I did a re-read of this book as my son was finally getting around to reading it himself. Still a good read, even with all the surprises revealed and I needed the refresher as I plan to read Ready Player Two.
Dark as books about serial killers often are... I enjoyed this book. I believe it is the beginning of a series and I am definitely interested in reading more from this author.
This is the first book in Ms. Jemisin's "Broken Earth" series. It has been awhile since have read books in the fantasy genre. Glad my taste for fantasy has come back around. A very good read and I am looking forward to reading the entire series. In fact I am most likely continue to read books from this author. Intricate plot and very well developed alternate world building.
The second book in the 4MK triology. I was a bit worried as it had been sometime since I read the first book (The Fourth Monkey Killer) but the author provided enough backstory for me to plow on. Deeper and more complex. Very interested to read the final installment and how this all plays out.
This book marks the conclusion of the 4MK trilogy. This outing marks the end of a very satisfying series of books. It never disappoints. Reading time very well spent. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
This is the first book I can remember reading by Ms. Coulter. It is deep into her series revolving around the FBI agents Sherlock and Savich but surprisingly I was able to jump right in with out missing anything. Nor did author indulge in excessive reiterating. It was a nicely plotted swift paced novel of a skilled author. I look forward to going back to the beginning...lots of prior books. This was reading time well spent.
A category devoted to widows and widowers. I sorrow for their loss but read for my delight.
I was lured in by all the good reviews. It read like a confused manic fever dream. Very over the top melodramatic. While no doubt it kept me reading I'm still confused and if truthful disappointed. The author couldn't pick a lane and I am still not sure who was villan and who was the victim. Like Claire keeps muttering to herself at the end --none of it is true. Maybe her other books are better.
This category points: North, South, East, West and all the compass ponits in between.
A category for books with a Castle in the title of the book.
While belonging to a book club has been a bucket list dream of mine--I've come to the conclusion that apparently this is not be--and believe me I've tried 3-4 clubs. Finger's crossed the Vignovic Book Club (found under V) has a few titles to its name. Therefore the category has switched gears. I originally intended it to contain books I read as part of a book club but now it will contain books about book clubs.
Bloody books. Need I elaborate more?
A category devoted to books about Bees and books with Bee in the titles.
You guessed it. All these books have "River" in the title.
In 2023 I picked up a few books on this subject, with innocent intentions, as I wanted to learn more about the recent scientific research into the behavioral disorders associated with anxiety, so that I could be of better help to others who were suffering from anxiety. Ironically, I found these books to be talking about my symptoms...Well as they say on airplanes (put your own oxygen mask of first) and in Ala-Non (you can only fix your own head)...so for the record this is a list of the books that have most helped me.
As a category this is one is pretty self explanatory. Angel, Demon, or both must be in the title to make this list. Just for the Hell of it I may even go back and give Angels and Demon's a Heavenly re-read.
This category promises to be quite the mixed bag of titles...so far it extends from the evolution of morals to the amoral activities of serial killers. And yes monkeys.
2021
I ordered this as a used book on Amazon. It came missing the first 17 pages but the seller quickly refunded my money. Still one not to want to waste a mostly intact book...I sourced out the first 17 pages for free from Google Books. Once again, Google to the rescue. A book for July and a book about WWI was just what I wanted. I really enjoyed this book, a fictional look into one of the most horrific battles of WWI. I really enjoyed this author and look forward to reading more of her books. Next August I am starting a non fiction book about the start of WWI.
2022
This was a so so read. It didn't turn out to be what I thought it was going to be about. But it did keep me reading til the end so it has that going for it.
2023
2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.
I do remember a bit of this plot but as it involves the unexpected murder of a co-worker I don't want to spoil too much. Another good round with Larry and the gang. I do count myself in the group of readers and characters that believe that Larry is using Eddie a bit too much. Eddie has fared well thus far and is in early recovery--I want him to stay that way.
2021
I had originally had another title in mind for my August book title but when I stumbled across this one I couldn't resist and changed course. It is about a young girl and her female therapist, most of it being set in the office during her analysis. It is told from perspective of the therapist and some of the chapters deal with her own personal life. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author, new to me, but apparently quite well known for writing Looking for Mr. Goodbar.
2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.
I enjoyed this I'm sure. The author has yet to dissapoint and I always enjoy his books, so no doubt the same applies here, I just don't remember the plot.
2022
This book is modeled after one of my favorite books--Enchanted April. I liked it for what is was but it is a pale comparison to Elizabeth von Armin's classic.
