For Janice - Books Part 15

That's pretty personal you know, old man!

It's been a rainy sort of week. Low cloud, mizzy, that sort of thing. But the snow we had is pretty well all gone. Nothing exciting really to mention. Bonnie had a check up yesterday; heart and lungs good, weight good. The doc wants to put her on a glucose monitor again as her reading was a bit high. I mentioned that Clyde has been licking a fair bit (don't tell him I said this because he'll probably be embarrassed.) So the vet asked me to get a sample of his pee so they could check if he might have an infection. What a little bugger. I'm trying get him to pee in a little container this morning as we went for our walk. Every time he cocked his leg, I'd place it under him and he'd stop... Grrrr! Long story short (yes, I know, too late), I managed finally to get a sample and dropped it at the vet and celebrated with a quick trip to Big Foot Donuts to get Jo and I a treat.

The Study bookshelves (see the doors...)

Anyway, back to looking at our book shelve and the books therein. Into my final room now but it might take a few posts as the den has quite a few shelves and books behind doors. 

Floating shelves

But I'll start with the collection at the opposite room first. Jo put up the floating shelves to store our cd's, as you can see. But she also said I could have the top shelf for some books.

Cadfael by Ellis Peters

1. Top Shelf. Ellis Peters wrote the Cadfael books, a historical mystery series featuring an English monk, Cadfael. Jo and I had enjoyed the TV series featuring Derek Jacobi as the crime - solving monk. There are 21 books in the series and I've enjoyed 16 thus far. It's always fun to pull one down to read.

The other side of the room consists of three sets of shelves we bought from Home Depot many years ago. The two shelves we have in the Family room come from the same set. As you can see from the first photo, they fit into the space pretty snugly. Today I'll start on the left side (as you look at the shelves) and work down from the top. I'll save the bottom rows for my last posts as they are pretty extensive.

Sci Fi & Fantasy

1. Top left (left side). This is one of my Sci Fi corners. Working from the left are some of the Fu Manchu books by Sax Rohmer. In a previous post, when I was showing off the lounge, there were the remainder of this collection, just different editions. I bought these books at Russell Books in Victoria, a special printing. The next four are Phillip K. Dick stories. I've read quite a few of his books. He's always unique. Next is a Fantasy from Patrick Rothfuss. I've read the first book in this series and thought it was great. I've read one Stanislaw Lem story, Return from the Stars. I'm not sure whether I like him or not but I'll give Eden a shot. The remaining authors are all new for me and were published in this Masterworks collection. I'm looking forward to trying them. There are Joanna Russ (one of my newest additions), M.J. Engh, Nicola Griffith, Ward Moore, William Tenn & Walter Tevis. Check them out and let me know if you like them. (Ed Note. I readily admit that I buy some of these books because I like the covers.)

2. Top left (right side). Just 3 books squeezed into this slot. I've read The Best of Saki, a short story writer (HH Munro is his name) who influenced people like P.G. Wodehouse. I bought the book in Kingston when Jo and I went there to visit Jenn one summer. He's got a strange sense of humor. China Mieville is one of a modern group of Sci Fi authors who I'm really enjoying exploring. And The Testaments is Margaret Atwood's sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, a book I've read two or three times.

Book covers again

3. Left side (2nd shelf). Iain M. Banks is another of the more modern authors of Sci Fi that I enjoy. His Culture series is fascinating. He also wrote fiction / mysteries. I think I prefer his Sci Fi, although you might like to check out The Wasp Factory. It's kind of strange; in the same vein as Lord of the Flies I think. Another Philip K. Dick, this time a collection of short stories, including The Minority Report (made into a movie). The remaining books are graphic novels. Alan Moore's V for Vendetta, one of Moore's selections I've not yet read and then another of my favorite graphic novel series, Tank Girl by Alan Martin. It's always enjoyable and I read somewhere that it's being made into another movie.

4. Left side (middle shelf, left side). From left to right, a book on Germany that I received as a going away gift when I was stationed there. The Scrabble 'book' contains a scrabble game. I don't remember where Jo and I found this but it sure looks nice. The Virgin 9th Film Guide is a list of movies and then there is one book based on a Canadian TV series that my folks used to enjoy when we were stationed in Bagotville PQ, the Plouffe family. 

5. Left side (middle shelf, right side). As I have mentioned a few times, Jo and I often find vintage books in our travels, hence the Blackie's Standard Dictionary. the other books are shelf fillers. They add a certain texture to the shelf.

6. Left side (bottom shelf... not including the two lowest shelves which will be dealt with later on). A mish mash of books here. We have a couple of Shakespeare collections. I think we found this one at a local thrift store. I don't think it was much more than $10. The next is a reference book of some sort.. LOL. Then a couple of dictionaries. I think the Webster's was one my folks had and it's been around the world a couple of times, hence the new cover. The King's dictionary was purchased in another local vintage store and is from the early 1900's. The next book is a Treasury of Use and Beauty from 1885 that I found when Jo and I were down at a Vintage shop in Nanaimo. Not sure it's there any more. I did post some excerpts from it at one time. If you scroll through my 2017 posts, you might find more excerpts... What else.... Just a variety of books. Some of the Harry Potter books that I used to buy at Superstore as they came out. A few more of Jo's movie and TV reference books. She either brought them with her or we found them locally..... We did buy some boxes of books at the Cumberland auction, just to flesh out our shelves back in the day.

So, for today, some more books and series for you to check out. More in my next post. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the upcoming week. It's almost FEBRUARY!

Another January 2024 Reading Update

The snow continues to melt. Our afternoon out to check out a house for sale has ended as the house was purchased on the weekend. Not sure what we'll do now. I had a brief visit to the doc this morning to check out some bumps on my face. I have had skin cancer before. She burned them all off with liquid nitrogen. That's my excitement for today. Jo is currently relaxing and the puppies are asleep with me in the Den.

