to drive the plot along (courtesy of Frederica's siblings). It is a light, fun story full of wit and humour and great for reading while lounging in the shade of a tree on a lovely summer day, but I have to admit I had some difficulties accepting Lord Alverstoke's character. I guess I was expecting his character to be the typical dastardly rake of the first stare that is common in these types of stories. Yes, he is bored easily and cannot really be bothered to remember things of importance, and yes his reasons for agreeing to help launch Frederica and her younger sister Charis into society are for personal reasons of a mischievous nature, but he really doesn't come across as selfish as he is believed to be. Frederica's siblings, in particular young Felix and Jessamy, are an absolute delight and really help propel the story forward. I also found Charles Turner, Lord Alverstoke's secretary to be quite an amusing character.

Overall, A sweet summer read.

Decimal Rating: 3.69
3.50 - Plot Development
3.75 - Character Development
3.75 - Writing Style
4.00 - Readability
3.50 - Premise
3.50 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.75 - Originality
3.75 - Length

Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 448 pages
Source: GVPL
Male/Female Author: Female

There is no way that I am going to finish another book before the end of the month so now is a good a time as any to post the July stats:

JULY RE-CAP:

Books read:


ROOTs Read (as part of my ROOT challenge):
None

Books acquired:

Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine

Favorite book (decimal rating): Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - (4.31 decimal rating)
Least favorite book (decimal rating): The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway - (2.78 decimal rating)

CATEGORY SUMMARY:
GRAPHIC - 1 book read this month (Total = 13)
- - - Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman -
NEW (published in 2012 or 2013) - 1 book read this month (Total = 11)
- - - The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway -
EPISTOLARY - 1 book read this month (Total = 5)
- - - Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole -
GOTHIC - 1 book read this month (Total = 5)
- - - Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart -
FABLES and FAIRY TALES - 0 books read this month (Total = 6)
EUROPA - 1 book read this month (Total = 3)
- - - UTU by Caryl Férey -
REGENCY - 1 book read this month (Total = 3)
- - - Frederica by Georgette Heyer -
PENGUIN - 0 books read (Total = 2)
MITFORD - 0 books read this month (Total = 1)
SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES - 2 books read this month (Total = 6)
- - - Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear -
- - - Changeless by Gail Carriger -
NEWSWORTHY - 1 book read this month (Total = 6)
- - - Life After Life by Kate Atkinson -
ON MY TBR BOOKCASE - 0 books read this month (Total = 5)
WITH A TITLE, AUTHOR(S) AND WORDS WRITTEN - 0 books read this month (Total = 2)

Overall, I am quite happy with how my categories seem to be balancing out considering I am reading what I want and placing the books in the most appropriate category. End of the year will probably see some books moved around in the quest for Prime, but for now, all is good. Hopefully, my goal to read only books off my TBR bookcase for the next two months will help me with my Penguin and Mitford categories as well as being a big help for my ROOTs challenge!

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Currently Reading:

The Arabian Nights - 10% finished (about to start the story of the Young King of the Black Isles)
ENGN - 6% finished (currently in the middle of Chapter 2)
Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters - about to start this doorstopper of a book

Looks like a productive reading month! Sadly I ended up not starting Nine Coaches Waiting... I think having it as part of an omnibus was just too daunting, especially as I borrowed it at the height of our heatwave :P Maybe I'll hunt up a cheap secondhand copy in its own edition instead.

A very productive reading month, indeed. And if the "worst" one is close to 3 stars, that's pretty good too! :)

> 77 - Thanks RP, and if it is any consolation, Nine Coaches Waiting has aged rather well and should still read as a good escapism piece of reading if and when you do get around to reading it!

> 78 - Thanks Eva, it was a good reading month. I was probably overly generous with my rating of The River of No Return, but I have real soft spot for new authors and their debut works.... I put all blame on their editors in not being able to produce a book that I can rave about! August will probably be a slow reading month, what with the doorstopper I have started reading, but I am okay with that!

Letters from Skye - did I need another book bullet? I must stay off your thread, lol. It sounds wonderful, thanks.

> 80 - Of course you need another BB, we all do.... can't run the risk of that TBR pile getting manageable. That would just never do, not on LT! ;-)

I cut debut-books a lot of slack as well - any debut that scores a 3 compared with a seasoned author's book gets accolades from me.

Yup, I am with you there. Anyone who is fortunate enough to get a publishing house interested in their novel as an unknown author deserves some kudos for that achievement alone. ;-)

Way back at @61 -- that history of ebook pricing is really fascinating. Thanks so much for sharing. It sounds like Apple deliberately orchestrated the payoffs so that any kind of action was to their benefit (both clever and very sneaky).

Hi Lori - just starting from here, sorry to say. Happy end-of-the-weekend to you!

> 84 - You are correct, that is what Apple did when setting up the agency e-book pricing. They were determined to make it a profitable win for them and figured out how to leverage the publishers to make it happen. Anyone see 'opportunist control freak' written all over that plan? ;-)

> 85- Thanks for stopping by Laura! It has been a lovely weekend, and a beautiful holiday Monday where I live. I hope your weekend was equally enjoyable.

-----------------

Hello everyone! It is a long weekend in my part of the world and we have been just kicking back and taking things easy. Our fabulous uninterrupted days of sunshine for all of July finally ended on Friday, with the skies clouding over and then opening up, providing some much needed rain..... things in town were getting awfully dusty and dirty, so the rain was refreshing to have! It remained overcast for most of Saturday but, true to record, the beautiful blue skies and sunshine were back on Sunday in time for the annual Victoria Symphony Splash. The Splash is an annual event (this was the 24th year ) where the Victoria Symphony plays a free open concert in the Inner Harbour - they float the symphony on a barge in the harbour and everyone sits in lawn chairs or on the grass of the legislature and the Empress Hotel to listen. It is always a great way to mark the halfway point of summer and this year was no exception. Music was a great mix of classics and popular music - Williams' Close Encounters of the Third Kind was an immediate crowd recognition piece this year. Previous year it was the Pirates of the Caribbean theme. They preformed Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (with fireworks), which is a standard piece for the Splash - and closed out with MacPherson's Lament and the piping of Amazing Grace. A lovely way to enjoy a beautiful Sunday evening.

--------------

On the reading front: I have made no progress with The Arabian Nights - still just 10% finished. I have been enjoying ENGN as my bedtime reading - currently 53% finished. Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters has proven to be more interesting that I had thought, thanks to the heavy annotation of the book to help explain the context of some of the letters. Still a long way to go before I finish this chunkster but at 35% finished, I am making progress!

It looks like my self imposed ban of reading any books from my local library will hit a slight hitch this month..... I have received an email letting me know that my hold for the GN Templar is ready for pickup. When I placed the hold on July 27th it was showing in the catalogue as "On Order" so I figured I had some time before it showed up. Boy was I mistaken! ;-)

Symphony Splash just sounds like such a brilliant event! Ooh, perhaps my library will get its ordered copy of Templar soon as well, then!

Catching up a little bit here. I also think Utu sounds like a fascinating read, despite not being that big on noir.

I could easily go for some symphony splash in a breezy harbour. My office is HOT today!!!

> 87 - Hi Eva, it is a fantastic event, and very family friendly! We are lucky to live within walking distance of the Inner Harbour to enjoy these events and not have to deal with a snarl of traffic (or lack of parking) to attend them.

I picked up my copy of Templar from the library at lunchtime today and what a lovely book it is.... beautiful hardcover with high gloss pages and colour graphics.

> 88 - Hi Anders, I am not big on noir and I found Utu to be quite the good read... enough to make me want to read more noir. *shameless nudges Anders towards the noir book* ;-)

{Tries to send some cool harbour breeze to Sweden.... fails miserably due to mountain ranges in the way.} Here is hoping that your office is cooler now!

The Victoria Symphony Splash sounds wonderful. When I was a teen, I recall going to an outdoor Montreal Symphony Orchestra concert. I never listened to classical music before then, but after hearing them, I was hooked. There's something about hearing a full orchestra in the open air that's truly wonderful.

I too was really surprised that Life After Life didn't make it on the Booker list. I've not read it year, but I'd heard so many glowing reviews that I had thought it would be a certainty.

> 90 - Hi Paulina, it sounds like your outdoor Montreal concerts were similar to our Splash. What a great way to be introduced to classical music!

The Booker list appears to contains some interesting choices. I was reading a thread over in the 75er group that one of the books on the list is 'novella' - I believe it is The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin. I haven't read the Booker rules for what qualifies but I am assuming the judges have prior to publishing the list of candidates for the prize.

Hi Lori, I'm back home and just starting to try to get caught up. Life After Life has landed firmly on my wishlist along with Utu and Letters from Skye. The concert at the Inner Harbour sounds like the perfect way to spend a summer evening. I well remember my grandmother taking us to outdoor concerts in Beacon Hill Park when I was a child.

> 92 - Welcome home, Judy! I hope you had some great quality time with your sister. Sorry about the BBs... you can take comfort in the fact that my reading has slowed down considerably this week, so no new reviews to hit you with in the little bit! As for outdoor concerts in Beacon Hill Park, I haven't seen any mention of concerts lately.... I am kind of wondering if those have tapered off. I know they have been having some lunchtime concerts in Centennial square during the work week but those seem kind of rushed, especially if you have to head back to office! ;-)

----------------------------

My other half surprised me this evening with a new fridge. Probably doesn't sound like an attractive 'surprise'. It's not flowers or chocolates or anything decadent - although it can be used to store decadent items! - but it did made my Friday. Yes, I am domesticated enough that finding a new fridge in my kitchen to replace an older, somewhat temperamental fridge is enough to make my end of work week a very happy one. ;-)

Weekend Craft Project:: I am going to embark on a sewing project this weekend. No details will be provided as yet beyond the fact that I am going to attempt to sew a top. If it works out - and I am really hoping it does - I may provide more details (and possible pics) but I have to admit that my sewing skills are a bit haphazard so I am not promising that anything amazing is going to be accomplished. If it becomes a botched job, I will hide my sewing machine for another two years until the urge to sew strikes again.

On the reading front: It has been a rather busy week on the home front so not much progress has been made on the books I am currently reading. No progress with The Arabian Nights - still just 10% finished. Better progress with ENGN - currently 73% finished, having grabbed snatches of reading time over the week. Almost at the halfway mark with Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters but the book is so large it is my home reading. Will try to get back to it this weekend.

My husband gave me a flat iron one year for Christmas, so I know what you mean about people not understanding. I like to quilt so a new iron was a welcome gift.

I would love a new fridge! I am a practical girl by nature. Decadent gifts are fun, but when something practical can really make your everyday life better then it is a lovely sentiment.

I would love a new dishwasher. Ours doesn't really do the trick. But I don't think that will happen!

I agree, practical gifts can sometimes be the best ones. On my last birthday one of my friends gave me a couple of waterproof travel envelopes for my books, as an additional layer of protection inside my work bag if a really bad rain or snow storm hits. (My copy of Neverwhere got really badly water damaged in a snowstorm, which is why I wanted such a thing in the first place.)

rabbitprincess the waterproof travel envelopes are such a thoughtful gift for book lovers. What a cool idea!

These are the ones I got, if you're interested: http://www.innate-gear.com/product-info/meta-air-traveller/meta-air-traveller-en...
I recommend the big ones as they can fit up to three trade paperbacks (depending on how thick the books are). The smaller ones are better for mass market paperbacks or journals, and they work very well as travel documentation holders.

Congrats on the fridge! Agreeing it's a great gift - I'll go with function over form every time! :) And, anything that removes aggravation (which unreliable appliances cause) from your life is inherently good.

Like Eva say everyone needs reliable (and shiny new) appliances! cool!

I agree that practical gifts can be good. My brother and I still joke about the vacuum/spot remover I let him buy me for my birthday one year. It would have been perfectly fine if he hadn't joked, "Chicks dig vacuum cleaners." So then I had to get mad at him for being sexist. LOL.

