Dorothy Must Die Stories Vol. 2 by Danielle Paige

Title: Dorothy Must DieStories Vol. 2 (Dorothy Must Die #0.4-0.6)

Author: Danielle Page

Publisher: HarperCollins 2016

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Fairytale Retellings

Follow Dorothy’s iconic companions from the beloved classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as each of their gifts becomes key to the downfall of Oz. After Dorothy Gale wished her way home and long before Amy Gumm found herself in Oz, Dorothy’s friends left the Road of Yellow Brick to go their separate ways. But in a place like Oz, where magic and temptation lurk, the gifts from the Wizard begin to take on a life of their own. The Tin Woodman becomes twisted with longing. The Scarecrow develops a taste for plotting. And doubt consumes the Cowardly Lion.

Another three prequels from the Dorothy Must Die series. This time, we focus on Dorothy's companions: the Tinman, the Scarecrow, and the Lion.

"Heart of Tin" -- My least favorite of the three stories. I'm really not a fan of Tin at all. His "love" for Dorothy is weird and creepy. Of the three companions, I see him as the weakest. This story filled in some of the gaps, but it wasn't great mostly because of the main character.

"The Straw King" -- Very interesting story. I loved the political maneuvering between Glinda and Scare. Their relationship is one of the more interesting ones in the series. I hope we get even more back and forth between them in the next book.

"Ruler of Beasts" -- I didn't think I would enjoy this series based off of the Lion in Dorothy Must Die, but I loved it. We get to see the Lion's eventual fall, but more importantly, we get to see what happened to Ozma before Dorothy came back. And we get to meet the Nome King which was oh so much fun! Finally, the question of how Dorothy was brought back is answered.

Can't wait to see where this series goes! But first, I need to finish the last three prequel stories.

Dorothy Must Die

#0.1 No Place Like Oz
#0.2 The Witch Must Burn
#0.3 The Wizard Returns
#0.4 Heart of Tin
#0.5 The Straw King
#0.6 Ruler of Beasts
#0.7 Order of the Wicked
#0.8 Dark Side of the Rainbow
#0.9 The Queen of Oz
#1 Dorothy Must Die
#2 The Wicked Will Rise
#3 Yellow Brick War
#4 The End of Oz

Next up on the TBR pile:

Secrets of the Heart by Candace Camp

Title: Secrets of the Heart (Agincourt #3)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Harlequin 2005

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

On the eve of her wedding to Michael Trent, the Earl of Westhampton, Rachel Aincourt tried to elope with another man—only to be unceremoniously returned to her fiancé by her strong-willed father. Burdened by guilt and shame, Rachel felt she'd gotten what she deserved: a loveless marriage to a cold, enigmatic husband. She was wrong.

Behind Michael's proper demeanor lay a man who thrived on danger and intrigue—and now he'd been drawn into one of Bow Street's toughest cases. When the crime turned into a murder that involved Rachel, Michael found a new way to employ his mastery of disguise: seducing the wife he secretly loved. But would he finally be able to win her heart…or would he destroy his last chance for happiness?

So I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but I think this one was my favorite. I loved the characters of Rachel and Michael. We got a few glimpses of their story in the first two books, but I'm so glad we got to hear it all in this book. The characters were great. The romance was spot on. And even the slightly wild and unbelievable mystery didn't distract from my enjoyment. Definitely a great wrap up to the trilogy.

Aincourt

#1 So Wild a Heart
#2 The Hidden Heart
#3 Secrets of the Heart

Next up on the TBR pile:

Roman Holiday by Jodi Taylor

Title: Roman Holiday (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3.5)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2014

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 36

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Another rollicking short story from the Chronicles of St Mary's. Question: What sort of idiot installs his mistress in his wife's house? Especially when that mistress is Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, Queen of Egypt and the most notorious woman of her time? Answer: Julius Caesar - poised to become King of Rome. Or as good as. Question: At this potentially sensitive point in your political manoeuvrings, who are the last people you'd want crashing through the door, observing, recording, documenting ...? I think we all know the answer to that one. Roman Holiday - an epic, stand alone tale set in Ancient Rome, 44 BC, featuring, in no particular order: an attempted murder, stampeding bullocks, Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, a bowl of poisonous snakes, a smallish riot, Julius Caesar, and Mr Markham's wayward bosoms.

I love these crazy adventures of the historians from St. Mary's. This was a super short story, but I loved the descriptions of the characters both historical and fictional. Such a fun little read. Can't wait to read the next one...

