Lori (thornton37814) reads in 2023 - thread 3

Just thought I'd show off a few of my most recent needlework finishes.

   

Left: "Bless and Keep" by designed by Susan O'Bryant (Sweet Wing Studio); stitched on 36 count Flax linen; finishing fabric is the lavender "basics tweed" by Michael Miller Fabrics
Right: "Nordic Reindeer Ornament" designed by Summer House Stitche Workes; in 2022 Nashville Needlework Market Cookbook; I'll finish this one possibly on my fall or Thanksgiving break when I have time to do some ornament finishes.

   

Left: "Honey Faire" designed by Robin Sample (October House Fiber Arts); stitched on 36 count Colonial Parchment (Fabrics by Stephanie). I just got some fabric for the pillow backing so I hope to finish this one soon!
Right: "Summer," kit by Pine Mountain Designs. It came with everything I needed to complete it--and it was a quick finish!

Because I also participate in the Category Challenge, I thought I'd list the categories here since they are usually referenced in my posts.

I also participate in the Category Challenge. I usually try to come up with a theme there, but I didn't really come up with one this year so my categories are "plain vanilla." They are:

1. Mt. TBR Bingo
2. Benita's Mystery Group Read
3. Gena's Book Club
4. Christmas All Year
5. Cooking & Crafting
6. Christian Books
7. Keeping the Series Current
8. History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction
9. Other Fiction & Creative Literature
10. Other Non-Fiction

Books 1-10:

1. A Birthday Lunch by Martin Walker - completed 1 January 2023
2. Foster by Claire Keegan - completed 2 January 2023
3. The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin - completed 7 January 2023
4. The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America by Elizabeth Letts - completed 7 January 2023
5. Dark Chocolate Demise by Jenn McKinlay - completed 9 January 2023
6. On Borrowed Time by Jenn McKinlay - completed 14 January 2023
7. Shunned and Dangerous by Laura Bradford - completed 14 January 2023
8. When Poets Pray by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre - completed 15 January 2023
9. We're Going to the Farmers' Market by Stefan Page - completed 17 January 2023
10. Five Little Kittens by Nancy Jewell; illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles - completed 17 January 2023

Books 11-20:

11. Nini Lost and Found by Anita Lobel - completed 17 January 2023
12. Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth; illustrated by Romina Galotta - completed 17 January 2023
13. Gracie, the Lighthouse Cat by Ruth Brown - completed 17 January 2023
14. Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power by Clare Hunter - completed 22 January 2023
15. Wound Up in Murder by Betty Hechtman - completed 26 January 2023
16. Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten - completed 28 January 2023
17. Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger - completed 7 February 2023
18. Death in a Darkening Mist by Iona Whishaw - completed 8 February 2023
19. For Her Own Good: Two Centuries of the Experts' Advice to Women by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English - completed 8 February 2023
20. The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis - completed 13 February 2023

Books 21-30:

21. Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose - completed 17 February 2023
22. The Dead Man in the Garden by Marthe Jocelyn - completed 19 February 2023
23. Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams - completed 27 February 2023
24. The Birdwatcher by William Shaw - completed 1 March 2023
25. The Coldest Case by Martin Walker - completed 8 March 2023
26. Thread and Gone by Lea Wait - completed 9 March 2023
27. Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by holtnathalia::Nathalia Holt - completed 11 March 2023
28. The Light Over London by kellyjulia::Julia Kelly - completed 15 March 2023
29. Read or Alive by Nora Page - completed 18 March 2023
30. The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman - completed 21 March 2023

Books 31-40:

31. A Colourful Death by Carola Dunn - completed 23 March 2023
32. The Taking of Jemima Boone: Colonial Settlers, Tribal Nations, and the Kidnap that Shaped America by Matthew Pearl - completed 29 March 2023
33. The Pirate's Wife: The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd by Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos - completed 8 April 2023
34. Night Rounds by Helene Tursten - completed 9 April 2023
35. The Glass Room by Ann Cleeves - completed 11 April 2023
36. Cat with a Clue by Laurie Cass - completed 17 April 2023
37. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - completed 19 April 2023
38. Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley - completed 21 April 2023
39. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich - completed 26 April 2023
40. MASH: A Novel about Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker - completed 29 April 2023

Books 41-50:

41. Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah - completed 1 May 2023
42. The Black Tower by P. D. James - completed 16 May 2023
43. A Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie - completed 16 May 2023
44. Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine by Olivia Campbell - completed 21 May 2023
45. The Paper Moon by Andrea Camilleri - completed 30 May 2023
46. Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett - completed 3 June 2023
47. To Kill a Troubadour by Martin Walker - completed 11 June 2023
48. The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn - completed 25 June 2023
49. Bobbins and Bodies by ACF Bookens - completed 27 June 2023
50. The Farm Stand by Amy Clipston - completed 30 June 2023

Books 51-60:

51. Lemon Curd Killer by Laura Childs - completed 6 July 2023
52. Missing in the Snow by Ann Cleeves - completed 6 July 2023
53. Winter Study by Nevada Barr - completed 13 July 2023
54. Stitched & Sewn: The Life-Saving Art of Holocaust Survivor Trudie Strobel by Jody Savin; photographs by Ann Elliott Cutting - completed 18 July 2023
55. The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie Ten Boom by Larry Loftis - completed 20 July 2023
56. The Drowning Sea by Sarah Stewart Taylor - completed 21 July 2023
57. In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson - completed 24 July 2023
58. Torso by Helene Tursten - completed 31 July 2023
59. Her Amish Holiday Suitor by Carrie Lighte - completed 3 August 2023
60. Killing Raven by Margaret Coel - completed 4 August 2023

