Clue (Luanne) Reads On in 2023
Discussão2023 ROOT CHALLENGE
Entre no LibraryThing para poder publicar.
1clue
I just went to my ticker and discovered there was no ticker, I haven't set up a thread yet! So here I am. I have lots of ROOTS I look forward to getting to but I'm not going to try to prioritize them, I'll just choose a title when I'm ready for one. I consider anything on my shelf or Kindle a ROOT. The ROOT Challenge helps me cut back on library books when I have so many books at home. I'll have a goal of 40, as I did last year, although I read 52.
7clue
JANUARY
1. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny 4*
Although I have some dissatisfaction with Penny's writing, after reading 18 in the Gamache series I still find them good entertainment.
1. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny 4*
Although I have some dissatisfaction with Penny's writing, after reading 18 in the Gamache series I still find them good entertainment.
8MissWatson
Happy ROOTing, Luanne!
12connie53
>11 rosalita: Not to me, Julia.
14clue
2. Night Gardening by E. L. Swann 3.5*
After her husband's death, Maggie suffered a major stroke from which she is still recovering. A talented gardener, she sits on her porch and laments the poor condition her once beautiful garden has fallen into, and the fact that she has neither the health or finances to restore it.
The large house next door has new owners and Maggie begins to occupy herself by watching work in their garden by peeking through holes in the wall between them. She delights in the unusual choice of plants and the amazing feats of heavy equipment. It's not long before she also delights in watching Tristan Mallory, the landscape architect making it happen.
After a through the wall meeting takes place, Tristan is delighted to learn Maggie calls plants by their Latin names. Ten years younger than Maggie and divorced, a friendship develops between them and Tristan begins to work at night restoring Maggie's garden.
After her husband's death, Maggie suffered a major stroke from which she is still recovering. A talented gardener, she sits on her porch and laments the poor condition her once beautiful garden has fallen into, and the fact that she has neither the health or finances to restore it.
The large house next door has new owners and Maggie begins to occupy herself by watching work in their garden by peeking through holes in the wall between them. She delights in the unusual choice of plants and the amazing feats of heavy equipment. It's not long before she also delights in watching Tristan Mallory, the landscape architect making it happen.
After a through the wall meeting takes place, Tristan is delighted to learn Maggie calls plants by their Latin names. Ten years younger than Maggie and divorced, a friendship develops between them and Tristan begins to work at night restoring Maggie's garden.
15clue
3. The Cat Who Sang for the Birds - Lilian Braun
This month's Cat read is the 20th in the series. The title refers to one of the two cats belonging to the protagonist who seemingy likes to sit in the screened in gazebo and attempt to "sing" back to the birds. The mystery this time revolves around fraud by someone in local politics and the death by fire of the oldest woman in town.
I'll just have one more for this month, Oil and Marble by Stephanie Storey. Soon to be finished!
This month's Cat read is the 20th in the series. The title refers to one of the two cats belonging to the protagonist who seemingy likes to sit in the screened in gazebo and attempt to "sing" back to the birds. The mystery this time revolves around fraud by someone in local politics and the death by fire of the oldest woman in town.
I'll just have one more for this month, Oil and Marble by Stephanie Storey. Soon to be finished!
17clue
>16 connie53: Yes, their relationship did transition to a romance. Maggie's character was done well, but I thought Tristan's was too shallow. Overall though I liked it.
18clue
4. Oil and Marble by Stephane Storey 4*
This is a novel about the great artists Leonardo and Michelangelo. The author tells her story using historical sources when they are available, and using her own imagination when they are not. The relationship between the artists, which isn't known, is the base of the story.
The period covered is 1501-1505 when both artists were living in Florence. During those years Leonardo created one of the world's greatest paintings, Mona Lisa, and Michelangelo created David, one of the world's greatest sculptures.
This is a novel about the great artists Leonardo and Michelangelo. The author tells her story using historical sources when they are available, and using her own imagination when they are not. The relationship between the artists, which isn't known, is the base of the story.
The period covered is 1501-1505 when both artists were living in Florence. During those years Leonardo created one of the world's greatest paintings, Mona Lisa, and Michelangelo created David, one of the world's greatest sculptures.
19clue
FEBRARY
5. Table Two by Marjorie Wilenski 4*
Table Two resides in the ministry of Foreign Intelligence in London as WWII begins. For a group of translators, all women, the table is their workplace. Most are mature women with years of work experience, but the youngest, Anne, has just come to London, determined to make her way after her family's wealth is lost. The reader observes the daily interaction of the translators and also follows Anne and a few others into their private lives.
6. The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel 4*
Christopher Knight left the home where he grew up, got into his old car and drove to woods where he would live unknown for 27 years. It's a true and incredible story. He lived by his wits which included breaking into vacation homes, finding food and "parts" to make various types of "equipment" for his tent, he took nothing with him. Staying alive, not speaking to anyone, but living through two decades of Maine winters would have previously seemed not just unlikely but impossible.