I've completed two more books in January. That makes five now, on a bit slower pace than usual. I'll provide my reviews and also the synopses of the next books I've started. Then if I've received any new books, I'll provide the synopses of those as well. Onward!

Just Finished

1. Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea Cycle #4 / 1990). My 2nd Le Guin book from my 12 + 4 Challenge.

"Tehanu is the 4th book in the Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin and the 2nd book by Le Guin I've enjoyed this year. This story is a continuation of #2, The Tombs of Atuan and follows Tenar, who Ged had rescued from Atuan. Tenar (she does have other names in this story; as names are very important) now lives in Gont. Ged had dropped her off with his mentor, Ogion, but after living and training with him, Tenar (now Goha) moved to another part of the island, married a farmer and raised children.

Her husband passed away and her children both grew up and moved away. Tenar adopts a young girl, Therru, who had been abused and had her face burned by her 'parents'. Tenar and her friends try to save Therru and help her adjust to what had befallen her. Quite early, Tenar hears that Ogion is dying and wants Tenar to come and see him before he passes away.

This is kind of where the story begins. Tenar goes to Ogion, helps bury him (some conflict with local Wizards, especially one who really seems to resent her and another local witch, Moss. So begins a new life for Tenar as she and Therru stay at Ogion's house and build a new life there. 

One more complication arrives in the form of Ged. He is brought to the island by the dragon Kalessin. In the 3rd story, The Farthest Shore, Ged goes to the dark lands, saves the King of Earthsea and in doing so, loses his powers. He arrives a broken, almost dying man and Tenar takes him in to restore him.

It's a slow build, as all of these events take place, and it's a very thoughtful story. But slowly, the story builds in tension as the Wizard in the castle of Re Albi takes action against Tenar (spells involved) and the man who abused Therru also makes an appearance. For a relatively short fantasy novel, there is so much going on, on and below the surface. Have I mentioned Therru yet? What role will she play in the final pages? Well, now you have to read it.

I've enjoyed this series so very much. I've rated each highly. This could easily have been rated 5.. I'm not sure if I have a reason why not? Maybe it was resolved too quickly, even if it was also satisfying. Quite a different story as the others have focused on Ged, while he is very peripheral to this story. Read the series. It's excellent. (4.5 stars)"

2. Murder and the First Lady by Elliot Roosevelt (Eleanor Roosevelt #1 / 1984). A mystery series by FDR & Eleanor Roosevelt's son featuring the 1st Lady as crime solver. Entertaining fun. This is the 2nd book completed in my Series challenge.

"I'm not sure where I first heard of Murder and the First Lady by Elliott Roosevelt. I quite often decide to check out books that I see listed in the back of others that I'm reading. At any rate, when I saw this listed (wherever) I looked up Elliot Roosevelt and discovered he was the son of FDR and Eleanor and had written 20 mysteries featuring his mother. I've enjoyed historical mysteries featuring real people, a case in point Nicola Upson's series featuring mystery writer Josephine Tey. So needless to say, I decided to check out this series. At least this first book, originally published in 1984.

So Europe is on the brink of war and FDR is busy seeing how America will act should war take place. (This is a minor thread in this mystery). Eleanor Roosevelt has employed a young English girl, Pamela, as her secretary. While Eleanor is away at a play in New York, Pamela is arrested by the DC police for the murder of a New Jersey Congressman's son, Philip Garber. Garber was also employed in the WH and was found murdered by cyanide in Pamela's DC apartment. It appears that the cyanide was administered in a drink mixed by Pamela.

Eleanor gets involved in the case because she can't believe this wonderful young lady could have committed murder. Meeting surreptitiously with the Police Lt handling the case, one Lt Kennelly, she discovers that Pamela and Philip are also suspected of robbing the safe of their previous employer in England and absconding with high valued jewels from the Crittendens. As Eleanor and Kennelly begin to investigate the murder, a Scotland yard Inspector arrives from England to provide assistance with the case. So the three begin to investigate, involving visiting some of the seedier locales in DC. It seems that Philip had a gambling problem and owed money to quite a few club owners in the area.

So there you go, that's the gist of the mystery. Eleanor works to prove Pamela's innocence, all the while, supporting her husband in his work. Their conversations about the case are always interesting, their interactions and affection for each other add to the story. Added to the mix, is the FBI director, one J. Edgar Hoover, at first trying to help out the New Jersey congressman but also beginning to be won over by Eleanor's enthusiasm and genuine concern for the well-being of Pamela.

It's an entertaining, light bit of mystery fun, well-written and with a satisfying conclusion. I tweaked to the twist at the end, but not until the very end. The historical references, the introduction of historical people of the period add to the entertainment of the story. I've got #2, The Hyde Park Murder, on order. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

(The next books in my 12 + 4 Challenge and my Series Challenge)

1. The Beginning Place by Ursula K. Le Guin (1980). One of her standalone Sci Fi stories. Has a different tone to others I've read so far.

"A magical place across a creek provides sanctuary for two young people in flight from the banality of their daily lives, until their paradise turns into a hell on Earth that threatens to destroy them."

2. DeKok and the Geese of Death by A.C. Baantjer (DeKok #20 / 1983). I've read one other of this series set in Amsterdam. I've had this for awhile now.

"In The Geese of Death, DeKok takes on Igor Stablinsky, a man accused of bludgeoning a wealthy old man and his wife. To DeKok’s unfailing eye the killing urge is visibly present in the suspect during questioning, but did he commit this particular crime?

All signs point to one of the few remaining estates in Holland. The answer lies within a strange family, suspicions of incest, deadly geese and a horrifying mansion. Baantjer’s perceptive style brings to light the essences of his characters, touching his audience with subtle wit and irony."

