Caroline's ROOT's for 2016
Diskutera2016 ROOT Challenge - (Read Our Own Tomes)
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1craso
Hello everyone! I'll be reading 12 ROOTS again. I still have the same number of books unread as I did last year due to the fact that I keep buying books. I'm sure I am preaching to the choir when I say that. This is not a complaint, because I look at all the books and think how greatful I am to have them.
This is going to be a free flowing challenge. Every year I list the books I'm going to read and it completely changes by the end of the year. This time I will just read a book, change my ticker and post a little note about it. Nothin' fancy on this thread.
I'll start reading in January and make my first post then. Good luck to all the ROOTers and happy reading!
This is going to be a free flowing challenge. Every year I list the books I'm going to read and it completely changes by the end of the year. This time I will just read a book, change my ticker and post a little note about it. Nothin' fancy on this thread.
I'll start reading in January and make my first post then. Good luck to all the ROOTers and happy reading!
3craso
Okay everyone, please forgive me. Caroline's ROOT's is grammatically incorrect. I'll just have to live with it for 2016.
5rabbitprincess
Welcome back! I bought three Doctor Who novels today and thought of you :)
7craso
You guys are great! Thank you for the welcome!
>5 rabbitprincess: Too funny! Now I'm curious to find out which ones you bought.
>5 rabbitprincess: Too funny! Now I'm curious to find out which ones you bought.
12craso
>10 connie53: >11 Tess_W: Happy New Year!
13MissWatson
Welcome back and Happy reading!
14craso
1. High-Rise by J. G. Ballard (Acquired 02-05-2014) 5 Stars
Two years ago I read on-line that Tom Hiddleston was cast in a new movie called "High-Rise" and that the film was based on the book by the same name written by J. G. Ballard. I looked at the synopsis of the book and knew I had to read it. The plot seemed so timely even though it was written in 1975.
There was an article on CNN about a new mandate in New York City that said for every block of luxury flats that were built the builder had to build a certain number of low rent flats. That's fine except that the builder decided to build a high-rise apartment building with low income housing on the bottom floors and high rent housing on the top floors. There would be two entrances, one for the richer tenants and one for the poorer residents. This outraged many and the plans were changed.
The reason why the news story reminded me of the novel is because the residence of the high-rise are divided by class with the lower class families living on the bottom 9 floors and the upper class residents with pampered pets living on the top floors. The middle portion of the high-rise housed middle class residents. The floors separating the classes were social areas that did not contain apartments.
The novel is about how modern society with its cement structures and modern mechanical conveniences can cause people to regress back to caveman like attitudes. The high-rise apartments are referred to as concrete caves in a concrete mountain face. Everything is provided for the residents so they never need to leave the building. There is a grocery store, salon, two pools, a gym, and a school. People feel free to do whatever they like without any restraints or supervision. Eventually the conveniences start to break down; electricity starts to fail, water becomes scarce, garbage pickup stops, stores aren't stocked.
As you can tell by the 5 star rating, I really liked reading this book. It is very intelligent and gives the reader a lot to think about. It is a satire on modern society and city life. I didn't find it at all dated and it stands up well in 2016.
Two years ago I read on-line that Tom Hiddleston was cast in a new movie called "High-Rise" and that the film was based on the book by the same name written by J. G. Ballard. I looked at the synopsis of the book and knew I had to read it. The plot seemed so timely even though it was written in 1975.
There was an article on CNN about a new mandate in New York City that said for every block of luxury flats that were built the builder had to build a certain number of low rent flats. That's fine except that the builder decided to build a high-rise apartment building with low income housing on the bottom floors and high rent housing on the top floors. There would be two entrances, one for the richer tenants and one for the poorer residents. This outraged many and the plans were changed.
The reason why the news story reminded me of the novel is because the residence of the high-rise are divided by class with the lower class families living on the bottom 9 floors and the upper class residents with pampered pets living on the top floors. The middle portion of the high-rise housed middle class residents. The floors separating the classes were social areas that did not contain apartments.
The novel is about how modern society with its cement structures and modern mechanical conveniences can cause people to regress back to caveman like attitudes. The high-rise apartments are referred to as concrete caves in a concrete mountain face. Everything is provided for the residents so they never need to leave the building. There is a grocery store, salon, two pools, a gym, and a school. People feel free to do whatever they like without any restraints or supervision. Eventually the conveniences start to break down; electricity starts to fail, water becomes scarce, garbage pickup stops, stores aren't stocked.
As you can tell by the 5 star rating, I really liked reading this book. It is very intelligent and gives the reader a lot to think about. It is a satire on modern society and city life. I didn't find it at all dated and it stands up well in 2016.
