2014: A Year In Review

Mouse, December 2014

Two thousand fourteen has been an ordinary year for the most part with its ups and downs. Our senior cat, Parker, continues to have health issues, although both he and our younger cat, Gracie, are as playful and affectionate as ever. My husband, daughter, and I saw each other through work, financial and life stressors, and several illnesses, including my recent surgery which put me out of work for several weeks. The doctor has lifted most of the restrictions as of now, thank goodness. It was months of pain and worry as I waited for a diagnosis, deliberated over my options and then the surgery. I am glad to be on the other end of all that now. I know my family is too.

I cannot thank my mother enough for all the help she provided us this year. It is not always easy for me to ask for help, even from family. We are so lucky to have her in our lives. I really need to express that to her more often.

It was a good year in many ways. The happiest moments were often the most simple: cuddling on the couch, reading a good book, playing dominoes, the feeling at the end of a good workout, finally winning that computer game, playing hide and seek or playing house, that first smile or kiss of the day, tackling a family project, work accomplishments, warm hugs, recounting our favorite parts of our day, singing along to a favorite song on the radio, making silly faces at each other, and just being together. There were extended family visits and trips to Disneyland. Lots of laughter and love. I have the best husband and daughter. And my cats are pretty special too. Oh, and good books. I can't forget those.

I enjoyed answering Jamie's (The Perpetual Page Turner) End of the Year Survey in past years and decided to join in again this year.  I did alter some of the questions and subtracted a few to make it my own.

1. Best books read in 2014?

Seven books stand out above all the others I read this year. Three were part of a trilogy and I could not separate them out, hence seven instead of a top five like I initially intended. Each of these books made my list for a variety of reasons: rich character development, beautiful writing style, and a great story for starters. Every one of them touched me deeply in some way. Ben H. Winters' Hank Palace is my new literary crush; Yangszee Choo wowed me with her imagery and mystery of the afterlife; my heart ached for Susan and Maud in Fingersmith; I was swept away by Ann Leary's writing and depth into the heart and mind of Hildy; and just how much Sandra Hunter's heart-wrenching story spoke to and moved me. It was more than that, of course, with each book. If you haven't, I hope you will consider seeing for yourself.

Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

The Good House by Ann Leary

The Ghost Bride by Yangzee Choo

The Last Policeman Trilogy by Ben H. Winters (all three books in the trilogy were awesome)

2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

I had high hopes for Mark Helprin's Winter's Tale, but ultimately was disappointed. There were parts I loved. In the end, however, I was left feeling I missed something and was not completely satisfied with the ending.

And Isabel Allende's Ripper was another one I found disappointing. I had heard such wonderful things about the author's work, and so my expectations were high.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2014?

I had avoided reading anything by Jennifer Crusie for years because I did not think her books were for me. I read Fast Women for an online book group in early 2014 and was pleasantly surprised. The characters were well drawn, the story intriguing, and, despite its length, I raced through it, not wanting to put it down.

After being sorely disappointed with Beautiful Creatures, I was leery of Veronica Roth's Divergent. I ended up loving it.

4. Book you read in 2014 that you recommended to people most in 2014?

There were quite a few books that I read this year I have recommended to people (and given away as gifts), The Last Policeman Trilogy being at the top of the list.

5. Best series you discovered in 2014?

The Last Policeman Trilogy, of course!  I also read the first book in the Dead Witch Walking series by Kim Harrison and am excited to read the rest of the series.

Michael Robotham is a new to me crime fiction author I discovered just this year. I read three of his books and enjoyed each one.

6. New authors you discovered in 2014 and hope to read more by?

I read books by several new to me authors this year who are now on my "must read again" list.  I also finally got around to reading books by authors I have been wanting to read for years.

Jennifer Robson

Jennifer Crusie

Liane Moriarty
Michael Robotham
Ann Patchett
Max Austin
Kim Harrison
Ann Leary

Sandra Hunter

Heather Gudenkauf

Margaret Atwood
Ben H. Winters

Heather Graham
Yangszee Choo
Marc Krulewitch
Joshilyn Jackson
Rebecca Chastain
Malinda Lo
Deanna Raybourn

Sarah Waters
Rachel Caine
Sarah Jio
Sara Morgan
Cara Hoffman

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone?

