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message 301: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Michael wrote: "It was a BBC series about a village in Ireland (Avoca, County Wicklow was the setting--I made a special stop there last time I was in country, just to drink a pint at Fitzgerald's) about a young Ca..."

Thanks for the update. Sounds like something I would definitely like. I will check it out. Very cool that you got visit that pub.


message 302: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Completed the Read the Spring challenge, in my Cozy Mystery group:

FINISHED!
LAUREL CA
S- Scent of Evil The Scent of Evil by Rachel O'Brien Kolk completed May 23/14

P-Port of Sorrow Port of Sorrow by Grant McKenzie COMPLETED May 12/14

R-The Ruby Brooch The Ruby Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan completed May17/14

I- Irreparable Harm (Sasha McCandless, #1) by Melissa F. Miller Irreparable Harm completed May17/14

N-No Certain Rest No Certain Rest by Jim Lehrer
Completed April 29/14

G-Girl Jacked Girl Jacked by Christopher Greyson completed May 16/14

I just noticed this a few day ago, so I am late getting started!

DONE, all 5 are finished! As of May 23/14-


message 303: by Michael (new)

Michael (micky74007) Good for you! Looks like some good reads too.


message 304: by Laurel (last edited May 20, 2014 02:16PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Scent of Evil (Joe Gunther #3) by Archer Mayor Michael wrote: "Good for you! Looks like some good reads too."

Thanks, Michael. I especially enjoyed Scent of Evil, in the Lt. Joe Gunther series. This is the third I have read and I just bought the next in the series, The Skeleton's Knee (Joe Gunther #4) by Archer Mayor The Skeleton's Knee small town Vermont, interesting characters, well plotted stories, and a main character who is not a recovering drunk, or divorced.

Forgot to mention the mystery centred around the discovery of a body, at Antietam dating back to the famous battle, written by Jim Lehrer of PBS fame-a historical mystery, with half of the story taking place at the actual battle.No Certain Rest No Certain Rest by Jim Lehrer


message 305: by [deleted user] (new)

Good morning, Laurel. Hope you're well. Some great book titles there!:)


message 306: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Having watched a few DCI Banks on my favourite PBS station, decided to read or re-read some Peter Robinson. Went back to the beginning, and reread Gallows View by Peter Robinson , then A Dedicated Man (Inspector Banks, #2) by Peter Robinson , and currently reading A Necessary End by Peter Robinson . Next will be The Hanging Valley (Inspector Banks, #4) by Peter Robinson . Amazing how much I have forgotten!

Also reading The Shining by Stephen King for the very first time! Can only read 49% before June 1, for a challenge. Then I can finish it, if I dare. Have never watched the movie from beginning to end all in one sitting, and the book is scarier. On page 189. Hard to believe that King wrote this when he was drunk and or stoned most of the time. He is the first to admit that there is a lot of himself in Jack.


message 307: by Laurel (last edited May 31, 2014 05:48PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Watching My Fair Lady, one of my favourites...I really want Prof. Higgins' library! Complete with spiral staircase.


message 308: by Laurel (last edited May 11, 2015 08:00PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Need to keep all my sleuths, private eyes, detectives & policemen, & their creators straight: a work in progress!

DCI Banks- Peter Robinson
Inspector Barnaby- Carolyn Graham
Nero Wolfe-Rex Stout
Travis McGee-John D. MacDonald
Lucas Davenport-John Sandford
Joe Gunther-Archer Myer
Dalziel & Pascoe-
Inspector Morse-Colin Dexter
Dalgleish-P.D. James
Cooper & Fry -Stephen Booth
DCI Lynley-Elizabeth George
Charlie Parker-John Connolly
Dave Robicheaux-James Lee Burke
Kate Shugak-Dana Stabenow
Emilia Cruz-Carmen Amato
Harry Stoner-Jonathin Valin
Father Koesler-William Kienzle
Kate Burkholder-Linda Castillo
Lalla Bains-R.P.Dahlke
Kurt Wallender-Henning Mankell
Amerotke-Paul Doherty
Brother Athelstan-Paul Doherty
Nic Kosta-David Hewson
Bernie Gunther-Philip Kerr
Sgt. Windflower-Mike Martin
DCI George Gently-Alex Hesler
Ron Ketchum-Joseph Flynn


