mathgirl40's 12 in 12 (part 2)

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mathgirl40's 12 in 12 (part 2)

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1mathgirl40
Jun 2, 2012, 4:04 pm

Time for a new thread! The last one was getting too long.
mathgirl40's 12 in 12 (part 1)

1. Mystery I: Classic British mysteries
2. Mystery II: mysteries from Nordic countries
3. Mystery III: all other mysteries
4. Classics, 1001 list and Booker nominees/winners
5. Dust collectors: books that have sat on my shelves for many years
6. Sci-fi and fantasy
7. Non-fiction
8. Children and young-adult books
9. Scary books: horror/supernatural/paranormal
10. Canadian authors or settings
11. Asian authors or settings
12. Spontaneous


2mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 31, 2012, 9:37 pm

Category 1: Classic British mysteries

1. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers (Jan. 14)
2. Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie (Feb. 5)
3. A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh (Mar. 6)
4. Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer (June 3)
5. English Country House Murders by Thomas Godfrey (Aug. 14)
6. Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie (Aug. 15)
7. Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers (Aug. 18)
8. 4.50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie (Sept. 11)
9. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie (Nov. 10)
10. Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh (Dec. 25)

3mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 31, 2012, 9:38 pm

Category 2: Mysteries from Nordic countries

1. Voices by Arnaldur Indridason (Jan. 6)
2. The Man on the Balcony by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (Jan. 29)
3. The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indridason (Feb. 14)
4. Arctic Chill by Arnaldur Indridason (Feb. 28)
5. The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell (Apr. 4)
6. The White Lioness by Henning Mankel (Aug. 26)
7. The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg (Sept. 30)
8. The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg (Oct. 12)
9. Ice Moon by Jan Costin Wagner (Oct. 14)
10. Silence by Jan Costin Wagner (Oct. 18)
11. The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell (Dec. 15)
12. The Stonecutter by Camilla Läckberg (Dec. 29)

4mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 8, 2012, 8:45 pm

Category 3: All other mysteries

1. Sins and Needles by Monica Ferris (Feb. 9)
2. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich (Feb. 18)
3. A Noble Radiance by Donna Leon (Apr. 21)
4. Lake Como Girls by Yvonne Chypchar (June 9)
5. River of the Dead by Barbara Nadel (June 25)
6. Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs (July 1)
7. Death of a Prankster by M.C. Beaton (July 28)
8. A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton (Aug. 22)
9. The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny (Sept. 24)
10. The Demon in the Teahouse by Dorothy Hoobler (Nov. 10)
11. Becoming Holmes by Shane Peacock (Nov. 16)

5mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 8, 2012, 8:46 pm

Category 4: Classics, 1001 list and Booker nominees/winners

1. Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan (Jan. 24)
2. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Feb. 23)
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Apr. 29)
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (June 21)
5. The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (July 31)
6. Cymbeline by William Shakespeare (Aug. 28)
7. Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (Aug. 30)
8. The Life of Henry the Fifth by William Shakespeare (Sept. 12)
9. King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard (Sept. 19)
10. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (Sept. 28)
11. A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore (Oct. 22)
12. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (Oct. 25)

6mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 31, 2012, 9:37 pm

Category 5: Dust collectors: books that have sat on my shelves for many years

1. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking (Feb. 10)
2. Logan's Run by William F. Nolan (Mar. 10)
3. Holes by Louis Sachar (June 11)
4. Who Do You Think You Are? by Alice Munro (June 13)
5. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (July 15)
6. A Wind at the Door by Madeleine L'Engle (Aug. 12)
7. Brasyl by Ian McDonald (Sept. 17)
8. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson (Nov. 6)
9. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan (Nov. 18)
10. Lyra's Oxford by Philip Pullman (Dec. 20)

7mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 31, 2012, 10:19 am

Category 6: Sci-fi and fantasy

1. Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve (Jan. 3)
2. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (Feb. 3)
3. Web of Air by Philip Reeve (Mar. 19)
4. Spin by Robert Charles Wilson (Mar. 31)
5. Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel (Apr. 24)
6. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (May 20)
7. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville (May 29)
8. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (July 13)
9. Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris (July 25)
10. Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Aug. 5)
11. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (Nov. 28)
12. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold (Dec. 21)

8mathgirl40
Editado: Oct 20, 2012, 10:14 pm

Category 7: Non-fiction

1. The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester (January 16)
2. Something Fierce by Carmen Aguirre (March 3)
3. They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children by Romeo Dallaire (April 7)
4. Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner (Apr. 13)
5. Lakeland by Allan Casey (June 3)
6. In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination by Margaret Atwood (June 26)
7. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (July 7)
8. Four Fish by Paul Greenberg (Sept. 5)
9. The Organic Home Garden by Patrick Lima (Oct. 6)
10. The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson (Oct. 11)

9mathgirl40
Editado: Ene 1, 2013, 9:42 pm

Category 8: Children and young-adult books

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Jan. 29)
2. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (Feb. 8)
3. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (Feb. 27)
4. Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanan (Mar. 23)
5. The Last Song by Eva Wiseman (May 3)
6. Storm Thief by Chris Wooding (June 9)
7. Darklight by Lesley Livingston (July 21)
8. Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen (July 29)
9. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Aug. 7)
10. The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters (Oct. 20)
11. The Last Message by Shane Peacock (Oct. 28)
12. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (Nov. 29)
13. The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
14. The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
15. The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
16. The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

10mathgirl40
Editado: Ago 23, 2012, 8:46 pm

Category 9: Scary/weird books: includes horror, supernatural and paranormal

1. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (Jan. 11)
2. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (Mar. 15)
3. Hunger by Michael Grant (Mar. 28)
4. The Reincarnation of Peter Proud by Max Ehrlich (Apr. 6)
5. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong (Apr. 21)
6. The Moon Pool by A. Merritt (Apr. 30)
7. Live Free or Undead by various authors (June 6)
8. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (July 2)
9. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (July 11)
10. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (Aug. 8)

11mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 16, 2012, 1:25 pm

Category 10: Canadian authors or settings

1. Alexandria of Africa by Eric Walters (Jan. 9)
2. The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis (Jan. 31)
3. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel (Mar. 7)
4. Bedtime Story by Robert Wiersema (Mar. 26)
5. Shelter by Frances Greenslade (Apr. 17)
6. Mennonites Don't Dance by Darcie Friesen Hossack (May 12)
7. Puppet by Eva Wiseman (June 8)
8. Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel (June 15)
9. Natural Order by Brian Francis (Aug. 21)
10. North By 2000+ by H. A. Hargreaves (Sept. 6)
11. A Door in the River by Inger Ash Wolfe (Dec. 14)

12mathgirl40
Editado: Ene 1, 2013, 9:42 pm

Category 11: Asian authors or settings

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Jan. 20)
2. The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh (Jan. 26)
3. A Backward Place by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (Apr. 23)
4. A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif (May 10)
5. Dahanu Road by Anosh Irani (June 18)
6. The Good Women of China by Xinran (Sept. 4)
7. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (Oct. 4)
8. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng (Nov. 19)
9. Red Mandarin Dress by Qiu Xialong (Dec. 18)
10. Requiem by Frances Itani (Dec. 31)

13mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 16, 2012, 1:25 pm

Category 12: Miscellaneous or spontaneous books

1. Small Island by Andrea Levy (Mar. 8)
2. I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (Apr. 18)
3. Embassytown by China Mieville (May 7)
4. I Claudius by Robert Graves (May 28)
5. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder (June 9)
6. Among Others by Jo Walton (June 21)
7. Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs (July 6)
8. Hugo nominees -- short stories and novelettes (July 31)
9. The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder (Sept. 25)
10. Redshirts by John Scalzi (Oct. 13)
11. Segu by Maryse Conde (Dec. 11)

14VictoriaPL
Jun 2, 2012, 4:10 pm

The Sparrow sounds interesting, thanks for the review!

15mathgirl40
Jun 2, 2012, 7:51 pm

Thanks, Victoria! Glad you found the new thread. :)

16mathgirl40
Jun 2, 2012, 7:52 pm



51. I Claudius by Robert Graves

I Claudius is a work of fiction written as if it were the autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius and covers the period of his life from childhood to just before he becomes emperor in the year AD 41. The first-person narrative covers the reign of Augustus through the reign of Caligula.

I struggled with this novel at the beginning. There were so many characters and even worse, so many characters with similar names. At first, the narrative from Claudius, who was a historian in the novel and in real life, seemed to be an outpouring of facts: who got married to whom, who died, who ascended to power, etc.

However, as I continued reading, I found myself completely drawn into the story. The characters were fascinating, especially Claudius’s grandmother Livia, wife of Augustus, though I do wonder if Caligula was truly as evil as Graves portrayed. I loved too the humour in the novel. Despite the rough start, this was one of the best historical novels I’ve read in the past few years.

Have any of you seen the BBC series from the 70’s? I’ve heard it’s excellent. Fortunately, my local library has a set of DVDs and I plan on viewing it in the near future.

17psutto
Jun 4, 2012, 5:11 am

I really liked the sparrow when I read it many years ago but remember hating the sequel, but now I can't remember why...

18-Eva-
Jun 4, 2012, 2:44 pm

I have I, Claudius on Mt. TBR, just haven't gotten to it yet - good to hear it gets captivating! The TV-series is how I even found this book and I do remember it being absolutely fascinating, but can't say whether it has stood the test of time. Derek Jacobi plays Claudius, so it can't be too bad! :)

19DeltaQueen50
Jun 4, 2012, 6:27 pm

Hi Paullina, just checking into your new thread. I haven't seen the "I, Claudius" series, but I know other member of my family that did watch it and they gave it rave reviews.

20mathgirl40
Jun 5, 2012, 10:45 pm

17: Sorry to hear you didn't like the sequel, but I do plan on reading it ... one day. It's not near the top of the TBR pile at the moment.

18 and 19: Nice to know that others have given good reviews of the series! I've seen Derek Jacobi in Cadfael and thought he was very good. I can already imagine that he'd be perfect as Claudius even though I've not seen him in that role.

21mathgirl40
Jun 5, 2012, 10:52 pm



52. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville
There is so much in this Dickens-like novel that I’m not sure I can do it justice in a one-paragraph summary. I’ll just say that it is a steampunk fantasy about a scientist’s struggle to save his world from horrible soul-consuming flying monsters that he had unwittingly unleashed. It features a detailed world filled with both creepy and delightful creatures (I loved the cactus people!), unorthodox interspecies relationships, plenty of action and some very touching moments. My only complaint is that some scenes took an incredibly long time to get through, as Mieville describes every last detail associated with them.

I recently attended two different book-club meetings for Embassytown and Perdido Street Station. It seemed as if people either love Mieville’s writing or hate it. I’m in the former category, even though (or maybe because) his novels are challenging reads. One aspect I particularly like is that Mieville has a wonderfully rich vocabulary. From Perdido Street Station, you’d be able to compile several Reader’s Digest "Word Power" lists. He had me continually checking the dictionary, with words like desquamating, nacreous and hypnagogic. His made-up words are even more intriguing: scarabomancy, thaumaturges and the evocative dreamshit. I hope the other books in the Bas-Lag world are just as interesting.

22mathgirl40
Jun 5, 2012, 11:01 pm

Finally, I'm getting around to writing my May summary, a few days late! I didn't read as many books as I normally do in a month, but several of them were fairly long and/or challenging.

Books read: 7 from 5 categories
Favourite book in May: I Claudius by Robert Graves
Least favourite book: Can't choose one because I liked all the books I'd read in May!

I've noticed that I'm lagging behind in a couple of categories. First, I haven't been reading much in my "miscellaneous mysteries" category, though I'm doing OK on the British and Nordic mysteries. This is very surprising, as mystery is my favourite genre. However, I seem to have a revived interest in science fiction this year, partly because of a couple of local sci-fi bookclubs I've joined and because my younger daughter is starting to get into the genre herself.

I'm also lagging behind in my "dust collectors" category. I guess that's to be expected. Since those books have been languishing on my shelf for years, it's easy to let them sit there for a bit longer. I'll have to be more disciplined to get those off my shelves before the end of the year!

23The_Hibernator
Jun 6, 2012, 7:44 am

It's funny that you're having trouble with your "miscellaneous mysteries" category. My most problematic category is "other." :) I have to specifically PLAN to read books that fit into this category.

