Finished DEATHSTALKER

 

I really enjoyed the action of this book, the really quirky characters (if made into a movie this would be a riot to costume!), and the environment....pick a world, any kind of world.  This series will have absolutely no limitations.  Now, what is it?  Science fiction...no, not enough science.  How about scientish action fantasy?  Just ordered more books in this series.

I have now started Kitchen Privileges, A Memoir by Mary Higgins Clark.  Not surprisingly, it is very readable optimistic poinance.  She does not take her world too seriously...at least not from the age she writes this book.

Finished DEAD MAN'S CHEST

 

Unlike most others in this series, it was not a murder mystery.  There were a number of mysteries, though, some of them quite serious.  And Phryne has added another person to her household,  a teen-age boy I quite liked and was hoping he would become an ongoing character.  All mysteries intriguing and characters enjoyable.

Taking a number of used books to Half Price Books for a little money, I also browsed a bit and found a series by an author new to me.  I thought he was an author whose books I'd been reading, but nope.  Whole new author...similar name.  That gives me a bit of a pause, jumping into a new series, but I was hooked on this one with the first sentence...dropping me into a very new environment and intoducing me to a new and intriguing character.  I was up late last night...reading.

Finished THE FIERY CROSS

 

I think for me it is best to read the book first, then see the tv series or movie.  This way, having seen the series first, I am always saying to myself, "Oh, that's why that happened," or, "oh, that made what happened less shocking."  But I am also enjoying everything that wasn't in the series.  Probably 2/3 of this book was not in the series and other parts were only hinted at.  If I read the book first, then I can enjoy the production while criticizing acting, casting, production values, but mostly screenplay.  However, I am enjoying these books very much because they are explaining and broadening my appreciation of the characters I met on the screen.  Absolutely worth the read.

I am about to start reading Dead Man's Chest, another Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery.  These are always fun and compact.

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.