message 309: by Laurel (last edited Jun 01, 2014 08:15PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Ok, I am about 50% through my very first reading of The Shining The Shining by Stephen King , and am in that zone where you do not want to read the next page but you cannot avoid reading it. I just had, for the third time today, a series of shivers, literally run through my body. Jack is investigating that bathroom, 217, after Danny has been in there. shivers! It happened twice before today, when I was taking a break from gardening, on a beautiful sunny day-shivers! That is amazing writing! Now, I must turn the page and I may as well keep reading. It is 11:13 pm, and I won't be able to sleep anyway!


message 310: by [deleted user] (new)

Hi Laurel. Hope you're well. The Shining is an excellent book, one I've read and loved.


message 311: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments /review/edit... this is my review for The Shining by Stephen King The Shining only a matter of time before I have at least one shining induced nightmare! Well worth the shivers!


message 312: by Laurel (last edited Jun 03, 2014 03:53PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments /review/show... here is. My review for The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold . Rather disappointing, gave it 2*'s.was able to check off Pennsylvania for my Read the USA Challenge, and it was my first book in my Summer Seasonal Challenge.

Started The Grenadillo Box by Janet Gleeson an 18th century historical mystery, with the main character working as a journeyman for the now famous furniture maker, Thomas Chippendale. This has been on my TBR list for a long time, using in my Summer Season Reading Challenge.


message 313: by [deleted user] (new)

Hi Laurel. How're you? The Lovely Bones is a great book and movie!!


message 314: by Laurel (last edited May 27, 2015 02:34PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments New, Longlasting Challenge for me, from the HF group I belong to, but I will not be able to complete it the time alloted so I am going to do it on my own, at my leisure.
First up-BA with a History Major-what else for me!!!
I need 3 tasks from Lang. Arts & Athletics, Literature, Science & Math, and Social Science
PLUS:
All of the tasks from the History Major section.
My 3 tasks for Lang. Arts & Athletics are:
-biography about an actor-use biog of Lee Marvin that I have on TBR Lee Marvin Point Blank by Dwayne Epstein COMPLETED
-main character is an athlete The Natural by Bernard Malamud
-sport-related word in title Back Spin (Myron Bolitar, #4) by Harlan Coben Harlan CobenOne False Move One False Move (Myron Bolitar, #5) by Harlan Coben Completed May 27/15
My 3 tasks from Literature are:
-genre tags of book club The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
-book that has won a literary award, using posted list The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton , Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as per list
-read an epistolary novel OR reread a classic from high school or university Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë , read this in high school
My 3 tasks from Science &Math are:
-animal on cover The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
-main character is a dr. or a nurse Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, #8) by Diana Gabaldon
-number in title or sub-title Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
My 3 tasks from Social Sciences are:
-characters are from different classes Cashelmara by Susan Howatch COMPLETED
-features relationships with people of different cultures Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
-features a trial The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent Ted Barris

