End January 2026 Reading Update

Even though it's only the 30th of January, I don't think I'll complete anymore books before tomorrow. You never know though. I'm just back from getting my new glasses and since Jo is having a snooze, I guess I'll provide an update.

I've completed 17 books in January with roughly 3500 pages. One book, was a Did Not Finish. I quit after reading 85 pages, just couldn't get into it. As to my reading challenges, here's how I did with them

1. 12 + 4 Challenge - Dustiest Books (the 16 books that have resided on my bookshelf the longest). Completed one so far and have one on the go.

a. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (Temperance Brennan #10).

"Bones to Ashes is the 10th book in the Temperance Brennan forensic mystery series by American author Kathy Reichs. I've enjoyed this series even if I've not followed it in any particular order. That probably means that I'm missing out somewhat on Tempe's personal issues in a sequential order but it doesn't seem to affect my enjoyment of the stories at all.

As always there are a few story lines going on in this particular story. Tempe has just returned to Montreal for her time working with the Surete de Quebec (Quebec provincial police) where she spends part of her year helping with forensic analysis. The rest of her time is spent in South Carolina where she does pretty well the same thing down there.

Her relationship with boyfriend Ryan, a Quebec police officer, has been having difficulties. He thinks she's not over her relationship with her ex-husband and it turns out that he will now be moving in with his ex wife to help deal with their daughter's drug addiction. (Strength in numbers, I guess). This is probably my least favorite aspect of the Tempe stories. It does seem to drag on. But their working relationship is just great.

Anyway, as a lead-in to the story, Tempe remembers her childhood where she and her younger sister Harry had spent summers with relatives and enjoyed the company of two Canadian Acadian girls, Evangeline and Obeline. But they had suddenly disappeared without any correspondence and the cases that Tempe gets involved with brings back all of her past and there may be a correlation to her past with the current cases she is working. 

As well, sis Harry, who is just a wonderful character, is divorcing her 3rd??? husband so decides to come and spend time with Tempe. She brightens up every story in which she appears.

So Ryan is working on a missing girls case; bodies recovered and also some still missing. A compatriot, Hippo, brings Tempe some old bones that came from New Brunswick and this leads Tempe to think they might belong to Evangeline. (Maybe a stretch but who knows).

The  missing girls case will lead Tempe, Ryan and Hippo into the child porn industry and even as little as is revealed makes it powerful and disturbing. Tempe and Harry also journey to try and find out something about the past disappearances of Evangeline and Obeline. They do find Obeline who tells them Evangeline died when she was 16. I know this is all fairly convoluted but eventually everything will all nicely begin to tie in and make some sense.

There is an interesting side story as well about a leper colony that existed in New Brunswick from the late 1800's up to the mid 1900's and this will tie in as well. But it's a true and fascinating story.

Many interesting things in this story. The Acadian story, the leprosy storyline, the child pornography aspect, the missing girls and, of course, Tempe's personal relationship. It's a long story but it reads easily and flows along at a steady pace. I can put up with Tempe's personal life, especially when sis Harry is around. They kind of balance each other off. But a fine mystery and just an interesting neat story. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading - The Confession of Brother Haluin by Ellis Peters (Cadfael #15)

Next in this Challenge - A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby #7)

2. 12 + 4 Challenge - My Shiniest Newest Purchases (the 16 books I purchased at the end of 2025). One completed so far and I'm currently reading two others

a. The Serial Garden: The Complete Armitage Family Stories by Joan Aiken (2008). This was my favorite book of January.

"I can't remember where I heard of this book, The Serial Garden: The Complete Armitage Family Stories by English author Joan Aiken but I'm so glad that I discovered it. Such a wonderful collection of fantasy stories. The cover artwork in this Big Mouth House edition was by American artist Beth Adams. My wife thought it was so striking that I ordered a print of it for her Xmas gift this year. The inside illustrations are also excellent, and they are by Andi Watson.

So with that out of the way, what to say about this surprising book. The book contains the complete collection of the Armitage family stories that Joan Aiken wrote over the period 1953, to some previously unpublished that were discovered in 2008. If you've ever enjoyed The Secret Garden, the Narnia books or the fantasy books of Susan Cooper, amongst others, you'll love these stories as well.

The Armitage family live in a small village in southern England and consist of the ever harassed Mr. Armitage, the lovely Mrs. Armitage and their two  children, Mark and Harriet. In the final story, a new edition, Milo, makes an appearance. It's a seemingly normal village, with village fairs, music classes, school life, etc. but it's also peopled with witches, unicorns, magicians, goblins, little people, sometimes the Furies, etc. And the lovely thing is, it's all taken as just in the course of normal events. Sure, the goblins might cause some irritation. Sure the cantankerous witches might cast the odd spell on you if you bother them. But it's all dealt with.

Mark and Harriet live their lives, dealing with all of the fantastical, wonderful things that go on about them, with coolness and aplomb. The stories tend to focus on one or the other, or both. They get the normal illnesses like whooping cough, measles and the other one might have an adventure then. They get visits from weird and strange relatives. Oh, they have a 300 year old ghost who lives in the spare bedroom and in one instance chaperones Harriet on a school day because her parents are otherwise occupied. As I mentioned previously, they also have a unicorn who lives with them and a big old cat, the Walrus.