While Science Fiction is not a new to me genre, it is not one I read often. I read a surprising number of books with science fiction elements in 2014. Among those was Liz Strange's novel, Erased. Erased was an intense and enjoyable book. It made me wonder why I do not read science fiction more often.

I read a surprising amount of romance novels this year, which was a huge shift in my reading as compared to past years. I have always enjoyed romance as a side dish in the novels I read, but as a main course . . . Well, this is new for me. At least new in the last two decades or so.  I had burned out on the genre long ago, but the last couple of years I have been venturing back into it.

It would be easy to point to novels I thoroughly enjoyed such as Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson and The Ghost Bride by Yangszee Choo, Deanna Raybourn's Night of a Thousand Stars, or The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, I feel like that's cheating because I do not think of any of those books as being strictly romance novels. Even so, they each have strong love stories which moved me in some way. But if I were to choose one, separate from those that was more strictly romance, I would have to say Sarah Jio's The Look of Love.

8. Top five favorite covers of a books you read in 2014?

9. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2014?

I related to Sandra Hunter's Losing Touch on a deeply personal level. Even though my father died three years ago, I still find myself trying to know and understand him. I saw my father in Arjun, one of the main characters in the book.  And that final scene in the novel . . . I still cannot get it out of my head, and my eyes still well up with tears when I think of it.

Heather Gudenkauf's Little Mercies  also had a big impact on me. I was not sure I would be able to stomach the subject matter, but it was a book that reminded me how, as I stated in my original review, the "little mercies in our lives [...] help us get through even when we feel at our most helpless."

10. Shortest and longest book you read in 2014?

The Final Solution by Michael Chabon - 131 pages

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin at 768 pages

11. Favorite book you read in 2014 by an author you’ve read previously?

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness. I also really enjoyed Lisa See's Shanghai Girls.

12. Genre you read the most from in 2014? 

I was disappointed to learn that I read no nonfiction this year. Zip. I am not sure how that happened. Admittedly, I am not a prolific nonfiction reader, but I usually fit something in now and then.  I need to remedy that in 2015.

Some fun meaningless statistics:
(Much of what I read was falls under more than one genre. Here, I count them under the genre I most identified with the book).

Crime Fiction (mysteries & thrillers) - 19
Urban Fantasy - 15
Paranormal Romance - 5
Contemporary Romance - 10
Historical Fiction - 7
Contemporary Fiction - 17
Science Fiction - 5

Of those, 9 were labeled as Young Adult.

62 of the 78 books I read in 2014 were written by women.

I rated:
5 Paws (Outstanding) - 1
4.5 Paws - 9
4 Paws (Very Good) - 21
3.5 Paws - 34
3 Paws (Good) - 8
2.5 Paws - 4
2 Paws (Fair) - 1

Month I Read the Most Books: December - 10
Month I Read the Least Books: April - 4

13. Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting?

Despite my disappointment in the book Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin, the world building was amazing. I could feel the freezing cold as I read and I loved the author's descriptions of his various settings, especially New York.

Dare I mention Ben H. Winters' The Last Policeman Trilogy again? The premise of the novel, an asteroid on its way to destroy a good part of the earth and possibly wipe out civilization may sound out there, but the the author was very meticulous in detail with the impact such an event would have on society from an individual to a more macro level.

14. Which book made me smile and smile and smile?

Deanna Raybourn's Night of a Thousand Stars.

15. Book that made you cry?

The better question is what book didn't make me cry. I am such a cry baby when it comes to books. Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and Last Train to Babylon by Charlee Fam were among the worst offenders (in a good way, each of them).

16. Most unique book you read?

Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke - This is one of those books I hesitate to talk about in depth with someone who hasn't read it. Just about anything I might say would be a spoiler.


17. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of 2014?

I participated in several challenges, each of which I completed.  I also read three books alongside Carrie in her "I've Always Meant to Read That Book!" Challenge (State of Wonder, A Prayer for Owen Meany and Blind Assassin), although not as many as I had hoped. I joined Jennifer of Literate Housewife in her Fingersmith Read-A-Long, which was a lot of fun.

