tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50141290139182713772024-03-18T23:44:59.619-04:00Confessions of an Avid Reader"People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading." Logan Pearsall SmithMelissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-85918188574818123022015-04-06T12:07:00.000-04:002015-04-06T12:07:53.856-04:00Saying Goodbye to Blogging<br />
You may have noticed that this blog has been quiet for the past several weeks. After taking a blogging hiatus for the last part of 2014, I kicked 2015 off by starting to blog again in the hopes that my enjoyment for it would return. While I managed to post on a fairly regular basis for the first few months, my heart hasn't really been in it. As a result, after almost 4.5 years of blogging I've decided it's time to say goodbye. I simply don't have the time or the inclination to continue. <br />
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I plan to keep this blog up (at least for the time being) and will continue to read my favourite blogs -- cause my TBR pile isn't big enough :-) I have, however, turned off the comments feature. <br />
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I wish everyone the best, and thank those of you who have taken the time to engage with me through this blog. It is my hope that we can continue to connect via other venues such as Twitter. <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-46789904212200266592015-03-01T08:34:00.000-05:002015-03-01T08:34:07.683-05:00February In ReviewIt's March! It's been a long and bitterly cold winter here, but March should bring with it warmer temperatures and a promise of spring.<br />
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February was a good month for me on both the reading and blogging fronts, a trend I hope continues into March.<br />
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<u><b>Total Books Read in February</b></u>: Seven (for a total of sixteen books read so far in 2015). Below is the list of books I read in February. I only reviewed a couple of them -- click on the titles, where applicable, to read my review:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>The Case of the Missing Servant</b> by Tarquin Hall (contemporary mystery)</li>
<li><b>Intolerable</b> by Kamil Al-Solaylee (memoir, Canada Reads 2015 finalist)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/book-review-washington-stratagem-by.html"><b>The Washington Stratagem</b></a> by Adam LeBor (thriller)</li>
<li><b>Snow White Must Die</b> by Nele Neuhaus (contemporary mystery)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/ignoring-my-fifty-page-rule-actually.html"><b>A Man Called Ove</b></a> by Fredrik Backman (contemporary lit, humour)</li>
<li><b>Shadow Study</b> by Maria V. Snyder (fantasy)</li>
<li><b>Pilgrim</b> by Timothy Findley (literary fiction)</li>
</ul>
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With the exception of <b>Pilgrim</b>, which wasn't for me, I enjoyed each of the books listed, and suspect that at least a couple of them will make my best of 2015 list. <br />
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My most popular posts from February, not including my It's Monday! What Are You Reading? posts, were as follows -- feel free to join the conversation if you haven't already done so (I've linked the title to the post):<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/bookish-thoughts-too-many-reading.html">Bookish Thoughts: Too Many Reading Choices Can (Sometimes) Be A Bad Thing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/book-talk-is-it-time-to-rethink-how-i.html">Is It Time To Rethink How I Review?</a> </li>
</ul>
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On the flip-side of things, the following posts didn't receive much attention, so go show them some love :-)<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/its-time-to-curl-up-with-cozy-mystery.html">It's Time to Curl Up With a Cozy Mystery </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-to-be-read-questionnaire.html">The To Be Read Questionnaire</a></li>
</ul>
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Looking ahead, I've got some great books lined up for March (at least tentatively, my reading plans always change). It's also time for Spring Training! I can't tell you how excited I am that baseball season will soon be upon us once again (Go Blue Jays!).<br />
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Happy Reading! <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /><br />
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Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-17083330798226512282015-02-28T14:19:00.000-05:002015-02-28T14:19:30.917-05:00Ignoring My Fifty Page Rule Actually Paid Off: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a firm believer that life is too short to read books you don't enjoy. As such, I generally give each book I read about 50 to 100 pages
(depending on the length of book) to capture my interest. If I'm not
enjoying a book by this point I have no qualms with setting it aside and turning to something else.
This 50-page rule has served me well in the past, as any book I've not
been particularly impressed with by the 50-100 page mark, but kept reading
anyway, has almost always turned out to be a less than three star read for
me. You can imagine my surprise when I finished <b>A Man Called Ove</b> by Fredrik Backman--a book that I wasn't enjoying at page 100--and decided it will likely show up on my list of favourite books for 2015. <br />
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Given that <b>A Man Called Ove</b> is the first selection for a new book club I'm taking part in, I was determined to read it in its entirety even if I wasn't enjoying it by page 100. And let me tell you, at the 100 page mark I was convinced the book wasn't for me -- I didn't like Ove, not even a teeny tiny little bit, and I wasn't keen on the way his story was being told. I was convinced that my feelings for the book, and the main character, wouldn't change. Turns out they did change, and change for the better. As I continued to read I slowly found myself starting to care for Ove, and his story finally began to reasonate with me. There is much more to Ove than initially comes across in the first quarter of the novel, and I'm so glad that I didn't give up on the book and fail to learn this. By the novel's end, which left me in tears, I realized that Backman had created a character and story that is going to stay with me for years to come. <br />
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Had I followed my 50-100 page rule with <b>A Man Called Ove</b> I would have missed out on a truly wonderful book. That's not to say that I will continue to ignore my rule, since it rarely fails me, but in this instance I've very glad that I did.<br />
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Are there any books out there that you struggled with initially, but found sticking with paid off in the end? Do you follow the 50-page rule, or do you finish everything you read? <br />
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Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-46696660325181502262015-02-26T00:00:00.000-05:002015-02-26T00:00:00.312-05:00Book Review: The Washington Stratagem by Adam LeBor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMgq8OeDSNK4ftzYMAmrenyxw2C8jNMaA4e_NXsYlK0kFnbBAeX6AOREvorkXmTffbmrT2T9wltRkI1yDrH609Ih02gOGHDk8c0iEo4Ck8l_WFT8T-fhmvWgZgl8LWO_nhGIY8__xRPQ/s1600/WashingtonStratagem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMgq8OeDSNK4ftzYMAmrenyxw2C8jNMaA4e_NXsYlK0kFnbBAeX6AOREvorkXmTffbmrT2T9wltRkI1yDrH609Ih02gOGHDk8c0iEo4Ck8l_WFT8T-fhmvWgZgl8LWO_nhGIY8__xRPQ/s1600/WashingtonStratagem.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>The Washington Stratagem</b> by Adam LeBor<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Bourbon Street Books (HarperCollins Publishers) 2015<br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
<b>Rating</b>: 5 out of 5 Stars<br />
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<u><b>Synopsis</b></u><b> </b>(from the HarperCollins.com):<br />
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<i>In this action-packed, suspenseful sequel to the international thriller The Geneva Option, U.N. covert negotiator Yael Azoulay is drawn into a web of betrayal and intrigue that leads from deep within America’s military-industrial complex to the Middle East and beyond.<br /><br />Yael Azoulay nearly lost her life while on assignment for the United Nations in the Congo. Though her physical wounds are healed, she still struggles with the psychological trauma. But her safety is jeopardized once again when her job sends her to meet with the CEO of The Prometheus Group, a lobbying and asset management firm with extensive links to the Pentagon and intelligence services.<br /><br />The U.N. is suspicious about Prometheus’s military and intelligence contract operations and wants Yael to quietly investigate. Working under Prometheus’s radar, she discovers a chilling conspiracy with ties to Iran . . . and to a shocking source very close to her. And the end game is nothing less than a devastating—and very lucrative—new war in the Middle East.<br /><br />But the closer she comes to the truth, the more Yael begins to expose herself, revealing a complex and intriguing heroine whose life is riddled with secrets. As she confronts the ghosts of her past, the few certainties of her life begin to crumble around her, laying bare a terrifying truth: that she has enormously powerful enemies who neither forgive . . . nor forget.</i><br />
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<u><span style="color: #990000;"><b>My Review</b></span></u><br />
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<b>The Washington Stratagem</b>, the second novel in Adam LeBor's Yael Azoulay series, is a fast-paced political thriller that is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages. The novel's protagonist, Yael Azoulay, is a special assistant to the Secretary General of the United Nations, called upon to carry out activities that never make the news. In this novel, Yael is tasked with investigating one of Washington's most powerful lobby groups, a group with direct ties to the highest echelons of power. Yael's investigation uncovers some explosive information, information that her enemies are willing to kill for in order to prevent it from coming to light. While trying to stay one step ahead of her enemies, Yael's past starts to catch up with her, placing her in even further danger. Will Yael be able to stop her enemies before they stop her?<br />
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I've always enjoyed thrillers, with political thrillers being my favourite. Nevertheless, I sometimes have a hard time finding books within the genre that contain plausible plots and characters. I admit to being easily put off by thrillers that require a willing suspension of disbelief in order to get through them. When I read Adam LeBor's first Yael Azoulay novel, <b>The Geneva Option</b> (click<b><a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2013/06/book-review-geneva-option-by-adam-lebor.html"> here</a></b> for my review) I knew that I'd found a winner (it ended up being one of my favourite books of 2013). Not only did I find the novel's plot entirely plausible, it was also compelling. I also enjoyed the fact that LeBor chose a female as his principal character. Yael is intelligent, dedicated, and motivated to get the job done. She is also the type of person you'd want on your side in a fight.<br />
