Hanneri's 2016 Category Challenge

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Hanneri's 2016 Category Challenge

Tämä viestiketju on "uinuva" —viimeisin viesti on vanhempi kuin 90 päivää. Ryhmä "virkoaa", kun lähetät vastauksen.

1Hanneri
Muokkaaja: marraskuu 23, 2016, 10:00 am

I cannot believe that 2015 is speeding towards the end and that it is time to set up my 2016 challenge already!

I have had another good reading year, although I have not managed to read as many books in each of my categories as I had hoped. I have however made the decision that I read because I enjoy it, and I will read what I want when I want, regardless of whether a book fits into a category or not!

I am again going to keep it simple in 2016 - I will have only six categories and I will not commit myself to a fixed number of books in each category.

During 2015 I listened to all the Harry Potter books while commuting. I have read the books many times before, and I loved every minute of listening! It took me away from the realities of life and I got lost in the magical world of wizards and witches! I have decided to model my categories around places in the magical world.

My categories are:

1. Hogwarts - Mysteries
2. Godric's Hollow - History
3. Hogsmeade - Europe
4. Diagon Alley - Novels
5. The Burrow - Cozy Mysteries
6. Nr.12, Grimmauld Place - Just Because

I am looking forward to another magical reading year in 2016!




I hope everyone has an enjoyable reading year!

2Hanneri
Muokkaaja: marraskuu 25, 2016, 8:38 am

1. HOGWARTS - Mysteries



My favourite genre!

Hogwarts has numerous charms and spells on and around it that make it impossible for a Muggle to locate it. Muggles cannot see the school; rather, they see only ruins and several warnings of danger. The school is full of mysteries, thus making it ideal for my love of reading mysteries!

1. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz
2. Third Voice by Cilla Borjlind
3. Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson
4. The White Lioness by Henning Mankell
5. The Verdict on Each Man Dead by David Whellams
6. Service of All the Dead by Colin Dexter
7. Babylon by Camilla Ceder
8. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
9. The Reluctant Matador by Mark Pryor
10. Written in Blood by Caroline Graham
11. A Florentine Death by Michele Giuttari
12. Voices by Arnaldur Indridason
13. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
14. Little Boy Blue by M.J. Arlidge
15. Thin Ice by Quentin Bates
16. The Hanging by Lotte Hammer
17. Silenced by Kristina Ohlsson
18. Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson
19. The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indriaoson
20. Faithful Unto Death by Caroline Graham
21. The Disappeared by Kristina Ohlsson
22. Hostage by Kristina Ohlsson
23. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo
24. The Night Book by Richard Madeley
25. The Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter
26. A Place of Safety by Caroline Graham
27. The Chosen by Kristina Ohlsson
28. The Paris Librarian by Mark Pryor
29. A Death in Tuscany by Michele Giuttari
30. Hide and Seek by M.J. Arlidge
31. The Trespasser by Tana French
32. The Riddle of the Third Mile by Colin Dexter

3Hanneri
Muokkaaja: marraskuu 23, 2016, 10:10 am

2. GODRIC'S HOLLOW - History



The village was the home and final hiding place of James and Lily Potter before being murdered by Lord Voldemort. It was at this time that Harry was left with his lightning bolt-shaped scar. At the centre of the village square of Godric's Hollow, is a war memorial that magically transforms into a monument to the Potter family – James, Lily, and Harry – when approached by witches and/or wizards unaccompanied by Muggles. Invisible to Muggles, the remains of Harry's old house are found at the end of the main street.

1. The Berlin Crossing by Kevin Brophy
2. The Cold War Swap by Ross Thomas
3. The Russian Affair by Michael Wallner
4. Snowleg by Nicholas Shakespeare
5. The Spy Game by Georgina Harding
6. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
7. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
8. The Black Country by Alex Grecian
9. The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds, and Finds and the Search for Lost Treasures by Philip Mould
10. Red to Black by Alex Dryden
11. Ruins of War by John A Connell

4Hanneri
Muokkaaja: huhtikuu 17, 2016, 5:47 am

3. HOGSMEADE - Europe



Hogsmeade is the only settlement in Britain inhabited solely by wizards and other magical beings. The village is known for its leaning medieval houses the most famous of which being the Three Broomsticks, an ancient inn, the backdrop for such dramatic wizarding events as the 1612 rebellion of Britain's goblins. Hogsmeade primarily consists of a single thoroughfare, called High Street, on which most shops and other magical venues reside, and are also home to such historic places as the Hog's Head Inn and Madame Puddifoot's Teashop.

1. The Matchmaker of Perigord by Julia Stuart
2. On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town by Susan Hermann Loomis
3. Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard
4. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

5Hanneri
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 30, 2016, 1:17 pm

4. DIAGON ALLEY - Novels



If a wizard or witch needs something, chances are that it can be found in Diagon Alley.

One entrance to Diagon Alley can be reached on foot by passing through The Leaky Cauldron. It contains Gringotts Bank which is run by goblins, an ice-cream parlour, pet shops, book shops, Ollivander's wand shop, magical clothing shops, broom shops, apothecaries and many others.

1. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
3. The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
4. The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
5. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
6. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
7. The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce
8. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
9. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
10. Monday's Lie by Jamie Mason
11. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
12. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
13. Daughter by Jane Shemilt
14. Where'd you go Bernadette by Maria Semple
15. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
16. Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman
17. Snowdrops by A.D. Miller
18. The Secret of Orchard Cottage by Alex Brown
19. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

6Hanneri
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 30, 2016, 1:09 pm

5. THE BURROW - Cozy Mysteries



The Weasleys' home, known as the Burrow, is located outside the village of Ottery St Catchpole. The Weasley house has seven floors. It is also quite dilapidated, managing to remain standing only by magic. Despite the house's rundown appearance, Harry remarks on his first visit that it was the best house he had ever been in and it becomes his second favourite place in the world (after Hogwarts).

1. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
2. Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
3. The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie
4. Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke
5. Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie
6. As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames
7. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
8. Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
9. For Cheddar or Worse by Avery Aames
10. The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham
11. G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton
12. H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton
13. Elephants can Remember by Agatha Christie
14. Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie
15. Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich
16. A Killer's Christmas in Wales by Elizabeth J. Duncan
17. Eleven Pipers Piping by C.C. Benison
18. The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
19. Hercule Poirot's Casebook by Agatha Christie
20. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
21. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

7Hanneri
Muokkaaja: tammikuu 1, 2017, 11:11 am

6. NR. 12, GRIMMAULD PLACE - Just Because



Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London is the address and name of reference to the home of the Black family, an ancient and pure-blooded line of wizards.