15rabbitprincess
Ooh, I have to read this one! There is even an audiobook version narrated by Tom Hiddleston :D
16craso
Hi rabbitprincess. The audiobook sounds interesting. He has a great voice. I sometimes think I'd like to listen to an audiobook narrated by one of my favorite actors, then I think "ya, but will you really listen and keep up with the story?"
17rabbitprincess
>16 craso: Hmm yes that is a good point! I think I'll have to do some more research into this phenomenon ;)
19craso
2. Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer by Steven Millhauser (Acquired 07-19-2014) 4 Stars
Seems like between High-Rise and this book I am reading novels about buildings this year.
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is about the life of a man in late nineteenth century New York. He starts out working in his father's cigar shop and ends up building large extraordinary hotels. His life and his dreams are intertwined with the City. New York is discribed in detail with the Brooklyn bridge, El trains, new buildings, and empty lots. Dressler is constantly invisioning the future of the city and he tries to bring this vision to life in his hotels.
Seems like between High-Rise and this book I am reading novels about buildings this year.
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is about the life of a man in late nineteenth century New York. He starts out working in his father's cigar shop and ends up building large extraordinary hotels. His life and his dreams are intertwined with the City. New York is discribed in detail with the Brooklyn bridge, El trains, new buildings, and empty lots. Dressler is constantly invisioning the future of the city and he tries to bring this vision to life in his hotels.
20craso
3. Don't Look Now and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier (Acquired 11-28-2015) 4 Stars
This isn't a very old iBook, but I wanted to read it and it was downloaded before 2016 so I am counting it as a ROOT.
I bought the short story anthology because I wasn't aware that the short story "Don't Look Now" was by Daphne du Maurer. I watched a little but of the Donald Sutherland movie on TV when I was a kid. I didn't watch the whole movie, because it scared me.
The stories included in the anthology are: "Don't Look Now;" "Not After Midnight;" "A Border-Line Case;" "The Way of the Cross;" and "The Breakthrough." I enjoyed all but one story, "Not After Midnight." This story was to vague. Was the jug cursed by Silenus or Dionysus? Did the main character loose his teaching position because he became a drunkard? All the other stories were well written with wonderful characterization and/or suspense. The story "The Way of the Cross" was a great character study. I liked du Maurier's writing so much I bought The Birds and Other Stories.
This isn't a very old iBook, but I wanted to read it and it was downloaded before 2016 so I am counting it as a ROOT.
I bought the short story anthology because I wasn't aware that the short story "Don't Look Now" was by Daphne du Maurer. I watched a little but of the Donald Sutherland movie on TV when I was a kid. I didn't watch the whole movie, because it scared me.
The stories included in the anthology are: "Don't Look Now;" "Not After Midnight;" "A Border-Line Case;" "The Way of the Cross;" and "The Breakthrough." I enjoyed all but one story, "Not After Midnight." This story was to vague. Was the jug cursed by Silenus or Dionysus? Did the main character loose his teaching position because he became a drunkard? All the other stories were well written with wonderful characterization and/or suspense. The story "The Way of the Cross" was a great character study. I liked du Maurier's writing so much I bought The Birds and Other Stories.
22rabbitprincess
>20 craso: Daphne du Maurier has been very reliable in my experience. Perhaps Don't Look Now will be my next read of hers.
23LauraBrook
>20 craso: I've got several of her books (unread, mostly) but not that one. If I see it, though, I'll pick it up, thanks to your review! And I hope the ER book is good and not a dud!
24craso
>22 rabbitprincess: >23 LauraBrook: I had been wanting to read Daphne du Maurier's books for awhile so when I saw on the credits of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" that the movie was based on a short story by her I got on line and did some research. A few movies I have seen and enjoyed were based on her work so I decided to take the plunge and buy an anthology of her short stories. I'm glad I did.
So far the ER book is good. It's by Marie Brennan, one of my favorite Fantasy authors.
So far the ER book is good. It's by Marie Brennan, one of my favorite Fantasy authors.
25craso
Finished reading my ER book Chains and Memory. Now off to pick a ROOT to read befor starting my next ER book. Everything in balance. :-)
26connie53
>25 craso: Curious to hear which book you choose, Caroline.
27craso
Hello Connie! I decided to read Darkening Island by Christopher Priest. The original title for the book when it was first published in the UK in 1972 was Fugue for a Darkening Island. When I picked it up at Half Price Books last year it sounded like a story of race relations in England during the 1970s. Christopher Priest is one of my favorite Science Fiction authors and I didn't know he had written this book. Turns out it is a dystopian novel about refugees overtaking England. I just started it today and I am already half way through. Will be giving it a rave review when I'm through reading it.
