TIFFIN'S first for 2023

January Thaw Edge of Town by Lawren Harris, member of Group of Seven Canadian artists:



Considering the rain and thaw conditions we're going through here, this seemed an appropriate image to start with for 2023.

I would like to most respectfully ask that people don't leave gifs or other flashing notes here. They really bother my eyes (and probably my brain). Thank you!

Who Am I?
I've noticed that various 2023 threads have put personal introductions at the start of them. I blithely assumed that after 15+ years here, we all pretty much know each other by now in the 75 group, but as there are new people who might drop by, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. I'm a retired college administrator, having worked at Trent University for 30 years, who foolishly thought I'd have all the time in the world to read, garden, quilt, swim, just be, when I retired. An elderly infirm mother and a Covid pandemic determined otherwise. I pulled back from reviewing and keeping up with others' threads. Herself passed away in October 2022 at 103 years, so I'm slowly re-engaging with the rest of humanity. I hope to write a bit more about the books I read. I hope to read less for only entertainment/escapism, to keep the grey matter folded but I do love science fiction and good mysteries, so we'll see how that goes. Visitors are always welcome here.

This thread continues on from https://www.librarything.com/topic/345511#n8009494

List of Books Read in 2023
(unless specified, most reads are 3.5 to 5 stars)
Brackets with a number inside indicate the number of the book in a series.

1. Babel by R.F. Kuang (Excellent)
2. Daughter of the Moon Goddess (1) by Sue Lynn Tan (Good Asian fantasy)
3. Heart of the Sun Warrior (2) by Sue Lynn Tan
4. The Thursday Murder Club (1) by Richard Osman
5. The Man Who Died Twice (2) by Richard Osman
6. The Bullet That Missed (3) by Richard Osman (Fun series)
7. If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura (Good)
8. Hue and Cry (1) by Shirley McKay
9. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
10. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
11. Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
12. Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler
13. Imago by Octavia E. Butler
14. Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler
15. The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
16. Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders
17. The Last Librarian by Brandt Legg
18. The Lost Tree Runner by Brandt Legg
19. The List Keepers by Brandt Legg
20. The Miser of Mayfair by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
21. Plain Jane by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
22. The Adventuress by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
23. The Wicked Godmother by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
24. The Rake's Progress by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
25. Rainbird's Revenge by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
26. Santa Grint by Jodi Taylor
27. Red Thunder by John Varley
28. Red Lightning by John Varley
29. Rolling Thunder by John Varley
30. Dark Lightning by John Varley
31. Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard by Kiran Desai
32. The Kingless Crown (1) by Sarah M. Cradit
33. The Broken Realm (2) by Sarah M. Cradit
34. The Hidden Kingdom (3) by Sarah M. Cradit
35. Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
36. Beauty and Sadness by Yasunari Kawabata
37. The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer
38. The Medici Manuscript by C.J. Archer
39. Every Heart a Doorway (1) by Seanan McGuire
40. A Grave Misunderstanding by Len Boswell
41. Simon Grave and the Curious Incident of the Cat in Daytime by Len Boswell
42. Simon Grave and the Drone of the Basque Orvilles by Len Boswell
43. The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix
44. Down Among the Sticks and Bones (2) by Seanan McGuire (entry out of order)
45. Run Lab Rat Run by Shawn C. Butler
46. Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
47. The Magician's Diary (4) by C.J. Archer
48. The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake (a forgotten entry from Feb.)
49. The Colour of Magic (1) by Terry Pratchett
50. The Convent's Secret (5) by C.J. Archer
51. The Watchmaker's Daughter (1) by C.J. Archer
52. The Mapmaker's Apprentice (2) by C.J. Archer
53. The Apothecary's Poison (3) by C.J. Archer
54. The Ink Master's Silence (6) by C.J. Archer
55. The Cheater's Game (7) by C.J. Archer
56. The Prisoner's Key (8) by C.J. Archer
57. The Imposter's Inheritance (9) by C.J. Archer
58. The Kidnapper's Accomplice (10) by C.J. Archer
59. The Toymaker's Curse (11) by C.J. Archer
60. The Spy Master's Scheme (12) by C.J. Archer
61. The Goldsmith's Conspiracy (13) by C.J. Archer
62. The Godmakers by Frank Herbert
63. The Medusa Fold (6) by Nick Adams
64. Third Contact (1) by Peter J. Aldin
65. Assured (2) by Peter J. Aldin
66. The Stars Remain (3) by Peter J. Aldin
67. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
68. Christopher Lloyd: His Life at Great Dixter by Stephen Anderton
69. The Light Fantastic (2) by Terry Pratchett
70. The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
71. Mallards Revisited by Deryck Solomon
72. Miss Tonks Turns to Crime by M.C. Beaton (out of order/forgot to add)
73. Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp
74. Equal Rites (3) by Terry Pratchett
75. A Psalm for the Wild-Built (1) by Becky Chambers
76. Mort (4) by Terry Pratchett
77. Sourcery (5) by Terry Pratchett
78. Wyrd Sisters (6) by Terry Pratchett
79. A Prayer for the Crown-shy (2) by Becky Chambers
80. Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
81. Daphne by M.C. Beaton
82. Traitor's Purse (11) by Margery Allingham
83. The Tiger in the Smoke (14) by Margery Allingham
84. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders
85. Momenticon by Andrew Caldecott
86. Off Track (1) by Neil Bullock
87. Earth Twelve (2) by Neil Bullock
88. Nexus (3) by Neil Bullock
89. The Beckoning Lady (16) by Margery Allingham
90. Flowers for the Judge (7) by Margery Allingham
91. Sweet Danger (5) by Margery Allingham
92. Police at the Funeral (4) by Margery Allingham
93. The Crime at Black Dudley (1) by Margery Allingham
94. Death of a Ghost (6) by Margery Allingham
95. Look to the Lady/The Gyrth Chalice Mystery (3) by Margery Allingham
96. The Case of the Late Pig (8) by Margery Allingham
97. Ninth House (1) by Leigh Bardugo
98. Hell Bent (2) by Leigh Bardugo
99. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
100. Dancers in Mourning (9) by Margery Allingham
101. Hide My Eyes (16) by Margery Allingham
102. The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien de Castell
103. The Jesus Incident (book 1 of the Pandora Sequence), by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom
104.

Series Waiting for Completion

- The Kingkiller series by Patrick Rothfuss, Book 3, still hasn't been published. Rothfuss said he had to sort out some issues in his personal life before he could write it, which he has apparently done, and is now working on Book 3. No publication date given as yet.
- Riders Guild Book III by Marta Randall - no sign yet
- 3rd book of The Thrice Crossed Swords by A.M. Steiner (was due out May 2020) - no sign yet
- The Asperfell conclusion, book 3, due out in 2022, by Jamie Thomas (not out yet and it doesn't look like it's coming)

Welcome back, Tui. Wishing you a comfortable reading year in 2023!

Welcome back for another year, Tui!

Happy 2023 (when you return), Tui!

Thanks Paul, Jim, and Richard. Happy 2023 to you too. I'm still mopping up the last of 2022's reads.

Happy New Year, Tui. I tend to lurk on your thread more than I post, so I thought I'd poke my head out and say hello for a change.

I'm here...I won't make a lot of noise, but I'll be in and out all year.

Happy New Year, Laura and Linda. Always glad to have you drop by.

Hope you have a great year of reading!

Thank you, Lori. I hope to be able to be more present in various 75ers rooms this coming year.

1. Babel, or, The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang

Kindle edition {added}



This was pretty much a 5 star read for me.

>12 tiffin: Bought that one for Jacob for Christmas - I’m hoping to borrow it once he’s read it.

>12 tiffin: Hmmm, this looks intriguing, Tui. I don't normally go for fantasy/magic but just read a couple reviews that tempt me. I'll be interested to read more of your impressions once you've finished it.

I just picked that one up from the library yesterday. Once I finish the current book, I'm diving in!

I like Kuang's writing a lot. At first I thought it was like a Hogwarts for those of us who love words but then she went *BIFF SOCK POW* and we are now going somewhere else entirely. Laura, the fantasy/magic aspect is by no means the main point of the story. You might be ok with it.

>16 tiffin: thanks Tui! That's good to know. My library has the book, and I added it to a little list I keep on the side so I don't forget about it.

>12 tiffin: I'm really looking forward to your take on it. I've been dithering about reading it for some time now.

Happy reading in 2023, Tui!

Thanks, Anita, and to you. Hope your eyes behave themselves!

I have been wracking tiny brain to think of what I want to say about "Babel", and how I want to go about it. The problem is trying to figure out how to write about it without spoilers.

>21 tiffin: Hi Tui. I starred your thread just now.
I am a newer-ish LT Talk member of the 75-er group. And you are a "new to me" member. I'm so glad you had an intro., so I could see what interests you have. Also, I wandered back to 2022 via your handy url to look at what books you like and see your reviews.

