Here’s my reading list from January.

1. BEAUTY by Robin McKinley (247 p.) At this point, a classic YA book, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and one of my favorite versions. Beautifully, gently written. The author’s first book, too . . . just, charming.

2. READING LIKE A WRITER by Francine Prose (268 p.) Excellent book. I loved this analysis of the way literary masters accomplish so much in their writing while ignoring all the “rules” we learned in school. At least, some of the time. Great chunks of quotes, a pleasant voice from the author, who sounds so pleased to share this with us, and just altogether a good read. When’s the last time someone told you they loved a book of literary analysis? And, really, the author’s name is just perfect.

3. GOOD NIGHT, MR. HOLMES by Carole Nelson Douglas (402 p) Remember Irene Adler from the Sherlock Holmes story, “A Scandal in Bohemia?” The only woman ever to outwit him? Now imagine her as a detective in her own right, with a parson’s daughter acting as her “Watson.” I’ve always thought this was a wonderful look at that story from Irene’s point of view . . . well, I love stories that look at something familiar from a new angle, so….

4. IRENE AT LARGE by Carole Nelson Douglas (379 p.) (Recently re-published under the title “Soul of Steel”) The third book of the series, and the one which introduces Quentin Stanhope as a love interest, of sorts, for Penelope Huxleigh, Irene’s best friend. He literally falls at her feet–in a faint–when he sees her outside of Notre Dame, and turns out to be searching for a Dr. Watson who helped tend his wounds in a battle in Afghanistan years ago….

5. IRENE’S LAST WALTZ by Carole Nelson Douglas (479 p.) (Recently re-published under the title “Another Scandal in Bohemia”–admittedly a better title, but I really hate when publishers do this and confuse people who’ve already bought the books….) Fourth book in the series, this time taking Irene (and company) back to Bohemia, despite the risk of being recognized by the King who so desperately sought her in the first book. It was after this book that the author took a loooong break from Irene, and frankly, I haven’t enjoyed any of the more recent ones as much as these first four.

6. DEATH IN THE GARDEN by Elizabeth Ironside (274 p.) A unique and well-done mystery which tells two stories: that of a post-WWI birthday party at an English house party which ends in the death of the host . . . and then, skipping ahead to the present day, the story of the great-niece who becomes entranced in solving the years’ old mystery. It has a feel of Dorothy Sayer to it (which even the blurbs inside the front cover mention), and I enjoyed it a lot.

7. LOVING by Henry Green (204 p.) I picked this up–having never heard of Henry Green before–because the book above, “Reading Like a Writer” gave a lengthy quote from this book and piqued my interest. There’s an intro from John Updike, too, saying that he basically learned how to write from Henry Green. Well, this was a unique book–great story about the staff of an Irish manor house during WWII. Many of the usual, fiction devices were ignored–like distinct scene changes–so it’s not a book that can be skimmed. I’m not sure how I felt about this style, but enjoyed the book. The volume I got has two other short novels in it, and I’m saving those for later, after I’ve gotten my brain wrapped around this one….

8. VENETIA by Georgette Heyer (354 p.) I’ve heard so much about Georgette Heyer over the years, as the person who defined Regency-style romances. Now, I don’t read “romances” as a rule, but I’ve seen her referred to so many times over the years, I got curious . . . my opinion? Decent, if mostly predictable story, well-enough written. The heroine was just too, too perfect–always patient, always charming, always in a good mood–not to mention beautiful, innocent, and sought-after. But still, diverting and not a horrible way to spend the day (grin).

9. SOLSTICE WOOD by Patricia McKillip (278 p.) Picture the world of Faerie meeting the modern world. Sylvia is called home on the death of her Grandfather . . . only to find that her Grandmother has been keeping secrets all these years . . . as a rule, I don’t really go for Faerie-kind of books. The whole, hidden world of the “Other” who steal babies and snatch lovers from the mortal world usually leaves me pretty cold. Still, I do enjoy Patricia McKillip, so thought I’d give it a try. It’s as well-written as I expect from her, and I enjoyed the story, even if the main idea still makes me uncomfortable. (grin)

10. MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA by James McBride (306 p.) A story of negro soldiers and a lost Italian boy in WWII. Good, if heartbreaking story.

11. ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR by Lian Hearn (305 p.) Kind of a medieval Japan fantasy trilogy. (Well, now there’s actually a
fourth book which won’t be out in paperback until June, but since it
takes place 15 years after the action of the original trilogy, the wait
won’t be unbearable.) Anyway, the trilogy begins when Takeo is saved by
an anonymous warrior when his village is destroyed–a Lord who adopts
him and trains him in the ways of a warrior, but also in the ways of
the secret Tribe of assassins, of which Takeo’s father was one. It’s a
well-written, enjoyable series with an interesting premise and a nice
flow of action–whether that be in the form of fights or of events that
move the story along. Either way, it doesn’t drag and is a page-turner
in its own right.

