Gave Up On APPETITE FOR LIFE, THE BIOGRAPHY OF JULIA CHILD

 

After reading for five days and not yet being to p 50, I gave up.  It was so boring, I kept finding distractions: card game on my phone, tv, even cleaning (which REALLY shows how bored I was.)  So I have not finished reading it and will not.  I don't do this often.

I have now started book 5 of the Outlander series, The Fiery Cross.  Jumped into this right away.  It is 1770 and stirrings are starting up of unrest in the South Carolina colony.  As Roger and Brianna set about to make their marriage official, Jamie receives orders from the governor to muster as many men as possible to serve under him for the king.

Finished DARKEST JOURNEY

 

As usual, helpful ghosts are, well, helpful, but the crime is solved in the climax when life is in danger.  I love the Missippi river boats, so I just enjoyed the ambiance of the story.  More suspects than usual, several of whom were shocked that they were suspects.  I enjoy these books.

 

Then I read another 50 pages in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.  Back from Europe, Jonathan spends the first part of the section trying to cure the king of his insanity, then turns to learning to navigate between mirrors, much to the consternation of his wife.

I have now started Appetite For Life, the biography of Julia Child.  I have not yet decided if I will finish it.  The first part is deadly dull, reading like a term paper or a thesis.  I'll give it a bit more of a chance, though.

Finished A TIN TRAIN CHRISTMAS

 

A pleasant little story, though predictable.  All of the books I have read by this author have been sweet and this was a good follow-up to James Rollins preceded by Bone Walker.  Sometimes I just need a break from all the excitement, and I can't think of much better for the purpose than Lageschulte.

I am now about to start another Heather Graham, Krewe of Hunters book, Darkest Journey.  Once again, this book will take me to to Southern Lousianna and the Mississippi, but now aboard a paddle-wheeler.  Fun.  A reminder of Fever Dream by George R.R. Martin.

Finished THE LAST ODYSSEY

 

 

Of course there will be critics that hate this because it is not true science fiction and goes too far overboard, but who cares if you can't label James Rollins' work as science fiction or fantasy (I like science, historical fantasy myself).  I think he did Homer proud and maybe ran him one better.  It was an adventure for sure.

After two very long books I turn to a short story by the author of the Growing Season books that I have been enjoying.  We met Horace Schermann at the beginning of the first book in the series at which time he was 90.  Now we go back in time to the depression when Horace is 6 and his brother Wilbur is 8.  Both boys really want a tin train they have seen in a window, but...it is the depression.

Finished BONE WALKER

 

This was the third in a trilogy and I loved the entire story (Anasazi Mystery).  Of course there are all kinds of theories as to what happened to the Anasazi and probably most are correct.  This speculative story includes many of them.  I love the side by side stories, one among the Anasazi trying to survive and the other set in the present with the archeologists gradually figuring out part of the answer and then the climax tying both together.  Well worth the time spent reading it.  I am kicking myself for never visiting Chaco Canyon while I could still walk.  And I was close...  Just didn't know enough to stop.

I have now started The Last Odyssey by James Rollins (a part of his Sigma Force series.)  Recent archeological finds have discovered the city of Troy (Homer's The Illiad) and have plotted the probably location of ancient Ithaca (the two cities figure as starting and ending points in Homer's Odyssey).  Prior to this scholars have thought of the two books as purely fiction, but, if the cities were real, could more of the stories be real?  That "what if.." leads Rollins (and now me) into another great adventure.

Finished THE ANASTASIA SYNDROME AND OTHER STORIES

 

Marry Higgins Clark at her best.  Unexpected twists.  All of the stories were suspenseful.  And not always a happy ending.

I have now started Bone Walker, the third of the Anasazi Mystery Trilogy by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear.  The plot becomes more and more complicated as the powerful witchery from the Anasazi past enters the present with a beloved archeologist being found dead by ancient means.  The title is the name given to the granddaughter of and by a powerfully incestuous witch from the past.

Finished A LONGER FALL

 

Some of the things I read are very difficult to classify.  This is basically a western about a female gunslinger and a lot of other gunslingers and a lot of magicians and a reactionary South called Dixie that is set after an apocalyptic war.  So there you are...  This is the second I have read in the series and I am looking forward to the next.  Charlaine Harris scores again!

