Book Magic

BLOGGING BREAK and SOCIAL MEDIA BURNOUT

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:53:00 +0000

For the last several months, my posting has decreased significantly. It's not that I'm too busy to write reviews or that I'm not reading. I guess I don't enjoy it anymore. I'm not deleting my blog because this may be a temporary break and I may feel differently in a couple of months. I still plan on keeping my books read page up to date but I will probably just write short reviews on Library Thing. I can always post those to twitter, so really no loss for anyone interested in what I'm reading. sI sill try to read others posts but no promises.

I think part of the blogging issue is that I am having social media burnout. I use to love twitter. I would have conversations with people about books and other stuff. But now my twitter stream seems to be an endless stream of Get glue, tumblr, pinterest, facebook, goodreads. People will write a review, link it to all these other sites and then feed that to twitter. So I will see several tweets about the same review. Or someone tweets something, links to tumblr or goodreads, which when you click on the link says the same thing that was just tweeted. I don't care what people are watching with 1000 other people on get Glue. I don't care about who has Klout for what. I have 400+ followers but rarely does anyone respond to something I say. Why the hell are they following me? Because they want me to follow back and then buy what they are selling. I'm not deleting my twitter account because again, I may not always feel this way, plus, amongst all the crap I do find some good book recommendations. I'll peruse but likely not interact much. Now there seems to be a lot of talk of pregnancy and while I'm happy for those people, a daily play by play of their pregnancy issues, makes me want to kill myself. I haven't started Downton Abbey yet, so I have to avoid those spoilers.
So what I once loved now just mostly annoys me. So I'll keep my distance until either I lose the grumpies or people get bored with all those annoying sites.
Bye for now!

BUFFALO WEST WING & AFFAIRS OF STEAK by Julie Hyzy

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:38:00 +0000

With a new First Family, White House executive chef Olivia Paras can't afford to make any mistakes. But when a box of take-out chicken mysteriously shows up for the First Kids, she soon finds herself in a "no-wing" situation. After Olivia refuses to serve the chicken, the First Lady gives her the cold shoulder. But when it turns out to be poisoned poultry, Olivia realizes the kids are true targets.

White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady's assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.

I have been enjoying this series and these two are the most recent from Julie Hyzy. Olivia Paras is the executive chef at The White House and always seems to get involved in some criminal plot that endangers members of The White House. In the first couple of books, Ollie was dating Tom, a member of the Presidents security detail. I never liked him as he was kind of rude to Ollie and annoyed with her shenanigans. But they broke up and now she's got Gav, another secret service agent but one more supportive of her. I also like Ollie a lot more in the recent books as she stands up for herself and kind of kicks ass. In spite of the titles, there isn't as much food as you'd think but plenty of intrigue. This is a good cozy series.

my rating 4/5 for both

THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000

synopsis from the publisher: The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

As I have mentioned before, I don't read a lot of YA but I'd heard good things about this book and well, let's be honest. Can I resist London, Jack the Ripper, and ghosts all in one story? No, no I cannot.

Also, Rory is not one of those annoying teens that can be found in other books. She is pretty self-assured though out of her comfort zone in this London boarding school. I think she is more horrified by the field hockey she is forced to play than the Ripper copy-cat.

Things start to get weird when she is the only one who saw the man outside the school window her roommate and she were sneaking back into. Now she has a third roommate that follows her everywhere.

Even though there are a million books incorporating Jack the Ripper, Johnson has a different take to add some originality. She also infuses a lot of humor in Rory that makes this a very enjoyable read.

It is the first in The Shades of London trilogy but I have a feeling the next two will be worth the wait.

my rating 4.5

READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

summary from the publisher:
It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

I don't like science fiction books, futuristic books, books about gaming, and anything resembling dystopian. Yet, this book was on a lot of "best of 2011" lists so I decided to read it. And I LOVED it. Yes, LOVED. I really liked Wade and felt an instant connection to him. He reminded me a bit of Sebastian from The House of Tomorrow. Wade had nothing and had to fend for himself, in reality and in the world of OASIS.
The author does a great job of creating such an amazing reality in the world of OASIS that it is a bit jolting during the brief times in the real world. This novel works on many levels. It can be seen as a cautionary tale in an already online obsessed world, where will we be in 30-40 years from now? It is also a coming of age tale, as Wade goes through the usual teenage angst. It also tackles the individual vs. large corporations.
I spent my teen years in the '80's so I loved all the references to that period.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Even if you don't think it will appeal to you, I think it will. It transcends whatever genre it is. It is definitely a book I will reread and though it's still very early, I bet it makes my best of 2012 list!
my rating 5/5

