All Thing Books And Reading Thread 2019

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Mia6

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Well I finished The Widow Next Door by L.A. Detwiler and all I can say is "WOWZA!!"Now I'm rereading Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown.
I'm going to see if I can lend TWND to someone as it's an EBook.
 

Mamanyt1953

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I'm not a big fan of the typical romance format, so after this one, I'll be onto something different.

Is this her Three Sisters Island books: Concannon Sisters Trilogy?
Nope. Different series, Three Sisters Island is "Dance Upon the Air," "Heaven and Earth," and "Face the Fire." It's my favorite of the paranormal trilogies that she has done.

Still buried in Mary Stewart, currently "Nine Coaches Waiting."
 

rubysmama

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Mamanyt1953

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I'm behind on my reviews...thanks for your patience with them, BTW...

THE IVY TREE
"I'm re-reading Mary Stewart for the first time in decades, and thoroughly enjoying it. She writes...oh, romantic mysteries? Romantic thrillers? A bit of both? A Cozy Thriller, if there were such a thing? Ms. Stewart was first published in 1954, and her last books was published in 1995, spanning, essentially, three generations of readers. The early books, of course, reflect women's lives, expectations and attitudes of that time period, so younger readers will get a glimpse into the daily lives of their mothers and grandmothers, their expectations and limitations, and remarkable strength despite those limitations.

"The Ivy Tree" is one of my favorite Stewart books. There is deception within deception, a damsel in distress (but well able to slay her own dragons), a bit of romance, and Grand Adventure. Mary Stewart is a master of finely drawing a character, so that they come alive for you, and this book is no exception. As you are drawn into the drama surrounding Whiteacre Farm, you find yourself becoming invested in these characters, from Mary Grey (and her guise of Annabelle Winslow) down to the Tommy the cat. What, exactly are the secrets and hidden dangers of Whiteacre Farm?"

THUNDER ON THE RIGHT

"Jennifer Silvers travels to France to visit her cousin, Gillian, at the convent where Gillian says she is thinking of taking orders. Oh, all right, Jennifer is traveling to stop Gillian from taking orders, apparently channeling her own mother, whose "I know best" philosophy has interfered in Jennifer's own life to a degree of which she is in happy ignorance. Once there, she meets a past love, or at least an incipient past love, and sparks fly...at least until Jennifer learns that Gillian has apparently died shortly before Jennifer arrived in France. Or did she? Some things just don't add up, and Jennifer is determined to get to the bottom of it. Her investigations and questions plunge her headlong into mortal danger, and it will take everything that both she and Stephen (remember that past love?) have to come about safely...or even alive."

NINE COACHES WAITING

"When pretty Linda Martin arrives at Valmy to act as governess for Phillip, the young Compt de Valmy, she believes that hiding her ability to speak fluent French will be the hardest part of her job...but things take a turn to the dark, and Linda finds herself in the middle of a wicked plot. Will she be able to save herself and the child she has come to care about, and without breaking her own heart in the process? Stewart at her best."

And now I'm going to start "Wildfire at Midnight," as soon as I'm finished with The Cat Site for the day....HEY, I have my priorities!

"
 

Mia6

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Funnily enough, I already had them on my "wish list".
I'm going to start keeping a log of books I've read. Twice I've ordered books from the library and when I get them I discover I've already read them. Sometimes I want to read a Kindle freebie on my tablet and when I click to get the book I receive a message saying I already have the book in my library.

:doh::doh2:

I read an ACTION book entitled Heat by Stuart Woods written in the 90s. I really enjoyed it. One of those government-has-a-guy-infiltrate-a-cult books. I knew it was going to end well and there was a nice surprise that I didn't see coming.
 

Mamanyt1953

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I've finished both "Wildfire at Midnight" AND "Death by Darjeeling," which is the first book in the cozy mystery series, Tea Shop Mystery, by Laura Child, AND "The Cat Who Cookbook," which was a quick, take-a-peek-at-the-recipes affair.

WILDFIRE AT MIDNIGHT

"Divorcee and model, Gianetta, is badly in need of a rest. At the suggestion of her mother, she adjourns to the Isle of Skye for what should be a relaxing week or so. Imagine her dismay when one of the first persons she runs into is her ex! But more than a pesky ex awaits Gianetta in Skye...there is mystery, intrigue, and a string of rather horrible murders...with Nicky, the ex, apparently right in the middle of it all. Involved despite herself, Gianetta must weave a precarious path to the truth, her own safety, and maybe, just maybe, love."