The fantasies are just so wonderful and imaginative. For the most part they end fairly happily, but even there, there are a couple of story lines that are quite touchingly sad. There is Mr. Johannsson, the music teacher, who lost the love of his life, many years ago when she cast a spell so the two of them could marry, but the message was not passed on by her mean sister. Now the Countess lives in a fairy world waiting for Mr. Johansson. At least two attempts are made by Harriet and Mark to reunite them, but ... well, I'll leave it at that.

The collection of stories are rich, wonderful, entertaining and just a joy to read. They suit adults and at the same time would be wonderful for parents to sit with their children to read together. Just lovely, great stories and a fantastic collection. (5.0 stars)"

Currently Reading: a. Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace (Fantasy)

b. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the 20th Century, A Graphic Novelization by Timothy Snyder (Non-Fiction)

Next in Line: Conversations on Writing by Ursula K. Le Guin.

3. 12 + 4 Challenge - Short Stories. I've completed 5 in this Challenge and currently taking a short break from it. I'll provide a review of my favorite so far and just list the other 4.

a. Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales by P.D. James.

"I've enjoyed the Inspector Dalgleish & Cordelia Gray mysteries by P.D. James as well as some of her standalone books, such as Children of Men. I thought it might be interesting to check out a collection of short stories, Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales and wasn't disappointed.

The book was published 2017 and contains six excellent short stories. I've said this before when I've reviewed short stories, that it can be a challenge (I believe) to switch from novels to short stories. In a novel, you can take your time, develop characters, story lines, settings, etc. but when you write a short story, all of this action is drastically compressed and to be able to do so and come up with an entertaining, satisfying story with a good ending, I think it takes quite a talent.

Having said that, each of the six stories were quite entertaining, all involving a murder, either in the past or present and each one moved along nicely, presented the 'case' quickly and succinctly and even showed interesting characters.

A young boy goes to visit relatives at Xmas, his uncle is murdered and in later years, he comes clean, explaining what actually happened. A brother and sister go to see their father in a retirement home. He wants to stay in another but it's too expensive... he has a way of encouraging them that will pique your interest. In another, a husband treats his wife horribly and is accused of trying to kill her... but there is another super twist.

Each story moves along nicely and holds your interest and I found the endings both surprising in each and also satisfying. PD James was such a great writer.. Now to get back to Dalgleish.. (4.0 stars)"

The other books are - (If you want to check the reviews, they can be found in any of my January posts in this Blog)

b. Meet Mr. Mulliner by P.G. Wodehouse (3.5 stars)

c. Week of Love by James Leasor (all feature Dr. Jason Love, doctor / spy) (3.5 stars)

d. The Poison Belt and other stories by Sir A.C. Doyle (all Professor Challenger stories (4.0 stars)

e. Worlds Without End by Clifford D. Simak (3.5 stars)

Next in Line - Dark Benediction by Walter M. Miller (Sci Fi)

4. 12 + 4 Challenge - Graphic Novels. I've completed six in this challenge. Graphic novels are normally a quick read. I'll provide the review of my favorite so far and list the other five. There are a few 4.0 star reads.

a. It Rhymes with Takei by George Takei. 

"It Rhymes With Takei is the continuation of George Takei autobiography which commenced with They Called Us Enemy. The first graphic novel dealt with the period of Mr. Takei's life, during WWII, when he and his family and thousands of other Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps by the US government. 

The second book continues with George's life, from going to college, discovering his love of acting and ultimately how he came out as a gay man. It's a fascinating journey and well documents the struggle he had with dealing with his homosexuality. We follow him through college, his visit to Stratford and travels through Europe, his developing civic activity.

It's an excellent story. You can really feel his pain and fear about coming out, his fear that he might be outed by an undercover police officer that would ruin his career and life. It's a microcosm of life in the US during this period and so well portrayed. Both books together make a fascinating life story. Well worth reading both books. (4.0 stars)"

b. Sin City Vol. 3; The Big Fat Kill by Frank Turner (4.0 stars)

c. Tank Girl; The Odyssey by Peter Milligan (3.0 stars)

d. The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet #3) (4.0 stars)

e. God Flare by David Alexander Robertson (Reckoner Rises #3) (3.0 stars)

f. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker (4.0 stars)

5. Individual Challenges - Dustiest Books (#17 - 416 on my Goodreads' TBR Bookshelf). One completed and one on the go.

a. Seaweed on the Rocks by Stanley Evans (Silas Seaweed #4).

"Seaweed on the Rocks by Stanley Evans is the 4th book in the Silas Seaweed mystery series set in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Seaweed is an indigenous police officer working in Victoria as a neighbourhood cop, especially helping out with indigenous issues.

There are a few issues that Seaweed is working on in this entertaining story. He goes out to an abandoned house on the outskirts of Victoria and discovers a young indigenous woman, almost dead from a drug overdose. He also thinks he sees a large grizzly wearing a strange hat, that spooks him. (One of the interesting aspects of the story is the mysticism, history and celebrations of the Coast Salish people, throughout the story. Salish lives on the Warrior reservation near the waterfront). 

Also in the mix is a beautiful half indigenous woman who Seaweed takes an interest in. She is a mystery and seems to be involved in the disappearance of a local 'hypnotherapist). His office had been turned over and Seaweed gets involved in discovering the whereabouts of the missing therapist (who also has a mysterious past, including the death of his wife back in Toronto). 

