With Memorial Day coming up, and schools letting out soon, I thought it might be useful to put an entry together with people's favorite summer reading suggestions. So, drop on by this entry and add your recommendations.

Happy summer reading!

Book #55 - Candice Ransom, Time Spies: Secret in the Tower, 120 pages.

A cute little kids' book about three siblings who move into an old inn and find a magic spyglass that allows them to travel into the past. It's the first in a series, with this one dealing with the Revolutionary War.

Book #56 -- Linda Joy Singleton, Dead Girl Walking, 296 pages.

Amber Borden has a horrible sense of direction. She took a wrong turn at the Light during a near-death experience and instead of ending up back in her body, she's in the body of the most popular girl in school - who has apparently just tried to commit suicide. Now she has to try and switch them back, and maybe help out a classmate in the process. The Message: that you should judge people on the surface, is a little heavy-handed, but it's still a fun book, and the author makes a nod in the author's note at the end to Mr. Truepenny's Book Emporium and Gallery, which makes everything good in my book :)

Progress toward goals: 196/365 = 53.7%

Books: 56/100 = 56.0%

Pages: 14128/30000 = 47.1%

2009 Book List

cross-posted to 50bookchallenge, 15000pages, gwynraven

Book 73: Alchemy
Author: Maureen Duffy, 2004.
Genre: Contemporary & Historical (early 17th century). GLBT themes.
Other Details: Hardback. 380 pages.

I was attracted to this title as novels with alchemical themes always intrigue me . I hadn't heard of Maureen Duffy previously though on investigation she has an impressive number of novels to her name dating from the mid-60s to the present and has also written poetry, plays and non-fiction works on literary analysis, myth and animal rights. Alchemy is one of those novels that combines a contemporary story with one set in the past through the introduction of a rare text, which may or may not be a forgery.

Jade Green is a young solicitor who has set up her own practice, Lost Causes, which she runs from her London flat. She is approached by a Dr. Gilbert, who seeks to engage her services following his dismissal from his post teaching the history of science at the University of Wessex. The cause of his sacking were allegations that he was corrupting students with Satanism and perversion. He denies this was the case and advices her that the university has recently come under the control of a fundamentalist Christian group.

Gilbert lends to Jade his transcript of a 17th century manuscript, originally in cipher, titled The Memorial of Amyntas Boston. He believes that this document was the cause of his sacking. Jade investigates the university to see if there is a case for wrongful dismissal and reads the manuscript while reflecting on her life and a secret love affair that has left her broken. Amyntas Boston also has a secret for she was born a girl but raised as a boy. Her father, a mage and alchemist allowed her to work in his laboratory. At the time of his death he was attached to the household of Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke and sister to Sir Philip Sidney, courtier and poet. The Countess allows Amyntas to remain in her service as a page and is aware of her secret. Yet these are dangerous times for anyone who is different.

On completing the novel I did feel the title, Alchemy, was misleading for although there is some mention of alchemy Amyntas Boston refutes any involvement with alchemy or the witchcraft for which she is awaiting trial as she pens her memorial. While the period detail is fascinating, overall Amyntas' thinking felt a little too modern in its sensibilities and while this was somewhat addressed by the question of authenticity it still felt a cop-out. The other aspect was the weakness of Jade Green's investigations at Wessex University and how unlikely this whole aspect of the plot was. It seemed that rather than a law practice she fancied herself running a PI firm, which was highlighted by her evocation of Philip Marlow in the opening pages. It also had one of those endings that didn't quite satisfy; leaving me wondering 'what was that all about?'.

Again this highlighted the weakness of the modern framing story contrasted with the strength of Amyntas' narrative. I did wonder whether another route could have been chosen for a modern woman to reflect upon the resonances across the centuries between her life and that of Amyntas' in terms of their sense of identity, social standing and sexuality. Even if it never quite came together for me there was much to admire in the novel in terms of beautiful and intelligent writing, plenty of material on the late Elizabethan and early Jacobean period and on the history of science and medicine in that period.

Overall it felt like a 'near miss' for me though I am glad I read it because Duffy is certainly an intriguing writer who uses her fiction to transmit a wealth of ideas yet remains accessible.

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
( Devlin )

Ral & Grad #4 by Tsuneo Takano (art by Takeshi Obata)
( Ralgrad )

33.
Title:  Silk
Author:  Jordan Penny
Genre:  Family drama?
Rating:  5/5

( Summary copied from www.amazon.ca )

My Thoughts:  This is the first book I've read by Penny.  I really enjoyed it.  After I read it, I went to look for more books by her and discovered that she's written a ton of Harlequin romance type books...not so much my thing.  But, this book is the first in a trilogy, so I'm excited for the other ones to come out.  I read that readers who like Danielle Steel and Penny Vicenzi will like this book also.

34.
Title:  Every Secret Thing
Author:  Laura Lippman
Genre:  Mystery
Rating:  4/5

( Summary copied from www.amazon.ca )

My Thoughts:  I liked this book.  I may have been slow to catch on, but the ending was a suprise to me.  I like it when that happens!!

35.
Title:  Tomorrow's Promises
Author:  Anna Jacobs
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Rating:  3.5/5

( Summary copied from www.amazon.ca )

My Thoughts:  This book was ok.  It's set in England after the war is over.  I think my problem was that I don't really know about this time period, so it seems a bit far fetched to me to think that people meet once or twice, fall in love and get married....but I'm guessing that's probably how it went back then.  It was a good story, with some good twists.

36.
Title: Beach House
Author:  Jane Green
Genre:  Chick Lit
Rating:  4.5/5

( Summary copied from www.amazon.ca )

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book.  It was a quick read, but a good one.

I've tried over and over to complete the 50bookchallenge. I think now that I'm done with school (perhaps forever!) I have a lot more time to read things I want to read.

1. Rise and Shine - Jewell Florea

My dad handed me this book and told me I had to read it. He had read it already and is trying to get everyone in my family to read it. Rise and Shine isn't a book you can find on amazon. When I googled the name I got this page, describing the author. My dad received this book from one of his cousins in Kentucky. This story is a memoir of Jewell Florea's childhood in rural Kentucky. Funny enough, my dad's grandparents lived in the same part of Kentucky as Jewell's did, so they are actually mentioned in the book. This book gives a good picture of what living in a rural community is like, with no running water and going to a one room school house.

However, the thing that turned me off about the book was that I felt like it lacked a steady plot. This wasn't so much a story of Jewell's childhood but disconnected memories from it.

