"I Read a Lot" -- but how many ROOTS will rabbitprincess read in 2023?
Keskustelu2023 ROOT CHALLENGE
Liity LibraryThingin jäseneksi, niin voit kirjoittaa viestin.
1rabbitprincess
In 2023 my main challenge (the Category Challenge) is based on the titles of songs by instrumental surf-rock band Los Straitjackets. One of the tunes they do is I Read a Lot, which seemed a good choice for a title for my ROOT challenge.
I define a ROOT as "any book I own". Whether I bought it last week or last decade, whether I've read it once or 50 times, if I read it this year, it's a 2023 ROOT.
For my goal, I'll stick to 50 ROOTs again this year.
ROOT ticker:
As in previous years I'm running what I call the "2-for-1 TBR". I keep a list of all books I buy and for every book I buy, I have to read two books I already own to "pay it off". Rereads don't count *for* me, but gifts (including books bought with gift cards), duplicate copies of books I own (e.g., buying the audio version of a book I already have in print), books I have borrowed and read but am now buying my own copy of, and freebies don't count *against* me.
I'm starting 2023 with 143 books to "pay off", some dating back to 2019. This number is slightly higher than last year's starting number, but not by much (only 9 books)!
2-for-1 TBR ticker:
I define a ROOT as "any book I own". Whether I bought it last week or last decade, whether I've read it once or 50 times, if I read it this year, it's a 2023 ROOT.
For my goal, I'll stick to 50 ROOTs again this year.
ROOT ticker:
As in previous years I'm running what I call the "2-for-1 TBR". I keep a list of all books I buy and for every book I buy, I have to read two books I already own to "pay it off". Rereads don't count *for* me, but gifts (including books bought with gift cards), duplicate copies of books I own (e.g., buying the audio version of a book I already have in print), books I have borrowed and read but am now buying my own copy of, and freebies don't count *against* me.
I'm starting 2023 with 143 books to "pay off", some dating back to 2019. This number is slightly higher than last year's starting number, but not by much (only 9 books)!
2-for-1 TBR ticker:
2rabbitprincess
2023 reading list
Italics = books off the shelf. Bold = Favourite book of the month. (Parenthetical notes) = audio, rereads, and other relevant information.
January
1. Kenneth, by Nigel Tranter
2. All Systems Red, by Martha Wells
3. Legends and Lattes, by Travis Baldree
4. The Widow of Bath, by Margot Bennett
5. Objectif Lune, by Hergé
6. Heartstopper, Vol. 4, by Alice Oseman (Overdrive)
7. The Diary of River Song, Series 6 (Big Finish audio drama)
8. The Tea Dragon Society, by K. O’Neill
9. Tommy Douglas, by Vincent Lam (translated from English by Alain Roy)
10. Ithaca, by Claire North
11. The Atlas of Unusual Languages, by Zoran Nikolić
12. Last Leaves, by Stephen Leacock
13. Playing Under the Piano: From Downton to Darkest Peru, by Hugh Bonneville
14. The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie
February
15. Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers (Faded Page)
16. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, by Brené Brown
17. Remainders of the Day: A Bookshop Diary, by Shaun Bythell
18. The Tea Dragon Festival, by K. O’Neill
19. Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman, by Lucy Worsley
20. Blood on the Tracks: Railway Mysteries, ed. Martin Edwards
21. On a marché sur la Lune, by Hergé
22. Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus, by Sandi Toksvig
23. Hench, by Natalie Zina Walschots
24. Oedipus the King, by Sophocles (translated by David Grene)
25. The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English, by Hana Videen
26. American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI, by Kate Winkler Dawson
27. The Widening Stain, by W. Bolingbroke Johnson
28. A Dark Matter, by Doug Johnstone
March
29. Ratlines, by Stuart Neville
30. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun, Vol. 2, by Izumi Tsubaki (translated by Leighann Harvey)
31. This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You, by Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas
32. Doctor Who: Marco Polo, by John Lucarotti
33. The Tea Dragon Tapestry, by K. O’Neill
34. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brené Brown
35. An Emotional Dictionary: Real Words for How You Feel, from Angst to Zwodder, by Susie Dent
36. Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction, by Cavan Scott
37. Maigret et le corps sans tête, by Georges Simenon
38. Fatal Rivalry: Flodden 1513: Henry VIII, James IV and the battle for Renaissance Britain, by George Goodwin
39. Endless Night, by Agatha Christie (reread)
40. The Penelopiad, by Margaret Atwood
41. Doctor Who: The Blood Cell, by James Goss
42. Here and Now and Then, by Mike Chen
43. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 2, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
April
44. Gideon’s River, by J. J. Marric
45. The Curse of La Fontaine, by M. L. Longworth
46. Burial of Ghosts, by Ann Cleeves
47. Exile, by Denise Mina
48. Emily of New Moon, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
49. Love and Let Die: James Bond, The Beatles, and the British Psyche, by John Higgs
50. The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey (Faded Page)
51. Code Gray: Death, Life and Uncertainty in the ER, by Farzon A. Nahvi
52. Natsume’s Book of Friends, Vol. 2, by Yuki Midorikawa (translated by Lillian Olsen)
53. The Master Key, by Masako Togawa (translated by Simon Grove)
54. Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions, by Francesca T. Royster
55. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun, Vol. 3, by Izumi Tsubaki (translated by Leighann Harvey)
56. The Rival Queens: Catherine de' Medici, Her Daughter Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal that Ignited a Kingdom, by Nancy Goldstone
May
57. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, by Annabel Pitcher (audio, read by David Tennant)
58. Work Won’t Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone, by Sarah Jaffe
59. Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes
60. Walk Through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America, by Yasmine Ali
61. Testament of a Generation: The Journalism of Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, ed. Paul Berry
62. My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography, by Roger Moore
63. Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, by Rebecca Thorne
64. Emily Climbs, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
65. Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, by David Eagleman
66. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, by David Grann
67. Children of the Mist, by Nigel Tranter
68. Atalanta, by Jennifer Saint
June
69. Disraeli: A Play in Four Acts, by Louis Napoleon Parker
70. Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, by Gyles Brandreth
71. The Emotional Brain: Lost and Found in the Science of Emotion, by Dean Burnett
72. Emily’s Quest, by L.M. Montgomery (reread)
73. The Twyford Code, by Janice Hallett
74. Spy x Family, Vol. 1, by Tatsuya Endo (translated by Casey Loe)
75. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 3, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
76. If I Betray These Words: Moral Injury in Medicine and Why It's So Hard for Clinicians to Put Patients First, by Wendy Dean and Simon Talbot
July
77. The Sea Mystery, by Freeman Wills Crofts
78. The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche, by M. L. Longworth
79. The Invasion of Canada, by Pierre Berton
80. The Murder Room, by P. D. James
81. Miroslav Šašek, by Martin Salisbury
82. Run Silent, Run Deep, by Edward L. Beach
83. The Cat Who Saved Books, by Sosuke Natsukawa (translated by Louise Heal Kawai)
84. Missy, Series 1 (Big Finish audio drama)
85. The Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated by Melanie Magidow
86. A Question of Blood, by Ian Rankin
87. The Third Man, by Graham Greene
88. The LGBTQ+ History Book (DK Big Ideas Simply Explained)
89. The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars, by Anthony Boucher
August
90. The Librarianist, by Patrick deWitt
91. Dr. Who & the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films, by John Walsh
92. The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown
93. What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine, by Danielle Ofri
94. And Finally: Matters of Life and Death, by Henry Marsh
95. Fell Murder, by E. C. R. Lorac (Faded Page)
96. The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work, by Simone Stolzoff
97. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 4, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
98. The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
99. Like Love, by Ed McBain
100. The Swift and the Harrier, by Minette Walters
101. The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
September
102. The Second Murderer, by Denise Mina
103. Necropolis: London and Its Dead, by Catharine Arnold
104. The Devil’s Flute Murders, by Seishi Yokomizo (translated by Jim Rion)
105. The Deviant Strain, by Justin Richards
106. Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor, Vol. 1: After Life, written by Al Ewing and Rob Williams, illustrated by Simon Fraser
107. Volkswagen Blues, by Jacques Poulin (translated by Sheila Fischman)
108. Three Fires, by Denise Mina
109. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 5, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
110. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: The Official Guide — 4.5 stars
111. Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor, Vol. 2: Serve You, written by Al Ewing, illustrated by Simon Fraser
112. Starlight, by Richard Wagamese
October
November
December
Italics = books off the shelf. Bold = Favourite book of the month. (Parenthetical notes) = audio, rereads, and other relevant information.
