The Body in the Library, by Agatha Christie

The Body in the Library is the second Miss Marple mystery that Agatha Christie wrote. It was published in 1940, a full twelve years after the first Miss Marple mystery.

I read this book because, as a youth, I loved Hercule Poirot, but disdained Miss Marple. I don't know that I've ever read all of the Poirot mysteries, but I knew I had not read more than one Miss Marple mystery. I decided to rectify that, and this was the handiest title available at the library when I made that decision.

Close friends of Miss Marple's awake one morning to the discovery of the dead body of a young woman in their library. Police suspicions naturally fall on the man of the house to begin with, and the lady of the house calls on Miss Marple to help solve the crime and confirm her husband's innocence.

I enjoyed Miss Marple more than I would have expected when I was a young lady. Agatha Christie writes enjoyable mysteries. Presumably you are already familiar with her work, so, if you like Christie's books, you'll probably like The Body in the Library. If you don't like her books, you won't like this one either.

Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington

Welcome to Fred is a short, comic, crisis-of-faith, coming-of-age Christian novel.

When the book opens, Mark Cloud, the first-person narrator, is settling his father's estate, putting him in a nostalgic frame of mind. He finds a hand-written definition of "Adolescence: Insanity; a (hopefully) temporary period of emotional and mental imbalance. Symptoms: mood swings, melancholia, rampant idealism, insolvency. Subject takes everything too seriously, especially himself. Causes: parents, raging hormones. Known Cures: longevity, homicide. Antidotes: levity, Valium." This launches him into narrating his own adolescence in Fred, Texas to us.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who enjoy reading comic Christian novels. The narrator uses big words throughout, which I appreciated most of the time, but which sometimes seemed a little too big.

Listen by Rene Gutteridge

What happens when gossip goes too far? Rene Gutteridge explores an answer to that question in this book. A website pops up on which private conversations have been typed up and can be viewed by anybody. Anger erupts, and a small town with a spotless record (it's been a good 20 years since a serious crime has been committed in it) exposes its violent side.

I appreciated that the characters seemed believable, and there were tiny details of daily life included that set the scene, and could sometimes bring a chuckle. I appreciated that the problems were not too tidily solved and wrapped up. But, this book was not as suspenseful and thrilling as the other book by Rene Gutteridge which I've read, Misery Loves Company, and it was a bit more preachy (a novelized sermon against gossip).

I did not enjoy it as much as Misery Loves Company. I would neither recommend it, nor against it. I do not regret reading it. I am willing to read other books by Rene Gutteridge.

Lie Down in Green Pastures, The Psalm 23 Mysteries by Debbie Viguie

I didn't expect much of this book because I thought the title was a bit hokey, and because I was recently disappointed in a different Christian mystery I read. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This is the third Psalm 23 Mystery, and I will be searching out the other two.

The writing was good, the plot engaging but not too quickly moving (I still very much have Relentless in mind when I write that). The characters were interesting and quirky. The two main sleuths are a Rabbi, and a church secretary from a church that sits next door to the Rabbi's synagogue. The whole situation was a bit far-fetched, but the way the characters behaved in the situation seemed believable, and the author refrained from making things too tidy. In other words, her characters had flaws, which is good.

The Rabbi, Jeremiah, is on his way to work one morning when he is rear-ended. He glances in the rearview mirror at the driver of the other car as the accident is about to happen, and thinks "He's already dead!" The church secretary, Cindy, is the first person on the scene to lend aid. Cindy proves to be very tenacious at tracking down the truth.

My only disappointment with the book was the rapidity with which the bad guy confessed to the crimes. Aside from that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I was pleased that there was more of a mystery and more solving of that mystery than in Good, Clean Murder (the mystery that disappointed me recently). There was more depth. The only hokey-ness was the rapidity of the confession. There was no smut.

I would recommend it to readers of mysteries.

Relentless by Robin Parrish

I was excited to read Relentless because I really enjoyed reading Offworld by Robin Parrish. Relentless disappointed me though.

A man steps off the bus one morning on his way to work, only to see himself across the block. How can this be? He starts to follow himself, only to catch sight of his own reflection. He is not the man he was when he woke up! How can that be? Through a series of events, he comes to understand that he has undergone The Shift. But why? Why him? Who did this to him? Are there are other shifted people out there?

This book moved rapidly, from one significant change to another significant change. I would have preferred to have a few more pages with each change to digest and absorb and ponder what the newest revelations meant. But my biggest problem with the frequent changes was that I did not know whom I could trust. With every new revelation, my opinions of all the characters shifted, and that made me uncomfortable. I couldn't root for anyone, not longer than for a couple pages, at any rate.

