2016 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

2016 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Passages to the Past

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This is always one of my favorite challenges, so even though I've already passed the challenge limit I set for myself for next year (yes -- what was I thinking?), I'm in for 2016.

Once again, I'm aiming at "Victorian Reader" (5 books). You can see the other levels and read all the guidelines by visiting the challenge announcement/sign-up post (HERE). During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and doing all my list-keeping over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge

2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Kathryn T @ Book Date

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

OK, forget all that I said about wanting to cut back on reading challenges in 2016 -- it was obviously just babble.

I really did argue with myself over this one, since I didn't do all that well with the 2015 Women's Fiction Challenge. I do enjoy reading that genre (sub-genre?), but haven't read much lately. And since I already own quite a few books that will qualify, the challenge fits in very neatly with my New Year's goal of reading more of the books I already own.

So, I'm signing up. I'll be going for the "Motivated" Level again (read 1-5 books) -- I think that's doable.

To read all about the challenge and sign up, visit the announcement post HERE. You'll also see a little discussion about what women's fiction actually is, and this definition from the Romance Writers of America organization who say that women's fiction is...

"...about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others."

...and I think I can pretty much go along with that.

During the year I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE), and on this post if I can remember.

Books read:
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2016 Vintage Mystery Cover Scavenger Hunt

OK. One more....

Vintage Mystery Cover Scavenger Hunt 2016

Hosted by: Bev @ My Reader's Block

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This one is going to be much, much fun. And I really can't wait to get started. (Even though I'm still sort of working on the 2015 Vintage Mystery Bingo Challenge.)

Here's how Bev explains the idea of this challenge:

" Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to find as many objects on the scavenger hunt list as possible on the covers of the mystery books you read."

I LOVE that kind of stuff! And it's going to allow me to read books already on my TBR list, which is definitely a plus.

For this challenge, I'm going to be reading Silver Age vintage mysteries since I have more of those on my shelves.

And during the year, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

We're still sort of in Christmas mode around our place, with lots of holiday-ing going on. Also need to spend a couple of days out and about, running errands and restocking supplies. So it's very likely I won't be reading anything today. And tomorrow might be no-read, too. BUT if I do get some time to hit the books, this is what I'm likely to be reading:

The Last September, by Nina de Gramont. It's one of the Library Thing Early Reviewer books I've got piled up. Well, not a pile exactly -- but I'm at least a couple of books behind in my LTER reviews. So I do need to get this one read before 2016 hits.

Actually, this morning I've mostly just been stressing out about the new Blogger/Google policy on blog following. If you have a Blogger blog, you've probably seen the Blogger Buzz notice -- but I'll quote it for everyone else (the highlighting is my own addition):

...starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count. 

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

I'm not sure that this is anything to get excited about. And I never really understood all the differences between following and following with/without Friend Connect. But I don't like the idea of losing followers. And I really don't like the idea of people being forced to sign up for a Google account just to follow my blog.

I have a blog at WordPress that I've used a few times over the years, and I've given some thought to just switching over to that one and bidding Blogger a fond farewell. The only reason I haven't done that before now is that Blogger is so user-friendly, and I've always found WordPress to be really difficult to navigate. But I'm going to try to play around with it a bit in the next few days, and see how it goes. So I just might start the new year off with a brand new blog. We'll see what develops.

If you've got any thoughts re: Blogger vs. WordPress, I'd love to hear them.

So. Back to the books. Or maybe not. Hmmm. Have the holidays kept you from doing as much reading as you'd like? Or do you just go merrily on, as usual?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. If you want to let the world know what you're going to be reading this week, head on over to her blog and leave your link. It's also a great way to discover new books and new blogs.

Challenge Wrap-Up: 2015 Women's Fiction

Women's Fiction Reading Challenge 2015

Hosted by: Kathryn T @ Book Date

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2015

I signed up at the "Motivated" Level (read 1-5 books)and read two books that would seem to qualify for the challenge, but only got one reviewed:

The Anger Meridian. Kaylie Jones (see review)
What We Keep. Elizabeth Berg

Not sure why I never got the Berg book reviewed, since it was one of my favorites among all the books I read this year.

Even though I had a bit of a problem with the challenge, I did enjoy it. So now I'm trying to decide whether or not to sign up for the 2016 edition (sign-up here for Women's Fiction 2016).

2016 Color Coded Reading Challenge

2016 Color Coded Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Bev @ My Reader's Block

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

This challenge looks like so much fun, I can't resist it. And I think it should help me read more of the books I already own, which would be a real plus -- that's definitely one of my bookish goals for next year.

The idea is to read a book for each of nine color categories. See the categories and sign up for the challenge by visiting the announcement page HERE.

I don't yet have any firm plans about what books I'll be reading for the challenge, but I've got quite a few possibilities listed on my challenge blog, which is where I'll be tracking my progress during the year.

Christmas Is Here!

2016 European Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

Dates: January 1, 2016 - January 31, 2017

Click here for challenge guidelines and sign-ups

As I believe I've mentioned (possibly several times by now), I'm trying to cut back on reading challenges for 2016. But the European Reading Challenge, hosted at Rose City Reader, is always one of my favorites and one I can't resist.