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I always feel some trepidation when starting a follow-up to a novel I particularly loved, wondering if it will be as good as the first. <b>The Washington Stratagem </b>doesn't disappoint. LeBor has once again delivered a well-written and engaging thriller, one that is every bit as good as its predecessor. As I mentioned in my review of <b>The Geneva Option</b>, I love the backrooms view of the United Nations provided by this series. While the series is a fictional one, it showcases the backstabbing and power tripping that can occur in large political organizations made up of people with competing interests and priorities. I also like how it illustrates the role of the press in bringing to light stories that others want buried. The characters in this series continue to be one of its greatest strengths, and I was pleased that so many of the characters featured in the first novel appear in <b>The Washington Stratagem</b>. While Yael continues to be the series' focus, I like that several other characters also receive significant attention, including reporter Sami Boustani and the UN Secretary General Fareed Hussein, as I find them every bit as intriguing as Yael. <br />
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Although part of a series, <b>The Washington Stratagem</b> includes enough background information on the events of <b>The Geneva Option</b> that it isn't necessary to read the first book prior to starting this one. Of course, given how much I enjoyed the first novel I highly recommend starting with it -- I can assure you that you'll want to pick up <b>The Washington Stratagem</b> shortly thereafter.<br />
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I can't wait to read book three! <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /><b> </b>Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-38043752624496795442015-02-23T00:00:00.000-05:002015-02-23T00:00:00.133-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (February 23, 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Monday, so you know what that means -- it's time for <b>It's Monday! What Are You Reading?</b>, a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <b><a href="http://bookjourney.net/">Book Journey.</a> </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A_qhgiJe1tSp-AUD4VeK_yJbbmAwgEjF5vnNUNoHA3rwB0tagrOzZyZ-7K7axNCwNruAagPNrNsLCNhA4eaQoo_QlJd23IlE5-MVb6eLaPZjAtUwRvAth_JYnQbUdU4bTfgNk6IyrfU/s1600/ManCalledOve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A_qhgiJe1tSp-AUD4VeK_yJbbmAwgEjF5vnNUNoHA3rwB0tagrOzZyZ-7K7axNCwNruAagPNrNsLCNhA4eaQoo_QlJd23IlE5-MVb6eLaPZjAtUwRvAth_JYnQbUdU4bTfgNk6IyrfU/s1600/ManCalledOve.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a></div>
I have a couple of books on the go at the moment, although I'm sad to report that I'm not really enjoying either of them...at least not yet. The first is Fredrik Backman's <b>A Man Called Ove</b>. The book, about a grumpy old man named Ove, has been well received. Unfortunately, I'm not enjoying it as of yet (I'm about 1/3 of the way through it). At this point in my reading of the book Ove has yet to do anything to endear himself to me. While it's not necessary for me to like a main character in order to like a novel, <b>A Man Called Ove</b> seems the type of book in which sympathy for the main character is necessary in order to enjoy it. The book is the first selection of the new book club I'm in, so I hope the story (and Ove) improves. I normally don't hesitate to set aside books I'm not enjoying, but will read this one to the end so I can discuss it with my fellow book clubbers. Who knows, maybe I'll end up pleasantly surprised by it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1snuoYbTCuD00CZjbpO-Z-SxZRCPAB4Y5jvdHjIr0C4epd8Sm1XhQWX3a29cOY-Ck8oHxH3SVdWjOGjpTSxMWr1gIChzBTxTnYFs-6B-P7IPjTQZZ-3GfEV5DCCHshAfjlYOT3cWydE4/s1600/Pilgrim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1snuoYbTCuD00CZjbpO-Z-SxZRCPAB4Y5jvdHjIr0C4epd8Sm1XhQWX3a29cOY-Ck8oHxH3SVdWjOGjpTSxMWr1gIChzBTxTnYFs-6B-P7IPjTQZZ-3GfEV5DCCHshAfjlYOT3cWydE4/s1600/Pilgrim.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a>I'm also working my way through <b>Pilgrim</b> by Timothy Findley. Honestly, I have no idea what to think of this one. I read Findley's <b>Not Wanted on the Voyage</b> a few years back and really enjoyed it. <b>Pilgrim</b>, which is about a man who can't die and features psychiatrist Carl Jung as a principal character, is not what I expected (although that's not necessarily a bad thing). At times I'm quite caught up in the story, at other times I'm bored by it. I'm almost halfway through and am intrigued enough to keep going, although just barely.<br />
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Sarah Dunant's <b>Blood and Beauty</b> continues to sit on my reading pile, although I've temporarily set it aside to focus on other books. I seem to have lost interest in historical fiction again, and don't want to pick up the Dunant book until I'm in the right mood. I really liked what I'd read, and don't want to ruin the book by not being in the right mood for it. <br />
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Looking ahead, I hope to start Robert Jordan's <b>Lord of Chaos</b>, the sixth book in the Wheel of Time series, this week. It's been a few years since I read the previous books and I can't wait to revisit Jordan's world.<br />
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How about you? What are you currently reading?<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-9796072683612065922015-02-22T13:17:00.001-05:002015-02-22T13:17:17.297-05:00Bookish Thoughts: Too Many Reading Choices Can (Sometimes) Be A Bad Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I was looking over my bookshelves the other day searching for a new book to read I found myself feeling a little overwhelmed by my rather daunting TBR pile (my TBR pile was also the subject of a separate post last week, click <a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-to-be-read-questionnaire.html"><b>here</b> </a>to read it). While I have tons of unread books to choose from, many of which I'm quite eager to read, it took me a long time before I finally settled on something -- <b>Pilgrim</b> by Timothy Findley, an e-book housed on my Kobo and not sitting on my physical shelves at all. My issue was not a lack of good reading material to choose from, but rather that I simply have too many books to pick from.<br />
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Given that my reading selections and how I feel about them depend, to a large extent, on my mood, I've always liked to maintain a large TBR. This ensures that no matter what my mood I'll always have a book to match it -- yes, I recognize that in this age of e-readers I can now access books not already sitting on my shelves at the touch of a button and so I don't need to stockpile them, but I prefer paper books even though I do love the convenience of my e-readers. But lately, even though I continue to buy books on a regular basis, I've stopped purchasing them simply because they are on sale and I might like to read them someday. I've stopped buying all or some of the books in a series before I've even read the first one (learned my lesson the hard way with that one), and I no longer buy books simply because other people liked them. In short, I've come to realize that if I don't start tackling my towering TBR pile and slow down on the book buying, I'm never again going to be able to make a quick decision about what to read next! I never thought I'd utter these words, but it seems I've finally learned that too many books to choose from can (sometimes )be a bad thing. <br />
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How about you my fellow bookworms? Do you sometimes find that maintaining a large TBR pile prevents you from quickly deciding what to read next?<br />
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Jennifer over at <a href="http://www.therelentlessreader.com/2015/02/the-to-be-read-tag.html"><b>The Relentless Reader</b></a> posted this past week about her To Be Read pile, after being tagged to participate in a TBR questionnaire by a fellow blogger. Although Jennifer hasn't specifically tagged anyone in her post, she does encourage other bloggers to answer the questionnaire. Since my TBR pile is out of control I thought this would be a fun questionnaire to take. Here are my responses: <br />
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<b>1. How do you keep track of your TBR pile?</b><br />
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I track my books on Shelfari, although my To Read list is probably not as up to date as it should be.<br />
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<b>2. Is your TBR mostly print or eBook?</b><br />
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It's mostly print, but I do have a number of unread books sitting on my Kindle and my Kobo. I do most of my reading in print, so I have a tendency to forget about the books on my ereaders. <b> </b><br />
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<b>3. How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?</b><br />
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My reading choices are totally determined by the mood I'm in when I'm looking for my next read.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeSETTEvOWMAd8PNsJoOt3-WAGD43zhIpH-kO1qkE95nB5nt0FROfOJdLNdXXdqBqan4CtROQdlH_Pl_UZecdZWuCeAaU9DgC-3kFL46KPw5mH5uvbhcgvQ60D-XEAtXUj1p0J3YyQpY/s1600/FarPavilions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeSETTEvOWMAd8PNsJoOt3-WAGD43zhIpH-kO1qkE95nB5nt0FROfOJdLNdXXdqBqan4CtROQdlH_Pl_UZecdZWuCeAaU9DgC-3kFL46KPw5mH5uvbhcgvQ60D-XEAtXUj1p0J3YyQpY/s1600/FarPavilions.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><b>4. A book that’s been on your TBR list the longest?</b><br />
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Definitely <b>The Far Pavilions</b> by M.M. Kaye, which I bought when I was in graduate school in the late 1990s. I have no idea what has kept me from reading it, especially since I love historical epics.<b> </b><br />
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<b>5. A book you recently added to your TBR?</b><br />
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I added <b>The Nightingale</b> by Kristin Hannah to my TBR just yesterday. <br />
<br /><b>6. A book on your TBR strictly because of it’s beautiful cover.</b><br />
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None. I don't select books based on their covers. <b> </b><br />
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<b>7. A book on your TBR that you never plan on reading.</b><br />
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At the moment my answer is none - if I don't plan on reading a particular book it won't be on my TBR pile :-) That said, I have done a purge of my TBR pile recently, so the books I no longer have an interest in reading have already been removed.<br />
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<b>8. An unpublished book on your TBR that you’re excited for.</b><br />
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<b> </b>None. I don't have any unpublished books on my TBR pile. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHtvghM1Sn4Y2nUC3V8lYgwUdq0oy5SpqzIOYG4eHVBjFn87xwPFD8eyeiCtEgqeVfK1G-4DRdSy_Js7bSGuP_2tmFnUzodcd8sJQNxftLaElz8sHjaJ5NozBvKa2-fP9XWqKjGIbJLs/s1600/FallofGiants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHtvghM1Sn4Y2nUC3V8lYgwUdq0oy5SpqzIOYG4eHVBjFn87xwPFD8eyeiCtEgqeVfK1G-4DRdSy_Js7bSGuP_2tmFnUzodcd8sJQNxftLaElz8sHjaJ5NozBvKa2-fP9XWqKjGIbJLs/s1600/FallofGiants.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><b>9. A book on your TBR that basically everyone has read but you.</b><br />
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I'll have to go with <b>Fall of Giants</b> by Ken Follett. <br />
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<b>10. A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you.</b><br />
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I don't have a lot of people recommend books to me, it's usually me recommending books to others :-)<br />
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<b>11. A book on your TBR that you’re dying to read.</b><br />
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I'm going to pick <b>First Frost</b> by Sarah Addison Allen. This book was published earlier this year and, given how much I love Addison Allen's books, I'm surprised I have read it yet.<br />
