manoah

It's been a bit, but I'm still reading!

27. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
I finished this (on my tablet) and it was every bit as satisfying as the movie was. I highly recommend both!

28. A Clash of Kings by George R R Martin
2nd book in the "Song of Fire and Ice" series that we just call Game of Thrones. I'm very curious now (but no spoilers please!!) about the show. I have the first 5 seasons on DVD (borrowed from a friend) and we'll start watching them soon. His Lordship kinda, sorta watched them at his friend's house, but he missed the first season or so. This will be fun!

29. Wonder by R J Palacio
Another tablet book to read before bed. I was a little off-put (don't ask why as I don't know) about the movie trailer, but the book was solid. It is told from the kids (all of them) point of view and doesn't skimp on what it's like to be the "normal" looking child in the family. Very interesting and thought provoking. I may have to watch the movie now.

30. A Storm of Swords by George R R Martin
I'm almost done with book 3!

31. The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King
I also just started this on my tablet. I know about Mr. Rogers, but look forward to this book as well.

20. Inferno by Dan Brown
Finally finished this. I had too much going on and I knew how this one ended. The perils of trying to reread things all at once I guess?

21. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
This is the final book of the first series. A fine denouement. Some "kids" books are really, really good. Some? Not so much. This falls in the first category for me. I'll move on to his other series at a later time.

22. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
I'm committed to reading these books as I've got so much time invested in them. I've taken to skipping the recipes because they are all pretty much the same. And I don't eat many cookies. Sadly, I guessed the ending to this one. But it will be interesting to read the next one.

23. Origin by Dan Brown
This is what I'm currently reading. New to me so it's really holding my interest.

I have a stack of books at the ready!

I'm still reading, but slowly now. I'm also working on a new crochet bear pattern and adapting it. I can't read and crochet at the same time and no, I don't do audible books. I just like to read. Onward:

15. Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. It's a part of history I'm unfamiliar with and that made it interesting. Also, it kept me on my toes as to who was who. I wasn't trying to figure it out and it didn't jump out at me, so that was a bonus. I do enjoy Kearsley's books. Maybe not all at once, but every few months...yeah.

16. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
This is what I'm rereading now. I had forgotten that I'd read this, but now I'm about halfway through and it's pretty good. Interesting all the symbols used by our founding fathers. Masons feature prominently in this book.

I have 4 books queued up on my Kindle/Library app. They'll be quick ones, but I have to get the Dan Brown book finished first.

Have I mentioned I love to read?

I've got a few to talk about. Heh. That's what happens when one...chills.

5. Edward VII: The Prince of Wales and the Women He Loved by Catharine Arnold
This book. Hmm. This was only about the women Bertie loved. Not a complete bio, but an abbreviated one. I had already read a bio about him, so this was all stuff I knew. It was interesting, but if you decide to read a complete bio, let me refer you to: The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII, the Playboy Princeby Jane Ridley as it was quite comprehensive.

6. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
My first reread of the year. I was watching the movie and decided to read the book. Move vs. book is very different. But I enjoyed revisiting it.

7. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Well, since I had it...decided to reread as well. Interestingly, as I had just finished Angels and Demons, I realized how similar the two books were as far as plot, pacing, etc. I'm on a wait list for the next book in the series. I remember reading this all in one go one summer. Found it fascinating. Now? Hmmm. I still liked it, but parts just make me cringe. Oh well, it's a fun read.

8. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
We had watched the movie a few months back and it was on the available list so...why not! Again, book vs. movie; very different. Still good. I recommend.

9. Puddin' by Julie Murphy
This was also available, so I grabbed it as well. It's called a "companion" book, but I would call it a sequel as it takes place after the first book. More insight into two of the peripheral characters, one of which the movie kinda glosses over. Again, well written and I enjoyed. Read it! (after you read the first one).

10. As the Crow Flies by Craig Johnson
There are a few more books in the 'Longmire' series before I finish. This was next so off we go. I do enjoy reading his books. He can be, umm, un-PC, but he acknowledges it and he says he gets permission from his First Nation friends. As long as everyone gets it....

11. A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
Next in the series. All these books are fun to read. They aren't fluffy fun, but good solid reads and detective type books. Matter of fact, it's just these last two that I guessed the baddie. Sometimes they are hard to spot!

I'm now rereading the Rick Riordan books starting with The Lightning Thief. Have I mentioned I love to read?

In other, non reading news....life is going well. I just came from a yoga class which I thoroughly enjoyed. Very nice getting out and doing something for me!

It's a bit cold and rainy today, but I'm home and settled. I think I'm going to make Sloppy Joe Salad for dinner. Sounds yummy. Now for a smoothie!

Finally! I've got some books read!!

1. Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Margaret George
I started this back in 2018, prior to mom's passing. I put it down and it languished for several months. Not to say I wasn't reading - I can't NOT read. But I was re-reading some comforting fanfic and I thank all you dedicated writers for posting same! Bless. The book I'd read prior to this was the Antonia Fraser epic bio. This was a fictional take on the same material. Obviously, it had to take liberties, but all in all it was a fun read. If long...well over 800 pages!

2. Lennon: The Man, The Myth, The Music - The Definitive Life by Tim Riley
I got a new tablet for Christmas and I wanted to make sure my digital library borrowing still worked. This was the first book that came up on my wish list that was available. Another long (almost 800 pages!) one. Interesting in that it definitely did not deify Lennon. Showed all his foibles. Didn't detract from the narrative. Lots (and I mean LOTS) of Beatles history in there as well.

3.Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
This popped up as me not having read it. I've been reading her books for years and keep plugging along with them. They are formulaic and predictable. Makes me appreciate the fan fiction writers all the more. This was a "prequel" of sorts; an origin story for the main character and how she got started. I think I finished it in less than a day. Easy peasy.

4.Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine, Leslie Meier
When I was looking through the lists of books at the digital library, this came up. Seems it's a trio of gingerbread stories. The first was typical and set way back in the character's history. Again, easy. The other two? Well, let's just say I read the whole thing, again, in less than a day. What is it with writers today??? I think all you fic people have spoiled me! *narrows eyes at most of flist*

Back in the day I'd made a list of books that sounded interesting that others on the flist had read. I'm reading one now....Edward VII: The Prince of Wales and the Women He Loved by Catharine Arnold

Hope you all are reading!

I've had this book since before mom died.

Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Margaret George. Todaynis February 8th and I finished it, all 870 pages.

Then I realized Mary was executed on February 8th. *cue twlight zone music*

Weird, no?

Day 8 - What book are you most grateful for?

How dear. Now that's a hard question. I guess it depends on my mood.

I am grateful for "To Kill A Mockingbird" as it's a beautiful book (and movie). I love "Little Women". I've read the "Dune" trilogy so many times it's like an old friend. I could go on and on. I guess rather than which book, I'm just grateful for the ability to read!

Actually posting about reading on Wednesday; what a concept!

46. Blood of Tyrants by Naomi Novik
This is the 8th of a 9 book series. Moving the action back across Europe, back to the beginning I'm guessing by the last book. It does help not to read these one right after the other, although not too far apart as there are so many characters and one does tend to forget (especially if one is old - heh). I'm looking forward to seeing how she wraps this up! I'm on a wait list for the last book.

47. Queen Song by Victoria Aveyard
Lessee, I think this is the first of two "interludes" between the main 4 novels. It goes into more detail about a lesser character (the mother of a major character). Expands the plot without expanding the main novels.

48. Steel Scars by Victoria Aveyard
Second of the "interludes". Again, it expands on characterization that is, not exactly brushed over, but not as detailed. I have a "cheat sheet" which tells me which order to read the books and I'm following that. Two more in this series and I'm on the wait list.

49. All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed, and Me by Jeff Dunham
As I'm on a wait list for so many books and needed something to read (I must be always reading!), I found this one. Very interesting if you like Jeff Dunham and his act. I do and I did.

50. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Just started this so nothing to report just yet. Interestingly, His Lordship was watching a TED talk about a guy who designs covers of books. This particular man, Chip Kidd, was talking about the process of designing the covers of various books (his big one was Jurassic Park) and when I saw the cover of 1Q84 I knew it was to be the next on my list! And so it is.

In other stuff; it's hotter than blue blazes but we've had afternoon thunderstorms and they are causing lightning fires (sigh), we got the house painted, I'm having a massage today.

It's been hotter than blue blazes around here. Especially with no AC in the house except the kitchen and then it's freezing in there. Can't win, just gotta vent. Heh.

First reading....I have been and now I have two books lined up and need to get reading!
( Reading )

Next up, 12th day!

( 12th of July )

And we also have thefridayfive

( Friday 5 )

38. The Queen's Bastard by Robin Maxwell
I picked this up at the warehouse sale at our local bookseller. They do that about once a month or so. I guess they have so many books come in, they have to make room. I always get a headache when I go through their boxes and boxes of books.

This is purely fiction, a "what if" if you will. There really was a man named Arthur Dudley and the plot of this supposes he really was the illegitimate son of QEI and Leicester. There is enough real history for it to be interesting, and I enjoyed it. I'd read the other books by Maxwell. I'm particularly interested in "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn". It was referenced several times in the book I'd read.

39. The Crown by Kiera Cass
This is the last book in the 'selection' series. I had guessed the ending during the last book and I was right. A fluffy read I finished in one day. Onward.