January
1. Kenneth, by Nigel Tranter
2. All Systems Red, by Martha Wells
3. Legends and Lattes, by Travis Baldree
4. The Widow of Bath, by Margot Bennett
5. Objectif Lune, by Hergé
6. Heartstopper, Vol. 4, by Alice Oseman (Overdrive)
7. The Diary of River Song, Series 6 (Big Finish audio drama)
8. The Tea Dragon Society, by K. O’Neill
9. Tommy Douglas, by Vincent Lam (translated from English by Alain Roy)
10. Ithaca, by Claire North
11. The Atlas of Unusual Languages, by Zoran Nikolić
12. Last Leaves, by Stephen Leacock
13. Playing Under the Piano: From Downton to Darkest Peru, by Hugh Bonneville
14. The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie
February
15. Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers (Faded Page)
16. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, by Brené Brown
17. Remainders of the Day: A Bookshop Diary, by Shaun Bythell
18. The Tea Dragon Festival, by K. O’Neill
19. Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman, by Lucy Worsley
20. Blood on the Tracks: Railway Mysteries, ed. Martin Edwards
21. On a marché sur la Lune, by Hergé
22. Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus, by Sandi Toksvig
23. Hench, by Natalie Zina Walschots
24. Oedipus the King, by Sophocles (translated by David Grene)
25. The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English, by Hana Videen
26. American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI, by Kate Winkler Dawson
27. The Widening Stain, by W. Bolingbroke Johnson
28. A Dark Matter, by Doug Johnstone
March
29. Ratlines, by Stuart Neville
30. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun, Vol. 2, by Izumi Tsubaki (translated by Leighann Harvey)
31. This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You, by Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas
32. Doctor Who: Marco Polo, by John Lucarotti
33. The Tea Dragon Tapestry, by K. O’Neill
34. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brené Brown
35. An Emotional Dictionary: Real Words for How You Feel, from Angst to Zwodder, by Susie Dent
36. Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction, by Cavan Scott
37. Maigret et le corps sans tête, by Georges Simenon
38. Fatal Rivalry: Flodden 1513: Henry VIII, James IV and the battle for Renaissance Britain, by George Goodwin
39. Endless Night, by Agatha Christie (reread)
40. The Penelopiad, by Margaret Atwood
41. Doctor Who: The Blood Cell, by James Goss
42. Here and Now and Then, by Mike Chen
43. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 2, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
April
44. Gideon’s River, by J. J. Marric
45. The Curse of La Fontaine, by M. L. Longworth
46. Burial of Ghosts, by Ann Cleeves
47. Exile, by Denise Mina
48. Emily of New Moon, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
49. Love and Let Die: James Bond, The Beatles, and the British Psyche, by John Higgs
50. The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey (Faded Page)
51. Code Gray: Death, Life and Uncertainty in the ER, by Farzon A. Nahvi
52. Natsume’s Book of Friends, Vol. 2, by Yuki Midorikawa (translated by Lillian Olsen)
53. The Master Key, by Masako Togawa (translated by Simon Grove)
54. Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions, by Francesca T. Royster
55. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun, Vol. 3, by Izumi Tsubaki (translated by Leighann Harvey)
56. The Rival Queens: Catherine de' Medici, Her Daughter Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal that Ignited a Kingdom, by Nancy Goldstone
May
57. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, by Annabel Pitcher (audio, read by David Tennant)
58. Work Won’t Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone, by Sarah Jaffe
59. Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes
60. Walk Through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America, by Yasmine Ali
61. Testament of a Generation: The Journalism of Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, ed. Paul Berry
62. My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography, by Roger Moore
63. Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, by Rebecca Thorne
64. Emily Climbs, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
65. Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, by David Eagleman
66. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, by David Grann
67. Children of the Mist, by Nigel Tranter
68. Atalanta, by Jennifer Saint
June
69. Disraeli: A Play in Four Acts, by Louis Napoleon Parker
70. Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, by Gyles Brandreth
71. The Emotional Brain: Lost and Found in the Science of Emotion, by Dean Burnett
72. Emily’s Quest, by L.M. Montgomery (reread)
73. The Twyford Code, by Janice Hallett
74. Spy x Family, Vol. 1, by Tatsuya Endo (translated by Casey Loe)
75. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 3, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
76. If I Betray These Words: Moral Injury in Medicine and Why It's So Hard for Clinicians to Put Patients First, by Wendy Dean and Simon Talbot
July
77. The Sea Mystery, by Freeman Wills Crofts
78. The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche, by M. L. Longworth
79. The Invasion of Canada, by Pierre Berton
80. The Murder Room, by P. D. James
81. Miroslav Šašek, by Martin Salisbury
82. Run Silent, Run Deep, by Edward L. Beach
83. The Cat Who Saved Books, by Sosuke Natsukawa (translated by Louise Heal Kawai)
84. Missy, Series 1 (Big Finish audio drama)
85. The Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated by Melanie Magidow
86. A Question of Blood, by Ian Rankin
87. The Third Man, by Graham Greene
88. The LGBTQ+ History Book (DK Big Ideas Simply Explained)
89. The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars, by Anthony Boucher
August
90. The Librarianist, by Patrick deWitt
91. Dr. Who & the Daleks: The Official Story of the Films, by John Walsh
92. The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown
93. What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine, by Danielle Ofri
94. And Finally: Matters of Life and Death, by Henry Marsh
95. Fell Murder, by E. C. R. Lorac (Faded Page)
96. The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work, by Simone Stolzoff
97. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 4, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
98. The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
99. Like Love, by Ed McBain
100. The Swift and the Harrier, by Minette Walters
101. The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
September
102. The Second Murderer, by Denise Mina
103. Necropolis: London and Its Dead, by Catharine Arnold
104. The Devil’s Flute Murders, by Seishi Yokomizo (translated by Jim Rion)
105. The Deviant Strain, by Justin Richards
106. Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor, Vol. 1: After Life, written by Al Ewing and Rob Williams, illustrated by Simon Fraser
107. Volkswagen Blues, by Jacques Poulin (translated by Sheila Fischman)
108. Three Fires, by Denise Mina
109. A Man and His Cat, Vol. 5, by Umi Sakurai (translated by Taylor Engel)
110. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: The Official Guide — 4.5 stars
111. Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor, Vol. 2: Serve You, written by Al Ewing, illustrated by Simon Fraser
112. Starlight, by Richard Wagamese
October
November
December
4floremolla
Happy New Year to you, RP! Hope to be around a bit more this year and see who’s reading what. The upside of being absent for most of last year is fewer BBs and thus fewer acquisitions. The downside is I missed the banter :(
look forward to seeing what you’re reading in 2023!