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dorothy Must Die Stories Vol. 1 by Danielle Paige

Title: Dorothy Must DieStories Vol. 1 (Dorothy Must Die #0.1-0.3)

Author: Danielle Page

Publisher: Full Fathom Five 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 377

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fairytale Retellings; New to Me

These three prequel novellas to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series follow the iconic characters from the beloved classic The Wizard of Oz as their lives intertwine to bring about the downfall of Oz. Dorothy begins a journey down a darker path. Glinda the Good Witch may not be so Good. And the Wizard realizes that Oz is his destiny. Kiss the land where troubles melt like lemon drops goodbye. Here there's danger around every corner and magical shoes won't be able to save you.

"No Place Like Oz" -- Oh so good! I loved this story detailing how Dorothy came back to Oz and became the Dorothy we know in Dorothy Must Die. I loved the reappearance of so many characters. And the explanation of the switch from silver slippers to ruby slippers is perfect.

"The Witch Must Burn" -- My least favorite of the three stories. Glinda is such an odd character. Even evil I'm not a fan of her at all. The story felt a bit convoluted and I just couldn't get behind it.

"The Wizard Returns" -- Much better than Glinda's story. I loved seeing the Wizard change from the Wizard we knew to a man without his memory to something different and a bit unknown. Can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the series.

Dorothy Must Die

#0.1 No Place Like Oz
#0.2 The Witch Must Burn
#0.3 The Wizard Returns
#0.4 Heart of Tin
#0.5 The Straw King
#0.6 Ruler of Beasts
#0.7 Order of the Wicked
#0.8 Dark Side of the Rainbow
#0.9 The Queen of Oz
#1 Dorothy Must Die
#2 The Wicked Will Rise
#3 Yellow Brick War
#4 The End of Oz

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Title: Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1)

Author: Danielle Page

Publisher: Full Fathom Five 2014

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 452

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (YA Retellings); Popsguar - Character's Name in Title; Fairytale Retellings (I'm counting Wizard of Oz as a more modern fairytale)

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas. I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. I've been trained to fight. And I have a mission: Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage. And—Dorothy must die.

Such a fun retelling of one of my favorite childhood stories. I loved the twists on each character while keeping true to Baum's original story. The Lion is truly terrifying. And we get elements of the rest of the original Oz stories with Ozma, the witches, etc. I sped through this book in only two days. I had to see where it ended, or should I say, where it left me hanging. Of course this is just the first book in the series. Thank goodness I have the rest of the series out from the library just waiting for me to die in.

Dorothy Must Die

#0.1 No Place Like Oz
#0.2 The Witch Must Burn
#0.3 The Wizard Returns
#0.4 Heart of Tin
#0.5 The Straw King
#0.6 Ruler of Beasts
#0.7 Order of the Wicked
#0.8 Dark Side of the Rainbow
#0.9 The Queen of Oz
#1 Dorothy Must Die
#2 The Wicked Will Rise
#3 Yellow Brick War
#4 The End of Oz

dc049a522d84b84f_PS16_JP_Living_2017ReadingChallenge_List_R2-259x1024.jpg

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto

Title: The Island at the Center of the World

Author: Russell Shorto

Publisher: Doubleday 2004

Genre: U.S. History

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual .(Nonfiction Adventure); Mount TBR; Popsugar - Bought on a Trip

The Dutch colony pre-dated the “original” thirteen colonies, yet it seems strikingly familiar. Its capital was cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic, and its citizens valued free trade, individual rights, and religious freedom. Their champion was a progressive, young lawyer named Adriaen van der Donck, who emerges in these pages as a forgotten American patriot and whose political vision brought him into conflict with Peter Stuyvesant, the autocratic director of the Dutch colony. The struggle between these two strong-willed men laid the foundation for New York City and helped shape American culture. The Island at the Center of the World uncovers a lost world and offers a surprising new perspective on our own.

I do love my history books and this one was amazing! Being a former history teacher, I have a basic understanding of the Dutch colony in the New World, but that understanding had a lot of holes and questions. This book gave me so much more knowledge. I was amazed at the complexity of the Dutch situation stuck between multiple English colonies, various native groups, and even the Swedish. I loved hearing the narratives of prominent players of the time. Adriaen van der Donck was my favorite. I had never heard of the man prior to reading this book, but he was so incredibly important to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. Shorto does an amazing job of brining the people and places to life. He excels at tracing the settling of the region through growth and turmoil to the surrendering of the colony to the English. His argument that the culture of New York City owes itself to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam is compelling. Due to crazy home life, this book took me two weeks to read but it wasn't for lack of interest. If I could, I would have read it in one day.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Hidden Heart by Candace Camp

Title: The Hidden Heart (Agincourt #2)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Mira 2002

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 410

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

With his life in ruins, Richard, Duke of Cleybourne, returned to his country estate to deal with the tragic loss he had suffered four years earlier. His plans, however, were interrupted by the arrival of Miss Jessica Maitland. The feisty, flame-haired governess had come to present her charge, Gabriella, as his new ward.