And there is the daily routine of Seaweed's life, trying to help addicted kids in the neighbourhood, trying to find an indigenous artist who also lives on the street and is an alcoholic. Just so much to take in and at the same time, especially for me, who has lived in Victoria for a time and visited as well, just enjoying the familiarity of the locale... the streets, the restaurants, the whole area. It adds so much to my enjoyment of the story.

Seaweed is a wonderful character as are his friends, partners on the police force and all the locals he knows and meets in his rounds. A most enjoyable, entertaining story and I can't imagine why it's been so long since my last visit with Seaweed in Victoria. Check it out if you enjoy a good police procedural mystery and a great story. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading - The Warsaw Document by Adam Hall (Quiller #4)

Next in Line - Dance for the Dead by Thomas Perry (Jane Whitefield #2)

6. Individual Challenge - That Middle Group (#417 - 832). There is one DNF and none completed. One on the go.

a. DNF - The Devil's Breath by Tessa Harris (Dr. Silkstone #3)

"The Devil's Breath is the 3rd book in the Dr. Thomas Silkstone historical mystery series by Tessa Harris. I 'liked' the first two books but after 85 pages of this 3rd book, I've decided to put the book & series down. 

In the Devil's Breath a mysterious fog is sweeping across England (acid rain??) and people are dying when caught out in it. At the same time, Thomas and his fiancé Lady Lydia are looking for her son. She had always assumed that the boy died in birth but it turns out that her husband of that time, had given it to a wet nurse... When he died, the wet nurse put the child into a work 'camp'.... 

And there is more intrigue as someone else is trying to find the boy, as, being the next male of the family, he stands to inherit the estate from his father.. 

It was an interesting concept but I just couldn't find enough interest to keep going... Please don't use my review to make your decision. If you liked the 1st two, keep on going. But for me, I'm finished... (NR)"

Currently Reading - Suez; Britain's End of Empire in the Mid-East by Keith Kyle (History)

Next in Line - Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus #18)

7. Individual Challenge - The Newest Books (#833 - Present). Completed 2 and 2 on the go.

a. Any Man's Death by Loren D. Estleman (Peter Macklin #3).

"Any Man's Death by Loren D. Estleman is the 3rd book in the Pete Macklin mystery series set in Detroit. Pete Macklin is a hit man who decided to become an independent. In this convoluted but entertaining story, Macklin is hired by 'retired' gang boss, Bonifacio (newly out of prison) to take a hit on his rival, Maggiore. Maggiore ran the 'business' while Bonifacio was in prison but basically took over. Bonifacio wants his revenge.

As well, ex rocker, now priest, Rev Sunsmith is campaigning to defeat a bill that would permit legal gambling in Detroit. After a failed assassination attempt during one of his services, Macklin's son,  Roger, a recovering heroin addict, is hired to take a hit on him. (Relations between Pete and his son are not good).

Into the mix are Police Inspector Pontier and his right hand man, Sgt Lovelady, who is months from retirement. They are trying to solve the failed hit on Sunsmith and keep the city safe. (two of my favorite characters actually. It's nice when a story has smart cops)

So you've got Macklin arranging the hit on Maggiore, his son working out his plans for Sunsmith and the cops trying to figure out who wants Sunsmith dead. It's all fascinating, lots of twists and turns, pyramid schemes, gang warfare (on a small scale) and a neat look at Macklin's life, his skill, his technique. All of the other characters are well-crafted. Let's not forget as well, beautiful Carmen Thallberg, millionaire investor to Sunsmith's cause / scheme. Not a woman to cross.

The story moves between characters smoothly and is so well written. Entertaining with a somewhat quick ending but still satisfying. (3.5 stars)"

b. Money Shot by Christa Faust (Mys) (3.0 stars)

Currently Reading - a. Where I Was From by Joan Didion (Non Fic)

b. Special Deliverance by Clifford D. Simak (Sci Fi)

Next in Line - Beyond the Black Stump by Nevil Shute (Fic)

So there you go. Enjoy your weekend and keep reading.

My First July 2024 Post

What to say today? It's Friday. Jo is asleep. Clyde is asleep on the sofa in the family room, or maybe he's just keeping an eye on me. The patio door is open and it's nice and cool so far. The Blue Jays keep losing. Canada is still alive in the Copa America footie tournament and will be playing against Venezuela today. Go Canada! 

What about books, you ask? It's the start of the 2nd half of 2024 so let's take a quick look at my first half, if you don't mind.