26. More Terrible Than Chains by Bernard Doove (erotic fiction/sci-fi/furry) - 9 May 2009
The cover text and the description of this book makes it out to be about how a genetically engineered slave overcomes the obstacles built into her physiology in order to ultimately obtain true freedom and happiness. While those are a part of the story, it's just not what seemed like the main point at all, which was somewhat disappointing. Instead, it was far too much about how well this unusually intelligent former sex slave fit in with the unusual family of Captain Boyce of the Pegasus, and any adversity seemed to be overcome within pages of Leanna, the main character, coming to terms with it being possible to work at the problem. The conflict of her trying to hide her intelligence from the oh-so-perfect empathically gifted creature charged with dealing with her was also rather pathetic.
In all honesty, I'm not sure how this story managed to spin out as long as it did, but I do know that it didn't really keep what the cover text promised (which was a darker story with more struggles against aversity instead of "identify problem, put up with problem for a short time, problem is fixed with mystery future technology"), and its language and cast were at times jarring. I am not entirely unfamiliar with Doove's work, so that a majority of the important cast members are hermaphrodites should not really come as a surprise. That is, in my opinion, no excuse to occassionally confuse pronouns, or to extensively use "herm" in narrative. Nor does the word "fem" as a short form of "female" ever belong in narrative. The narrative also hits one of my pet peeves by implying that black markings are normal for arctic foxes - while it's quite possible what Doove intended to say was that a particular breed of genetically engineered fox creature resembled an arctic fox with added black marking, what it comes off as is more "they resemble arctic foxes, including the black markings".
There is also the matter of this book having a main character who prefers not to use clothing, and the book being heavily illustrated. This isn't so much a "bad" thing about the book as it was unexpected and I do wish I'd realized it before bringing the book as reading material during a train trip. Because of my groaning about this when I arrived at my destination, More Terrible Than Chains was dubbed "the dickgirl book" by that group of people. Be aware of this before you decide to read this book in public somewhere!

27. Moondance (original title: Halfmoon Ranch 14 - Moondance) by Jenny Oldfield (young adult/horseback) - 3 Jun 2009
There's never a calm moment at Half Moon Ranch; this time retired cowboy Hadley has purchased a beautiful but inexplicably frightful mare at the auction. Soon Kirstie finds out that the mare used to be owned by none other than miracle trainer Ty Turner, who is said to never fail to tame a horse. Which has to be a lie - the misbehaving Moondance is proof enough of that. But things get hairy as Kirstie, motivated by a desire to help the poor horse, starts digging a little too deep in the dirt surrounding newly-famous Turner.
Fairly predictable and cheesy, but I don't really expect more of these novels and as all of Oldfield's work that I've read it was a well enough written story. The predictability makes it fluff reading, despite the content in parts being dark, but there's nothing wrong with fluff.

28. På kudde av gräs (original title: Grass for his Pillow) by Lian Hearn (historical fiction) - 7 Jun 2009
The second book of the Otori series, in which Otori Takeo needs to uphold his vow to give up his claim as the heir of the Otori family to be trained as an assassin. He resents this task, and particularly the taskmaster he's given, so when the time comes to choose between old loyalties and new, it's hardly surprising what path he takes, and damn the consequences.
His love, Kaede, has problems of her own, as she must balance the needs of her family and with her devotion to Takeo - while marrying the head of the neighboring family would provide for her loved ones, it would also be cutting the ties to the man whose child she is pregnant with.
Not quite as captivating as the first book, in my opinion, but an interesting read nevertheless, especially Kaede's plotting.

29. Under lysande måne (original title: Brilliance of the Moon) by Lian Hearn (historical fiction) - 25 Jun 2009
Otori Takeo and Kaede may have bitten off more than they can chew by defying two of the most powerful leaders in the country. That's on top of Takeo's ties to an old family of assassins that now want to kill him for leaving them, and the enmity between him and his foster father's uncles, who arranged for the death of a man he respected and loved every bit as much as a son should their father. Luckily for Takeo, he has friends in places so low, it wouldn't occur to most of the lordship to consider them a threat or a resource. The task that lies before them is deceptively simple: claim Kaede's inheritance after Lady Maruyama and Takeo's claim to the Otori lands, and don't get killed doing so.
But they've made powerful enemies, and things rarely go as one might expect in matters of war.
Like Grass for his Pillow, I felt this book wasn't as strong as the first one in the series, but it was still a pleasant read, which stressed the realities of war through Takeo's "unwarriorlike" compassion; people on both sides of a battle will die.

30. Eldfuxen (original title: The Island Stallion) by Walter Farley (young adult/horseback) - 2 Jul 2009
What can I say, other than this book is very Walter Farley? I find him fascinating to read as his body of work primarily consists of books written for young boys but now marketed for young girls. A boy who always dreamed of a horse of his very own literally meets the horse of his dreams. After the lead stallion of the herd first gets defeated by an exceptionally ugly challenger, and then gets stuck in a completely unrealistic pit of quicksand and Steve saves him, the wild stallion takes to the strage boy, who nurses him back to health until he's ready to deal with his hideous pinto rival.
Pure fluff, for me. It's not nearly as magical as The Black Stallion, but it'll do in a pinch.

Book 69: The White Queen (Book One of The Cousins' War)
Author: Philippa Gregory, 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction England - 15th Century.
Other Details: Simon & Schuster ARC copy 408 pages. Published 18th August 2009 UK/USA.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. - William Shakespeare (King Henry IV, Part II, Act III, sc. 1.)

I was delighted to have the opportunity to read this novel, the first of Philippa Gregory's much anticipated trilogy set during the time of the Wars of the Roses when the Houses of Lancaster and York fought throughout England to establish their rival claims to the English crown. The above quote from Shakespeare's cycle of history plays about the Wars of the Roses came often to my thoughts when reading this novel and highlights the turmoil and shifting loyalties of the period.

The white queen of the title and narrator is Elizabeth Woodville, the young widow of the Lancastrian supporter, Sir John Grey. Her ambitious mother, Jacquette of Luxembourg, encourages her to catch the eye of the young Yorkist claimant to the throne, utilising her skills in witchcraft to assist Elizabeth with the match. Edward of York is captivated by Elizabeth's beauty and they subsequently marry in secret. Elizabeth becomes his Queen consort when he has secured his claim as Edward IV, giving birth to ten children including the two princes who were imprisoned in the Tower of London and whose fate remains one of history's greatest mysteries.

I feel that Gregory has done a superb job of bringing the principle characters vividly to life and capturing the ambiance of the late medieval period. Her earlier works, such as The Other Boleyn Girl, were more centred on court intrigues; whereas The White Queen is set in a time of a savage civil war between noble families where cousins and even brothers took arms against each other. I thought that Gregory did very well in describing the battle scenes as well as the consequences of war upon the land and the common people. It is quite heartbreaking in places. Her research was obviously extensive and she utilises her storytelling skills to present this complex period in English history in a very accessible way.

I also appreciated the way in which Gregory interwove the legend of the fairy-woman/water goddess, Melusine with Elizabeth's story as indeed her mother's family did claim to be descended from Melusine's line. Gregory's use of myth, magic and witchcraft throughout the novel brought a powerful extra dimension to the story, even though I expect this may prove a point of controversy with some critics and readers.