Books 61-69:

61. Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery - completed 5 August 2023
62. Intrigue in Istanbul by Erica Ruth Neubauer - completed 9 August 2023
63. Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower - completed 12 August 2023
64. 1794: The City Between the Bridges by Niklas Natt Och Dag - completed 16 August 2023
65. Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis - completed 17 August 2023
66. Farm to Trouble by Amanda Flower - completed 18 August 2023
67. Rupture by Ragnar Jonasson - completed 21 August 2023
68. Dangling by a Thread by Lea Wait - completed 26 August 2023
69. On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni - completed 27 August 2023

I have two more to review so I'm really at 71 for the year so far. That magic number is not far off (especially considering the fact I'll be picking up some children's books at the library tomorrow for the KiddieCAT)! One of the two I will report is a re-read because I needed to review it for a publication. It's a good thing I didn't really mind re-reading it! I'm becoming more optimistic that I'll reach 100 books this year.

Happy new thread Lori!

>1 thornton37814: Those are so beautiful!

Book 70. Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart

Date Completed: 2 September 2023

Category: Mt. TBR Bingo

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Constance, working as the lady's matron for the jail, awaits the promised badge from the sheriff. She relieves a deputy on duty with a male prisoner in a hospital room, but when the lights go out, the prisoner who was faking illness escaped. She's determined to prove she's capable of the work required and sets out to find the escaped prisoner. The sheriff could actually go to jail because the prisoner escaped under his watch. A story involving the sheriff's wife's societal aspirations and her jealousy of Constance adds an interesting element. The way they tracked down the person and some of the stories and characters along the way make this an interesting read or listen.

>10 quondame: Thank you!

Book 71. A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson

Date Completed: 4 September 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Note: I read this last year for Early Reviewers. I'm reading it for a review to be published elsewhere this time. I'm posting the review I wrote for Early Reviewers (which will differ because of the requirements for the publication). I enjoyed the read just as much as I did last year.

This heartwarming novella relates the story of the widowed Vera Swanson who moves to Oregon to be near her daughter. About the time she moves, her daughter's husband transfers away. Now Vera must find her way in a new place on her own. The opportunity comes when a near five-year-old girl (Fiona) in the condo across the hall comes to Vera for help. Vera determines the woman needs medical help and gets her to the hospital, although the woman talks of no insurance. She learns two older siblings are at school and that the husband is working in California. The family moved to Oregon from Arizona, but lack of employment necessitated the husband's living away during the week. Fiona sees the quilt on Vera's bed and wants one for her mother for Christmas. Vera knows she cannot do it on her own. Fiona and her siblings suggest placing flyers with tear-off phone numbers at the market, the flower shop, and church they attend. When she arrives at the flower shop, Tasha, a lover of color, wants to learn to quilt. At the market, she meets Eleanor who used to sew and seeks a new hobby. After leaving the flyer at the church, Beverly responds. Her grandmother used to run the church's quilting circle, and Beverly always wanted to learn to quilt from her grandmother, but she died, and her death brought the demise of the circle. This women's circle brings some form of healing or happiness to each woman and to the lives each touches. This would make a great Hallmark Christmas movie. While Carlson is a Christian writer, the novel does not preach and mentions faith in appropriate and natural contexts. I received an advance reader's copy through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.

Happy new thread, Lori. I would imagine that your creations in >1 thornton37814: take a lot of concentration, patience and nimbleness of fingers!

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Lori!
>1 thornton37814: Thank you for the wonderful pictures of your beautiful work.
>11 thornton37814: I also rated this book with 4 stars

Happy new thread, Lori!

Lori, I admire your talent. Your opening images are so lovely! Does doing this making you happy? You are very talented.

Happy new thread! Lovely needlework!

>14 PaulCranswick: I'm finding it to be very relaxing.

>15 figsfromthistle: Thanks!

>16 SirThomas: Thanks re: needlework compliment. I've enjoyed the Kopp Sisters books. I thought this particular installment (the 2nd) was better than some of the others although I think the 4th one was strong too.

>17 FAMeulstee: Thanks for stopping in.

>18 Whisper1: Cross stitching does make me happy. In fact, I'll be leaving to stitch in the library for 3 hours with a group of ladies soon. I'm hoping some of them want to go eat somewhere afterwards.

>19 foggidawn: Thanks!

Hi Lori my dear, Happy New Thread my dear friend.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Lori

Happy new thread, Lori. The needlework is gorgeous!

>22 johnsimpson: >23 drneutron: >24 ArlieS: >25 atozgrl: Thanks!

>13 thornton37814: I am surprised I didn't pick up earlier that you are already onto Christmas reading, Lori!

>27 PaulCranswick: I had the "Christmas All Year" category, but I haven't really read as much all year as I'd planned. I just noticed I had a lot of Christmas stories on a wish list so I thought it would be a good way to incorporate them into my reading. I just haven't has as much time to read lately because it's hard to read a book and cross stitch at the same time. Since so many are e-books instead of print ones, I've been less motivated because I'm just wanting more time "offline" to give my eyes a break from a computer.

Book 72. A Historical Album of Ohio by Charles A. Wills

Date Completed: 11 September 2023

Category: History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: A nice overview of Ohio's history written for children. It includes enough illustrations to keep it interesting for elementary readers. A gazetteer is defined as "a geographical dictionary." (Dictionary.com) What appears as an appendix and labeled a gazetteer is more of a compendium of facts about Ohio--basic statistics/quick facts, state symbols, chronologies, and brief biographical sketches. The only thing in that section that even comes close to being geographical is a list of places to see, but even then it is only the name of the attraction and the town.

