PensiveCat is Just Enjoying the Ride in 2017

I made 75 in 2015, did not in 2016. I bought enough books to topple the TBR pile, and I'd like to make a dent in it.

Hi!

Welcome back! I'm on a hunt to dent my TBR pile too... :)

The never-ending battle!

Hi Catherine
Happy readings in 2017!

Thanks! You too!

Nice to see you back for another year, Catherine.

Thanks, Paul!

I feel like it's nice to see anyone back for 2017... :)

Happy Reading!

I am part of the group.
I love being part of the group.
I love the friendships bestowed upon my by dint of my membership of this wonderful fellowship.
I love that race and creed and gender and age and sexuality and nationality make absolutely no difference to our being a valued member of the group.

Thank you for also being part of the group.

Hi Catherine! Glad to see you back! Going to try and keep up with you this year!

Thanks!

Finally!

1. All Strangers are Kin
A memoir of a trip to the Arabic - speaking world, it's nuances in dialect and culture. Actually quite helpful for a learner!

That one sounds good!

I thought so!

2. The Strange Return of Sherlock Holmes by Barry Grant
Finished in January - only two books in one month, need to step it up!
A quick read, on the premise that somehow Sherlock Holmes is back in the 21st century. His current Watson, James Wilson (thud) is thick at times, to the point that in the library book I'd borrowed a previous reader jeered at him in pencil every few pages.

>16 PensiveCat: As library staff, marginalia bugs me but as a reader I often find it entertaining.

3. A Man Called Ove
Just a perfect book.

>18 PensiveCat: Exactly my thoughts about A man called Ove :-)

4. How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life by Signe Johansen
It's not all about the cozy, apparently.

5. The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Still.

6. The Great Detective by Zach Dundas
Bought this one in Book People during my last visit to Austin, Texas. Can't seem to get enough of Sherlock Holmes, and I am not alone in this.

7. The Hound of the D'Urbervilles by Kim Newman

A fun reverse of the Sherlock Holmes stories, with Colonel Sebastian Moran as the Watson to Moriarty's Holmes. Lots of literary references, almost like a more sinister Jasper Fforde, but *spoiler* the end is not really satisfying.

>23 PensiveCat: I bought that one at Waterstones when I went to London a few years ago and also had mixed feelings about it when I read it.

Yes, mixed feelings is right.

8. The Bookshop Around the Corner
Easy, pretty satisfying read, though I was overly conscious that the edition I was reading was over-Americanized

9. The Shakespeare Notebooks
Only funny if you like Doctor Who and Shakespeare...

10. Your Soul is a River
Closing out National Poetry Month!

11. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes
A tidy story, by the writer of Downton Abbey. Enjoyable, a little predictable.

>27 PensiveCat: Ooh! I'll have to get The Shakespeare Notebooks! I'm a fan of both!! Have you been watching the new season?

Yes! It's good - kinda sad Capaldi's leaving, but at least he's getting a good run this year.

12. Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman
A story of the Van Gogh brothers. I honestly think Theo's life was sadder. It was definitely shorter.

13. Old Herbaceous by Reginald Arkell
I'm at a rare moment in my life where I have no books checked out of the public library. It's weird. Not sure if it's good or bad, because without due dates there's no rush, but honestly, why rush?

This book was in my home library for about a decade, found in library sale for 75 cents. I finally got to it! It's about a head gardener at a manor house from Victorian times to post-WWII. Even if gardening is a struggle, I kind of regret not having access to a garden.

>30 PensiveCat: Very sad Capaldi's leaving. I'm alway skeptical when there is a new doctor, but I always end up loving them (except for Colin Baker, who I disliked very much, and Paul McGann, who was so-so for me.)
What do you think about Bill this season? I have a lot of mixed feelings about her. I like Nardole, though.

I like Bill so far, but I have a feeling they won't keep her long enough to really get to know. I am surprised how much Nardole is growing on me!

