pontalba

Six Years by Harlan Coben 4/5 Jake Fisher and Natalie Avery are in love, it is the real thing. Then, suddenly, Natalie announces she is marrying someone else, an old flame turned up again. Jake cannot believe it, but watches the wedding ceremony and is forced to believe. Natalie makes Jake promise that he will leave the new couple alone. But will he, can he? Now, six years later, he reads of her husband dying, murdered. What follows is a well written tale of intrigue, love and devotion. Coben places his protagonists in seemingly impossible situations, and twists them around until the reader cries, Uncle! Yes, Coben's stand alone novels are somewhat formulaic, but it's a formula I love, and there are enough twists and turns to keep them interestingly different. And, we are never quite sure how it will turn out. Recommended

I rarely read YA, but there is one that I've recently read, the first of a trilogy, Life As We Knew It, by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I have the other two, and am not sure why I haven't followed them up yet. So, it isn't a question of waiting with this particular series, for me. Anyhow, that said, I like series, I like trilogies. Development and evolution of character, however it is accomplished......whether by introduction of new events or additional characters is essential to holding interest. But only if there is something new to say, to add to the already written story. If it's a rehash, no dice. Too many authors try to keep on milking the same old cow.

Over the weekend I finished a couple of books, the first being Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy. For one thing, I didn't realize that a sister of darling Henry VIII had married Louis XIII of France. It was, evidently, his third marriage, shortly before he died. Plaidy tells the story, fictionally of course, from both Mary's POV and Francois, the would-be Dauphine of France. Would-be because said Louis has no male heir, and Francois is the closest male in line for the throne, unless of course, Mary happens to conceive. It could have been a fascinating telling of intrigue, suspense and heartbreak and happiness. Instead it was rather dryly told, in simplified prose. Meh. Then I found Dust Angel by Jutta Profijit on my kindle. She is the same (German) author that wrote the Morgue Drawer series that I've reviewed up thread, here. She is funny, irreverent, and full of surprises. Nothing terribly deep in the stories, but there is an underlying theme of female empowerment that doesn't hit one over the head. With a fast moving mystery, a certain level of suspense, and a bit of surprising romance thrown in, I'll certainly read any of her books.

Thanks for that willoyd, that means I'll certainly go back to it in the future. I probably would not have before.

Oh, I have the Patchett on the shelf...been debating over it on and off. For some reason I couldn't finish Bel Canto, but I think it was me, not the book. My husband loved it, and our tastes are pretty similar, so I'll def give it another go, and pull Wonder as well. Soon. soon. /sigh/ Thanks for another great review!

It really was an unexpected delight! Thanks Athena, glad to hear the word is spreading! I can't wait to read what he does next!

LOL Thanks poppyshake. I'll def look it up.

I think I almost enjoyed it more than Wolf Hall. Almost....it's a bit of a tie. Got a lot of reading done this weekend. Finished the Jean Plaidy, Mary, Queen of France, and another by Jutta Profijit, Dust Angel. She is the German author that wrote the Morgue Drawer series I've read already. Dust Angel is funny, and a rather cute mystery involving disappearing bodies, and life changes. I've started, well almost half way through Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. Jury is still out on this one. Some of the premises the author bases his suppositions on are a bit flighty, enough to throw me off.

I have to see that series! Welcome back muggle!

Love, love, love The Day of the Triffids! The Rook is by Daniel O'Malley... http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11186-pontalbas-2013-reading-list/page-7

Yup, Sarek was the Vulcan Ambassador, but I asked him the same thing. He says no. Time will tell. I did show husband a picture.

I loved both the book and film. The first paragraph of the book was just stunning. I really like the look of this one too, will investigate. Thanks.

That is simply fabulous! What a beautiful idea, and the surroundings! Wow. Wouldn't it be great to travel all around the world, just visiting all the wonderful book fairs, Literature Festivals and seminars? /sigh/ You certainly have a beautiful one there. Is it fairly close to you?

Just Love the Wizards of the Sonic!! What a great beat. Thanks for posting it. Even though you prolly won't see this, have a fantastic time! Oh, lest I forget.....I found the Robert Goddard books at last!! Hurrah!

The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook............................ am I being too pushy?? Who, me?? Who said that??

As mentioned the other day, I finished The Rook by Daniel O'Malley, I've put a review over on my blog. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11186-pontalbas-2013-reading-list/page-7#entry346491 Karsa...you'll like this one.

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley 5/5 "Dear You, The body you are wearing used to be mine. The scar on the inner left thigh is there because I fell out of a tree and impaled my leg at the age of nine." Thus begins one of the strangest book journeys I've taken. Myfanwy Alice Thomas, or her body at least, awakens in a park, in the rain, with many bodies surrounding her, all wearing latex gloves. No memory, soaked to the skin, with two black eyes, she finds two notes in her jacket pocket. What follows is at first a missing person mystery. But, what if you are the missing person, and you haven't a clue? The story evolves into a spy story as it becomes obvious Myfanwy is.......just what she isn't sure at first. In what I consider a fantastic twist, she finds she has amazing, "powers". The notes found in her pocket give her some information, and a choice. I'll leave it to you to find out what those choices are, and the course she decides upon. Whoever "she" is. Perhaps she is Myfanwy, perhaps not. I truly loved the fascinating combination of mystery, spy story, and science fiction/fantasy. The combination is just right for fans of all of the above genres. Oh, yes. O'Malley is writing a sequel. Highly Recommended.

I finished The Rook by Daniel O'Malley. I'm having trouble deciding between a 4/5 and 5/5. Will write a review, but highly recommend it to both spy story lovers, and fantasy lovers. A nice blend of both.

black tea

Peter David wrote quite a few as well, including this series...New Frontier. I think this one is the first..... http://www.amazon.com/New-Frontier-Star-Trek/dp/0671019783/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370441793&sr=1-7&keywords=Peter+David The link I posted up thread is for Star Trek: New Voyages, not Darkness. When I reread the post just now, I thought I might have worded it a bit confusingly. Another great ST author is Dorothy Fontana, one of the original writers for ST. I've put this on my wishlist.... http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Original-Paula-Block/dp/0810991721/ref=sr_1_68?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370442241&sr=1-68&keywords=star+trek+novels

Chocolate vodka, on the rocks.

Hah, no indeed, he read LeCarre's latest last night, well mostly, he got up early this morning and finished it off. And, just to clarify, he didn't ask me to pull the book, I happened to see it on the shelf and wasn't sure what it was about. With the name, The Rook, and he being a chess player, I thought it was one he'd want to read. He'd been debating about what to start. Of course it isn't about chess.......lol as I found out.

Well, that's a good reason for watching the entire thing in order. Some order TBD. Thanks Raven.

Pulled The Rook by Daniel O'Malley for husband, and ended up starting it myself! Love it. Weird combination of spy, conspiracy at the highest levels, and supernatural thrown in. Husband just has to wait his turn! /giggle/