HISTORY MAJOR PORTION: ALL TASKS
-2 nonfiction books with genre of history The Great Escape A Canadian Story by Ted Barris book about Flagler and or his railway, I bought in Florida Last Train to Paradise Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean by Les Standiford
-read a HF book set in each of the following locations: N.A., S. A., Europe, Africa, Asia
North America: Gone for a Soldier Gone for a Soldier by Kathleen Kelly Garlock Completed May13/15 4*'s
South America: The Charm School (Calhoun Chronicles #1) by Susan Wiggs Rio, 1850's
Europe: Villa Triste by Lucretia Grindle
Africa: A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn
Asia: The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
-pick 3 Time Period Coverage, with 1 book set in each: Ancient BC-4thC., Medieval 5thC. -13thC., Renaissance 14th C.-16th C., Early Modern 17th C. -18th C., Modern 18th C. to 1960
1. Ancient: Roma (Roma, #1) by Steven Saylor
2. Medieval: The Summer Queen (Eleanor of Aquitane, #1) by Elizabeth Chadwick
3. Modern: Sisters of Cain (Cain, #1) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
- read a book with a strong historical basis which features one of time travel, historical fantasy The Ruby Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan COMPLETED
-read a HF book that has been a group read in the HF Group I need to choose from: The Winter Palace A Novel of Catherine the Great (Catherine, #1) by Eva Stachniak The Tea Rose (The Tea Rose, #1) by Jennifer Donnelly The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani The Serpent and the Pearl (The Borgias, #1) by Kate Quinn Nefertiti by Michelle Moran Daughters of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #2) by Kate Quinn


message 315: by Laurel (last edited Jun 12, 2015 07:09PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Additional tasks, for fun, from the general History BA:
- a nonfiction with a genre of history Mary Chestnut's Civil War by C. Vann Woodward
- dual storyline with one story set in the present and the other set at least 50 years ago, from present Love Beyond Time by Nancy Campbell Allen
-read an HF book that features a spy or a traitor Brothers of Cain (Cain, #2) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
-HF book that is part of a series The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1) by Lauren Willig COMPLETED
-read a biography or memoir First Lady of the Confederacy Varina Davis's Civil War by Joan E. Cashin
-read a book with a castle on the cover Pursuit and Persuasion (Ben Reese, #3) by Sally Wright
-noble title in the title The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
-first published in 2013/14 The Serpent and the Pearl (The Borgias, #1) by Kate Quinn
-features a main character who is in a guild (carpenter, merchant, doctor, lawyer) journeyman cabinet maker. COMPLETED Here is my review-/review/show... The Grenadillo Box by Janet Gleeson
-group read in HF group Here be Dragons (Welsh Princes, #1) by Sharon Kay Penman


message 316: by [deleted user] (new)

Okay. Ignore me. What did I do to you?


message 317: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Okay. Ignore me. What did I do to you?"

Nothing. I am not in the mood to talk. I have a very elderly, seriously ill mom, and I need a distraction, by myself! Thanks for asking.


message 318: by Laurel (last edited Jun 12, 2015 07:10PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Master's requirements
HF SUB-GENRES: traditional, multi-period epics, sagas, western HF novels, historical mysteries, romance historical novels, historical thrillers, HF adventure novels, time-slip novels, alternate history, HF fantasy novels

Task: pick 1 sub-genre and read 5 books from that genre
I am choosing historical mysteries.
A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch COMPLETED June 6/15
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1) by Kerry Greenwood COMPLETED May20/15

Maids of Misfortune (A Victorian San Francisco Mystery #1) by M. Louisa Locke COMPLETED April 29/15
. :The Hanover Square Affair|10518312] Henry Wood Detective Agency (Henry Wood Detective #1) by Brian D. Meeks Murder at Fenway Park by Troy Soos The Yard (The Murder Squad #1) by Alex Grecian


Tasks: read 1 book from 9 other categories on the sub-genre list
Traditional: Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
Multi-period Epic: Hawaii by James A. Michener
Saga: Jubilee (Poppy Chronicles, #1) by Claire Rayner
Western HF novel: The Sacketts Vol 1 (Sackett's Land / To the Far Blue Mountain / The Warrior's Path) by Louis L'Amour
Romance Historical novel: Amethyst (Jewel, #1) by Lauren Royal
Historical thriller: Black Cross by Greg Iles COMPLETED March 4/15
HF Adventure novel: A Matter of Honor (Cutler Family Chronicles, #1) by William C. Hammond
Time-slip: Blackout (Oxford Time Travel, #3) by Connie Willis
HF Fantasy:
Additional Tasks: pick 6. Read 1 HF book
-which depicts a real historical person Count Belasarius, Robert Graves
-which depicts a real historical event Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
-has 750+ pages World Without End by Ken Follett
-main character is in a profession that is no longer popular or needed eg. Blacksmith
I am using gladiator Spartacus The Gladiator (Spartacus, #1) by Ben Kane
-takes place in a city that no longer goes by the same name The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak used to be Constantinople OR The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman, #1) by Paullina Simons , setting is in Leningrad, used to be St. Petersburg,
-takes place on an island-United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Crete, Madagascar, Iceland, Cuba, Cyprus, Bahamas, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines- choosing Ireland A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry ,
-is an epistolary novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