Book 73. September 11, 2001 by Andrew Santella

Date Completed: 11 September 2023

Category: History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Written in 2002, shortly after the attacks occurred, this book describes what went on that day etched in the memory of those of us who watched what unfolded before our eyes on television. I read this on the 22nd anniversary of the attacks. We know a lot more about some aspects of the attacks and how the war on terror played out, but the book still provides about the right level of detail about the immediate event for elementary readers.

Book 74. Florence Nightingale: Mother of Modern Nursing by Carol Alexander

Date Completed: 14 September 2023

Category: History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review: This low reader level book is a perfect for introducing biographies to young readers. The author tells Florence Nightingale's story at a vocabulary level beginning readers can handle with a handful of vocabulary words thrown in, but well explained. A variety of illustrations are included--maps, photographs, drawings, and even a facsimile of Florence's book's title page.

Happy new thread, Lori. Nice needlework!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/353633

Happy New Thread!

>32 Familyhistorian: Thanks! It's fun to do.

>33 SilverWolf28: >34 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

Book 75. The Square Root of Murder by Ada Madison

Date Completed: 14 September 2023

Category: Other Fiction and Literature

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Sophie Knowles, a mathematics professor at Henley College in Massachusetts, investigates the death of chemistry colleague Keith Appleton. Sophie's assistant Rachel seems to be the prime suspect, and circumstantial evidence certainly points in her direction. Can Sophie who is up for promotion to full professor manage to clear her assistant without losing her chances for promotion. Like most cozies nowadays, romance plays a part. Sophie's boyfriends pilots a helicopter for a medical unit. His best friend Virgil is one of two detectives working the case. The novel features interesting characters and a great setting, but I was a little disappointed math didn't figure a little more into the plot. The author emphasized Sophie's love of puzzles more than math.

Book 76. Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly

Date Completed: 14 September 2023

Category: Mt. TBR Bingo

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: While feeding the cats out at Wisteria Hill, Kathleen feels the earth crumbling beneath her. The resulting land slide reveals skeletal remains where there should be none. They discover the remains belong to Roma's real father, and that leaves a lot of questions for Roma about what she's been told about him. At the artist's co-op, Maggie's vision is challenged by another artist's desire to bring in investors, but he turns up dead--floating in the basement. Was it natural death or murder? Kathleen's cats Owen and Hercules are there to lend a paw when she needs a clue. Usually when two cases are linked in a plot, they fit together in the end some way. These didn't. They remained separate. I spent a lot of mental time trying to figure out an angle where the two would work together. The historic investigation was more interesting than the current one because it included an interesting community group from the past. In the book's closing pages, readers learn the answer to why Marcus (the detective) doesn't have a library card--a question they've been asking since the first book in the series.

Congratulations for reaching the magic goal, Lori!
Have a wonderful weekend.

>38 SirThomas: Thanks, SirThomas. I hope to read a children's book or two this afternoon or evening and cross stitch a bit. I think I'm going on an excursion tomorrow. I want to visit Troyer's, an Amish-style market in Limestone, go to the cross stitch shop in Johnson City to sit and stitch a bit (and maybe drop into the Bernina/quilting store before they move to their new location to see if they have any bargain fabrics I can't live without for backings), and then swing back through Greeneville to stop at the Belk Outlet.

>1 thornton37814: I love the beautiful needlework, Lori!

>11 thornton37814: I really need to read that one. I read the first book in the series either last year or the year before, but have yet to read the others.

Happy new-ish thread! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

>40 alcottacre: I actually started with the 4th or 5th in the series and then read the next one because the author came to our book club discussion and invited us to a book talk on the new one coming out. So I've gone back to catch the earlier ones. I'm glad you like my cross-stitching.

Book 77. Eleanor Everywhere: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Monica Kulling; illustrated by Cliff Spohn

Date Completed: 15 September 2023

Category: History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review: The delightful biography of Eleanor Roosevelt introduces young readers to one of the most memorable first ladies of the United States. Beginning with her childhood, it continues throughout her life to her death. Educated at a boarding school in England where she spoke French, she came back to New York wanting to help those less fortunate than herself. This continued throughout her life and made her one of America's most beloved first ladies. Illustrations are a mix of mostly watercolors and photographs. The book is a step 4 book in the Step into Reading series.

Book 78. Taking Flight: The Story of the Wright Brothers by Stephen Krensky; illustrated by Larry Day

Date Completed: 15 September 2023

Category: History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: This level 3 "Reading Alone" book tells the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright's efforts to design a propelled plane capable of flying a man. The story begins with their fascination with a childhood toy and their work with kites and gliders. It shows how carefully the brothers planned each step in their efforts to build the machine and how successful their effort was. The illustrations appear to mostly be watercolors.

I hope I am not too late to wish you happy new thread!

>1 thornton37814: Your needlework is beautiful. I especially like Honey Faire.

Book 79. Handel, Who Knew What He Liked by M. T. Anderson; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Date Completed: 15 September 2023

Category: History, Genealogy, and Historical & Genealogical Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Part of the Candlewick Biographies series, this book begins with Handel's smuggling a harpischord into his family home so he could learn to play besides his father's protests and ends with the outstanding success of his most famous work, "The Messiah." The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are delightful, and the author adds a touch of humor throughout, especially when it comes to Handel's wig. Vocabulary words and other explanatory notes appear at the bottom of pages--resembling a footnote. Although Handel grew up on Germany and studied there and in Italy, he spent most of his adult life in England where he became a naturalized citizen. Handel loved Italian opera and wanted to make the people of England who really didn't like it that much, especially when it was not in their own language, come to enjoy it. He enjoyed a measure of success for a time because the royal family enjoyed it, but that support eventually waned. He'd almost given up when "The Messiah" met with resounding success.