I had hoped to make 2014 the Year of Re-Discovery, which did not happen.  So, in that, I failed. Perhaps this will be a goal I will work on this coming year.

Here is a summary of the challenges I completed:

I came close to not finishing the What's In A Name Challenge hosted by Charlie from The Worm Hole. When I began the year, I was not intentionally reading books to fit the challenge categories. Luck was with me. That changed when the end was in sight and I had two to go.

A reference to time in the title ~ Labor Day by Joyce Maynard 
A position of royalty in the title ~ Duke City Split  by Max Austin 

A number written in letters in the title ~  Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

A forename or names in the title ~ A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

A type or element of weather in the title ~ Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

A book with a school subject in the title ~ The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard

I challenged myself to read at least 5 historical fiction novels in 2014 for Historical Tapestry's Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, and I ended up reading nine that qualified. Both Irving and Atwood's books take the reader into the past as the characters remember in their present times. There is enough history included for the books to count towards this challenge, fortunately.

1. Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

2. The Final Solution: A Story of Detection  by Michael Chabon
3. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
4. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
5. Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
6. The Ghost Bride by Yangszee Choo
7. Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn 

8. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

9. The Summer of Long Knives by Jim Snowden

The Book to Movie Challenge hosted by Katie of Doing Dewey and Sergio of Tipping my Fedora was a lot of fun. I committed to read/watch six for the challenge. I had expected to exceed my goal, but it wasn't meant to be.

1.  Beautiful Creatures  by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl 

2. Labor Day by Joyce Maynard  

3. Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

4. Divergent  by Veronica Roth

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

6. A Prayer for Owen Meany  by John Irving

I was hesitant to join the Chunkster Challenge hosted by Vasilly of 1330V, but I could not resist.  Chunksters are defined as being 450 pages or more. I agreed to read 5 chunksters this year. Some were fairly quick books to read given the type of book and subject matter (the challenge allowed YA books). A few others took me a while to work my way through. I ended up reading eleven chunksters in 2015.

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin - 768 pgs
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving - 640 pgs
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - 582 pgs
Beautiful Creatures  by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - 577 pgs
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness - 561 pgs
Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 544 pgs
Allegiant  by Veronica Roth - 544 pgs
Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - 521 pgs
Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie - 496 pgs
Ripper by Isabel Allende - 496 pgs

Divergent  by Veronica Roth - 487 pgs

I also participated in the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril.  I challenged myself to read four books for the event, and I ended up reading six.

The Betrayed  by Heather Graham 

A Penny for a Hangman by Tom Savage 

A Fistful of Evil  by Rebecca Chastain 

Ash by Malinda Lo

Confessions by Kanae Minato

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

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18. Looking ahead to 2015, do you have any goals for reading or your blog? Or life in general?

I have no plans as of now to join any reading challenges, but I have said that before. They can be so hard to resist! Let's see . . . Goals for the New Year. As long as we don't call them New Year's Resolutions, I am good. Semantics, I know. Still.

Reading Goals:
Read more nonfiction
Read more diversely
Re-discover favorite authors
Catch up on at least three favorite series
Read a book whose author's surname begins with an X.

Blogging Goals:
Make Mouse's Corner a more regular feature on my blog, including guest posts from authors, fellow bloggers and readers on topics related to children's books and reading (if you are interested, let me know!).

Life Goals:
Live more in the moment and less in my head
Continue to improve my health through exercise and eating right
Write more letters
Be a better wife and mother

I do not know what 2015 will hold for any of us, but I look forward to another year of blogging and sharing my life with you. Thanks to all of you, whether you are a long time reader, a sporadic visitor or visiting for the first time.  I hope your New Year is filled with love, laughter, good health, and the makings of many good memories. And may you read many wonderful books!

Happy New Year!

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© 2014, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: The Weather Warden Series by Rachel Caine

Storm clouds are gathering overhead again this week, threatening to bring more rain.  Mudslides and flooding closed area roads the last two weeks. I am just glad I do not have to be out in it. The weather has been perfect for curling up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate and diving into Rachel Caine's Weather Warden Series. 

I can just imagine Joanne Baldwin, one of the most powerful Weather Wardens working her magic along with other Wardens with varying gifts to divert or calm violent weather, tame raging wildfires, or heal and manipulate the earth.  While the storm above my head isn't likely to warrant intervention, other more deadly storms would.