24-Eva-
Jun 6, 2012, 12:14 pm

Yey - more love for Perdido!! Love the vocabulary - I have a dictionary on the first page of my phone for when I read anything Miéville and have collected quite a few gems! :)

25lkernagh
Jun 6, 2012, 10:05 pm

Very interesting how you have described Perdido as Dickens-like.... the thought never occurred to me as I was reading it last year but you h ave me thinking about that now. As Eva said, happy to see more Perdido love!

26clfisha
Jun 7, 2012, 9:22 am

I think my favourite Mieville invented word is squiddity, I did have to look up quiddity to work it out though :) Its just part of the fun.

27-Eva-
Jun 7, 2012, 1:28 pm

That is a brilliant one!!! My sister-in-law who does daycare nowadays refer to herself as a "shiftparent" after reading Embassytown. :)

28mathgirl40
Jun 7, 2012, 8:42 pm

Rachel, my "miscellaneous" category is actually called "spontaneous" but I've been putting it in planned reads that don't fall into other categories. Is that what you're doing?

I was going to rename the category to "miscellaneous" to better reflect reality. However, today, I truly did something spontaneous and bought a Chicon supporting membership. For $50, I got the Hugo Voter Packet, which includes electronic versions of all the nominated novels, novellas, short stories and more! I guess all this will fill up the rest of my "spontaneous" category as there isn't much room left in my sci-fi category.

Lori, the world of Perdido Street Station reminded me a lot of Dicken's London, at least the grittier parts of it. There are also the lavish details, the rich vocabulary and the variety of characters, not to mention the dragging out of scenes!

Claire and Eva, "squiddity" and "shiftparent" are great words! I love the new words that some sci-fi authors create, but I'm still a little annoyed with Neal Stephenson for coining "bimbo-box" for minivan. Even though I have a smaller car now, I did drive a minivan for many years.

29The_Hibernator
Jun 7, 2012, 8:47 pm

Paulina, yeah, that's pretty much what I've been doing with my "other" category. It is all non-fiction and fiction that does not fit into one of 11 categories. Apparently I planned my categories so well that almost all of the books I read fit into my categories. Therefore, I have to PLAN to read books that don't fit. It's kind of a funny situation to be in. :)

30mathgirl40
Jun 8, 2012, 5:36 pm



53. Lakeland by Allan Casey
This book, which describes an exploration of the lakes of Canada, was chosen as our region’s “One Book, One Community” selection. Each chapter describes the author’s experiences with a different lake in Canada. He purposely avoids the Great Lakes, as plenty has already been written about those.

The author talks about the history and geography of each lake, but it is more a recounting of his personal journey and his interactions with the people he meets in each area of Canada. As such, it was a very enjoyable read, but I would have been happier to learn more about the lakes themselves. Because Casey touches on so many aspects of the lakes, including cultural and scientific issues, there was not enough depth for my tastes.

Nevertheless, there is one common theme that pervades all the stories, and that is how the activities of mankind, including overfishing, dumping of sewage and building of gigantic “cottages”, are killing our lakes. Despite the gloomy outlook, Casey shows how individually, those living close to the lakes and the rest of us who simply want to visit occasionally to enjoy their beauty can reverse the downward trend.

31mathgirl40
Jun 8, 2012, 5:42 pm



54. Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer
I vaguely recall reading a few of Georgette Heyer’s regency romances as a teenager but it’s only recently that I found out that she also wrote mysteries. Footsteps in the Dark is a classic British country-house mystery. A husband and wife, along with her brother and sister, move into a house that they had inherited. Visions of a ghostly monk-like figure, encounters with a suspicious-looking stranger, and then a mysterious death in the community trouble the quartet until the mystery is eventually revealed. As expected, there was an element of romance. This was a nice, light read. I have to admit I’m partial to haunted house stories, even when the house isn’t truly haunted by paranormal forces.

32mathgirl40
Jun 8, 2012, 6:01 pm



55. Live Free or Undead by various authors
I was sent this short-story anthology, which is a very fun collection of scary stories, by a fellow member of BookCrossing from New Hampshire. There were a good number of zombies but also vampires, ghosts, haunted houses and more. Quality and appeal varied, as is expected with any anthology of this sort, but I liked many of the stories, especially "Acalia" by Joyce Wagner and "Mairzy Doats" by Lorrie Lee O'Neill. I also enjoyed the local colour of the stories, most of which are set in the forests and mountains of New Hampshire. Sadly, I've never visited New Hampshire, though it's not all that far from Ontario (and it's particularly close to Montreal, where I grew up). I'll have to plan a visit for the future!

33mathgirl40
Jun 8, 2012, 6:05 pm

Phew! I'm all caught up with reviews, and just in time for MotherReader's 48-Hour Reading Challenge. I'm planning to read several YA books over the weekend, and my 13-year-old daughter will be joining me and doing the same. Anyone else doing this challenge?

34mamzel
Jun 10, 2012, 2:15 pm

Phew! I'm all caught up reading your reviews! I've only ever read Mieville's King Rat and looking forward to Railsea. I have his other books on the "must read" list in the back of my head. I look forward to seeing what YA books you shared with your daughter.

35mathgirl40
Jun 10, 2012, 9:58 pm

Thanks, mamzel. We had a great weekend of reading. I finished four fairly short novels and will be adding the reviews shortly. My daughter read for even more hours than I did, and she got through I am Number Four and its sequel The Power of Six, and she started The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. She recommended the Pittacus Lore books so I plan to read them down the road. I had read the Hitchhiker series decades ago and plan to reread them in the near future.

36mathgirl40
Jun 10, 2012, 10:10 pm



56. Puppet by Eva Wiseman
This is a young-adult historical novel about a teenage girl Julie living in Hungary in 1882. When a number of Jews in her village are falsely accused of murdering her friend Esther, she realizes that she cannot turn a blind eye to the injustices perpetrated by those around her. This was a well-paced, gripping read but one that was quite bleak and disturbing.

37mathgirl40
Jun 10, 2012, 10:16 pm



57. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder
This is a novel written entirely in verse. For that reason, it is a very short book and quick to read, but the author packs a lot in her carefully chosen words. The verses convey the thoughts of a 15-year-old girl whose boyfriend has recently died as a result of a foolish dare that she had proposed. The boyfriend's ghost then returns to haunt her, as she tries to cope with her grief and feelings of guilt. The novel is quite touching and is worth reading if only for its interesting format.

38mathgirl40
Jun 12, 2012, 9:13 pm



58. Storm Thief by Chris Wooding
This young-adult sci-fi/fantasy novel had intriguing characters, a richly described world and thought-provoking ideas such as the probability storms. Yet, somehow this book did not quite live up to its potential for me. It felt as if the author was simply relating one event after another in quick succession. The novel, at times, reminded me of Paolo Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker and others have compared Wooding to Phillip Reeve, but I found Storm Thief to have neither the excitement of Ship Breaker nor the humour of the Reeve books I'd read. This is a shame, as the setting and the characters seemed to offIer so much more. Perhaps Wooding will expand on these ideas in other books, though as far as I know, he has not written a sequel to Storm Thief.

39mathgirl40
Editado: Jun 12, 2012, 9:24 pm



59. The Lake Como Girls by E. Y. Chypchar
This is the first book of a new young-adult mystery series written by a friend of mine. The series is about the adventures of 14-year-old Summer, her cousin Francesca, and her friend Arabella. In this story, Summer is spending July and August at Lake Como in Italy, where her mother is restoring a painting. There, the girls encounter a boy who is falsely accused of a crime, and they work together to prove his innocence. In the meantime, Summer has struggles of her own as she deals with bad news from her mother.

The series is reminiscent of the Nancy Drew series that I loved as a child. One difference is that the mystery element is only one aspect of the story. The trials of adolescence and the bonds among families and friends are also explored. The exotic setting is an additional attraction of this book, as are interesting details about scuba diving and Italian art. Another detail I particularly like are the photographs placed at the beginning of each chapter (most of which were taken by the author), as they help the reader visualize each scene.

40mathgirl40
Jun 14, 2012, 9:56 pm



60. Holes by Louis Sachar
Holes is the story of Stanley Yelnats, an unlucky boy who is sent to a juvenile detention camp for a crime he did not commit. At the camp, all the boys spend their days digging holes in a dried-up lake bed. There, Stanley makes an unlikely friend and discovers that the warden has her own mysterious reasons for making the boys dig.

My daughter had been urging me to read this book for a long time now, and I finally got around to it. I don't know why I'd waited so long. I absolutely loved everything about this book: the characters, the pacing, the humour and the great storytelling. I can see why this book is popular with middle-school teachers. It seems to me that it would be appealing to both boys and girls and quite accessible to reluctant readers as well.

41mathgirl40
Jun 14, 2012, 10:25 pm



61. Who Do You Think You Are? by Alice Munro
This collection of short-stories is perhaps better known as The Beggar Maid, another title under which they had been published. I do prefer the original title, though, as well as the book cover using Ken Danby's painting, The Sunbather. The stories in this collection are all episodes from the life of Rose, a girl who eventually escapes her humble beginnings to act and teach in the big cities, and her relationship with her stepmother Flo.

These stories were my introduction to Alice Munro 25 years ago and and I just finished another reread of them before sending the book across the ocean to a fellow BookCrosser. Alice Munro is a master of the short story, and it amazes me how she can create such compelling stories about the everyday lives of ordinary small-town people. I recall studying Alice Munro's short stories in the occasional literature class I took as an undergrad, and it was then that I first realized how powerful a well-crafted short story could be.

42The_Hibernator
Jun 15, 2012, 9:06 am

I loved Holes too! :) I even read the spin-off sequel Small Steps which is about Armpit on the outside. It wasn't quite as magical as Holes, I suppose, but it was certainly very cute too.

43Yells
Jun 15, 2012, 12:08 pm

Me too! Holes is an awesome, awesome book. And the movie was pretty good as well. I didn't know how it would adapt to screen but they did a decent job of it.

Never heard of Small Steps but will have to check that out - thanks!

44The_Hibernator
Jun 15, 2012, 12:14 pm

Small Steps is a very different type of book than Holes. It has the same child-like silliness, but it also covers the more serious topic of how difficult it is for a youth with a record to turn his life around. I think it was the social aspect of the book that I appreciated so much. :)

45mamzel
Jun 15, 2012, 3:18 pm

I always think of Holes when someone talks about 'weaving' a story. This story was definitely woven with all the threads coming together at the end. I think I should read Small Steps, a terrible omission.

46mathgirl40
Jun 16, 2012, 10:57 am

I didn't know there was a sequel to Holes! My daughter wasn't aware of that either, but now we both plan to read Small Steps. At our upcoming mother-daughter book-club meeting, we plan to watch the movie version of Holes as well as discuss the novel, as part of our year-end pizza party.

47VictoriaPL
Jun 16, 2012, 8:00 pm

I've always been curious about Holes. Seeing all good chatter about it gives me a push towards trying it out. Thanks!

48-Eva-
Jun 17, 2012, 9:34 pm

Agreeing with all the Holes-assessments - I really should do a reread soon!

49mathgirl40
Jun 21, 2012, 9:38 pm



62. Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel
This could have fit under several of my categories but I had to put it under “Canadian books”. Where else could a steampunk novel about Canadians being the first to reach outer space be put? (Under “fantasy”, perhaps?)

This third and final book in Oppel’s Airborn series has Matt and Kate going into space. Their romance further develops, and like the first books, there is no lack of adventure and excitement. This was a fitting conclusion to the series and I am somewhat sad, thinking there will be no more stories about this likeable pair.

I absolutely loved this entire series. Having read so many dark, dystopic YA books lately, it was refreshing to read this light-hearted and romantic but still thrilling and fast-paced adventure. It made me nostalgic for the adventure novels I’d read as a youth. I’m eager to read more by Oppel, including his newest, This Dark Endeavor, which has received good reviews so far.

50mathgirl40
Jun 21, 2012, 9:41 pm



63. Dahanu Road by Anosh Irani
I picked up this book when I saw it on the Ontario Library Association's 2011 Evergreen list. Set in the Indian city of Dahanu, it is about Zairos, an Irani from a wealthy family who falls in love with a woman from the poor and oppressed indigenous Warli tribe. Interwoven with his story is that of his grandfather, a Zoroastrian who settled in Dahanu after leaving his native Persia, where he was persecuted for his beliefs.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought it was a good read, but not great. I've heard that Irani's earlier book, The Song of Kahunsha, which had been chosen for the 2008 Canada Reads list, is much better. However, I did find interesting Irani's exploration of the social divide between the landlords and the Warli. I also liked the slow revealing of the grandfather's story leading to the dramatic ending.

