Review: The Heir (The Selection #4)

The Heir by Kiera Cass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Back to the world of the Selection. Flash-forward 20 years, with America and Maxon still going strong.

I thought it was an interesting twist on the traditional 'boy chooses girl' version of The Bachelor. Now we get The Bachelorette! Unfortunately, Eadlyn was a brat, and started the book as fairly unlikeable. But she was somewhat redeemed by the end, which is a cliffhanger, by the way, so be prepared for a book 5.

Not super great, but I'm going to give it 3 stars because I didn't hate Eadlyn by the end.

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Review: Slay-Ride

Slay-Ride by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Classic Dick Francis. This time we travel to Norway. I'm cold just reading this book.

We get a great Francis "everyman" in David Cleveland. Jockey Club investigator and all-around smart, nice guy. He gets in danger (as you would expect), barely escapes with his life (naturally) and saves the day.

Plus, this book is as old as I am, and it is still a fun read. One of my favorite authors of all time.

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Reading University 2016: January

January Topic:  Examining the Life of Henry VIII

Books: Wolf Hall
Series: Wolf Hall, The Tudors

My first topic for the year will be a study of Henry VIII, his wives, and life at the Tudor Court.  I'm starting with the reading of Wolf Hall by Hilary Martel.  I am watching the series Wolf Hall as well and plan to rewatch The Tudors as a comparison.  I'm sure this will spark other research, and I will wrap January up with a bow and move on to a new topic for February.  Will you join me?

Cataloging Christie: A Life List

Cataloging Christie: A Life List

You know how certain authors just speak to you?  You just can't get enough of their work and you have to devour everything they've written?  Agatha Christie is one of those authors for me.  I love her variety, how prolific she was, and the interesting step back in time she allows me.  Plus, I'm a huge mystery fan.  She was simply amazing.  She wrote 66 mysteries, 6 romances (under Mary Westmacott), 150 short stories, and 19 plays.  That's quite a life list!

For 2016, I have selected the following stories.  I may read additional ones, but these are the ones by month.
January: Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot #10)
February: Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle #1)
March: The Thirteen Problems (Miss Marple #2)
April: Cat Among the Pigeons (Hercule Poirot #32)
May: Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot #2)
June: Why Didn't They Ask Evans (Stand-alone)
July: Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple #1)
August: Mrs. McGinty's Dead (Hercule Poirot #31)
September: Dumb Witness (Hercule Poirot #18)
October: The Seven Dials Mystery (Superintendent Battle #2)
November: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4)
December: Endless Night (Stand-alone)

For her complete list in publication order, visit Agatha Christie's official site HERE.

My Christie Archives

Classic Challenge

What classics will you read in 2016?

Every year I try to read at least one classic per month*.  Most of them are classics for a reason--they have stood the test of time and continue to be loved and discussed, debated and analyzed.  A few have left me fulfilled, some have left me teary-eyed, and some have changed my world view.  The wonderful thing about classics is you could read every day for a year and barely make a dent in the top classics of all time.  

For reference, I am working my way through "Must Read Classics", a listopia on Goodreads.  There are so many places to start if you are wondering what to read, or where to start.  Like I always say, just read.  It doesn't matter what you read--it will all shape and change you.  

My 2016 classics list.  All are tagged as classics on Goodreads.  Some overlap with my 2016 Bucket List, because I am efficient.  And all are ones I have on my "to be read" list.  What's on your list this year?

My 2016 Classic Challenge

January: Frankenstein

February: Wuthering Heights

March: Tess of the D'Urbervilles

April: The Clan of the Cave Bear

May: Jane Eyre

June: Rebecca

July: The Handmaid's Tale

August: North and South

September: The Three Musketeers

October: Memoirs of a Geisha

November: Emma

December: Gone with the Wind

*This doesn't include my Agatha Christie list, as she is one of my all-time favorite authors and I am working my way through reviewing all of her books.  To keep up on my Christie Capers, click HERE.

Review: Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1)

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? I love the desert, I've lived here for years, but Anna sure runs across a lot of snakes in this book. Thankfully, my life doesn't echo hers.

Anna Pigeon is a widowed park ranger. She's kinda awesome. She's independent, and sassy, and reminds of Kinsey Millhone, another favorite character. I like women who kick ass and have sharp edges and a small marshmallow center. Anyway, in this first book Anna is working at Guadalupe National Park. A mystery unfolds, a mysterious death by mountain lion (or was it), and Anna's the only one suspicious enough to stubbornly pursue justice. She puts herself in danger and, in the end, gets her man. As you would expect.

I love this series because I have been fortunate enough to live and work in the National Park System and look forward to hearing her insights about the politics of the NPS (yucky, but sadly true) as well as her character living in amazing places. Can't wait to get to book 3, where I used to live and work. On to the next!

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Review: The Secret Keeper

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book hit all the right notes with me. Historical setting, family drama, romance, war, mystery. Totally my jam. Of course I loved it.

Laurel is an actress (a fairly famous one, btw). Her aging mother is dying and she is coming home to support her family. Laurel is also carrying a secret, one only she and her mother know. When Laurel was 16 she saw her mother stab and kill a stranger in the yard. Somehow they kept this from her siblings. And now that her mother is dying Laurel is bent on discovering the truth. We go on a journey of alternating timelines, past in WWII and present 2011. The mystery slowly unfolds, and it's a good one. I thought I had figured it out several times, then something else would happen to mess up my guess. And while I was mostly right about it, I was wrong in several ways.

Very satisfying story. I completely recommend it.


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Review: The Troop

The Troop by Nick Cutter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book was scary and gross. Definitely a good one to recommend to horror fans.

Basically you take a scout troop and strand them on an island alone with their Scoutmaster to earn some survival badges. An infected man comes and hilarity ensues. (Not really, I was crying in my pillow I was so scared. And grossed out.) Did I mention not to eat while reading this book? Go ahead, do it. See what happens.

The characters aren't very likable but I think that adds to the horror. 3 1/2 stars.



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Review: The Magicians (The Magicians #1)

The Magicians by Lev Grossman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Brakebills. It's like Hogwarts, but for college students. And less fun.

Quentin, who grew up obsessed with the magical land of Fillory (*Narnia*), is suddenly whisked into Brakebills College to develop his unknown skills in magic. Quentin is a magician--not the greatest wizard who ever lived, but he seems to do a fair job once he's had some training. But he's insufferable and I hate him. He is the poster child for poor decisions. Every time I thought I couldn't hate him more, he does another bone-headed thing. Seriously, dude. You are the worst.

But the story is ok enough for me to give it 3 stars. Mostly for Alice, but also because I stuck with it through the end. And because I'm a masochist and I already bought it, I will read book 2.

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2016 Bucket List

You know those books that you have on your TBR list forever?  You have every intention of reading them, but somehow they keep getting pushed down your pile?  It's time to shorten your stack. Your task is a simple one. Choose 12 books--just one book per month--and make a commitment to read the list. You'll be glad you did.

My 2016 Bucket List includes some I first added when I joined Goodreads back in 2009. Some are classics I've always meant to read but haven't. Some are books others have highly recommended but I just haven't gotten around to reading. And some just caught my eye, and it's time to read them. And they almost all are historical fiction, because that is one of my favorite genres. Your list will look different, and I can't wait to see it.

Here's my list for 2016. Will you join me?

January: The Secret Keeper
February: Cold Mountain
March: Outlander
April: The Clan of the Cave Bear
May: Wool Omnibus
June: Rebecca
July: The Handmaid's Tale
August: The White Queen
September: The Three Musketeers
October: Memoirs of a Geisha
November: The Cider House Rules
December: Gone With the Wind