Bennett Sisters Mysteries (Lise McClendon) is a series that looks very interesting, though maybe a bit dark?
I read a lot of murder mysteries as escapist reading and require a clever mystery but not too much grisly detail. CS Harris' St. Cyr novels tried me badly. She's such an excellent historical fiction writer, though, so I have read all 17 of the series ( and have a request for the 18th, Who Cries for the Lost).

I liked some of your conversation on other threads (2023) but didn't realize you were Canadian until I saw that you knew who Stevie Cameron is. Fun stuff. And of course your topper, Lawren Harris.

Anyway, I look forward to more visits here. Perhaps you'll enjoy my thread too. I took last year off because of various "heavy trips" in 2021 and 2022 were grim with no mental energy to look at LT much.

Happy (very belated) New Year, Tui. Please accept my condolences on the death of your mother.

It's not too late, Stasia, it's still January! Thank you for your condolences. Happy New Year to you too.

Happy New Year, Tui. I’ll pop in once in a while to see what mysteries you’re reading that might tempt me.

Yikes! I have looked longingly at your thread as I hurried away, but I see that I never stopped in. Happy New Year, Tui!!!

I'm really happy that you were pleased with the Kuang *Babel*. I got it as a daily deal because I thought it looked good - at least, I think that's how it happened. I'm always glad to know that an instinct was good. Currently, I'm rereading The Fresco and looking forward to getting back to A Memory Called Empire. Good books keep showing up.

Happy Reading!

Hi Peggy, Happy New Year to you too. I'm still mulling over how best to describe Babel. Layers and layers and layers there.

2: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Kindle edition {added}



I have been reading a fair bit of Asian Lit. in translation over the past few years. This is the first of a couple of books telling the tale in classic myth and legend style of Zingyin, the daughter of Chang'e the moon goddess. Zingyin seeks to free her mother from her imprisonment on the moon where she has been exiled from the Celestial kingdom by the Celestial Emperor. It's really quite a lovely story, with good character development and none of that stilted style that can sometimes occur in heroic tales in translation. I enjoyed it.

3: The Heart of the Sun Warrior, by Sue Lynn Tan

Kindle edition {added}



Xingyin continues her quest to keep her family safe and battle a great evil in the Immortal Realm. A fitting conclusion to the first book, as certain difficult relationships work themselves out.

4: The Thursday Murder Club, Book I, by Richard Osman

Kindle edition {added}



Oh my! This is so much fun. If I do end up having to go to a retirement community, Cooper's Chase is exactly the one I'd choose, as long as Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim could be guaranteed to be there. Seniors with most of their marbles still there, who like to get together to try to solve cold cases, find themselves with very hot cases on their collective laps. Although tea and coffee do make appearances, the intrepid four like wine, beer, G&Ts and good food to help them to mull over facts and clues.

Elizabeth is magnificent, there is no other word for her. Joyce's astute observations are concealed beneath her sparkle and walnut cakes, a perfect foil for Elizabeth. Ibrahim and Ron each have their separate strengths: Ibrahim his brilliance and Ron his feistiness. I love them all. My only fear is that I'm reading too fast and will run out of them once the third book is done...although a fourth is in the pipes.

5: The Man Who Died Twice, Book II, by Richard Osman

Kindle edition {added}



Pretty much letter perfect. Thank heavens we were having leftovers tonight because I sure didn't want to cook. I just wanted to read this second instalment in the series, and so I did. On to the third but for now, I need to give my eyes a break.

I just knew you would love (and devour) these!

>30 tiffin: Those seem to be quite popular. The first is on my Libby app TBR list.

>33 thornton37814:: They are popular because they are quite wonderful, in me 'umble opinion. Both the characters and the plot are equally balanced, which is such a treat.

>31 tiffin: I have The Man Who Died Twice in my TBR pile and should get to it soon.

I read the first in this series back in 2020. I was lukewarm about the story but I'm willing to give book 2 a go. Especially with the accolade, "Thank heavens we were having leftovers tonight because I sure didn't want to cook". It's been quite awhile since I've been there with a book and Mr. SM did the cooking...

>35 SandyAMcPherson:: Sandy, it just might not be your cuppa, which is just fine. There was something slightly Jeeves and Wooster about it for me, appealing to my sense of the absurd and pawkish sense of humour.

>36 tiffin: " Jeeves and Wooster" is a not quite what I thought of, but ... yes, there were indeed several implausible scenarios in The Thursday Murder Club that seemed quite silly to include. So J & W is a pretty good way to describe the antics. Has me smiling! Thanks.

6: The Bullet That Missed, Book III, by Richard Osman

Kindle edition {added}



Well, that's the series finished so far. I was surfeited by time I finished this one so don't mind moving on to fresher pastures.

7: If Cats Disappeared From the World, by Genki Kawamura, trans. by Eric Selland

Kindle edition {added}



I believe that this is Kawamura's first book, at least in translation if not actual first book. It's the tale of a young Japanese postman who has just been told that he only has a short while left to live. He lives alone with his cat, Cabbage, whom he adores. His mother has died and he's estranged from his father. As he struggles to come to grips with his impending end, the Devil appears to make a deal with the young man for an extra day of life if he agrees to eliminate something from the world.

Each thing eliminated gives the postie much to think about, to reassess in his own life. Fair enough until he reaches a Faustian choice. Will he continue selling things out for an extra day? An easy but thoughtful read.

>39 tiffin: This book sounds like something exactly up my alley, adding it to my list.

9: Hue and Cry, by Shirley McKay

Kindle edition {added}



A mystery set in Scotland in the time of James VI, 1579. The main protagonist, Hew Cullan, has recently returned from France and has come to his old university, St. Andrews, to visit his father and sister, as well as old friends from his uni days. Hew has studied for law but finds himself disenchanted with it. Several murders take place, one of which seems to implicate his old roommate Nicholas Colp. Convinced of his friend's innocence, Hew sets about trying to prove this innocence despite the roadblocks set up at every turn by the Protestant Kirk, superstition, corruption, and class divides.

Couldn't help but think of Shakespear's Hamlet wherein the play's the thing to catch the conscience of the King.

9: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Kindle edition {added}



This was excellent, a 4.5 star read for me. Although it was a fantasy with dragons in it, in this tale they weren't hackneyed or trite. The Priory of the Orange Tree is a dense and rich story crossing a world, spanning history, encompassing religions and politics. It was pretty brilliant that author Shannon managed to condense the whole vast tale into one book.

Just catching up, Tui. Good to see that you are enjoying your reading so much this year.

Hi Paul, thanks for dropping by. I'm still getting my feet under me, so haven't been visiting around too much. I'm also not reading as much as usual, so it's good that I've liked what I have read.

Quality wins over quantity if you are enjoying it, Tui.

10: The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Paperback, a Tom Doherty Associates Book {added}



A Christmas gift from Himself. Six individuals with powerful talents, medeians, are recruited to the ultra secret Alexandrian Society once a decade: Libby Rhodes, Nico Ferrer de Verona, Reina Mori, Callum Nova, Tristan Caine, Parisa Kamali. They are drawn in by the seductive promises of power and knowledge, for each of them has an unquenchable desire to learn who and what they really are, what they are capable of, beyond what the New York University of Magical Arts could teach them. Eventually they learn that one of them must die, as part of a decades long tradition of the Alexandrian Society, which sends the whole tale off in a far more sinister direction. Who and what is Atlas Blakely, the Caretaker? A mystery, a dark tale of ambition and danger, betrayal and secrets, it kept me reading.

On to the 2nd book in the series, also from Himself.

11: Dawn, Lilith's Brood Book I, by Octavia Butler

Grand Central Publishing, paperback {added}



This is the story of Lilith, a human who is struggling to survive on Earth, along with the remainder of humanity after a nuclear war has pretty much destroyed the planet, dooming it to extinction. She balks at joining with the Oankali to create a hybrid species designed to save humans and create a path to the future.

Perhaps I have read Butler in the past but certainly not this series. Better late than never: she's quite wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the concepts and ideas in this first book, not to mention the story being told. I'm particularly thrilled because her entire oeuvre is there waiting to be read. She died too young but what she left for us while she lived is pretty exciting to look forward to.

12: Adulthood Rites, Lilith's Brood book II by Octavia Butler

Grand Central Publishing paperback {added}



Akin is a product of the Oankali plan to create a new species, a combination of humans and the Oankali. His human mother is Lilith from the first book in the series. He looks like a human baby but speaks more than one language, remembers everything he sees and hears, and if threatened possesses a deadly sting (which he is loathe to use). He sees at a molecular level, detecting anomalies in both the Oankali and human structures. This is the story of his life on the dying planet Earth as he approaches his first metamorphosis.

Another gem.

13: Imago, Lilith's Brood book 3 by Octavia E. Butler

Grand Central Publishing paperback {added}



The final instalment of the Lilith's Brood series, also known as the Xenogenesis trilogy. This book is written in the first person from the perspective of a human/alien hybrid Jodahs. Before its first metamorphosis, Jodahs presents as predominantly male but eventually is determined to be ooloi, a third gender among the Oankali. This is the story of its journey to find its human mates which it will need to be able to live. Able to mutate DNA, manipulate or cure diseases, it will be a key element to help to save the straggling bits of humanity struggling to survive on Earth.