51mathgirl40
Jun 26, 2012, 10:10 pm



64. Among Others by Jo Walton
For the first time ever, I joined WorldCon as a supporting member and consequently got to download their Voter Packet. An amazingly good deal for only $50, the packet includes downloads of almost all the nominated works (most in ePUB form, though most of the novels were in the less convenient PDF format). Included was Walton’s Among Others, a nominee in the "best novel" category.

I liked this book very much but thought that it was an unusual choice for a Hugo nomination. First, it is not in any way a science fiction novel; rather it is about science fiction. Throughout the book, the main character Mor, talks about the sci-fi and fantasy novels she has read and is reading. Indeed, the novel seems very much Walton’s fond and nostalgic inventory of all the sci-fi/fantasy novels she herself had read as a youth. This may all be too much for readers who are not fans of the genres, but given that I’d also spent many hours as a teenager devouring many of the same books, I found the commentary quite enjoyable.

It’s also questionable whether this could be called a fantasy novel. Certainly, Mor talks about fairies and magic, and she calls her mother a witch. However, it is not always clear what is "real" in the context of the novel and what is a product of Mor’s imagination. She even wonders herself if certain events that had happened were caused by magic or simply something that would have occurred in any case.

However you want to classify this book, it is a lovely coming-of-age story. Through her love of sci-fi and fantasy, Mor, who had always felt like she did not fit into the world, finds like-minded people who care about what she has to say. She also starts to build a bond with her estranged father through their shared interest in books. This novel also pays tribute to libraries and librarians, and as a lifelong user of libraries, how could I not love that?

52mathgirl40
Jun 26, 2012, 10:13 pm

For all those who had commented on Holes, our mother-daughter book club had our year-end party/discussion/movie-viewing last weekend and it was a great success. I thought the movie was very well done and quite faithful to the book. Sigourney Weaver was a terrific Warden, though I must admit I found the book version of the Warden scarier.

53The_Hibernator
Jun 27, 2012, 6:52 am

I actually saw the movie before I read the book. I liked them both a lot (though of course the book was better).

54mathgirl40
Jul 3, 2012, 9:27 am



65. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I'd first read this book about 20 years ago and I'd forgotten how hilariously funny it is. There's not much of a plot or character development, but the satire is brilliant. This time around, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry, a perfect choice as narrator.

If you've not read this book before, I recommend doing so if only to understand all the cultural references (e.g. the importance of the number 42). Indeed, I'd only embarked on this reread because my daughter wanted to know the significance of the recently celebrated Towel Day and picked up the book herself. She has started the sequel, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and I may get around to that myself later in the year.

55psutto
Jul 3, 2012, 3:34 pm

You should always know where your towel is!

56mathgirl40
Jul 11, 2012, 10:46 pm



66. River of the Dead by Barbara Nadel
This is the first mystery I’ve read by Barbara Nadel, and it features Turkish Inspector Cetin Ikman. This novel wasn’t without flaws. Occasionally, some of the dialogue, particularly that of the Americans, sounded fake. Consequently, some of the minor characters seemed more like caricatures. However, the exotic and vivid setting more than made up for the weaknesses. I particularly liked the contrasts between the two main locales where the action takes place: large, cosmopolitan Istanbul and the more dangerous and remote parts of Eastern Turkey. I enjoyed this novel enough that I will try another in the series at a later time.

57mathgirl40
Jul 11, 2012, 11:02 pm



67. In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination by Margaret Atwood
This is a collection of essays by Atwood based loosely on the theme of science-fiction. Because they cover a broad variety of subjects and are taken from her writings and lectures over the past several decades, they are rather disjointed, and occasionally, there is some repetition of ideas.

I enjoyed in particular Atwood’s reflections on her own novel The Handmaid’s Tale and the controversy it has spawned since its publication in 1985, as well as her thoughts on 1984, Brave New World and Never Let Me Go. I also liked her sentimental yet analytical look at comic books, which made up a large part of her childhood reading, as they did my own.

People I know seem to either love or hate Atwood’s work. I belong in the former category, and I frequently find her observations clever and thought-provoking. If you’re not an Atwood fan already, I’d suggest giving this collection a miss, as there may be too many personal reminiscences to be of interest. However, if you’ve enjoyed her novels and essays, then this book is worth a read.

58-Eva-
Jul 12, 2012, 12:47 pm

I too get charmed by exotic and vividly described settings and will forgive many flaws, but I'm not sure about wonky dialogue. I'm putting Nadel on the maybe-list.

59DeltaQueen50
Jul 14, 2012, 6:14 pm

I went out and purchased the first three in Barbara Nadel's series, but then I placed them on the shelf and forgot about them. I'll have to dig them out one of these days and give 'em a try.

60mathgirl40
Jul 15, 2012, 6:46 pm

Eva and Judy, I'd be interested in hearing what you think of Nadel if you end up reading any of her books. I'll also have to read more of hers to really make up my mind about the series. It may be that, once the novelty of the new characters and settings wears off, the weaknesses will start to bother me more. On the other hand, I frequently warm up to the characters as a series progresses.

61mathgirl40
Jul 15, 2012, 6:46 pm

Having been on vacation and now dealing with home renovations, I find myself rather behind on my posts. I just realized I never posted a June summary, but I think I’ll just skip that and do a mid-year review.

Books read from each category:
1. Mystery I: Classic British mysteries (4/10)
2. Mystery II: mysteries from Nordic countries (5/10)
3. Mystery III: all other mysteries (5/10)
4. Classics, 1001 list and Booker nominees/winners (5/10)
5. Dust collectors: books that have sat on my shelves for many years (3/10)
6. Sci-fi and fantasy (7/10)
7. Non-fiction (6/10)
8. Children and young-adult books (6/10)
9. Scary books: horror/supernatural/paranormal (7/10)
10. Canadian authors or settings (8/10)
11. Asian authors or settings (5/10)
12. Miscellaneous/Spontaneous (6/10)

As I’d noted earlier, this year seems to be shaping up to be a sci-fi/fantasy-heavy year. And the aptly named Dust Collectors are still collecting dust …. Ive finished 67 out of my planned 120 books, so I’m on track.

Favourite book in the first half of the year: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Least favourite book in the first half of the year: Logan’s Run by William F. Nolan

62lkernagh
Jul 15, 2012, 11:28 pm

Hi Pauline, looks like you are making great progress with your challenge!

63mathgirl40
Jul 22, 2012, 7:13 pm

Thanks, Lori!

I can't believe July is almost over, and I haven't added any reviews for my July books yet! Will have to remedy that problem soon.

64mathgirl40
Jul 22, 2012, 7:23 pm



68. Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs
I enjoyed this second novel in the Temperance Brennan series more than I did the others I've read. Perhaps it's because much of it is set in Quebec, where I grew up. In this story, Tempe investigates several grisly murders that may be related to a cult. As with her other books, I found the writing mediocre, but I enjoyed the details about forensic anthropology and the story moved along at a good pace.

65mathgirl40
Jul 22, 2012, 7:36 pm



69. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
This novel is the first in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and introduces Elena, a member of a werewolf pack that is threatened by the actions of rogue werewolves. It had interesting characters and was a good story, one that I liked better than Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series which has some similarities. However, I found it to drag in some sections, and the romantic/sensual scenes got tedious. Perhaps that's why I like Armstrong's YA novels so much better.

66mathgirl40
Jul 22, 2012, 7:44 pm



70. Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

I don’t read a lot of chick-lit, but I had received this in a BookCrossing exchange and thought I'd try it out, as I'd enjoyed Jacob's Friday Night Knitting Club. (Being a knitter, I have a weakness for knitting-related books, no matter how terrible.) This novel is set in the culinary world and is about a cooking-show host who is trying to salvage her career. The characters are unrealistic and the plot is predictable but it served its purpose as a light vacation read.

67mathgirl40
Jul 22, 2012, 8:01 pm



71. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
I found it almost impossible to put down this riveting account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster that killed 8 people in one day. I understand that there is still controversy over some of statements that Krakauer puts out as fact and on his interpretation of them. Even so, Krakauer's account is fascinating, thought-provoking, informative and totally readable. It is a good examination of why and how individuals take on physical and mental challenges that are beyond the reach of the majority of people and which some would even deem to be sheer folly.

68DeltaQueen50
Jul 25, 2012, 1:44 pm

Hi Paulina, I liked what you said about Bitten, I had very similar feelings. I did not care much for Shiver and didn't continue that series. I was planning on continuing on with the Women of the Otherworld series, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

69mathgirl40
Jul 29, 2012, 5:00 pm

Hi Judy, I plan to continue with the Women of the Otherworld series too, though I'm not in a big rush. I'm more eager to read the final book in her Darkness Rising series.

70mathgirl40
Jul 29, 2012, 9:33 pm



72. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
I'd heard good things about Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments (City of Bones) series, but I decided to start with this first book of the prequel Infernal Devices series. Actually, my whole family listened to this on audiobook during our hours in the car while on vacation, and everyone enjoyed it. A young-adult steampunk fantasy, this novel featured an interesting array of characters, a love triangle (inevitable in today's YA books, I guess), vampires and demons. We all liked the fact that the audiobook was narrated by Jennifer Ehre, whom we loved in Pride and Prejudice. She did not add a British accent as she did in P&P, though the novel is set in London.

71mathgirl40
Editado: Jul 29, 2012, 9:46 pm



73. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
This sci-fi dystopian novel was chosen for a sci-fi book club that I regularly attend. Set in a futuristic US that is on the verge of social collapse, the novel follows the journey of Lauren Olamina, a young woman who embarks on a journey to a better life and hopes to start a community based on a religion that she is developing. The novel has some weaknesses but overall, it offered a number of interesting ideas that led to a very good book-club discussion. Butler wrote a sequel, Parable of the Talents, which I intend to read at a later time, but sadly, she passed away before she could finish the third book of the planned trilogy.

72mathgirl40
Jul 29, 2012, 10:13 pm



74. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
I'd first read this book as a teenager and I decided to reread it recently. I recall liking it very much when I was younger, but sadly, I found it rather disappointing, mainly because my expectations were so high. I thought the plot and dialogue were weak and the religious messages overly blatant. Still, this book is considered a classic and appeals to many people. That's probably because it does have some wonderful characters that readers can relate to, including strong female characters that were likely uncommon in sci-fi/fantasy novels of that era.

73lkernagh
Jul 29, 2012, 11:39 pm

I have been eying the Infernal Devices series so happy to learn it was an audio hit for the entire family!

74The_Hibernator
Jul 30, 2012, 8:04 am

That's good to know you liked Clockwork Angel, I've been thinking of reading that series. It's good to know that the audiobook is good, too, since that's the direction I might go with it. :)

75-Eva-
Jul 30, 2012, 4:31 pm

"a love triangle (inevitable in today's YA books, I guess)"
LOL @ that!

I too have my eyes on Clockwork Angel and I do love Jennifer Ehle's voice, so that might be an option for me as well. How horrific would it have been if she had done P&P in an American dialect! :o

76mathgirl40
Jul 30, 2012, 10:24 pm

Lori, Rachel and Eva: I hope you all enjoy Clockwork Angel. I was disappointed to see that the audiobook for the sequel, Clockwork Prince, does not feature Jennifer Ehle. I read somewhere that Ehle was busy with another project and couldn't do this sequel.

77lkernagh
Jul 30, 2012, 10:40 pm

> 76 - Oh, always a concern when the reader changes. Never sure if they will be on par with the previous - unless that reader was a bomb, but forget I mentioned that! ;-)

Hummm.... my library only has the audio versions available on CD, not as downloadable audiobooks so I will probably be conventional and read the print versions instead of listening to the audiobooks.

78mathgirl40
Jul 30, 2012, 10:41 pm



75. Darklight by Lesley Livingston
This book is the second in Livingston's Wondrous Strange series about an aspiring actress caught between the mortal world and the faerie world of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

I enjoyed the setting very much, but otherwise, this is a typical YA fantasy/paranormal romance. I had a hard time warming up to the main character, Kelley, and Sonny is deadly dull as a love interest. On the other hand, the capricious faerie queens and kings are much more interesting and lively!

I'd listened to the audiobook version of this novel, which was much better than I'd expected given that it was narrated by the author herself. From her bio, it appears that she is an amateur stage actor as well as a writer. I also love the cover art for this series though the cover for this second book is my least favourite of the three.