I love practical gifts. They're gifts that keep on giving long after a box of chocolate would have been eaten. Congrats on the new refrigerator.

I hope eveyone has had a lovely weekend!

Time flies when you are having fun... or just busy! ;-) This past weekend was a productive one and we got a lot of things done. Manged to settle in long enough to check out the British crime series BroadChurch and absolutely love it! Great psychological crime show that digs into the heart and soul of a community.

Time for some responses:

> 94 - Betty, I would kill for a flat iron! Okay, probably a little enthusiastic there, but that sounds like a great gift to receive!

> 95- Roberta, good to know I wasn't alone in wishing for a new fridge. I am the practical one in this relationship which makes for interesting times when the holidays/birthdays hit. I love practical gifts. My other half perfers gifts of sentimental or other special relevance when holidays/ birthdays are involved. Drives me nuts because he is also notorious for returning gifts that just don't suit the bill, in his eyes, but he does pay attention when I am upset with something - even if it is a minor annoyance - and just makes it right (like the fridge), so I make a special effort to try and find things that he will really like and appreciate.

> 96 - Cindy, while I don't own a dishwasher, I can understand how important and valuable a good one is when you have a family of dishes to deal with on a daily basis! Sorry to learn your's isn't 'doing the trick'.

> 97 & 99 - Happy to see more practical gift lovers here. Waterproof travel envelopes for your books sound amazing.... can you tell I have never heard of them before reading your post?! What a great gift and considering I live in a usually water logged region of Canada, I am off to investigate them further. Thanks for providing the link!

> 100 - Thanks Eva! I now have twice the crisper space AND twice the freezer space, without losing any of the refrigeration shelf space. We are still deciding the shelf settings that best accomodate that various items stored in the fridge but that has just become a fun game after we come back from the grocery store. In a couple of weeks I am sure we will have figured out the optimum shelf allotment. ;-)

> 101 - Thanks Claire!

> 102 - Brothers are great and good for a laugh, even if you have to reign them in when they overstep the mark! ;-) Spot removers are fantastic and your gift from your borhter sounds like a great gift to me, and very practical.

> 103 - Thanks Jennifer and you are right, practical gifts are gifts that keep on giving. ;-)

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Weekend Craft Project- Update So, thankfully my other half - the voice of reason - suggested that I should maybe take baby steps on the sewing front before I just throw myself into sewing a top from scratch. Smart man. So, instead of just diving into my planned top project, I spent the weekend converting a rather thin double sized down duvet into a twin size (fold in half and sew ends together). I then took a double sized duvet cover that we have never use and converted it into a twin size for the newly modified duvet.

End Result: a perfectly functional duvet for those sick/ lazy days that may be spent lying on the sofa. If you are like me, there is nothing more annoying than trying to curl up on the sofa under a blanket that is either too big or too small - hum, starting to sound like Goldilocks here - a twin size duvet is the perfect size for 'cozying' on the sofa. ;-)

On the top front (my 'original weekend craft project'), I spent some time this weekend watching a number of DIY YouTube videos to get a better feel for how I was going to tackle this one. I have now used the tips I learned via the YouTube videos to create the pattern from my top. It is based upon a sleeveless turtleneck top I love as I like simple solid colour classic pieces for office wear. Sadly, where I live office wear is either nonexistent (or at least not something I would wear to the office) or rather frumpy 'stuff', so this project is to see if I can create my own tops and for go being a hostage to the retailers. So far, I have created my pattern and cut the fabric. I may start the sewing tomorrow evening. Will report back on the progress - good or bad.

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On the Reading Front: I finished a book!!!! Review posted below.

Book #69 - Engn by Simon Kewin
Category: - All things NEW



Kewin's fantasy/ science fiction YA novel has an interesting dystopian style premise. Finn and his family lead a peaceful existence in a valley of fields and forests where Finn and his friend Connor spend their childhood playing. It is a good if simple life, except for when the Ironclads pass through. The arrival of the Ironclads can only be bad news. The Ironclads work for the masters of Engn, a huge city-sized steam-powered machine located within a walled fortress a multiple days journey from the valley. Engn requires an endless supply of human workers to keep Engn running, especially as Engn continues to grow in magnitude and in its need for human workers to keep it operating. When the Ironclads arrive, it is to collect the person or persons the masters have decreed is to now work in Engn. Refusing to go to Engn is not an option. Those take to work in Engn never return. When Finn was a young boy, his older sister Shireen was taken. One day, years later when Connor and Finn are in their teens, they come across a girl their own age hiding from the Ironclads in the forested areas near their homes. Connor and Finn befriend her and the three of them make a pact to one day destroy Engn and forever end its tyranny. When first Conner is taken and then the Ironclads come for Finn, Finn remembers the pact and starts to plan.

The story has a lot of good elements in it. I like the world build of Engn, a fascinating mechanically-driven world. I also like how the story has a dystopian feel to it without overpowering the story. The vastness and complexity of Engn caught my interest, as did the line-of-sight communications system used in Finn's world - an interesting tower relay system using sight scopes to send and receive Morse-code style messages. The story does have a slow build to it, starting off with alternating scenes of past and present. Once the story reaches Engn, it takes on a more linear form that is easier to follow. The story is more of a mental puzzle than an action story, with the action scenes limited to short spurts of activity. The characters are alright as characters go, but as I read this one I had to remind myself how young Finn is supposed to be, as his lack of experience outside of his valley community had me shaking my head in dismay at as some of his decisions and outbursts.

Part of the plot didn't work for me. The purpose of Engn - why it was built in the first place - is never satisfactorily explained. I guess from Finn's view point, it's creation is nothing more than ancient history, but it still bugs me that I don't know the WHY. It is not steampunk - this isn't an alternate history with steampunk elements. It is most definitely fantasy, but I leave it to other readers to see what genre that want this book to fall into.

Overall, a decent dystopian style fantasy possible SF read that kept me reading more for the world build than anything else. I haven't read much YA dystopian stories to provide any recommendations about this book beyond the fact that Kewin has intrigued me enough with his story Engn to keep an eye out for more of Kewin's books.

This book was courtesy of Librarything's Early Reviewer program.

Decimal Rating: 3.56
3.25 - Plot Development
3.00 - Character Development
3.50 - Writing Style
3.75 - Readability
3.50 - Premise
4.00 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
4.00 - Originality
3.50 - Length

Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: e-book
# of Pages: 395 pages
Source: LTER
Male/Female Author: Male

You'll probably be glad for the duvet when winter settles in! Good luck with the top project. I'm not very crafty so I'm in awe of your ambitions!

"Smart man."
Smart enough to realize a duvet for the mutual couch would benefit him more than a top for you...? :) (Kidding!)

Good luck on the top! Don't worry too much about it, though, any mistake will just be a learning experience for the future.

You're braver than I am - and I'm a sewer. I've never even considered trying to make my own pattern. (Of course, I haven't been sewing any clothing since You Tube can show you anything you need - I'd buy a pattern). I can't wait to hear/see how it comes out.

> 106 - You are right, Carrie, I will be very glad for the duvet when winter comes. Thanks for the good luck wishes.... I may need them!

> 107 - Ha ha ha, Eva, I did wonder at how helpful he was being. Usually when anything crafty materializes he runs for the hills.... mainly to avoid having to listen to me curse a blue streak when something I attempt to make goes very, very wrong. ;-)

> 108 - Well, I don't know about brave, Betty. I just jump into things and give it a whirl. Reckless might be a better term to describe me.

I'd buy a pattern

I am no good with patterns that one can purchase. I cannot make heads or tails of them and for that reason I have always just done my own thing. I can still remember the frustrations my junior high school Home Economics teacher went through when we did the sewing segment of the class. She thought the boys in the class were going to be the problem (Home Ec/ Industrial Arts was mandatory for all students with a half year spend in each discipline). Boy, was she mistaken!

I cut the fabric last night and will probably sew it together either later tonight or tomorrow night.

And I tend to be much more direction oriented so patterns work for me although I agree that sometimes they can be confusing. My husband makes fun of me when we buy anything that needs to be put together. Like the new grill we just got. First I take out all the pieces and the directions and lay them out so I know where thighs are. And I read him the directions and make him go in order....Hun...put that round thing into that square hole... No, no..the directions say it will go...:)

I'll be waiting to hear/see how it goes.

> 110 - I can relate! My other half, who has an engineering degree and is a self confessed techno geek, never reads instruction manuals that come with 'assemble yourself' products.... apparently, that is my job, as I am repeatedly reminded when something in the assembling goes awry. Go figure. ;-)

Its a dark and rainy night so I have decided sewing is on hold - I find it is better to sew with a flood of natural light - so I think tonight will be a reading night.... or a movie night. Undecided but will think about it while making dinner.

>111 lkernagh:, Hi Ikernagh, great reviews. I've taken a few BB.

Haka is going on the list, I can't read a book if it's not the first in the series even if it's loosely related. I keep thinking that I've missed something essential, sigh ... But really happy because this one is in french !

Letters from Skye is a must if it's even better than The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I really loved this one.

> 112 - Great to see you here electrice! Sorry for the BBs. I am sooooo jealous that you will be able to read Haka! My French is atrocious, just good enough to get me through school and then quickly forget most of what I learned. :-0

-----------------------

Happy Saturday everyone! I have made no progress on my reading this past week - I think I have read about 60 pages of Arabian Nights and that's it. I will be going back to my sewing project after some grocery shopping so I may have good news to report on that front later.

A fun meme has been posted by richardderus over on the 75 group that I wanted to share here:

If you could eat dinner with 7 fictional characters, who would you choose and where would they sit? (Picture a circular table where you are situated between guest #1 and guest #7)

I came up with the following guest list based on only the books I have read in 2013 - trying to decide between my favorite characters of all time was just too darn hard!

1. Morpheus, the Dream King (from Neil Gaiman's The Sandman series) - Can discuss philosophy, mythology, history and pretty much everything else under the sun with this guy, which makes him interesting even though he can be a bit moody and aloof at times.
2. Lady Susan Vernon (from Jane Austin's Lady Susan) - Sometimes a snarky, vain, ambitious, husband seeking female is what you need as a dinner guest to keep things lively.
3. Augustus McCrae (from Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove) - Yes, I have placed the husband seeker right beside a womanizer with confirmed commitment issues! He is well read and has some really interesting viewpoints that will keep the conversation going. Augustus, like Morpheus, will have his own ways of keeping Lady Susan in check.
4. Lady Jane (from Charles Finch's A Death in Small Hours) - Decided I needed to add a female guest skilled in social diplomacy of manners and whatnot who can still hold her own in discussions over the course of the evening. Augustus won't be able to work his charms on her.... he will have to settle for intelligent conversation.
5. Will Laurence (from Naomi Novik's Temeraire series) - A man of military bearing and social standing is a must at any formal gathering!
6. Alexia Tarabotti/ Lady Woolsley (from Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series) - She is far from tactful but at least she has enough breadth of knowledge to join in most of the conversations.
7. Edmond Dantes (from Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo - Seriously, the man is the most fascinating character I have come across in a long time now, which is why he has been seated beside me.
8. Me, of course!

I have to admit it was a toss up between Will Laurence and Randolph Lyall from Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series for guest #6. Guest #7 was a toss up between Alexia Tarabotti and Death from Gaiman's Sandman series.

Who would you invite to dinner?

Lori, I love your choices! If I can't be a guest at your dinner party then I would volunteer to wait on the table.

Let's see, using only books I have read in 2013, I have come up with the following dinner party:

1. Walt Longmire: Ruggedly handsome western lawman who I admit is my current literary crush and therefore seated next to me. We can share information on places like the Bighorn Mountains and Custer's Last Stand.

