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2024 Independent Challenge
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Pat's 2024 Independent Challenge
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Lea wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed The Sequel. Maybe I should have read it instead of listened to it on audio. Anyway, also glad to see that you loved Devil's Brood...and of course...I enjoyed reading Ruthless V..."I did enjoy The Sequel but it was pretty crazy, so probably not for everyone. When I saw one of her books had been turned into a series on Max, I decided to try that as well.
Enjoyed reading with you as well. Hope we find a couple of others to read together next year.
Enjoy your December reading!
Patricia wrote: "I finished 6 more books this month, giving me a total of 15 for the month.15) A Corpse at St Andrews Chapel (Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #2) Mel Starr."
I've read the first book in this series, and hope to read more. I'll be focusing on "C" titles, so this will get an extra push!
Ioana wrote: "Great November! I've read and enjoyed The Frozen River too, and looking at the other books you've read, I want to read some of them too. My TBR is huge already, but I'm sure it can take a few more...."Thanks, Ioana! Glad to add to your TBR!
Laurel wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I finished 6 more books this month, giving me a total of 15 for the month.15) A Corpse at St Andrews Chapel (Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #2) Mel Starr."
I've read the first book i..."
My library doesn't have these, so I'm picking up used copies on AbeBooks. I think they have some of the more recent ones. Hope you continue to enjoy them!
Mid-December update: 7 books finished so far, bringing my total for the year 157.1) The Mirror & the Light The third book in the Cromwell trilogy, we read more of the insanity of Henry VIII and the politics of this century. Henry is so obsessed with having a heir and a wife that I wonder how he got anything else done. Cromwell was his right hand man and was elevated several times, much to his enemies� chagrin. They never let him forget his humble origins and do all they can to bring him down. 4 stars
2) The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club #4). In this fourth book of the series, the seniors of this retirement community begin a new year, hoping to have a year without murder. Blackmail and other crimes, maybe, but no murder, please? Of course, that doesn’t happen and the friends are once again involved in some serious crimes. Criminal behavior is not the only serious subject handled in this one. Elizabeth’s husband is struggling with Alzheimer’s and tough decisions have to be made. 4 stars
3) The Burgess Boys Though not officially an “Amgash� book, The Burgess Boys introduces a family who are very much a part of this series. I didn’t realize this or would have read it before I read Lucy by the Sea. It’s not necessary to read this first, but helpful with the flow as you read about the characters of Crosby, Maine. Bob and Jim have moved away from their hometown and live in New York. When Bob’s twin sister, Susan’s son, is arrested, she calls on her brothers who are both lawyers. Family dynamics and responsibilities continue to both divide and bring the Burgess boys together. 4 stars
4) Olympus, Texas I didn’t know much about this book going in and that was probably for the best. Not sure I would have read it if I had known more about it. So, I will just say: family drama at its worst. If you’re someone who can’t look away from a tragic accident, you will be watching this family in disbelief, horror, and sadness. 4 stars
5) Thornhedge . A retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a twist. What was the real reason for this princess to be put to sleep for a couple of hundred years? I enjoyed this novella which is definitely not your Disney version. 4 stars
6) The House Is on Fire In Richmond, Virginia in 1811, the night after Christmas, the local theater was packed with over 600 people. When the theater caught fire, many people lost their lives including many of the city’s highest ranking citizens. Beanland writes of this true event by focusing on four people of different social status who were there. This story is of their survival, how the theater group tried to cover up the cause of the fire, and how some people took advantage of a terrible event. 5 stars
7) The Locked Room (Ruth Galloway #14). It’s March 2020 and lockdowns are beginning. Nelson has been investigating some suicides that he suspects may not be suicides. Ruth has just returned from sorting through her mother’s things where she found a photograph of her own house; taken years before she was even born. Struggling with isolation, keeping up with her classes on Zoom, and keeping Kate entertained are enough for Ruth to wonder if living so far away from everyone is such a good idea. Fortunately, or not, she also has a new neighbor. 4 stars
Mod
Mod
Thanks, Alondra & Bill! The first & last of the Cromwell series are definitely a couple of tomes, but I'm glad I read them. It was also enjoyable to do it as a slow read with a group.Happy Reading!
Glad you enjoyed The Mirror and the Light and The Last Devil to Die. I probably need to figure out my ordering on Strout's work, there are so many connections between all her books. I've wanted to read The House is On Fire for a while - glad to hear that you thought it was a worthwhile read. You're doing great and finishing out the year strong!
Lea wrote: "Glad you enjoyed The Mirror and the Light and The Last Devil to Die. I probably need to figure out my ordering on Strout's work, there are so many connections between all her books. I've wanted to ..."Yes, I'm not sure why The Burgess Boys is not considered an Amash novel. I suppose when she wrote it, she wasn't necessarily considering continuing on with those people.
The House Is on Fire is really good, especially if you enjoy historical fiction. Though very different, I also enjoyed her first book Florence Adler Swims Forever.
I haven't read anything by Beanland before, but both of those books look very interesting. Hopefully she'll keep writing.
Mod
Happy Reading!"