As if their unwelcome presence weren't bad enough, Jessica also revealed that Gabriella was in danger. Someone was after the girl's fortune— perhaps someone the duke knew only too well.

Another fun fluffy romance after a much darker pick. I enjoyed continuing the story of the Aincourt family with a story focused on Richard, Caroline's widower. Like most historical romances, the ending wrapped up a bit too quick, but I did enjoy the storyline and characters.

Aincourt

#1 So Wild a Heart
#2 The Hidden Heart
#3 Secrets of the Heart

Next up on the TBR pile:

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman

Title: Anno Dracula

Author: Kim Newman

Publisher: Titan Books 2011

Genre: Horror

Pages: 495

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsugar - Nonhuman Perspective (Vampires count!); New to Me

It is 1888 and Queen Victoria has remarried, taking as her new consort Vlad Tepes, the Wallachian Prince infamously known as Count Dracula. Peppered with familiar characters from Victorian history and fiction, the novel follows vampire Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard of the Diogenes Club as they strive to solve the mystery of the Ripper murders.

So this book took me over two weeks to finish. Not because it was bad, but because I didn't have time to sit down and actually read. In fact, I kept want to curl up and immerse myself in this alternate history where Dracula is real and rules England. I just didn't have time. I love love loved this book. The world is so rich and vibrant. London becomes a character with the various neighborhoods and the fog. I loved the characters, especially Genevieve. I immediately connected to her as person. Loved her outlook and involvement in the storyline. And it was nice to see so many literary characters represented. Such a great story. After picking this up on a whim while in San Francisco, maybe I need to seek out others in the series.

Anno Dracula

#1 Anno Dracula
#2 The Bloody Red Baron
#3 Judgement of Tears
#4 Andy Warhol's Dracula
#5 Johnny Alucard

Next up on the TBR pile:

Step Aside, Pops by Kate Beaton

Title: Step Aside, Pops

Author: Kate Beaton

Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly 2015

Genre: Graphic novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Ida B. Wells, the Black Prince, and Benito Juárez burst off the pages of Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection, armed with modern-sounding quips and amusingly on-point repartee. Kate Beaton's second D+Q book brings her hysterically funny gaze to bear on these and even more historical, literary, and contemporary figures. Irreverently funny and carefully researched, no target is safe from Beaton's incisive wit in these satirical strips.

As with the first volume of comics, I really love the historical pieces. My favorite was the couple comics about Chopin and Liszt. Too funny! Overall, I think Beaton's offbeat humor is perfect. I'm such a huge fan. Great collection!

Next up on the TBR pile:

You're Doing a Great Job by Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn

Title: You're Doing a Great Job! 100 Ways You're Winning at Parenting

Author: Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn

Publisher: Countryman Press 2017

Genre: Humor, Parenting

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Stop feeling like sh*t for being a mom—laugh-out-loud affirmations for every parent

Guess what? This “parenting book” is not designed to make new parents feel bad. Authors and co-hosts of the popular comedy podcast One Bad Mother, Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn, know firsthand that raising kids is tough. They also know that, most likely, parents are winning more than they’re failing. This book reminds parents that it’s okay to have a low bar. Celebrate what did happen, not what didn’t,

Love love love this one so much! I'm a huge fan and follower of the One Bad Mother podcast of which Biz and Theresa are the hosts. I love how the podcast is all about reaffirming just how awesome we are doing at parenting and at the same time acknowledging how hard it is. The book is a continuation of that philosophy with 100 pages of winning at parenting. So many of these had me shaking my head in agreement. A few even had me tearing up with emotion. This book would be an awesome gift for a new parent or even an experienced one. As an OBM, I had to have it on my shelf. And I had to read it quick! I'm seeing Biz and Theresa record a show live in San Francisco tomorrow night! I can't wait!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Mostly Void, Partially Stars by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Title: Mostly Void, Partially Stars: Welcome to Night Vale Episodes Volume 1

Author: Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Publisher: Harper Perennial 2016

Genre: Horror

Pages: 282

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries

From the authors of the New York Times bestselling novel Welcome to Night Vale and the creators of the #1 international podcast of the same name, comes a collection of episodes from Season One of their hit podcast, featuring an introduction by the authors, behind-the-scenes commentary, and original illustrations.

