A Morbid Taste for Bones

 Author: Ellis Peters

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 263

First published: 1977

Setting: England and Wales

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: On the fine, bright morning in early May when the whole sensational affair of the Gwytherin relics may properly be considered to have begun, Brother Cadfael had been up long before Prime, pricking out cabbage seedlings before the day was aired, and his thoughts were all on birth, growth and fertility, not all on graves and reliquaries and violent deaths, whether of saints, sinners or ordadinary decent fallible men like himself.

One sentence comment: The book, I believe, exploited the innocent, though perhaps ignorant, attitudes of the time.

 

(I get quite annoyed reading along. First it generally diminished the English monks and raised the personality of the Wales, an apparent nationalistic attitude. Second, the Christian community is protrayed as foolish and superstitious except Brother Cadfael. It overlooked the time when religious spirit was the hightest and monks did lots of research to protect from an darkness era. Third the detective was done with a plot to exploit people’s supersitious protensity and cover the truth. I have never seen a more morally gray detective. And he was a monk, taking advantage of the monestey system! )

As I read, my frustration grew. The narrative appears driven by a clear nationalistic agenda, first by generally diminishing the English monks while elevating the Welsh. Furthermore, the portrayal of the Christian community as uniformly foolish and superstitious—save for Brother Cadfael—strikes me as historically inaccurate; it overlooks the period's profound religious devotion and the monks' vital research efforts that protected knowledge from a 'dark era.' Most troubling, however, is the central detective plot: it's an unusually morally gray scheme designed to exploit people's superstitious nature and deliberately obscure the truth. That the detective is a monk, actively taking advantage of the monastic system, makes this moral ambiguity even more objectionable.

I’ll Never Be Young Again

 

Author: Daphne Du Maurier

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 304

First published: 1932

Setting: London, Sweden, Paris

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: When the sun had gone, I saw that the water was streaked with great patches of crimson and gold.

One sentence comment: With an evocative prose, the book told a growing-up story.

The protagonist, Dick, was initially whiny and unappealing, and the first part of the story, focusing on his friendship with Jake, felt unengaging. However, the narrative sharpens in the second half with the introduction of Hesta, a music student in Paris. Their love story became genuinely fascinating, radiating the intense emotion of falling in love and leaving me intrigued to discover their fate.

 

The greatest irony was that Dick's initial Bohemian outlook on relationships ultimately became the weapon that destroyed him. As Dick grew emotionally invested and devoted himself to writing, he stopped craving adventure and began longing for a settled home. However, Hesta, whom Dick had perhaps spoiled with his own earlier attitude, only desired to enjoy the moment—no marriage, no babies. Consequently, she felt no remorse in taking a new lover. Writing this book in her early twenties, Du Maurier already demonstrated a mature understanding that a purely hedonistic, 'enjoy the moment' attitude often leads to personal ruin and is detrimental only to the person who holds it.

 

The novel skillfully portrayed a male chauvinist viewpoint through Dick, who, while growing "crazy" and jealous about intimacy, found it "beastly" when Hesta expressed the same desire. Crucially, Dick quickly recognized this absurdity in himself, a moment of self-awareness that shows he is a complex and evolving person. I admire the book for its willingness to debate and critique these specific philosophies of youth and love. However, the suddenness of Jake's drowning remains jarring and abrupt. Perhaps this tragic event was intended to imply that Dick needed to be violently severed from that older, stabilizing, fatherly figure in order to truly find his own identity.

 

Afterlives

 

Author: Abdulrazak Gurnah

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 275

First published: 2020

Setting: colonial Tanzania in the early 20^th century

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Khalifa was twenty-six years old when he met the merchant Amur Biashara.

One sentence comment: The book offers a rarely explored history of the relationship between Germany and its colony, Tanzania (German East Africa).

 

Afterlives, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, is, in my opinion, significant more for its historical value than its literary merit. While the prose is concise and often subdued, and the plot is neither overtly dramatic nor broadly appealing, the book is a vital addition to African literature following foundational works like Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.

 

The narrative highlights the critical role of German literacy for its African protagonists. Both Ilyas and Hamza are German speakers, a skill they acquire through favorable, if complicated, connections with German officers who showed them compassion. Similarly, the female protagonist, Afiya, benefits from her brother Ilyas's education, allowing her to read and write. This pattern continues with her son, also named Ilyas, whose German literacy enables him to travel to Germany to investigate his uncle's fate. These specific arrangements in the novel strongly suggest that, within the colonial context, only those who master the colonizer's language and literacy are ultimately positioned to narrate and preserve their own stories, ensuring their history is passed on. This appears to be a deliberate and accurate portrayal of the historical power dynamic.