I have now started The Anastasia Syndrome and Other Stories.  The first story is the title story and is basically what happens when a psychoanalyst regresses a patient so far into the past that a historical figure is both encountered and takes over the personality of the patient.  The doctor in question has done this only once before and his patient came out of it thinking she was Princess Anastasia of Russia.

Finished TO THE LAND OF LONG LOST FRIENDS

 

Mma. Ramotswe has not only run into a friend she went to school with but has learned of another friend who has had some misfortune.  Neither of these friends has asked for help, but our heroine cannot help but try to do something.  But, can she help either without losing these newly re-found old friends?  Perhaps other friends can help?  And Charlie is now seen in a better light...he is growing up.  I enjoy revisiting these old friends...  Do you believe this is the twentieth book in this series and I have enjoyed these gentle characters in every one?

I have now started the second of Charlaine Harris' Gunnie Rose series.  She nearly died in the first book.  How can this possibly be A Longer Fall?  She starts out with a new crew guarding a crate on it's way to Dixie...  All is boring the first day and a half. Then the train they are riding in blows up. 

Finished DRUMS OF AUTUMN

 

Not much I can say when finishing the fourth book in an at least 8 book series without spoilers.  If you are watching the TV series, I think I am roughly at the end of the 4th season.  There is lots more in the book than on TV (I know...duh) with a lot more preparation and explanation for our characters' actions during season 5 that we did not get watching.  I am obviously a big fan and enjoy every minute of the books even though I am still reading after seeing the show (not my favorite way of doing it.)  Knowing what is about to happen is more terrifying than reading it cold, I think...

I have now started To The Land of Long Lost Friends, the 20th book in the #1 Ladie's Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.  I like the relaxation of following up an exciting book with a relaxing one and this fits the description.  It has begun with Mma Ramotswe seeing a long lost friend who she had thought was dead (late.)  A joy to discover that was a newspaper misprint and to discuss it with Mma Makutsi the next day.

Finished ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE

 

War is Hell.  Following individuals as this does, we of course learn what we old people know already.  No one person is completely bad (well maybe Hitler).  And fate is indifferent to the good in people (and the bad).  You cannot extrapolate from how much you like a character as to his or her ability to survive.  I do like that we visit each major character at the end of the book (about 30 years later) to find out what has happened to each.  I enjoyed the book.  It definitely held my interest.

I have now begun the fourth book in the OUTLANDER series, Drums of Autumn.  Jamie, Claire and entourage watch the hanging of one of Jamie's friends from the prison in Scotland and claim his body for burial.  Stephen Bonnet (having escaped from the line of men to be hanged) has hidden in their wagon, next to the body.

Finished DEADLY FATE

 

A bit more complicated that past books in this series, especially at the end.  I have been to Alaska (though not as north as this) and understand that, even with all the horrible things going on, why people keep saying they love Alaska.  These books are kind of a travel guide of the USA, with murders, ghosts, and romance going on all at once.  What's not to like?

I have now started All the Light We Cannot See, which I found recommended in a booklist of historical fiction.  Marie Laure, blind and 12 years old, lives in Nazi occupied Paris in 1944.  On the sixth floor of her building and alone, she hears planes (liberating forces of the Allies).

Read 100 more pages in THE CODE BREAKER

 

In this section Jennifer and friends/ associates try to go commercial, that is start a company to look for medical applications for CRISPR.  They had with mixed results.  Part of the problem was that at first nobody knew what it was and no one wanted to invest.  Then, of course as it became understood, everyone wanted to claim credit and/or beat Jennifer to the market. 

I have now started Deadly Fate, another Krewe of Hunters novel by Heather Graham.  The trick to this title is that some of the characters are actors in a play that will be performed on the cruise ship, "Fate."  The ship is anchored in Seward, Alaska, where two young women have been killed--horribly.

Finished BRIGHT SEASON

 

Of course there are complications.  In the first place, Melinda is navigating a new romance, renovating her house, running her drought-ridden farm, and working full time.  I don't know when she finds time to go to the bathroom.  Add finding some letters that gets the whole Schermman family concerned about Horace, and...well, darn that drought!  I have enjoyed the first 6 books of this series, that I just ordered the last four and the first 2 in a new mystery series by this author.  Although the publisher of this series says it is in DE Moines, Iowa, the last page in the book says Coppell, TX.  It is the Y in Coppell, TX, where TR and I attend water aerobics classes.  Could she live right here???

