Robin M Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Happy Sunday, my lovelies! And now for something completely different. Since the majority of you live in areas several hours ahead of me and I’m late to bed, late to rise on Sunday, I will be posting before I go to bed, since technically it’s Sunday in my neck of the woods. ************************** My heavens, June is upon us and it's time to climb back aboard our airship, the Pum Deg Dau o Lygrau and weigh anchor. Join me as we set sail for Jasper Fforde's world of alternative history in the Nextian Universe. We are off to join literary detective Thursday Next as well as our fictional librarian of the month, Cheshire Cat who makes his first appearance in Lost in a Good Book as head librarian for the Great Library. He goes by many names including the Cat Formerly Known as Cheshire, Unitary Authority of Warrington Cat, or, Archibald which is what his mother calls him. He appears in books #2, 3, and 4 in the Thursday Next series. There are a variety of ways to complete this challenge with plenty of rabbit trails. Read a book with one or more of the following (but not limited to) and have fun exploring: Spell out the first and/or last name of the character's name - one book per letter from the title on the cover. Spell out the first and/or last name of the author - one book per letter. Read one or more books in the series. Read any book written by the author. Follow in a character's footsteps and read a book set in the country or time period of the story. Follow in the author's footsteps and read a book set in their place or time of birth. Read a book with the first or last name of the character or author in the title. Jasper Fforde is a British novelist who resides in Wales and has a great imagination as well as a fun and fact filled website. Today, May 30th, marks the 17th year of the Fforde Fiesta, a weekend of silliness with Jasper Fforde and is virtual this year. Be sure to check it out. ************************ Count of Monte Cristo Readalong Chapter 49. Haydée Chapter 50. The Morrel Family Chapter 51. Pyramus and Thisbe Link to Week 21 Visit 52 Books in 52 Weeks where you can find all the information on the annual, mini and perpetual challenges, as well as share your book reviews with other readers around the globe. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted May 30, 2021 Author Share Posted May 30, 2021 Finished #6 The Secret Chapter in Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series in which Irene and Kai are forced into a heist with an odd group of characters and chaos reins as they have to watch their backs while trying to stay one step ahead of the mob and the police. #7 Dark Archive is up next. Also finished Nora Robert’s Legacy which hit me with all the feels and had me teary eyed several times through out the book. It’s both light and dark, coming of age, life and grief, friendship and family, making something of yourself, working through the good and the bad, suspense novel with terror, humor, and romance, with a great cast of characters including two very cute dogs and one of those that once you start, you won’t want to stop reading stories. Five hanky read. Keep a box of tissues handy. Elbow deep into Fforde’s The Eyre Affair with Lost in a Good Book waiting in the wings. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Robin M said: Finished #6 The Secret Chapter in Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series in which Irene and Kai are forced into a heist with an odd group of characters and chaos reins as they have to watch their backs while trying to stay one step ahead of the mob and the police. #7 Dark Archive is up next. Also finished Nora Robert’s Legacy which hit me with all the feels and had me teary eyed several times through out the book. It’s both light and dark, coming of age, life and grief, friendship and family, making something of yourself, working through the good and the bad, suspense novel with terror, humor, and romance, with a great cast of characters including two very cute dogs and one of those that once you start, you won’t want to stop reading stories. Five hanky read. Keep a box of tissues handy. Elbow deep into Fforde’s The Eyre Affair with Lost in a Good Book waiting in the wings. Thanks for the great thread Robin! Popping in quickly to give the thread a bump. I really loved The Eyre Affair when I first read it ........over a decade ago. Time flys! You are tempting me to do a reread as I know I will need E’s for Cheshire Cat! My hold on Legacy should be available in the next couple of weeks so I will look forward to it. I finished The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak who is another Harlequin author turned mainstream from back in the 80’s. It was one of those books that kept me reading to find out how in the world the author planned to resolve what she had started. It was like @Lady Florida’s jar where she drew several slips of story starters and bang! That’s her story lines. Lots of triggers and here are some spoilers.... A husband goes on a business trip and disappears.....captured by Russians. Then there was the grandma who spent a decade locked in a basement after being abducted and has never told her daughter who her father is. This was finished off with a pregnant teen. A love interest with a psycho ex is also part of the mash up. What a mix!