The novels follow the character of Joanne Baldwin, a rather rebellious and independent woman who can control the weather.  She loves high fashion and fast cars, but she also values human life and will do anything to protect mankind. She is part of a secret world organization that has used their power to protect humans and their property, controlling and manipulating the weather, mastering fire, and healing the earth and injured, for thousands of years. 

Each book in the series is pretty much nonstop action from beginning to end; the tension remains high throughout. This is a series that is best read in order, one book's ending leading straight into the next. As a result, it would be impossible to discuss each book in the series without risk of spoiling anything. I am going to try though.

In the first book of Rachel Caine's series, Ill Wind (Roc, 2003; 337 pgs), Joanne is on the run for her life, accused of murdering a fellow Warden.  She has other problems too, which only complicate matters. In order to clear her name and save her own life, Joanne seeks the help of an old friend, Lewis, the most powerful Warden known--and also the most wanted. Lewis has been hiding for years, on the run himself for stealing three Djinn, magical beings that have been used by Wardens for thousands of years to do their bidding.

In Heat Stroke (Roc, 2004; 335 pgs), Caine takes the reader into the world of the Djinn, both those bound to Wardens and those who are free.  Joanne's life is again in danger as is the life of her lover, David, a powerful Djinn whom we meet in the first book.  There is a very real threat out there to all humanity and the Djinn, and Joanne and David may be the only ones who can stop it.

Despite the title, things heat up in Chill Factor (Roc, 2005; 337 pgs) when Joanne goes after a teenage boy who can not only master fire, but came into other extraordinary powers by stealing them from a Warden. He is extremely dangerous. While trying to take him down, Joanne is haunted by her past, a past that takes form in the present, yet again putting her life at risk.  

Joanne's sister moves in and Joanne is on the outs with the Wardens. Joanne wants nothing more than to make a new life for herself. Yet someone is out to frame her.  In Windfall (Roc, 2005; 320 pgs), Joanne realizes she cannot shake them no matter how hard she tries.  With the Djinn on the verge of civil war, Joanne has her hands full once again. This is perhaps the loosest put together book in the series, and the on with the most humor. 

In Firestorm (Roc 2006; 292 pgs), the Djinn are bucking the chains that bind them, wanting their freedom from the Wardens who have enslaved them for centuries. There are those who want all Wardens to pay--with their lives. As the natural balance of life begins to go off kilter, Mother Earth is beginning to wake from her long sleep.  This poses an even bigger threat given she isn't very happy.

Thin Air (Roc, 2007; 307 pgs) is my favorite of the series. It also serves as a transition point from previous books in the series into the next few. Joanne has lost her memories and must find them again or risk losing herself completely.  She has her work cut out for her.  An impostor has stolen those memories and stepped into her life. 

Gale Force (Roc, 2008; 306 pgs), Cape Storm (Roc, 2009; 306 pgs), and Total Eclipse (Roc, 2010; 303 pgs) finish off the Weather Warden Series as David asks Joanne to marry him.  There are those who will do anything to stop a powerful Djinn and Warden from making vows to one another for it is unknown what exactly that will mean for the humans and the Djinn. It could make one group vulnerable to the other--or weaker as a whole.  Or perhaps it will do just the opposite. At the top of the list of those wanting to stop any wedding is an old enemy of Joanne's, a man who has a weapon that can wipe the Djinn out of existence. If that isn't bad enough, Mother Earth is now awake, and she will stop at nothing until all of humanity is destroyed.  

In each book, Joanne faces life and death situations, and frankly I am in awe of her resilience and strength. While she does get herself rescued a lot, often by one of the men in her life, she proves many times over she can think quickly on her feet and isn't afraid to think outside the box.  She weighs all the consequences before jumping into action, even when it means putting her own life on the line.

Joanne and David's relationship plays a significant role throughout the series, often in life altering ways. Love between a Djinn and a Warden are forbidden for a reason. I admit I didn't quite buy into the love story between Joanne and David at first, but it grew on me after awhile. I mean, David is pretty awesome.  And he is very devoted to Joanne, sometimes to a fault.