2. Maureen (Kinky) Kincaid: The kindly, talkative housekeeper from the Irish Doctor series, she excels at telling stories, and she might even bring me some of her excellent recipes.

3. Atticus Finch: The southern gentleman lawyer, I think he would have a great deal to add to any gathering.

4. Claire Beecham Randall Fraser: Time traveller and trained doctor. Witty, bright and humorous, she would be perfect for drawing Atticus Finch out. Since she seems to have a weakness for big, manly men, she could also come to the assistance of the man placed on the other side of her (in case he needs help with which fork to use, etc.)

5. Lord Greystoke (Tarzan): I have always wanted to meet this guy and hear of his jungle adventures.

6. Captain Cordelia Naismith: Down to earth, practical but also very politcally aware and would make every effort to draw Tarzan out and make him feel comfortable. She could use a little infusion of humor so would benefit from having the next fellow beside her.

7. Archie Goodwin: Another literary crush to be placed at my other side (after all it's my party). Wise cracking Archie would be the life of the party!

8. Me

If I could have fit two more then I would have chosen Sir Peter Wimsey and Jane Marple.

Lori - Dantes would make an interesting dinner guest.

This sounds like fun! I think I'll go with bookish conversation with a multicultural flair at my dinner party, which will include (from books I've read this year):

1. Armand Gamache (The Hangman) - Who wouldn't want to meet the wise Inspector from Montreal?

2. Mrs. Ali (Major Pettigrew's Last Stand) - She's ready to try new things and the other guests will make her feel accepted.

3. Charles Lenox (A Beautiful Blue Death, The September Society) - He's well-read and would be a good conversationalist. Perhaps hearing his dinner companions speak of their travels and experiences will make up for the trips he plans but never gets to take.

4. Elizabeth Bisland (Eighty Days) - She can speak intelligently about literature, and Lenox will enjoy hearing about her race around the world against Nellie Bly.

5. & 6. Kakuro Ozu and Paloma Josse (The Elegance of the Hedgehog) - The dinner party will be good experience for young Paloma, and Mr. Ozu's presence will put her at ease.

7. Chen Cao (A Case of Two Cities) - The police inspector from Shanghai can quote poetry during any lull in the conversation.

8. Me, of course!

The meal will be catered by Ollie Paras, the new White House Executive Chef in State of the Onion. Planning menus to suit the preferences of a group of various cultural backgrounds is all in a day's work for her.

>113 lkernagh:: Like the idea of putting Lady Susan and Gus together! Aw, Gus. He was great. :)

I can't resist! Judy, you can't have Archie Goodwin--I've been in love with him for years. (Plus we both have to compete with Lily Rowan.) But since I haven't read a Nero Wolfe this year, I'll have to find someone else.

My 7 dinner guests would be:

Alan Grant (To love and be wise) Polished, civil, experienced and wise, he would be a model guest.

Beryl Markham (West with the night) Aviatrix, horse trainer, knew half of European Africa, definitely a "get"

Judge Dee (Red pavilion) Wise and scholarly, with amazing character insights

Emma Watson (The Watsons) Lovely, poised young heroine of Jane Austen's unfinished novel. She will draw out Judge Dee, who is always courtly and charming with women

Mr. Mulliner (Meet Mr. Mulliner) He always has a story

Precious Ramotswe (Kalahari typing school for men) Wise and charming, will help to rein in Mr. Mulliner's tendency to monopolize the conversation

Andrew Dalziel (Recalled to life) A secret crush of mine; even though he's crude and annoying, he's also brilliant and vital. He and Grant should strike sparks.

M. F. K. Fisher, whose Alphabet for gourmets I read will advise on the menu.

> 114 - Thanks, Judy! I had a lot of fun coming up with the guest list! The first guest to decline will lose their spot to you. ;-)

Loved your guest list. A great mix of personalities! I love the idea of Atticus Finch coming to dinner. He would have some good viewpoints to raise! Yup, Jane Marple would make a great dinner guest!

I got confused at first when I read the name for guest #4 - I was about to ask you what book(s) she is in and then the shoe dropped! Duh! *slaps forehead with palm of hand* I do have to ask where Captain Cordelia Naismith can be found, when she is not attending delightful dinner parties, that is! ;-)

> 115 - I cannot even begin to imagine what conversations would occur with Dantes present. At least we know he will present a poised and polished presence.

> 116 - Live your list Carrie! Gamache and Lenox at the same table.... wonderful fun that! Good idea to include both Kakuro Ozu and Paloma Josse. Good grief, I haven't even thought about the dinner.... I was too busy thinking about the guest list. Mine dinner may just become the No Dinner dinner. ;-)

> 117 - I figure something entertaining will come out of that pairing, if nothing else!

> 118 - Wow, first Judy an now you professing your love for Archie Goodwin! Where do I go to find out more about this charming gentlemen?

I have to admit to not knowing any of the guest you have invited but based on your descriptions of them, they sound like a worldly bunch!

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So, I have just discovered to downside to this dinner guest meme.... more book bullets are hitting me for interesting characters I want to learn more about!

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Weekend Craft Project- Update:
Well, I have had a very productive weekend! I finished not one but two tops - one a blue sleeveless crew neck and a green (well, more like chatreuse with a bit of a brown undertone to it) one with a rounded collar and cap sleeves. Overall, I am quite happy with the results but I need to work more on the design for under the arms so that the top fits better in that area.

Oh, Archie! If I had read one this year he would be sitting right next to me I have Nero's cookbook so perhaps Felix would be our cook and butler! And I would stock a good supply of milk - for Archie, Flavia and Sallie - although Sallie probably prefers sassparilla!

I did the meme on my own threads, and it's amazing how hard it is to choose. There are so many interesting characters, but only seven slots. And so many new book bullets from reading other peoples lists.

>116 cbl_tn:, I really do need to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

I also did the meme on my own thread.

I'm trying to do the dinner party meme, but I'm having the worst trouble. I read for plot and not for characters, so I can't think of any book characters I'd invite* (seriously, I went through my list of favorite books of all time, and had to stop and think, Okay, who were the characters in this again?), but I can come up with a long list of tv and movie characters, because I watch tv for the characters, not for the storylines.

*The only exception is Sherlock Holmes. I've had a crush on him since fourth grade. But do I want to invite the original Holmes, Laurie R. King's Holmes from the Mary Russell series, Jeremy Brett's Holmes from the 1980s TV series, or Holmes as portrayed by what's-his-name on Sherlock? Because I'm not obsessed with Holmes or anything...

> 120 - I seriously need to track down Archie, LOL! I has been years sinced I last had a sassparilla... YUM! I have tried explaining what sassparilla is to some of my friends but saying that it is 'like root beer but not' doesn't help them understand the drink. ;-)

> 121 - Love you meme, and you are right, it is hard to choose. Even narrowing the books to just what I have read this year didn't help matters.... I suddenly wanted to add some characters from books I didn't read this year. Even then I still managed to forget some goodies.

> 122 - Another excellent guest list! I think I have taken book bullets from everyone who has posted their meme..... I had no idea these memes could be so dangerous to one's future reading list!

> 123 - Lists are hard. I finally decided to go for characters that have engaged in dinner conversation (of some sort) in the books I have read and then narrowed the list down to the characters I found witty, intelletual or just darn right fun!

Holmes would be an amazing dinner guest.... does he eat? I know Edmond Dantes doesn't eat much, if at all so maybe the two of then should get together some time. ;-)

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As per a request over on the 75 group, I have taken some pics of the tops I made this weekend, so I thought I would share them here as well. I tried to take some pics of the tops laid out on the bed but, well, they looked like just some cut fabric lying on a bed, so I cornered my other half this evening and asked him to take some pics of me wearing the shirts. As you will notice, I need to work on the 'under the arm' fabric joins and measurements but overall I am pretty happy with the result.... I wore the blue top today for work.

Here is the front and side view of the blue sleeveless top with the higher, crew neck style neckline:



And here is the chatreuse colored top with a more slightly scooped neckline and cap sleeves:



Now the task is to see if I can settle in for an evening or two this week of just reading......

Nice tops!

Seeing you from the neck down like this, it strikes me as interesting that I have no idea how most of you look. I spend time with all you guys on at least a semi-daily basis, but apart from Eva, Andrea - and perhaps half of Cammy - I have no faces on any of you. A rather rare thing in social media, I think. Words rules here, that much is very clear!

The tops look like useful wardrobe pieces.

If memory serves, at the end of one case, Holmes tells Watson that "something nutritious at Simpson's" was in order, so I think he likes good food.

Great job on the shirts - I don't think the arm area looks so bad. Unless it feels uncomfortable when you wear it.

I know, Anders - it's strange to think we really don't know what anyone looks like unless they happen to post a photo to their profile. My husband and I are going to meet mysterymax and her husband when they some to RI next week and I'm really excited about that.

They both look great! Good job.

->124 lkernagh:
Well done on the tops - they both look great!

->125 GingerbreadMan:
Apparently Lori is not the green fairy of her profile pic, who'd have thunk it?! :)

>129 -Eva-: I know. You think you know someone.

I don't look like my profile picture either.

Good job on the shirts, Lori. I especially like the green.

The green shirt is particularly nice!

Maybe we need a thread where we post pictures of ourselves, because I don't look like my profile picture either.

> 125 - Thanks Anders!

Good point you have made that words seem to rule in LTland, with personal photos more of a rare find. I love social media in general for its 'social' aspect but the awkward camera-shy child I was during my growing years has never really left me when a camera appears. Luckily, I am not the only member of my family that continues to do the "Awe, gee, do we have to?" when a family photo is being organized. Facebook doesn't attract me (I did have an account over there 5 years ago but the combination of photo overload and the personal minutiae some 'friends' posted convinced me that Facebook was not the social media forum for me, although I probably should consider posting a picture in my LinkedIn account..... I just don't think about these kinds of things (just give me a book and a comfy chair and I am happy for life) so I am glad you raised the point here, Anders.

> 126 - Thanks Beth! Aha, the man (aka Holmes) does consume food items.... I always wondered, since I seem to have a memory of his fondness for his opium pipe and not much else.

> 127 - Thanks Betty! No, the blue top didn't bug me when I wore it yesterday so I am probably being too much of a perfectionist, which is silly considering I really don't know what I am doing!

> 128 - Thanks Cindy!

> 129 - Thanks Eva!

> 129 & 130 - Awe, come one guys, maybe I really am the green fairy and I just, kinda, changed my appearance for the pics.... I am not convincing you, am I? ;-)



This picture has special meaning for me, and not just because I am part Irish from my father's side of the family and I love all things Celtic. The artist is a work colleague of mine. When I left my previous position for my current one (within the same organization), this little green fairy was the artwork adorning the front of the card all of my co-workers signed wishing me all the best in my new job. The artist really has an amazing gift for drawing, I just wish she would post some of it online so I could provide a link to it here!

> 131 - Thanks! I like not looking like my profile pic.... it keeps people guessing and adds an air of mystery to who we really are.

> 132 - Thanks! The green shirt was the second shirt I made.... the blue one really was the prototype!

Maybe we need a thread where we post pictures of ourselves, because I don't look like my profile picture either.

Uh-oh. Well, I might be convinced to pose for a pic that actually displays my face.... how many weeks of prep time do I have for this? Remember my comment further up this post... part of me still thinks I am that awkward camera-shy girl.

Lori, your sewing skills are impressive and those tops look great. Well done.

FYI - Captain Cordelia Naismith is one of the leading characters from Lois McMaster Bujold's sci-fi Vorkosigan series. She's a captain of a starship and is quite used to being in charge.

And Archie's kinda like that slightly bad boy that girls can't resist. You want to be with him even though you know he'll leave you flat when Nero Wolfe snaps his fingers!

#118 - Beth, I may have got to Archie first, but I wish I had thought of Alan Grant. He'd make an excellent dinner partner.

I wanted to invite Bernadette to my dinner party, but I didn't think she'd show.