 

I have wondered about the title: Why Afterlives? Perhaps it suggests that the survival skills acquired from the colonizer—such as speaking German and accessing elements of Western civilization like medical care—represent a kind of new, separate life. However, even with these adaptations, the characters remain profoundly restricted by their identity, haunted by the enduring ghosts of the colonial past.

 

This idea resonates deeply with Taiwan’s own post-colonial history. Following periods of European and Japanese rule, the island benefited from exposure to Western influences like modern construction and religious belief, which helped transform the tropical environment into a safer place (early Japanese colonizers, for instance, suffered more from disease than from indigenous resistance). After Japan’s surrender in World War II, Taiwan found itself protected by the United States. Crucially, this relationship led to many Taiwanese elites receiving US-based education. This educational exchange directly fueled the growth of the local chip industry, which has since become Taiwan's greatest asset for asserting its international identity and democratic strength among Chinese speakers. This history shows that Taiwan, while independent, remains deeply shaped by a specific kind of external, or "post-colonial," American influence—an arrangement made even more visible by its ongoing reliance on US protection against China's territorial claims.

Doctor Sleep

 

Author: Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Number of pages: 640

First published: 2013

Setting: New Hampshire

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: On the second day of December in a year when a Georgia peanut farmer was doing business in the White House, one of Colorado’s great resort hotels burned to the ground.

One sentence comment: It’s a follow-up work that showcases the author's artistic growth.

 

Last year, after being so moved by the plight of the family in The Shining, I wanted to read the sequel, Doctor Sleep. At first, it was strange to me that the book was published 36 years later, but as I read, I realized I was encountering a different kind of King—one who remained just as compassionate toward troubled characters. He still writes about the lonely, the addicted, and those grappling with their conscience. It became clear that his decision to use an adult Danny as the protagonist wasn't strange at all; he wasn't interested in writing about a jobless father from the 70s, but rather a rootless loner in modern society. The book felt like a true King novel from the 2010s, reminiscent of Revival, published one year before this novel, in its focus on the constant battle between good and evil, a conflict where evil holds an effortless advantage.

The main character of Doctor Sleep is Danny, the son of Jack Torrance from The Shining. As a child, Danny was deeply traumatized, and as an adult, he is still haunted by the past. He tries to numb himself with alcohol and a life of wandering. However, when a young girl with the same "shining" ability, Abra, asks for his help, Danny must finally confront his greatest childhood fear.

In Doctor Sleep, the evil force is a constant, corporeal group, a stark contrast to the individual, occasional phantoms of The Shining. This shift suggests that the destructive forces we face today—such as addiction, depression, and obsession—are not isolated incidents but ever-present dangers that require sustained effort and collective support to overcome. The novel reflects this modern struggle by introducing Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), emphasizing the crucial role of community and the concept of a "found family" in recovery. Haunted by the memory of his petty theft from a mother named Deenie and his failure to help a young boy named Tommy, Dan flees North Carolina for New Hampshire. The memory is a constant reminder of his past selfishness, doing nothing to aid Tommy. In contrast, he had been rescued by an adult friend who heard his call for help. He is deeply in shame. Only by rescuing Abra can he finally atone for this past guilt. This theme highlights the idea that those who have been helped should, in turn, help others in need. Ultimately, the spirit of Doctor Sleep is more socially conscious, shifting from a personal battle with a haunting presence to a broader commentary on mutual aid and resilience in the face of widespread societal challenges.

 

Why Kings Confess

 

Why Kings Confess (#9 of Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery)

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 349

First published: 2014

Setting: London

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Paul Gibson lurched down the dak, narrow lane, his face raw from the cold, his fingers numb.

One sentence comment: It told a fascinating story about the outcast French royalty whose absurdity is unfathomable.

 

The book's focus on the Bourbon family in exile is an unusual topic. It paints a desperate picture of their lives, particularly the obese, wheelchair-bound uncrowned king and other stubborn royals, who were forced to endure their plight in a run-down corner of Britain. I quite like the author's attempt to present the unorthodox resistance to a modern audience, especially since the French royalty normally receives little sympathy from people due to their ruthless attitude toward widespread poverty.

 

I ‘m also taken by Gibson’s love story in this installment. The one-legged surgeon was so completely overwhelmed by the tough Frenchwoman he had rescued. I expect to read more about them.

