My 2009 Reading Year Wrap Up and 2010 goals

2009 is drawing to a close and it has been an especially good reading year for me.  Last year I read 217 books and decided to slow down a bit for this year, enjoy my reading a bit more. I joined quite a few challenges including J.Kaye's 100 + reading challenge.  However, ended up dropping out of the ones that didn't last the entire year due to time constraints.  I still read 184 books of which 75 were new to me authors.  I actually started receiving review books from publishers this year and of those 75 new to me authors 30 were review books.  My reading was pretty eclectic this year from nonfiction to classics to British mysteries to romance to science fiction.  I discovered quite a few authors that I will definitely be reading their other books and a couple, not so much. I had signed up for MizB's Read and Review Challenge and managed to review everything I read except for 9 which I read in the past couple weeks.   I'm not sure if I'll sign up again to review every single book I read in 2010.   It helped me to keep a record of everything I read, but was stressful at times when I read faster than I had time to write reviews.   I came up with the idea of mini reviews - Libri Multus - to review those books I didn't think needed a full review.  I like the concept and will continue with it in 2010.

I am copying Jennifer's (Literate Housewife) idea of a year of Reading Deliberately and putting a bit more thought into my reading this year.   I've joined quite a few challenges but the goal is to read my own books.  We have quite a few sitting on the shelves that have been calling my name, plus others I purchased this year that have gone unread.  And since I have gotten my Barnes and Noble Nook e-reader,  I will be getting e-books for those books that I normally wouldn't even consider rereading again.

I'm not swearing off buying books entirely.    That would just be asking the impossible.   However, for the first part of the year I'm going to try and get through the ones on the shelves before making new purchases.  I'll still be accepting review requests, but making sure those books match up with my challenges.  The challenges I've joined are listed in the sidebar. I will continue to host Read 52 Books in 52 books for 2010 and a new science fiction reading challenge called Mind Voyages.  

Without further ado - here are the books I've read this year: 

1. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb
   
2. Wicked by Gregory Maguire  *
   
3. If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper *
   
4. Love by Design (2 classic novels) Loving Jack by Nora Roberts
   
5. Best Laid Plans by Nora Roberts
   
6. Five in a Row by Jane Coffey *
   
7. Bad Faith by Aimee Thurlo
   
8. Unspeakable by Sandra Brown
   
9. Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble *
   
10. To Catch a Thief by Christina Sky *
    
11. Black Sands by Colleen Coble
    
12. Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods
    
13. Split Second by David Baldacci
    
14. Kiss - Ted Dekker
    
15. Spider's Web by Agatha Christie
    
16. Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur *
    
17. Prey for a Miracle by Aimee Thurlo *
    
18. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
    
19. The Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary  *
    
20. Dance with the Dragon by David Hagberg *
    
21. Life of Pi by Yann Martel  *
    
22. For Her Eyes Only(3) Cait London
23. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
    
24. Hercules Poirot Christmas by Agatha Christi
25. A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham *
    
26. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak *
    
27. House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton *
28. Crimson Moon – Rebecca York
29. The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner *
    
30. Promises in Death - J.D. Robb
31. Blood Bound (2) Patricia Briggs
32. Line of Duty by Teri Blackstock
33. The Girl She Used To Be - David Cristofano (review book) *
    
34. The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennett *
    
35. Coral Moon - Brandilyn Collins
36. Dangerous Depths - Colleen Coble
37. Sag Harbor - Colson Whitehead (review book) *
    
38. Fireproof - Eric Wilson *
    
39. Hadassah - Tommy Tenney *
    
40. The Seven Storey Mountain - Thomas Merten *
    
41. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy *
    
42. Long Lost - Harlan Coben (review book) *
    
43. The Mystery of Grace - Charles De Lint
44. The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie
45. Mercy Street - Mariah Stewart
    
