Saturday, December 31, 2016

The Black Key by Amy Ewing, 295 pages

The final book in the fantastic The Jewel trilogy. This is definitely too dark for movies though.

The Bloodied Cravat by Rosemary Stevens, 291 pages

I really enjoy this historical mystery series featuring Beau Brummell as the main character. After reading a ton of Regency romances that had him as a secondary character, it's nice that someone has placed him front and center. I'm thinking now I'm going to have to find a good biography about him to learn more. He was a fascinating character in his own right.

Meet Fred Basset by Graham, 126 pages

This is a funny comic collection dating from the 1960s featuring a Basset Hound. It was very funny and I wouldn't mind finding some more by this creator. He's pretty humorous.

Broom-Hilda Sneaky Volcanoes by Russell Myers, 126 pages

This is a really odd comic collection. I wouldn't go out of my way to read another one.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

You're Some Hero, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

I'm sad that I've worked my way through my newest additions to my collection.

Hats Off, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

These are a fun way to relax before going to sleep.

Hurray For Andy Capp! by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

These are a fun and fast read.

In Your Eye, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

Funny comics.

Take A Bow, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

Funny comics.

A Man of Grace, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

Still funny.

You're a Knockout, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

A truly British comic.

You're All Heart, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

I plowed through the books I picked up.

Andy Capp, The One and Only by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

A truly horrible but funny comic.

Andy Capp Strikes Back by Reggie Smythe, 126 pages

It's a guilty pleasure that I like these comics.

Paper: Paging Through History by Mark Kulansky, 389 pages

I LOVE Mark Kurlansky and would read anything he wrote. I know I come across like a crazy person when I trying to tell them why a book about Salt, Paper or Cod would be interesting, but he truly makes the subjects fascinating. I have set a goal of reading all his books before the end of 2017. It was really interesting in learning not only about the history of paper but also printing.

I Must Say by Martin Short, 320 pages

Martin Short comes across exactly I pictured him from his movies in his biography. I was glad to not be disappointed.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy, 375 pages

This was a truly outstanding teen read. A Texas teen has to face if she is truly comfortable in her plus size body, even if it means entering the local beauty pageant. I can't recommend this enough to everyone to read.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Andy Capp Sounds Off by Smythe, 124 pages

I was able to pick up a big stack of old comic books that are about 50 years old. Andy Capp is a horrible person, but the comics are still funny in a guilty sort of way.

Birdseye, The Adventures of a Curious Man by Mark Kurlansky, 251 pages

I'm working my way through Mark Kurlansky's books, after reading Salt. He takes what some would consider an obscure topic, such as salt or cod or the man behind the frozen food industry and brings it alive. I'm a sucker for fantastic nonfiction books like these.

Monday, December 19, 2016

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, 221 pages

Our book club decided to read this for December and I'm so glad they did. It's been years and years since I've read this, and it's perfect for this time. Also, my copy was a Pocket Library edition, which after reading "When Books Went to War" and learning about the history behind paperback books, it was even more touching.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions & Heretics by Jason Porath, 370 pages

A look at women who history has maligned, downplayed or tried to forget. I especially liked the pictures that went with each one. The only drawback to this book is that it's big and heavy, so it gets a little hard to read after a while.

At Home by Bill Bryson, 497 pages

I've really come to enjoy Bill Bryson's books. This was a great read about the history of many objects as seen through his 174-year-old rectory house.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Brief Histories of Everyday Objects by Andy Warner, 206 pages

A fun comic based book looking at the history of everyday objects. I loved the little history tidbits.

Trials of the Earth, The True Story of a Pioneer Woman by May Mann Hamilton, 314 pages

This poor woman had a really rough life. She kept getting knocked down but just picked herself up and kept going. She really should have knocked her husband upside the head once or twice though. A really good and solid read.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Monday, December 5, 2016

Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross, 343 pages

This featured 3 short story mysteries with eggnog as the poisoned drink. I've read Leslie Meier before but not the other two. I might have to give them a try.

Laugh Comics Digest Magazine No. 54, 128 pages

This one dated from 1984, hard to believe it's still around after 30 years.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Superfluous Women by Carola Dunn, 305 pages

This one made a jump in time, just a year or so, but I hope this doesn't mean an end to the series.

National Lampoon's Truly Sick, Tasteless, and Twisted Cartoons, 368 pages

These truly were sick and twisted, and had me chuckling throughout the whole book. I'm glad to see other people have the same tasteless sense of humor.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Heirs of the Body by Carol Dunn, 292 pages

I always particularly enjoy the Daisy Dalrymple books that take place at Fairacres, her ancestral home.

Betty and Veronica Double Digest No. 205, 225 pages

I always love having a some of these available when I want something mindless to relax with.

Betty and Veronica Double Digest No. 104, 225 pages

A great to relax before bed.

Gone West by Carola Dunn, 289 pages

Another fun Daisy Dalrymple mystery.

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, 306 pages

My book club book for this month. I love the fact that he visited a bunch of imaginary countries and Japan, like it's imaginary as well.

Anthem For Doomed Youth by Carola Dunn, 288 pages

I had a review book by Carola Dunn to read and realized there were 3 before it that I hadn't read. Since I'm physically incapable of reading a series out of order I spent a weekend enjoying a binge of Daisy Dalrymple books.

Monday, November 21, 2016

A Catered Tea Party by Isis Crawford, 311 pages

I'm just not as big a fan of these sister detectives, but I'll still probably pick them up. I definitely know who will be the victim in the next book.

Betty and Veronica Double Digest No. 107, 225 pages

I'm getting to the bottom of my stack. I'll be sad when I run out.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Tainted Snuff Box by Rosemary Stevens, 292 pages

I'm a fan of Regency romances/mysteries and this series featuring Beau Brummell as the detective is making its way to the top of my favorites list.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Sheer Folly by Carola Dunn, 296 pages

One of the things I love best about this series is how utterly British they are. I always feel like I should have a cuppa of tea and a biscuit while reading one. These are in my top 10 of favorite mystery series.