Power is a heavy burden that can easily corrupt. Joanne finds that out all too quickly. The Wardens are not as clean as she had once believed. Joanne is not sure who she can trust, even among her family and friends.  The Weather Warden series has is it all: plenty of white knuckled action, a high (I mean really high) body count, corruption of power, backstabbing, revenge, retribution, steamy romance, with a hint of humor.  In the final three books, the "protect the environment" message was hard to ignore (at least for me), but there was also an underlying message of hope and faith in humanity.

Rachel Caine is a gifted world builder, and the world she has created in the Weather Warden Series is full of interesting characters and history.  I was so taken with her books that I raced through the entire series.  At one point, I missed an entire toddler tantrum and fuss that happened right in front of me--I was so engrossed in one of the books. I understand Caine has another series set in the same world, following different characters.  I may just have to check it out.

You can learn more about Rachel Caine and her books on the author's website. 

Source: I purchased all nine books for my own reading pleasure.

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© 2014, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Barnard

Daisy was not crazy. ~ Opening to The Art of Arranging Flowers

The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard

Berkley Trade, 2014

Fiction; 320 pgs

From the Publisher:  

Ruby Jewell knows flowers. In her twenty years as a florist she has stood behind the counter at the Flower Shoppe with her faithful dog, Clementine, resting at her feet. A customer can walk in, and with just a glance or a few words, Ruby can throw together the perfect arrangement for any occasion.

Whether intended to rekindle a romance, mark a celebration, offer sympathy, or heal a broken heart, her expressive floral designs mark the moments and milestones in the lives of her neighbors. It’s as though she knows just what they want to say, just what they need. 

Yet Ruby’s own heart’s desires have gone ignored since the death of her beloved sister. It will take an invitation from a man who’s flown to the moon, the arrival of a unique little boy, and concern from a charming veterinarian to reawaken her wounded spirit. Any life can be derailed, but the healing power of community can put it right again.

I needed a book that would fit into the sixth category of the What's In A Name Challenge, and thought The Art of Arranging Flowers would be a perfect fit. Plus, the beautiful cover called out to me, promising a feel good book that was much needed after my having read several heavier books before it.

There was much I liked about The Art of Arranging Flowers.  The small town setting.  The way the characters were there for one another. Ruby's dog, Clementine. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters. I can't think of one I didn't like.  Ruby is a town's fixture, having been the florist there for years. She is well respected and liked. She knows her customers well, and has been known to give romance between them a little extra push when needed. 

The novel is a quiet one, with not a lot happening, especially early on. While I liked this approach at first, it grew a little tiresome after awhile. I wondered if the level of detail in the main character's actions was necessary.  About half way through, the novel began to pick up again. Still, it wasn't until the end, as I looked back over the book, that I realized just how much had happened and how much had changed for Ruby. It was mostly very subtle and there was something refreshing about that.

In some ways, one could argue that this was a too perfect book with too perfect characters and everything fell into place, well, too perfectly.  It really wasn't perfect though, not completely.  Not for the young woman with cancer, the young boy who was still grieving the loss of his mother, or for Ruby, who had blocked off her heart after her sister's death, unwilling to let anyone get too close. There were other issues as well for many of the other characters.  Each one struggling through life as best they could. All the characters were nice good-hearted people, and to some that might be too perfect and unrealistic, but it fit with the story the author was trying to tell.  I would have liked more depth into some of the more major but minor characters in the book, a closer look at what they were going through or had gone through. It might have strengthened my connection to them and their individual back stories.

I liked the flower talk throughout the novel, the descriptions of their beauty and individuality, as well as their meanings. They were very much their own character in the book.  I appreciated the significance of flowers and plants in Ruby's life, how they changed her, gave her strength and just what they meant in her life, and those around her.

The Art of Arranging Flowers is more of what I would call a light book. There are serious issues touched on in the novel such as grief and loss, substance abuse, regrets and the power of friendship, but the author does not linger on them long.  Overall, I liked The Art of Arranging Flowers. I liked how it left me with a smile on my face as I turned the final page.  And I enjoyed my time in Creekside. 

Rating:  (Good)

You can learn more about Lynne Branard (aka Lynne Hinton) and her books on the author's website. 

