Monday, January 05, 2015

Where Is Your Bookmark Top Ten Tuesday and 1st Paragraph Edition

I was not able to read much during this past week. Instead I watched the first two seasons of The Killing, which I am quite enjoying. I also spent time with my family, sometimes being very silly. We banged pots and pans to celebrate the New Year and got drunk on sparkling apple cider.  Okay, so maybe no one actually got drunk . . . We all felt like we had a hangover the next day though--it was one of the worst days of our colds.

I am back to waking up at 4:30 in the morning. Despite some minor clumsiness after I first woke up, I managed to get in a work out and be out the door on time Monday for work. It was a fairly good day. I actually did not forget my passwords like I thought I would, and the workload was such I felt like I was able to ease back into work smoothly. I hid away during my half hour lunch break to eat and spend time with a book. I am reading a historical mystery at the moment called Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman and am quite enjoying it.  The comparisons to Downton Abbey aren't far off base.



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts 
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where  
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a 
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.

Here is a snippet from Tessa Arlen's A Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman, which I thought I would share with you today.
On the morning of Lord and Lady Montforts' annual summer ball, their housekeeper, Edith Jackson, was up, washed, and almost dressed by six o' clock. She unraveled her long bedtime plait, brushed out her hair, and, with a mouth full of hairpins, swept the quick auburn swath into a twist at the nape of her neck, deftly securing it in place. The glance she cast into the looking glass was brief, made only to reassure that she was presentable. Then she rang for the third housemaid to bring breakfast up to her parlor. 
As Mrs. Jackson sat down to eat her bacon and eggs, she mentally prepared herself for a day that would be packed with complicated, overlapping timetables and countless calls on her patience and tact.
Little does she or anyone else at Monfort know murder is in the air. The opening does not give anything away; rather it is more of a set up for what is to come.

Would you continue reading?


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

I took the liberty to modify this weeks' Top Ten Tuesday theme from Top Ten Most Anticipated Debut Novels to Top Ten Most Anticipated Novels For 2015. There are quite a few books coming out that I know I will not be able to resist, some of which I haven't even heard of yet.  And there are plenty of older books I am longing to dive into as well--that's for another post though.  Here are ten new releases I am looking forward to reading this year:


1. This may be cheating since I am reading it right now, but I can't help but mention it again: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlene ~ A summer costume ball, high society, a murder, a countess and housekeeper putting their heads together to solve the crime. I love a good historical mystery! (January 6th)


2. Miramont's Ghost by Elizabeth Hall ~ A castle, family secrets, premonitions, Daphne du Maurier-esque.  How can I resist? (February 1st)


3. Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes ~ Second book in the Detective Inspector Louisa Smith series. Haynes is one of my must read authors. (March 31st)


4. Diamond Head by Cecily Wong ~ The cover is what first attracted me to this one. A family saga of murder and family secrets spanning from China to Hawaii?  Well, that put the novel in the must read camp. (April 14th)


5. The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy ~ I loved Sarah McCoy's The Baker's Daughter, and so when I heard about this book, I knew I would read it. Two women whose stories intertwine: one from the past, a mapmaker for the underground railroad, and one from the present who retreats to the country when she learns she cannot bear a child, something she so desperately wants to do. (May 5th)


6. The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward ~ The publisher's description says it best, "A beautiful, powerful novel about motherhood, desire, and faith set amongst the changing lives of Americans along the border . . ." (January 20th)


7. The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly ~ This one has Jurassic Park written all over it.  But set in China. It sounds liked it could be exciting. And scary. (January 27th)


8. The Magician's Lie by by Greer Macallister ~ a female illusionist and a murder--and Jenclair's (A Garden Carried in the Pocket)  recommendation. (January 13th)


9. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ~ A commuter witnesses something on a train, tells the police and is suddenly in the middle of it all. The reviews for this one so far have made it sound irresistible. (January 15th)


10. A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley ~ Jacobite exile Mary Dundas' 300 year old journal holds more secrets than Sara Thomas, codebreaker counted on--and much more intrigue. (April 7th)

What new releases are you most looking forward to this year?


© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

64 comments:

  1. After watching the first episode of this year's Downton Abbey series, I'm primed and ready for historical mystery and drama! The opening of Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman intrigues me.
    My Tuesday post features LEARNIN’ THE ROPES.

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    1. Sandra - I think I'm a season behind in Downton Abbey--soon to be two. I really enjoy the show. I keep picturing Downton's characters in the roles of those in the book even though they are unrelated. LOL I'm enjoying the book.

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  2. I love your first paragraph of A Death of a Dishonourable Gentleman, I like that the opening is at odds with the murder that happens later. Your top 10 for 2015 are great, I want the Elizabeth Haynes and I'm currently reading The Girl On A Train which I'm reluctant to put down. Susana Kearsley is always a good bet for a historical novel so that will go on my list too.

    http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com

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    1. Cleo - It's such a calm beginning, isn't it?

