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Readwine

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  1. Since I have been a BCF member, I have challenged myself to read 52 books during the year. I've yet to get there, but I will keep trying. 2009 = 44 2010 = 47 2011 = 48 2012 = ? Still, this is the most books I've ever read in a year (notwithstanding the years in university) and I owe it to the motivation BCF provides. Thank you. For 2012, I am reasserting that challenge: 1. Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin 9.5/10 2. Sanctus by Simon Toyne 7/10 3. The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau 7.5/10 4. Restoration by Rose Tremain 7/10 5. The Trial of Elizabeth Cree by Peter Ackroyd 8/10 6. The Broken Land by Jack Ludlow 7/10 7. The Echo by Minette Waters 8/10 8. Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie 8/10 9. Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody 7.5/10 10. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey 9/10 11. Sylvanus Now by Donna Morrissey 8/10
  2. If Pearl Buck interests you still, I really enjoyed Pearl of China by Anchee Min. It is historical fiction written so well.
  3. I just finished this book and although Foulds, in my opinion writes beautifully, the storyline left me a bit empty. I felt the characters were only skeletal and needed a bit more flesh. Just could never really sink my teeth into it. I really struggled to finish it and only did to enjoy the writing.
  4. Dawn, I challenged myself this year to read the whole of the Inspector Banks series. I am enjoying it. However, after reading several, In a Dry Season really took me by surprise as it is so different to the others in the series. I almost felt that someone else wrote it and Robinson lent his name to the novel. Its writing style is different as well as the structure, so I will admit that it is my least favorite in the series. Perhaps, had I read this one first, I would not have something else to compare it too.
  5. Dawn, I read this last year and really enjoyed it. I have not had time to read the 2nd and 3rd in the series, but very much want to (in my TBR Pile) as I think as Ruth develops, she will be an interesting character. I lived in East Anglia as well so her settings are special to me.
  6. I may be in the minority here but I really did not enjoy this book as much as I anticipated. This is not my usual genre but I thought it may be a welcomed change. The beginning was very encouraging and it felt as if it was going to develop into a good yarn. As the character of Diana developed, I began to dislike her. She is terminally tired throughout the novel, which halted the story line in its development. I kept saying to myself "Come on. Stop napping and eating and get on with it." Though I did like the character of Matthew (he kept you guessing whether he was a good guy or not), he kept saying "We will talk about it later" over and over again. Again, restraining the development of the story. I guess I expected a little more action. Finally, close to the end it gets interesting and then it ends. What!!!! I guess the author has the sequel coming. I will probably not read it as I did not anticipate this book would be a romance novel - a little to "sweet" and "lovie dovie" for my liking.
  7. Rosamunde Pilcher is lovely: Coming Home, Winter Solstice and The Shell Seekers are my favorites. Just read Ken Follett's Fall of Giants which was very good
  8. CS, I agree with you. The writing style and tecnique is something to be envied. Absolutely beautiful The end did not satisfy me as I too was left with a hunger for a little more resolution, but like you said a fantastic read. Thanks for the recommendation everyone.
  9. Just started this book today. Not my usual gendre so I am looking forward to it, especially after the good words here. Thanks for the tip everyone.
  10. I have been so busy at work these last year, I have very neglectful of my challenge and browsing BCF. Though I am a little behind in my challenge, I can only excuse it by the length of the books I am trying to read through the Inspector Banks series of Peter Robinson, which are a quick and entertaining read for the most part (except for In a Dry Season). One very good surprise was Darynda Jones' First Grave from the Right. A mixture of mystery novel with vampires. Usually, I do not read much about vampires and talking dead people, but this book I really enjoyed. It is light hearted and fun. I would recommended it, and I will read its sequel, Second Grave on the Left (love the titles) Another adventure on reading for me was reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Again, westerns are not my genre of choice but I very much enjoyed this big book; specifically, the character of Gus. Another good surprise was Moloka'I by Alan Brennert. It is the life story of a young girl from Hawaii beginning at the turn of the century who is sent to the leper colonies of Hawaii. Very good historical novel and very moving. Good read as well was Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. Gives you a perpective of WWII from various points of views. Made me want to read the sequel.
