2019 LJ Book Bingo
I saw that eurydice72 is doing 
ljbookbingo in 2019, so I went to take a look and signed up for it this year. Now that I have joined the book club, I am a cert for 12 books (and hopefully I can fit them into a square!) but in any case I have a library membership now, so if not I can just pick a random book where needed. I have set a target at Goodreads of 50 books a year already. l have decided to link to the reviews of individual books that end up fulfilling squares here, so at the end of the year I will have a complete record, and then link back to this master post so I can keep track of when I get bingos.
This post will be unlocked, and I will state if I enjoyed or otherwise each book, but my review posts will be in my normal journal, so Friends Only. I will create a separate post for each book as I read them, and I will update this post with links to each book.
Let the games begin!
The List
Fantasy Sci Fi Paranormal- The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley
This book is a prequel to The Blue Sword, and I love both stories. Possibly the Blue Sword more, but I always enjoy re reading this one too. The story of Aerin, awkward and "strange"daughter of the King's second, Witch from the North, wife, it's a classic quest/hero's journey tale but it also incorporates some unusual elements very effectively. I wasn't keen on the love triangle in this one - hence the preference for The Blue Sword - but it is a good book to read.
Mystery Crime/Thriller True Crime - Career of Evil, by Robert Galbraith
This book was a crime procedural by JK Rowling using her alter ego of Robert Galbraith about a Private Detective called Cormoran Strike. I liked it enough to read all the other books in the series...
Audiobook or Ebook - Touched, by AJ Aalto
This book was about vampires and their "day sitters" - I enjoyed it, but didn't love it enough to get the rest of the books in the series.
Nurmber or Colour in the Title - 206 Bones, by Kathy Reichs
This book was about Temperance Brennan... but it was a very different Brennan to the one portrayed in Bones the TV series, and I didn't like this one. I didn't enjoy this book very much. Sometimes the book is better than the film/tv series - and sometimes not.
Diverse Reads - Sofia Khan is not Obliged - by Aiysha Malik
Another Book Club book, which was in diary format, very similar to Bridget Jones, except that the main character was Muslim, and the tale was of muslim dating. It was good to read the perspective of a muslim character who was "normal" and not an extemist or terrorist. Just the day to day trials of life with prayers, a hijab and the Koran added to the mix.
Children's or Young Adult - Dr Who: The Good Doctor, by Juno Dawson
This book was a about the repercussions of the Doctor's interaction with an alien population - only found out on a return visit many years later with her companions, and how it was resolved.
Biography Autobiography Non fiction - The Astronaut Wives Club, by
I was asked to read this book by the Book Club I belong to. It was about the wives of the astronauts who were part of the Moon landing and other Apollo missions. There was a good story there, but this wasn't it. Confusing, referring to the wives by their first names and yet skimming the interesting parts. Not a favourite.
Historical (fiction or non fiction) Sharpe's Rifles, by Bernard Cornwall
The story of how Richard Sharpe led a recalcitrant band of soldiers through Spain. Loved it. And could hear Sean Bean in every line of dialogue...
Set in your State/Country or written by a local author - The Hanging Tree, by Ben Aaronovitch
A Police procedural with a difference - for a start, the "hero" Peter Grant is working for the Magic Branch... the police stuff was totally believable though, and as it is set in London, I recognised and knew all the places the action took place. Loved this one - I've now read all of the books in the series (the Author started his career writing for Dr Who!), but to get the most out of it, you should read them in order, starting with the Rivers of London.
Title Starts with the first letter of your name (I'm going to go with Hobbituk) - Heads you win, by Jeffrey Archer
Another Book club book...This is the first Jeffrey Archer book I have read. His writing style is easy to read, and it was quite well paced. I hadn’t expected the twist at the end - and yes, it was quite apt. However, I felt like the author had lost interest in writing it by the back end of the book and just wanted to get it done - which meant I felt the same.
Female Author - The Widow, by Fiona Barton
Another one for the Book Club. This is very relevant to today, about paedophiles and child abduction, but I didn't enjoy it.
One word Title - Kim, by Rudyard KIpling
Another Book Club title, this one a classic. It was quite possibly the forerunner of all the spy novels we have today, and while reading it I became aware just how short my attention span has become! I struggled to get into it a bit, but the descriptions of the India Kipling loved was worth it.