28craso
4. Darkening Island by Christopher Priest (Acquired 11-07-2015) 4 Stars
This novel was originally titled Fugue for a Darkening Island when it was published in the UK. It is Christopher Priest's second novel.
The writing style was definitely Priests, but the subject matter seems unusual for him. There are no chapters and the story is not told in chronological order, which is typical of his writing. The action bounces between a time before the war, the beginnings of the conflict, and during the war. The part that is so unusual is the subject of racism. Is this a racist book? In today's climate some people might think so. I don't think it's racist and each reader will have to judge for themselves. Ultimately, the story is about a weak man who could not come to a decision or take action in his life. This includes his relationship with his wife as well as the civil war that erupts in England.
A devastating war in Africa sends millions of refugees to England. Unfortunately, a racist government has just been elected and the Afrem refugees are not properly treated. The Afrems and their sympathizers arm themselves and a civil war begins. Alan Whitman, his wife Isobel and daughter Sally, are victims of the war when their home is occupied and they become refugees in the English Countryside.
I would categorize this novel as a dystopia since Alan's life degrades into living on the run, scavaging for food, searching for shelter, and trying to not be killed by both sides. If you like dystopias or books on controversial social subjects this book is highly recommended.
This novel was originally titled Fugue for a Darkening Island when it was published in the UK. It is Christopher Priest's second novel.
The writing style was definitely Priests, but the subject matter seems unusual for him. There are no chapters and the story is not told in chronological order, which is typical of his writing. The action bounces between a time before the war, the beginnings of the conflict, and during the war. The part that is so unusual is the subject of racism. Is this a racist book? In today's climate some people might think so. I don't think it's racist and each reader will have to judge for themselves. Ultimately, the story is about a weak man who could not come to a decision or take action in his life. This includes his relationship with his wife as well as the civil war that erupts in England.
A devastating war in Africa sends millions of refugees to England. Unfortunately, a racist government has just been elected and the Afrem refugees are not properly treated. The Afrems and their sympathizers arm themselves and a civil war begins. Alan Whitman, his wife Isobel and daughter Sally, are victims of the war when their home is occupied and they become refugees in the English Countryside.
I would categorize this novel as a dystopia since Alan's life degrades into living on the run, scavaging for food, searching for shelter, and trying to not be killed by both sides. If you like dystopias or books on controversial social subjects this book is highly recommended.
29craso
Now, on to another ER read. The People in the Castle: Selected Strange Stories by Joan Aiken. See you guys in a bit. :-)
30connie53
>28 craso: That sounds really good, Caroline!
31avanders
>29 craso: oh I thought about requesting that one! Sounds interesting ... I'll look forward to your thoughts :)
(I'm getting Some Possible Solutions from the February batch :))
(I'm getting Some Possible Solutions from the February batch :))
32craso
>31 avanders: I read the first two stories this morning. They are very child like and innocent, like lovely fairytales.
Some Possible Solutions sounds fun, bizarre and maybe creepy. I will watch out for your review. :-)
Some Possible Solutions sounds fun, bizarre and maybe creepy. I will watch out for your review. :-)
34craso
I just finished reading an ER book called The People in the Castle: Selected Strange Stories by Joan Aiken. I gave it 4 Stars. Here is my little review for those that are interested.
The short stories in this anthology are very much like fairytales. A few are whimsical, some are heartbreaking, and a couple are frightening. The style of writing lends itself to children's stories for which the author, Joan Aiken is well known for writing. Each tale is spun in a way that draws you in and keeps you engaged until the end. All the stories have a message of hope. I found this to be a lovely read for the child in all of us.
Back to my ROOT read The Trouble With Lichen by John Wyndham.
The short stories in this anthology are very much like fairytales. A few are whimsical, some are heartbreaking, and a couple are frightening. The style of writing lends itself to children's stories for which the author, Joan Aiken is well known for writing. Each tale is spun in a way that draws you in and keeps you engaged until the end. All the stories have a message of hope. I found this to be a lovely read for the child in all of us.
Back to my ROOT read The Trouble With Lichen by John Wyndham.
35craso
5. Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham (Acquired 03-04-2015) 4 Stars
This story asks the question "what would you do if you discovered a way to prolong life?" When Diana Brackley discovers the lichen in a bowl of spoilt milk she sees it as a way to give women the chance to live to there full potential without loosing time by having a family. Francis Saxover decides to keep the discovery a secret and just give it to his family, believing the discovery would cause mass chaos.
