Paging the Dead

Title: Paging the Dead

Author: Brynn Bonner aka Brenda Witchger aka Ellen Harris

Publisher: Gallery Books

Series: Family History Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781451661866

Pages: 290

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

I saw it on Wowbrary (new items the library's purchasing); it's a series about family history, which I have an interest in; it's a cozy mystery which I have a fondness for.

Comments:

I took a little longer than I had expected to get into this, but the story was decent.  Sophreena and her business partner Esme have a client who is murdered on the same day they visit her.  Are they suspects?  And will they still be paid for the whoppin' big project they were hired to do?  Was it robbery?  And who didn't have something against the victim?  And what is the victim's long-dead grandmother trying to tell Esme? (That's right! A paranormal aspect... though not much seen on the part of the reader.)

I figured out things before the big reveal, but it was in the last fourth of the book, so not too soon.

A lot of information about tracing you family history is available via Sophreena who is prone to lectures on the subject.  It was a tad info dump, but I can use the information so I accepted it.  Sophreena also has a quirk where she spits out current history facts about a year (president, popular music and movies, other big events), and I have to be honest I was a little jealous of that, even if it didn't come across as particularly natural.

Note: From the author's credits page, it seems this book was originally to be titled Death by Design.  I'm glad that was changed. I've heard it before and Paging the Dead fits much better.

As for the characters, well.  I wasn't instantly attached and charmed, but I have a feeling they'll grow on my as the series progresses.

Overall, the book wasn't everything I hoped, but it was pleasant enough.  And yes, I intend to continue with the series.  It seems the second book is to be titled, Photos and Foul Play.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (5/6/2013) #IMWAYR

 

Hosted by: Sheila @ Book Journey

To participate go here.

Life:

Such is.  Not much else to say here.

Lately, I've been reading:

Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal (Monty Haaviko, Bk 2)by Michael Van Rooy for The Canadian Book Challenge 6.

The Summons by John Grisham for a local book club.

That Old Flame of Mine (Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery, Bk 1) by J. J. Cook

Me and My Dragon (Children's Book) by David Biedrzycki

Grumpy Gloria (Children's Book) by Anna Dewdney AND I'm Not Reading! (Children's Book) by Jonathan Allen

Currently Reading:

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Bk 3) by Rick Riordan; Read by Jesse Bernstein (Goodreads)

Dishing Up Death (Gourmet Pet Chef Mystery featuring Kitty Karlyle, Bk 1) by Marie Celine (possible Cozy Cull book) (Goodreads)

Paging the Dead (Family History Mystery, Bk 1) by Brynn Bonner (Goodreads)

Giveaways and Discussion: 

A Place and Time for Reading (a discussion on time-management) Discussion

Upcoming:

I'd just be happy to finish the books I have going currently.  (I actually have a couple others not listed above, too.)

Grumpy Gloria (Children's Book) AND I'm Not Reading! (Children's Book)

Title: Grumpy Gloria

Author/Illustrator: Anna Dewdney

Publisher: Viking

ISBN: 0670061239

Obtained: ILL Library copy

Why this book:

Love Anna Dewdney's other work so had to try this one.

Comments:

I LOVE that Gloria's a bulldog. My sis's dog (the one I've been training), is a bulldog mix. In addition, the story was cute. It has great vocab, as usual for a Dewdney book. Also like other Dewdney books, this one has a nice sing-song rhyming rhythm.  I'm definitely glad I requested it.

Title: I'm Not Reading!

Author/Illustrator: Jonathan Allen

Publisher: Boxer Books

Series: Baby Owl, Bk6

ISBN: 9781907967443

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

It looked cute and had the word “reading” in the title.

Comments:

Owl sits down to read to Owly, but then Tiny Chick comes.  That's fine but then more and more come until finally Baby Owl is NOT READING!  It's a nice story with a happy ending.  I think part of what I liked was that "baby" owl was reading to other children.  I liked the idea of sharing literacy, even at a young age.  Maybe especially at a young age.

A Place and Time for Reading (a discussion on time-management)

I've mentioned before my recent step up to a full-time librarian position.  This has been goal for some time.  I'm thrilled, no doubt. 

But who knew it would be so difficult to get any reading or blogging in?  Others may have, but it's been a reality check for me.  I guess this happened before.  I've had other jobs that were just short of "full time."  But I didn't notice it as much.  Or, more likely, I conveniently forgot.  Whatever the case, here's my thoughts/revelations...