Some First Half Stats

Books Completed - 69 (includes 2 I didn't finish)

Pages Read (rounded down) - 16,900

Pages per Book - 245

Ratings - (includes half ratings, e.g. 4.5)

5 - star - 4

4 - star - 39

3 - star - 22

2 - star - 2

No Rating (for the ones I didn't finish) - 2

Gender of Author

Female - 32

Male - 34

Other - 3

My Annual Challenges

1. 12 + 4 (books of Ursula K. Le Guin) - completed 9 of 16. 2 X 5-star reads so far, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else and Searoad

2. 12 + 0 (Sci Fi, less than 200 pages) - completed 3 of 12

3. Series - completed 22 thus far (books, not series). 1 X 5 - star read. To Walk in the Ways of Lions by H. Leighton Dickson

4. Non - Series - completed 17

5. Tomes (over 500 pages) - completed 4. 1 X 5 - star read. The Ministry of the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

6. Monthly Author Focus - Jan / Agatha Christie (3 books), Feb / Adam Hall (1 book), Mar / Simon Brett (3 books), Apr / P.D. James (2 books), May / J.J. Marric (3 books), Jun / Ngaio Marsh 91 book)

Now let's move on to my current reading update. 😁

Completed (since last update)

1. Surfeit of Lampreys by Ngaio Marsh (Inspector Alleyn #6)

"Over the years, since early 2000's, I've enjoyed 15+ of the Inspector Alleyn mysteries by New Zealand author, Ngaio Marsh. Surfeit of Lampreys is the sixth book in this entertaining series. My wife and I also enjoyed the TV series starring Patrick Malahide as Inspector Alleyn, an excellent choice if I do say so myself. (And I do)

The sixth book starts briefly in New Zealand, with a New Zealander, Roberta (or Robin as she is called) Grey, who during her childhood spends much time with an English family, the Lampreys, on their estate in New Zealand. The Lampreys, Lord and Lady Charles, have six children and it become apparent, live on the edge of bankruptcy, sometimes being assisted by Charles' older brother Gabriel, the Marquis of Wutherwood and Rune. At the outset, the family are forced to return to England.

After this prelude, we once again see Roberta, now on a boat, heading to live with an aunt in London, due to the death of her parents. She will be spending some time with her old friends, the Lampreys, before moving in with her aunt.

Lord Charles is once again in financial difficulties. He seems to have bought into a business but his partner has lost all of their money and committed suicide. When Roberta arrives, the family awaits the imminent visit of brother Gabriel, who Charles hopes to persuade to assist once again. He is beset by creditors, one, a Mr. Grumble, who is currently attending the family.

So that's your preamble. Within a day, there will be a murder that will bring in Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn and his capable assistant, Detective Inspector Fox, aka Brer Fox or Foxkins. They have an excellent relationship. The rest of the story is basically the investigation, as Alleyn and Fox interview the family and staff. There is dissembling, false trails, in fact, the family while endearing aren't all that likable... It's difficult to describe. Likable isn't the term, I think, they are just very protective of each other. The twin boys have some sort of agreement where they both blame themselves when there is trouble, just to sow confusion. That sort of thing. 

It's a fascinating investigation, that actually builds quite a bit of tension by the end. Roberta is a key player as she is the outsider, friend of the family, who is somewhat in love with the oldest boy, Henry, but at the same time, not quite a part of the family. (Does that make sense?) So her observations are important to the fabric of the story. Alleyn and Fox  are, as always, excellent, just a great relationship. Alleyn's friend, reporter Nigel Bathgate, who appears in most of the stories, also makes an appearance, at the request of the family.

There are some neat touches. I won't ruin them, but the family isn't quite as tricky as the think they are. I thought I had the killer in my mind, my own twist to the story, but was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. It's been awhile since I delved into an Alleyn mystery. This one was excellent. I've got about 10 to go. (4.0 stars)".

2. Global by Eoin Colfer (2023).

"Global by Eoin Colfer is a beautifully drawn and told middle-grade graphic novel that highlights the dangers of climate change. It tells the story of Sami & his grandfather, both surviving on the edge of the Indian Ocean as fishermen and also of Yuki and her dog Lockjaw, who live in the Canadian Arctic. Both see the changes and suffer from the changes that climate change is having on their lives and environment.

Sami and grandfather are finding that the constant storms that hit their coastline are affecting the fishing stocks that they and their fellow fishermen need to survive. The water continues to rise, forcing them to constantly relocate, trying to find higher ground. As well, they must cope with more and more refugees, also suffering. 

Yuki and Locky live in an indigenous village in the far North. Their friends are all moving away as the permafrost melts as the glacial icefields warm up, causing more and more methane to leak into the atmosphere. The polar bears are losing their icefields in the Arctic Ocean and being forced further south where they mate with grizzly bears who are migrating north in search of new homes and food. The resulting bears are called grolars and are not equipped to survive in this new environment. The village elders kill the bears that come into the town and Yuki wants to prove they aren't a danger. She heads out to get photos of a grolar to prove her point. And she gets lost. Danger ensues.

The story tracks between the two young people and is so very fascinating and also very scary. Both of the youngsters are lovely and caringly developed. They are brave and fighting for themselves and their land. The effect of climate change is made smoothly and succinctly but powerfully. At the end of the story is a short exposition explaining climate change, how it occurs and its impact. We're not leaving our children much these days. It shouldn't be up to them to sort  it out. It might be too late. Excellent adventure story, just on its own but also a powerful one. (4.0 stars)"

3. Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker by Robert Mankoff (2004).

"My wife works at volunteers part - time at a local thrift store run by the Ladies' Auxiliary, which raises money for local charities and health care. Anyway, a month or so ago, she brought home this book she thought I might like, Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker edited by Robert Mankoff. It covers the period 1925, the First Decade to 2006, the 8th Decade, and she got it for $5.00. It also includes a CD-ROM which contains every cartoon published during that period. (Ah, if only any of my computers still had a cd -rom slot). But the selection of cartoons is excellent and runs for 660+ pages. Loved every bit of it.