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<b>12. How many books are on your Goodreads TBR shelf?</b><br />
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I don't use Goodreads much, so my TBR shelf is probably only a few books long. My Shelfari To Read shelf on the other hand is hundreds of books long. <br />
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What about you? What is the state of your TBR pile? <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /><br />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-20862352230600751692015-02-12T18:16:00.000-05:002015-02-12T18:16:00.168-05:00A Few Thoughts On The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneKekv3ubzp5xgDLEF3eoX9CUOp2KsCDL_yLxGhto95Z377vv8mNbSbl3DmrWMUCjV3oiXGax9nja144AAAEksdock8LCOTBICSIpw8c6JTfmu1ztSLFHQSJ6sXIzl5nz2qVYksNaMmM/s1600/GodsofGotham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneKekv3ubzp5xgDLEF3eoX9CUOp2KsCDL_yLxGhto95Z377vv8mNbSbl3DmrWMUCjV3oiXGax9nja144AAAEksdock8LCOTBICSIpw8c6JTfmu1ztSLFHQSJ6sXIzl5nz2qVYksNaMmM/s1600/GodsofGotham.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>The Gods of Gotham</b> by Lyndsay Faye<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Putnam 2012 (Hardcover) <br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
<b>Rating</b>: 4 out of 5 Stars<br />
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<u><b>Synopsis</b></u>:<br />
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<i>1845. New York City forms its first police force. The great potato famine hits Ireland. These two seemingly disparate events will change New York City. Forever.<br /><br />Timothy Wilde tends bar near the Exchange, saving every dollar and shilling in hopes of winning the girl of his dreams. But when his dreams literally incinerate in a fire devastating downtown Manhattan, he finds himself disfigured, unemployed, and homeless. His older brother obtains Timothy a job in the newly minted NYPD, but he is highly skeptical of this untested "police force." And he is less than thrilled that his new beat is the notoriously down-and-out Sixth Ward-at the border of Five Points, the world's most notorious slum.<br /><br />One night while returning from his rounds, heartsick and defeated, Timothy runs into a little slip of a girl—a girl not more than ten years old—dashing through the dark in her nightshift . . . covered head to toe in blood.<br /><br />Timothy knows he should take the girl to the House of Refuge, yet he can't bring himself to abandon her. Instead, he takes her home, where she spins wild stories, claiming that dozens of bodies are buried in the forest north of 23rd Street. Timothy isn't sure whether to believe her or not, but, as the truth unfolds, the reluctant copper star finds himself engaged in a battle for justice that nearly costs him his brother, his romantic obsession, and his own life.</i><br />
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<u><b>My Thoughts</b></u><br />
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- I purchased <b>The Gods of Gotham</b> back when it was first published in 2012, fully intending to read it shortly thereafter. That obviously didn't happen, as here it is 2015 and I've only just now read it. This is one of those books that left me wondering why I waited so long to pick it up, and has left me very happy that the second novel in the series, <b>Seven For A Secret</b>, is already sitting on my shelves. <br />
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- Set in New York City in 1845, the novel's protagonist, Timothy Wilde, is one of NYC's first police officers (aka copper star). I really enjoyed learning a bit about the formation of the NYPD, and how its creation was met with such resistance by certain groups within the city. <br />
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- A narratives that evokes a strong sense of time and place is important to me when reading historical fiction. Faye excels in this area. In Faye's deft hands, mid-nineteenth century New York City vividly comes to life in all its splendour and its squalor. As the mystery at the heart of <b>The Gods of Gotham</b> unfolds, Faye also successfully captures and conveys the tensions that existed between Catholics and Protestants, and between the Irish and American-born New Yorkers. <br />
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- The novel's cast of characters is one of its greatest strengths. Timothy Wilde is a smart, resourceful man, one who seems a perfect fit for police work, even if joining the NYPD isn't his preferred career choice. Timothy's brother, Valentine, is charismatic and somewhat mysterious, making him all the more alluring as a character. The novel's supporting characters are intriguing, especially Timothy's landlady Mrs. Boehm, his fellow copper star and sometime partner Mr. Piest, and brothel madam Silkie Marsh. I especially loved Bird Daily and the newsboys. <br />
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- The narrative itself is engaging, and kept me eagerly turning the pages. While I wasn't overly surprised by the novel's conclusion, Faye successfully kept me guessing as to how everything would turn out until the final few chapters. <br />
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- I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.<br />
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- Recommended to fans of historical fiction set in the United States, as well as to readers who enjoy well plotted and engaging mysteries. <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /> Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-58605560717486248842015-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:002015-02-09T00:00:09.446-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (February 9th, 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB1hX59yJKaesUO4Ebt2ya2-UmYvszRxWSxsH1krs0avgppEyF28jaxrEVD60SC4Q7mRSjAWSbUBVk9KneJ8buxm7KguW973wnOdBSLffVpoRBpJLVXBs_AeHT39fETTt77VHWSlZjdI/s1600/ItsMonday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB1hX59yJKaesUO4Ebt2ya2-UmYvszRxWSxsH1krs0avgppEyF28jaxrEVD60SC4Q7mRSjAWSbUBVk9KneJ8buxm7KguW973wnOdBSLffVpoRBpJLVXBs_AeHT39fETTt77VHWSlZjdI/s1600/ItsMonday.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's Monday, so you know what that means -- it's time for <b>It's Monday! What Are You Reading?</b>, a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <b><a href="http://bookjourney.net/">Book Journey.</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBfTuGPdZb1X0t8MKooIirTTbQhHHww7UsjOmzsTkyIIUfU-BBOm4Xtlew4rf49K4Ac5h5QvvPx3wQTWrPnK6gCSCnxt6IGlxnae2JRICFgW8YqGnJA6E6PTAh-m96ZOGdWz4RfVzz-0/s1600/WashingtonStratagem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBfTuGPdZb1X0t8MKooIirTTbQhHHww7UsjOmzsTkyIIUfU-BBOm4Xtlew4rf49K4Ac5h5QvvPx3wQTWrPnK6gCSCnxt6IGlxnae2JRICFgW8YqGnJA6E6PTAh-m96ZOGdWz4RfVzz-0/s1600/WashingtonStratagem.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a>My reading mojo was a little off last week, so I didn't read as much as I'd hoped to, but I did manage to finish Tarquin Hall's <b>The Case of the Missing Servant</b>, the first in his Visi Puri mystery series -- which I mistakenly thought was <b>The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing</b> as indicated in my post last week. The novel, which is set in modern day India, was a lot of fun and I definitely plan to continue with the series. My read of Sarah Dunant's <b>Blood and & Beauty</b> stalled somewhat, although I did pick it back up yesterday and I'm moving through it quickly now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vwwMTgMAVFIi9nwczo8AK4B6JLSRgdcz-mbz3692KihgPauqKW4sJXehf9jYBc1O04cuY-BL7U0zEKVdBmG5MKqSa-9TchSqfSUjqEhaMaxQb-KDQqOah2qw1CBQfAw3DUjd1IM3Txo/s1600/SnowWhiteMustDie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vwwMTgMAVFIi9nwczo8AK4B6JLSRgdcz-mbz3692KihgPauqKW4sJXehf9jYBc1O04cuY-BL7U0zEKVdBmG5MKqSa-9TchSqfSUjqEhaMaxQb-KDQqOah2qw1CBQfAw3DUjd1IM3Txo/s1600/SnowWhiteMustDie.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a>In addition to <b>Blood & Beauty</b>, I've also started Adam LeBor's <b>The Washington Stratagem</b>, a fast-paced political thriller featuring a kick-ass heroine who for works for the UN, Yael Azoulay. I loved LeBor's first Yael Azoulay novel, <b>The Geneva Option </b>(click <b><a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2013/06/book-review-geneva-option-by-adam-lebor.html">here</a></b> to read my review), and so far this latest book is every bit as engaging. Seriously fellow readers, if you enjoy thrillers you simply must give this series a try. I've also picked up Nele Neuhaus' <b>Snow White Must Die</b>, a crime novel set in Germany. It seems promising so far.<br />
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While my reading is off to a smashing start this year, I have failed to keep up with the Green Gables Readalong I joined in January so I've decided to opt out of it. Even though I love the books, I'm just not in an Anne of Green Gables mood at the moment. <br />
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What about you? What are you reading this week? <br />
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<b><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /> </b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-7959377752101502022015-02-07T12:48:00.000-05:002015-02-07T12:48:07.397-05:00It's Time to Curl Up with a Cozy Mystery<br />
For many of us in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, this is the time of year to stay inside curled up with a good book and a big cup of tea. For me, this includes curling up with a cozy mystery or two. I have always enjoyed the mystery genre, but sometimes I feel like reading lighter mystery fare. This is where cozy mysteries come in, as they are often a lot more fun and much less graphic than their non-cozy counterparts. In celebration of the cozy mystery, I thought I'd share with you some of my favourites:<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0szHva1tE2-Iokg8K3dGKMwVcyasikYL7BKnttcR5j82kmzCSSYVaXNTaPRJ8UJtBbVhv-2P6s34mDXf76OqFN5NZ3sbHnbZ7OnKXg01IdNh5Q2z4a41IgRZSJFM9kjdkoXGg4JR9R8/s1600/DeathByDarjeeling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0szHva1tE2-Iokg8K3dGKMwVcyasikYL7BKnttcR5j82kmzCSSYVaXNTaPRJ8UJtBbVhv-2P6s34mDXf76OqFN5NZ3sbHnbZ7OnKXg01IdNh5Q2z4a41IgRZSJFM9kjdkoXGg4JR9R8/s1600/DeathByDarjeeling.jpg" height="200" width="118" /></a></div>
Childs' series, which features a tea shop-owning amateur sleuth named Theodosia Browning as its main protagonist, is probably my favourite cozy mystery series. Set in Charleston, South Carolina -- a place I very badly want to visit thanks to the Tea Shop books - this series is a guaranteed good time. While I often figured out the resolution of the main mystery before each novel's conclusion, it never diminished my enjoyment of them. Aside from the series' setting, my favourite aspect of the Tea Shop mysteries are the characters, all of whom are memorable and endearing. Lovers of tea will certainly appreciate the many tea references made throughout each of the novels. If you're not a tea lover reading these books will certainly make you wish you were. <br />
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The Tea Shop series starts with <b>Death by Darjeeling</b>. <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness Mysteries</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9N35w_aUIiXSpjNNGCKDQGHOhAAKZi8mKN2EUMGw_nVf2ItSEAoHTlsbFBqA2heuqP_GLPrOXUfzCMmB9Y9O3Zp9PIuEAJ1aKxJTFSY3U3CEn0dLbml4GeT3OXPhdqbpGjHnKImpfNmY/s1600/RoyalSpyness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9N35w_aUIiXSpjNNGCKDQGHOhAAKZi8mKN2EUMGw_nVf2ItSEAoHTlsbFBqA2heuqP_GLPrOXUfzCMmB9Y9O3Zp9PIuEAJ1aKxJTFSY3U3CEn0dLbml4GeT3OXPhdqbpGjHnKImpfNmY/s1600/RoyalSpyness.jpg" height="200" width="126" /></a>Another favourite of mine, Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series is set in 1930s England, and features as its heroine Lady Georgianna Rannoch, 34th in line to the British Throne. Despite being a member of the British aristocracy, Georgie is flat broke and must work. But working is not something Georgie is particularly adept at, so hilarity ensues. This cozy mystery series, like the Tea Shop mysteries, features a fabulous cast of characters, many of whom are endearingly quirky. Georgie herself if easy to cheer for as she attempts to live her own life -- which includes trying to find love -- and solve mysteries in the process. Appearances by the British Royal Family, as well as Georgie's non-Noble mother and grandfather, are particularly memorable.<br />
