Moving blues 'caus I don't have time to read....

Although there is something completely exhilarating about moving the obscene amount of time it takes is making me blue.  I haven't had time to read much.  This makes for a sad library ninja.  :(

However, I did have a night for Scorpia Rising the latest and last installment in Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series.  I thoroughly enjoyed it - as I though I would!  Horowitz has a magical quality to his prose and each time I read one of his books I'm whisked away on adventures I would have dearly loved to have experienced as a teenager.  One must admit a bit of sadness that the Alex Rider Series has come to a close, however, I have a lot of respect for the author as he chose not to drag it on and on and on like many authors do.  Characters, like humans, have a life span.  I like authors that get that.  I'm really hoping Mr. Horowitz will get to penning the next book in the Power of Five series, but alas, like all kids and grow up kids alike ... I have to wait.  *sigh*  :)

As I pack and move I'm re-reading, via Recorded Books, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.  I forgot how much I love this series.  It's very well paralleled to our current world situations.  I am also reading The Sherlokian, by Graham Moore.  Well I will be as soon as I finish writing this and get to reading.

Cheers!

A Lesson In Secrets

Absolutely my favorite author of the 21st Century, Jacqueline Winspear has done it once again, a brilliantly written epic adventure into the world of Masie Dobbs.  In the 8th installment of the Masie Dobbs series we are taken to 1932 as Masie finally begins to fulfill the destiny left to her by her mentor Maruice Blanche.  Caught up in the world of espionage and as a representative of His Majesty's Secret Service Masie is sent back to her beloved Cambridge to pose as a junior lecturer in Philosophy.    In her role as undercover professor, Masie is forced to step back when the founder and president of the college is murdered.  However, Masie must solve the problem of the murder to solve the problem for the secret service.  


As Masie delves into the university staff and students the undercurrent of Nazi sentiments in Britain become apparent.  Winspear does an amazing job of setting the scene of how Heir Hitler had an affect in many places.  I think this point was one of my favorite points of the book.  Masie seems to realize, beyond any doubt, that the Nazi influence was bad and something to be aware of - but the secret service might not have been ready to listen to a woman.  


If you're new to the Masie Dobbs series, you can get the full scoop here; http://jacquelinewinspear.com/ Jacqueline Winspear's blog.  

A Lesson In Secrets Jacqueline Winspear
Harper, Hardcover, (March 2011), ISBN-13: 978-0061727672
Paperback, (March 2011), ISBN-13: 978-0062065063

WTF

I really like Jennifer Garner, but WTF is this that she has been cast as the new Miss Marple.  ( http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=30544 )  I'm sorry, but as a TRUE Agatha Christie lover (both literary & film) this is an awful decision on someone's part.  1) she's TOO YOUNG & 2) she's AMERICAN!  Why not Helen Mirrin or Judi Dench.

LORD!

The Witch's Daughter

Just finished The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston.  I really did enjoy it, but it took a while for me to get into it.  Then the ending kind of disappointed, but overall I gave it a 3/5 on Shelfari.  As far as an overall sense of the book I found the writing well done and the story was easy to get wrapped up in after the "story in the story" began.  I'll defiantly read more by this author.  

Discovering Aunt Dimity!

I'm really not sure how I've managed to overlook Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity series for the last 15 years, but I have!  However, I'm so excited to have discovered it.  What fun, lighthearted mysteries!  I've just finished Aunt Dimity's Death and am excited to get the next book in the series tomorrow, when I'm a Saturday Librarian.

In the mean time.... I'll be reading Murder Past Due by Miranda James and finishing up Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk the newest book from the AMAZING David Sedaris.  There is also a new R.A. Salvatore I've got checked out - but I'll save that one for Sunday.

Cheers for a peaceful weekend!  Right now, my prayers are going out to everyone in Japan.  Such sad news to wake up to today.

Gawd I'm a bad blogger.....

I know I'm a horrid blogger....  That said - if you LOVE mysteries make sure you pick up 2 fantastic new series reads:  Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton and Bless the Bride by Rhys Bowen.  They are both well written and take you away from the daily grind.  


Next up?  Don't know yet.  I've been taking an audio book journey through the Harry Potter series and I can't say enough good things about Jim Dale and his oratory skills.  :)  


Right now I'm stuck in Library Land and just hoping to get through the day.  


Peace.


BUT - On an amazing note...  George R.R. Martin's much anticipated (for 6 years) Dance with Dragons is set to publish in July 2o11.   YEAH!!! 

ahhh... the Lord of the Rings

I'll never get enough of J R R Tolkien's epic tome.  Never.  I just listened to the books whilst enjoying my 2 hour daily commute and was amazed.  Read by Rob Inglis I was once again taken to the magical place that is Middle Earth.  I read the trilogy every couple of years, but this was the first time for me to listen to it.  AMAZEBALLS! I loved it.  So many songs put to tune... so many memories that filled my head.  Happy!

My Dad first read these books to me when I was 8 years old.  My Grandfather was dying of cancer and Daddy read them, to the two of us.  I will forever remember them both with each experience with the Lord of the Rings trilogy and other works of J R R Tolkien.  What an amazing bonding experience to have with your Dad and Granddad  -  especially after they have shuffled off this mortal coil.

OK - current audio books - a re-visitation to the wonderful world of Hogwarts.  On Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets now.  J. K. Rowling is another AMAZING fantasy author.   Exciting!!  :)  Reading - the new J. A. Jance; Fatal Error.