September AlphaKIT: F and L
Discussão2021 Category Challenge
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1majkia
Welcome to the September 2021 AlphaKIT, an unofficial challenge in the 2021 Category Challenge Group.
The rules are: 1. Use these letters any way you wish to select reading for the month. 2. Enjoy your reading.
and 
The letter images are thanks to helenliz ! Thanks so much, they're lovely.
Please remember to update the wiki:
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2021_AlphaKIT#September:_-_Letters:_F_an...
The rules are: 1. Use these letters any way you wish to select reading for the month. 2. Enjoy your reading.
and 
The letter images are thanks to helenliz ! Thanks so much, they're lovely.
Please remember to update the wiki:
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2021_AlphaKIT#September:_-_Letters:_F_an...
3cyderry
I have lots!
✔Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox
✔Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower
✔Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman AUDIO
✔Little Black Book
✔Lure of the Moonflower AUDIO
✔Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny AUDIO
✔Marriage Can be Mischief by Amanda Flower
✔Murders at Foxglove Close
✔Murder Outside the Lines
✔Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer by L Hollis
✔Secret Lives of Codebreakers
✔Southern Double Cross by Caroline Fardig
✔Transient Desires by Donna Leon AUDIO
✔Wrinkle in Thyme by Sarah Fox
✔Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox
✔Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower
✔Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman AUDIO
✔Little Black Book
✔Lure of the Moonflower AUDIO
✔Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny AUDIO
✔Marriage Can be Mischief by Amanda Flower
✔Murders at Foxglove Close
✔Murder Outside the Lines
✔Poppy Harmon and the Pillow Talk Killer by L Hollis
✔Secret Lives of Codebreakers
✔Southern Double Cross by Caroline Fardig
✔Transient Desires by Donna Leon AUDIO
✔Wrinkle in Thyme by Sarah Fox
4Robertgreaves
My online reading group's book for September is "The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough and my book club's choice is "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson
5majkia
I'm planning on Lucifer's Hammer and Blue Monday by Nicci French.
6jeanned
In September, I going with Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber for the double.
7dudes22
I'm planning to read Home By Nightfall by Charles Finch for "F" and I have three I'm going to pick from for "L":
In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman
The Spy Game by Marc Lovell
Bliss by Kathryn Littlewood
In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman
The Spy Game by Marc Lovell
Bliss by Kathryn Littlewood
8DeltaQueen50
I am planning on reading Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, and Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li.
9lowelibrary
>8 DeltaQueen50: Sharp Objects is such a good book.
10whitewavedarling
I'm planning on reading The Fortress for 'F' and The Luster of Lost Things for 'L'.
11VivienneR
For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming is my choice for F. I haven't decided on an L book yet.
12LibraryCin
I might pick out more L books, but I do need to read (for my f2f book club):
Crow Lake / Mary Lawson.
For F:
Fan Girl / Rainbow Rowell (also fits GenreCAT and RandomCAT)
The Fires Beneath the Sea / Lydia Millet (oh, that fits L, too!)
Fountaineville / C.A. Simonsen
Crow Lake / Mary Lawson.
For F:
Fan Girl / Rainbow Rowell (also fits GenreCAT and RandomCAT)
The Fires Beneath the Sea / Lydia Millet (oh, that fits L, too!)
Fountaineville / C.A. Simonsen
13LadyoftheLodge
I will probably read something in the Fairacre series by Miss Read for "F."
14Kristelh
I thought of reading all books with Florida in the title, for this alpha. I may just read Stephen Florida if I have time, but I probably won't.
16christina_reads
>15 EBT1002: I've heard good things about that one. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
17majkia
I finished Blue Labyrinth by D Preston and Lincoln Child
18LibraryCin
Crow Lake / Mary Lawson
4 stars
When Kate is only 7-years old, tragedy hits her family in Northern Ontario. She and her baby sister, Bo, end up being raised by their older brothers, Luke (19-years old) and Matt (17-years old). Luke gives up his future so they can stay together, and also so Matt can finish school and continue to university (he was always the smarter one, anyway – the one expected to go to university). Kate and Matt have a bond.
