Anne here, hosting this month's What We're Reading post, and what a line-up we have: science fiction, dual timeline, historical romance, women's fiction, non-fiction, and murder mysteries, with quite a few wenches turning to crime. 
Mary Jo here. I recently reread a book I'd read in the past, and I liked it even better the second time around. John Scalzi's Agent to the Stars is science fiction, but not the kind with ray guns and evil invading aliens. Instead, it's funny and very entertaining and even has some romance.
Scalzi speaks amusingly about how he wrote the book in 1997 just to see if he could write a full length novel. A couple of his writer friends said it was good, and his wife was greatly relieved to like it because if she hated it, she'd still have to live with him. <G> Then he published it in pieces on his new scalzi.com blog and people sent in a buck if they liked it. The story wasn't published as a real, print novel until 2005, but it has thrived since, and Scalzi is now a New York Times list bestselling science fiction author of many novels.
The narrator is Tom Stein, a young and successful Hollywood agent who has just gotten mega-bucks for his top client, a feather brained but likable young blond beach girl who desperately wants to win the role of a tough-as-nails Holocaust survivor. His other clients tend to be neurotic and demanding, but that's normal.
Then Tom's life gets complicated. Carl, the legendarily tough head of his agency, calls Tom in and says that he has been contacted by friendly aliens, the Yherajk, and they've decided they need a Hollywood agent to introduce them to humankind. The problem is that they looks like blobs of melting gelatin and smell like locker room socks. Since Tom's boss can't do the job personally, he enlists Tom, who has his work is cut out for him! So a snarkily likable Yherajk with ADD and the human name of Joshua moves in with Tom, and the fun begins.
This may sound somewhat boggling, but the story of Tom, Joshua, an old neighborhood dog called Ralph, actress Michelle, and Tom's sharp-tongued Chicana secretary Miranda is very entertaining, and ultimately moving. I'll be reading it again. (Anne pops in to add her endorsement to this book)
From Nicola: Having finally finished The Book That Would Not End I have had a bit more time for reading and it’s been blissful. 
First up was a new book from one of my favourite authors, Tracy Rees. Each of Tracy’s books is different, which is one of the many things I like about them. The first couple were historical novels then she wrote a dual time novel, The Hourglass, that was shortlisted for the RNA Award last year and now we have Darling Blue. Ishbel “Blue” Camberwell leads a charmed life with her wealthy family in 1920s London. At her 21st birthday party her quixotic father offers her hand in marriage to the suitor who can woo her by letter but Blue is only just finding her feet in life and has other plans. We see Blue growing up and learning about life and love and her story is woven in with that of two different but fascinating characters. The language is beautiful, the book is full of insight and truths, Tracy Rees captures the spirit of the era perfectly and it’s funny, lovely and charming.
Another absolutely charming book I read this month is Born to be Wilde, the 3rd instalment in Eloisa James’ series The Wildes of Lindow Castle. I hadn’t read the first two books in the series, though I’m hurrying to pick them up now, but I was completely swept away by this one. Parth Sterling, the hero, is an honorary Wilde having been brought up in the ducal family since he was a child. Parth is the sort of hero who thinks he has life sorted and can solve any problem through the application of logic. The one thing that defies all logic, however, is his relationship with Miss Lavinia Gray. I loved the way in which these two came to know and understand each other properly. Their love story is tender, emotional and very sexy and the book is lots of fun, especially the extended Wilde clan who are delightfully eccentric. The writing sparkles and I loved every moment of it.
Pat recommends ANGRY HOUSEWIVES EATING BON BONS, Lorna Landvik. An oldie but goodie–this is a women’s fiction tour-de-force starting in the 70s and carrying through to the late 90s about women who get together in a neighborhood book club. I want to join a book club like this one! Each chapter lists the books they read that month and many of them are old favorites of mine, so it’s a great reading list as well. As in any good women’s fiction, the characters suffer through tragedy and rejoice in each other’s joy. We relive the history of the different eras through their lives and children. I know it sounds like just one more tedious tome of divorce and marriage, but it’s not. The characters come alive, learn to overcome their weaknesses, become strong, and celebrate every moment of life. I just sank into it every evening, happy to be welcomed into their company if only for a few hours. It's so rare that happens, I had to tell everyone!
Andrea says: Between being on deadline for my next Wrexford & Sloane mystery and my travels in England (madly dashing around after the RNA Conference trying to cram in as many sights and visits as as possible!) I’m afraid I haven’t hit my usual reading page count for the month. I did, however, manage to begin a book that I’m enjoying very much.
American Eden: David Hosack, Botany, and Medicine in the Garden of the Early Republic, by Victoria Johnson, is a fascinating account of Hosack, a brilliant physician, professor and botanist who was good friends and personal physician to both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr (he was the surgeon at their duel . . . which may not have been his finest hour) and his quest to create the first botanical/medicinal garden in America. Part biography, part general history on science, botany and medicine of the late 18th-early nineteenth century, it weaves together a wonderful portrait of a new land filled with infinite possibilities of discovery. Born in New York City in the mid 1700’s, Hosack spent time in Great Britain, studying under the leading medical men in both Scotland and London. In both places, he was struck by the sophisticated knowledge—developed over centuries of empirical study in the field, as it were—of how to use plants as a potent and safe way to cure many ailments. There were gardens devoted to cultivating healing plants, and the best one collected specimens from around the world to augment the local species.
Hosack returned to his home in New York excited by the idea that America, with its vast stretches of untouched wilderness, must hold a treasure trove of medicinal plants—and he was determined to create an American repository like the ones he had seen abroad, as well as educate a generation of American physicians in the science of using plants for healing. I’m only halfway through the book, but it’s very well-written and gives a great glimpse of life in the new republic and the famous people of the times (New York and Phildapelphia were very small worlds, and it’s amazing how many names we recognize from history were constantly rubbing shoulders with each other.) One of the fun facts from the flap blurb that I’m looking forward to reading about is the fact that America’s first botanical garden eventually got going in the site that is now Rockefeller Center! For all you gardeners out there, I think you would find this an especially interesting read!
Susan says: So many books!! That's my utter downfall this summer. I've started reading way more books than I've been able to finish. Some of that is because I'm too picky, but mostly it's because I don't have quiet reading time right now, a busy family summer. But I'm doing some research reading, happily plowing through The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones. He's not only a superb historian, but an excellent writer with the ability to make very complicated royal shenanigans quite clear, readable, and relatable. Between Dan Jones and Chris Peers, King Stephen and the Anarchy (my husband, seeing the book upside down, thought it was Stephen King, The Anarchy, and had high hopes) … but I'm making good sense of some very layered 12th century doings. 
Over the past year I've read all three murder mysteries by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling), featuring London private detective Cormoran Strike, starting with The Cuckoo's Calling, which I've mentioned here before. Just excellent crime fiction, though sometimes a tough read on the gruesome scale, yet worth the effort. Then we sat down to watch the BBC version of the series, C.B. Strike (now available on Cinemax in the US), and I was instantly hooked. It's one of the best detective series I've seen in long time–yes, it's gritty and realistic, but it's compelling, the characters are deeply sympathetic and beautifully nuanced, and it's all very well. Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and his assistant, Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) in particular are fascinating characters, and there's a subtle, growing romance there as well. I am looking forward to Season 4 next year!
Joanna here. I didn’t get much reading done this month, so only one book to mention. This is Pandora’s Boy by Lindsey Davis, an author Wenches have been praising for years. I finally got around to reading Davis, (you see – I really DO get to my TBR eventually,) and I join the chorus.
Flavia Albia is Falco’s adopted daughter, now married and doing her own investigating of murders and fighting off the bad guys of ancient Rome. Pandora’s Boy brings us irresponsible and decadent Gilded Youth, the most posh restaurant in Rome, witchcraft, murder, racketeers, and a fertility god missing his (cough) organ of generation. This is a Classical world somewhat different from the high speeches and spacious palaces we generally meet. The breezy, take-no-prisoners voice of the female protagonist makes this one for me.
Anne again, and like Joanna, I have also been reading Lindsey Davis. I've been reading her Falco novels since they first came out, but I have to confess I was so sad to leave Falco that I delayed starting on the Flavia Albia series — until a few weeks ago, when after a conversation with a friend, I pulled the first one, The Ides of April from my TBR (to-be-read) pile. And thoroughly enjoyed it. 
But instead of summing up what I liked about that particular book, I'll tell you what I like about Lindsey Davis's Roman-set mysteries. Her history is excellent, and I particularly like the view of Ancient Rome portrayed through the dryly witty lens of a 21st century awareness, but without any sense of anachronism. Her story telling is enjoyable, her characters are wonderful, the mysteries are nicely complicated and historically plausible. I also confess that I really enjoy the thread of romance that runs through her work. But what I enjoy most is the humor and ironic tone of the narrators — Falco, and later, Flavia Albia. And if you'd like a taste of the author's voice, and want to see her delightful responses to "helpful" suggestions from readers, visit her "rants" page. My favorites are those concerning corn (scroll down).
I've also been enjoying the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries that were recommended by Mary Jo and others last month. The author, Carola Dunn is an honorary wordwench and was interviewed here some years ago. This is the first book in the series.
Last month I started on the Mercedes Thomson novels by Patricia Briggs. I now report that I have finished the latest. Only to learn that a new one will appear next March. Only 8 months to wait.
In contrast to Patricia Briggs, I’ve been following my personal reading pattern through all Mary Jo’s novels. Still have several of them to read. I’ve brought myself up to date on some favorite authors, but don’t particularly remember which. These are my standard authors, and I enjoyed them; but they’re familiar joys and got lost during my discovery of Patricia Briggs.
Last month I started on the Mercedes Thomson novels by Patricia Briggs. I now report that I have finished the latest. Only to learn that a new one will appear next March. Only 8 months to wait.
In contrast to Patricia Briggs, I’ve been following my personal reading pattern through all Mary Jo’s novels. Still have several of them to read. I’ve brought myself up to date on some favorite authors, but don’t particularly remember which. These are my standard authors, and I enjoyed them; but they’re familiar joys and got lost during my discovery of Patricia Briggs.
