CynWetzel's 100 in 2011

Jan. - 9.5 (+1.2)
Feb. - 7.5 (+0.4)
Mar. - 5 (-2.9)
Apr. - 4 (-7.2)
May - 9 (-6.5)
Jun. -10 (-4.8)
Jul. - 13 (-0.1)
Aug. - 6 (-2.4)
Sep. - 11 (0.0)
Oct. - 8 (-0.3)
Nov. - 13 (+4.3)
Dec. - 12 (+7.0)

Started Steve Berry's newest Cotton Malone story, The Emperor's Tomb, just after midnight. Also brought up my e-text copy of Dresden Files #7, Dead Beat, by Jim Butcher for quick reading on my laptop. Murder Most Frothy (Cleo Coyle) will go into my purse.
So, three off the Currently Reading list on the last day of 2010, and three added to it on Jan 1st! :D
Happy New Year to everyone!

That's a lot of Current Reads! :) Looking forward to your comments, the only one I know there is the Dresden Files (although I'm only up to #5, must catch up with that this year).

#3> Really? Three is a lot, or the 7 in my collection is a lot?

It's just like my knitting or embroidery, lots of 'works in progress.' I get distracted by something new and leave things languishing. But I know lots of knitter/stitchers who work one project at a time, I just don't have it in my genes to do so.

Perhaps I should change my collections to "Actively Reading" and "Paused" or "On Hold." :D

Seven is a lot. I'm often juggling two (or three), but started last year being monobiblial (if that's a word!) and I rather like just concentrating on the one book. (At the moment. Subject to change without notice!)

Change of plans...
Just got Heat Wave & Naked Heat dropped in my lap. Fun reading ahead.

Oh, I'm tempted by the Richard Castle books, the TV series is great fun. Let us know how they are!

1/100
Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle (Coffeehouse Mystery #4) - 2001-01-06
A fun little series of cozy mysteries wherein I learn about *good* coffee making. Claire manages to get herself into and out of trouble, while maintaining her caffeine high. The recipes in each book are fun, too.

#7> It may be a while! :( The type in the paperback edition of Heat Wave is so fine and tiny that I'll be searching a hardback copy from another library before I can read it. Still, the couple pages I strained to read this morning were quite enjoyable and felt right in character with Rick Castle -- imagine those scenes where he's 'writing' aloud to the other characters.

2/100
The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry (Cotton Malone #6) - 2001-01-16

A fast-paced story of a political struggle between two high-ranking Chinese officials entangling Cotton and his cohorts and hopping from multiple locations in Europe to China. I generally read Berry's author notes prior to the novel, even though he places them in the back of the book. The librarian in me cringed at some of the destruction, otherwise a really good read with a few unexpected turns.

3/100
Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle - 2001-01-18

Love Cleo Coyle books!!!

4/100
The Recipe Club: A Novel About Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel - 2001-01-22

I'm not sure to whom I would recommend this book; perhaps 20-something women on their own for the first time who need a collection of recipes, or women who need for some reason to relive their teen years of the late 60s & early 70s -- I am neither. There is maybe a handful of the 80+ recipes that I will keep for my collection.
The plot is predictable and the post mortem revelation was completely expected (from about 1/3rd into the book). I didn't like this book for the same reason I don't like 'high-school' or 'desperate housewives' type TV & movies.
I did like the characters; I did like the format of letters, emails, and reprints; I did like the pacing and the present-past-present telling of events--it wouldn't have worked at all as a story if the authors had begun in 1963. The story just wasn't enough to carry all those pluses to a better overall impression. It is, however, a very fast read.

5/100
The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn - 2001-01-23

5.5/100
Sugar and Spice by Fern Michaels, Beverly Barton, Joanne Fluke, & Shirley Jump - 2001-01-24
I requested this from Paperback Swap because it contained a Hannah Swensen story (by Joanne Fluke). If I'd realized it was not a "mystery" (and not really about Hannah at all), but straight romance, I probably wouldn't have bothered. Still, there were 3 new recipes (of the 13 included). I read two of the four stories in the collection, which was almost exactly half the pages in the book.
Back onto Paperback Swap it goes.

6.5/100
Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke - 2001-01-26

7.5/100
Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke - 2001-01-29

8.5/100
French Pressed by Cleo Coyle - 2001-01-29

9.5/100
Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle - 2001-01-29

10.5/100
Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle - 2011-02-02

11.5/100
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-02-09
I picked this up because I recently discovered that Gerritsen writes the Rizzoli and Isles characters (now a TV series). This is the first story in which Rizzoli appears. Good story. Pretty good writing. Neither the violence or sex is too graphic or too gratuitous. Two places near the end of the book made me feel like she repeated herself almost word for word. And I do hate it when non-Southerners make the mistake of using "ya'll" as a singular pronoun (pg. 258). Otherwise, a very enjoyable murder mystery, so I will continue to read the Rizzoli stories.