 

 

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

Author: Alexander McCall Smith

Genre: mystery

Number of pages: 235

First published: 1998

Setting: Botswana

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Mma Ramotswe had a detective agency in Africa, at the foot of Kgale Hill.

One sentence comment: It’s a heart-warming and intriguing series.

 

This delightful book offers a glimpse into the simple, peaceful lives of the people of Botswana. While the author uses a detective story as a clever framework, the true purpose is to show us how these people live and what their daily worries are. Through the book, we get a taste of the difference between their aboriginal life and our complicated urban environment. It sometimes made me laugh and sometimes made me envious, because their lives and task are simple.

 

My rearched found that the author had worked at the University of Botswana in the 1980s, and he got the inspiration from a woman in a red dress chasing a chicken in her yard, preparing it for a meal. She became the genesis for the character of Mma Precious Ramotswe. Mma Ramotswe's cases were often more about helping people with the "problems in their lives"—such as a missing husband, a cheating partner, or a fraudulent business—than about catching murderers. The series seemed to explore themes of kindness, compassion, and common sense.

 

The protagonist, having been abused in her first marriage, was initially adamant about never marrying again. Her past with her first love was a painful reminder of her ordeal. However, a series of events eventually changed her perspective, allowing her to move past the bitterness and find a new outlook on life.

 

Evening Class

 

Evening Class

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 537

First published: 1996

Setting: Ireland, Italy

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: There was a time back in 1970 when they would love filling in a questionnaire.

One sentence comment: The novel effectively conveys the theme of individuals' inability to keep up with societal changes.

 

The author's portrayal of characters is remarkably effective, often compelling me to pause and contemplate while reading.

 

The first protagonist, Aidan, found such vivid difficulty adapting to contemporary family interactions that his workplace became his sanctuary—a place where his self-worth was still affirmed. This made me reflect on my own life: Am I, too, treating school as an all-consuming passion, even as the teacher-student dynamic has drastically changed, often leaving educators aghast at unthinkable situations? This led me to ponder whether feeling out of sync is a sign that it's time to retire. But how do we then fill the void that a career once occupied? It truly challenges the wisdom of older individuals to discover new purpose in their later years, to acquire new skills, and to find ways to stay fulfilled.

 

The second protagonist, Nora, though perhaps unrealistically romantic, commanded my admiration for her fiercely independent approach to love and life. She seemed unconcerned about her future, which might strike some as naive. However, having matured in a religious environment where everyone had a predefined place, she found herself completely out of sync upon encountering 1990s Dublin. Fortunately, her past experiences of following her heart ultimately rewarded her with skills she could apply to a newly emerging trend: evening classes.

 

While Maeve Binchy's books often explore themes like reconciling with the past and second chances, this one places a special emphasis on aging. Getting old is a central theme in the book, exploring the gains and losses that come with aging. We may be surprised to find ourselves with nothing to show for our efforts, compared to what we started with and what we originally wanted. Despite this, the characters find comfort in an evening class, which symbolizes lifelong learning and is a common practice in many developed countries. This pursuit of continuous learning, the book suggests, may be the true meaning of life.

 

My Mortal Enemy

 

My Mortal Enemy

Author: Willa Cather

Genre: novella

Number of pages: 50

First published: 1926

Setting: Illinois, New York, West coast

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: I first met Myra Henshawe when I was fifteen, but I had known about her ever since I could remember anything at all.

One sentence comment: In the early 20th century, the protagonist might seem stubborn, but now it isn’t uncommon to encounter women who are determined to decide their own lives and feel unsatisfied with the status quo.

 

This story reveals why Cather is considered ahead of her time. A century ago, when men often determined women's destinies through inheritance or financial means, Cather presents a resolute female protagonist. While such independence is commonplace today, making that aspect of the narrative less compelling, I find Myra's decline and bitterness to be largely a result of her illness, not merely financial struggle. This suggests her "mortal enemy" was truly beyond her command, positioning the tragedy as a matter of fate rather than a flaw in Myra's character.

 

The Collapsing Empire

 

The Collapsing Empire

Author: John Scalzi

Genre: sci fi

Number of pages: 333

First published: 2017

Setting: Interdependency empire

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The mutineers would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for the collapse of the Flow.

One sentence comment: The book's standout concept is its Flow and Interdependency System.

 

It depicts a future where humanity, after losing Earth a millennium ago, relies on a vast network of planets connected by faster-than-light pathways known as "the Flow." However, a scientist uncovers the Flow's imminent collapse, threatening to isolate star systems and trigger a civilizational collapse due to most systems' lack of self-sufficiency.