Many security measures are in place at Grimmauld Place: there are anti-Apparation charms, the place is Unplottable, the whole house is under a Fidelius charm and it is disguised from Muggles and other interlopers. The neighbours had long ago come to terms with the houses on their square running straight from 11 to 13.

1. F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton
2. One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond
3. A Year at 23 September Way by Mary Ylisela
4. Not That Kind of Girl by Catherine Alliott
5. Started Early, Took my Dog by Kate Atkinson
6. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J K Rowling
7. A Summer at Sea by Katie Fforde
8. The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
9. Falling by Jane Green
10. A Christmas Cracker by Trisha Ashley
11. Staying Away at Christmas by Katie Fforde
12. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
13. After You by JoJo Moyes
14. Honeymoon in Paris by JoJo Moyes

8rabbitprincess
marraskuu 11, 2015, 7:36 am

Great setup! It has been a very long time for me since reading the Harry Potters... these categories bring back many good memories. Enjoy your 2016 challenge!

9Hanneri
marraskuu 11, 2015, 8:37 am

#8 - I really enjoyed my stroll down the Potter lane this year! Loved the books and now the audiobooks! Thank you so much for the good wishes!

10Chrischi_HH
marraskuu 11, 2015, 8:56 am

I love your choice of categories and names! I have never read Harry Potter, though, I stopped after the first two books because I'm not a fan of fantasy and magic. Maybe I should start a second attempt one day... Enjoy your reading!

11lkernagh
marraskuu 11, 2015, 11:34 am

Love the Harry Potter theme!

12Jan_1
marraskuu 11, 2015, 12:41 pm

what a lovely idea for categories! I love magic fantasy so will be interested to see your books.

13-Eva-
marraskuu 11, 2015, 4:17 pm

Great photos! I must rewatch those movies over the upcoming holidays.

14Jackie_K
marraskuu 11, 2015, 4:44 pm

I've never read the Harry Potter books - not that I've not wanted to, just never ever got round to getting hold of them. I've also not watched the films, as I want to read the books first. Your categories are piqueing my interest again, maybe I should get hold of them? (as if I haven't got enough TBRs already...).

15DeltaQueen50
marraskuu 11, 2015, 6:12 pm

Great theme for 2016, after all what could be more magical than reading!!

16mamzel
marraskuu 12, 2015, 11:30 am

Accio challenge

Great choice for a theme!

17MissWatson
marraskuu 14, 2015, 1:21 pm

Just saying the names out loud makes me nostalgic for the books...enjoy your reading!

18Tess_W
joulukuu 5, 2015, 10:14 pm

Very creative!

19Hanneri
tammikuu 6, 2016, 4:42 am

Thank you for all the kind wishes - I hope everyone has an enjoyable reading year!

20Hanneri
Muokkaaja: tammikuu 11, 2016, 6:26 am

1. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

I was very apprehensive to start the book. I loved the Stieg Larsson books and I was not sure if this would live up to the standard set. I was more than pleasantly surprised! It was wonderful to spend time with the characters again and the plot was well thought out and written. It is clear from the ending that there will be more books in the series and I for one am looking forward to reading more!

21AHS-Wolfy
tammikuu 6, 2016, 6:50 am

>20 Hanneri: Glad you enjoyed this one. Still haven't made my mind up on picking it up yet but will probably cave in the end. Good luck with the rest of your challenge!

22-Eva-
tammikuu 6, 2016, 1:32 pm

>20 Hanneri:
I haven't decided either if I'm reading that one, but I just watched Lagercrantz on telly and he's such a pleasant man that I feel a little better about it. I am glad that it seems to be a good one, if/when I do decide to pick it up.

23LittleTaiko
tammikuu 7, 2016, 6:29 pm

>20 Hanneri: - Good to know that it is worth the read. Like others I haven't decided if I want to read it but the temptation is growing stronger.

24Hanneri
tammikuu 13, 2016, 3:49 am

2. The Matchmaker of Perigord by Julia Stuart

I enjoyed the humor in this book about the love lives in a small French town. The relationships between the townspeople as well as the town's relationship with the council bordered on the absurd, and yet there was enough there to just be believable. The title character is a barber who realizes that his clientele is balding and it's time to look for a new career. The irony is that this matchmaker missed the love of his life and has remained single ever since and all because he failed to respond to her letter. A good, light summer read.

25LisaMorr
Muokkaaja: tammikuu 15, 2016, 9:40 pm

Lovely categories! I also was not so sure about picking up The Girl in the Spider's Web - I think I'll go for it one of these days.

26Hanneri
Muokkaaja: tammikuu 18, 2016, 1:34 am

3. Third Voice by Cilla Borjlind

I really despise Olivia - I find her childish in the extreme, selfcentred and annoying. Even so, I really enjoyed the book. Things did come together a bit too perfect at the end, but all in all an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the rest of the series!

27Hanneri
tammikuu 21, 2016, 1:39 am

4. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones was a lot more than I expected it to be. The characters in this book are impressively fleshed out, and Susie's family members have all become real figures to me -- their mourning and changing interpersonal relationships were touching, believable, and well developed in the novel. This book was both terrifying and gripping, keeping me guessing at every turn of the page and challenging me to ask myself how I felt about its criminal characters. Sebold truly considers each of her characters as an individual with rational decisions, leading her to explore empathy in the understanding of these people regardless of their actions. It is this compassion and drive for imagination that has fueled such an intelligently crafted book.

28DeltaQueen50
tammikuu 21, 2016, 3:32 pm

>27 Hanneri: I was also very pleasantly surprised by The Lovely Bones. Even though it's been years since I read it, it still lingers in my mind. As you mention, the author did an excellent job with her characters.

29hailelib
tammikuu 21, 2016, 4:18 pm

I remember The Lovely Bones as being better than I had expected.

30-Eva-
tammikuu 23, 2016, 6:35 pm

>27 Hanneri:
I'm one of those (few) who really didn't like that one at all. :( Good thing we all have different tastes!

31Hanneri
tammikuu 25, 2016, 1:42 am

5. The Berlin Crossing by Kevin Brophy

I really enjoyed this book - at first I was captivated by the interesting perspective of someone who had been a loyal East German struggling within reunified Germany in the 90s. It then became more of a traditional cold war tale outlining the horrors of the Stasi in the East, but was still a great story of redemption, sacrifice and love.