Last month I started on the Mercedes Thomson novels by Patricia Briggs. I now report that I have finished the latest. Only to learn that a new one will appear next March. Only 8 months to wait.
In contrast to Patricia Briggs, I’ve been following my personal reading pattern through all Mary Jo’s novels. Still have several of them to read. I’ve brought myself up to date on some favorite authors, but don’t particularly remember which. These are my standard authors, and I enjoyed them; but they’re familiar joys and got lost during my discovery of Patricia Briggs.
Last month I started on the Mercedes Thomson novels by Patricia Briggs. I now report that I have finished the latest. Only to learn that a new one will appear next March. Only 8 months to wait.
In contrast to Patricia Briggs, I’ve been following my personal reading pattern through all Mary Jo’s novels. Still have several of them to read. I’ve brought myself up to date on some favorite authors, but don’t particularly remember which. These are my standard authors, and I enjoyed them; but they’re familiar joys and got lost during my discovery of Patricia Briggs.
Last month I started on the Mercedes Thomson novels by Patricia Briggs. I now report that I have finished the latest. Only to learn that a new one will appear next March. Only 8 months to wait.
In contrast to Patricia Briggs, I’ve been following my personal reading pattern through all Mary Jo’s novels. Still have several of them to read. I’ve brought myself up to date on some favorite authors, but don’t particularly remember which. These are my standard authors, and I enjoyed them; but they’re familiar joys and got lost during my discovery of Patricia Briggs.
I love Lindsey Davis’ Roman mysteries, particularly the early Falco ones, when he’s more smart aleck and less sensitive. If you like mysteries set in ancient Rome, may I suggest John Maddox Roberts SPQR series? They’re set a bit earlier, when the Republic is falling apart, and Julius Caesar keeps popping up. But the hero, Decius, is also a bit of a smart aleck. Both he and Falco remind me of Archie Goodwin, my first book boyfriend, who will always hold a special place in my heart.
I love Lindsey Davis’ Roman mysteries, particularly the early Falco ones, when he’s more smart aleck and less sensitive. If you like mysteries set in ancient Rome, may I suggest John Maddox Roberts SPQR series? They’re set a bit earlier, when the Republic is falling apart, and Julius Caesar keeps popping up. But the hero, Decius, is also a bit of a smart aleck. Both he and Falco remind me of Archie Goodwin, my first book boyfriend, who will always hold a special place in my heart.
I love Lindsey Davis’ Roman mysteries, particularly the early Falco ones, when he’s more smart aleck and less sensitive. If you like mysteries set in ancient Rome, may I suggest John Maddox Roberts SPQR series? They’re set a bit earlier, when the Republic is falling apart, and Julius Caesar keeps popping up. But the hero, Decius, is also a bit of a smart aleck. Both he and Falco remind me of Archie Goodwin, my first book boyfriend, who will always hold a special place in my heart.
I love Lindsey Davis’ Roman mysteries, particularly the early Falco ones, when he’s more smart aleck and less sensitive. If you like mysteries set in ancient Rome, may I suggest John Maddox Roberts SPQR series? They’re set a bit earlier, when the Republic is falling apart, and Julius Caesar keeps popping up. But the hero, Decius, is also a bit of a smart aleck. Both he and Falco remind me of Archie Goodwin, my first book boyfriend, who will always hold a special place in my heart.
I love Lindsey Davis’ Roman mysteries, particularly the early Falco ones, when he’s more smart aleck and less sensitive. If you like mysteries set in ancient Rome, may I suggest John Maddox Roberts SPQR series? They’re set a bit earlier, when the Republic is falling apart, and Julius Caesar keeps popping up. But the hero, Decius, is also a bit of a smart aleck. Both he and Falco remind me of Archie Goodwin, my first book boyfriend, who will always hold a special place in my heart.
Read in July ~
— re-read Anne Cleeland’s Murder in Retribution, Murder in Hindsight, Murder in Containment, Murder in All Honour, Murder in Shadow and Murder in Misdirection. Now I need to wait for the author to publish another book in the series. If you choose to read this series, do start with the first book.
— Dark Space and Darker Space both by Lisa Henry; these are male/male science fiction romances which I enjoyed.
— enjoyed Roni Loren’s contemporary romance The One You Can’t Forget (The Ones Who Got Away).
— The paranormal romance Tempted by Fire: Dragons of Bloodfire 1 by Erin Kellison. This was pleasant but not a book I’ll likely re-read.
— re-read with pleasure Anne Bishop’s Written In Red, Murder of Crows, Vision In Silver, Marked In Flesh and Etched in Bone. And I introduced my husband to this series; he’s now reading the third book.
— read a very short piece titled Wanted, an Author that is a male/male romance. It’s a follow on to a book I read and introduces a new book by the author, KJ Charles.
— a young adult novel that I quite enjoyed ~ The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen; it’s rare for me to read a book on its release date, but I enjoyed the sample so bought the book.
— The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester for my book group; I enjoyed it. This was the first Simon Winchester book I’ve read, but I’d happily read more by this author.
— I realized that I had about eighty unread book samples on my Kindle, so I spent a goodly amount of time reading those. (That would probably count as three or four books in terms of pages read!)
— finished a re-read of Marie Sexton’s Winter Oranges which I enjoyed once again. This is a non-scary, not quite ghost story, that features two men.
— quite enjoyed J.A. Sutherland’s science fiction novel Into the Dark (Alexis Carew Book 1) which happens to be currently free to Kindle readers.
— two linked science fiction books. A number of reviews for the first book mentioned a surprise ending which had me arrogantly thinking that I’d not be surprised. Ha! I quite enjoyed these books. Both of these books are currently free for Kindle readers: Shoot the Humans First PLUS The Battle of Hollow Jimmy by Becky Black
— liked Eli Easton’s The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3). This is a contemporary male/male romance.
— enjoyed a re-read of Anne Bishop’s Lake Silence (The World of the Others)
— enjoyed a re-read of Kim Fielding’s not scary ghostly male/male romance Motel. Pool.
— re-read with pleasure Kim Fielding’s male/male fantasy romance Brute which I enjoyed once again. This is currently on sale for 99 cents for those reading on a Kindle.
— By A Thread by L.A. Witt was a pleasant male/male romance with a supernatural element.
— Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Brides (Intergalactic Dating Agency) by Susan Hayes, overall, I found this rather ho hum.
–a collection of four contemporary romance stories; this was an okay read but not something I’ll likely re-read. It’s currently free for Kindle readers: One Week in December (One Week in Love Book 3) by Alexis Anne, Audra North, Julia Kelly and Alexandra Haughton
— quite enjoyed the non-fiction Making Art From Maps by Jill K. Berry. The projects vary from relatively simple to quite complex.
Read in July ~
— re-read Anne Cleeland’s Murder in Retribution, Murder in Hindsight, Murder in Containment, Murder in All Honour, Murder in Shadow and Murder in Misdirection. Now I need to wait for the author to publish another book in the series. If you choose to read this series, do start with the first book.
— Dark Space and Darker Space both by Lisa Henry; these are male/male science fiction romances which I enjoyed.
— enjoyed Roni Loren’s contemporary romance The One You Can’t Forget (The Ones Who Got Away).
— The paranormal romance Tempted by Fire: Dragons of Bloodfire 1 by Erin Kellison. This was pleasant but not a book I’ll likely re-read.
— re-read with pleasure Anne Bishop’s Written In Red, Murder of Crows, Vision In Silver, Marked In Flesh and Etched in Bone. And I introduced my husband to this series; he’s now reading the third book.
— read a very short piece titled Wanted, an Author that is a male/male romance. It’s a follow on to a book I read and introduces a new book by the author, KJ Charles.
— a young adult novel that I quite enjoyed ~ The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen; it’s rare for me to read a book on its release date, but I enjoyed the sample so bought the book.
— The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester for my book group; I enjoyed it. This was the first Simon Winchester book I’ve read, but I’d happily read more by this author.
— I realized that I had about eighty unread book samples on my Kindle, so I spent a goodly amount of time reading those. (That would probably count as three or four books in terms of pages read!)
— finished a re-read of Marie Sexton’s Winter Oranges which I enjoyed once again. This is a non-scary, not quite ghost story, that features two men.
— quite enjoyed J.A. Sutherland’s science fiction novel Into the Dark (Alexis Carew Book 1) which happens to be currently free to Kindle readers.
— two linked science fiction books. A number of reviews for the first book mentioned a surprise ending which had me arrogantly thinking that I’d not be surprised. Ha! I quite enjoyed these books. Both of these books are currently free for Kindle readers: Shoot the Humans First PLUS The Battle of Hollow Jimmy by Becky Black
— liked Eli Easton’s The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3). This is a contemporary male/male romance.
— enjoyed a re-read of Anne Bishop’s Lake Silence (The World of the Others)
— enjoyed a re-read of Kim Fielding’s not scary ghostly male/male romance Motel. Pool.
— re-read with pleasure Kim Fielding’s male/male fantasy romance Brute which I enjoyed once again. This is currently on sale for 99 cents for those reading on a Kindle.
— By A Thread by L.A. Witt was a pleasant male/male romance with a supernatural element.
— Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Brides (Intergalactic Dating Agency) by Susan Hayes, overall, I found this rather ho hum.
–a collection of four contemporary romance stories; this was an okay read but not something I’ll likely re-read. It’s currently free for Kindle readers: One Week in December (One Week in Love Book 3) by Alexis Anne, Audra North, Julia Kelly and Alexandra Haughton
— quite enjoyed the non-fiction Making Art From Maps by Jill K. Berry. The projects vary from relatively simple to quite complex.
Read in July ~
— re-read Anne Cleeland’s Murder in Retribution, Murder in Hindsight, Murder in Containment, Murder in All Honour, Murder in Shadow and Murder in Misdirection. Now I need to wait for the author to publish another book in the series. If you choose to read this series, do start with the first book.
— Dark Space and Darker Space both by Lisa Henry; these are male/male science fiction romances which I enjoyed.
— enjoyed Roni Loren’s contemporary romance The One You Can’t Forget (The Ones Who Got Away).
— The paranormal romance Tempted by Fire: Dragons of Bloodfire 1 by Erin Kellison. This was pleasant but not a book I’ll likely re-read.