Each decade is introduced by people from those periods, the 3rd decade by Lillian Ross, the 4th by John Updike and they provide a brief synopsis of the period and the artists. There are also brief interludes featuring either issues of the time, Nudity, business culture, the Internet or specific artists, like James Thurber, Charles Addams, Bruce Eric Kaplan, etc. 

It was so much fun to read through and enjoy the talent and the humor. Did I always get it? Nah. But it didn't matter. Of course I had favorites, especially those featuring dogs. I mean, who wouldn't ! All in all it was an enjoyable journey, some smiles, some guffaws, some belly laughs and many I shared with my wife as she tried to do other things. She may have regretted buying it for me, but I sure enjoyed it. I've used a few in my Bluesky page and have quite a few more earmarked. See if you can find it. It's excellent. (4.0 stars)"

4. Ratlines by Stuart Neville (2013).

"I've read two of Northern Irish author, Stuart Neville's Jack Lennon thriller series set in Belfast. I've enjoyed them both. Ratlines is one of three standalone stories he's written. It is set in Ireland in 1963. The country is waiting to welcome a visit by President John F. Kennedy. Department of Intelligence Lieutenant Albert Ryan is called in by the Minister of Justice, Charles Haughey, to investigate who is murdering German nationals living in Ireland.

It seems that there are many ex-Nazis living in Ireland after the war, both German and other nationals, what has become an embarrassing national secret. They seem to be under the thumb of one Otto Skorzeny, an Austrian who worked for Adolf Hitler during the war. A note has been discovered on the most recent body, addressed to Skorzeny, 'We are coming for you.' Ryan is a Protestant who, during WWII, went north and joined the British army, fighting against the Nazis, in Egypt, in North Korea, etc. His parents have been harassed ever since by local IRA in his home town, something Ryan tries to rectify.

But the story follows Ryan as he works, not too willingly for Skorzeny and Haughey trying to discover who is after Skorzeny. The feeling is that it might be the Mossad, Israeli intelligence. But there is more to it than that. What you end up with is a tense, exciting, often violent thriller as Ryan tries to stay alive and play off various people against the other and survive to live another day. There is even a romantic element with the lovely Celia, who he also must keep alive.

It's a well-written, entertaining, exciting story leaving you wondering how Ryan will accomplish everything. Excellent thriller. (4.0 stars)"

5. The Caves of Night by John Christopher (1958).

"Over the past few years I've begun exploring John Christopher works, especially his Sci Fi novels, both for adults, Death of Grass and for younger people just beginning to explore the wonders of Sci Fi, the Tripod trilogy, The Lotus Caves, an adventure on the Moon. Recently I found a copy of The Caves Of Night, which I thought was another of his Sci Fi stories. Nope.

The Caves is set in Austria, shortly after WWII. An English couple, Cynthia and Henry, take an annual vacation to Austria as Henry wishes to continue exploring the Fronberg Caves. When they arrive they discover that another English couple, Heather and Peter, newlyweds, have been given their normal room. They also discover that the caves have been closed by the landowner, Herr Joachim Albrecht, as there was a recent cave collapse. As a side note, Peter, while serving in the British army during the War had been bivouacked in Joachim's home, while Joachim, himself was a prisoner of the Russian army.

Anyway, with that preamble, the Graf (that's Joachim) agrees to let Henry and Cynthia continue their spelunking. Henry does it basically on his own, searching the caves for more cave drawings, while the other three are entertained by Joachim on his estate, playing tennis, swimming, horse riding, etc. A relationship begins to develop between Joachim and Cynthia.

So, as we move along, the whole group decides to follow Henry and let him show them the caves. While there, Cynthia and Peter, irresponsibly cause a cave in. This means that the group must try to find another way out, meaning they will have to go deeper into the mountain and hopefully link up with a series of caves on the other side.

It becomes a tense affair. Henry leads the way as he has most experience underground. Cynthia and Peter continue to cause issues. Cynthia must sort out her feelings between Henry and Joachim. It's all very entangled but also very tense and at times tragic. The feeling of claustrophobia is very real, reminding me of a Nevada Barr mystery set in a national park with a cave setting. The characters are all well developed, there is time for some philosophical discussion, all the while the group must struggle underground, hoping to find a way out before both their flashlights and food run out. Excellent story even if it's not Sci Fi as I thought. (4.0 stars)"

OK, I'm throwing this New Yorker cartoon in before I get to the Currently Reading section.

Currently Reading

1. Wycliffe and the Pea Green Boat by W.J. Burley (Inspector Wycliffe #6). Burley is my July Focus author.

"Wycliffe tackles a case which reaches back down the generations ...When Cedric Tremain is charged with murdering his father by booby-trapping his fishing boat, all the locals are agreed that he is an unlikely murderer. But the case against him is he has the motive, the opportunity and the know-how; not to mention the fact that there is some hard circumstantial evidence against him. So Cedric is arrested. But Chief Superintendent Wycliffe has a strong sense that something about the case just doesn't fit. As he quietly continues his investigations a confusing picture emerges. Twenty years ago Cedric's cousin was convicted of strangling his girlfriend and served fourteen years of a commuted death sentence. While the wheels of justice begin to grind Wycliffe searches for a link between past and present."