Butler gives us so much to think about in each book of this series, not the least of which is our own human nature.

>42 tiffin: Her storytelling chops are well-honed by the Bone Season series and she's gotten better and better at presenting her world-building.

>41 tiffin: Wishlisted!

>49 tiffin: Everything about that series made me think hard and deep in ways I'd never had to or thought to before. Butler should, in a properly ordered world be among us writing writing writing today.

I'm recovering from the strokes well enough to be able to visit more, so wanted to come say Hi.

Awww so glad you dropped by. Really chuffed at your remarkable progress. It's the LT mojo working it's magic!

I'm reading another one by Butler. It's almost scary the stuff she thinks about. What a mind!

14: Wild Seed, the Patternist Series Book 1, by Octavia E. Butler

Kindle edition {added}



Doro is an immortal who has survived thousands of years by stealing the bodies of others, discarding them as needed. He has been experimenting with special breeding programs but the destruction of his African villages by slavers has forced him to move his experiment to the New World. En route back to what will become America, he discovers an African woman, Anyanwu, who is also an immortal but with a very different modus operandi to his: she is a healer and a shapeshifter. Doro wants to breed her to give his new people a strength and means of survival. Wild Seed tracks their struggle against each other over many hundreds of years, with Anyanwu using all her skill and talents to push back against Doro's cruel use of people to both continue his own life as well as creating his new form of human.

Butler's ideas are fascinating and profound.

15: The Ink Black Heart, by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling

Kindle edition



With too many cases on the go, and insufficient staff to cover all of them, Robin Ellacott decides that neither she nor her partner, Cormorant Strike, can take on the case of a young designer of a cartoon which has spawned a hugely popular on-line game. Edie Ledwell, the creator of the cartoon, is being harassed and threatened by a mysterious being who goes by the name of Anomie. When Edie is brutally murdered in Highgate Cemetery a few days later--the site of the cartoon's story--Robin and Strike are drawn into the world of gaming and fandom where no one is who they seem to be.

Quite noir at times, there are other sidebar stories going on with Strike's former girlfriend and her current husband, his current sort of girlfriend, and of course Robin and Strike's growing but tamped down love for each other. Rowling writes a good mystery.

Rowling definitely does write a good mystery, Tui. I enjoyed this one, as well.

16: Victories Greater Than Death, Unstoppable series book 1, by Charlie Jane Anders

Kindle edition {added}



I'm fairly sure this is a YA series but it was fun, if a bit predictable. Tina Mains is the keeper of a mysterious rescue beacon. It's inside her and is going to go off in the not-too-distant future, sending its signal out into the universe. What happens when it goes off is anyone's guess. It turns out that she's the secret clone of an alien hero, Captain Thaoh Argentian, who is supposed to come back to life and save *everything* but none of it quite works out that way because she remains predominantly just herself: Tina. Her best friend, Rachel, and several other earthlings end up on this beaten up old space ship with her. Of course all the earthlings are brilliant, brave, and Super Nerds.

The second book in the series, Dreams Bigger Than Heartache is out there somewhere but I doubt I'll read it unless it shows up for free somewhere.

17: The Last Librarian, the Justar Journal Book 1, by Brandt Legg

Kindle edition {added}



After the Banoff plague has destroyed much of the human population on Earth, the Aylantik system emerged as the controlling power to restore order to a shattered world. There is now peace, incredible prosperity, health care for all, all controlled by a handful of billionaires . People have been numbed into an acceptance of this new world order by peace and prosperity. Not everyone, however.

There is one library left with real books in it. Everything is now digital. Almost no one notices that the original texts are being slowly changed as part of the Aylantik group's goal of dominating everything and everyone but the last librarian in the last library does: Runit Happerman. This is the story of Happerman et al., as they fight to save the most important books in the world.

Good characters, lots of action despite the story being about the power of fusty old books. I'm definitely going to read the whole series. Dystopia/Science Fiction

18: The Lost TreeRunner, the Justar Journal Book 2, by Brandt Legg

Kindle edition {added}



Runit Happerman has been taken out of action and is presumed dead, although this isn't a known fact. In this instalment, his son Grandyn Happerman, one of the elite group called the TreeRunners, has picked up the torch from his father to carry on the fight against the Aylantiks. The books at the heart of it all have been hidden away but where and by whom?

Who to trust? Many agendas at work here. I don't want to say too much because it give things away. On to the last book!

19: The List Keepers, the Justar Journal Book 3, by Brandt Legg

Kindle edition {added}



A good wrap-up.

>59 tiffin: This series has vaulted onto my Kindle thanks to your advocacy. It's only fair to say you haven't steered me wrong, and I'm glad to report that my warm Black Watch plaid bottoms and I are all tucked up in my very own bed! I'm home at last. And both lucky and grateful to be here at last.

Oh, I'm so glad they were there when you got home! They're to go with your bathrobe so you'll be *all that*! Really glad you're home. Hope the Legg series gives you a great escape. xo

>61 tiffin: I'm 15% into The Last Librarian and am eager for more, I'm glad to say. Thank you so much again for my cuddly warm PJs.

20: The Miser of Mayfair, the House for the Season series Book 1, by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



Somewhat Georgette Heyerish, this tale is about a supposedly cursed house in Regency London with its splendid cast of servants who are trying to survive by their wits when life and the class system of England seems determined to throw them down. Beaton has us roundly cheering for them, of course.

21: Plain Jane, the House for the Season series, Book 2, by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



Number 67 Clarges Street has been rented for the season once again, saving the redoubtable John Rainbird (the butler) and his little *family* of the Scottish cook, Mr. MacGregor; the housekeeper, Mrs. Middleton; the footman, Joseph; the housemaid, Alice; the chambermaid, Jenny; the scullery maid, Lizzie; and Davy the rescued chimney sweep who is now a pot boy. The house is owned by the Duke of Pelham while he's away at university but he's being fleeced by his rental agent, Jonas Palmer, who keeps the house's servants in penury through blackmail and bullying, while charging the Duke their full salaries and pocketing the difference. The Duke's own father committed suicide in the house, followed by a string of tragedies by successive tenants, so the staff have banded together to shore each other up.

I'm going to read the whole series of six books because I've purchased it as a set.

22: The Adventuress, the House for the Season series, Book 5, by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



Oops, missed 3 and 4. I'll have to double back.

23: The Wicked Godmother, the House for the Season series Book 3, by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



Carrying on with the tale(s). It's rather like a box of chocolates: difficult to stop once you've started.

24: Rake's Progress, The House for the Season series, Book 4, by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



I'm at that point where the formulaic nature of the stories has palled a bit but I'm so near the end that I'll carry on.

25: Rainbird's Revenge, The House for the Season series, Book 6, by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



Full circle, all loose ends tied in. Even though each season in the house has a different set of tenants, the underlying group of servants remains intact, working together in what they feel is a family, towards their common goal. This was light, fun at times, a bit grim at others because of the plight of the poor and indentured. Rainbird himself is a delightful character.

26: Santa Grint, The Time Police, by Jodi Taylor

Kindle edition {added}



A short story, really. When the Time Police decide to hold a Christmas party for local orphans, all hell breaks loose (as to be expected). I get a kick out of her descriptions.

Red Thunder, Book I of the Thunder and Lightning series, by John Varley

Kindle edition {added}



Take a decommissioned NASA astronaut with a drinking problem, his brain damaged cousin Jubal with a strong swampland Florida accent, two Floridian teens who want to go to space but lack the education and money, and their girlfriends, toss in an improbable plot line, and you have the first book in this fun series. When Jubal comes up with what he calls "bubbles", created by a machine he calls the "Squeezer", which provide endless power of a non-fossil, non-polluting variety, the teens decide to built their own space ship in order to beat the Chinese to be the first to land on Mars. Good characters with snappy dialogue, I willingly suspended all disbelief and am diving into the whole series.

28: Red Lightning, Book II of the Thunder and Lightning series, by John Varley

Kindle edition {added}



Manny's son, Ray, is the main protagonist in this episode. Jubal has disappeared, and black garbed nameless mercenaries have invaded Mars looking for him. More delightful improbability.

29: Rolling Thunder, Book III of the Thunder and Lightning series, by John Varley

Kindle edition {added}



Rolling right along with this series, willingly suspending disbelief all the way.

30: Dark Lightning, Book IV of the Thunder and Lightning series, by John Varley

Kindle edition {added}



Last one of the series, with the whole bunch of them boldly going. Good old timey science fiction with a bit of a surprise twist in this one involving a marriage. Escapism well spent.

>69 tiffin: Her ability to make me keep caring about the loons she peoples her world with is unequalled.

Happy May reading,Tui!

31: Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard by Kiran Desai

Kindle edition {added}



Sampath Chawla doesn't fit in anywhere in his village. He is a dreamer who doesn't like to work and yet he must work to survive, both in his family and his society. He hides in the back of the post office where he whiles away the time reading his village's mail, gaining a prodigious knowledge of the secret lives of everyone and their goings on, inner dreams, secret fears. A series of circumstances close in around him, causing him to run away and climb a guava tree in an orchard out of town.