46. The Titian Committee - Iain Pears *
    
47. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn - Alison Goodman *
    
48. 14 - J.T. Elison *
    
49. A World I Never Made - James LePore (review book) *
    
50. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
    
51. Iron Kissed - Patricia Briggs
    
52. Stone's Fall - Iain Pears (review book)
    
53. Too Hot to Handle - Robin Kaye (review book) *
    
54. The Ghost and Mrs. McClure - Alice Kimberly
    
55. Servant: The Acceptance - L.L. Foster
    
56. Servant: The Awakening - L.L. Foster
    
57. 1st to Die - James Patterson *
    
58. Take No Prisoners - Cindy Gerard
    
59. Whisper No Lies - Cindy Gerard
    
60. Enemies and Allies - Kevin J. Anderson (review book)
    
61. ReDeal - Richard Turner (review book) *
    
62. House of Dark Shadows - Richard Liparulo *
    
63. On a Pale Horse - Piers Anthony
    
64. Visions in White - Nora Roberts
    
65. The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan *
    
66. Inside Out - John Ramsey Miller *
    
67. Thread of Fear - Laura Griffin
    
68. The Alchemist: Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott *
    
69. Living a Charmed Life - Victoria Moran (review book) *
    
70. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe (review book) *
    
71. French Bred by Frederic Guarino (review book) *
    
72. Virgin River by Robyn Carr
    
73. Homicide in Hard Cover - Kate Carlisle *
    
74. Full Moon Rising by Keri Author
    
75. Safe Haven by Hannah Alexander
    
76. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
    
77. Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart *
    
78. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (review book) *
    
79. Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader by Joe Hilley *
    
80. The Soul Collectors - Charles Quince (review book) *
    
81. Hero Under Cover - Suzanne Brockmann
    
82. B is for Burglar - Sue Grafton
    
83. Night Fall - Cherry Adair
    
84. Shelter Mountain - Robyn Carr
    
85. Whispering Rock - Robyn Carr
    
86. Right Next Door - Debbie Macomber
    
87. Walls of Phantoms - Courtney Thomas *
    
88. 20 Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler (review book) *
    
89. Last Look - Mariah Stewart
    
90. Last Breath - Mariah Stewart
    
91. Last Words - Mariah Stewart
    
92. Forgotten - Mariah Stewart
    
93. Harbor Lights - Sherryl Woods
    
94. Baby I'm Yours - Susan Andersen
    
95. High Stakes - Lisa Jackson
    
96. Wizard's Secrets - R.L. Geerdes (review book) *
    
97. Chasing Demons - R.L. Geerdes (review book)
    
98. Duma Key - Stephen King
    
99. Ice Blue - Anne Stuart *
    
100. Fire and Ice - Anne Stuart
     
101. Second Chance Pass - Robyn Carr
     
102. Temptation Ridge - Robyn Carr
     
103. Cry Mercy - Mariah Stewart
     
104. Find Me - Debra Webb *
     
105. Breakpoint - Joanna Ross
     
106. Black Ice - Anne Stuart
     
107. Black HIlls - Nora Roberts
     
108. I Can See You - Karen Rose (review book)
     
109. Benny and Shrimp - Katarina Mazetti (review book)  *
     
110. 1-2-3 Magic - Thomas Phelan  *
     
111. The Rapture - Liz Jensen (review book) *
     
112. The Year of Living Biblically - A.J. Jacobs *
     
113. Blood Dreams - Kay Hooper
     
114. Boneman's Daughter Ted Dekker
     
115. The Divorce Party - Laura Dave (review book) *
     
116. Kill Zone - Vicki Hinze *
     
117. Paradise Valley - Robin Carr
     
118. Shattered - Joann Ross
     
119. Too Far Gone - Marliss Melton
     
120. The Inn at Eagle Point - Sherryl Wood
     
121. Flowers on Main - Sherryl Wood
     
122. Water Witch - Deborah LeBlanc (review book) *
     
123. The Atlantis Revelation - Thomas Greanias (review book) *
     
124. Side by Side - John Ramsey Miller *
     
125. Watcher in the Woods - Robert Liparulo
     
126. Eighth Shepherd - Bodie Thoene
     
127. Blackening Song - Aimee and David Thurlo
     
128. Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Luis Zafon
     
129. A Circle of Souls - Preetham Grandhi (review book) *
     
130. Paris City of Night - David Downie (review book)  *
     
131. Dragonsong - Anne McCaffrey
     
132. Touch Not the Cat - Mary Stewart
     
133. 4:50 from Paddington - Agatha Christie
     
134. R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton
     
135. Hot Blooded - Lisa Jackson
     
136. White Noise - Don Delillo (read for class) *
     
137. Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce (read for class) *
     
138. To the Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf (read for class) *
     
139. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad (reread and read for class)
140. My Soul to Take - Rachel Vincent (review book) *
     
141. Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris *
     
142. Whiskey Gulf - Clyde Ford (review book) *
     
143. From the Query to the Call - Elana Johnson (review book) *
     
144. Witching Moon - Rebecca York
     
145. Intertwined - Gena Showalter (review book) *
     
146. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
     
147. The Murder of King Tut - James Patterson (review book)
     
148. Vanished - Joseph Finder *
     
149. Hunting Ground - Patricia Briggs
     
150. The Angel - Carla Neggers *
     
151. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald *
     
152. The Judas Strain - James Rollins *
     
153. Hunt Her Down - Roxanne St. Claire
     
154. The Magician - Michael Scott
     
155. Dracula: The Undead - Dacre Stoker (review book) *
     
156. Hush, hush - Becca Fitzpatrick (review book) *
     
157. Blind Descent - Nevada Barr *
     
158. Kill Her Again - Robert Gregory Browne *
     
159. The Ark, the Reed and the Fire Cloud - Jenny Cote *
     
160. The Red Siren - M.L. Tyndale *
     
161. From a Whisper to a Scream - Charles DeLint
     
162. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley *
     
163. NightWatch - Sergei Kukyanenko *
     
164. Holiday Grind - Cleo Coyle  (ARC)
     
165. The Recipe Club - Andrea Isreal (review book) *
     
166. Inkheart - Cornelia Funke *
     
167. Lady Liberty - Vicki Hinze
     
168. A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin *
     
169. The Wyndham Case - Jill Paton Walsh *
     
170. Silent Thunder - Iris Johansen *
     
171. Kindred in Death - J.D. Robb
     
172. The Associate - John Grisham
     
173. Cold Blooded - Lisa Jackson  
174. Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts
175. Sizzle and Burn - Jayne Ann Krentz
     
176. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens 

Books marked with a star are first time author reads.  


And I don't have the slightest idea why the links are all in different colors. I gave up trying to fix it. Just ignore, isn't code for anything.
 

Finished but not reviewed -  yet! 

 
1. Living Dead in Dallas  - Charlaine Harris
   
2. Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris
3. Club Dead - Charlaine Harris
4. Living Dead in Dallas  - Charlaine Harris
5. Dune - Frank Herbert (e-book)
6. The Gunslinger (dark tower 1) - Stephen King (e-book)
7. Kill for Me - Karen Rose
8. Dark of Night - Suzanne Brockmann
9.  