Grown-up Kate, a professor in Toronto, never thought she’d fall in love, but she has. But she also has a hard time opening up to Daniel about her past and her family, even though they’ve been together for more than a year. Daniel still hasn’t even met her family.
I really liked this. It was slow-moving, but I found even the biology bits interesting. There was tension in Kate’s family, though she didn’t understand much of it when she was a kid. And the neighbours had some drama (this may be putting it lightly) going on at their place, as well. I actually read this over a decade ago, but only remembered siblings and a lake (actually it was a pond). I really didn’t remember much at all, but it was chosen as a book club book, and I’m really glad I reread it.
4 stars
When Kate is only 7-years old, tragedy hits her family in Northern Ontario. She and her baby sister, Bo, end up being raised by their older brothers, Luke (19-years old) and Matt (17-years old). Luke gives up his future so they can stay together, and also so Matt can finish school and continue to university (he was always the smarter one, anyway – the one expected to go to university). Kate and Matt have a bond.
Grown-up Kate, a professor in Toronto, never thought she’d fall in love, but she has. But she also has a hard time opening up to Daniel about her past and her family, even though they’ve been together for more than a year. Daniel still hasn’t even met her family.
I really liked this. It was slow-moving, but I found even the biology bits interesting. There was tension in Kate’s family, though she didn’t understand much of it when she was a kid. And the neighbours had some drama (this may be putting it lightly) going on at their place, as well. I actually read this over a decade ago, but only remembered siblings and a lake (actually it was a pond). I really didn’t remember much at all, but it was chosen as a book club book, and I’m really glad I reread it.
19Robertgreaves
COMPLETED We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson.
Starting "The Liars' Gospel" by Naomi Alderman
Starting "The Liars' Gospel" by Naomi Alderman
20LibraryCin
Such a Pretty Face / Cathy Lamb
4 stars
Stevie’s mother was mentally ill and did a bad thing when Stevie was still a child (that I don’t want to give away in my review, even though we found out at the beginning what happened there). Stevie’s grandparents had done their best to take care of Helen (their daughter; Stevie’s mother) and protect her, while also taking care of Stevie and her sister, Sunshine. As an adult, the events of the book take place some months after Stevie had bariatric surgery; she has since lost 170 lbs.
She is trying to figure out who the new skinnier Stevie is, as she tries to deal with the lawyers where she works and the case she hates helping defend; her best friend who is still very overweight seems to have changed toward Stevie; the neighbour down the street, Jake (who only moved in just after Stevie’s surgery), is just way too good-looking and Stevie is completely tongue-tied around him, so she tries to avoid him altogether; and Stevie is trying to help her cousins plan her horrible uncle’s 40th wedding anniversary…
There is a lot going on in this book, and a lot of characters, but I really liked it. There is also a huge mix of very “weighty” (pun not intended initially, but when I realized it was punny, I decided to leave it!) issues in book: mental illness, obesity, abuse, and so much more, but mixed in with the occasional bit of humour. I found myself being horrified by Helen, Stevie’s uncle, her “friend”, and the lawyer defending that case, but then the author would turn around and put Stevie in some ridiculous situation (usually trying to avoid Jake!), and I’d be laughing. I thought she did that very well. II think a bunch of very quirky characters made it “easy” to throw in the humour. At the same time, the author did a good job of showing the struggle that Helen went through with her schizophrenia.
I was surprised at the lower ratings, but on reading the reviews, I can see why they rated it what they did, but it wasn’t enough to bring my rating or enjoyment of the book down (although some of the quirky characters were a bit too quirky for me!). I think all the emotions were in this book (there was also a lot of love).