32Hanneri
tammikuu 28, 2016, 8:45 am

6. The Cold War Swap by Ross Thomas

This is a cold war, spy-noir. The main characters are two american expats living in Germany a few years after WW II. They both fought in the war. One is still in the CIA while the other owns a bar and wants to live a quiet, peaceful life. They get caught up in a plot to bring somebody over the border from the GDR. The pace moves along quickly. This is definitely a fun, quick read.

33MissWatson
tammikuu 28, 2016, 9:34 am

>32 Hanneri: ah yes, McCorkle and Padilla! Great team. And the author usually gets his facts about Germany right.

34Hanneri
Muokkaaja: helmikuu 1, 2016, 3:51 am

7. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Treat yourself and read this beautiful book. The language is lyrical is a way that never calls attention to itself. Anthony Doerr moves seamlessly between multiple points of view, tenderly revealing characters through the exact right specific details or action or turn of phrase. There is a restraint in the prose that masterfully builds tension. I could not stop turning the page. Hopeful and heartbreaking.

35mamzel
helmikuu 1, 2016, 2:51 pm

>34 Hanneri: It's been on the SF Chronicle Best Seller List since forever! It was one of my favorite reads last year.

36thornton37814
helmikuu 1, 2016, 7:42 pm

>34 Hanneri: I hope to get to that one this year!

37Hanneri
helmikuu 2, 2016, 1:51 am

8. Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson

The book is set in Iceland. It is in a cold and isolated place. Nothing happens there. Except in the course of a couple of days two bodies are found. The newly arrived policeman Ari Thor is not sure he has made the right decision in leaving his girlfriend and Reykjavik behind. The town is small but there are a lot of characters and story lines. Some of the story lines come together to give the motives behind the crimes but other story lines remain open so the series of these books will be connected.

38rabbitprincess
helmikuu 2, 2016, 5:36 pm

>37 Hanneri: I probably don't need another series, but one set in Iceland is hard to resist. Will have to see if the library has this one.

39-Eva-
helmikuu 3, 2016, 10:31 pm

>38 rabbitprincess:
You and me both.

>37 Hanneri:
I'll take that BB.

40lkernagh
helmikuu 7, 2016, 9:39 pm

I keep seeing great reviews for the Doerr book. Definitely need to add that one to the library list.

41Hanneri
helmikuu 12, 2016, 1:55 am

9. The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

I just loved this book. The writing style was exquisite and it had an old - fashioned feel to it. The plot line was truly engaging- I found myself reading during every spare moment. I loved how both Eva and Grace's stories seemlessly connected in the end. Also, I loved the descriptions of perfume and fashion. I would highly recommend this beautiful novel.

42DeltaQueen50
helmikuu 12, 2016, 6:33 pm

>41 Hanneri: Just took a book bullet for The Perfume Collector.

43Roro8
helmikuu 13, 2016, 5:42 am

Your thoughts on All the Light we Cannot See and The Perfume Collector have reminded me again that I want to read them. I'll get there eventually.

44Hanneri
helmikuu 19, 2016, 4:30 am

10. The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

Historical fiction set in Italy during WW2 and 1955, alternating between both time periods, tells the story of the Rosati family during the German occupation of Italy, specifically of the occupation of their beautiful farm/villa. Both a murder mystery and family saga that keeps you reading for hours. I highly recommend this book, and will read more by Chris Bohjalian.

45Hanneri
helmikuu 26, 2016, 7:19 am

11. F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton

Not a very interesting read. For me there was a lot of loose end left and the story line itself was very thin. Not satisfying at all.

46LisaMorr
helmikuu 26, 2016, 9:18 am

>37 Hanneri: I'll take a BB for Snowblind.

47Hanneri
helmikuu 29, 2016, 2:14 pm

12. The White Lioness by Henning Mankell

Coming from South Africa, I found the historical inaccuracies irritating and the bias disturbing. I will read the rest of the series as I enjoy the Wallander character.

48Hanneri
helmikuu 29, 2016, 2:20 pm

13. On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town by Susan Hermann Loomis

Reminds me of Under the Tuscan Sun. Beautiful food writing and the descriptions of the renovation process on an old house were very interesting.

49Hanneri
maaliskuu 4, 2016, 5:05 am

14. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

Once in a while you read a book that touches you on some level that is difficult to describe. The book was beautifully written and I had empathy for all of the sweet characters. It remined me again to look beyond the superficial and to appreciate that people may not be what they seem on the outside. A book that will stay with me for a very long time.

50Hanneri
maaliskuu 7, 2016, 2:21 am

15. Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard

Author Elizabeth Bard has a normal, somewhat privileged background and finds herself in the enviable position of moving, unwillingly at first, to Paris. Unfortunately, her American in Paris story is overly familiar and her existential crisis is unremarkable. Although her story of making a home in France is ultimately moving, in the end it feels unearned. The description of the food is great though.

51Roro8
maaliskuu 7, 2016, 5:02 am

The Light in the Ruins and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry are both books I've had on my radar for a while. Your reviews are further encouragement for me to get to them sooner rather than later.

52thornton37814
maaliskuu 7, 2016, 1:40 pm

>48 Hanneri: That French "travel" book sounds interesting.

>49 Hanneri: I may eventually read that one. It had kind of begun to drop off my radar, but your review reminded me of the stellar reviews when it came out.

53Hanneri
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 9, 2016, 7:00 am

16. The Russian Affair by Michael Wallner

This book takes place during the Cold War in 1970. Anna is an artist and lives with her ill son and her father in Moscow. The only bright spot in her life is the affair that she has with Alexey, however their relationship begins to affect his position in the KGB. She then decides to try and mend things with her husband, but is unsuccessful.

The accounts of the geography and history were well told and the book had a few twists and turns. An unexpected ending.

54Hanneri
maaliskuu 12, 2016, 9:03 am

17. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich

Better than the last few books, but still nothing new. I keep on reading the series hoping that something will change. Too many cars being blown up and no development in the characters.

55Hanneri
maaliskuu 15, 2016, 1:13 am

18. Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie

A classic locked room mystery! As always the clues are there, but I was not able to string them together to find the murderer! Hercule Poirot was not as condecending in this book as he has been known to be. All in all an enjoyable read.