2. Kronk by Edmund Cooper (1970)

"HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH SEX AND SIN!

It seemed that Gabriel Crome and his elegantly hippy girl friend had the answer—a new, highly communicable disease with the property of inhibiting aggression. And oh boy! was it fun to communicate!

But Gabriel had reckoned without the finely honed irony of whatever Prankster it is who governs human affairs.

As the Raven quoth, 'KRONK."

3. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig (2019).

"Shana wakes up one morning to discover her little sister in the grip of a strange malady. She appears to be sleepwalking. She cannot talk and cannot be woken up. And she is heading with inexorable determination to a destination that only she knows. But Shana and her sister are not alone. Soon they are joined by a flock of sleepwalkers from across America, on the same mysterious journey. And like Shana, there are other "shepherds" who follow the flock to protect their friends and family on the long dark road ahead.

For as the sleepwalking phenomenon awakens terror and violence in America, the real danger may not be the epidemic but the fear of it. With society collapsing all around them--and an ultraviolent militia threatening to exterminate them--the fate of the sleepwalkers depends on unraveling the mystery behind the epidemic. The terrifying secret will either tear the nation apart--or bring the survivors together to remake a shattered world."

OK. You asked and you shall receive, another New Yorker cartoon before I move on to New Books. What's that you say? You didn't ask? Oh well. Too bad.

New Books

(just one! 🤯)

1. Scales of Justice by Ngaio Marsh (Roderick Alleyn #18  / 1955)

"Of all the books in the Alleyn series, Scales of Justice is most powerfully reminiscent of Agatha Christie, with its setting in an almost unspeakably charming little English village, and its cast of inbred aristocrats. When one of the aristos turns up dead next to the local trout-stream – with, in fact, a trout at his side – everyone is dreadfully upset, of course, but really, just a tad irritated as Murder is so awfully messy. Thank gawd that nice Inspector Alleyn – not really one of us, you know, but not terribly wide of the mark – is on hand to clear things up. Though one could wish that he didn’t feel compelled to ask quite so many questions."

Well, there you go. Clyde is lightly scratching at my chair. I think he wants to go for a walk before it gets too warm. So I leave you with one final New Yorker cartoon to lead you into your weekend.

I lied. One more. Enjoy your weekend, July and the rest of the year.

A Quick Look at My Reading Challenges for the First 4 Months of 2024

First a side note. As I was thinking of how to phrase the title of this entry, I started looking to see if there is a word that reflects a 4-month period. Quarterly reflects every 3 months of the year but there does seem to be a word for 4-monthly. So there you go. Oh and while I'm at it. I always found it interesting that in English when someone sneezes, you tend to say Bless you. Or in German you say Gesundheit. But I've never been able to find a French word or phrase that's equivalent. I imagine there is, but hey. So if you happen to be one of the people who glances at this BLog once in awhile, let me know if there are words that apply to the above. 😎

At the beginning of 2024, I outlined the 5 reading challenges that I would use to organize my reading this year. They are highlighted below and also how well I've progressed with them.

1. 12 + 4 Reading Challenge - The Works of Ursula K. Le Guin

My aim is to read as many of Le Guin's works as possible this year. I've highlighted 16 of those that I have on my book shelf. I'll focus on the Hainish Cycle and the Earthsea adventures as well as some of her other stories.

As of 30 April, I've finished 7 of the 16 on my list. Of those 7, my favorite thus far was Very Far Away from Anywhere Else, a 5.0 star read. I'm currently reading Tales from Earthsea, the 5th book in the Earthsea stories, a collection of short stories about the history of Earthsea. So far it's been excellent. Next in line will by Searoad, one of her standalone stories, originally published in 1991 and set in Le Guin's home state of Oregon. I'm well on the road to completing this challenge by year's end.

2. Series Challenge (Start, Middle, Finish a Series) 

I didn't set a limit. So far I've completed 14 books. My favorite to date has been the one I started first, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, the 1st book in the Oxford Time Travel series (4.5 stars). I am currently reading, having just started, To Walk in the Way of Lions by Canadian author, H. Leighton Dickson, #2 in the Tails of the Upper Kingdom. My plan for the next book is probably Six Ostriches by Philipp Schott, Canadian mystery writer of the Dr. Bannerman veterinarian mystery series set in Manitoba, Canada.

3. Non-Series Challenge (Any genre)

I've read a mix so far, finishing 9 books so far. One was listed as a Did Not Finish (DNF), that being The Fall of the Sparrow by Nigel Balchin. I just couldn't get into this one at all. My favorite so far has been a graphic novel, Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang & Leuyen Pham, 4.5 stars. I currently have two books on the go in this challenge, The Confidential Agent by Graham Greene, kind of a slow read so far, and How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa, quite interesting. Next in line will probably by Ratlines by Stuart Neville, a thriller set in Ireland.

4. Tome Challenge (Any book over 500 pages)

I did set a total of 10 for this challenge. One of my Ursula K. Le Guin books would have fit into the category, that being the Complete Orsinia. At the moment I've completed completed 3 books in the challenge with my favorite being The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, 5.0 stars. I've just started The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, the biggest book (page-wise) that was on my shelves. The next book will probably be Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, another new author for me.