Source: Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley.

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© 2014, 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.

Bookish Thoughts: Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

"I say, if you're running away from your wedding you're going about it quite wrong."  ~ Opening of Night of a Thousand Stars

Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

Harlequin MIRA, 2014

Fiction (Historical, Romance); 368 pgs

I knew I would enjoy this novel from the very first sentence, and I was not wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Poppy Hammond's world.  Yes, she was a bit presumptuous at times, but what a great character--I love how she took charge of her life. Then there is Sebastian, whom I adored (maybe even had a little crush on).

A little about the book, set in 1920: Penelope "Poppy" Hammond, step daughter to a wealthy industrialist, ditches her stiff groom on their wedding day, enlisting the aid of Curate Sebastian Cantrip. They flee to Poppy's father's country village home in England. It is there that Poppy reflects on her life thus far--how little she's accomplished and how often she's failed to follow through. Deciding to change that, Poppy is determined to return to London to find Sebastian Cantrip and thank him for his help as well as maybe find herself a little adventure.  And adventure she finds in spades! For the mysterious curate is not who he says he is--nor is he where she thought she'd find him. Poppy, along with her lady's maid, Masterman, begin their own investigation into the identity and whereabouts of Sebastian.

Their adventure takes them from the ports of London to Damascus and the deserts beyond.  There is intrigue, treachery, romance, and danger at every turn.  Poppy is quick witted and intelligent. She is ever tenacious.  Her wealthy upbringing showed a few times, her privilege and class being both a hindrance and a help.

I especially enjoyed the references to the political and social turmoil in Damascus and among the Bedouin tribes throughout the novel.  As well as the descriptions of the city itself.  Damascus was very much a character all its own, as was the desert. There was a romantic air about it and a dangerous one.

There is humor throughout the novel, and I found myself laughing as often as I found myself holding my breath in suspense, waiting to see what would happen next. This book wasn't quite what I expected in that I expected more romance and less adventure, but the level of adventure and intrigue was quite high. I liked how the romance progressed through the novel--more of a slow tease and less of an "in your face" type.

While things may fall a little too conveniently together in the end, this did not bring down my enjoyment of the novel in any way. It does make me anxious, however, to read City of Jasmine. When I first volunteered to read Night of a Thousand Stars, I had no idea it was a companion book to another that features some familiar characters. My only quibble with not reading that book first is that I did not get to experience the excitement others did about running into those familiar characters again.  Just the same, Night of a Thousand Stars is perfectly fine as a stand alone, and, I feel, nothing is lost in reading them out of order or even just one or the other.

I look forward to reading more by Deanna Raybourn in the future.  I can see why she's such a well-liked author.

Rating:   (Very Good)

To learn more about Deanna Raybourn, and her books, please visit the author's website.


I hope you will check out what others had to say about Night of a Thousand Stars on the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. E-Copy of the book provided by the publisher.

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© 2014, 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.

Six Month Challenge Check In

Six months into the year and I already have a few contenders for my top ten favorite books of the year, although no books have yet earned my coveted 5 paw rating.  It is hard to believe half the year is already gone.  So, how am I doing with those reading challenges I said I would not sign up for but did anyway?  Let's take a look:

I admit to always playing the What's In A Name Challenge hosted by Charlie from The Worm Hole by the ear. I have not intentionally read a book for this challenge in a couple years and somehow manage to complete it (even if by the skin of my teeth).  So far this year, I have read books that meet two of the six categories. Not the best start, but I still have another six months to work on it.

A reference to time in the title ~ Labor Day by Joyce Maynard 
A position of royalty in the title ~ Duke City Split  by Max Austin (the book has nothing to do with royalty, but the title has the word "Duke in it", so I'm counting it.)

A number written in letters in the title (I've read a couple of books with numeric descriptive words in the title ("once" and "millionaire" for example), but no specific number written in letters.  Yet.)

A forename or names in the title (I was going to fit A Prayer for Owen Meany in this category, but who would have guessed "Owen" isn't the character's first name?  It's his middle name.  Oh well.  I have lots of other choices to choose from.)