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The first novel in the Royal Spyness series is appropriately titled <b>Her Royal Spyness</b>. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Heather Blake's Magic Potion Mysteries</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq7dEja6Lw66kqlaHLbwfODCGwF1dHKQCDo-2KAa3F8V-Cu7Il0EgJpl5e65j_rlz0OwBA4z36sA0t18TzRbmNrM_T4O-4kSVRU5sPBHWD8seiNgNNJIZonJS_gDpiZkAP79z1HLx7PI/s1600/PotiontoDieFor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq7dEja6Lw66kqlaHLbwfODCGwF1dHKQCDo-2KAa3F8V-Cu7Il0EgJpl5e65j_rlz0OwBA4z36sA0t18TzRbmNrM_T4O-4kSVRU5sPBHWD8seiNgNNJIZonJS_gDpiZkAP79z1HLx7PI/s1600/PotiontoDieFor.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a></div>
This series is, so far, only two books long, and to date I've only read the first one, <b>A Potion To Die For.</b> I loved it! The main character, Carly Hartwell, owns a potion shop in small town Alabama. In the series first installment, a man is found dead in Carly's shop holding on to one of her potions. Carly must work to clear her name and prove her potions aren't deadly! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, <b>One Potion in the Grave</b>. Blake is also the author of the cozy <b>Witchcraft Mysteries</b>, a series I'm eager to try. <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mysteries</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi0TyRIO845G5PiCjBc0Q3nFvCHOL28d053u0xcUdQciyNqOAgMnLCnSoA0g4tds0eIBa6G0HjCWzjOVa7RvkUrAwFoSv5ifImwJW4HKi0wEdjtNGTZytkWwvQRuK6ybMvrGlGoTMAP0/s1600/GuidebooktoMurder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi0TyRIO845G5PiCjBc0Q3nFvCHOL28d053u0xcUdQciyNqOAgMnLCnSoA0g4tds0eIBa6G0HjCWzjOVa7RvkUrAwFoSv5ifImwJW4HKi0wEdjtNGTZytkWwvQRuK6ybMvrGlGoTMAP0/s1600/GuidebooktoMurder.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a>As with Heather Blake's Magic Potion Mysteries, Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mystery series is, to date, only a few books long. I've read the series' first book,<b> Guidebook to Murder</b>, and thought it was very well done. The main character is Jill Gardner who, after growing tired of her high flying big city career, moves to small town California to open a bookstore and coffee shop. In the first book Jill finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery, one that threatens all she holds dear. I'm looking forward to reading the next book! <br />
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What about you? Do you enjoy cozy mysteries? If so, what are some of your favourite series? <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-30199212138451455082015-02-04T19:09:00.001-05:002015-02-04T19:09:28.440-05:00Book Talk: Is it Time to Rethink How I Review? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEwy-7u5OqiF19qDorRv9clMuxWc5dW5YyH6rw5zWuZeBlmpkAvdAixIUz01G7xlVU7f3am_wY61ZIK8BmhrGZjIbZYozbYqPOnW2F7nohJw42yR1pxYTz0Diz5y-gdNQwew2EzEopS0/s1600/BookTalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEwy-7u5OqiF19qDorRv9clMuxWc5dW5YyH6rw5zWuZeBlmpkAvdAixIUz01G7xlVU7f3am_wY61ZIK8BmhrGZjIbZYozbYqPOnW2F7nohJw42yR1pxYTz0Diz5y-gdNQwew2EzEopS0/s1600/BookTalk.jpg" /></a></div>
I've noticed a trend on my blog lately, my review posts, by and large, generate the least amount of traffic and the fewest comments (the exception seeming to be those that feature bestsellers such as <b>The Girl on the Train</b>). Perhaps this is because my reviews aren't linked to a site hosting a meme, or maybe it is simply because I'm reviewing books few others have an interest in. Whatever the reason, I find it a bit disheartening -- of all my posts, reviews are the ones that take me the longest to prepare and require the most thought. <br />
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Am I the only book blogger that has this issue, or is it a phenomenon that many of you are also experiencing? I love book-related discussion posts, but one of the main reasons I got into blogging in the first place was to discuss those books I've read and want to share with others. Perhaps I simply need to augment my reviews with discussion posts on subjects related to the book reviewed. <br />
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With this in mind, I'm looking for ideas and inspiration from my fellow book bloggers. What do you find works best for you as both a reviewer and as a reader of reviews? What types of review formats do you most like to read? Are there any formats you dislike? What determines whether or not you'll comment on a review? For those of you who have followed this blog for a long time, what do you most like about my reviews? What do you think I should change?<br />
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I'm looking forward to hearing your views. <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-8170147740926793462015-02-02T00:00:00.000-05:002015-02-02T00:00:03.110-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (February 2nd, 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Monday, so you know what that means -- it's time for <b>It's Monday! What Are You Reading?</b>, a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at <b><a href="http://bookjourney.net/">Book Journey. </a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezBAgh6BRvUl-bR0-X5PlHfnB_behaBqhmrdbo78tjCHIyOF9sAI1v0x9Kyog5BBlQDeIBJskg4d5hL_cSVXQMDBuE_hMpEWV4z1WDILymWUjhM9LiqUhBBDxNpDAMaYII9EbnG8JNtA/s1600/ManWhoDiedLaughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezBAgh6BRvUl-bR0-X5PlHfnB_behaBqhmrdbo78tjCHIyOF9sAI1v0x9Kyog5BBlQDeIBJskg4d5hL_cSVXQMDBuE_hMpEWV4z1WDILymWUjhM9LiqUhBBDxNpDAMaYII9EbnG8JNtA/s1600/ManWhoDiedLaughing.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5-4Wbeig67xPkMCXkcMYy17tf2aaXDUHIzp5dg1V2go1l6eAwbMK9b2caJRlvMGzAHADPD1Jlf8BJ5gSkfTkG6t0G08VedZqqkzO5VAoG-S5UxCRUle-FBU-bFsHRMZQP7_8D3tDNl0/s1600/BloodandBeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5-4Wbeig67xPkMCXkcMYy17tf2aaXDUHIzp5dg1V2go1l6eAwbMK9b2caJRlvMGzAHADPD1Jlf8BJ5gSkfTkG6t0G08VedZqqkzO5VAoG-S5UxCRUle-FBU-bFsHRMZQP7_8D3tDNl0/s1600/BloodandBeauty.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a>I managed to finish two of the three books on my reading list from last Monday -<b> The Gods of Gotham</b> (stay tuned for my review later this week) and <b>Caliban's War</b> - so this week I have a couple of new books to share. First is Sarah Dunant's most recent work of historical fiction, <b>Blood & Beauty</b>, which is about the Borgias, and second is Tarquin Hall's <b>The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing</b>, which is the first in his series featuring Dehli Detective Vish Puri. I expect both books to be enjoyable reads. <br />
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While I did finish two books last week, unfortunately <b>Anne of Green Gables</b> was not one of them. I'm still languishing behind, as I was supposed to be finished by the end of January and already moved on to the second book in the series. Oh well, if I put my mind to it I'll be able to catch up really quickly. I shouldn't be surprised that I've fallen behind, however, because I don't have a great track record when it comes to readalongs LOL.<br />
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What are you reading this week? <br />
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It is hard to believe January is already over, isn't it? It was a very cold and snowy month here so outdoor activities were kept to a minimum -- a trend I hope reverses itself in February because my little dog misses her daily walks -- but I managed to get a lot of reading in because of it. I also had my biggest blogging month in almost a year, with nine posts. Yay me! Here is a look back at the reading and blogging I accomplished in January:<br />
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<b>Total Books Read</b>: Nine (this puts me on pace to read over 100 books in 2015, which will likely not be sustainable). Click on the book titles below to read my reviews. <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/week-in-review-including-mini-reviews.html"><b>Daughter of Smoke and Bone</b></a> by Laini Taylor</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/week-in-review-including-mini-reviews.html"><b>Quiver</b></a> by Holly Luhning</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/week-in-review-including-mini-reviews.html"><b>The Witch of Babylon</b></a> by D.J. McIntosh</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/its-mystery-time-mini-reviews.html"><b>Suffer Little Children</b></a> by Peter Tremayne</li>
<li><b>The Strangled Queen</b> by Maurice Druon (no review)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/all-aboard-with-girl-on-train-quasi.html"><b>The Girl on the Train</b></a> by Paula Hawkins</li>
<li><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/its-mystery-time-mini-reviews.html"><b>The Black House</b></a> by Peter May </li>
<li><b>The Gods of Gotham</b> by Lyndsay Faye (review to come)</li>
<li><b>Caliban's War</b> by James S.A. Corey (no review)</li>
</ul>
Of these nine books, six of them had been sitting on my TBR pile as of December 2013. My favourite of the books I read was <b>Daughter of Smoke and Bone</b>, followed closely by <b>The Gods of Gotham</b>.<br />
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Blogging-wise, I posted six reviews (most grouped together as mini-reviews), participated in the <b>It's Monday! What Are You Reading?</b> meme on a regular basis, signed up for the <a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/reading-bingo-canadian-edition.html"><b>Canadian Lit Bingo Reading Challenge</b></a>, and took part in one <b>Top Ten Tuesday post</b>. Statistically, my review posts generated both the least amount of traffic and the fewest comments. As a result, I'm going to re-think my review strategy since, despite this being a book blog, readers don't seem as interested in my reviews as they do in my participation in general discussion posts/memes. Anyone else find their reviews are the least popular feature on their blog? <br />
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Looking ahead to February, my goal is to continue reading books off my TBR pile. I'm going to start by tackling Sarah Dunant's <b>Blood and Beauty</b>. <br />
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How did your reading go in January? <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-27138139964634530982015-01-29T19:10:00.001-05:002015-01-29T19:10:36.187-05:00It's Mystery Time: Mini Reviews<br />
2015, so far at least, seems to be the year of mysteries and thrillers for me. Of the seven books I've read so far, five of them fall within these two genres. I'm not overly picky when it comes to mysteries or thrillers, and will read anything that sounds good or is highly recommended by reading friends. Luckily, I've enjoyed each of the books I've read in these genres this year. Here are my thoughts on the two I most recently finished: <br />
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<b>The Blackhouse </b>by Peter May <span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">(</span><b>4 out of 5 Stars</b><span style="color: black;">)</span></span><br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Quercus, August 2014 (Trade Paperback)<br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased <br />
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Set on Scotland's remote Isle of Lewis, <b>The Blackhouse </b>is a compelling mystery that highlights how our past can shape who we are, and how it can impact the present. When a Lewis man is found murdered in a manner similar to a recent killing in Edinburgh, Detective Fin Macleod is sent to the Outer Hebridean island to determine if there is a connection between the two. But the Isle of Lewis, the childhood home of Detective Macleod, is a place he had hoped never to return to, and the murdered man was a childhood bully. Returning to the island means Fin will not only have to confront the present, but also his past. <br />