Overall, an excellent book that I found almost impossible to put down and leaves me wanting the next in the series. I would predict that this will be considered as Gregory's best work to date as it combines solid research with a confident and vigorous style that draws the reader quickly into its fascinating tale. Certainly this is a 'must read' for lovers of historical fiction and one to delight Gregory's many fans.

( The ARC Cover art )

Note: Waterstones Booksellers in the UK are offering an exclusive edition with extras and cover featuring Elizabeth's famous portrait.
Here is link to pre-order page.

The Wars of the Roses - web site dedicated to this period.
Excellent review of 'The White Queen' by jawastew (minor spoilers towards the end of the review).

This is the sequel to The Last Kingdom, which I reviewed a few days ago. I had problems with that book because the protagonist, Uhtred, was an unsympathetic jerk. The historical detail was great, but I'm not too keen on reading about drinking, whores, and swordplay, even if it does play to accuracy. However, I still pressed onward with the trilogy...

.. and almost stopped a few chapters in. Uhtred, torn between being a Saxon by birth and a Dane in spirit, decided to masquerade as a Viking and do Viking things. Ugh. However, he did slowly mature as the book progressed. King Alfred insists that the Danes can be brought to Christ and does his utmost to promote peace. The Danes, however, do not agree. When Alfred is forced to flee and Uhtred grudgingly becomes his champion, the entire future of Wessex - and England - hang in the balance.

I much preferred this book to the predecessor. This one had actual character development. I still didn't like Uhtred, but I no longer wished for his manbits to be ravaged by syphilis. Cornwell is a superb writer. His battle scenes sometimes are almost too heavy in detail, but it's interesting stuff. However, I have no gripping desire to read the next book in the trilogy. If I can find it for cheap somewhere, I'll buy it, but I'm in no rush. I won't be keeping either The Last Kingdom or The Pale Horseman.

Done with 45 books now, leaving me 5 to finish before the end of September. I think I'm doing pretty good.

41. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Interesting book, written as a series of letters. It takes place after WWII, and gives some insights into the war that other books don't really cover. They focus more on the Holocaust than on the other elements. For a full review, go here.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4/5

42. Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne

I think this is the 4th or 5th time I've attempted to read this book, and because of DailyLit, I actually managed to get through it. Once again, it didn't meet my expectations, as the characters seem rather... bland, but it's good to read for the classical value of it, I suppose.
Genre: Classics
Rating: 4/5

43. The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I expected quite a bit out of this book as well, and I was disappointed. I understand that this book was written in a different time and place, but I cringed each time I read something about how the natives were inferior and women were silly creatures. Other than that, it was an interesting plot and the characters were quite interesting.
Genre: Classics
Rating: 4/5

44. Emma, by Jane Austen

I'm trying to get through all of Austen's books. I've read (and loved) Pride and Prejudice, and I just got through Sense and Sensibility a few months ago. Finally, I had time to read through Emma. Honestly, I liked it a whole lot more than Sense and Sensibility, but it still doesn't compare to Pride and Prejudice, I don't think. I liked how the characters were developed, but my mind wandered to the point where I had to reread passages several times to figure out what was going on. Still, I'm glad I read it, and the story does seem worth the read.
Genre: Classics
Rating: 4.5/5

45. Secret Vampire (Night World, Book 1), by L. J. Smith

I'm honestly not sure what to make of this one. I heard some amazing reviews about it, so I added it to my list and gave it a try. I loved the world that was created, but I felt that the characters were flat and the book ended too soon to really get into it. I mean, I read through it in 3 hours, including time that I was dealing with my sister and driving her places. I think I'll try some of the other books in the series, but it might be a while before I pick them up.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5

This was my second attempt at Cornwell. I read The Archer's Tale earlier this year; while I appreciated the historical accuracy, I just didn't like the protagonist very much.

The main character in The Last Kingdom isn't much different than the one in The Archer's Tale. Both are boys who see their families killed by raiders, and their voices are similar. These are manly men. Uhtred is an English boy who ends up largely raised by Danes. As he grows older, his greatest yearning is to do battle, whores, and drink ale. Except, of course, there are people who want him dead, both English and Dane, and he really wants to get his family land back somehow. King Alfred of Wessex may be annoyingly pious, but he's also a cunning manipulator. Uhtred finds himself torn between two rival identities - English by birth, a Dane in spirit - and requires both to stay alive.

I enjoy the eyewitness-to-history aspect of this book. Very little is written on King Alfred and his reign, and Cornwell has done superb research. However, I still can't stand his main characters. They are murderous jerks. I'm continuing onward with the next book in this series, The Pale Horseman, mainly because I already possess it and I do like the time period. And maybe, maybe, Uhtred will mature and not be such an arrogant bastard.

Book #20

Title: Hood (King Raven Trilogy Book 1)
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Pages: 472
Genre: historical fiction, celtic lore, Robin Hood

( Hood Details )

Book #21

Title: An Abundance of Katherines
Author: John Green
Pages: 215
Genre: young adult

( An Abundance of Katherines Details )

Book #22

Title: The Plot Against America
Author: Philip Roth
Pages: 362
Genre: alternate history, 1001 books you must read before you die

( The Plot Against America Details )

And finally, Book #23

Title: Scarlet (King Raven Trilogy Book 2)
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Pages: 443
Genre: historical fiction, celtic lore, Robin Hood

( Scarlet Details )

22 / 50 books. 44% done!

7407 / 15000 pages. 49% done!

175 / 365 days. 48% done!

Cross posted to 50bookchallenge, 15000pages, and personal journal.

Book Thirty-One

Title: Emperor: The Gates of Rome
Author: Conn Iggulden
Page Count: 368
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis/Thoughts: At the outset of this novel we are introduced to two young boys, Gaius and Marcus, who are growing up on the country estate that belongs to Gaius's father. They are not brothers, but they are raised as though they were. Together they get into all of the typical mischief adolescent boys are so prone to. However, their lives are turned upside-down when Gaius's father is killed in a slave uprising and they have no choice but to go to Rome and seek the aid of Marius, Gaius's charismatic uncle. At the tender age of fourteen, the boys are flung headfirst into a political maelstrom. Marcus soon realizes that because of who his parents were, he has few options to make a name for himself, and enlists in the Roman army. Gaius, on the other hand, takes sides with his uncle and stays on in Rome as the tensions between Marius and his rival, Sulla, escalate into full-blown warfare. Both wish to be master over Rome, but only one will ultimately win this prize.