His purloined knowledge of everyone's hopes and dreams, lives and secrets, leads him to become something of a prophet to the people of his village. His father, a man with a constant eye out for opportunity, capitalizes on his son't stunning ability to prophecy. His mother sets up her kitchen at the edge of the guava orchard, cooking increasingly exotic and wonderful dishes to sustain Sampath. The story is peopled with wonderful characters like his sister Pinky, the ice cream vendor at the movie theatre, the Brigadier, the Chief of Police, by a spy and a tribe of monkeys who become alcoholics and terrorists.

This is a quirky, very funny, and yet almost painfully poignant story of the human condition. Will Sampath and his monkeys win the day? Will he ever find the peace he yearns for? And will the spy ever discover what secret ingredient lies at the heart of Mrs. Chawla's glorious cooking?

32: The Kingless Crown, Kingdom of the White Sea, Book 1, by Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition {added}



Each of the four Reaches of the Kingdom of the White Sea must provide one of their daughters from the nobility to become the wife of the demented king, Eoghan Rhiagain, the usurper who has taken over their world. But when the time comes for the wedding, the brides have taken matters into their own hands and fled. This act of treason has the kingdom hovering on the edge of war.

A wide-ranging tale involving the indigenous people who hide behind powerful veils preventing others from finding them, the shapeshifting Raven folk who isolate themselves in the north, the southern salt and sand fisher folk who are tough and stoic, the folk of the desolate plains who battle hunger and fierce creatures, Cradit has created a world complete in itself, and quite believable.

33: The Broken Realm, Kingdom of the White Sea, Book 2, by Sarah Cradit

Kindle edition {added}

34: The Hidden Kingdom, Kingdom of the White Sea, Book 3, By Sarah M. Cradit

Kindle edition {added}



Shades of "Game of Thrones" in its darker elements. On the whole, a successful story that held my interest well enough.

35: Fortunately, the Milk, by Neil Gaiman

Kindle edition



A silly and sweet story of a father going to the store to get milk for his children's cereal, and how he got waylaid along the way.

36: Beauty and Sadness, by Yasunari Kawabata

Kindle edition {added}



I can't say I liked this story. I respected it but I didn't like it. Oki, the middle-aged writer who had an affair with a sixteen year old girl, Otoko, is not a sympathetic character for me. I found him self-serving, egocentric, selfish, and a user. Otoko is now an accomplished artist who lives with Keiko, her student and love interest. Keiko likes pain, both inflicting it and receiving it. She is a terrifying character who involves herself in Oki's family with disastrous results.

Kawabata's writing is very beautiful, haunting at times, but the story itself was like *happening music* in a movie, building up to a ghastly denouement. I didn't want to be in this space, and can't see a time when I would ever want to be.

I hope you are having even better reads now, Tui, because the okay-ness of the Cradits and the icky Kawabata don't feel good enough to be all that jazz. I expect that you're due a really blow-the-barn-over read very soon.

The Cradits were okay in the range of 3.5-4 stars. But you're right, Richard: I haven't had a 5 star read in a while. I am reading a fun mystery series right now, and have just finished the first book in the "Glass Library" series: "The Librarian of Crooked Lane". Not High Art but cosily entertaining, set just after WWI in London, England.

37: The Librarian of Crooked Lane, Book 1 of The Glass Library series, by C.J. Archer

Kindle edition



A cosy mystery set in London, England, just after WWI involving art, books, and hidden magic. Just what the doctor ordered for a befuddled allergy brain. I read a review of it when I was adding the book, which said it was boring. *whatever*

>83 tiffin: High Art is fine in its place and at its time, but this ain't either for me. I'll procure THE LIBRARIAN OF CROOKED LANE for June reading. I really like the bookish subtext.

38: The Medici Manuscript, Book 2 of The Glass Library series, by C.J. Archer

Kindle edition



Even though Sylvia has never thought that she had any magic in her, there are hints that she might be a silver magician as silver items seem to guide her, even if she can't feel the magic working in her. When a book once owned by the Medicis, with silver clasps, is stolen from the Glass library, and with various kidnapping attempts against Gabe Glass, Sylvia's life is getting both more complicated while getting slightly clearer.

The third book will be out in September.

39: Every Heart a Doorway, Book 1 of Wayward Children series, by Seanan McGuire

Kindle edition

40: A Grave Misunderstanding, a Simon Grave Mystery I, by Len Boswell
41: Simon Grave and the Curious Incident of the Cat in the Daytime, a Simon Grave Mystery II, by Len Boswell
42: Simon Grave and the Drone of Basque Orvilles, a Simon Grave Mystery III, by Len Boswell

Kindle edition {added}



Bought as a trilogy--well actually, it's on for free with a Kindle unlimited membership--this delightfully ridiculous mystery kept me well entertained for three nights with its ridiculous names, bad puns, highly improbable situations, and somewhat Inspector Clouseau-ish main character.

43: The Sinister Booksellers of Bath, Book II in the Left-handed booksellers series, by Garth Nix

Kindle edition {added}



I thoroughly enjoy this series which deals with the old gods of Britain, the left-handed booksellers who do far more than run bookshops (and who have wonderful wardrobes). As Susan Arkshaw discovers more and more of her ancient and potent heritage, she is coming into her own as the daughter of an Ancient Sovereign while attempting to live a *normal* life as an art student in a relationship with Merlin, one of the left-handed booksellers of London. Unravelling mysteries, racing against time which is a strangely fluid thing in the hands of the old ones, protecting and saving normal humans, all that good stuff.

44: Down Among the Sticks and Bones, Book Two of the Wayward Children series, by Seanan McGuire

Kindle edition



Twins Jacqueline (Jack) and Jillian (Jill) are hastily packed off to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children at the age of 17, when they return home after their journey through a portal to another reality (see the first book). At the Home they meet other "children" who have similar although different portal experiences which have left them incapable of functioning in our world. I read this one before the first book, so knew their fates before righting myself for the 3rd book. Quirky and fascinating.

My reading pace is off this year. I'm averaging about 8 books a month instead of my usual 12-15 but I'm ok with that. My mother's death in October, along with a serious cycling injury for one of my lads, resulted in my attention and efforts being directed elsewhere. And now it's gardening season, so reading times will be further reduced to bedtime (if I can keep my eyes open) or rainy days.

I had wonderful intentions of being able to visit others' threads again but, although I have done a bit of LT visiting, Covid combined with the facts of Real Life, including being a bit older with all its attendant aspects, have meant I barely even remember to record my own readings here, let alone checking on other folks. I'll visit when I can, so I hope you understand. Otherwise, I'll try to be faithful about recording my own mostly escapist reads here.

>90 tiffin: given all that's happened in the last few years, I don't think that anyone is keeping track anymore, Tui. You have enough to be getting on with, and most all of us are older than we used to be, so that gets you right off the hook.

*smooch*

>75 tiffin: Read this years ago Tui. I loved her mother's In Custody

>89 tiffin: Not 100% sure whether that one is for me, but it is an amazing cover.

>91 richardderus:: You are so right, Richard. I'm grateful to still be reading and gardening!
>92 Caroline_McElwee:: Must look for In Custody, Caro. Thanks!
>93 PaulCranswick:: She does have a noir streak, Paul, but tells a good story at the same time. I find that since the whole pandemic thing, I can't read things that are TOO dark.

45: Run, Lab Rat, Run by Shawn C. Butler

Kindle edition {added}



I honestly just don't know what to think about this book. Dystopian for certain, with humans genetically modified/engineered if they can afford it. At the bottom of the totem pole are the naturals who can't afford modifications. The main protagonist is the lab rat of the title, Fiddy, who is the subject of endless experiments, testing out the latest *whatever* to keep the wealthy modifieds safe, right up to the top of the pecking order. She knows her life expectancy is around 30 but just once she wants a bit of life outside the lab, so she asks to be allowed to participate in the Marathon. It's an annual grim torture test in the horrific heat that is now the reality for the west coast of the U.S. Her family survived the fires that swept the western States but they lost everything. Fiddy is a lab rat to buy their continued survival and to keep her brother safe. To her surprise, the team that controls every aspect of her existence approves her request to be allowed to run. And so run she does, strangely improving as the race went on.

It's dangerous, grim, red of tooth and claw as the racers deal with everything from modified spiders to gigantic bears. There are, of course, umpteen hidden agendas, dangerous co-competitors, bigots who hate the naturals, etc., etc. I kept wanting it to have a point apart from the unrelenting danger but was left thinking that the danger and fear were the point. The unrelenting cruelty of some of the characters didn't work for me, nor did the sadistic nature of the race itself, resulting in pointless deaths. So although the ending points to there being more to come in another book, it didn't make me want to read more. Why did I read it in the first place? It came recommended somewhere that I stumbled across.

46: Parable of the Talents, by Octavia E. Butler

Kindle edition {added}



What a powerfully prophetic book this is, especially for those of us who have lived through the Trump era. First the Pox has swept through the world, killing millions. Sound familiar? Then the Christian fundamentalists led by President Andrew Jarrett have swept into power with their unthinking version of Christianity, one of blind adherence to a misogynistic form of faith which burns witches, reduces women to powerless and voiceless servants of men, while the men themselves are reduced to brutes who enslave people with collars which send mind destroying pain through devices worn as belts. It is cruel and fear driven.