A type or element of weather in the title

A book with a school subject in the title

I challenged myself to read at least 5 historical fiction novels this year for Historical Tapestry's Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, and I have done just that.   Both Irving and Atwood's books take the reader into the past as the characters remember in their present times.  There is enough history included for the books to count towards this challenge, fortunately.

1. Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

2. The Final Solution: A Story of Detection  by Michael Chabon
3. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
4. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving ~ review pending
5. Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood ~ review pending

The Book to Movie Challenge hosted by Katie of Doing Dewey and Sergio of Tipping my Fedora has been a lot of fun so far this year.  Reading and watching movies are both passions of mine and this challenge combines both.  I committed to read/watch six for the challenge. Even though I have met my challenge goal, I imagine there will be more before the year is out.

1.  Beautiful Creatures  by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl 

2. Labor Day by Joyce Maynard  

3. Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

4. Divergent  by Veronica Roth

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

6. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (the movie title is Simon Birch) ~ review pending

I was hesitant to join Chunkster Challenge hosted by Vasilly of 1330V this year, but I could not resist.  Chunksters are defined as being 450 pages or more.  I agreed to read 5 chunksters this year. Admittedly, some were fairly quick books to read given the type of book and subject matter (the challenge allows YA books this year).  A few others took me a while to work my way through.  I would say eight out of five isn't bad though, wouldn't you say? 

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin - 768 pgs
A Prayer for Own Meany by John Irving - 640 pgs ~ review pending
Beautiful Creatures  by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - 577 pgs
Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - 521 pgs ~ review pending
Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 544 pgs
Allegiant  by Veronica Roth - 544 pgs
Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie - 496 pgs 

Divergent  by Veronica Roth - 487 pgs

This year I am also participating in Carrie of Books and Movies' "I've Always Meant to Read That Book!" Challenge, at least occasionally.  In March, I read State of Wonder by Ann Patchett as planned; and in April I began reading Margaret Atwood's Blind Assassin. I wasn't able to finish Blind Assassin until June.  Better late than never, right?  On a positive note, I did finish June's A Prayer for Owen Meany as planned.  As much as I hoped to join Carrie in reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins for May, I decided to set that aside to read at a later time.  The next book I am hoping to read alongside Carrie is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.  But that's not until October.

Over all, I think I am doing very good!  Technically, I have completed the Chunkster Challenge, the Books to Movie Challenge, and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.  And I am only at the six month mark! Go me!  I am not ready to wrap up the challenges just yet, however. I want to leave them open to see what other titles I can add to my lists.

Are you participating in any challenges this year?  How are you progressing?

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© 2014, 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.

I Know I Said No Challenges This Year . . .

In years past, my excitement and eagerness for challenges usually struck in late November, early December. This year, I felt nothing.  None of the challenges appealed to me.  The idea of signing up and obligating myself to read a certain type or number of books sounded more like work than fun.  As January rolled out, however, I found myself wondering if I was too hasty in my decision to write off all challenges.  I could still sign up for one or two challenges, after all.  I can change my mind, and none of you would hold it against me. Having participated in many challenges in the past, I know for a fact that nothing--absolutely nothing--happens when I don't quite meet my goal.  I may feel a little bad, but I get over it so quickly that it really doesn't matter.  What matters is the fun I have along the way; I enjoy the community aspect more of blogging; and I read wonderful books.  I think, too, participating in a few reading challenges this year will help spice up my blogging life.

As I had these thoughts and wrestled with the idea of signing up for challenges this year, I came across C.B. James's post, in which he says:

One of my long-time blogging friends Gautami Tripathy pointed me towards a reading challenge in a comment yesterday.  I was whining about how few people seem to participate in reading challenges these days, usually complaining that they never finish them as though we will all be graded on this and no one wants to risk lowering their overall G.P.A.

I say signing up for challenges and making your reading list is not just half the fun, it can sometimes be all the fun you need at the moment. [I had to ask myself: isn't that, in part, why I created the One Night Stand feature on my blog all those years ago?]   

He's right.  And I really want to join a couple of challenges.  Okay, more than a couple.  From the look of the sign up lists, James and I aren't the only ones who still like participating in challenges.   