This is not a book that I probably would have picked out to read under ordinary circumstances. However, I won a free copy as part of the GoodReads First Reads program, so I was more than willing to give it a go. My first criticism is that the portion of the book discussing Gaius and Marcus growing up on the estate drags on for far too long. It feels like the actual plot of the book doesn't start until the boys leave for Rome, and that doesn't occur until about halfway through the book. While this part of the book does lay some groundwork for later on, the majority of it really added nothing to the story and it was just boring. Once the plot really kicks into gear, the story becomes far more engaging and I was able to blaze through the second half of the book pretty quickly. One thing is for sure, the political maneuverings of the early Roman empire make for pretty fascinating reading, even if this author does take some major liberties with actual historical events. He seems to have no qualms about revamping history to suit his own purposes, which he freely admits in the author's note at the end of the book. If you're a stickler for that sort of thing, this is definitely not the book for you. On the whole, though, the casual reader probably won't be bothered. That being said, I did have a few more gripes with the book that kept me from enjoying it as much as I could have. For one thing, this is blatantly a guy's book. It is written by a guy, for guys, and the pages practically ooze testosterone. It's just packed with tons of bloody fights and, of course, the main characters frequently put the moves on various pretty wenches. And whatever, that's fine if you're a guy and that sort of thing appeals to you (we have our chick-lit after all, why shouldn't you guys have your...well, whatever you want to call it). But as a female reader I felt this alienated me from a story I otherwise probably would have liked a lot more. We're given a brief glimpse of a female perspective in the character of the slave girl Alexandria, but after introducing the reader to her, the author just seems to drop that part of the plot completely and we don't hear from her again for the rest of the book (except for a brief bit at the end). Overall, this book just felt like it was lacking something, and I feel that exploring her story a little more fully would have given it that extra dimension. Anyway, having said this, this book is the first in a series and it ends on a cliffhanger. Part of me, despite everything, is tempted to read the next installment, and I just might. Provided I can find it at the library.

Book Thirty

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Page Count: 576
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis/Thoughts: I'm sure everybody probably knows (or has at least heard of) the premise of this story by now. This is the tale of a little book thief (known to her friends and family as Liesel) who has caught the attention of our unlikely narrator, Death himself. Liesel has had a difficult life attempting to grow up in the shadow of Germany's Nazi regime. At an early age, her mother and father are taken away from her and brother for being communists. On the way to their new foster home, her brother abruptly drops dead, and the scene haunts her nightmares for many years to come. It is at his funeral that she steals her first book, The Gravedigger's Handbook, and begins a legacy that will have far-reaching consequences in her future. Now, though, she must begin a new life in the house on Himmel Street belonging to Rosa and Hans Hubermann, her new foster parents. They are polar opposites, Hans is gentle and thoughtful, a painter by trade who supplements their income by playing the accordion. Rosa is a fierce woman who hides her kind heart behind a barbed-wire fence of tongue-lashings peppered with swear words. This new life is challenging as well, as the war tightens its grip on everyone, especially Hans and Rosa, who have been known to be sympathetic to the plight of the Jews who are being massacred. Soon the integrity of all three will be put to the test when a promise made by Hans comes back to haunt him, in the form of a terrified, starving young man who arrives one day on their doorstep, seeking sanctuary. He is a Jew.

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, as everybody and their brother seemed to be raving about how wonderful it is. I just finished it today, and there is a lot of food for thought in this book, which I've only just begun to mull over. Here are a few of my impressions, so far. First of all, I have to say that with all the hype, I was expecting something really and truly earth-shattering, something that would suck me in from the first page and not let me go until the end. The fact that I really didn't get this is what really has me tossed up about how to rate this book. On the one hand, I feel it was a strong book that deserves some praise, but on the other hand I felt it just didn't live up to the image of the masterwork of modern fiction that I had been led to expect. In fact, I found the first part of the book really didn't hold my attention very well at all. However, once the story picked up momentum and I started to get to know and become involved with the characters a bit more, I found it easier and easier to keep turning the pages. The plot of this book still doesn't seem to have a very definite structure, it's more made up of snapshots in the life of Liesel, key moments that somehow influence the eventual climax of the story. And of course, once Max shows up, you know that the book is not going to have a happy ending, and while the story remains engrossing it starts to take on a more morbid quality. It's like watching a train rushing towards an inevitable collision...you know it's going to be ugly, but somehow you can't take your eyes off of it.

That being said, while the overall tone of this book is anything but happy, there are a few moments of beauty that shine through like the sun on a cloudy day...they're quickly overshadowed again, but they seem all the more beautiful for their scarcity. However, these few brief moments don't rescue the book from its overall bleakness. Now I'm not saying that everything has to be happy and fluffy and full of singing bunny rabbits, but I definitely teared up quite a bit throughout and the ending was nothing but the waterworks for me (I'm just glad I wasn't trying to read it in public). The author definitely deserves kudos for being able to stir up emotions like that in the reader, even if the emotion is sadness. Overall, I think I'd rate this a solid three and a half stars. Three doesn't seem like enough, but there was just nothing about it that really struck me enough to want to give it more.

Book 60: Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand (Sous les vents de Neptune- lit. "Under Neptune's Winds").
Author: Fred Vargas, 2004. Translated from the French by Sian Reynolds, 2007.
Genre: Crime. Police procedural.
Other Details: Paperback. 388 pages.

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? - Macbeth, II, ii.

Another quirky police procedural featuring eccentric detective Commissaire Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg of the Paris Serious Crime Squad. It is quite an important book in terms of Adamsberg's back story and focuses on his obsession to track a serial killer that no one else believes exists.

During the period 1943 and 1987 a number of people were found stabbed to death, each sustaining three deep wounds to the abdomen. In all but one case someone was arrested, confessed and was sentenced to prison. Yet these alleged murderers had no memory of the murder and claimed they had lost consciousness on the night of the crimes. One of those accused had been Adamsberg's brother, who escaped imprisonment due to a false alibi provided by Jean-Baptiste. Now in 2003 there is another murder with the same MO, another person accused of the crime with no memory.

Adamsberg had been convinced that the previous murders had been the work of one man, Judge Fulgence and that each murder was committed with a trident which had special significance for the Judge. The only problem is that the Judge had died sixteen years before this latest murder. Could it be a disciple? Then when Adamsberg and his team travel to Quebec, Canada to attend a training course on DNA evidence, another 'trident' murder occurs there. However, this time it is Adamsberg who has no memory of the night and becomes the chief suspect. He has to prove his own innocence and track down the real murderer.

Colourful characters and humour are found here alongside an intriguing plot that contained plenty of surprises. Vargas' style is quite different to many crime writers but it is one I find it very appealing.

Book 61: Fatal Lies (Volume Three of the Liebermann Papers).
Author: Frank Tallis, 2008.
Genre: Historical Murder Mystery with psychological themes.
Other Details: Paperback. 424 pages.

A young cadet is found dead at St. Florian's military school. Although there is no apparent cause of death, his body is lacerated with razor wounds. Baffled, Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt turns once more to his friend, psychiatrist Doctor Max Liebermann for assistance in penetrating the secretive world of the school. Alongside this storyline Liebermann finds himself attracted to a passionate Hungarian violinist and unwittingly drawn into the dangerous world of international espionage.