5. Monthly Foci - Various Authors

Each month I'll try to read two or more books by various authors. I selected them based on the quantity of their books I've currently got on my shelves. So far I've focused on Agatha Christie - January (completed 3 books), Adam Hall - February (only completed 1 books), Simon Brett - March (completed 3 books) & P.D. James - April (completed 2 books). Of those books my favorite has been They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie, the 5th Miss Marple mystery, a 4.0 star selection. My May Focus author is John Creasey, a prolific writer who also wrote under a number of pseudonyms; JJ Marric, Andrew Morton, etc, etc. My first book is Meet the Baron written as Andrew Morton, the 1st book in the Baron thriller series. Next will be a crime story, Inspector West Takes Charge, the 1st book in that series, written as John Creasey. 

So there you go, a quick look at my year in reading to date. 8 more months to go.

January 2024 Reading Summary

We've had a few rainy days but the past two have been glorious, 10℃ and sunny for the most part. Bonnie went down to the vet today (well, actually, I drove her) and got her latest glucose monitor attached. I'm going to use the phone app this time.. well, we'll see. Me = No technical wizard. It's currently charging up.. 

So here it is, February 1, 2024 which means it's time for my first monthly reading update of 2024. I think I'm going to keep it a bit simpler this time. Let's see.

January 2024 Reading Update

(Reviews can be found in previous posts. Just scroll down to January 2024 and click and all of the posts for January will be opened) Overall, I completed 9 books in January, roughly 2300 pages in total.

1. 12 + 4 Reading Challenge - The Works of Ursula K. Le Guin. (Completed 2 books in this challenge in January.)

a. Rocannon's World (Hainish Cycle #1 / 1966). (3.5 stars). 

b. Tehanu (Earthsea #4 / 1990) (4.5 stars) I think this was my favorite book of January)

c. Currently Reading - The Beginning Place (1980). 

"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."

d. Next in Line - Very Far Away from Anywhere Else (1976).

"A slender, realistic story of a young man's coming of age, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else is one of the most inspiring novels Ursula K. Le Guin ever published. Owen is seventeen and smart. He knows what he wants to do with his life. But then he meets Natalie and he realizes he doesn't know anything much at all."

2. Series Challenge - Start, Continue or Finish a Series.

3 books completed in this challenge in January.

a. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (Oxford Time Travel #1 / 1992) This was a carry-over from 2023. Most enjoyable book. (4.5 stars). In my top 3 for January.

b. Murder and the First Lady by Elliot Roosevelt (Eleanor Roosevelt #1 / 1984). The first book in a mystery series by the son of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, featuring the First Lady. (4.0 stars)

c. Dekok and the Geese of Death by A.C. Baantjer (Inspector Dekok #20 / 2004). I'll provide the review of this book since I just finished it on the 31st. It's a mystery series set in Amsterdam. Not my favorite but an easy, usually interesting read.

"DeKok and the Geese of Death is the 20th book in the Inspector Dekok (as he says every time, 'with a K-O-K') by Dutch mystery writer A.C. Baantjer. I've read 3 of the books, well, 4 now, and while it's not my favorite mystery series, they are generally enjoyable, easy reads.

Inspector Dekok and his partner Vledder have finally caught suspected murderer Igor Stablinsky. As Dekok interrogates him, he is distracted by his partner and Stablinsky makes a run for it and escapes from the police station.

Dekok and Vledder want to immediately go after Igor but are placed on another case, one outside their jurisdiction. Isolde Bildijk, a crippled but wealthy woman, is in fear for her life, and has refused the help of the local police, instead demanding that Dekok, based on his reputation, be the one to help her. They arrive at an estate patrolled by a flock of geese. These geese will later be killed.

Truculent, Dekok and Vledder would rather be trying to find Igor but are distracted by Isolde and later on by her family who come down to support her. 

There will be other murders and Dekok will try to tie them to Igor, all the while stumbling somewhat in his investigation of the Bildijk family and the threat to it. The story is a somewhat wandering tale and Dekok fits the mold of the grumpy, smart inspector who has friction with his bosses but seems to things done. 

Ultimately, the case comes together for the two detectives. The resolution is satisfactory. There are interesting secondary characters and you do get some nice pictures of Amsterdam and its life. Not a perfect mystery but still entertaining. (3.0 stars)"

d. Lore Olympus Volume 5 by Rachel Smythe (2023). It's February, romance month so this is one of my selections.

"Witness what the gods do after dark in the fifth volume of a stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of the best-known stories in Greek mythology, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes content from creator Rachel Smythe.

"You want to know about The Bringer of Death."

It is Persephone's birthday, and she receives the ultimate gift: Hades confesses his desire for her, leading to their first kiss. But that doesn't necessarily make things easier for the goddess of spring, who is still in over her head in gossip-driven Olympus. Persephone feels intense guilt over the official breakup between Hades and Minthe, she is struggling to find her footing in her fast-paced job, and-worst of all-the shades of her past are slowly coming to light.

After an unexpected encounter with Apollo, Persephone flees into the depths of the Underworld. Concerned for her safety and determined to find her, Hades must team up with Artemis, Eros, and Hera, but they're working against a ticking clock. Zeus knows about the bloody secret in Persephone's past, and now the furious king of the gods will stop at nothing to bring her to justice."

e. Next in Line - Look to the Lady by Margery Allingham (Albert Campion #3 / 1931) It's been a long time since I checked out this series. I'm looking forward to it.