For literary HF, use 1001 Books Before You Die list, & Guardians' 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read.

***An epic is multi-generational, covering at least 50 years, with the story featuring a specific place vs a saga, which is a multi-generational story covering at least 50 years and 3 generations, & featuring a family


message 319: by [deleted user] (new)

Sorry to hear that, Laurel. I won't bother you anymore.


message 320: by Michael (new)

Michael (micky74007) Laurel wrote: "Master's requirements
HF SUB-GENRES: traditional, multi-period epics, sagas, western HF novels, historical mysteries, romance hair orbital novels, historical thrillers, HF adventure novels, time-sl..."


This looks like a lot of work, but I bet the end result will be well worth it. I'll be lucky to just make my 50 this year. All of a sudden, I don't feel like reading. Guess I'm just tired. But school is out, little league baseball is over, Johnny is going to spend two months in Alabama with his mom. Maybe things will slow down and I can relax and read.

How is the new baby doing?


message 321: by Laurel (last edited May 11, 2015 10:10PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Trinity by Leon Uris PhD. requirements: re HF
Read 1 book by 3 of the HF MASTERS on this list: I love this list!
James Clavell, Dorothy Dunnett, Howard Fast, George MacDonald Fraser, Robert Graves, Georgette Heyer, Louis L'Amour, Norman Mailer, Patrick O'Brian, Jean Plaidy, Mary Renault, Sir Walter Scott, Anya Seton, Irving Stone, Sigrid Undset, Leon Uris, Gore Vidal
1. Katherine by Anya Seton Anya Seton
2. TrinityLeon Uris
3.James ClavellTai Pan Tai-Pan (Asian Saga, #2) by James Clavell rereading this, I haven't read it for at least 20 years!
HF Classics:ANY 3 books from The Complete Idiots Guide Book list, in my HG group

Dissertation Topic:
Choose a topic and read 7 books related,to that topic. At least 5 must be HF, up to 2 can be NF related to the topic.
Types of topics are:
-around a specific historical event like a war or discovery of America, or perhaps the Exploration/settling of Canada
-around a country or geographical area through various time periods
-focus on a specific (most likely a family)likely royal, like the Tudors
-focus on a nationality like the Romans or Vikings
-focus on a particular century or time period like the Dark Ages
-sub-genre of HF, as described in the MA programme

Choosing The Civil War:
1. Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall
2. Children of Cain (Cain, #3) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
3. Gone for a Soldier by Kathleen Kelly Garlock currently reading, begun
May 11/15
4. Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini
5. The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
6. Bleeding Blue and Gray Civil War Surgery and the Evolution of American Medicine by Ira Rutkow
7. Mary Chesnut A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Chesnut
Minor Topic:
Choose a different topic from above and read 3 books in that area. One can be NF.
Ancient Rome:
1. A Pattern of Blood (Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, #2) by Rosemary Rowe
2. Roman Blood (Roma Sub Rosa, #1) by Steven Saylor
3. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff COMPLETED June 29/14

A total of 71 books, to complete all portions.


message 322: by Laurel (last edited Jun 05, 2014 05:24PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Michael wrote: "Laurel wrote: "Master's requirements
HF SUB-GENRES: traditional, multi-period epics, sagas, western HF novels, historical mysteries, romance hair orbital novels, historical thrillers, HF adventure ..."