 

This narrative strongly resonates as a political allegory. It mirrors contemporary geopolitical anxieties, much like the global economic system's vulnerabilities exposed in the 2010s. For decades, the world has operated as a US-led interdependent system, with China supplying a majority of products, from household items to industrial components. However, China's economic success from global trade has fueled its transformation into a formidable military power.

 

The potential invasion of Taiwan, often seen as America's outpost against China, directly threatens the US, leading it to identify China as a primary adversary. In the event of a conflict with China, the US recognizes the critical need for self-reliance. Recent US policies, such as advocating for foreign investment within the country and implementing high tariffs to deter Chinese products, are all methods to reduce its dependence on Chinese goods. This urgency intensifies, paralleling planet End's desperate search for independent survival as its support from other planets dwindles.

 Just like the book's title, The Collapsing Empire, the US-led economic system is now striving to sever unfavorable connections. This strategic decoupling aims to prevent the "head of the empire" from being burdened and ultimately destroyed, a fate common to historical empires.

 

David Copperfield

 

David Copperfield

(sixth book of my 2025 project: 6 classics before turning to 60)

Author: Charles Dickens

Genre: classic fiction

Number of pages: 882

First published: 1850

Setting: England

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.

One sentence comment: Reading the socially critical novel was a four-month undertaking, and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying it even when my patience was tested.

 

"The pen that wrote David Copperfield was often dipped in his own blood"—a powerful sentiment that perfectly captures the profound sorrow woven into the book from its very first pages. One of the initial quotes that resonated with me was spoken by David's mother before her passing. She remembered her late husband's words: "a loving heart was better and stronger than wisdom." Considering the profound suppression she faced in her second marriage and the manner of her death, I couldn't help but suspect her demise was linked to depression.

 

My journey with this book was a slow burn. At first, I struggled to connect, put off by the perceived weakness of David's mother and the harshness of his stepfather. But the moment David became an orphan, the story truly captivated me, leaving me anxious to know his fate. I pictured myself as a 19th-century reader, desperate to buy every single newspaper installment just to keep up with David's unfolding life. This is a fantastic book that I read meticulously, word by word. Sometimes, I even listened to Gildart Jackson's reading, which brought the characters to life with vivid voices during the lockdown. I only discovered his narration recently, though.

 

Dickens was a genius at portraying people comically, perhaps to ensure David's misfortunes weren't too severe to bear. He might have misled us into believing many people behaved like clowns. However, I've observed that the major characters—David, his mother, and his nurse—all acted quite normally. I grew particularly sympathetic to David's aunt, Mrs. Betsey Trotwood. She welcomed David with a peculiar warmth, reminding me of another aunt who distrusted men in Great Expectations.

The story features three strikingly vivid young female characters: Dora, Agnes, and Emily. It's frustrating to read David's constant declarations of love for Dora, especially when we finally get a clearer picture of her character in Chapter 36. Dora feels like a figure of ridicule in modern times, a woman treated and doted on like a child. Perhaps this type of woman is every foolish man's dream. Gildart Jackson voiced my exact thought after reading that chapter: "Why didn't David love Agnes instead of Dora?" Agnes, the wise friend David often sought for advice, had endured significant hardship, facing a sick father and an intrusive villain. I truly wished David could save her from that man who craved her. My sympathy also extends to Emily. Unlike Dora and Agnes, she dared to defy the expectations of those who loved and protected her. I can see her attempt to break free and assert her independence through her pursuit of love. However, the era she lived in ultimately denied her the right to choose her own happiness.

 

Dickens's book vividly reminds me of how people approached life in the past, particularly when a major funeral is described. People seemed to consider life as a whole, rather than focusing solely on "enjoying oneself in the moment," as we modern-day individuals often prioritize. I cherish spending a free morning slowly immersing myself in the details of life during that era. This practice helps me balance the fast-paced, practical nature of contemporary life with the slower, more philosophical existence of the past. I'm gaining an increasingly profound appreciation for reading classic books.

 

It's striking how similar the relationship between people and their pets was in Dickens's time compared to today. For example, Dora, an only child, shared a particularly close bond with her dog, Pip. When selecting wedding presents, she even purchased a fancy dollhouse for him. On her wedding day, Dora insisted on carrying Pip, fearing he might feel neglected. This suggests that in an affluent society with abundant resources, people often turn their affection towards animals for companionship.

It's interesting how the British retain Victorian euphemisms like 'lady's man' and 'sweet on one another,' echoing the deceptive language of the schemer, Uriah.