I used to say, when I was a student (even in grad school), that people who said they didn't have time to read just didn't MAKE the time.  I still believe that, but in a whole new way.  I now understand that you may need to schedule reading in.  Like set aside specific times.  And that sometimes you may have the actual time to slip some reading in, but not the energy.

So how do you manage your reading (and blogging if applicable)?  Do you have a set time you read (blog)?  Do you grab every chance you get?  Or do you not get much quantity reading in, but focus on quality reading (blogging)?  What do you juggle in your schedule ... family, illness, school, work, activities/hobbies...?

Please, let me know.  I'd love to get some new perspective.

And if you're interested, I have some VERY guesstimated number-crunching...

Once upon a time I read between 300 - 400 books a year.  Some thin ones, some bulky ones.
That number has decreased over time.  I'd say last year I was around 150-200? Give or take? 

So far in 2013, I've read about 28-30 books based on the number of MG through Adult books I've blogged about.  ::sigh::  I miss reading.

That Old Flame of Mine

Title: That Old Flame of Mine

Author: J. J. Cook aka Joyce and Jim Lavene

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425252048

Pages: 292 + "The Sweet Pepper Difference" and Recipes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

I regularly check for new series debuts published by Berkley Prime Crime, then request the library purchase them.  This is one of those.  I decided to read it now over other possibilities due to a review by Kimberlee @ Girl Lost in a Book.

Trailer:

 

 

Comments:

Set in small town Tennessee and featuring the new (temporary) fire chief of the new (hopefully not-so-temporary) volunteer fire brigade, That Old Flame of Mine caught my attention right away.  Add to that the touch of paranormal (a ghost), and the hook dug in further.  I'm not going to gush.  Some aspects - especially where relationships are concerned (potential romantic and others) were a bit to abrupt for me. 

But I did enjoy the book.  I liked Stella.  She's a strong and intelligent heroine.  She has a strong background with obvious leadership skills that help make her an appealing character.  And one of the relationships that did feel natural is between Stella and the ghost, Eric.  Once the initial "no-such-thing-as-ghosts" thing was past, they jibed well together.

I did guess the suspect (there were some indications of hinkiness), but I absolutely positively did not guess the why.  It simply didn't occur to me until it was revealed in the story.  I guess you could say I had a hunch, but no proof. =)

There's supposed to be an e-book special out in December 2013 titled "Hero's Journey" about the Dalmatian puppy of the series.  Not sure if I'll be able to read that, we'll see.  Then the full on second book, Playing With Fire, is due out January 2014.  I definitely plan on reading that, especially considering the end of this one (oops, forgot to mention the last minute cliffhanger... though the original mystery is solved).

Me and My Dragon (Children's Book)

Title: Me and My Dragon

Author: David Biedrzycki

Publisher: Charlesbridge

ISBN: 9781580892780

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

What better pet than a dragon? This little boy tells all the good and bad that would come with such a pet. With vibrant illustrations that very clearly demonstrate all the mishaps little boys with pet dragons might get into.

Trailer:

 

 

The Summons

Title: The Summons

Author: John Grisham

Publisher: Doubleday

ISBN: 0385503822

Pages: 341

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book: I just started participating in my grandmother's book club, and this was their selection.

(Note: I mention why I choose the books I read in just about every post anyway, so I think I'm going to try the "why this book" as an extra section... If it becomes difficult to separate the reason from the comments, I'll drop it.)

Comments:

I haven't read Grisham since I was a teen.  At the time I enjoyed them (esp. The Runaway Jury, though I couldn't bring myself to ever watch the movie).  So I don't know if this is a reflection of my changing reading tastes, or Grisham's writing, or what, but I dragged myself through this for the first half +.  I had to finish it:
1) So I could discuss it when the club meets.
2) Because my grandmother decided she couldn't finish it (she read the first 19 chapters and last 7 chapters) - keeping in mind that she has no interest in "legal thrillers."

Here's the thing, the whole story is "Where'd this money come from?" and "Who else knows about it?"  It didn't make for much of a plot to me. 

The story did eventually pick up and I finished the book, but not without some frustration.  And I didn't especially care for the ending.  Not the who and why, but the way it was all resolved.