look forward to seeing what you’re reading in 2023!
5Caramellunacy
Happy New Year! Glad to see you're back and looking forward to seeing what's on the TBR this year.
6Robertgreaves
Happy New Year, RP. Looking forward to seeing all your choices for this year
7rabbitprincess
>3 Jackie_K: Thanks for being the first one in, Jackie! I can't wait to see what I read :)
>4 floremolla: Hi Donna! Glad to see you! I wasn't posting all that much myself last year but hope to be more banterish this year.
>5 Caramellunacy: Happy new year! Glad to be back!
>6 Robertgreaves: Happy new year, Robert! Same, I always get a couple of book bullets from you and am looking forward to seeing what is fired my way this year.
****
Seeing other people's threads reminded me that I forgot to add how I define a ROOT, so I've added that to the first post.
>4 floremolla: Hi Donna! Glad to see you! I wasn't posting all that much myself last year but hope to be more banterish this year.
>5 Caramellunacy: Happy new year! Glad to be back!
>6 Robertgreaves: Happy new year, Robert! Same, I always get a couple of book bullets from you and am looking forward to seeing what is fired my way this year.
****
Seeing other people's threads reminded me that I forgot to add how I define a ROOT, so I've added that to the first post.
8Ann_R
Wishing you good luck with all your ROOTing this year. I Read a Lot is a great theme for your topic and a really interesting song title.
9rosalita
Happy New Year, RP! I like your habit to spotlighting the best book of each month as you go — I might have to borrow that idea. :-)
11rabbitprincess
>8 Ann_R: Thanks, Ann! It was the perfect choice.
>9 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! Borrow away :)
>10 cyderry: Thanks for the warm welcome, Chèli! And thank you for all of your hard work crunching the numbers and running the group!
>9 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! Borrow away :)
>10 cyderry: Thanks for the warm welcome, Chèli! And thank you for all of your hard work crunching the numbers and running the group!
12Henrik_Madsen
Welcome back and good luck with your challenge(s) this year. I love the title of your thread!
13justchris
Los Straightjackets is a great band! Excellent choice! A clearly defined objective is half the battle, so you are doing great!
14MissWatson
Hello Princess! So great to see you're back!
16detailmuse
Happy 2023! Congratulations on your first ROOT already.
17curioussquared
Happy new year, RP! Got you starred :)
18rabbitprincess
Hello visitors!
>12 Henrik_Madsen: Thanks, Henrik! It was the perfect choice of title.
>13 justchris: They're so good! Their Christmas albums are hits on our holiday playlist.
>14 MissWatson: Thanks, Birgit! Great to see you back too :)
>15 connie53: Thanks, Connie! Great to see you again!
>16 detailmuse: It's nice to get one on the board right away :)
>17 curioussquared: Thanks! Happy new year to you too!
****
I have not one, but TWO ROOTs to report. This will not last.
Kenneth, by Nigel Tranter
ROOT 1 of 50
Source: library book sale
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/116422765
I'd hoped to finish off 2022 with this book, but no such luck. Still, a good book to start 2023 with. Will I actually read more historical fiction this year??
All Systems Red, by Martha Wells
ROOT 2 of 50
Source: Tor.com ebook of the month club
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/212681638
Finally on the Murderbot train. I liked this and will probably read the next one, but not right away.
>12 Henrik_Madsen: Thanks, Henrik! It was the perfect choice of title.
>13 justchris: They're so good! Their Christmas albums are hits on our holiday playlist.
>14 MissWatson: Thanks, Birgit! Great to see you back too :)
>15 connie53: Thanks, Connie! Great to see you again!
>16 detailmuse: It's nice to get one on the board right away :)
>17 curioussquared: Thanks! Happy new year to you too!
****
I have not one, but TWO ROOTs to report. This will not last.
Kenneth, by Nigel Tranter
ROOT 1 of 50
Source: library book sale
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/116422765
I'd hoped to finish off 2022 with this book, but no such luck. Still, a good book to start 2023 with. Will I actually read more historical fiction this year??
All Systems Red, by Martha Wells
ROOT 2 of 50
Source: Tor.com ebook of the month club
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/212681638
Finally on the Murderbot train. I liked this and will probably read the next one, but not right away.
19Caramellunacy
>18 rabbitprincess: I enjoyed All Systems Red, but haven't read further. I have a train ride coming up...
20curioussquared
>18 rabbitprincess: Yay Murderbot! I might be a little obsessed and have read the books multiple times since discovering them in 2019. They became comfort reads really fast.
21Familyhistorian
>18 rabbitprincess: I have some books by Nigel Tranter on the shelves that have been there for ages. Your first book reminds me that I should read one. Happy year of ROOTing, RP.
22enemyanniemae
Happy New Year and Happy Reading! You guys are so organized with your lists. I'm very chaotic, I just reach in and grab something. Sometimes I hit gold and sometimes I wonder why I bought that particular book. I've already had one of those moments with Ramses the Damned. I used to love Anne Rice. I think my taste has changed. Thank heaven. lol
23rabbitprincess
>19 Caramellunacy: Murderbot would make a great train read!
>20 curioussquared: I can see how they'd become comfort reads. Novellas would be well suited, I think, because they're not too long.
>21 Familyhistorian: Thanks, you as well! I hope you enjoy whichever Tranter you pick up. My next one will probably be The Stone, because the Stone of Destiny was introduced in Kenneth.
>22 enemyanniemae: Happy new year, EAM! I'm like that with my to-read list on Goodreads. Sometimes I'll see something and think "why the heck did I flag this as something I want to read?"
****
The Widow of Bath, by Margot Bennett
ROOT 3 of 50
Source: Christmas present
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/210003464
Ehh, not one of my favourite British Library Crime Classics. I got confused about the characters at the beginning, and the story moved slowly and I found it hard to care why the person was murdered.