I'm signing up at the Four Star ("Honeymooner") Level, so I'll be reading four books. Haven't decided what books I'll read, but I'm hoping this will help me make a dent in my much-too-long TBR pile. During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and doing all my list-keeping on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Newbery Reading Callenge

Newbery Reading Challenge 2016

Hosted by:  Julie @ Smiling Shelves

Dates:  January 1 - December 31, 2016

I didn't do so well on the 2015 edition of the Newbery Challenge -- only read two books, and didn't review either one of them. But I'm hoping to do a little better with the 2016 challenge.

To see all the rules and guidelines, and to sign-up, head on over to the Challenge Announcement page. You'll also see an explanation of the challenge points system. I'm signing up at the first level (L'Engle = 15-29 points).

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 I Love Picture Books Reading Challenge

2016 I Love Picture Books Reading Challenge

Hosted by:  Bea's Book Nook

Dates:  January 1 - December 31, 2016

Guidelines:

• Read picture books.
• Sign up through December 1, 2016.
• Set your own level -- read as many books as you like.
• Library books and e-books count.
• Re-reads count.
• A blog isn't necessary -- link up through a public review site like GoodReads or Library Thing.
• Reviews are not required but encouraged. They only need to be a few lines. There will be a page for linking up reviews.

One of my favorite challenges from 2015 is back for 2016, now hosted at Bea's Book Nook. I'm once again setting my goal at a dozen picture books, but hope to do a little better than that. During the year, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

So, another Monday. (Well, it will be, in a few hours.) Almost Christmas. Almost the end of the year. Does that seem possible? I was just getting used to 2015, and here it is almost 2016. What happened?

Didn't finish any books last week. I was looking around for something to read, with a Christmas theme, and found this in one of the boxes of books stored out in the garage:

Murder Under the Mistletoe

I'm not very far along in it, but the description sounded interesting, so I'll see how it goes.

Other than that, I haven't been doing much actual reading lately -- too much real life going on at the moment: Christmas shopping, cards to address and send, gifts to wrap, Christmas movies to watch. And, of course, the ongoing and perpetually amusing Dental Adventures -- but that's not really something you need to hear about.

Recently, my main bookish activity has been discovering new reading challenges to add to the list I'm keeping. And I don't really know WHY I'm keeping it, but once I started, my OCD kicked in and I just had to continue. Nothing I love better than a good list. If you do too -- or if you're looking for a reading challenge to tempt you -- you can take a look at said list HERE. (But be warned -- it has over 100 challenges listed.)

So far, I've only signed up for a handful of the new challenges. For 2016, I'm trying to cut back a bit on challenges. I do think they help to keep me reading, but I also find I don't do as well with programmed reading as I used to. Getting too old and curmudgeonly, I guess.

OK, enough of this brilliance. Now I'm gonna go see what everyone else is reading.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. If you want to let the world know what you're going to be reading this week, head on over to her blog and leave your link. It's also a great way to discover new books and new blogs.

Challenge Wrap-Up: 2015 New Authors Reading Challenge

The 2015 New Authors Reading Challenge was hosted by Literary Escapism. I wanted to read at least 15 new authors, and actually doubled that goal. Didn't get them all reviewed, but here's the list:

1. Michael Phillip Cash: The After House 
2. Glenn Cooper: The Resurrection Maker 
3. Jonas Karlsson: The Room 
4. Erika Swyler: The Book of Speculation 
5. Charles Todd: A Fine Summer's Day (Inspector Rutledge #17)
6. Elizabeth Hand: Wylding Hall 
7. Damien Boyd: As the Crow Flies (DI Nick Dixon #1)
8. Becky Masterman: Fear the Darkness (Brigid Quinn Thriller #2) 
9. Alan Hunter: Gently Does It (Inspector George Gently #1)
10. Martha Ockley: A Saintly Killing (Faith Morgan #3) 
11. Brian Harvey: Beethoven's Tenth (Frank Ryan #1)
12. S.K. Tremayne: The Ice Twins 
13. Jonathan Aycliffe: The Silence of Ghosts 
14. Pierre Boileau (and Thomas Narcejac): Vertigo 
15. Blake Crouch: Pines (Wayward Pines #1) 
16. Kate DiCamillo: The Tale of Despereaux 
17. Paul Tremblay: A Head Full of Ghosts
18. Sascha Arango: The Truth and Other Lies 
19. Anne Perry: The Angel Court Affair (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #30) 
20. Rebecca Stead: Goodbye Stranger 
21. Jill Morrow: Newport: A Novel 
22. Elizabeth Edmondson: A Man of Some Repute (A Very English Mystery #1)
23. Lauren Owen: The Quick  
24. David Mitchell: Slade House 
25. Jennifer McMahon: The Night Sister 
26. Kaylie Jones: The Anger Meridian 
27. Haruki Murakami: South of the Border, West of the Sun 
28. Elizabeth Berg: What We Keep 
29. Marty Wingate: Between a Rock and a Hard Place 
30. Jean-Pierre Alaux (and Noël Balen): Backstabbing in Beaujolais 

Many thanks to the challenge host -- this is always one of my favorite challenges.