I made it to the end of the book, but I will not follow up by reading the other books in this trilogy. I won't even recommend it, though I suppose there is a certain type of reader who would like it. I am willing to try some other title by Robin Parrish.

Merlin's Blade, by Robert Treskillard

My apologies for falling out of the blogosphere for more than three months.

Merlin's Blade is a pretty-well-written Arthurian romance, the first book in a planned series. It was published as Teen Fiction by Zondervan. There is a mixing of true Christianity and elements that cannot, in real life, coexist with true Christianity. I know that bothers some readers, and, if you are among the readers who would be bothered by such a mixing, be forewarned. I would feel comfortable allowing my own children to read Merlin's Blade.

The story is fairly clean of objectionable elements. There is no salacious sexuality, and the violence is not terribly gory.

There were a couple places where the writing needed a bit more editing, in my opinion. For instance, at one place in the book the bad guys have surrounded the good guys, are in fact on the same wagon with the good guys. The scene closes without a resolution. When the next scene opens the good guys are far away from the bad guys and locked in a building, but there's no explanation of how that change happened. How did the good guys get away from the bad guys? Such an oversight disappoints me. That example was not the only such mistake, but such mistakes were few and overall the writing was strong and good.

I would recommend this book, with the qualifications to be found earlier in this post, to those readers who enjoying Arthurian romances and fantasy novels.

Another List, because, GASP!, I've been too busy (reading) to blog

Blood of the Lambs, by Kamal Saleem. Saleem is surrounded by a bit of controversy, and I won't vouch for his personal integrity, but the story he tells (purportedly his memoir) does seem to be in line with what we hear about militant Islam from other sources. Thrilling, frightening, enlightening.

Marriage and Caste in America, by Kay S. Hymowitz. A good book, but not as important as her other book Manning Up, so, if you only read one, read Manning Up.

Twenty-Five Books That Shaped America, by Thomas C. Foster. I really liked his book How to Read Literature Like a Professor, so I had high hopes for this one, but it fell flat, in my opinion. For one thing, early on I found myself profoundly disagreeing with his interpretation of The Scarlet Letter, but that disagreement caused me not to trust him as much when it came to books I haven't read (which happen to be most of the books he treats of, as I haven't been a big reader of American Literature).

Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of St. Stephen, by Emily Brightwell. A light-hearted Victorian mystery. Certainly the book turned out better than I expected when I began it, yet it was still brain candy. I wouldn't be opposed to reading more of the Mrs. Jeffries series (apparently quite extensive, though this was my first exposure to it), but nor would I seek them out.

Cruel and Usual Punishment, by Nonie Darwish. It is subtitled, The Terrifying Global Implications of Sharia Law. Terrifying they are. Ms. Darwish tells of the impact of Sharia law on individuals and on families and on societies, sharing some of the history of the Arab culture in which Islam arose. She suggests that Islam provides a religious justification for the enslavement and subjugation of weaker people, be they women, children, or other people groups.

The Homelanders series by Andrew Klavan. An exciting series of four books written for Young Adults. Not my first choice of genre, but they were fun reads. I think adolescent males would really enjoy reading them. About this, I would say you definitely need to read them in order, and read all four of them. The story line runs through all four books, and is progressively revealed through all four books, and they become better as they go along.

Beauty, by Robin McKinley. This was a pleasant retelling of the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast. I did like it, but I was also uncomfortably reminded of my misspent youth, glutting on romance novels. My own problem with it does not make it unsuitable for others, and it was nicely written.

Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me, by Karen Swallow Prior. I do like reading about books and reading, but Booked is definitely low on my list for such books. It simply did not move me as much as other books about reading (though I did prefer it to Foster's book mentioned above).

Dreamers of the Day, by Mary Doria Russell. A well-written window into a place and a period of time I was practically ignorant of, yet with some odd features (I won't detail them, as they'd give part of it away). Ms. Russell is a talented and versatile woman.

Murder Being Once Done, by Ruth Rendell. My first mystery by Ruth Rendell, a writer many later mystery writers look up to and mention as a hero. I thought it better than the Mrs. Jeffries mystery mentioned above, but not as good as my favorite authors (I do like me some Christie and Sayers and P.D. James). I would certainly read more by her, though. Warning: there are a couple flamboyantly homosexual characters in this book.

The Duck Commander Family, by Willie and Korie Robertson. I've only watched one episode of Duck Commander, mainly because my husband is not at all interested in the show. So many of my friends watch and like it, though, that I wanted to familiarize myself with the characters. This was a quick and pleasant read. The formula of tying each chapter to a moral lesson and a recipe seemed a tad bit contrived at times. Reading the book increased my interest in watching some more episodes of the show.