That makes sense. If I didn't read so slow, I could keep up with a buddy read. My hay-days of reading quickly, are over. Ugh
Patricia wrote: "Mid-December update: 7 books finished so far, bringing my total for the year 157.What a great month so far Patricia! Lots of good reading.
Read the first of the Cromwell series and meant to continue. Need to add it to my series challenge because I really did love Wolf Hall.
Also adding Thornhedge to next year's challenge.
Lillie wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Mid-December update: 7 books finished so far, bringing my total for the year 157.What a great month so far Patricia! Lots of good reading.
Read the first of the Cromwell series ..."
Thanks, Lillie! Hope you continue to enjoy the Cromwell series as well as Thornhedge. It was great fun.
I finished 10 more books this month bringing my total for the year to 167. It's been a good reading year.8) The Memory Police Nominee for the World Fantasy award in 2020, along with several others, Ogawa is a well-known and popular writer in Japan. This book was originally published in Japan in 1994. In a small community on an island, things began to disappear one at a time. After the items are gone, most people can’t remember them any longer, but for those who can, their lives are in danger. A young female author knows that her beloved editor is one of those who remember, and she decides to help him hide. Ogawa draws on her fascination with Anne Frank for some of her ideas. A quietly, terrifying book. 4 stars
9) The Night We Lost Him . (audio Julia Whelan). Nora is surprised when her half-brother, Sam, shows up insisting there is something suspicious about their father’s death. Nora admits there’s something strange about his death, so reluctantly agrees to fly with him to California to investigate. Though neither of them knew their father well, he had more secrets in his past than they realized. I listened to this on audio which I enjoyed, but had a few questions that maybe I would have understood better if I could have gone back and reread certain sections. Still, an enjoyable family mystery. 3 stars
10) The Children Return (Bruno, Chief of Police #7). Although I continue to enjoy this series, I do wonder if Bruno is ever going to settle down with one woman. As long as he keeps falling from women who are out of reach, for one reason or other, probably not. In this one, Bruno gets a message that a young man originally from St. Denis has shown up at a French army base in Afghanistan. Bruno helps to get Sami home, but the FBI have a warrant for Sami and want to bring him to the U.S. for trial. What could this traumatized autistic young man be guilty of? 4 stars
11) Blackout (All Clear #1; Oxford Time Travel #3). In Oxford 2060, time-traveling historians are being sent into the past—namely, during World War II. Merope has been sent to deal with obnoxious 1940 evacuees; Polly is to be a shopgirl during London’s Blitz; and Michael thought he was going to Pearl Harbor. Something happens to change their schedules, and there’s to be a glitch (or several glitches) in their doors to go home. This one ends in the middle of the story (unlike the previous two), so have the next one (All Clear) ready. 4 stars
12) Hercule Poirot's Christmas (Poirot #20). Simeon Lee has called in his four sons, insisting they all come to the family home for Christmas. No one thinks for a minute that it’s because of his tender fatherly feelings, but for different reasons they feel they have no choice. When Lee is found brutally murdered in a locked room, Poirot is called to help the local police figure out who could have hated his father the most. 4 stars
13) Men Without Women I watched the movie “Drive My Car� based on one of these short stories, and was puzzled by the ending. So, I decided to read the story. Of course, it was totally different but still I enjoyed both. As for the rest of the stories, a few I liked, a couple—not so much. 3 stars
14) The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love “Rival ornithologists hunt through England for a rare magical bird in this historical-fantasy rom-com reminiscent of Indiana Jones but with manners, tea, and helicopter parasols.� I don’t think I can give a better description. A fun, light-hearted read. 3 stars
15) The Same Bright Stars (audio, mostly). Jack has been running his family’s restaurant since his father’s death, and it has been his whole life. When he’s made an offer to sell, he has a hard time deciding what to do. Not only is the restaurant his life, but the workers are his family. In the meantime, an old girlfriend comes home to care for her sick mother and drops a bombshell on him about something from his past that he had no idea about. I mostly listened to this on audio, but this was a sad tale I was ready to get through. 3 stars
16) Natural Selection (short story) Sophia has agreed to go to the Galapagos Islands with her boyfriend, though there other places this New York girl would rather go. When he ditches her at the airport, leaving her his camera and telling her to take great pictures, she doesn’t know what to do but carry on. Sophia learns more about herself than she could have expected. 3 stars
17) Daily Treasure: 366 Daily Readings from Spurgeon's Treasury of David The title says it all. Spurgeon’s Treasury of David is a classic in commentaries and this devotional gives a condensed version just right for daily readings. 5 stars
Happy New Year!
So many good books - I especially love Connie Willis and Agatha Christie. The Memory Police looks interesting - I might give that a try.
Mod
Mod
What a great month and year, Pat! Hope 2025 is also a great year!
Thanks, everyone! Looking forward to reading more in 2025!
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Children Return (other topics)Daily Treasure: 366 Daily Readings from Spurgeon's Treasury of David (other topics)
Blackout (other topics)
The Night We Lost Him (other topics)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas (other topics)
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Can't wait to see what you pick in December.