Free Space Head over heels, by Jill Mansell
Movie tie in/ Made into a movie - The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien
With my user name, it's pretty natural that I re read this periodically. The story of the original Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins and his trip there and back again. Reading it again I am struck all over again at the liberties taken by the film makers in adding all those extra female characters... and Legolas! Much as I love him, HE WASN'T THERE!
Title at least 6 words long - The Proof is in the Pudding, by Joanna Sheen and Julia Wherrell
This was a murder/mystery lightweight romance story by a lady who most in the craft world know as a crafter and her friend. It reminded me very much of early Mills and Boon stories - definitely no raunchy stuff! A nice lightweight read - just what I used to pick to read on the train, back in my commuting days!
Published this year - The President is Missing, by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Well, if anyone knows how the White House operates, it's Bill Clinton! And he has very sensibly opted to co write this with an experienced Author in James Patterson. I don't understand American politics, and have no affiliations to either side, so I probably enjoyed it more than someone who loathes the Clintons...
Horror Category change - Romance The Print Petticoat, by Lucilla Andrews
This was a book on my shelf - I've had it for years. It's a long time since I read it last and what struck me was how old fashioned it is now. Basically, the story of a nurse in long term relationship with doctor, nurse is dumped by doctor, nurse meets another doctor who has loved her from afar but doesn't really see him as more than a friend, nurse gets TB, nurse comes to appreciate and love doctor who loves her and stands by her... I do like Lucilla Andrews' nurse stories though.
Chosen based on the cover - What would Mary Berry do? by Claire Sandy
I picked this book from the local library and had no idea what to expect, but it was lovely! A tale of two marriages, teenage children and first love, wise beyond their years twin girls, and discovering the joys of baking... what's not to love? I've even noted the author's name so I can read more of her books if there are any.
A banned Book Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence
So yes, I can see why it was banned. Have to say though, I'd rather watch Sean Bean in the film...
A New to you Author Last Kashmiri Rose, by Barbara Cleverley
One of the ladies from my Colouring Group recommended this one to me. It's a murder/mystery set in the days of the British Raj, just before Mahatma Gandhi stirred it all up, when the stiff upper lipped Brits and their Memsahibs were strutting around India. This was the first story of the author's main character Joe Sandilands (Scottish, ex army, and now police officer seconded to the force in Bombay for a time). I really enjoyed it - so much so I have sought out the next few books in the sequence too. 4 down, 8 or so to go...
Comic or graphic novel Category change - 100k+ word fanfic Charms of the Clarion, by eurydice72
This was one of my first ever forays into the world of fanfic - and I couldn't have chosen a better one. I regularly re read this and in fact have it saved to a hard drive on my pc AND a usb so that if the internet explodes I can still read it. I'm pondering printing it out.... The story is about a mission to Scotland and is an ensemble piece. But there is no character bashing (even Riley is treated fairly) and it has a happy ending. Love the characterisation in this one and this Spike and Buffy is one of my favourite incarnations of the characters.
A book that is part of a series (4+ books) - Moon over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch
Ah, the Rivers of London books. I love these! A friend gave me the very first one (Rivers of London) some time ago, and it was in my TBR pile for ages. Then, for some reason (probably a cold rainy afternoon when I had nothing else to do) I picked it up and was smitten. This is the 2nd in the series and continues with the story begun in the first book. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
TV tie in / Turned into a tv story - A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
This book is the first and the beginning of a series of (very long) books. I actually struggled to watch the tv series having read the book first - I found the lead actor a bit jarring at first. It's the story of a Vampire and a very special Witch, and includes time travel as well as the normal magical battles... Loved it.
Fairy Tale or Fairy Tale retelling Wildcard - The Rome Affair, by Karen Swan
The story of 2 women, both with secrets, divided by time but brought together by fate. Ultimately, both secrets are revealed, with many turns along the way. I enjoyed this one - and didn't see the twist at the end until the ultimate reveal.