New Books

Only one new book. I bought it the other day when Jo and I went out for lunch. She visited her shop and I looked through Books 4 Brains. Yes! I found one.

1. Book of Night by Holly Black (Book of Night #1). I just read Black's Good Neighbors graphic novel and quite enjoyed. There is only one book in this fantasy series so far although there is one listed as TBD. I'm also going to check out her Spiderwick Chronicles to see what it's like.

"Holly Black makes her adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies.

In Charlie Hall’s world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences—but also to increase power and influence. You can alter someone’s feelings—and memories—but manipulating shadows has a cost, with the potential to take hours or days from your life. Your shadow holds all the parts of you that you want to keep hidden—a second self, standing just to your left, walking behind you into lit rooms. And sometimes, it has a life of its own.

Charlie is a low-level con artist, working as a bartender while trying to distance herself from the powerful and dangerous underground world of shadow trading. She gets by doing odd jobs for her patrons and the naïve new money in her town at the edge of the Berkshires. But when a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie’s present life is thrown into chaos, and her future seems at best, unclear—and at worst, non-existent. Determined to survive, Charlie throws herself into a maelstrom of secrets and murder, setting her against a cast of doppelgängers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and her own sister—all desperate to control the magic of the shadows." Sound neat?

So there you go. Next update I'll continue with my ongoing thread on women authors whose work I'm enjoying. Enjoy your week!

For Janice - Books Part 14

The snow has stopped but it's sort of rainy now. We're enjoying the finals of the Curling on TV. The Scots have won the men's championships. The ladies are about to start. Go Rachel Homan!

On that note, time to finish the hidden shelves in the Family Room. The R's to the Z's follow.

R's to S

1. R's to S. As per usual, it's a mix of new and familiar authors and the same with genres. J.D. Robb is a new author. I've seen the books many,  many times but thought, after reading some reviews that I should give her in Death series a check. I've read graphic novels by Canadian indigenous author. I enjoyed them and bought the books in the Reckoner series to get the back story of the graphic novels. Jo bought me the Michael Robotham books as she'd heard his mysteries, set in Australia, were interesting. I'm looking forward to reading the first book. I've had Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff for a little while. I've also wanted to watch the TV. So many books / TV shows, so little time. LOL. One of my favorite books & movies was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It was written by Betty Smith. I was watching Joy in the Morning on TCM one day and realized that Betty Smith also wrote that. So now I have that to try. John Scalzi wrote a Sci Fi series I've been meaning to try, The Old Man's War, and Red Shirts is one of his standalones. The First Lady of World War II is written by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and is about Eleanor Roosevelt and a trip she took to the Pacific war zone. I saw Shannon interviewed on Stephen Colbert's show and thought I'd like to try the book. I read the first Dr. Bannerman veterinarian mystery set in Winnipeg and it was entertaining. Six Ostriches is the 2nd book. I've not read John Sladen before. The Complete Roderick is a collection of stories featuring robot Roderick. And yes, it sounded interesting says the broken record. I've enjoyed Karin Slaughter for a long time. Her mysteries, set in Georgia, are gritty and interesting. Timothy Sojka sent me one of his books to review one time and I enjoyed it. Payback Jack is another of his thrillers. The Dead of False Creek is a time travel mystery set in Vancouver. How could I resist? I've yet to read Neal Shusterman although I've purchased a few of his Sci Fi books. Not sure which I'll try first. I did enjoy the first book in Amy Stewart's historical mysteries featuring the Kopp sisters. Lady Cop Makes Trouble is the 2nd book. And.... I've read one of Maggie Stiefvater's young adult fantasies, The Scorpio Races. I've since discovered some of her other books and look forward to trying them. I hope they are as interesting.

S - W

2. S - W. Two more Maggie Stiefvater books start off this shelf of books. An Easy Thing by Paco Taibo is a noir mystery set in Mexico, yup, another new author. If I like, there are 3 more books in the series. The Voices is a horror novel by new writer F.R. Tallis that I also want to try. The next four authors are all ones I've enjoyed reading; Jodi Taylor's time travel books, Josephine Tey's Alan Grant mysteries, Victoria Thompson's Gaslight mysteries set in 1900 New York & Lesley Thomson's Detective's Daughter mysteries set in England. All worth checking out. Miriam Toews wrote Women Talking, a fascinating, disturbing novel which was also turned into a movie I'd like to see. Fight Night is her most recent book. You can probably guess what The Sisters of Auschwitz is about. I've read a few non-fiction books set in the Nazi concentration camps. Books that some people on the right should read as the espouse their hatred. (enough of a rant, I guess). I've enjoyed a few books in the Bruno, Police Chief books set in France. They are like Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti mysteries set in Venice; great characters, yummy sounding food and interesting mysteries. Jo Walton's Farthing mystery series is set in WWII London but with a twist that it's an alternate reality where Hitler has negotiated a peace / truce and now has direct influence on England's state of affairs. I've read the middle book in this trilogy. I totally enjoyed Scott Westerfield's Leviathan young adult fantasy trilogy. It was excellent. Now to try the Risen Empire series, of two books thus far.

... and winding up.

I do have some new books to fill in the gap. 😎 

3. W - Z. Jo and I like to made day trips down to Qualicum Beach for lunch and to check out the various shops down there for a change of scenery. I found the Iona Whishaw book in one of their book stores. It's a historical mystery series set in the interior of BC. At least the first book is. Oddly enough I also bought a couple of books by Colson Whitehead at the same store. Harlem Shuffle was an ok mystery set in Harlem. The Intuitionist is more of a Sci Fi story as I read from the synopsis. Blackout is another of Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel books. I enjoyed Doomsday Book very much. Two of my favorite non-fiction authors are Bill Bryson and Simon Winchester. Jo bought me his books about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. I loved it and have read a few of his other books since. Jacqueline Winspear writes the Maisie Dobbs historical mystery series set in London after the War. I have yet to try the Last Policeman trilogy but I'm looking forward to reading the first book. Rebecca Yarros and Carlos Ruiz Zafon are both new authors to finish off this book shelf. 