12. BALANCE OF TRADE by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (456 p.) A sci-fi coming-of-age story–Jethri Gobelyn signs on as an apprentice trader to a Liaden master of trade, but has a LOT of learning to do . . . I love all of these authors’ Liaden series, and this one is highly enjoyable. It takes place years (centuries? decades?) before the action of their main Korval books, but I hope that won’t stop them from writing another with these characters–I want to know what happens next.

13. I AM THE MESSENGER by Markus Zusak (357 p.) It’s by the same author as The Book Thief,
and I have to tell you, I liked it SO much more. I am, however, aware
that I’m in the minority in not liking the Book Thief, though. But the
Messenger book? It starts when 19-year old cab-driver Ed Kennedy helps
catch a bank robber. A few days later, he gets an Ace of Diamonds in
the mail, with three addresses . . . and when he visits them, realizes
that the people need help. But who is sending the cards? Why him?
Despite the bad language (more than I thought was necessary, but not
enough to be TRULY offensive, though it usually turns me off), the
story was engaging and intriguing, and it kept me turning pages to find
out where the cards were coming from.

14. GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW by Lian Hearn (315 p.) The second book in this Asian-inspired fantasy trilogy. Takeo has agreed to be trained by the Tribe of assassins, but is torn in his loyalty–he wants to avenge his foster-father, AND he wants to be with Kaede, the love of his life….

15. BRILLIANCE OF THE MOON by Lian Hearn (344 p.) Third book of the Otori trilogy, and, honestly, my least favorite of the bunch, but still . . . it was nice to see Takeo focus on his heritage at last.

16. GIRL IN THE TANGERINE SCARF by Mohja Kahf (446 p.) I saw this recommended on some blog or other (I forget which) but am glad I did, because it was excellent–a look at a modern, Muslim girl growing up in Indiana in the 1970s . . . a look into that culture which I’ve never had before, and really very good indeed.

17. PASSAGE by Connie Willis (780 p.) What if near-death-experiences could be simulated? And what if two researchers were trying to determine the scientific cause of NDEs? And what if, through lack of other volunteers, one of the researchers undertook the experiment herself? No, this isn’t “Flatliners.” It’s Connie Willis, who writes so well, and takes such a great approach to difficult subjects. I’ve had this on my shelf for a couple years now and hadn’t summoned up the courage to read it. (Not because I was afraid of the subject matter, or thought the book would be less-than-good because, well, it’s Connie Willis, but because some of her stories have unfortunate tendencies to tragic endings, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to face that. I won’t tell you whether or not this one had such an ending, but it WAS as good as I expected it to be.

18. WHITE HART by Nancy Springer (222 p.) This has been in my library since the early 1980s, but I haven’t read it in years. First, technically, in a trilogy, although it has a completely different feel than the other two. A fantasy book, taking place on “the Isle,” where suddenly, in the midst of war and strife, Bevan appears, the son of a long-departed god, struggling to find his place in an unfamiliar world. He learns to love Ellid and her cousin Cuin, but is torn between his need to help the land and his longing for whence he came. The whole book has the feel of a legend, a myth–something from the mists of time. I LOVED this book in high school.

19. HOW TO CHEAT AT CLEANING by Jeff Bredenberg (229 p.) Exactly what it sounds like–short cuts and tips to “cheat” at house-cleaning. Some good ones in here, even if it doesn’t tell you to really get a floor CLEAN…. (my cleaning Achilles heel).

20. LABYRINTHS by Jorge Luis Borges (249 p.) This book of short stories was a Christma gift and, well, the writing is very good (even allowing for it being a translation), but these are some pretty weird stories…. Classics, though!

21. HISTORY OF HAND-KNITTING by Richard Rutt (223 p.) Incredibly thorough, extremely well-researched, and with some spots of real interest, but . . . dry as dust. Kind of boring to read, this is going to be more of a reference book for me…

22. MY HOUSE IS KILLING ME by Jonathan M. Samet (310 p.) One of the scariest books I’ve ever read, all about the unseen little, microscopic germs, bugs, mites, particles, molds, mildews, and substances that can make you sick without your even knowing about them. Of course, it also tells you what to DO about them, which is a good thing, but really . . . it almost sounds like it’s easier to just knock the house down and start over . . . Excellent resource for allergy/asthma sufferers, but really . . . scary!

• Tags: Monthly Reading List, Reading • Permalink:Books Read in January // 9 Comments »