If you made it this far, thank you for reading and best wishes for a Happy New Year!  The best is yet to come. 

Classics Bookclub - 5 minutes for Books

5 minutes for books has revamped their Classic Bookclub just in time for the new year.  Now you get to pick the books you want to read and how many you want to read.  They'll be meeting up quarterly on the 5th Tuesday of the month for you to post your reviews and discuss the books.    For the past few days I've been perusing our shelves and thinking about which classics I wanted to read.   I am adding a mini challenge over at 52 books in 52 weeks for reading one classic a month.  Some bloggers are more interesting in reading classics, but don't have the time to read the classics and regular books in order to make the 52 books goal for the year.  Hence the challenge within the challenge.  My goal for 2010 is to read 12 classics from our shelves and I had already picked a few for some of the other challenges I'm involved in.

The books I will be reading are:

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
3. Emma by Jane Austen
4. Metaphysics (John Henry MacMahon translation) by Aristotle
5. Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
6. Nicomachean Ethics (James E.C. Welldon translation) by Aristotle 
7. Phaedo by Plato 
8. Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
9. Poetics (Samuel Henry Butcher translation) by Aristotle
10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
11. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
12. The Stargazer: A novel of the life of Galileo by Zsolt De Haranyi

Not necessarily in that order.  First up for January is Aristotle's Poetics. 

Are you ready to dip in your toe or dive in head first and aim for 12 classics in 12 months?  What classics are you interesting in reading?  

Libri Multus

The Associate by John Grisham:   An old favorite of mine, John Grisham, stays true to form with this legal thriller.  Kyle, a law student is blackmailed into working for a law firm involved in a lawsuit involving a military contractor and a newly designed military airplane.   Interesting story with lots of twists and turns and subterfuge. 

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts.   2nd book in the Bride Quartet following Emma and Jack Cooke.   Emma, the florist, Jack and the rest of the gang have been life long friends.  When things turn a little steamy between Jack and Emma, it threatens to ruin friendships.  As the two work out the new dynamics in their relationship, the friends all learn to adjust and listen to their hearts.  Nobody does romance better than Nora and the ending was an "aw" moment which had tears springing to my eyes. 

Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson.  Book # 2 in Jackson's New Orleans series. The suspense in this book is palpable and the villian is creepy, chilling and very evil.  Olivia Bechet is telepathic and she is seeing the murders through the killer's eyes.  She buts heads with police detective Rick Bentz until he finally takes her seriously.  Throw  in a bit of romance hampered by past experiences which really burned them both, complicate matters with a half brother, a priest who is having a hard time with celibacy, and Rick's rebellious daughter and you have a story full of twists and turns which will keep you reading long into the night.

Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb:  #30 in the In Death series.  Police captain Jonah MacMasters 16 year old daughter is brutally raped and killed.  He asked Eve to lead the investigation. The death affects everyone including Roark and Summers who are reminded of what Marlene had gone through.  The investigation leads them on the trail of a serial killer and they seems to be just a step behind.  Also Charles and Louise will be getting married soon and Eve is the maid of honor.  Their sub story brings a bit of levity and humor to the grim story. 

Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz: (Arcane Society #3)  In this paranormal romance, Raine Tallentyre hears voices by touching objects other people have touched.  When she returns to her late aunt's house to clean it out, she discovers a kidnapped woman in the basement, hidden there by a serial killer.  The Arcane Society gets involved and sends Zack who sees visions when he touches an object.  Raine hates the Arcane Society and suspects they killed her father.  Sparks fly when they team up to find the serial killer.  

*FTC disclosure:  purchased books and reviews are my unbias, personal opinion. Links are for informational purposes only.

A Christmas Carol: Special Edition by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol

Special Edition 

By 

Charles Dickens

with Christian Insights and Discussion questions for

Groups and Families by Stephen Skelton

We all know the story of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.   Scrooge is a scrooge, a miser who hoards money and doesn't celebrate Christmas.  He is visited by his dead partner Marley who tells him he will be visited by three ghosts - the ghost of Christmas past, present and future.   Once all is said and done, Scrooge is saved from his miserly ways and becomes a generous happy person.    So what is different about the special edition.   The special edition includes annotations in the side bar of the pages giving insight into Dickens insights when writing the book,  definitions,  biblical allusions and symbols, plus there are discussion questions at the end of each chapter. 

Surprisingly, in all my 50 years I've never actually read A Christmas Carol.  If my parents ever read the book to us I certainly don't remember it.   I've seen the movies of course so knew what the story was about.  But never considered what the three ghosts symbolized or other factors in the books.   The annotations made reading the book easier to understand since it included definitions of old English terms  that otherwise would have had to look up.  The insight into symbols in the book were interesting such as Marley's ghost coming from below is symbolic of coming from hell and the chains wrapped around him give an account of his actions on earth.  

"The chain he drew was clasped about his middle.  It was long and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses wrought in steel."  (pg 22)

One thing I had always thought was that the visitations took place in one night.   According to Marley, Scrooge would be visited by three ghosts over a three night period. 

"Without their visits,' said the Ghost, "you cannot hope to shun the path I tread.  Expect the first tomorrow when the bell tolls one."

"Couldn't I take em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?' hinted Scrooge.

"Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate.  Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us."  pg 26

According to the annotation on the page "Dickens set Scrooge's journey over three days -- three being a biblically significant number, representing not only the Holy Trinity, but the three days of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, which Scrooge's experience echoes.  In addition, the miser's journey ends on a holy day, Christmas, the day that marks the birth of Christ -- and the rebirth of Scrooge."  pg 27.  

However, when he woke up finally from the ghosts visitations, it was Christmas day. The special edition made reading A Christmas Carol are richer, more thoughtful experience rather than just reading a story for entertainment value. I highly recommend it.   Thank you to Julie at FSB Associates for sending me a copy of the book.  

Pages:  128

Publisher: Standard Publishing

Released:  September 1, 2009 

Genre: Classic

Other Thoughts:

I Heart Monster: 

"Verdict: I Heart It! Here's what amazed me about this book, I'm not your mainstream Christian. The doctrine I follow often conflicts with mainstream Christianity, but it did not conflict with this book...."

Michelle's Masterful Musings:

"There is so much more to the story than what the movies show.  The annotated version and the connection to the true spirit of the season reminded me just how special this story truly is."

Heather at Age 30 +

"After we finished the story, I went back and read all the annotations and discussion questions on my own. I LOVED the annotations!..."

 *** FTC notice: non compensated, unbiased opinion - book received free of charge from the author. Link to amazon for informational purposes only.

Holiday Swap - Gifts from across the Atlantic Ocean

Book Blogger Holiday Swap

James called me at work yesterday to tell me a package arrived for me in the mail.  When I got home I discovered a very neat green package all the way from Sweden.   In the package

 

Herbie had to investigate of course while I took the pictures, so used him as a handy book holder.   Zee from Notes From The North sent me a historical fiction novel by a Swedish author which takes place in 12th century Sweden - The Road to Jerusalem by Jan Guilou.  How cool is that!!!!   Along with the book, a beautiful christmas bookmark and a card.   Thank you so much Zee.  I look forward to reading it.  

God Jul och Gott Nytt År

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

52 Books in 52 Weeks -- hosting again for 2010

I love reading, don't you?  

Last year when Kay, one of the ladies of Well Trained Mind home school forum, started the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge,  I joined in.  I also got the wonderful idea of creating a blog for everyone to use:  Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks blog.  The blog gave a place for the participants of the challenge to post reviews, and I also provided links to various book sights and kept track of the number of books read. After a few weeks, Kay unfortunately had to drop out due to personal reasons.  I took over hosting the challenge on the forum as well.    The blog also gave me another place to post my reviews. Plus I have been posting once a week with the weekly updates and featuring certain genre's or authors, highlighting events going around the blogosphere, etc.

As the year has wound down, so has the number of contributors to the blog.  I had decided to drop the blog and the challenge for 2010, since I am hosting the Mind Voyages Challenge, but lots of folks wanted to continue for 2010 and I talked myself back into it.  It hasn't really been that much work, more fun than anything.   So While I will be hosting the challenge on the forum doing weekly update for the ladies of Well Trained Mind, I will continue the blog with one major change.  I am opening up the blog to whoever wants to participate.  Plus I'm going to  come up with a theme for the weekly posts. Spice it up a bit.   Perhaps something similar to A-Z Wednesday concentrating on talking about authors and books whose names start with certain letter.   Or concentrate on one genre a month. 

The goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks.  The rules are very simple:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.  
2. Participants may join at any time.
3. All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
4. Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2010.
5. Books may overlap other challenges. 
   
6. Create an entry post linking to this blog. 
7. Come back and sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" below this post.
8. You don't have a blog to participate, I can set you up as a reviewer.
9. I'll be adding a post with Mr. Linky for participants to post book reviews. 

The book week will start on Sunday's rather than trying to run from Friday to Friday.  So Week 1 Book 1 will start January 3rd.

This is an easy challenge for those of you who have been finding it difficult to fit reading into your busy lives.  One book a week, that's it.  No lists and read what you want.   If you'd like to join in, click on over to 52 Books in 52 Weeks.

Mind Voyages Challenge - Going all the way to Pluto

For the Mind Voyages Challenge, I am choosing  The I'm going to Pluto because Pluto is still a planet as far as I'm concerned Voyage. 

I'll be concentrating primarily on the Hugo Winners from 1946 to 1963 with a few thrown in that strike my fancy plus those I have on my shelves currently.(which are in italics)  I'll be making multiple side trips through the galaxy, and dipping into the Heinlein Quest and Philip K. Dick quest. Plus I'll also be exploring new books which are yet to be determined.  

Hugo Winners

Farmer in the Sky - Robert Heinlein (1951)
The Demolished man - Alfred Bester (1953)
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (1954)
They'd Rather Be Right - Mark Clifton (1955)
Double Star - Robert Heinlein (1956) 
The Big Time - Fritz Leiber (1958)
A Case of Conscience - James Blish ( 1959)
Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein (1960)
A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M. Miller  (1961)
Stranger in a Strange Land (1962)
Dune - Frank Herbert (1966)
To your Scattered Bodies Go - Philip Jose Farmer (1972)
The Vor Game - Lois McMaster Bujold ( 1991)



Side Tripping 70's Style with Clifford Simak


A choice of Gods - Clifford Simak 
Project Pope - Clifford Simak


Robert Heinlein Quest  

Friday -Robert A Heinlein
Glory Road -Robert A Heinlein


Philip K. Dick Quest

The Man in the High Castle (hugo 1963)
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said



My ship is all fueled up, I have my provisions packed and I'm ready to blast off and explore the galaxy.    Come take a Mind Voyage with me and discover a few new stars for yourself.

Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle

Holiday Grind

By

Cleo Coyle

Description from Coffee House Mysteries: "Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa who’s been using her Village Blend as a place to warm his mittens. When she finds him brutally gunned down in a nearby alley, a few subtle clues convince her that Alfred’s death was something more than the tragic result of a random mugging—the conclusion of the police.

With Clare’s boyfriend, NYPD Detective Mike Quinn, distracted by a cold case of his own, and ex-husband Matt investigating this year’s holiday lingerie catalogs (an annual event), Clare charges ahead solo and discovers Santa had a list that he was checking twice—and the folks on it were not very nice. Then someone tries to ice Clare, and she really gets steamed.

Between baking delicious holiday goodies and fending off the attentions of a persistent professional elf, Clare sets out to solve Santa’s slaying. But she'd better watch out, because if she fails to stop this stone cold killer, she may just get the biggest chill of her life."

I discovered Cleo Coyle's cozy Coffee House Mysteries a couple years back and love her style, the characters in the story line, the stories and the interesting recipes using coffee. Holiday Grind is Cleo Coyle's Coffee House Mystery # 8 and it includes all the interesting characters who work and live around Village Blend. When her friend and Santa's Elf, Alfred doesn't show up for Clara's Fa-la-la-la latte tasting, she gets worried and goes to look for him.  She finds him dead in an alley way. The police think it is a mugging gone bad, but Clara thinks it is murder. Why? Well you'll just have to read the book to find out why. When she can't convince hard edged detective Emmanuel Franco and his partner Charlie Hong that it was murder, she is determined to prove them wrong. Clara enlists the aid of her her ex husband's mother Madame Dreyfus Aleggro Dubois, who is not only elegant and well off, but a snoop who knows the right people.  Clara ends up in some harrowing positions, putting her life at risk, when the killer decides she is getting too close.

Included with the story are recipes for coffee drinks, coffee syrup, all the fa-la-la-la lattes recipes along with all kinds of holiday recipes.   They all sound interesting and delicious, even for a tea drinker like me.  


Books in the Series

#1 On What Grounds
#2 Through the Grinder
#3 Latte Trouble
#4 Murder Most Frothy
#5 Decaffeinated Corpse
#6 French Pressed
#7 Espresso Shot
#8 Holiday Grind
#9 Roast Mortem - Due out August 2010


Thank you to Cleo Coyle for providing me with an autographed advanced reader copy of Holiday Grind.  I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to review one of the Coffee House Mystery Books. For more information about Cleo Coyle, the Coffee House Mysteries or to read an excerpt, check out her website Virtual Blend


Pages: 384
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Released: November 3, 2009
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Other Thoughts:

Lesa of Lesa's Book Critiques:
"If you're looking for holiday reading that isn't all sweetness and light, Holiday Grind offers the perfect combination of Christmas atmosphere, a well-developed cast of characters, and a complicated mystery."


April of Cafe Of Dreams:
"Holiday Grind is filled to the brim with the series' trademark humor, sassiness and mystery. Though number eight in the series, Holiday Grind is so well written that it easily could be read as a stand alone. Perfect for the holiday season, indulge in this rich and frothy mystery and I'll guarantee that if you have not read the other books in this series, that that will quickly change!"


Vickie of Vixen's Daily Reads:
"I am always curious how the author will have the main character get involved in the mystery that needs solving. Sometimes they can be a wee bit awkward, but Cleo Coyle always has Clare getting involved rather seamlessly. It's because it's someone she knows or someone she cares about asks her to get involved."


*** FTC notice: non compensated, unbiased opinion - book received free of charge from the author.

Book Blogger Holiday Swap

You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not shout

I'm telling you why

Santa Clause is coming to Town!

My secret santee gifts have been picked out and will be shipping shortly. Thank you elf Amazon and elf Amazon Prime.    I had lots of fun perusing my santee's blog and getting to know all about her since I hadn't been to her blog before.  She made it especially easy by blogging about what she'd love to have for Christmas. 

Did you get your secret santee gifts picked out and shipped yet?

Click on over to Holiday Swap and see who have already received theirs.

TSS: Sunday Salon on Monday - books, papers, nooks, and challenges

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and happy tomorrow where ever you may be.  Welcome to my new followers and hi to my loyal readers.  November was a very busy month for me and I wasn't blogging much as you can tell by the lack of posts.

I won National Novel Writing Month by the skin of my teeth with 50,049 words. Eyes in the Ashes is flowing along and I will be going back to look at what I wrote, outline and finish the story.   Halfway through I could tell I needed to go back and expand on the story a bit, include more details and yes, some background to how some of the characters knew each other.  Little details that when mixed in with the rest, added to the mystery and provided clues.

My art history class started the first of November and I had to write a project paper last week as well about an Egyptian work of art.    Reason number one why I did a major push with Nano to get it done early.  Fortunately and surprisingly, we had a copy of an egyptian work of art - The Faience Hippo - sitting in our living room.  You can imagine my surprise when I read about the Hippo in my Art History book.  I had no idea.


I'm excited because I pre-ordered the Barnes and Noble Nook E-reader back when it was first announced and my nook is shipping today.   I'll be sharing pictures and thoughts when it arrives.   I've been perusing B & N's and other ebook sights and am pleased that lovely young woman by the name of Rachel aka Athenagwis, short for Athena Goddess of Wisdom, is hosting a book nook forum called Nookboards.  We've already been discussing a book club, plus I'm hoping someone out in the blogosphere is going to host a e-book reading challenge.  It will give me incentive and help me find more e-books to read.