It was interesting to see how British society took the news. The tabloids exploited it and the legit papers were skeptical. The stock market started to fluctuate. The Labor Party claimed it was a Tory conspiracy.
I recommend this novel to anyone interested in reading social science fiction. Another good novel by one of my favorite authors.
This story asks the question "what would you do if you discovered a way to prolong life?" When Diana Brackley discovers the lichen in a bowl of spoilt milk she sees it as a way to give women the chance to live to there full potential without loosing time by having a family. Francis Saxover decides to keep the discovery a secret and just give it to his family, believing the discovery would cause mass chaos.
It was interesting to see how British society took the news. The tabloids exploited it and the legit papers were skeptical. The stock market started to fluctuate. The Labor Party claimed it was a Tory conspiracy.
I recommend this novel to anyone interested in reading social science fiction. Another good novel by one of my favorite authors.
36Jackie_K
>35 craso: ooh that does sound interesting - onto the wishlist it goes!
37Tess_W
>35 craso: BB for me! I read that same authors The Midwich Cuckoos and I did like it.
38craso
>36 Jackie_K: I hope you like it!
>37 Tess_W: I liked The Midwich Cuckoos and Day of The Triffids but my favorite John Wyndham novel is The Chrysalids. :-)
>37 Tess_W: I liked The Midwich Cuckoos and Day of The Triffids but my favorite John Wyndham novel is The Chrysalids. :-)
39Tess_W
>38 craso: I may have to read both of those! I know that Day of the Triffids is what a Star Trek original weekly episode was based on.
40craso
>39 Tess_W: I'm not sure which episode you mean. The Day of The Triffids is about a comet that turns half of the population blind and they are stalked by killer plants. The closest original episode Star Trek I can think of is the one where people's personalities are changed by the spores shot from plants. Are you sure you aren't confusing The Day of The Triffids with The Trouble with Tribbles?
41Tess_W
>40 craso: I could be confusing something, but I did read that one of Wyndam's books was the basis for one of the weekly episodes. Will have to go back to the source, which I don't even know at this time where I read it, to confirm!
42craso
>41 Tess_W: Sounds good. I'm curious to know what you find out. :-)
43Tess_W
While I was searching.........Radio dramatization of 'Trouble with Lichen' broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in May 2011. I can get this on my comp (Radio 4) so I'm going to "listen"!
45connie53
>43 Tess_W: May 2011?
46Tess_W
>45 connie53: I think it was 2007?
47craso
6. The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (Acquired 01-26-2014) 5 Stars
A Jewish man asks an evil rabbi to create for him a golem wife then heads to America on a steam ship with his new bride. A Syrian tin smith works to repair a flask when a naked man with a manical on his wrist appears before him.
This is an extraordinary book. I have so much to write about the novel I'm finding it hard to organize. The first thing that struck me was that both these creatures from legend are traditionally bound to masters, but in this story they each have to deal with there own free will. The golem has to learn to function without a master telling her what to do yet she is happiest doing what the people around her want her to do. Usually, a jinni pops out of a bottle and grants the one who frees him three wishes. This jinni defies every person and every social convention. Eventually these opposites attract and form a deep bond.
Using these two mythical creatures the author shows what life was like for immigrants who came through Ellis Island and settled in New York in the 1890s. The reader learns about the customs and religion of the Christian Syrians and the Jews. Readers also see the landscape of New York come alive ever night as the golem and the jinni walk out of there respective neighborhoods and into every corner of the city.
Each character is so well drawn I found myself caring for them. The old rabbi who recognizes the golem for what she is and with such compassion educates her on how to live like a real woman. His social worker nephew, Michael. The tin smith that takes the jinni into his business. The woman who owns a coffee house and looks after the Syrian neighborhood. Ice Cream Saleh who was once a physician and is now a madman because he is possessed. The owners of the bakery that Chava, the name given to the golem by the rabbi, worked for. Anna, the romantic girl who worked at the bakery with Chava. Matthew, the little boy who befriends Ahmed, the name the tin smith gives the jinni. Last but certainly not least, the evil wizard/rabbi that makes everyone's life miserable.
This book is going on my list of favorite books. I hope this author continues to write magical novels like this one.
A Jewish man asks an evil rabbi to create for him a golem wife then heads to America on a steam ship with his new bride. A Syrian tin smith works to repair a flask when a naked man with a manical on his wrist appears before him.