She is doing really well, just past 6 months, getting her first tooth. Hopefully, once Johnny is gone on holiday, you can get some rest and get back to reading for pleasure. I like this HF setup, but I am going to do it on my own time schedule, so it may take me a LONG time! Neither of our mothers are doing well, so reading and planning takes my mind off it all. One is 94, the other is 95. Longevity is not necessarily a good thing.


message 323: by Michael (new)

Michael (micky74007) Wow! I bet they have some storied to tell. God bless them.


message 324: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Michael wrote: "Wow! I bet they have some storied to tell. God bless them."

They did, but my mom has lost almost all of her older memories, and has no short term memory at all. Severe demientia, combined with other diseases, is a terrible thing to watch. My husband's mom, although only a year and a bit younger, still can talk about WW 2, the depression, special vacations etc, but also has limited short term memory, based on about a ten year span. The brain's capabilities are astounding. My mom does not know us, but she can still do pairs of opposites pretty quickly. You give a word, she comes up with the opposite. She has frequent hallucinations, usually involving my dad, who has been gone for more than 20 years. Last week she was upset because she didn't finish washing the wooden front porch on the house she grew up in, around the early 1920's. Often very sad, but you have to chuckle, because if you don't, you would cry a lot.


message 325: by Michael (new)

Michael (micky74007) my heart goes out to you


message 326: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Michael wrote: "my heart goes out to you"

Thank you, Michael. I appreciate your kindness!


message 327: by Laurel (last edited Jun 09, 2014 08:39AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Review in progress for The Ghosts of Belfast (Jack Lennon Investigations #1) by Stuart Neville I chose this book for three reasons: it had a very long list of prize nominations for a first mystery novel, multiple glowing reviews from authors I admire and read, as well as from GR friends whose opinions I respect. Additional, I needed to read a book set in Ireland for a challenge. I am also trying to sample new authors, as a way to expand my reading horizons. There are at least two more books in this series about the modern version of The Troubles in Ireland, but I am undecided if I will read them. Here's why. Although I felt great sympathy for Gerry Fegan, the main character being pursued by the ghosts of those he killed or helped to kill, in and around Belfast through the bloody decades of the 80's and 90's, I did not grow to like him. Explaining why this is the case would give away too much of the plot. Let's just say that redemption is not earned by creating more dead bodies, regardless of past evil deeds. This book is extremely violent, bloody, and jam packed with foul language. I am not usually bothered by any of these features, but in this case I suspect the context in which these were used, contributed to my distaste. It took a long time to sort out the characters, and who was on which side, or pretending to be. Not an upbeat read, nor did I anticipate it to be, but it left me feeling sad, a little angry, and disgusted by the terrible waste described in a few hundred pages. Perhaps that is the point. If that was Neville's premise for creating Gerry Fegan, a man riddled with terrible guilt, he achieved his goal. Additionally, reading this book revealed that I know very little about this bloody period in Irish politics and history. Perhaps that was also part of the author's plan. Time will tell whether I will return to this particular environment again.


message 328: by Laurel (last edited Jun 09, 2014 09:26AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Here is my review /review/show... for The Ghosts of Belfast (Jack Lennon Investigations #1) by Stuart Neville 4 stars- a slightly different version than the one in the previous post.


message 329: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Just finished Deadline by Sandra Brown ****

Here is my review: /review/show...


message 330: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Here is a Listopia list that I want to remember:
Great Mystery Series of the 00's

It has some great books on it & new series I need to investigate.


message 331: by Laurel (last edited Jun 13, 2014 04:50AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments ] Firestorm by Nevada Barr