This really is such a wonderful series combining early forensic techniques and psychoanalysis with the music and literature of the fin-de-siecle in a beautifully realised period setting. The unfolding of all mysteries is very satisfying and I just adore the characters, both major and minor. Although Liebermann's mentor is Sigmund Freud, Tallis is quite wise by not over-using him as a character but having him appear in one or two scenes in each book providing exposition of the psychoanalytic methods and theories in dialogue with Liebermann. My only complaint is that they are such delightful and compelling reads that I zoom through them in a couple of days. I was really relieved to learn that Volume Five is due in January.

Book 59: The Mathematics of Love
Author: Emma Darwin, 2006.
Genre: Historical fiction 1819 & 1976.
Other Details: Hardback, 405 pages.

Emma Darwin, the great-great-granddaughter of Charles, wrote her first novel as part of her MPhil in Novel Writing. That academic polish is obvious throughout but while technically it is well written overall it failed to engage me in terms of its plot and characters. Her technique was to move between the time periods of 1819 and 1976 using Kersey Hall, Suffolk as a physical focus.

This estate was inherited by Stephen Fairhurst, a soldier who had lost his leg in the Napoleonic Wars. The novel opens with Stephen paying court to a young widow in Lancashire. While his suit is rejected, he forms a friendship with her older sister, Miss Lucy Durward. Through much of the novel their relationship is conducted through letters. This 19th century story is interspersed with events in the summer of 1976 as unhappy, promiscuous 15-year old Anna is sent to stay at Kersey Hall where her Uncle Ray had been running a boarding school, which was now closing down. Also in residence is a strange little boy, who appears to have been abandoned by his mother, and Anna's wildly unstable grandmother. Anna soon takes up with Theo and Eva, an older foreign couple renting a house nearby. They are both noted photographers and Theo begins to teach Anna photography. She finds herself attracted to him despite the wide age gap. Anna's story links to Stephen's when she finds his letters to Lucy.

While at first Darwin prefaces sections of chapters with headings such as Lancashire, 1819 and Suffolk, 1976, she quickly abandons this and jumps between time periods with just a paragraph divider. Perhaps she meant this to indicate that time is an illusion. I am also unsure why she gave the book this title apart from the line "the mathematics of love defy arithmetic" spoken by Theo to Anna. As a title it promised something richer than sums about partners' ages.

Even though the central relationships failed to move me, there were some interesting bits such as Lucy Durward's exploration of the beginnings of photography and Anna's photographic lessons. It was clear this was a subject that Darwin was very knowledgable and passionate about. There is also a link between Theo's career as a war photographer and Lucy Durward's desire to draw images of the Napoleonic Wars based on descriptions provided by Stephen. The changing status of women in terms of their freedom of movement and sexuality is also touched upon as might be expected for a novel based in these two eras.

So yes there are interesting ideas to be found including the way in which the past is imprinted upon the present and a suggestion of fluidity between past and present. However, as clever as this was I still found the experience overall unsatisfying never really warming to the characters and their stories.

Emma Darwin on the genesis of 'The Mathematics of Love'.

All were quite light listens: one a contemporary celebrity memoir and two historical romances by one of my favourite authors as a teenager.

Book 56: A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages.
Author: Kristin Chenoweth with Joni Rodgers, 2009.
Genre: Autobiography.
Other Details: Unabridged audiobook, 6 hrs and 52 mins. Read by Kristin Chenoweth.

A rather fell in love with Kristin Chenoweth's character Olive Snook in Pushing Daisies and decided on a whim to listen to this recent memoir, read by Kristin. The book, ghost-written by Jamie Rogers, is a delight and Chenoweth comes across as an intelligent, bubbly and warm young woman with a down-to-earth attitude towards her own celebrity.

This isn't a 'tell-all' autobiography, Kristin says at the end that she'll save that for her old age but it is a glimpse into the life of a working singer and actress. She quite delightfully zig-zags around events of her life and overall this was more like listening to a friend share personal anecdotes than a more formal memoir. Still this style really suited her personality and overall I found this a very pleasurable experience.

Book 57: Menfreya (USA title Menfreya in the Morning)
Author: Victoria Holt, 1966.
Genre: Historical Romance/Suspense.
Other Details: Unabridged audiobook; length 9 hours, 54 mins. Read by Susan Jameson.

This was the first of my nostalgic forays into Victoria Holt's fiction. Holt was an extraordinarily popular writer in her day and was known as the 'Queen of Romantic Suspense.

To Harriet Delvaney, a lonely and self-conscious young heiress, the great house of Menfreya on the Cornish coast had always seemed to be a citadel of happiness and excitement. However, when she comes to Menfreya as the bride to its heir, Bevil Menfrey, she discovers that the family has many secrets including infidelity, jealousy and murder. She soon begins to doubt her husband's love when she hears whispers of gossip about his past. Has he reformed or did he merely need her money to save the nearly bankrupt estate?

Many of Victoria Holt's novel have a similar plot to this. A young woman, who is not conventionally beautiful but who has plenty of personality, hooks up with a brooding, handsome man with a past. All is well at first but then doubts creep in usually linked to former dalliances on the part of her husband/suitor. There is usually also a family secret, some Gothic aspects and plenty of threats directed at the heroine. Formula or not this was still an enjoyable reacquaintance with an author whose books I devoured when I was young.

Book 58: Bride of Pendorric
Author: Victoria Holt, 1963
Genre: Romantic Suspense. Gothic themes.
Other Details: Unabridged audiobook; length 9 hours, 15 mins. Read by Susan Jameson.

Favel Farrington has lived her whole life on the island of Capri with her widowed father. When handsome and charismatic Roc Pendorric visits, he and Favel fall deeply in love and soon marry. Roc brings her to his stately ancestral home, Pendorric, on the Cornish coast where she is warmly welcomed by his family. Yet there are sinister undercurrents: Roc appears to be a bit too attentive to other women and there is a family legend about the 'brides of Pendorric' that focuses on two women who had married into the family and died young in tragic circumstances. As events unfold Favel begins to be concerned that Roc's love may be a pretence and that someone is planning to make her part of the legend.

This again follows the classic formula of all of Holt's romantic suspense novels with Gothic touches of madness, mists, castles, curses and crypts though still managed to offer a surprise twist at the end. Pure nostalgia for me.

16. The King's General - Daphne du Maurier (1946) 2 / 5
Set in the seventeenth century, it tells the story of a country and a family riven by war, and features one of fiction's most original heroines. Honor Harris is only eighteen when she first meets Richard Grenvile, proud, reckless - and utterly captivating. But following a riding accident, Honor must reconcile herself to a life alone. As Richard rises through the ranks of the army, marries and makes enemies, Honor remains true to him, and finally discovers the secret of Menabilly.