>44 witchyrichy: Thanks! I love "Honey Faire" also, and I'm looking forward to finishing the pillow, probably next month.

Congratulations on reading 75 and beyond, Lori!

>36 thornton37814: Congratulations on reaching 75, Lori!

>47 Familyhistorian: Thanks!

>48 FAMeulstee: Thank you!

I have one more children's biography for this month's KiddieCAT, and then I'll be done for a bit on children's books.

Congratulations on reading 75!

>50 quondame: Thank you!

I just realized I failed to report my first abandoned read of the year.



Abandoned read 1: The Sewing Girl's Tale: A Story of Crime and Consequences in Revolutionary America by John Wood Sweet - abandoned 9 September 2023

Comments: Lanah Sawyer, forced into a brothel and raped by a man claiming to be a lawyer, goes to court. The man Henry Bedlow came from an influential 18th century New York family. The book was chosen for a women's social history book club in which I participate. I could not continue to read it. There was too much graphic sexual violence. It's not the type of thing on which I wanted my mind to dwell. Most of the ones who read the book liked it.

Congratulations on reaching 75, Lori! When did you get the time to meet up with Kerry together with Carrie?!

>53 PaulCranswick: We met up Thursday evening. I'd made the reservations a couple days beforehand knowing from past experience they would make it easier on us.

Congrats on reading 75 books!

>36 thornton37814: Congratulations on getting to 75! Well done!

Hi Lori. Love, love, love the counted cross-stitch. I wish my eyes were sharp enough so I could do more of that. I have one project half completed that I may try to work on this winter with the help of my Dazor magnifying lamp.

Thank you for the reminder that I need to read Book 3 in the Lady Cop series. They are kind of fun, aren't they?

I will add my congratulations on completing 75 books. Three more to go for me. I'd like to get there this month but I'm having trouble finding long periods of time to read.

Congrats on reaching 75, Lori.

Congrats!

>55 figsfromthistle: >56 atozgrl: >58 ArlieS: >59 drneutron: Thanks everyone!

>57 Donna828: I have no doubt that you can do it with the help of that magnifying lamp!

Happy New thread, Lori! What gorgeous needlework! Wow!

>61 vancouverdeb: Thanks! I'll probably have fewer finishes next year because I'm planning to work on several larger projects. I will mix a few smaller ones in, but overall there will be fewer finishes because of the "monsters."

Congrats on 75!

>63 foggidawn: Thank you!

Book 80. Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul L. Maier; illustrated by Gregory Copeland

Date Completed: 17 September 2023

Category: 3.5 stars

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Maier's biography of Martin Luther was beautifully illustrated by Greg Copeland. Although a brief mention is made of his life prior to his teenage years, the main story begins with his schooling in Magdeburg and Eisenach and then university studies. It discusses his decision to become a monk and the encouragement at his monastery to study the Scripture for himself. In the Scriptures he saw Christianity presented differently than he saw Catholic Church practice at the time. He posted his 95 theses and the Reformation was born. The book discusses how his differences with the Catholic Church endangered his life. It discusses his hymn writing, his marriage to Katie, and his teaching and writings. The vocabulary level probably exceeds that of children for whom this otherwise might be a good book. Perhaps it would work best as a read-aloud where the reader can explain some of the words.

Hi Lori my dear, congrats on reaching 75 books read for the year so far.

>66 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

Belated "happy new thread", Lori.
I've been away and missed a lot but did keep up my reading, including some mysteries you posted about (the Jane Wunderly series). They were decent airport reading, so I was glad to have something light to dip into.

>68 SandyAMcPherson: The Jane Wunderly series is fun. I've enjoyed them more than many "cozies."

Wow! It always impresses me how much people can cross-stitch. I've been working on the same pattern for half a year, and am barely started

>52 thornton37814: Too bad that you found The Sewing Girl's Tale too graphic, Lori. The picture it painted of early New York and its society was really interesting. I hope the next book is more to your liking.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/353833

Congratulations on reaching 75 books!

Congrats on 75!!

>36 thornton37814: Sorry I missed it before!




Congratulations on hitting 75!

>52 thornton37814: Bypassing that one. Thanks for taking one for the team.

Have a fantastic Friday, Lori!

>70 The_Hibernator: I don't think of myself as a fast stitcher, but some people say I am fast. I think slow and steady (with steady being the keyword) wins the race. I worked on several projects this month, but I won't have that many finishes this month. I'll begin mixing in some small projects for Christmas gifts so I'll have several finishes coming in the months ahead--but none will be big except for my "good deed" project. My goal is to have it finished before Christmas.

I wondered why I hadn't seen any posts from you lately. I found the answer when I found this thread. LOL I love your cross stitch creations above. They're gorgeous!! Also, congrats on 75 and beyond! I lifted Gracie, the Lighthouse Cat from your list. I really enjoyed it and hope to read it to my grandson when he's a little older. (He's 16 months right now.)

>77 mitchma: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have another 3 (at least) to add here (hopefully this afternoon). I just have been too busy this past week to do much of anything. Friday was the only night I was home. I did get home earlier on Tuesday than the other days, but it was still 8 or so.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/354158

Congrats on finishing 75, Lori! And a belated Happy New Thread!

>80 jnwelch: Thanks. I'm behind on posting books read, although I've read several more. Things should slow down in another week or so, so perhaps I can catch up.