2016 Books In Translation Reading Challenge

Jen @ The Introverted Reader is once again hosting the Books in Translation Reading Challenge in 2016, and I'm once again signing up. It's always one of my favorite challenges, and for 2016 I'm aiming for the "Conversationalist" level (4-6 books), although (as usual) I hope to do a little better than that. During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

Book Beginnings: Late Harvest Havoc

Late Harvest Havoc, (a Winemaker Detective Mystery) by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen (Le French Book, December 2015). This is the book's first line:

In just minutes, death would strike again.

My Thoughts:

This is Number 10 in the Winemaker Detective series -- the latest, as far as I know. I've read one other book in the series (Backstabbing in Beaujolais), and ended up being sort of lukewarm about it. But I did like the central characters, and the French settings, so I decided to take a chance on another entry. Love the opening. Hoping the rest of the book lives up to it.

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

Challenge Wrap-Up: Historical Fiction 2015

The 2015 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge was hosted by Amy @ Passages to the Past. (Thanks so much, Amy!) I had five books as my goal ("Victorian Reader" level), and actually read eight -- although I didn't manage to get them all reviewed. A pretty successful result, I think.

Here's what I read:

1. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce #7). Alan Bradley (published 2015 / set around 1950)
2. The Witch of Painted Sorrows. M.J. Rose (published 2015 / set in 19th Century France)
3. A Fine Summer's Day (Inspector Ian Rutledge #17). Charles Todd (published 2015 / set in 1914)
4. The Silence of Ghosts. Jonathan Aycliffe (first published 2013 / set during World War II)
5. The Angel Court Affair (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt #30). Anne Perry (published 2015 / set in Victorian England) 
6. Newport. Jill Morrow (published 2015 / set in 1921) 
7. The Quick. Lauren Owen (published 2014 / set in late 19th Century England) 
8. A Man of Some Repute. Elizabeth Edmondson (published 2015 / set in 1953) 

Challenge Wrap-Up: 2015 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge

The 2015 Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge was originally hosted by Amy @ A Bookish Girl, and later handed over to Elizabeth @ Thoughts of an Evil Overlord. Lately, Elizabeth has been having some health problems, so she's taking a little break from blogging. Could this challenge be bringing bad luck? Hmmmm....

Anyway. I signed up at Level Three ("Flavia de Luce" - read 15 books), and didn't have any problem meeting that goal. Here's what I read:

1. The Red House Mystery. A.A. Milne
2. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce #7). Alan Bradley
3. The Case of the Velvet Claws (Perry Mason #1). Erle Stanley Gardner
4. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie ("Sister" Jane #9). Rita Mae Brown
5. A Fine Summer's Day (Inspector Ian Rutledge #17). Charles Todd
6. As the Crow Flies (DI Nick Dixon #1). Damien Boyd
7. Fear the Darkness (Brigid Quinn Thriller #2). Becky Masterman
8. Gently Does It (Inspector George Gently #1). Alan Hunter 
9. A Saintly Killing (Faith Morgan Mystery #3). Martha Ockley 
10. Beethoven's Tenth (Frank Ryan #1). Brian Harvey 
11. Vertigo. Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac 
12. Tail Gait (Mrs. Murphy #23). Rita Mae Brown
13. The Angel Court Affair (Thomas & Charlotte Pitt #30). Anne Perry 
14. The Forgotten Room (Jeremy Logan #4). Lincoln Child 
15. In the Dark Places (Inspector Banks #22). Peter Robinson 
16. A Man of Some Repute. Elizabeth Edmondson
17. The Postman Always Rings Twice. James M. Cain 
18. Champagne For One (Nero Wolfe #31). Rex Stout 
19. The Maltese Falcon. Dashiell Hammett 
20. Between a Rock and a Hard Place (Potting Shed Mystery #3). Marty Wingate
21. Backstabbing in Beaujolais. Jean-Pierre Alaux, Noël Balen; trans. by Anne Trager 

The 2016 Cloak and Dagger Challenge is being co-hosted by Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!, and Barb @ Booker T's Farm.

Challenge Wrap-Up: I Love Picture Books 2015

Many thanks to Gina @ Book Dragon's Lair for hosting the 2015 I Love Picture Books Reading Challenge. I do love picture books, and I loved this challenge. I set myself a goal of twelve books, and didn't have any trouble at all reaching that goal. Here's what I read:

1. Corduroy. Don Freeman. 1948 / 32 pages
2. The Little House. Virginia Lee Burton. 1942 / 40 pages / 1943 Caldecott Medal
3. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Virginia Lee Burton. 1938 / 56 pages 
4. Katy and the Big Snow. Virginia Lee Burton. 1943 / 40 pages
5. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee. Chris Van Dusen. 2003 / 36 pages
6. Stella and Charlie, Friends Forever. Bernadette Peters; illus. by Liz Murphy. 2015 / 40 pages
7. Little Bird, Be Quiet! Kirsten Hall; illus. by Sabina Gibson. 2015 / 36 pages
8. Anatole. Eve Titus; illus. by Paul Galdone. 1956 / 40 pages / 1957 Caldecott Honor Book
9. Harry the Dirty Dog. Gene Zion; illus. by Margaret Bloy Graham. 1956 / 32 pages
10. Harry and the Lady Next Door. Gene Zion; illus. by Margaret Bloy Graham. 1960 / 64 pages
11. One Morning in Maine. Robert McCloskey. 1952 / 62 pages / 1953 Caldecott Honor Book
12. The Bees (Down in the Garden #1). DC Swain; illus. by Anna Bonita. 2015 / 24 pages

For 2016, Gina has passed the challenge hosting duties over to Bea's Book Nook. Haven't signed up yet, but I'm very tempted -- there are still lots of picture books I'd love to read.