56Hanneri
maaliskuu 17, 2016, 2:31 am

19. One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond

A light and fluffy story about the lives of three women who end up becoming friends through an Italian class. Anna is trying to find her dad who she thinks is Italian. Catherine is going through divorce and Sophie is trying to come to terms with her relationship with her parents and a lost love that she met in Australia through her travels. All in all a little book that is not too taxing on the grey cells but still enjoyable.

57Hanneri
maaliskuu 17, 2016, 2:55 am

20. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

I did not enjoy this as much as I expected to. I loved the parts set in Italy, but did not care for the rest. The same goes for the characters. The story comes together very nicely at the end, but I still felt as if I missed something that other readers found.

58Hanneri
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 22, 2016, 4:11 am

21. The Verdict on Each Man Dead by David Whellams

I really enjoyed the whole series. I felt that the characters were well rounded and that the stories were believable. The third installment had a slow patch in the middle, but everything came together beautifully in the end. I can really recommend the series.

59Hanneri
maaliskuu 26, 2016, 7:54 am

22. The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

I love older mystery novels and Agatha Christie is the ultimate author in that genre. I always love to curl up with one of her mysteries for a fun read. The ABC Murders features a murderer who kills by letters of the alphabet, down to the letters of their names and the city they live in. All in all a very enjoyable read!

60Hanneri
maaliskuu 26, 2016, 8:06 am

23. Service of All the Dead by Colin Dexter

Service of All the Dead is an Inspector Morse novel and as such it is more dialog heavy and involves intricate plotting. In this particular episode, the plot is very confusing and you have to follow closely to avoid getting confused. Morse doesn’t get everything right but he has the main idea. There are lots of leads and characters so it is definitely a denser read than many other mysteries. Not my favorite so far of the Morse books, but still quite enjoyable.

61Hanneri
maaliskuu 26, 2016, 8:21 am

24. A Year at 23 September Way by Mary Ylisela

Five people with varying backgrounds rent an apartment in the same block in Verona. Each has a different reason for spending the next 12 months of their lives there. Over the course of the year the five become friends and, through their individual experiences, find answers to their various dilemmas.

62Hanneri
maaliskuu 31, 2016, 8:06 am

25. Babylon by Camilla Ceder

I did not enjoy this as much as I expected. There was a lot of detail that had nothing to do with the plot of the book. Also it felt as if the book lost direction halfway through the book.

63Hanneri
huhtikuu 5, 2016, 2:59 am

26. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

The book started off very promising but I was disappointed in the ending. It ended flat and I felt let down. While I enjoyed the book, it was not as much as I had expected - especially after the truimph of Child 44. Overall still an enjoyable read.

64Hanneri
huhtikuu 8, 2016, 2:51 am

27. The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce

One of the best books I have read in a long time. The book touched me on various levels. I had great empathy for Qeeunie and the dignity with which she lived should be respected. As much as I loved Harold Fry, I liked this one even better. The charachters in the hospice and specifically Finty made me laugh. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

65Hanneri
huhtikuu 11, 2016, 3:59 am

28. Not that Kind of Girl by Catherine Alliott

I enjoyed this book! I did not have to think and it suited me fine. It started off a bit boring to be honest but after the first chapter or so it really started to heat up. It was a perfect weekend read and such a different storyline.



66Hanneri
huhtikuu 13, 2016, 9:18 am

29. The Reluctant Matador by Mark Pryor

I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the others in the series. Tom is getting annoying and the relationship of Mark with Claudia that does not go anywhere is getting too long in the tooth. However, this was not a bad read even though some of the storyline was a bit far fetched to me. Still and enjoyable read.

67Hanneri
huhtikuu 17, 2016, 5:45 am

30. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Sadly I didn't love this one like I was expecting. I loved the books - from the Literary Apothecary to Perdu's ability - and the setting, plus there were some great quotes. However, I struggled with the story and I lacked a connection to the characters. In theory, this book is perfect for me but I just feel like it was missing something.

68LittleTaiko
huhtikuu 17, 2016, 8:02 pm

>64 Hanneri: - oh, now you're making me wish I had bought that one this weekend when I had a chance.

69Hanneri
huhtikuu 19, 2016, 3:00 am

31. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

I was pleasently suprised by the book. I have read the other comments and was not expecting much. The characters were well rounded and well developed and although harrowing, I enjoyed the story. An enjoyable read.

70Hanneri
huhtikuu 26, 2016, 4:14 am

32. Started Early, Took my Dog by Kate Atkinson

This is a crime thriller, but really spends most of its time developing personalities. In this novel, ex detective Jackson Brodie tries to find out the identity of a woman in New Zealand who was adopted. This story meshes with that of Tracy Waterhouse, who buys one from an abusive prostitute. The stories weave around a group of cops, Tracy's old unit, one of whom accidentally killed a prostitute years ago, and stole the child to be adopted by friends. Atkinson's writing is strong, and the flashback, flash forward plotting adds to the unfolding story. However, I found the book overlong for a thriller.

71Hanneri
huhtikuu 28, 2016, 3:00 am

33. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Camille Preaker is haunted by childhood memories of a cold mother and the devastating loss of her sister, Marian, who died when Camille was only 13. Having escaped from the clutches of a cloying family environment, Camille is being sent back home, this time as a reporter for a newspaper to cover the gruesome murders of two local girls. The more involved she becomes in the mystery, the more she uncovers about her town, her family, and herself. The discoveries are anything but pleasant.

This book will stay with you long you have read it.

72VictoriaPL
huhtikuu 29, 2016, 1:14 pm

>71 Hanneri:. Yes! I still think about this book!

73Hanneri
toukokuu 3, 2016, 8:04 am

34. Written in Blood by Caroline Graham

A man is killed, most brutally. No one seems to have a reason, except a famous author who comes to his writing group the same night as the murder. Barnaby has to figure it out. Of course, it ends up being someone whom the reader would never suspect but the clues had been left there all along.

74Hanneri
toukokuu 7, 2016, 10:27 am

35. Monday's Lie by Jamie Mason

A good read. The writer takes you a little outside the conventional boundaries of a psychological thriller. The characters are vivid and mysterious. It's like Dee is having a conversation with her mother, who passed away three years go. But Dee is remembering her upbringing and this helps her out when she needs it. Really good book.