Lauren Oya Olamina has a dream, a vision for what humankind can become: Earthseed, where people can go out into the stars to create societies based on what fully realised humans can become. This book is the writings from her journals, those of her husband, Taylor Franklin Bankole, and her daughter Larkin Olamina who became Asha Vere. Larkin was lost to Lauren in a raid by Jarrett's Crusaders when she was a baby, so her life became a very separate thing from her mother's.

I was gobsmacked at how prophetic this story written in 1998 is about the path the U.S. has taken in recent years. It is, at times, terrifying and yet with the character of Lauren Olamina, it supports a beautiful hope. I can see why it won the Nebula Award for best novel.

Before Butler's book, I read The Forgotten Witch by Jessica Dodge, which was such fluff that I'm not going to record it.

47: The Magician's Diary, Book 4 of the Glass & Steele series by C.J. Archer

Kindle edition



Currently reading.

>2 tiffin: Hi Tui - I’m new to Groups and the 75’ers (haven’t even posted my first thread yet), but I’ve been exploring how different people started their threads, came across yours, and noticed your mention of Rothfuss’ Kingkiller series. Oh, I’m chomping at the bit for that one! I’ve preordered The Narrow Road Between Desires, but that will only whet my appetite for The Doors of Stone. Are you looking forward to it?

>99 PlatinumWarlock:: Hi PW, welcome! It has been so long re the Rothfuss series that I've pretty much forgotten the first two books and had just shoved it aside, really. I'll give it a look-see to see if I can figure out whazzup. Thanks for visiting.

48: The Atlas Paradox, Sequel to The Atlas Six, by Olivie Blake

Hardcover. {added}



I totally forgot to enter this one. back in February.

49: The Colour of Magic, by Terry Pratchett

Paperback, Corgi Books



As astonishing as this might seem, this is the first Terry Pratchett book I've read, apart from Good Omens with Neil Gaiman. And even more astonishing, this didn't sweep me away the way it seems to have done with many. He's been compared to Wodehouse but I like Wodehouse-ian humour better. It's not that I couldn't get Pratchett's cleverness, it just wasn't snorfle inducing. Perhaps a slight lift of one side of the mouth now and then.

As we strode around Discworld with Rincewind and Twoflower the tourist, I found myself wanting more, although I did like the pearwood trunk a lot. The trope of the rather nasty gods looking down on the mere mortals, while they toyed with their lives, just didn't grab my interest 60+ years on of reading such things (although I do like it in Japanese or Chinese lit. in translation).

However, one of my lads has a huge collection of the Discworld books, and feels I really ought to give them a chance, so onward to the second book. No need for any Pratchettites out there to threaten maiming or death; I am willing to give TP another go.

Hi, Tui!
It's not that I couldn't get Pratchett's cleverness, it just wasn't snorfle inducing. Precisely. I have been told many times, however, that these first ones are not the ones to read first. Lucy says, Guards! Guards!, and I'll do that sometime.

Oh Peggy, I knew I could count on you!

*grin* (What I said - not as nice as you: "I get it. I just don't want it.")

By the way, do you read Kelley Armstrong? I've really enjoyed her Cainsville series and have started an earlier, straight mystery one, Rockton. It's just right for my reading level at the moment - not great but entertaining.

I haven't read Kelley Armstrong. I'll keep my eye open for her, Peggy. Thanks!

Happy Father's Day, Mark.

>107 PaulCranswick:: Mark lives next door, Paul. Nudge nudge wink wink.

>84 richardderus: Same here! Adding it to my list also…

>96 tiffin: I loved this book too, Tui!

50: The Convent's Secret, Book 5 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer

Kindle edition {added}



I think this one was a freebie which led me to go back to the start and then carry on with the series, so I've done that thing where I run amok with a series, especially when you can pick up books x, y, z in a package. The next eight reads are the start and then the remainder of the Glass & Steele series, in something of a binge. There is a basic plot line which inches along in each book, where the main protagonists and the baddies live. This is overlaid with a situational mystery which gets solved in each book. Matt Glass's and India Steele's relationship progresses in each instalment too.

Out of order series-wise:
51: The Watchmaker's Daughter, Book 1 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set of books 1-3 {added}



When India Steele's father watchmaker father dies, her fiance takes everything from her, especially the shop where she has worked for her father since childhood. She can't find work with other watchmakers because they seem to be afraid of her for some reason. She finally gets saved by Matt Glass, a mysterious American with English ancestry and a suspicious past which has given him vast wealth. He is accompanied by an unusual group of sidekicks who all live together in his Mayfair house. He is also possessed of a watch which heals him. India has much to learn about her own past and hitherto hidden talents. Magic in Victorian London is of a very practical nature: there are paper, time, silver, leather, wool, etc., magicians whose talent(s) give them high art in a specific medium.

52: The Mapmaker's Apprentice, Book 2 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set of books 1-3 {added}



India and Matt are discovering that they work as a good team to unravel mysteries and solve crimes. A young man has created maps using his mapmaker's magic, which makes others feel threatened and jealous. Matt is still searching for a particular form of magic which will extend the healing capacity of the watch which saves him.

53: The Apothecary's Poison, Book 3 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer,
Kindle boxed set of books 1-3 {added}



Matt's watch is malfunctioning, so he is searching for India's missing grandfather who goes by the name of Chronos to fix it with magic so that the still sought after medical magician can complete the task of fixing Matt. Reading a newspaper article about medical miracles, he hopes he might have found the medical magician he has been looking for but the man is just an apothecary whose subsequent murder sets off another chain of events. Sheriff Payne, an American lawman, continues to make Matt's life miserable.

Now the series can resume in order with books 6-13.

Caveat about the Glass and Steele series: this is about 3-3.5 star stuff. During gardening/mosquito/allergy season, I'm too tired to read anything which requires focus or close attention. It's interesting enough because they are bopping around Victorian London in horse driven vehicles, hanging out in seedier London clubs and establishments, and there is a certain historical fun with the look at different guilds and how they operate. London itself, of course, is always of great interest.

54: The Ink Master's Silence, Book 6 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}



More murder, more skullduggery. This episode involves an ink magician who is also a journalist. The more secrets are uncovered, the murkier things become.

55: The Cheater's Game, Book 7 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer,
Kindle boxed set {added}



Wild West's cowboy show is making its appearance in London, complete with Annie Oakley and Wild Bill Hickock.

56: The Prisoner's Key, Book 8 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}



57: The Imposter's Inheritance, Book 9 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}



58: The Kidnapper's Accomplice, Book 10 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}



59: The Toymaker's Curse, Book 11 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}



60: The Spy Master's Scheme, Book 12 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}



61: The Goldsmith's Conspiracy, Book 13 of the Glass and Steele series by C.J. Archer
Kindle boxed set {added}

I think I'd better read something more nourishing now. I feel as though I've eaten at Mickey D's for two weeks solid.

>116 tiffin: Sometimes, you just gotta mainline the junk.

>117 laytonwoman3rd:: hahahahaha That cracked me up!

>117 laytonwoman3rd: Amen to that, Linda!

ETA: I didn't say, but Kelley Armstrong is Canadian.....

>113 tiffin: I sympathize. I've been wallowing in my own version of easy-reading somewhat formula fiction recently. (I rate them higher than 3.5 if they really hit the spot for me, but that's because "how much did I enjoy it" is worth a lot in my ratings.)

That's definitely a major factor in my ratings too, Arlie. As I've said, probably ad nauseum, I've paid my dues to the gods of great literature. Now I read for mostly for entertainment.

Hi, Tui! I haven't paid my dues to the gods of great literature or, at least, I still want it but not right now. I'm enjoying another year of mostly entertainment. We read what we want to read.

I almost posted on the "What's this book?" thread, but I think I may have seen it in a throw-away comment here or on Richard's thread, so I thought I'd try both places first. Recently, somebody recommended a fantasy about a prince (I think) forced to marry a widower (ambassador, maybe?) for the good of his country. I looked at it, could afford it, didn't put it on my Kindle because I have no idea when I might read it. Now I want it, and I can't remember what it was.
Can anybody help?

Thanks for the high jack!

I really think you might enjoy *Cainsville* a lot..... (I feel that I'm moving into queasiness if not on to ad nauseum.)

Peggy, I always wish list those so I don't forget them. It doesn't ring a bell with me, sorry.

Hi Tui, hoping the air's better than I suspect it might be....

It cleared up a little bit today, Richard, but if the wind comes from the NNE again, it will be back. Thanks though.

62: The Godmakers, by Frank Herbert

Kindle edition {added}



An oldie goldie.

63: The Medusa Fold, Book 6 of the Fold series by Nick Adams

Kindle edition just released; touchstones not working



Currently reading

Thanks, Richard!