This is an extraordinary book. I have so much to write about the novel I'm finding it hard to organize. The first thing that struck me was that both these creatures from legend are traditionally bound to masters, but in this story they each have to deal with there own free will. The golem has to learn to function without a master telling her what to do yet she is happiest doing what the people around her want her to do. Usually, a jinni pops out of a bottle and grants the one who frees him three wishes. This jinni defies every person and every social convention. Eventually these opposites attract and form a deep bond.
Using these two mythical creatures the author shows what life was like for immigrants who came through Ellis Island and settled in New York in the 1890s. The reader learns about the customs and religion of the Christian Syrians and the Jews. Readers also see the landscape of New York come alive ever night as the golem and the jinni walk out of there respective neighborhoods and into every corner of the city.
Each character is so well drawn I found myself caring for them. The old rabbi who recognizes the golem for what she is and with such compassion educates her on how to live like a real woman. His social worker nephew, Michael. The tin smith that takes the jinni into his business. The woman who owns a coffee house and looks after the Syrian neighborhood. Ice Cream Saleh who was once a physician and is now a madman because he is possessed. The owners of the bakery that Chava, the name given to the golem by the rabbi, worked for. Anna, the romantic girl who worked at the bakery with Chava. Matthew, the little boy who befriends Ahmed, the name the tin smith gives the jinni. Last but certainly not least, the evil wizard/rabbi that makes everyone's life miserable.
This book is going on my list of favorite books. I hope this author continues to write magical novels like this one.
48craso
My next read is going to be a little different for me. I have never read a spiritual book before besides the bible. I'm starting Autobiography of a Yogi. We will see how that goes. :-)
49Henrik_Madsen
>47 craso: Wow - that sounds like a great book. Definitely going on my wishlist.
50craso
>49 Henrik_Madsen: I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :-)
51avanders
>47 craso: Glad you liked that one so much! It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was a really lovely read. :)
Congrats on another ROOT pulled too!
Congrats on another ROOT pulled too!
53craso
>52 connie53: Hi Connie! It's thought provoking. The author writes about all the different saints and swamis he met and the different nuggets of knowledge he learned from each one. I think I'm going to like it. :-)
54connie53
>53 craso: I like it when that happens, when you start thinking about things because of a book.
55lkernagh
>47 craso: - I really liked The Golem and the Jinni. Glad to see you did too!
56craso
Hello everyone! Just wanted you to know I'm still around and still reading Autobiography of a Yogi. It's very long and very profound so I am taking some time reading it.
I am working at a public library and participating in their Summer reading program. I pledged 20 minutes of reading a day so I am getting my reading in each day, usually on my 30 minute break.
I hope to finish the book and post a review before the end on June. My next read will have to be a short book so I can stay on target.
I am working at a public library and participating in their Summer reading program. I pledged 20 minutes of reading a day so I am getting my reading in each day, usually on my 30 minute break.
I hope to finish the book and post a review before the end on June. My next read will have to be a short book so I can stay on target.
57rabbitprincess
Glad to hear from you and to hear that you're working in a library! Hope you're enjoying your summer reading.
58connie53
Good to hear you are still reading, Caroline! Working in a library sounds like a dream job to me.
59craso
7. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda (Acquired 12-06-2015) 5 Stars
This was such a very dense book with a lot of information and thought provoking spiritual ideas that it took me two month to read. I even read the notes at the end of each chapter.
Paramahansa Yogananda brought Hindu thought to America and the western world in 1920 through his creation of the Self Realization Fellowship. He lectured around the world and wrote many books. Autobiography of a Yogi is his best known work.
Yogananda writes about his life growing up in India where he was always seeking God from a young age. He meet many interesting yogis and saints and passes on all the knowledge he gained in this book.
He was just as knowledgeable in the Christian religion as in the Hindu and writes about Jesus's teaching as well as the teachings in the Vedas. He was a scholar of many religions including Budhism and Islam.
A chapter in this book about Yogananda meeting Gandhi has inspired me to read more about Gandhi's philosophy's. I downloaded and ebook called
The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas.
I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in India's culture and philosophies as well as anyone who enjoys reading spiritually enlighting books. This book has been an inspiration to many people and was handed out to people at Steve Job's memorial service.
This was such a very dense book with a lot of information and thought provoking spiritual ideas that it took me two month to read. I even read the notes at the end of each chapter.
Paramahansa Yogananda brought Hindu thought to America and the western world in 1920 through his creation of the Self Realization Fellowship. He lectured around the world and wrote many books. Autobiography of a Yogi is his best known work.
Yogananda writes about his life growing up in India where he was always seeking God from a young age. He meet many interesting yogis and saints and passes on all the knowledge he gained in this book.
He was just as knowledgeable in the Christian religion as in the Hindu and writes about Jesus's teaching as well as the teachings in the Vedas. He was a scholar of many religions including Budhism and Islam.