79mathgirl40
Jul 30, 2012, 10:44 pm

>77 lkernagh:: Apparently, the second book is narrated by two narrators, female and male. I prefer downloadable audiobooks too, but occasionally, I have to resort to the old-fashioned CDs. Can't believe CDs are already becoming obsolete! (This is coming from someone who still has vague recollections of 8-track tapes.)

80lkernagh
Jul 30, 2012, 11:30 pm

I remember 8-track tapes! Never owned any but I do remember one of my friends having an 8-track convertor device so that she could play 8-tracks through her cassette/radio in her car! Oohhh, the fun memories defunct technology can bring us ....... ;-)

81mathgirl40
Ago 2, 2012, 8:55 pm



76. Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
This first novel by the team of Ballantine and Morris was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a nice blend of adventure, humour, steampunk gadgetry and light romance. This was the latest choice of our local bookstore’s steampunk book-club and the discussion that took place showed varied opinions. Some people complained about inconsistencies in the characters’ personalities and uneven pacing of the story. While I acknowledge there are some weaknesses, I liked the characters enough that I will definitely continue with this series.

82mathgirl40
Ago 2, 2012, 8:57 pm



77. Death of a Prankster by M. C. Beaton
All the Hamish Macbeth novels I’ve read so far have been light and entertaining, and this was no exception. It’s not the thing if you’re looking for complex plots or depth in characters, but it’s a nice easy way to pass a couple of hours. The novel is very much in the style of a traditional English country-house murder, where all the suspects are gathered in a big gloomy house. In this case, the murder victim is the wealthy owner of the house, whom everyone hates as he delights in playing humiliating practical jokes on everyone. Macbeth solves the mystery using his usual unorthodox methods and is helped by love-interest Priscilla.

83-Eva-
Ago 3, 2012, 12:38 pm

I've not read any of the Hamish Macbeth novels, but I love the TV-series, so I'm basically just waiting to forget it so I can read the books. :)

84thornton37814
Ago 6, 2012, 8:41 am

I've never read a novel by Kathy Reichs, but I've got one lined up for August. I'll see how I like it.

85mathgirl40
Ago 14, 2012, 8:52 pm

Eva, I also loved the Hamish Macbeth TV series, but I found that there are quite a number of differences between it and the book series. They are both enjoyable, but for different reasons.

Lori, I'll keep an eye out for your review, as I'd be interested to know what you think of Kathy Reichs.

86mathgirl40
Ago 14, 2012, 9:27 pm



78. Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen
Susin Nielsen’s first book, Word Nerd, is one of my favourite young-adult novels of the past few years, and it had won a number of Canadian book awards. I looked forward to reading this second novel but I did wonder if it would live up to expectations, and I'm happy to report that I enjoyed it just as much as the first.

The story centres around twelve-year-old Violet who is trying to cope with her parents' separation, especially the fact that her father is now living with his young and beautiful second wife in a luxurious home in Los Angeles. Dismayed with the string of losers that her mother had found through dating services and worried about her most recent romantic interest, Violet attempts to set her mother up with the ideal man, George Clooney.

Like Word Nerd, this novel features hilarious situations, heartwarming moments, and quirky memorable characters. A few of the characters from the first book reappear in this one in more minor roles, and I was more than pleased to encounter them again, as I particularly love Nielsen's portrayal of her characters. She has a way of making each person unique, no matter how "ordinary" he or she is.

87cbl_tn
Ago 15, 2012, 6:58 am

>76 mathgirl40: I've been intrigued by that one just because of its title. It sounds like the book is just as interesting as the title. It's available at my local library so I've added it to my library TBR list.

88-Eva-
Ago 15, 2012, 4:12 pm

->85 mathgirl40:
That's good to know! *shoving the book-series higher up on the wishlist!*

89mathgirl40
Ago 15, 2012, 9:49 pm



79. The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
The 2011 Booker Prize winner, The Sense of an Ending is a story told by an unreliable narrator, Tony, who looks back on his life and tries to make sense of certain events. He examines his past relationships with Veronica, an enigmatic and sometimes cruel woman with whom he had a brief affair, and with Adrian, a fellow student he admired greatly but who ended up taking his own life.

I found this novel to be a beautifully written book which makes one reflect on the reliability of our memories and interpretations of people and events. It's an extremely short novel but Barnes manages to say a lot with very few words.

90mathgirl40
Ago 15, 2012, 10:13 pm



80. Short stories and novelettes nominated for the 2012 Hugo awards
For the first time, I became a supporting member of WorldCon (called Chicon 7 this year, as it's held in Chicago). This gave me the opportunity to vote for the Hugos, and even better, to download all the nominated novels, novellas, novelettes and short stories! I'd reviewed Jo Walton's Among Others and China Mieville's Embassytown earlier, and I'm still working on the other novels and novellas. However, I did get through all the nominated novelettes and short stories.

Novelettes:
The Copenhagen Interpretation by Paul Cornell
Fields of Gold by Rachel Swirsky
Ray of Light by Brad R. Torgersen
Six Months, Three Days by Charlie Jane Anders
What We Found by Geoff Ryman

Short Stories:
The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees by E. Lily Yu
The Homecoming by Mike Resnick
Movement by Nancy Fulda
The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
Shadow War of the Night Dragons by John Scalzi

I was not overly impressed by the novelettes. Ray of Light was enjoyable but I didn't find the others memorable. I do like Geoff Ryman's writing very much but the story had hardly any SFF element to it.

I liked the short-story nominees much better. I was particularly impressed by Ken Liu and E. Lily Yu and hope to read more of their work in the future. Even Scalzi's story, originally meant as an April Fool's joke, was entertaining.

If you're an SFF fan with an e-reader, I highly recommend buying a WorldCon supporting membership. You get an incredible amount of reading material for 50 USD!

91mathgirl40
Ago 15, 2012, 10:21 pm

It's the middle of August, and I've just caught up with my July reviews! Here is a quick summary for July:

Books read: 13 from 8 categories
Favourite book: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
I'm hesitant to include a "least favourite book" as I did like all the ones I'd read, but Wrinkle in Time was probably the most disappointing as I'd expected so much more, based on my unreliable childhood recollections!

July was a real sci-fi and fantasy month, especially with all the Hugo nominees to get through. The beginning of August continued to be heavy in SFF (and I will get those reviews posted shortly). At this point, I'm getting quite tired of the genre and need to devote a serious amount of time to my other categories!

92-Eva-
Ago 16, 2012, 12:08 pm

Always a good reading month when you have a hard time picking "the worst." :) Let's have lots of those problems!

93mathgirl40
Ago 21, 2012, 9:58 pm



81. Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
This novel was chosen for a science-fiction book club that I participate in, and at first I was excited about reading it. I was happy to discover a new female sci-fi author and the idea of space-wreck diving sounded intriguing. However, I found the novel to be disappointing. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and indeed, the main character, who is known to us only as "Boss", seems to lack any personality at all. I also found the writing style, featuring an abundance of short, choppy sentence fragments, quite grating. It wasn't a terrible book, and there were exciting moments, but given the world that Rusch built, I thought it could have been so much better.

94lkernagh
Ago 22, 2012, 10:47 pm

> 89 - I agree, The Sense of an Ending is beautifully written but I can understand how some readers just didn't connect with the story.

95mathgirl40
Ago 22, 2012, 11:03 pm



82. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Another young-adult dystopian novel, The Maze Runner is about a boy Thomas who wakes up among a group of teenage and young adult boys with no recollection of his past life. He learns that all of them are trapped in a compound next to a maze that seems impossible to solve. Some have compared this novel to The Hunger Games and there are indeed some similarities in the setting and plot. However, it seemed to me more violent and much less complex of a story. I can see how this story would appeal to teenagers but I’m in no rush to read the sequels.

96The_Hibernator
Ago 23, 2012, 7:28 am

Don't read the sequels. It doesn't get any better. :)

97mamzel
Ago 23, 2012, 1:41 pm

Just more confusing!

98The_Hibernator
Ago 23, 2012, 2:07 pm

99mathgirl40
Ago 23, 2012, 8:28 pm

> 94: Yes, it does seem that way, Lori. I've heard mixed feelings about it from people I know. I still loved it and plan to read more of Barnes's works.

> 96, 97: Many thanks for the warnings. There are too many good books on my TBR pile that I don't think it's worth the time to continue this series!

100mathgirl40
Ago 23, 2012, 8:44 pm



83. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
This is the second book in Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series. Again, our family listened to the audiobook together, most of it during a very long car trip. The narrators did a good job, but we missed Jennifer Ehle's narration. (She did the first audiobook.) There was more character development in this second book and a number of surprising revelations about the characters' histories. I'm getting tired of the love-triangle thing, but otherwise, it was quite an enjoyable book, and we're all looking forward to the third (final?) book in the series.

101mathgirl40
Ago 23, 2012, 10:22 pm



84. A Wind at the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
The sequel to A Wrinkle in Time, this novel has Meg trying to save her brother Charles who is dying from an illness. The battle ultimately turns into a fight between good and evil, and along the way, Meg is helped by her friend Calvin and friendly fantastical creatures. In some ways, this novel was very similar to A Wrinkle in Time, except that much of the action takes place at a microscopic level. I found parts to be tedious, especially the preachy bits about the ultimate power of love. Nevertheless, I do love L'Engle's characters, which seem very real and vivid to me.

102mathgirl40
Editado: Ago 25, 2012, 6:58 pm



85. English Country House Murders by Thomas Godfrey
As a fan of classic British mysteries, I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. The stories varied in quality, but it was interesting to see the development of the country-house mystery over the past century, and I was introduced to a number of authors new to me. I particularly liked the stories by Ngaio Marsh and Margery Allingham as well as the introductions written by Godfrey which help provide context for the stories.

103mathgirl40
Ago 25, 2012, 7:13 pm



86. Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie
Having just finished English Country House Murders, it was fun to follow up with one that's similar in style to the classic country-house murder but set in a hostel for students. This story is not one of Christie's best, but I liked the international cast of characters (despite the stereotypes, probably typical for the times) which included the sister of Miss Lemon, Poirot's super-efficient secretary.

104cbl_tn
Ago 25, 2012, 7:16 pm

>102 mathgirl40: I have that one and it introduced me to one or two new authors. Classic British mysteries are a favorite of mine, also!

105mathgirl40
Ago 25, 2012, 7:24 pm



87. Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers
In this novel, Lord Peter Wimsey meets Harriet Vane and immediately falls in love with her. The problem is that she is on trial for the murder of her former lover. Wimsey engages the help of Miss Murchison and Miss Climpson to discover the true murderer. I found the start of this novel, with its long courtroom scenes, to be quite slow. However, the story definitely got more exciting as the novel progressed, with the two ladies going undercover to gather information. As with her other novels, there are the usual witty observations about the English upper class. I am growing more fond of the childlike Wimsey as I work through this series.

106cammykitty
Ago 25, 2012, 11:27 pm

107mathgirl40
Ago 26, 2012, 8:48 pm



88. Natural Order by Brian Francis
Brian Francis's first book, Fruit, was a runner-up for the 2009 Canada Reads prize and this, his second book, has been nominated for the Ontario Library Association's 2012 Evergreen award. This is my sixth read from the list of ten nominees and my favourite so far.

In Natural Order, an elderly woman Joyce looks back on episodes from her life. She sees how her homophobia and that of others had devastated people she had loved. The narrator is unreliable and the story jumps among several time periods in the past and the present, but somehow it all works and makes for a very readable and moving story.

Natural Order is a good examination of both the process of aging and the changing views of homosexuality over the past half-century in Canada. The novel featured vividly drawn characters and a good amount of small-town-Ontario humour. When asked if she could bring something to a potluck lunch on short notice, Joyce’s friend says, “I’m a woman of the United Church of Canada. I can make a salmon loaf standing on my head in thirty seconds.” I couldn't help thinking of my formidable mother-in-law and her friends!

108mathgirl40
Ago 26, 2012, 9:02 pm



89. A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton
This was a fun cozy mystery meant for people like me who love reading about knitters and yarn. I wouldn’t recommend it to readers who are not also knitting fans, as the mystery aspect was nothing special. I found the atrocious editing particularly annoying (errors like "how she would fair" when "fare” was meant and “pour over the papers” when “pore” was meant). The story was somewhat predictable and cliched but I did find the main character, Kelly, rather appealing and might consider reading more books in this series.

109mathgirl40
Ago 26, 2012, 9:04 pm

>106 cammykitty:: Yes, English Country Murders was indeed a lot of fun, and I'd definitely recommend it to people who enjoy the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Arthur Conan Doyle and the like.