— re-read with pleasure Anne Bishop’s Written In Red, Murder of Crows, Vision In Silver, Marked In Flesh and Etched in Bone. And I introduced my husband to this series; he’s now reading the third book.
— read a very short piece titled Wanted, an Author that is a male/male romance. It’s a follow on to a book I read and introduces a new book by the author, KJ Charles.
— a young adult novel that I quite enjoyed ~ The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen; it’s rare for me to read a book on its release date, but I enjoyed the sample so bought the book.
— The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester for my book group; I enjoyed it. This was the first Simon Winchester book I’ve read, but I’d happily read more by this author.
— I realized that I had about eighty unread book samples on my Kindle, so I spent a goodly amount of time reading those. (That would probably count as three or four books in terms of pages read!)
— finished a re-read of Marie Sexton’s Winter Oranges which I enjoyed once again. This is a non-scary, not quite ghost story, that features two men.
— quite enjoyed J.A. Sutherland’s science fiction novel Into the Dark (Alexis Carew Book 1) which happens to be currently free to Kindle readers.
— two linked science fiction books. A number of reviews for the first book mentioned a surprise ending which had me arrogantly thinking that I’d not be surprised. Ha! I quite enjoyed these books. Both of these books are currently free for Kindle readers: Shoot the Humans First PLUS The Battle of Hollow Jimmy by Becky Black
— liked Eli Easton’s The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3). This is a contemporary male/male romance.
— enjoyed a re-read of Anne Bishop’s Lake Silence (The World of the Others)
— enjoyed a re-read of Kim Fielding’s not scary ghostly male/male romance Motel. Pool.
— re-read with pleasure Kim Fielding’s male/male fantasy romance Brute which I enjoyed once again. This is currently on sale for 99 cents for those reading on a Kindle.
— By A Thread by L.A. Witt was a pleasant male/male romance with a supernatural element.
— Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Brides (Intergalactic Dating Agency) by Susan Hayes, overall, I found this rather ho hum.
–a collection of four contemporary romance stories; this was an okay read but not something I’ll likely re-read. It’s currently free for Kindle readers: One Week in December (One Week in Love Book 3) by Alexis Anne, Audra North, Julia Kelly and Alexandra Haughton
— quite enjoyed the non-fiction Making Art From Maps by Jill K. Berry. The projects vary from relatively simple to quite complex.
Read in July ~
— re-read Anne Cleeland’s Murder in Retribution, Murder in Hindsight, Murder in Containment, Murder in All Honour, Murder in Shadow and Murder in Misdirection. Now I need to wait for the author to publish another book in the series. If you choose to read this series, do start with the first book.
— Dark Space and Darker Space both by Lisa Henry; these are male/male science fiction romances which I enjoyed.
— enjoyed Roni Loren’s contemporary romance The One You Can’t Forget (The Ones Who Got Away).
— The paranormal romance Tempted by Fire: Dragons of Bloodfire 1 by Erin Kellison. This was pleasant but not a book I’ll likely re-read.
— re-read with pleasure Anne Bishop’s Written In Red, Murder of Crows, Vision In Silver, Marked In Flesh and Etched in Bone. And I introduced my husband to this series; he’s now reading the third book.
— read a very short piece titled Wanted, an Author that is a male/male romance. It’s a follow on to a book I read and introduces a new book by the author, KJ Charles.
— a young adult novel that I quite enjoyed ~ The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen; it’s rare for me to read a book on its release date, but I enjoyed the sample so bought the book.
— The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester for my book group; I enjoyed it. This was the first Simon Winchester book I’ve read, but I’d happily read more by this author.
— I realized that I had about eighty unread book samples on my Kindle, so I spent a goodly amount of time reading those. (That would probably count as three or four books in terms of pages read!)
— finished a re-read of Marie Sexton’s Winter Oranges which I enjoyed once again. This is a non-scary, not quite ghost story, that features two men.
— quite enjoyed J.A. Sutherland’s science fiction novel Into the Dark (Alexis Carew Book 1) which happens to be currently free to Kindle readers.
— two linked science fiction books. A number of reviews for the first book mentioned a surprise ending which had me arrogantly thinking that I’d not be surprised. Ha! I quite enjoyed these books. Both of these books are currently free for Kindle readers: Shoot the Humans First PLUS The Battle of Hollow Jimmy by Becky Black
— liked Eli Easton’s The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3). This is a contemporary male/male romance.
— enjoyed a re-read of Anne Bishop’s Lake Silence (The World of the Others)
— enjoyed a re-read of Kim Fielding’s not scary ghostly male/male romance Motel. Pool.
— re-read with pleasure Kim Fielding’s male/male fantasy romance Brute which I enjoyed once again. This is currently on sale for 99 cents for those reading on a Kindle.
— By A Thread by L.A. Witt was a pleasant male/male romance with a supernatural element.
— Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Brides (Intergalactic Dating Agency) by Susan Hayes, overall, I found this rather ho hum.
–a collection of four contemporary romance stories; this was an okay read but not something I’ll likely re-read. It’s currently free for Kindle readers: One Week in December (One Week in Love Book 3) by Alexis Anne, Audra North, Julia Kelly and Alexandra Haughton
— quite enjoyed the non-fiction Making Art From Maps by Jill K. Berry. The projects vary from relatively simple to quite complex.
Read in July ~
— re-read Anne Cleeland’s Murder in Retribution, Murder in Hindsight, Murder in Containment, Murder in All Honour, Murder in Shadow and Murder in Misdirection. Now I need to wait for the author to publish another book in the series. If you choose to read this series, do start with the first book.
— Dark Space and Darker Space both by Lisa Henry; these are male/male science fiction romances which I enjoyed.
— enjoyed Roni Loren’s contemporary romance The One You Can’t Forget (The Ones Who Got Away).
— The paranormal romance Tempted by Fire: Dragons of Bloodfire 1 by Erin Kellison. This was pleasant but not a book I’ll likely re-read.
— re-read with pleasure Anne Bishop’s Written In Red, Murder of Crows, Vision In Silver, Marked In Flesh and Etched in Bone. And I introduced my husband to this series; he’s now reading the third book.
— read a very short piece titled Wanted, an Author that is a male/male romance. It’s a follow on to a book I read and introduces a new book by the author, KJ Charles.
— a young adult novel that I quite enjoyed ~ The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen; it’s rare for me to read a book on its release date, but I enjoyed the sample so bought the book.
— The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester for my book group; I enjoyed it. This was the first Simon Winchester book I’ve read, but I’d happily read more by this author.
— I realized that I had about eighty unread book samples on my Kindle, so I spent a goodly amount of time reading those. (That would probably count as three or four books in terms of pages read!)
— finished a re-read of Marie Sexton’s Winter Oranges which I enjoyed once again. This is a non-scary, not quite ghost story, that features two men.
— quite enjoyed J.A. Sutherland’s science fiction novel Into the Dark (Alexis Carew Book 1) which happens to be currently free to Kindle readers.
— two linked science fiction books. A number of reviews for the first book mentioned a surprise ending which had me arrogantly thinking that I’d not be surprised. Ha! I quite enjoyed these books. Both of these books are currently free for Kindle readers: Shoot the Humans First PLUS The Battle of Hollow Jimmy by Becky Black
— liked Eli Easton’s The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3). This is a contemporary male/male romance.
— enjoyed a re-read of Anne Bishop’s Lake Silence (The World of the Others)
— enjoyed a re-read of Kim Fielding’s not scary ghostly male/male romance Motel. Pool.
— re-read with pleasure Kim Fielding’s male/male fantasy romance Brute which I enjoyed once again. This is currently on sale for 99 cents for those reading on a Kindle.
— By A Thread by L.A. Witt was a pleasant male/male romance with a supernatural element.
— Joran: Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Brides (Intergalactic Dating Agency) by Susan Hayes, overall, I found this rather ho hum.
–a collection of four contemporary romance stories; this was an okay read but not something I’ll likely re-read. It’s currently free for Kindle readers: One Week in December (One Week in Love Book 3) by Alexis Anne, Audra North, Julia Kelly and Alexandra Haughton
— quite enjoyed the non-fiction Making Art From Maps by Jill K. Berry. The projects vary from relatively simple to quite complex.
Isn’t she a wonder? I don’t even like violence, and I still gobble up everyone of Briggs’ books!
Isn’t she a wonder? I don’t even like violence, and I still gobble up everyone of Briggs’ books!
Isn’t she a wonder? I don’t even like violence, and I still gobble up everyone of Briggs’ books!
Isn’t she a wonder? I don’t even like violence, and I still gobble up everyone of Briggs’ books!
Isn’t she a wonder? I don’t even like violence, and I still gobble up everyone of Briggs’ books!
impressive! And I hear ya about all those accumulated Kindle dips amounting to several books. I would like to delete them from my reader, but then I wouldn’t know not to buy them again. 😉
impressive! And I hear ya about all those accumulated Kindle dips amounting to several books. I would like to delete them from my reader, but then I wouldn’t know not to buy them again. 😉
impressive! And I hear ya about all those accumulated Kindle dips amounting to several books. I would like to delete them from my reader, but then I wouldn’t know not to buy them again. 😉
impressive! And I hear ya about all those accumulated Kindle dips amounting to several books. I would like to delete them from my reader, but then I wouldn’t know not to buy them again. 😉
impressive! And I hear ya about all those accumulated Kindle dips amounting to several books. I would like to delete them from my reader, but then I wouldn’t know not to buy them again. 😉
I am really enjoying the Mercy Thompson series. Thanks for the original recommendation- whoever did it!
I am really enjoying the Mercy Thompson series. Thanks for the original recommendation- whoever did it!
I am really enjoying the Mercy Thompson series. Thanks for the original recommendation- whoever did it!
I am really enjoying the Mercy Thompson series. Thanks for the original recommendation- whoever did it!
I am really enjoying the Mercy Thompson series. Thanks for the original recommendation- whoever did it!
I’m in the middle of reading the Outback Brides Quartet published by Tule which are very enjoyable. Finish the first by Kelly Hunter and the second by Victoria Purman and am in the middle of the third by Cathryn Hein. Fiona McArthur’s is the last.