      I am glad to hear you are enjoying Girl on a Train! It does look good. Yes, Elizabeth Haynes and Kearsley are two authors I cannot resist. :-)

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  3. Wow, you've me intrigued and tempted by all those new releases you mentioned! I've both Matthew Reilly's and Greer Macallister's on my reading list so I can't wait to dive into them.

    Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman sounds good too and I look forward to your review.

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    1. Melody - I'll be anxious to hear what you think of Reilly's and Greer's books when you get to them!

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  4. Great Zoo of China has been out for a few months here in Aus, and quite honestly one of if not my number one favourite book of 2014. Very Jurassic Park, but so much bigger and topical in terms of global politics. A lot of Reilly's books are like that, high on the action and fantasy at times but still so grounded in reality that you almost want these things to happen. Great list:) here's mine!
    https://breakfastinlimbo.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/top-ten-most-anticipated-but-not-necessarily-debut-novels/

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    1. Andrea - That is good to know about Reilly's book. Now I am even more intrigued by Great Zoo of China. Thank you for the link!

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  5. I like the intro Wendy and would read more. Glad your return to work went well. The book I am most looking forward to for 2015 is The Girl on a Train; Hawkins.

    Wendy I love your header all the cats.

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    1. Diane - I am enjoying the book quite a bit. It's a quiet mystery in some respects--not high in tension, but entertaining nonetheless. Fitting given the setting and time period.

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  6. Glad your first day back went well, Wendy. Here's hoping that the whole week goes smoothly. Love your anticipated list. I'm listening to Elizabeth Haynes book, INTO THE DARKEST CORNER, right now and I am pretty much riveted. Looking forward to reading more of her books. And I'm also looking forward to THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. That one sounds quite gripping.

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    1. Kay - Thank you!

      I hope you love Into the Darkest Corner as much as I did.

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  7. I finished The Girl on the Train last night and loved it!

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    1. Kathy - I am glad to hear it. I can't wait to read it.

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  8. I want to read your book and I must read the Susanna Kearsley book! Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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    1. Kelley - It's good so far!

      I just love Kearsley's writing style. I hope you have a nice week too!

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  9. Thanks for sharing your list. Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman sounds interesting. One of these days I'm going to start watching Downton Abbey. I'm glad your first day back to work went well. Have a great week.

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    1. Pat - It took a while for Downton Abbey to grow on me when I began watching it. If you do watch it, I hope you like it.

      I hope you have a great week too!

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  10. I love Downton Abbey, so must look for Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman!

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  11. I'm not sure whether I'd continue reading -- I'm on the fence. :-) I do like the author's use of detail, though.

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    1. Irene - The author really sets a picture of life at Monfort Manor.

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  12. Oh, I love the first paragraph of Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman...I feel as though I can see the housekeeper and peek inside her mind, just a bit. I definitely want to know more.

    Of your Top Ten, I can't wait until I get The Girl on the Train...and now I am adding Behind Closed Doors, as I read another book by this author and loved it.

    I like your new blog header....all fresh and new, but still with our fun kitties. Love the paw prints.

    Here's mine: “CALL ME ZELDA”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I almost wish I was at home sipping tea whenever I crack open this book. :-)

      I hope we both will read and enjoy The Girl on the Train and Behind Closed Doors. :-)

      And thanks for the compliment about the header. My husband helped me with it. :-)

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  13. I really liked the beginning because you get a really good impression of the character and, as you say, there is no hint that someone is going to die, except maybe from stress ;) I hope you love the rest of this one and getting up that early for work sounds hard, but I'm hoping you enjoy your job! Thanks for sharing :) Have a great week!
    My Intro and Teaser
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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    1. Juli - I am enjoying the book quite a bit, thank you. I just wish I had more time to sit down and finish it! I'm so close and I want to know what happens!

      I do enjoy my job--most days. :-) I hope you have a great week too!

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  14. Yes, it seems like a novel I would love to start now.

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  15. Books 3, 9 and 10 are on my list too!

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  16. You have some good ones on your list! I definitely plan to read The Girl on the Train and Diamond Head...and maybe some of the others!

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    1. Kim - The Girl on the Train seems to be the most popular. :-) Hopefully it lives up to the hype.

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  17. So glad that your first day back at work went well! It's always nice to be able to breeze back into work. I didn't have a bad day myself, it was just too busy! Still, the good kind of busy.

    All those books look so gorgeous! They are all new to me, I am going to have to check them out. I hope you get to read them all!

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    1. Athira - I imagine things will be picking up shortly in my office. I am glad your first day back went well too. :-)

      I hope I get to read them too! Some I am sure I will. I never get everything I want to read in though. More to look forward to, I guess.