110-Eva-
Ago 26, 2012, 9:13 pm

->100 mathgirl40:
I wonder why they do that - change readers in a series, I mean. If the "current" reader isn't available, surely we can wait until they are. Or maybe I'm just particular... :)

111cammykitty
Ago 26, 2012, 9:52 pm

Eva, I don't think you're being particular. A reader becomes part of your view of the character/narrator/author whatever. I can't imagine the Rumpole books being read by anyone other than Leo McKern. Anyone else would just be a cheap impostor.

Ooo, and I'll avoid A Deadly Yarn. Those errors you mentioned would drive me mad!!! I just had an Early Review book that talked about a roof possibly going up like a "tender box." It was an uncorrected proof. I sure hope someone caught that.

112thornton37814
Ago 27, 2012, 8:00 am

I was just looking to see which number in the series A Deadly Yarn was. It's the 3rd. I have to agree with you. The only reason that I really kept reading those books was because of the knitting angle and the knitting group characters themselves. I also discovered that somehow or another, I did not manage to get the 3rd and 4th ones in the series added to my library even though I have read them. Of course, I may have already traded them at McKay's before I ever joined LibraryThing. I'm way behind on the series. I have a couple of installments sitting around TBR.

113mathgirl40
Ago 27, 2012, 8:16 am

>110 -Eva-:, 111: I believe, in the case of Clockwork Prince, Jennifer Ehle had committed to other projects and did not have time to do the sequel. Also, this second book used both male and female narrators, as a good part of the book is told from the male characters' points-of-view. That made sense, but we still missed Ehle's voice!

I forgot to mention, in my review of Hickory Dickory Dock, that it was also an audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser, who played Hastings alongside David Suchet's Poirot. I love Fraser's narration -- he has such a soothing voice and he does Poirot quite well.

>111 cammykitty:: "tender box" -- eek! I think I could forgive that kind of an error in an ER uncorrected proof, but I couldn't believe I was seeing those errors in a mass-market paperback for a reasonably popular author.

>112 thornton37814:: I found the characters in A Deadly Yarn more likable than those in some other knitting series I've read. Maybe it's because they seem more like real knitters I know. I'm willing to try other books in the series but I do hope they found a better editor for the later books!

114thornton37814
Ago 27, 2012, 8:31 am

I think I've read through the 6th one in the series because I remember the Christmas one. I'm pretty sure the 7th is in a TBR box. I wish I could say that the editing improves, but I don't really think it does. It's one of those series that I read for a visit with the characters more than anything else.

115mamzel
Editado: Ago 28, 2012, 12:20 pm

>111 cammykitty: Maybe the editor had it confused with "tenderfoot" or "tenderhearted"?

116cammykitty
Ago 31, 2012, 12:20 am

111-113-115 I can only hope the editor was distracted and thinking the roof going up like a "tender box" was in the glossed over sex scene, rather than in the KKK scene.

117mathgirl40
Sep 3, 2012, 5:32 pm



90. The White Lioness by Henning Mankell
The third novel in the Inspector Kurt Wallander series, this one moves between Sweden and South Africa. Investigating the seemingly random murder of a Swedish woman, Wallander discovers a complex assassination plot involving citizens of several countries. The story seemed to me overly long and included extended stretches that did not involve Wallander at all, but otherwise, I thought it was superior to the first two novels in this series. It provided a good look at the political situation in South Africa in the early nineties, and I find I am finally warming up to Wallander himself in this third book.

118mathgirl40
Sep 3, 2012, 8:18 pm



91. Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Cymbeline is not among the well-known Shakespearean plays, but I decided to read it before seeing a performance at the Stratford Festival of Canada. Shakespeare called Cymbeline a tragedy, but it seemed to have many of the elements of a comedy. There were romantic elements, cases of mistaken identity and crazy coincidences, but at the same time, the play featured violence, warfare and a reasonably high body count. I wasn't enamoured with the play when I read the text, but I ended up enjoying the performance greatly.

119mathgirl40
Sep 3, 2012, 8:44 pm



92. Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
I'd waited eagerly for this sequel to Wolf Hall and I wasn't disappointed! This novel covers Thomas Cromwell's life from the time Henry VIII first notices Jane Seymour to the execution of Anne Boleyn. Mantel's Cromwell is single-minded, calculating, and ruthless, which is the way he is often portrayed, but he is also loyal, humble and kind. Mantel combines beautiful, quality writing with a gripping plot. Though I'd read so many accounts of Anne Boleyn's story and knew exactly what the outcome would be, I found this novel so hard to put down. Bring Up the Bodies is a worthy candidate for the Booker Prize and I can hardly wait for the conclusion to the series.

120mathgirl40
Sep 3, 2012, 9:30 pm

Here is my August summary:

Books read: 12 from 9 categories
Favourite book: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Least favourite book: Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Having indulged in too much SFF the past few months, I finally got back to reading some of my beloved mysteries! The next month, I hope to get through some more of the Booker nominees.

121The_Hibernator
Sep 4, 2012, 7:49 am

I think there's a very good chance that Bring up the Bodies will win this year. Though I'm eager to read The Garden of the Evening Mists which some people have said is just slightly better than Bring up the Bodies. We'll see. :)

122-Eva-
Sep 4, 2012, 11:39 pm

I started reading the Mankell-series, but got too annoyed at the translations - I really shouldn't ever read translations of any Scandinavian books. I'll give him another try later, but definitely in the original. :)

123staceywebb
Sep 5, 2012, 12:13 pm

Este usuario ha sido eliminado por spam.

124mathgirl40
Sep 6, 2012, 9:54 pm



93. The Good Women of China by Xinran
This was an excellent collection of stories about the lives of a number of Chinese women. The stories are ones that were told to Xinran when she was hosting a radio show that explored women's issues. Some of these stories were broadcast on her show but many were told to her in private, as they concerned topics that very few people spoke about publicly in China at the time, such as homosexuality, domestic violence and mental illness.

Some of the stories were deeply disturbing to read, but ultimately, I found them to be inspirational when I considered the strength shown by the women who had to endure the injustices described in the book. I also found it interesting to read about Xinran's own story and the difficulties a journalist, especially one investigating political sensitive issues, must face in China.

125cammykitty
Sep 6, 2012, 10:56 pm

The Good Women of China sounds interesting. I've been focusing on a country each year, so far Latin America since I'm learning Spanish and work with many Latinos, but I've been thinking perhaps I should pick countries because they are big - which would put China on the top of the pile, and this sounds like a book that gives voice to stories that aren't often heard.

126mathgirl40
Sep 8, 2012, 5:57 pm

>125 cammykitty: I think you'll enjoy this book, Katie, and I like your idea of doing a country each year. I like regional reads too, but I have rather broad categories. Maybe next year, I'll focus on a specific country or two as well.

127mathgirl40
Sep 8, 2012, 6:25 pm



94. Four Fish by Paul Greenberg
In this book, Paul Greenberg looks at the relationship between humans and fish, concentrating on four types in particular: salmon, sea-bass, cod and tuna. He talks about the development of fishing practices over time and examines the impact that fishing and aquaculture has had on fish populations. The material is lightened by numerous anecdotes from his own fishing and fish-eating experiences.

As a fish and seafood lover, I had hoped to learn from this book how to change my shopping and eating practices to help sustain the fish population. However, I was disappointed in that respect, and indeed, the author admits he has no good answer for that question. In fact, his research has shown that efforts made by consumers to buy sustainable seafood don’t have much effect on fish populations. That’s because, for every consumer that opts not to buy blue-fin tuna, for example, there are plenty more who will step in and buy it in his/her place. Government regulations and international conservation policies are, in the long term, much more effective.

It has always seemed to me strange that, living in a country that boasts so many lakes, there are so few affordable fish choices at our major supermarkets. However, just last week, I discovered a small local supplier of wild trout that claims to follow sustainable fishing practices and decided to try their product. It was very tasty and reasonably priced, so I will be going back for more!

128lkernagh
Sep 8, 2012, 9:14 pm

Sorry to see the book didn't really help in your search to change your shopping and eating habits for fish sustainability but great news on discovering a local supplier of wild trout! I love trout - prefer it to salmon - and like you I am always on the hunt for affordable fish with some variety. The hunt continues.....

129psutto
Sep 10, 2012, 3:35 am

Book depository were recently sending out bookmarks with "fish you should not eat" on I.e. non-sustainable and it's all the fish you like to eat really, it's very hard to find sustainable fishing product though :-(

130mathgirl40
Sep 17, 2012, 10:21 pm

>128 lkernagh:: I prefer trout to salmon too, and the wild trout from the new supplier tastes quite different from the farmed trout from the grocery store. It was very tasty so we bought more, but now the local supplier is sold out of it! :(

>129 psutto:: I did print off a copy of a similar "fish list" from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Web site. It's very handy, but like you, I'm also saddened to see so many of my favourites on it.

131mathgirl40
Sep 17, 2012, 10:25 pm



95. North by 2000+ by H. A. Hargreaves
This is a collection of science-fiction stories originally published over several decades by author H. A. Hargreaves. I enjoyed the stories very much, particularly "Dead to the World", "Cainn", "Tee Vee Man" and "More Things in Heaven and Earth". Although these stories were written many years ago and there are some discrepancies between the future as Hargreaves had envisioned it and the reality as it is today, the stories do not feel dated. It is Hargreaves's exploration of human relationships, to one another and to the environment, in an imagined setting that makes the stories memorable. I also found Runte's commentary on "Canadian science-fiction" and how it differs from that of the British and American tradition thought-provoking.

Having experienced some hits and misses with small publishers' offerings through Early Reviewers, I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the writing. I recently finished all the short stories and novelettes nominated for this year's Hugo awards, and certainly, Hargreaves's stories would not suffer in comparison. I'm glad that Five Rivers Publishing has chosen to reprint his work, as it deserves a wider audience.

132lkernagh
Sep 17, 2012, 10:35 pm

It is always great when an ER book provides a pleasant surprise for the reviewer!

133mathgirl40
Sep 17, 2012, 10:39 pm



96. 4.50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie
This was a very good country-house mystery with a clever and rather chilling set-up. A friend of Miss Marple views a murder from a train running in parallel. Miss Marple then arranges for her colleague Lucy to be hired into the household of a manor near where she expects the body to be found.

I have to admit that I have a real fondness for Miss Marple stories. I enjoyed this one very much, as I did the film version starring Geraldine McEwan that I watched recently. I love Miss Marple’s arguments that her little village of St. Mary Mead is a microcosm of the real world, and that all kinds of characters and situations, both good and evil, can easily be found there.

134cammykitty
Sep 17, 2012, 10:47 pm

I love Miss Marple too - you're synopsis sounds pretty far fetched, but I'll forgive it in Miss Marple. ;) Interesting review on North 2000+. I hadn't heard of Hargreaves before.

135thornton37814
Sep 18, 2012, 4:00 pm

I love Miss Marple also. I hope to get around to re-reading those sometime.

136christina_reads
Sep 19, 2012, 3:20 pm

@ 133 -- I really like 4.50 from Paddington too.

Question about the ending -- SPOILER ALERT from here on!!! -- which man do you think Lucy ends up with? Christie drops hints but never definitively answers the question. Is it Cedric, Bryan, or the nice police inspector whose name I forget? (Or did you even think about this at all? Maybe I'm focusing on the wrong thing here...)

137mathgirl40
Sep 19, 2012, 8:05 pm

>132 lkernagh: -- Yes, it's definitely nice to be pleasantly surprised by an ER book. I've enjoyed most of the books I've received from ER, but there have been a few that I've really regretted choosing, mainly because I felt obligated to slog through them.

>135 thornton37814: -- Some of them are definitely worth rereading! A few of them I can barely remember, as I'd read them so long ago, so a reread now is like reading them for the first time. :)

>136 christina_reads: -- SPOILER ALERT continued! I thought it might be the police inspector. The film version definitely implied it was the inspector, though he was a somewhat different character from the inspector in the novel.

138christina_reads
Sep 24, 2012, 12:33 pm

@ 137 -- Thanks! :) I thought so too, mathgirl, but it's nice to get confirmation!

139mathgirl40
Sep 27, 2012, 10:31 pm



97. The Life of Henry the Fifth by William Shakespeare
This was not among my favourite Shakespearean plays but I still enjoyed reading it and watching the performance at the Stratford Festival of Canada a couple of weekends ago. The plot was not as complex as those of other Shakespearean plays, but there were impressive speeches, big battle scenes, and a good examination of Henry V’s character.

