October 2024 Wrap-Up

You might have noticed that I've branched into genres not usual for me of late. That's due to a three month trial of Kindle Unlimited.  I was skeptical of KU at first, thinking that I wouldn't find enough to read, but I just keep being impressed.  Several authors I already love are available on KU and I've discovered a plethora of new ones as well. It's lovely not to have to be on a wait list like at the library, and there are so many great indie authors that my library system does not offer. On the whole, I'm really enjoying KU and would recommend the free trial if, like me, you are a book borrower and don't mind not owning everything you read.

Books Read

Disinheritance by Mary Kingswood (2024)  4/5 stars

Book One of The Chaplain's Legacy Series

This Regency-era novel begins with a murder and continues with layers of family drama and a gentle romance.  While I was somewhat disappointed with the outcome of the mystery, overall, I enjoyed the story immensely and look forward to reading more by this author.

Determination by Mary Kingswood (2024)  4/5 stars

Book Two of The Chaplain's Legacy Series

This book follows a side character from the first book, and while not as layered as Disinheritance, was still well-written, entertaining and engrossing.  I was disappointed that the mystery wasn't readdressed, however, and did feel that Kingswood wasn't always true to the time period, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment or weaken the novel.

Anger by Mary Kingswood (2024)  4/5 stars

Book Three of The Chaplain's Legacy Series

Anger also follows a side character from the first book of the series, and while I didn't enjoy it as much, it was certainly well-written and entertaining.  The development of the hard-to-love main character was nicely done, and I even found myself thinking about the book when I wasn't reading.  Some of the threads of mystery from Disinheritance were mentioned, so I still have hope that it will be revisited as the series continues.  I am looking forward to the release of book four in January.

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright (2017)  4/5 stars

This novel follows two women, generations apart, who are affected by evil events that occur in the house on Foster Hill.  The author writes well overall, but excels at creating a sense of suspense and unease.  The plot is intriguing, and I found it so engrossing that I read the over-300-page book in just over 24 hours.  Based on the strength of this, her debut, I'm excited to read Wright's more recent works.

John Eyre by Mimi Matthews (2021)  5/5 stars  (my review here)

Beauty and the Beast by K. M. Shea (2013)  4/5 stars

Timeless Fairy Tales Series, Book 1

Elle falls through the glass roof of the chateau of the cursed Prince Severin and, while she is recovering from the resulting broken leg, she becomes friends with his equally cursed staff, and later, with him.  As these friendships grow, Elle is always conscious of the fact that she is lying to them all, and that the truth could bring heartbreak.

This is a well-written retelling of the traditional fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, that is charming, fun, and even moving, but, happily, lacking the Stockholm syndrome.  I enjoyed Shea's style, the gentle and even realistic romance, and the overall book experience.  I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

A Noble Purpose by Laurie Lucking (2024)  3/5 stars

This is a sweet novella, based on the fairy tale "Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh".  Due to it's brevity, it is not particularly involved and things happen a bit too quickly.  Despite that, it's generally well-written, and I would certainly be willing to try a full-length novel by this author.

By the Light of the Setting Sun by Laura Rollins (2023)  4/5 stars

A Gentleman's Heart Series, Book 1

In this Regency romance, Alex is concerned for the wellbeing of his stepsister, eight year old Lily and determined to remove her from the stepfather he detests.  Elizabeth has just finished her fourth unsuccessful season in London, and is visiting Bath with her family, in hopes of improving her father's health.  Alex and Elizabeth meet in a most interesting situation, and a friendship is quickly formed, which turns to something warmer.  Duty, however, is uppermost in his mind, and Alex worries that he can't have Elizabeth's heart and still have Lily's safety.

This is a charming and well-written novel, with characters that I cared for immediately.  There were funny moments alongside the more serious issues, and the plot was nicely paced.  I was startled and amused at Rollins' use of the word "updo" (first recorded in the 1930s), but otherwise the feel and atmosphere of the era was nicely done. The romance was sweet, the resolution satisfying, and the book a pleasure overall.  I will certainly read more by this author.

Tempted by Folly by Christina Dudley (2022)  4/5 stars

The Ellsworth Assortment, Book One

Christina Dudley

This is a charming, witty, engaging, and well-written Regency romance.  It's closer in flavor to a Georgette Heyer novel than any other I have read.  I was immediately interested in the characters, felt invested in their story, and found the period atmosphere to be realistic.  The plot was complex enough to be absorbing, with moments both amusing and serious, and the believable family dynamic enhanced the overall experience, making me eager to continue with the series.  (I'd love to know if Mr. Ellsworth reminded anyone else of Jane Austin's Sir Walter Elliot.)