I've gotten terribly behind in writing reviews and such. I've decided to list what I remember I've read since last time and add reviews for only the last two. If I remember others I read, I'll add them out of order later.

Book 81. Dead Letters by Sheila Connolly

Date completed: Sept 2023

Category: Other Fiction & Creative Literature

Rating: 3 stars

Book 82. Plainly Murder by Isabella Alan

Date Completed: Sept 2023

Category: Other Fiction & Creative Literature

Rating: 3 stars

Book 83. The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey

Date Completed: September 2023

Category: Other Fiction & Creative Literature

Rating: 4 stars

Book 84. The Body in the Garden by Katharine Schellman

Date Completed: October 2023

Category: Other Fiction & Creative Literature

Rating: 3.5 stars

Book 85. Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates

Date Completed: October 2023

Category: Keeping the Series Current

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Lucy and Conner's wedding day finally arrives. It, of course, cannot come without a little murder at the reception. A guest who accompanied Lucy's aunt is found stuffed in a closet. Lucy and Conner plan a trip to Paris for their delayed honeymoon, but they are staying in town until the timing works for their schedules. There's a new detective on the force working with Sam Watson, and he's not making many friends as he tries to take over from Sam because Sam is too close to the family. Fortunately Lucy's inquisitive nature leads to a few clues that show the murder might be related to the man's past in New York City. Although I correctly guessed pretty early what I thought might happen, it kept me engaged to the satisfying conclusion.

Book 86. A Chateau Under Siege by Martin Walker

Date Completed: 28 Oct 2023

Category: Benita's Mystery Group Read

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Once again Bruno becomes involved with a matter of national security when a man appears to be stabbed at a re-enactment. The man in question works in intelligence. Using routine police techniques, he realizes something is amiss and the man was likely whisked away, but for what reason and where? Bruno is placed in charge of guarding the high tech visitors who came for a meeting with the man as he, the military force who helped him in a previous installment, and the other French intelligence and security teams sort out where the real threat is. On the personal front, some of Bruno's friends try to intervene on Florence's behalf. Isabel was mostly absent from this installment.

Hi Lori my dear, some nice reads you have reviewed my dear, i could see me reading a few of these.

Sending love and hugs dear friend.

Sometimes I have to go back to Bruno again.
I have wonderful memories of a beautiful evening.
There was music (Martin Walker has a very goodvoice), a reading by the author himself and a translator and a delicious dinner.
Have a wonderful day!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/354878

I've just started reading the Bruno books so Isabel hasn't shown up yet. Looks like it might be a while. I hope that life has slowed down a bit for you, Lori, so you have more reading and posting time.

>89 johnsimpson: Thanks. I'm hoping to catch up on threads soon.

>90 SirThomas: I really enjoy the Bruno series. It would be nice to hear Martin.

>91 SilverWolf28: Thanks. I didn't make it this weekend as I was on a cross stitch retreat with the Embroiderers Guild group from up the road in the Tri-Cities area. I'm glad they invited me as a guest. I think they need a minimum number of people to attend to get the package that includes the rooms and meals. It really was a great value to have everything included.

>92 Familyhistorian: I hope so too. I did listen to an audio book going to and from the retreat, but I only managed my Bible study stuff and a chapter a day in the book for Gena's club meeting next weekend. I had hoped to read some on the novel that is really slow-going for me. I'm determined to finish it (because it was supposed to be read for BINGO in October), but I'm really struggling with it. I liked the earlier books in the series better than this one, so I doubt I'll continue with the series.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/355049

Book 87. Murder on the Vine by Camilla Trinchieri

Date Completed: 8 November 2023

Category: Mt. TBR Bingo

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: Former NYPD detective Nico Doyle once again helps with an investigation in Italy. A man was found in the trunk of cafe owner Jimmy's vehicle, discovered by Nico's dog One-Wag. The man had been stabbed multiple times. I felt the investigation got lost in the "community story" and made it hard to keep my attention. While the discussion of food reminds people of Martin Walker's Bruno series, the virtual aromas fail to draw me in as do Walker's descriptions. Although I do remember "whodunnit" a few days after completing the novel, I doubt I'll remember a single detail in a month.

>94 SilverWolf28: Thanks.

Book 88. Murder Freshly Baked by Vannetta Chapman

Date Completed: 10 November 2023

Category: Mt. TBR Bingo

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Threatening notes left in the village bakery warn Amber, Hannah, and others that their goods may poison consumers. Amber receives threatening emails as well. Village employee Preston still suffers episodes of PTSD and fears his ability to become a husband without injuring Zoe. Can a dog solve that issue? Meantime Ryan is seeing three women at once. An incident at the race causes local investigators and Amber to look at the race incident and poison threats together. I knew the poisoner's identity early in the book and couldn't figure out why it was taking them so long to solve--except that they needed to make the book longer. I enjoy my visits with this Indiana "Amish" village because of the people.

Book 89. What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories by Laura Shapiro

Date Completed: 11 November 2023

Category: Gena's Book Club

Rating: 3 stars

Review: The author examines the writings or memoirs of Dorothy Wordsworth, Rosa Lewis, Eleanor Roosevelt, Eva Braun, Barbara Pym, and Helen Gurley Brown. I feel sorry for anyone asked to dine with the Roosevelts, and I think I'd rather die of hunger than eat some of the things Helen ate to keep her figure. I don't think the book was particularly well-written. The prose did not always flow, and I lost interest quite often. I enjoyed Dorothy Wordsworth's chapter because we learn a lot about her care for her more famous brother William. Much of Pym's narrative was taken from her books--a treat for her fans. The book was definitely written for a popular audience, and it uses the "hidden endnotes" scheme where one doesn't know sources until they happen to look in the back. (Did I mention how much I detest this modern publisher practice?) I think the book will provide an interesting discussion for the book club for which I'm reading it.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/355261

>99 SilverWolf28: Thanks.