"Finding himself the victim of a botched kidnapping attempt, Val Gyrth suspects that he might be in a spot of trouble. Unexpected news to him – but not to the mysterious Mr. Campion, who reveals that the ancient Chalice entrusted to Val’s family is being targeted by a ruthless ring of thieves.

Fleeing London for the supposed safety of Suffolk, Val and Campion come face to face with events of a perilous and puzzling nature – Campion might be accustomed to outwitting criminal minds, but can he foil supernatural forces?"

3. Non - Series Challenge (Any genre).

I'm still working on the book I started the month with. It's ok so far which is a bit disappointing because I really enjoyed the first book I read by the author.

a. Currently Reading - The Fall of the Sparrow by Nigel Balchin (1955). I enjoyed The Small Back Room very much.

"What made Jason Pellew, a sensitive man whose unconscious charm excused many failings, turn to a career of sordid crime?

Son of a peppery Colonel who died in a lunatic asylum. Sensuously dominated by elder boys at public school. An amiable eccentric at University. A breaker - up of Fascist meetings. Volunteer in the Spanish Civil War. Lover of a Jewish girl tortured by the Gestapo. Recklessly gallant combat officer. Brilliant cloak and dagger boy. Married to a nymphomaniac.

Where and when did this cherub with the shy smile take the wrong road?"

b. Next in line. Oath and Honor: A Memoir of Warning by Liz Cheney (2023). I want to read this sooner than later.

"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."

4. The Tome Challenge - Books over 500 pages long.

I completed one book in this challenge in January.

a. Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon (2023). I picked this book by chance. Enjoyed it immensely. Read it. (4.0 stars)

b. Currently Reading - The White Road by John Connolly (Charlie Parker #4 / 2003). I'm reading this out of sequence. Enjoying it very much so far. It moves along very nicely.

"John Connolly thrilled readers with his bestselling novels, "Every Dead Thing, Dark Hollow," and "The Killing Kind." Now he delivers spellbinding suspense as Charlie Parker races to unravel a brutal crime committed in the Deep South. After years of suffering unfathomable pain and guilt over the murders of his wife and daughter, private detective Charlie Parker has finally found some measure of peace. As he and his lover, Rachel, are awaiting the birth of their first child and settling into an old farmhouse in rural Maine, Parker has found the kind of solace often lost to those who have been touched by true evil.

But darkness soon descends when Parker gets a call from Elliot Norton, an old friend from his days as a detective with the NYPD. Now practicing law in Charleston, South Carolina, Elliot is defending a young black man accused of raping and killing his white girlfriend, the daughter of a powerful Southern millionaire. Reluctantly, Parker agrees to help Elliot and by doing so ventures into a living nightmare, a bloody dreamscape haunted by the specter of a hooded woman and a black car waiting for a passenger who never arrives. Beginning as an investigation into a young woman's death, it is a fast-moving descent into an abyss where forces conspire to destroy all that Parker holds dear."

c. Next in Line - The Ministry of the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson (2020). A new author I've wanted to try for awhile.

"The Ministry for the Future is a masterpiece of the imagination, using fictional eyewitness accounts to tell the story of how climate change will affect us all. Its setting is not a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, but a future that is almost upon us. Chosen by Barack Obama as one of his favorite books of the year, this extraordinary novel from visionary science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson will change the way you think about the climate crisis."

5. Monthly Focus - Specific Authors

a. January Focus - Agatha Christie.

I read 3 books by Christie, a Hercule Poirot, a Miss Marple and a Tommy and Tuppence. All very enjoyable.

By the Pricking of My Thumbs (Tommy & Tuppence #4 / 1968). Tuppence was the main star of this book. (4.0 stars)

The Big Four (Hercule Poirot #5 / 1927). Of the 3 books I read in January, I enjoyed this the least. But it was still enjoyable. (3.0 stars)

They Do it With Mirrors (Miss Marple #6 / 1952). I have yet to be disappointed by a Miss Marple. It may have to do with how much Jo and I enjoy watching the Marple mysteries on TV, but she's just a wonderful character. (4.0 stars)

b. February Focus - Adam Hall. Hall is author of the Quiller spy thrillers. He also wrote under other names; Elleston Trevor for one. I previously enjoyed The Flight of the Phoenix which he wrote as Trevor. I've read a couple of the Quiller books thus far and I'll focus on that series in February.

Currently Reading - The 9th Directive (or Quiller in Bangkok) (Quiller #2 / 1966). 

"The setting is Thailand. A very important representative of the Queen is scheduled to visit Bangkok on a good-will tour. A threat has been made against his life, and somewhere amidst the golden spires awaits a deadly assassin.

The top-secret British espionage bureau feels ordinary security precautions are not sufficient, so they call in agent Quiller. He's a cynical loner, but the only man capable of tracking down the would-be killer. The tale is complex, set at a breathless pace!"

Next in Line - The Striker Portfolio (Quiller #3 / 1968).

"The latest British super-fighter has killed thirty-six pilots in high-impact crashes, and Quiller is determined to solve the mystery."

There you go. See any books that tweak your interest?