Mystery Read-A-Thon
Started this morning at 10:15 AM, after a 2 mile walk on the treadmill and a shower:
Baring Arms by Jo-Ann Powers
I really like the main character in this 2-book (so far) series by Jo-Ann Power. Congresswoman Carly Wagner is from Texas and is strong, feisty, funny, and doesn't take crap from anyone. As she recently solved a murder committed in her own office, she has no doubts about her own investigative skills, and also knows how to use the networks available to her throughout Washington.
Carly's daughter Jordan is nearly arrested in a raid on a gaming party, but is scooped away from trouble by Carly's friend, Mr. Jones, who helped her in the murder that occured in her office. Mr. Jones works for "a company" that provides very expensive and high tech investigative work for "clients he doesn't know". The gaming party ends up being a source from which many questions arise, and one murder--that of the father of 2 of Jordan's friends. How the gaming party comes together with a case the Mr. Jones is working on, along with missing government information makes for a very good read.
I like the characterizations in this book, and in the first one, especially those of Carly and her daughter Jordan.
Mystery Read-a-thon info: started at 10:15 AM on p. 206, finished at 10:50 AM, 260 pp total.
Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison
Started at 10:55-ish, read about 35 pp, didn't like enough to continue reading.
Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott
Megan Abbott is such an amazing writer! She always takes you directly to the time period she's writing in, and you feel you are there as the story unfolds.
This title, due out in July, takes place in Arizona, in 1931, as Mrs. Marion Seeley is left behind there by her husband so that the dry air can heal her consumption. Her husband, a doctor with licensing problems due to drug addiction, goes to work in Mexico for a mining company as their doctor.
Marion befriends a coworker, Louise, and Louise's roommate, Ginny, and the three soon spend several evenings a week together, cooking and listening to the radio. It evolves that Louise and Ginny run with something of a wild crowd, having parties at their home frequently. One of their men friends is Joe Lanigan, and Marion is soon seduced into an affair with him, which becomes an obsession for her.
Where this obsession will lead, and what Marion finds herself doing is the heart of this book. Megan Abbott writes these dark tales better than anyone. From reading other works by her, thise is at least the third title she's based on a true story. For those who like the darker, seamier side of life, this is the book for you.
Started at 11:15 AM, finished at 1:35 PM 270 pp including Author's Note
I feel a nap coming on, so I'm not sure I'll get my full 12 hours in today. I do feel I'm getting good reading done though, which will continue after the nap!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Meme 2: Mystery Read-A-Thon 2009
Tell us more about your mystery/thriller reading habit.
When did you start reading this genre? In elementary school, in 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember being in the school library, looking at or for a Happy Hollisters book.
What was your first experience with the genre? The ever popular Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie? Or someone completely different? The Happy Hollisters first, then Nancy Drew, Dana Girls. I don't remember how I moved to adult mysteries, but I know that Charlotte Macleod and Phyllis Whitney both wrote for teens also, so those may have been transitional authors for me.
How did you discover it? In the school library.
Do you exclusively read mysteries and thrillers or do you mix it with other genres? I mix in other genres.
If you switch genres, which other genres do you read? I read quite a bit of young adult (YA), as I am a teen librarian; I also read fiction, fantasy, science fiction, some romance (preferably screwball) and nonfiction.
Would love to hear others' answers to the above questions!
Happy Reading!
Patti
When did you start reading this genre? In elementary school, in 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember being in the school library, looking at or for a Happy Hollisters book.
What was your first experience with the genre? The ever popular Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie? Or someone completely different? The Happy Hollisters first, then Nancy Drew, Dana Girls. I don't remember how I moved to adult mysteries, but I know that Charlotte Macleod and Phyllis Whitney both wrote for teens also, so those may have been transitional authors for me.
How did you discover it? In the school library.
Do you exclusively read mysteries and thrillers or do you mix it with other genres? I mix in other genres.
If you switch genres, which other genres do you read? I read quite a bit of young adult (YA), as I am a teen librarian; I also read fiction, fantasy, science fiction, some romance (preferably screwball) and nonfiction.
Would love to hear others' answers to the above questions!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Introductory Meme for Mystery Read-A-Thon 2009
As the first members will probably be starting the Mystery Read-A-Thon around this time, here's the first post. For this, we have a short meme for you all to answer. Please take the questions to your blog and leave a link directly to the post in the comments here!
What books do you want to read during this read-a-thon?
Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison (YA), Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott (ARC from Kathy F--thanks!!!), Raiders of the Lost Corset by Ellen Byerrum, A Night at the Operation by Jeffrey Cohen, Trigger City by Sean Chercover, The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker (YA), and A Mammoth Murder by Bill Crider (titles subject to the whims of the reader on June 7)
How many books do you hope to finish? At least 3.
What (if any) breaks do you intend to take? I plan on taking breaks here and there for the restroom & food, to check in online, to post on Goodreads & my blog, and to spend time with my husband (who has his own plans for most of the day).
Do you generally read lots of mysteries and thrillers or are the one of the many genres you like? I'm a huge mystery fan, and it's my preferred genre, though I read a little bit of almost everything.
What are some of your favorite authors? Margaret Maron, Sarah Shaber, Louise Penny, S.J. Rozan, Donna Leon, Megan Abbott,...just the beginning of a very long list :).
If you could make us all read one mystery or thriller for this read-a-thon, which one would it be and why? A Place of Execution by Val McDermid, because it's a book that takes some time to read, and is excellent--a read-a-thon would be a perfect time to focus on it.
Do you prefer series or stand alones? Series
Happy Reading!
Patti
What books do you want to read during this read-a-thon?
Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison (YA), Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott (ARC from Kathy F--thanks!!!), Raiders of the Lost Corset by Ellen Byerrum, A Night at the Operation by Jeffrey Cohen, Trigger City by Sean Chercover, The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker (YA), and A Mammoth Murder by Bill Crider (titles subject to the whims of the reader on June 7)
How many books do you hope to finish? At least 3.
What (if any) breaks do you intend to take? I plan on taking breaks here and there for the restroom & food, to check in online, to post on Goodreads & my blog, and to spend time with my husband (who has his own plans for most of the day).
Do you generally read lots of mysteries and thrillers or are the one of the many genres you like? I'm a huge mystery fan, and it's my preferred genre, though I read a little bit of almost everything.
What are some of your favorite authors? Margaret Maron, Sarah Shaber, Louise Penny, S.J. Rozan, Donna Leon, Megan Abbott,...just the beginning of a very long list :).
If you could make us all read one mystery or thriller for this read-a-thon, which one would it be and why? A Place of Execution by Val McDermid, because it's a book that takes some time to read, and is excellent--a read-a-thon would be a perfect time to focus on it.
Do you prefer series or stand alones? Series
Happy Reading!
Patti
Prep for Mystery Read-A-Thon 2009
Hello All!
Here's the link to the Mystery Read-A-Thon I'm participating in tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, 2009: http://mysteryreadathon.blogspot.com/
I think I'm ready--I've got food for meals, snacks (generally, mostly low calorie, kinda healthy), I may allow myself 2 Diet Cokes instead of my usual 1, and I'll be drinking lots of water (it's the desert, and our humidity's been 15% or below lately).
Here are the books I've set aside, though not necessarily in the order I may to read them:
Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison (YA)
Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott (ARC from Kathy F--thanks!!!)
Raiders of the Lost Corset by Ellen Byerrum
A Night at the Operation by Jeffrey Cohen
Trigger City by Sean Chercover
The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker (YA)
A Mammoth Murder by Bill Crider
I have also started reading another mystery today, which I am still undecided about, so that may end up on the list if I end up finishing it tomorrow.
Not sure yet about how I'll be posting, here and on Goodreads (probably on Facebook & Twitter too), but my usual thing is to post reviews on Goodreads after I've finished a book, so I'll probably do that.
Ahhhh, a day of guilt-free reading--looking forward to seeing who else participates, and, as always, would love to know what you're reading!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Here's the link to the Mystery Read-A-Thon I'm participating in tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, 2009: http://mysteryreadathon.blogspot.com/
I think I'm ready--I've got food for meals, snacks (generally, mostly low calorie, kinda healthy), I may allow myself 2 Diet Cokes instead of my usual 1, and I'll be drinking lots of water (it's the desert, and our humidity's been 15% or below lately).
Here are the books I've set aside, though not necessarily in the order I may to read them:
Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison (YA)
Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott (ARC from Kathy F--thanks!!!)
Raiders of the Lost Corset by Ellen Byerrum
A Night at the Operation by Jeffrey Cohen
Trigger City by Sean Chercover
The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker (YA)
A Mammoth Murder by Bill Crider
I have also started reading another mystery today, which I am still undecided about, so that may end up on the list if I end up finishing it tomorrow.