75Hanneri
toukokuu 8, 2016, 10:26 am

36. A Florentine Death by Michele Giuttari

This was an engaging police thriller from the former head of the Florence police force, the writing becomes more assured as the story goes along and is ultimately gripping as the head of the Florence police goes up against a serial killer with a personal grudge against him.

76Roro8
toukokuu 9, 2016, 5:08 am

>71 Hanneri:, I'd like to read that one too.

77Hanneri
toukokuu 19, 2016, 5:20 am

37. Snowleg by Nicholas Shakespeare

A good read - the aftermath of political divide. Loose ends caused by the East West Germany split and rejoining. Although the book moved very slow at times, I enjoyed the book and will recommend it.

78Hanneri
toukokuu 23, 2016, 7:32 am

38. Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke

Another fun book by Fluke in which Hannah solves the murder of her competitor, a woman who opens a bakery right across from the Cookie Jar, and who specialises in heating up frozen peach cobbler but is somehow stealing all of Hannah's cookie business.

79Hanneri
toukokuu 23, 2016, 7:51 am

39. Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie

An intriguing work from Agatha Christie, and a departure from her usual mystery genre. Christie wrote several spy novels, and many of her trademarks are evident, but the overall effect of this book was rather contrived and unconvincing.

80Hanneri
toukokuu 28, 2016, 4:54 am

40. The Spy Game by Georgina Harding

This book was quite slow moving, and it felt too vague and flimsy overall for me to fully enjoy it. The story follows a girl named Anna, whose mom supposedly dies in a car crash in 1962, when Anna is eight. On the news, there are all sorts of reports about spies, and Anna's brother begins to suspect that their mom did not die after all but instead was a spy and moved on to reinvent herself somewhere else.

81Hanneri
kesäkuu 1, 2016, 7:26 am

41. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I loved this! Ove likes to have routine in life, he likes to have order in life and he likes to make plans and for things to go according to plan. This is a heartwarming and charming story about a man's life and how things can shape his life and turn him into the man he is today. With every chapter another layer of the "grumpy Ove" gets peeled back and you get to see who Ove truly is. A great story! :)

82Hanneri
kesäkuu 2, 2016, 6:48 am

42. Voices by Arnaldur Indridason

This was bleak and dark. The story is set as Christmas time. The murder victim is an employee, who played Santa Claus of a big hotel who is found murdered with his pants down. Not a lot of fuzzy feelings in this dark tale of family, betrayal, stolen childhood and survivor's guilt. Not the most compelling of Arnaldur Indridason's books, but very dark, sad and cold. This book explores issues of parent-child relationship, homosexuality and drugs.

83Hanneri
kesäkuu 10, 2016, 7:51 am

43. As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames

Very disappointing - I slogged through it. It just didn't hold my attention as much as the others and the story just did not seem to go anywhere.

84-Eva-
kesäkuu 11, 2016, 9:45 pm

>81 Hanneri:
I meant to read that on my vacation, but it went back to the library unread. It's on my ebook wishlist now. :)

85Hanneri
kesäkuu 14, 2016, 2:37 am

44. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

This is truly a gem. So thoughtfully told through the eyes of 'an almost eight year old'. I really enjoyed this book. Told through the eyes of Elsa. She and Granny are very close and when Granny dies, Elsa is devastated. Granny has left her letter to deliver which are Granny telling that person she is sorry. Slowly Elsa learns things about Granny, her family and everyone who lives in the house. This is beautifully written and well worth the read.

86Hanneri
kesäkuu 26, 2016, 7:54 am

45. Sarah's Key byTatiana de Rosnay

I really loved how the story went back and forth between past and present and how they intercept with each other. The story presented history that I was unaware happened as part of the Holocaust. The story is heartbreaking. It took a little time to get engaged in the book but then it was hard to put down. I really enjoyed this!

87Hanneri
kesäkuu 28, 2016, 8:02 am

46. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Death on the Nile is a great mystery novel. The book is set in Egypt, on a boat down the mighty Nile to see some of Egypt's spectacular sites. It's a fun read from a bygone era, with lively characters, an intricately presented plot, and the charming detective Hercule Poirot. It's an entertaining story, but it also is a very sharp commentary on people, their motivations, and social norms.

88Hanneri
kesäkuu 28, 2016, 8:11 am

47. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo

Harry Hole is an unconventional and believable character. The crime involves serial killings in Oslo during an extremely hot summer. The city is deserted with most workers on holiday. Harry must solve the crime while he is waiting to be kicked off the force. Harry's life is in danger too when he determines that there is a connection between the murders and the corruption. All in all a very enjoyable read.

89Hanneri
heinäkuu 9, 2016, 7:24 am

48. Little Boy Blue by M.J. Arlidge

This is the firth book in the DI Helen Grace series. I have read all of the books in the series and I suggest that they be read in order. The plot twists and turns with the usual interesting story line and engaging characters. Each chapter leaves you desperate to read the next and a cliff hanger of an ending.

90Hanneri
heinäkuu 9, 2016, 7:38 am

49. Thin Ice by Quentin Bates

I have read all of the Officer Gunnhildur books. I enjoyed the first books in the series immensely, but this last book felt disjointed and the ending was artificial. I am hoping that the following books will again live up to the high standards of the earlier books.

91Hanneri
heinäkuu 17, 2016, 6:26 am

50. Daughter by Jane Shemilt

I was really looking forward to this one thinking it would be a twisting turning mystery thriller but I actually found it quite slow and boring. The chapters in the past that follow the disappearance as it happens were fantastic but the ones in the present really slowed down the pace. I expected more from the book.

92Hanneri
heinäkuu 19, 2016, 8:02 am

51. Where'd you go Bernadette by Maria Semple

I enjoyed the format - the use of mails, letters and official documents - was inventive and made for easy reading. I liked Bernadette - her mails to Manjula was very funny. I loved that the humour was irreverent and politically incorrect. I also appreciated how the author balanced the lighter side of the story with Bernadette's depression and agoraphobia. All in all a very enjoyable book!

93Hanneri
heinäkuu 21, 2016, 4:58 am

52. The Hanging by Lotte Hammer

This had all the ingredients of a good story, but I found it hard going. The translation was terrible. I found it hard to follow and was as if conclusions were reached without any real research or evidence. The plot was certainly good, but the way it played out was not great. This book felt as if it was never going to end and it was disappointing.