You know, it had its moments. Richard Grenvile was a realistic, charismatic, almost an antihero type of man. With lots of faults he always kept me questioning his motives and whether he was capable of something other than cruelty and misbehaving. So it was definitely justified for him being the center of everything and part of the book title. But then, I was constantly reminded by these same lines by the protagonist where she reminded that he had many faults (yes, I know that already, get on with it). Because of that it was a bit too long and it didn't had as much beautiful passages as in Rebecca.

17. Thousand and One Nights 5 / 5
The essential quality of these tales lies in their success in interweaving the unusual, the extraordinary, the marvelous, and the supernatural into the fabric of everyday life . . . In the [Arabian] Nights themselves, tales divert, cure, redeem, and save lives . . . They are enriched by the pleasure of a marvelous adventure and a sense of wonder, which makes life possible.

I picked up a huge volume of stories from the Arabian Nights when I was quite young. I didn't read all of them because it was incredibly thick and dusty book so at that point I had no patience yet for all of them but I really liked the exotic tales of sultans, wizards and brave adventurers. Now I own the new edition of the three 1930s Finnish volumes with beautiful illustrations and along with Grimm's Fairy Tales I'll always cherish it.

18. A Passage to India - E.M. Forster (1924) 4 / 5
When Adela and her elderly companion Mrs Moore arrive in the Indian town of Chandrapore, they quickly feel trapped by its insular and prejudiced British community. Determined to explore the real India', they seek the guidance of the charming and mercurial Dr Aziz, a cultivated Indian Muslim. But a mysterious incident occurs while they are exploring the Marabar caves with Aziz, and the well-respected doctor soon finds himself at the centre of a scandal that rouses violent passions among both the British and their Indian subjects.

We are all people and connected somehow but when it comes to the question of nationality and race it becomes a hindrance to some and a difficult thing to overcome. The hypocritical British India is shaken and probably even dropped a little from its pedestal (the court scene) but the prejudices stay and ultimately we wait what happens to the friendship of an Englishman and an Indian. Forster's writing is rich and though sometimes seemingly simple it has some underlying symbolism and great thoughts.

19. The Complete Poems of Emily Jane Brontë 3 / 5

20. The Last of the Mohicans - James Fenimore Cooper (1826) 1 / 5
The classic tale of Hawkeye-Natty Bumppo-the frontier scout who turned his back on "civilization," and his friendship with a Mohican warrior as they escort two sisters through the dangerous wilderness of Indian country in frontier America.

You know, it reminded me of those old western adventure comics that I used to pick from the shelves of boy relatives. I quickly changed them to Batman and Superman. Like I did with this one, quickly changed to another book (I'd been reading it for days but I never made it through halfway). It was just too boring for me to handle. A more engaging story and the message would have come across better, too.

Book 55: Child 44
Author: Tom Rob Smith, 2008.
Genre: Historical crime fiction with political themes.
Other details: Hardback, 473 pages.

This gripping thriller is set in the Soviet Union in 1953. Its protagonist Officer Leo Demidov is an up-and-coming member of the MGB, the State Security force. When the novel opens he is unquestioning in his dedication to the Ministry and the Communist State. He is asked to look into the death of the son of a low ranking member of the MGB, mainly as a courtesy as the official line is that the boy was hit by a train. However, the family is convinced that the boy was murdered. Leo is ordered by his superiors to ignore this. He obeys but there are inconsistencies in the case that continue to bother him.

Other events serve to increase Leo's doubts about the work he is doing and it is not long before he and his wife, Raisa, are exiled to a remote town in the Ural Mountains. Then he discovers that other children have been murdered and a pattern begins to emerge of a serial killer who is able to operate undetected because of a society that will not admit his existence. Leo and Raisa soon find that they are risking their freedom and possibly their lives in their quest to to seek out this terrifying killer.

I found this a powerful novel and was completely riveted from the opening scene to its closing pages. It was made all that more compelling by the fact that Tom Rob Smith drew on the activities of a real life serial murderer active in the Soviet Union in the 1980s as inspiration for the main plot. Smith creates a compelling portrait of Stalinist Russia, a state in which crime did not officially exist and where the mere suspicion of disloyalty to the State could lead to imprisonment or execution.

In terms of characterisations, Leo and Raisa are both well crafted and I found that the development of their relationship moved me deeply. Overall an excellent novel that explores the daily horrors of life in a dictatorship alongside its central theme of seeking to bring a child killer to justice.

11. The Guide - R.K. Narayan (1958) 2 / 5
Formerly India’s most corrupt tourist guide, Raju—just released from prison—seeks refuge in an abandoned temple. Mistaken for a holy man, he plays the part and succeeds so well that God himself intervenes to put Raju’s newfound sanctity to the test.

Yet again I'm in the minority because I didn't care about this that much. Writing style is nice and the story is ok, maybe there's something up for a discussion too, but I didn't get inside everything.

12. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (1859) 4 / 5
Depicts the plight of the French proletariat under the brutal oppression of the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, and the corresponding savage brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution.

There are some passages I will not forget, one of them being the description of wine flooding in the streets of Paris which would soon become blood. People are devouring wine even from pieces of wood like they will devour blood during the time of La Guilloutine. Sydney Carton is undoubtedly a charismatic character and the ending made me blink my eyes in disbelief. Dickens does a lot of subtle foreshadowing but I still couldn't believe it for some reason.

13. Fingersmith - Sarah Waters (2002) 3 / 5
In Victorian London, the orphaned Sue Trinder is raised by Mrs. Sucksby, den mother to a family of thieves, or "fingersmiths." To repay Mrs. Sucksby's kindness, Sue gets involved in a scam but soon regrets it.

At some parts the story dragged and overall the book could have been a lot shorter but I nevertheless enjoyed it. The mental institution part was creepy. To think that someone sane could actually be stuck in such a place... Who wouldn't eventually become crazy?

14. Nétotchka Nezvanova - Fyodor Dostoevsky (1849) 2 / 5
Story of a childhood dominated by her stepfather, Efimov, a failed musician who believes he is a neglected genius. The young girl is strangely drawn to this drunken ruin of a man, who exploits her and drives the family to poverty. But when she is rescued by an aristocratic family, the abuse against Netochka's delicate psyche continues in a more subtle way, condemning her to remain an outsider - a solitary spectator of a glittering society.

First, this is not even finished so it shouldn't be judged too harshly. To me this was more than enough, the main character annoyed me too much.

15. The Best Short Stories of Fyodor Dostoevsky 3 / 5

I've not had the internet on my laptop, and not had word on the desktop, and so i keep forgetting what I've read, and what I've posted about, so I'm just going to post a list of all the books I've read this year. If you want to know my thoughts on them, please feel free to ask!