I’ve also finished What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past and the Journey Home by Mark Mazower which is a biographical history of the non-Bolshevik socialist Jewish left of pre and post revolutionary Russia told through an account of this British historian’s grandfather and father’s lives. It was a part of history I was not familiar with (or at least only vaguely through my high school origins of the first World War and Russian Revolution history). Very much enjoyed.
Also read A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow which was a strange and enjoyable book about people who at the point of death are taken over by dead children so they can murder the child’s killer and therefore receive justice. It sounds gruesome but it was surprisingly moving and at times quite funny.
I’m in the middle of reading the Outback Brides Quartet published by Tule which are very enjoyable. Finish the first by Kelly Hunter and the second by Victoria Purman and am in the middle of the third by Cathryn Hein. Fiona McArthur’s is the last.
I’ve also finished What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past and the Journey Home by Mark Mazower which is a biographical history of the non-Bolshevik socialist Jewish left of pre and post revolutionary Russia told through an account of this British historian’s grandfather and father’s lives. It was a part of history I was not familiar with (or at least only vaguely through my high school origins of the first World War and Russian Revolution history). Very much enjoyed.
Also read A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow which was a strange and enjoyable book about people who at the point of death are taken over by dead children so they can murder the child’s killer and therefore receive justice. It sounds gruesome but it was surprisingly moving and at times quite funny.
I’m in the middle of reading the Outback Brides Quartet published by Tule which are very enjoyable. Finish the first by Kelly Hunter and the second by Victoria Purman and am in the middle of the third by Cathryn Hein. Fiona McArthur’s is the last.
I’ve also finished What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past and the Journey Home by Mark Mazower which is a biographical history of the non-Bolshevik socialist Jewish left of pre and post revolutionary Russia told through an account of this British historian’s grandfather and father’s lives. It was a part of history I was not familiar with (or at least only vaguely through my high school origins of the first World War and Russian Revolution history). Very much enjoyed.
Also read A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow which was a strange and enjoyable book about people who at the point of death are taken over by dead children so they can murder the child’s killer and therefore receive justice. It sounds gruesome but it was surprisingly moving and at times quite funny.
I’m in the middle of reading the Outback Brides Quartet published by Tule which are very enjoyable. Finish the first by Kelly Hunter and the second by Victoria Purman and am in the middle of the third by Cathryn Hein. Fiona McArthur’s is the last.
I’ve also finished What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past and the Journey Home by Mark Mazower which is a biographical history of the non-Bolshevik socialist Jewish left of pre and post revolutionary Russia told through an account of this British historian’s grandfather and father’s lives. It was a part of history I was not familiar with (or at least only vaguely through my high school origins of the first World War and Russian Revolution history). Very much enjoyed.
Also read A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow which was a strange and enjoyable book about people who at the point of death are taken over by dead children so they can murder the child’s killer and therefore receive justice. It sounds gruesome but it was surprisingly moving and at times quite funny.
I’m in the middle of reading the Outback Brides Quartet published by Tule which are very enjoyable. Finish the first by Kelly Hunter and the second by Victoria Purman and am in the middle of the third by Cathryn Hein. Fiona McArthur’s is the last.
I’ve also finished What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past and the Journey Home by Mark Mazower which is a biographical history of the non-Bolshevik socialist Jewish left of pre and post revolutionary Russia told through an account of this British historian’s grandfather and father’s lives. It was a part of history I was not familiar with (or at least only vaguely through my high school origins of the first World War and Russian Revolution history). Very much enjoyed.
Also read A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow which was a strange and enjoyable book about people who at the point of death are taken over by dead children so they can murder the child’s killer and therefore receive justice. It sounds gruesome but it was surprisingly moving and at times quite funny.
Unusually for me, I read two contemporary romantic comedies, and I loved them both. One was “Goody Two Shoes” by Janet Elizabeth Henderson, which I think someone here recommended last month. The dialog and the characters were delightful! I’ll be looking for more from this author.
And the other was “Most Eligible Billionaire” by Annika Martin, which I took a chance on because it was free a couple of weeks ago. It’s an enemies to lovers story, with a cute dog at the center of the plot.
What I’m reading now is “The Heroine’s Sister” by Frances Murray, a Victorian era romance set in Venice. The “heroine” of the title is an beautiful but loose-moraled and
only mildly talented opera singer who gets into trouble after playing off two suitors against each other. She disappears early in the book, when she flees with one of her suitors, leaving her more respectable and practical minded sister stranded in Venice with no money.
However the abandoned sister gets a mysterious job offer from an Italian nobleman who is involved in some subversive political activities, and the plot thickens from there. This is an old paperback, published in 1975, and I don’t remember how I stumbled across it, but within a few pages I knew I was in the hands of a master. The writing and subtle humor is of a very high quality, I am rolling in catnip.
Unusually for me, I read two contemporary romantic comedies, and I loved them both. One was “Goody Two Shoes” by Janet Elizabeth Henderson, which I think someone here recommended last month. The dialog and the characters were delightful! I’ll be looking for more from this author.
And the other was “Most Eligible Billionaire” by Annika Martin, which I took a chance on because it was free a couple of weeks ago. It’s an enemies to lovers story, with a cute dog at the center of the plot.
What I’m reading now is “The Heroine’s Sister” by Frances Murray, a Victorian era romance set in Venice. The “heroine” of the title is an beautiful but loose-moraled and
only mildly talented opera singer who gets into trouble after playing off two suitors against each other. She disappears early in the book, when she flees with one of her suitors, leaving her more respectable and practical minded sister stranded in Venice with no money.
However the abandoned sister gets a mysterious job offer from an Italian nobleman who is involved in some subversive political activities, and the plot thickens from there. This is an old paperback, published in 1975, and I don’t remember how I stumbled across it, but within a few pages I knew I was in the hands of a master. The writing and subtle humor is of a very high quality, I am rolling in catnip.
Unusually for me, I read two contemporary romantic comedies, and I loved them both. One was “Goody Two Shoes” by Janet Elizabeth Henderson, which I think someone here recommended last month. The dialog and the characters were delightful! I’ll be looking for more from this author.
And the other was “Most Eligible Billionaire” by Annika Martin, which I took a chance on because it was free a couple of weeks ago. It’s an enemies to lovers story, with a cute dog at the center of the plot.
What I’m reading now is “The Heroine’s Sister” by Frances Murray, a Victorian era romance set in Venice. The “heroine” of the title is an beautiful but loose-moraled and
only mildly talented opera singer who gets into trouble after playing off two suitors against each other. She disappears early in the book, when she flees with one of her suitors, leaving her more respectable and practical minded sister stranded in Venice with no money.
However the abandoned sister gets a mysterious job offer from an Italian nobleman who is involved in some subversive political activities, and the plot thickens from there. This is an old paperback, published in 1975, and I don’t remember how I stumbled across it, but within a few pages I knew I was in the hands of a master. The writing and subtle humor is of a very high quality, I am rolling in catnip.
Unusually for me, I read two contemporary romantic comedies, and I loved them both. One was “Goody Two Shoes” by Janet Elizabeth Henderson, which I think someone here recommended last month. The dialog and the characters were delightful! I’ll be looking for more from this author.
And the other was “Most Eligible Billionaire” by Annika Martin, which I took a chance on because it was free a couple of weeks ago. It’s an enemies to lovers story, with a cute dog at the center of the plot.
What I’m reading now is “The Heroine’s Sister” by Frances Murray, a Victorian era romance set in Venice. The “heroine” of the title is an beautiful but loose-moraled and
only mildly talented opera singer who gets into trouble after playing off two suitors against each other. She disappears early in the book, when she flees with one of her suitors, leaving her more respectable and practical minded sister stranded in Venice with no money.
However the abandoned sister gets a mysterious job offer from an Italian nobleman who is involved in some subversive political activities, and the plot thickens from there. This is an old paperback, published in 1975, and I don’t remember how I stumbled across it, but within a few pages I knew I was in the hands of a master. The writing and subtle humor is of a very high quality, I am rolling in catnip.
Unusually for me, I read two contemporary romantic comedies, and I loved them both. One was “Goody Two Shoes” by Janet Elizabeth Henderson, which I think someone here recommended last month. The dialog and the characters were delightful! I’ll be looking for more from this author.
And the other was “Most Eligible Billionaire” by Annika Martin, which I took a chance on because it was free a couple of weeks ago. It’s an enemies to lovers story, with a cute dog at the center of the plot.
What I’m reading now is “The Heroine’s Sister” by Frances Murray, a Victorian era romance set in Venice. The “heroine” of the title is an beautiful but loose-moraled and
only mildly talented opera singer who gets into trouble after playing off two suitors against each other. She disappears early in the book, when she flees with one of her suitors, leaving her more respectable and practical minded sister stranded in Venice with no money.
However the abandoned sister gets a mysterious job offer from an Italian nobleman who is involved in some subversive political activities, and the plot thickens from there. This is an old paperback, published in 1975, and I don’t remember how I stumbled across it, but within a few pages I knew I was in the hands of a master. The writing and subtle humor is of a very high quality, I am rolling in catnip.
Sue, they’re fabulous, aren’t they? I now have all the Patricia Briggs books — I also love her Alpha and Omega series.
Sue, they’re fabulous, aren’t they? I now have all the Patricia Briggs books — I also love her Alpha and Omega series.
Sue, they’re fabulous, aren’t they? I now have all the Patricia Briggs books — I also love her Alpha and Omega series.
Sue, they’re fabulous, aren’t they? I now have all the Patricia Briggs books — I also love her Alpha and Omega series.
Sue, they’re fabulous, aren’t they? I now have all the Patricia Briggs books — I also love her Alpha and Omega series.
Lillian, I also love the smart aleck Falco, but I do confess that I melt at Falco the father. There’s a scene in the last Falco book where his wife simply hands him the baby, and then their other daughter climbs onto him and he’s stuck, unable to argue or do anything except hold his daughters.
There’s another scene where his toddler daughter is distressed by an overheated bee, and Falco first tries giving it water, and no, it doesn’t work, and so then he goes off and fetches some honey and feeds that to the bee, and it recovers and flies off — and it’s so sweet. His adopted daughter, still a bit feral from her life on the streets is watching from a distance, and you just know it’s a huge moment for her.