Speaking of reading challenges, I am working on one of my own called

Mind Voyages

I have enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy  ever since I was a teenager, many many years ago.    Recently I discovered the World Science Fiction Society's Hugo Award web site. I looked at all the winners and nominees and it made my mouth water. So many good books to read and many authors I was already familiar with and some I'm not.   I even have a few of the older books packed away in my closet. It gave me an idea.  At first, I was going to base the challenge on just the Hugo awards. Then as I thought about it some more, I decided to go with a number of quests including the Hugo winners, taking side trips through the decades reading the nominees, two quests featuring Philip K. Dick and Robert Heinlein.  Plus, since I am the type of person who likes variety will include a discovery quest to read new science fiction and fantasy books.  And for those who want to just dip their toes in the water and choose from the book buffet.  an "I'm giving it all she's got, Captain" quest.   

Plus,  if you have any suggestions for side trips - authors to highlight, web sites to link to or new releases I should be aware of, let me know.    The blog will be going live in the next few days.  Now I just need to figure out what's wrong with Mr. Linky and why he doesn't want to work. 

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

40th Bookworms Carnival

The 40th edition of Bookworms Carnival

hosted by Literary Escapism


Urban Fantasy and Gothic Literature


There are some great links to great reviews about great books

Including a couple of my own

The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

The Recipe Club

A Tale of Food and Friendship

by

Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

Front Flap: Loyalty, loss and ties that bind. These are the ingredients of The Recipe Club, a 'novel cookbook' that combines an authentic story of friendship with more than 80 delicious recipes.

Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, united as much by their differences as by their similarities. Lilly, dramatic and confident, lives in the shadow of her beautiful, wayward mother and craves the attention of her distant, disapproving father. Val, shy and idealistic -- and surprisingly ambitious -- struggles with her desire to break free from her demanding housebound mother and a father whose dreams never seem to come true.

In childhood, "lilypad" and ValPal" form an exclusive two person club, writing intimate letters in which they share hopes, fears, deepest secrets--and recipes, from Lilly's "Lovelorn Lasagna" to Valeries "Forgiveness Tapenade." Readers can cook along as the friends travel through time facing the challenges of independence, the joys and heartbreaks of first love, and the emotional complexities of family relationships, identity, mortality, and goals deferred.

The Recipe Club sustains Lilly and Val's bond throughout the decades, regardless of what different paths they take or what misunderstandings threaten to break them apart...until the fateful day when an act of kindness becomes an unforgiveable betrayal.

Now, years later, while trying to recapture the trust they've lost, Lilly and Val reunite once more---only to uncover a shocking secret. Will it destroy their friendship, or bring them even closer?"

In an attempt to expand my reading repertoire, I accepted an offer from Caitlin of FSB Associates to read and Review "The Recipe Club." The premise is very interesting. The Recipe Club uses a unique method of telling a story using emails and letters between lifelong friends Lilly and Val. While the two girls are in elementary school back in 1964 they start writing each other letters and start the Recipe Club in which they exchange recipes with each letter. The story follows them through their high school years as each girl works to establish their own identities, yet find ways to remain friends. When they reach college age in 1973 they have a falling out and don't talk to each other again until 2000 when Val's mom passes away. Val seeks out Lilly again trying to re-establish their friendship and connection, while trying to work out their issues. A secret is discovered that will test their renewed friendship. The story is told mainly through the emails and letters until the later portion when the story unfolds in real time.

Mixed in with all the emails and letters are the recipes with unique titles taken from the story. Recipes such as "Ga-Ga-Gai Pan," "Conspiracy Apple Pie," "Wild Girl Wild Mushroom Salad," "Apple and Pear Friendship Fool" or "Enlightened Peanut Brittle."

The story really captures your attention and emotions and reminded me of friendships from elementary, through junior high and high school to college. How people change and grow apart, then back together. The Recipe Club is very interesting and I'm looking forward to trying out some of the recipes.

Thank you Caitlin for providing me with a courtesy (free) copy of The Recipe Club. Head on over to Written Voices to read an excerpt and check out an article "You are what you say, when you talk about what you eat"

Pages: 363
Publisher: Polhemus Press
Released: October 15, 2009

Other Thoughts:

Cheryl at Cheryl's Book Nook:
"I absolutely fell in love with Lilly, Valerie and the Recipe Club. Authors Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel wrote with such passion."

Margot at Joyfully Retired:
"The remarkable thing about the novel is that it is told almost completely via emails and letters interspersed with their recipes. I say remarkable because I could understand everything that happened just from their letters and emails. This well-written story shows the spirit and character of their lives and the heart of their friendship."

Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews:
"The Recipe Club” is cleverly put together and readers will feel as if they are part of Valerie and Lilly’s world. A very enjoyable book that keeps readers captivated to the end."

*** FTC notice: non compensated, unbiased opinion - book received free of charge from the publisher.

Family Life: Saturday Splash

K.I.S.S.

Keep it simple sherlock or shurley or sally or silly - you choose the s word.

How do you like my new look? I'm a person who can't work in clutter, can't read when there are too many pretty things on a page, overshadowing the words, can't write with music going because it totally relaxes me. So, the blog reflects me. It was getting a bit cluttered and had been thinking of making a few changes, plus coming up with a new challenge blog. However, not in the midst of nano and starting a new class. Oh well.