As late into the month as it is, I hope no one will mind my late entries:

My favorite challenge is back this year with a new host, Charlie from The Worm Hole.  What I love about the What's In A Name Challenge is how random it can be.  The only requirement is that one book be read from each of the following categories (no overlap):

(Titles listed or possibilities, not guaranteed reads)

~ A reference to time in the title 

The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson

In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

~ A position of royalty in the title

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

Little Princes by Conor Grennan

~ A number written in letters in the title

Six Years by Harlan Coben

Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George

~ A forename or names in the title

Stella Bain by Anita Shreve

Delia's Shadow by Jamie Lee Moyer

~ A type or element of weather in the title

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Snow Child by Ivey Eowyn

 *                    *                    *

I am also going to participate in the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge this year, tackling the Victorian Reader level in which I commit to read at least 5 historical fiction novels.  One of my favorite aspects of this challenge is that books can be chosen from just about any genre, just as long as they have a historical element in them.  This challenge is hosted by the ladies over at Historical Tapestry.

1. Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson ~ Completed

2. The Final Solution: A Story of Detective by Michael Chabon ~ review pending

A handful of possibilities:

Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen

Stella Bain by Anita Shreve

Changeless by Gail Carriger

A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris

 *                    *                    *

Since there are a long list of movies coming out this year I want to see (after I rush to read the books), I thought I would go ahead and join Doing Dewey's Book to Movie Challenge hosted by Katie of Doing Dewey and Sergio of Tipping my Fedora. The rules are pretty relaxed for this particular challenge, depending on how difficult I want to make it for myself.  I am going to go with the idea that as long as I read the book and watch the movie in 2014, it counts, regardless of whether the movie is on television, DVD, streamed in, or in the theater.  I am committing to read 6 books and watch their corresponding movies for this challenge, aiming for the Movie Devotee category.

A handful of possibilities:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (I'm just a movie away from having this one done!)

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard  (I'm just a movie away from having this one done!)

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (I doubt I'll be able to see the movie this year, but you never know, so it's on the list.)

 *                    *                    *

I was not going to do this one, but I might as well.  I seem to have already read a few bigger books at the start of the year and plan to read a few more.  Why not make it official and join the Chunkster Challenge? Vasilly at 1330V is hosting this year.  Chunksters are defined as being 450 pages or more.  While graphic novels do not count, audiobooks and young adult novels do, along with the usual adult fiction, nonfiction, and short story or essay collections (as long as they are read in their entirety). There are no levels this year, and participants are free to set their own numeric goal.  I am going to be conservative and commit to reading 5 chunksters this year.

Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie - 496 pgs ~ review pending

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - 577 pgs ~ review pending

A handful of possibilities:

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (which I'm listening to now)

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

A Prayer for Own Meany by John Irving

Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

 *                    *                    *

And just to make it official, although I mentioned it in passing in my year end wrap up for 2013, I am also participating, in part, in Carrie of Books and Movies' "I've Always Meant to Read That Book!" Challenge.  I will not be participating every month, but I would like to participate in at least five, maybe six of the discussions.  I have highlighted the ones I want to join Carrie in reading.

• January – The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor 
• February – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 
• March – State of Wonder by Ann Patchett 
• April – The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood 
• May – The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
• June – A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving 
• July – American Gods by Neil Gaiman 
• August – The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 
• September – Watership Down by Richard Adams 
• October – Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 
• November – A Passage to India by E.M. Forster 
• December – Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Three of the titles (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, American Gods, and Catcher in the Rye) I read in the past, and, after much thought, do not want to re-read them at the this time.  I am still undecided about whether I want to tackle The Poisonwood Bible again.  I have tried twice already and could not get into it.  Watership Down has never really appealed to me, but it comes highly recommended, so maybe.  I might read A Passage to India with Carrie.  I haven't quite decided.  With this challenge, I am really more interested in reading books I have been wanting to read for what seems like forever and haven't yet, just like the challenge title implies.

I think that will do.  Five challenges seem like a good place to stop.  I am sure there will be crossovers.  I am not that prolific a reader as to think there will not be.  I am not putting any pressure on myself in terms of absolutely having to complete any of the above challenges. I will still read what I want, when I want.  And I will have lots of fun reading the books I do read.

Are you participating in any challenges this year?  If so, which ones?

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© 2014, 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.