A chapter in this book about Yogananda meeting Gandhi has inspired me to read more about Gandhi's philosophy's. I downloaded and ebook called
The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas.
I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in India's culture and philosophies as well as anyone who enjoys reading spiritually enlighting books. This book has been an inspiration to many people and was handed out to people at Steve Job's memorial service.
60craso
I hope the review of Autobiography of a Yogi made sense. I had surgery on my mouth on Wednesday and am just coming down from pain meds. :-)
62rabbitprincess
Hope you're feeling better soon! Oral surgery is no fun. Glad to hear you liked Autobiography of a Yogi!
63craso
>61 Tess_W: >62 rabbitprincess: Thanks! Today is the first day I've been up and about. I need to get back in my routine so I can get back to work on Tuesday.
64craso
8. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie (Acquired 12-10-2014) 4 Stars
I needed an easy, fun read after reading Autobiography of a Yogi and this was the perfect book. The blurb on the cover says it was made into an episode of Masterpiece Mystery on PBS and it read like some of the episodes I've watched.
A priest is killed after visiting a dying woman. The police find a list of names on the body. It is a list of people who have all died of different ailments who have no connection.
Mark Easterbrook, a historian and author, takes an interest in the case. The trail leads to The Pale Horse, a former pub that is residence to three strange middle aged ladies who claim to use the occult to kill by remote control.
I needed an easy, fun read after reading Autobiography of a Yogi and this was the perfect book. The blurb on the cover says it was made into an episode of Masterpiece Mystery on PBS and it read like some of the episodes I've watched.
A priest is killed after visiting a dying woman. The police find a list of names on the body. It is a list of people who have all died of different ailments who have no connection.
Mark Easterbrook, a historian and author, takes an interest in the case. The trail leads to The Pale Horse, a former pub that is residence to three strange middle aged ladies who claim to use the occult to kill by remote control.
65craso
My next read is a fairly new book, but I just watched a trailer for season four of Sherlock so I need to read a Sherlock Holmes novel. My next read is The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz.
66Tess_W
>64 craso: I read my first and only Agatha Christie, And Then There were None and I was under-whelmed. I will read The Pale Horse and give her another try, or would you suggest a different one?
67rabbitprincess
>65 craso: Eeee! So excited for the new season of Sherlock! I will be interested to hear your thoughts on The House of Silk. I borrowed it from the library but ran out of time to read it.
68craso
>66 Tess_W: Try The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. It is considered to be her best novel. I know I enjoyed it. :-)
>67 rabbitprincess: I knew that my post would catch your eye! I think this is going to be a big season with a lot going on. Is something going to happen to Mary? I don't think John Watson had a child in the original stories. If Moriarty is died, who is behind the broadcast, a new criminal master mind? Is there another Holmes brother?
>67 rabbitprincess: I knew that my post would catch your eye! I think this is going to be a big season with a lot going on. Is something going to happen to Mary? I don't think John Watson had a child in the original stories. If Moriarty is died, who is behind the broadcast, a new criminal master mind? Is there another Holmes brother?
69Tess_W
>68 craso: Just went to Amazon and d/l the Christie book! TY for the recommendation!
70rabbitprincess
>68 craso: I think Doyle did create a third brother, Sherrinford. That was one of the three names the Sherlock cast offered up at Comic-Con as hints to the upcoming season (the other two are "Thatcher" and "Smith"). So a third brother is certainly within the realm of possibility!
And you are right in that Watson did not have a child in the original stories. He barely had a wife! At least this show gave him more of one (and I love that Amanda Abbington and Martin Freeman are a real-life couple).
And you are right in that Watson did not have a child in the original stories. He barely had a wife! At least this show gave him more of one (and I love that Amanda Abbington and Martin Freeman are a real-life couple).
71connie53
How are you doing after surgery, Caroline? I hope everything is settling down and you are back to your normal routine.
72craso
Hi Connie, thank you for asking how I am doing. My surgery went well and I am back to normal. 😀
73connie53
>72 craso: That's good to hear!
74craso
Going a bit Sherlock crazy. I am enjoying The House of Silk so much that I bought a magazine at Barnes and Noble today called The Sherlock Holmes Book. I am sure I know everything in it already, but I just had to buy it.
75craso
9. The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz (Acquired 04-24-2016) 4 Stars
Dr. John Watson, having retired from practice and living in a nursing home, has decided to write down the events of one of the most lured and controversial of all the cases that he and Sherlock Holmes ever investigated with the caveat that it not be read or published for 100 years. Thus starts the narrative to this very well written Sherlock Holmes novel.