The Belle of Winchester by Christina Dudley  (2022)  4/5 stars

The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Two

This is another delightful and well-written Regency romance by Dudley.  Lily was introduced in the prior novel, and her story is similar to that of her sister, but with enough differences and detours to make it fresh and interesting.  It captured my attention immediately and I was thoroughly invested in the story, cared about the characters, and was curious as to how it would all work out in the long run.  The author has quickly become a favorite.

Minta in Spite of Herself  by Christina Dudley  (2023)  4/5 stars

The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Three

The third book of this series follows the likable hoyden Ellsworth, eighteen-yar-old Araminta, as she matures and discovers there is life to be found apart from archery and the freedom of the outdoors.  This appealing novel was a delight from beginning to end.  It was of the quality I now expect from the author: well-written, diverting, satisfying, and absorbing.  The series just gets better with each book!

A Scholarly Pursuit by Christina Dudley  (2023)  4/5 stars

The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Four

This follows the eldest Ellsworth brother, Tyrone, who has a secret business of writing love letters and speeches for less eloquent gentlemen.  When a customer wants to court Agatha, the best friend of Tyrone's twin, Tyrone begins to regret his involvement as he realizes he would like to woo her himself. 

While I didn't find this one as charming as the previous three, I still enjoyed it immensely.  It's well-written, fun, and engaging, with quite likable characters.  I did feel the ending was rushed, but that didn't affect the overall strength of the book. 

Miranda at Heart by Christina Dudley  (2024)  4/5 stars

The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Five

The fourth Mrs. Ellsworth was proposed to for practical reasons, and accepted for the same.  Now a widow at thirty-nine, she discovers romantic love for the first time, but must put her family's needs before her heart.

I loved this one so much!  It was wonderful to see Miranda, who did her duty so admirably in the previous books, find a happiness she never expected.  The writing was solid, the characters so easy to care for, and the plot delightful.  I highly recommend this series (read in order).

A Capital Arrangement by Christina Dudley  (2024)  4/5 stars

The Ellsworth Assortment, Book Six

The final installment of the series follows the youngest Ellsworth daughter, Beatrice, as she falls in love for the first time -- and suffers her first heartbreak as well.  This is as charming and delightful as the previous books, well-written and nicely plotted.  I have enjoyed the entire series tremendously, from the quotes at the start of the chapters, to the historical details, to the wonderful family dynamics.  I highly recommend the Ellsworth Assortment -- read in order -- for lovers of clean, intelligent, entertaining Regency romance.

The Phantom Hollow by Gerald Verner (1933)  3/5 stars

The Trevor Lowe series, book one

Verner borrowed a page from the Victorian melodrama with this mystery/thriller, giving the reader multiple murders, a threat painted in blood, ghost sightings, robbery, assassination attempts, kidnapping, secret identities, a quick romance, Scotland Yard, and a gentleman amateur detective.  Yes, it's a silly book, but it's also a great deal of fun.  I was interested and entertained from beginning to end, and will definitely continue the series. 

Praying with Mother Teresa: Prayers, Insights, and Wisdom of Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Susan Conroy (2016)  5/5 stars

Lovely book of the thoughts and prayers of Mother Teresa.

Audiobooks Completed

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (1909)  4/5 stars

Book Two of the Anne of Green Gables Series

This sweet book picks up where Anne of Green Gables stops.  While it doesn't have the full charm of the first, it is still a gentle, lovely, enjoyable book, and well worth reading.

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery (1915)  4/5 stars

Book Three of the Anne of Green Gables Series

This lovely book follows Anne's four years at college, as she matures and finds love.  It is as well-written, gentle, and enjoyable as the previous two, and watching Anne grow up is both bittersweet and wonderful.

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie (1928)  3/5 stars

Entertaining and well-plotted story and, despite it being a reread, still surprising.  That said, there is a point that feels too contrived to make it entirely believable.

The Big Four by Agatha Christie (1927)  3/5 stars

This is a set of interconnected short stories that tell the story of Poirot battling against a gang of international criminals, known as The Big Four.  While not Christie's strongest work, it is charmingly narrated by Hastings, giving an extra dimension of fun to the improbable plot.

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie (1937)  4/5 stars

Well-written, twisty, and completely entertaining.  This was a reread but I still immensely enjoyed seeing how Christie wove all the strands together to make such a complex plot.

Did Not Finish

The Pennington Perplexity by Natalie Brianne

I couldn't decide if this was supposed to be an alternate universe, or if the author was making mistakes with historical accuracy.  Then, when she used the word "fall" instead of "autumn" in a Victorian London setting,  I knew that I'd spend the whole book expecting more problems instead of enjoying the story, so I stopped. 