64: Third Contact, Envoys Book 1, by Peter J. Aldin

Kindle edition {added}



When a response to a probe sent out 900 years earlier is received in 3014 by the Confederation of Colonies, humans involved in fighting pirate factions who threaten their worlds' peace halt their battle to turn their attention to whoever replied to one of their ancient probes. Ambassador Chris Gregory on the starship Assured leads the crew on the search to determine who has responded to their probe.

65: Assured, Envoys Book 2, by Peter J. Aldin

Kindle edition {added}



Having made contact with the Tluaan scientist who responded to the humans' probe, the Gregory and the crew of Assured find themselves drawn into a conflict on the Tluaan's home world. As always with space operas, nothing is as simple as it seems. One of the Domains of the Tluaan world, Domain Space, asks for help with another species in a nearby star system without giving Gregory's team the whole story. The humans themselves have tensions between the Xerxians on board Assured, and the Confederation of Colonies, with bigotry on both sides causing problems. Enemies without and within.

66: The Stars Remain, Envoys Book 3, by Peter J. Aldin

Kindle edition {added}



The last book of the series. Will the humans make it back to the Confederation safe and sound? Will true love find a way? Lots of space battles and bad situations to go through before the reader learns the answers.

Enjoyable escapism for heat wave and wild weather reading.

67: The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

Kindle edition



Set in the late 1800s in Malaya. Li Lan's family was formerly prosperous, very comfortably off from her father's trading company. But her father lost his zest for life after the death of her mother, and the family has been in a slow decline. In desperation, her father considers a distasteful marriage to a wealthy family, the Lims, whose only son has died: to become this son's ghost bride.

Li Lan gets plunged into the world of the Malayan afterlife as the dead Lim heir seeks to ensnare her. She has learned that she was originally to have been betrothed to the nephew of the Lims, whom she quite fancies, but increasingly her spirit is dealing with difficulty in staying attached to her body as various forces work against her. She has to fight against the pull of the ghost world, assisted by a mysterious ally Er Ling, a disguised dragon, to avoid being trapped there forever.

Lots of Malay superstitions and wonder tales. Kind of spooky but fun.

68: Christopher Lloyd: His Life at Great Dixter, by Stephen Anderton

Pimlico Paperback; Biography



A really interesting look at one of the greatest of English gardeners by a friend who knew him well. Christopher Lloyd's mother, Daisy Lloyd, was a real piece of work who held tight reins on the young Christopher, as well as the rest of her offspring. Most of them escaped her grasp but Christopher remained in her sway for her entire life. He did, however, make a remarkable career for himself as an expert gardener and plantsman, travelling the world to give talks about the care of plants and the creating of gardens.

I didn't get to the garden at Great Dixter when we were in England but I wish I had.

Hi Tui, I've popped over to your thread to recommend 'Tour de France: Unchained' on Netflix, if you have that and haven't watched it already. It's a behind the scenes look at the 2022 Tour de France. We've just finished watching it and found it fascinating.

Thanks, Rhian!

69: The Light Fantastic, Discworld Book 2, by Terry Pratchett

Corgi paperback



At the urging of one of my lads, I read the 2nd book in the Discworld series despite not having been overwhelmed by the first book. I didn't mind this one at all and it was nice to have a little paperback to read in small instalments as I nodded off each night. Rincewind and Twoflower continue their madcap journey through Discworld, accompanied by the Luggage, adding on heroes and maidens at various points.

Discworld is under threat in this instalment, with a strange red star getting ever closer and the College of wizards unable to do a thing about it. Will Rincewind and Twoflower the Tourist rise to the occasion to save the day? Well, obviously they do because the series continues on and on, but just how they manage it is the subject of the book, so I won't say a thing.

70: The Lost Bookshop, by Evie Woods

Kindle edition {added}



This was an intriguing tale spanning two world wars and the lives of three women who are inextricably linked through the magic of a bookshop which disappears from its quiet street in Dublin when its proper proprietor isn't there to run it. But more, this is a book for those of us who love wonderful stories, who need them in our lives like air and water. It's about finding our own stories, and believing in them. It's about love and wonder, courage and survival. All the good stuff!

Wow, Tui! I'm sold!!!

>139 LizzieD: Me too!

Hi Tui, check-in *smooch*

Hope you're all well.

71: Mallards Revisited by Deryck Solomon

Kindle edition {added}



A fun revisit to Tilling after Inspector Morrison has retired from the Tilling police force and relocated to London to take on higher police duties. Various scenarios and crimes, solved by the fortunate visit of the Inspector to his home town, further enhanced by the usual goings on of Mapp and Lucia, as well as the other characters from E.F. Benson's brilliant series "Mapp and Lucia". Deryck Solomon handles everyone cleverly and respectfully, making it a delight to revisit a beloved town.

72: Slightly Foxed, Quarterly edition No. 75, Autumn 2022; 94 pages long
Not added as a read but some good book bullets here.

>142 tiffin: OMIGAWSH I had no idea it existed! I must possess it NOW!

Deryck's Inspector Morrison series is worth reading before this one, so you know what's going on with him. Also on Amazon. I think there might be 3 books in it?

I have duly wishlisted Inspector Morrison's Case Book: Revisiting the World of E.F. Benson's Mapp & Lucia through the files of Tilling's Senior Police Officer...

72: Miss Tonks Turns to Crime by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition
Out of order as I debated whether to even add it.



Very light reading. Pretty much fluff.

>142 tiffin: >144 richardderus: etc! Me too! Me too!!!! I'll get them all wished for and thank you for the tip, Tui. Hmmmm. I may have to reread all of Lucia first........or not.
Meanwhile, check out Kelley Armstrong! Ahem. Ahem.

Richard and Peggy, Deryck is a former member of the E.F. Benson group, as was I. He's a retired lawyer who is also a wonderful artist, so his Inspector Morrison is very well done as a man of the law. He doesn't misstep with Benson's original characters, as some have done, which is very important to me.

73: Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp

Kindle edition {added}



This was a fun read with a twist at the end.

I loved Cluny Brown.

74: Equal Rites, Book 3 of the Disc World series, by Terry Pratchett

Corgi paperback {added}



There is no reason or rule saying a girl can't be a wizard, as Esk proves definitively.

Out of order of reading.

75: A Psalm for the Wild Built, by Becky Chambers

Kindle edition



I won't get into the details but this has been an annus horribilis for me and my family. What a delight, a breath of the freshest pure air, to read a story full of hope and decency. This is the tale of someone searching for their purpose in life, for further meaning to their existence. They (their gender designation of choice) have everything but there is something missing, a kind of hollow inside of them. How they go about seeking to fill it or at least to understand it is the subject of this lovely book. Where they end up and with *whom* is the surprise and delight of the story. A perfect tale for me at this point in my life.

It's nice to hit the 75 mark with such a delightful read.

>153 tiffin: YAY!



A great way to resist the annus horribilis taking over your whole life...read a good book or seventy-five.

Congrats!

Thanks Richard and Jim! Yes indeed, Richard, reading held back the tsunami of negativity and helped deal with the hard stuff.

>153 tiffin: Congratulations on reaching 75, Tui!

Thanks, Anita!

Happy 75! And I hope the horribilis is mostly over with.

Thanks, Arlie! Bits of the horribilis are still lingering but hope hasn't been abandoned.

Congratulations on your 75, dear Tui! I'm glad that hope is blooming, and my hope is that you're able to gather some blossoms and enjoy them for the rest of this year and onward!

76: Mort, Book 4 of the Discworld series, by Terry Pratchett

Corgi paperback



Death is bored, fed up with his job. But unlike humans, he can't just scarper off to try something new or reality will really get messed up. Enter Mort, a young lad who has the potential to serve as an apprentice, as well as a potential mate for Death's adopted daughter Ysabel. Mort, despite a few modest successes, fails catastrophically when it comes to the demise of a certain beautiful princess. On this delicate point the story spins.

After not liking the first book overly much, I get and indeed appreciate Pratchett's humour now. At times I'm even a bit dazzled by his imagination, thinking it must have been quite wonderful to live between his ears--either that or quite terrifying. I will carry on reading the several more books loaned to me by my firstborn by two minutes, who has proven once again that a lot of the time he knows what he's talking about.

>161 LizzieD:: Thanks, Peggy. Himself and I have had to cancel our big train journey through the Rockies for several reasons, his health being chief amongst them. The travel insurance company seems to be hoping that I'd get so baffled by their requirements and forms (I was spat off their online auto form because I was "too slow"), that I'll run away in frustration. All they did was get the war pipes skirling and centuries of Scottish blood boiling because even though I'm "too slow" (10 minutes for a detailed online form is impossible for a senior who needs to think about what she's being asked), I'm profoundly stubborn. Although they couldn't/wouldn't send the forms by mail as hard copy (which they declined to tell me until I phoned a week later looking for them), I got the forms sent to me as an email attachment, printed them off (having to get a new printer because the old one died in the middle of everything), and have jumped through the required hoops vis a vis doctors' notes. I am determined to submit the claim before the deadline and to get back the trip costs which were a gift from my late mom.