>133 lkernagh: I'll post a head shot if I can get my acne to clear up. I haven't been acne-free since I was 13, and I'm nearly 27 now, so don't hold your breath.

The tops you made look great. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Wow, I'm very impressed by the tops you've made! Great job!

I'm also having fun reading the answers to the meme. Definitely agree with you about Morpheus! I'll have to think about this a bit, but off the top of my head, I'd probably include Parlabane from Robertson Davies' Rebel Angels. He'd make everyone uncomfortable, but the conversation wouldn't be dull. I'd also include Miles Vorkosigan from Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series.

> 134 - Thanks Judy! Aha, Cordelia is a great choice for a dinner party and now I understand the attraction of Archie Goodwin. Archie, Archie, Archie..... what is a girl to do? ;-)

> 135 - Don't you just love the unpredictable ones? I sure do! Wouldn't hurt to send the invite to Bernadette... although where you would send to is a bit of a challenge, forget whether or not she responds or even shows up. ;-)

> 136 - Deal!

> 137 - Thanks Caroline!

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Well, I have decided that the green top does bug me a bit in the arms when I wear it so we will call that one "experiment A" and I will make plans to stop t the fabric store during my lunch break tomorrow and purchase more fabric - they had a huge bolt so hopefully they haven't sold out. I originally purchased more than enough fabric for the first top but there is not enough left over to attempt a second top. The fabric only stretches one way so I have to make sure to cut the fabric so that it gives horizontally and not vertically in the finished product. Details, details. *tsk*

On the Reading Front: This is so NOT a reading month for me, it isn't even funny. I managed a whole 10 pages in Arabian Nights last night before I zonked out. My reading goals for August are now to finish the two books I have been reading since August 1st and hope I actually finish one of them. ;-)

Phew, almost 100 posts but I'm finally all caught up over here Lori. Your tops look great, well done! I'm also enjoying all the dinner parties that are being planned, and plenty of interesting reviews.

Catching up on your thread - I too am in awe of your sewing skills! My mom and I used to make clothes together when I was a kid, but then I too finicky. I still sew some now and you might have inspired me to give clothes a try again, especially with YouTube as a resource. Hopefully your reading slump turns around and it doesn't become a chore! Do you do audio books at all? I find that when I'm in a mindless part of a sewing project an audio book makes it more interesting - like when I was making my mom pillow shams, The Count of Monte Cristo made piecing together umpteen triangles enjoyable : )

> 140 - Hi Alana, great to see you here and thanks! I am gearing up for another sewing project but need to give it some more thought first.

> 141 - Hi Alicia, my sewing skills are nothing to write home about. I try to keep to very basic patterns and styles - the blue top is really just two pieces of fabric sewn together. The hard part is in figuring out the proportions for the patterns. YouTube is amazing for the sewing videos they have! I have stalled on my audio book listening. I love making pillow shams - you are right, they are simple as easy to do while paying attention to something else. Too bad I don't quilt... I could get in some quality audio book listening time in that way! I seem to have gotten out of the habit of listening to them as I walk to and from work. September will probably get me back on track with a lot of things I have let slide this summer.

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Happy Sunday everyone!

I am starting to make headway back in my August reading so I will probably be able to finish the books I am currently reading before the end of the month. Not much of a reading accomplishment, but it is something. ;-)

Project wise, I was busy this weekend making a birthday card for my Mom. They are on a cruise right now and thankfully to because I don't have to worry about her not receiving it in time for her birthday - which, she won't. I used a picture I had taken in Beacon Hill Park one lunch hour earlier this month and cropped and artistically "Impressionized" it (and then made some further modifications to the picture) with the aid of some computer software. End result, a pretty nice cover picture for the card:



Beyond that, my time is bring pretty much sucked up by work, falling back into TV watching mode - we are back watching 'Warehouse 13" and halfway through season 4 right now - and spending oodles of time learning about quilling and ogling all the great pictures of quilling projects that can be found on the web, like the ones found here on Pinterest.

I know..... I need another craft project like I need more books added to my 'to read' list...... ;-)

Beautiful picture! Glad to hear you're making headway on August reading -- personally I always feel a bit "off" when other things get in the way of books :P

Very pretty! I go through periods when I get hooked on watching some TV-series and have a hard time getting through a book, but it tends to move back to normal after a little while, so it's good to hear yours is picking back up.

Gorgeous flowers! I posted my dinner guests on my thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/154080#4256561

Sometimes, we're in a mood for tv series and not so much for reading, glad to hear that you're once again in the reading mood.

Beautiful flowers, love the colors.

Catching up here, so behind :( I too go through reading slumps, usually last a month when I do anything else but.. TV & games & tiredness don't help!

> 143 - Thanks RP! I seem to be back on track with my reading... and not surprisingly, our normal overcast skies have returned. ;-)

> 144 - Thanks Eva! Sometimes I am just not in the mood for reading and this month has been a lot busier than I was expecting it to be, which doesn't help matters any. When I am tired, I just want to stare like a zombie at the idiot box (TV). It doesn't help I have been gravitating to a bunch of the old 1980's TV shows that were pure escapism - think everything from The A-Team to Simon and Simon to Riptide to Charles Angels to The Fall Guy - when I am not watching Warehouse 13, that is! - and you get the idea where my mind has been this past month! ;-O

I did find and watch the very first episode of Moonlighting last week and I am horrified to think I actually watched that show when it first came out!

> 145 - Thanks Cindy! I bounced over to your thread to check out your guest list. Good choices!

> 146 - Thanks! That is me this month - TV, Yes. Reading, No. I am getting back on track with my reading. May be its the books I am reading. Its just I have already invested so much time in these two books I am now determined to finish them! ;-)

> 147 - Hi Claire! A month for a reading slumps sounds about right for me, too. I have been trying to avoid the mind distracting games, only because I would play them and suddenly find out it is 2am and I have to be in 4 hours to get ready for work. So far, I have been successful at that, but not much else.

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On the Reading Front: I am actually making progress on my August reading! I am 88% of the way through Andrew Lang's collection of stories The Arabian Nights with only one more story to go. Good thing I decided to go with the Lang version, which contains only 26 stories from the A Thousand and One Arabian Nights tales..... If I had gone with the complete collection I would be reporting back sometime next year!

I am also making really good headway on Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters. I am currently on page 482 of this 750 page doorstopper of a book (in August of 1868 when Mary Lincoln's attempt to sell her wardrobe through brokers in New York City to raise funds to be able to keep her home failed and she sets sail for Europe). I am undecided on my opinion of Mary Lincoln so I won't be providing any comments until I finish reading all of her letters contained in the collection.

148> LOVED the A-team. My recent TV addiction has been Criminal Minds reruns, which is funny because I've never watched the real show. Might have to start this fall. It's been a slowish reading month for me too, even though I'm on vacation.

Haha, I used to watch Moonlighting as a kid. Note to self: do not rewatch!

> 149 - BookLizard, the A-Team is just good old entertaining TV! With the antics of Hannibal and Murdoch, Faceman comes across as the sometimes straight man. Another favorite, that seems to hold up rather well on re-watching is Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Making a note to check out Criminal Minds as I have never seen that show before.

> 150 - Eva, OMG, I was drop jaw stunned at just how cheesy the script is for Moonlighting. You really should check it out and see if it has the same effect on you.... ;-)

My other half is watching old episodes of a British series called UFO right now, which I am guessing is a circa 1960's show. And here I was thinking there wasn't another show out there to compare with the original Star Trek episodes. Boy, was I wrong!

Scarecrow and Mrs. King is still one of my favorite shows! I also loved Remington Steele much more than Moonlighting. My current obsession is Rizzoli & Isles. I just started watching it this season and I'm catching up on the earlier seasons via Netflix.

I'm currently watching season 4 of Rizzoli & Isles. I love it, it's more cozy mystery than anything else ...

I'm a fan of Rizzoli and Isles too. Just saw in the paper that the actor who plays Det Frost committed suicide. Wonder how they'll write him off the show. And I liked him too - so sad.

Lori, I will have to say that Moonlighting's episode that was a remake of "The Taming of the Shrew" is one of my all-time favorite TV episodes, even if most of the series was cheesy.

152> Remington Steele! I used to watch that with my mother. I watched The Cosby Show with my father. Family Ties. The Golden Girls with my best friend and her mother & grandmother. As the much youngest of 4 kids, the only time I got to watch what I wanted was for an hour or so afterschool before they got home and early Saturday mornings while they were still asleep. The only two shows I can think of that I know were MY choices were Jem and Thundercats.

>154 dudes22: I learned the sad news on tumblr, so young too. I really loved his character on the show.

So far behind here Lori! Caught up for the moment anyway. I love your self designed tops! Amazing job!

>150 -Eva-: On Swedish TV? What was it called in Swedish?

Wait! "Par i hjärter", right?

Happy weekend everyone! We are back to sunshine after some colder weather and I am looking forward to a long weekend of doing nothing but reading. I have a reading update but first responses to all of my visitors:

> 152 - Hi Carrie, Scarecrow and Mrs. King has held up really well, IMO. I agree with you, Remington Steele was a much better show than Moonlighting but I can see how Moonlighting would attract the evening comedy soap opera crowd - will David and Maddie kiss or won't they? They did work the sexual tension into the story rather well, if I remember correctly. I haven't heard of Rizzoli and Isles, so I guess I have a new-to-me show to check out!

> 153 - electrice, another fan of Rizzoli and Isles! I must investigate. Cozy mysteries can be a lot of fun to watch, and a good way to unwind after a crazy day!

> 154 - Betty, I count three fans now of Rizzoli and Isles.... I am getting very intrigued. I googled the suicide story you mentioned Betty and that is such a sad story. So young and with some much promise.

> 155 - Lori, I was so intrigued by your comment of the Moonlighting remake of The Taming of the Shrew that I went to see if I could find a clip or two on YouTube. I found six clips that seem to capture most of the story and I agree, that was entertaining to watch! I give the writers credit for blending Shakespearean dialogue with the usual David and Maddie banter. Loved the Good Loving songfest during the wedding in the church.... just excellent!

> 156 - Always good to see another Remington Steele fan. I really liked the wardrobe Stephanie Zimbalist wore on the show, very classic and professional. Ah, now The Golden Girls was a brilliant show! Wonderful cast and such fun seeing what they got up to.

> 158 - Hi Tina, lovely to see you here and thanks!

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I am still determined to finish reading the two books I started back on August 1st, so I will be engaging in a bit of a personal readathon this afternoon. I did manage to finish The Arabian Nights Entertainments last night and I only have 150 pages left to go in the Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters book so this should be do-able. In the meantime, review of Arabian Nights can be found below.

Book #70 - The Arabian Nights Entertainments selected and edited by Andrew Lang
Category: - All things FABLES & FAIRY TALES



My other half has been hounding me for sometime now to read the One Thousand and One Nights tales that were such a a favorite of his when he was a child. Given how big a tome the complete (if there is such a thing) collection of stories is, I compromised and decided to read the shorter collection of 26 stories compiled by Andrew Lang. 24 of the stories are genuine Middle Eastern folk tales from the Islamic Golden Age (the 8th to 12 centuries) with almost all of them focused on the Caliphate era when the Islamic state was led by a caliph, a religious and political leader. The remaining two stories in this collection, The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor and Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, are said to be stories that were added to the larger collection of Arabian tales by Antoine Galland and other European translators in the early 18th century.