The Wild Swans by K. M. Shea 

Timeless Fairy Tales Series, Book 2

This didn't start off as fun or charming as the first in the series, and when I realized it was going to be a love triangle (a least-favorite trope), I decided to pass, at least for now. 

The Starling and the Hatter by Annette K. Larsen

This is advertised as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Reimagined" but after about 30%, the connection was so tenuous that I stopped looking for the character/plot tie-ins.  I made it a few more chapters, but the two POVs were not distinctive enough to be convincing, and then it became a love triangle, so I lost interest.

John Eyre by Mimi Matthews

John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow  

Mimi Matthews  

2021

5/5 stars

This is a well-written retelling of Bronte's Jane Eyre, with the genders switched so that the governess is now a tutor, and the employer is Mrs. Bertha Rochester.  Matthews brings the original plot points and characters together in her own version skillfully, creating believable motives, emotions, and outcomes.

But that's not all there is to John Eyre.

In addition, the author has woven in another classic Victorian novel (and one of my top favorite books) to create a completely engrossing tale of horror and suspense.  (I'm omitting the name of said novel to avoid spoiling the reading experience.)  Matthews surprised me with her choice, but her excellent blending of the two was impressive. Overall, the unexpected duo made for a deliciously gothic, absolutely memorable story.

I wouldn't recommend it for every reader, and not even for all fans of Jane Eyre; however, those who enjoy a creepy Victorian melodrama will find this a pure delight.  I certainly did.

Mission Accomplished!

Today, I finished cataloging my personal library on LibraryThing, and it is such an accomplishment!  My total count came to 1346 physical books, 358 audiobooks, and 453 ebooks, not counting books that belonged to my husband alone.  

If you've not used LibraryThing, I highly recommend it.  I joined about a week after it launched in 2005, but had only piddled with it until lately, when I decided to catalog my library properly.  

Check it out and see if it's for you, and when you do, you can see what books we have in common as well!

September 2024 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

The Greek Coffin Mystery by Ellery Queen (1932)  3/5 stars

While the solution was convoluted, it was still a good mystery with a well-done surprise.

Death Reports to a Health Resort by P.J. Fitzsimmons (2024)  4/5 stars

This latest volume in the Anty Boisjoly series sees Anty out to save his Uncle Pim from being arrested for the murder of a health resort doctor.  It's fun, clever, and as delightful as the rest.

Princess of Shadows by A.G. Marshall (2016)  4/5 stars

original title: The Princess and the Pea

This is an enjoyable Sleeping Beauty retelling, with a fun use of tale of the princess and the pea, as well.  The world building was above average, it is generally well-written, and I found the plot to be engaging throughout.  I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Poisoned: Snow White's Story by Mary Mecham (2022)  3/5 stars (my review here)

Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (2023) 3/5 stars
This is a combo of rom-com, two mysteries, and a few serious themes.  It's not my usual genre, and there were loose ends and unanswered questions, but I still found it to be an enjoyable, light read that kept my attention throughout. 

The Love That Made Mother Teresa (Special Canonization Edition) by David Scott (2016)  4/5 stars

Scott explores the scant biographical details we have of Mother Teresa, explains her vision, and discusses her "dark night of the soul".

The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson (2023)  3/5 stars

When Jolie returns to her hometown with a chip on her shoulder and plans for revenge of sorts, she is shocked to find that her high school enemy, the delinquent punk Lucas, has reformed and is now the Sheriff.  This is a generally enjoyable rom-com, with Jolie coming to grips with the past and learning to forgive, and growing as a character.  Lucas was less than dynamic, and the plot was predictable, but it was still fun, light read that kept my attention.

Scarlett and the Dark Woods by Mary Mecham (2023)  3/5 stars

This is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that takes place in a dystopian world, with some humor and a light romance.  Mecham gives a good twist to the traditional tale, but there isn't a lot of depth to the story.  Despite that, it's still a fun read. 

The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson  (2021)  4/5 stars

This is a layered mystery with light romance set in Regency England.  It  generally kept to the feel of the times, had appealing characters with realistic motives, and an interesting story.  The plot twist was good, though I did guess the solution early on. (I blame that on 40+ years of reading mysteries, though, and not any fault of the author.)  Overall, it was compelling and enjoyable. 

Beauty and the Baron by Joanna Barker (2019)  3/5 stars
This novella is advertised as a Regency retelling of the Beauty and the Beast, but contained very little of that tale.  As it was so short, there was very little development of either character or plot.  It was still a sweet story, and I'd certainly be willing to read a full-length novel by the author.

Black Plumes by Margery Allingham (1940)  4/5 stars

Allingham, author of the Campion adventure-thrillers, kept me guessing in this stand-alone mystery.  There are many viable suspects, a good amount of false clues, and several possible motives.  The characters aren't fully developed, but the tension and the uneasy atmosphere is excellent.  Overall, it's engrossing, well-written, and entertaining.