I wonder what Mom would have thought of all of this. She hated *notes* required by high school to prove my absence, and would write what were then the most embarrassing reasons: Tui had elephantiasis and had to miss school yesterday. She thought that as a young person approaching adulthood, my word should be good enough. Of course the school thought I was submitting forged notes and phone calls ensued. I can't see the insurance company having the slightest sense of humour about a note of that ilk, so I'm playing it very straight.

>163 tiffin: The school must've thought you were a singularly dimwitted forger then, since rule one is "don't stand out."

Do not ask how I know this.

Congratulations on 75 reads Tui.

This time I will not mistake you for a colleague, Tui!

Congratulations on passing 75 already. xx

>163 tiffin: I really thought I had responded to this post, Tui. I wonder whether it was only in my head or whether it was caught in the latest hackers' nastiness here.
Anyway, insurance companies should learn not to mess with older women. Good for you, and I'll be glad to hear that you have the refund in hand.
Your mother sounds like a priceless gem. I do wish that even a scintilla of her expectation of responsibility remained. (I immediately recalled hearing one girl saying to her friend as they left my classroom, "I thought we had agreed to lie about that.")

I just wrote, "brave new world" in reference to putting the 51 volume Harvard Classics on my Kindle for $1.99. I don't have words for the moral swamp we live in. I guess we try to make islands!

>164 richardderus:: hehe Richard
>165 Caroline_McElwee:: Thanks, Caro!
>166 PaulCranswick:: Thanks, Paul!
>167 LizzieD:: She could be a challenge for an INFJ child, Peggy. Don't even get me started about taking ownership and responsibility! Yes, LT good folks are one of those islands for me and finding kindred spirits lounging under the palms reading good books.

77: Sourcery, Book 5 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett

Corgi paperback {added}



My oldest lad (by two minutes) handed me a pile of these books and I am making my way through them. I didn't go out and seek them out, honest. I have three more to read. After that, if they show up here, it will be entirely my own fault.

Not counted: Slightly Foxed, the Real Reader's Quarterly, No. 76, Winter 2022

94 pages of perfect bedtime reading

78: Wyrd Sisters, Book 6 of the Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

Corgi paperback {added}



I have to hand it to him: Pratchett sure knew his Shakespeare--enough to fiddle around with it and base this book on it!

Migosh but he wrote a lot of these things!

79: A Prayer for the Crown-shy, Monk & Robot Book 2, by Becky Chambers

Kindle edition {added}



The second book of the Monk & Robot series, which might or might not be the last book. Sibling Dex, the tea monk, and Mosscap, the robot accompanying them (gender term of choice in the story) are travelling together after meeting in the first book, A Psalm for the Wild-Built, to satisfy Mosscap's quest to answer the question it wants to ask of humans: "What do you need?".

When robots left their indentured service as tools for humanity, going to live in the wilds of the small planet--a moon, actually--Panga, where they created their own society with its own rules and guidelines, humans had to recreate their own way of living. What they ended up creating was a much kinder and more generous society which eliminated need. This made Mosscap's question of them very difficult and much less abstract. As Sibling Dex and Mosscap go on their journey together, they are learning together and teaching other so much, ultimately discovering that the question was about a different kind of need altogether.

How generous a story this is, how much it has to teach us of kindness and what we really need from life.

The National Book Awards longlists are out:
https://www.nationalbook.org/2023-national-book-awards-longlist-for-fiction/
https://www.nationalbook.org/2023-national-book-awards-longlist-for-nonfiction/
https://www.nationalbook.org/2023-national-book-awards-longlist-for-poetry/

The Booker Prize finalist will be announced next week on Thursday.

The Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced on October 5th.

>172 tiffin: She really does generous well, doesn't she.

I hope you're enjoying the fall, Tui. *smooch*

Hoping that your Thanksgiving Weekend has been wonderful thus far, Tui. x

Hi Richard and Paul, thank you both. It is VERY cold and rainy here but we hadn't had rain for a month, so I don't mind. Wool socks and sweaters weather.

80: Breasts and Eggs, by Mieko Kawakami

Kindle edition {added}



A story of three women: Natsu, a writer who lives in Tokyo, Makiko her sister, who lives in Osaka, and Makiko's daughter, Midoriko, who has stopped speaking with her mother, writing in two different notebooks (one to communicate with, the other as a kind of diary). It is a particularly hot summer in Tokyo when Makiko arrives with her daughter in tow to visit her sister. Makiko has become obsessed with her breasts, and has travelled to Tokyo to look into breast augmentation and nipple colouration. Natsu, struggling with writer's block, is overwhelmed by her sister's endless conversation (and supply of leaflets) about her breasts, while Midoriko, equally overwhelmed by her mother's obsession, has retreated into silence as a means of coping.

The three women flounder through the heat, all with chronically insufficient funds, just scraping by while trying to work out just where they are going, and what it is that they really want. Natsu develops her own obsession: wanting to have a child through artificial insemination. Kawakami kept me fascinated as she peeled back the layers of each character, even the outliers in the story. We are shown their pasts, touch down in the frequently confusing present, and are given glimpses of their surprisingly hopeful futures.

Much to think about but even more to feel.

81: Daphne, one of the six sisters series by M.C. Beaton

Kindle edition {added}



Déja vu all over again. Felt like I'd already read this but it was a fast fluff read.

82: Traitor's Purse, 11th of 21 Albert Campion mysteries by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}



From the moment Campion wakes up in a hospital not knowing who he is, nor able to recognise his fiance or his loyal aide, this story becomes a race between his damaged memory and mysterious but critical mission to save England. Full of nuance and great descriptions, Allingham gives us a real cliffhanger!

83: The Tiger in the Smoke, 14th of the Albert Campion mysteries by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}

Hi Tui...remembering Dodie today. *smooch*

Thanks, Richard. So hard to believe that one year (on the 12th) has flown by.

84: The City in the Middle of the Night, by Charlie Jane Anders

TOR hard bound by Tom Doherty Associates {already added as a KINDLE read}



I'm having déja vu while reading this so I suspect I read the Kindle edition a few years ago. Still good though. I picked up the hard bound copy at Chapters in a good sale. Posting this out of sequence as it got buried on my bedside table!

85: Momenticon by Andrew Caldecott

KINDLE edition {added}



By the author of the Rotherweird series. Another tour de force from this man's imagination. I don't even know if I can describe it. Really looking forward to the next book in this series.

86: Off Track, Primordials Book 1, by Neil Bullock

Kindle edition {added}



Eden Lucas's day has gone from a trip to the mall with her best friend to the destruction of the entire planet with the deaths of all she loves. She is contemplating taking her own life, unable to comprehend why she alone has survived, when an airborne train hovers above her, beckoning her to come aboard. Despite misgivings, she does and a bizarre adventure begins. Eden, Lara Parker, and a man named Kyle find themselves the sole occupants on the train, along with an invisible crew who provide them with pretty much anything they need, and two enigmatic figures, Rona and Mitch.

Things are not what they seem so the three passengers put their heads together to figure things out. Sad and at times disturbing, the story works itself out by the end, apparently continuing on in Primordials Book 2, "Earth 12". Being a completist, I'll probably read it.

>186 tiffin: hmmm

Sounds like a "The Good Place" idea, which is always a fun use of time.

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Tui.

Hi Richard: I went on to read the whole series so I must get those entered. Lots of garden clean-up going on here to try to beat the snows we know are coming in.

87: Earth Twelve, Primordials Book 2 by Neil Bullock No touchstones.

Kindle edition {added}

88: Nexus, Primordials Book 3, by Neil Bullock No touchstones.

Kindle edition {added}



On the whole I enjoyed this series. The train itself was a fun bit of imaginative fancy. The plot played around with some interesting and fun concepts, one of which was that no matter how many earths you clone, humanity at its core remains the same with all of our attendant flaws and virtues.

I am sorry that I have been neglectful of your thread this year, Tui. Hopeful I will be better at keeping up through the end of 2023 and into 2024.

Oh Stasia, I'm the last person you need to apologise to when I'm so very bad at keeping up with other's threads myself. I do understand, having had an annus horribilus myself which has spanned 2022-2023. We do what we can. I find it a challenge to keep up with my reading list here! So no worries, as the young folk say. xo

I have nothing to say except that I think of you and like to speak from time to time. Hi, Tui!

Same here, Peggy. Hiya right back atcha!

>192 tiffin: Well, this year has definitely been annus horribilus around my house! Thanks, Tui.