 

Rising Sun

 

Author: Michael Crichton

Genre: political mystery

Number of pages: 371

First published: 1991

Setting: LA

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: Actually, I was sitting on my bed in my apartment in Culver City, watching the Lakers game with the sound turned off, while I tried to study vocabulary for my introductory Japanese class.

One sentence comment: The book starts intriguingly, but its middle section reads more like a business report, focusing too heavily on business conflicts.

 

The book feels ageless in its relevance. Though penned thirty years ago during Japan's economic challenge to the US, its themes of rivalry and the call for assertive action feel entirely contemporary, echoing the US's present-day approach to China. It's almost prophetic how Crichton's vision of the US taking decisive measures aligns with the current administration's efforts to regain control.

 

Looking at it from another angle, the rise and fall of economic powers, like Japan, seems almost inevitable—a recurring pattern in history. A nation's economic strength directly influences its global standing, but maintaining that position often proves difficult due to a mix of internal and external pressures. Japan's "Lost Decades" in the 1990s exemplify this. Its significant economic downturn followed the bursting of a massive asset price bubble in real estate and stocks, leading to prolonged stagnation, deflation, and a surge in non-performing bank loans.

 

The Servant's Tale

 

The Servant’s Tale

Author: Margaret Frazer

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 234

First published: 1993

Setting: England in 1434

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: The house set on the muddy track beyond the village church, drawn back with its two neighbors from Prior Byfield’s single broad street.

One sentence comment: After an astonishing amount of rambling, the murdered body was finally found on page 162 of 234.

 

It's puzzling why the author spent so much time on the travelling players, especially with a wealth of nun characters available. The players felt bland to me, and it was easy to predict at least one of them would be accused of the murder.

Towards the end of the story, it became clear that the book aimed to explore a medieval theological concept: the destination of a murdered soul—specifically, whether it went to Purgatory or Heaven. The narrative operated on the assumption that if a person suffering from a long-term illness was murdered, their soul would remain in Purgatory for an extended period. This extended stay was intended to compensate for the deceased not having lived out the full duration of their earthly "trial," implying that a prolonged illness was a form of penance or a test that needed to be completed.

While the book realistically portrayed the lives and thoughts of the villagers in that era, it was a letdown as a sequel to The Novice's Tale. The previous book had a much more engaging plot, making this follow-up quite disappointing by comparison.

 

May Challenge

 

1 The Glass Lake

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 757

First published: 1994

Setting: Ireland, England

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Kit always thought that the Pope had been at her mother and father’s wedding.

One sentence comment: The characters are impressive, regardless of my personal feelings about them.

 

The book grips you from the start, particularly the initial chapters. We meet a woman in a troubled marriage and a suspected suicide. The woman's enigmatic nature contrasts with her seemingly reliable and admirable husband, who evokes both sympathy and respect. However, her later musings on her lover's attractiveness struck me as surprisingly shallow for a major character.

We also encounter a lovable hermit living in a cottage. The community adores her and frequently asks for her help in resolving their difficulties. Believing she is acting according to her conscience, she steps outside the bounds of the law. However, her views evolve, and she eventually sees her actions as an interference with divine will. I find this type of theology compelling, as it creates a profound shift in understanding before and after a pivotal event.

My main criticism of the story lies in the portrayal of the charming man who seduces the unhappy wife. He's depicted as overly villainous, which makes it difficult to believe an intelligent woman would fall so deeply in love with him. Additionally, the ending felt overly dramatic; I would have preferred a more realistic resolution for the characters.

 

2 Blood Test

Author: Jonathan Kellerman

Genre: mystery

Number of pages: 355

First published: 1986

Setting: LA

Rating: 1 stars

First sentence: I sat in the courtroom and watched Richard Moody get the bad news from the judge.

One sentence comment: The prose is as flat as the characters, and the plot is boring assuming one exists.

A psychologist is tracing a missing family. The protagonist's career role is interesting, but the profession proves useless in the story. In the beginning, it struck me that so many physicians were looking for the kid who had cancer. Was American society in the eighties so rich that they could afford so many resources for a kid taken away by his own family? A very unrealistic story.

April Challenge

 

1 a book from your primary reading genre

Naughty in Nice ( Royal Spyness Mystery #5)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 338

First published: 2011

Setting: Nice, France

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The Riviera had never looked more inviting.

One sentence comment: This novel is full of fun and naughty conversations.

 This book series is meant to portray upper-class absurdity, and this book is probably (so far) the most hilarious and over the top. However, it is very entertaining for days of rain and illness. Also, the book cover is the most adorable.