WHAT ARE YOU READING MONDAYS

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:19:00 +0000

hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

LAST WEEK: I read-
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta 4.5*
Stay Awake: Stories by Dan Chaon 4

If Jack's In Love by Stephen Wetta 5

and started The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt

THIS WEEK:
The Discovery of Witches
The Truth of All Things by Kieran Shields
Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy (meant to read last week)
continue The Children's Book

Happy Reading!

WHAT ARE YOU READING MONDAYS

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:43:00 +0000

hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

Books Read Last Week:
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 5
Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy 4
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson 4.5
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey 4.5

Books to Read This Week:
If Jack's In Love by Stephen Wetta
Stay Awake:Stories by Dan Chaon
Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy
and possibly A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Happy Reading!

THE FLIGHT OF GEMMA HARDY by Margot Livesey

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:53:00 +0000

Summary from the publisher:
A captivating tale, set in Scotland in the early 1960s, that is both an homage to and a modern variation on the enduring classic Jane Eyre.
Fate has not been kind to Gemma Hardy. Orphaned by the age of ten, neglected by a bitter and cruel aunt, sent to a boarding school where she is both servant and student, young Gemma seems destined for a life of hardship and loneliness. Yet her bright spirit burns strong. Fiercely intelligent, singularly determined, Gemma overcomes each challenge and setback, growing stronger and more certain of her path. Now an independent young woman with dreams of the future, she accepts a position as an au pair on the remote and beautiful Orkney Islands.
But Gemma's biggest trial is about to begin...a journey of passion and betrayal, secrets and lies, redemption and discovery, that will lead her to a life she's never dreamed of.

I don't normally like books inspired by classics because I have read too many horrible Jane Austen knock-offs. But I was interested in reading a Jane Eyre inspired novel.
The story stays fairly true to the original, while not always in the plot, at least in the spirit. But I have to admit I'm a bit rusty in remembering all of Eyre.
Gemma is a strong girl, who once her uncle dies, is left to the cruelty of her aunt. Gemma becomes the help instead of part of the family. The family doctor feels for her and mentions a boarding school where she might be happier. Gemma is able to get a scholarship and is excited to go though her teacher states that scholarship girls are not treated well. But Gemma is determined to get out of her aunt's house.

The story takes place in the 1950's and 60's. Boarding schools like Gemma's go out of fashion and her's is shut down before she can graduate. She has to take a job and decides to become a nanny rather than work in a hotel.
Gemma takes a job at a remote island off the Scottish coast, as a nanny to Mr. Sinclair's niece. But like Mr. Rochester, he is rarely in residence.

Well, you know most of the rest. I will tell you there is no mad woman in the attic. The only weak point is the story used to replace that. I think it is a poor catalyst but the rest of the novel makes up for it.

Despite this being a modern variation of the classic, it still felt timeless as most of the story takes place in remote villages in Scotland and there are few references to remind the reader of the time period.

I really enjoyed this novel and appreciate the author's ability to update while keeping the spirit of the original story. You won't be disappointed.

my rating 4.5

END OF THE YEAR REVIEW CATCH UP

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:14:00 +0000

I saw this format on Regular Rumination's blog and decided to steal it. Shortest reviews EVER!

A Killer Plot by Ellory Adams 3.5 - a cozy mystery that involves books and food. As decent mystery though I had trouble warming up to the main character.

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott 3.5 - an interesting historical fiction novel that looks at what happens to some of the survivors of the Titanic and about creating a new life in America. Light but charming.

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen 5- I LOVED this. A great crime book that takes place in Denmark. Great characters and has humor. Highly recommend.

The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore 5 - a must-read for literature lovers. A great look at the authors who wrote some of our most beloved books.

The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni 5- another favorite. I just loved and adored this book. You must read about a boy named Sebastian who will steal your heart.

Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen 4.5-(Royal Spyness series) I think this is my favorite one so far. Lady Georgiana in Transylvania, a castle, possible vampires and of course murder! Loved it!