2021
This is the second book in this series. It had been awhile since I had read the first book and was a little worried that I would be a little lost...but no worries I slid right back into the groove. I will definitely continue to read this series of mysteries.
2023
2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.
This one is mostly a blur which is a shame and what little I remember is about the hurricane. I remember thinking that this one was especially good.
2022
This book is going on my forever shelf. A seemingly simple tale of one family's yearly end of summer vacation to the shore. A turning of the tide for the whole family. I wil definitely read more by this author.
2022
An interesting read, a re-imagined San Francisco, where October Daye, half human half fae, spends her days (sorry couldn't resist). She has a lot of attitude, but to cut her some slack, she did spend the last 14 years cursed to live as a fish in a pond. I guess she grew on me, I will be reading the rest of the books in this series.
2021
As we are living through an actual pandemic these last couple of years, I almost decided not to read this book--but once I started I couldn't stop. It wasn't the best of books but for an unusual reason. Lawrence Wright is a reporter who has won a Pulitzer Prize for one of his other books. He researched the hell out of this subject and it shows--it was a foreshadowing of COVID. But it made the "novel" a bit wooden--like a whole bunch of actual reporting was given the barest smear of fiction as an icing on top. So it was fascinating--random swirl of the universe--we have vaccines that as of December 2021 are still holding. I would glady read his non-fiction.
Guy sitting in a bar on a rainy night decides to chat up an attractive blonde who sits down next to him--she thinks he is someone else and he plays along--ruthless mayem ensues.
2023
2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.
Last time we will see a Larry Macklin as a monthly read, but rest assured these mysteries continue--going forward as a "seasonal" read so he switches to my Seasons category. My struggle is to wait until Spring.
This "Book of the Month Club" series weirdly enough started with November. This one finally sees the election and it's result as well as dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane. Hanging about with Larry and the gang is always a pleasure.
2022
Stumbled across this series while scrolling GoodReads for November titles and I am ever so glad I did. I have become very fond of Larry Macklin and all the rest of the supporting characters, animal and human. I was equally pleased to know that I stumbled on this series late in the game. That while the author started with the month, November, he has already written a tale for each month. Lots of good reading ahead of me...although I just got to say...is it Larry solving the crimes or do they seem to solve themselves....with Larry being at the right place, right time?
2021
An interesting book set around the Kennedy assignation and the possible involvement of the Louisiana crime organization. A gangster on the run gets a brief taste of an alternative life. But no worries no cliches here...I particularly liked the portrayal of women as strong players during the progression of this tale. I will definitely be reading more Lou Berney.
This book won a Pulitzer Prize in 1963. I have read other of her books and I credit "A Distant Mirror" for igniting my love of reading history. For the most part, this book does a fine job painting a picture of the first month of WWI, however...it left me needing more. I do give myself credit for the selfless forced march I took on to slog through to the end of this book. It is mostly compelling reading but it does bog down in parts.
It is a top down look from the perspective of the bumbling, weepy, arrogant idiots --oops my bad-- the fine moustachioed gentleman who were in charge of making goverment, diplomatic, and battlefield decisions.
Since this book was writtten much more is known and much more has been written. Off to the trenches...
I liked this book more than I expected too. It is a bit weird and has too much sex (easy to skim over which I did). Clever storytelling but a little far-fetched--suspend your disbelieve and just enjoy.
What can I say-it was already in my TBR stack-and I needed a book to meet my December reading requirement. This reads like a Hallmark movie set mostly in London and paper thin even by Hallmark movie standards. Not my cup of tea.
This category is going to be a challenge of sorts. I want to find book titles that consist of a single word--one for each letter of the alphabet-- (and of course, read them.)
Cormoran Strike #5
Although I have enjoyed all my reading time spent with Robin and Strike I think this outing has been my favorite. Good plotting and good character development.
A series of books that I am reading out of order about the cases of Inspector Ian Rutledge. I do like his writing and I do like the other book that I have read. The first book I picked up was a flashback to Ian Rutledge before he left England and fought in the trenches during WWI. And this book (#2) is Ian as he is after the war, as that is how the series began.
I just don't remember what this book was about. So catch me later...I am going back to the beginning and starting over.
Of all the books in my "wolf" category this was the book I looked forward to the most. MFK Fisher is esteemed to almost goddess like status as both a cook and a cookbook author. This book was written to encourage those daunted by wartime shortages in England in the aftermath of WWII. Making something out of near nothing. Effective use of leftovers, cheap cuts of meat, trying to use up all ingredients in pantry and frig, etc.