Lit!, by Tony Reinke. This book is just about the best book about reading I have ever read (I could almost say the best, but worry I might be forgetting one). If you pick one book to read from my list, I highly recommend you pick this one. The first half treats of the theological and philosophical defense of reading. The second half offers practical tips for reading. The whole book deliberately and explicitly seeks to glorify God, to the point that one could almost use it to evangelize unbelievers. I read it on the Kindle, but I'd like to own a physical copy. Scratch that. I'd like to own several physical copies so I could hand them out. I plan to reread it.

One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. She has a distinct way of writing. Sometimes I found that tedious and irritating, sometimes I was startled by the insights she was thus able to elucidate. I need to think through the ending a bit, as I'm not sure if my discomfort with some of the things she says at the end is right or wrong. But, I would recommend it. I think it could be life-changing for some readers.

Seekers of the Lost Boy, by Taryn Hayes. A decent children's fiction book set in South Africa dealing with Apartheid, and with a pointed evangelistic message.

The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

In The Language of Flowers, Victoria relates her story: she was an orphan, abandoned by her mother at birth. She's bounced from foster home to foster home, institutional setting to institutional setting, sometimes abused, never loved, except once. What happened to prevent her from being adopted by the woman who did love her? Well, that is a part of the story which I would not want to spoil for a reader interested in reading the book. More importantly, what will happen to Victoria after her emancipation from the foster care system? Will she learn how to love others?

Victoria is a scrappy character. As the book begins she's equal parts pitiable and spiteful.  She does grow up over the course of the book. In fact, that's kind of the point of the book, her growing up, becoming fully human.

The story is told in first-person narration from Victoria's point of view. The chapters alternate between her early days after emancipation, and her younger life. This was a good way to advance the story line, pieces of the earlier story illuminating pieces of the later story, but every so often something about her voice jarred a bit. Most of the time the later story felt recent, immediate, but then would come a sentence or two which would sum up those days of Victoria's life, and for those couple sentences it felt like the whole story was being told by a much older woman. This only happened a few times, but it really stood out to me when it did.

It is a realistic story, not at all fanciful or fantastical, but there is heavy symbolism and thematic elements (lots and lots of eating, for instance).

I did like the book, I did care for Victoria and want to know what would happen to her, but I did not love the book, I did not lose myself in it. I would cautiously recommend this book to readers of modern fiction. There are some sex scenes (argh!), but they're not horribly salacious.

Legends of the Guardian-King, a series by Karen Hancock

At some earlier point I blogged about the first book in this series, The Light of Eidon. This year I have read the other three books in the series, The Shadow Within, Shadow Over Kiriath, and Return of the Guardian-King. I loved these books! They are well-written Christian fantasy, exciting, thrilling, engaging. Some reviewers likened them to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but I think the two series bear two very different flavors. Ms. Hancock's books are a bit more gruesome (and therein lies one of two caveats I would offer to my high recommendation: if you don't have the stomach for vivid descriptions of battles or duels, you probably won't like this series; the other caveat is that Ms. Hancock describes scenes of love in such a way that didn't bother me, but which I would not think healthy for unmarried folks). Ms. Hancock's secondary world feels more like a world parallel to the one we inhabit, whereas Tolkien's is our world in another era. Ms. Hancock more explicitly draws on Christian tradition; her Eidon is like Jehovah, who has given his servants two Words of Revelation, quoted in the Guardian-King series, and sounding a great deal like paraphrased Scripture.

These books kept me up late at night, because I couldn't bear to stop reading them before reaching the end. I continued to live in their secondary world for days after I finished. They are engrossing. I highly recommend them (keeping in mind my two caveats) to all readers interested in fantasy, even only remotely interested in fantasy.

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, by Alexander McCall Smith

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive is the eighth book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series. It is a worthy addition to the series. If you haven't read it, but already know that you like the series, have no fears, you'll like The Good Husband of Zebra Drive. If you haven't dipped into the series yet, but know that you enjoy stories that combine a deep insight into human character with an affection for it, without gratuitously displaying the ugliness of human character, give the No. 1 Ladies' Detectives a shot.

Miss Dido Kent mysteries, by Anna Dean

I read Bellfield Hall by Anna Dean some few months back and really enjoyed it, so when I was looking for a quick pleasure read recently I placed the next two books in the series on hold at the library. I quickly devoured them when they came in this week, foolishly staying up late into the night (or, early into the morning, to be more precise). I find Ms. Dean's mysteries very satisfying, with just a touch of romance to sweeten the deal.