Thanks for the recommendation of John Maddox Roberts — I’ll check it out.
Lillian, I also love the smart aleck Falco, but I do confess that I melt at Falco the father. There’s a scene in the last Falco book where his wife simply hands him the baby, and then their other daughter climbs onto him and he’s stuck, unable to argue or do anything except hold his daughters.
There’s another scene where his toddler daughter is distressed by an overheated bee, and Falco first tries giving it water, and no, it doesn’t work, and so then he goes off and fetches some honey and feeds that to the bee, and it recovers and flies off — and it’s so sweet. His adopted daughter, still a bit feral from her life on the streets is watching from a distance, and you just know it’s a huge moment for her.
Thanks for the recommendation of John Maddox Roberts — I’ll check it out.
Lillian, I also love the smart aleck Falco, but I do confess that I melt at Falco the father. There’s a scene in the last Falco book where his wife simply hands him the baby, and then their other daughter climbs onto him and he’s stuck, unable to argue or do anything except hold his daughters.
There’s another scene where his toddler daughter is distressed by an overheated bee, and Falco first tries giving it water, and no, it doesn’t work, and so then he goes off and fetches some honey and feeds that to the bee, and it recovers and flies off — and it’s so sweet. His adopted daughter, still a bit feral from her life on the streets is watching from a distance, and you just know it’s a huge moment for her.
Thanks for the recommendation of John Maddox Roberts — I’ll check it out.
Lillian, I also love the smart aleck Falco, but I do confess that I melt at Falco the father. There’s a scene in the last Falco book where his wife simply hands him the baby, and then their other daughter climbs onto him and he’s stuck, unable to argue or do anything except hold his daughters.
There’s another scene where his toddler daughter is distressed by an overheated bee, and Falco first tries giving it water, and no, it doesn’t work, and so then he goes off and fetches some honey and feeds that to the bee, and it recovers and flies off — and it’s so sweet. His adopted daughter, still a bit feral from her life on the streets is watching from a distance, and you just know it’s a huge moment for her.
Thanks for the recommendation of John Maddox Roberts — I’ll check it out.
Lillian, I also love the smart aleck Falco, but I do confess that I melt at Falco the father. There’s a scene in the last Falco book where his wife simply hands him the baby, and then their other daughter climbs onto him and he’s stuck, unable to argue or do anything except hold his daughters.
There’s another scene where his toddler daughter is distressed by an overheated bee, and Falco first tries giving it water, and no, it doesn’t work, and so then he goes off and fetches some honey and feeds that to the bee, and it recovers and flies off — and it’s so sweet. His adopted daughter, still a bit feral from her life on the streets is watching from a distance, and you just know it’s a huge moment for her.
Thanks for the recommendation of John Maddox Roberts — I’ll check it out.
Wow, Kareni, as usual a huge list. Thanks so much for sharing. I have the Sarina Bowen book, but haven’t read it yet. I enjoy her work.
Wow, Kareni, as usual a huge list. Thanks so much for sharing. I have the Sarina Bowen book, but haven’t read it yet. I enjoy her work.
Wow, Kareni, as usual a huge list. Thanks so much for sharing. I have the Sarina Bowen book, but haven’t read it yet. I enjoy her work.
Wow, Kareni, as usual a huge list. Thanks so much for sharing. I have the Sarina Bowen book, but haven’t read it yet. I enjoy her work.
Wow, Kareni, as usual a huge list. Thanks so much for sharing. I have the Sarina Bowen book, but haven’t read it yet. I enjoy her work.
DB I’ve read and enjoyed the Outback Brides series, too. My faves were the Kelly Hunter and the Cathryn Hein ones.
‘What You Did Not Tell’ sounds fascinating. I know very little about that period as well.
I’ll skip the murdered children title — am a terrible wimp
DB I’ve read and enjoyed the Outback Brides series, too. My faves were the Kelly Hunter and the Cathryn Hein ones.
‘What You Did Not Tell’ sounds fascinating. I know very little about that period as well.
I’ll skip the murdered children title — am a terrible wimp
DB I’ve read and enjoyed the Outback Brides series, too. My faves were the Kelly Hunter and the Cathryn Hein ones.
‘What You Did Not Tell’ sounds fascinating. I know very little about that period as well.
I’ll skip the murdered children title — am a terrible wimp
DB I’ve read and enjoyed the Outback Brides series, too. My faves were the Kelly Hunter and the Cathryn Hein ones.
‘What You Did Not Tell’ sounds fascinating. I know very little about that period as well.
I’ll skip the murdered children title — am a terrible wimp
DB I’ve read and enjoyed the Outback Brides series, too. My faves were the Kelly Hunter and the Cathryn Hein ones.
‘What You Did Not Tell’ sounds fascinating. I know very little about that period as well.
I’ll skip the murdered children title — am a terrible wimp
Thanks for those recommendation, Karin. The “Goody Two Shoes” title rings a bell — might check to see if I bought it last time. I have a buy now (while I remember) read later habit, and often it’s a while before I read a book because I need to be in the mood for it.
The Frances Murray one sounds interesting. I think some older books are interesting simply because they don’t follow the usual pattern for the genre — having been written before those patterns became established.
Thanks for those recommendation, Karin. The “Goody Two Shoes” title rings a bell — might check to see if I bought it last time. I have a buy now (while I remember) read later habit, and often it’s a while before I read a book because I need to be in the mood for it.
The Frances Murray one sounds interesting. I think some older books are interesting simply because they don’t follow the usual pattern for the genre — having been written before those patterns became established.
Thanks for those recommendation, Karin. The “Goody Two Shoes” title rings a bell — might check to see if I bought it last time. I have a buy now (while I remember) read later habit, and often it’s a while before I read a book because I need to be in the mood for it.
The Frances Murray one sounds interesting. I think some older books are interesting simply because they don’t follow the usual pattern for the genre — having been written before those patterns became established.
Thanks for those recommendation, Karin. The “Goody Two Shoes” title rings a bell — might check to see if I bought it last time. I have a buy now (while I remember) read later habit, and often it’s a while before I read a book because I need to be in the mood for it.
The Frances Murray one sounds interesting. I think some older books are interesting simply because they don’t follow the usual pattern for the genre — having been written before those patterns became established.
Thanks for those recommendation, Karin. The “Goody Two Shoes” title rings a bell — might check to see if I bought it last time. I have a buy now (while I remember) read later habit, and often it’s a while before I read a book because I need to be in the mood for it.
The Frances Murray one sounds interesting. I think some older books are interesting simply because they don’t follow the usual pattern for the genre — having been written before those patterns became established.
I am thrilled to discover that Murray has a half a dozen or more books available for Kindle, and quite cheaply! Unfortunately, The Heroine’s Sister is not among them. 🙁
I am thrilled to discover that Murray has a half a dozen or more books available for Kindle, and quite cheaply! Unfortunately, The Heroine’s Sister is not among them. 🙁
I am thrilled to discover that Murray has a half a dozen or more books available for Kindle, and quite cheaply! Unfortunately, The Heroine’s Sister is not among them. 🙁
I am thrilled to discover that Murray has a half a dozen or more books available for Kindle, and quite cheaply! Unfortunately, The Heroine’s Sister is not among them. 🙁
I am thrilled to discover that Murray has a half a dozen or more books available for Kindle, and quite cheaply! Unfortunately, The Heroine’s Sister is not among them. 🙁
Thanks for following that up, Karin. They might be in the process of turning the old paperback into an e-book, so it might pop up eventually.
Thanks for following that up, Karin. They might be in the process of turning the old paperback into an e-book, so it might pop up eventually.
Thanks for following that up, Karin. They might be in the process of turning the old paperback into an e-book, so it might pop up eventually.
Thanks for following that up, Karin. They might be in the process of turning the old paperback into an e-book, so it might pop up eventually.
Thanks for following that up, Karin. They might be in the process of turning the old paperback into an e-book, so it might pop up eventually.
Just finished Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka, one of the best book-club novels I’ve read in a long time. The author masterfully gets into the head of the 14-year-old protagonist, a New York girl who is both beyond-mature and still appropriately naive for her age. The story has a lot to say about relationships and IMO is too complex to be called a young adult book. I can’t say this about many books: I loved it.
Just finished Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka, one of the best book-club novels I’ve read in a long time. The author masterfully gets into the head of the 14-year-old protagonist, a New York girl who is both beyond-mature and still appropriately naive for her age. The story has a lot to say about relationships and IMO is too complex to be called a young adult book. I can’t say this about many books: I loved it.
Just finished Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka, one of the best book-club novels I’ve read in a long time. The author masterfully gets into the head of the 14-year-old protagonist, a New York girl who is both beyond-mature and still appropriately naive for her age. The story has a lot to say about relationships and IMO is too complex to be called a young adult book. I can’t say this about many books: I loved it.
Just finished Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka, one of the best book-club novels I’ve read in a long time. The author masterfully gets into the head of the 14-year-old protagonist, a New York girl who is both beyond-mature and still appropriately naive for her age. The story has a lot to say about relationships and IMO is too complex to be called a young adult book. I can’t say this about many books: I loved it.
Just finished Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka, one of the best book-club novels I’ve read in a long time. The author masterfully gets into the head of the 14-year-old protagonist, a New York girl who is both beyond-mature and still appropriately naive for her age. The story has a lot to say about relationships and IMO is too complex to be called a young adult book. I can’t say this about many books: I loved it.
Lately I’ve read (first time reads):
Keep the Home Fires Burning by Simon Block – this is what Season 3 of Home Fires would have been had ITV not cancelled it. It continues that show from the cliffhanger ending of Series 2. Block is not an accomplished novelist as yet (he was the creator/screenwriter) but it does continue the story and I had the mental images of those actors to flesh things out. There is another book, A Woman’s War, due out in a couple of months.
No Middle Name – now up to date on Jack Reacher. These aren’t keepers but they are page turners.
To Die But Once (Maisie Dobbs #14) by Jacqueline Winspear – Maisie investigates the murder of a young man who had just found his niche in life, and got a dog.
The Truth About Men in Black by Jenny Randles – not the woowoo sort of thing at all; Randles was a real investigative reporter, and very thorough. Cites sources. They’re not all UFO aliens or urban legend, likely some of them are us 🙂 I am wading through a book on regency daily life that isn’t sourced anywhere near as well.