I enjoyed the stories for the Middle Eastern atmosphere and flavor but over time found the stories, even though richly told with diverse characters and situations, started to have a 'same old, same old' feel to them. Even today, these are great stories of morals, values and beliefs gone astray and the result of that straying from the set path. I found it amusing how the great Caliph can borrow a peasant's clothes and in the blink of an eye, even his own grand vizir can no longer recognize him - those must be magic clothes! - and how some of the characters are transformed into persons of brilliant beauty because they took a bath.... removing a month of grime probably would have that effect, although there is no indication that routine bathing was not an established habit. The violence was slightly perturbing. It is amazing how what we might today consider lesser transgressions of mischief brought about the quick execution of the miscreants and just how gullible some of the well-to-do Sultans, Princes, etc were in the stories. The Arabian Nights Entertainments is a good title for the collection. For the most part, the stories were very entertaining. I particularly liked how the stories have a nice gender balance and the women weren't just shadow figures in the stories. Some were smarter than the men and saved the day (so to speak) while others were powerful magicians (both good and evil).

While we think that most fables and fairy tales are stories for adults to read to their children, I was intrigued to learn that these Arabian Nights tales were created for and told to an adult audience by people whose profession at the time was to amuse men and women by telling tales. I can see how an adult would view these stories differently than a child would, and gain deeper meaning from them. If you have never read the stories of the Arabian Nights before, Lang's smaller collection may be a good place to start before attempting to tackle one of the larger, more complete collections of stories such as Richard Burton's English version or Antoine Galland's French version.

Decimal Rating: 4.00
Star Rating: 4.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: e-book
# of Pages: 322 pages
Source: Project Gutenberg
Male/Female Author: Male

I can certainly relate to the 'same old, same old' feel. I got that way with the Grimm collection that I was reading. Good idea to start with the shorter book than tackling one of the more complete alternatives.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Moonlighting take on Shakespeare.

->159 GingerbreadMan: & 160
Oh, I liked "Par i hjärter," but that one was called Heart to Heart in the original, with Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers. Moonlighting was with Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis and was called "Par i brott" in Swedish.

->162 lkernagh:
That's another one of my childhood favorites. But, not all thousand and one of them in a row, of course. :)

> 163 - Thanks Dave! I can see the value in wanting to own a complete collection of stories like the Arabian Nights and Grimms Fairy Tales but boy one needs to read them in small doses over an extended period of time! ;-)

> 164 - Thanks for suggesting it, Lori!

> 165 - It kind of makes me wonder what variety there is in the stories if there are a thousand and one of them!!! ;-) Hart to Hart, I remember enjoying it even though it does seem a bit odd to have a show about a socialite couple that always manages to find themselves dealing with criminals and investigating things for their friends. I guess even the rich need a hobby. ;-)

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I finally managed to finish Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters late last night. Review and August stats - which are pretty slim this month - can be found below.

Happy September everyone!

Book #71 - Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters by Mary Todd Lincoln, Justin Turner and Linda Levitt Turner
Category: - All things EPISTOLARY



I knew next to nothing about Mary Todd Lincoln, other than the fact that she was married to and become the widow of President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination on April 14, 1865. I purchased this rather large tome last year as a perfect fit for my Epistolary category and because I was interested in what I might learn about this enigmatic woman who seemed to generate such polarizing views in people of her time period. Was Mary Lincoln a woman with psychological issues who probably would have received proper diagnosis and treatment in today's world or was she just a strong, opinionated woman who frequently exhibited the bad taste to make herself forward and conspicuous, a trait frowned upon by society and social customs of the time period?

There is no doubt that Mary Lincoln was a strong woman with strongly held viewpoints. She had no qualms of making these viewpoints known. She frequently wrote letters that she would then regret sending, and follow up requesting that her previously written letter be disregarded and destroyed. Based on the collection of letters contained in this book, it is obvious that her requests that her correspondence be burned by the receiver after reading it was never, or almost never, adhered to.

What I found interesting was how much she often directly inserted herself into the affairs of state during Lincoln's presidency, going so far as to write the Quartermaster to suggest to him whom the government should consider purchasing horses for the war effort from and for what price. Based on the items purchased and the prices paid during her time in the White House, I am not surprised that she had gained a reputation in certain circles for being a frivolous spender.

Her well documented letter campaign to have Congress grant her a pension after Lincoln's assassination made for very interesting reading, and unfortunately shows a desperate woman who believed that it was her right as Lincoln's widow to be afforded a pension that would allow her to live in the lifestyle that she was accustomed to. The fact that she was embarking on a precedent setting process as she would be the first presidential widow to ever be granted a pension, meant nothing to her. She just saw red whenever she saw others like General Grant receiving a stipend she felt was unwarranted. Her outright refusal to live in the family home in Springfield, Illinois and her campaign for funds to purchase a "suitable home" in Chicago probably did not work in her favor. The fact that she was scrambling to try and pay off the substantial debts her spending habits had incurred during her time in the White House - a habit that she had gone to great pains to keep secret from Abraham Lincoln when he was alive - during this pension campaign was an enormous strain on her emotionally and physically. The desperation in her letters to her two confidants, Alexander Williamson (her youngest son's former tutor) and Elizabeth Keckley (a former slave who became a successful seamstress and civil activist) is obvious.

To give Mary credit, she did eventually clear all of her debts while Congress continued to stonewall any financial support or pensionable income for her. The fact that Mary spent her final years in poor health in boarding houses and rooming hotels in Europe before returning to America to finish out her final months quietly and alone in the family home in Springfield is sad to read. By then, she was exhibiting obvious signs of mental illness of distrust, paranoia and other delusions. Her hoarding habits continued to her final days. It is reported that "In another room, the floorboards sagged under the weight of sixty-four trunks and crates, crammed with a lifetime of hoarded possessions." Dr. W. A. Evans personality study of Mary Lincoln best summarizes the battle Mary Lincoln faced:

"The three-cornered fight in her mental makeup," he wrote, "between the desire to get, the desire to spend, and the desire to hoard has lasted for nearly forty years. Sometimes one combatant was on top, sometimes another. In the final stretch, miserliness held the field of battle... This complex mania for money, extravagance and miserliness - paradoxical as it appears to laymen - is well known to psychiatrists. It is present in many people who are accepted as normal. In Mrs. Lincoln... it was developed to the point where it did not prove actual insanity... at most, it made of her not more than a border-line case."

Overall, this was at times a fascinating read into the thinking and behavior patterns of Mary Lincoln. So why only 3 stars, you might ask? Well, for one, it was rather long-winded. The Turners choose to provide as complete a collection as possible based on the letters still available that they were able to gain permission to publish in this book, but some of it really would only fascinate a reader seeking even the most minutiae detail of Mary's life. The book also lacks a completeness in that it only consists of the letters written by Mary Lincoln. There are no letters written to Mary Lincoln in the book, leaving this reader unsatisfied with its one-sided correspondence. I did learn a lot about Mary Lincoln.... enough to have no desire to seek out further books written about her, not right away, anyways.

Decimal Rating: 3.00
Star Rating: 3.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 750 pages
Source: TBR
Male/Female Author: Female

Oh, right, their last name was "Hart" wasn't it - hence the spelling. Nice. Yes, quite an odd premise, that. :)

AUGUST RE-CAP:

Books read:


ROOTs Read (as part of my ROOT challenge):


Books acquired:
None

Favorite book (decimal rating): The Arabian Nights Entertainments by Andrew Lang - (4.00 decimal rating)
Least favorite book (decimal rating): Mary Lincoln Todd: Her Life and Letters by Mary Todd Lincoln, Justin Turner and Linda Turner - (3.00 decimal rating)

CATEGORY SUMMARY:
GRAPHIC - 0 books read this month (Total = 13)
NEW (published in 2012 or 2013) - 1 book read this month (Total = 12)
- - - ENGN by Simon Kewin -
EPISTOLARY - 1 book read this month (Total = 6)
- - - Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters by Mary Todd Lincoln, Justin Turner and Linda Turner -
GOTHIC - 0 books read this month (Total = 5)
FABLES and FAIRY TALES - 1 book read this month (Total = 7)
- - - The Arabian Nights Entertainments by Andrew Lang -
EUROPA - 0 books read this month (Total = 3)
REGENCY - 0 books read this month (Total = 3)
PENGUIN - 0 books read (Total = 2)
MITFORD - 0 books read this month (Total = 1)
SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES - 0 books read this month (Total = 6)
NEWSWORTHY - 0 books read this month (Total = 6)
ON MY TBR BOOKCASE - 0 books read this month (Total = 5)
WITH A TITLE, AUTHOR(S) AND WORDS WRITTEN - 0 books read this month (Total = 2)

Great review of the Mary Todd Lincoln correspondence! I think the flaws you pointed out are enough to keep me from reading that one. I'll try a conventional biography if I ever feel the urge to find out more about her. She's never been one of my favorites, so I may already know all I ever care to about her!

> 168 - I just realized you managed to slip in between my postings Eva! I am tempted to see if I can find an old episode of Hart to Hart just to see how it holds up and if my favorite character in the show is still Max, their man of all trades chauffeur/ butler. ;-0

> 170 - Carrie, I would definitely avoid the Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters book. There must be a well written - and much shorter - biography around that you could read if you really want to learn more about Mary Lincoln.

--------------------------

My August plans to read a bunch of books of my TBR bookcase failed rather miserably so I am going to attempt it again for September, allowing myself the ability to also read LTER books that need to be reviewed.

Currently Reading plans for September:

Red Dragon White Dragon by Gary Dolman - LTER Book
Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott - reading it for the Sept Lab Lit Random CAT
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - also for the Sept Lab Lit Random CAT
The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers - LTER Book

Edited to added the e-book read I started last night.

->171 lkernagh:
I have a feeling it may be quite cheesy now, but if it isn't, let me know - I'd like to see it again. I had forgotten Max, he was really funny!

> 172 - Actually, Eva, its not that bad. I watched two episodes yesterday afternoon and rather enjoyed them. It reminds me a bit of Macmillian and Wife, more who-done-it than relationship banter like in Moonlighting. I had forgotten how much of a lovey-dovey couple they are but Max and the dog Freeway (that little ball of fur) are still great ;-)

--------------------

Sooooo, instead of picking up one of the three books already slated for my September reading, I started The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers last night instead. It was such a lovely evening last night that I spent some time sitting outside reading and needed the backlighting of my iPod Touch so the e-book was chosen. It is also an LTER and I will need to get around to reading it sooner rather than later.

So far I am really enjoying The Hopfield Tales. The first story has a modern day boy stumbling across a stone in the forest near where he lives that marks the grave of The Earl of Huntington (aka, Robin Hood) and strikes up a conversation/friendship with Robin Hood's spirit.

->173 lkernagh:
For time-purposes, I was kinda hoping you would say not to bother. :) I'll put it on the list for a rewatch at some point.

> 17 - Oops, didn't pay proper attention to the possible subtext, Eva....... Correction: Don't bother watching Hart to Hart.

.... too late, right? ;-)

------------------------------

Still enjoying The Hopfield Tales - story two in this three story book is even better than the first one!

During my walk home this evening I had a rather fun and unexpected wildlife encounter. My walk home takes me along a walkway that hugs the Inner Harbour of Victoria.... it is a nice scenic walk and the walk home is a nice way to unwind after the work day. At one section, right beside a local brewpub, there is a natural horseshoe shaped inlet that has a steep mini cliff/hill down to the water with the path running along the top. As I was walking past this area I heard some rustling in the buses to my left, on the water side. Glancing over, I saw a sea otter pop his head up and look around. Not used to seeing a sea otter on the top of the hill like that, I paused. A second later, a second sea otter popped his head up. While I stood there pondering these two creatures making like two over-sized wet ground hogs popping out of nowhere not 10 feet away from me, a third sea otter crashes through the bushes and joins his/her two buddies craning their necks to scope out the area. These three full grown sea otters - these were not young pups - were such a comic sight to watch that I started digging in my purse looking for my camera, which it turns out I had left at home. By then they had stopped rubber-necking and started heading towards the path I was on, which reminded me instantly that they are wild animals, not someone's pets roaming loose, so I decided that was a good time to continue heading home. In all the years I have lived here, I have seen the sea otters in the water or sunning on the deck over at Fisherman's Warf but not on the land, up hill from the water and by the looks of things, heading for the brewpub. Me thinks they have discovered the establishment's garbage area or they are being fed but some one.