>20 curioussquared: I can see how they'd become comfort reads. Novellas would be well suited, I think, because they're not too long.
>21 Familyhistorian: Thanks, you as well! I hope you enjoy whichever Tranter you pick up. My next one will probably be The Stone, because the Stone of Destiny was introduced in Kenneth.
>22 enemyanniemae: Happy new year, EAM! I'm like that with my to-read list on Goodreads. Sometimes I'll see something and think "why the heck did I flag this as something I want to read?"
****
The Widow of Bath, by Margot Bennett
ROOT 3 of 50
Source: Christmas present
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/210003464
Ehh, not one of my favourite British Library Crime Classics. I got confused about the characters at the beginning, and the story moved slowly and I found it hard to care why the person was murdered.
24rabbitprincess
Feeling good about getting an audio ROOT read fairly quickly this year!
The Diary of River Song, Series 6 (Big Finish)
ROOT 4 of 50
Source: Big Finish
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/172785318
This collection of four stories features River Song on the fringes of classic TV stories that feature the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Doctors. My favourite was the first one, "An Unearthly Woman". I'm also now tempted to watch the original TV story "Carnival of Monsters" after listening to the adjacent story "Peepshow". I like these full-cast audio dramas because they keep my attention (for the most part) and don't fall into the trap of one narrator doing a dozen different voices, some perhaps poorly.
The Diary of River Song, Series 6 (Big Finish)
ROOT 4 of 50
Source: Big Finish
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/172785318
This collection of four stories features River Song on the fringes of classic TV stories that feature the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Doctors. My favourite was the first one, "An Unearthly Woman". I'm also now tempted to watch the original TV story "Carnival of Monsters" after listening to the adjacent story "Peepshow". I like these full-cast audio dramas because they keep my attention (for the most part) and don't fall into the trap of one narrator doing a dozen different voices, some perhaps poorly.
25rabbitprincess
Last Leaves, by Stephen Leacock
ROOT 5 of 50
Source: Rockcliffe Park book sale
Rating: 1.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/123120930
I abandoned this book unfinished. The only essay I liked was "Living with Murder", in which Leacock, having read too much crime fiction, obsessively times every aspect of dinner with a friend in case the friend is murdered and Leacock has to account for his whereabouts. The rest were tiresome for various reasons. If you're thinking of trying Leacock, avoid this collection. He is much better when parodying literature or writing actual fiction, such as Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.
ROOT 5 of 50
Source: Rockcliffe Park book sale
Rating: 1.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/123120930
I abandoned this book unfinished. The only essay I liked was "Living with Murder", in which Leacock, having read too much crime fiction, obsessively times every aspect of dinner with a friend in case the friend is murdered and Leacock has to account for his whereabouts. The rest were tiresome for various reasons. If you're thinking of trying Leacock, avoid this collection. He is much better when parodying literature or writing actual fiction, such as Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.
26rabbitprincess
The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie
ROOT 6 of 50
Source: apparently this was a gift
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/43232/reviews/70475505
I last read this in 2007 and had very little recollection of the plot. I enjoyed it, though. I probably liked it even more back in 2007 because House was still on the air and I was watching that, Blackadder, and A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
ROOT 6 of 50
Source: apparently this was a gift
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/43232/reviews/70475505
I last read this in 2007 and had very little recollection of the plot. I enjoyed it, though. I probably liked it even more back in 2007 because House was still on the air and I was watching that, Blackadder, and A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
27rabbitprincess
January recap: 6 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 6)
Kenneth, by Nigel Tranter
All Systems Red, by Martha Wells
The Widow of Bath, by Margot Bennett
The Diary of River Song, Series 6 (Big Finish audio drama)
Last Leaves, by Stephen Leacock
The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie
ROOT of the month: The Diary of River Song, Series 6
February will hopefully feature a hefty stack of mysteries, historical fiction, and a sci-fi book or two.
Kenneth, by Nigel Tranter
All Systems Red, by Martha Wells
The Widow of Bath, by Margot Bennett
The Diary of River Song, Series 6 (Big Finish audio drama)
Last Leaves, by Stephen Leacock
The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie
ROOT of the month: The Diary of River Song, Series 6
February will hopefully feature a hefty stack of mysteries, historical fiction, and a sci-fi book or two.
28floremolla
Enjoyed reading your reviews, RP. I can relate to re-reading books many years later and having a different POV!
29rabbitprincess
>28 floremolla: Thanks, Donna! It's why I set aside room in my category challenge specifically for rereads, to get those different POVs!
30justchris
>18 rabbitprincess: I put a hold on the ebook of All Systems Red. I'm now 29th with a wait time of months...
>27 rabbitprincess: Wow! You're making good progress on ROOTs.
>27 rabbitprincess: Wow! You're making good progress on ROOTs.
31rabbitprincess
>30 justchris: Hopefully the ebook will come sooner! And yep, good progress for now... we'll see how long I can keep that up :)
32rabbitprincess
Nothing like public-domain ebooks to boost the ROOT numbers.
Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers
ROOT 7 of 50
Source: Faded Page
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/234266399
This is the first book of the Lord Peter Wimsey series, but the fourth one I've read, because I sometimes read series out of order. It was amusing to read about the Cathedral Hotel in Salisbury, because I stayed there on a trip in 2015. The hotel has a blue plaque outside commemorating Lord Peter's visit.
Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers
ROOT 7 of 50
Source: Faded Page
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/234266399
This is the first book of the Lord Peter Wimsey series, but the fourth one I've read, because I sometimes read series out of order. It was amusing to read about the Cathedral Hotel in Salisbury, because I stayed there on a trip in 2015. The hotel has a blue plaque outside commemorating Lord Peter's visit.
33Caramellunacy
>32 rabbitprincess: That's so cool - I didn't think to look for it on our jaunt to Salisbury.
34rabbitprincess
>33 Caramellunacy: Sounds like a good reason to make a return trip! ;)
35rabbitprincess
I should probably have spread this book over a longer period, but I wanted to get some numbers on the board!
Blood on the Tracks, ed. Martin Edwards
ROOT 8 of 50
Source: bought somewhere in Scotland in 2018
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/160724155
This was a good collection but felt rather long. My favourite stories were the ones by Michael Gilbert, Michael Innes, and Freeman Wills Crofts. I must have read the Dorothy L. Sayers story before, because it appeared in Lord Peter Views the Body and I'm pretty sure I read that in university.
Blood on the Tracks, ed. Martin Edwards
ROOT 8 of 50
Source: bought somewhere in Scotland in 2018
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/160724155
This was a good collection but felt rather long. My favourite stories were the ones by Michael Gilbert, Michael Innes, and Freeman Wills Crofts. I must have read the Dorothy L. Sayers story before, because it appeared in Lord Peter Views the Body and I'm pretty sure I read that in university.