4 stars
Stevie’s mother was mentally ill and did a bad thing when Stevie was still a child (that I don’t want to give away in my review, even though we found out at the beginning what happened there). Stevie’s grandparents had done their best to take care of Helen (their daughter; Stevie’s mother) and protect her, while also taking care of Stevie and her sister, Sunshine. As an adult, the events of the book take place some months after Stevie had bariatric surgery; she has since lost 170 lbs.
She is trying to figure out who the new skinnier Stevie is, as she tries to deal with the lawyers where she works and the case she hates helping defend; her best friend who is still very overweight seems to have changed toward Stevie; the neighbour down the street, Jake (who only moved in just after Stevie’s surgery), is just way too good-looking and Stevie is completely tongue-tied around him, so she tries to avoid him altogether; and Stevie is trying to help her cousins plan her horrible uncle’s 40th wedding anniversary…
There is a lot going on in this book, and a lot of characters, but I really liked it. There is also a huge mix of very “weighty” (pun not intended initially, but when I realized it was punny, I decided to leave it!) issues in book: mental illness, obesity, abuse, and so much more, but mixed in with the occasional bit of humour. I found myself being horrified by Helen, Stevie’s uncle, her “friend”, and the lawyer defending that case, but then the author would turn around and put Stevie in some ridiculous situation (usually trying to avoid Jake!), and I’d be laughing. I thought she did that very well. II think a bunch of very quirky characters made it “easy” to throw in the humour. At the same time, the author did a good job of showing the struggle that Helen went through with her schizophrenia.
I was surprised at the lower ratings, but on reading the reviews, I can see why they rated it what they did, but it wasn’t enough to bring my rating or enjoyment of the book down (although some of the quirky characters were a bit too quirky for me!). I think all the emotions were in this book (there was also a lot of love).
21LibraryCin
Where She Went / Gayle Forman
3 stars
Three years ago, Adam and Mia split. Mia had lost her family and had barely survived herself. She was about to head to Julliard to study the cello. Adam, meanwhile, became a famous rock star. This is told from Adam’s point of view as he and Mia meet up again in New York after one of Mia’s concerts.
I listened to the audio and I had no issues with it. But overall, I thought the story was ok. It’s been a long time since I read the first book, but I did think the author did a nice job with the recap. It seemed to fill me in on everything I needed to know that I had forgotten. I guess music stories are not necessarily all that appealing for me, nor are rock star celebrity stories. Of course, this is a YA book, so I can see where both of those things are maybe more appealing for younger people.
3 stars
Three years ago, Adam and Mia split. Mia had lost her family and had barely survived herself. She was about to head to Julliard to study the cello. Adam, meanwhile, became a famous rock star. This is told from Adam’s point of view as he and Mia meet up again in New York after one of Mia’s concerts.
I listened to the audio and I had no issues with it. But overall, I thought the story was ok. It’s been a long time since I read the first book, but I did think the author did a nice job with the recap. It seemed to fill me in on everything I needed to know that I had forgotten. I guess music stories are not necessarily all that appealing for me, nor are rock star celebrity stories. Of course, this is a YA book, so I can see where both of those things are maybe more appealing for younger people.
22lowelibrary
I am reading The Islands of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer for my F read.
23DeltaQueen50
I have completed both my read with Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn.
24Robertgreaves
COMPLETED The Liar's Gospel by Naomi Alderman
Starting "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematorium" by Caitlin Doughty
Starting "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematorium" by Caitlin Doughty
25dudes22
I've finished Home by Nightfall by Charles Finch for my "F" selection this month.
28LibraryCin
>26 Robertgreaves: Just started it last night...
29Robertgreaves
>28 LibraryCin: I hope you enjoy it
30LibraryCin
>29 Robertgreaves: So far, I am!
31VivienneR
>26 Robertgreaves: and >28 LibraryCin: Will my cat eat my eyeballs was a good one by Caitlin Doughty.
32LibraryCin
>31 VivienneR: Oooh, thank you! I'll take a look!
