Familyhistorian ROOTs again 3

As we head towards the end of 2015, it is time to start planning our ROOTs reading for 2016. Being a member of this group has started me reading the books that have been lingering on my shelves. Thanks everybody!

But then there's that other activity that keeps on filling the shelves.

October had many book buying opportunities and I took full advantage. I bought books in London at the end of my trip, at the genealogy seminar midway through the month, at the Surrey International Writers' Conference and at my local bookstores.

I added the following to the TBR stacks:

Civil War by Peter Ackroyd
Without a Trace by Lesley Pearse
The Profession of Violence by John Pearson
UK Timeline for Family Historians by Angela Smith & Neil Bertram
The Handy London Map & Guide by Bensons Mapguides
The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
Howdunit Forensics by D.P. Lyle, M.D.
Ripper by Isabel Allende
Some Great Thing by Lawrence Hill
When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison
Blood and Beauty by Sarah Dunant
Vancouver Special by Charles Demers
Truth in Advertising by John Kenney
The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths
The House at Seas's End by Elly Griffiths
A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths
Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley
Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell
Silent Melody by Mary Balogh
The Mayfair Mystery by Frank Richardson
Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney
Searching for Surnames by John Titford
The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People can Thrive in an Extrovert World by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D.
Celtic Lightning: How the Scots and the Irish Created a Canadian Nation by Ken McGoogan
The Duke and His Duchess/the Courtship by Grace Burrowes
Hooked: Write Fiction that Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets Them Go by Les Edgerton

LOL Oh my! Congrats! I went bookshelf shopping today....but I need a big, solid shelf....too expensive!

Hi Tess, I didn't realize I had ended up with so many new books in October until I listed them all! Big solid shelves would definitely help.

The Introvert Advantage was pretty good. Hope you like it!

I will also be interested to hear what you think of The Wars of the Roses and Civil War.

>1 Familyhistorian: I've been thinking about ROOTing in 2016 too. At least you have bought enough new ones to count for ROOTs next year.

>6 rabbitprincess: I am happy to hear that The Introvert Advantage is good. Did you read Quiet. I am hoping that it will compliment Quiet rather than just cover the same ground.

I started to read The Wars of the Roses but that was during a layover after a 10 hour flight so I was having problems keeping all of the people straight! I will go back to it later.

>7 connie53: LOL, I didn't need to buy anything to have ROOTs for next year. Somehow my TBR keeps growing and growing.

>9 Familyhistorian: Hey, the same thing happens here! Bought two more today.

>8 Familyhistorian: I read The Introvert Advantage first, and from what I remember it seemed to be a bit more in-depth. Of the two books, Introvert Advantage is the one I'd like to get a copy of for myself.

>10 connie53: Well, two doesn't sound so bad. I started going through my fiction today to find out if all of the books have been cataloged. Some are and some aren't. I am curious to see how many books are actually there - scary thought.

>11 rabbitprincess: Introvert Advantage looked like it had more practical advice when I checked it out in the bookstore. I hope that is the case.

>7 connie53: That is a wonderful way of looking at it! I shall stop feeling guilty immediately! (I wish!)

>14 Jackie_K: LOL, Glad to have helped, Jackie, even if it's for a little while.

>14 Jackie_K: >15 connie53: Isn't book buying guilt one of the reasons that we are part of the ROOTs group?

>1 Familyhistorian: oh yes, planning for 2016 ROOTs is already in process.... ;)

>3 Familyhistorian: fun - what a list!

And Congrats on Thread #3!

>16 Familyhistorian: Off course it is. If we only had 30 books on the shelves there would be no problem.

>17 avanders: I keep on thinking about what to do for 2016 ROOTs and changing my mind. Do I read more nonfiction or read specifically from one bookcase so I can free up some shelf space or just read randomly like I usually do? (That consists of me looking at the books on the shelves and not being interested in any of them - not sure how that happens when they looked interesting in the bookstore!)

>18 connie53: I can't remember any time when I only had 30 books on the shelves but I know that people do live like that *shudders*.

>19 Familyhistorian: all good ideas ;)
lol I know, Right?! How is it that once it's on your shelf, it sometimes loses some of its glimmer......