36rabbitprincess
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus, by Sandi Toksvig
ROOT 9 of 50
Source: Christmas gift
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/204014324
I waffled between 4.5 and 5, but I went with the 5 because I bought the audiobook version just three chapters into reading the print version, which seems like a strong sign that I was enjoying the book. It's a great format for a memoir: telling life stories and history stories that are prompted by the framework of the route taken by the Number 12 bus.
This was a Christmas gift for me, but my mum managed to read it first :D
ROOT 9 of 50
Source: Christmas gift
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/204014324
I waffled between 4.5 and 5, but I went with the 5 because I bought the audiobook version just three chapters into reading the print version, which seems like a strong sign that I was enjoying the book. It's a great format for a memoir: telling life stories and history stories that are prompted by the framework of the route taken by the Number 12 bus.
This was a Christmas gift for me, but my mum managed to read it first :D
37connie53
Hi RP, good to see you have been reading lots of ROOTs. I'm doing terrible on ROOT-reading this year.
38Familyhistorian
>32 rabbitprincess: So cool about the Cathedral Hotel having a plaque to commemorate Lord Peter's visit. I really enjoyed the Lord Peter series except for the one where he was in Scotland fishing.
39Robertgreaves
>38 Familyhistorian: That was the one I didn't like either. Trying to follow all those train timetables was just too much like hard work.
40rabbitprincess
>37 connie53: I hope the ones you are reading are at least good!
>38 Familyhistorian: That's Five Red Herrings, right? I haven't read that one yet.
****
One last ROOT to close out the month.
The Widening Stain, by W. Bolingbroke Johnson
ROOT 10 of 50
Source: Christmas gift
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/210003602
This was a pretty good American Mystery Classic. Amateur sleuth mysteries can be hit or miss for me, but this one was more of a hit because of the academic setting.
>38 Familyhistorian: That's Five Red Herrings, right? I haven't read that one yet.
****
One last ROOT to close out the month.
The Widening Stain, by W. Bolingbroke Johnson
ROOT 10 of 50
Source: Christmas gift
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/210003602
This was a pretty good American Mystery Classic. Amateur sleuth mysteries can be hit or miss for me, but this one was more of a hit because of the academic setting.
41rabbitprincess
>39 Robertgreaves: If I do get around to that one, I will consider myself forewarned!
42rabbitprincess
February recap: 4 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 10)
Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers (Faded Page)
Blood on the Tracks: Railway Mysteries, ed. Martin Edwards
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus, by Sandi Toksvig
The Widening Stain, by W. Bolingbroke Johnson
ROOT of the month: Between the Stops
In March I have a couple of re-reads lined up, and I hope to tackle one or two of the bigger books on the on-deck shelf as well.
Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers (Faded Page)
Blood on the Tracks: Railway Mysteries, ed. Martin Edwards
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus, by Sandi Toksvig
The Widening Stain, by W. Bolingbroke Johnson
ROOT of the month: Between the Stops
In March I have a couple of re-reads lined up, and I hope to tackle one or two of the bigger books on the on-deck shelf as well.
43rabbitprincess
Ratlines, by Stuart Neville
ROOT 11 of 50
Source: Pickwick Books
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/188404259
I was lukewarm about this thriller, but it's probably fine if you like this sort of thriller.
ROOT 11 of 50
Source: Pickwick Books
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/188404259
I was lukewarm about this thriller, but it's probably fine if you like this sort of thriller.
44rabbitprincess
A bit behind on my ROOT reporting. There's a theme...
Doctor Who: Marco Polo, by John Lucarotti
ROOT 12 of 50
Source: bought somewhere in Wales, 2017
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/145800048
I read this while going through my backlog of Doctor Who Magazine -- the issue I read most recently discussed this story in its "The Fact of Fiction" feature. This was a solid novelization, although the TV episodes are lost, so it's hard to compare.
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction, by Cavan Scott
ROOT 13 of 50
Source: Humble Bundle
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/162694790
From the First Doctor to the Ninth Doctor. This was a great comic; I read it in about half an hour.
Doctor Who: Marco Polo, by John Lucarotti
ROOT 12 of 50
Source: bought somewhere in Wales, 2017
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/145800048
I read this while going through my backlog of Doctor Who Magazine -- the issue I read most recently discussed this story in its "The Fact of Fiction" feature. This was a solid novelization, although the TV episodes are lost, so it's hard to compare.
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction, by Cavan Scott
ROOT 13 of 50
Source: Humble Bundle
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/162694790
From the First Doctor to the Ninth Doctor. This was a great comic; I read it in about half an hour.
45rabbitprincess
Maigret et le corps sans tête, by Georges Simenon
ROOT 14 of 50
Source: Rockcliffe Park book sale
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/174965707
Not my favourite Maigret. One of the more slow-paced ones for me, some maddening sexism, and a print edition that had a lot of faded letters in odd places.
Endless Night, by Agatha Christie
ROOT 15 of 50
Source: pilfered from my grandparents’ collection
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/30040/reviews/70475853
I was feeling very restless so pulled this off the shelf for a re-read. Finished it in an hour. Very good.
ROOT 14 of 50
Source: Rockcliffe Park book sale
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/174965707
Not my favourite Maigret. One of the more slow-paced ones for me, some maddening sexism, and a print edition that had a lot of faded letters in odd places.
Endless Night, by Agatha Christie
ROOT 15 of 50
Source: pilfered from my grandparents’ collection
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/30040/reviews/70475853
I was feeling very restless so pulled this off the shelf for a re-read. Finished it in an hour. Very good.
46detailmuse
>44 rabbitprincess:, >45 rabbitprincess:
I read it in about half an hour
Finished it in an hour
I am in awe!
I read it in about half an hour
Finished it in an hour
I am in awe!
47rabbitprincess
>46 detailmuse: Well, the half-hour one was a comic book, and those don't take me very long because there isn't that much text ;)
48rabbitprincess
Doctor Who: The Blood Cell, by James Goss (audio, read by Colin McFarlane)
ROOT 16 of 50
Source: Big Finish
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/176620471
This was one of many audiobook CDs I bought from a clearance sale at Big Finish in late 2019. As a story, it was fine, and the reader was all right, but I tend to prefer full-cast dramatizations for Doctor Who these days.
ROOT 16 of 50
Source: Big Finish
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/176620471
This was one of many audiobook CDs I bought from a clearance sale at Big Finish in late 2019. As a story, it was fine, and the reader was all right, but I tend to prefer full-cast dramatizations for Doctor Who these days.
49rabbitprincess
March recap: 6 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 16)
Ratlines, by Stuart Neville
Doctor Who: Marco Polo, by John Lucarotti
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction, by Cavan Scott
Maigret et le corps sans tête, by Georges Simenon
Endless Night, by Agatha Christie (reread)
Doctor Who: The Blood Cell, by James Goss
ROOT of the month: Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction
In April, I'm planning to focus on some books I'd set aside in the first quarter of the year but haven't yet got to. I also have a couple of audiobooks lined up.