In Like Flynn by Rhys Bowen 4.5, Oh Danny Boy by Rhys Bowen 4.5- (Molly Murphy series) this is not your typical cozy series. It takes place in New York City at the beginning of the 1900's. Molly is an Irish immigrant who wants to be a private detective. This series deals with a lot of the issues in that time and really brings the history alive.

Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates 4 - Oates writes a stream of consciousness story based on the incident at Chappaquiddick. Short book but packs a punch.

The Girl Who Would Speak For the Dead by Paul Elwork 3- a book about a sister and brother who can fool their friends into thinking the sister can communicate with the dead. Sweet but didn't really come together for me.

The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan 3.5 - a fun book about a thief who also writes novels. But he gets caught up in a real-life murder mystery. This is a series, I plan to read more.

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer 4.5 - One of my favorite Heyer's so far. You will adore the fun-loving Sophy, who is a tornado in the lives of those around her, especially her dashing cousin.

Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay 3- people that like cozy mysteries also read other books. They aren't stupid. Authors might want to keep this in mind. A seaside town and a library- awesome. Writing as if readers are slow, not good.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo 4.5- I'd been looking forward to this book and what a great crime thriller. A bit gruesome at times.

The Guilty by Jason Pinter 3- a decent mystery about a journalist who seems to become part of all his stories. I'd read another, but not top of my list.

The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor 4- I thought it would be scary and more about... ghosts. But still very enjoyable murder mystery in Victorian (or thereabouts) England.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig 4- a fun, historical, adventure, romance book takes up where The Scarlet Pimpernel left off. I don't know why I took so long to get to this series but I can't wait to read more.

MY READING YEAR IN REVIEW- 2011

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I promise this is not JUST a best of list, I know people get tired of those!

This year was not a banner reading year for me. I had hoped to read about 100 books this year as I did in 2010 but I am at around 80 and this includes quite a few rereads. Also, 2010 seemed to be the year of many 5 star reads and tons of chunksters. Not so 2011. I didn't read many of the highly lauded books, they didn't appeal to me. For example, The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht. This book is on every best of list I have seen. I couldn't finish it, I thought it was so boring. I did manage to finish The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, another book that has hit many lists, but I thought it was kind of blah. I certainly don't see what all the fuss is about.

I also had two long reading droughts this year, which is one more than usual but two too many! I am very much hoping to avoid these in 2012. As a result, my blogging has been very slow. Even now, I am reading, but hardly blogging about it. It isn't because I'm too busy, just too tired. I'm thinking of catching up with reviews by making them the length of blurbs! I hope to do much better next year.

Now for my poor sad, neglected books. This whole year I did not pick up Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna from my nightstand. How can that be? It is right in front of me. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery is only half finished. And Catherine the Great by Robert K Massie? Only about a quarter finished. Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors and while I did reread some past novels, I still have not picked up The Dovekeepers, even though I got a review copy and have heard the book is fantastic. I didn't read any classics, and most of the books in my book cases remained untouched. I am very ashamed by this and hope to do better next year.

Lastly, some great reads this year, I'll only mention a few.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
Safe From the Sea by Peter Geye
The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
The Burning by Jane Casey

But here is really the BEST of 2011, my new pup Murphy

NEED YOU NOW by James Grippando

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Patrick Lloyd is a young financial adviser for Bank of Switzerland/ American branch. Abe Cushman is a Madoff-type, who has stolen $60 billion in a Ponzi scheme but when he gets caught, he does a swan dive off his terrace. Gerry Collins is an accomplice, brutally murdered when he tries to flee. Patrick is informed by the higher ups at BOS, that his former girlfriend, Lily Scanlon is a suspect in helping Collins hide money. But Patrick has secrets of his own and that is where things start to get convoluted. There are way too many things happening at once with this story and too many coincidences. The dialogue is not great and Grippando's pop culture references every third page made me want to throw the book across the room. I feel like the book could have been much better with a little more effort. Also, I don't find government conspiracy plots very exciting or original. Maybe because it isn't shocking or surprising considering what does happen in reality.
I read Grippando's earlier novels years ago and enjoyed them. I don't know if my tastes have changed or he just didn't put much effort into this. Either way, I wouldn't recommend it.

my rating 2/5
I received this book from Amazon Vine Program

THE FACE THIEF by Eli Gottlieb

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

"A powerfully dark and gripping tale of two men obsessed with one very charismatic, very damaged woman who is determined to con from each of them everything she needs to survive..."