The Study a few years back. Not much different now.

My last room to check out is the Den. Just a few shelves there. Enjoy your upcoming week.

For Janice - Books Part 13

It's snowing again today but I managed to get out to Big Foot Donuts before it started. Tried all of their January creations. Yummy! Now all of us are snuggled inside, cozy and toasty warm.

After taking a couple of days off from looking at my book shelves / books to post about other things, I'm back to the bookshelf in the family room. It's the bottom left today, L's to R's. There are only two rows of books this time as that shelf also has games and puzzles. 

L's to M's

1. L's to M's. The majority of the books in this grouping are mysteries. But there are a couple of others. Starting with a new author for me, Beth Lincoln, author of a young adult mystery, The Swifts. E.C.R. Lorac will be another new author for me. She writes the Robert MacDonald mystery series, amongst others. I have enjoyed a couple of Peter Lovesey's historical mysteries featuring Sgt Cribbs but Skeleton Hill is another series with Insp. Peter Diamond. Ross MacDonald was the husband of one of my favorite crime writers, Margaret Millar. He was known for his Lew Archer hard-boiled mystery series, which I have been enjoying very much. Blue City is one of his standalone mysteries. I was attracted to the titles of Susan Ella MacNeal's historical mystery series featuring Churchill's secretary. I've bought a couple of the books and hope to read the first this year. Many of Richard Matheson's horror stories have been turned into movies; I Am Legend, The Incredible Shrinking Man. I've enjoyed them very much. Hell House looks like a nice thriller. Jo bought me The Blackhouse by Peter May for Xmas a couple of years ago. I've bought a few others of his books since as well. This past year I read Robert McCammon's Boy's Life, an excellent novel. I'm looking forward to trying Gone South. I see the next few are a mite mixed up.. LOL. Val McDermid has written some excellent crime series; Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, Karen Pirie, etc, plus standalones. The three books are from various of her series. The Librarian Spy is a new author for me, just came out in 2022. And another new author that I saw in Books4Brains this past year, Helen MacDonald's Prophet. (I must behave a bit more with my visits to book stores in 2024. Does anyone else feel an obligation towards supporting all of your local book stores? What would we do without them?)

M's - R's

2. M's continued to R's. As I look through these books myself, I'm beginning to realize how many mysteries I've got and enjoy. Of course the first book is a fantasy, a new author J.M. McDermott. I've enjoyed the first two Sean Duffy mysteries set in northern Ireland very much. I've got a couple of others scattered around the house. 😃 D.A. Mishani sets his mysteries featuring police inspector Avraham Avraham in Israel but there has been a TV series set in New York (that Jo and I enjoyed very much) based on the books. Tare Moss's war widow mysteries are another new one for me. Stuart Neville's crime thrillers featuring Jack Lennon are also set in northern Ireland; another entertaining series. I received a collection of 2015 Pulitzer Prize winners from an auction a few years back and The Sympathizer was one of those books. A Forgery of Roses is another new author and is a gothic fantasy mystery. How's that for a mixture? I've enjoyed Dorothy Parker's poetry and sense of humor. This book is a collection of her Broadway reviews from 1918 - 1923. Sound interesting? I've read the first book in Caro Peacock's Liberty Lane historical mysteries. This is the 2nd book. I have yet to read Children of Chicago but the synopsis made it seem like an excellent thriller. Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield thrillers, where she is someone who helps people in trouble disappear, has been most enjoyable. Preston & Child write horror stories. Mark Pryor's mysteries are set in Paris and feature the US embassy's head of security. The first book was entertaining. I've ben enjoying the Inspector Rebus books by Ian Rankin since Jo bought me the whole series back in 2007ish. Malcolm Fox is another character and he runs the Internal Affairs division in the same police station in Scotland. And finally there is Kathy Reichs, whose excellent forensic mysteries feature Temperance Brennan who works in both Montreal and North Carolina.

There you go. One more shelf to go tomorrow and then it's into the Den. Can't wait, eh? 

 

Doggies are the spice of life.

I hope Dad doesn't see me lick my foot.

I was taking photos around the house yesterday and was followed by my friends. This post is just to have them say hi to you all.

Pay attention to me DAD! Pbfffft!

Well, Clyde tends to say BARK!! BARK!! BARK!! a bit more.

We had snow overnight but it's sunny and warm at the moment and has melted quite a bit. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Yesterday around 5 p.m. there was a knock on the door. Clyde started barking and Bonnie decided to take up the song. When I opened the door, much to my surprise there was a postal driver at the door with a bunch of books for me. I had ordered a few in December and lo and behold, six arrived at the same time. Too much for the super mailbox that services us so they were delivered personally.

So today, I'm going to just focus on the new books. I've not completed any since my last reading update so it's all new books babee!

New Books

1. Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison (Fantasy / 1952). I'm not sure where I heard about this book, it might have been listed at the back of another I had read. At any rate, Mitchison is a new author for me.

"From the dark ages to modern times, from the dragons of medieval forests to Constantinople, this is a fantastic and philosophical fairy-tale journey that will appeal to fans of Harry Potter, Diana Wynne Jones, and T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone."

2. The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown (Horror / Sci Fi / 2023). Another new author.

"Ness Brown's The Scourge Between Stars is a tense, claustrophobic sci-fi/horror blend set aboard a doomed generation ship harboring something terrible within its walls.

As acting captain of the starship Calypso, Jacklyn Albright is responsible for keeping the last of humanity alive as they limp back to Earth from their forebears’ failed colony on a distant planet.