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I enjoyed <b>The Blackhouse</b> immensely. Not only was the mystery a good one, leaving me guessing as to the perpetrator until the novel's end, the characters are well-developed and interesting. My favourite aspect of the novel, however, has to be its setting. This is, as far as I can remember, the only book I've read set on the Isle of Lewis, and May does a great job capturing the essence of the Isle and bringing its culture to life. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next novel in the Lewis trilogy, <b>The Lewis Man</b>. I highly recommend this book to fans of the mystery genre. <br />
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<b>Suffer Little Children</b> by Peter Tremayne (<span style="color: #990000;"><b>4 out of 5 Stars</b></span>)<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Headline (mass market paperback)<br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
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<b>Suffer Little Children</b> is the third novel in Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma historical mystery series. Set in Ireland in the mid-seventh century, the series features an Irish nun - Sister Fidelma - as its protagonist. Fidelma, however, is more than a nun, she is also <i>dalaigh </i>(lawyer) of the law courts of Ireland, and it is in this capacity that she is called upon to solve crimes. In <b>Suffer Little Children</b> Fidelma is asked by her brother to determine who killed a renowned scholar at an abbey within his domain, and in so doing put a stop to a war being threatened as a result of the killing. <br />
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The Sister Fidelma series is quickly becoming a favourite of mine. Not only does the series feature a smart, fascinating heroine in Fidelma, but each of the mysteries is engaging. I also love how Fidelma goes about solving them. One of the strongest aspects of this book, as well as of the others in the series, is that it showcases early Christianity in Ireland and how it differs from Rome. As Roman Catholicism takes further hold in Ireland it will be interesting to see how Fidelma, who doesn't agree with many of the tenets being put forth by Rome, adapts in future books. I can't wait to continue with this series! <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /> Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-58990405484047009422015-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:002015-01-26T00:00:05.060-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (January 26th, 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQY8OtUNsvAZ7qFG-Ncro8axfmY2Syr1A50cPcWJgBDNzjuTGgNh2l2QxQJi5y9KRJV0h16eYfdfXrDx2oc3cFEsYoLUq3h5Fg88bgKT9OZXEfHS6Iy-3zE_U4FeXf2cPKAV5_ShFK2E8/s1600/ItsMonday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQY8OtUNsvAZ7qFG-Ncro8axfmY2Syr1A50cPcWJgBDNzjuTGgNh2l2QxQJi5y9KRJV0h16eYfdfXrDx2oc3cFEsYoLUq3h5Fg88bgKT9OZXEfHS6Iy-3zE_U4FeXf2cPKAV5_ShFK2E8/s1600/ItsMonday.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's time once again for It's Monday! What Are You Reading? This weekly meme is hosted by Sheila at <b><a href="http://bookjourney.net/">Book Journey</a></b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VLn1tg6BsyvquTp33eorU3rImKpOGuFFJpBRYpTMjYTiabEjnW5Ggc6QbY60TYDPBsMRPO-QO74AP4AEByvqQ2f4SyrV3sTUgI7hBGrS2l8oz7_RS9h9OFfcIfLOrOPOsSpO0pP5tck/s1600/GodsofGotham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VLn1tg6BsyvquTp33eorU3rImKpOGuFFJpBRYpTMjYTiabEjnW5Ggc6QbY60TYDPBsMRPO-QO74AP4AEByvqQ2f4SyrV3sTUgI7hBGrS2l8oz7_RS9h9OFfcIfLOrOPOsSpO0pP5tck/s1600/GodsofGotham.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a>I managed to read two books last week, <b>The Girl on the Train</b> (check out my review <b><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/all-aboard-with-girl-on-train-quasi.html">here</a></b>), and <b>The Blackhouse</b> by Peter May, which is a contemporary mystery set on the Scottish Isle of Lewis (if you like mysteries definitely check the book out). While both books came into my home relatively recently, I continue to make good progress on trimming my TBR pile! This week's read is one I've had sitting on my shelf since it was first published in 2012 -- <b>The Gods of Gotham</b> by Lyndsay Faye, a historical mystery set in 1845 New York City that features one of NYC's first police officers , aka a "copper", as its protagonist. I'm at the halfway point and just love it. <br />
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My re-read of <b>Anne of Green Gables</b> has stalled somewhat, as has my reading of <b>Caliban's War </b>by James S.A. Corey. The former because, even though I love the book, I keep setting it aside for stories I've not yet read, and the latter because it's my book before bed (it's on my Kindle) and I've been so tired lately that I'm not reading before I fall asleep. I hope to get back to them both this week. <br />
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Looking ahead, once I finish <b>The Gods of Gotham</b> I plan to pick up yet another novel that's been languishing on my TBR pile -- <b>Blood and Beauty</b> by Sarah Dunant, which is a work of historical fiction about the Borgia family. I've put this one off in part because the reviews I've seen haven't been overly positive, but I'm hopeful that the book will work for me.<br />
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What are you reading right now? Have you read any of the books I've mentioned in this post? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhB_zu2j7Ry4CfGaZbBvZ96xNwNALZ8qOBbbGT9LA9XuKRIuyYt7MlM5v9UX6pwautHff_vRMMjnwq6ppdrvZWmBG8xUPanJ1ImvisBaFDkayafgkZfdklkUdYKU33ldLeb6X5OtSqXSt_xDBw4JdZfr1lcl0hz3CqPmYAp0zqiZMWSMUFc=" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFG4KhF0EjqIwTiNgh-lcAhlX_JSL16hjg1Mpx1Q9tC04e3olyrBmm2igmosOECHg2mjAjiCZ45bk8VZRRh-CWw-mB2l_6wLTMoJE_v1f2lgU16Ih305I2-7vvEVE6kUsbcBi9LHf9nk/s1600/GirlOnTheTrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFG4KhF0EjqIwTiNgh-lcAhlX_JSL16hjg1Mpx1Q9tC04e3olyrBmm2igmosOECHg2mjAjiCZ45bk8VZRRh-CWw-mB2l_6wLTMoJE_v1f2lgU16Ih305I2-7vvEVE6kUsbcBi9LHf9nk/s1600/GirlOnTheTrain.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>The Girl on the Train</b></span><b> </b>by Paula Hawkins<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Doubleday Canada (2015) <br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
<b>Rating</b>: 4 out of 5 Stars <br />
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<u><b>My Thoughts</b></u><br />
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I picked up Paula Hawkin's debut novel, <b>The Girl on the Train</b>, on Sunday. I set it back down again only a few hours later. Why? Because I finished it! Once I started reading the book I didn't want to stop -- I just had to find out what would happen next.<br />
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One thing that is apparent almost from the opening pages is that the novel's principal narrator, Rachel (aka the girl on the train), is unreliable. Knowing this about Rachel serves to make the story more intriguing, as there is always a question about what is the truth when it comes to her. While Rachel has certainly made some poor decisions in her life, she is nevertheless a sympathetic character.<br />
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As is probably obvious from the fact that I read the book in one sitting, <b>The Girl on the Train</b> moves at a very quick pace. The writing drew me into the book, and the plot kept me engaged in it. While I had a pretty significant part of the conclusion figured out by the novel's halfway point, this didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book or dampen my satisfaction at how the story ends. <br />
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<b>The Girl on the Train </b>is receiving a lot of attention in the bookish world at the moment. Since I have a tendency to be disappointed by books that garner a lot of hype, I made sure to keep my expectations in check when I started this one. In the case of <b>The Girl on the Train</b>, however, I think the praise it is receiving is warranted -- it is a great book, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to other readers. <br />
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On a side note, normally when I prepare a full or partial review for a novel I include the book's synopsis as a key part of my post. I haven't done so in this case because I think the publisher's synopsis gives away too many details of the book that are best left discovered as the story unfolds -- I don't consider these details to be spoilers, but I'm glad I hadn't read the publisher's synopsis prior to starting the book. <br />
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Happy Monday fellow book bloggers! It's time for It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by <a href="http://bookjourney.net/"><b>Book Journey.</b></a> Since I didn't end up reading all that much last week, this post looks quite similar to last week's addition. <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Currently Reading</b></span>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDE5ib7_4aoY5KGcfbIMpm2IxqTAhH_0x90UaYY_uiAtIgfq6fDLxcXn4FO7ZijvTj9TEQ230KC4cxpLR7z0gOB90SK6LZWKbTQu_0xlIIYVah3RwHs7tM6Gb0Vlv2R9F4Oo9gf9K7l8/s1600/GirlOnTheTrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDE5ib7_4aoY5KGcfbIMpm2IxqTAhH_0x90UaYY_uiAtIgfq6fDLxcXn4FO7ZijvTj9TEQ230KC4cxpLR7z0gOB90SK6LZWKbTQu_0xlIIYVah3RwHs7tM6Gb0Vlv2R9F4Oo9gf9K7l8/s1600/GirlOnTheTrain.jpg" /></a></div>
Paula Hawkin's debut novel, <b>The Girl on the Train</b>, is my latest read -- although given how quickly I'm reading it (I'm devouring it actually) I suspect I'll be finished by the time this post is live. The book, which is a psychological thriller featuring a very unreliable narrator, is eminently readable and (extremely) difficult to put down. I have my theory as to how it will all end, and can't wait to get to the conclusion to see how right (or wrong) I am. Even without knowing the ending, <b>The Girl on the Train</b> is definitely a book I'll be recommending to others. <br />
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I'm also still working my way through both <b>Caliban's War</b> by James S.A. Corey, and my re-read of <b>Anne of Green Gables</b> by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I hope to finish both in the week ahead. <br />
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Look forward, I soon plan to pick up Adam Lebor's <b>The Washington Stratagem</b>, the second novel in his Yael Azoulay political thriller series. I'll likely also start something that qualifies for the <a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/reading-bingo-canadian-edition.html"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Reading Bingo Challenge: Canadian Edition</span></b></a> that<b> </b>I've decided to take part in this year.<br />
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What are you reading right now? <br />
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<br />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-72278075275085909462015-01-17T11:47:00.000-05:002015-01-17T11:47:28.509-05:00Reading Bingo: Canadian Edition Canadian books, anyone? One of my reading resolutions for 2015 is to read more works by Canadian authors. This is a resolution that will also help me to achieve my goal of tackling my extensive TBR pile, a pile that includes a number of Canadian books. To assist in my efforts I've decided to take part in <a href="http://www.retreatbyrandomhouse.ca/2015/01/reading-bingo-challenge-2015/"><b>Random House Canada's 2015 Reading Bingo Challenge</b></a>, which is dedicated to reading Canadian! <br />