The novel starts with a woman falling down the stairs. We don't know if she has been pushed but we quickly discover that there are two men who could have done it.
Josh Potash invested his savings, only to discover it was a scam, so he tries to find the woman and try and get his money back.
Lawrence Billings is a "face reader" who has written books and gives seminars. Margot asks for personal lessons and becomes a prize student.

A cop questions Margot as her memory slowly returns. He knows what she is but thinks he can change her.

The story moves between the three characters. None are really likeable but they are very human. You may not like the ending but I found it fitting with the rest of the story. I would recommend this to anyone who can enjoy a book off the beaten path.

my rating 5/5
I received this book from Amazon Vine Program

DARK SOULS by Paula Morris, a mini-review

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +0000

I don't read a lot of YA but I read and enjoyed the author's last book, RUINED. This book takes place in Yorkshire, England and has ghosts, so how could I resist.
Miranda has had a bad few months after losing her best friend in a car accident. Her brother was driving and hasn't been the same since. Their parents decide to take them on a trip to England hoping it will help if they get away. The night of the accident, Miranda saw the ghost of her best friend. Now in Yorkshire, she is seeing them everywhere, But she meets a boy named Nick who can see them,too.

But this isn't a YA romance, it is more about a girl coming to terms with an unsettling gift. Unlike other YA novels, her parents are caring and loving.
The author writes descriptively of the Yorkshire town they are staying in and incorporates a bit of history. This was a quick and enjoyable read.

my rating 4/5
I received this book from Amazon Vine program

THE INFORMATIONIST: A VANESSA MICHAEL MONROE NOVEL by Taylor Stevens

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Vanessa Michael Monroe is a fantastic kick-ass heroine. I loved The Informationist and was thrilled to get a copy of The Innocent.
This time, Michael's best friend, Logan needs her help. Logan grew up in a cult called The Chosen. He eventually got out and later helped his childhood friend, Charity and her daughter, Hannah get out. Charity's boyfriend leaves the cult with them but eventually decides to return, kidnapping Hannah and taking her with them. The Chosen have kept Hannah closely hidden but now Logan and some of his former cult members have information about where Hannah may be kept. But they need Michael to get her out. Michael agrees but not before finding out some other motives of the ex-members, including Logan himself. Miles Bradford, who also appeared in The Informationist joins Michael. She has been having violent nightmares and Miles thinks the work will be helpful.
This had less action than the first novel which was a little disappointing. We do see more of what goes on in Michael's head and how she deals with things and more interaction between her and Miles.
The novel mostly takes place in Argentina, but I felt the novel lacked decent description of the setting. It could have been anywhere. There were also some loose ends that did not feel resolved by the end.
All in all, a good book but not as good as The Informationist, which should be read before reading this book or the reader will have almost no background on Michael.

my rating 4/5
I received this book from Amazon Vine Program

THE LAST NUDE by Ellis Avery

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:05:00 +0000

This novel had me hooked and reading at a fast pace. It tells the story of Rafaela Fano, a not quite eighteen year old girl living in Paris in the 1920's after having escaped from a trip to Italy and an arranged marriage. Rafaela supports herself through a couple of rich boyfriends and prostitution. She then meets the artist Tamara de Lempicka, who wants Rafaela to model for her. They then begin an affair, which for Rafaela is the first time she has slept with a woman but also the first time she has slept with anyone just because she wanted to. Tamara introduces Rafaela into her artistic circle of friends and the nudes she has painted of Rafaela get her into The Salon and get her a patron.
Rafaela is alternately torn between jealousy of Tamara's past and the possibility of a future with her and creating her own career.
But does Tamara want what Rafaela wants?

I loved this book, based on real-life events of Tamara de Lempicka but I do not know how accurate it is. The writing was amazing and the setting fantastic. What can be better than Paris in the '20's and references and appearances by others from that period.