>20 Familyhistorian: lol yep... not a goal of mine. Maybe like... 100-200 would be a nice set. But I also do like my full shelves of unread books (i.e., possibilities ;))

>21 avanders: I like it when they feel like possibilities but sometime they feel like obligations.

>20 Familyhistorian: LOL @*shudders*

>23 Tess_W: How would you feel living in a house with only 30 books on the shelves?

>24 Familyhistorian:
Having just moved to another country that IS what my shelves look like. All my books were left behind except for a select few I brought with me to read soon. It is a really weird feeling but at the same time I like the idea of filling up shelves again.

>22 Familyhistorian: very true.... Then I get grouchy and throw all my good intentions away and "start over" mentally ... whatever that may mean at any given time ;)

>25 lilisin: But you know you have more books some were else! That might make a difference ;-)

>22 Familyhistorian: Yes! That's what I like too (the first part of that sentence) and I like the way books colour my rooms. It would be very 'white' without them. I like dusting them and reordering them. I think there is more to books then just reading them.

>25 lilisin: I know what that feels like as I moved back a forth across this country (I think moving from one side of Canada to another is far enough to qualify as moving to another country.) I am sure you will rise to the challenge of filling the shelves, just don't go overboard like I do!

>26 avanders: I am quite good at ignoring obligations and guilt and just doing what I want no matter how those books glower.

>27 connie53: I like the physical presence of books too, Connie. I would be sad if most of my reading was electronic. I like looking a book covers and figuring out where to put them (more of a challenge when running out of shelf space). Even moving them out of the house and on to someone new feels good.

>26 avanders: lol a good skill to have! :)

>24 Familyhistorian: *shudders*!

>31 avanders: By good skill do you mean "start over" mentally?

>32 Tess_W: LOL, a girl after my own heart!

>33 Familyhistorian: sorry, I apparently referred to myself rather than the thread that I was responding to ;p
I meant "ignoring obligations and guilt and just doing what {you} want no matter how those books glower" is a good skill to have :)

>35 avanders: Thanks, now it makes sense.

57. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I finally read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which has been sitting on the shelf for quite a few years. Why did I wait so long – great book.

>37 Familyhistorian: that one has also been on and off my shelves for years... Good to hear it's great! :)

>38 avanders: It is worth reading, Ava. Maybe take it off the shelf again.

>37 Familyhistorian: I loved that book! >38 avanders: So go and read it, Ava.

>39 Familyhistorian: and >40 connie53: Ok :) I've also put it in my overdrive short list .. I may get to the audio version before the paper version ;)

>37 Familyhistorian: I enjoyed that book (I bought it when I was in Guernsey for my friend's wedding a few years ago, so could picture the place a bit) although I did find it a bit predictable at the end. It's a really nice read though, it doesn't take long and left me feeling happy at the end of it.

>40 connie53: Yes, read it Ava.

>41 avanders: I am not sure how it would be as an audio version - I think you might lose the effect of the letters. Not sure though as I don't listen to audio books.

>47 Familyhistorian: Being on Guernsey while reading the book would be a definite plus, Jackie. I don't mind my love stories having endings that you can see a mile off so the ending didn't take anything away from the book for me.

>43 Familyhistorian: hee hee will do ;)

>44 Familyhistorian: Hmm interesting! I wondered if they might have more than 1 reader... I have found that an audio book can either enhance or detract from the listening experience. For example, I think Wil Wheaton enhanced the experience w/ Armada, but whoever read the audio for Skinny Dip definitely definitely detracted from the book. ... I'll look into it! :)

>42 Jackie_K: So cool! I agree.. I love reading books about places while I'm in the place!

>46 avanders: I have never tried an audio book myself, Ava. I am more of a visual person and don't like relying on audio alone - I even dislike using the phone which I have to do a lot in my work. I think that using different readers for the different letter writers might work for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society it would be difficult to do it with one reader, I think.

I agree, reading a book set in a place while you are there does add another dimension to my understanding of the story.