I am now about to head back to The Code Breaker.  The subject of this book, Doudna, was behind the vaccine for Covid.  Though it is fairly technical and gives me a headache occasionally, I have read enough of Robin Cook to have some idea of how stunning results of splitting (cutting and pasting) parts of DNA can be.

Finished BENEATH THE AMARILLO PLAINS

 

OK, well while I still think that being brain damaged would be terrible, I am quite amazed at how this young man could channel or shut down some parts of his brain to help the damaged section.  He was getting much of his language facility back, though listening and responding took effort and time and caused excruciating headaches.  But he and a friend were able endure the danger to solve the mystery...  I continue to love this author.

I have now started the sixth book in Malanie Lageschulte's saga of Melinda's move from city life to her own farm in a tiny Iowa town.  She met someone in the last book who she has begun dating.

                                               

 

Finished THE SPIDER'S WEB

 

Another mystery in which both John and Vicky were involved, but other characters solved it.  This ended a bit suspensefully but also a little slowly and even then a loose string was left.  I'm wondering if it will turn up in a later novel.  Once again, great characters and environment held my interest as well as the murders.  I enjoy this series.

I have now started Beneath the Amarillo Plains.  This is subtitled Jeff Kale, Brain Damaged Detective.  Henry Melton usually writes science fiction, which is what I love him for.  But this looks like a mystery, with a monkey wrench thrown in.  Someone was chasing Jeff and his friend and bumping into them, which caused the accident that has resulted in his brain damage, taking away his language center.   He has no idea who was chasing them...

Finishe PIECE OF MY HEART

 

And, unfortunately, this is the last of the Under Suspicion novels.  I am very sorry to see them go.  I have enjoyed them.  This was a little different from the others in that the tv show was a means to an end rather than an end in itself.  If it was Clark's last novel, it is a fitting one...

I have now begun The Spider's Web, another Wind River Mystery by Margaret Coel.  It has started with a double murder--looking like a home invasion, and the people who found the dead are too afraid to report it, thinking they will be blamed...  So, who will report it?

Finished LONG HOT SUMMONING

 

After reading Tanya Huff's Blood series and Smoke series, I looked for more books by this author.  All I found was the Valor series, which I didn't think I was interested in.  It turns out there is more out there in the minds of fantasy authors than just Vampires.  It seems that Hell (or something much like it) is constantly trying to break into our world.  Keepers protect us from that.  When a breach shows up in the world, a Keeper is summoned.  Well, this time it is a mall--the other side has taken over one of the stores and is expanding.  Claire's younger sister has just graduated from high school and is summoned for this one.  She quickly figures out she can't do this alone, so gets her sister.  I have read all three of the Summoning novels and want more.  Maybe I am ready to tackle the Valor series now.

I have now started  Piece of my Heart, an Under Suspicion novel by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke.  The copyright date is 2020, so this must be one of Clark's last books.  I was happy to see a book in this series I have not read.  As it starts, Laurie has lost the next cold case in her series because two of the important subjects have backed out.  She, Alex, and their families go to Long Island for Alex's birthday where, almost immediately, Alex's 7 year old nephew is kidnapped.

Finished MURDER IN THE FIRST EDITION

 

The story follows the same formula as the Hallmark mysteries on the HMM channel,  which I am a fan of.  There are some interesting characters and relationships here, that I will enjoy seeing resolved, if the series continues.  I still have the first two books to read, so it will be awhile before I read the continuation.  I enjoyed this one, even though formulaic.  It was relaxing.

I have now started The Long Hot Summoning by long time favorite of mine, Tanya Huff.  This is the third (and last) of her Keeper series.  It is unusual and inventive.  As this one starts Diana, (our first keeper's younger sister) returns from her last day of high school and receives her first summoning.  She takes one look at the problem and decides she needs her sister's help.  Hurray, old characters and new come together.

Finished DAUGHTER OF REGALS & OTHER TALES

 

I have missed Stephen R Donaldson.  There is a huge amount of inventiveness in his stories.  Remember in Thomas Covenant how he'd create a fabulous character and then just kill him off and create another one?  He writes fantasy, but also science fiction.  I even enjoyed his non-fiction account of why he enjoys writing short stories.  He almost always makes me think with his multifaceted characters, strange situations, fantastic worlds, and inventive plots.

I have now started Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott.  I have messed up.  This the third in a series, and I thought it was the first.  The other two are still on my shelf.  Oh, well.  I don't feel left hanging at all, all characters are introduced well and I am not lost.  Because I was a reading teacher, I am drawn to books set in libraries, bookstores, classrooms, and in the writing studios of authors.  This mystery has started with a dead body and a missing very valuable book, both of which the police are reluctant to label as suspicious, much to the protagonist's (and my) frustration.