2015 Challenge Wrap-Ups: European, Foodies, and Nonfiction

Three more challenge wrap-ups for 2015. Didn't do terribly well with all of these, even though I did enjoy the books I read for them (mostly). And I want to say a huge thank-you to all the hosts!

The 2015 European Reading Challenge was hosted by Gillian @ Rose City Reader. One of my favorite challenges. I signed up at the Three-star "Business Traveler" level (read 1-3 books), and actually read four books:

1. The Third Man. Graham Greene (Vienna, Austria) 
2. The Room. Jonas Karlsson (Sweden)
3. The Witch of Painted Sorrows. M.J. Rose (Paris, France)
4. The Fifth Gospel. Ian Caldwell (Vatican City, Rome, Italy)

No reviews -- I might add one or two in the next few days. Or maybe not.

Foodies Read 2015 was hosted by Vicki @ I'd Rather Be At the Beach. I signed up at the first level, "Short Order Cook" (read 1-3 books), and just read one book that would qualify:

• Backstabbing in Beaujolais. by Jean-Pierre Alaux, Noël Balen (trans. by Anne Trager)

Obviously, I'm not much of a cook, even if the orders are very short.

The Nonfiction Reading Challenge was hosted by Jen @ The Introverted Reader. I had high hopes for this one -- I really do want to try to read more nonfiction. But in 2015, I read only one book that would qualify as nonfiction:

• Last Man Standing: Tales from Tinseltown. Roger Moore

Waiting to see if this challenge will be repeated in 2016. If it is, I might have to give it another go.

More wrap-ups to come....

2015 Challenge Wrap-ups: Books in Translation, Chunkster, and Outdo Yourself Challenges

Although 2015 was a pretty good reading year for me, I didn't do terribly well when it comes to reviewing or linking up the reviews I did write. I've been sort of holding off on challenge wrap-ups, hoping to get a few more reviews posted, but that's really a little doubtful at this point. The rest of the year is looking pretty busy right now -- not a lot of time for reading or reviewing. So I think it's time to go ahead and start wrapping up my challenges for 2015 and get ready for new challenges in 2016. Here go the first three....

I think this challenge gets my award for the best "button" of the year. Isn't that gorgeous?

Many thanks to Vassily for hosting the 2015 Chunkster Challenge. I set myself a goal of two chunksters for the challenge, but only managed one: The Quick, by Lauren Owen. I think my days of reading really long books might be over. Too many books, not enough years left.

The Books in Translation Reading Challenge was hosted by Jen @ The Introverted Reader. (Thank you, Jen!) I signed up at the Beginner Level (1-3 books), and read four books that would qualify. (Only one review so far -- possibly more to come in the next couple of days.)

1. Vertigo. Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac (trans. from the French by Geoffrey Sainsbury)
2. The Truth and Other Lies. Sascha Arango (trans. from the German by Imogen Taylor)
3. South of the Border, West of the Sun. Haruki Murakami (trans. from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel)
4. Backstabbing in Beaujolais. Jean-Pierre Alaux, Noël Balen (trans. from the French by Anne Trager  

I'm not sure what happened to this year's Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge after The Book Vixen gave up on blogging. Every time I've tried to reach her old blog, my computer hangs up and then shuts everything down. So, anyway -- I did outdo myself: in 2015 I read at least five more books than I read in 2014, depending on how I count it (I read several children's picture books that I'm lumping together). If you're curious, you can see the list of this year's reads over on my challenge blog (HERE).

Backstabbing in Beaujolais (Winemaker Detective Mystery #9)

Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen
Translated from the French by Anne Trager
Le French Book, November 2015
122 pages

Publisher's Description:

A business magnate calls on wine expert Benjamin Cooker to kickstart his new wine business in Beaujolais, sparking bitter rivalries. Can the Winemaker Detective and his assistant keep calculating real estate agents, taciturn winegrowers, dubious wine merchants and suspicious deaths from delaying delivery of the world-famous Beaujolais Nouveau?

My Thoughts:

This is the first of the Winemaker Detective books I've read, so I won't pass judgment on the whole series. And this one got glowing reviews at GoodReads and Amazon, so I was all set to be dazzled. But now that I've finished the book, I'm sort of wondering what all the uproar was about. It was entertaining and a very fast read -- I think it took me about two hours, and I'm a slow reader. Not really much of a mystery, though.

The book starts out promisingly enough with a dead body discovered in a vat of Beaujolais. But then there's a flashback to three months earlier, and we don't get back to that murder until near the end of the book. And by that point I thought it was pretty obvious "who dunnit" and I was beginning not to care.

There was naturally a lot of talk about wine and wine-making and wine country, which I expected and enjoyed. I was just hoping for a little more suspense. But I did like the central characters, wine expert Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile, and wouldn't mind getting to know them a little better -- so I'm still planning to try one of the earlier books in the series, just to be fair.

My Rating: ✭✭✭ (out of a possible 6 stars / Grade = B-)

Disclaimer:  I received my copy of this book free of charge from the publisher. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion of the book.