7. Big Russ and Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life by Tim Russert 4.5*
This book was published two years before the authors death in 2004. At the time Russert was one of the most respected people working in television journalism. In this memoir he returns to his childhoold in Buffalo, New York in the 1950s and recalls life with his father, Big Russ. He tells how his dad worked two jobs for 30 years with no complaint (one of those jobs being sanitation work), and how he taught his son respect, loyalty, and responsibility. It' a beautiful tribute to a common, hardworking man.
8. What a Picture's Worth by Susan Page Davis 3.5*
This is a novel in the cozy mystery series called Creative Women and the books are written by different authors. Shannon owns a craft store and rents rooms to artists on the second floor. When one of the artists is killed, Shannon involves herself in the investigation. I think I bought this for my sister for Christmas and lost it in my own shelves! When I ran across it in January she enjoyed it a lot and asked me to read it too. Her birthday is in a few weeks and I've bought her another one in the series that revolves around quilts. I'm keeping it in my closet, not in my bookshelves!
5. Table Two by Marjorie Wilenski 4*
Table Two resides in the ministry of Foreign Intelligence in London as WWII begins. For a group of translators, all women, the table is their workplace. Most are mature women with years of work experience, but the youngest, Anne, has just come to London, determined to make her way after her family's wealth is lost. The reader observes the daily interaction of the translators and also follows Anne and a few others into their private lives.
6. The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel 4*
Christopher Knight left the home where he grew up, got into his old car and drove to woods where he would live unknown for 27 years. It's a true and incredible story. He lived by his wits which included breaking into vacation homes, finding food and "parts" to make various types of "equipment" for his tent, he took nothing with him. Staying alive, not speaking to anyone, but living through two decades of Maine winters would have previously seemed not just unlikely but impossible.
7. Big Russ and Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life by Tim Russert 4.5*
This book was published two years before the authors death in 2004. At the time Russert was one of the most respected people working in television journalism. In this memoir he returns to his childhoold in Buffalo, New York in the 1950s and recalls life with his father, Big Russ. He tells how his dad worked two jobs for 30 years with no complaint (one of those jobs being sanitation work), and how he taught his son respect, loyalty, and responsibility. It' a beautiful tribute to a common, hardworking man.
8. What a Picture's Worth by Susan Page Davis 3.5*
This is a novel in the cozy mystery series called Creative Women and the books are written by different authors. Shannon owns a craft store and rents rooms to artists on the second floor. When one of the artists is killed, Shannon involves herself in the investigation. I think I bought this for my sister for Christmas and lost it in my own shelves! When I ran across it in January she enjoyed it a lot and asked me to read it too. Her birthday is in a few weeks and I've bought her another one in the series that revolves around quilts. I'm keeping it in my closet, not in my bookshelves!
20clue
MARCH
9. The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge
Mary Lindsay had been a city dweller (London) all of her life. At fifty she was very surprised to learn she had inherited a home in a small town from her father's cousin.
The book revolves around Mary's life in the village and her influence on the people who live there. Many of the same issues people and families deal with today are part of the lives of the villagers. Goudge's father was a theologian (Anglican) and there is a gentle spiritual element woven through the book.
10. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell 4.5*
So much has been written about this I'll only say the writing is beautiful and it's the first book I've read that focused on Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife.
11. The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli 4.0*
Morelli is an American art historian with a PhD from Harvard where she also taught for 10 years. The novel is essentially the narrative of the life of a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Although it was the Duke of Milan who had this painting of his mistress done, through the centuries it has been in numerous hands. During WWII it was in the hands of the Nazi's and also in the hands of the Monuments Men.
12. The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lillian Jackson Braun. 3.5*
An estate jeweler who visits Pickax periodically comes to town and as usual spends a good part of his time flirting with and complementing wealthy women. When he is found in his room dead Quill, a former investigative journalist transplanted from Chicago, can't just stand by.
9. The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge
Mary Lindsay had been a city dweller (London) all of her life. At fifty she was very surprised to learn she had inherited a home in a small town from her father's cousin.
The book revolves around Mary's life in the village and her influence on the people who live there. Many of the same issues people and families deal with today are part of the lives of the villagers. Goudge's father was a theologian (Anglican) and there is a gentle spiritual element woven through the book.
10. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell 4.5*
So much has been written about this I'll only say the writing is beautiful and it's the first book I've read that focused on Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife.
11. The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli 4.0*
Morelli is an American art historian with a PhD from Harvard where she also taught for 10 years. The novel is essentially the narrative of the life of a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Although it was the Duke of Milan who had this painting of his mistress done, through the centuries it has been in numerous hands. During WWII it was in the hands of the Nazi's and also in the hands of the Monuments Men.