58. Old Enough to Fight: Canada's Boy Soldiers in the First World War by Dan Black and John Boileau

I finished Old Enough to Fight, an appropriate book to mark Remembrance Day.

>47 Familyhistorian: It took a little bit to get used to... My preference is still definitely physical copies of books and actually reading them.. but I use audio on my way to and from work, which allows me to "read" more in a day ;) And I use kindle and phone just for traveling or other odd situations. I try not to let my purse get too heavy, so I often will resort to phone/kindle reading if I'm out-and-about and have some down time :)

Also, most audio readers are pretty good at voice acting.. they can effectively present multiple voices without the reader getting confused. I thought the reader for Queen of the Tearling did a great job, even w/ the male characters! But a bad reader can definitely ... well, as I said above, detract. If you can't tell who's speaking bc they all sound the same, that can be VERY frustrating. :P Or if they seem to be emphasizing all the wrong words, that can be annoying. It's definitely hit or miss, but overall I enjoy being able to "read" more by listening in the car, despite the chance it might be a bad reader :)

I'm currently listening to Bone Gap on audio on my way to and from work.. and I think that reader (male) is doing an excellent job... I'm Loving the book!

>49 avanders: I can see how audio books could become a good part of your daily routine. It sounds like they work for you. I don't know that they would work for me. I would have to think about when I could listen to them.

>45 Familyhistorian: That's why I loved reading the books by Kate Mosse while on holiday in the Pyrenees, France.

>51 connie53: Connie, I envy you being so close to all those interesting places in which to vacation.

I've been trying to some audio short stories to and from work, about 30 minute drive each way. I had tried them 20 years ago but couldn't focus. However, this time, I could manage to follow along. I now have Mile 81 by Stephen King and I shall see how I do with an entire book.

>53 Tess_W: Good luck with trying a whole book, Tess. Maybe you should get a short one to start out with. I don't know how I would be with audio books, I even have a hard time focusing on conversations on the phone - not good because my work involves a lot of time spent on the phone!

>52 Familyhistorian: Well I envy you being over there. There are lots of places where I would like to go on your side of the ocean, Meg.

>55 connie53: Maybe we should swap places, Connie because most of the traveling I want to do is close to where you are! I like it that you can get from one country to another so quickly - we can too but there is only the one country.

But yours is such a big country! You are always welcome to come over, Meg.
And believe me, the only difference between the countries here is the language. The people are the same every where. We have some differences in temperament, but I think that is the case in de US too.

>57 connie53: Yes it is a big country and hard to get from one coast to the other, Connie. People are the same in lots of ways but culture makes a difference as well. I am very happy to live in an international city and also quite happy to live north of the US border even though it is harder to get some books.

>50 Familyhistorian: Yes it works for me, but I agree that it would have to work in your life somehow... i.e., if I didn't have have daily commute (not a long one, but long enough.. 15-20 minutes each way), I would probably never listen to audio books!

>53 Tess_W: I think Stephen King was the start of my audio-listening.... on long road trips, he was good to keep me awake!

>59 avanders: I don't know that I would listen very well if I was driving because I really need to pay attention to the drivers around here. I sometimes take the bus but mostly I try to catch up with LT threads when I am doing that and I can't stand wearing earbuds. I am not sure I would ever be able to fit them into my life because, when it comes right down to it, I am noisy and what to know what is going on around me.

>60 Familyhistorian: ooh good point ;) Paying attention to the drivers is paramount! (and sometimes I do have to rewind bc that was the priority and I lost the thread of the book)..

Sounds like audio books just aren't your thing - totally understandable! :)

If you *do* ever decide you want to try one, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for nonfiction and The Historian for fiction (historical-mystery-fantasy) are good ones to try :)

>61 avanders: Thanks for the tip, Ava. When I think about it audio books might come in handy when doing housework.

I'm not an audio book kind of person. I'm not even a e-reader kind of person. I like my books old fashioned, with pages and covers! ;-))

>63 connie53: That's how I like my reading too, Connie but I did ask for an e-reader for my 25 anniversary gift from work because there was really nothing else on offer that I could use. I will see how I like e-books, I guess.