Book 90. Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander

Date Completed: 18 November 2023

Category: Mt. TBR Bingo

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: After catching her husband with another woman, Sloane Krause goes to work for a nano-brewery in Leavenworth, Washington. When another brewer turns up drowned in the brewery's vat and her husband appears to be the leading suspect, she knows he is incapable of murder. She searches for clues that might eliminate the suspicion from him. The book contains many details on craft brewing. I'd read a short story in this series previously and liked the setting and characters, but the short story I'd read contained spoilers for this story, so I already knew some of what was going to happen. It's a good start to the series, and I probably would have enjoyed it more if I'd read this story before the short story!

Hi Lori, Just dropped by to see what you're reading.
I didn't add the "cozies" to my potential BB list, though.
I might come back later and decide whether to put them on my potential library WL.
I have to make a separate WL of book titles with a less urgent 'want to read' so I don't overwhelm the current WL! I know, crazy-making, huh?

>102 SandyAMcPherson: I like to listen to cozies while driving. They give me something pleasant to listen to while going down the road without having to put a lot of thought into them. I get most of my books from the library nowadays.

Here's the Thanksgiving Readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/355348

>104 SilverWolf28: I just checked out a couple of books at the library when I went there this afternoon. Of course, I need to finish the in-process ones first! I'm working on it!

Dear Lori,



Happy Thanksgiving from an appreciative non-celebrator.

I am so grateful for the LT community despite being somewhat behind on thread visiting. Hope all is well!

Hi Lori my dear, Happy Thanksgiving dear friend.

>106 PaulCranswick: Happy Black Friday! (Do they celebrate that in Malaysia?) (Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, CyberMonday)

>107 witchyrichy: I'm behind too! It's a crazy year!

>108 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! Hope you are doing well! Glad to see you here.

I spent the day at the cross stitch shop in Johnson City. I knew I had a couple of things I'd ordered that had arrived. Another one arrived while I was there--and it was a chart I'll probably complete using fabric and fibers from stash. I think the only outstanding order I have is for 2 boxes of Anchor 102 for a huge stitch-along project the stitching group here in Morristown is doing. It's a single color sampler, but it will use at least 20 of the 24 skeins of floss in the 2 boxes.

We all thought it would be a quiet day, but that changed pretty quickly. We had a lot of ladies in there who were just visiting the area and don't live near a local needlework shop so they were purchasing a lot. Then there were 2 carloads of ladies from the Knoxville Embroiderer's Guild chapter that came up and bought a lot too. Then there were lots of others in and out. They did pretty good on sales for the day, I think! They expect a crowd tomorrow for small business Saturday. I won't be there, but I hope they do as well as they did today.

I tried to go to the quilt shop before I went to the cross stitch shop, but they had a sign saying they were closed until tomorrow. I guess I'll have to try to visit them next month. I had one design I wanted to finish so I could get it on my tree. I guess it will have to wait!

Book 91. The Seaside Corpse by Marthe Jocelyn

Date Completed: 24 November 2023

Category: Other Fiction and Creative Literature

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Aggie and Hector find themselves camping out to help with an archaeological excavation of some discovered fossils. When a man's bloated corpse washes ashore, and it's apparently he'd recently been shoved, Aggie and Hector can't help but conduct a parallel investigation with the local authority. It's a fun series, but I would have preferred it without the snake.

>87 thornton37814: Oo, a cozy mystery series that I have not tried? I will have to give it a go!

>111 thornton37814: And another one! Thanks for the recommendations, Lori. This is the time of year that I feel like reading cozies.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Book 92. Harbour Street by Ann Cleeves

Date Completed: 24 November 2023

Category: Other Fiction & Literature

Rating: 4 stars

Review:A woman is stabbed aboard a train in which Joe and his daughter are passengers. The deceased woman resided at a boarding house on Harbour Street. The woman loved doing good works for the unfortunate, particularly women with a less than savory past. The more they investigate, the more Vera is convinced the murder is tied to the woman's past. What is the woman's well-guarded secret? Other secrets might be uncovered during the investigation as well. The setting is in the days leading up to Christmas although it's not really a Christmas story.

>113 thornton37814: I just read my first of Cleeves' books earlier this month. Once I am done with the Shetland series, I plan on getting to her other series too. Fingers crossed!

>112 alcottacre: Eva Gates = Vicki Delany. I enjoy the Lighthouse Library series. You do have to stretch the imagination if you know what Bodie Island Lighthouse looks like, but it's still fun. Do start at the beginning! The Aggie and Hector characters are based on Agatha Christie and Hercules Poirot. The grandmother is based on Agatha's own grandmother. It's really a fun little series!

>114 alcottacre: I am slowly making my way through the Shetland series. I have some of the others downloaded on my Kindle. I have started the series that begins with The Long Call though. I haven't kept up with it. I'll catch up in time.

Book 93. The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Date Completed: 25 November 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: As Christmas approaches, Sarah wants to decorate Elm Creek Manor. When she and Sylvia retrieve the decorations from the attic, Sarah finds another box Sylvia did not expect. The box contains a quilt begun by Great Aunt Lucinda which had been worked on by generations of Bergstrom women but never completed. Sarah wants to finish it. Sylvia hopes Sarah can make amends with her mother this Christmas. The book is filled with lovely Christmas traditions and sadness as we read of the men lost in World War II. I'm not sure why I never read this installment, but I'm glad I did. It's a great way to start the holiday series--thinking of families and the traditions we share.