Ratlines, by Stuart Neville
Doctor Who: Marco Polo, by John Lucarotti
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction, by Cavan Scott
Maigret et le corps sans tête, by Georges Simenon
Endless Night, by Agatha Christie (reread)
Doctor Who: The Blood Cell, by James Goss
ROOT of the month: Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Vol. 1: Weapons of Past Destruction
In April, I'm planning to focus on some books I'd set aside in the first quarter of the year but haven't yet got to. I also have a couple of audiobooks lined up.
50pnppl
Ooh, I've been meaning to get into the Big Finish Doctor Who productions but the quantity is a little overwhelming. Any favorites?
Hench was a surprise hit for me. If I understand your notation, it isn't an own-tome, but you read it this year? I really hope she writes a sequel.
Great job on your progress!
Hench was a surprise hit for me. If I understand your notation, it isn't an own-tome, but you read it this year? I really hope she writes a sequel.
Great job on your progress!
51rabbitprincess
>50 pnppl: Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, Big Finish definitely spoils us for choice! Going by ratings, my favourites have been The Diary of River Song (especially the first two); Classic Doctors, New Monsters (Vol. 1); and I, Davros (which is older so a bit less polished on the production front, but a great story).
That’s right, I borrowed Hench from the library. It was so much fun! I would watch the heck out of a miniseries if one was made.
Yes, Big Finish definitely spoils us for choice! Going by ratings, my favourites have been The Diary of River Song (especially the first two); Classic Doctors, New Monsters (Vol. 1); and I, Davros (which is older so a bit less polished on the production front, but a great story).
That’s right, I borrowed Hench from the library. It was so much fun! I would watch the heck out of a miniseries if one was made.
52pnppl
>51 rabbitprincess:
Totally!
Thanks! I haven't seen a lot of classic Who, and looking up Davros makes me think I ought to remedy that.
It turns out there is a sequel in the works after all: https://twitter.com/CookeMcDermid/status/1550179212656578560
Totally!
Thanks! I haven't seen a lot of classic Who, and looking up Davros makes me think I ought to remedy that.
It turns out there is a sequel in the works after all: https://twitter.com/CookeMcDermid/status/1550179212656578560
53rabbitprincess
>52 pnppl: Excellent news! I hadn’t hoped for a sequel but will of course read it now that it exists ;) Thanks for sharing!
54rabbitprincess
I’m at my parents’ for a week and have managed to read one ROOT in between borrowing their books.
Gideon’s River, by J. J. Marric
ROOT 17 of 50
Source: BMV
Rating: 1.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/112440860
Main plot, involving boats: good
Subplot, involving a teenage girl being abducted: yuck
Gideon’s River, by J. J. Marric
ROOT 17 of 50
Source: BMV
Rating: 1.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/112440860
Main plot, involving boats: good
Subplot, involving a teenage girl being abducted: yuck
55rabbitprincess
Finished another ROOT today. It's a re-read, but under my rules, re-reads count as ROOTs.
Emily of New Moon, by L. M. Montgomery
ROOT 18 of 50
Source: pilfered from parents
Rating: 4.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/3689979/reviews/70475933
Hadn't read this in over 10 years, so pulled it down for another read. Great as always, and I did make sure to read the first five or so chapters at home because they make me cry blubbery tears.
Emily of New Moon, by L. M. Montgomery
ROOT 18 of 50
Source: pilfered from parents
Rating: 4.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/3689979/reviews/70475933
Hadn't read this in over 10 years, so pulled it down for another read. Great as always, and I did make sure to read the first five or so chapters at home because they make me cry blubbery tears.
56rabbitprincess
The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey
ROOT 19 of 50
Source: Faded Page
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/237871857
I read this for a group read on Litsy, and because it's one of the oldest books on my Goodreads TBR list (I added it when I first joined Goodreads in 2008). It was fine but not really an Alan Grant mystery.
ROOT 19 of 50
Source: Faded Page
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/237871857
I read this for a group read on Litsy, and because it's one of the oldest books on my Goodreads TBR list (I added it when I first joined Goodreads in 2008). It was fine but not really an Alan Grant mystery.
57rabbitprincess
April recap: 3 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 19)
Gideon’s River, by J. J. Marric
Emily of New Moon, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey (Faded Page)
ROOT of the month: Emily of New Moon
In May, I'm planning to continue my re-read of the Emily trilogy and hoping to knock out an audiobook or two.
Gideon’s River, by J. J. Marric
Emily of New Moon, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey (Faded Page)
ROOT of the month: Emily of New Moon
In May, I'm planning to continue my re-read of the Emily trilogy and hoping to knock out an audiobook or two.
58rabbitprincess
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, by Annabel Pitcher
ROOT 20 of 50
Source: Libro.fm
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/216773020
One audiobook knocked out already! This was read by David Tennant, who is a great narrator, but the book itself felt slow.
ROOT 20 of 50
Source: Libro.fm
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/216773020
One audiobook knocked out already! This was read by David Tennant, who is a great narrator, but the book itself felt slow.
59rabbitprincess
Testament of a Generation: The Journalism of Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, ed. Paul Berry
ROOT 21 of 50
Source: By the Lake Books, Burlington, ON
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/217134414
A random find at a secondhand bookstore. I like Holtby's writing better; it feels more direct, whereas Brittain writes a bit more heavily.
My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography, by Roger Moore
ROOT 22 of 50
Source: Rockcliffe Park book sale
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/174965539
Interesting that this of all things got me out of a reading slump. I read it in a couple of days. Contains two sets of photos, a plus in a biography!
ROOT 21 of 50
Source: By the Lake Books, Burlington, ON
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/217134414
A random find at a secondhand bookstore. I like Holtby's writing better; it feels more direct, whereas Brittain writes a bit more heavily.
My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography, by Roger Moore
ROOT 22 of 50
Source: Rockcliffe Park book sale
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/174965539
Interesting that this of all things got me out of a reading slump. I read it in a couple of days. Contains two sets of photos, a plus in a biography!
60rabbitprincess
Emily Climbs, by L.M. Montgomery
ROOT 23 of 50
Source: pilfered from parents
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/31480/reviews/70475954
My re-read of the Emily trilogy continues. I started this yesterday because May 19 is Emily's birthday, and I finished it today. A great book and a great trilogy.
ROOT 23 of 50
Source: pilfered from parents
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/31480/reviews/70475954
My re-read of the Emily trilogy continues. I started this yesterday because May 19 is Emily's birthday, and I finished it today. A great book and a great trilogy.
61rabbitprincess
Children of the Mist, by Nigel Tranter
ROOT 24 of 50
Source: Book Trader, Brockville
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/228377516
After carefully checking the touchstone for this one (the first result goes to a romance novel), I have posted my review. This was a very good Nigel Tranter (I've read a few). Now to choose which way to go next. Could go with The Wisest Fool if I want to continue reading about James VI/I.