>63 connie53: well, nothing beats an old fashioned book.... ;)

>63 connie53: >64 Familyhistorian: I didn't think I was an eReader type till I got one - now I have two! I *loved* it for War & Peace, because I didn't have that heart-sinking feeling when you can physically see you've only read 1 page and have 1749 still to go! It's also really handy for travelling. I also really appreciate it if I'm struggling to sleep, I can read it under the covers without disturbing anyone or needing to put on the light!

I'm still happy with either physical or electronic books, but I must admit if it's a book with photographs I would still aim for the full paper version. It doesn't matter how good your eReader is, photos always look better in colour on the actual page.

I'm with you Jackie...I love my Kindle, in fact I have another tablet that I installed Kindle on. I never thought in a million years I would forsake paper books. But...I love being able to just touch a button and you are at the place you need to be, no bookmarks, no losing your place. And now that I'm older I like the fact that you can make the font bigger in an E-book. I also, like you, like to read in bed and not have to turn lights out, etc. and I don't disturb anybody! AND...it's never "too dark" to read, even when the electricity is out!

>65 avanders: Books are the best but they get heavy when you are lugging them around in a suitcase.

>66 Jackie_K: My e-reader is due any day. I'll have to see if I take to it like you did, Jackie.

>67 Tess_W: Everybody talks about the Kindle but I am getting a Kobo (no choice because that was the option available). Is not having the right reader for the book you want an issue?

>68 Familyhistorian: so true! I agree w/ Jackie & Tess regarding use of eReader... I really love mine (Kindle Paperwhite) and love using it for traveling, gigando books, and late-night reading. But I definitely prefer real books still, all else being equal. Also, I read recently that people who switch exclusively (or largely) to kindles find it harder to read print text after a time. ... So I don't mind my paper-book indulgence ;)

>69 Familyhistorian: >70 Familyhistorian: so fun! Hope you enjoy! Kindle, Kobo, nook, whatever, I think they're all comparable :) I don't think it matters as far as the books themselves are concerned. I'm sure there are occasional formatting issues, but that's true w/ the kindle too. Once I'm in a book, I hardly notice...

>70 Familyhistorian: So far, there have been few books that I have not been able to get for the Kindle either through Amazon or Gutenburg...now there were some too expensive, but that's a different story. I won't pay $14.99 for a Kindle book when I can get the paperback for $2.

>70 Familyhistorian: I have a Kobo Glo ( with a light inside), Meg. And I really like it whenever I use it.
Sometimes I have an digital version and a paper-version of the same book. I use the Kobo on the road and the paper one when I'm home. That works for me.

>73 connie53: I have a Kobo Glo as well, I really like it. I decided not to go for a Kindle as I didn't want to be tied into only buying from amazon. My first eReader (which I still also use) was a Sony (which was eventually bought out by Kobo), I use that for Project Gutenberg (etc) freebies (I read War & Peace on the Sony). It doesn't have the light so I can't read at 2am like I can with the Glo, but I really like the feel of it - it feels closer to paper than the Kobo does.

>74 Jackie_K: Kindle is just my app, I actually read from a Samsung with my Kindle app.

>71 avanders: I don't think I need to worry about getting that dependent on an e-reader that I find it hard to read print - there are so many ROOTs here that could never happen!

>73 connie53: I think the Kobo I am supposed to get is also a Glo, Connie. I hope I find it as useful as you do.

>74 Jackie_K: I thought there was something about getting books for the readers, Jackie. Good to know that you have to buy from Amazon if you have a Kindle. Can you buy from Amazon if you have a Kobo?

>72 Tess_W: >75 Tess_W: So if you have a Samsung are there different reader apps that you can download and can you have more than one all on the reader at the same time?

>79 Familyhistorian: Yes, it is that way on most tablets. (except for Kindles--the tablet). I just chose Kindle because I like the app. But I can also d/l books from The Gutenburg Project and the local library, if I want. I'm sure there are other book apps, but I have over 400 books to read right now, so I don't need another book app! I, personally would not get a Kindle tablet, because it is too limited. Now, I don't 'know if the Kindle app will work on Kobo....but I see there are bunches of q's and a's on google about that very thing. Here is a list of all reading apps that can be used on an Android (non Kindle, Mac, etc.) http://www.androidauthority.com/best-ebook-ereader-apps-for-android-170696/

I have had both Samsung and Toshiba and Kindle tablets. . I prefer Samsung. I've kept my really old Kindle because it is non-back lit and I can read it in the sun!