I've been writing, however I don't know my word count because I haven't typed it up yet. I'm taking my laptop and notebook with me to work today and will work on that between customers. And because of the fact I have something else I want to do, it will be ultra busy. Murphy's law, you know. Paying customers - who can complain about that.

My online art history class - art from the ancients up to the 14th century just started and I have 36 pages to read this week, plus write up a couple short discussion papers. That will keep me busy.

Went to the doctor on Monday and my blood pressure was through the roof. Of course, I had just come from getting mammogram done and having your *books* squashed vertically and horizontally probably accounted for some of it. However, I've been bad lately - eating out a lot, drinking two or three pepsi's a day. Soooo.... I've given up my beloved Pepsi. I have discovered Snapple's Earl Grey Ice tea though - delicious yet expensive. Will also be brown bagging it and trying to exercise everyday.

Totally my fault and since I will be turning fabulous 50 in a couple weeks, am going to dedicate more time for physical fitness. Notice I didn't say schedule more time. I don't do well with schedules. Deadlines and goals work for me, but schedules no. I have to remain flexible. Which means less time blogging and being on the internet. I really don't want to give up anything. There is time for all. I just have to more judicious with my time.

Stay tuned for this weeks homeschool report, book reviews on "The Recipe Club" by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel and "Holiday Grind" by Cleo Coyle. I'll be updating my word count sometime this weekend and putting the word count meter up.

In Arnold's infamous words "I'll be back"

Blew up my blog.

I unintentionally blew her up. Yep. If you think my blood pressure was high before, I think I just sent it out of the stratosphere. I was playing around with templates for setting up the Hugo Award challenge. Picked the wrong blog. Of course, I hadn't backed up in a while, so....

I'll be reconstructing from bookmarks and what not. At least I didn't lose my posts. I was getting slightly bored with the newspaper template. So guess now is the time to make major changes - whether I like it or not. I knew I should have waited until November was over before thinking about the Hugo award challenge blog.

2009 Books Challenges

Challenges


(Note: Post rotates to first of every month)

Hosted by Callapidder Day's
September 22nd through December 20, 2009

Link to book reviews

1. Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald (banned book week)
2. Vanished - Joseph Finder (Take a Chance Challenge) (400)
3. The Arc, The Reed and The Firecloud - Jenny Cote (Random Reading Challenge)(464)
4. The Brutal Telling - Louise Penny (review book) (384)
5. The Red Siren - M.L. Tyndale (288)
6. Kill Her Again - Robert Gregory Browne (320)
7. Nightwatch - Sergie Lukyanenko (464)
8. The Wyndham Case - Jill Paton Walsh (223)
9. Silent Thunder - Iris Johansen (384)
10. A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin (674)
    

Hosted by Jenners
June - November 30, 2009
Done

1. Random Book Selection: Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper
   
2. Random Word: Lady Liberty by Vicki Hinze
   
3. Birth Year Book: 1959 Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell (shelved)
   
4. Judge a Book By Its Cover: Vanished by Joseph Finder
   
5. Phoning An Author: The Venetian Affair - Helen MacInnes (shelved)
   
6. Public Spying:
   
7. Random Bestseller: 1976 - Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart
   
8. Lit Riff
9. Poetic Review
   
10. Movie/Book Comparison: Inkheart
    

Really Old Classics Challenge
hosted by Rebecca and Heather
Goal to read really old works per 1600 AD
November 2009 to February 2010

1. Confessions of St Augustine
2. Bonus book - to be determined.

Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge
Hosted by BethF of Beth Fish Reads
July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010

1. Dead Until Dark
2. Living Dead in Dallas
3. Club Dead
4. Dead to the World
5. Dead as a Doornail
6. Definitely Dead
7. All Together Dead
8. From Dead to Worse
9. Dead and Gone

Lisa Jackson Reading Challenge
Hosted by J.Kaye Book Blog

August 2009 through December 2010

1. Hot Blooded
2. Cold Blooded
3. The Night Before
4. Shiver
5. Lost Souls
6. Wicked Games
   

Challenged by Heather J.
Challenge Blog
To be completed by 4/10/10

1. Watch The Princess Bride
2. Watch Willow
3. Watch The Last Unicorn
4. Watch Labyrinth
5. Watch at least 3 episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess
6. Read Dune by Frank Herbert
7. Read The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
8. Read The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
9. Read Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
10. Do a video blog about at least one of these items

Hugo Award Reading Challenge
Hosted by Me

1. 1953 The Demolished Man - Alfred Bester (have)
2. 1954 Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
3. 1955 They'd Rather be Eight - Mark Clifton
4. 1956 Double Star - Robert Heinlein
5. 1957 none
6. 1958 The Big Time - Fritz Leiber
7. 1959 A Case of Conscience - James Blish
8. 1960 Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein
9. 1961 A Canticle for Leibwitz - Walter Miller
10. 1962 Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert Heinlein
11. 1963 The Man in the High Castle - Philip K. Dick
12. 1964 Here Gather the Stars - Clifford D. Simak
13. 1965 The Wanderer - Fritz Leiber
    
14. 1966 Dune - Frank Herbert
    
15. 1967 The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert Heinlein
16. 1968 Lord of Light - Roger Zelany
17. 1969 Stand on Zanzibar - John Brunner
    

Perpetual Challenges

Agatha Christie Reading Perpetual Challenge
Hosted by Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise

Dropping out as of 2010

1. Spider's Web
2. Hercules Poirot Christmas
3. Mysterious Affair at Styles
4. 4.50 from Paddington
5. The ABC Murders
6. And then there were none

U.S. Presidents Reading Project

1. His Excellency George Washington by Joseph Ellis
2. John Adams by David McCullough
   

Completed Challenges

Winter Reading Challenge

Hosted by Me!