That's such a great experience: I love otters. I have only seen a sea otter in the wild once though, on Papa Westray one of the smallest of the Orkney Islands.

->175 lkernagh:
LOL! Not at all. You have made me semi-curious, though, so I might try an episode or two just to refresh my memory. :)

Awwwww sea otters! So cute :) Hope you see them again when you have a camera.

> 176 - Rhian, we do have our share of sea otters around here, but not on the scale of the sea gulls! I find the sea otters are cuter than sea gulls, even if Finding Nemo made them rather comic... .they are still highly annoying. ;-)

> 177 - Eva, if you get hooked, I absolve myself of all responsibility. ;-)

> 178 - Funny you should mention that, RP. Coming home this evening I saw two sea otters - possible two from the entertaining trio of yesterday - playing in the water near the same spot. Maybe they have settled into the area for the time being. I have remembered to put my camera in my purse, just in case!

I've been wanting to read the Arabian Nights stories but have found the idea daunting, so Lang's smaller collection sounds like the perfect place to start. Thanks for the great review!

I was so behind on this thread Lori.

#113 Morpheus is so moody and antisocial I don't think I would want him at my dinner table. Instead I would invite Lucien his librarian. He always has a good tale to tell. ;-)

Congrats on finishing your August reads! And a good review of Arabian Nights. It has always cracked me up that it is considered a kid's book – after ‘entertaining’ the sultan Scheherazade needs to further entertain him with stories so he doesn’t kill her. But they are pretty good stories.

I’m also hoping that you catch a pic of the otters on their way to the pub!

What cute tops! How did the third attempt go?

> 180 - The larger collections of the Arabian Nights stories have daunted me for a long time, Paulina so glad I can help nudge you towards the Lang collection of stories instead! ;-)

> 181 - Hi Roberta! Yes, Morpheus is a moody one. He would probably just sit at the table and provide monosyllable answers to any questions sent his way but it would be fun to see if he finds anyone at the table worthy of some attention.... he does tend to gravitate to some different folks. Lucien would be fun to invite to dinner. Nice choice!

> 182 - Thanks, Alicia! I am still trying to grapple with the idea of the Arabian Nights as an appropriate children's book but I guess they would not catch all of the more subtle aspects of the stories that an adult would pick up on. If I do spot the otters while on one of my walks, I will take some pics!

> 183 - Actually, the third attempt hasn't occurred yet. Too busy with other things but I do have a stop at the fabric store on my to do list for today. Since most of my sewing is experimental/learning, I like to check out their clearance section.... I am not paying $10 - $20 per meter of fabric when I really don't have a good handle on what I am doing!

--------------------

Cool and rather gloomy fall weather today which makes it the perfect day to run some errands and tackle some household projects. Today's project is re-organizing the bedroom closet which is starting to appear crammed with "stuff" on the floor and shelves.

I will probably finish The Hopfield Tales sometime this evening.

Book #72 - The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers
Category: - All things FABLES & FAIRY TALES



The Hopfield Tales is a collection of three novellas - two previously published and one new one - with a common theme of place. All three stories are set in modern day Hopfield, a fictional and somewhat sleepy town of Yorkshire, Northern England. These tales, as they are aptly called, blend the ordinary with the extraordinary, bringing some of English history and legend to captivate the reader. These are not your typical time travel stories of modern day characters traveling back in time. Instead, the legend of Robin Hood, the wonderment of Viking gods and history of Ivar Ragnarsson's (aka Ivar the Boneless) invasion and capture of York, and the histories of the Roman rule of Britannia, the Battle of Caer Caradoc and Buodicca are woven into the very fabric of these stories.

In The Spirit Archer, young Jamie Wilson has troubles of his own with failing grades and working nights and weekends in the local chip shop as the sole support for his widowed and troubled Mom. Jamie doesn't see much in his future. This otherwise run-of-the-mill story of overcoming personal trials transforms into something unique with the chance discovery by Jamie of the real grave of England's most legendary archer, along with the archer's still lingering spirit with secrets to tell. With an unusual budding of a friendship that bridges over 800 years, this one has the makings of a charming and heart-warming YA story that provides a different perspective on the tale of Robin Hood.

The Campaign of the Gods, is a roller coaster of a ride after The Spirit Archer. Premise: What happens when a board game two Viking gods, Týr and Thor, are playing up in Asgard turns into a larger than life reenactment in modern day Hopfield? For PCs Walker and Gooding, a routine day on the beat is anything but routine when Fenrir's wolf packs and Ivar Ragnarsson's berserker warriors show up in town to battle over the Hopfield Stone. Evers lets his playful side show here as our Viking warriors encounter everything from modern markets to modern forms of transportation and strange people. (Yes, to the Vikings of Ragnarsson's time, we are very strange people!) Fun with a capital "F". This was my favorite story in the collection. Loved the characters, the plot and the dialogue. The ending could have been better but overall a great story!

The last story, Mark of the Legion took longer for me to warm up to and probably because my understanding of Roman history and the time of Roman rule over Britannia is pretty much based on my reading of Asterix the Gaul books, and not much else. When Brother Bentham, a monk in the Brotherhood of the Resurrection, is assigned to befriend octogenarian Ernest Teale, an elderly resident in the care home across the street from the monastery, he is taken aback when Ernest calls him Titus and by what Ernest seems to know about the legendary Roman Ninth Legion. This one was more of a sleeper story - and a bit of a letdown after the fun of Campaign of the Gods - but it did come together in the end quite nicely.

Overall, three different stories providing a focus on three different time periods of England's past. I loved the way Evers brought out the details of history through Robin and Ernest's stories and through the Viking notebook and historical references provided by PC Walker, a weekend Viking reenactment hobbyist. I enjoyed the stories and learned a whole lot about fascinating events in history at the same time.

Just for the record, this was one of the hardest reviews I have written, and I am still not totally happy with it, but such is life.

This book was courtesy of Librarything's Early Reviewer Program.

Decimal Rating: 3.66
Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: e-book
# of Pages: 194 pages
Source: LTER
Male/Female Author: Male

Next up: Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

Excellent review of the Hopfield Tales! Off to go thumbs up it right now!

Thanks Tina!

Book #73 - Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
Category: - All things ON MY TBR BOOKCASE

I hadn't been aware that people could change. But then, I hadn't been aware that people could die. At least not people you loved and needed. Death in principle I had known about; death in practice - no. I hadn't known that could happen.

This is my kind of story! I am still amazed that I purchased this one on a whim based solely on the recommendation of a total stranger at a book sale, took it home, place it on my bookcase and promptly forgot about it for over three years. Why didn't I start reading it as soon as I got it home!!?! The fact that I read this one from start to finish in less than 24 hours (yes, I did need to stop reading it to sleep and other things) speaks to the page turning quality of this mesmerizing story, at least for me.

Crow Lake: A small, somewhat isolated farming community in Northern Ontario and home to the Morrison family. When I say small, I mean small with about a dozen farms, a general store, a school and a church. Closest town was 20 miles away. Isolated in that there was only one road into Crow Lake and the train that passed through only stopped if you flagged it down. A tranquil place, or so one would think. Told through the point of view of Kate, an assistant professor of invertebrate ecology at a University in Toronto, we meet her family and the tragedy that struck them that fatal Saturday in July when Kate was only seven years old.

To say that this is a story about coping with loss and the struggles and sacrifices made to keep a family together really oversimplifies all that this story has to offer a reader. Lawson joins the ranks of some of my favorite authors like Timothy Findley, David Adams Richards and John Bemrose as having a wonderful gift for storytelling, bringing the characters, the events, the settings and the time period to life with poignant prose and balance. By the end of the story I felt like I had visited the Morrison's at the house in Crow Lake and had spent an afternoon at the ponds with Kate and her brother Matt.

What makes Crow Lake such an amazing story is that Lawson doesn't try to be everything or show everything to the reader. This story is told from Kate's POV and there are gaps where Kate was not privy to information or events, which brings a realism to the story that I really appreciate. I found it very easy to connect with Kate as a character. Her self confessed lack of empathy and strong desire to isolate herself from emotional attachments is one I can understand and appreciate. Now, don't get me wrong... this is not just a story about Kate. Kate's older brothers Luke and Matt and her baby sister Bo (short for Elizabeth) are also wonderfully drawn complex characters.

I like to pin my stories down to the era they are set in. This story has a timeless quality to it and could even today represent a small northern Canadian community, but Lawson did provide me with one piece of information to set the time period: Mention of the doctor's bill. While Canada's universal medicare system had its start in 1946 in Saskatchewan, it was adopted by all provinces in 1961, with the federal Medicare Act being brought in in 1966. I think it is safe to say that young Kate was probably born in the late 1950's or early 1960's. That is my theory anyways.

Overall, a wonderfully poignant story that kept me up reading way, way past my usual bed time and provided me with a strong connection to characters that has been missing from a number of books I have been reading lately. I am now extra happy that I already own a copy of Lawson's book The Other Side of the Bridge.

Recommendation: For anyone reading this and loved Crow Lake as much as I do, I highly, highly recommend John Bemrose's The Island Walkers!

Decimal Rating: 4.88
4.50 - Plot Development
5.00 - Character Development
5.00 - Writing Style
4.75 - Readability
5.00 - Premise
5.00 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
4.75 - Originality
5.00 - Length

Star Rating: 5.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 304 pages
Source: TBR
Male/Female Author: Female

Next up: Red Dragon White Dragon by Gary Dolman, and LTER book

Great review of Crow Lake - thumbing! And, huge congrats on finding a gem in your own bookcase - I'm sure there are many in mine too, but somehow the shiny ones at the bookstore seem to be more tempting. :)

ETA: And congrats on Hot Review!!

That is a great review :) not my cup of tea but still it makes the book kinda of enticing.

Enticing is right. Excellent review, Lori.

> 189 - Thanks Eva! Crow Lake is an amazing story and like you said, even better that it was on my own bookshelves! I have renewed strength now to avoid the shiny books and read more of the books on my bookshelves. I have been super good about not even visiting my local library's website, which is where so many of my reading temptations come from.

> 190 - Thanks Claire! I can see how Crow Lake probably wouldn't appeal to all readers. For some strange reason, I tend to gravitate towards stories like this one. Not sure what that says about me..... ;-)

> 191 - Thanks Joe!

------------------

Work has been rather interesting lately - and not all in a good way - but one just buckles down and gets on with what needs to get done. The good news is the wonderful summer weather continues so I really have nothing to complain about!

On the reading front, I am 50 pages into Red Dragon White Dragon by Gary Dolman, a historical murder mystery set in Northumberland, England circa 1890 with a husband and wife investigative team. I am warming up to the story but I have to say it reads like the second or third book in a series the way Dolman presents his main characters which I find a bit unsettling for me because I keep on thinking that I am missing vital tidbits of information to understand the main characters. There is no mention anywhere that this is part of a series so maybe I am just used to more background on the characters before diving right into the investigation, I don't know.

Hm, that sounds interesting! Even though it doesn't appear to be part of a series, I do like when a first book feels more like a second or third in a series and doesn't provide huge info dumps of background. Will be interested to read your review!

"Work has been rather interesting lately - and not all in a good way - but one just buckles down and gets on with what needs to get done."
Funny (not in the haha-way) - that's exactly where I am right now too. :)

> 193 - I have hit the 100 page mark and I am more comfortable with the story now and not so much bugged by the fact that I don't know certain things about the main characters. I really should remember that author are not writing books just for my consumption! ;-)

> 194 - Oh, Eva, here is hoping that things improve soon for both of us, or at least return to some form of normal. I will take either at this point. ;-)

Yes! Just a little humdrum normalcy would be nice now. :)

> 196 - ;-)

---------------------
Happy weekend everyone!