>78 Familyhistorian: just to pipe in here briefly.. I have a kindle and, although I do get most of my books from Amazon, I definitely do not get all of my books from Amazon.. I can open pdfs and various other formats on my kindle w/ no issues. I get books from NetGalley in whatever form they send, and I also just get e-books from random places that I "email" to my kindle (there's an email address associated w/ it so you can email docs to yourself). So.... I think maybe it used to be limited to Amazon? But that maybe isn't any more? (maybe there are some sources that are incompatible.. I've just never had an issue...)

>80 Tess_W: I think I have a bit of a handle on it now, Tess. Thanks for the explanation and the link.

>81 avanders: I think the Kindle might have been more limited at one time, Ava. Because I remember hearing about that way back when e-readers were first becoming popular. They probably had to expand what they were compatible with to remain competitive.

>83 Familyhistorian: makes sense ;)

>84 avanders: I am sure that Amazon first thought they were going to corner the ebook market so that everyone would need a Kindle. As with all things electronic, many companies then came out with their own version.

59. Something in the Blood by Jean G Goodhind

Another mystery series and I actually started this one at the beginning. The introduction to the Honey Driver mysteries was a good one. I will have to hunt down more of these books.

>85 Familyhistorian: lol yeah, probably... ;)

>86 Familyhistorian: looks fun!

>87 avanders: It is a promising series, Ava.

60. The Vikings: A Very Short Introduction by Julian D. Richards

The Vikings: A Very Short Introduction was an informative and interesting book about these people. It delves into their history and their myth. It also looks at the latest discoveries about the Vikings, the latest archaeological finds as well as the results of the Scottish DNA study and the limitations of using DNA in this context.

>60 Familyhistorian: Meg, I think I get more BB's from you than anybody else. Just stop it!;)

>90 Tess_W: But then I would have to stop reading, Tess.

Yep, going to have to add the Vikings book to the TBR list :) I like the Very Short Introductions series in general, too.

>92 rabbitprincess: Oh my, it's a series. I'm 61 years of age, I don't know if I will ever have enough time left on this earth to read my own TBR's as well as those on my wish list!

>93 Tess_W: Fortunately, the Very Short Introductions are more of an imprint than a series, so it's easier to skip the ones that don't appeal. But it is true that they have a lot of interesting titles!

And yes, when is science going to make us immortal so that we can get through all of our TBRs? ;)

>93 Tess_W: I feel the same way, Tess, being 62 years of age. I'm certain that I don't have enough time left. And it doesn't get it any better, I keep buying new ones.

>92 rabbitprincess: I have a few Very Short Introductions on my shelves but I think this is the first one that I have read. I mainly pick up the ones that about the history of certain places at particular times.

>93 Tess_W: I know what you mean, Tess. My TBR keeps growing by leaps and bounds and there are so many great sounding books out there that are not on my shelves - yet.

>94 rabbitprincess: Hmm, immortality so we can get through all of our books. I wonder if there are any book reading scientists out there that are working on that?

>95 connie53: I probably don't have enough time left to read my whole TBR either but it will be fun trying!

>99 Familyhistorian: Of course we will have fun trying!

>100 connie53: I am checking on the fiction on my shelves and am finding a bunch that I didn't enter on LT. So more TBRs than I thought, even more fun.

>101 Familyhistorian: Oops! More fun is a good thing!

>99 Familyhistorian: maybe if we stopped new acquisitions altogether and focused on just reading, reading, reading and no RL anything..... ;P
But I also like having the choices. Like, maybe I'm not going to ever read all of the cozy mysteries that now grace my shelves (since I only seem to be in the mood for them during fall & around Christmas), but I like choosing which of the __ (75'ish?) I want to read next.... ;)

>103 avanders: That's a good argument! You need the luxury of choosing. So you have to have enough books to choose from.