January Round-up: 9.5/100

Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle (Coffeehouse Mystery #4)
The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry
Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle
The Recipe Club: A Novel About Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel
The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn
Sugar and Spice by Fern Michaels, Beverly Barton, Joanne Fluke, & Shirley Jump.
Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
French Pressed by Cleo Coyle
Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle

12.5/100
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - 2011-02-12

Book covers are powerful images. I can only believe that the book cover for The Thirteenth Tale is what caused me to buy it for our library, for when i just now finished the book and began to write here, I read again the dust jacket flaps, thinking I would find the reason in the text there. I did not. Yes, it spoke of books and tales and writers and reading, but not of the bookstore and Margaret's relationship with books.

At its heart, this book is a ghost story, and a story about twins and the special relationships which can exist between them. Having born twins, this element particularly touched me, yet my sons are fraternal, and did not have the same kind of connection spoken to in this book (or in so much of 'twin' literature). No twin language, no tricking friends, family or strangers into mistaking one for the other.

At this moment, there are over 500 reviews of this book on LT. It has a high rating. I don't imagine that I can add much to that content. I did find the story fascinating -- sometimes in that can't-look-away-from-the-train-wreck way -- and very well-told. I look forward to reading Ms. Setterfield in the future...including, no doubt, a re-read (which I rarely do). I know there is much to 'see' in knowing the "truth."

13.5/100
Heat Wave by Richard Castle - 2011-02-12

If you enjoy the Castle television show, you'll enjoy this book. The voices of the characters/actors come shining through every page. Interestingly, Castle's character Jamison Rook is not quite as clever as Rick, being a journalist rather than a murder mystery writer this seems appropriate. There seem to be direct lifts of dialog and quips from the series in the book, which also seems fitting.

My guess is that Cannell is the author behind these books, but as of now, I don't believe anyone is saying who it is. If Nathan Fillion had narrated the audiobooks, I would listen. Someone who has listened rather than read, told me the voice of the narrator doesn't really fit well.

Attended 1st meeting of the book awards committee that I'm on (Mississippi Authors). Have several titles to read for committee reviews, and quite a few more this just seem interesting.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Promises I Made My Mother by Sam Haskell
The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin

Already read Grisham's The Confession, so I'll write up a committee review for that, too.

14.5/100
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-02-19
Second Jane Rizzoli novel, which also introduces Maura Isles (in chapter 3). Looks like even though these are stand-alone novels, there will be continuing story arcs (beyond just the personal life of the characters, i.e., the 'bad guys'). It is very easy to imagine Jane a la Angie Harmon, so either Harmon did an excellent job interpreting the character, or she was perfectly cast -- actually, I guess that could be the same thing! :D

I'm a bit behind here, but yay! for Richard Castle. Love the TV series, it's just so much fun. Perfect TV.

15/100
Candy Cane Murder by Joanne Fluke - 2011-02-21
This is the title story in this three-tale collection of holiday murders, and the only one I was interested in reading. It was nice to know everything would be wrapped up quickly (pardon the seasonal pun). Meant to read it over the holidays, but other things were ahead of it in the queque. Twelve more recipes for my Hannah Swensen collection :D

16/100
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman (audio) - 2011-02-23
Not usually a fan of dramatized audio books, but it works well for this series, and I like that the author is the narrator. Lyra *does* begin to work on my "last nerve" about two-thirds into the book. Sadly, I'll be missing some of the great characters in the next book.
Now on to The Amber Spyglass.

Started Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter last night, er, night before last, that is, Monday night, now that it is very early Wednesday morning and I should have been in bed about three hours ago!

I like the story so far (a murder mystery). I do not like the writing style. I understand run-on sentences (paragraphs!) and fragmented thoughts when it is in the character of the narrator POV. It isn't clear to me that is what is going on here. I don't think a writer has to use in poor grammatical style to convey the speaking/thinking mind of the characters. Good grammar doesn't have to mean stiff, formal, or complicated. I meant to ask one of my faculty friends in the English dept about it, but the day was TOO busy, and I forgot. Perhaps this is a particular style of which I am unaware, and considered completely appropriate and well-written.

Has anyone else read this book? Am I just overly sensitive to/uncomfortable with this style?

There are about 6 pages of the first chapter in the Amazon Look Inside! preview: http://amzn.to/eDItyy

I will keep reading; it is one of mine to review for the awards committee. It sounded like it would be SO good... maybe I'll change my mind as I keep reading.

Thanks for your input.

#29>OMG! A 15-line sentence??? I really don't think I can keep reading this book...

I haven't read it, but based on your comments I think the writing style might bug me - especially for a murder mystery!

ETA: and I usually like long sentences, but only in certain kinds of books. Let us know if it gets better!

17/100
The Woman Who Wouldn't by Gene Wilder - 2011-02-26

It was the name of the author of this sweet little love story which caught my eye in B&N today. I couldn't help but think of him and his wife, Gilda Radner, as I read it. Turns out this is his second novel.
The writing is almost too simple, to "spare" (to quote the dust jacket flap), but the sweetness overcomes it for a quick (too quick?) read at only 166 small pages.
This is labeled a novel, but feels more like a short story -- when *does* a short story become a novel?