140mathgirl40
Sep 27, 2012, 10:32 pm



98. Brasyl by Ian Macdonald
This novel featured three stories, set in Brazil’s past, present and future, that seemed quite disjoint until the last third of the book. The plot lines came together then, but I found the resolution rather confusing. However, I liked very much the vivid depictions of Brazil in the three time periods, as well as McDonald’s strange and humourous mix of over-the-top characters, quantum physics, Brazilian martial arts and soccer.

141cammykitty
Sep 27, 2012, 11:09 pm

Brazilian martial arts?

142psutto
Sep 28, 2012, 6:40 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira

I have Brasyl on my shelf, just not got round to it yet...

143banjo123
Sep 29, 2012, 2:48 pm

Capoeira is awesome. Does it figure much in the book?

144cammykitty
Sep 30, 2012, 12:10 am

Capoeira sounds cooler than cool! Thanks for the link Pete.

145mathgirl40
Sep 30, 2012, 3:02 pm

>142 psutto:: Thanks for adding the link, Pete!

>143 banjo123:: Yes, there are references to Capoeria throughout the book. The main character of one of the narratives is an expert at capoeira and that helps her get through a few sticky situations. :)

>144 cammykitty:: Capoeria does sound cool, and it was a word I was totally unfamiliar with. As mentioned in my earlier post, I struggled somewhat with the confusing plot, but I did learn a lot about Brazil! The glossary that Ian McDonald added helped immensely, as he uses a lot of Brazilian slang throughout the novel.

146mathgirl40
Oct 11, 2012, 10:58 pm



99. King Solomon’s Mines by Sir. H. Rider Haggard
This classic adventure story is narrated by an English hunter Allan Quartermain living in Southern Africa who is hired by Sir Henry Curtis to join him on a search of Curtis’s lost brother. They are accompanied by a friend of Curtis and an African who has his own mysterious reasons for making the journey.

As an adventure story, this was not exceptional, but I enjoyed the charm and wit of the narrator. It was hard not to cringe at the occasional racist comment, but I suspect that, at that time, Haggard was probably more tolerant and open-minded than most.

147mathgirl40
Oct 11, 2012, 10:59 pm



100. The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder
This was the latest selection of our local independent bookstore’s Steampunk book club. To my surprise, everyone else in the club adored this book. I liked it well enough myself but thought that some of our earlier selections, such as Perdido Street Station, were superior.

Using characters based on real people from the Victoria era (Richard Burton, Algernon Swinburne, Charles Darwin, Oscar Wilde and more), this novel shows an alternate universe created by a mad time traveller. Hodder takes a lot of liberties with the characters and setting, making for a fun and wild romp through "Victorian" England.

148mathgirl40
Oct 11, 2012, 11:00 pm



101. The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
I’ve loved every novel in the Inspector Gamache series, but this is not among my favourites. Having said that, it’s still a cut above most mystery novels. Set in a remote Quebec monastery, Inspectors Gamache and Beauvoir try to discover the killer of a monk who was an expert in Gregorian chant. The subsequent arrival of Superintendent Francoeur, Gamache’s old enemy, increases the tension.

The writing seems more contemplative than that of her earlier novels, which makes sense in the monastery setting, and there are very detailed descriptions of the monastery’s architecture, the features of Gregorian chant, and the rituals followed by the monks. It all makes for wonderful atmosphere, but at times, I longed for the charm of the Three Pines setting and the richness of the characters inhabiting that village. Apart from the occasional reference to Reine Marie and Annie, there were no female characters (not surprising in a monastery, I guess), but Penny creates such wonderfully interesting female characters that I missed them especially.

149lkernagh
Oct 12, 2012, 12:29 am

I have the Hodder book.... or I should say books as there is a series!..... already on my to read list. Very happy to see it rates as a fun and wild steampunk romp through "Victorian" England. That is my kind of book!

150AHS-Wolfy
Oct 12, 2012, 4:31 am

King Solomon's Mines and its sequel have been on my tbr shelves for a while. Maybe I'll get to reading them one of these days.

I've also thought of picking up The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack but have never been quite sure about it. Will you carry on with the series?

151mysterymax
Oct 12, 2012, 8:05 pm

I enjoyed The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack and the others in the series. Burton & Swinburne etc weren't the only real characters. While the story is of course put into the steampunk format Spring-Heeled Jack was a real case, in that he was a legend which became the name of a man who was blamed for all sorts of attacks. It has never been proved whether he was a real person or not, but he was definitely a real myth/legend of the time and you will see it referred to in other books about this period.

The Clockwork Man was also based on a real case. The Clockwork Man was based on the case of Sir Roger Tichborne the most famous court case of the 19th century in England. I haven't read the third one yet, even though I did buy it. (I got the first one because of the cover - and just couldn't quit!

152mathgirl40
Oct 14, 2012, 10:59 pm

>149 lkernagh:, 150, 151: Thanks for stopping by, and I was surprised to see the interest in Hodder's books as I hadn't heard of this author before Spring-Heeled Jack was chosen as the book-club selection. I do intend to continue with this series. I wasn't enamoured with the plot; there seemed to be too much going on. However, I really enjoyed Hodder's writing style, and I'd like to see what he'll do with the next book.

I agree, mysterymax, that Spring-Heeled Jack has a great cover. I did notice that right away. I encountered Spring-Heeled Jack as a character earlier in The Secret Fiend, from Shane Peacock's YA Boy Sherlock Holmes series, which my daughter and I both like very much.

153mathgirl40
Editado: Oct 15, 2012, 11:08 pm



102. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
This is not among my favourites of Shakespeare’s plays, but the controversy surrounding it is interesting. Did Shakespeare mean to suggest that women ought to be tamed as Katherina had been, or was he poking fun at the attitudes of the day? The play can be read in many ways, and so much depends on how each character is portrayed. I’ve seen various interpretations over the years, including a truly awful one at the Stratford Festival of Canada that used a Wild West setting.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be hosting our next parent-child book club. My daughter selected The Taming by Eric Walters and Teresa Toten (which I’ll review once I finish it) about a teenager’s relationship with her domineering and manipulative boyfriend. The main character is playing Katherina in a school production of The Taming of the Shrew, and naturally, there are parallels between the play and the teen’s own life. When we announced our selection two months ago, I suggested that some could try reading the original Shakespearean play, and to my surprise, there was a lot of enthusiasm, so we’ll be discussing both works at our meeting. Most of the kids are reading the No Fear Shakespeare edition, which shows a modern-English version of the text alongside the original text. At first, I thought that Shakespeare would be too much for this age group, but I suppose 13-year-old kids who enjoy participating in a book club with their parents are not your typical teenagers. I will report on the success or failure of our book-club meeting at a later date.

154mathgirl40
Oct 15, 2012, 10:57 pm



103. The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg
This is the first in a series by Swedish author Camilla Lackberg, and it reads very much like a first novel. The writing seemed very sloppy in places, and the plot and characters are nowhere as polished as those of other Swedish mystery writers I’ve read. Still, I found the blend of domesticity (with a little bit of romance) and the darker feel of the typical Scandinavian mystery quite appealing. Against my better judgement, I started the next book in the series, The Preacher, and I’m afraid I’m hooked now. I’m such a sucker for a good mystery series that I can tolerate a fair amount of poor writing that I’d abhor in any other genre. Sigh ….

155mathgirl40
Oct 15, 2012, 11:07 pm

We're midway through October and I've only just caught up with the reviews for my September reading! So here is the September summary, a couple of weeks late:

Books read: 11 from 9 categories
Favourite book: North By 2000+ by H. A. Hargreaves
Least favourite book: There were several mediocre reads but nothing really terrible this month.

The end is in sight! I only have 17 left to read in my challenge. Actually, that would be 11, as I've already finished 6 books in October but haven't gotten around to writing reviews yet. The problem will be, of course, sticking to those remaining categories, especially the toughest one, "Dust Collectors".

As a side note, check out www.humblebundle.com if you're an SFF fan. They have an awesome "pay what you want" deal available for another week. I've bought the bundle and will be reading some of these in 2013. A few of us are thinking of doing Zoo City for a group read. See the Group Read thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/141532.

156mamzel
Oct 16, 2012, 1:36 pm

I bought the bundle and am reading Pirate Cinema by Cory Doctorow. Were you able to open Gaiman's book? I got it in pdf format and it's not readable on my Kindle.

157-Eva-
Oct 16, 2012, 2:36 pm

I liked The Ice Princess a lot when I read it, enough that I went and bought the next 5 in the series! (Haven't read any of them yet, though....) It does have that first-novel-type writing that I'll forgive as long as the next ones get better. It has some language quirks that are typical to that area in Sweden - I'm wondering how they came across in English.

158mathgirl40
Oct 17, 2012, 9:59 am

>156 mamzel:: I haven't downloaded Gaiman's book to my e-reader yet, but I have a very basic black-and-white Sony, so I usually don't bother with pdfs (which it does not always handle well), especially ones in colour. I was just going to read it on my laptop.

For other people considering the Humble Bundle, they just added 5 comic collections! The offer will be available for a few more days.

>157 -Eva-:: Sometimes, when I see awkward wording, I do wonder if it's the author's or translators fault, or maybe some things just can't translate well, no matter how skilled the writer and translator are. In any case, despite all the weaknesses of Lackberg's novel, I still intend to read the rest of the series. :)

159-Eva-
Oct 17, 2012, 12:35 pm

I think it might be half-and-half in this case - it is very "first novel"-y in the original as well. I'm continuing as well - I really liked that characters and since the locale is one that is familiar to me, it's inherently interesting for that.

160mamzel
Oct 17, 2012, 1:39 pm

I wonder if anyone has coined a term for the LT Bump (like the Colbert Bump which gives books a boost in sales after the author appears on his show). One mention about Humble Bundle and they get a whole lot of new subscribers!

161mathgirl40
Oct 17, 2012, 9:13 pm

>160 mamzel:: I've been telling every SFF fan I know about the Humble Bundle. It's such a great offer. I wonder if there really is a noticeable LT bump. :)

162mathgirl40
Oct 19, 2012, 6:44 pm



104. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
In this story spanning several decades starting in the 1930's, two sisters' privileged life in Shanghai come to an abrupt halt when their father gambles away their family's fortune. They are forced to marry two brothers whom they later join in America after escaping from the chaos of the Japanese invasion.

I enjoyed the story and the historical detail very much, but I found it hard to believe that so many hardships could afflict one family! Of course, the Chinese did suffer from many of the atrocities described in the book. Indeed, my own parents lived through the Sino-Japanese war and the civil war before escaping to the West in similar impoverished conditions. However, there just seemed to be way too much melodrama, buried secrets and emotion in Pearl's and May's lives for my tastes. Despite my complaints, I still found the novel very readable and I loved the descriptions of Shanghai and Los Angeles's Chinatown.

163mathgirl40
Oct 19, 2012, 7:06 pm



105. The Organic Home Garden by Patrick Lima
I’ve kept a small vegetable garden in my backyard for the past 20 years. Some years are better than others, but we always appreciate greatly whatever produce we get. I always feel I could do more to have a more consistently successful garden. That's why I was excited to receive this book from the Early Reviewers program. Also, the author Patrick Lima used to write for Harrowsmith Country Life magazine, which I often turned to for recipes and gardening tips before publication ceased in the 90's.

The first thing I noticed was that this book is not like the other gardening books I own which I use as reference books. This one reads more like a memoir with plenty of useful advice. Reading it is like having a cosy chat with an enthusiastic gardening guru brimming with knowledge that he wants to share.

At first I found the book disappointing because of the lack of diagrams, checklists and the like that I normally see in gardening reference books. Then, I just decided to accept it for what it is: an inspirational account of one person’s gardening experiences that, in the end, gave me a lot of information and ideas to ponder over when I start my vegetable garden next season.

Even though the author tries to give general time frames for gardening activities, the book seems best for the cooler parts of North America. I live not too far from the author's Tobermory, Ontario farm, and so the information is especially useful to me but might not be so for some others. A bonus is the collection of recipes that use the bounty from the garden.

164mathgirl40
Oct 20, 2012, 8:40 pm



106. The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
Despite the heavy subject, this was a light and humorous book, as much about Ronson's own unorthodox journey to learn about psychopaths as about the psychopath test itself. The test in question is Hare's Psychopathy Checklist, and Ronson also talks about the well-known DSM-IV document for classifying mental disorders.

