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what I'm reading Wednesday is back in the groove
What I just finished
The Dark Enquiry, by Deanna Raybourn, which is the fifth (?) of her Lady Julia Grey novels, and which (at least to me) rejuvenated the series a bit. The whole series tends to rest on Julia wanting to investigate, Brisbane telling her it's too dangerous/she doesn't know what she's doing, and Julia going right ahead and doing it anyway. Throw in a bit about their non-professional relationship, a bit with Julia's extended family, and a vision-induced migraine or two (in Brisbane, which is a refreshing change from the standard trope of the female 'seer') and that's about it. It was beginning to drag, frankly, though I enjoy the two of them together enough to not care all that much. This had all that, but it was crisper and sharper. Julia found something she could do that Brisbane can't; he finally realized she investigates as much to keep him safe as to find the answer (and was rather charming in his shock that she should feel he needed protecting (with a nice underlying disbelief that he was worthy of being protected that fits very well with his character); they actually had conversations about things and listened to the other (shades of SPN!); and both their families played (enjoyable) roles. I liked meeting Brisbane's grandmother; and Julia's heretofore unknown illegitimate cousin and his profession are excellent additions to the future spin of the series. Of course, the next book she has coming out is a different series but I suppose I can wait a bit for more.
Barrayar, Lois McMasters Bujold -- I knew the general outcome of the book so I wasn't too worried about major characters, but I did spend a fair amount of time fretting about my favorites among the minor characters. Then again, once I finally put my mind to reading and got into the story, I whoooooshed through this in a day, so there wasn't all *that* much time spent in absolute terms (there was some substantial time in doctors' offices to kill recently.) I did, as everyone assured me, adore Cordelia, though I kindof missed Aral. Oldest promises to sort through the rest of the series and leave me them in order, so I'm guessing I'll be working through those during the spring.
What I'm reading now
A Little Folly, by Jude Morgan -- It was there on my reserve shelf when I went to collect the most recent batch of cookbooks from the library,** but I honestly can't remember where I found it. Still, Regency, and (god, I hate to say this), fairly Austen-esque, at least from the first few pages. (Definitely more Austen than Heyer and miles above your average Regency, even from the little I've read.)
Grave Mercy -- Okay, I might have to set this aside until I've got a dedicated amount of time, because I keep having to re-read to get the world-building. (This is entirely me, not the book; it's just a richly detailed world and my brain power is not up to it these days.)
What's Next
Also on my reserve shelf was The Madness Underneath, by Maureen Johnson. YA paranormal and the sequel to The Name of the Star, which did a great spin on Jack the Ripper (using the case in modern day.) I've heard excellent things about the sequel, with most people saying that while they liked the first book (as I did), it was like the pilot episode and now that the worldbuilding is taken care of, things really rocket along with the second book. I also probably should start knocking down some graphic novels/trades, as my stack over there is getting out of control again.
**I'm leaving the cookbooks out of the list this time, but noting them here: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home, which 'witch, The Lee Brother's Southern Cookbook (I may never crawl out of this one, especially given the good ol' boy I'm married to), Joy The Baker (back for a second round as I didn't get through it the first time I checked it out.)
The Dark Enquiry, by Deanna Raybourn, which is the fifth (?) of her Lady Julia Grey novels, and which (at least to me) rejuvenated the series a bit. The whole series tends to rest on Julia wanting to investigate, Brisbane telling her it's too dangerous/she doesn't know what she's doing, and Julia going right ahead and doing it anyway. Throw in a bit about their non-professional relationship, a bit with Julia's extended family, and a vision-induced migraine or two (in Brisbane, which is a refreshing change from the standard trope of the female 'seer') and that's about it. It was beginning to drag, frankly, though I enjoy the two of them together enough to not care all that much. This had all that, but it was crisper and sharper. Julia found something she could do that Brisbane can't; he finally realized she investigates as much to keep him safe as to find the answer (and was rather charming in his shock that she should feel he needed protecting (with a nice underlying disbelief that he was worthy of being protected that fits very well with his character); they actually had conversations about things and listened to the other (shades of SPN!); and both their families played (enjoyable) roles. I liked meeting Brisbane's grandmother; and Julia's heretofore unknown illegitimate cousin and his profession are excellent additions to the future spin of the series. Of course, the next book she has coming out is a different series but I suppose I can wait a bit for more.