94Hanneri
heinäkuu 27, 2016, 4:36 am

53. Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

A great story as always. Hercule Poirot does a wonderful job of finding out who the murderer is and unveiling him (or her) amid the group of possible suspects. I find in her earlier books, that there are often a lot more clues to who the murder is than in her later books. The time period of the story is also interesting. As it was written in 1937, a lot of the references to places and customs are very realistic since Christie would have been living during that time as well. A fun book to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.

95Hanneri
elokuu 4, 2016, 2:15 am

54. Silenced by Kristina Ohlsson

I really enjoyed the book! I like the development of the characters from book to book. Fredrika had developed her skills as an investigator and wants to remain with the police department even though her pregnancy is a difficult one and her married lover is still very married. Peder, a good if undisciplined cop, is even more of a sexist than before and his marriage has broken up though he is still trying to be a good father. Alex Recht, the team leader is till the steady father figure.

Their cases are complicated - what appears to be the murder suicide of a retired clergyman and his wife, and what appears to be the hit and run death of an unidentified foreigner turn out to be tied together in a complex scheme to bring asylum seekers into the country, and to have their roots in a crime long in the past.

96Hanneri
elokuu 4, 2016, 2:43 am

55. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J K Rowling

I think I was always going to have reservations about this. For me, Harry's story ended with the Deathly Hallows. I never enjoy reading plays as I feel that too much gets lost in simply reading the play. I really hope that this will now be the end.

97Hanneri
elokuu 4, 2016, 2:47 am

56. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This is a great story that looked at World War II from from some different perspectives. This was the story of two sisters living in France when the Germans invaded. Although, the sisters were not Jewish they still suffered terribly when the Germans occupied their home land. The sisters have very different personalities and responsibilities and each responds to the war very differently.

The writing of this story was wonderful and the plot was interesting. There were many twists and turns that were unexpected, but realistic. The book held my interest throughout the story. I would highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys historical fiction focusing on World War II.

98VictoriaPL
elokuu 4, 2016, 7:16 am

>56 Hanneri: I loved The Nightingale when I read it earlier this year, glad you also enjoyed it!

99Hanneri
elokuu 10, 2016, 6:36 am

57. For Cheddar or Worse by Avery Aames

For Cheddar or Worse was a light read. There were characters I could sympathize with, and some I was hoping were guilty. Having the festival in town, with its myriad of activities, rounded out the story well. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with a range of characters in a unique setting with many twists, this is the series for you.

100Hanneri
elokuu 10, 2016, 9:20 am

58. The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham

A short tale but interesting and very much in the classic crime mold. Albert is invited to an ex-school friends funeral and some months later to a murder investigation but wait a minute this one has already been buried. The investigation has duplicity, avarice, and deception. A good evenings read.

101Hanneri
elokuu 13, 2016, 6:07 am

59. Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson

This is a follow up to Snowblind, although set some years after the original, where the author again plays with his key principles of isolation to conjure up another satisfying read. Some character development of our main protagonist, who for all his detective instincts, still acts as an immature young man when faced with life's other problems of trust and relationships. Looking forward to the next book which promises to fill in the gap years...

102Hanneri
elokuu 14, 2016, 1:39 pm

60. The Black Country by Alex Grecian

Scotland Yard's Murder Squad is back and a new case brings forth Kingsley, Day, and Hammersmith to a strange English township that seems to have a life of its own, and toils on its residents. The eponymous Black Country weighs down even on the most forbearing visitors, which is unfortunate for the investigating party. As a whole, this novel is a sincere follow-up to its predecessor, it is an offbeat tale that furthers the Murder Squad team for future stories.

103Hanneri
elokuu 16, 2016, 8:43 am

61. The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds, and Finds and the Search for Lost Treasures by Philip Mould

Mould, a well-known dealer featured on the original version of Antiques Roadshow, has written an easily accessible book for the layperson intrigued by attribution, which combines both art and science into a magical profession. Those interested in the how will be rewarded, as will those merely interested in stories of lost treasures come to light.

104Hanneri
elokuu 20, 2016, 10:36 am

62. The Draining Lake by Arnaldur Indrioason

The Draining Lake continues the series about Iceland and Detective Erlendur who lives alone and worries about his daughter, a drug addict that sporadically turns up at his apartment and then disappears into the darkness. His latest case involves a skeleton found in a lake that has drained due to an earthquake. The body has been weighed down by a heavy radio device bearing inscriptions in Russian. Erlendur's investigation takes him back to the Cold War era, when bright, left-wing students were sent to study in the GDR. When one of the students goes missing, the detectives follow a long cold trail that leads back to Iceland, international espionage, and murder. There are many twists and turns in all of Indrioason's novels and this one is no exception. Iceland is described in such detail that the reader feels as if they live there themselves. This was a great read and I look forward to the next novel.

105Hanneri
elokuu 20, 2016, 12:10 pm

63. G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton

Kinsey is to locate a elderly woman whom her daughter hasn't heard from in six months, but this one has the twist that Kinsey has a hitman after her which seem to make it that much more interesting. Being the smart person she is after getting ran off the road she hires a bodyguard Robert Dietz to protect her. I love the chemistry of the two characters how they solve the mystery that surrounds the missing women and trying to avoid being killed by the assassin.

106Hanneri
elokuu 28, 2016, 5:19 am

64. Faithful unto Death by Caroline Graham

Bored housewife Simone Hollingsworth disappears one day, last seen on a bus out of town. No one in the village seems concerned, except her neighbor, old Mrs. Molfrey. Her workaholic, unsocial husband tells the police she has gone to visit her sick mother. But her mother is dead. What is the husband hiding? Barnaby and Troy investigate. A very enjoyable read!

107Hanneri
elokuu 28, 2016, 5:32 am

65. Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love a story that will have me smiling one minute and crying the next. Fredrik Backman's writing is uniquely beautiful and I can't wait to read more books by him in the future.

108-Eva-
elokuu 30, 2016, 7:00 pm

>104 Hanneri:
That is a series I need to get back to!

>107 Hanneri:
And that is an author I need to try out! :)

109Hanneri
syyskuu 4, 2016, 1:49 pm

66. A Summer at Sea by Katie Fforde

This was painful. This was a wholly unsatisfying read for me. From the beginning it was obvious what would happen, which made the story irrelevant. Had it been more interesting, then at least it would have been a good read, but it really wasn't. There was so little to it that it became really repetitive.