The book seemed to lack focus but it was still a worthwhile and thought-provoking read. I'm not sure I learned much more about psychopaths than I already knew, but the book did make me think about the usefulness and risks associated with tests for mental illnesses and the labels put on people as a consequence.

165-Eva-
Oct 20, 2012, 9:34 pm

I've had Ronson's book on the wishlist since psutto read it a while back - sounds absolutely fascinating.

166mathgirl40
Oct 20, 2012, 10:11 pm



107. The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg
Erica Falck, the main character of The Ice Princess, has a smaller role in this second book of Lackberg's series. Instead, the novel revolves around Patrik Hedstrom's investigation of multiple murders, with suspects from an extended family, descendants of a charismatic religious leader.

The writing suffers from the same weaknesses as the first book, though perhaps to a lesser extent, and the plot is good but not spectacular. However, the characters are really growing on me, so I will definitely continue with the series. I've been reading a number of Nordic mysteries, and the main investigator always seems to be a gloomy, miserable sort of person whose relationships with his spouse, children or co-workers are falling apart. It's refreshing to find a Scandinavian mystery where the two main characters are in a happy and healthy relationship! I wonder if this aspect will remain in the next books in the series.

167mathgirl40
Oct 20, 2012, 10:12 pm

>106 cammykitty:: Eva, it is indeed a fascinating book. My main complaint is that, after reading the book, I wanted to know more about the subject!

168-Eva-
Oct 20, 2012, 11:37 pm

I had a feeling Läckberg's writing wouldn't improve by leaps and bounds, but it's a shame nevertheless. I too like the characters a lot, so I'm hoping to get back to the series soon.

That's not a bad grade for a book - anything that entices to further exploration is great! :)

169psutto
Oct 22, 2012, 8:22 am

good to see some chat about the Hodder books, I've also thought about getting them....

170mathgirl40
Oct 28, 2012, 5:33 pm



108. Redshirts by John Scalzi
This novel is a thoroughly entertaining take on the Star Trek concept with some unexpected twists. I greatly enjoyed Scalzi's Old Man's War trilogy and found this did not quite live up to my expectations but it was a worthwhile read all the same. I’d hesitate in recommending it to readers who are not Star Trek fans, as the humour and irony in the situations depend on an understanding of away missions and expendable crew members. Much of the novel was light and satirical but there were a couple of very touching moments as well.

171mathgirl40
Oct 28, 2012, 5:35 pm

>168 -Eva-:: Yes, I agree with that sentiment. I've often read books that were mediocre but still sparked an interest in the subject and got me to look further.

>169 psutto:: I'd be interested in seeing what you think of them. I think the first is worth checking out, and I do intend to read the second eventually.

172mathgirl40
Oct 28, 2012, 6:09 pm

   

109 and 110. Ice Moon and Silence by Jan Costin Wagner
These are the first two books in the Inspector Kimmo Joentaa series, written by a German author but set in Finland. In the first, Joentaa investigates the murder of a woman, with no apparent motive. In the second, he investigates the disappearance of a schoolgirl that may be connected to a murder that had occurred 30 years ago.

In both novels, the identity of the murderer is known to the reader at an early stage, and most of the story involves Joentaa's investigation. Consequently, there is not so much of a mystery element for the reader, but instead, we get to see the situation from many points-of-view, including those of the victim's families, the investigators, the witnesses and the criminal.

I found the novels very bleak with few light moments but they were good psychological thrillers. I didn't particularly like the writing style of the first novel, but I'm not sure if that was due to the fact that there were different translators or the evolution of the author's writing. I was happy to read books set in Finland, as I've not read any others from that country. Since I can't afford to travel to all the places I'd like to go, reading about them is the next best thing!

173mathgirl40
Dic 16, 2012, 1:32 pm

I can hardly believe I've not updated this thread for a month and a half! I started the first half of November with an enthusiastic attempt at NaNoWriMo, which took almost all my spare time for a couple of weeks, and then I got put on a new project at work which has been consuming all my time since then. I am hopelessly behind in my posts but I will attempt to catch up before the end of the year, so I can start my 2013 challenge with the rest of you! I'm sorry I hadn't had time to visit any of my other favourited threads either, but I plan to do some catching up there as well, in the next two weeks!

174mathgirl40
Dic 16, 2012, 1:33 pm



111. The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters

Katie, the main character of The Taming, is playing Katarina in a school production of The Taming of the Shrew when she meets wealthy and manipulative Evan. The story parallels Shakespeare’s play in that Evan tries to "tame" and control Katie, in both subtle and obvious ways. First, I’ll say a warning to those who may gravitate to this book because of the cover, which suggests it is a typical teen romance novel. That it is not. Rather, it is about an unhealthy teenage relationship, in which one party tries to wield power over the other.

Our parent-child book club discussed both this novel and The Taming of the Shrew together at a recent meeting. The book had a great message and I’m glad my daughter and her friends had read it. However, as a novel, it had some weaknesses. The chapters alternated between Katie’s narration and Evan’s. To me, the thoughts of Evan sounded very contrived and unnatural, though my daughter and the some of the other kids in the book-club disagreed. My daughter and I had gone to a reading by Walters and Toten where they were promoting this book, and Walters admitted that it was difficult to put himself in the role of Evan. Sadly, this difficulty shows in the writing, but perhaps that says good things about Walters himself, who seems a genuinely caring person devoted to a number of worthy causes.

Perhaps I am being overly critical, as my daughter, who represents better the type of reader who really ought to read this book, thought it was an excellent novel and has been recommending to her friends. It certainly gave the kids and adults in our book-club plenty of discussion material.

175mathgirl40
Dic 16, 2012, 2:25 pm



112. A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore
A Gate at the Stairs follows the life of Tassie, a college student who takes on a job as a regular babysitter for a couple who has just adopted a mixed-race child. While supporting the parents, she experiences all the emotional ups and downs associated with the adoption process, especially when this is complicated by the racist attitudes of some.

Moore is no doubt a very skilled writer, but throughout the first half of the novel, I couldn't help feeling the book was simply a collection of witty, clever and insightful observations. It seemed to take forever for the story to go anywhere, but after the halfway point, I found myself getting drawn into the story as Tassie discovers surprising secrets about those she thought she knew so well, and the final chapters were positively gripping. I've been reading from Peter Boxall's 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list the past few years, and I was surprised to see that this book is one of the new additions to the 2012 edition.

176lkernagh
Dic 16, 2012, 4:26 pm

Sound like you have had a busy time of it for the past number of weeks. Happy to see you posting again!

177DeltaQueen50
Dic 16, 2012, 5:40 pm

Glad you're back, Paulina, hope your work has settled down and you have plenty of time for Real Life, LT and reading.

178mathgirl40
Dic 19, 2012, 9:53 pm

Thanks, Judy and Lori! Work is still preventing me from getting here as often as I'd like, but the end of the craziness is in sight. I hope to do lots of reading over the holidays.

179mathgirl40
Dic 19, 2012, 9:54 pm



113. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
This Booker-longlist nominee follows retiree Harold Fry in his journey across England on foot. An average, nondescript man who has never done anything that might be deemed exciting in his life, Harold embarks on the trip, believing that its completion will save his friend who is dying of cancer in a hospice.

I couldn’t believe how attached I got to Harold as he trudged through England, reflecting on his life and making observations on the world in his ostensibly naive way. I loved this funny, heartwarming and bittersweet novel and have been recommending it to many of my friends.

180mathgirl40
Dic 19, 2012, 9:55 pm



114. Last Message by Shane Peacock
This novel is part of a seven-book series which involves a grandfather setting out tasks for each of his grandsons in his will. The premise is an interesting one and similar in some respects to the 39 Clues series. However, this book seems more introspective than those of the other series and there is definitely a Canadian slant to it. This was, as one would expect from Shane Peacock, a good adventure story, but I found the plot rather difficult to believe. My 13-year-old daughter did enjoy it, though, and is eager to read the other books in the series.

181cammykitty
Dic 20, 2012, 12:43 am

I haven't seen Last Message in the US yet. I'll be interested to hear if your daughter still likes the series after she's read a few books. An alternative to the 39 clues would be great to know about.

182-Eva-
Dic 20, 2012, 7:24 pm

I picked up The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry because I heard others say what you said about getting so attached to the main character. Looking forward to making his acquaintance!!

183mathgirl40
Dic 21, 2012, 9:56 pm

>181 cammykitty:: My daughter hasn't gotten around to the other books yet, but some of the authors (Eric Walters in particular) are quite popular in Canada. Last Message felt very much like a stand-alone book, as none of the grandsons appeared in the book (except for brief cameos in the first chapter) so I'm not sure how appealing the series will be. My daughter and I liked the continuity in the 39 Clues series.

>182 -Eva-:: I hope you enjoy it, Eva, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!

184mathgirl40
Dic 21, 2012, 9:59 pm



115. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

The Diamond Age is my second Neal Stephenson book and I enjoyed it even more than my first, Snow Crash. I keep wondering why I’ve not read more Stephenson books, given that I like his writing very much and many of my SFF-loving friends have recommended him so highly. Then I realize it’s because the sheer size of the books is rather daunting, not to mention the scope. There are many fast-paced action-packed scenes in the two I’d read, but neither was a fast read for me. Stephenson covers a lot of ground, and according to my friends, these two are his most accessible novels. I’d think that reading some of his other books would require a certain level of commitment, but I suspect it’ll be well worth it. I hope to read more Stephenson in 2013 but I’m not sure where to go next. Maybe Cryptonomicon?

185mathgirl40
Dic 21, 2012, 10:00 pm



116. The Demon in the Teahouse by Dorothy Hoobler

This was a nice, easy-to-read young-adult mystery with an exotic setting, the world of geishas and samurai warriors in 18th-century Japan. The writing and plot were somewhat simplistic, so this series would probably not hold much appeal for adult mystery fans, but middle-school kids might find it much more interesting than the typical Nancy Drew type of mystery.

186lkernagh
Dic 21, 2012, 10:04 pm

All these great reviews are tipping me over to start reading some Stephenson. I was roaming my favorite used book store during my lunchhour today and saw that they had a number of his books, including Snow Crash which is being recommended as a good place for me to start my Stephenson reading, so may in 2013 I will take that plunge.

187cammykitty
Dic 22, 2012, 2:19 am

I'll have to keep my eye open for Dorothy Hoobler for the kids I work with. It does sound like something they'd get into, especially since all things Japan have been popular lately.

188mathgirl40
Dic 23, 2012, 11:28 am

>186 lkernagh:: I hope you do get around to reading Stephenson. I'd love to see what you think of him.

>187 cammykitty:: I thought the novel would be good for reluctant teen readers. The subject matter (murder) seems a bit mature for younger children, but the reading is not challenging and the novel is quite short compared to many YA books.

189mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 23, 2012, 11:30 am



117. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
This novel is one of the small number of Agatha Christie books not featuring any of her famous detectives. Instead, the main characters are two young people who stumble upon a murder and take it upon themselves to solve it. This is a fun mystery with lots of red herrings, likable characters and a bit of romance. It is not one of Christie’s more memorable works but is still a very enjoyable read.

190mathgirl40
Dic 23, 2012, 11:31 am



118. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan

This novel is told through two voices. Ruth, an American Chinese woman dealing with the difficulties brought on by her aging mother, narrates the first and last parts of the book. The middle section is narrated by the mother, Luling, who, in telling the story of her life in China, slowly reveals to Ruth long-buried family secrets.

I just could not warm up to the character of Ruth and I found the first part, where she obsesses over all the problems in her life, really dragged. However, the long middle section displayed Tan’s wonderful storytelling abilities, and the final part brought everything together to a satisfying conclusion.

191mathgirl40
Editado: Dic 23, 2012, 11:45 am



119. Becoming Holmes by Shane Peacock

Becoming Holmes is the final book in Shane Peacock’s award-winning series about the young Sherlock Holmes and the imagined events that shape his future career as depicted in the novels by Arthur Conan Doyle.

The plot of this mystery is rather weak, but this novel’s purpose seemed mainly to bring closure to the series. If you are already a fan of the series, then you will probably enjoy this book and you may feel sad, as I did, at having to say goodbye to the characters at the end. Peacock does an excellent job of further developing the characters in a way that makes the transition to the original novels by Doyle believable.

If you are new to the series, then I would not recommend starting with this novel since it leaves much to be desired as a standalone novel, but do try the series from the beginning, as it is one of the best Holmes spin-offs I’ve encountered.

I'll add that I absolutely love the cover art, which is hidden by the paper covers on the hardcover editions. You can see the artwork for the entire series here on Derek Mah's website.