Faced with constant threats of starvation and destruction in the treacherous minefield of interstellar space, Jacklyn's crew has reached their breaking point. As unrest begins to spread throughout the ship’s Wards, a new threat emerges, picking off crew members in grim, bloody fashion.

Jacklyn and her team must hunt down the ship’s unknown intruder if they have any hope of making it back to their solar system alive." (Sounds a bit like Alien, eh?)

3. Natural Causes by James Oswald (Inspector McLean #1 / 2012). A friend on Goodreads provided an excellent review of the book so I thought I should check it out.

"A young girl's mutilated body is discovered in a room that has lain sealed for the last sixty years. Her remains are carefully arranged in what seems to have been a macabre ritual.

For newly appointed Edinburgh Detective Inspector Tony McLean, this baffling cold case ought to be a low priority, but he is haunted by the young victim and her grisly death. Meanwhile, the city is horrified by a series of bloody killings -- deaths for which there appears to be neither rhyme nor reason, and which leave Edinburgh's police at a loss.

McLean is convinced that these deaths are somehow connected to the terrible ceremonial killing of the girl, all those years ago. It is an irrational theory. And one that will lead McLean closer to the heart of a terrifying and ancient evil . . ."

4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (Todd Family #1 / 2013). I have yet to be disappointed by Atkinson. She is a fine story teller.

"What if you could live again and again, until you got it right?

On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war.

Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can — will she?"

5. The Boggart Fights Back by Susan Cooper (The Boggart #3 / 2018). I've been enjoying Cooper's young adult fantasy series, The Dark is Rising. I've yet to try the Boggart trilogy but I'm looking forward to it. It seems like a fun read.

"The Boggart is back for a new adventure of magic and mayhem from Newbery winner Susan Cooper.

Magic is in the air when Allie and Jay Cameron visit their ancestors’ ancient Castle Keep in Scotland, tucked in its unspoiled loch. The twins wake the mischievous shape-shifting Boggart and his infamous cousin Nessie, of Loch Ness fame. But a summer of fun-loving trickery with the Old Things is invaded by a dangerous real estate developer called William Trout.

Trout has big plans for a luxury resort on the loch, and little care for its people or the law. Bulldozers get to work. The future of the loch, its seals, and all its beauty are threatened. The twins and Angus Cameron, their grandfather, mobilize to save his shop and the loch, but it’s soon clear they will need help of a different sort…

In a race against time, the Boggarts recruit help from other Old Things of Scotland: hair-raising creatures of the Wild Magic. But are the Blue Men of the Minch and the Nuckelavee too terrifying for humans to handle? How can they drive out the invader? What’s certain is that Mr. Trout is in for a wild ride in this comical, page-turning adventure from Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper."

6. Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney (Non Fiction / 2023). This will be the next book in my non-series challenge.

"A gripping first-hand account from inside the halls of Congress as Donald Trump and his enablers betrayed the American people and the Constitution--leading to the violent attack on our Capitol on January 6th, 2021—by the House Republican leader who dared to stand up to it.

 
In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and many around him, including certain other elected Republican officials, intentionally breached their oath to the they ignored the rulings of dozens of courts, plotted to overturn a lawful election, and provoked a violent attack on our Capitol.   Liz Cheney, one of the few Republican officials to take a stand against these efforts, witnessed the attack first-hand, and then helped lead the Congressional Select Committee investigation into how it happened. In Oath and Honor , she tells the story of this perilous moment in our history, those who helped Trump spread the stolen election lie, those whose actions preserved our constitutional framework, and the risks we still face."

There you go. Anything look interesting to you?

For Janice - Books Part 12

Well, little Clyde and I went out early this morning to the vet so he could get his Libretto (*sp) shot. It's to help with arthritis. It seems to be working as he's once again jumping up on the bed by himself and running up and down stairs. 
At the moment he's asleep in his doggy bed with me in the Den. Bonnie and Jo are watching FBI in the family room. Maybe we'll (just Jo and I of course) go to Benino's for lunch today. 

The G's

1. The G's. Yesterday I started going through the hidden book storage in the family room. I'll continue with that today. Neil Gaiman has become a favorite of mine in the Fantasy genre. I've been working through his graphic novel series featuring Sandman and his kin. I've enjoyed some of his books. The Neil Gaiman Reader is a collection of short stories and excerpts from some of his novels. Jo found me a copy of The Graveyard Book when she realized it was one I hadn't yet. I've read the first Cormoran Strike mystery by Galbraith and really enjoyed it. I've got the next few on my bookshelves and hope to read #2 this year. I'd also like to try the TV series based on the books. Jo and I watch the old Perry Mason TV series all the time on MeTV. We've now seen them a few times because their on a cycle but they're still fun. I've just started trying the books and I enjoyed the first one. I generally like William Gibson's take on Sci Fi. I have given up on a couple of his books but I've enjoyed the Sprawl trilogy so far. Sue Grafton has been a favorite ever since I found her. I try to read one book a year at least but I'm now coming to the end of the series. Bye bye Kinsey. Elly Griffiths is a relatively new author for me. She writes the Ruth Galloway mystery series and I enjoyed the first book. She also writes the Harbinder Kaur series. I've got the first book of that. I haven't tried John Gwynne's fantasy yet, probably intimidated by the size. But I am looking forward to giving Malice a go. MR Hall writes the Jenny Cooper forensic mystery series. CBC relocated the books to Canada for their TV series, Coroner, which is excellent and actually made me try the books. Enjoying so far. I've mentioned Timothy Hallinan before. His Poke Rafferty mystery series set in Bangkok is a new one for me. 