I only gave the book 3 stars however. I took away one star because I am bothered by the fact that there is a character, Anson, who has life stories taken straight from Hemingway's own life (one part was how Hemingway's wife lost all of his work on a train) and from one of his characters. I thought maybe there would be some explanation later from Anson, that he made this stuff up. But there wasn't. Then I read an interview by the author where she states she wanted to create a character that would show what Hemingway might have become had he no longer been able to write after that train incident. That didn't sit with me. Anson was a smaller character that we never fully got to know, it didn't make sense to steal from Hemingway for that. It seems like plagiarism to me.
The second star I took away was because of the ending. The last section fast forwards some 50 years later and is told from Tamara's point of view. It was long and rambling and did not at all fit with the rest of the book. It could have been cut out. Instead it ended a great novel with a bad taste in my mouth. That was worse than the Hemingway stuff.

my rating 3/5 stars
I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reveiwers

THANKFULLY READING WEEKEND 2011- DAY 2 and DAY 3

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:02:00 +0000

hosted by Jenn's Bookshelves

DAY 2-So I did not do so well yesterday. I was easily distracted and fell into a long nap after pups cuddled so sweetly with me. What else could I do? I was under a blanket, The Nutcracker was playing, pups snuggling- it was entrapment.
I also spent too much time on the computer downloading things, uploading things. I had to make this picture of my boys cuddling:

Anyway, I did get some reading done of DUST AND SHADOWS by Lyndsay Faye and I read about half of a cozy mystery, A KILLER PLOT by Ellery Adams. I'm going to work on those two today and go from there.
I hope you are doing better than I am!

Day 3- Yesterday I finished A KILLER PLOT and I started a YA novel, DARK SOULS by Paula Morris. I am reading that today and also finishing up A SLEEPING MURDER by Agatha Christie.
Wish me luck that my concentration is better today. I'll be back to update!

THANKFULLY READING WEEKEND 2011

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:11:00 +0000

hosted by Jenn's Bookshelves

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was awesome. I went to my cousin's house to have a yummy dinner with her, my aunt, and Grandma. Plus my two pups and my aunt and cousin each have a pup and they all wanted some of the delicious food they smelled. Of course they got their own plates loaded up. My Scout refused to eat vegetables but Murphy pup cleaned his plate for him.

Some people (crazy if you ask me) are out shopping with millions of others during this madhouse of a shopping season. But I am staying in, eating leftovers and READING!!

Yesterday, I started DUST AND SHADOWS by Lyndsay Faye, a book about Sherlock Holmes trying to catch Jack the Ripper. I've only read a little bit but I like it so far. I also need to finish SLEEPING MURDER by Agatha Christie. Then I have a couple possible cozy mystery reads I might start. I really can't predict at this point because there are just so many awesome books that keep getting recommended. So one day at a time.

If you are on twitter, I will see you there #thankfulreading

Happy Reading!

WHAT ARE YOU READING MONDAYS

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:14:00 +0000

What are you reading Monday is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

BOOKS FINISHED:

The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni
The Innocent by Taylor Stevens
Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamanche Mystery by Louise Penny

BOOKS ABANDONED:

Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I really tried with this but with 65% completed, I still didn't like it

BOOKS IN PROGRESS:

The Last Nude by Ellis Avery
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie (yes, I'm still reading this!!)
The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore
The Guilty by Jason Pinter

I am hoping to have these completed in the next few days (probably not Catherine the Great) so I can start some new ones for Thankfully Reading Weekend hosted by Jenn at Jenn's Bookshelves

A couple books I have planned are: A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams, Grace Interrupted by Julie Hyzy and possibly The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert

Happy Reading!

STILL LIFE: A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery by Louise Penny

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:28:00 +0000

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montréal and yet a world away. Jane Neal, a long-time resident of Three Pines, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it’s a tragic hunting accident and nothing more but Gamache smells something foul this holiday season…and is soon certain that Jane died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bowhunter.

This was my first read by Louise Penny. I had always been meaning to try this series and it did not disappoint. It's important to be able to connect to the main character in a series and luckily I found Gamache to be a likeable, intelligent character. I didn't like all of the supporting characters but since I won't be seeing them again, I guess that's okay.
There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end which I like. I hate obvious mysteries.
I also don't think this series needs to go in any particular order. I definitely plan to read another.

my rating 4/5

BELLFIELD HALL by Anna Dean

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:08:00 +0000

1805.An engagement party is taking place for Mr Richard Montague, son of wealthy landowner Sir Edgar Montague, and his fiancee Catherine. During a dance with his beloved, a strange thing happens: a man appears at Richard's shoulder and appears to communicate something to him without saying a word. Instantly breaking off the engagement, he rushes off to speak to his father, never to be seen again. Distraught with worry, Catherine sends for her spinster aunt, Miss Dido Kent, who has a penchant for solving mysteries. Catherine pleads with her to find her fiance and to discover the truth behind his disappearance. It's going to take a lot of logical thinking to untangle the complex threads of this multi-layered mystery, and Miss Dido Kent is just the woman to do it.