192-Eva-
Dic 23, 2012, 6:13 pm

I think Why Didn't They Ask Evans? was my first ever Christie and it remains a favorite. I remember trying to figure out how the title would play into the resolution.

193lkernagh
Editado: Dic 24, 2012, 12:14 am

I do love Christie's mysteries, although I have to admit that I tend to watch the movie adaptations ..... I haven't read one of her books yet! Bad of me, I know. Some day I will get around to rectifying that.

194DeltaQueen50
Dic 23, 2012, 11:07 pm

Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful holiday, Paullina. Hope to see you over at the 2013 Challenge in the New Year.

195lkernagh
Dic 24, 2012, 1:35 am

Hi Paulina - Stopping by to wish you a happy holiday season and all the best in the new year!

196mathgirl40
Dic 26, 2012, 4:08 pm

> 192: I also have a special fondness for my very first Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End, even though it's not like any of her other mysteries in that it's set in ancient Egypt.

> 193: I think it's worthwhile to read the originals, but some of adaptations (e.g. David Suchet's Poirot) really do capture the novels perfectly, and I don't think you're missing a lot by not reading the novels. There have also been some pretty horrible adaptations, though, such as The Mirror Crack'd with the big-name cast.

Lori and Judy, thanks for the holiday greetings! I do plan on getting over to the 2013 group soon, but I still have to finish up 2012 business. :)

197mathgirl40
Dic 26, 2012, 5:31 pm



120. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

The Garden of Evening Mists shifts among three time periods in Malaysian history: the Japanese occupation of Malaya in WWII, the post-war Malayan Emergency and present-day independent Malaysia. Yun Ling Teoh, a retired Supreme Court judge, is suffering from a serious speech disorder and attempts to write down her memories while she is still able to do so. She reflects upon her time as a prisoner in a Japanese internment camp and her apprenticeship years later with a brilliant and enigmatic Japanese garden designer and artist.

This is a beautifully written historical novel, with a complex plot and equally complex characters. I was moved by the contrast between the beauty and serenity of the Japanese garden and the brutality of the war and I was totally drawn into the story which alternated between slow, peaceful passages and scenes of page-turning suspense. This novel, which deserved its place on the 2012 Booker shortlist, is definitely one of my top reads for the past year!

198mathgirl40
Dic 26, 2012, 5:33 pm



121. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

A steampunk sci-fi novel about time-travelling historians, this book bounces among different time periods, but the majority of the book is set in Victorian England. It is a wonderfully fun and funny read. The novel is filled with literary references (the title itself comes from Three Men in a Boat), especially to Dorothy Sayers’ characters, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Like a Sayers novel, To Say Nothing of the Dog has a complicated mystery, a little bit of romance and plenty of witty dialogue. If you’re a big fan of classic British mysteries, as I am, you will probably love this book. Otherwise, you may find the numerous references confusing and tedious.

199lkernagh
Dic 26, 2012, 6:37 pm

you may find the numerous references confusing and tedious

*Sighs*..... and that explains why I am still on the fence about reading Willis' book, but I may make allowances considering its is steampunk with time travel.

200mathgirl40
Dic 26, 2012, 10:42 pm

>199 lkernagh:: On reflection, I think you'll enjoy the book anyhow even if you've not read all the classic British mysteries. I "got" most of those references, but there were plenty of other literary works I've not read (like Three Men in a Boat and Tennyson's poetry) but I still enjoyed the book tremendously. I couldn't help feeling, though, that if I were more well-read, I'd find the book even more entertaining.

201mathgirl40
Dic 26, 2012, 10:49 pm



122. The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
This novel was another selection from our parent-child book-club, and it was about an underground city facing a shortage of resources. The inhabitants of the city had never ventured beyond it, not having the means to do so, and have no knowledge of the outside world.

I've read a good number of YA dystopian novels in the past couple of years and I thought that The City of Ember was among the better-written ones. I particularly liked the main characters, Lina and Doon. There were mixed reviews from the book-club. Strangely enough, all the parents thought this was a good page turner, but some of the kids thought the story dragged. I'm not sure whether I'll continue with the sequels, which I'd heard are not as good as the first in the series.

202AHS-Wolfy
Dic 27, 2012, 5:58 am

I've been hearing lots of good things about The Garden of Evening Mists and will probably have to give in and add to the wishlist. May have to add The City of Ember on there too though shame about the sequels. Good reviews.

203cammykitty
Dic 27, 2012, 10:25 pm

Interesting to hear the adults vs kids viewed the pace so differently on The City of Ember. I'd been getting the vibe that adults liked it more than kids did. One of our special ed classes read it as a group a few years ago - I wasn't in there with them but I'd hear them talk about it sometimes.

204mathgirl40
Dic 28, 2012, 4:09 pm

>203 cammykitty:: Yes, it is interesting the different reactions that adults and kids have to certain books; sometimes it is not at all what I'd expect!

205mathgirl40
Dic 28, 2012, 4:10 pm



123. Segu by Maryse Conde

Segu is a work of historical fiction that follows several generations of a Bambara family living in the kingdom of Segu (located in Mali) during the first half of the 19th century. A main theme is the growth of Islam and how it gradually displaces the traditional customs and beliefs. The story shifts among the perspectives of the various characters, and there are many of them, mostly male. The female members of the family seem to take a secondary role in this saga. I found it a little difficult to keep track of the numerous characters and storylines, but otherwise thought that this was a superbly told story filled with interesting historical and cultural detail.

206mathgirl40
Dic 28, 2012, 4:12 pm



124. A Door in the River by Inger Ash Wolfe

Inger Ash Wolfe was recently revealed to be Michael Redhill, a writer who had won a number of Canadian literary awards for his earlier works. A Door in the River is the third installment in the Inspector Hazel Micallef series and is the best one so far. In all the books, Wolfe combines interesting well-developed characters with fast-paced suspenseful plots. In this third book, Micallef investigates a murder on a native reserve and discovers a hidden gambling operation that involves much darker activities. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery/thriller and isn’t squeamish, as there are some disturbing scenes and ideas.

207mathgirl40
Dic 29, 2012, 10:53 pm



125. The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell

Inspector Kurt Wallander investigates the deaths of two lawyers, a father and a son, and surmises that their deaths are linked to one of their clients, a wealthy Swedish philanthropist. Returning to the police force after a lengthy leave, he must also adjust to working with a new female officer.

I hadn’t been all that impressed with the first book in the Wallander series, but I’m enjoying this series more and more with each subsequent book. There is not as much of a mystery element in these novels, but rather, they are an exploration of Wallander’s methods and character. His various complicated relationships with recurring characters add interest and depth to the stories.

208mathgirl40
Dic 29, 2012, 10:54 pm



126. Red Mandarin Dress by Qiu Xialong

In this novel, Inspector Chen attempts to track down a serial killer in Shanghai who is attacking young women and leaving them in identical red mandarin dresses. I found the dialogue awkward and some of the scenes overdone and unrealistic. However, I appreciated the insights into post-Cultural Revolution China and the workings of the Chinese police force.

209mathgirl40
Dic 31, 2012, 10:21 am



127. Lyra’s Oxford by Philip Pullman

A nice quick story about Lyra and Pan set in a time that follows the setting of His Dark Materials. However, it doesn’t add much to the series and might be a disappointment for anyone expecting to learn more about Lyra’s past or future after reading the first three books. The volume makes a lovely addition to one’s library, though, as it contains illustrations and a map of Oxford.

210mathgirl40
Dic 31, 2012, 10:22 am



128. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold

A good friend of mine had been recommending Lois McMaster Bujold for years. Why, oh why had I waited so long before heeding her advice? I had recently received a copy of A Civil Campaign from a BookCrosser but realized with dismay that it was the 13th book in the Vorkosigan series and I was wondering if I’d have to start from the very beginning. However, I was relieved to find out, on Bujold’s very own blog, that Komarr, the 12th book, is a good alternate entry point to the series. I loved everything about the book: the writing, the characters, the plot, the suspense and even the romance. It’s excellent entertainment but with substance. It’s wonderful knowing there are still so many books left in the series to enjoy!

211mathgirl40
Dic 31, 2012, 9:32 pm



129. Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh

This book is the second in the Inspector Roderick Alleyn mystery series and like the first, it features Alleyn’s friend Nigel Bathgate. Inspector Fox is introduced but has a very minor role. The novel features a cleverly constructed plot set in the theatrical world, but the character of Alleyn seems far from the one played by Patrick Malahide in the television series that I loved so much. Still, it was a very enjoyable story and I look forward to seeing how Alleyn’s character develops as the series proceeds.

212mathgirl40
Dic 31, 2012, 9:35 pm



130. The Stonecutter by Camilla Läckberg

Läckberg’s books are a guilty pleasure for me. The writing leaves something to be desired, but The Stonecutter is completely absorbing. There are two storylines, one from past and one in the present, that merge in the end. The novel has plenty of cliffhangers and wonderfully evil characters and made for an excellent vacation read.

213-Eva-
Ene 1, 2013, 7:42 pm

I've only read the first of Läckberg's books, but I already have the next 5 or so on Mt. TBR. Hope to squeeze at least a few of them onto next year's list.

214christina_reads
Ene 1, 2013, 8:50 pm

Took me a while to catch up here, mathgirl, but I'm glad you enjoyed To Say Nothing of the Dog! I'm also happy to read your thoughts on the Lois McMaster Bujold book. So far I've only read Cordelia's Honor (an omnibus version of Shards of Honor and Barrayar), and I really liked it, but for some reason I haven't continued with the Vorkosigan Saga yet!

215mathgirl40
Ene 1, 2013, 9:45 pm

>213 -Eva-:: I plan to read the rest of Läckberg's books in 2013 too! I'm dying to start the next one right now but will wait until I finish a couple of book-club books first.

>214 christina_reads:: Thanks for stopping by, Christina. I'm hoping to go back and read the earlier Vorkosigan books one day.

216mathgirl40
Ene 1, 2013, 9:47 pm

           

131 to 134:
The Arctic Incident, The Eternity Code, The Opal Deception and The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

Over the past month, I went through books 2 through 5 in the Artemis Fowl series. I won’t bother to give a full review of each but will just say that they are a fun fantasy/adventure series, made even more enjoyable by Nathaniel Parker’s audiobook narration. The first two books in the series seemed mostly to be one action scene followed by another, but I liked how the characters were developing from book 3 onwards, and I loved the character of Number One in book 5! I hope to get through the final 3 books in the series in 2013.

217mathgirl40
Editado: Ene 1, 2013, 10:11 pm



135. Requiem by Frances Itani

I put Requiem in my "Asian author or setting" category. That may be a bit of a cheat, as Itani is not Asian and the novel is actually set in Canada. However, Itani's husband had spent part of his childhood in an internment camp for Canadian Japanese during World War II, and that is the subject matter of Itani's work of historical fiction. Whether the book is "Asian" enough or not to qualify for my category, it is a beautiful story and eye-opening for me as well. It is hard to believe that such atrocities could have been committed by the Canadian government against their own citizens. (The government did finally issue a formal apology in 1988.) The music of Beethoven is also a major theme and, as my daughter has been learning to play several of his works lately, it's given me a better appreciation of his music.

218mathgirl40
Ene 1, 2013, 10:24 pm

My goal had been to read a minimum of 10 books in each of my 12 categories. I finished the 10th book in my last incomplete category late last night, and it was the aptly named Requiem! However, I don't want to dwell on the funereal theme, so I'm starting 2013 with Hyperion, which happens to be the name of the Titan of Light who is also the father of the Sun, Moon and Dawn. I hope to get my 2013 category thread set up in the next couple of days.

I finished 135 books in all. A few of my favourites from the year are:

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Spin by Robert Charles Wilson
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Perdido Street Station by China Mieville
I Claudius by Robert Graves
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope to see you all in the 2013 Category Challenge group!

219lkernagh
Ene 1, 2013, 11:45 pm

Nice to see you made it to the finish line, and with such an interesting book! I have added Requiem to my To Read list with my local library. Sounds like a great book!

.... and before I forget, Happy New Year!

220cammykitty
Ene 2, 2013, 12:33 am

Everyone seems to be talking about The Book Thief!

Congrats!
& Happy new year. See ya in 2013

221-Eva-
Ene 3, 2013, 8:06 pm

Congratulations on finishing!!! See you over at the 2013!

222mathgirl40
Ene 5, 2013, 5:10 pm

Thanks, everyone! I've finally started my 2013 thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/147762