H - J

2. H - J's. How do you like that. Poke Rafferty made it to both groups. LOL. Sophie Hannah is a new author for me. She has revamped the Hercule Poirot series and also writes her own mysteries, Elsa Hart writes the Li Du mystery series set in China. The first book was excellent. Darkness and Light is the 3rd book in John Harvery's Frank Elder mystery series. He also writes one featuring Charles Resnick. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino is another of those mysteries that sounded very interesting and encourages me to travel around the world with my reading. It is the first book in his Detective Galileo series. I took a course in Mythology back in my university days and have always been interested in it. I thought Charlotte Higgin's Greek Myths sounded interesting. Now to read it. Lyn Hightower was one of those mystery authors I took a chance on a few years back. When we still had ABC Books in downtown Courtenay and I first moved here I regularly spent time there going through the mystery section. I found The Debt Collector and it was so good. It took awhile but I've been able to enjoy a few of her books since. Fortunes of the Dead is the 2nd book in her Lena Padgett series. I've kind of avoided Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, for some reason. But Joe and I enjoyed the NOS4A2 TV series and I really liked his Locke & Key graphic novel series. So I think I need to delve into his work a bit more. Eh? Susan Hill wrote The Woman in Black amongst other works. I've been enjoying her Simon Serrailler mystery series; The Shadows in the Street in part of that series. The other day I read an article about Howard's End is on the Landing and it seemed right up my alley. Basically, one day she went looking for a book to read and discovered all these other books that she'd basically forgotten about in her bookshelves. And decided to spend a year reading them. Neat, eh? This is the book of that year. Two new mystery writers next. Adrian Hyland, Diamond Dove, writes the Emily Tempest mystery series. Joe Ide is author of the IQ novels. The last books are mysteries from authors I've already tried. Arnaldur Indridason sets his mysteries in Iceland and PD James writes the Inspector Dalgleish mystery series, one my favorites, intelligent and so well written.

The J's and onward to L

3. J's continued - the L's. So let's see. We'll start with some horror. Ruby Jean Jensen wrote Mama, about possessed dolls. Creepy. Home Sweet Home is about summer camp... and more? J. Sydney Jones is author of the Viennese mysteries. It took me a long time to finally find The Empty Mirror. But I had tried The German Agent, a WWI spy thriller and enjoyed that. Lars Kepler is one of the Scandinavian mystery writers. His Joona Linna series is a nice psychological series. Jo bought me the Key & Key Look at the History of Sketch comedy for Christmas. Jordan Key was part of the comedy sketch duo of Key and Peele. I saw the book talked about on Stephen Colbert's talk show and told Jo it looked very interesting. I just read Caitlin Kiernan's first book in her Tinfoil Dossier Sci Fi series. I used to read Stephen King all the time. He wrote some of my favorite horror novels. But I kind of got a bit tired of his work. I've started exploring again in the past few years. I look forward to trying Fairy Tale and Later. My daughter Jennifer read some of Naomi Klein's books (I think) when she was getting her Communication's degree. Doppelganger is a fiction story that looked really interesting. Two other new authors for me next. TJ Klune's In the Lives of Puppets is a neat looking fantasy. Mary Robinette Kowal's The Calculating Stars is the first book in her Lady Astronaut series. I think I heard about it from one of my Goodreads friends. Next is another book in the Commissario Brunetti crime series set in Venice (I've mentioned previously.) Great mystery series. Jonathan Lethem's Gun, with Occasional Music sounds a bit like Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next fantasy mystery series. Finally closing off this segment is the sequel to Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby.

Some books for you to check out as you start a new week. Enjoy.

For Janice - Books Part 11

 

It seems we've had the worst of our brief, oh so brief, cold snap. Jo and I stayed home yesterday... well, I went out for an hour to run some errands but other than that, it was relax with the puppies on the sofa for most of the day. Not sure what we're going to do today. Maybe I'll do some ironing!

I'm making steady progress on Eve by Cat Bohannon. It's my Tome challenge and I'm trying to read a chapter a day. Very interesting book.

Family Room bookshelf

But for today, I'm going to continue looking at bookshelves and the books on them. I have moved into the family room and discussed the visible shelves.

Behind the closed doors

Today I'll start with the bottom shelves behind the closed doors. Have I stoked enough mystery?

The A's

There just isn't enough space to put all of these books on our shelves so a lot are stored here. I do read them and set them free. Honest. There are in alphabetical order from top left - top right - bottom left and finally bottom right. For the most part they are stacked three deep so I'll do one shelf at a time. Let's begin with the A's. Mostly mysteries to start but there is a mixture. I was introduced to Elizabeth Acevedo this past year, an interesting writer who tends to tell her stories in verse. The two books I read were favorites of 2023. Jussi Adler-Olsen writes the Department Q mysteries set in Denmark. I've enjoyed the 1st two books and need to get back to this series as it was excellent. Dead Dead Girls is a mystery by a new author for me, Canadian author Nekesa Afia, who sets her series in Harlem. Omar El Akkad is another Canadian author. What Strange Paradise won the Giller Prize in 2021. I have a few of Margery Allingham's books spread throughout the house, depending on their size mostly. She is author of the Albert Campion mysteries. I mentioned her previously as one of the 4 Queens of Crime; Allingham, Christie, Marsh and Sayers. Chester Anderson, The Butterfly Kid, is another new author. I saw the book at 2nd Page Books in Courtenay and it did sound interesting. Piers Anthony wrote some of my favorite Sci Fi / Fantasy series. Unicorn Point is the 6th book in the Apprentice Adept series. Kate Atkinson is an author who can do no wrong. Whether it's her Jackson Brodie mystery series or an others of her excellent books, she does know how to spin a tail. Atkinson was the focus of my most recent reading update. Canadian author Margaret Atwood is another favorite. I've enjoyed her fiction, Sci Fi (The Handmaid's Tale), her poetry, her essays. Prodigious and excellent author. Old Babes in the Woods is her most recent work, a collection of her short stories.

