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.

Finished SWALLOWING DARKNESS

Fans of this series may be surprised by the meaning of this title.  She did finally get around to the sex, but not until the end, after which there was still more problems.  It ended well, though, and I very much enjoyed it.



Now I have started Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.  All I have finished at the moment is the forward by the translator, which I found quite interesting.  A little biographical material along with a description of how and why he has abridged it (which I believe I will be quite grateful for.)

Half-Way Through Swallowing Darkness

Since I couldn't get this picture off Goodreads.com (they seem to think this book exists only in a brochure about all of Hamilton's Meredith Gentry books), I took it off of Amazon, which explains the graphics on top.  I am now on page 191 (a little less than half-way through) of the book and am enjoying it more than I have enjoyed the last three or four books.  There has been more adventure in this and less sex...  We are now about to go back to L. A., which makes me happy because they were working with the police there, solving mysteries and well as being fantastic creatures.  Less court intrigue and more being helpful and productive...in a real world kind of way.

Finished The Silmarillion

It read like a biblical history of Middle Earth starting in the beginning (and Iluvatar created Middle Earth) and carried us just about up to the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring.  For those who have heard it is dry and slow-going, I must agree.  However, the language is beautiful and I found myself interested in the origins of dwarves, elves, and men--as well as Sauron, the wizards, and the hobbits.  Very little was said about the latter, unfortunately.  But, I did enjoy it.s

I have now started Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K Hamilton, one of her Meredith Gentry books.  I welcome change from the Silmarillion.  I continue to enjoy this series.