I always enjoy Nevada Barrs ' work, despite the fact that I haven't been reading about National Parks Ranger Anna Pigeon's exploits, in sequential order. This is one of her earlier works, number four in the series. California's Lassen Volcanic National Park is the setting, and Anna is there, high in the mountains, serving as a medical technician for crews fighting a major forest fire. There is plenty of interesting information about this extremely dangerous job, the strategies involved to combat almost any challenge a fire can throw at the fire crews, and roles of the support staff who work behind the scenes to make sure the fire crews work under the safest conditions possible, with the required materials. Anna and her crew are well prepared until a rare combination of circumstances creates the horrific, dreaded firestorm. While struggling to evacuate an injured member of the crew, the firestorm occurs. Barr's description is incredibly vivid, and it seemed that I could hear the roar of the flames, the tremendous heat created, and visualize the scrambling of the crew to take cover under their individual protective fire tents. Once the firestorm passes, and the crew members emerge to a ravaged, eerie landscape, only to find that one of their number has been stabbed in the back! With this particularly grisly discovery, Anna's crew is stranded in this devastated area, with bad weather moving in and no help available, even by emergency helicopter, with a murderer amongst them. Barr has essentially created the equivalent of the traditional murder at the isolated manor house, with a set number of suspects, cut off from the rest of society, with motives to be uncovered. Various members of the crew must struggle with the stress of the situation, personal injuries, bad weather, cold, snow, and a scarcity of food, water and medical supplies. Personalities may be at odds, and all of this turmoil takes places among the dangers of hidden pockets of red hot embers, the sulphurous fumes of volcanic pools and bubbling mud pots, and a mountainside landscape ravaged by the firestorm. Having toured the bubbling mud pot areas of Yellowstone, it was not difficult to conjure up the sights and smells Barr wants the reader to imagine. To Barr's credit, such an experience is not necessary to encourage you to turn those pages quickly, to sift through the clues Anna collects as she talks to those around her, and observes their interactions. An interesting, atmospheric and exciting read. Additionally, this book left me with a better understanding of the terrible dangers faced by all of those fire crews we see on tv during the forest fire seasons in Canada and the United States. Anna has done them proud in Firestorm.


message 332: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments New idea for a challenge: read only mysteries from around the world, one per country, slightly different from my Around the World challenge.


message 333: by Laurel (last edited Jun 24, 2014 09:22AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Seasonal Summer Challenge Posts:
#34-5. #131-5 #146 didn't count, used book from the wrong Ireland #220-5
#255-15 #336-10. #601-30

TOTAL: 75
8 books read so far


message 334: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments New website to check out and remember:

Booksinorder.com.

Gives order of books in series, and standalones


message 335: by Michael (new)

Michael (micky74007) Laurel wrote: "New website to check out and remember:

Booksinorder.com.

Gives order of books in series, and standalones"

Checked it out. This site is great!


message 336: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Michael wrote: "Laurel wrote: "New website to check out and remember:

Booksinorder.com.

Gives order of books in series, and standalones"
Checked it out. This site is great!"
Glad you like it! I stayed a few minutes, plan to go back and browse.


message 337: by Laurel (last edited Jun 16, 2014 09:19AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Review for The Beardless Warriors A Novel of World War II by Richard Matheson

I have a fondness for World War II fiction, and this book by famed science fiction writer Richard Matheson has joined the ranks of my favourites like The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer , Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie and Battle Cry by Leon Uris . Based on personal experiences and written fifteen years after his service in WWII as an infantryman, Matheson takes us as close as you can get to the sights, smells, sounds and psychological turmoil that is circa 1944 battle- or any battle where men and boys of 18-the "beardless" warriors of the title, fight for every inch of ground, sometimes taken two or three times. Hackenmeyer, the main character, is an 18 year old raw recruit, sent as a replacement to one of the many Amercan units which were slogging through the German countryside, as the allies fought to overcome the Nazis on their own soil, in order to take Berlin. Hackenmeyer's Sergeant Cooley does not welcome him to his squad with open arms-not surprising given that mostly all replacement soldiers come with minimal training and no idea as to what they are about to face. Being a beardless warrior makes a young man much more susceptible to mistakes, which frequently have fatal consequences. This is a common issue in fiction set during this particular time period. In a similar situation in Band of Brothers E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by Stephen E. Ambrose , new infantrymen are ignored by the surviving members, simply because so many of them die so soon after arrival, that it is too difficult to invest any time or emotion in getting to know them, since they will be gone and replaced by another fresh-faced kid. There is another reason for Cooley's dislike of these young men given to him, not to be poignantly revealed until the closing chapters. As the book progresses, Hackenmeyer experiences countless waves of self doubt, guilt, rage, cowardice, and reckless bravado. He has no fond memories of a happy family life or a girl back home, to comfort him during lonely hours, as he quivers with fear and the cold, in his foxhole. He has had a terrible, loveless childhood, and is baffled by the various behaviours and personalities he encounters among his fellow beardless warriors. He does not know how to relate to his fellow soldiers. He lacks the necessary characteristic that most military fiction stresses is the glue that keeps those in combat alive-he has no sense of camaraderie, nor he is fighting for the guy sharing his foxhole. Nonetheless, having that feeling of belonging and a life to return to does not ensure survival, a message that becomes all too clear as Hackemeyer endures the two week period that is the novel's timeline. This is a powerful piece of fiction about the horror and terrible cost of war. It is bloody, horrifying, hard to read, very personal and seeps into the corners of your mind like the cold and mud despised by all infantrymen. I am so grateful that I discovered it.