Tuchman

Audiobooks Completed:

A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman (1978)  5/5 stars

In this nonfiction classic, the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author uses the life of a French nobleman, Enguerrand de Coucy VII, as a way to explain and discuss the high and low points, daily life, pivotal events, and important figures of Western Europe in the 14th Century.  Despite its length (over 700 pages), it is an excellent general overview of the topic, easy to read, coherent, interesting, attention-holding, and accessible to the layman.   

Henry IV: The Righteous King by Ian Mortimer (2007)  4/5 stars    

According to the author, King Henry IV has been misrepresented throughout the ages, and Dr. Mortimer seeks to correct that view with this detailed biography.  It is interesting overall,  with only a few dry patches, and is generally easy to follow.  The arguments were logical and most often convincing.   I do like that Dr. Mortimer keeps the more "personal opinion" discussions of this book confined to the appendices to be read or ignored by choice.  While I didn't find it as engrossing as Mortimer's Henry V: The Warrior King of 1415 (my review here), I still would definitely recommend it to my fellow medieval armchair historians.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908)  5/5 stars

I love this sweet novel better every time I re-read it! It's well-written, tender, fun, full of emotion, and an overall joy to experience. (The movie doesn't come close to the excellence of the book, by the way.)

Did Not Finish

1939: The Last Season by Anne de Courcy (1989)

The interwar years are of great interest to me and I'm a social history junkie with Britain as my preference, so this should have been a home run.  It was not.   I listened to six chapters, but there didn't seem to be anything to tie it together; it was a string of society gossip, details from primary sources, and tidbits of social history, one after the other, with no cohesion.  Maybe if I stuck with it longer, the build up to the war would have become the thread to hold it together, but I just couldn't.  On a personal note, I wrote a paper similar in topic and nearly identical to style once, and my college professor gave me a C, remarked how disappointed she was with my effort, and said she had expected more from me.  I now know how she felt.

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Comfort Reads

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion hosted by Jen at That's What I'm Talking About. 

I'm a couple of days late, but this week's discussion is "do you have a go-to comfort book?" and the answer to that is a definite yes!

I am a firm believer in rereading.  In fact, if I had to pick between never rereading and never reading a new-to-me book, I'd give up new books in a heartbeat.  I love the excitement of a new book, of course, but the comfort and certainty of an old favorite can't be beat.

Agatha Christie is a long-time comfort read for me, especially on audio with Hugh Frasier narrating.  Even when I remember the plot well, it's a pleasure to follow along and see what clues I've missed in previous readings. 

The Anne of Green Gables series is another I reread for comfort.  I'm currently rereading the first on audio now, and may continue through the whole series again.  The beautiful descriptions, the easy-to-love characters, and the sweet plots bring me such joy.

Jane Austen is my other comfort read.  There's no need to try to explain how wonderful an author she is, others have done it far better, but it was love at first read when I was introduced to her in high school.  (I'm currently in the middle of a leisurely reread of Emma, with lots of notetaking and highlighting.) 

How about you?  Do you reread for comfort?

Shelf Control: A Passage to India

Shelf Control is a weekly feature hosted by Literary Potpourri to discuss unread books sitting in our to-be-read piles.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but, as much as I love Room with a View and Howard's End, I have never read A Passage to India!  I own it, I've intended to read it, I even started the audio version once, but. . . . I'm intimidated by it.

According to Wikipedia:

A Passage to India is a 1924 novel by English author E. M. Forster set against the backdrop of the British Raj and the Indian independence movement in the 1920s

and includes a situation that 

brings to a boil common racial tensions and prejudices between Indians and the British during the colonial era.

If you've read it, let me know how it stacks up to my favorite Forster novels and if it's worth reading.  I feel like I'm probably missing out, but the subject matter just appears heavy and makes me hesitant to start!

Poisoned by Mary Mecham

Poisoned: Snow White's Story 

Mary Mecham 

2022  

3/5 stars

Mecham uses the familiar story of Snow White to introduce the reader to a character with  Severe Intellectual Disability.  Her message is clear and strong, with discussion questions at the end to aid the reader, but it overshadows the actual story, leaving very little room for  romance or fantasy or even plot.  That said, as one with extensive, intimate experience with preschoolers with a range of disabilities, I very much appreciate Mecham's effort and know that readers will benefit by learning how best to interact with people with disabilities and with their caregivers.  

She gives a further lesson, equally important, by showing what emotional abuse, gaslighting, and control can look like.  I applaud her for doing so, but felt that a book with two such strong themes was heavier than needed, and split the reader's focus.

It is still a sweet book with appealing characters, however, and I would not hesitate to read more by the author.