It is actually two cases that cross over so many times that Watson must begin with what seems to be the simpler case, The Flat Cap Gang, before moving to the horrible House of silk. I admit that when I realized what The House of Silk was I was a bit up set with the author. I then realized that it had to be horrible and disgusting to justify Watson not writing about it until he was much older and his conditions regarding publishing it. I won't get into any details because I don't want to spoil it. I will just say that Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade acted appropriately.
A big part of a Sherlockian novel is how the characters are written. Horowitz does a fine job with keeping Watson from seeming dim witted and keeping Holmes brilliant yet human. Sherlock fans should not shy away from this novel, the author does a great job depicting our favorite characters.
Dr. John Watson, having retired from practice and living in a nursing home, has decided to write down the events of one of the most lured and controversial of all the cases that he and Sherlock Holmes ever investigated with the caveat that it not be read or published for 100 years. Thus starts the narrative to this very well written Sherlock Holmes novel.
It is actually two cases that cross over so many times that Watson must begin with what seems to be the simpler case, The Flat Cap Gang, before moving to the horrible House of silk. I admit that when I realized what The House of Silk was I was a bit up set with the author. I then realized that it had to be horrible and disgusting to justify Watson not writing about it until he was much older and his conditions regarding publishing it. I won't get into any details because I don't want to spoil it. I will just say that Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade acted appropriately.
A big part of a Sherlockian novel is how the characters are written. Horowitz does a fine job with keeping Watson from seeming dim witted and keeping Holmes brilliant yet human. Sherlock fans should not shy away from this novel, the author does a great job depicting our favorite characters.
76rabbitprincess
>75 craso: Excellent! I'll have to go back to the library for that one.
79avanders
Looks like you're doing great w/ your ROOTing! Almost there!
Also, all this Sherlock talk is making me suddenly impatient for the supposedly-coming new Sherlock series ..... ;)
Also, all this Sherlock talk is making me suddenly impatient for the supposedly-coming new Sherlock series ..... ;)
80rabbitprincess
>79 avanders: I believe filming has just finished on Season 4 and we should be getting it next year! :D
82craso
>80 rabbitprincess: Awesome! Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see it.
83craso
10. The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris (03-14-2015) 3 1/2 Stars
This is a retelling of the Norse myths from Loki's point of view. He acts like a teenage trying to be a part of the in crowd. Loki blames all the havok he reaks on the other gods not understanding him and shunning him. He never feels welcome in Asgard so he teems up with Gullveig-Heid (Loki calls her Heidi) to bring on Ragnarok.
A cute book, but not what I thought it would be. I was expecting a long narrative like a normal novel with each story about Loki thrown in. Instead it was each story told from Loki's point of view. The novel was much more light hearted than the blood and gore of the original Norse mythology, which is fine with me.
If you want a lighter version of Norse mythology then you may like this book, otherwise you my want to stick with the Edda.
This is a retelling of the Norse myths from Loki's point of view. He acts like a teenage trying to be a part of the in crowd. Loki blames all the havok he reaks on the other gods not understanding him and shunning him. He never feels welcome in Asgard so he teems up with Gullveig-Heid (Loki calls her Heidi) to bring on Ragnarok.
A cute book, but not what I thought it would be. I was expecting a long narrative like a normal novel with each story about Loki thrown in. Instead it was each story told from Loki's point of view. The novel was much more light hearted than the blood and gore of the original Norse mythology, which is fine with me.
If you want a lighter version of Norse mythology then you may like this book, otherwise you my want to stick with the Edda.
84craso
11. The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier (Acquired 02-13-2016) 4 Stars
I continue to enjoy du Maurier's short stories. This collection starts out with the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's movie "The Birds." Although the setting and characters differ from the movie, it was still quite a page turner. Another story in this anthology that absolutely blew me away was "The Apple Tree." Wonderful use of imagery with the apple tree representing a downtrodden and unappreciated housewife. "Kiss me, Stranger" was good with a frightening twist ending and "The Old Man" had a very clever ending.
I didn't much care for "Monte Verita". I couldn't understand what the author was trying to say. It seemed like a "Lost Horizons" type story, but the ending changed it into "there are no great spiritual utopias"....I guess. I liked "The Little Photographer," but it was very predictable.
When I finished this ebook I put the next ebook of her short stories on my wishlist. Eventually I will have to read her novels.
---------------------------
Off to pick my last book for this challenge!