33VivienneR
Just finished For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming.
Five short stories, all typical of Bond but none exceptional. Sexist language is frequent and more abhorrent nowadays. Quantum of Solace was the best in my opinion, a story where Bond listens to a story about love and marriage which has a surprising finish - surprising to Bond, that is.
Five short stories, all typical of Bond but none exceptional. Sexist language is frequent and more abhorrent nowadays. Quantum of Solace was the best in my opinion, a story where Bond listens to a story about love and marriage which has a surprising finish - surprising to Bond, that is.
34fuzzi
My reading slump is over!
And I've managed two books that fit this month's challenge...I'll try to get them in the wiki shortly.
And I've managed two books that fit this month's challenge...I'll try to get them in the wiki shortly.
35VivienneR
>34 fuzzi: So glad your reading slump is over.
36Robertgreaves
Starting "Death of a Friend" by Rebecca Tope
37majkia
October thread is up: https://www.librarything.com/topic/335209
38christina_reads
I just finished my F book, Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge.
39fuzzi
>37 majkia: thanks!
40LibraryCin
The Last Runaway / Tracy Chevalier
3.75 stars
In the mid-1800s, Honor, a Quaker, is accompanying her sister Grace across the ocean from England to Ohio, where Grace is to marry Adam, someone they grew up with who had moved to Ohio to help out his brother in his business. Unfortunately, Grace dies along the way. Honor is so seasick on the crossing, she can’t imagine getting back on a ship to cross the ocean again to head home. But it’s a bit odd for her to live with her widowed almost-brother-in-law, and his newly widowed sister-in-law. They manage for a while.
On her way to Ohio, Honor met up with a local slave hunter. Before reaching Adam, Honor stayed a few days in a nearby town, helping Belle in her hat shop, as Honor is an amazing quilter and seamstress. Once she arrives to stay with Adam, though, she finds herself quite out of place, despite being part of a community of Quakers.
This book had a lot going on… that is, the author had to do a lot of research on a lot of different things, including Quakers, quilting, Ohio, and the Underground Railroad. I quite liked it, but I never did figure out the odd attraction she had for one character. I did love Belle! I’m not a quilter or sewer, so I found the Underground Railroad and the Quakers more interesting. It’s odd that I’ve not read much about Quakers before, but both my audio book and this one, being read at the same time included Quakers who are immigrants to the US (though the audio was set in the 17th century and this one in the 19th).
3.75 stars
In the mid-1800s, Honor, a Quaker, is accompanying her sister Grace across the ocean from England to Ohio, where Grace is to marry Adam, someone they grew up with who had moved to Ohio to help out his brother in his business. Unfortunately, Grace dies along the way. Honor is so seasick on the crossing, she can’t imagine getting back on a ship to cross the ocean again to head home. But it’s a bit odd for her to live with her widowed almost-brother-in-law, and his newly widowed sister-in-law. They manage for a while.
On her way to Ohio, Honor met up with a local slave hunter. Before reaching Adam, Honor stayed a few days in a nearby town, helping Belle in her hat shop, as Honor is an amazing quilter and seamstress. Once she arrives to stay with Adam, though, she finds herself quite out of place, despite being part of a community of Quakers.
This book had a lot going on… that is, the author had to do a lot of research on a lot of different things, including Quakers, quilting, Ohio, and the Underground Railroad. I quite liked it, but I never did figure out the odd attraction she had for one character. I did love Belle! I’m not a quilter or sewer, so I found the Underground Railroad and the Quakers more interesting. It’s odd that I’ve not read much about Quakers before, but both my audio book and this one, being read at the same time included Quakers who are immigrants to the US (though the audio was set in the 17th century and this one in the 19th).
41susanna.fraser
I just finished Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 by John Ferling, which has given me Hamilton earworms for the past week.