Cookbook or Food memoir - SW Sp Sensations
This is the first recipe I tried from this book - Lamb with Aubergine (Eggplant) and Chickpeas. It was yummy!
ljbookbingo in 2019, so I went to take a look and signed up for it this year. Now that I have joined the book club, I am a cert for 12 books (and hopefully I can fit them into a square!) but in any case I have a library membership now, so if not I can just pick a random book where needed. I have set a target at Goodreads of 50 books a year already. l have decided to link to the reviews of individual books that end up fulfilling squares here, so at the end of the year I will have a complete record, and then link back to this master post so I can keep track of when I get bingos.
This post will be unlocked, and I will state if I enjoyed or otherwise each book, but my review posts will be in my normal journal, so Friends Only. I will create a separate post for each book as I read them, and I will update this post with links to each book.
Let the games begin!
The List
Fantasy Sci Fi Paranormal- The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley
This book is a prequel to The Blue Sword, and I love both stories. Possibly the Blue Sword more, but I always enjoy re reading this one too. The story of Aerin, awkward and "strange"daughter of the King's second, Witch from the North, wife, it's a classic quest/hero's journey tale but it also incorporates some unusual elements very effectively. I wasn't keen on the love triangle in this one - hence the preference for The Blue Sword - but it is a good book to read.
Mystery Crime/Thriller True Crime - Career of Evil, by Robert Galbraith
This book was a crime procedural by JK Rowling using her alter ego of Robert Galbraith about a Private Detective called Cormoran Strike. I liked it enough to read all the other books in the series...
Audiobook or Ebook - Touched, by AJ Aalto
This book was about vampires and their "day sitters" - I enjoyed it, but didn't love it enough to get the rest of the books in the series.
Nurmber or Colour in the Title - 206 Bones, by Kathy Reichs
This book was about Temperance Brennan... but it was a very different Brennan to the one portrayed in Bones the TV series, and I didn't like this one. I didn't enjoy this book very much. Sometimes the book is better than the film/tv series - and sometimes not.
Diverse Reads - Sofia Khan is not Obliged - by Aiysha Malik
Another Book Club book, which was in diary format, very similar to Bridget Jones, except that the main character was Muslim, and the tale was of muslim dating. It was good to read the perspective of a muslim character who was "normal" and not an extemist or terrorist. Just the day to day trials of life with prayers, a hijab and the Koran added to the mix.
Children's or Young Adult - Dr Who: The Good Doctor, by Juno Dawson
This book was a about the repercussions of the Doctor's interaction with an alien population - only found out on a return visit many years later with her companions, and how it was resolved.
Biography Autobiography Non fiction - The Astronaut Wives Club, by
I was asked to read this book by the Book Club I belong to. It was about the wives of the astronauts who were part of the Moon landing and other Apollo missions. There was a good story there, but this wasn't it. Confusing, referring to the wives by their first names and yet skimming the interesting parts. Not a favourite.
Historical (fiction or non fiction) Sharpe's Rifles, by Bernard Cornwall
The story of how Richard Sharpe led a recalcitrant band of soldiers through Spain. Loved it. And could hear Sean Bean in every line of dialogue...
Set in your State/Country or written by a local author - The Hanging Tree, by Ben Aaronovitch
A Police procedural with a difference - for a start, the "hero" Peter Grant is working for the Magic Branch... the police stuff was totally believable though, and as it is set in London, I recognised and knew all the places the action took place. Loved this one - I've now read all of the books in the series (the Author started his career writing for Dr Who!), but to get the most out of it, you should read them in order, starting with the Rivers of London.
Title Starts with the first letter of your name (I'm going to go with Hobbituk) - Heads you win, by Jeffrey Archer
Another Book club book...This is the first Jeffrey Archer book I have read. His writing style is easy to read, and it was quite well paced. I hadn’t expected the twist at the end - and yes, it was quite apt. However, I felt like the author had lost interest in writing it by the back end of the book and just wanted to get it done - which meant I felt the same.
Female Author - The Widow, by Fiona Barton
Another one for the Book Club. This is very relevant to today, about paedophiles and child abduction, but I didn't enjoy it.
One word Title - Kim, by Rudyard KIpling
Another Book Club title, this one a classic. It was quite possibly the forerunner of all the spy novels we have today, and while reading it I became aware just how short my attention span has become! I struggled to get into it a bit, but the descriptions of the India Kipling loved was worth it.