I continue to enjoy du Maurier's short stories. This collection starts out with the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's movie "The Birds." Although the setting and characters differ from the movie, it was still quite a page turner. Another story in this anthology that absolutely blew me away was "The Apple Tree." Wonderful use of imagery with the apple tree representing a downtrodden and unappreciated housewife. "Kiss me, Stranger" was good with a frightening twist ending and "The Old Man" had a very clever ending.
I didn't much care for "Monte Verita". I couldn't understand what the author was trying to say. It seemed like a "Lost Horizons" type story, but the ending changed it into "there are no great spiritual utopias"....I guess. I liked "The Little Photographer," but it was very predictable.
When I finished this ebook I put the next ebook of her short stories on my wishlist. Eventually I will have to read her novels.
---------------------------
Off to pick my last book for this challenge!
85craso
Finished my last book for this challenge Darker Than You Think. I will write down my thoughts on this great Halloween read soon.
86rabbitprincess
>85 craso: Hurray! Congratulations!
87craso
>86 rabbitprincess: Thanks! There were many times this year I was afraid I wouldn't make it, then I got my reading mojo back. 😊
88craso
12. Darker Than You Think by Jack Williamson (Acquired 12-01-2014) 4 Stars
Will Barbee is a reporter working for a newspaper in Clarendon, California. While waiting at the local airport to report on the return of an archeology team he meets a seductive female named April Bell. Soon he is caught between the horrible discovery brought back from across the ocean and the bewitching temptress.
This novel explains the supernatural through science, genetic memory, psychiatry, myths, and folklore. Magic is just the use of Heisenberg's matrix formulation of quantum mechanics and the theory of probability. Magic is used by witches to shapeshift. Witches were real in the past, but now are only know by modern man through myths and folktales.
Flowing through this novel is a feeling of paranoia and a sense of a waking nightmare. Is Barbee bewitched, insane or something else? This is a fast moving and entertaining novel. If you like books about witches, werewolves, vampires, or novels where the main character doubts his sanity, you will enjoy this book.
Will Barbee is a reporter working for a newspaper in Clarendon, California. While waiting at the local airport to report on the return of an archeology team he meets a seductive female named April Bell. Soon he is caught between the horrible discovery brought back from across the ocean and the bewitching temptress.
This novel explains the supernatural through science, genetic memory, psychiatry, myths, and folklore. Magic is just the use of Heisenberg's matrix formulation of quantum mechanics and the theory of probability. Magic is used by witches to shapeshift. Witches were real in the past, but now are only know by modern man through myths and folktales.
Flowing through this novel is a feeling of paranoia and a sense of a waking nightmare. Is Barbee bewitched, insane or something else? This is a fast moving and entertaining novel. If you like books about witches, werewolves, vampires, or novels where the main character doubts his sanity, you will enjoy this book.
89MissWatson
Congratulations on reaching your goal!
94craso
>93 avanders: Ohhh! What a pretty congratulations! Thank you!
95avanders
>94 craso: I really like that one too 
96craso
Finished an extra Root, The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi (Acquired 01-14-2015) 4 Stars
This is the second novel in a series that starts with Old Man's War. The Colonial Defense Force has found out that they have been betrayed by a scientist, Charles Boutin. To find out why he turned on them, the CDF clones the scientist and puts a copy of his consciousness in the new body. The consciousness does not take hold, so not wanting to waste a perfectly good clone, the CDF decides to turn the clone into a special forces soldier. The clone, Jared Dirac, starts to form his own consciousness and create a life for himself, but then he starts to remember his old life when eating black jellybeans reminds him of his lost daughter.
This was a good read. I enjoyed the ideas about what makes up a person consciousness. It is also a fun sci fi story with lots of action.
This is the second novel in a series that starts with Old Man's War. The Colonial Defense Force has found out that they have been betrayed by a scientist, Charles Boutin. To find out why he turned on them, the CDF clones the scientist and puts a copy of his consciousness in the new body. The consciousness does not take hold, so not wanting to waste a perfectly good clone, the CDF decides to turn the clone into a special forces soldier. The clone, Jared Dirac, starts to form his own consciousness and create a life for himself, but then he starts to remember his old life when eating black jellybeans reminds him of his lost daughter.
This was a good read. I enjoyed the ideas about what makes up a person consciousness. It is also a fun sci fi story with lots of action.
97rabbitprincess
Interesting! The only Scalzi I've read so far is Redshirts (which I really liked).
Also hurray for finishing an extra ROOT! :D
Also hurray for finishing an extra ROOT! :D
98craso
>97 rabbitprincess: Thanks!
I liked Redshirts so I read Old Man's War which led to The Ghost Brigades. :-)
I liked Redshirts so I read Old Man's War which led to The Ghost Brigades. :-)