Fog horns woke me up at 5:30 this morning - at least it wasn't the sea gulls. Fog horns are a more relaxing sound to wake up to! - so I have been curled up with a cup of coffee in front of the computer taking stock of where I am with my various LT challenges this year:

75 Group: 1.5 books still to read (currently halfway through book #74)
ROOTs off the Shelf: 13 books still to read
Sandman: 5 volumes still to read
Commonwealth Challenge 49 books still to read (this is a multi-year challenge and will be one of the categories for my 2014 category challenge)

I set up my category challenge rather open-ended with each category being considered completed if the books read in the category = a prime number.

2013 Category Challenge: 7.5 books still to read
(if I only read books to complete categories and don't move any books from one category to another)
~~NEW - current read Red Dragon White Dragon will complete this category
~~EPISTOLARY - need 1 more book
~~FABLES and FAIRY TALES - need 3 more books
~~SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES - need 1 more book
~~NEWSWORTHY - need 1 more book
~~ON MY TBR BOOKCASE - need 1 more book

If I treat the Sandman books as FABLES and FAIRY TALES and close that category out with 13 read instead of 11, I can conceivably complete all of my on-going challenges (except for my Commonwealth Challenge) by reading just 20.5 more books (remember, I am currently half way through a book!). This is my fall reading plan, so wish me luck.... I am no good with focusing my reading this tightly! ;-)

Easy - Peasy - you'll make it no trouble!

> 198 - I sure hope so Betty! ;-)

---------------------

Instead of reading my book last night as planned, I stayed up late putting the finishing touches on my 2014 category challenge. Yes, I have finally caved! It is now posted on the 2014 group and can be found here.

It's hard to resist setting up a new challenge isn't it! It looks as if you have the 2013 Challenge well in hand. I think I have about 10 books to read in order to complete my challenge so hope to get it wrapped up next month. I am looking forward to 2 months of free reading before starting in with 2014!

> 200 - Considering I have just spent my afternoon and part of this evening checking out everyone's threads over there, I obviously have no ability to resist the new challenge! I am now caught up over there so I can return my focus to my 2013 challenges!

Book #74 - Red Dragon White Dragon by Gary Dolman
Category: - All things NEW



A murder mystery set in Victorian England, 1890 Northumberland to be exact, with a husband and wife investigative team, wind swept moors, grisly deaths, Gothic elements of a long-vanished castle and the legend of King Arthur that just will not die equals a wonderful blending of some of my favorite mystery elements all in one book. What more could a girl ask for.

I have some mixed feelings about this one. The beginning was a bit of a distraction for me as we jump right into the story and the characters with little to no background build. Some people like to jump right into the story, I need my background build. It felt to me as though I was reading the second or third book in series and had missed the 'get to know your character' meet and greet that usually occurs in a stand alone book or first book in a series. Okay, I am probably quibbling over this point so lets progress. Atticus and Lucie Fox, our married investigative team, seem like a balanced husband and wife team and I did enjoy how Lucie, the trained medical nurse, is the one to step forward when a body is discovered and displays practical observation and insight, while Atticus is more the man of precision and analytical thinking. Still wish I new more about them.

I did like how Dolman crafted his mystery around the legends of King Arthur, the Arthurian hallows and the Norns of Norse mythology, otherwise known as the Writing Women or the Sisters of the Wyrd. I wasn't sure how that would work but I can happily report that it worked rather well. Dolman provides enough information to explain these elements to the uninformed reader without making them come across as informative digressions or sidebars to the mystery. I did have some trouble with how the story jumped around and it started to lose me once I had figured out the 'who dunnit' but Dolman managed to keep the story going with a couple of more interesting twists and turns.

Not sure what I think about the ending except that by the time I reached the last 10 pages I was just skim reading to finish the book and not really paying attention to the ending as it played out. A different ending might have captured my attention better.

Overall, an interesting murder mystery. Did I enjoy this book enough that I would read another book with Atticus and Lucie Fox investigating a new mystery? Yes, I would. Would I recommend it to others? Yes, I would.

This book was courtesy of Librarything's Early Reviewer Program.

Decimal Rating: 3.42
4.00 - Plot Development
2.85 - Character Development
3.25 - Writing Style
3.50 - Readability
3.50 - Premise
3.75 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
3.50 - Originality
3.00 - Length

Star Rating: 3.50 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 246 pages
Source: LTER
Male/Female Author: Male

Next up: The Alienist by Caleb Carr

Red Dragon White Dragon sounds interesting! Might have to try and find it at the library.

Dropping by to catch up on your thread.

> 203 - It did have some strong points and as much as I wanted more from the characters, this one seems to have a nice blending of a Victorian cozy like Charles Finch's Charles Lennox series with a good amount of detailed forensic analysis.

> 204 - Thanks for stopping by!

I did look at Red Dragon White Dragon when it came up on LTER, but it ended up on the Maybe Later list. I'm moving it a little closer to the wishlist. :)

> 206 - Moving potential titles around the reading/wish lists is all about strategy! ;-)

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Today's weekend project was a long overdue one.... clearing out and organizing our large walking-in front closet. After ripping everything out of the closet and a lot of back and forth "We are keeping this, why?" dialogue, one large garbage bag of 'stuff' and an armload of collapsed cardboard boxes are now gone. I have a satisfied sense of accomplishment and my other half has said that "If I am happy, he is happy" so I am going to chalk this up as an accomplishment, even if my pack-rat other half has his reservations. ;-)

On the reading front, my reading has slowed down a bit. I am currently 177 pages into The Alienist and I have to say, as much as I like the story and as much as I am fascinated with the murder investigation as it develops, it's not proving to be a gripping, page-turning read for me - even if Carr does a great job of making each chapter end on a teasing minor cliff hanger to encourage me to read further. I think it is the attention to detail that is bogging me down a bit, because it is not a laborious read. This would make an amazing movie, but it looks like nothing has come to fruition in that regard since film producer Scott Rudin purchased the film rights back in the early 1990's and Paramount Pictures bought the film rights back in 1993.

The writing style of The Alienist reminds me a bit of Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which I loved, so of course I will continue reading The Alienist, but I am not sure when I will finally complete it.

Hi Lori! I'm just catching up on your thread. I'm about two months behind.
Engn looks interesting to me - I'll have to look for that one.
All of your craft projects look great. I wish I could sew. I've found that since I joined LT all of my other hobbies have been ignored. (I'm still knitting a "fireworks" scarf for my niece that I started in 2008.)

> 208 - Hi Kelly, great to see you here! I try to tackle the simplest sewing projects possible, that and work with fabric that has some stretch to it as it is more forgiving if the cutting or sewing is slightly "off". ;-)

I agree with you.... problem with having hobbies, including reading, is something always has to make way for something else. You caught my interest with the "fireworks' scarf you have been working on. I Googled it and saw some pics of scarfs made with black wool with multi colours threads as the "fireworks"... that yarn is pretty, not sure I would know how to work with it, since I don't follow patterns but I can see where it would make a really pretty scarf!

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Happy Monday, everyone! We have hit the wet weather of fall so I spent most of the weekend indoors. Instead of getting back into reading, I spent Sunday surfing eBay for loose bead deals - Yes, I do like to dabble in beading projects, when the urge takes me there! A couple of great purchases later my other half asked me if I was going to get around to doing anything with beads I have already purchased over the years, so Sunday afternoon and evening was spent watching four episodes of Warehouse 13 Season 4 and beading.

End result, a double strand necklace and earring set made from Picasso beads and some left over beads from my dress beading project over the summer and a fun blue and white necklace with some Millefiori glass tube beads, silver spacer and some seed beads I had on hand:



Here is a close up shot on both projects:



The double stand necklace and earring set will go great with some of my office clothes and I am looking forward to wearing the blue one as a fun way to dress up a T-shirt and jeans. And, I am off the hook with my other half for buying more beads. ;-)

Okay... back to reading The Alienist.

I particularly like the double strand necklace. You've got such lovely muted colours in those beads.

Very pretty! Excellent way of justifying vegging in front of the telly! :)

> 210 - Hi Rhian, I tend to gravitate to earth tones and jewel tones. I really love the Picasso Jasper beads - and they come in a lot of different shapes! - But I find myself wanting to buy more of them, and I have to reign myself in and looks for different beads.

> 211 - Yup, nothing like sitting in front of the telly watching TV and beading at the same time. Good thing I can rewind everything we watch.... sometimes my head is down and I miss a visual, so I need to go back and see what I missed! ;-)

Oooooooh, I love the blue necklace! So pretty! I like the other one too but blue is my favourite colour ;)

Very pretty. Love the colors on the double strand one.

Beautiful! I love seeing your craft projects.

After a crazy busy day at work - and another one I know I will have to faced tomorrow - it is nice to come home and see all the wonderful responses on my thread! I wore the double strand necklace and earrings today with a basic navy blue dress and brown heels for work, so already making use of my handiwork. I will probably wear the blue one for casual Friday at the office. ;-)

Beautiful beads. I love the double strand necklace and matching earrings. Lovely job!

I love the double strand one too. All those lovely earthy colours. I hope you got heaps of compliments when you wore it to work.

Adding my compliments to your beading project. Both are very beautiful!

Nice!! I love the blue necklace, especially!

Thanks Vivienne, Ro, Alicia and Tina! I managed to make a number of bead purchases over the weekend and now I have to sit back and wait for all the packages to arrive.... it's will be just like Christmas, only a lot sooner!

One the reading front, I am still plugging away at The Alienist and happily, I am now at the halfway mark, but I really wish the story would pick up the pace, already!

I have to say I really like The Alienist for the detail. It does kinda pick up right towards the end, action wise.

Haven't been here in a few days , but want to add my likes for the necklaces. I'm more drawn to the double strand, but the other would work great with jeans. My sister-in-law beads and I've been the recipient of a few gifts over the years for her. When we go on vacation I try to find her a few beads as a gift - usually some "statement" beads she can build around (small and easy to pack).

I like the necklaces. Normally I'd prefer the earth tones, but I think I prefer the blue necklace. That color really pops.
I had to google fireworks scarfs to see what images you might have seen. But, yes, the black wool with all the little multi colored threads is a fireworks scarf. And there is no pattern to follow - it's just black wool yarn plus Coney Island Fireworks yarn, both on the needle together, knit stitch for the entire scarf. It's so super easy that it's only taken me 5 years to knit 1/4 of the length I want. I really should get back to that project. Although I'm sure that by now my niece has forgotten that I promised to knit her a scarf.

Way behind on virtually all threads, but am now caught up on yours!

>188 lkernagh: That's actually one of the things I love about having a huge TBR! Going shopping in one's own shelf so to speak, and occasionally realising a gold nugget has been collecting dust for three or five or ten years. The thought of "I buy a book, then read it, then I buy another book" has never appealed to me. I guess I share that with most LT:ers. We're not just readers, but hoarders too.

TGIF everyone and welcome Weekend!

It is always interesting when a busy work week ends off with an impromptu staff meeting to apprise staff of an announcement that will be made next week. Nothing earth shattering. Just means yet another unanticipated change in immediate reporting structure. That makes two changes just this month, which is quite enough IMO, but this latest change is only temporary until a permanent change can be made. Good thing the work I do doesn't require input from up above very often because it takes a fair bit of time to explain why I need them to sign something or approve a decision made. ;-)

My goal this weekend: To finish The Alienist.

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> 222 - Hi Claire, The Alienist is good for the detail, I agree. I think it is the detail that makes me think this would make such a great movie, or as Roberta (luvamystery65) mentioned on my 75 group thread, a perfect Masterpiece Mystery miniseries. You have no idea how happy I was last night to reach the part in the book where the plots seems to pick up!