Free Space Head over heels, by Jill Mansell
Movie tie in/ Made into a movie - The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien
With my user name, it's pretty natural that I re read this periodically. The story of the original Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins and his trip there and back again. Reading it again I am struck all over again at the liberties taken by the film makers in adding all those extra female characters... and Legolas! Much as I love him, HE WASN'T THERE!
Title at least 6 words long - The Proof is in the Pudding, by Joanna Sheen and Julia Wherrell
This was a murder/mystery lightweight romance story by a lady who most in the craft world know as a crafter and her friend. It reminded me very much of early Mills and Boon stories - definitely no raunchy stuff! A nice lightweight read - just what I used to pick to read on the train, back in my commuting days!
Published this year - The President is Missing, by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Well, if anyone knows how the White House operates, it's Bill Clinton! And he has very sensibly opted to co write this with an experienced Author in James Patterson. I don't understand American politics, and have no affiliations to either side, so I probably enjoyed it more than someone who loathes the Clintons...
Horror Category change - Romance The Print Petticoat, by Lucilla Andrews
This was a book on my shelf - I've had it for years. It's a long time since I read it last and what struck me was how old fashioned it is now. Basically, the story of a nurse in long term relationship with doctor, nurse is dumped by doctor, nurse meets another doctor who has loved her from afar but doesn't really see him as more than a friend, nurse gets TB, nurse comes to appreciate and love doctor who loves her and stands by her... I do like Lucilla Andrews' nurse stories though.
Chosen based on the cover - What would Mary Berry do? by Claire Sandy
I picked this book from the local library and had no idea what to expect, but it was lovely! A tale of two marriages, teenage children and first love, wise beyond their years twin girls, and discovering the joys of baking... what's not to love? I've even noted the author's name so I can read more of her books if there are any.
A banned Book Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence
So yes, I can see why it was banned. Have to say though, I'd rather watch Sean Bean in the film...
A New to you Author Last Kashmiri Rose, by Barbara Cleverley
One of the ladies from my Colouring Group recommended this one to me. It's a murder/mystery set in the days of the British Raj, just before Mahatma Gandhi stirred it all up, when the stiff upper lipped Brits and their Memsahibs were strutting around India. This was the first story of the author's main character Joe Sandilands (Scottish, ex army, and now police officer seconded to the force in Bombay for a time). I really enjoyed it - so much so I have sought out the next few books in the sequence too. 4 down, 8 or so to go...
Comic or graphic novel Category change - 100k+ word fanfic Charms of the Clarion, by eurydice72
This was one of my first ever forays into the world of fanfic - and I couldn't have chosen a better one. I regularly re read this and in fact have it saved to a hard drive on my pc AND a usb so that if the internet explodes I can still read it. I'm pondering printing it out.... The story is about a mission to Scotland and is an ensemble piece. But there is no character bashing (even Riley is treated fairly) and it has a happy ending. Love the characterisation in this one and this Spike and Buffy is one of my favourite incarnations of the characters.
A book that is part of a series (4+ books) - Moon over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch
Ah, the Rivers of London books. I love these! A friend gave me the very first one (Rivers of London) some time ago, and it was in my TBR pile for ages. Then, for some reason (probably a cold rainy afternoon when I had nothing else to do) I picked it up and was smitten. This is the 2nd in the series and continues with the story begun in the first book. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
TV tie in / Turned into a tv story - A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
This book is the first and the beginning of a series of (very long) books. I actually struggled to watch the tv series having read the book first - I found the lead actor a bit jarring at first. It's the story of a Vampire and a very special Witch, and includes time travel as well as the normal magical battles... Loved it.
Fairy Tale or Fairy Tale retelling Wildcard - The Rome Affair, by Karen Swan
The story of 2 women, both with secrets, divided by time but brought together by fate. Ultimately, both secrets are revealed, with many turns along the way. I enjoyed this one - and didn't see the twist at the end until the ultimate reveal.
Cookbook or Food memoir - SW Sp Sensations
This is the first recipe I tried from this book - Lamb with Aubergine (Eggplant) and Chickpeas. It was yummy!