ROOT 24 of 50
Source: Book Trader, Brockville
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/228377516
After carefully checking the touchstone for this one (the first result goes to a romance novel), I have posted my review. This was a very good Nigel Tranter (I've read a few). Now to choose which way to go next. Could go with The Wisest Fool if I want to continue reading about James VI/I.
62rabbitprincess
May recap: 5 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 24)
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, by Annabel Pitcher
Testament of a Generation: The Journalism of Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, ed. Paul Berry
My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography, by Roger Moore
Emily Climbs, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
Children of the Mist, by Nigel Tranter
ROOT of the month: Children of the Mist
In June, I'm planning to chip away at long-standing books on the on-deck shelf.
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, by Annabel Pitcher
Testament of a Generation: The Journalism of Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, ed. Paul Berry
My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography, by Roger Moore
Emily Climbs, by L. M. Montgomery (reread)
Children of the Mist, by Nigel Tranter
ROOT of the month: Children of the Mist
In June, I'm planning to chip away at long-standing books on the on-deck shelf.
63rabbitprincess
Disraeli: A Play, by Louis Napoleon Parker
ROOT 25 of 50
Source: pilfered from grandparents
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/92648638
A random book from my grandparents' collection. A quick read.
ROOT 25 of 50
Source: pilfered from grandparents
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/92648638
A random book from my grandparents' collection. A quick read.
64rabbitprincess
Emily’s Quest, by L. M. Montgomery
ROOT 26 of 50
Source: pilfered from parents
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/31481/reviews/70475983
Finished my re-read of the trilogy. Will I wait another 10 years to pick it up again? Maybe.
ROOT 26 of 50
Source: pilfered from parents
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/31481/reviews/70475983
Finished my re-read of the trilogy. Will I wait another 10 years to pick it up again? Maybe.
65rabbitprincess
June recap: 2 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 26)
Disraeli: A Play in Four Acts, by Louis Napoleon Parker
Emily’s Quest, by L.M. Montgomery (reread)
ROOT of the month: Emily’s Quest
In July, I have a couple of nautical books lined up that I hope will tickle my fancy (and go well with Run Silent, Run Deep, which I’m reading now) .
Disraeli: A Play in Four Acts, by Louis Napoleon Parker
Emily’s Quest, by L.M. Montgomery (reread)
ROOT of the month: Emily’s Quest
In July, I have a couple of nautical books lined up that I hope will tickle my fancy (and go well with Run Silent, Run Deep, which I’m reading now) .
66rabbitprincess
The Sea Mystery, by Freeman Wills Crofts
ROOT 27 of 50
Source: Book Trader
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/765063/reviews/228377410
The first of my nautical books for July down, although I wouldn’t consider it THAT nautical. I liked it a good deal. Warning that this book does spoil an earlier entry in the Inspector French series, The Cask.
ROOT 27 of 50
Source: Book Trader
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/765063/reviews/228377410
The first of my nautical books for July down, although I wouldn’t consider it THAT nautical. I liked it a good deal. Warning that this book does spoil an earlier entry in the Inspector French series, The Cask.
67rabbitprincess
The Invasion of Canada, by Pierre Berton
ROOT 28 of 50
Source: gift from parents, part of an omnibus
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/361985/reviews/240956279
This is the first half of a duology that covers the events of the War of 1812. Berton can be relied upon to tell a story thrillingly, backed by solid research for the time. This book first came out in 1980, though, so more recent books would be interesting to read as well.
ROOT 28 of 50
Source: gift from parents, part of an omnibus
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/361985/reviews/240956279
This is the first half of a duology that covers the events of the War of 1812. Berton can be relied upon to tell a story thrillingly, backed by solid research for the time. This book first came out in 1980, though, so more recent books would be interesting to read as well.
68rabbitprincess
Run Silent, Run Deep, by Edward L. Beach
ROOT 29 of 50
Source: Book Trader
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/228377460
Of course I'm going to be interested in a novel about submarines. This was very good.
ROOT 29 of 50
Source: Book Trader
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/228377460
Of course I'm going to be interested in a novel about submarines. This was very good.
69rabbitprincess
Missy: Series 1 (Big Finish audio drama)
ROOT 30 of 50
Source: Big Finish
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/168247445
I've had this audiobook on the go since May, which is about par for the course for audio. Of course, it's much easier to listen to Big Finish audio dramas in chunks, because they come in sets of 4 and each individual drama is about an hour long.
ROOT 30 of 50
Source: Big Finish
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/168247445
I've had this audiobook on the go since May, which is about par for the course for audio. Of course, it's much easier to listen to Big Finish audio dramas in chunks, because they come in sets of 4 and each individual drama is about an hour long.
70rabbitprincess
A Question of Blood, by Ian Rankin
ROOT 31 of 50
Source: a friend who accidentally bought a second copy of this
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/242951163
Continuing to read Rebus out of order. This one is actually my own copy; a friend bought an extra copy by accident when she was in Scotland.
ROOT 31 of 50
Source: a friend who accidentally bought a second copy of this
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/242951163
Continuing to read Rebus out of order. This one is actually my own copy; a friend bought an extra copy by accident when she was in Scotland.
71rabbitprincess
The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars, by Anthony Boucher
ROOT 32 of 50
Source: Christmas present
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/210003550
I like riffs on Sherlock Holmes and Boucher clearly had fun writing this, so I had fun reading it.
ROOT 32 of 50
Source: Christmas present
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/210003550
I like riffs on Sherlock Holmes and Boucher clearly had fun writing this, so I had fun reading it.
72rabbitprincess
July recap: 6 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 32)
The Sea Mystery, by Freeman Wills Crofts
The Invasion of Canada, by Pierre Berton
Run Silent, Run Deep, by Edward L. Beach
Missy, Series 1 (Big Finish audio drama)
A Question of Blood, by Ian Rankin
The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars, by Anthony Boucher
ROOT of the month: Tough choice! Lots of 4-star reads. Maybe A Question of Blood because it was nice to revisit Rebus.
In August, I’ll be continuing the nautical theme and have some mysteries in the mix as well.
The Sea Mystery, by Freeman Wills Crofts
The Invasion of Canada, by Pierre Berton
Run Silent, Run Deep, by Edward L. Beach
Missy, Series 1 (Big Finish audio drama)
A Question of Blood, by Ian Rankin
The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars, by Anthony Boucher
ROOT of the month: Tough choice! Lots of 4-star reads. Maybe A Question of Blood because it was nice to revisit Rebus.
In August, I’ll be continuing the nautical theme and have some mysteries in the mix as well.
73rabbitprincess
Fell Murder, by E.C.R. Lorac
ROOT 33 of 50
Source: Faded Page
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/243975061
Not my favourite Lorac mystery. It's a slow build to the murder and the murder victim is not particularly likeable, so I didn't really care whodunnit.
ROOT 33 of 50
Source: Faded Page
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/243975061
Not my favourite Lorac mystery. It's a slow build to the murder and the murder victim is not particularly likeable, so I didn't really care whodunnit.