I don't want to disparage this book. I did not live through WWII in England or its immediate aftermath so I don't understand or relate to the English sensibilites of that time. L was really dismayed that I didn't like this book--indeed it was one of the very few books that I haven't been able to heroically stick through to the bitter end. There is just something about the Post WWII English "housewife" that I simiply can't relate with--I experienced the same when ploughing through "The Provincial Lady" series of books.
it is my issue not the issue of these authors. I just had hoped to like her writing as much as I enjoy her contemporary Julia Child.
A very interesting take on Sci Fi. It was also interesting to read more about the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This is a multi book series and I am highly anticipating reading the next. Very inventive and complex world building.
If you do not like spoilers of any sort--please do not read any further.
I consider my self lucky to have read this series out of order because at least I wasn't totally blindsided by the ending of this book. It was hard enough to read even knowing what was to come. Good read nontheless.
Truth be told--I had picked up this book to read a couple of times and couldn't get hooked in. Third time must have indeed been the charm. I think going back and giving "In The Woods" a second read really helped. Glad I did as this was a really good read--looking forward to the next Dublin Squad Murder.
This was one of my favorite books in 2023. I loved the structure, the writing, and the plot. I look forward to reading more from this author.
During 2020 I decided to read about all things dark, black and demon haunted and I came up with quite the collection of titles.
This is my final outing with Elizabeth Chase, psychic detective, and I am more than a little sad. I will miss her. While Martha C. Lawrence is a fabulous writer, she, alas, lost her enthusiam for writing fiction after September 11, 2001. She even completed a book tour for this last book in the immediate aftermath of these terrorist attacks, which must have been surreal to say the least. Thankfully for her, she has found success and happiness in "behind the scene" writing. Maybe some day...
I really enjoyed reading this book. Good plot. I would have happily read my way through the whole zodiac had this series continued.
2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.
This book was recommended/sent to me by my husband, he thought I would like it--even though he had not read it himself. Not sure if he has even read it since I did, so much for book club.
I don't remember all the fine details of the plot and truthfully I thought it would be more about bowling--instead it is more of dark character study.
I picked up this book because I love Maeve Binchy and hadn’t read any of her books in about 20 years. I have a thing for English writers--I have a thing for all things English. But here's the weird thing-- while Im reading a book like this I fall in love with the idea of scrubbed pine tables and carbolic acid cleaners, gardening in the rain, puttering around in old cars and old clothes the older the better. Cleaning and scrubbing and order. A hard core work ethic.
2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.
I do remember this being a great read. I will no doubt keep in on my shelf to read again. I am a soft sell for a good time traveling yarn.
2022
A book I wanted to like way more than I actually did, because I myself identify totally with the concept of wintering and in these past few years I think a lot of others feel the same. If I am judging this correctly...this book was written while the author was have a dark moment of the soul and I think it shows in the choppiness of the writing. She starts down many pathways and then diverts away never quite giving resolution or a finish to any of the storylines she starts...
The is the second time I have read this book. I have also seen the movie (Matt Damon does a great job). My son and did a little book clubbing this summer. We both give this a thumbs up.
- Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekbäck
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
- The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
- Spring's Promises by A. E. Howe
- Spring House by Mary Ellen Taylor
- Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews
- Cicada Spring by Christian Galacar
- The End of Summer by Rosamunde Pilcher
- A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd
- In The Woods by Tana French
- Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
- Falling by Elizabeth Jane Howard
- When The Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman
- What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do The Opposite by David DiSalvo
- A Parisian Categorie
- The Dry by Jane Harper
- Murder in the Sentier by Cara Black (Aimee Leduc #3)
- Real Tigers by Mick Herron
- The Rector's Wife by Joanna Trollope
- The River by Peter Heller
- We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson
- Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
- Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
- "K" is for Killer by Sue Grafton
- "J" is for Judgment by Sue Grafton
- "I" is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
- "H" is for Homicide by Sue Grafton
- To Your Health
- Addiction In The Family by Louise Stanger
- My Unremarkable Brain by David Moore Robinson
- How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
- Redefining Anxiety by Dr. John Delony
- Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer, MD, PhD
- June
- July
- September
- October
- Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
- Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
- Murder of Angels by Jack Gatland
- Tuesday's Socks by Alison Ragsdale
- Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
- The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
- Who Watcheth by Helene Tursten
- Murder In Belleville by Cara Black (Aimee Leduc #2)
- Her Last Breath by Dan Padavona (A Wolf Lake Thriller)
- Murder in Scorpio by Martha C. Lawrence
- The Daisy Children by Sophia Grant
- May
- I'll Be Gone in the Dark (One Woman's Search...) by Michelle McNamara