I just adore Victorian murder mysteries and this was no exception. Miss Dido Kent is a spinster who enjoys her freedom. And helping her family. This time it is her spoiled niece, Catherine who needs her help as her fiance has called off the engagement and disappeared. At first Dido thinks this may be for the best but soon realizes that Catherine truly loves Richard.
Dido has a lot of sorting out do do as there are many odd characters staying at Bellfield Hall, plus the strange behavior of Richard's parents. And did I mention the dead body found in the bushes?
This was fun and light read, but not an easy mystery to solve. I plan on reading the next installment soon.
my rating 4/5

WHAT ARE YOU READING MONDAY

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:55:00 +0000

What are you reading Monday is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

LAST WEEK:
I read- I Am Half-Sick of Shadows: A Flavia de Luce Mystery by Alan Bradley (review), The Very Picture of You by Isabel Wolff (review), The Girl Who Would Speak For the Dead by Paul Elwork, and Bellfield Hall or The Deductions of Miss Dido Kent by Anna Dean

THIS WEEK:
I plan to read The Innocent: A Vanessa Michael Monroe Novel by Taylor Stevens. I want to finish Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist, a book I started awhile ago but never got back to. Speaking of neglected books, Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie has been ignored in favor of my mystery kick. And I finally want to get started on The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman, another book that has been sitting on my shelf awhile. maybe I will also treat myself to a cozy mystery.

HAPPY READING!!

THE VERY PICTURE OF YOU by Isabel Wolff

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:27:00 +0000

Ella is a respected portraitist and is not happy when she is commissioned by her sister Chloe to paint Chloe's fiance, Nate, whom Ella loathes. Nate is aware of Ella's feelings and so confronts her during the first sitting. It turns out to have been a misunderstanding on Ella's part and now she finds herself very much enjoying Nate's company during there sittings. Need I say more? Do you see where this is going?
Everything about this book was so predictable. Her long-lost father contacts her and Ella does not want to see him based on what she has heard from her mother. Yet it takes the whole book for Ella to discover her mother's lies even though they are so obvious. A person who sees her mom's portrait at the beginning of the book states that she looks like she is hiding something. Her mother was a caricature of a character and it made it very annoying. Her planning of Chloe's wedding and going so overboard and the fact that Chloe didn't want to be involved in the planning didn't set off alarms for anyone in that family? Are they all stupid?
The worst for me was the annoying habit of one or two words being italicized in every sentence of dialogue. The over EMPHASIS on EVERYTHING made me want to THROW this book across the ROOM. Annoying isn't it? The editor should be SHOT.

I think this book bothers me so much because it could have been decent. It is interesting that Ella learns so much from her subjects as they sit together for hours at a time. And many of them have interesting stories to tell but it gets lost in the unnecessary family drama and predictable plot.
I did like that it was set in London but that is hardly enough.
Do NOT waste your MONEY on THIS book. Luckily, I got this free from amazon vine or my review might have been nasty.
my rating 1/5

I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS: A FLAVIA DE LUCE MYSTERY by Alan Bradley

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:55:00 +0000

It is Christmastime at Buckshaw, the English estate owned by the de Luce family and eleven year-old Flavia has nothing more on her mind than concocting a trap to catch Father Christmas to see if he really exists as her tormenting older sisters have stated that he doesn't. The budding chemist has created a sticky substance that will keep him trapped on the roof of Buckshaw. But then her father announces that he has been paid by a film crew to use Buckshaw to film a new movie starring the glamorous Phyllis Wyvern. Her father has been selling off the silver and doing what he can to keep from losing the grand estate.
Flavia is at first enchanted by Miss Wyvern and then intrigued by the the things she overhears. The vicar of Bishop's Lacey has persuaded Miss Wyvern and her co-star Desmond Duncan to give a small performance for the townspeople on Christmas Eve at Buckshaw, to raise funds for a new church roof. But there is a massive snowstorm during the performance and no one is able to leave. Flavia later discovers Miss Wyvern murdered and now has a huge list of suspects and is determined to solve this murder even though the local constabulary would like her to stay out of it.