Barrayar, Lois McMasters Bujold -- I knew the general outcome of the book so I wasn't too worried about major characters, but I did spend a fair amount of time fretting about my favorites among the minor characters. Then again, once I finally put my mind to reading and got into the story, I whoooooshed through this in a day, so there wasn't all *that* much time spent in absolute terms (there was some substantial time in doctors' offices to kill recently.) I did, as everyone assured me, adore Cordelia, though I kindof missed Aral. Oldest promises to sort through the rest of the series and leave me them in order, so I'm guessing I'll be working through those during the spring.
What I'm reading now
A Little Folly, by Jude Morgan -- It was there on my reserve shelf when I went to collect the most recent batch of cookbooks from the library,** but I honestly can't remember where I found it. Still, Regency, and (god, I hate to say this), fairly Austen-esque, at least from the first few pages. (Definitely more Austen than Heyer and miles above your average Regency, even from the little I've read.)
Grave Mercy -- Okay, I might have to set this aside until I've got a dedicated amount of time, because I keep having to re-read to get the world-building. (This is entirely me, not the book; it's just a richly detailed world and my brain power is not up to it these days.)
What's Next
Also on my reserve shelf was The Madness Underneath, by Maureen Johnson. YA paranormal and the sequel to The Name of the Star, which did a great spin on Jack the Ripper (using the case in modern day.) I've heard excellent things about the sequel, with most people saying that while they liked the first book (as I did), it was like the pilot episode and now that the worldbuilding is taken care of, things really rocket along with the second book. I also probably should start knocking down some graphic novels/trades, as my stack over there is getting out of control again.
**I'm leaving the cookbooks out of the list this time, but noting them here: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home, which 'witch, The Lee Brother's Southern Cookbook (I may never crawl out of this one, especially given the good ol' boy I'm married to), Joy The Baker (back for a second round as I didn't get through it the first time I checked it out.)
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What was the series Eldest turned you onto again? My short term memory sucks.
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The books T has been waving at me are Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books. I started with Shards of Honor and went right into Barryar. Enjoyed both tremendously. You'll love Aral.
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Loved the assassin nuns. Looking forward to book 2.
I know your predictions as to my favorites will be true. I'm kind of predictable in that way.
Shards of honor--got it. Will order from amazon when more awake.
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I've okayed Buffy for Anne and some other (many other) scary/haunting stuff b/c she LOVES it (and sharks too). She wants to watch SPN with me and I think we'll give it a try.
Robert who didn't like to read was reading at a high school level at the beginning of his 4th grade year. 2 tests proved it. Him reading an adult sports book to me proved it again. My football player is a stud in the classroom.
Yet girl child is a better reader and her science teacher doesn't want to lose her to pre-wed.
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Speaking of NG, she might like The Graveyard Book. It was really the first book C ever read and he loved it. We had the audio book, too, NG reads it himself and it is thoroughly awesome.
I kindof stopped reading GRRM after the 4th(?) book, just because omg, I have no patience with waiting and then I can't remember what happened and I have to re-read and just, no. I'll read them all when (if?) he finishes them. But we have a lot of fun with all the conspiracy theories out there. Are you into it enough that R+L=J makes sense to you? Because I am totally onboard with that idea, but it leads me to other, less well-supported thoughts, which are kind of soap-opera-ish, but then, what is that whole series but the best kind of soap? (also, I totally adore Arya and am waiting for her to kill everyone.)