Full disclosure: I've heard of Welcome to Night Vale and yet I've never listened to the podcast. I picked this volume up at the library just because the cover interested me. I definitely enjoyed diving into the world of Night Vale and the mysteries surrounding the town and its cast of characters. I loved the behind the scenes sections almost as much as the actual stories. It was great to hear about how the show actually came to be.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lady Killer by Joelle Jones and Jamie S. Rich

Title: Lady Killer

Author: Joelle Jones and Jamie S. Rich

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics 2015

Genre: Comics

Pages: 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Josie Schuller is a picture-perfect homemaker, wife, and mother-but she's also a ruthless, efficient killer! She's balanced cheerful domestic bliss with coldly performed assassinations, but when Josie finds herself in the crosshairs, her American Dream life is in danger! Collects issues #1-#5.

Random pick from the library and boy was it an enjoyable read. I love the play on the perfect 1950s housewife and what hides underneath. Josie is a great character! And I love the couple appearances from her twin girls. Lots of fun! When it comes to her day (and night) job, I loved the assassin plot lines. Beyond the story, the book is beautifully drawn. The costumes are amazing! Lots of fun reading this one last night before bed.

Next up on the TBR pile!

The Walking Dead Volume 25

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 25: No Turning Back; Volume 26: Call to Arms

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136; 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After a devastating act of war by the Whisperers, Rick must chart a path for his community. But when his leadership is questioned, how will he respond? Collects THE WALKING DEAD 145-150

After being betrayed by members of his own community, Rick Grimes charts a new course and marshals his forces against the Whisperers. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #151-156.

I grabbed Volume 26 from the library and then realized that I hadn't read Volume 25. Silly me! Back to the library I went! Once I picked up 25, I was set for a morning reading about the misfortunes of our cast of characters. While I still enjoy the series and will keep reading, I'm starting to think that the storylines are just going in circles. Kinda wish something new happens in the storyline. I did enjoy the big surprise at the end of Volume 26, but it took a little too long getting there...

Next up on the TBR pile!

East of West Vol. 5-6

Title: East of West Volume 5: All These Secrets, Volume 6

Author: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Comics

Pages: 152; 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

The fifth volume of EAST of WEST marks the last days of peace before the final great war of the Apocalypse.

The smashing conclusion to the second year of the Apocalypse. Everything turns in on itself. The snake eats its tail. The old eat the young. A new chapter of the amazing End Times saga by superstar creators JONATHAN HICKMAN and NICK DRAGOTTA. Collects EAST OF WEST #25-29.

Things are finally coming together in this series. I feel like every volume has action, but often it's slow action when compared with the overall storyline. Excited to see things progress, especially in Volume 6. And we get the return of Babylon, finally! Although I have been missing the other three horsemen. They are absent except for one single page in Volume 5. Hoping Year Three of the Apocalypse is eventful!

Next up on the TBR pile!

Saga Volume 6

Title: Saga Volume 6

Author: Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Comics

Pages: 152

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After a dramatic time jump, the three-time Eisner Award winner for Best Continuing Series continues to evolve, as Hazel begins the most exciting adventure of her life: kindergarten. Meanwhile, her starcrossed family learns hard lessons of their own. Collects SAGA #31-36

Finally snagged this volume from the library and so glad I got to read it. The time jump was a little strange and hard to reorient myself, but once I did, I was sucked back into the story. I love that this volume checks in with all the players scattered across the universe. We get more narration from Hazel and thankfully actual interactions with her. Definitely another great volume in this series!

Next up on the TBR pile!

Atlantia by Ally Condie

Title: Atlantia

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Books 2014

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 298

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Mythical Creature; Fairytale Retelling; I Love Libraries

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamed of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all Rio’s hopes for the future are shattered when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected choice, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long silenced—she has nothing left to lose.

I love it when random library picks actually turn out to be good books. I read Condie's first book series, Matched, but ended up loosing interest by the end of book two. I think it would have been better has a duo instead of trilogy. I'm even more thankful that this one is just a single book. I could see where some authors would want to stretch this story out into a series dragging characters and plots along at a snail's pace. Thankfully this story is told in less than 300 pages. We get a clear arch of characters and plot. I love the world building with Atlantia and the Above. I loved the little details about the temple and the trees. I loved that we got to spend some time with characters before things sped up too much. My issues really come with the last 30 pages. As often happens, the conclusion of the book felt a bit rushed. I would have liked another 30 or so pages to slowly come to the end instead of hurtling at a dizzying speed. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.

