Sunday Summary: 30 August 2015

With the return to work this week, the number of books I completed dropped a little bit. I'm still staying on schedule—barely—to meet my goal of reading 200 books this year. I'm having to push to make this goal and I'm thinking that I'll drop the goal just a little bit in 2016.

Where I've been reading

But, the return to work also meant a return to travel. My week started very early with a 6am flight to St. Louis. I then drove to Columbia, Missouri, where I worked until Thursday evening. Returning to St. Louis on Thursday afternoon, I then flew to Des Moines, Iowa—by way of Chicago. After a morning of business in Des Moines, I flew home to Texas. Hubby met my plane and we had dinner at a favorite restaurant near the DFW airport.

You'd think all of those hours on the airplane would mean a lot of reading getting done, but I found myself dozing from time to time. And dozing meant some re-reading each time I awoke.

 

What I've been reading: Completed this week

Treachery in Death
by J. D. Robb

Format: eBook
Source: borrowed from library via Overdrive
Completed: 25 Autust

★★★☆☆

I get so much pleasure from the In Death mysteries by J. D. Robb. Treachery in Death finds Eve Dallas confronting a conspiracy within the New York Public Safety Division. When Eve's assistant overhears a conversation indicating that a policeman has arranged the murder of a confidential informant, Eve sets out to investigate the death. It appears that the head of the Illegal Substances division is siphoning off drugs and money. And she's recruited several others in her department. As Eve continues to investigate, she notices suspicious deaths of at least two officers. Nothing infuriates Eve more than someone perverting the job that she considers a calling, and she's gathered her forces to bring the culprits down.

The Novel Habits of Happiness
by Alexander McCall Smith

Format: Audiobook
Source: purchased from Audible in August 2015
Completed: 25 August

★★★☆☆

Isabel Dalhousie is such a delightful character. With a PhD in Philosophy, she's the editor of The Review of Applied Ethics , a quarterly journal. She's also the mother of young Charlie and wife to Jamie, a musician. And, Isabel finds a great deal of pleasure in helping people. In The Novel Habits of Happiness, a woman asks for Isabel's help in determining if her son's tale of a past life have any validity. When Isabel and Jamie locate the remote house described by the boy, they are faced with a mystery. Are these actual memories, bizarre coincidences, or something else?

COYER book #21

A Quilter's Holiday
by Jennifer Chiaveriin

Format: Hardback
Source: borrowed from library
Completed: 29 August

★★★☆☆

It only took me two days to fly through A Quilter's Holiday, the 15^th volume in the Elm Creek Quilts series. I set myself the goal of reading all the books in this series before the end of the year and I've really been enjoying them.

On the day after Thanksgiving, as the Elm Creek Quilters gather for their annual potluck lunch and quilting bee, Sylvia revives an old family tradition. Each member is asked to place a quilt block into a cornucopia in the center of their dining table. After the meal, the blocks are removed and the maker explains why she selected that particular block and how it represents something that she is thankful for.

 

What I've been reading: In progress

I simply adore the Brother Cadfael mysteries. Brother Cadfael is the herbalist in a quiet Benedictine monastery in Shropshire in the mid-11 hundreds. The Raven in the Foregate begins with the arrival of a new priest for the parish church outside the Abbey. Father Ailnoth is greatly disliked by the parishioners who object to his arrogant and inflexible ways. When Father Ailnoth is found dead in the mill pool, there are plenty who had cause to wish for his death. But who is the one responsible for the priest's murder?

I should have started Mutant Legacy back in March when I read two earlier books in the Fire in Winter series. Since I didn't, I'm having a bit of trouble getting into the story. The main characters are brought forward from earlier books: mutant twins Rick and Julian Akimura and their half-sister, Allana. In the years since Mutant Star, Rick has been hiding out in the Southwest USA. He's gathered around himself a group of people into a cult-like group known as the Church of the Better World, with a mission of bridging the gap between mutants and normal humans.

The Oncoming Storm is a book I received from the publisher, 47 North (an Amazon imprint) via NetGalley. When I saw the cover and read the description I thought immediately thought that it sounded a lot like the Kris Longknife series which I have enjoyed very much. The story is military SF with a rich and aristocratic young officer promoted because of her family connections. Although she didn't seek promotion, Kat Falcone is determined to earn her crew's respect and find her footing as the youngest captain in naval history.

I've just started reading The Oncoming Storm, and its holding up very well. I have a feeling I may be seeking out other books by Christopher Nuttall.

This Week on the Blog

1. Focus on Freading: World Travel
2. Bout of Books 14: Progress Reports
3. Stacking the Shelves (46)

 

I'm pleased to be linking up with The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on the blog, showcase books and things received. Share news about what is coming up on the blog for the week ahead.

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