The A's to C's

2. A's continued - C's. Another Atwood starts this row. For some reason I've never read Alias Grace. Jo and I enjoyed the TV mini-series based on the book very much. I finally picked up a copy of the book. I've mentioned Iain M. Banks before. He wrote the excellent Culture Sci Fi series. I'm still working through that. He also wrote many standalones. Transition falls within that category. The next two are new mystery authors for me; Base & Emory are Canadian authors who have started the Priscilla Tempest mystery series. Quentin Bates has set his mystery series in Iceland. Belinda Bauer is an English author. Finders Keepers is the 3rd book in her Exmoor trilogy. The Facts of Life and Death is a standalone. I've enjoyed her work very much so far. S.J. Bennet is another new mystery writer, featuring Her Majesty the Queen as an investigator. We'll see. Rock, Paper, Tiger by Lisa Brackmann was such an excellent surprise as a new mystery writer for me. I look forward to trying the 2nd book in her Ellie McEnroe series, Hour of the Rat. Alan Bradley is a Canadian author of the Flavia de Luce mystery series, featuring the precocious, irritating but interesting youngster, battling with her sisters and solving mysteries. Geraldine Brooks, author of Horse, is a new author for me. I've heard good things about the book. I mentioned Ken Bruen when I talked about books in other rooms. I guess they should all be together. He writes the excellent Irish mystery series featuring crusty detective Jack Taylor. Also an excellent TV series. John Burdette, author of Bangkok Haunts, obviously sets his mystery series in Bangkok; featuring excellent stories, corruption, all sorts of neat stuff. Andrea Camilleri sets his Inspector Montalbano series in Italy. I can't say how much I like it yet as I've only read one and it didn't blow me away, but it was still entertaining. John Dickson Carr featured Dr, Gideon Fell in his mysteries, written in the 30s and continued into the 50s. I liked the first book. Jonathan Carroll is a new author for me, writer of Sci Fi and Fantasy. I enjoyed his collection of short stories, The Panic Hand. It was excellent.

C's to F's

3. C's continued to F's. As usual there is a mix of new to familiar authors and of genres. Coq au Vin is the 2nd book of Charlotte Carter's Nanette Hayes mystery series. This one takes place in Paris. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a new author for me, a historical fantasy set in China. And yes, it probably should be under P... LOL. I have quite a few of Ann Cleeves mysteries. Harbour Street is one of her Vera Stanhope series. Also a great TV series. I read the first book in Gary Corby's Athenian historical mystery series and The Ionia Sanction is #2. Edmund Crispin is an odd, unique mystery writer and his Gervase Fen books have been enjoyable. I do look forward to reading them all. I bought Consumed by David Cronenberg to see if his writing is as weird as his movies. Elizabeth Daly wrote her Henry Gamadge mystery series in the 40s, The Book of the Dead was #8. I saw the David Demchuk book, Red X, when I was down in Nanaimo. It's a 'horror' story set in Toronto's Gay district. Sounded interesting. Sky to Sky is a mystery series set in BC, featuring truck driver / mystery solver Hunter Rayne. I liked the first book. Adrian Edmondson is a British comedian and this is basically the story of his life. Martin Edwards is a new mystery writer for me and seems to be prolific. Gallows Court is the first in his Rachel Savernake golden age mystery series. Liz Evans is most enjoyable. Her mysteries feature English PI Grace Smith, kind of a cross between Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Milhone. The first two books were most enjoyable. Charles Finch writes another historical mystery series featuring armchair detective Charles Lenox. I enjoyed the first book enough to try the 2nd in the series. Karin Fossum writes a mystery series set in Sweden featuring police inspector Sejer. I've enjoyed the first book I tried very much. Finally in this cabinet is Francis Fyfield's Shadow on the Mirror, the first book in her Sarah Fortune mystery series. I've tried her work and enjoyed but struggled to the the first books in her Sarah Fortune and her Helen West books. Looking forward to exploring more.

So there you go. Enough books to check out for you? Enjoy your upcoming week.

Reading Update #2 of January 2024

So we are having the coldest weather we've had in a few years. But it's supposed to start warming up tomorrow or the next day. A bit of snow today to go along with the cold. Made it a perfect reason to have McDonald's today. Don't you think? 

Taking a quick break from my ongoing look at our book shelves and books to provide a reading update. I've completed two more books this past week, making it 3 so far in 2024. I'll provide my reviews and also the synopses of the next two, plus synopses of any books I might have bought since my last update.

Just Finished

1. Rocannon's World by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle #1 / 1966). My 12 + 4 challenge is to read all of the Le Guin books I've got on my book shelves.

"Other than some short stories, Rocannon's World was Ursula K. Le Guin's first novel and the beginning of a prolific, excellent career. It is also the 1st novel in Le Guin's Hainish Sci Fi series. The story is a bit rough and ready but still an excellent read.

The planet Fomalhaut II was made a part of the League of All Worlds many years ago. The Starlords had landed, exacted tribute from the 3 races on the planet, did a bit of a survey and then basically left it on its own. A scientific team lead by Rocannon, beginning a more detailed exploration is attacked by an unknown alien force and only Rocannon survives. 

Wanting to avenge his teammates and also the races on Fomalhaut II, who have been attacked and enslaved by the aliens, Rocannon takes a small group of people and voyages into unknown territory to find the enemy and somehow defeat them.

That's the story at its simplest. It's also about friendship, loss and discovery. It's not the best of Le Guin's books that I've enjoyed but it's still well - crafted and well - paced. The relationships in this relatively short story still have an emotional impact when there are losses and the friendship does affect you. It's a nice introduction to Le Guin's work. (3.5 stars)"

2. The Big Four by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot #5 / 1927). My January Focus author is Agatha Christie. Hoping to read 2 or 3 at least.

"The Big Four is the 5th Hercule Poirot story by Agatha Christie. This story finds the famed Belgian detective and his friend and companion, Capt. Hastings in a battle of wits and wills against an international organization, The Big Four, that wants so sow discord around the world. 