Bellfield Hall, A Gentleman of Fortune, and A Woman of Consequence are set in the Regency Period of English history. The books recall Jane Austen to mind. The main characters, especially Dido Kent, are a delight to read about. Ms. Dean is masterful at tricking the expectations of her readers, or of this reader, at any rate.

If you enjoy mysteries you might want to give these a look-over. I appreciate the fact that they trip lightly over the less seemly side of life, unlike some other recently written mysteries I've tried. These books succeed as mysteries (not hard-boiled crime books) and as historical fiction. I would recommend them to my fellow mystery readers.

The Stars Shine Bright, Sibella Giorello

If you've read and enjoyed Sibella Giorello's other books in the Raleigh Harmon series, get your hands on The Stars Shine Bright. If you enjoy mysteries and crime thrillers, but haven't yet tried the Raleigh Harmon series, what are you waiting for? The Stars Shine Bright ranks as my favorite in the series. I spent an enjoyable couple days unable to put the book down.

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

As you know if you've read certain other posts on my blog, I do not often read romance novels. I had a strong desire to read Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, though, because it was written by a dear friend. And I can say, 'I knew her when!' When she had not yet written any books, and now she's written three (all in the Love Finds You series).

In Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Ginny is handed what seems to be the realization of her dreams: a big recording contract. She hesitates to accept it, fearing that the strings attached might be too burdensome. She turns for advice to the only person whose advice she trusts in the matter, Brett, the man she jilted two years ago. Ginny flies to Alaska to seek Brett's advice. There she meets Brett's Grandmother, who shares with her a correspondence from nearly a century earlier, detailing the blossoming of another relationship.

Ginny finds peace, and love finds Ginny. The reader gets two love stories in one book. If you like to read Christian romance books, I expect you'll like Love Finds You in Glacier Bay. I enjoyed it. I did think Ginny was a bit shallow to begin with, but she grew up as the story progressed, and that made me happy.

Starflower, by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

I was pleased when I was offered the opportunity to review Starflower, because I enjoyed reading the first book by Anne Elisabeth Stengl which I'd been given to review, Moonblood. I was even more pleased when reading it, because I believe it to be even better than Moonblood.

In Starflower we get to see some of the same characters who figured in Moonblood, but in an earlier part of their history. We get to meet Eanrin before he's blinded. Starflower explores the meaning of love, love that lays down its own life for the sake of the beloved, love that pursues the beloved even when the beloved foolishly does not recognize the love being offered.

I'm impressed by the breadth, depth, and detail of Ms. Stengl's secondary world. I'm impressed by the consistency of her characters. I'm impressed by how much she makes me care about her characters and what happens to them. I'm haunted by the picture of a land in which women are deprived of their voices right after birth.

I highly recommend Ms. Stengl's books to readers of fantasy, and can't wait to read the other two books in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series.

Thank you Netgalley and Baker Publishing Group for giving me a review copy of this book.

Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis

In Raising Dragons, Volume One of the Dragons in Our Midst series, a young man named Billy learns that he is half dragon, half human, and befriends a young woman named Bonnie who is likewise half dragon, half human. Are dragons evil? Billy and Bonnie early on learn that they are in danger and must flee to save their lives. The book relates their attempts to stay alive, and out of the clutches of their foes.

I loved Raising Dragons, was hooked from the beginning, couldn't put it down to save my life (or, more to the point, to lay down my life by washing the dishes and fixing the dinner). It was exciting and intense, and I cared about the characters. The more I read, the more convinced I become that fantasy has to be the best fiction genre.

I would recommend Raising Dragons to readers who enjoy young adult fantasy books, especially those who might be concerned about the amount of filth on display in secular young adult fantasies. I know my 12yo daughter will enjoy it, and am looking forward to sharing it with her. I am also looking forward to getting my hands on the other three books in the series.

Thank you Netgalley and Living Ink Books for giving me a review copy in exchange for my opinion.

'Haroun and the Sea of Stories,' by Salman Rushdie

In 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories,' young Haroun's mother, Soraya, runs off with their upstairs neighbor, Mr. Sengupta, and that leaves Haroun's father, Rashid, a professional storyteller, unable to tell stories anymore. Rashid calls out that he cancels his service. Haroun is awakened in the middle of the night by strange sounds coming from his bathroom, finds a Water Genie named Iff, and learns that his father had received his stories from an invisible tap connected to the Sea of Stories. Iff has come to disconnect Rashid, per Rashid's request. This starts Haroun's adventures with the Sea of Stories.