January
1. Exultant - Stephen Baxter
2. The Torchwood Archives
3. Beka Cooper - Terrier - Tamora Pierce
4. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale
5. The Bro Code - Barney Stinson & Matt Kuhn

February
6. The Pirate’s Daughter - Margaret Cezair-Thompson
7. The Boleyn Inheritance - Phillipa Gregory
8. The Dragon Queen - Alice Borchardt
9. The Raven Warrior - Alice Borchardt

March
10. Gallows Thief - Bernard Cornwell
11. Daughter Of The Forest - Juliet Marillier
12. Emperor – The Gates Of Rome - Conn Iggulden
13. The Knights Of The Black and White - Jack White
14. The Watcher - Helen Cresswell
15. Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

April
16. Odalisque - Fiona McIntosh
17. Emissary - Fiona McIntosh
18. Goddess - Fiona McIntosh
19. Priestess Of The White - Trudi Canavan

May
20. Last of The Wilds - Trudi Canavan
21. Voice Of The Gods - Trudi Canavan
22. Dracula - Bram Stoker
23. Betrayal - Fiona McIntosh
24. Revenge - Fiona McIntosh

June
25. Destiny - Fiona McIntosh
26. Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone - JK Rowling

Total Books: 26
Total Pages: 12557
Currently Reading: HP2
Next Up: Rest of the Potter books

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Year: 2005
# of Pages: 550
Date read: 3/6/2009
Rating: 4*/5 = great


Description:

"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a beautifully written, thought provoking book about words, friendship, hope and love despite fear and uncertainty. I especially liked the interactions between Liesel and the people around her. I also liked Death as a narrator who sees both the good and bad in humans.

Book 54: The Night Watch
Author: Sarah Waters, 2006.
Genre: Historical fiction - 1940s England. GLBT themes.
Other details: Paperback, 503 pages.

Sarah Waters was short-listed for both the Man Booker and Orange Prize for Fiction for this period drama set in London during and after WWII. It won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction in 2007.

Its narrative structure is unusual as it opens in 1947 and then moves back to 1944 and 1941 revealing the secrets and scandals that link four Londoners; three woman and one man. Forbidden love is very much at the heart of the novel: London's hidden lesbian sub-culture, an affair between a young woman and her married lover and the price paid by an innocent young man due to his love for a close friend.

Waters took four years to research the 1940s period before writing this novel and this certainly shows throughout. In the scenes during the war she captures that sense of dread as the bombings begin and the nightly heroism of those working on the streets to contain the fires and deal with the casualties. As important and evocative as the setting is to the novel, it remains strongly character-driven.

This was my first novel by Waters and was the May selection for my library reading group. I was deeply impressed by her style, her skills as a story-teller and the depth of her characterisation. I was most drawn to Kay Langrish, who had worked in the ambulance service during the war driving through the bombed-out streets of London to aid bomb victims and collect bodies. In the opening of the novel she cuts a lonely figure, walking the streets of London alone dressed in mannish clothing. All four lives were full of poignant moments but somehow the revelation of Kay's story had the greatest impact on me. Following this excellent novel I certainly plan on reading all of her works.

Sarah Waters' page on 'The Night Watch' - with links to excerpt.

I'm pretty sure I didn't post my 31-35 reads, so I apologize if I'm reposting them. Book Title links are to Amazon, the other links are to my long winded reviews on a website I take part in. Please visit it.. we need some more traffic.

31. The Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey
Genre: Nonfiction, self-help

This book talks about basic principles of managing money, including writing down a budget (and sticking to it!), and not buying new cars. Pretty helpful if you don't have a clue where to start, or even if you thought you did.
Rating: 4.5/5

32. Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Adult's Guide to Building a Jewish Life, by Edward Feinstein
Genre: Religious?

Though intended for individuals about to become a bar/bat mitzvah, this is still a very good introductory book to Judaism. It posed some interesting concepts as well, such as the idea that 'God' is not a noun, but rather a verb, and the author even leaves his contact information if you want to contact him with more questions.
Rating: 4.5/5

33. Deep As The Marrow, by F. Paul Wilson
Genre: Political Fiction

The ending was too abrupt, too much was left unsaid, and I didn't like all the political nature of the novel. It was nicely written, but the plot just didn't appeal to me, and I really struggled to get all the way through it. It did, however, pose some interesting theories about the legalization of drugs.
Rating: 2/5

34. Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
Genre: Nonfiction

I think I liked Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series better than this one, but, as always, there are some very heartfelt stories in here that I will remember for quite some time.
Rating: 3.5/5

35. The Blue Notebook, by James Levine
Genre: Literary Fiction

Check out a thorough review here. In a nutshell: It was very difficult to get into, but I got engrossed about halfway through. Still, I'm not sure whether this was because of the subject matter (how disturbing it was), or how interested I actually was in the plot.
Rating: 4/5 (Note that this book begins a different rating system, where equal credit is given to plot, character development, insightfullness, setting, and readability)

36. The Boleyn Inheritance, Phillippa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction

Anyway, this edition covers the lives of Anne of Cleves, Jane Boleyn, and Katherine Howard, two of whom are Henry's wives, and two of whom end up dying for their 'treachery.' This novel certainly shows how demented Henry likely turned out to be. It's easy to get inside the characters' heads, and I love Gregory's take on the historical events.
Rating: 4/5

37. Journey to the Center of the Earth, Jules Verne
Genre: Classics, Science Fiction

I really need to stop reading these books with the movies in mind. I think I can pick out two things in the scenery described that are similar between the two, but that's about it. Still, it was an interesting and pretty easy read, so no complaints here.
Rating: 4/5

38. The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Kim Edwards
Genre: Fiction

Since I already wrote a long winded review of this one, I'll just say that it was good, and I enjoyed it.
Rating: 3.5/5

39. The Speckled Band, Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Mystery

A quick read of Sherlock Holmes' adventures that's the Big Read on DailyLit. Since it was only 13 sections, I finished it in two days. I enjoyed it, and it was certainly creative how it ended.
Rating: 4/5

40. The Burning Skies, David J. Williams
Genre: Science Fiction

What to say about this one. Well, I'll deflect you to my long-winded review for the details, but I just want to say that despite what the author intended or the publisher proclaims, this is not a book you can read without reading the prequel. And the summary on the back of the book sucks. It hardly describes the book at all.
Rating: 3/5

Book Twenty-Seven

Title: Mistress of the Art of Death
Author: Ariana Franklin
Page Count: 381
Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis/Thoughts: It is the 12th century, and in Cambridge, England children are being viciously murdered. The superstitious townsfolk have blamed the killings on the town's Jewish community, claiming these murders prove the common belief that Jews murder Christian children as part of their blasphemous religious rites. The Jews have had to be locked up in the town's garrison to protect their lives, which means that all of their business transactions have been brought to a halt. King Henry II is not happy about this, because a good portion of his tax revenue comes from the Jew's money-lending enterprises, and the royal coffers are suffering. To remedy the problem, he appeals to his cousin, the King of Sicily, whose domains house the most advanced medical institution in the known world. He requests that a "master of the art of death" (a term for an early forensic investigator of sorts) be sent to Cambridge to attempt to catch the murderer and absolve the Jews of the crime so business as usual may resume. However, instead of a master of the art of death, Cambridge is sent a mistress, in the form of Adelia Aguilar, whose brilliance in the field is unsurpassed. In a world where women are treated like cattle and an accusation of witchcraft could send her to her doom, Adelia must keep her true identity a secret and use all of her wits to identify the perpetrator of the brutal crimes...before he claims more victims.