message 338: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments /review/show... This is my review for Moonraker by Ian Fleming , a 1959 Pan paperback. An Ian Flemimg classic!


message 339: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Review for Dead Cert Dead Cert by Dick Francis Dick Francis. I gave it 4 stars.
/review/show...


message 340: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments LAUREL CA

S-Sea Swept Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay Saga, #1) by Nora Roberts completed June 23/14
U-
M-
M-
E-
R-


message 341: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Recently finished Blueberry Muffin Murder (Hannah Swensen, #3) by Joanne Fluke , #3 in the series, by Joanne Fluke. What a fun read, given the character of the murder victim Fluke created! **** Here is my review: /review/show...


message 342: by Laurel (last edited Jun 25, 2014 09:22AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Hot Money by Dick Francis Dick Francis 5 stars

"I intensely disliked my father's fifth wife, but not to the point of murder." I read those fourteen words, and I was hooked! That is the compelling first sentence in this standalone novel by the master storyteller, Dick Francis. This book has convinced me that I want read all of his work, which is a massive collection of horsey based writing! Francis uses a brilliant concept for the structure or plot, if you want to call it that, of this mystery. Narrated by Ian Pembroke, an amateur jockey, Francis weaves a complicated story about Ian's father Malcolm, an incredibly rich gentleman who makes his money by buying and selling gold. Before Ian will help his father, they must try to mend a three year-long rift in their relationship, tied to Malcolm's decision to marry wife number five, despite Ian's pleas to drop her. Someone has tried to kill Malcolm, shortly after his fifth wife, Moira, has been found murdered at their large country home. Who suspects him of this crime, you say? The police, and most of his family, numbering in the twenties, if you count stepchildren, daughters/sons-in-law, and ex-wives. There are so many members of this family that Francis kindly provides a list of them, at the front of the book! To cope with the threat to his freedom and his life, Malcolm, as he is called by all of his children rather than Dad or Father, decides to spend huge chunks of money on a variety of causes and items. This flagrant spending causes the family members to come running to Malcolm, suggesting that he has gone mad after murdering Moira, and he intends to throw away their inheritance on anything or anyone but them! In desperation, Malcolm turns to his son Ian, afraid for his life and needing help to get out from under his family's verbal and physical attacks. Who among this large group is capable of murdering Moira, and/or Malcolm? Francis masterfully creates detailed personalities for all of the twenty plus members of Malcolm's extended family. The interaction between the ex-wives and their children, step-children and each other, bring to mind a very large knot found within a ball of wool when I am knitting. Unravelling this ball takes patience as I well know, and Francis leads us through this unravelling with elegant detail, vivid characterizations, and considerable suspense. All is revealed, and by book' s end, he leaves you marvelling at his plotting and characterization. A gem of a book! I count myself officially a member of the Dick Francis fan club.