The Quick

Lauren Owen
Random House, 2014
544 pages

Publisher's Description:

London, 1892: James Norbury, a shy would-be poet newly down from Oxford, finds lodging with a charming young aristocrat. Through this new friendship, he is introduced to the drawing-rooms of high society, and finds love in an unexpected quarter. Then, suddenly, he vanishes without a trace. Unnerved, his sister, Charlotte, sets out from their crumbling country estate determined to find him. In the sinister, labyrinthine city that greets her, she uncovers a secret world at the margins populated by unforgettable characters: a female rope walker turned vigilante, a street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife.” But the answer to her brother’s disappearance ultimately lies within the doors of one of the country’s preeminent and mysterious institutions: The Aegolius Club, whose members include the most ambitious, and most dangerous, men in England.

My Thoughts:

I was really expecting to love this book, but ended up being thoroughly disappointed.

There was a lot of controversy when the book came out last year, concerning the famous (or infamous) "twist" in the plot -- the book starts out normally enough, but then the "twist" kicks in and takes the story in a completely different, unexpected direction.

And I just have to say it: If I'd known what that twist was, I never would have started the book. I can't really say much more than that without giving too much away and possibly spoiling it for other readers.

I did enjoy the book's first brief section dealing with the childhood days of James and Charlotte. Owen sets a lovely atmospheric and foreboding scene. But once the older James goes away to University and London, and (for some, really unbelievable reason) gets involved with a men's club made up of .... -- well, let's just say things deteriorate rapidly. And you've still got 400 pages to read!

My Rating: ✭✭ (out of a possible 6 stars / Grade = C-)

Disclaimer:  This review refers to an advance reader's copy of the book, provided free of charge by the publisher, through the NetGalley website. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion of the book.

2016 Blogger Shame Review Challenge

Ah, yes -- the 2016 Blogger Shame Review Challenge!  You can see what it's all about and read the rules (not all that many, fortunately) by visiting the challenge announcement/sign-up page. I'm not going to say much about it here. I'll just say I really, really NEED this challenge! And I'm so happy those wonderful bloggers over at The Herd Presents (herding cats & burning soup, and Addicted to Happily Ever After) were thoughtful enough to come up with it.

I'm not going to specify which books I'll be reading, and I'm not even going to hint at how many "forgotten review books" I've got that need dusting off. (Yes, "shame" is a good word for it.) But I'm planning to read and review at least a dozen books for the challenge -- and hope to do even better, of course.

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

Tail Gait (A Mrs. Murphy Mystery)

Rita Mae Brown
Bantam, 2015
336 pages

Publisher's Description:

Spring has sprung in Crozet, Virginia—a time for old friends to gather and bid farewell to the doldrums of winter. Harry and her husband, Fair, are enjoying a cozy dinner with some of the town's leading citizens, including beloved University of Virginia history professor Greg “Ginger” McConnell and several members of UVA's celebrated 1959 football team. But beneath the cloak of conviviality lurks a sinister specter from the distant past that threatens to put all their lives in jeopardy. 

When Professor McConnell is found murdered on the golf course the next day—gunned down in broad daylight by an unseen killer—no one can fathom a motive, let alone find a suspect. Just as Harry and her furry cohorts begin nosing into the case, however, a homeless UVA alum confesses to the crime. Trouble is, no one believes that the besotted former All-American could have done the foul deed—especially after Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker make another gruesome discovery. 

As the questions surrounding Ginger's death pile up, Harry's search for answers takes her down the fascinating byways of Virginia's Revolutionary past. The professor was something of a sleuth himself, it seems, and the centuries-old mystery he was unraveling may well have put a target on his back. As Harry edges closer to identifying an elusive killer, her animal companions sense danger—and rally to find a way to keep Harry from disappearing into history.

My Thoughts:

I'm giving this one three stars, but that might actually be something of a stretch. I've always loved the Mrs. Murphy mysteries and still enjoy the interaction of all the critters in the books. But I'm afraid the series is really just running out of steam.

In this entry, the mystery seems to be mostly an afterthought, almost completely lost amidst all the interplay among characters. Which wouldn't be so annoying if that interplay had been a little more interesting. Number 23 in the series (or number 24, depending on how you count), and very slow going. Not a terrible read, just not as enjoyable as the earlier Mrs. Murphy books. I'd absolutely still recommend the series, but would say don't start with this one.

My Rating: ✭✭✭ (out of a possible 6 stars / Grade = B-)

Disclaimer: This review refers to an advance reader's copy of the book, provided free of charge by the publisher, through the NetGalley website. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion of the book.

A Saintly Killing (Faith Morgan Mystery #3)

Martha Ockley
Lion Fiction, 2014
234 pages

Publisher's Description:

It is late July and preparations are underway for the one thousandth anniversary of the church at Little Worthy. As Vicar, Faith Morgan has planned a whole range of celebrations—a music festival, a photographic booklet of recent history, a planting of new trees in the graveyard and vicarage garden, bell ringing, and a visit from the bishop. 

A new painting of the church has been commissioned from distinguished local artist Sal Hankley. Sal, who has recently returned from Australia, is not a universally popular choice. She is outspoken and opinionated, and she has made her share of enemies. 