Margery Allingham 20 May 1904 – 30 June 1966 (we were born on the same day but not the same year)
Husband: Youngman Carter

I am trying to read all the Campion books by Margery Allingham, as I stumble across them. I need to sort out which books were written by her husband either after her death or near the end of her life, as well as those written by an author named Mike Ripley. This list is only for my own benefit to try to keep myself straight about what I have and haven't read:

1. The Crime at Black Dudley (1929)
2. Mystery Mile (1930)
3. The Gyrth Chalice (1931)
4. Police at the Funeral (1931)
5. Sweet Danger (1933)
6. Death of a Ghost (1934)
7. Flowers for the Judge (1936)
8. The Case of the Late Pig (1937)
9. Dancers in Mourning (1937)
10. Fashion in Shrouds (1938)
11. Traitor's Purse (1940)
12. Coroner's Pidgin/Pearls Before Swine (1945)
13. can't find
14. More Work for the Undertaker (1948)
15. Tiger in the Smoke (1952)
16. The Beckoning Lady (1955)
17. Hide My eyes (1958)
18. The China Governess (1962)
19. The Mind Readers (1965)
20. Cargo of Eagles (1968)
21. Mr. Campion's Farthing (1969
22. Mr. Campion's Quarry (1970)
23. Mr. Campion's Farewell (2014)
24. Mr. Campion's Fox (2015)
25. Mr. Campion's Fault (2016) by Mike Ripley
26. Mr. Campion's Abdication (2017)
27. Mr. Campion's War (2018)
28. Mr. Campion's Visit (2019)
29. Mr. Campion's Seance (2020)
30. Mr. Campion's Coven (2021)
31. Mr. Campion's Wings (2022)
32. Mr. Campion's Mosaic (2022) by Mike Ripley

Short Story Collections:
1. Mr. Campion, Criminologist
2. Mr. Campion and Others
3. The Return of Mr. Campion
4. Campion at Christmas

89: The Beckoning Lady, Albert Campion Book 16 by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}



Not in order read because I went on a binge and they backed up.

90: Flowers for the Judge, Albert Campion mystery book 7, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}

91: Sweet Danger, an Albert Campion Mystery Book 5 by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}

92: Police at the Funeral, An Albert Campion Mystery Book 4, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition

I have a number of those on my shelf, Tui, and have only read one or two. I didn't realize other people had continued with her stuff. I'm usually not happy with that.
All the series info is here:
https://www.librarything.com/nseries/1773/Albert-Campion

This is SO helpful, Linda! It even checks off the ones I've entered. Ya learn something every day!

>202 tiffin: Glad to be of service! I use that LT feature a lot.

>203 laytonwoman3rd: : Re the continuing with her stuff: the first two were by her husband, and then it is that Mike Ripley chap, about whom I know nothing.

93: The Crime at Black Dudley, An Albert Campion Mystery Book 1, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition

94: Death of a Ghost, An Albert Campion mystery Book 6, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition

Margery Allingham 20 May 1904 – 30 June 1966 (we were born on the same day but not the same year)
Husband: Youngman Carter

I am trying to read all the Campion books by Margery Allingham, as I stumble across them. I need to sort out which books were written by her husband either after her death or near the end of her life, as well as those written by an author named Mike Ripley. This list is only for my own benefit to try to keep myself straight about what I have and haven't read:

1. The Crime at Black Dudley (1929)
2. Mystery Mile (1930)
3. Look to the Lady: The Gyrth Chalice (1931)
4. Police at the Funeral (1931)
5. Sweet Danger (1933)
6. Death of a Ghost (1934)
7. Flowers for the Judge (1936)
8. The Case of the Late Pig (1937)
9. Dancers in Mourning (1937)
10. Fashion in Shrouds (1938)
11. Traitor's Purse (1940)
12. Coroner's Pidgin/Pearls Before Swine (1945)
13. The Return of Mr. Campion; 13 Collected Stories (date?)
14. More Work for the Undertaker (1948)
15. Tiger in the Smoke (1952)
16. The Beckoning Lady (1955)
17. Hide My eyes (1958)
18. The China Governess (1962)
19. The Mind Readers (1965)
20. Cargo of Eagles (1968)
21. Mr. Campion's Farthing (1969) by Youngman Carter
22. Mr. Campion's Quarry (1970) by Youngman Carter
23. Mr. Campion's Farewell (2014)
24. Mr. Campion's Fox (2015)
25. Mr. Campion's Fault (2016) by Mike Ripley
26. Mr. Campion's Abdication (2017)
27. Mr. Campion's War (2018)
28. Mr. Campion's Visit (2019)
29. Mr. Campion's Seance (2020)
30. Mr. Campion's Coven (2021)
31. Mr. Campion's Wings (2022)
32. Mr. Campion's Mosaic (2022) by Mike Ripley

Short Story Collections:
1. Mr. Campion, Criminologist
2. Mr. Campion and Others
3. The Return of Mr. Campion
4. Campion at Christmas

95: Look to the Lady, The Gyrth Chalice Mystery, An Albert Campion Mystery book 3, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}

Hi, Tui! It's really nice to see all your reading. I'm catching up (well not really, but visiting a few threads) for the first time in six months. (My thread is over in CR - but I haven't done a post since April - just updated my book list. Hoping I'm back on here now that school is nearly done for the year. )

The Hew Cullan mysteries sound good so I've been hunting on the Wellington library catalogue just now, but no luck yet. This is probably a good thing!! I've got better at not buying new books but still have a massive TBR collection.

Hi Cush, so good to see you. Because I've run out of shelf space and we just can't acquire more bookshelves at this point in our lives, I've swung over to reading science fiction, mysteries, and lighter books on the Kindle but I too have a huge TBR collection. During the height of the pandemic, I got kind of funny about reading books from the Library in the village, so the Kindle has been doing yeoman service.

97: Ninth House, book 1 of the Ninth House series, by Leigh Bardugo

Kindle edition {added}



Murder, mystery, magic and mayhem in Yale. This story is a bit of a corker! Galaxy "Alex" Stern was on a fast track to a disastrous life in LA, hanging around with druggies and slum scum, with an unknown father and a love/peace/nuts/& raisins mother. When Alex is the sole survivor of a homicide, she is approached while still recovering in the hospital with the offer of an all expenses paid *scholarship* to Yale with no idea why as she was always anything but a scholar.

It turns out that Yale is the home to eight very secret societies which have links to the high and very mighty of the land who dabble in a variety of magics and the occult. Talents she never knew she possessed come into play but the game is increasingly dangerous and deadly.

98: Hell Bent, Book 2 of the Ninth House series by Leigh Bardugo

Kindle edition {added}



Of course I had to dash right into the second book after reading the first in the series.

Alex is determined to rescue Darlington's soul from hell, with the help of Dawes. The power elite of Yale's Ivy League would rather she didn't. Never underestimate the power of a bunch of misfits.

I don't know if this series will go further but it did wrap up satisfactorily enough at the end of this instalment.

96: The Case of the Late Pig, Inspector Campion Book 8, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}



Out of order because I forgot to add it in. I've adjusted the numerical order.

I don't think I'm going to double lap 75 books this year so I'll just carry on with this thread until the end of the year, even though it has gone past 200. I'll be pleased to cross the 100 mark given what an annus horribilus it has been, really since the autumn of 2022.

Every now and then, I post what I call "old fart rants" on FaceBook. I thought I'd share today's here, as it mentions the importance of books in my life:
Christmas hasn't even happened but I'm getting notices that I'm one of the select few who are being invited to an early Boxing Day sale. It makes me channel my inner old fart Grinch.

So listen up sellers of this and tat (not a typo): I don't need more of whatever it is that you are hawking. What I do need, and what you can't ever put up for sale, is a pocket of peace and kindness in our poor benighted war torn and polluted world. I want children not to live in terror. I want everyone to have enough food. I want people to stop using animals as tools but to respect the fact they are sentient beings with emotions, just like us. I want a thousand other things of that ilk. Having early access to more stuff and bumph just isn't going to make that happen, is it? So most kindly, please bug off.

Books are the only exception. If I give you a book, you know I love you. If you give me a book, I'll know I'm loved--and understood. Let there be light!

/old fart once again wishing our species would live up to our potential, hoping against all evidence to the contrary

Happy Yule, everyone! Blessings to all of you.



Tree reflected in the window while the holly bears the crown in our dibrary (dining room slash library).

>215 tiffin: *smooch*

>216 tiffin: I like the dinebrary combo a lot! And you should go see my latest photo on my thread:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/355921#8324764
I'm wearing your beautiful sweatshirt gift! (and my Yule penguin jammies)

>215 tiffin: Thanks for sharing, Tui, I completely agree!

Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda i ti!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

Thinking about you during the festive season, Tui

*smooch*

>215 tiffin: Love it Tui.

99: The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

Kindle edition {added}
Probably out of order



More of the Thursday Murder Club mystery series.

100: Dancers in Mourning, Inspector Campion book 9, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}



Allingham's usual oddball characters, not the least of which is Campion himself.

101: Hide My Eyes, Inspector Campion Book 16, by Margery Allingham

Kindle edition {added}
Out of order.



Quite a psychological twist to this one.

102: The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien de Castell

Kindle edition



The Kindle has it marked as "read" but I can't remember a thing about it.

103: The Jesus Incident, Book 1 of the Pandora Sequence by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom

Kindle edition

Thank you Richard, Paul, and Rhian for your Yule good wishes.

New Year's Resolution #1: next year log my books as I read them rather than trying to catch up at the end of the year on New Year's Eve. I know I'm missing about ten of them. Bah Humbug. I'm going to read one of my new Christmas books!

I may stumble across books which I've read in 2023, so I'll add them when I do. I feel like I'm missing 8-10. Otherwise, this thread is closed. I'm now taking up residence in https://www.librarything.com/topic/356121#