12. The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lillian Jackson Braun. 3.5*
An estate jeweler who visits Pickax periodically comes to town and as usual spends a good part of his time flirting with and complementing wealthy women. When he is found in his room dead Quill, a former investigative journalist transplanted from Chicago, can't just stand by.
21clue
First Quarter Summary
Goal for the Year: 40
Goal per month: 4 so that the goal will be met in October
This Quarter: 12 completed, on goal.
Fiction: 10
Nonfiction: 2 (both biographies)
Ratings: based only on how much I liked them:
4.5* - 2
4* - 5
3.5* - 5
Goal for the Year: 40
Goal per month: 4 so that the goal will be met in October
This Quarter: 12 completed, on goal.
Fiction: 10
Nonfiction: 2 (both biographies)
Ratings: based only on how much I liked them:
4.5* - 2
4* - 5
3.5* - 5
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APRIL
13. Message from Abasolam by Anne Armstrong Thompson 3.5*
Originally printed in 1975 but reprinted in 2017, this is a romantic suspense, a very popular genre during the seventies. Susannah, formerly with the CIA, is traveling with a tour group in Bulgaria when she recognizes a former collegue dressed as a workman. He comes to her hotel later that night and asks for her help...
14. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave 3.5*
Owen and Hannah have been married a year. His 16 year old daughter from a previous marriage lives with them. When Owen becomes unusally stressed and distant he tells Hannah there are problems with the new software development at work. Then he doesn't come home one night, or the next...
15. The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly 4.0*
Takes place over three timelines: 1907, 1944 and the current day. In the first, a well known professional female garden designer comes to a large estate to estblish a massive garden. In the second, a young Land Girl comes to work on a farm next to the estate. One of her chores is to deliver vegetables to the estate where a hospital for soldiers has been established.
In the last, a landscaper has been hired to restablish the original garden which no longer exists.
Not a perfect book, but I really enjoyed the gardening focus and following the women through their work there.
13. Message from Abasolam by Anne Armstrong Thompson 3.5*
Originally printed in 1975 but reprinted in 2017, this is a romantic suspense, a very popular genre during the seventies. Susannah, formerly with the CIA, is traveling with a tour group in Bulgaria when she recognizes a former collegue dressed as a workman. He comes to her hotel later that night and asks for her help...
14. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave 3.5*
Owen and Hannah have been married a year. His 16 year old daughter from a previous marriage lives with them. When Owen becomes unusally stressed and distant he tells Hannah there are problems with the new software development at work. Then he doesn't come home one night, or the next...
15. The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly 4.0*
Takes place over three timelines: 1907, 1944 and the current day. In the first, a well known professional female garden designer comes to a large estate to estblish a massive garden. In the second, a young Land Girl comes to work on a farm next to the estate. One of her chores is to deliver vegetables to the estate where a hospital for soldiers has been established.
In the last, a landscaper has been hired to restablish the original garden which no longer exists.
Not a perfect book, but I really enjoyed the gardening focus and following the women through their work there.
23connie53
Hi Luanne, finally getting to your thread. I'm trying to catch up with everyone, again ;-)
You have read some great books. The links of book 5 and 6 lead to other books than you ment too. Maybe you should look into that.
How is everything going? I hope all is well with you and yours!
You have read some great books. The links of book 5 and 6 lead to other books than you ment too. Maybe you should look into that.
How is everything going? I hope all is well with you and yours!
24PhoebeKrichauff 
Este utilizador foi removido como sendo spam.
25clue
MAY
16. A Suitable Vengence by Elizabeth George
I didn't know this was a prequel and was so confused I checked out reviews to see what others thought. That's how I found out it was a prequel, and when I got to half of the book I scanned the rest. I don't generally like or read prequels and I didn't like this one for sure.
17. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice 3.5*
A short post-apocalypic novel that takes place in Canada. The setting is in a small Annishinaabe community where people are used to living close to the land.
18. Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J. Farmer 3.0*
Through his work, a policeman becomes acquainted with a man who deals in collectible books. When he is murdered and a valuable book stolen from his collection, the policeman becomes involved in the investigation.
19. For the Sake of Elena by Elizabeth George 3.5*
A student at Cambridge is killed while running alone early one morning in a wooded area. Lynley comes to investigate and identifies several suspects including the student's stepmother.
20. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemmelman 3.5*
Originally published in 1964, I read this several decades ago! When a young woman is murdered and her body dumped over the wall surrounding the Synagogue in the wee hours, and the Rabbi's car was seen in the parking lot at that late hour, and the woman's purse is in the car...guess who becomes a suspect. Still good after all these years!