42Robertgreaves
COMPLETED Death of a Friend by Rebecca Tope
43susanna.fraser
Finished Vessel by Lisa A. Nichols--near future science fiction a bit reminiscent of Andy Weir's books or Mary Robinette Kowal's Lady Astronaut series.
44dudes22
>43 susanna.fraser: - That sounds interesting. A BB for me.
45rabbitprincess
>43 susanna.fraser: Me too!
46susanna.fraser
>44 dudes22: >45 rabbitprincess: Always happy to provide!
47LadyoftheLodge
I completed Katherine's Story (The Girls of Lighthouse Lane) by Thomas Kinkade and Erika Tamar for "L". It was an easy and cute read, suitable for preteen girls. That will go in the contribution box.
48Robertgreaves
COMPLETED The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough
49NinieB
I read Inspector Ghote Draws a Line by H. R. F. Keating, for both the F and the L.
50VivienneR
I read Find You First another terrific thriller from Linwood Barclay hitting both letters.
51LibraryCin
Fangirl / Rainbow Rowell
3.75 stars
Cath and Wren are twin sisters and going to college. Not only are they leaving their dad, but Wren has insisted they not be roommates so they can meet new people. Which is fine for outgoing, party-girl Wren, but Cath is a shy nerd. A fanfiction writing nerd, obsessed with Simon Snow, the wildly popular fantasy series, and the last book will be coming out soon. Cath’s new roomate Reagan is distant, but Reagan’s boyfriend is far too friendly – with everyone. Mostly Cath leaves him in the hall if Reagan isn’t home (which is most of the time). Cath is excited to start her Creative Fiction course, though – a higher level class she needed permission to get into.
I really enjoyed the main story of Cath and the events surrounding her. For me, there was far too much Simon Snow, though. I skimmed over almost all of the Simon Snow writings in the book. This is what brought my rating down by a quarter star. I did come to quite like Reagan. I loved Luke! There were some serious topics in the book, but it’s still a lighthearted book with humourous bits thrown in.
3.75 stars
Cath and Wren are twin sisters and going to college. Not only are they leaving their dad, but Wren has insisted they not be roommates so they can meet new people. Which is fine for outgoing, party-girl Wren, but Cath is a shy nerd. A fanfiction writing nerd, obsessed with Simon Snow, the wildly popular fantasy series, and the last book will be coming out soon. Cath’s new roomate Reagan is distant, but Reagan’s boyfriend is far too friendly – with everyone. Mostly Cath leaves him in the hall if Reagan isn’t home (which is most of the time). Cath is excited to start her Creative Fiction course, though – a higher level class she needed permission to get into.
I really enjoyed the main story of Cath and the events surrounding her. For me, there was far too much Simon Snow, though. I skimmed over almost all of the Simon Snow writings in the book. This is what brought my rating down by a quarter star. I did come to quite like Reagan. I loved Luke! There were some serious topics in the book, but it’s still a lighthearted book with humourous bits thrown in.
52Robertgreaves
COMPLETED Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin
53christina_reads
I completed an L book, The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey. A pretty good mystery, but I found the sleuth irritating, and I probably won't continue with the series.
54christina_reads
Just devoured another L book in one sitting, The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. If you enjoy contemporary romance and the fake relationship trope, you'll like this one!
55dudes22
I've finally finished In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman for my "L" read this month.
57lowelibrary
My L read for the month was The Legend of Devil's Creek by D.C. Alexander
58lowelibrary
One last book for the month. Chicken Soup For the Soul: Loving Our Cats by Jack Canfield for both F and L.
59VivienneR
My last book of the month: Lies by T.M. Logan.
This debut novel from Logan started off well but lost credibility soon after. And though I kept on reading, I found the characters annoying and so many holes in the plot that it made the story frustrating. I had already guessed much of how it would finish, so no surprise there.
This debut novel from Logan started off well but lost credibility soon after. And though I kept on reading, I found the characters annoying and so many holes in the plot that it made the story frustrating. I had already guessed much of how it would finish, so no surprise there.