18/100
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin - 2011-03-07

Finally finished this one. I still don't understand why it has gotten such glowing reviews. Though it is obviously written in poor grammatical style on purpose, to my mind it simply reinforces the stereotype of the poor, ignorant Mississippian(s). There was no reason not to limit the 'style' to dialog, and let the narrative be decently written (which doesn't really seem to be written POV of any of the characters, but slips in and out of omni-POV -- I could certainly be wrong). Also, it isn't consistently written in this 'style'; there are sections where Franklin's gift for prose is evident.

The story, however, is intriguing, and part of why I continued to read. There's no BIG revelation, each element is perfectly logical when quietly revealed, and the reader is more led than surprised. In the end it's a story of hope, even though terrible things have happened and people's lives have been damaged or destroyed.

19/100
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman (audio) - 2011-03-14
Finally finished listening to this final part of His Dark Materials, interrupted by a couple of long weekends and holidays (I only listen while driving to/from work). The trilogy is certainly an interesting presentation of the battle of good versus evil, and the workings of religion. I can imagine the books caused quite a stir when released in the late 1990s.

20/100
Promises I Made My Mother by Sam Haskell with David Rensin - 2011-03

This book is an award nominee I volunteered to read and review. Turns out Mr. Haskell and I are nearly the same age: he is about two weeks older than I. There is much in his early life with which I can identify, including his high opinion and his love of his mother, as well as the things she taught him about character and life, and their close relationship through his life. He has certainly, however, accomplished much more in his life than I.*

I do not tend to read memoirs by celebrities -- and although Mr. Haskell was an agent for television and not a 'star', the book is full of anecdotes involving Hollywood types. To me it got old. It felt like, even though he used a different 'promise' for each chapter, that he was making the same points over and over and over again. The climax of the book was the story of how he came to leave the William Morris agency in 2004 (he notes that he had never before discussed it publicly). It's not a bad book. It's not a great book either.

Basically, it's the kind of book a parent would want their teen or twenty-something to read -- but the teen or twenty-something probably wouldn't want to read. Chapter titles include: Character is all you have in the dark; Mirror moments; Give what they want to get what you want; No man is a failure who has friends, Always seek understanding; Family matters: It takes a good parent to make a good child; If you can walk with kings...; (Don't be afraid to) Stand in the light; Make stone soup; Live a principled life.

Mr. Haskell is very open about his faith in God and his belief that his faith guides him. Others who believe as he does will probably enjoy this book (whether I do or don't myself is irrelevant), but also anyone who likes affirmation of 'doing the right thing' will enjoy it as well.

I doubt I will recommend the book for the award, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it if for no other reason than to know who he is and what he has done to help the people of Mississippi.

*Now, MY mother, at hearing me say that, would tell me that raising my twin sons, returning to school to earn not only my BA but an MS, remaining married for over 30 years, and all my own little 'accomplishments' are just as worthwhile as his televisions productions and mentoring and fund-raising. But, then, that's a mother for you.

Ahem. Listen to your mother. Those are major accomplishments.

#36> Ditto. I'm feeling exhausted reading your list of accomplishments. Don't forget to add "...and read a lot of books" to the list, too. :)

#36 & 37> Kind words. Thank you.

21/100
The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson Published in 2008. - 2011-03-26
I really enjoyed this book: an historical romance without being a bodice-ripper; an old book, embroidery, cultural clash, and two intertwined stories set four centuries apart. Well written and well told, the tale is one of betrayal, intrigue, conflict, cruelty, and ultimately resolution, if not 'happily ever after.'
I must admit, it was the embroidery theme which made me purchase the book, and, of course, I would have liked to see one of two patterns included. Ms. Johnson's afterword admits she is not an embroidery expert, so perhaps that explains.
A visit to Ms. Johnson's website informs me she has indeed written another novel, The Salt Road. Sigh. Another book for the wish list!

Now, I really must get back to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell! :D

22/100
Frangipani by Celestine Vaite Published 2004. - 2011-03-26
A touching book set in Tahiti which follows the relationship of a mother and her daughter, and the daughter's coming of age. Well, the mother does, too, in a way. The collection of mamas and aunties and cousins is quite amusing, and the presentation of Tahitian life is interesting (wish my French was better to catch the frequent expressions). The author is Tahitian, and according to notes in the book, has drawn on her own relatives and experiences to create the characters, setting, and events.

Feels more like collection of stories, written in a conversational way. Feels like sitting over coffee with one of the aunties "spilling the bucket."

Even though I two-thirds of it today, it would be a good put-down-pick-up by the chapter book. There are two other books about the mother, Materena, Breadfruit and Tiare. Frangipani was the first published in the U.S. (2006).