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  18. I hate first days back, but glad yours went well. Enjoy your books!

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    1. Yvonne - I generally do too. Especially when it's a Monday.

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  19. i like Miramont's Ghost's cover! hope you'll have a fantastic 2015!

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    1. Deasy Yolanda - I'm looking forward to reading it. :-) I hope you have a great New Year too!

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  20. The only book on your list I've heard of is The Girl on the Train! I'm so woefully unaware of new releases. Glad to hear you had a good new years but boo to the hangover feeling cold! And work. I'm glad to be back into the routine this week but it has been an adjustment for sure!! Happy new year Wendy! :)

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    1. Trish - I had to look up a few to complete my list. :-) Have a Happy New Year too!

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  21. Oh gosh, I want all of those books! They all sound like my cup of tea. Hope you guys are feeling better now! I bet this week will seem so long at work after you've been gone for a while, right? Hope it flies by! I was just out for a week and a half and I'm so ready to be done with the week. When does Friday get here?! :)

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    1. Iliana - We are feeling better, thank you. :-) You are right, it did seem like a long week. I hadn't been as active since before the surgery and my body let me know I was pushing too hard yesterday. I made it through today though and now I have the weekend ahead of me. Thank goodness! Have a great weekend!

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  22. So glad that your transition back to work went well. I need to start The Magician's Lie sonce I have it sitting here on my shelf!

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    1. Stacy - Thank you! I am too. Next week will likely be very busy. I hope you enjoy The Magician's Lie. It does sound good!

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  23. It definitely sounds like a snapshot of life in those times. Hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Paulita - That's a good way to put it. I like that: a snapshot of life. Yes, that is exactly what it is.

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  24. Hope you're feeling better from your cold! It sounds like a fun New Year's. We do the sparkling apple cider here as well. My kids are weirdly obsessed with it. They actually stopped by the grocery store on the way home from school yesterday to buy some because the store had it for 50% off. I love your list! I'm intrigued by Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman and am adding Miramont's Ghost and A Desperate Fortune to my TBR. The Girl on the Train is already there but now I have to go check out Elizabeth Haynes!

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    1. Katherine - Thank you! I am feeling better. Just in time for the allergies to kick in. I'm hearing now that kids at my daughter's school are coming down with the stomach flu. I sure hope we don't get it. :-(

      That's too funny about your kids buying apple cider on their way home from school. :-)

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  25. There's nothing better than silly time with the family! I've been spending most of my free time this week reading the third Wayside School book with my kids. It's a silly book that inspires silly conversations! I'm also reading a few other books right now--I'm in the middle of too many--but at a very slow pace.

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    1. A.M.B. - I agree! I love our silly time together. :-) I just started a new book yesterday, another mystery. I'm in that kind of mood right now, I guess.

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  26. I'm looking forward to The Girl on the Train and The Magician's Lie.

    I see you are watching The Killing. I loved that series-- binge-watched it in a few sittings! The atmosphere is so integral to the story; I heard they purposely waited for the rainiest season in Vancouver to film it. By the way, in my opinion, the first two seasons are the best-- the third and abbreviated fourth one are of a different crime topic, but you will enjoy all of them.

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    1. R Hunt - Both sound like they will be very good!

      I binge-watched the first two seasons of The Killing. I haven't been able to watch anymore yet. I agree. The atmosphere is very important to the story. And I think the show is well cast.

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  27. I'm in the middle of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins at the moment and it's a great read so far :)

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    1. Nikki-Ann - I am so glad you liked it! I hope I can read it at some point this year.

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  28. So many good books here that I just HAVE to add to my TBR list. Miramont's Ghost and The Great Zoo of China sound SO good....eek! I am adding them all to my TBR list. Ha! I would definitely continue on with the historical mystery you are reading. I'm looking forward to reading it myself! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful and happy new year!!

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    1. Samantha - I'm hoping to get to Miramont's Ghost soon. I hope it's as good as it sounds. I hope you are enjoying the New Year too!

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  29. I read so few current books that I hardly even pay attention to new releases. BUT I do know that Laurie R. King is publishing a new Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell book in February - Dreaming Spies. So I am looking forward to that one!

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    1. Lexi - I still haven't read any of the books in Laurie R. King's series. I have the first book in her Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell series. I just need to make time for it.

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  30. I've got to read the first Haynes book!!! Also, I want to read the Hawkins book.

    Happy Reading!

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    1. Joy - I need to read the first in the series too. I have it and hope to read it soon. Doesn't Hawkins' book sound good?

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  31. I would continue reading on, judging by the paragraph you have posted. It made me smile. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  32. I like Mathew Reilly he is a good brand candy book. Have you read any of his other stuff?

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    1. Mandy - That's good to know, Mandy. This will be my first book by Reilly.

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