I think this is my favorite installment yet of the Flavia mysteries. Flavia is a great character. At eleven, she is as smart as any scientist, with a particular fascination with poison, she is observant and deductive, yet still believes in Father Christmas and is forever tormented by her older sisters and haunted by the death of her mother when she was a baby. I love the setting of this small town, post WWII English countryside. The usual cast of characters are there but we see a bit more of them: Dogger, who was traumatized during the war but is a solid friend to Flavia; Daphne and Ophelia, her older sisters who we see a different side of in this novel; her Aunt felicity who has some secrets of her own.

This is a great, fun mystery novel, charming and quirky. And it's snowy, Christmas setting makes it perfect to read this time of year. I enjoyed this very much.
my rating 5/5

DEWEY'S 24 HOUR READ-A-THON WRAP UP

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:32:00 +0000

After missing the last few readathons I was glad to participate this weekend. And though I didn't read as much as I would have liked, I still did much better than past readathons.
I started reading at about 8:30 AM with Rhys Bowen's Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery) then The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. I read half of Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier but since I wasn't loving it and I was getting sleepy, I switched to The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan and got halfway through that by the time I called it a night at 1:30 AM. So I think I read about 1000 pages total.
I did take a two hour nap and a break to watch some tv and do some blog commenting. I loved all the comments I got from the readathon cheerleaders. The readathon has such a nice sense of community, both on blogs and twitter and they made it even more fun.

Here is the end of event meme!

Which hour was most daunting for you? probably about 11:00 PM, when I normally go to bed
Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I'm not sure about any particular titles but reading mysteries really helped me
Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, it was awesome!
What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Everything
How many books did you read? 2 full novels and then half of 2 others
What were the names of the books you read? see above
Which book did you enjoy most? Royal Blood
Which did you enjoy least? Jamaica Inn
If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Keep up the good work!!
How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? Very What role would you be likely to take next time? Reader

READ-A-THON UPDATES

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:15:00 +0000

I'll be doing all my updates on this post as to not flood Google Reader.

10:00 AM -end of hour 2- I'm about halfway through my first read, Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen, which I am loving because it is taking place in Romania, in a castle supposedly built by Vlad the Impaler aka Dracula. I was planning to start with my Catherine the Great biography but was still tired when woke up and could only glare at it. I'm more awake now after eating chocolate pop tarts and hot chocolate for breakfast.

1:00 PM On to the next book, The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. Not in my original pile but I had the sample on my Kindle and have been meaning to read it. Also, because I love murder mysteries. I love that I'm not thinking about a nap yet. Haven't been hungry since I stuffed myself at breakfast. Going to check out some blogs, then back to reading!

6:00 PM Just woke up from a very restless 2 hour nap. Apparently, I don't nap well without the television on or some kind of white noise. Also have tummyache from too many chocolate donut holes- they are just so delicious and irresistible.
I'm halfway through The Snowman and enjoying it immensely. I think I know who the killer is but hope I'm wrong or it would be too easy. Back to reading, no snacks for now.

Midnight- I'm crashing! Finished The Snowman- I was wrong about the killer. I am halfway through Jamaica Inn, which is so different from Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel. I'm not sure I like it. I'm heading up to bed and will try to read some more before I fall asleep. Think I will switch to Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie. I'm so tired, the dogs pooped out two hours ago. Good night!

DEWEY'S 24 HOUR READ-A-THON!

noreply@blogger.com (bookmagic) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:25:00 +0000

I've missed the last couple of Dewey's read-a-thons, so I am excited to participate again. I'm trying a new strategy this time. Many of the books I will be reading, I have already started. This way I already know that I like them. Nothing frustrates me more than starting a book and not liking it then having a hard time getting started on any book.
I have lots of snacks; pop tarts, glazed, chocolate donut holes (my favorite), cheese and crackers, orange juice(goes great with donut holes), hot chocolate, Doritos, and other yummy foods.
My house is clean so no distractions and I will be wearing comfy jammies all day. I won't be able to stay awake for 24 hours, so I'm sure I'll take plenty of naps.
So here is a list of books on my possible reads list for this weekend:

Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie - I've been neglecting this one so it will be good to devote some time to it.
The Girl Who Would Speak For the Dead by Paul Elwork- on my Kindle
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie- I may sneak in another Agatha book. They are easy reads and I love mysteries
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton
The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Straw Men by Michael Marshall-on my Kindle
Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Bowen-on my Kindle

I also have several samples downloaded on my Kindle and may throw a cozy mystery in as they don't take a lot of concentration.

Happy Reading and Good Luck to all the other participants!