Guess I'll be reading another memoir: won My Boyfriend Wrote A Book About Me by Hillary Winston in the March Early Reviewers. Subtitled "And Other Stories I Shouldn't Share with Acquaintances, Coworkers, Taxi drivers, Assistants, Job Interviewers, ... and Ex/Current/Future Boyfriends but Have" -- hope it's fun.

23/100
To Shield the Queen by Fiona Buckley - 2011-04-04

1st of an 8-book series which I enjoyed enough to keep reading.

24/100
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal - 2011-04-05

Third book I've read by O'Neal; my favorite is still The Secret of Everything. This one is fine, it's an enjoyable read (I don't recall the love scenes in the previous books to be so 'steamy' though), and I did care about the characters.

25/100
The Doublet Affair by Fiona Buckley - 2011-04

26/100
The Camel Club by David Baldacci (audio) - 2011-04
My first Baldacci book, though I'm familiar with his writings through movies. It was an audio edition, and I enjoyed the reader immensely. I'm on the 2nd Camel Club book now, and it uses a narrator plus a man and woman for the dialog parts. Not sure which method I prefer.

27/100
The Collectors by David Baldacci (audio) - 2011-05
Wherein Milton miraculously has no OCD episodes.

28/100
My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me: and other stories I shouldn't share... by Hilary Winston (ARC from LT's Early Reviewers) - 2011-05-15

Reasons I did not care for this book:
1. Reading this book felt like reading a collection of blog posts.
2. There was nothing in the promotional information which would lead me to expect such explicit content. The best parts of the book, the best writing in the book, to me, are the parts where Ms. Winston is *not* describing her sexual exploits. There is touchingly real content there. Unfortunately, I could not comfortably recommend this book to most library patrons. Amusingly, the Library Journal quote in the front-matter says, "Cutting without being raunchy." I'd hate to see what that reviewer considers "raunchy."

Perhaps if I were a fan the shows for which Ms. Winston writes I would have been expecting the content to be what it is. And it's not that I'm so prudish, it was just not what I expected. No doubt the book will be greatly enjoyed by many. Just not me.

29/100
The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry - 2011-05-15
ARC (Early Reviewer)

Calling all Steve Berry fans! RUN, do not walk, to your bookstore next Tuesday when this book goes on sale!

Cotton Malone, Cassiopia Vitt, Stephanie Nelle and other well-known characters are back -- but state-side this time -- along with wicked new adversaries and twists and turns to keep the pages turning until each puzzle is solved. I stumbled upon Berry last year and eagerly read everything he’d had published; fortunately Emperor’s Tomb followed quickly in November. It was a pleasant surprise to discover his 2011 book’s publish date was moved to May! Guess we’ll have to wait a long time now for the next one, but Jefferson Key is likely worth a re-read in the meantime.

30/100
Absolute Power by David Baldacci (audio) - 2011-05-17
Husband always told me the book was SO much better than film, so I finally took time to check it out.

31/100
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen - 2011-05-17

I can't believe I waited so long to read this book that the author now has another book published! :D
I picked up her Garden Spells several years ago, read and enjoyed it, then passed it on to a young woman who, after reading it, asked, "Why did you give this to me to read?"
I think the magical realism threw her a bit.

32/100
To Ruin a Queen by Fiona Buckley - 2011-05-21
Book 4, Ursula Blanchard/Mystery at Queen Elizabeth's Court

33/100
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - 2011-05-22

Her Mistress of Spices is one of my very favorite books, so I've been reading her others. This is the newest one.

I did not know anything about this book before reading it; I did not read the back cover synopsis. I've slipped into the habit of doing this, especially with authors I already know, in order to be completely surprised by the story:

Nine people trapped in a basement following an earthquake with little food, some needing medical care, water rising, and each with secrets, or "one amazing thing" they share with one another.

The storytelling (by Divakaruni) of the stories of the characters is wonderfully woven together; it is much like a collection of short stories.

I was prepared for a different ending; for me it would be a good tale either way. Part of me wants to know how their lives would have changed.

34/100
Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter by Lisa Patton - 2011-05-24
Cute story. Yes, the author is a southerner; yes, she was also an innkeeper in Vermont. After about two-thirds through, it started to feel more like a script than a novel: actions and dialogue, not much else. The flip of savvy southerner/northern hicks was a fun change to read; and men of either ilk can still be pigs. Only one "y'all" seemed misplaced (but at least it wasn't used as a singular pronoun -- always the dead give-away of being a non-southerner), and it was always spelled correctly (not "ya'll" but "y'all").
One thing really bothered me: right near the end of the book, when Jeb is actually, 'Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter,' the main character, Leelee, states she hasn't heard the tune since she was in elementary school. Even as unbelievable as that is to another southerner, it is impossible to believe of someone who attended Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). The southern colonel mascot, the waving of the Battle Flag of the Confederacy, and the playing/singing of 'Dixie' have been and are still hotly supported and protested on campus and around the state. Having the character say she hadn't heard the tune since childhood adds nothing to the story or the character -- why make such a glaring attempt at political correctness??