Before the painting can be completed, Sal is found dead at her easel on a hillock overlooking the church. A respectable member of the community—a member of the Parochial Church Council—is under suspicion. Faith, now trying to hold the church and the village together, once again finds herself teamed with her former boyfriend, Detective Inspector Ben Shorter, as they seek to discover the murderer.

My Thoughts:

I was a little doubtful about A Saintly Killing when I started reading it. Even though I knew from the start that its main character was a vicar, I have to admit being a bit put off by the church setting at first. Well, maybe slightly more than a bit -- just too much religion, and not enough whodunnit I thought.

But after the first couple of chapters, things picked up a bit and I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. In fact, I wouldn't mind spending more time with Faith Morgan and her parishioners. And I can definitely see myself recommending this one to friends who like cozies.

My Rating:  ✭✭✭½ (out of a possible 6 stars / Grade = B)

Disclaimer:  I received my copy of this book free of charge from the publisher, through the Early Reviewer program at Library Thing. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion of the book.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie ("Sister" Jane Arnold #9)

Rita Mae Brown
Ballantine Books, 2014
304 pages

Publisher's Description:

"Sister" Jane and the Jefferson Hunt Club have traveled from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to the Bluegrass State of Kentucky to ride with the members of the Woodford Hounds—in the teeth of foul weather. Sister knows better than anyone that an ill wind blows no good. 

After the hunt, Sister Jane and her boyfriend, Gray Lorillard, head to a sumptuous party on a nearby estate, also home to a historic equine graveyard. The revelry is interrupted by jarring news: The discovery of grisly remains in the cemetery that are decidedly not equine. 

Now Sister and her hounds are on the case, digging up clues to an old murder that links three well-connected Southern families. When mayhem follows the Jefferson Hunt back to Virginia, the deadly doings become all too real: A dear friend of Sister’s is found murdered. Sister and her animal friends must work fast to find a clever killer determined to keep deep-rooted secrets buried.

My Thoughts:

I've been wanting to sample Rita Mae Brown's "Sister" Jane series for a while now. I'm a real fan of her Mrs. Murphy series, so I guess I was naturally intrigued. And while I didn't enjoy this new book quite as much as the Mrs. Murphy books, I definitely thought it was an entertaining read, if a little slow at times. There was an awful lot of information about riding and fox-hunting. That's to be expected, of course, but not terribly exciting for someone who doesn't ride or hunt, and it really diverted attention away from the mystery elements. But the main characters were interesting, and I wouldn't mind meeting them again in the future. Looks like I've added one more long-running series to my TBR list.


My Rating: ✭✭✭½ (out of a possible 6 stars / Grade = B)

Disclaimer: I received my copy of this book free of charge from the publisher, through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program. No other compensation was received, and no one tried to influence my opinion of the book.

The Resurrection Maker

Glenn Cooper
Lascaux Media, 2014
336 pages, Kindle edition

What it's about:

Arthur Malory, a seemingly ordinary Englishman, has a burning interest in the Holy Grail, a passion inherited from his father. His obsession is reinforced by his involvement with a group who share that interest, and who call themselves the Grail Loons. Acting on information uncovered by one of the group's founders, Arthur eventually finds evidence linking him to Sir Thomas Malory (who wrote Le Morte d'Arthur) and that original grail quest.

As he follows the trail, our Arthur discovers more about his surprising heritage and the amazing power of the Grail. He also gets involved with a mysterious young woman and a secret society (possibly alchemists?) eager to get their hands on the Grail, the documents leading to it, or Arthur himself if he's not careful.

And did I mention the alchemists?

My Thoughts:

This was actually quite an entertaining read, although a little longer than it really needed to be. The plot kept getting slowed down by fairly tedious discussions of the grail search, Sir Thomas Malory and Arthurian legends, and the life of Antoni Gaudí. All of which was part of the story, but I kept wishing it could have been worked into the action a little more adroitly. Still, a good yarn with an appealing central character -- I'd definitely recommend it, and hope to find time to read more of Cooper's work.

My Rating: ✭✭✭½ (out of a possible 6 stars / Grade = B)

Disclaimer: This review refers to an advance reader's copy of the book, provided free of charge by the publisher, through the NetGalley website. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion of the book.

Against the Fall of Night

Arthur C. Clarke
First published 1948
About 200 pages

Description (from Amazon.com):

Living in the 10-billion-year-old city of Diaspar, Alvin is the last child born of humanity. He is intensely curious about the outside world. According to the oldest histories kept by the city fathers, however, there is no outside world--it was destroyed by the Invaders millions of years ago. 

One day, Alvin finds a rock with an inscription seemingly meant for him: "There is a better way. Give my greetings to the Keeper of the Records. Alaine of Lyndar." This cryptic message takes Alvin on a quest to discover humanity's true past--and its future.

My Thoughts:

Clarke's first novel, originally appearing as a novella in a 1948 issue of Startling Stories magazine. Later reworked again and republished as The City and the Stars. I love Arthur C. Clarke's writing and this is a book I've been meaning to read for years now. Not as polished as his more mature efforts, of course, but still a great story and I did enjoy it. Interesting to see a lot of the themes and ideas that show up in his later works getting their first mentions here.