Blue Madonna by James R. Benn (Billy Boyle #11) – Murders in a French chateau in occupied France with Billy going undercover
The Girl From Venice by Martin Cruz – a shortish, fast moving novel set in WW2 about a fisherman called Cenzo with a movie star collaborator brother who fishes a Jewish girl out of the water one night. Great picture of occupied Italy, this one will stick with me.
In rereads I went back and forth between reading and listening to Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Reading is better. No matter how good the narrator, they still don’t say the lines the way I hear them in my head. Also did annual reread of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and a couple of vintage regencies for Yvonne and Regency Retro Reads which may be posted when summer is over (which happens quickly in Sweden).
Lately I’ve read (first time reads):
Keep the Home Fires Burning by Simon Block – this is what Season 3 of Home Fires would have been had ITV not cancelled it. It continues that show from the cliffhanger ending of Series 2. Block is not an accomplished novelist as yet (he was the creator/screenwriter) but it does continue the story and I had the mental images of those actors to flesh things out. There is another book, A Woman’s War, due out in a couple of months.
No Middle Name – now up to date on Jack Reacher. These aren’t keepers but they are page turners.
To Die But Once (Maisie Dobbs #14) by Jacqueline Winspear – Maisie investigates the murder of a young man who had just found his niche in life, and got a dog.
The Truth About Men in Black by Jenny Randles – not the woowoo sort of thing at all; Randles was a real investigative reporter, and very thorough. Cites sources. They’re not all UFO aliens or urban legend, likely some of them are us 🙂 I am wading through a book on regency daily life that isn’t sourced anywhere near as well.
Blue Madonna by James R. Benn (Billy Boyle #11) – Murders in a French chateau in occupied France with Billy going undercover
The Girl From Venice by Martin Cruz – a shortish, fast moving novel set in WW2 about a fisherman called Cenzo with a movie star collaborator brother who fishes a Jewish girl out of the water one night. Great picture of occupied Italy, this one will stick with me.
In rereads I went back and forth between reading and listening to Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Reading is better. No matter how good the narrator, they still don’t say the lines the way I hear them in my head. Also did annual reread of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and a couple of vintage regencies for Yvonne and Regency Retro Reads which may be posted when summer is over (which happens quickly in Sweden).
Lately I’ve read (first time reads):
Keep the Home Fires Burning by Simon Block – this is what Season 3 of Home Fires would have been had ITV not cancelled it. It continues that show from the cliffhanger ending of Series 2. Block is not an accomplished novelist as yet (he was the creator/screenwriter) but it does continue the story and I had the mental images of those actors to flesh things out. There is another book, A Woman’s War, due out in a couple of months.
No Middle Name – now up to date on Jack Reacher. These aren’t keepers but they are page turners.
To Die But Once (Maisie Dobbs #14) by Jacqueline Winspear – Maisie investigates the murder of a young man who had just found his niche in life, and got a dog.
The Truth About Men in Black by Jenny Randles – not the woowoo sort of thing at all; Randles was a real investigative reporter, and very thorough. Cites sources. They’re not all UFO aliens or urban legend, likely some of them are us 🙂 I am wading through a book on regency daily life that isn’t sourced anywhere near as well.
Blue Madonna by James R. Benn (Billy Boyle #11) – Murders in a French chateau in occupied France with Billy going undercover
The Girl From Venice by Martin Cruz – a shortish, fast moving novel set in WW2 about a fisherman called Cenzo with a movie star collaborator brother who fishes a Jewish girl out of the water one night. Great picture of occupied Italy, this one will stick with me.
In rereads I went back and forth between reading and listening to Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Reading is better. No matter how good the narrator, they still don’t say the lines the way I hear them in my head. Also did annual reread of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and a couple of vintage regencies for Yvonne and Regency Retro Reads which may be posted when summer is over (which happens quickly in Sweden).
Lately I’ve read (first time reads):
Keep the Home Fires Burning by Simon Block – this is what Season 3 of Home Fires would have been had ITV not cancelled it. It continues that show from the cliffhanger ending of Series 2. Block is not an accomplished novelist as yet (he was the creator/screenwriter) but it does continue the story and I had the mental images of those actors to flesh things out. There is another book, A Woman’s War, due out in a couple of months.
No Middle Name – now up to date on Jack Reacher. These aren’t keepers but they are page turners.
To Die But Once (Maisie Dobbs #14) by Jacqueline Winspear – Maisie investigates the murder of a young man who had just found his niche in life, and got a dog.
The Truth About Men in Black by Jenny Randles – not the woowoo sort of thing at all; Randles was a real investigative reporter, and very thorough. Cites sources. They’re not all UFO aliens or urban legend, likely some of them are us 🙂 I am wading through a book on regency daily life that isn’t sourced anywhere near as well.
Blue Madonna by James R. Benn (Billy Boyle #11) – Murders in a French chateau in occupied France with Billy going undercover
The Girl From Venice by Martin Cruz – a shortish, fast moving novel set in WW2 about a fisherman called Cenzo with a movie star collaborator brother who fishes a Jewish girl out of the water one night. Great picture of occupied Italy, this one will stick with me.
In rereads I went back and forth between reading and listening to Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Reading is better. No matter how good the narrator, they still don’t say the lines the way I hear them in my head. Also did annual reread of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and a couple of vintage regencies for Yvonne and Regency Retro Reads which may be posted when summer is over (which happens quickly in Sweden).
Lately I’ve read (first time reads):
Keep the Home Fires Burning by Simon Block – this is what Season 3 of Home Fires would have been had ITV not cancelled it. It continues that show from the cliffhanger ending of Series 2. Block is not an accomplished novelist as yet (he was the creator/screenwriter) but it does continue the story and I had the mental images of those actors to flesh things out. There is another book, A Woman’s War, due out in a couple of months.
No Middle Name – now up to date on Jack Reacher. These aren’t keepers but they are page turners.
To Die But Once (Maisie Dobbs #14) by Jacqueline Winspear – Maisie investigates the murder of a young man who had just found his niche in life, and got a dog.
The Truth About Men in Black by Jenny Randles – not the woowoo sort of thing at all; Randles was a real investigative reporter, and very thorough. Cites sources. They’re not all UFO aliens or urban legend, likely some of them are us 🙂 I am wading through a book on regency daily life that isn’t sourced anywhere near as well.
Blue Madonna by James R. Benn (Billy Boyle #11) – Murders in a French chateau in occupied France with Billy going undercover
The Girl From Venice by Martin Cruz – a shortish, fast moving novel set in WW2 about a fisherman called Cenzo with a movie star collaborator brother who fishes a Jewish girl out of the water one night. Great picture of occupied Italy, this one will stick with me.
In rereads I went back and forth between reading and listening to Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Reading is better. No matter how good the narrator, they still don’t say the lines the way I hear them in my head. Also did annual reread of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and a couple of vintage regencies for Yvonne and Regency Retro Reads which may be posted when summer is over (which happens quickly in Sweden).
Thanks, Mary, it sounds fascinating. There are some wonderful young adult books around.
Thanks, Mary, it sounds fascinating. There are some wonderful young adult books around.
Thanks, Mary, it sounds fascinating. There are some wonderful young adult books around.
Thanks, Mary, it sounds fascinating. There are some wonderful young adult books around.
Thanks, Mary, it sounds fascinating. There are some wonderful young adult books around.
Wow, Janice, what an excellent collection. I didn’t know Home Fires had been cancelled — I really enjoyed that show. And I agree with you about the Jack Reacher novels — excellent page turners, but I’m not sure I’ll ever reread them, as I do my favorite romances.
Wow, Janice, what an excellent collection. I didn’t know Home Fires had been cancelled — I really enjoyed that show. And I agree with you about the Jack Reacher novels — excellent page turners, but I’m not sure I’ll ever reread them, as I do my favorite romances.
Wow, Janice, what an excellent collection. I didn’t know Home Fires had been cancelled — I really enjoyed that show. And I agree with you about the Jack Reacher novels — excellent page turners, but I’m not sure I’ll ever reread them, as I do my favorite romances.
Wow, Janice, what an excellent collection. I didn’t know Home Fires had been cancelled — I really enjoyed that show. And I agree with you about the Jack Reacher novels — excellent page turners, but I’m not sure I’ll ever reread them, as I do my favorite romances.
Wow, Janice, what an excellent collection. I didn’t know Home Fires had been cancelled — I really enjoyed that show. And I agree with you about the Jack Reacher novels — excellent page turners, but I’m not sure I’ll ever reread them, as I do my favorite romances.
My reading in July included:
The Cold Eye, by Laura Anne Gilman, the second book in her series The Devil’s West. It’s fantasy set in an alternate North America with some magic during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. This episode seems to take place near Yellowstone, to judge by the terrain depicted. It’s an interesting story but rather vague in description, so often hard to tell what is going on – still I find it compelling reading.
I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff – what’s the opposite of a tragicomedy? This book is a comitradgedy. It’s engaging and sociable and endearing and funny – and really well-characterized – and then really scary and sad. I enjoyed it on some level and on another level I wish it had been a different book about the same characters and family, and a different situation.
Re-read of The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks, the last book in his Culture series he wrote before he died. It’s not my favorite of the series but I still liked it a lot. Mostly it’s about endings and how different people and cultures approach them – partying, telling long kept secrets, trying to ensure legacies, achieving one’s bucket list, and the like.
And currently I’m reading N is for Noose by Sue Grafton, around the middle of the Kinsey Millhone series. So far it is very interesting as Kinsey is investigating, at the behest of his widow, the last days of a police detective who died on the road of a heart attack.
My reading in July included:
The Cold Eye, by Laura Anne Gilman, the second book in her series The Devil’s West. It’s fantasy set in an alternate North America with some magic during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. This episode seems to take place near Yellowstone, to judge by the terrain depicted. It’s an interesting story but rather vague in description, so often hard to tell what is going on – still I find it compelling reading.
I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff – what’s the opposite of a tragicomedy? This book is a comitradgedy. It’s engaging and sociable and endearing and funny – and really well-characterized – and then really scary and sad. I enjoyed it on some level and on another level I wish it had been a different book about the same characters and family, and a different situation.
