Books
This week has been a busy one what with the kids going back to school. The district we are in are on a modified traditional schedule, so they always start back earlier than most schools. So, I have been trying to get back into the swing of things and making sure they also remember everything they need to remember. Other than that, my husband received a couple of tickets to our favorite baseball team playing against their rivals. Baseball is more my husband's thing than it is mine. I don't mind it being on the television, but I don't really watch it, I usually find something else to do when it is on. However, I do like to go to an occasional game. I find them much more interesting in person. Plus you have all the really good food that they serve at games nowadays. Although it has gotten really expensive! I paid almost $13 dollars for a coke and a bottled water! If you can believe it. The game was fun although we were sitting in full sun the whole time and even with applying a ton of sunscreen, I still ended up missing the inside of my left arm. It was a bit ouch-y for a day or so but it is all better now.
This week I read: 1 historical mystery, 1 biography, 1 fantasy, and 1 YA historical mystery.
Murder Under a Red Moon by Harini Nagendra
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime to please her domineering mother-in-law-during the blood moon eclipse, no less-she doesn't expect, once again, to stumble upon a murder.
With anti-British sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women's suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be a far more dangerous and treacherous place than Kaveri ever imagined-and everyone's motives are suspect. ~Goodreads Description
I am loving this series. The Kaveri and Ramu series takes place in 1920's Bangalore, India. I love the main pov character Kaveri, she is smart, kind, and an all-round good person. Kaveri and Ramu have such a lovely relationship. They have only been married for a year and they have such love and respect for each other it is such a delight to read. I also like that Kaveri has gathered other women around her from all castes and religions and how they all end up helping with the mystery and each other when one of them has a problem. The mystery was a good one and I loved getting to learn more about this time in India.
Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton
I first became aware of Wil Wheaton from watching the movie Stand By Me, but it was his turn as Wesley Crusher on TNG that really grabbed my attention. Wesley was a character I could relate to and as a kid at the time I loved that I got to see someone my age in outer space having adventures. Still Just a Geek is a really interesting well-written book. I love that the author took their original book Just a Geek and annotated an updated version of it. Annotated books are some of my favorite books. I find all the additional information at the bottom to be very fascinating. That said, this is one of the most annotated books I have ever read, and it got a bit overwhelming every once in a while. Other than that, I really enjoyed the journey the author took us on, you can really see the author's growth as a person and as a writer as you read through the pages. I am glad I ended up reading this autobiography and I wish Mr. Wheaton nothing but the best.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death? ~ Goodreads Description
I picked up this book on a whim, because the tag line said it was perfect for fans of the Princess Bride and since I am I decided to give it a try. I have only read one other Sanderson book and it wasn't set in the Cosmere verse, so I went into this standalone with little to no context. In spite of this, I really enjoyed it. I probably missed out on some easter eggs but overall, I was very entertained. It was whimsical and fun, and I really loved the main character, Tress. Also, the illustrations were lovely. I would recommend this book to those who are very familiar with Cosmere and those who aren't.
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
This was an interesting read. I have read fictional takes on the Jack the Ripper killings before sometimes they are good others not so much. This one was entertaining but not great. I mostly enjoyed the pov character Audrey Rose, but she could also be annoying as her speech tends toward overly dramatic, and at times she can tip over into the "I'm not like other girls" trope. I did appreciate that the author showed how restrictive Audrey Rose's life was due to the misogyny of the time. The love interest Thomas could at times be intriguing but at other times kind of insufferable and not in a fun charming way, although I think that's what the author was going for. I guessed who the killer was pretty early on, but I still enjoyed watching Audrey Rose and Thomas try to figure it out. Overall, I liked it enough to continue for at least one more book in the series.
Reading Challenges 2023:
TBR: N/A
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: Stalking Jack the Ripper, Murder Under the Red Moon
Pyramid of Books: Urban city, 300+ book, Letter E in title
Read the Quote: Still Just a Geek, Tress of the Emerald Sea, Stalking Jack the Ripper, Murder Under the Red Moon
How is your week going?
This week I read: 1 historical mystery, 1 biography, 1 fantasy, and 1 YA historical mystery.
Murder Under a Red Moon by Harini Nagendra
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime to please her domineering mother-in-law-during the blood moon eclipse, no less-she doesn't expect, once again, to stumble upon a murder.
With anti-British sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women's suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be a far more dangerous and treacherous place than Kaveri ever imagined-and everyone's motives are suspect. ~Goodreads Description
I am loving this series. The Kaveri and Ramu series takes place in 1920's Bangalore, India. I love the main pov character Kaveri, she is smart, kind, and an all-round good person. Kaveri and Ramu have such a lovely relationship. They have only been married for a year and they have such love and respect for each other it is such a delight to read. I also like that Kaveri has gathered other women around her from all castes and religions and how they all end up helping with the mystery and each other when one of them has a problem. The mystery was a good one and I loved getting to learn more about this time in India.
Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton
I first became aware of Wil Wheaton from watching the movie Stand By Me, but it was his turn as Wesley Crusher on TNG that really grabbed my attention. Wesley was a character I could relate to and as a kid at the time I loved that I got to see someone my age in outer space having adventures. Still Just a Geek is a really interesting well-written book. I love that the author took their original book Just a Geek and annotated an updated version of it. Annotated books are some of my favorite books. I find all the additional information at the bottom to be very fascinating. That said, this is one of the most annotated books I have ever read, and it got a bit overwhelming every once in a while. Other than that, I really enjoyed the journey the author took us on, you can really see the author's growth as a person and as a writer as you read through the pages. I am glad I ended up reading this autobiography and I wish Mr. Wheaton nothing but the best.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death? ~ Goodreads Description
I picked up this book on a whim, because the tag line said it was perfect for fans of the Princess Bride and since I am I decided to give it a try. I have only read one other Sanderson book and it wasn't set in the Cosmere verse, so I went into this standalone with little to no context. In spite of this, I really enjoyed it. I probably missed out on some easter eggs but overall, I was very entertained. It was whimsical and fun, and I really loved the main character, Tress. Also, the illustrations were lovely. I would recommend this book to those who are very familiar with Cosmere and those who aren't.
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
This was an interesting read. I have read fictional takes on the Jack the Ripper killings before sometimes they are good others not so much. This one was entertaining but not great. I mostly enjoyed the pov character Audrey Rose, but she could also be annoying as her speech tends toward overly dramatic, and at times she can tip over into the "I'm not like other girls" trope. I did appreciate that the author showed how restrictive Audrey Rose's life was due to the misogyny of the time. The love interest Thomas could at times be intriguing but at other times kind of insufferable and not in a fun charming way, although I think that's what the author was going for. I guessed who the killer was pretty early on, but I still enjoyed watching Audrey Rose and Thomas try to figure it out. Overall, I liked it enough to continue for at least one more book in the series.
Reading Challenges 2023:
TBR: N/A
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: Stalking Jack the Ripper, Murder Under the Red Moon
Pyramid of Books: Urban city, 300+ book, Letter E in title
Read the Quote: Still Just a Geek, Tress of the Emerald Sea, Stalking Jack the Ripper, Murder Under the Red Moon
How is your week going?