Finished SIDE JOBS by Jim Butcher

This is a collection of previously published stories about Harry Dresden as well as one new novella written especially for this collection.  It is not only an interesting progression of Harry's character, but also a fun exploration of the characters of the people surrounding him.  It is also a fabulous chronicle of Butcher's writing style into the frenetic activity that draws the reader in and holds, well, me, in thrall.



Now I have started The Unspoken by Heather Graham.  I just realized that it is the seventh in a series, but I'm thinking, if I know Heather, it will stand alone.  If I like it, I'll start the series from the beginning.  I'm only on page 13, but I am already pretty into it.  A ship went down in Lake Michigan in the late 1800's with an Egyptian mummy on board.  Now, a group of archaeologists is trying to rediscover it and pull up its treasures.  Do you ever tire of cursed Egyptian mummy stories???

Finished Hallowe'en Rain

It was pretty silly, but it turned out to be perfect faire for traveling, since I didn't have lots of time to devote to it and it was not preying on my mind.  I always enjoy the Buffy tales, and this one, set in the first season, was very high school and not terribly demanding.

Now I am reading Side Jobs, a book of short stories about Harry Dresden, Wizard Detective, by Jim Butcher.  I've read some of these in other anthologies. So far, in here, I've read the first two stories, one, the very first he wrote...before Storm Front.  The second, he is arguing with Bob about the phrasing of his ad in the yellow pages...both fun.

Finished People of the River

This is my favorite of these books so far.  I drove past the mounds on the way up to Vermont (see my other blog, wine-ing.blogspot.com) and didn't stop because of was making up time.  But I may stop on my way back.  I love that some of these books are set during climate change crises.  The book is about events that happened 700 years ago and is still timely, spiritual, and a lot of fun.  This story is also quite feminist, which I enjoyed.

I have now started Halloween Rain,  a Buffy tie-in by Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder, two of my favorite "tv tie-in" authors.  It promises to be much fun.

Finished DECKED

This book was a more like Mary Higgins Clark that other books I have read by her daughter, Carol.  The "thriller" was there in this and the various plot intertwines and twists were a lot of fun.

I have now started The People of the River by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neill Gear.  This novel based on archeology is set among the mounds of southern Illinois in about 12-1300 AD.




I never really stopped and looked at the mounds when I was traveling and don't know much about them, but I am curious, so I'll like this book.

Finished A Discovery of Witches

This book is about romance and self-discovery, mixed with enough adventure, danger, scary moments and scary people to satisfy any self-respecting romantic fantasy enthusiast.  But I love the fact that it takes time to savor the delicious moments of self and other-discovery amid the mayhem.

It is also similar to The Fellowship of the Ring in that relationships have been formed and the "fellowship," though it is not called that, has been formed, plans have been made and the members have split apart heading in different directions each to carry out their part of the plan.



I am now about to start Decked by Carol Higgins Clark.  Using a similar style to that of her mother, Carol tends to write less intense and more humorous stories.  So, my relaxing enjoyable reading will continue.

Continuing A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES

I am loving this book.  I was just with Diana as she browsed through Matthew's private library (she has yet to look at the large library downstairs).  She found many old first editions of very notable books.  What a delight for a fantasy-loving bibliophile!  And the relationship between the two of them continues to grow and become more interesting.  I am just delighted!

Temporarily Paused Les Miserables

Les Miserables is divided into five sections, each about 300 pages.  I finished the first section, titled "Fantine," and decided to come back to it in sections, (similar to the way I am reading Morte d'Artur.
That first section was more about Jean VaJean than about Fantine, and I hope to continue meeting him as I read the second section, "Cosette."

I have now started A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, and am enjoying it immensely.  I am on page 166 of 579.  I enjoy the character of Diana Bishop (witch trying to act like she is not one) and her budding friendship with vampire, Matthew Clairmont.