Not sure yet about how I'll be posting, here and on Goodreads (probably on Facebook & Twitter too), but my usual thing is to post reviews on Goodreads after I've finished a book, so I'll probably do that.
Ahhhh, a day of guilt-free reading--looking forward to seeing who else participates, and, as always, would love to know what you're reading!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Friday, May 15, 2009
Mystery Read-A-Thon June 7!
Hello All!
Like many (most?) of you, I don't need an excuse to spend time reading, especially mysteries, but for one Sunday in June, I've got one! On June 7, I'm participating in a Mystery Readathon--12 hours to be spent reading mysteries!!! http://mysteryreadathon.blogspot.com/ is the site to go and register for this event. I followed the link to the Dewey's Read-a-Thon (that one is 24 hours!), and I will probably keep my own hours that day--not necessarily keeping to the time outlined on the link above--I'm currently thinking 10 AM to 10 PM, giving me time to exercise & shower before starting. And if the Detroit Red Wings continue to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they play that day, that game will have to be on while I'm reading :).
I think it'll be fun, and I'll be posting updates here and on Facebook. Join me! Thanks to Jen of Jen's Book Thoughts for leading me to this link, and to a day of mystery reading!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Like many (most?) of you, I don't need an excuse to spend time reading, especially mysteries, but for one Sunday in June, I've got one! On June 7, I'm participating in a Mystery Readathon--12 hours to be spent reading mysteries!!! http://mysteryreadathon.blogspot.com/ is the site to go and register for this event. I followed the link to the Dewey's Read-a-Thon (that one is 24 hours!), and I will probably keep my own hours that day--not necessarily keeping to the time outlined on the link above--I'm currently thinking 10 AM to 10 PM, giving me time to exercise & shower before starting. And if the Detroit Red Wings continue to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they play that day, that game will have to be on while I'm reading :).
I think it'll be fun, and I'll be posting updates here and on Facebook. Join me! Thanks to Jen of Jen's Book Thoughts for leading me to this link, and to a day of mystery reading!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Rereading in 2009
Hello All!
2009 has become the year of rereading for me, for two reasons. One, I'm very busy with a lot of new experiences coming at me, and while I'm finding most of them very exciting, I'm a bit tired, and rereading allows you to visit with familiar characters, if not familiar plots, depending on how well you remember the book, or how often you've read it. Two, we had a lot of things in storage before our move to Tucson, including books, and some books I'm rereading to "catch-up" in a series I may have put on hold while we were living in our smaller place.
To many readers out there, rereading is crazy, why do people want to read a book over again when there are so many new books to read? Well, for me it seems to be mostly spending time with characters that I love. I will add that I'm a fast reader, and often rereading doesn't take too much time for me. Rereading is also excellent for bedtime.
I will also be spending a lot of time in 2009 reading young adult or teen books. As those of you who follow my blog know, I began a position in December as a Teen Librarian, and I am reading some excellent teen fiction.
Some series I'm rereading my way through are Commissario Guido Brunetti Venetian series by Donna Leon, Karen Pelletier academic series by Joanne Dobson, Jake Hines series by Elizabeth Gunn, Ophelia & Abby (witch) series by Shirley Damsgaard--off the top of my head. All of these authors are still writing, though some authors I reread are gone, such as Anne George and Charlotte Macleod.
Happy Reading (or, rereading, as the case may be!)!
Patti
2009 has become the year of rereading for me, for two reasons. One, I'm very busy with a lot of new experiences coming at me, and while I'm finding most of them very exciting, I'm a bit tired, and rereading allows you to visit with familiar characters, if not familiar plots, depending on how well you remember the book, or how often you've read it. Two, we had a lot of things in storage before our move to Tucson, including books, and some books I'm rereading to "catch-up" in a series I may have put on hold while we were living in our smaller place.
To many readers out there, rereading is crazy, why do people want to read a book over again when there are so many new books to read? Well, for me it seems to be mostly spending time with characters that I love. I will add that I'm a fast reader, and often rereading doesn't take too much time for me. Rereading is also excellent for bedtime.
I will also be spending a lot of time in 2009 reading young adult or teen books. As those of you who follow my blog know, I began a position in December as a Teen Librarian, and I am reading some excellent teen fiction.
Some series I'm rereading my way through are Commissario Guido Brunetti Venetian series by Donna Leon, Karen Pelletier academic series by Joanne Dobson, Jake Hines series by Elizabeth Gunn, Ophelia & Abby (witch) series by Shirley Damsgaard--off the top of my head. All of these authors are still writing, though some authors I reread are gone, such as Anne George and Charlotte Macleod.