  11. In 2009, I challenged myself to read 52 books during the year; I only made it to 44. In 2010, I made it to 47. Still, I am proud of myself of that accomplishment. This is the most books I've ever read in a year (notwithstanding the years in university) and I owe it to the motivation BCF provides. Thank you. For 2011, I am reasserting that challenge: 1. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore 8/10 2. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson 7.5/10 3. A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 8/10 4. The Bonesetter's Wife by Amy Tan 9/10 5. Past Reason Hated by Peter Robinson 8/10 6. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett 9/10 7. Chasing the Devil by Tim Butcher 8.5/10 8. Heartstone by C.J. Sansom 9.5/10 9. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley 9.5/10 10. First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones 9/10 11. Final Account by Peter Robinson 8/10 12. Caveat Emptor by Roth Downie 6/10 13. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters 6/10 14. Innocent Graves by Peter Robinson 8/10 15. Moloka'I by Alan Brennert 9.5/10 16. Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross 8.5/10 17. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry 10/10 18. Blood at the Root by Peter Robinson 7.5/10 19. In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson 7/10 20. Cold is the Grave by Peter Robinson 8/10 21. The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall 8/10 22. The Last Queen-Juana La Loca by C.W. Gortner 8/10 23. The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing by Tarquin Hall 8/10 24. Aftermath by Peter Robinson 8/10 25. Close to Home by Peter Robinson 8.5/10 26. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain 8.5/10 27. Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey (could not finish it - Ugggh) 28. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 6/10 29. Ireland by Franck Delaney (could not finish it - Ugggh) 30. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber 9/10 31. All the Colors of Darkness by Peter Robinson 8.5/10 32. Friend of the Devil by Peter Robinson 9/10 33. Dr. Margaret's Sea Chest by Waheed Rabbani 7/10 34. True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey 8.5/10 35. Strange Affair by Peter Robinson 8/10 36. Bad Boy by Peter Robinson 8.5/10 37. Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer 8/10 38. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths 8/10 39. The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths 8/10 40. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton 7.5/10 41. Agatha Raisin and the Vicoius Vet by M.C. Beaton 7.5/10 42. The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds 6/10 43. I am Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley 8.5/10 44. Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor 8.5/10 45. Christine Falls by Benjamin Black 7.5/10 46. The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig 8.5/10 47. Galore by Michael Crummey 7/10 48. Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
  12. I saw my homework on the New York Times Bestsellers List, so that means somebody stole it.
  13. I am actually reading this now thanks to Katrina (thank you Katrina) and so far it is quite good. There are two stories unfolding; one, in which Conan Doyle is the protagonist (with Bram Stoker as his Watson- I did not realize they were contemporaries); and the second, taking place is 2010 in which a member of the Sherlokian Society is scouring for clues to a murder (with a female reporter as his Watson). Both plot lines hold your interest. It is well written and the style is fluid. It has also peaked my curiosity to actually read the Sherlock Holmes stories as I have never had the pleasure. So I foresee 2011 being a little Sherlockian
  14. The Best Book I've Read This Year: I'll have to go with what looks like the majority here: Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell I started reading it because it has become a classic and I wanted to read at least one classic this year. I really had no interest in reading about the US Civil War, but I decided to give it a try anyway. WOW, was I pleasantly surprised! What a wonderful book and brilliant characters. I especially loved Rhett. My Favorite Book Of The Year: Again, discovered this new series by accident, wanting at the time to read a mystery without gore and violence. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley. (I know he now has a new one out and cannot wait to read it). These books feature an 11 year old girl detective who is smart, funny and vulnerable. Though the mysteries are plain vanilla really, the characters and the tone of the books are "lovely" - that is the only way I can describe them. If ever you are in a mood for a lovely little series, I highly recommend it, My Worst Book Of The Year: Two come to mind: The Religion by Tim Willocks and The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell. Absolutely waste of time and redeeming factors. Unfortunately, I am one of those readers who will finish a book even though it is terrible. In a way, I guess this compulsive disorder really wants to give credit to the author for spending so much time researching and writing a book. So I keep reading in hope. Oh well.
  15. Thank you for the B-day wishes, Happy New Year, Readwine

  16. Thank you for the B-day wishes. Happy New Year, Readwine

  17. Thank you Ooshie for your wishes. Happy New Year, Readwine

  18. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice. 1950's London and the coming of age of young girl.
  19. Well, it is nearly the end of 2010 and soon I shall be working on my 2011 list. I did not meet my challenge to read 52 books this year, but I did beat my 2009 total of 44 books (2010 list on first post). I am quite pleased I still have a couple of days so I may even be able to add one more book to 2010. Unfortunately, the last part of the year was so busy at work I was unable to write any reviews. Oh well. One excuse I do have is that several of the books I read this year were huge door stoppers (most about 800 pages). At any rate, here is wishing you all happy reading for 2011.
  20. Instead of me suggesting a book, you suggested one to me. I have never heard of the B Cycle and it sounds fascinating. Thank you
  21. It is now on my wish list. I love Cornwall and generation stories. Great combo. Thanks for the review
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