2nds Challenge Completed

I've been introduced to some amazing authors this year. Thanks to Joy's encouragement I read a 2nd book by three of these authors.

The authors and books I chose are
1. John Dunning's The Bookman's Wake
2. Jan Burke's Goodnight, Irene (Which actually book one in the series. I happily stumbled across book 5 or 6 earlier this year.)
3. Katherine Hall Page's Body in the Kelp

All three are authors of mysteries. I'm quite sure I'll be reading more books by these authors.

Goodnight, Irene

by Jan Burke

I read book five in the Irene Kelly mystery series earlier this year and really liked it. So when Joy mentioned reading a second book by an author we'd only read one of, Jan Burke was an obvious choice.

In Goodnight, Irene the reader is introduced to Irene Kelly and several of her friends. The book starts out with one of her closest friend's murder. As a reporter, Irene picks up on the stories her friend was working on in hopes of finding clues that will lead to the murderer.

This type of book is like comfort food to me. Perfect for when I don't want to thing too hard, but want to escape for a few hours and be totally wrapped up in the story. I look forward to reading book two in the series soon.

The Body in Kelp

by Katherine Hall Page

This is book 2 in the Faith Fairchild 'TheBody In" series. All the books start with the words "The Body in." The first was The Body in the Belfry and the next one after The Body in the Kelp is The Body in the Bouillon. The series features a New York city woman transplanted to a small Massachusetts village when she marries the handsome minister. Of course, there is the occasional murder that needs to be solved to keep Faith's life interesting when she's not busy with her 2-year-old son and her small catering business.

This series is perfect when you need a light, cozy mystery. Nothing to write home about but fun to read.

The Bookman's Wake

by John Dunning

I read Booked to Die earlier in the year and really liked the writing, the mystery and the main character. I knew then that I would want to read more books in the Cliff Janeway series. When Verbivore came up with the Reading the Author Challenge I didn't have to make any hard decisions on which author I would read.

The Bookman's Wake was the New York Time's notable book of the year in 1995 and was even better than Booked to Die, which makes me even more excited to read the other 3 books in the series.

The lead character is a Denver policeman who retired to open up a used book store. He's also a book scout who becomes embroiled in murder cases. This time he is coaxed into going to Seattle to track down a young book thief and possible murderer.

A few passages that stood out at the time I read them:

"Forget what you thought you knew and maybe you'll learn something."

"I read somewhere that fiction's the only way you can really tell the truth."

"Lighter fluid is one of the book scouts's major tools, used for removing stickers from book jackets safely and without a trace. Paper can be soaked in it without getting stained, wrinklet, or otherwise damaged, unless someone remembers what lighter fluid's really for and sets it on fire."

I like the references to books and the interesting tidbits about book scouting. Of course, if that's all these books promised I probably wouldn't read anymore. Dunning does a wonderful job of building his characters and developing a thoughtful mystery. I look forward to book 3, The Bookman's Promise.

2nds Challenge

I Want Seconds!

I've seen this challenge on Joy's blog and have just been waiting until we got back from vacation to choose my books and to post this challenge. This is how Joy explains the challenge:

"I know many of us have discovered several new authors as we have participated in the gazillion challenges we joined this past year (Joy said endearingly!) and I also know that we have stumbled upon some books that we thought were really great and some maybe not-so-great. Well, here's the perfect excuse opportunity to explore 3 new-found authors that you would love to go back for a second helping. I hope you'll join me.

WHO: Anybody

WHAT: Read 3 books by authors that you have only read one other

WHERE: Mister Linky will keep track of monthly books read here on "Thoughts of Joy..."

WHEN: October, November and December, 2007
(Directly following the Non-Fiction Five Challenge)

WHY: Because we love to read...why else?"

After choosing your 3 books go to Joy's blog and sign up with Mr. Linky. Here are my choices for this challenge:

1. The Bookman's Wake by John Dunning. First book in this series is Booked to Die which I thoroughly enjoyed. Click on title for my review.

2. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. I know it's amazing that a 56-yr-old woman has only read one Austen book, but it was Pride and Prejudice so that redeems me just a little, doesn't it?

3. Body in the Kelp by Katherine Hall Page. This is a series my cousins Pam and Jane read and recommended to me. I really enjoyed the first, Body in the Belfry. Another light, cozy mystery.

As possible alternatives I have chosen:

*A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber. This is the next book after The Shop on Blossom Street.

* The Love Letters by Madeleine L'Engle. The only L'Engle book I've read is A Wrinkle in Time, but I have several others on my shelves.

* Spectacle of Corruptions by David Liss. I fell in love with Liss when I read A Conspiracy of Paper. He includes such interesting tidbits of history that add depth and richness to his novels. I read this one so long ago that it's not even included in my blog reviews. It's definitely time to read this one.