One thing I love about sci-fi is the great artwork on the covers, especially the paperbacks, and this book is no exception. I actually read this in the Kindle edition which, of course, lacks that aspect. But I've had several other editions over the years. The cover pictured above, from Pyramid Books is from the early 1970s. And this Berkley paperback from the 1980s is one of my favorites:

My Rating: ✭✭✭½ (out of a possible 6 stars / grade = B)

As Chimney Sweepers Come To Dust

Alan Bradley
Delacorte Press, January 2015; 392 pages

Publisher's Description:

Banished! is how twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce laments her predicament, when her father and Aunt Felicity ship her off to Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy, the boarding school that her mother, Harriet, once attended across the sea in Canada. The sun has not yet risen on Flavia’s first day in captivity when a gift lands at her feet. Flavia being Flavia, a budding chemist and sleuth, that gift is a charred and mummified body, which tumbles out of a bedroom chimney. Now, while attending classes, making friends (and enemies), and assessing the school’s stern headmistress and faculty (one of whom is an acquitted murderess), Flavia is on the hunt for the victim’s identity and time of death, as well as suspects, motives, and means. Rumors swirl that Miss Bodycote’s is haunted, and that several girls have disappeared without a trace. When it comes to solving multiple mysteries, Flavia is up to the task—but her true destiny has yet to be revealed.

My Thoughts:

I've read two other Flavia de Luce novels, and I've enjoyed them all. Of course, they all require a great deal of "suspension of disbelief" and this one is no different in that area. At least now that Flavia is all of twelve, it's a trifle less difficult to accept her amazing precocity in the realms of chemistry and crime detection. But just a trifle.

Something I found a bit disappointing, at first (and the reason I'm giving the book less than a four-star rating): I missed the English setting. I've come to look forward to Flavia's interactions with her family and everyone in the nearby village. I got used to the new surroundings, but it took a while.

This installment is a very fast read -- I finished it off in less than 24 hours, which is almost unheard of, for me. I'd definitely recommend the series to anyone who loves mystery fiction that's just slightly skewed, but I'd also recommend starting from the beginning (this one is #7 in the lineup). If you haven't read the book just preceding this one (The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches), "Chimney Sweepers" might be a little hard to follow at times. But still a fun read.

My Rating: ✭✭✭½ (out of a possible 6 stars - a solid "B")

Disclaimer: This review refers to an advance reader's copy of the book, provided free of charge by the publisher, through the NetGalley website. No other compensation was received, and no one attempted to influence my opinion of the book.

Reading Report: The Red House Mystery

By A.A. Milne
Mysterious Press/Open Road, 2014; Kindle edition, 177 pages
First published 1922

Publisher's description:

Mark Ablett is not really a snob—not the worst kind of snob, at least. He simply prefers artists to everyone else, and the discussion of his own creative abilities to any other talk whatsoever. His vanities are easily forgiven especially since he is generous with his money—inherited not from his clergyman father but from a neighborhood spinster who took a liking to him—and he is always willing to play the host at the Red House, his delightful country estate. 

One lazy summer morning, as his guests enjoy breakfast before a round of golf, Mark opens a surprising letter. His brother Robert, the black sheep of the family, gone some fifteen years now, is back from Australia and plans to call at the Red House that very afternoon. It is the first that Mark’s friends and servants have heard of a brother, but that shock is nothing compared to what happens next: After being shown into an empty office to wait for the master of the house, Robert is shot dead. Mark is nowhere to be found, not unlike the pistol that fired the fatal bullet. It is up to Tony Gillingham, man of leisure, and his young friend Bill Beverley to assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson and solve a crime so clever that Alexander Woollcott pronounced it “one of the three best mystery stories of all time.”

My Thoughts:

I have to assume that Alexander Woollcott had only read three mysteries when he said that.

I've had this one on the TBR shelf for several decades, and decided to tackle it at last, earlier this year. It started out good, but turned tedious rather quickly. Lots of discussion of why and how the murder was committed, not much action. I think the plot would have been improbable, even at the time it was written -- and today it's almost totally unbelievable and dated. Interesting only because it was written by the creator of Winnie the Pooh. Good thing Milne turned his attention to fantasy tales.

Rating: ✭✭½ (out of a possible 6 stars)

Read Scotland 2016

Host: Peggy Ann @ Peggy Ann's Post

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

Link to Announcement/Sign-up Post

Link to Challenge Group at GoodReads

Read and review Scottish books, written by a Scottish author (by birth or immigration), or about or set in Scotland. Any genre or format. Books read may overlap with other challenges, and you don't need a blog to participate.

There are several levels to choose from:

1. Just A Keek (a "little look"): 1-5 books
2. The Highlander: 6-10 books
3. The Hebridean: 11-15 books
4. Ben Nevis: 16-20 books
5. Back O' Beyond: 21+ books

Once again, I'm signing up at the "Just a Keek" level (1-5 books). I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE), and also eventually in my GoodReads thread.

Book Beginnings: The Gossips

The Gossips, by Teresa Waugh (Endeavour Press, November 2015; first published 1995). These are the book's opening lines:

'She's sure to have some kind of breakdown.'
'Oh, Camilla, do you really think so ?'
'I'd be quite surprised if she didn't -- she's very tense at the best of times, so I don't see how she can possibly cope with all this. You know the police were round there yesterday -- all afternoon?'