Re-read of The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks, the last book in his Culture series he wrote before he died. It’s not my favorite of the series but I still liked it a lot. Mostly it’s about endings and how different people and cultures approach them – partying, telling long kept secrets, trying to ensure legacies, achieving one’s bucket list, and the like.
And currently I’m reading N is for Noose by Sue Grafton, around the middle of the Kinsey Millhone series. So far it is very interesting as Kinsey is investigating, at the behest of his widow, the last days of a police detective who died on the road of a heart attack.
My reading in July included:
The Cold Eye, by Laura Anne Gilman, the second book in her series The Devil’s West. It’s fantasy set in an alternate North America with some magic during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. This episode seems to take place near Yellowstone, to judge by the terrain depicted. It’s an interesting story but rather vague in description, so often hard to tell what is going on – still I find it compelling reading.
I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff – what’s the opposite of a tragicomedy? This book is a comitradgedy. It’s engaging and sociable and endearing and funny – and really well-characterized – and then really scary and sad. I enjoyed it on some level and on another level I wish it had been a different book about the same characters and family, and a different situation.
Re-read of The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks, the last book in his Culture series he wrote before he died. It’s not my favorite of the series but I still liked it a lot. Mostly it’s about endings and how different people and cultures approach them – partying, telling long kept secrets, trying to ensure legacies, achieving one’s bucket list, and the like.
And currently I’m reading N is for Noose by Sue Grafton, around the middle of the Kinsey Millhone series. So far it is very interesting as Kinsey is investigating, at the behest of his widow, the last days of a police detective who died on the road of a heart attack.
My reading in July included:
The Cold Eye, by Laura Anne Gilman, the second book in her series The Devil’s West. It’s fantasy set in an alternate North America with some magic during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. This episode seems to take place near Yellowstone, to judge by the terrain depicted. It’s an interesting story but rather vague in description, so often hard to tell what is going on – still I find it compelling reading.
I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff – what’s the opposite of a tragicomedy? This book is a comitradgedy. It’s engaging and sociable and endearing and funny – and really well-characterized – and then really scary and sad. I enjoyed it on some level and on another level I wish it had been a different book about the same characters and family, and a different situation.
Re-read of The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks, the last book in his Culture series he wrote before he died. It’s not my favorite of the series but I still liked it a lot. Mostly it’s about endings and how different people and cultures approach them – partying, telling long kept secrets, trying to ensure legacies, achieving one’s bucket list, and the like.
And currently I’m reading N is for Noose by Sue Grafton, around the middle of the Kinsey Millhone series. So far it is very interesting as Kinsey is investigating, at the behest of his widow, the last days of a police detective who died on the road of a heart attack.
My reading in July included:
The Cold Eye, by Laura Anne Gilman, the second book in her series The Devil’s West. It’s fantasy set in an alternate North America with some magic during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. This episode seems to take place near Yellowstone, to judge by the terrain depicted. It’s an interesting story but rather vague in description, so often hard to tell what is going on – still I find it compelling reading.
I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff – what’s the opposite of a tragicomedy? This book is a comitradgedy. It’s engaging and sociable and endearing and funny – and really well-characterized – and then really scary and sad. I enjoyed it on some level and on another level I wish it had been a different book about the same characters and family, and a different situation.
Re-read of The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks, the last book in his Culture series he wrote before he died. It’s not my favorite of the series but I still liked it a lot. Mostly it’s about endings and how different people and cultures approach them – partying, telling long kept secrets, trying to ensure legacies, achieving one’s bucket list, and the like.
And currently I’m reading N is for Noose by Sue Grafton, around the middle of the Kinsey Millhone series. So far it is very interesting as Kinsey is investigating, at the behest of his widow, the last days of a police detective who died on the road of a heart attack.
Some great recommendations here. Thanks to Nicola I’ve put Tracy Rees books on my TBR list. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of her before. Once anyone mentions time lines or time slips, I’m off!! I love them. I’m looking forward to Barbara Erskine’s new book next month.
Some great recommendations here. Thanks to Nicola I’ve put Tracy Rees books on my TBR list. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of her before. Once anyone mentions time lines or time slips, I’m off!! I love them. I’m looking forward to Barbara Erskine’s new book next month.
Some great recommendations here. Thanks to Nicola I’ve put Tracy Rees books on my TBR list. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of her before. Once anyone mentions time lines or time slips, I’m off!! I love them. I’m looking forward to Barbara Erskine’s new book next month.
Some great recommendations here. Thanks to Nicola I’ve put Tracy Rees books on my TBR list. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of her before. Once anyone mentions time lines or time slips, I’m off!! I love them. I’m looking forward to Barbara Erskine’s new book next month.
Some great recommendations here. Thanks to Nicola I’ve put Tracy Rees books on my TBR list. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of her before. Once anyone mentions time lines or time slips, I’m off!! I love them. I’m looking forward to Barbara Erskine’s new book next month.
I’ve probably been guilty of downloading the same sample once or twice. Though I’ve also been known to buy the same paper book twice (or even three times) — those new covers can be deceptive!
I’ve probably been guilty of downloading the same sample once or twice. Though I’ve also been known to buy the same paper book twice (or even three times) — those new covers can be deceptive!
I’ve probably been guilty of downloading the same sample once or twice. Though I’ve also been known to buy the same paper book twice (or even three times) — those new covers can be deceptive!
I’ve probably been guilty of downloading the same sample once or twice. Though I’ve also been known to buy the same paper book twice (or even three times) — those new covers can be deceptive!
I’ve probably been guilty of downloading the same sample once or twice. Though I’ve also been known to buy the same paper book twice (or even three times) — those new covers can be deceptive!
I’ll admit to liking Sarina Bowen’s new adult Ivy Years books more than her hockey romances. The Accidentals is a young adult book and more like the former than the latter; it was quite enjoyable.
I’ll admit to liking Sarina Bowen’s new adult Ivy Years books more than her hockey romances. The Accidentals is a young adult book and more like the former than the latter; it was quite enjoyable.
I’ll admit to liking Sarina Bowen’s new adult Ivy Years books more than her hockey romances. The Accidentals is a young adult book and more like the former than the latter; it was quite enjoyable.
I’ll admit to liking Sarina Bowen’s new adult Ivy Years books more than her hockey romances. The Accidentals is a young adult book and more like the former than the latter; it was quite enjoyable.
I’ll admit to liking Sarina Bowen’s new adult Ivy Years books more than her hockey romances. The Accidentals is a young adult book and more like the former than the latter; it was quite enjoyable.
Been doing a lot of re-reading lately. Visiting old book friends.
My only new read is the book I just started. THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Caroline Warfield. I’m only about a third of the way through, so I won’t recommend it one way or the other. But it shows signs of being every bit as good as her past books, all of which I have loved. Much of this book takes place in China during the First Opium War. A little more adventure than I’m used to, but I’m enjoying pulling up maps to see just where the heck we are (smile).
Got some good ideas from you ladies for future reads. I’ve already purchased BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James. It’s next TBR.
Been doing a lot of re-reading lately. Visiting old book friends.
My only new read is the book I just started. THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Caroline Warfield. I’m only about a third of the way through, so I won’t recommend it one way or the other. But it shows signs of being every bit as good as her past books, all of which I have loved. Much of this book takes place in China during the First Opium War. A little more adventure than I’m used to, but I’m enjoying pulling up maps to see just where the heck we are (smile).
Got some good ideas from you ladies for future reads. I’ve already purchased BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James. It’s next TBR.
Been doing a lot of re-reading lately. Visiting old book friends.
My only new read is the book I just started. THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Caroline Warfield. I’m only about a third of the way through, so I won’t recommend it one way or the other. But it shows signs of being every bit as good as her past books, all of which I have loved. Much of this book takes place in China during the First Opium War. A little more adventure than I’m used to, but I’m enjoying pulling up maps to see just where the heck we are (smile).
Got some good ideas from you ladies for future reads. I’ve already purchased BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James. It’s next TBR.
Been doing a lot of re-reading lately. Visiting old book friends.
My only new read is the book I just started. THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Caroline Warfield. I’m only about a third of the way through, so I won’t recommend it one way or the other. But it shows signs of being every bit as good as her past books, all of which I have loved. Much of this book takes place in China during the First Opium War. A little more adventure than I’m used to, but I’m enjoying pulling up maps to see just where the heck we are (smile).
Got some good ideas from you ladies for future reads. I’ve already purchased BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James. It’s next TBR.
Been doing a lot of re-reading lately. Visiting old book friends.
My only new read is the book I just started. THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Caroline Warfield. I’m only about a third of the way through, so I won’t recommend it one way or the other. But it shows signs of being every bit as good as her past books, all of which I have loved. Much of this book takes place in China during the First Opium War. A little more adventure than I’m used to, but I’m enjoying pulling up maps to see just where the heck we are (smile).
Got some good ideas from you ladies for future reads. I’ve already purchased BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James. It’s next TBR.
I liked that one, too, Mary M.
I liked that one, too, Mary M.
I liked that one, too, Mary M.
I liked that one, too, Mary M.
I liked that one, too, Mary M.
I like the Alpha and Omega books even more than the Mercy Thompson series … perhaps because the romance is more front and center at least in the first few books.
I like the Alpha and Omega books even more than the Mercy Thompson series … perhaps because the romance is more front and center at least in the first few books.
I like the Alpha and Omega books even more than the Mercy Thompson series … perhaps because the romance is more front and center at least in the first few books.
I like the Alpha and Omega books even more than the Mercy Thompson series … perhaps because the romance is more front and center at least in the first few books.
I like the Alpha and Omega books even more than the Mercy Thompson series … perhaps because the romance is more front and center at least in the first few books.
Just out of curiosity I looked to see how much The Heroines Sister was as a used paperback. Well…on Thrift books, an acceptable copy was $21.25 and $21.50 on Amazon. Nope…guess I’ll have to trust that luck will turn my way at some point in my life!
Glad you enjoyed Goody Two Shoes so much. I am very glad that someone loved that book as much as I did last month.