35/100
A Catch of Consequence by Diana Norman - 2011-06-01
Diana Norman also wrote as Ariana Franklin, and sadly, passed away in January 2011. I loved her Mistress of the Art of Death books -- read them all last year -- and since now there will be no more adventures of Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar, I picked up this one through PaperbackSwap. This series of three was written just prior to the Mistress books (2003-2006; 2006-2010).
Where the "Mistress" books were mysteries, this title (and its two companions, Taking Liberties & The Sparks Fly Upward), is more straight historical fiction/romance...which is not usually my choice. But I liked Norman's writing so well, I wanted more. You know how it is!!
The story is pretty heart-breaking; the ending is obviously set up for a sequel/series. #3 is in my TBR pile while I wait for #2 to come available through PBS.
Fortunately, I have other books to read.
~wink~

36/100
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly (audio) - 2011-06-01
This may be the first Connelly book I've actually read (okay, listened to), rather than just seen as a film interpretation. (Actually watched Blood Work just the other night, too.) We have a lot of his work as audiobooks in our library, but I wanted something stand-alone or part of a very short series and not a big series. I really wanted The Lincoln Lawyer but that one is checked out. The Scarecrow is actually the second with McEvoy as the main character, but I didn't feel lost not having first read The Poet, which we don't have at all. I am curious to know that story, though I'd rather listen than read it, I think.
Seems like Connelly explains things over and over. I don't like an author thinking I'm so dumb I didn't get it the first time (when the character figures it out) and repeats it entirely (to other character/s) without adding much new information. Also, he separates verbal phrases like crazy... it may be idiomatic, but it bothers me as a reader/listener.
But he's the one with the big bank account, so who am I to criticize. I'll probably just read someone else!

Progress.
May is almost 42% way through the year, so at 36 books, I'm about 6 books behind (I'll finish #37, Dresden Files #7, tomorrow). However, I'm off work now until August, so I hope to not only catch up, but get ahead.
On my schedule are several more (4??) Rizzoli & Isles (Tess Gerritsen) titles; books 8-13 of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, along with the short story volume. Waiting for me to come back to them are Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell (now on my Nook) and Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna, and I just received Beautiful Maria of My Soul (Oscar Hijuelos).
I'm waiting for the next Ursula Blanchard Fiona Buckley to come up on PBS, along with Cleo Coyle's new Coffeehouse series, and am behind at least four of Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swensen titles! But there are *plenty* of others to read within a hand's reach.
Whatever they are, 20-25 books during June-July should do nicely.
Housework? What housework??
~~grin~~

#55> Oh, I'm sorry to hear about Diana Norman/Ariana Franklin, I rather enjoyed Mistress of the Art of Death and have the second on the shelves to be read.

I did read Michael Connelly's The Poet last year or so, and I wasn't impressed. (I do seem to be in the minority.) I found it fairly nasty. Didn't notice any split infinitives, however. :)

Wow. I think 20-25 books is a great basis for a holiday. Enjoy!

#58> Duh. I meant to say separated verbal phrases.

And if you enjoyed Mistress, you should enjoy the other three as well. :)

#37/100
The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-06-03
Isles is the central character in this one. Gerritsen pulls a wide set of events together in this one. A very good read.

#38/100
Body Double by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-06-03
Another Isles-centered tale. Glad one part did not turn out as I expected. I like the way Gerrritsen can lead the reader to be just slightly ahead of the investigation, then pull a surprise or two (without that surprise being totally from left field; it was there all along, just unexpected).

#39/100
Dead Beat by Jim Butcher - 2011-06-04

#40/100
Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher - 2011-06-05

#59> You know, I can recognise a split infinitive. (Although they usually don't annoy me.) But I have no idea what a "separated verbal phrase" is.

And you're reminding me to get stuck back into Jim Butcher!!

#64> "put on his hat" vs. "put his hat on"
As long as the sentence makes sense, I prefer unseparated. :)
And, yes, I can't seem to stop reading the Dresden's (see next post!).

41/100
White Night by Jim Butcher - 2011-06-10

42/100
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-06-13

43/100
The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-06-16

44/100
Small Favor by Jim Butcher - 2011-06-23

45/100
The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-07-02

46/100
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson - 2011-07-03

I had the pleasure of being Maureen's escort when she attended the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 2010. I was completely unfamiliar with her writing at the time. Even now, embarrassingly, I have only read Let It Snow, though I have Devilish and 13 Little Blue Envelopes in Mt. TBR. Maureen is outrageously witty, and deeply committed, I think, to not only reaching young people through her books, but helping them to lead pro-active lives. She interacts with her readers through Twitter (@maureenjohnson) and her website (http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/), spearheading outreach activities that involve hundreds, if not thousands of people, and thousands, if not tens of thousands, dollars in philanthropic efforts.

So, last weekend I attended the American Libraries Association's annual conference in New Orleans, and discovered not only did Maureen have a new book coming out, but she would be there signing the ARCs. Of course, I had to see her/have one!