DEATH BY DARJEELING

"This was a delightful introduction to a new-to-me series. Theodosia Browning owns the Indigo Tea Shop, selling teas from around the world and supplies for brewing. But when a catered affair turns deadly, what's brewing for Theodosia and her staff is a world of hurt, and a rich mystery. Theodosia knows that she must solve this mystery and find a killer to clear the names of everyone on her staff!

Plenty of twists and turns in this book, and I never guessed whodunit! I learned a LOT about different teas and how to brew them, and there are recipes included! Only one in the first book, but more in subsequent ones.

No cat, darn it, but a sweet dog, Earl Grey."

THE CAT WHO COOKBOOK

"I want to try at least four out of five of these recipes! The ingredients are easy to find, and the directions are clear and concise...AND there's a bit of the book that inspired each set of recipes. Fans of "The Cat Who" series who also enjoy cooking are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!"

I'm actually going to try one of the recipes tonight...Chicken in a Dark and Mysterious Sauce.

I'm currently reading "Gunpowder Green," the second in The Tea Shop series.
 

Mia6

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I'm almost done with Sidney Sheldon's The Other Side of Midnight, written in 1973. I'm not used to reading books with graphic descriptions of sex but after awhile I got used to it. I read a lot of his books so I am now rereading them.
Rage of Angels is next.
 

Mamanyt1953

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STILL reading the Tea Shop Mysteries. I think there are 21 of them, actually.

#2, GUNPOWDER GREEN

"Theodosia is more than happy to cater the al fresco tea and luncheon for the yacht club's annual race. She's planning on debuting her new tea selection, Gunpowder Green. And although the tea is a hit, something more sinister is, as well...one of Charleston's high society is killed in what first appears to be a freak accident...but was it? Theodosia is determined to get to the bottom of this bizarre occurrence, come what may, with the help of both Drayton, her master tea blender, and Haley, baker extraordinaire. There are twists and turns aplenty in the excellent follow-up to the series' premier."

#3 SHADES OF EARL GREY

"FINALLY, Theodosia is able to attend a society event where she isn't pouring tea! However, her enjoyment is brought to a swift, brutal end when a glass ceiling collapses, taking a dashing young Marine with it...as well as the gorgeous, <i>very</I> expensive wedding ring destined for his fiancee along with it! Was this just a horrible accident, or is something darker afoot here? Theodosia must find out before more can go horribly wrong!"

#4 THE ENGLISH BREAKFAST MURDERS

"Theodosia is having the time of her life, shepherding newly hatched sea turtles from nest to ocean. But her enjoyment is brought to a swift end when she spots something floating in the ocean. Could it be an injured dolphin? She swims out to try to help, only to discover that this is no injured dolphin, but a very dead human...and what's more, a friend of Drayton's! Now Theodosia finds herself in a race to find a killer before more bodies turn up!"

And am currently reading #5, "The Jasmine Moon Murder.
 

rubysmama

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Finished Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson.

It takes place in the 1940's and current time. In the 1940's, a boy and girl escaped to England from Nazi Germany, then were separated. In current time, the boy (now an old man) hires Quenby, a journalist, to search and see if she can discover what happened to the girl, as he's never forgotten her. I really enjoyed it, and read it rather quickly, you know by my standards. ;)

And have now started Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley.
 

Tobermory

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I just finished Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover. She grew up in Idaho, the youngest of seven children of a survivalist family. The father kept them out of school because he believed public education was a government plot of some kind. They weren’t home schooled, either; they had to work in their father’s junkyard. It’s amazing that three of the seven managed through their own determination to earn Ph.D.s. She got into Brigham Young University without even a GED and went on to Cambridge and Harvard. Impressive story of resolve.
 

Mia6

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I just finished Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover. She grew up in Idaho, the youngest of seven children of a survivalist family. The father kept them out of school because he believed public education was a government plot of some kind. They weren’t home schooled, either; they had to work in their father’s junkyard. It’s amazing that three of the seven managed through their own determination to earn Ph.D.s. She got into Brigham Young University without even a GED and went on to Cambridge and Harvard. Impressive story of resolve.
I've got to read it. Thanks you!!
 

Tobermory

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That sounds really interesting, so I just put a hold on it at the library. They've got 62 ebook copies, and I'm still # 320 on the wait list. :eek:
Yep. I read the ebook, too, and it was about a two-month wait! I’ll be interested to see what you think...at some point in the distant future. :)
 

rubysmama

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I plan to read Ben-Hur.
I've never read it. Let us know what you think.

Yep. I read the ebook, too, and it was about a two-month wait! I’ll be interested to see what you think...at some point in the distant future. :)
I'm already 2 people closer, but the estimated wait time is still 11 weeks.
 
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