Just out of curiosity I looked to see how much The Heroines Sister was as a used paperback. Well…on Thrift books, an acceptable copy was $21.25 and $21.50 on Amazon. Nope…guess I’ll have to trust that luck will turn my way at some point in my life!
Glad you enjoyed Goody Two Shoes so much. I am very glad that someone loved that book as much as I did last month.
Just out of curiosity I looked to see how much The Heroines Sister was as a used paperback. Well…on Thrift books, an acceptable copy was $21.25 and $21.50 on Amazon. Nope…guess I’ll have to trust that luck will turn my way at some point in my life!
Glad you enjoyed Goody Two Shoes so much. I am very glad that someone loved that book as much as I did last month.
Just out of curiosity I looked to see how much The Heroines Sister was as a used paperback. Well…on Thrift books, an acceptable copy was $21.25 and $21.50 on Amazon. Nope…guess I’ll have to trust that luck will turn my way at some point in my life!
Glad you enjoyed Goody Two Shoes so much. I am very glad that someone loved that book as much as I did last month.
Just out of curiosity I looked to see how much The Heroines Sister was as a used paperback. Well…on Thrift books, an acceptable copy was $21.25 and $21.50 on Amazon. Nope…guess I’ll have to trust that luck will turn my way at some point in my life!
Glad you enjoyed Goody Two Shoes so much. I am very glad that someone loved that book as much as I did last month.
Kareni, yes, my faves are her Ivy League ones, too.
Kareni, yes, my faves are her Ivy League ones, too.
Kareni, yes, my faves are her Ivy League ones, too.
Kareni, yes, my faves are her Ivy League ones, too.
Kareni, yes, my faves are her Ivy League ones, too.
Thanks, Leah — lots of new-to-me authors there. It’s been ages since I read Sue Grafton’s books — I’ve forgotten where in the alphabet I’m up to. Might be time for a refresher.
Thanks, Leah — lots of new-to-me authors there. It’s been ages since I read Sue Grafton’s books — I’ve forgotten where in the alphabet I’m up to. Might be time for a refresher.
Thanks, Leah — lots of new-to-me authors there. It’s been ages since I read Sue Grafton’s books — I’ve forgotten where in the alphabet I’m up to. Might be time for a refresher.
Thanks, Leah — lots of new-to-me authors there. It’s been ages since I read Sue Grafton’s books — I’ve forgotten where in the alphabet I’m up to. Might be time for a refresher.
Thanks, Leah — lots of new-to-me authors there. It’s been ages since I read Sue Grafton’s books — I’ve forgotten where in the alphabet I’m up to. Might be time for a refresher.
Teresa, I enjoy time-slips too. I presume you’ve read wench Susanna’s books.
Teresa, I enjoy time-slips too. I presume you’ve read wench Susanna’s books.
Teresa, I enjoy time-slips too. I presume you’ve read wench Susanna’s books.
Teresa, I enjoy time-slips too. I presume you’ve read wench Susanna’s books.
Teresa, I enjoy time-slips too. I presume you’ve read wench Susanna’s books.
I hadn’t read any of Sue Grafton’s novels in ages, either – I’d stopped when K is for Killer came out, I think – and on reading her obituary I was inspired to pick them back up and continue, so I read L is for Lawless and M is for Malice earlier this year.
If the other authors are new to you…
Gilman’s earlier series were both contemporary urban fantasy, in the same setting but with different main characters. Her books tend to be slow paced and full of vague mysterious plot developments that usually end up being significant. If it’s the sort of thing you like, she’s very good at it, but many find her work doesn’t have the thrills or snappy pace they prefer.
Banks wrote both brilliant detailed space operas and sharply observed contemporary novels and some in-between vaguely magical realist / secret world / horror-tinged novels. I like all his work, though some of the horror elements in all the types is too much for me.
This was the first of Medoff’s books I’d read, and she seems to like to combine a ‘chick lit’ type sensibility with women struggling to deal with their families and personality issues, and then how they deal with major crises in a critically acclaimed bestseller type of way. So that is not my favorite genre or type of story, but she is such a good writer, and I just loved the characters, I might actually try to read more of her books, when I’m feeling brave and not escapist 🙂
I hadn’t read any of Sue Grafton’s novels in ages, either – I’d stopped when K is for Killer came out, I think – and on reading her obituary I was inspired to pick them back up and continue, so I read L is for Lawless and M is for Malice earlier this year.
If the other authors are new to you…
Gilman’s earlier series were both contemporary urban fantasy, in the same setting but with different main characters. Her books tend to be slow paced and full of vague mysterious plot developments that usually end up being significant. If it’s the sort of thing you like, she’s very good at it, but many find her work doesn’t have the thrills or snappy pace they prefer.
Banks wrote both brilliant detailed space operas and sharply observed contemporary novels and some in-between vaguely magical realist / secret world / horror-tinged novels. I like all his work, though some of the horror elements in all the types is too much for me.
This was the first of Medoff’s books I’d read, and she seems to like to combine a ‘chick lit’ type sensibility with women struggling to deal with their families and personality issues, and then how they deal with major crises in a critically acclaimed bestseller type of way. So that is not my favorite genre or type of story, but she is such a good writer, and I just loved the characters, I might actually try to read more of her books, when I’m feeling brave and not escapist 🙂
I hadn’t read any of Sue Grafton’s novels in ages, either – I’d stopped when K is for Killer came out, I think – and on reading her obituary I was inspired to pick them back up and continue, so I read L is for Lawless and M is for Malice earlier this year.
If the other authors are new to you…
Gilman’s earlier series were both contemporary urban fantasy, in the same setting but with different main characters. Her books tend to be slow paced and full of vague mysterious plot developments that usually end up being significant. If it’s the sort of thing you like, she’s very good at it, but many find her work doesn’t have the thrills or snappy pace they prefer.
Banks wrote both brilliant detailed space operas and sharply observed contemporary novels and some in-between vaguely magical realist / secret world / horror-tinged novels. I like all his work, though some of the horror elements in all the types is too much for me.
This was the first of Medoff’s books I’d read, and she seems to like to combine a ‘chick lit’ type sensibility with women struggling to deal with their families and personality issues, and then how they deal with major crises in a critically acclaimed bestseller type of way. So that is not my favorite genre or type of story, but she is such a good writer, and I just loved the characters, I might actually try to read more of her books, when I’m feeling brave and not escapist 🙂
I hadn’t read any of Sue Grafton’s novels in ages, either – I’d stopped when K is for Killer came out, I think – and on reading her obituary I was inspired to pick them back up and continue, so I read L is for Lawless and M is for Malice earlier this year.
If the other authors are new to you…
Gilman’s earlier series were both contemporary urban fantasy, in the same setting but with different main characters. Her books tend to be slow paced and full of vague mysterious plot developments that usually end up being significant. If it’s the sort of thing you like, she’s very good at it, but many find her work doesn’t have the thrills or snappy pace they prefer.
Banks wrote both brilliant detailed space operas and sharply observed contemporary novels and some in-between vaguely magical realist / secret world / horror-tinged novels. I like all his work, though some of the horror elements in all the types is too much for me.
This was the first of Medoff’s books I’d read, and she seems to like to combine a ‘chick lit’ type sensibility with women struggling to deal with their families and personality issues, and then how they deal with major crises in a critically acclaimed bestseller type of way. So that is not my favorite genre or type of story, but she is such a good writer, and I just loved the characters, I might actually try to read more of her books, when I’m feeling brave and not escapist 🙂
I hadn’t read any of Sue Grafton’s novels in ages, either – I’d stopped when K is for Killer came out, I think – and on reading her obituary I was inspired to pick them back up and continue, so I read L is for Lawless and M is for Malice earlier this year.
If the other authors are new to you…
Gilman’s earlier series were both contemporary urban fantasy, in the same setting but with different main characters. Her books tend to be slow paced and full of vague mysterious plot developments that usually end up being significant. If it’s the sort of thing you like, she’s very good at it, but many find her work doesn’t have the thrills or snappy pace they prefer.
Banks wrote both brilliant detailed space operas and sharply observed contemporary novels and some in-between vaguely magical realist / secret world / horror-tinged novels. I like all his work, though some of the horror elements in all the types is too much for me.
This was the first of Medoff’s books I’d read, and she seems to like to combine a ‘chick lit’ type sensibility with women struggling to deal with their families and personality issues, and then how they deal with major crises in a critically acclaimed bestseller type of way. So that is not my favorite genre or type of story, but she is such a good writer, and I just loved the characters, I might actually try to read more of her books, when I’m feeling brave and not escapist 🙂
Leah, thank you so much for the rundown on each of those authors. It’s very helpful, and much appreciated.
Leah, thank you so much for the rundown on each of those authors. It’s very helpful, and much appreciated.
Leah, thank you so much for the rundown on each of those authors. It’s very helpful, and much appreciated.
Leah, thank you so much for the rundown on each of those authors. It’s very helpful, and much appreciated.
Leah, thank you so much for the rundown on each of those authors. It’s very helpful, and much appreciated.
Mary, sometimes there’s nothing better than diving into an old bookfriend. I need to cull my books and Im dreading it, because yes, maybe I haven’t read that book in years — but I might want to!
Mary, sometimes there’s nothing better than diving into an old bookfriend. I need to cull my books and Im dreading it, because yes, maybe I haven’t read that book in years — but I might want to!
Mary, sometimes there’s nothing better than diving into an old bookfriend. I need to cull my books and Im dreading it, because yes, maybe I haven’t read that book in years — but I might want to!
Mary, sometimes there’s nothing better than diving into an old bookfriend. I need to cull my books and Im dreading it, because yes, maybe I haven’t read that book in years — but I might want to!
Mary, sometimes there’s nothing better than diving into an old bookfriend. I need to cull my books and Im dreading it, because yes, maybe I haven’t read that book in years — but I might want to!
All of them Anne. Very impatient for her new one to come out. Have it pre ordered. She’s a great writer.
All of them Anne. Very impatient for her new one to come out. Have it pre ordered. She’s a great writer.
All of them Anne. Very impatient for her new one to come out. Have it pre ordered. She’s a great writer.
All of them Anne. Very impatient for her new one to come out. Have it pre ordered. She’s a great writer.
All of them Anne. Very impatient for her new one to come out. Have it pre ordered. She’s a great writer.