message 343: by Laurel (last edited Jun 25, 2014 10:49AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Interesting new words:

smitch:
smother, as in "be ready to start your smother at any moment!" From The Eagle Of The Ninth
testudo:
:


message 344: by Laurel (last edited Jun 25, 2014 12:10PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments The Skeleton's Knee The Skeleton's Knee (Joe Gunther #4) by Archer Mayor

This is the fourth in the Lt. Joe Gunther series by Archer Mayor, and I finished it in short order! I am happy to say that I have many more of Joe's cases to explore, given that he has written twenty-five books. This one is the best so far. A mysterious survivalist dies in the Brattleboro, Vermont hospital as the result of a previously sustained gunshot injury. While investigating the area surrounding his cabin in the outskirts of town, a skeleton is unearthed. This is no ordinary skeleton, in that it has an unusual metal knee, dating back as it turns out, to the sixties. Additionally, when the stranger in the hospital died, he had prepaid his medical bill with a wad of mouldy cash, taken from an equally musty red backpack. While the skeleton with the knee replacement is being transported to town in a hearse, the vehicle and Joe's car are riddled with machine gun fire. How are all of these events connected? Following a few sparse leads takes Joe away from small town Barttleboro, to the big city of Chicago. Joe is more than a little uncomfortable in the mega urban and police environment of the Windy City. Mayor paints an interesting portrait of different aspects of Chicago, and the big city mentality of policing vs small town Brattleboro. Joe ultimately teams up with a soon to be retired detective, and they manage to find common ground to work on the case. The Sixties' political radicalism comes into play, as does the Outfit, the CPD's term for the Mafia. Joe is severely tested by this case, physically, mentally and professionally. The The Skeleton's Knee (Joe Gunther #4) by Archer Mayor is worth your time, especially if you grew up during the turmoil of the sixties. I am looking forward to reading Fruits of the Poisonous Tree (Joe Gunther #5) by Archer Mayor Fruits of the Poisonous Tree. A familiar legal term I recognized from many years of watching Law and Order, and an intriguing title!


message 345: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments /review/show...

This is my review forThe Eagle of the Ninth The Eagle of the Ninth (The Roman Britain Trilogy, #1) by Rosemary Sutcliff I gave it 4 stars.


message 346: by Laurel (last edited Jun 29, 2014 03:11PM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments . Interesting blog and book list

Waiting for her first novel, in October-WWII, Canadian Bird's Eye View Bird's Eye View by Elinor Florence


message 347: by Laurel (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Wishing all of my American friends on GR, a very happy and safe Fourth!


message 348: by Michael (new)

Michael (micky74007) how are you doing?


message 349: by Laurel (last edited Jul 10, 2014 11:43AM) (new)

Laurel (goodreadscomboddy_l) | 621 comments Michael wrote: "how are you doing?"

Well, it has been an interesting couple of weeks! My mother-in-law, who is 94, has been in the hospital twice in the last five weeks, and has had a couple of close calls after a fall at her nursing home, pneumonia and some heart issues. She is back at her nursing home for now, and we are tempting her to eat with all of her favourite summer fruits. My mom is not doing well either. I told you recently that her dementia is fairly progressed. Well, she no longer recognizes us, which is tough. Additionally, she has congestive heart disease, and failing kidneys, all a result of being 95 and a half, plus having been diabetic for the last thirty years. So, she has more bad days than good, and we are taking it one day at a time. We were down to see her on Monday-she is about a 90 min. drive away. So with both of them ailing, each time the phone rings, it is a little nerve-wracking. Fortunately, reading and working in the garden helps. We are staying close to home, just in case.

Did your Fourth celebrations get totally rained out? At least Albert did minimal damage in Florida, as far as we heard up here. I know your grandson was away for a bit, hope you enjoyed the "quiet".

Thanks so much for checking on me! I have read some really great books, and am getting ready to read Trinity by Leon Uris , which is one of the few Uris books that I have not read. Best wishes to you and yours!


message 350: by [deleted user] (new)

Just out of curiosity, how many books do you read at one time, Laurel?


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