My habit is, for better or worse, to consume a good book: reading it every spare minute until it is finished. With a few, however, I like to take it slowly, savoring the story. I did this with The Name of the Star, reading a few chapters for several nights just before sleeping. Once I got about half-way through, though, I reverted to my all-consuming approach. I finished this afternoon.

Maureen calls this book paranormal. (She was actually heading to London to do research immediately following the book festival last year.) There's a mystery. There's a murder. There are ghosts. There are young people, teens to twenty-somethings. There's young love and 'coming of age.'

An especially touching part of the book is a conversation between Jo and Aurora (Rory) -- remember I'm quoting an ARC:
... "And there are really good people who can catch this Ripper."
"I know," I said, " but ... they're all ... really young. Like me."
"Who do you think goes into the army? Young people. This entire nation was defended by young people. Young people on the battlefield. Young people in airplanes. Young people in the headquarters, breaking codes"...

I wasn't sure how the story would end, as it is the first of a trilogy. It was quite a surprise, and really made me smile with pleasure at how Maureen did it.

I hope we don't have to wait too long for the 2nd book -- will Alistair return in book 2?? -- but, then, this one isn't out until September this year! There are times we can be thankful for our Mt. TBRs, right?

47/100
Queen of Ambition by Fiona Buckley - 2011-07-04

48/100
Stone Cold by David Baldacci - 2011-07-08

49/100
Divine Justice by David Baldacci - 2011-07-09

50/100
A Pawn for a Queen by Fiona Buckley - 2011-07-10

51/100
The Fugitive Queen by Fiona Buckley - 2011-07-14

52/100
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Crime by Tamar Myers - 2011-07-15

53/100
While My Pretty One Knits by Anne Canadeo - 2011-07-15

54/100
Knit, Purl, Die by Anne Canadeo - 2011-07-16

55/100
A Stitch Before Dying by Anne Canadeo - 2011-07-19

56/100
Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-07-24

57/100
Roast Mortem bt Cleo Coyle - 2011-07-31

Hey, your halfway point just passed! (Okay, a few days ago, but I only just noticed. :)

Congratulations on reading 50 (plus some) books so far!

Thanks! Long way to go, yet.

58/100
The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen - 2011-08-11
And, that's the most recent one written, so I will be watching the show for my Rizzoli & Isles fix.

59/100
Turn Coat by Jim Butcher - 2011-08-17

60/100
Hell's Corner by David Baldacci (audio) - 2011-08-19
And that catches me up in his "Camel Club" series.

61/100
Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn - 2011-08-21

62/100
Changes by Jim Butcher - 2011-08-22
and grabbing Ghost Story as fast as magically possible!

63/100
Ghost Story by Jim Butcher - 2011-08-29
Anyone know when the next Dresden Files book is due out?

64/100
Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke - 2011-09-02

65/100
The Poet by Michael Connelly - 2011-09-03

66/100
The Reversal by Michael Connelly (audio) - 2011-09-16

67/100
The Siren Queen by Fiona Buckley - 2011-09-16

68/100
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke - 2011-09-07

69/100
Queen's Ransom by Fiona Buckley
Read sometimes in April/May 2011

70/100
No Use Dying Over Spilled Milk by Tamar Myers - 2011-09-24

71/100
Just Plain Pickled to Death by Tamar Myers - 2011-09-24

72/100
Between a Wok and a Hard Place by Tamar Myers 2011-09-25

73/100
Eat, Drink and Be Wary by Tamar Myers 2011-09-25

74/100
Play It Again, Spam by Tamar Myers - 2011-09-28

Oh, these book title puns are *dreadful*! I have to say they are making me giggle, though.

They are ridiculously silly, but I can't stop reading them. I got about 8 from one person on Paperback Swap.

75/100
The Hand that Rocks the Ladle by Tamar Myers - 2011-10-07

76/100
The Inside Ring by Mike Lawson 2011-10-10

77/100
The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly (audio) - 2011-09-29

We're just passed the 3/4 mark of the year, and I'm amazed to be on track to read 100 books this year. So, with less three months and 23 more books, here's what's in the hopper:

LT Early Reviewer book (Beyond Delicious)

4 Tamar Myers cozy mysteries
2 Joanne Fluke cozy mysteries
2 Nikki Heat books ("Richard Castle")

Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Jim Butcher's Side Jobs
Joanne Harris's The Girl with No Shadow

The Yiddish Policeman's Union is in the car CD player

That's 13; but Heat Wave and 13 Envelopes are stalled until my Nook is working again. :(

Something tells me, however, I won't have any trouble finding another 10 books to read, which will include at least one more audio book (and maybe two).

With a week off at Thanksgiving this year, and two weeks for Christmas, I'm finally feeling like I'll make the goal!

Ah, I read the first Nikki Heat book, it's rather fun, but I did find most of its charm was in all the cover blurb, photo, dedication, etc. Does that come through on the Nook? (Er, no need to answer this until your Nook is working again! Which I hope is soon, for your sake.)

Congratulations on being on track to reach the magical "100" goal!