110Hanneri
syyskuu 4, 2016, 2:03 pm

67. The Disappeared by Kristina Ohlsson

A dog finds a dead body: a young woman cut into two big pieces, but missing her head and hands. It becomes clear that the story is about finding out who made a snuff film and whether the film is even real. The story line was well structured with flashes forward to transcripts from an internal affairs investigation into how things went so horribly wrong keep the momentum going. A real page turner.

111Hanneri
syyskuu 10, 2016, 6:14 am

68. Hostage by Kristina Ohlsson

The book had a clever plot involving a plane hijack, the Swedish police and SAPO and the Americans! Nice to have Alex and Frederika back together - pity Peder is no longer involved, however this is understandable. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

112Hanneri
syyskuu 10, 2016, 6:27 am

69. H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton

I enjoyed this book less than the rest in the series. This was a light read with interesting characters, not the least of which is Kinsey Millhone the many times outmatched private detective. Things always seem to work out, and the bad guys always pay.

113Hanneri
syyskuu 23, 2016, 2:15 pm

70. The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

This book was enjoyable. It was cute, fluffy, nice, but somewhat predictable and at times a bit boring. Overall though, it was cute. I liked the little town and the story, I just feel like it could have been a bit better. I might read the second one because I want to know what happened afterwards.

114Hanneri
syyskuu 23, 2016, 2:29 pm

71. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo

Nesbo is up to his usual standard of interesting characters, unpredictable plot, bizarre killings and multiple surprise endings. In addition he creates characters you love to hate, hate to love and who all have traits, strengths and frailties that make them so human.

115Hanneri
syyskuu 27, 2016, 8:50 am

72. Elephants can Remember by Agatha Christie

Another good Poirot book and it featured Ariadne Oliver, whom I always enjoy. This time she enlists Poirot's help in looking into an old crime that happened to her godchild's parents. The exciting part for me was that while I didn't have all the details/motives, I did figure out the general gist of what happened before Poirot explained it to me!

116Hanneri
Muokkaaja: lokakuu 4, 2016, 1:18 pm

73. The Night Book by Richard Madeley

This was one of the worst books ever. No real story and flat characters. Do not bother.

117Hanneri
lokakuu 4, 2016, 1:28 pm

74. Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter

This was a good read! The mood of this is melancholy. Morse leads a life of missed opportunities, as does Ann Scott, the first to die in this novel. But Dexter doesn't wallow in pity. He writes about Scott with compassion, and about Morse in the tolerant way men talk about their lifelong friends. It's clever and rich with many strands of plot.

118mathgirl40
lokakuu 5, 2016, 10:35 pm

>117 Hanneri: My husband and I have been rewatching the Morse TV episodes, which are very, very good. I really should reread Dexter's novels, which I recall enjoying immensely when I'd read them years ago.

119Hanneri
lokakuu 10, 2016, 7:57 am

75. A Place of Safety by Caroline Graham

I love these books, the development of the characters...the mystery...but the best part has to be the relationships that people have with their animals. I also like the descriptions of kindness; even the worst criminals are capable of kindness, and there is something deft in being able to write a character so. If you haven't read this series, do so.

120Hanneri
lokakuu 12, 2016, 8:28 am

76. Falling by Jane Green

'Falling' is beautifully written and a nice story - the perfect summer read - for readers of all genres. I'm not a big fan of chick lit, but I don't dislike it either - there are just other genres that I prefer. When I read the description for this book, it sounded like your standard tale of love, tough decisions, and the main character figuring out who they really are. Granted, it was all of these things - but also so much more. The story was very well written and had an easy, natural flow - which made it a quick read for me.

121Hanneri
Muokkaaja: marraskuu 7, 2016, 8:03 am

77. The Chosen by Kristina Ohlsson

I really liked the next installment of the series. I like the way that Kristina Ohlsson keeps you informed but has Fredrika and Alex always guessing. It keeps you in the know while her characters are always guessing whats happening. They come close to what really happens but they will never know the truth. It was an enjoyable read.

122Hanneri
marraskuu 7, 2016, 8:11 am

78. The Paris Librarian by Mark Pryor

Another interesting mystery featuring Hugo Marston of the American embassy in Paris, his close friend Claudia, his friend and former colleague Tom Green, Inspector Camille Legens, and a new cast. Are these deaths murder? Suicide? What is their connection to a WW2 actress and possible Resistance spy? What about the mother of the murdered man? The story was rather slow to start in terms of momentum, but gradually the pieces start to come together. An enjoyable read.

123Hanneri
marraskuu 7, 2016, 8:19 am

79. A Death in Tuscany by Michele Giuttari

I appreciate this series for the authenticity of both the setting and events. It is an intricate plot that requires one to apply your mind to the characters and chronological order of events. This is another book where local and international crime intersects and I find the difference in tone from contemporary American crime fiction refreshing.

124Hanneri
marraskuu 7, 2016, 8:59 am

80. Hide and Seek by M J Arlidge

A crime novel that kept me glued to the pages from the beginning it was full of pace. The book is set in Holloway prison. Sometimes I thought it was not believable but perhaps I needed to think that. It is a book I had to keep reading and it kept my heart rate up I am sure.

125Hanneri
marraskuu 9, 2016, 6:57 am

81. Red to Black by Alex Dryden

This was an average read. Putin is in charge now and the Communist "red" is being replaced by the capitalist "black". Finn is a British spy and Anna is a KGB Colonel. Anna lures Finn in a "honey trap" but the relationship actually works for them despite the complications of their lives. Finn uncovers a corrupt banking arms money scam that he tries to foil but of course it's in everyone's interests that he doesn't. The layers off corruption and the irrelevance of the truth are pure spy thriller stuff. Alex Dryden takes you into the settings both in terms of the espionage world and the European backdrop.

126ErinPaperbackstash
marraskuu 15, 2016, 9:52 pm

Love your categories. Looks like a great year of reading so far.

127Hanneri
marraskuu 16, 2016, 9:20 am

82. Ruins of War by John A Connell

What a wonderful novel set in post-war Munich, Germany. There are no worse villains then Nazi doctors and this book solidifies this premise. A solid chase after a serial killer through post World War II Germany. I really look forward to reading the next book in the series.

128Hanneri
marraskuu 21, 2016, 2:31 am

83. The Trespasser by Tana French

This was a great read! Expertly crafted murder mystery with believable characters, great setting and taut plot. I was immediately drawn into the mood and attitude of the main character and she is unforgettable. She is not always likeable, and frequently annoying, but I never doubted her commitment to the victim and the right solution. That alone made her a pariah on her squad. This is a long book but worth every page-turning moment.