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While this is considered a challenge, I won't be treating it as such. I simply want to use it to help guide some of my reading selections this year. There are some squares I already know I won't achieve -- A book of poetry and Biography/Autobiographer of a Canadian celebrity, for example, since neither are of interest to me -- and I'm totally okay with this. My goal is simply to read more Canadian books rather than to cross off every square on the Bingo card. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhB_zu2j7Ry4CfGaZbBvZ96xNwNALZ8qOBbbGT9LA9XuKRIuyYt7MlM5v9UX6pwautHff_vRMMjnwq6ppdrvZWmBG8xUPanJ1ImvisBaFDkayafgkZfdklkUdYKU33ldLeb6X5OtSqXSt_xDBw4JdZfr1lcl0hz3CqPmYAp0zqiZMWSMUFc=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6_WNXXn3uNIruk7l5f6xI12VAK_hY0do0E4J6fsMnLdcs_CwzDhUjFkmZI5mzOm2tADXJNZCH4KXgdqz89Is1bYhq3_dGwptklz-7hucA7NEujyT0VdQKYlK9MeHSrIXnG_oif6lqZQ/s1600/ReadingBingo2015-962x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6_WNXXn3uNIruk7l5f6xI12VAK_hY0do0E4J6fsMnLdcs_CwzDhUjFkmZI5mzOm2tADXJNZCH4KXgdqz89Is1bYhq3_dGwptklz-7hucA7NEujyT0VdQKYlK9MeHSrIXnG_oif6lqZQ/s1600/ReadingBingo2015-962x1024.jpg" height="640" width="600" /></a></div>
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Any other Canadian bloggers out there planning to take part? I'll use this post to periodically update my progress against the Bingo card, and will also tweet about it using the hashtag #ReadingBingo. <br />
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It's time for <b>Top Ten Tuesday</b>, a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html"><b>The Broke and the Bookish</b></a>. This week's top ten is:<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Top 10 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wMY2GPoRq_00vOimgQInSBhyYIUMZq1CzHF1e4vZwg9X_WUdMz6c4OyljtALqXAFO1kOP5EACVcTPPe7wr5RM3eFxZBdgseOTkqUjO6KKWCotfLK3C50Da59rzpdRykh0EefjwtsGxE/s1600/TTT-2014ReleasedDidnotRead-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wMY2GPoRq_00vOimgQInSBhyYIUMZq1CzHF1e4vZwg9X_WUdMz6c4OyljtALqXAFO1kOP5EACVcTPPe7wr5RM3eFxZBdgseOTkqUjO6KKWCotfLK3C50Da59rzpdRykh0EefjwtsGxE/s1600/TTT-2014ReleasedDidnotRead-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(1) <b>A King's Ransom</b> by Sharon Kay Penman (Historical Fiction) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(2) <b>A Burnable Book</b> by Bruce Holsinger (Historical Fiction) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(3) <b>The Miniaturist </b>by Jessie Burton (Historical Fiction)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(4) <b>Jane Austen's First Love</b> by Syrie James (Historical Fiction)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(5) <b>The Back of the Turtle</b> by Thomas King (Literary Fiction)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(6) <b>Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage</b> by Haruki Murakami (Literary Fiction)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(7) <b>Big Little Lies</b> by Liane Moriarty (Contemporary Fiction)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(8) <b>Red Rising</b> by Pierce Brown (YA Science Fiction)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(9) <b>Natchez Burning</b> by Greg Iles (Thriller)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(10) <b>The Three</b> by Sarah Lotz (Thriller) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have any of you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think? </span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhB_zu2j7Ry4CfGaZbBvZ96xNwNALZ8qOBbbGT9LA9XuKRIuyYt7MlM5v9UX6pwautHff_vRMMjnwq6ppdrvZWmBG8xUPanJ1ImvisBaFDkayafgkZfdklkUdYKU33ldLeb6X5OtSqXSt_xDBw4JdZfr1lcl0hz3CqPmYAp0zqiZMWSMUFc=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/melissasigcopy.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15WKnc41fGDrTnUfya7nhpPOoeBtn45TVhFFxaNUlc3hVHwwM2L_oL6zuqMdUCkXAz4GtPr4DHg8MvndLBZW-fnhytDpjsduecFpLxOxxe0JiF9umWxn-OD03gVF8ggv2YtMGblY1Has/s1600/ItsMonday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15WKnc41fGDrTnUfya7nhpPOoeBtn45TVhFFxaNUlc3hVHwwM2L_oL6zuqMdUCkXAz4GtPr4DHg8MvndLBZW-fnhytDpjsduecFpLxOxxe0JiF9umWxn-OD03gVF8ggv2YtMGblY1Has/s1600/ItsMonday.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
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In an effort to post more regularly on this blog, and hopefully generate more discussion in the process, I've decided that it's high time I took part (on a more consistent basis) in some of the more popular bookish meme posts. While certain of these memes have appeared on this blog from time to time (e.g., Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday), I'm a total newbie to <span style="color: #990000;"><b>It's Monday! What Are You Reading</b></span>, which is hosted over at <b><a href="http://bookjourney.net/">Book Journey</a>. </b>Since I<b> </b>always have at least one book on the go, this should be an easy meme to keep up with.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Currently Reading:</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7XG27TmoUNjqgBzTEE7rj9lGl9r1wGQuJ0vb3Oo_lzo0_TU3xU4iZbWgWSfsLyrU21xxHWsuMup_cZ3_OMNqexl_1scvRSjE67KMM9WDW_ptNcavMDst9ZrAatyNFTcQ0dI_r-vcf-Q/s1600/StrangledQueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7XG27TmoUNjqgBzTEE7rj9lGl9r1wGQuJ0vb3Oo_lzo0_TU3xU4iZbWgWSfsLyrU21xxHWsuMup_cZ3_OMNqexl_1scvRSjE67KMM9WDW_ptNcavMDst9ZrAatyNFTcQ0dI_r-vcf-Q/s1600/StrangledQueen.jpg" height="200" width="124" /></a></div>
I'm starting my week out with the second book in French novelist Maurice Druon's Accursed Kings series, <b>The Strangled Queen</b>. The series is set in 13th and 14th century France, and follows the fates of the Capet and early Valois monarchs. The series has been heralded as the "original Game of Thrones" by none other than George R.R. Martin. I read the first book--<b>The Iron King</b>--last year and loved it (click <b><a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/01/book-review-iron-king-by-maurice-druon.html">here</a></b> for my review), and so far this second book is every bit as good. Based on what I've read of the series so far, I'd say it's a must read for historical fiction fans. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdR33Vq1ixkwah-eexUvwfRZIOYB3M8Cv9_XkQf5NH6RQ6TCCksFDeqRSS5vuGNeJ7gdbnEvjfioNg0nFWIeAfP_-U8geygf-nfYSBdsXZFukcIbZLN-PEZ-en7oAR2YYLrhzM8lguDY/s1600/CalibansWar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdR33Vq1ixkwah-eexUvwfRZIOYB3M8Cv9_XkQf5NH6RQ6TCCksFDeqRSS5vuGNeJ7gdbnEvjfioNg0nFWIeAfP_-U8geygf-nfYSBdsXZFukcIbZLN-PEZ-en7oAR2YYLrhzM8lguDY/s1600/CalibansWar.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>A little Science Fiction, anyone? In addition to <b>The Strangled Queen</b>, I'm also currently working my way through James S.A. Corey's <b>Cal</b><b>iban's War</b>, the second book in <b>The Expanse</b> series. I'm generally not a big fan of Science Fiction, but this series is an engaging one and has me encouraged to try other Space Opera novels. The Expanse will also be coming to a TV near you sometime later this year and I, for one, can't wait to watch it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEi_wiItqVTVd6IdKYv-TTw-4b_XYf7YR9QQciN40or1_7yB3H3V1jw0nl_RHECryhoINvVNuk83EWi3S7aVJNYGSCa6V2LabRzgAwxrmRlIpWZDwVjPBxf9PXjl7uS2i4Nxh4iIkaj4/s1600/AnneofGreenGables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEi_wiItqVTVd6IdKYv-TTw-4b_XYf7YR9QQciN40or1_7yB3H3V1jw0nl_RHECryhoINvVNuk83EWi3S7aVJNYGSCa6V2LabRzgAwxrmRlIpWZDwVjPBxf9PXjl7uS2i4Nxh4iIkaj4/s1600/AnneofGreenGables.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a>Last, but certainly not least, I'm re-reading one of my all-time favourite books,<b> </b>Lucy Maud Montgomery's <b>Anne of Green Gables</b>, as part of the Green Gables Readalong hosted by Lindsay at <a href="http://reederreads.com/the-green-gables-readalong/"><b>Reeder Reads</b></a>. Not only is the book and series a favourite of mine, but Anne Shirley is one of my all-time favourite literary characters. Every time I read the book I picture myself walking the fields, meadows, forests, and beaches of beautiful Prince Edward Island. <br />
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Looking ahead, I'm not sure what I'll pick up once I'm through with this week's books. I'll just have to see where my reading mood takes me.<br />
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What about you? What are you reading this week?<br />
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Hello fellow book bloggers! I hope 2015 has gotten off to a great start for all of you. Reading-wise, 2015 has already proven to be a great year for me -- let's hope this continues. Other than my Reading Resolution post (click <b><a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2015/01/book-and-blogging-resolutions-2015.html">here</a></b> if you haven't already checked it out), I've been silent on the blogging front so far, but I have managed to read three books, all of which have been sitting on my TBR pile for well over a year. I've not had time to write-up full reviews for these books, but have included my brief thoughts on each of them below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFpikICKTtYBBms9cD5kvSFbuyvtnZdLOFkmmaiBwW5XU6gEScc8JAa6Ji1c-VSoWpHqgW9j3hkRGe_IybS8RFGL8Bt3qTEWbywqKoYk6IHKvUSRyfdMpoAacdyX6dcwOvzDuFUobAMU/s1600/DaughterofSmokeandBone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFpikICKTtYBBms9cD5kvSFbuyvtnZdLOFkmmaiBwW5XU6gEScc8JAa6Ji1c-VSoWpHqgW9j3hkRGe_IybS8RFGL8Bt3qTEWbywqKoYk6IHKvUSRyfdMpoAacdyX6dcwOvzDuFUobAMU/s1600/DaughterofSmokeandBone.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><b>Daughter of Smoke and Bone</b> by Laini Taylor (<span style="color: #990000;"><b>4.5 out of 5 Stars</b></span>)<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Little, Brown Books - Hardcover Edition<b> </b>(2011)<br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
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This first book in Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy has been sitting on my shelf since it was first published in 2011. I have no idea why it took me so long to read it, especially since several other readers I know and trust loved it, but it was well worth the wait! Set mainly in Prague, this YA fantasy features a unique heroine, intriguing secondary characters, and a fabulously engaging plot. I'm not generally a fan of urban-type fantasy, or fantasy that prominently features mythological creatures, but this one had me hooked from the opening chapter. I can't wait to read book two -- which I don't have to wait to be published since the whole trilogy is now available. For me, this is a must read for YA fantasy fans (or fantasy fans in general).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6S_w4NFImboVN9nm-xJ-K2d9TzOYWnWfvXVoww4fc42RNX_71DFrV_4SWI8vhgeaHX24-hdB2k5o3RgvZNzQa-On1NUoqYPSrhyphenhyphen2UDGH6EvDa2XrZnpqbN7h3xD-B8ZHWeauS1HVyLI/s1600/Quiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6S_w4NFImboVN9nm-xJ-K2d9TzOYWnWfvXVoww4fc42RNX_71DFrV_4SWI8vhgeaHX24-hdB2k5o3RgvZNzQa-On1NUoqYPSrhyphenhyphen2UDGH6EvDa2XrZnpqbN7h3xD-B8ZHWeauS1HVyLI/s1600/Quiver.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Quiver</b> by Holly Luhning (<b><span style="color: #990000;">3.5 out of 5 Stars</span></b>) <br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Harper Perennial - Trade Paperback Edition (2012)<br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
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This modern-day tale follows a young clinical psychologist, Danica
Winston, who is on a fellowship in the UK at an institution that houses a
notorious killer, one who was inspired by Hungarian "Blood Countess"
Elizabeth Bathory. I liked this book overall, finding the writing good
and the plot engaging. Some of the information presented related to Elizabeth Bathory, however, was more than a little disturbing, and the main character made a lot of very