 

 2  a book with some lettering on the cover printed in a primary color

The Poet (Jack McEvoy #1)

Author: Michael Connelly

Genre: mystery

Number of pages: 501

First published: 1996

Setting: Denver Colo, Chicago, Baltimore,

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Death is my beat.

One sentence comment: This book is a real page-turner; I found myself completely engrossed and unable to put it down, largely because I can so deeply sympathize with the narrator's feelings.

 While chasing a pedophile and serial killer, the narrator uncovers subtle clues, stays ahead of the FBI, and ultimately joins their team. The methods used to find the culprit and the narrator's research into the connected cases are exceptionally thrilling.

 

March Challenge: hope

 

March book 1 A book with a hopeful or uplifting theme

The Copper Beech

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 391

First published: 1992

Setting: Ireland

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Father Gunn knew that their housekeeper Mrs. Kennedy could have done it all much better than he would do it.

One sentence comment: As in other Maeve Binchy novels, this book offers heartwarming narratives where every challenge, whether bitter or sweet, finds a satisfying resolution.

 

This book is structured around chapters, each focusing on an individual or aspect of the seaside Catholic  school. Through these focused narratives, we gain deep insight into each person's feelings and motivations, fostering a profound sense of empathy.

Maddy is a particularly compelling character. She possesses an almost ethereal quality, which makes her passionate connection with a young priest all the more poignant. "She was a girl who liked her own company, since so little of anyone else’s company was offered to her.” Accustomed to solitude, Maddy's strong spiritual connection leads to a dramatic shift in her perspective when a kindred priest enters her life. Her unconventional plans may not unfold as expected, but she experiences significant personal growth.

 

The book expertly weaves together individual stories, building upon previous mentions of characters to create a rich and comprehensive portrait. Each chapter provides a crucial piece of the puzzle, revealing the complexities of their lives and illuminating the interconnectedness of the community.

 

March book 2 A book by an author whose first or last name begins with the letter H or O or P or E

What Darkness Brings (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #8)

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 336

First published: 2013

Setting: London in 1812

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The man was so old his face sagged in crinkly, sallow folds and Jenny could see pink scalp through the thin white hair plastered by sweat to his head.

One sentence comment: The characters are as always enticing, but the plot is not as fun as others.

 The author’s prose sparks a playful excitement within me. It's as if I'm granted a privileged view of an exquisite spectacle, or better yet, allowed to roam freely through the very society she portrays, with endless wonders to behold. I frequently find myself pondering those conversations, their subtle humor curving my lips into a knowing smile. Their discourse reveals a keen awareness of a world that falls short of their ideals, yet they navigate it with a determined, steady rhythm. Beyond her writing, I deeply admire her skill as a historian. She possesses the rare ability to weave academic rigor with compelling narrative, bringing to life the nuanced personal stories of the past. Through her work, she elicits a deep emotional response, fostering an understanding that those who came before us experienced lives remarkably similar to our own.

 To engage readers, the mystery skillfully weaves together the Golden Fleece, the lost Crown Jewels of Louis XV, and a Renaissance Key of Solomon grimoire. Without this narrative, these historical items and their stories would likely remain unknown to contemporary audiences. My subsequent internet search revealed the truly captivating 2010 Crown Jewels replicas.

Golden Fleece

https://www.manuelcohen.com/image/I0000OI5FyGs.OeY

Feb 2025 Read

 

Feb book 1: A short book with fewer than 200 pages

(Third book of my 2025 project: 6 classics before turning to 60)

Passing

Author: Nella Larsen

Genre: Harlem fiction

Number of pages: 125

First published: 1929

Setting: New York, Chicago

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: It was the last letter in Irene Redfield’s little pile of morning mail.

One sentence comment: The theme of this book is not generally understood as the issue of discrimination against Black people; rather, I think it is about a universal human topic: insecurity and what we have to pay to combat it.

 As I read, I found myself repeatedly thinking, "This is the mark of a classic." The work confronts a fundamental human experience: fear, the attitudes it engenders, and the inevitable consequences.

 The story centers on three individuals: Irene, her husband, Brian, and her childhood friend, Clare. Initially, Clare appears as a rebellious figure, distancing herself from the Black community, while Irene seems more grounded in her origins. However, the second part of the story reveals Irene's deep-seated fears and how her perception of the world contrasts with Brian's. Though Brian's perspective isn't directly presented, we understand through Irene's observations that he experiences oppression and restlessness. Irene grapples with a common fear among women, pushing her to the brink of madness, all while navigating the complexities of racial issues. In the third part, the narrative reveals the true source of malice and manipulation within the group.