78/100
The Crepes of Wrath by Tamar Myers 2011-10-11

79/100
Gruel and Unusual Punishment byTamar Myers 2011-10-12

80/100
Custard's Last Stand by Tamar Myers 2011-10-23

Also, Deadly Storm

81/100
Under Surge, Under Siege by Ellis Anderson
This was a nominee for the Mississippi Library Asociation's Author Award. I was not one of the committee members assigned to read it during our review period, but it was our non-fiction winner, so when I was asked to introduce the author at the award banquet I decided to read it. I'll include an editied version of my introduction in lieu of a review:

I am especially pleased to have the honor of introducing, Ellis Anderson, the author of our non-fiction award winner, Under Surge, Under Siege.

August 29, 2005. I would wager all of us here have a Katrina story. I hope most of us do not have a Katrina story like those told in this book. Under Surge, Under Siege is part memoir, part journalism. What became a book were in the beginning emails to reassure and inform friends and family, which grew into a blog of essays (called Katrina Patina), which told the stories of the days following the storm. The book has been described as gripping, riveting, remarkable, yet it is also lyrical and lovingly written.

One of our award committee members commented that she couldn't put down the book once she began reading. There is that compelling element to the book; one wants to know what happens next, whose story she'll tell us next. For me, I found I couldn't read too much at one time, for the same reason that it was over a year until I could drive down Beach Boulevard again following Katrina: it is just too heartbreaking, even six years later, to think of the loss, to remember places which no longer exist. This book appeals to both types of readers.

The Mississippi Library Association is not alone in recognizing Ms. Anderson's work. Among numerous nominations, Under Siege, Under Surge received the 2010 Eudora Welty Book Award, presented by the Mississippi University for Women and the University Press of Mississippi, for a book of scholarship on women's studies, Southern studies, or modern letters. Ms. Anderson was also awarded a Mississippi Arts Commission Fellowship for Literary Excellence in 2007.

Ms. Anderson came to the Gulf Coast in 1996 from North Carolina, stopping in New Orleans for a couple decades following her artistic muse. She is a photographer, a musician, an artist, and a civic activist. Her writings have been published in Southern Cultures, Salon, and MSNBC.

My favorite line in the book come near the end of the chapter about the demise of the Bay Town Inn, a local bed-and-breakfast. "Gold as well as grit," Ms. Anderson wrote, speaking to what Katrina survival and recovery brought to the community -- and she's not speaking of money.

There's another passage about "time heals" being a lie... but I checked our copy out to a student today who is writing a paper on the storm and communities and didn't have time to write it out.

These chapters are stories of amazing people, amazing survival in unbelievable conditions. It is sad, but not depressing, and certainly not hopeless. I strongly recommend the book to everyone.

A good amount of Ellis -- who is charming, by the way -- is available online. Just google her name or the book title.

82/100
Thou Shalt Not Grill by Tamar Myers 2011-10-29

Naked Heat by Richard Castle 2011-10-29

83/100
The Help by Kathryn Stockett 2011-11-02 (audio)

84/100
Side Jobs by Jim Butcher 2011-11-04

85/100
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke 2011-11-04

86/100
Lye in Wait by Cricket McRae 2011-11-05

87/100
A Brisket, A Casket by Delia Rosen 2011-11-05

88/100
Beyond Delicious: The Ghost Whisperer's Cookbook by Mary Ann Winkowski 2011-11-07

I received this book through the LT Early Reviewer lottery. I’m not sure what I expected; perhaps a book of stories having to do with the television series, The Ghost Whisperer – which I must admit I’ve never watched, only seen the advertisements. However, the book is a collection of stories, 2-3 pages each with a recipe, of "clearings" the author has done where she received a recipe from a departing "earthbound spirit."

The stories that go along with each recipe become repetitive and the writing is mediocre, using the same phrasing and sentences over and over. I wasn’t particularly impressed with many of the recipes, and some were, to me, quite odd.

For example, the recipe on page 273 for stuffing calls for “6 heaping tablespoons of breadcrumbs” – even with the volume of other ingredients, which only totals ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon – that’s a pretty small amount of stuffing!

Then there’s the ingredient “potato water” in the nut roll recipe on page 6, with no explanation for the unknowing as to how to get “potato water.”

The recipe on page 217 for shortbread crust calls for “1 10-cent package Nabisco shortbread cookies.” Those cookies may have been ten cents in the time of the ghost, but the writer gives no equivalent for today’s shopper.

The bottom line, I suppose, is that I do not believe the premise of the book, and so I must read it as fiction. And as fiction, it is a poor read.

(If anyone wants this book, let me know, otherwise I'll post it somewhere else. My opinion is definitely in the minority of the LT reviewers!)

89/100
What-the-Dickens: the story of a rogue tooth fairy by Gregory Maguire 2011-11-12

I've only read one Maguire, and that was Wicked and I wasn't really a fan of it. But I have to say, this one sounds like it could be great (if we could judge by title alone), so I'm looking forward to your review.