I'm pleased to say that this is the first book in what seems like a very long time that I was unable to put down (except for sleep). Once I started reading I found the story so engaging that I just HAD to find out what the outcome of everything was going to be. Adelia reminded me so much of Dr. Temperence Brennen from Bones, which was a good thing because that show is one of my favorites. However, I do have to say that this is a book that does require the reader to suspend their disbelief when reading, because the likelihood that any of it could actually happen in the 12th century seems kind of slim. But I say if you want strict historical accuracy then go read a non-fiction book. This is a good story with a gripping plot and engaging characters...who cares if it could actually happen? Other than that the only other thing I might have preferred to be different was the amount of gore. Parts of the book were quite disturbing (as one might expect...it is after all a book about child murders), and the author definitely doesn't gloss over the gruesome details. But if you've got a strong stomach and are in the mood for something a little different from your usual crime thrillers/historical novels, I'd recommend this book highly.

Book Twenty-Six

Title: A Poisoned Season
Author: Tasha Alexander
Page Count: 320
Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis/Thoughts: In this sequel to And Only To Deceive, Lady Emily Ashton is finally out of official mourning for the husband she lost after only a few months of marriage. It is the start of the glamorous season in London, and she intends to thoroughly enjoy herself. When a Mr. Charles Berry arrives on the scene, claiming to be the long-lost heir to the throne of France (which no longer exists), all of fashionable society is thrown into an uproar. Lady Emily finds him rude and ill-mannered, and resolves to have nothing to do with him. However, when a cat burglar begins breaking into homes and stealing items that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, and Lady Emily begins receiving passionate love notes from a mysterious admirer, she finds herself being drawn into the intrigue despite her resolve, and it promises to be a more exciting season than she had anticipated.

I'm enjoying this series so far...in fact, I think I actually liked this book better than the first. This was an entertaining book that didn't take too much time or concentration to read, which was what I was in the mood for at the time. There's also enough romance thrown in to keep things interesting. I'm definitely going to pick up the next book in the series when I get a chance!

Book 47: Vienna Blood (Volume Two of the Liebermann Papers).
Author: Frank Tallis, 2006.
Genre: Historical Murder Mystery with psychological themes.
Other Details: Hardback, 476 pages.

It is the winter of 1902 and a serial killer is at large in Vienna. He is viciously mutilating his victims and leaving arcane symbols on and near the bodies. Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt once more calls upon his friend, psychoanalyst Dr. Max Liebermann, to help him solve the case. Their investigations draw them into the murky world of Vienna's secret societies. Liebermann is also struggling with his own issues when his treatment of a patient suffering from paranoia erotica (a delusion of love) and his own fascination with the enigmatic Englishwoman Amelia Lydgate raises doubts concerning his upcoming marriage.

In the first volume the plot touched on those darker elements in turn-of-the century Vienna that nurtured the philosophical and religious ideas that later emerged as National Socialism. In this second volume Tallis continues to explore this theme by highlighting a number of secret societies committed to Aryan supremacism. The narrative includes the historical figure of Guido von List, whose racist theories and writings made him an important figure within the Pan Germanic nationalist movement. The friendship between Liebermann and Rheinhardt is further developed including exploring their mutual love of music. Music also informs the plot in both subtle and obvious ways.

I found this an extremely engaging historical murder mystery which had that wonderful combination of a thrilling story, solid characterisations and a real feel for its period setting. Tallis captured the excitement of Vienna's café society and was rather naughty by describing in detail a number of mouth-watering pastries and confections.

Frank Tallis' page on 'Vienna Blood' - comments on the influence of Guido von List and his acolytes and how these were incorporated into Vienna Blood.

I've been meaning to post for awhile and never got around to it. So here's a massive post of all the books I've read the last five months. Most are YA, but there's a lot of genres included. I left out all the books that were rereads.

( Books 1-82 )



Next book: 83. I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle

18  THE CRUCIBLE   Arthur Miller  (USA,1953)



I decided to read it after researching for my short essay on the age factor in the Salem witchcraft trials and it was a good idea because I realized how well it reflects the historical events even though not everything is historically accurate.

Arthur Miller managed to convey the gloomy atmosphere that surrounds the trials and the economic and religious tensions between the characters come alive thanks to wonderfully written dialogues.

I knew that Miller had McCarthy and his politics in mind when he wrote the play, but what I didn't expect is that there would direct reference to anti-communism in his play. To be honest I did not like the passages where he writes his own thoughts and openly compares Salem to McCarthyism. It's not that I disagree with what he had to say, but I find that in a play the voice of the writer must be subtle or else it interferes with the characters and in that particular case, the gloomy atmosphere. Too bad.

3/5

15-30. Mars Vol 1-15 Fuyumi Soryo (3.5/5)
Very good, I enjoyed this immensly, though the ending was a little predictable and expected, considering the trends in this genre.... Once... just once... I wish they would end differently :P

31-34. Fables Vol 1-4 (3.5/5)
I really liked these, the storyline is awesome, the art is fantastic. It gets a little wordy and tiresome at some points, but then, that's probably because I was really tired when I was reading them... who knows! I really recommend these for people who enjoyed fairy tales as children and are looking for something a little more mature and modern than the happy-sappy stories we read as kids [although, a lot of them have darker connotations that you realize more and more as you get older...)

35. Vlad: The Last Confession C.C. Humphreys (9.5/10)
Oh my goodness! So good! I love this book, it was fantastic! It was very streamlined for a book that frequently changed times and places and people. Historically, very accurate. Very very well researched. The use of accurate ethnic terms was a great add. I highly recommend this book to people interested in Vlad Dracula's real life, not just that of Bram Stoker's character. Keep in mind, however, this is a fictious, romanticized account, so take it for what it is. I didn't realize that's what it was when I bought it, but I still really enjoyed it. One of the best books I've read this year. I should also like to mention that normally I hate books that use Dracula as a money-gimmick. But this wasn't that. There were no vampires, nothing like that. But this, this was good. This was amazing. I can't get over how good it was. <3!





So, what's next on my list? Good question!

I've gotta get through the Chronicles of Narnia [oi.]
I have been leant a copy of A Game of Thrones by the same guy who leant me Fables and the Walking Dead.
I also want to get my hands on Vlad III - The Life and Times of the Historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler - In Search of the Real Dracula, Dracula - Sense and Nonsense, and Rumania

See you next time, folks!