74rabbitprincess
The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
ROOT 34 of 50
Source: Bearly Used Books, Parry Sound
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/134021630
Apparently my WW2 niche is the sea battles. I liked this pretty well. Very detailed. The downside: not many female characters.
ROOT 34 of 50
Source: Bearly Used Books, Parry Sound
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/134021630
Apparently my WW2 niche is the sea battles. I liked this pretty well. Very detailed. The downside: not many female characters.
75rabbitprincess
Like Love, by Ed McBain
ROOT 35 of 50
Source: church book sale
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/130511216
Working my way through the 87th Precincts on my shelves to see which ones are worth keeping. This one is not.
ROOT 35 of 50
Source: church book sale
Rating: 2/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/130511216
Working my way through the 87th Precincts on my shelves to see which ones are worth keeping. This one is not.
76connie53
Hi RP, Shame on me for not visiting your thread since February! I promise I will do better.
77rabbitprincess
>76 connie53: Always great to see you, Connie! :)
79rabbitprincess
The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
ROOT 36 of 50
Source: Foyles, London
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/98385218
A short novel (maybe a novella) that was a lot of fun for this veteran bus traveller. Highly recommended.
ROOT 36 of 50
Source: Foyles, London
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/98385218
A short novel (maybe a novella) that was a lot of fun for this veteran bus traveller. Highly recommended.
80rabbitprincess
August recap: 4 ROOTs pulled (YTD: 36)
Fell Murder, by E. C. R. Lorac (Faded Page)
The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
Like Love, by Ed McBain
The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
ROOT of the month: The Maintenance of Headway.
In September, I’ve stacked up some non-fiction. I’m constantly buying non-fiction and not getting around to it!
Fell Murder, by E. C. R. Lorac (Faded Page)
The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat
Like Love, by Ed McBain
The Maintenance of Headway, by Magnus Mills
ROOT of the month: The Maintenance of Headway.
In September, I’ve stacked up some non-fiction. I’m constantly buying non-fiction and not getting around to it!
81Jackie_K
>80 rabbitprincess: Sounds like me and fiction! I do buy it, but either never start, or start then grind to a halt after a few chapters. I don't want to admit how many unfinished fiction books there are on my physical and electronic shelves.
82rabbitprincess
>81 Jackie_K: It's why I've switched to getting most of my non-fiction from the library; the deadline keeps me honest!
83rabbitprincess
Necropolis: London and Its Dead, by Catharine Arnold
ROOT 37 of 50
Source: Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/145799867
I've had this on my shelves for nearly 6 years, and finally read it because Robertgreaves read it earlier this year. It contains a lot of facts and is interesting, but not something I could read in one go. It was my bus book for a while (also because I'm not taking the bus as much as I used to).
ROOT 37 of 50
Source: Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/145799867
I've had this on my shelves for nearly 6 years, and finally read it because Robertgreaves read it earlier this year. It contains a lot of facts and is interesting, but not something I could read in one go. It was my bus book for a while (also because I'm not taking the bus as much as I used to).
84rabbitprincess
The Deviant Strain, by Justin Richards
ROOT 38 of 50
Source: By the Lake Books
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/164421095
I wanted a Doctor Who fix this weekend and devoured this Ninth Doctor novel in a few hours.
ROOT 38 of 50
Source: By the Lake Books
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/164421095
I wanted a Doctor Who fix this weekend and devoured this Ninth Doctor novel in a few hours.
85rabbitprincess
Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor, Vol. 1: After Life, written by Al Ewing and Rob Williams, illustrated by Simon Fraser
ROOT 39 of 50
Source: Humble Bundle
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/162694649
I have a lot of short books on my shelf this month, great for boosting reading totals. This was a really fun comic, possibly my favourite Doctor Who comic so far. Volume 2 is also on deck this month, so I look forward to continuing :)
ROOT 39 of 50
Source: Humble Bundle
Rating: 5/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/162694649
I have a lot of short books on my shelf this month, great for boosting reading totals. This was a really fun comic, possibly my favourite Doctor Who comic so far. Volume 2 is also on deck this month, so I look forward to continuing :)
86rabbitprincess
Volkswagen Blues, by Jacques Poulin
ROOT 40 of 50
Source: Friends of Library and Archives book sale
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/89848680
I've had this on my shelf for about 11 years and finally read it! It was good, surprisingly quick in the second half.
ROOT 40 of 50
Source: Friends of Library and Archives book sale
Rating: 3/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/89848680
I've had this on my shelf for about 11 years and finally read it! It was good, surprisingly quick in the second half.
87Jackie_K
Thought you'd like to know that as I write I'm at the Bloody Scotland football match. Not saying it's one sided, but 20 mins in its 6-0 to Scotland!
88Jackie_K
Final score - 12-3! Funnily enough, the ref got a lot less abuse this year than the year we watched the match!
89rabbitprincess
>87 Jackie_K: YEEEEAAAHHHHHH Scotland!
>88 Jackie_K: My biggest memories of the match we saw were the little boy who got to play in goal at intermission, and that errant ball that knocked someone's glass of Stirling Gin right out of their hand :D
>88 Jackie_K: My biggest memories of the match we saw were the little boy who got to play in goal at intermission, and that errant ball that knocked someone's glass of Stirling Gin right out of their hand :D
90Jackie_K
>89 rabbitprincess: yes, I remembered the gin incident! There was nearly a repeat, as the Stirling gin trailer was directly behind one of the goals, and a stray ball nearly took out the entire bar! (they also needed to use ice from the bar for one of the injured England players, as there wasn't a first aid kit around. As Mark Billingham (England manager) said, "we had more injuries than goals").
From last year the match has been in Kings Park rather than at the green at Cowane's Hospital. I guess the historic building people were getting a bit nervous!
From last year the match has been in Kings Park rather than at the green at Cowane's Hospital. I guess the historic building people were getting a bit nervous!
91rabbitprincess
>90 Jackie_K: Hmmm perhaps the Stirling Gin folks need a Plexiglas barrier or something to protect the bar, if they're going to be that close to the pitch!
92rabbitprincess
Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor, Vol. 2: Serve You, written by Al Ewing, illustrated by Simon Fraser
ROOT 41 of 50
Source: Humble Bundle
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/162694685
Inching closer to my goal with comics. I'm really enjoying the 11th Doctor comics so far.
ROOT 41 of 50
Source: Humble Bundle
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/162694685
Inching closer to my goal with comics. I'm really enjoying the 11th Doctor comics so far.
93rabbitprincess
Starlight, by Richard Wagamese
ROOT 42 of 50
Source: Great Glebe Garage Sale
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/241215859
This was a lucky find at the garage sale: a hardcover of Richard Wagamese's unfinished final novel. Notes are included on how the story might have ended, as well as a novella and an essay.
ROOT 42 of 50
Source: Great Glebe Garage Sale
Rating: 4/5
Review: https://www.librarything.com/review/241215859
This was a lucky find at the garage sale: a hardcover of Richard Wagamese's unfinished final novel. Notes are included on how the story might have ended, as well as a novella and an essay.