14. Duel With the Devil by Paul Collins
I'm almost done with the Chernow bio of Alexander Hamilton (at long last), but took this little detour when I realized that the trial which had a defense team including Burr and Hamilton happened a lot later than it did in the musical. It still made history, and had some wonderful Old New York trivia. I would love to see a dramatization of this trial. Also, the writer is the one who made me aware of Hay-on-Wye, the book town I will someday call home ;)

15. Bryant and May on the Loose by Christopher Fowler
Love this series, though I think the American publishers changed some words.

16. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Took me long enough!!! But worth it.

17. The Days and Nights of London Now by Craig Taylor
Also took awhile

>37 PensiveCat: I read the Hamilton bio last year and it's a chunkster but it is an amazingly non-exhausting read. Glad you enjoyed it!

>38 MickyFine: MickyFine exactly! That's why it's easy to recommend for a book of its girth.

18. Seventy-Seven Clocks by Christopher Fowler
I'm on a roll with this series, getting me all revved up for London!

I've been slowly reading Christopher Fowler. You've reminded me that I haven't read one in a couple of months, so I'll have to look up the next one on my TBR list.

I'm on a roll with the PCU!!
19.
Bryant and May Off the Rails by Christopher Fowler
Very Tube-centric...😃

20. And shame on me for only reading 20 books so far!

Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King
It went on a bit but it was still a good historical novel/Mary Russell and oh yeah Sherlock Holmes. ..

21. The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King
AKA The Real Mrs. Hudson...

Love the last 3 books you've read! The Russell/Holmes are one of my favorite series! I've really got to keep reading the Bryant & May!

I've been in complete book enjoyment mode the past few weeks. It's wonderful.

22. A Distant View of Everything by Alexander McCall Smith
To get in the mood for Edinburgh (although I kind of already was).

23. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Excellent book, with all the tea geekiness I could ask for. Thought (slight spoiler) the ending was kind of abrupt.

24. Lust for Life by Irving Stone
The biographical novel about Vincent Van Gogh.

25. Among the Janeites by Deborah Yaffe
Jane Austen fandom in its many forms.

26. Alexander Hamilton the Graphic Novel by Jonathan Hennessey

He dies at the end.

27. The Bertie Project by Alexander McCall Smith
Read this after making an accidental pilgrimage to many of the places mentioned in this series. I just want Bertie and his dad to be happy...

28. The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn
Well-researched time travel story + Jane Austen....wish Doctor Who could do something like this!

>53 PensiveCat: That one is already on The List but I'm glad to see a positive reaction out in the wild (I put on the list based on a Library Journal review).

29. The Water Room by Christopher Fowler
More Bryant and May!!!

It's good!!! >54 MickyFine:

30. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John LeCarre
My first LeCarre; probably not my last!

>57 PensiveCat: That was also my first LeCarre last year, Catherine, and I enjoyed my next one too.

>58 FAMeulstee: I'm just glad I finally ticked something off my Reading Bucket List!

It's pronounced Bouquet

>59 PensiveCat: LOL, always keeping up appearances!

31. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Glaser
A really cute story about a family in Harlem.

32. Bitter Almonds

This is a time of year when I as a non-American ponder over what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for this group and its ability to keep me sane during topsy-turvy times.

I am thankful that you are part of this group.

I am thankful for this opportunity to say thank you.

Thank you!

33. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
A re-read, and a personal favorite!

34. Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin
Edinburgh made me do it.

>65 PensiveCat: I love all the Thursday Next series by Fforde. I wish he would come out with another.

It is that time of year again, between Solstice and Christmas, just after Hanukkah, when our thoughts turn to wishing each other well in whatever language or image is meaningful to the recipient. So, whether I wish you Happy Solstice or Merry Christmas, know that what I really wish you, and for you, is this:

Wishing you all good things this holiday season and beyond.

Thanks everyone!