bad decisions that made it difficult to like her at times.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SGpgcdP5-JpDFdnBqZcf8j1Q9Q1mh2VJNYWin7BasIX-emxSAqm6_drCjPGsqfVx5gVoD8TMThu3VEzMsc6FwH0FTwCbATxjqzq6HycHv3VncEa3OFTiYG2IrmR3JtyMW8gkWsbg7P4/s1600/WitchofBabylon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SGpgcdP5-JpDFdnBqZcf8j1Q9Q1mh2VJNYWin7BasIX-emxSAqm6_drCjPGsqfVx5gVoD8TMThu3VEzMsc6FwH0FTwCbATxjqzq6HycHv3VncEa3OFTiYG2IrmR3JtyMW8gkWsbg7P4/s1600/WitchofBabylon.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a> <b>The Witch of Babylon</b> by DJ McIntosh (<span style="color: #990000;"><b>4 out of 5 Stars</b></span>)<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Penguin Canada -- Trade Paperback (2011)<br />
<b>Source</b>: Purchased<br />
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This quick moving modern-day thriller opens at the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad during the recent Iraqi War, and involves the theft of a priceless Assyrian artifact. The protagonist of the novel, John Madison, must find the relic before his enemies do, but these enemies will stop at nothing to prevent Madison from locating it before they do. Madison is a compelling protagonist, mainly because there is mystery surrounding him throughout the book. Though his character could have been better fleshed out, <b>The Witch of Babylon</b> is the first book in an expected trilogy, and Madison's back story, which is only hinted at in this novel, will likely be more fully articulated in one of the two remaining novels of the trilogy. I, for one, am very curious to know the truth of his origins. For me, the best part of the novel rests in its incorporation of Mesopotamian history and myth, which I found fascinating. I look forward to reading the trilogy's second installment, <b>The Book of Stolen Tales</b>. <br />
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Looking ahead to next week, I hope to finish up the following two books:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Suffer Little Children</b> by Peter Tremayne -- the third novel in Tremayne's excellent Sister Fidelma historical mystery series, which is set in 7th century Ireland.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Caliban's War </b>by James S.A. Corey -- the second novel in Corey's epic Space Opera Science Fiction series, The Expanse. </li>
</ul>
I'm also continuing with my re-read of <b>Anne of Green Gables</b> as part the Green Gables Readalong hosted by Lindsay over at <b><a href="http://reederreads.com/the-green-gables-readalong/">Reeder Reads</a></b>. <br />
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How did your week go? <br />
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(1) <b>Read what I want, when I want</b>. As indicated in some of my posts from the latter half of 2014, I suffered from serious (self-inflicted) review fatigue in 2014. This fatigue resulted in the loss of my both my reading and blogging mojo. I was on the verge of giving up on blogging, and I realized that if I didn't stop accepting books for review I'd likely lose my love of reading altogether. The solution was a simple one. I stopped accepting review copies of books, and focused instead only on those books I truly wanted to read at the time I was ready to pick up something new. With no review due dates to stress me out, my enjoyment of reading and blogging has slowly been coming back. I still plan to review books, but these books (with one or two exceptions) will come from my own collection, and the reviews will be posted according to my own schedule. I think this decision will make me a better, happier reader and book blogger.<br />
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(2) <b>Focus on my massive TBR pile</b>. 2014 was the year of new releases for me, so 2015 is going to be the year of the TBR pile. So many of my reading choices in 2014 were for new releases that I wondered if I would ever get back to my TBR pile -- which continues to expand, by the way! I have lots of choice on my TBR pile, but here are some of the areas I'd like to focus on:<br />
<ul>
<li><b><u>Canadian authors</u></b>. I have lots of Canadian lit sitting unread on my shelves, and I'd like to move at least some of these unread books into the read category in 2015. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b>Broaden my genre reach</b></u>. I read a lot of historical fiction, or at least I did until genre fatigue set in last year. I'm getting along with historical fiction again (thank goodness!) but I plan to mix up the genres I read in 2015 so I don't read so much in one genre that I get tired of it. One area I'd like to read more in is non-fiction. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b>Get back to the classics</b></u>. I've put off reading the many unread classics I've had on my shelves for years. It's time to tackle some of them! </li>
</ul>
I'm not going to stop buying new releases, but they now won't automatically be the go to books for me when I'm looking for my next read.<br />
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(3) <b>Increase my blogging presence</b>. Not only do I hope to blog more, but I am going to make a much bigger effort to visit other blogs too, something I wasn't good at in 2014. I love seeing what other people are reading, and what they think of books. I love meme posts and general book-related discussions and want to take a greater part in them, whether through my own posts or visiting and commenting on those of other bloggers. <br />
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So, those are my resolutions. What are yours? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B0CybNk1rwfmCoun7hL79zLaLogL4Yd8ujaLHLU-G2LBbJZ3pPXGtMnAsY51SHk1JYX3AHIlE9WGThPZUQJ46vJ6fs2V2jYTDWIxpA8XLAf3ar2fBwIa3S_Z7rg17vEJ0pD6lw_U7Tw/s1600/Favourites2014-PartOne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B0CybNk1rwfmCoun7hL79zLaLogL4Yd8ujaLHLU-G2LBbJZ3pPXGtMnAsY51SHk1JYX3AHIlE9WGThPZUQJ46vJ6fs2V2jYTDWIxpA8XLAf3ar2fBwIa3S_Z7rg17vEJ0pD6lw_U7Tw/s1600/Favourites2014-PartOne.jpg" height="180" width="640" /></a></div>
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(1) <b>The Bone Clocks</b> by David Mitchell (2014 - Contemporary Literature/Fantasy). Not having read Mitchell's previous novels, I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. Well-written with a great cast of characters, I was disappointed that the book had to end. <br />
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(2) <b>Station Eleven </b>by Emily St. John Mandel (2014 - Dystopian). This is a beautifully written tale of survival in the aftermath of a global pandemic. <br />
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(3) <a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/06/book-review-lost-sisterhood-by-anne.html"><b>The Lost Sisterhood</b></a> by Anne Fortier (2014 - Historical Fiction/Time Slip). Successfully blending history and myth into a fast-paced tale, Fortier has delivered a winner with <b>The Lost Sisterhood</b>. The focus of this book is the origins of the legendary Amazons. <br />
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(4) <a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/05/book-review-and-giveaway-daughter-of.html"><b>Daughter of the Gods</b> </a>by Stephanie Thornton (2014 - Historical Fiction). Stephanie Thornton is quickly becoming one of my favourite historical novelists. <b>Daughter of the Gods</b> tells the story of Egyptian royal Hatshepsut.<br />
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(5) <a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/11/mini-review-secret-diary-of-lizzie.html"><b>The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet</b></a> by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick (2014 - Modern Day Jane Austen Re-Telling). I loved everything about this modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's <b>Pride and Prejudice</b>, and think any fan of Austen would too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7VXF6cMetc6kbO-cap3Dns3X8PF21ocV_XdOJRrQVhTdn9EmZsF7udCYCUYQubyxEaxMH7s2fd62wRdmeNWBHD98kpO0H0UOiixuJGlP8GW9eWzaHf-Pv4EqN1Ad1kZOYwhFJqS65kw/s1600/Favourites2014-PartTwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7VXF6cMetc6kbO-cap3Dns3X8PF21ocV_XdOJRrQVhTdn9EmZsF7udCYCUYQubyxEaxMH7s2fd62wRdmeNWBHD98kpO0H0UOiixuJGlP8GW9eWzaHf-Pv4EqN1Ad1kZOYwhFJqS65kw/s1600/Favourites2014-PartTwo.jpg" height="182" width="640" /></a></div>
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(6) <b>A House in the Sky</b> by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett (2013 - Memoir). This is a beautifully written memoir conveying Lindhout's fifteen months held in captivity in Somalia. Although Lindhout endured horrendous abuse at the hands of her captors, making this book difficult to read at times, she managed to hold on to the hope that she would be freed. <br />
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(7) <a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/01/book-review-iron-king-by-maurice-druon.html"><b>The Iron King</b></a> by Maurice Druon (2013 re-issue - Historical Fiction). Druon's Accursed King's series of historical novels, set in the French Court during the 13th and 14th centuries, has been called "the original game of thrones" by George R.R. Martin. <b>The Iron King</b> is the first novel in the seven book series. <br />
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(8) <a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/01/book-review-harlots-tale-by-sam-thomas.html"><b>The Harlot's Tale </b></a>by Sam Thomas (2014 - Historical Mystery). This follow-up to Thomas' debut, <b>The Midwife's Tale</b> (which made my list of 2013 favourite reads) is every bit as good as its predecessor. Bridget Hodgson is an engaging heroine and the mystery is a good one. <br />
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(9) <b><a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/03/book-review-traitors-blade-by-sebastien.html">Traitor's Blade</a> </b>by Sebastien De Castell (2014 - Fantasy). This is the first book in a new fantasy series. The characters are great, and I love the world De Castell has created. I can't wait for the next book. <br />
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(10) <b>The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair</b> by Joel Dicker (2014 - Mystery). Fabulously told murder mystery that left me guessing about the identify of the perpetrator until the very end. <br />
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What were your favourite books from 2014? <br />
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<br />Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320886752332455903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014129013918271377.post-59905823749139076542014-12-28T11:48:00.000-05:002014-12-28T11:48:30.633-05:002014 End of Year Book Survey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsT1HW8GxoI4INCKUZp-t_SETXp4KnACclntjpW3_E9uezwFiXWueQJupkOajjrXtNXj6KXHOrSR33WdfhTyf80Kxcbk_D2LIcc2anQT332Kl3REX8JGqSk6tkRP2FjLaGWGxVlWJ2QI/s1600/2014-end-of-year-book-survey-1024x984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsT1HW8GxoI4INCKUZp-t_SETXp4KnACclntjpW3_E9uezwFiXWueQJupkOajjrXtNXj6KXHOrSR33WdfhTyf80Kxcbk_D2LIcc2anQT332Kl3REX8JGqSk6tkRP2FjLaGWGxVlWJ2QI/s1600/2014-end-of-year-book-survey-1024x984.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
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Jamie over at the <a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2014/11/5th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2014-edition.html"><b>Perpetual Page Turner</b></a> is once again hosting the <b>End of Year Book Survey</b>. I participated in the Survey last year, and it is my favourite of the various ways bloggers share thoughts on their favourite (or least favourite) books and characters of the year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80jdtr3mWdr7Y4VVbS5VnVs1dV80FBznNVM4BaS2LArL9T6f7Ql-X_m32zamYQaS_QkkqYFoKuja42N6nrJk1jSbzVdSxUE7mAEyizjt2NKICzs4DfjDAcH-wm4ZlggZUVhwZu54TLXk/s1600/BoneClocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80jdtr3mWdr7Y4VVbS5VnVs1dV80FBznNVM4BaS2LArL9T6f7Ql-X_m32zamYQaS_QkkqYFoKuja42N6nrJk1jSbzVdSxUE7mAEyizjt2NKICzs4DfjDAcH-wm4ZlggZUVhwZu54TLXk/s1600/BoneClocks.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>1. Best Book You Read In 2014?</b></span><br />