1. The Unseen by T.L. Hines (finished 2008)
   
2. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb (# 1)
   
3. Wicked by Gregory Maguire (# 2) (#1 52 books)
   
4. If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper (# 3)(#2 52 books)
   
5. Love by Design (2 classic novels) by Nora Roberts (#4)
   
6. Fire Dancer by Colleen Coble (# 5) (Also Christian Readers)
   
7. Five in a Row by Jane Coffey (Romance Challenge) (# 6)
   
8. Bad Faith by Aimee Thurlo (# 7)
   
9. Unspeakable by Sandra Brown (# 8)(# 3 52 books)
   
10. Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble (#9) (Christian Readers)
    
11. To Catch a Thief by Christina Sky (# 10)
    
12. Black Sands by Colleen Coble (# 11) (Christian Readers)
    
13. Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods (# 12)
    
14. Split Second by David Baldacci (# 13(#4 52 books)
    
15. Kiss - Ted Dekker (1/06/09) (#14)(Pub Challenge)
    
16. Spider's Web by Agatha Christie (# 15)
    
17. Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur (#16)
    
18. Prey for a Miracle by Aimee Thurlo (# 17)(#5 52 books)
    
19. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (#18)
    
20. The Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary (#19)
    
21. Dance with the Dragon by David Hagberg (# 20)
    
22. Life of Pi by Yann Martel (#21)
    
23. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (#23)
    
24. Hercules Poirot Christmas by Agatha Christi (#24)(#6 52 Books)
    
25. A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham (# 25)

Christian Readers Challenge – 2009

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

1. Fire Dancer by Colleen Coble
2. Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble
3. Black Sands by Colleen Coble
4. The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
5. Line of Duty by Teri Blackstock
6. Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins
7. Dangerous Depths by Colleen Coble
   
8. Fireproof by Eric Wilson
   
9. Hadassah by Tommy Tenney

Series to Finish Challenge 2009
(all books apply to Romance Challenge as well)
Hosted by Kathrin at Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic

1. Killing Fear (1) Allison Brennan
   
2. Playing Dead (3) Allison Brennan
   
3. Blood Bound (2) Patricia Briggs
   
4. Iron Kissed (3) Patricia Briggs
   
5. Take No Prisoners (2) Cindy Gerard
6. Whisper No Lies (3) Cindy Gerard
7. For Her Eyes Only (3) Cait London
   
8. Edge of Midnight (4) Shanna McKenna
9. Thread of Fear - Laura Griffin (3)

Once Upon A Time III
Hosted by Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings

1. Eon: Dragon Eye Reborn - Allison Goodman
   
2. House of Dark Shadows - Robert Liparulo
   
3. Full Moon Rising (Riley Jensen, Guardian 1) - Keri Arthur
   
4. Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
   
5. Iron Kissed - Patricia Briggs
   
6. On a Pale Horse - Piers Anthony
7. The Alchemist: Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott
   
8. The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan ( also src)
   
9. The Mystery of Grace - Charles De Lint
   

Spring Reading Thing 2009
Hosted by Katrina at Callipidder Day's
Theme: First time author reads.

1. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
   
2. 1^st to Die – James Patterson
3. 14 - J.T. Ellison
   
4. A World I Never Made - James LePore
   
5. French Bred - Frederic Guarino
   
6. Homicide in Hard Cover - Kate Carlisle
7. House of Dark Shadows – Robert Liparulo
8. Inside Out - John Ramsey Miller
9. Long Lost - Harlan Coben
   
10. Mysterious Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stuart (didn't finish - meh!)
    
11. Re-Deal: A Time Travel Thriller - Richard Turner
    
12. Safe Haven - Hannah Alexander
13. Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader- Joe Hilley
14. Stone's Fall - Iain Pears
    
15. The Ghost and Mrs. McClure - Alice Kimberely
16. The Lightning Thief - Riordan
17. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
    
18. The Link - B. Sandy (shelved)
    
19. The Physick Book Of Deliverance Dane -Katherine Howe
    
20. The Soul Collectors - Charles Quince
    
21. The Titian Committee - Iain Pears
    
22. Too Hot To Handle - Robin Kaye
    
23. Virgin River - Robyn Carr

Dewey's Books Reading Challenge

Hosted by Robin at A Fondness for Reading
and Chris at Stuff as Dreams are Made On

1. Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
2. The Uncommon Reader (also part of casual challenge)
   
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
   
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
   
5. House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton

Random Reading Challenge
Hosted by Caribousmom
August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010
Level III - 12 books randomly picked from TBR list and read randomly
Link to reviews

1. The Blackening Song - Aimee and David Thurlo
2. Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
3. Side by Side - John Ramsey Miller
4. R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton
5. Charmed and Dangerous - Toni McGee Causey
6. The Magician - Michael Scott
7. The Angel - Carla Neggers
8. The Arc, The Reed, and the Fire Cloud - Jenny Cote
9. The Red Siren - M.L. Tyndale
10. The Associate - John Grisham
11. The ABC Murders - Agatha Christie
12. Sizzle and Burn - Jayne Ann Krenze