>115 thornton37814: >116 thornton37814: Cool beans!

I am one of those people that is positively anal about starting series at the beginning, so if I start reading a series it will be from the beginning.

I have only read Raven Black and I liked it well enough to continue to read that series. I know that Richard has recommended other series of hers as well, so I think in Cleeve I have found an author that I can enjoy for several years to come.

>118 alcottacre: You are probably correct. I will admit I liked Shetland best--possibly because I started it first--but I like Cleeves' books.

Book 94. Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

Date Completed: 26 November 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Caleb, a widower, takes his daughter Susie from their Ohio home to Pennsylvania to visit relatives during Christmas. The girl wants to stop at the farmer's market to get a pie to take with them, so they ask their driver to stop. She takes off, having seen a quilt that reminded her of her mother. She takes an instant like to Naomi, the one minding the booth. His sister Sadie wants to set him up with Irene, who seems to dislike children. She thinks Naomi is overly eager to wed, but when Caleb does some independent checking with the men, he discovers a different story altogether. The novel shows a blossoming romance in a situation where either of the parties could be hurt. It's a great story for the Christmas season although it could be read any time of the year.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/355572

>121 SilverWolf28: Thanks

I'm about to bombard my thread with lots of picture books that I'm reading for this month's KiddieCAT. The theme is holiday books. I have one Hanukkah title among them. I'll put all of them, including the Hanukkah one, in my "Christmas All Year Category." It will easily get me past 100 books for the year, although I think I'll get there even without these. However, a book is a book, even if it is mostly pictures and short! Many are older books.

Book 95. There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein by Susan Sussman; pictures by Charles Robinson

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Robin, a Jewish girl, sees all her friends celebrating and wishes she could have a tree because they are so beautiful. Her Jewish friend Sandy Goldstein has a Chanukah Bush, but her more devout family won't allow it. She learns that she can share her Jewish holidays with her Christian friends and that they can share theirs with her. Although there are a few black and white drawings, the illustrations are not the focal point of the book. I hope someone else decides to take the story and add some updated color illustrations throughout it to capture the attention of today's readers. It's still a great story!

Book 96. The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell; illustrated by Katherine Evans

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 3 stars

Review: I first read this book many years ago. I first saw this book performed as a play at another church in my area during childhood. While I like the story, it is not particularly reader-friendly for children. The illustrations in the 1946 edition are a bit dated. I would definitely suggest finding a more up-to-date version, as I know they exist. It would be a good read-aloud book. It's the story of a four and a half-year-old angel who creates quite the stir among the angels. Another angel is sent to earth to fetch a box the boy left under his bed, and the littlest angel is transformed. The Christ child is about to be born in Bethlehem, and all the angels prepare their gifts. What shall the littlest angel give the Christ child?

Book 97. For Every Child a Star: A Christmas Story by Thomas Yeomans; illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: I love the DePaola's illustrations in this book, but the story deviates too much from the biblical story when a child fetches the old man who has heard shepherds and wise men (who probably didn't come until later) to say his mother is going into labor. Mary was a virgin. She did not have children before the Christ-child was born. In spite of the lovely illustrations, I cannot recommend this book.

Book 98. Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas by Steven Kroll; illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: This imaginative story features a Santa Claus having one of those nights when everything goes wrong. Fortunately one of his elves came along for the ride and helps Santa make things merry and bright for all. DePaola's illustrations accompany the story beautifully. Today's readers will enjoy this one just as much as children did in 1977 when it was written. In fact, I think I'm going to take this one with me to read to my great nephews!

Book 99. Peter Spier's Christmas by Peter Spier

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: I'm surprised the illustrations in this pictureless book have aged as well as they did. The cars are a bit outdated. Most homes today would have a dishwasher full of dishes rather than a sink full. The old Electrolux barrel canister vacuum will be foreign to most youngsters. Still I think it would be fun to take this one to see what story my oldest great nephew tells as he looks at the illustrations.

Book 100. Miss Flora McFlimsey's Christmas Eve by Mariana

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Abandoned to the attic, a doll named Flora McFlimsey, converses nightly with a mouse who makes rounds around the house below. When she discovers it is Christmas eve, she longs to see the tree. She manages to get herself downstairs where Santa welcomes her because he's one doll short. The other dolls make fun of her, but the mouse along with the tree angel come to the rescue. Will the little girls love her? The illustrations in the 1949 are outdated. The story resonates with me as an older person who loved to play with dolls, but I don't see younger children playing with dolls as much, so I'm not sure how well it will resonate with 21st century readers.

Book 101. Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review: Young Frankie wants a doctor kit each year as the rich man riding the Christmas train and tossing silver packages to children comes along. Each year he is disappointed to not receive the doctor kit. Instead he receives something he needs plus a toy. The rich man was trying to repay a debt. As an adult, Frank who had moved away returns to repay the debt he feels he owes. The illustrations are gorgeous! The book could be used to discuss all sorts of things such as thankfulness, poverty, giving back to the community, etc.

Book 102. Baboushka and the Three Kings by Ruth Robbins; illustrated by Nicolas Sidjakov

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Baboushka, an old woman, is too busy with her household chores to go with the three kings in search of the child. She regrets and unsuccessfully tries to follow them. She continues to try to find the child each year, leaving gifts for children along her journey. The book won the Caldecott medal when it first came out, and the illustrations are surprisingly still lovely although probably in a different sort of way than they were in 1960. The book could be used to discuss the importance of seeking Christ before it is too late. Baboushka is somewhat like Santa Claus when it comes to leaving gifts for children. This Russian folk tale adaptation holds up well. The book includes the music and lyrics to a folk song about the woman.