I relished the opening paragraph, "There was once, in the country of Alifbay, a sad city, the saddest of cities, a city so ruinously sad that it had forgotten its name. It stood by a mournful sea full of glumfish, which were so miserable to eat that they made people belch with melancholy even though the skies were blue."

I valued the creativity evidenced in the story. In addition to a character named Iff, there's a character named Butt. There are plentimaw fish in the sea (a play on 'plenty more' and many mouths). I appreciated the story-plea for freedom of speech. I enjoyed the speech pattern of many of the characters (especially the mail coach driver, and Mr. Snooty Buttoo).

I did not, however, come to care deeply about the characters. I am left to wonder why. Was there something wrong with me as the reader? Something lacking in the book? Was I supposed to care deeply about the characters?

I can't exactly bring myself to recommend this book, but I would not recommend against it, and I would permit my children to read it.

The Traveling Restaurant: Jasper's Voyage in Three Parts, by Barbara Else

Jasper is about to turn 12 when the book opens, but his parents seem disappointed by this fact and attempt to hide it. Magic has been prohibited in Jasper's country for all of his life, and no one is even allowed to name it. Early in the book Jasper's parents come to believe they need to flee Lady Gall, the interim ruler of their land. In their attempt to flee, Jasper gets separated from his parents and baby sister. What follows is the tale of his adventures as he seeks to be reunited with them, escape Lady Gall's wrath, and foil her plans to name herself queen.

This was a fun, quick, middle-grade fantasy read. I found it acceptable, neither exceptionally wonderful, nor objectionable. To say I'd recommend it might put the matter too strongly, but I'll be allowing my 11yo daughter to read it.

Thank you Netgalley and Gecko Press USA for allowing me to read a review copy of this book.

The Exploits of Moominpappa, by Tove Jansson

I picked up this book with high expectations, because I had read many reviews which raved about it. Many reviews favorably compared Ms. Jansson's Moomin Family books with the Winnie-the-Pooh books. I must say I was not impressed with The Exploits of Moominpappa. I was so unimpressed with it that I decided not to finish reading past about halfway. However, I was not so unimpressed with it as to swear off of the Moomin Family books. I intend to give them one more try.

A List {SIGH}

I have been overborne by circumstances once again. Aurelius said one should not excuse one's mistakes, misdeeds, neglect on circumstances. Sorry, Aurelius. Here comes a list, instead of individual postings about each book I've finished recently.

The Heart of a Goof, by P.G. Wodehouse. Definite hit. Much better than the last Wodehouse book I read. Perhaps because it is approximately 50 years older, having been written early in the 20th century instead of late in the 20th century. If you like Wodehouse, if you might like Wodehouse, give this one a try. You don't even have to like golf.

The Sweet Dove Died, by Barbara Pym. Forget it. Not worth it. I picked it up because of Susan Hill's recommendation of Pym in her book Howard's End is on the Landing. It has some of the trappings of a novel of manners, but is too frivolous, and one of the main characters is openly bi-sexual. I found it as disappointing as I've found E.M. Forster's books. I shan't be trying any other of Pym's work.

The Various Haunts of Men, by Susan Hill. A Simon Serrailler mystery, the first, in fact. I found it unsatisfying, though not for want of skill of the author. I did not feel as though I was pitting my wits agains those of the investigator. I did not like becoming attached to a main character, only for that character to be killed near the end (I kept hoping it would turn out to be a police ploy, but, alas, no). I liked the people, and several of them, no doubt, appear in following volumes of Simon Serrailler mysteries. I intend to read another of Mrs. Hill's mysteries, unlike my intentions regarding Ms. Pym and her work.

Bookworms, edited by Laura Furman and Elinore Standard. A collection of essays, letters, excerpts by writers (and readers) about reading. I enjoyed reading it, but who's surprised by that? I thought the various pieces were of various quality, being written by various people, but who's surprised by that? I would recommend it to readers who like reading about reading (is that a bit like a meta-narrative?), but not to those who don't. Do readers who don't like reading about reading read book blogs?

Winnie-the-Pooh, an excerpt

"It's just the place," he explained, "for an Ambush."

"What sort of bush?" whispered Pooh to Piglet. "A gorse-bush?"

"My dear Pooh," said Owl in his superior way, "don't you know what an Ambush is?"

"Owl," said Piglet, looking round at him severely, "Pooh's whisper was a perfectly private whisper, and there was no need--"

"An Ambush," said Owl, "is a sort of Surprise."

"So is a gorse-bush sometimes," said Pooh.