> 223 - Hi Betty, beads would make the perfect gift to take to a beader when you have to pack the present in a suitcase! I have been ogling some really nice beads online but I am not quite at the point where I am prepared to shell out larger amounts of cash for those lovely more pricy items just yet.

> 224 - It's so super easy that it's only taken me 5 years to knit 1/4 of the length I want.

LOL! Sounds like the perfect gift to surprise her with this Christmas, if she has forgotten all about it! ;-)

> 225 - Going shopping in one's own shelf so to speak,
That is exactly what it feels like some days! I live in fear of the day we may decide to move and find ourselves located in a place with only a sub-par library system or even worse, no great bookstores or book sales to satisfy my book acquisition tendencies.... this is why I hoard books, or at least that is the argument is use. ;-)

>226 lkernagh: That, and the zombie apocalypse of course.

> 227 - Yup, that too! ;-)

Book #75 - The Alienist by Caleb Carr
Category: - All things ON MY TBR BOOKCASE



Definition of ALIENIST:

psychiatrist; especially: one specializing in the legal aspects of psychiatry

New York City - March 3, 1896. When New York Times police journalist John Schuyler Moore is dragged out of bed in the middle of the night by a summons from his long time friend and psychologist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, the last thing he expects to find himself doing is standing on the outer walkway of the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge, staring at the mutilated body of a young boy. While at first blush this crime looks like nothing more than a one-time gruesome murder of a molly boy who worked in a disorderly house, it takes Kreizler to question that something more sinister is at work here. In a city where money talks, where the majority of the police force is on the take and crime and political corruption rules, Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt has his hands full trying to clean up a the police force he has oversight over. It becomes clear that if this matter is going to be investigated - to the annoyance of many powerful members in the city - an unofficial investigation team using new forensic methods of detection and psychological profiling, to try and find the killer will need to be set up. As the body counts starts to mount, the race is on to try and discover the killer's identity and find them before they kill again.

Written from the point of view of Moore, this story has a journalistic quality to it. The writing style reminds me of Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, another really good crime story considering that one is non-fiction. The attention to detail in The Alienist is amazing, although it can make for sluggish reading if you are looking for a more action-packed crime story. I found the quote on the front cover of the copy I read a little misleading.... The Alienist is a good crime story but not quite "A high-spirited, charged-up and unfailing smart thriller." IMO. The good news on the action front is that the slow build the story goes through for the first two thirds of the book does start to pick up speed as you progress closer and closer to the ending. The story does a great job depicting the American Gilded Age and has a wonderful character cameo by J.P. Morgan. I only wish that we got to know the characters that comprised the investigative team in the detail that we learned about our killer. I never really grew to appreciate the characters. They just were not given the same attention the author gave to the forensic methods, the crimes, the setting and the time period.

Overall, this one is a solid and well researched crime story that made for interesting reading. I just wish it had been a bit shorter in length - 512 pages seems a bit much for what the story conveys - and I wish it had more of an action/suspense build to it. This story would be fantastic adapted for film as the detail made it easy for me to visualize the story as I read it.

Favorite Quote:

"I'm not at all sure how much it will amount to, John, in the end," he said gloomily. "There are times when I feel that the job we have undertaken is not one that can be addressed at the metropolitan level alone. Corruption in this city is like the mythical beast, only instead of seven heads it springs a thousand for every one that is cut off. I don't know that this administration has the power to effect truly meaningful change."

Decimal Rating: 4.03
4.00 - Plot Development
3.50 - Character Development
3.75 - Writing Style
4.75 - Readability
4.00 - Premise
5.00 - Imagery/Visualization
N/A - Artistry (GN) / Narration (Audio)
4.25 - Originality
3.00 - Length

Star Rating: 4.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 512 pages
Source: TBR
Male/Female Author: Male

Next up: I am in the mood for something completely different so I have decided to embark on a re-read of Helene Hanff's 84, Charing Cross Road so I can then dip into The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street.

Books #76 and #77 - 84, Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff
Category: - All things ON MY TBR BOOKCASE



This was exactly what I needed as a change of pace after reading The Alienist! I absolutely loved 84, Charing Cross Road when I read and watched the film adaptation starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins back in 2010, and I continue to love it today. I re-read this one only as prep for diving into the sequel, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, which has been languishing on my TBR bookcase since 2010. My opinion of 84, Charing Cross Road hasn't changed and my original review can be found here. Now onward to the new read: The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street.

Written in diary format, this book captures Hanff's trip to England in 1971, when she finally travels across the pond to promote her book, 84, Charing Cross Road and to satisfy her lifelong dream, to find, "The England of English literature". Beautifully told with charm and candor, I was transported back in time to a world that is wonderfully timeless. This is a story about a personal journey, about old friends who finally meet, about new friendships made and about the changes in perspective such a monumental journey can bring about. As this one is in diary format, it lacks some of the spellbinding charm of 84, Charing Cross Road and the wonderful correspondence between Hanff, Frank Doel, the other members of Marks and Co and Frank's patient and loving wife, Nora. Reading 84, Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street back to back is the perfect way to really experience this second book... the magic of the first book carries this second book and gives it meaning. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is filled with anecdotes that made me smile and transported me back in time to an era where air travel wasn't subject to the rigid scrutiny that it is today. I loved how Hanff was met on the tarmac coming off the plane by a fan who happened to work at London Airport, and was walked by this gentleman right past the Immigration and Customs tables with a flippant "Friend of Mine" called over the shoulder. No one stopped them or questioned anything. This reminded me of the time back in 1996 when I flew into Manchester Airport with my Scottish other half for a long term (two month) visit of the UK. As a British subject, he went through a different line for immigration. Colour me surprised when I found myself being grilled, and grilled hard, by an immigration officer about my purposes for traveling to the UK. Apparently, it wasn't, and probably still isn't, considered 'normal' for someone like little old Canadian me to travel to the UK, with no real set plans in place besides seeing the country. When my other half had cleared his re-entry into Britain and realized that I was being given the third degree, he did what is probably a Hugh no-no today: He walked up behind the officer, thumped him on the shoulder, showed his passport and said "she's with me". Would you believe the immigration officer said not another word, stamped my passport and waved me through? Okay, I was a lot younger than and I have no idea what the immigration officer may have assumed was my 'ulterior motive' but it all worked out in the end.

It is amazing the memories a book can conjure up. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is the perfect read for anyone who loves 84, Charing Cross Road, is a book lover, and anglophile or just loves to armchair travel.

Favorite Quote:

"Got so carried away by my own eloquence that when we were driving home I began to wonder whether in explaining the American affection for Gray, I stumbled on a clue to the English passion for Dickens. They may admire Shakespeare more but it's Dickens they love. Maybe the average Englishman, being neither king nore peasant, identifies less with the kings and peasants of Shakespeare than with the lower and middle-class upward-mobility types in Dickens."

Food for thought, indeed.


Decimal Rating: 5.00
Star Rating: 5.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 97 pages
Source: My books
Male/Female Author: Female


Decimal Rating: 4.00
Star Rating: 4.00 Stars
Book Stats:
Format: Trade paperback
# of Pages: 172 pages
Source: TBR books
Male/Female Author: Female

Next up: I haven't decided yet.

I know I have 84, Charing Cross Road on my wish list. I'll try to finish it before I decide whether or not to add the second one.

Totally agree with your 5-star rating for 84, Charing Cross Road - such a great book!

> 231 - Hi Lori, 84, Charing Cross Road is such a sweet, and short book it can easily be read in one sitting. The second book, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street has a charming quaintness to it... it made me think of Mrs. 'arris Goes to Paris. If you get the chance, I recommend watching the film adaptation of Gallico's book, it stars Angela Lansbury and is a wonderful cozy movie to watch.

> 232 - Eva, I don't think I will ever tire of reading and re-reading 84, Charing Cross Road, just like I never tire of watching the film adaptation with Sir Anthony and Anne Bancroft.

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I am overdue with posting my September re-cap and moving things over to a new thread for the final quarter but I have been at home sick for the past two days with a bad flu/ stomach bug and not up to dealing with all that fussy business right now. Will get around to it once I am feeling better.

Sorry to hear you're not well. Get better soon!

I read 84 Charing Cross Road last year after hearing many good things here on LT and it was a wonderful book. Have to put The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street on the wishlist.

Lori, I'm sorry to hear you've been under the weather. I'm glad you're feeling well enough now to post on your threads. I hope you'll be back to 100% very soon.

I am on the mend and well enough to head into the office today, where I was informed of more business changes to where I work and the reporting structure. For the most part, it's a positive change that makes sense and not a nerve jarring experience.... I am actually looking forward to seeing how this change/transition occurs!

> 234 - Thanks Dave, it sucks being sick! Hopefully, I will be back to normal in a couple of more days!

> 235 - Betty, 84, Charing Cross Road remains a favorite of mine and Duchess of Bloomsbury Street has been added as a lovely continuation of the story. I tend to disperse my books far and wide to new homes after I finish reading them, but both Hanff books will be staying at home with me! :-)

> 236 - Thanks Carrie! Still haven't determined if I came down with a milder case of the flu or a bout of food poisoning. Either way I am happy to be feeling better!

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I am going to attempt to post up a monthly and third quarter summary and then try to migrate over to a new thread, so bear with me while I try and get the posting gods working for me. ;-)

SEPTEMBER RE-CAP:

Books read:


ROOTs Read (as part of my ROOT challenge):


ROOTs read so far this year: 19 (goal for the year is 30 ROOTs read)

Books acquired:
None

Favorite book (decimal rating): 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff - (5.00 decimal rating)
Least favorite book (decimal rating): Red Dragon, White Dragon by Gary Dolman - (3.42 decimal rating)

CATEGORY SUMMARY:
GRAPHIC - 0 books read this month (Total = 13)
NEW (published in 2012 or 2013) - 1 book read this month (Total = 13)
- - - Red Dragon, White Dragon by Gary Dolman -
EPISTOLARY - 0 book read this month (Total = 6)
GOTHIC - 0 books read this month (Total = 5)
FABLES and FAIRY TALES - 1 book read this month (Total = 8)
- - - The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers -
EUROPA - 0 books read this month (Total = 3)
REGENCY - 0 books read this month (Total = 3)
PENGUIN - 0 books read (Total = 2)
MITFORD - 0 books read this month (Total = 1)
SERIES, SEQUELS, PREQUELS and TRILOGIES - 0 books read this month (Total = 6)
NEWSWORTHY - 0 books read this month (Total = 6)
ON MY TBR BOOKCASE - 3 books read this month (Total = 8)
- - - Crow Lake by Mary Lawson -
- - - The Alienist by Caleb Carr -
- - - The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff -
WITH A TITLE, AUTHOR(S) AND WORDS WRITTEN - 0 books read this month (Total = 2)

So, because silly me just discovered that there are still three more months left in the year (and not the two that for some inexplicable reason my mind was registering) I won't be working towards closing out my categories just now.... I think I will carry things out into mid-November and then assess the situation.

YEAR-TO-DATE (Jan to Sept) STATS COMPARISON:

Thought I would do something different this time: a side-by-side comparison of my reading stats as of September 30th for the past three years:

No. of Books read:
2013 - 77
2012 - 64
2011 - 85

Largest book read by page count:
2013 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas at 1,314 pages
2012 - Great Expectations by Charles Dickens at 560 pages
2011 - Perdido Street Station by China Mieville at 640 pages

Smallest book read by page count:
2013 - Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses by Ron Koertge at 88 pages
2012 - Scotland Road by Jeffrey Hatcher at 48 pages
2011 - The Little Prince By Antoine Saint-Exupery at 96 pages

# Pages read:
2013 - 23,673
2012 - 16,838
2011 - 25,681

Average # pages per book read:
2013 - 307 pages
2012 - 263 pages
2011 - 302 pages

New thread to close out my last quarter of reading is now up and open for business. Please click the link at the bottom of this thread on click HERE if you would like to follow me.....

This thread is now