Initial Thoughts:

Sounds good so far, I think. I like books that start off with conversations, and this conversation introduces quite a lot of stuff to wonder about. Especially that visit from the police. I've heard good things about Teresa Waugh, but I've never read anything by her before, so I'm looking forward to getting started on this one.

So, what do you think? Are you hooked? Would that beginning keep you reading?

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

What's In A Name Challenge 2016

Host: Charlie @ The Worm Hole

Dates: January - December 2016

See the challenge announcement/sign-up post HERE

I haven't participated in the What's In A Name challenge for a couple of years, but I'm signing up for the 2016 edition. It's always fun matching up books with categories, and it's going to allow me to read a few of the books that've been on my TBR pile for quite a few years now.

Although Charlie says it's preferred that books don't overlap with other challenges, she also says it's not a requirement. Which is good, because I'm pretty sure I'll be doing quite a bit of overlapping. This list is very likely to change during the year, but here's what I'm thinking about reading for each of the six categories:

1. A country in title: From Russia With Love, by Ian Fleming
2. An item of clothing: Death in a White Tie, by Ngaio Marsh 
3. An item of furniture: The Cabinet of Curiosities, by Preston & Child
4. A profession: The Nine Tailors, by Dorothy L. Sayers  
5. A month of the year: The Enchanted April, by Elizabeth von Arnim 
6. A title with the word "tree" in it: Silver on the Tree, by Susan Cooper 

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge

Host: Bea's Book Nook

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

See the announcement/sign-up post HERE

Another challenge I decided to pass up in 2015, and lived to regret it. The Finishing the Series Reading Challenge was originally hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates' Book Reviews, but is now being taken on by Bea @ Bea's Book Nook.

In the coming year, I'm hoping to read more of the books I already own; and I'd really like to finish up at least one or two of the many, many series I have going (many, many, MANY series). So this challenge is perfect for me. Another good thing: reviews, at least short ones, are a requirement -- and I have so much trouble getting reviews posted, maybe that will be the added incentive I need.

I'm being very conservative and signing up at Level 1 (Novice series reader: complete one series), and I'm not going to choose which series right away -- but it will likely be one of these:

• The Mrs. Malory mystery series, by Hazel Holt: 21 books in series / I have 4 to read
• The Flavia de Luce mystery series, by Alan Bradley: 7 books in series / I have 4 to read
• The Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series, by Dorothy L. Sayers: 15 books in series / I have 9 to read
• The Inspector Barnaby mystery series, by Caroline Graham: 7 books in series / I have 4 to read

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping my list of books read, over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2016 Mount TBR Reading Challenge

Host: Bev @ MY READER'S BLOCK

Dates: January 1 to December 31, 2016

For all the info and guidelines, see the announcement/sign-up post HERE.

I'm still dithering over which reading challenges I want to sign up for in 2016, but I already know I want to do this one. I didn't sign up for the 2015 edition. BIG mistake!

I have literally thousands of books on my various to-be-read shelves/piles/lists. You can take a look at some of them over at GoodReads (HERE), or Library Thing (HERE). In 2016, I really want to reduce the mountain at least a teensy bit and I'm hoping this challenge will help keep me on track.

To start off, I'm signing up at the Pike's Peak Level -- 12 books. But if all goes well, I'll be looking to upgrade as the year goes on. I'm not going to commit to an official list of books I'll read, but I have a fairly long unofficial list of possibilities, some of which might be:

• Afternoon Men, by Anthony Powell. I think this is the only one of Powell's novels I've never read.
• Three cozy mysteries by Hazel Holt: Mrs. Malory and a Death in the Family; Mrs. Malory and a Necessary End; Mrs. Malory and the Lilies That Fester. If I get those read, I'll be all caught up with the series. I think.
• Several books I've been trying to read for decades: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte; Daisy Miller, by Henry James (one of those books I was supposed to read in school but never actually did); The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins; The Berlin Stories, by Christopher Isherwood.
• A few classic sci-fi novels, including: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick; Foundation, by Isaac Asimov; and Time and Again, by Clifford D. Simak.
• Silver on the Tree, by Susan Cooper. Last book in Cooper's The Dark Is Rising sequence; I really need to see how the Drew children manage to save the world from all those dark forces.

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress, and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

Book Beginnings: The Myths That Stole Christmas

The Myths That Stole Christmas, by David Kyle Johnson (Humanist Press, November 2015). Subtitle: Seven Misconceptions That Hijacked the Holiday (and How We Can Take It Back). First lines of the book's Introduction:

What's Wrong with Christmas? 

The fact that you are willing to consider this question at all reveals something because the question is loaded -- it assumes that there is, in fact, something wrong with Christmas. So, if you formulated an answer, instead of objecting to the assumption, you are willing to break one of the harshest social taboos and admit that Christmas isn't perfect. Christmas is not a holiday during which everyone is always happy and nothing is ever wrong.

Initial Thoughts:

One of my Early Reviewer wins from Library Thing; I was intrigued by the idea that someone would actually dare to criticize Christmas in today's cultural climate. Haven't officially started reading this one yet, and I actually have several other books I need to finish before the end of the year. But since we're in the midst of the holiday season now, I thought I might bump this one ahead in the line-up. The subject is decidedly controversial, of course; but I like to think I still have at least a partially open mind in such matters.

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.