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<b>The Bone Clocks</b> by David Mitchell. This was the first of Mitchell's books I've had the pleasure of reading. I loved the writing, the characters, and the story. <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t</b></span>?<br />
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<b>The Rosie Effect</b> by Graeme Simsion. I really enjoyed Simsion's first novel, <b>The Rosie Project</b>, and eagerly awaited its sequel. While <b>The Rosie Effect</b> had some funny moments, and Don Tillman remains a favourite fiction character of mine, it did not live up to my expectations. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR1wkKPdraQLWId50X6yi8HmsRndsw8iNzZVXyxIZvIoF6TYPPzCAIa-Mm-z2Dg46F5RqcCTvaCTcrZLHa-E2xjNrPRbwp2MgxzQb8Q5GyaeWSDUuw0WgMf6cv5PjL10lUz-DgOub9Y4/s1600/StationEleven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR1wkKPdraQLWId50X6yi8HmsRndsw8iNzZVXyxIZvIoF6TYPPzCAIa-Mm-z2Dg46F5RqcCTvaCTcrZLHa-E2xjNrPRbwp2MgxzQb8Q5GyaeWSDUuw0WgMf6cv5PjL10lUz-DgOub9Y4/s1600/StationEleven.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014? </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Station Eleven </b>by Emily St John Mandel. I picked this one up based on all the buzz surrounding it. I, however, don't often get along with highly touted books. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and it will definitely make my list of Top 10 Books I Read in 2014. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014? </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Gone Girl</b> by Gillian Flynn. I didn't love this book as so many other readers seemed to, but it's definitely one that needs to be talked about. I successfully convinced a number of my co-workers to read it. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>5. Best Series you Started in 2014? </b></span><br />
<br />
Cinda Williams Chima's Seven Realms novels (I will read the final book in the series early in 2015).<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>6. Favorite New author you Discovered in 2014?</b></span><br />
<br />
Sebastien de Castell, author of <b>The Traitor's Blade</b>, the first book in a new fantasy series. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone? </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Bird Box</b> by Josh Malerman. I don't generally read horror novels but this one sounded good and I wasn't disappointed. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year? </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>I Am Pilgrim </b>by Terry Hayes. A smart thriller that was hard to put down during the final few hundred pages. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?</b></span><br />
<br />
Maybe <b>The Traitor's Blade</b> by Sebastien de Castell. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMcgYguRO9IauvTHFkXeF7niwCHeWdew12ZNJkMkTLf7aPy7ijvfKT7_NISSfgcSipn_EzbkXxlIo9WCRSKL2WRdpHILOt_GWJGyK8SgdmXkTBJJneVOyw8SJadAYGmUjY_XxqzQ_2Fw/s1600/IntotheBlizzard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMcgYguRO9IauvTHFkXeF7niwCHeWdew12ZNJkMkTLf7aPy7ijvfKT7_NISSfgcSipn_EzbkXxlIo9WCRSKL2WRdpHILOt_GWJGyK8SgdmXkTBJJneVOyw8SJadAYGmUjY_XxqzQ_2Fw/s1600/IntotheBlizzard.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>10. Favorite Cover of a Book you Read in 2014?</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Into the Blizzard: Walking the Field of the Newfoundland Dead</b> by Michael Winter. Anyone familiar with the Newfoundland Regiment and the memorial to it at Beaumont-Hamel, France, will know this cover is perfect for the book. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>11. Most Memorable Character of 2014? </b></span><br />
<br />
Pax from Michael J. Sullivan's <b>Hollow World.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2014?</b></span><br />
<br />
Non-fiction: <b>A House in the Sky</b> by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6bZthX4QYdabqFVhZeeV2nIOSPlyQF3PBiWemveI2sTa0w4bABiKmvfSPpbrpC9OEmFAKMe5SWnpP6XBsTFJs1uJ-Bd0kiJbKvXpulGrANxRZmmmMd322HlA0R_Z8uvF6qw2tC9ZOrQ/s1600/AHouseintheSky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6bZthX4QYdabqFVhZeeV2nIOSPlyQF3PBiWemveI2sTa0w4bABiKmvfSPpbrpC9OEmFAKMe5SWnpP6XBsTFJs1uJ-Bd0kiJbKvXpulGrANxRZmmmMd322HlA0R_Z8uvF6qw2tC9ZOrQ/s1600/AHouseintheSky.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a>Fiction: <b>The Enchanted</b> by Rene Denfield <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>13. Most Thought-Provoking Book of 2014?</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>A House in the Sky</b> by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett. Lindhout, an aspiring Canadian journalist, was kidnapped in Somalia and held for 15 months. The abuse she endured while in captivity was horrendous, but through it all she managed to hold on to the hope that she would gain her freedom. This is an extraordinary book by a remarkable woman. Amanda's story will stay with me for a long time to come. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Gone Girl</b> by Gillian Flynn. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>15. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?</b></span><br />
<br />
<u>Shortest</u>: <b>Whisper of Jasmine</b> by Deanna Raybourn (Novella - 53 pages)<br />
<u>Longest</u>: <b>The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair</b> by Joel Dicker (640 pages)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>16. Book That Shocked You The Most </b></span><br />
(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)<br />
<br />
Several things in <b>Gone Girl </b>by Gillan Flynn shocked me, but none more so than the ending. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>17. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year</b></span><br />
<br />
Definitely the friendship between Falcio, Kest, and Brasti from <b>The Traitor's Blade.</b> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL6xCTk_LUNi9R_BT5uYydZW89k0scRnk3ZomG1X_KM77zsDxfA7QEaIwz5ZHGqP9YC1XdSn0XtnyHSUm303vaazBqk-IuS1K55MbVczh1u8MHMpn4SouT0KRHnT_CLkGPteXpntslu0/s1600/LostSisterhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL6xCTk_LUNi9R_BT5uYydZW89k0scRnk3ZomG1X_KM77zsDxfA7QEaIwz5ZHGqP9YC1XdSn0XtnyHSUm303vaazBqk-IuS1K55MbVczh1u8MHMpn4SouT0KRHnT_CLkGPteXpntslu0/s1600/LostSisterhood.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>18. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>The Lost Sisterhood</b> by Anne Fortier. I previously read Fortier's novel <b>Juliet</b>, which is a great read, but T<b>he Lost Sisterhood</b> is even better! <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>19. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Bird Box</b> by Josh Mallerman. When it was released it was promoted/recommended heavily on my Twitter feed so I thought I'd give it a try. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>20. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book you Read in 2014? </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">William Darcy from <span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="color: black;">The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet</span> </b></span>by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick. Darcy has never been my favourite of Austen's heroes (that honour goes to Captain Wentworth from <b>Persuasion</b>), but I must say I developed a little crush on Su and Rorick's version of Darcy :-)</span><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>21. Best 2014 Debut you Read?</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Queen of the Tearling</b> by Erika Johansen. Great debut fantasy novel that marks the start of a new series. I can't wait to read the next one. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>22. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Hollow World </b>by Michael J. Sullivan. Sullivan never disappoints. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fSP_N1PRwDTIwbsy2syzkuQNPJi11pEoJidvwOca1vErw8LERlGEkbwq7gUXXHb2gFikhOYkotfL1f0Ajhwl2w7Gi3tPJIOuApbAa6YA_sn67LWMRKY-0teRxYNbM2UAgOEX2pPs6xU/s1600/SecretDiaryLizzieBennet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fSP_N1PRwDTIwbsy2syzkuQNPJi11pEoJidvwOca1vErw8LERlGEkbwq7gUXXHb2gFikhOYkotfL1f0Ajhwl2w7Gi3tPJIOuApbAa6YA_sn67LWMRKY-0teRxYNbM2UAgOEX2pPs6xU/s1600/SecretDiaryLizzieBennet.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b>23. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read? </b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/11/mini-review-secret-diary-of-lizzie.html"><b>The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet</b></a>
by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick (click on the title to read my
mini-review). While this book, which is a modern-day retelling of Jane
Austen's <b>Pride and Prejudice</b>, won't win any literary awards, it entertained me in a way very few books have lately. I smiled the whole time I was reading it, and was so sad that it had to come to an end.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>24. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?</b></span><br />
<br />
I admit to crying in the latest Bridget Jones' book, <b>Mad About the Boy</b>, by Helen Fielding. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>25. Hidden Gem Of The Year? </b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://confessionsavidreader.blogspot.ca/2014/04/book-review-grist-by-linda-little.html"><b>Grist </b></a>by Linda Little (click on the book title to read my review). A beautifully written historical novel set in 19th century rural Nova Scotia. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>26. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>The Bees </b>by Laline Paul. As the title suggests, this is a novel about a colony of bees. Sounds odd, doesn't it? But the book is one of the most original and engaging I've read in a long time. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>27. Book That Made You The Most Mad </b></span>(doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?<br />
<br />
<b>Gone Girl </b>by Gillan Flynn -- that ending!!! <br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9HLvhzOf1olvT1oCjEjKGeWZPY-NsGQ5oEykNmRebItimJKuvN8qXBvFGATpAipsOasvuWXCb5YXsRQ9jT6yVFBLsx2Bjx13sgaV7NMs1bnAgC98_v_qsm_5qCVV0UB6JzvwgzKVC4k/s1600/ChristmasCarol-Dickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9HLvhzOf1olvT1oCjEjKGeWZPY-NsGQ5oEykNmRebItimJKuvN8qXBvFGATpAipsOasvuWXCb5YXsRQ9jT6yVFBLsx2Bjx13sgaV7NMs1bnAgC98_v_qsm_5qCVV0UB6JzvwgzKVC4k/s1600/ChristmasCarol-Dickens.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO7HJHUGVfvPOEvvR50ea8XmJ3dEwdYomhDdm-G3kzwz489RzrKCQAbVdeBo4bdoVT65FMz9q03T5GpqlFJxvJ18U_QZVff5AJSL50oSCYOh6K2LcyRzmBbSco58OnRbkV-NccHhf7Qo/s1600/MischiefMistletoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO7HJHUGVfvPOEvvR50ea8XmJ3dEwdYomhDdm-G3kzwz489RzrKCQAbVdeBo4bdoVT65FMz9q03T5GpqlFJxvJ18U_QZVff5AJSL50oSCYOh6K2LcyRzmBbSco58OnRbkV-NccHhf7Qo/s1600/MischiefMistletoe.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a>With the holidays fast approaching I've been trying to decide whether or not to read something set during the Christmas season. Of the novels already sitting on my shelves the obvious choice would be Charles Dickens <b>A Christmas Carol</b>, which I've never read but think I should. But there is also Lauren Willig's <b>The Mischief of the Mistletoe</b> (part of her Pink Carnation series) to consider, especially given that it has been sitting on my shelf unread since it was first published four years ago! I also have a Deanna Raybourn novella, <b>Silent Night</b>, which is a holiday companion to her Lady Julia Grey historical mystery series. <br />
<br />
While I love the holidays, I've never been one to specifically read Christmas-related books at this time of year, but I've noticed that many of my fellow readers do. So, I'd like to know if any of you make a point of reading Christmas/holiday-related fiction at this time of year? If so, what are some of your favourites? <br />
<br />
Happy Reading!<br />
<br />
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