As the two investigate, they slowly discover that the Big Four are 4 individuals; the brain is a Chinese mandarin, the money is an American billionaire, the technical know - how comes from a female French scientist and the brawn is a master of disguise, a British gentleman.

At every turn, Poirot and Hastings run against roadblocks. They come close and then the subject escapes their clutches. There are threats to their lives, to the lives of loved ones, e.g. Hastings' wife in Argentina. But they seem to be coming closer at each turn until very drastic measures are required for the final confrontation.

It's not my favorite Christie story but it shows a slightly different side of Poirot, a more active one in some cases. And who knew he had a brother. Still enjoyable and an interesting ending. (3.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea Cycle #4 / 1990). Switching from the Hainish cycle to her Earthsea fantasy series.

"In this fourth novel in the Earthsea series, we rejoin the young priestess the Tenar and powerful wizard Ged. Years before, they had helped each other at a time of darkness and danger. Together, they shared an adventure like no other. Tenar has since embraced the simple pleasures of an ordinary life, while Ged mourns the powers lost to him through no choice of his own.

Now the two must join forces again and help another in need the physically, emotionally scarred child whose own destiny has yet to be revealed."

2. They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple #6 / 1943). Jo and I have enjoyed many of the Miss Marple TV adaptations. This one doesn't sound familiar.

"Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in Stoneygates, a rehabilitation center for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when someone shoots at the administrator. Although he is not injured, a mysterious visitor is less fortunate; shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building.

Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and must use all her cunning to solve the riddle of the stranger's visit … and his murder."

New Books

1. Big Sky by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #5 / 2019). Definitely one of my favorite authors.

"Jackson Brodie has relocated to a quiet seaside village, in the occasional company of his recalcitrant teenage son and an aging Labrador, both at the discretion of his ex-partner Julia. It's picturesque, but there's something darker lurking behind the scenes.

Jackson's current job, gathering proof of an unfaithful husband for his suspicious wife, is fairly standard-issue, but a chance encounter with a desperate man on a crumbling cliff leads him into a sinister network -- and back across the path of his old friend Reggie. Old secrets and new lies intersect in this breathtaking novel by one of the most dazzling and surprising writers at work today."

Women Authors Whose Work I've Been Enjoying - Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater was born in Virginia in 1981 and is a writer of Young Adult fantasy and fiction. I read The Scorpio Races back in 2016 and was so impressed with it. It was around the time I had started other YA Fantasy series and this stood out for me. Now this is the only one of her stories I've read so far but in the last couple of years I've purchased some others of her books and I look forward to trying them. I'll highlight The Scorpio Races and the 3 books I have on my book shelf.

1. The Scorpio Races (2011).

"This was such an excellent story, well-written, a page turner, thoughtful and even emotional. It's a YA fantasy, so I was thinking it was more of The Hunger Games, but it was quite different in some ways. 

Each year on an island off America, Thisby, the Scorpio Races take place. The difference between a normal horse race and the Scorpio races is that the horses used come from the sea, and they are meat eaters. They wash ashore during storms and some are captured and kept on land. In November, the races take place. People and horses will die. 

Sean Kendricks, a young man who works for the wealthiest landowner on the island, has won 4 of the last 6 races, on a horse named Corr. He competes with the landowner's son and others; there is ill-feeling between him and Mutt Malvern, partly because Mutt's father seems to prefer Sean. 

Kate (Puck) Connolly needs to enter this year's race, to try and keep her family together and to keep her family home. However, there has never been a girl in the Scorpio Races before and Kate will be riding her land horse, Dove, not a water horse. 

This is the premise of this fantastic story. The book is peopled with wonderful characters, Kate and her brothers, Sean, George Holly (the horse trader from the mainland), Peg Gratton, Dory Maud and her sisters and the story draws you in more and more until you can't put the book down. I want to go the bakery on the island and have November Cakes, they sound delicious. Excellent book and I have to give it (5 stars)."

2. Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls 3.5 / 2014).

"Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Series. Cole St. Clair has come to California for one reason, to get Isabel Culpeper back. She fled from his damaged, drained life, and damaged and drained it even more. He doesn't just want her. He needs her. Isabel is trying to build herself a life in Los Angeles. It's not really working. She can play the game as well as all the other fakes. But what's the point? What is there to win? Cole and Isabel share a past that never seemed to have a future. They have the power to love each other and the power to tear each other apart. The only thing for certain is that they cannot let go."

3. Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer Trilogy #1 / 2019).

"The dreamers walk among us . . . and so do the dreamed. Those who dream cannot stop dreaming – they can only try to control it. Those who are dreamed cannot have their own lives – they will sleep forever if their dreamers die.

And then there are those who are drawn to the dreamers. To use them. To trap them. To kill them before their dreams destroy us all.

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality.

Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied to it.

Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer . . . and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed. . . ."

4. Mister Impossible (Dreamer Trilogy #2 / 2021).

"Something is happening to the source of the dreamers' power. It is blocked. Diminished. Weak. If it goes away entirely, what will happen to the dreamers and those who depend on them?

Ronan Lynch isn't planning to wait and find out. Backed by his mentor, Bryde, he is ready to do what needs to be done to save the dreamers and the dreamed . . . even if it takes him far from his family and the boy he loves.

Jordan Hennessy knows she will not survive if the dreaming fails. So she plunges into a dark underworld in order to find an object that may sustain her.

Carmen Farooq-Lane is afraid of the dreamers -- which is why she's agreed to hunt them down. The closer she gets, though, the more complicated her feelings become. Will the dreamers destroy the world . . . or will the world be destroyed trying to eliminate the dreamers?"

So there you go. Do any of the above pique your interest? You can see all of Maggie Stiefvater's books at this link.