Happy Reading (or, rereading, as the case may be!)!
Patti
Monday, April 13, 2009
Book Geek Quiz
Hello All!
Lesa Holstine posted this to her blog, so I'm following suit--it can also be posted (pasted?) to Facebook. I am definitely a book geek!!!
Copy the questions into your own note, answer the questions, and tag any friends who would appreciate the quiz.
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Charlotte Macleod/Alisa Craig. I own 33 titles by her, almost all of her books, except for her teen books written early in her career.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
I have recently weeded out my books, but if I still own more than one copy, it would be just 2 of Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Just one? Spenser, Elvis Cole, Armand Gamache, and Simon Shaw.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children)?
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
I'm not sure if I had discovered Meet the Austins yet by Madeleine L'Engle; if I hadn't, probably Nancy Drew or the Happy Hollisters.
7) What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
8) What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Ha! Whittled down from my best of 2008 & current best of 2009, they are: These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and Paper Towns by John Green.
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Still Life by Louise Penny. It takes place in a small village in Quebec, which I think gives it a bit of a French flavor, it's a good mystery, an excellent cast of characters. It gives readers a bit of a taste of a variety of genres, I believe.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?
I don't seem to read what is usually nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I know I've dreamed about books & characters, but I can't recall any specific dreams.
14) What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult?
At this time, I don't know.
15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read? One of the most difficult books I ever read was A Beautiful Mind, mostly because I couldn't wrap my brain around the math in it.
16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen?
I've seen very little Shakespeare.
17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
I like Lesa's answer to this one: "Neither. Give me Americans, British or Canadians."
18) Roth or Updike? Neither.
19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
I haven't read either one.
20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer? Shakespeare.
21) Austen or Eliot? Austen!
22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
Nonfiction probably.
23) What is your favorite novel?
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
24) Play? "Les Miserables" or "Carousel".
25) Poem?
No favorite at this time
26) Essay?
There are several I really like by Anna Quindlen, but I don't have her books on hand right now.
27) And... what are you reading right now?
Bindlestiff by Bill Pronzini and Execution Dock by Anne Perry
28) What's the best title for a book ever (you don't have to like the book).
This takes a little time, but I'd love to see other people take this quiz :)!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Lesa Holstine posted this to her blog, so I'm following suit--it can also be posted (pasted?) to Facebook. I am definitely a book geek!!!
Copy the questions into your own note, answer the questions, and tag any friends who would appreciate the quiz.
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Charlotte Macleod/Alisa Craig. I own 33 titles by her, almost all of her books, except for her teen books written early in her career.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
I have recently weeded out my books, but if I still own more than one copy, it would be just 2 of Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Just one? Spenser, Elvis Cole, Armand Gamache, and Simon Shaw.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children)?
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
I'm not sure if I had discovered Meet the Austins yet by Madeleine L'Engle; if I hadn't, probably Nancy Drew or the Happy Hollisters.
7) What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
8) What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Ha! Whittled down from my best of 2008 & current best of 2009, they are: These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and Paper Towns by John Green.
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Still Life by Louise Penny. It takes place in a small village in Quebec, which I think gives it a bit of a French flavor, it's a good mystery, an excellent cast of characters. It gives readers a bit of a taste of a variety of genres, I believe.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?
I don't seem to read what is usually nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I know I've dreamed about books & characters, but I can't recall any specific dreams.
14) What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult?
At this time, I don't know.
15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read? One of the most difficult books I ever read was A Beautiful Mind, mostly because I couldn't wrap my brain around the math in it.
16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen?
I've seen very little Shakespeare.
17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
I like Lesa's answer to this one: "Neither. Give me Americans, British or Canadians."
18) Roth or Updike? Neither.
19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
I haven't read either one.
20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer? Shakespeare.
21) Austen or Eliot? Austen!
22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
Nonfiction probably.
23) What is your favorite novel?
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
24) Play? "Les Miserables" or "Carousel".
25) Poem?
No favorite at this time
26) Essay?
There are several I really like by Anna Quindlen, but I don't have her books on hand right now.
27) And... what are you reading right now?
Bindlestiff by Bill Pronzini and Execution Dock by Anne Perry
28) What's the best title for a book ever (you don't have to like the book).
This takes a little time, but I'd love to see other people take this quiz :)!
Happy Reading!
Patti
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