 I find myself sympathizing with Clare. She suffered deeply, wounded by her white father and facing contempt from her family for her Black and mixed-race heritage. Her desire to change her circumstances feels understandable, even a right. While her deception of her white husband stems from a lack of love for white people, it's important to note that she didn't harm her Black community. In fact, she longed to return to it. Tragically, she was met with suspicion and remained an outsider, even among her own people.

 We all harbor fears of various kinds. Some, like Irene, choose avoidance, preferring not to acknowledge them. Brian and Clare, on the other hand, confront their fears, albeit in drastically different ways.  This book delves into the complex psychological landscape of those grappling with fear, exploring the diverse emotions and attitudes that arise. It's a truly excellent book, one that lingers in the mind long after reading.

 

 

Feb book 2: A book with a short title, 1-2 words

Rebecca

(Fourth book of my 2025 project: 6 classics before turning to 60)

Author: Daphne du Maurier

Genre: gothic fiction

Number of pages: 441

First published: 1938

Setting: Monte Carlo, Cornwall

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

One sentence comment: While the writing is inimitable, the theme doesn't interest me, but Sally Beauman’s reiew enlightened me afterwards.

 I wasn't very engaged in the story until about page 150.  The "poor girl meets prince" trope initially felt cliché and unappealing. However, my connection to the narrative deepened when the narrator met the old, blind granny. I began to appreciate du Maurier's contemplation of the cruel realities of aging and abandonment. The flashback to an old woman's youth, strolling the estate with her young son, was poignant. It highlighted how everything around her remained seemingly unchanged, while she herself was cast aside by time, as if by a brutal, inescapable force. This resonated with my experience of accompanying my old father to a park where elderly individuals who live alone gather. While they seem to find some connection with each other, I perceive a deeper loneliness. Their failing health is a constant concern, and exercise is their primary focus. They belong to a generation that deeply desires the company of their children, perhaps without fully realizing that those visits, like Beatrice's in the novel, are often seen as a duty, a way to ease the children's consciences.  As an observer, I've noticed that aging individuals are often profoundly alone on their life journey.

 My appreciation of the book changed drastically after I read the afterword, which is a review by Sally Beauman. The review offered a penetrating view of the book. Before reading the review, I underestimated the book, sharing the view of contemporary critics that it was simply a love story with tropes I dislike. However, through the review, I realized why du Maurier named the man "d'Winter" and how both heroines were destroyed by him. In du Maurier's time, these themes had to be expressed subtly so that the book could be published without being rejected for its forward-thinking vision.

 There's another interesting connection. When I was reading the book, it was the Chinese New Year period, and I had to listen to rockets being shot off all night. I then perfectly understood the phrase "the foolish rockets burst and fell" when the narrator felt a sense of disturbance at the party. I can relate to her feeling of annoyance.

 

 Feb book 3: A book on TBR for a short amount of time

Heidi

(Fifth book of my 2025 project: 6 classics before turning to 60)

Author: Johanna Spyri

Genre: children’s literature

Number of pages: 173

First published: 1880

Setting: The Alps

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The little old town of Mayenfeld is charmingly situated.

One sentence comment: It is an inspiring story about a little girl, Heidi, changed the lives of people around her.

 This book, one of the Collins Classics that arrived in this month, is a great company in the recent chilly weather.

 I was amazed by Heidi’s astute senses as I read how she saw, heard, or smelled things in the Alps. I felt as if I was there hearing the mesmerizing fir trees swaying, and the loud, sharp screams of the eagles. The perfume of the air and the pungent, herbaceous scent of the goats created a refreshing atmosphere.  Not to mention the awe-inspiring image of the mountain and sky ablaze with color.

 Heidi's soft heart for the old grandmother was most touching. She was stricken with sadness when she learned that Grandma was blind. She immediately realized how sorrowful it must be to be unable to see the beautiful scenes Heidi had recently experienced. She worried about the old woman's needs, such as soft bread and warm clothing, as if she herself were undergoing privation. Her empathy seemed to travel through an unseen wire to my heart.

 At the end of the book, it is truthfully stated, even by a rich man: “Before God, we are all equally miserable and poor if He should forget us!”

 

Jan, 2025 Read

1.      A book by an author with a 2-syllable last name

(first book of my 2025 project: 6 classics before turning to 60)

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Author: Baroness Orczy

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 323

First published: 1905

Setting: Paris in 1792

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: A surging, seething, murmuring crowd of beings that are human only in name, for to the eye and ear they seem naught but savage creatures, animated by vile passions and by the lust of vengeance and of hate.