>102 connie53: More fun but my shelves are very full now, Connie.

>103 avanders: Hm 75ish cozy mysteries, not sure if I have quite that many of those (depends on your definition of cozy mystery, I suppose.) I sure have enough of a lot of other stuff though. This is day 3 or 4 of getting everything logged in to LT.

>104 connie53: Well there is choice and having so many books that you can't make up your mind.

Here are my acquisitions for November. I hope that there are fewer than in October especially as I am going through my shelves and have found a lot of books that weren't entered on LT so the ROOTs numbers are a lot higher than I thought *sigh*.

A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber
Blood of the Celts: the New Ancestral Story by Jean Manco
Privy to the Dead by Sheila Connolly
Toshiko by Michael Kluckner
Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Pocket Guide to Tracing Your Family History by Dan Waddell
The Invisible History of the Human Race: How DNA and History Shape our Identities and our Futures by Christine Kenneally
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org by Dana McCullough
Liberty's Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World by Maya Jasanoff
The Idea of Liberty in Canada During the Age of Atlantic Revolutions, 1776-1838 by Michel Ducharme
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths
Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths
Croft and Creel: Harvesting the land and sea in West Highland Scotland by Linda Fitzpatrick
Scottish Country Recipes
Islay: ships, smoke and spirit barley, boats and barrels by Guthrie Hutton

>107 Familyhistorian: also true.. I feel ok w my set of choice options as of now ;)

>108 Familyhistorian: looks like a lot of interesting acquisitions! :)

>109 avanders: Thanks, Ava. Now to find somewhere to put them all.

Looks like a great haul@

>111 Tess_W: Thanks Tess, I hope that there will be less of a haul in December!

>112 Familyhistorian: Good luck with that, Meg. I'm trying not to buy any more books this year. Wish me luck!

>113 connie53: Actually I do a lot better in December, Connie. When I look at the shelves in the bookstore I remember that my SantaThing present will be coming. Maybe they will send me the book that I am looking at so I better not buy it as I don't want to have a duplicate.

>114 Familyhistorian: very good reason!

>115 connie53: Too bad it doesn't work for the rest of the year. I am currently rearranging my books and entering ones on LT that have been missed. I think I have added over 100 books since I started doing that over a week ago. I started on the fiction that lives upstairs but soon I have to rearrange the nonfiction that lives downstairs to see if I can find room for all the new acquisitions *sigh*.

>116 Familyhistorian: I know! My son is cleaning out his room (about time, he has been living together with his girlfriend for two years now and still some of his things are stored in his old room). Some time in the future (I hope weeks) this room will be empty and ready to be filled with bookcases! Yeah!! And then the GREAT rearranging will begin! Yeah! I love that idea.

>117 connie53: Adding room to arrange your books will be great, Connie. I know that I was so happy when I moved in to my townhouse 6 years ago and was able to set up the bookcases in my basement room. There are 7 large and 4 small bookcases for books and one large strange shaped one that holds all of my genealogy binders. The problem is that the books expand to fit the shelves until, even with all of this space, there is no room for more books.

>117 connie53: You don't need to tell me that, Meg. I know exactly what you mean. I have piles of books on top of the bookcases. And to tell you the truth, I don't like that at all. So I have saved some money for new ones and are (im)patiently waiting for the room to be cleared of boxes and a double bed.

>119 connie53: I hope that all the books fit in your new bookcases and you have plenty of room left over for expansion, Connie.

61. Wrecked by Carol Higgins Clark

My latest read in the Regan Reilly mystery series was Wrecked. It was a fun and light hearted read.

I might need one wall like this!



This is one of my bookwalls (containing 3 seperate bookcases), picture from March 2014, and the books on top are all in horizontal now so it will fit more books.

>122 connie53: Don't forget to leave plenty of room for expansion, Connie. I thought I lots of shelf space but now I am looking to see if I can do without some of my books so I can get them all in bookcases.

62. The Hellfire Papers by Derek Wilson

Now this book has been on my shelf for a long time because it has a price tag on it for a bookstore that closed down in 2000. The Hellfire Papers was an interesting mystery but not what I expected.