A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor

Title: A Second Chance (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2014

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 492

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsugar - Makes Me Smile

St Mary's is back and nothing is going right for Max. Once again, it's just one damned thing after another. The action jumps from an encounter with a mirror-stealing Isaac Newton to the bloody battlefield at Agincourt. Discover how a simple fact-finding assignment to witness the ancient and murderous cheese- rolling ceremony in Gloucester can result in CBC - concussion by cheese. The long awaited jump to Bronze Age Troy ends in personal catastrophe for Max and just when it seems things couldn't get any worse - it's back to the Cretaceous Period again to confront an old enemy who has nothing to lose. So, make the tea, grab the chocolate biscuits, settle back and discover exactly why the entire history department has painted itself blue ...

Such a roller coaster ride of emotions in this installment of The Chronicles of St. Mary's. I was for sure that Max was a goner in Troy and at Agincourt and yet the story continues. I loved the brief interlude in Gloucester and the beginning episode featuring Professor Penrose and Isaac Newton. And that episode back int he Cretaceous was nerve-wrecking yet satisfying. Seriously still in love with this series. Can't wait to read more!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History

The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order

Title: The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order

Edited By: Marcelle Karp and Debbie Stoller

Publisher: Penguin Books 1999

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 376

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Feminism; Mount TBR

Both a literary magazine and a chronicle of girl culture, Bust was born in 1993. With contributors who are funny, fierce, and too smart to be anything but feminist, Bust is the original grrrl zine, with a base of loyal female fans--all those women who know that Glamour is garbage, Vogue is vapid, and Cosmo is clueless.The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order contains brand new, funny, sharp, trenchant essays along with some of the best writings from the magazine: Courtney Love's (unsolicited) piece on Bad Girls; the already immortal "Dont's For Boys"; an interview with girl-hero Judy Blume; and lots of other shocking, titillating, truthful articles. A kind of Our Bodies, Ourselves for Generation XX, The Bust Guide to the New Girl Order is destined to become required reading for today's hip urban girl and her admirers.

A reread from way back when I bought this at the end of high school. And I'm disappointed. Most of the essays in here are way too dated to enjoy 18 years late. The whole "grrrl zine" thing is super grating to my 35 year old ears. I just can't get over the Spice Girls-ness of the whole collection. There may be some good essays in there, but overall I just couldn't get over the book screaming at my "It's 1999!"

And Then There were None by Agatha Christie

Title: And Then There Were None

Author: Agatha Christie

Publisher: 1939

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 300

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsguar -- Bestseller from a genre I don't usually read; Back to the Classics -- Woman Author

"Ten . . ." Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious "U. N. Owen."
"Nine . . ." At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead.
"Eight . . ." Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . as one by one . . . they begin to die.
"Seven . . ." Which among them is the killer and will any of them survive?

A reread for May's book club. It's been so many years since I read this book, it was a nice revisit to a great mystery book. Christie has crafted an amazing mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last pages. Even I forgot exactly how the murders happened. Such fun! I'm not usually a big mystery reader, but Christie is such a great writer and I love it!

Tuscany for Beginners by Imogen Edwards-Jones

Title: Tuscany for Beginners

Author: Imogen Edwards-Jones

Publisher: Ballantine Books 2005

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 313

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Read Your Book Shelf; New to Me

Belinda Smith has found her very ownTuscanvalley in the sun, having abandoned a dreary cheating husband and an even drearier English town. Running Casa Mia, her own too, too divine bed and breakfast, everything is coming up sunflowers and olive groves for La Contessaof the Valley. Life couldn’t be more perfecto!
Until, that is, the arrival of Lauren–a beautiful, feisty Wall Street ball-breaker who has the gall to announce her plans to open a new B&B. A place just like Belinda’s–only much more glamorous. Even worse, Lauren, whose charmingly calculated smile Belinda recognizes as quite like her own, threatens Belinda’s existence as the epicenter of all things ex-patriot in the valley.

A Under the Tuscan Sun knock-off that was a complete disappointment. I get that Belinda's supposed to be a deluded character in the beginning and then grow after Lauren's arrival, but I didn't care and never grew to like Belinda. I couldn't get over her ridiculous nonsense in the beginning of the book. And the way she treated her daughter? Do not get me started on the wrongness of it all. I just couldn't seem to care about Belinda. The writing wasn't the best and I kept getting distracted by the odd sentence structures. An utter disappointment.