One sentence comment: I love this book, romantic and beautiful.

 The Scarlet Pimpernel is about this crazy time of huge change and serious danger, and this one super-rich guy basically ran a secret rescue squad. He and his team kept sneaking back into Paris to save all these people the French government was trying to hunt down.

 

2.      Free pick

(Second book of my 2025 project: 6 classics before turning to 60)

The Custom of the Country

Author: Edith Wharton

Genre: Classic fiction

Number of pages: 413

First published: 1913

Setting: New York and France

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: ‘Undine Spragg – how can you?’ her mother wailed, raising a prematurely wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid ‘bell-boy’ had just brought in.

One sentence comment: This book offers the most vivid insights into the evolving social dynamics in New York in the early 20^th century.

 

Edith Wharton's The Custom of the Country doesn't enjoy the same fame as some of her other novels. I suspect it's because critics haven't taken kindly to its villainous heroine. Undine, shallow and obsessed with money, is certainly unsympathetic. Yet, despite her comic portrayal, she doesn't suffer the tragic fate often meted out to 19th-century women who dared to defy societal norms. Undine actually gets what she wants. In a way, the story seems to applaud her dishonesty and unconventional boldness, which might leave some readers feeling a bit uneasy.

 

My heart really goes out to Ralph, Undine's first victim. He was a true gentleman from a distinguished family, a thoughtful soul who valued art above all else. Yet, he was forced to take on a soul-crushing job to keep up with Undine's extravagant spending. His tragedy lies in his fundamental belief in human decency. He simply couldn't comprehend the extent of her deceit. Ralph's story reflects the social upheaval of the time. It highlights how traditional values were crumbling, leaving those who clung to them bewildered and powerless to maintain the order they cherished.

 

December Challenges

Dec 1 A book with a character who is a scholar or student (curious)

Dark Matter

Author: Black Crouch

Genre: low fantasy

Number of pages: 401

First published: 2016

Setting: Chicago

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: I love Thursday night.

One sentence comment: Excessively lengthy, yet offers few surprises, the plot unfolds predictably, with little deviation from the expected course.

 

Despite its popularity, the book is quite disappointing. Firstly, the narrative spends an excessive 150 pages building tension around the protagonist's mysterious circumstances, only to reveal a resolution involving object superposition, a concept already established as the book's core premise. This drawn-out suspense tests the reader's patience. Secondly, the narrative then shifts to another 150-page adventure through multiple universes via various doors before the protagonist finds his original world, a trope reminiscent of young adult novels. Lastly and most infuriating, the text is filled with numerous one-word or one-sentence paragraphs. The excessive use of these patterns weaken the literary quality of the text. Extended dialogue and full paragraphs allow for more nuanced expressions and subtle humor. One-word or one-sentence paragraphs often lack depth and can feel redundant.

 

While the book may have its shortcomings, it does possess some positive attributes. Its straightforward language and simple structure make it an accessible read, particularly for action-oriented and thrill-seeking readers to be motivated and captivated. This accessibility allows readers to engage with the story without feeling overwhelmed by complex sentence structures or dense vocabulary.

 

 

Dec 2 a book you’ve been curious to read for a least a year

Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery #4)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 305

First published: 2010

Setting: London, Romania

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: November in London is utterly bloody.

One sentence comment: The title and the content cleverly reference Dracula legend.

 

There were so many hilarious moments in the books that had me laughing out loud. I was cracking up when I read a snooty lady kept nagging the main character, ‘if you let servants go around looking like oversized flowerpots you will be a laughingstock.’

 

Dec 3 a book that contains a curiosity/mystery/problem to be solved

The Daughter of Time

Author: Josephine Tey

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 255

First published: 1951

Setting: England

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: Grant lay on his high white cot and stared at the ceiling.

One sentence comment: It’s about a bored man studying a boring case.

 

I found myself quite dissatisfied with this book. Firstly, I struggled to connect with the protagonist. His demeanor throughout the narrative struck me as arrogant and dismissive, making it difficult to sympathize or root for him. This lack of relatability significantly hindered my enjoyment of the story.

 

Secondly, I found the plot to be exceedingly predictable. The core of the narrative could have been summarized succinctly, yet it was unnecessarily drawn out across hundreds of pages. This excessive length felt like a significant padding of the story, leaving me feeling frustrated and disappointed.