129-Eva-
marraskuu 21, 2016, 1:16 pm

>128 Hanneri:
I only just found out that it had been published (where have I been, right?) and I'm 25th in line at the library. Hope my library has fast-reading patrons!

130Hanneri
marraskuu 23, 2016, 5:44 am

84. Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie

Something different. An interesting case for M.Poirot. A young girl is found drowned in the keg of bobbing apples at a Hallowe'en party just hours after declaring she had witnessed a murder. Poirot must discover if there are two murders to be solved or just one.

131Hanneri
marraskuu 25, 2016, 8:37 am

85. The Riddle of the Third Mile by Colin Dexter

I struggled with this one. Found the solution to this one a little more convoluted than I wanted it to be. It was a good mystery, and kept me guessing, but I didn't enjoy it as much as some of his others. I like when Lewis comes out on top. This just had too much going on.

132Hanneri
marraskuu 30, 2016, 3:25 am

86. Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich

It is one of those series that you have to keep on reading, regardless of the fact that not much character development has taken place. I still like Stephanie, but I wish she would just choose between Ranger and Morelli and then hang up her cuffs!!

133Hanneri
marraskuu 30, 2016, 3:35 am

87. A Killer's Christmas in Wales by Elizabeth J. Duncan

Christmas time! I really enjoyed visiting with Penny in her cozy little town in Wales. She is in the process of opening her new spa when a new man in town raises eyebrows by getting close to an older woman. When he is found dead, and his lady friend is implicated, Penny does what she can to crack the case. This book was Christmas cozy, wintry, snowy and fun. I loved it!

134thornton37814
marraskuu 30, 2016, 11:20 am

>133 Hanneri: That one is already on my wish list. Hope it will be available this year when I'm ready for it before Christmas.

135Hanneri
joulukuu 1, 2016, 3:02 am

88. A Christmas Cracker by Trisha Ashley

This was a lovely Christmas story. Tabby, after being released from prison creates a new life for herself. Working for a Good Samaritan who runs a Christmas cracker business she finds much happiness... and love!

136Hanneri
joulukuu 1, 2016, 3:09 am

89. Staying Away at Christmas by Katie Fforde

I did not really enjoy this even though it was a Christmas story. I would have enjoyed it more if it had been longer with more of a story line. It was all too nice and predictable.

137Hanneri
joulukuu 5, 2016, 2:07 am

90. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

A very powerful read. It is rare to find a book that has the ability to make the reader look at life through a different lens, forcing us to re-examine our values, prejudices, morals and ethics. This book, is such a book. 'Me Before You' is a book that will touch your soul and may change your life.

It is not a romance in the normal sense of the word. But it is a love story and at the same time breaks your heart.

138Hanneri
joulukuu 13, 2016, 7:59 am

91. After You by JoJo Moyes

It's always comforting to re-visit some of your favorite characters. Lou is grieving and trying to get her life back together after losing Will. Delving back into the life of Louisa Clark was like sitting back in your favorite chair, comfortable, and easy to get lost in.

Parts were a little mopey, parts dragged a bit, and ultimately I think this was a bit of a stretch off the original in order to keep the story line going. All in all not as enjoyable.

139Hanneri
joulukuu 13, 2016, 8:10 am

92. Snowdrops by A.D. Miller

Surprisingly dull and tedious, with little feel for decent characters or even a tangible sense of place. The plot feels sketchy and utterly under developed. It actually feels like the author lost interest and was struggling with threads.

140Hanneri
joulukuu 16, 2016, 8:02 am

93. The Secret of Orchard Cottage by Alex Brown

The Secret of Orchard Cottage was a lightweight, enjoyable, but somewhat predictable story aimed at a female readership, ideal for the beach. This was a good holiday read!

141lkernagh
joulukuu 18, 2016, 5:54 pm

Taking the morning afternoon playing catch-up on all the threads in the group and have enjoyed getting caught up with all of your reading.

142Hanneri
joulukuu 23, 2016, 8:50 am

94. Eleven Pipers Piping by C.C. Benison

This second in the Father Christmas series takes place in January, not at Christmas. It gets off to a slow start and comes to a crashing end, but the middle is satisfying and the characters interesting. The book was way too long tough.

143Hanneri
joulukuu 23, 2016, 9:01 am

95. The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories by Agatha Christie

Some of the stories were great! But unfortunately, not everything in this collection was well written. Still enjoyable enough.

144Hanneri
joulukuu 23, 2016, 9:12 am

96. Hercule Poirot's Casebook by Agatha Christie

Enjoyable enough. Not Christie's best, but if you love Poirot (and I very much do), this is a nice big fun collection.

145Hanneri
joulukuu 23, 2016, 9:19 am

97. Disclaimer by Renee Knight

A very twisted story. Fast paced, the revelations keep coming and even when I was sold on one theory, another presented itself. A very good suspense filled story, one where it tales a while to like any of these characters, not too sure if I ever did but it didn't seem to matter. Didn't see the ending coming, total surprise which I have to admit I appreciated.

146rabbitprincess
joulukuu 23, 2016, 11:10 am

>142 Hanneri: I've found that all of the books in that series have been far too long. :-/

147Hanneri
joulukuu 26, 2016, 8:10 am

98. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

A good holiday read. What began as a slow narration ended in quite a high. This one was conveyed as a crime of passion which kept me interested in knowing the murderer in the end.

148Hanneri
joulukuu 30, 2016, 1:08 pm

99. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

This is one of my many all-time favorites. It was such a nice quick holiday read! An enchanting family intrigue and a wonderful murder mystery with several exciting twists and a row of suspects. Much loved.

149Hanneri
joulukuu 30, 2016, 1:16 pm

100. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

Sometimes a book touches something in you. Such a beautifully written story of big themes like life, love and loss, but written in an accessible and moving way.

150christina_reads
joulukuu 31, 2016, 10:41 pm

>148 Hanneri: I'm pretty sure that was my first Agatha Christie novel!

151Hanneri
tammikuu 1, 2017, 11:11 am

101. Honeymoon in Paris by Jojo Moyes

This was a short novella with not too much to it, but still a nice story. Not something that I will remember, but a nice way to end off my reading year.

152Hanneri
tammikuu 1, 2017, 11:36 am

So that is it for my reading year! It has been a wonderful journey and I can't wait for the next adventure to begin!