63. The Scots: A Genetic Journey by Alistair Moffat and James F. Wilson

I really love the newer history books that bring in a genetic component. Not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading The Scots: A Genetic Journey.

64. The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis

One more ROOT added to the total. The Diva Paints the Town was an okay cozy mystery. I still have several ROOTs on the go. Not sure how many more I will be able to finish before the end of the year.

I'm sure you can finish a few, Meg! We are ROOTing for you!

Thanks for the words of encouragement, Connie.

65. Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

My latest ROOT is in keeping with the season. Santa Cruise is a Regan Reilly mystery that takes place on the maiden voyage of a refurbished cruise ship. Santas and mysteries abound.

66. The Stream Runs Fast: My Own Story by Nellie McClung

The Stream Runs Fast is an autobiography of Nellie McClung, suffragette, feminist, author and parliamentarian.

>129 Familyhistorian: fun! :)

>131 avanders: And seasonal, too!

67. A Counterfeit Betrothal/The Notorious Rake

This latest ROOT was a double volume of Balogh’s earlier regency romances but it is only one book so it only counts as one ROOT.

It is safe now to log in my books for December because I am pretty sure I won't be going to a bookstore tomorrow. December saw a used book sale where the books were 6 for a dollar and also my SantaThing books. So that accounts for 11 books, not sure where the rest of them came from.

A Cotswold Killing by Rebecca Tope
Reporting the Revolutionary War by Todd Andrlik
Agatha Christie: The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery by Mathew Prichard
The Dead of Winter by Lisa Appignanesi
City of Bones by Micheal Connelly
From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell
Bloodline by Mark Billingham
Caught in the Light by Robert Goddard
The Limehouse Text by Will Thomas
Storm Surge: A Quin St. James and Mike McCleary Mystery by T.J. MacGregor
The Devil's Hook by Pearl R. Meaker
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
The Coffee Trader by David Liss
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
Come, Tell Me How You Live: An Archaeological Memoir by Agatha Christie Mallowan
The Florist's Daughter by Patricia Hampl
The Last Days of Richard III and the fate of his DNA by John Ashdown-Hill
A Short Guide to a Long Life by David B. Agus, MD
Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers Writers Editors Lecturers and Librarians by Elizabeth Shown Mills

Some great catches, Meg. I loved the books by Kate Morton and Deborah Harkness.

>134 Familyhistorian: heh heh... pretty sure.... ;)
Nice set of new books! I've read The Forgotten Garden - I think I liked it better than Secret Keeper... but I'll look forward to your thoughts! I also have Behind the Scenes at the Museum on my wish list... seemed a little different than the others.

And I also have A Discovery of Witches on the shelf... which is supposed to be so good! :)

>136 avanders: You are right about the Harkness book, Ava.

And Achter de schermen is in my TBR pile somewhere.

>137 connie53: fun if we all read Behind the Scenes at the Museum this year... :)

I think you mean next year, Ava! But I'm in!

Behind the Scenes at the Museum is brilliant. Looks like you got a good haul there!

>135 connie53: The Kate Morton is from my SantaThing. Good to hear that it is a good read.

>136 avanders: I read the blurbs on the backs of other Atkinson's books but they never really appealed. Behind the Scenes at the Museum sounds more like something I could enjoy. >138 avanders: I'm in if you want to read it in 2016. >140 Jackie_K: Sounds like we will all enjoy it.

>139 connie53: hee hee yeah ;)
>142 Familyhistorian: yeah that would be really cool! :)
Whenever you guys decide you want to get on that.....

>143 avanders: I put it on my to do list, Avanders. Now I just have to make sure that I don't bury that list with all of the other stuff going on at the start of the new year.

>144 Familyhistorian: lol I know... have to keep that to do list visible... ;)

>145 avanders: I don't know why but it keeps getting buried. Maybe I am trying to keep track of too many things at once?

Great haul! I also have City of Bones on my TBR pile!

>147 Tess_W: Ha, I had to go back to see which one was City of Bones because it was one of 7 books that I picked up in the genealogy sale so I didn't make special note of the titles.