Finished BOOM TOWN

 

After many years in New York City, the author returns to Lake Wobegon and discovers it much changed with tech start-ups and new money.  In addition several of his high school friends are dying.  The book is not gloomy, however.  It is full of warm interactions with acquaintances old and new as forces are working against change as well as for it.

The author's sense of humor reminds me of Mark Twain's talks.  Keillor of course was a radio personality where I believe this sense of humor would work better, maybe as well as Mark Twain's did live.  As I mentioned before, though the stories told are humorous, I don't remember them as I start the next paragraph.  This is not (far from it) a pan on Twain's novels, even his travelogues.   Keillor's work offers nothing by which those could be compared.

I have now started Daughter of Regals & Other Tales by Stephen Donaldson.  Finding this was serendipity.  We had gone to Half Price Books to sell about 3 years worth of books we have read.  It was a large pile (four or more boxes) and had to wait while they tallied them, so we browsed a bit and right away I found this.  It was evidently written after he finished the second of his Covenant trilogies.  I have just started the first story which has already enticed me, but his introduction was an interesting account of why writers find short stories appealing.

Finished THE UNKNOWN

 

I always enjoy these Heather Graham's books.  Often they are set it cities where I have lived or visited, which is fun.  This one was relaxing and fun, as usual.

I am now going back to Boom Town.  Garrison Keillor came to me highly recommended by someone I greatly respect.  But, well, I find the stories he tells amusing while I am reading them, but have lost them from my head almost immediately after.  Just not strong enough to grab my attention.  But, perhaps I will finish the book this time...

Finished 50 more pages of WAR AND PEACE

 

The early part of the war continues to be characterized by inept arrogant officers, and eager cavalry/ infantry.  Napoleon is much better at strategy than this early German/ Prussian general who has started leading the eastern forces.

l have now started The Unknown, another Krewe of Hunters novel by Heather Graham.  This one is set again in New Orleans, which appears to be one of the author's favorite locations.  One of mine, too.  This is the second time Sienna has known about a fire and rescued people from the scene, when there is no apparent way she could have known about them.  Naturally, the police suspect her of starting the arson instigated fires.

Finished LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

 

This book is different from most of the books I read.  I usually like happy endings, lush environments, and interesting characters.  This book has the last, but the characters are not likable...there is really no likable character in the entire book, but they are all understandable.  And because of that I kept reading...I wanted to know what happens next to these terribly troubled people.  This book will haunt me awhile.

I have now gone back to War and Peace.  This section of the book begins back in Russia where the dance of finding the marriageable young people mates.  It is a definite contrast to the battlefield in the last section. 

Finished CRUCIBLE, by James Rollins

 

I love this author.  Yes, he seems pretty far-fetched, but much of his book is made up of new scientific discoveries and directions--he just puts them together into a gripping story.  In addition, he has wonderful characters that I, anyway, am emotionally invested in.  This book deals with approaching AI and it's possibilities, and repercussions, both good and bad.  Suspenseful tale.

I have now started Let the Right One In by another Swedish author, John Ajvide Lindqvist.  I love the writing style--lots of dialogue, and when the character is alone, the thinking reads like dialogue.  I don't normally read things classified as horror, though I am not averse to thrillers, supernatural subject matter, or even vampires (big Anne Rice fan.)  One of the reviews of this book compares it to Anne Rice,  I don't see it, though...at least not yet.  None of the characters is really likable (normally a turn-off to me), but protagonists are, at least, understandable--motives are clear and evoke sympathy.  And it is very readable, so I think I will keep reading.

Finished THE SUMMONING GOD

 

This the second book in a trilogy speculating (using archeological evidence) as to why the Anasazi left the four corners area of our country during the 13th century.  The religious war, perpetuated by fanatics, seems by our world's standards, entirely plausible and terribly violent.  It is a novel, though, allowing for compelling characters, environment, and exciting action.  Loved it!

I have now started another Sigma Force novel by James Rollins, Crucible.  Science fiction by a hair, it speculates a race between good guys, bad guys, and mostly businesses to produce a viable AI capable of thinking for itself.  A fabulous mix of science, military technology and knowledge, great characters, and thrilling action.  Timely. I love this series.