90/100
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen 2011-11-16
I doubt I will see the film, because I'd hate to have the audiobook ruined! :D This was a either the perfect book for audio, or a perfectly performed audiobook -- either way, I thoroughly enjoyed the story as told by two "Jacob"s: one at 23 three, the other at 90... or 93.

>122 wookiebender:
Hmm. A review of What-the-Dickens? It's a quirky little story about a tooth fairy who is born alone and knows not what he is or where he belongs. He has a series of hair-raising experiences before meeting up with others of his kind. The premise of the story surrounding the tale of WtD is an older cousin taking care of two children during a terrible multi-day storm. The parents left to get medial help for the mother; they may not have survived. Everyone else evacuated the area. The power is out, they are running out of food, and the older cousin begins telling a magical story.

I guess is it supposed to be a YA/older Juv book, but as usual with Maguire, I always feel there's a WHOLE 'nother story (or few) that I'm missing. I'm reading Out of Oz now, almost halfway through, and with it too, I know I'm supposed to be seeing more than the superficial story. (This is why I could never teach literature: I can't always see what's behind the story.) Still, I love Maguire's writing. His word pictures are stunning. My favorite is Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.

91/100
The First Rule of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery (Dharma Detective) by Gay Hendricks 2011-11-19
Courtesy NetGalley.com

92/100
One More River by Mary Glickman 2011-11-21

(disclaimer: I received this book through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program)

What do the Mississippi River flood of 1927, mid-1960's civil rights, and the Vietnam War have to do with one another? Perhaps only the lives of the Levy-Sassaport families. Ms. Glickman weaves the story of a young man and his mysterious father taking place in alternating chapters and in times of great events. The writing has an easy flow, as if someone is telling us the story rather than that we are looking on as the story takes place. As if the reason the character dialog is not in quotes is because the whole story is a quote of the storyteller. Yet the telling transports the reader into each scene with deceptive simplicity.
Every now and then a slang word or phrase would make me think twice about the time period. The last chapter seemed to wrap up everything just a tad too quickly (I saw this concern in reviews of her first book, too). I did enjoy the story immensely, and will seek out the first book as well as look forward to Ms. Glickman's next offering. I only wish she was eligible for the Mississippi Library Association's Author Awards; I would certainly nominate this title for the fiction award in 2012.

93/100
Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong 2011-11-22

94/100
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire 2011-11-23

(And now, I need to find something light-hearted to read.)

95/100
11/22/63 by Stephen King 2011-11-27

Whew! While I slogged through the first 200 pages over several days, I thought to myself, "I'll never finish this book." Last night when I finally tore myself away from it, I had 200 pages remaining.

I haven't read a lot of Stephen King. I'm not a fan of horror. I can't remember if I read the entire book (of short stories), Hearts in Atlantis, but I did particularly enjoy Low Men in Yellow Coats (the actual story content of the movie--never did understand that naming). But this is a great book.* (He notes in the afterword that he started the project in 1972, just six years after the Kennedy assassination.) I am really glad I made time to read it.

Go! Go get it and start it now!

*For those to whom it would matter, there are parts which are sexually and violently graphic.

96/100
Chili con Corpses: A Supper Club Mystery by J.B. Stanley 2011-12-02

97/100
Assault and Pepper by Tamar Myers 2011-12-09

98/100
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse (audio) 2011-12-14

Enjoyed the dual story lines and the intrigue, all tangled with the mysterious Tarot; just wish the French was more familiar in my ear. She apparently has two more books set in this same geographical area, so I hope to read those next year.

Two to go!

99/100
Grape Expectations by Tamar Myers 2011-12-16

100/100
Hell Hath No Curry by Tamar Myers 2011-12-17

101/100
As the World Churns by Tamar Myers 2011-12-17

102/100
Batter Off Dead by Tamar Myers 2011-12-18

103/100
Night Passage by Robert B. Parker 2011-12-18

104/100
The quality of mercy by Faye Kellerman

105/100
Trouble in Paradise by Robert B. Parker

106/100
Death in Paradise by Robert B. Parker

"He liked the library. It was one of those nineteenth-century brick-an-brownstone buildings that could just as easily have been a fire station or a jail. The research librarian smiled at him as he went by the desk. She didn't seem like a librarian. She had a good body. She wore tight clothes. And she always looked at him as if they were sharing a private joke." (p. 231)

107/100
Robert B. Parker's killing the blues / Michael Brandman

Brandman's Jesse Stone seems a little more preachy than Parker's -- but I've only read three of the Parker books so far. Still a good read.

Well, with 75 minutes remaining in 2011 (where I am), I think I'll declare this challenge ended. :)
It's been a great year of reading. I've had lots of fun, enjoyed some wonderful prose and set off on search for other works by some new-to-me authors.
See everyone in the new year, on the 2012 thread!

Wishing a Happy, Safe, and Prosperous New Year to Everyone!

Congrats on completing the challenge and Happy New Year to you too!

Thanks, iftyzaidi!