Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The Mistresses of Cliveden by Natalie Livingstone, 494 pages

A look at an English House through the women behind it, from the first one it was built for to the American millionaire's wife who gave it to the National Trust.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Raiders of the Nile by Steven Saylor, 342 pages

An action/love story set in ancient Egypt. I didn't realize until I was into the book a ways that there were previous books. This was okay, not my favorite.

Archie's Double Digest No. 151, 256 pages

This was my last one from my latest find. I'm going to have to keep my eyes out for more.

Archie's Double Digest No. 148, 256 pages

A nice relaxing and entertaining read.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Undead and Unforgiven by Mary Janice Davidson, 286 pages

I'm sad that this series is almost over. I've been a fan since the very beginning. Betsy, Queen of the Vampires, sunk her fangs into my heart quickly. The drawback to being an early fan is having to not-so-patiently wait for each new book to come out. I've held out on reading this one and the last one just because I don't want the series to end.
I was very glad to see Marc get a love interest in this one. He really deserves it. I also enjoyed seeing Betsy and Eric still having the hots for each other, while still keeping the storyline fun and a romping good read. How has the first book not been turned into a movie yet?

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag by Louisa May Alcott, 101 pages

I have to say that Louisa May Alcott is my favorite author. That's why I was shocked to discover these short stories that I had never read before. She does sweet and nice stories better than anyone. And right now, I have a feeling I'll be reading more Alcott to combat the ugliness of the world.

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest No. 62, 256 pages

These teens are always a fun read.

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest No. 83, 256 pages



Archie's Double Digest No. 135, 256 pages

Hard to believe that Archie is almost as old as Wonder Woman.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey, 431 pages

An interesting take on the zombie genre. A little girl, in an Army compound, taken from her cell to a classroom and back to her cell, day in, day out, until an attack changes everything.

The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, 201 pages

My book club read the original Tarzan and shockingly :SPOILER ALERT: it ends with Jane not with Tarzan. I, of course, had to pick up the second book to see what happened next. These were ripping good reads.

The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault by Charles Perrault, 78 pages

Charles Perrault, who brought us Cinderella, also put out some other fairy tales. This collection covers some of them.

Monday, January 23, 2017

The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, 222 pages

It was interesting to see Tarzan's early steps into the conservation of Africa. Considering the rampant racism that was prevalent in these books (but not surprising for the time period), these are still a timeless classic.

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest No. 59, 256 pages

I only have a few left, I'm going to have to track down some more.

Archie's Double Digest No. 65, 256 pages

This one dates from the month I graduated high school but it's still fun to read.

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest No. 65, 256 pages

I'm starting to run low on these. A nice way to unwind before bed.

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs, 245 pages

I can't believe I had missed out on reading this before. Really fun and when I finished it I had to immediately pick up the next one to see what happened.

The Beasts of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, 159 pages

One of my book clubs read the original Tarzan this month and I had to read the following books to find out what happened. These were really outstanding. Lots of action, kept me engaged, and I really enjoyed it.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Betty and Veronica Double Digest No. 30, 256 pages

When I went to pick up my comic subscriptions I discovered a stack of older Archie collections for sale. Always a nice surprise when I can find them.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Frontier Grit by Marianne Monson, 198 pages

A look at some untold stories of pioneer women, including one who came from Hawaii. Pretty interesting.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Jelly Side Down by Nancy Stahl, 142 pages

A collection of humorous writings from a newspaper columnist during the late 1960s/early 1970s about being a mom and wife.

Hitler's Forgotten Children by Ingrid Von Oelhafen & Tim Tate, 275 pages

The story of Hitler's program of taking German looking children from conquered territories and Germanizing them as told by one woman's experience of trying to figure out who she really was. A very dark period of history.

Orleans by Sherri Smith, 324 pages

Imagine that Katrina wasn't the last big hurricane to hit New Orleans. Imagine that after a while the government just closed off the coast and disconnected it from the United States. And imagine that you're still living there and trying to survive.

He Followed Me Home! by Bil Keane, 125 pages

A lighthearted and clean read.

We Didn't Do It! by Bil Keane, 125 pages

These are over 30 years old, but they're still fun to read.

Granddad! It's Morning! by Bil Keane, 125 pages

An always enjoyable read.

Where Did the Summer Go? by Bil Keane, 125 pages

No matter how old my kids get, these still ring true.

We're Home! by Bil Keane, 125 pages

My goal is to collect all of these.

Betty and Veronica Comics Digest Magazine No. 33, 128 pages

I will always enjoy these.

Betty and Veronica Digest Magazine No. 53, 128 pages

Always a fun and fast read.

Laugh Comics Digest Magazine No. 85, 128 pages

I discovered these hidden on my daughters' bookcases.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany, 308 pages

A fabulous first book in what will hopefully be a long series. Set on Cape Cod, featuring a bookstore owner who runs a Sherlock Emporium. Of course she gets tangled up in a murder mystery. Very well done, I really am looking forward to the next one.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan, 479 pages

I really enjoyed the over the top lifestyle presented in the first book "Crazy Rich Asians" and I had to know what happened to Rachel Chu, so it was no question about reading this sequel. The money spent by these people is unbelievable. It's a lifestyle I can't even truly grasp but would love to try. This was a great read; snarky and funny, and just plain interesting.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor, 972 pages

I'd read about this in the book "When Books Went to War" and knew it had been a racy bestseller during WWII and was even banned at times. This was definitely a spicy epic and I enjoyed it. Set during the time of Charles II and the Restoration it's an entertaining read. I was very disappointed though to finish it and discover there is no sequel. I want to know if Amber gets her happy ending.

Monday, January 9, 2017

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, 451 pages

The latest read for the Blackthorn book club. A look at Peter Pan's origin story. This was an interesting take on it.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Snow White, a graphic novel by Matt Phelan, 216 pages

A noir take on the Snow White tale set in 1920s/1930s New York. I really enjoyed this graphic novel.

Death Takes a Ride by Lorena McCourtney, 467 pages

Unlikely private eye Cate Kinkaid is smack dab in the middle of another mystery. She doesn't seem like a very good detective to me and I'm just not a huge fan of this series.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins, 345 pages

A great teen book featuring Paladins, Oracles, and teenage girls going through Cotillion. I've already got the second book on hold.


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady's Guide to Sex, Marriage and Manners by Therese Oneill, 307 pages

This was an often hilarious look at our romanticized look at Victorian times.

Cod by Mark Kurlansky, 294 pages

The history of cod fishing and it's impact on civilization. It push settlements, boundary lines and had a huge effect on history. This author does an outstanding job of bringing what seems to be a boring and obscure part of history alive.

Archie's 75th Anniversary Digest 4, 181 pages

Celebrating 75 years of Archie comics.