16. A Suitable Vengence by Elizabeth George
I didn't know this was a prequel and was so confused I checked out reviews to see what others thought. That's how I found out it was a prequel, and when I got to half of the book I scanned the rest. I don't generally like or read prequels and I didn't like this one for sure.
17. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice 3.5*
A short post-apocalypic novel that takes place in Canada. The setting is in a small Annishinaabe community where people are used to living close to the land.
18. Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J. Farmer 3.0*
Through his work, a policeman becomes acquainted with a man who deals in collectible books. When he is murdered and a valuable book stolen from his collection, the policeman becomes involved in the investigation.
19. For the Sake of Elena by Elizabeth George 3.5*
A student at Cambridge is killed while running alone early one morning in a wooded area. Lynley comes to investigate and identifies several suspects including the student's stepmother.
20. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemmelman 3.5*
Originally published in 1964, I read this several decades ago! When a young woman is murdered and her body dumped over the wall surrounding the Synagogue in the wee hours, and the Rabbi's car was seen in the parking lot at that late hour, and the woman's purse is in the car...guess who becomes a suspect. Still good after all these years!
26clue
21. The Cat Who Brought Down the House by Lilian Jackson Braun 3.0*
After a member of an old Pickax family comes back to retire, she has lots of plans and money for improviing Pickax. Her brother died from a fall from a cliff just a year or two in the past but his son still lives nearby. After getting acquainted with the nephew, Qwilleran begins to have doubts the fall was accidental and that his aunt is safe.
After a member of an old Pickax family comes back to retire, she has lots of plans and money for improviing Pickax. Her brother died from a fall from a cliff just a year or two in the past but his son still lives nearby. After getting acquainted with the nephew, Qwilleran begins to have doubts the fall was accidental and that his aunt is safe.
27clue
JUNE
22. The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennet
23. Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry by Harry Kemelman
24. The Year I Stopped to Notice by Miranda Keeling
June was not a good reading month for me. I've been in a bit of a slump and was very busy too. Still, I'm on track for the year because the monthly goal is 4 and I was one over last month and it offset the one short for this month. I hope I'm in a better reading mood in July.
22. The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennet
23. Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry by Harry Kemelman
24. The Year I Stopped to Notice by Miranda Keeling
June was not a good reading month for me. I've been in a bit of a slump and was very busy too. Still, I'm on track for the year because the monthly goal is 4 and I was one over last month and it offset the one short for this month. I hope I'm in a better reading mood in July.
28clue
Second Quarter Summary
Goal for the Year: 40
Goal per month: 4
This Quarter: 12 completed, Total for the Year: 24
Fiction: 11
Nonfiction: 1
Ratings: based only on how much I liked them:
3.0* 2
3.5* 7
4.0* 2
No Rating 1
If our weather continues to be as hot as it is now, my reading may pick up!
Goal for the Year: 40
Goal per month: 4
This Quarter: 12 completed, Total for the Year: 24
Fiction: 11
Nonfiction: 1
Ratings: based only on how much I liked them:
3.0* 2
3.5* 7
4.0* 2
No Rating 1
If our weather continues to be as hot as it is now, my reading may pick up!
29clue
JULY
25. The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell 3.5*
This is a family story that begins just before Chamberlain announces England is at war with Germany. Nellie Castle owns a small cafe where she and some of her six adult or almost adult children work. Because they live in Dover, just across the Channel from France, they experience almost daily bombings during the war. Nellie's 26 year old daughter who is the popular cook at the cafe is about to have a lie from her past become public and it could ruin her relationship with her mother and her son.
26. Espionage: A Concise History by Kristie Macrakis 4*
Begins with spies in antiquity and moves through history to today.
Though I'm behind my goal I've got a ROOT going that I should finish tomorrow and several small books I can read if needed to get on track. I also need to wave at the library as I go by next month instead of going in!
25. The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell 3.5*
This is a family story that begins just before Chamberlain announces England is at war with Germany. Nellie Castle owns a small cafe where she and some of her six adult or almost adult children work. Because they live in Dover, just across the Channel from France, they experience almost daily bombings during the war. Nellie's 26 year old daughter who is the popular cook at the cafe is about to have a lie from her past become public and it could ruin her relationship with her mother and her son.
26. Espionage: A Concise History by Kristie Macrakis 4*
Begins with spies in antiquity and moves through history to today.
Though I'm behind my goal I've got a ROOT going that I should finish tomorrow and several small books I can read if needed to get on track. I also need to wave at the library as I go by next month instead of going in!
30connie53
Hi Luanne, just popping in the see what you have been reading since my last visit. You are doing fine with those ROOTs.
31clue
>30 connie53: Thanks for stopping by Connie! I'm doing okay though I read more library books this month than intended. Still, I'll be at goal before year end. I think!