Book 103. The Year without a Santa Claus by Phyllis McGinley; illustrated by Kurt Werth

Date Completed: 5 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Santa announces he's taking a vacation. Children are sad until Ignatius Thistlewhite unites the world's children to allow Santa to take a much-deserved rest. The children begin sending things to Santa, but then he doesn't have room for all the stuff they sent plus the stuff he should have been delivering. What will Santa do? This is a rhyming poem that is illustrated by Kurt Werth.

That's it for today. I'll have a few more tomorrow!

>123 thornton37814: a book is a book, even if it is mostly pictures and short! Someone told me early on in the group that "if it is between covers, it counts!" I have pretty much gone by that ever since.

>134 alcottacre: Yes. I don't want to completely artificially inflate my numbers, and if I removed the others I've read through the year, I know I wouldn't make it to 100 for the year, but I've always had a few children's books scattered. I just decided to grab the ones that would be quick reads. I found a few others that I pulled, but when I got them into my office, they were going to require a bigger time investment than I could afford--even when I'm trying not to generate work for students taking exams. Most are done with exams now. Tomorrow is make-up day for exams. Then on Thursday, we have graduation. No one expects to do much tomorrow. We are planning a pizza party at lunch, and I suspect we'll be told we can go home afterwards.

Book 104. The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen; illustrated by Rachel Isadora

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review: Beautifully illustrated, this book tells the story of an abused and impoverished young girl. She was supposed to sell matches and knew if she returned home, she would be beaten for failing to sell any that day. She chose to stay on the streets that night. She saw visions as she tried to light matches to keep her warm. The book holds a sad ending. The story may not be for everyone, but there are lessons about death which can be taught.

Book 105. The Christmas Lamb by Anne Baird

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Scruffy the lamb is feeling a little lonely because children prefer reindeer and Santa at Christmas to the sheep at the zoo. He tries to be a reindeer, but that doesn't last long. He borrows a Santa suit, but that turns out disastrous. He curls up outside a church where he becomes part of a nativity scene. This is a cute story with nice illustrations.

Book 106. Pigs at Christmas by Arlene Dubanevich

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Pigs are just like children in this comic-strip style Christmas story. They write letters to Santa, bake cookies for him, and eagerly (and sleeplessly) await his arrival. While they don't quite get the big ticket items they wanted, they get things they enjoy.

Book 107. Carl's Christmas by Alexandra Day

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4 stars

Review: This mostly wordless book pictures Carl the dog put in charge of babysitting the baby while the family goes to Grandma's and church. While I don't like the concept of the story, the illustrations and adventures of Carl and the baby are adorable and well-done.

Book 108. Christmas in the Stable by Astrid Lindgren; pictures by Harald Wiberg

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review: A mother tells her daughter the story of Christmas. The daughter pictures it happening right in their own stable. The illustrations remain beautiful although a better paper quality would make them even more vibrant for today's readers.

Book 109. America's First Christmas by Hertha Pauli; pictures by Fritz Kredel

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Based on Christopher Columbus' journal account, this 1492 Christmas story tells of the Santa Maria's running aground on a coral reef off and island and the sharing of a meal with the Indians. They gifted the Indians with tinkling bells for their assistance with unloading the Santa Maria; the Indians gave them a mask with gold on it and access to a gold supply for the Spanish Queen. The illustrations are probably not colorful enough to attract today's readers although they are well-done.

Book 110. A Child Is Born: The Christmas Story by Elizabeth Winthrop; illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak

Date Completed: 6 December 2023

Category: Christmas All Year

Rating: 3 stars

Review: The text is taken from the King James Version of the Bible, but despite the claim it was "faithfully adapted," it just feels wrong for certain words such as "sore" to qualify "afraid" were omitted. Many words were omitted, and it just feels wrong. While the illustrations are beautiful, the omission of words from this well-known and much-recited passage weakens it.

I remember knowing that version of the Christmas story by heart as a child, and I think the phrase "they were sore afraid" made immediate sense to me, even though I had never heard it used anywhere else. I hate most adaptations of the King James Bible, because like, you, I think they "simplify" at the expense of power and even meaning. But then, the KJV wasn't well received in its day, either. We love what we internalize, I suppose.

>143 laytonwoman3rd: I think I would have been critical without the modifying words if she'd used any other translation. They are present in the Greek. Even if she'd used "They were greatly afraid," I'd be okay because she would just be simplifying it for young children. (I believe some modern translations use the word "greatly.") There were entire sentences and phrases omitted though. I memorized the passage as a child just from hearing it read so many times. I never set out to memorize it, but I did. Since the King James was still widely used in my growing up years, that's the version I know best. Sometimes I think we have too many modern translations because it makes it harder for kids to memorize oft-repeated passages because everyone reads from a different version. (I have my favorite modern version, but I realize that sometimes "less is more.")

"I never set out to memorize it, but I did." So many things I learned as a child happened that way.

>144 thornton37814: A funny story about my little brother: we were at my grandparents' church for a Christmas Eve service, sitting up in the front row. My grandfather, the pastor, said, "And now we're going to read the Christmas Story from the book of Luke," and my little brother (3 or 4 years old at the time) said, "Oh, I've heard that story a hundred times already!"

>145 laytonwoman3rd: Yes.

>146 foggidawn: That's cute!

One of the traditions that we had as our children were growing up was that we read the Christmas story from the Bible every year - the KJV. I bet they could probably recite it by heart to this day!