I wish I could remember what his writing was like, and what I enjoyed before.  Too bad I didn't blog back then.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal

Title: Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal

Author: Michael Van Rooy

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Monty Haaviko, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780312606305

Pages: 324

Obtained: ILL library copy

Comments:

I read the first book in this series, An Ordinary Decent Criminal, for The Canadian Book Challenge 6. I read this one because I wanted to know how things went for Monty after the last book.  The only way to do that (without purchasing it) was ILL.

A smuggling ring is being set up to traffic people (refugee sorts) between Canada and the US, and Monty has been paid to help with making the route secure and the smuggling so quiet as not to be noticed by officials on both ends.  Too bad one of the original crew had a drug problem and a big mouth.  Now others want to use the route for more nefarious purposes (drugs, guns, etc.), and Monty needs to clear this issue up.

I think Monty is slipping. Oh he says he's gone straight, but he's does more and more criminal like activity as he goes. It's as if he thinks, "If it isn't for gain, or if it is for good, it's okay." Mmhm. Right. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing how he solves the situations he comes across. I have to say that the violence is pretty up there though. The willingness to torture, etc.  Somehow, despite Monty's tendency toward violence and a character that is so very different (from me and my world) that it's hard for me to comprehend, he makes the story.

Anyway, I have to try the third book, A Criminal to Remember.  But that will be the last since the author, Michael Van Rooy, passed in early 2011.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (4/22/2013) #IMWAYR

 

Hosted by: Sheila @ Book Journey

To participate go here.

Life:

I am officially a librarian.  In the sense of position in addition to the degree and state certification I already had.  I'm also finally working full time.  I fully intend to do a post on reading and time management because I have a new perspective on the topic.

Lately, I've been reading:

Not much.  However, these are some of the titles read since I last participated in this meme...

Speaking From Among the Bones (Flavia de Luce, Bk 5) by Alan Bradley; Read by Jayne Entwistle

You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You (Rat Pack Mystery, Bk 4) by Robert J. Randisi

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Bk 2) by Rick Riordan; Read by Jesse Bernstein

Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged) (Mr. & Mrs. Darcy, Bk 1) by Carrie Bebris

A Brew to a Kill (Cofeehouse Mystery, Bk 11) by Cleo Coyle; Read by Rebecca Gibel

The Diviners (Diviners, Bk 1) by Libba Bray; January LaVoy

And some Classic Titles - Board Books
 

Currently Reading:

Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal (Monty Havikko, Bk 2) by Michael Van Rooy (Goodreads) (For the The Canadian Book Challenge 6)

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Bk 3) by Rick Riordan; Read by Jesse Bernstein (Goodreads)

Giveaways and Discussion:

Cozy Cull [10] - Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged) by Carrie Bebris GIVEAWAY!!!

Upcoming:

 Who knows.

What about you?  What have you been reading?

Cozy Cull [10] - Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged) by Carrie Bebris

According to Merriam-Webster:

Definition of CULL

1 : to select from a group : choose  

2 : to reduce or control the size of (as a herd) by removal (as by hunting) of especially weaker animals; also : to hunt or kill (animals) as a means of population control

The plan is:

1. Each week I read one of the MANY cozy mysteries I have among my personal books.  
2. I write a post about it. 
3. Then I offer it in a giveaway in order to cull my "herd" of cozies... as "a means of population control."

 Please spread the word, even if you've already read this week's book. 

This week I have the first book in the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery series, Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged) by Carrie Bebris (published May 2007 - first published February 2004). 

You can find my thoughts on Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged) here.

From Goodreads:

Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged), a Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery, embroils the joyous newlyweds Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy in a mystery involving one of their wedding guests.

The lovely Caroline Bingley is engaged to marry a rich and charismatic American. Unfortunately, this windswept courtship is marred by many strange events-- nocturnal wanderings, spooked horses, carriage accidents, and even an apparent suicide attempt. Soon the whole Bingley family seems the target of a mysterious plot, with only the Darcys recognizing the danger

Sinister forces are afoot and the Darcys must get to the bottom of the plot before the blushing bride descends into madness--or worse.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's all in the terms and conditions, but in case you missed those...

Giveaway ends Thursday, April 25th (11:59 pm CT). I'll give the winner 48 hours from the time of notification to respond before I move on to someone else. The winner will be announced here once I've received a reply to my email.

It's not required, but feel free to comment!

And the winner is Vanessa of MomLovesDeals!