😂 Edited May 30, 2021 by mumto2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Some bookish posts ~ Worlds Beyond: How The Chronicles of Narnia Introduced Us to Other Authors We Love https://www.tor.com/2021/05/26/worlds-beyond-how-the-chronicles-of-narnia-introduced-us-to-other-authors-we-love/ First English dictionary of ancient Greek since Victorian era ‘spares no blushes’ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/may/27/first-english-dictionary-of-ancient-greek-since-victorian-era-spares-no-blushes-lexicon-classics 5 SFF Character Pairs With Ever-Changing Relationships https://www.tor.com/2021/03/30/5-sff-character-pairs-with-ever-changing-relationships/ Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 My May librarian spelling challenge...... Beatrice DeNovo B.......Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs E.......The Essence of Malice by Ashley Weaver A.......Much Ado About You by Samantha Young T.......Shadows in Time by Julie McElwain R.......The Mother Hunt by Rex Stout I ........Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews C.......The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers E.......Mayhem at the Orient Express by Kylie Logan D.......A Darkness Absolute by Kelly Armstrong E.......A Most Extraordinary Pursuit by Juliana Grey N.......Angel Falls by Nora Roberts O........Oder of Violets by Baynard Kendrick V........Silent Voices by Ann Cleeves O........To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Yesterday, I finished Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space (The Henry Gallant Saga Book 1) by H. Peter Alesso; it was a pleasant military science fiction read, but I don't think I'm motivated to continue the eight book series. "As the last starfighter, only Henry Gallant can stop the alien invasion.In an era of genetic engineering, Henry Gallant is the only Natural left in the United Planets' fleet.With the fleet on the verge of annihilation from invading aliens, analyzing the captured computer in Gallant's possession is critical to stopping the invasion. He can expect no help as he navigates through threatening aliens on his way to Mars. His shipmates doubt he is up to the challenge.But as the last starfighter in Squadron 111, the lives of his shipmates, as well as a good many others, depend on Henry Gallant." Regards, Kareni 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Currently FREE for Kindle readers ~ A nine book fantasy series, Cradle by Will Wight; see Cradle (9 book series) His Pretend Baby: 50 Loving States, Oregon (Ruthless Bosses Book 1) by Theodora Taylor The House on Blackberry Hill (Jewell Cove Book 1) by Donna Alward Regards, Kareni 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 I'm almost finished with Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes by Maya Angelou. Absolutely delightful cookbook/memoir - I want to try several of the recipes before it has to go back to the library. I recently listened to the History Chicks' episode on Maya Angelou and Oh my goodness! She did enough living for 3 or 4 people! I read a terrific essay this morning - Salman Rushdie: Ask Yourself Which Books You Truly Love and I thought y'all would enjoy it, too. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 25 minutes ago, Mothersweets said: I read a terrific essay this morning - Salman Rushdie: Ask Yourself Which Books You Truly Love and I thought y'all would enjoy it, too. What a meaty essay, Mothersweets! Thanks for sharing it. Regards, Kareni 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 My distant book group will be meeting this week on Zoom. We'll be discussing True Grit: A Novel by Charles Portis which I finished earlier this afternoon. This is the first time I've read the book, and I enjoyed it. I look forward to the discussion. "Charles Portis has long been acclaimed as one of America’s foremost writers. True Grit, his most famous novel, was first published in 1968, and became the basis for two movies, the 1969 classic starring John Wayne and, in 2010, a new version starring Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges and written and directed by the Coen brothers. True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen when the coward Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father’s blood. With one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the killer into Indian Territory. True Grit is eccentric, cool, straight, and unflinching, like Mattie herself. From a writer of true status, this is an American classic through and through." Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Ok. I was debating on a book called “Chronic” while others are still unread. I decided that starting Ch like Cheshire qualifies it to move up the queue for this week! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 @Kareni I loved True Grit! the audio version is excellent, too! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 2 hours ago, Mothersweets said: @Kareni I loved True Grit! the audio version is excellent, too! That's good to know, Mothersweets! Now I'm curious to learn if any of the other attendees listened to the book. Regards, Kareni 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 I don't often read nonfiction, but I do have to admit to having a fondness for books about books. I just finished When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning. I found the book informative and a quick read. I most enjoyed hearing how the books impacted individual servicemen. "When America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned 100 million books. Outraged librarians launched a campaign to send free books to American troops, gathering 20 million hardcover donations. Two years later, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 million specially printed paperbacks designed for troops to carry in their pockets and rucksacks in every theater of war. These small, lightweight Armed Services Editions were beloved by the troops and are still fondly remembered today. Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy, in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific, in field hospitals, and on long bombing flights. This pioneering project not only listed soldiers’ spirits, but also helped rescue The Great Gatsby from obscurity and made Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, into a national icon." There is a nice review of the book at the Dear Author site and also on the SBTB site. Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 I read Volumetrics: Feel Full on Fewer Calories - 4 Stars 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) 43. "Surviving Columbine" by Liz Carlston. (LDS) There were several Latter-day Saint students who knew each other from church who survived Columbine. Liz was one, and she interviewed several others to tell the story from their perspective. 42. "The Right Side of History" by Ben Shapiro. 41. "Guerilla Learning" by Grace Llewellyn and Amy Silver. 40. "Don't Burn This Book" by Dave Rubin. 39. "The Madness of Crowds" by Douglas Murray. 38. "The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye" by Nancy Springer. 37. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline" by Nancy Springer. 36. "The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan" by Nancy Springer. 35. "The Case of the Bizarre Bouquet" by Nancy Springer. 34. "The Case of the Left-Handed Lady" by Nancy Springer. 33. "Stuff Matters" by Mark Miodownik. Audible Book. 32. "Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World" by Sy Montgomery. Audible Book. 31. "Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism" by Barry M Prizant. Audible Book. 30. "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park. 29. "The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano" by Olaudah Equiano, adapted by Ann Cameron. 28. "Journey to Jo'Burg" by Beverley Naidoo. 27. "United States of Socialism" by Dinesh D'Souza. 26. "For the Love of Europe" by Rick Steves. 25. "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. Audible book. 24. "The Case of the Missing Marquess" by Nancy Springer. 23. "Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen" by J.K Rowling. Audible book. 22. "Blackout" by Candace Owens. 21. "An Excellent Mystery" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 20. "The Pilgrim of Hate" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 19. "Dead Man's Ransom" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 18. "4:50 from Paddington" by Agatha Christie. Audible book. 17. "Man in the Brown Suit" by Agatha Christie. Audible book. 16. "The Mysterious Mr. Quin" by Agatha Christie. Audible book. 15. "I Will Repay" by Baroness Orczy. Audible book. 14. "Dead Man's Ranson" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 13. "The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Orczy. Audible book. 12. "The Devil's Novice" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 11. "The Sanctuary Sparrow" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 10. "The Virgin in the Ice" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 9. "Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?" by Caitlin Doughty. 8. "Law and Disorder: The Legendary Profiler's Relentless Pursuit of Justice" by John Doublas and Mark Olshaker. Audible book. 7. "The Leper of St. Giles" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 6. "The Cases That Haunt Us" by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker. Audible book. 5. "From Here to Eternity: Travelling the World to Find the Good Death" by Caitlin Doughty. 4. "Not a Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth" by Dr. Everett Piper. Audible book. 3. "The Innocence of Father Brown" by G.K. Chesterton. Audible book. 2. "St. Peter's Fair" by Ellis Peters. Audible book. 1. "The Mysterious Mr. Quin: A Harley Quin Collection" by Agatha Christie. Audible book. Edited June 2, 2021 by Maus 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted June 3, 2021 Author Share Posted June 3, 2021 I finished The Eyre Affair. Fun and intriguing story with book hopping and bad guys trying to rewrite stories or killing characters off which really affected the books. Had to keep reminding myself it was alternative history fiction so stop trying to make sense of the historical aspects. All the way through the book I was trying to figure out what she sees in Landen and if things will ever work out for them. Made me want to read Jane Eyre again since that story took center stage for a while. Also finished Roxanne St Claire's latest in her Dogmother series with Faux Paws. Cute romance involving a runaway bride who is a animal communicator which is a fancy way of saying pet psychic and an nuclear engineer who is a linear factual thinker and sparks fly when they try to help a rescue dog. Silly love story cleared my palate for the next intense Black Dagger Brotherhood read, J.R. Wards Lover Unveiled "Sahvage has been living under the radar for centuries-and he has every intention of staying ‘dead and buried.’ But when a civilian female sucks him into her dangerous battle with an evil as ancient as time, his protective side overrides his common sense. Mae has lost everything, and desperation sets her on a collision course with fate. Determined to reverse a tragedy, she goes where mortals should fear to tread- and comes face to face with the Brotherhood’s new enemy. She also discovers a love she never expected to find with Sahvage, but there can be no future for them. Knowing they will part, the two band together to fight against what Mae unknowingly unleashed- as the Brotherhood closes in to reclaim one of their damned, and the evil vows to destroy them all…" 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted June 3, 2021 Author Share Posted June 3, 2021 (edited) @Kareni Great links, thanks. I totally enjoyed When Books go to War and the historical aspects. @mumto2 Great job with spelling out Beatrice @Mothersweets Thank you for linking to the interesting essay On 5/30/2021 at 4:25 PM, Pen said: I decided that starting Ch like Cheshire qualifies it to move up the queue for this week! Creative thinking! That's an interesting way to choose what to read next. Now I want to do the cha cha cha! 🙂 James talked me into watching Venom which turned out to be quite good, even though he was kind of a bad guy. Lots of humor and no gory stuff. Edited June 3, 2021 by Robin M 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 Some more bookish posts ~ From the Word Wenches: WWR — What We're Reading in May https://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/2021/05/reading-in-may.html#comments Another 25 Recommended Indie Fantasy and Sci-Fi http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/2021/04/another-25-recommended-indie-fantasy.html SEVEN GREAT THRILLERS THAT PLAY WITH FORM https://crimereads.com/seven-great-thrillers-that-play-with-form/ Regards, Kareni 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 After hearing me mention it a time or ten, my husband recently began reading Stray (Touchstone Book 1) by Andrea K. Höst. (This book is currently FREE.) That prompted me to reread the book, too. I've now reread Stray, Lab Rat One, Caszandra, and Gratuitous Epilogue . I've enjoyed revisiting them all. ETA: I also reread In Arcadia (Touchstone Book 5) by Andrea K Höst and enjoyed it. Regards, Kareni 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 Currently FREE for Kindle readers ~ A Marquess' Miraculous Transformation: A Historical Regency - Abigail Agar The Marquess is Mine - Tamara Gill Everything a Lady Craves: A Historical Regency Romance - Meghan Sloan LGBT: Ghosting You by Alexander C. Eberhart Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 I'm way behind on reading, and listening more than reading this year. 2021 isn't being very nice to me in that regard. 🙃 I'm in a bad MS flare. Pulse therapy really turns my brain to goo, and PT three days a week leaves me exhausted, so I'm sticking to simple stories, nothing too deep, or complex, and nothing sad. Right now I am reading Born in Fire by K.F. Breene on Kindle unlimited. I believe some of my authors are releasing new books in the coming weeks, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 20 minutes ago, melmichigan said: I'm way behind on reading, and listening more than reading this year. 2021 isn't being very nice to me in that regard. 🙃 I'm in a bad MS flare. Pulse therapy really turns my brain to goo, and PT three days a week leaves me exhausted, so I'm sticking to simple stories, nothing too deep, or complex, and nothing sad. Right now I am reading Born in Fire by K.F. Breene on Kindle unlimited. I believe some of my authors are releasing new books in the coming weeks, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have included “listened” to books as things I have read for these books threads. I consider listening to be equivalent and one of the best things to do during autoimmune illness flares. I hope you will feel better! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 @melmichiganI hope you start feeling better soon! I think new books by both Kim Harrison and Faith Hunter are coming soon...probably others too that I don’t remember. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 Sending good thoughts your way, @melmichigan. I hope you'll soon feel better. Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted June 5, 2021 Author Share Posted June 5, 2021 16 hours ago, melmichigan said: I'm way behind on reading, and listening more than reading this year. 2021 isn't being very nice to me in that regard. 🙃 I'm in a bad MS flare. Pulse therapy really turns my brain to goo, and PT three days a week leaves me exhausted, so I'm sticking to simple stories, nothing too deep, or complex, and nothing sad. Right now I am reading Born in Fire by K.F. Breene on Kindle unlimited. I believe some of my authors are releasing new books in the coming weeks, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hugs dear heart! Hope you feel better soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted June 6, 2021 Author Share Posted June 6, 2021 Link to week 23 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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